WO2015069074A1 - Access point, station, and access configuration method between access point and station - Google Patents

Abstract

An access configuration method between an access point and a station according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: transmitting a communication configuration message to one or more stations by the access point; and performing access configuration by the access point according to an access request of the station, wherein the communication configuration message includes information on a priority access condition of each station.

Description

How to set up access points, stations and connections between access points and stations

The present invention relates to a method for establishing a connection between an access point and a station.

Recently, with the expansion of mobile devices, wireless LAN technology that can provide a fast wireless Internet service to them is receiving a lot of attention. Wireless LAN technology is a technology that enables mobile devices such as smart phones, smart pads, laptop computers, portable multimedia players, embedded devices, and the like to wirelessly connect to the Internet based on wireless communication technology at a short range.

Early WLAN technology used the 2.4 GHz frequency through IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 to support the speed of 1-2Mbps through frequency hopping, spread spectrum, infrared communication, etc. By applying Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex, up to 54Mbps can be supported. In addition, IEEE 802.11 improves Quality of Service (QoS), access point (AP) protocol compatibility, security enhancement, radio resource measurement, and wireless access vehicular for vehicle environments. Standards of various technologies such as environment, fast roaming, mesh network, interworking with external network, and wireless network management are being put into practice or being developed.

Among IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11b supports communication speeds up to 11Mbps using the 2.4GHz band. IEEE 802.11a, commercialized after IEEE 802.11b, reduces the impact of interference compared to the frequency of the congested 2.4 GHz band by using the frequency of the 5 GHz band instead of the 2.4 GHz band. Up to 54Mbps. However, IEEE 802.11a has a shorter communication distance than IEEE 802.11b. And IEEE 802.11g, like IEEE 802.11b, uses a frequency of 2.4 GHz band to realize a communication speed of up to 54 Mbps and satisfies backward compatibility, which has received considerable attention. Is in the lead.

In addition, IEEE 802.11n is a technical standard established to overcome a limitation on communication speed, which has been pointed out as a weak point in WLAN. IEEE 802.11n aims to increase the speed and reliability of networks and to extend the operating range of wireless networks. More specifically, IEEE 802.11n supports High Throughput (HT) with data throughput of up to 540 Mbps and also uses multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to minimize transmission errors and optimize data rates. It is based on Multiple Inputs and Multiple Outputs (MIMO) technology. In addition, the standard not only uses a coding scheme for transmitting multiple duplicate copies to increase data reliability, but may also use orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) to increase the speed.

As the spread of wireless LANs is activated and applications are diversified, there is a need for a new WLAN system to support a higher throughput (VHT) than the data throughput supported by IEEE 802.11n. This is emerging. Among them, IEEE 802.11ac supports a wide bandwidth (80MHz to 160MHz) at 5GHz frequency. The IEEE 802.11ac standard is defined only in the 5 GHz band, but for backward compatibility with existing 2.4 GHz band products, early 11ac chipsets will also support operation in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11ac supports bandwidths from 2.4GHz up to 40MHz. Theoretically, according to this standard, the wireless LAN speed of multiple terminals can be at least 1 Gbps and the maximum single link speed can be at least 500 Mbps. This is accomplished by extending the 802.11n concept of wireless interfaces, including wider radio frequency bandwidth (up to 160 MHz), more MIMO spatial streams (up to eight), multi-user MIMO, and higher density modulation (up to 256 QAM). In addition, IEEE 802.11ad is a method of transmitting data using a 60 GHz band instead of the existing 2.5 GHz / 5 GHz. IEEE 802.11ad is a transmission standard that uses beamforming technology to provide speeds of up to 7Gbps, and is suitable for high bitrate video streaming such as large data or uncompressed HD video. However, the 60 GHz frequency band is difficult to pass through obstacles, and thus can be used only between devices in a short space.

Meanwhile, Korean Patent No. 0643766 (name of the invention: a fast handover method optimized for an IEEE 802.11 network) classifies APs based on signal strengths of neighboring APs and determines an AP to perform handover based on this. Initiating the process.

The present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides a connection setting method that can be set so that the access time point between the access point and the station are distributed to each other.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, a method for establishing a connection between an access point and a station according to the first aspect of the present invention includes the steps of the access point transmits a communication setup message to one or more stations and the communication setup message The access point performs a connection setup according to the connection request of the received station, wherein the communication setup message includes information on the connection priority condition of each station.

In addition, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for establishing a connection between an access point and a station includes: receiving, by the station, a communication setting message transmitted by the access point, and information on a priority condition of a station included in the communication setting message; Reading a request for access to the access point according to the information on the priority condition of the station.

In addition, the access point apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a memory for storing a program for establishing a connection with a station, at least one communication interface card, and a processor for executing the program stored in the memory. In accordance with the execution of the program, a communication setting message is transmitted to one or more stations, and connection setting is performed according to a connection request of the station, wherein the communication setting message includes information on the connection priority condition of each station.

In addition, the station apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a memory for storing a program for establishing a connection with an access point, one or more communication interface cards, and a processor for executing the program stored in the memory. Receiving a communication setting message transmitted by the access point according to the execution of the program, reading information on the priority condition of the station included in the communication setting message, and according to the information on the priority condition of the station Request a connection to.

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to shorten the time required for link establishment when performing wireless communication. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, stations receiving the link establishment congestion information distribute and execute the link establishment request, thereby providing an efficient wireless link establishment method.

The present invention can be used in various communication devices, such as a station using a wireless LAN, a station using a cellular communication.

1 illustrates a WLAN system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 illustrates an independent BSS, which is a wireless LAN system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a step in which a STA establishes a link with an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates a passive scanning method of an STA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 illustrates an active scanning method of an STA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram for describing information on a connection priority condition corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 illustrates a structure of a beacon message that an AP periodically transmits to STAs according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of a probe request message for requesting access of an AP to access the AP.

11 illustrates a structure of a probe response message transmitted by an AP that receives a probe request message according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an access procedure of an STA and an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

13 illustrates an internal hierarchical structure of an STA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

14 illustrates a passive scanning procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a diagram illustrating an active scanning procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

16 illustrates a scanning procedure between an AP and a STA including a plurality of network interface card modules according to an embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a diagram illustrating an access procedure between an AP and a STA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element in between. . In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, which means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

1 illustrates a WLAN system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The WLAN system includes one or more basic service sets (BSSs), which represent a set of devices that can successfully synchronize and communicate with each other. In general, the BSS may be classified into an infrastructure BSS (Independent BSS) and an Independent BSS (IBSS), and FIG. 1 illustrates an infrastructure BSS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the infrastructure BSSs BSS1 and BSS2 are configured to provide one or more stations STA-1, STA-2, STA-3, STA-4, STA-5, and Distribution Service. A distribution system (DS) that connects access points (PCP / AP-1, PCP / AP-2) that are providing stations, and a plurality of access points (PCP / AP-1, PCP / AP-2) Include.

A station (STA) is any device that includes a medium access control (MAC) compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard and a physical layer interface to a wireless medium, and broadly an access point (AP). ) And a non-access point Non-AP Station (STA). The station for wireless communication includes a processor and a transceiver, and may further include a user interface unit and a display unit according to an embodiment. The processor generates a frame to be transmitted through the wireless network or processes the frame received through the wireless network, and performs various processing for controlling the station. The transceiver is functionally connected to the processor and transmits and receives a frame through a wireless network for a station.

An access point (AP) is an entity that provides a connection to a distribution system (DS) via a wireless medium for a station coupled to it. In an infrastructure BSS, communication between STAs is in principle made through an AP. However, when the direct link is established between the AP and the STAs not connected, direct communication between the STAs is possible. Meanwhile, in the present invention, the AP is used as a concept including a personal BSS coordination point (PCP), and is broadly used as a centralized controller, a base station (BS), a node-B, a base transceiver system (BTS), or a site. It can include all the concepts such as a controller.

The plurality of infrastructure BSSs may be interconnected through a distribution system (DS). In this case, the plurality of BSSs connected through the DS is called an extended service set (ESS). STAs included in the ESS may communicate with each other, and STAs not connected to the AP within the same ESS may move from one BSS to another BSS while communicating seamlessly.

2 illustrates an independent BSS, which is a wireless LAN system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the same or corresponding parts as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1 will be omitted.

Since the BSS-3 shown in FIG. 2 is an independent BSS and does not include an AP, all stations STA-6 and STA-7 are not connected to the AP. The independent BSS is not allowed to access the DS and forms a self-contained network. In the independent BSS, the respective stations STA-6 and STA-7 may be directly connected to each other.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the STA 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a processor 110, one or more network interface card (NIC, Network Interface Card, 120), mobile communication module 130, user interface unit 140 The display unit 150 and the memory 160 may be included.

First, the network interface card 120 is a module for performing a WLAN connection, and may be embedded in the STA 100 or externally provided. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the network interface card 120 may include a plurality of network interface card modules 120_1 to 120_n using different frequency bands. For example, the network interface card modules 120_1 to 120_n may include network interface card modules of different frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the STA 100 may include at least one network interface card module using a frequency band of 6 GHz or more and at least one network interface card module using a frequency band of 6 GHz or less. Each network interface card module 120_1 to 120_n may perform wireless communication with an AP or an external STA according to a wireless LAN standard of a frequency band supported by the corresponding network interface card module 120_1 to 120_n. The network interface card 120 operates only one network interface card module 120_1 to 120_n at a time or simultaneously multiple network interface card modules 120_1 to 120_n according to the performance and requirements of the STA 100. It can be operated.

Meanwhile, in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the plurality of network interface card modules 120_1 to 120_n of the STA 100 are illustrated separately from each other, and the MAC / PHY layers of the respective network interface card modules 120_1 to 120_n are different from each other. Operate independently. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the STA 100 may be provided in a state in which network interface card modules of a plurality of different frequency bands are integrated into one chip.

Next, the mobile communication module 130 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external device, and a server using a mobile communication network. Herein, the wireless signal may include various types of data such as a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

Next, the user interface unit 140 includes various types of input / output means provided in the STA 100. That is, the user interface unit 140 may receive a user input using various input means, and the processor 110 may control the STA 100 based on the received user input. In addition, the user interface 140 may perform an output based on a command of the processor 110 using various output means.

Next, the display unit 150 outputs an image on the display screen. The display unit 150 may output various display objects such as a content executed by the processor 110 or a user interface based on a control command of the processor 110.

In addition, the memory 160 stores a control program used in the STA 100 and various data thereof. Such a control program may include an access program required for the STA 100 to access an AP or an external STA.

The processor 110 of the present invention may execute various commands or programs and process data in the STA 100. In addition, the processor 110 may control each unit of the STA 100 described above, and may control data transmission and reception between the units. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the processor 110 controls communication operations such as sector sweep signal transmission / reception and corresponding feedback signal transmission / reception of the STA 100.

In addition, the processor 110 executes a program for executing a connection with the AP stored in the memory 160 to receive a communication setting message transmitted by the AP, and to determine a priority condition of the STA 100 included in the communication setting message. Reads the information and requests access to the AP according to the information on the priority condition of the STA 100. Detailed description thereof will be described later.

The STA 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which blocks marked separately represent logical elements of devices. Therefore, the elements of the above-described device may be mounted in one chip or in a plurality of chips according to the design of the device. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, some components of the STA 100, such as the mobile communication module 130, the user interface unit 140, the display unit 150, and the like, may be selectively provided in the STA 100. have.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the AP 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a processor 210, a network interface card (NIC) 220, and a memory 160. In FIG. 4, overlapping descriptions of parts that are the same as or corresponding to those of the STA 100 of FIG. 3 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the AP 200 according to the present invention includes a network interface card 220 for operating a BSS in at least one frequency band. As described above in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the network interface card 220 of the AP 200 may also include a plurality of network interface card modules 220_1 to 220_m using different frequency bands. That is, the AP 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include two or more network interface card modules of different frequency bands, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz. Preferably, the AP 200 may include at least one network interface card module using a frequency band of 6 GHz or more, and at least one network interface card module using a frequency band of 6 GHz or less. Each network interface card module 220_1 to 220_m may perform wireless communication with the STA according to a WLAN specification of a frequency band supported by the corresponding network interface card module 220_1 to 220_m. The network interface card 220 operates only one network interface card module 220_1 to 220_m at a time or simultaneously multiple network interface card modules 220_1 to 220_m according to the performance and requirements of the AP 200. It can be operated.

Next, the memory 260 stores a control program used in the AP 200 and various data according thereto. Such a control program may include an access program for managing access of the STA. In addition, the processor 210 may control each unit of the AP 200 and may control data transmission and reception between the units.

In addition, the processor 210 executes a program for executing a connection with a station stored in the memory 260, transmits a communication setting message to one or more STAs 100, and connects according to a connection request of the STA 100. While performing the setting, the communication setting message includes information on the access priority condition of each station. Detailed description thereof will be described later.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a step in which a STA establishes a link with an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the step of accessing the STA 100 to the AP 200 according to the present invention is largely divided into three steps of scanning, authentication, and association. The scanning step is a step in which the STA 100 obtains access information of a BSS operated by the AP 200. As a method for performing scanning, a passive scanning technique (S101) for acquiring information using only a beacon message periodically transmitted by the AP and a STA transmits a probe request to the AP. There is an active scanning technique (S103) to receive a probe response from the AP (S105) to obtain connection information.

The STA 100 that has successfully received the radio access information in the scanning step transmits an authentication request (S107a), receives an authentication response (S107b), and performs an authentication procedure.

After performing a successful authentication procedure in the IEEE 802.11 layer, combining steps S109a and S109b may be performed, and additionally, 802.1X-based authentication (S111) and IP address acquisition through DHCP (S113) may be performed.

6 illustrates a passive scanning method of an STA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first STA 110 according to the present invention receives a beacon message periodically transmitted from the first AP 210 and the second AP 220 located nearby to receive wireless access information of each AP. Acquire.

7 illustrates an active scanning method of an STA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first STA 110 according to the present invention transmits a probe request message to obtain access information of an AP located nearby, and transmits a probe response message corresponding to the first AP 210. Received from the second AP 220 to obtain wireless access information of each AP.

8 is a diagram for describing information on a connection priority condition corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention.

The access priority information is for distributing access times of respective STAs to the AP and may be defined as DILS (Differentiated Initial Link Setup) information. In the present invention, when the plurality of STAs access the AP, the DILS information has an effect of distributing the access time of each STA.

DILS information may include identifier information (Element ID), message length information (Length), access time information (ILS Time), initial connection category information (ILSC (initial link setup category) information).

The identifier information indicates a unique identifier of the DILS information, the message length information indicates the size of the entire message, and the access time information indicates an access time allowed for the STA. The initial access category information includes information on access conditions of STAs that allow access. An STA that satisfies the condition specified in the initial access category information may attempt to access for the time specified in the access time information, and an STA that does not satisfy the condition may attempt to access after the access time information is terminated.

Initial access category information among access priority information includes ILSC type information, ILS user priority information, station hardware identifier information (MAC address filter), and manufacturer specific access permission information (Vendor Specific Category). May be included. In addition, the link setup information (Link Setup Bursty) indicating the information on the combined state of each information or the priority of each information may be further included.

At least one of these conditions may be set, and it may be determined whether each corresponding bitmap is set to 1 in the ILSC type information.

When the priority information for each user is set to 1 in the ILSC type information, the information about the priority for each user may exist in 1 byte in the DILS information. For example, the information about the priority of each user in the DILS information includes a first bit (ILS User Priority Bit 0), a second bit (ILS User Priority Bit 1), and a third bit (ILS User Priority Bit2) within 1 byte. ) May be indicated. At this time, the AP sets arbitrary bits to 1 according to the priority of the STA that allows access among the first to third bits. If the STA that receives the DILS information in which the transmission priority of the frame stored in the transmission buffer of the STA to be accessed and the user priority bit corresponding thereto is set to 1, the STA may access.

For example, when the first bit is set to 1, the priority is highest when the second bit is set to 1, and when the third bit is set to 1, among the priority information for each user. It may be interpreted as having the lowest priority. In this case, if the first bit of the priority information for each user included in the DILS information is set to 1, an STA that is to transmit a frame having a transmission priority of 4 to 7 having a higher priority among the total frame transmission priorities of 0 to 7 is obtained. Satisfies the priority condition for each user. Next, if the second bit of the priority information for each user included in the DILS information is set to 1, an STA that attempts to transmit a frame having a low priority of 0 to 3 may satisfy the priority condition for each user. Next, if the third bit of the priority information for each user included in the DILS information is set to 1, the STA having no frame to satisfy the priority condition for each user. As described above, since the STAs having a condition matching the priority information for each user included in the DILS information attempt to access each of the priorities, the STA may induce distribution of access.

If the hardware identifier information (MAC Address Filter) of the station is set to 1 in the ILSC type information, the hardware identifier information (MAC Address Filter) of the station may exist in one byte in the DILS information. As such, the hardware identifier information of the station includes MAC address conditions of STAs that are allowed to access the AP.

When Vendor Specific Category is set to 1 in the ILSC type information, Vendor Specific Category may be present in the size of 1 byte or any byte in the DILS information. Vendor Specific Category includes conditions of STAs that allow access defined separately for each STA manufacturer.

If link setup bursty is set to 1 in the ILSC type information, link setup information may exist in 1 byte in DILS information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the link setting information of the ILSC type information corresponds to, for example, priority information of each user, hardware identifier information of a station, a combination state of access permission information of each manufacturer, or a priority of each information. Condition can be indicated.

For example, if the link configuration information is set to 0, only STAs that satisfy all of the user priority information, the station hardware identifier information, and the manufacturer access permission information may attempt to connect during the ILS Time. do.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the link setting information may represent the combined state of each condition in more detail. For example, the priority information for each user may be satisfied through each bit of the link configuration information of one octet, and may indicate an application of a combination that satisfies either the hardware identifier information of the station or the connection permission information for each manufacturer. .

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the priority of the access allowance information for each manufacturer is set to the highest, the priority of the priority information for each user is set to the highest, and the priority of the hardware identifier information of the station is lowest. Can be set. In the case of the condition of the access permission information by manufacturer, the priority is given to the specific station according to the request of the operator who installed the AP. Next, in the case of the condition corresponding to the priority information for each user, since the current station is dynamically determined according to the importance of the traffic of the data to be transmitted, the importance is set to medium. Next, since the MAC address distribution of each station is random in the case of the station's hardware identifier information, it is set to have the lowest importance as access control for the unspecified station.

In more detail, first, it is assumed that the DILS information of the communication configuration message transmitted by the AP includes all of the manufacturer's access permission information, the user's priority information, and the station's hardware identifier information. Upon receiving this, the station first attempts to access the AP without considering whether the other conditions are satisfied when the conditions of the manufacturer's access permission information are met. Next, when the conditions of the manufacturer-specific access allowance information are not met, connection is attempted when the conditions of the user priority information and the station hardware identifier information are satisfied. In exceptional cases, however, if the priority of each user is greater than or equal to a certain level, an access to the AP may be attempted regardless of the satisfaction of the condition of the hardware identifier information of the station.

Secondly, it is assumed that the DILS information of the communication configuration message transmitted by the AP includes priority information for each user and hardware identifier information of the station. Upon receiving this, the station first attempts to connect when both of the user priority information and the station hardware identifier information are satisfied. In exceptional cases, however, if the priority of each user is greater than or equal to a certain level, an access to the AP may be attempted regardless of the satisfaction of the condition of the hardware identifier information of the station.

Third, it is assumed that the DILS information of the communication configuration message transmitted by the AP includes only the manufacturer's access permission information and the user's priority information, or includes only the manufacturer's access permission information and the station's hardware identifier information. Upon receiving this, the station first attempts to access the AP without considering whether the other conditions are satisfied when the conditions of the manufacturer's access permission information are met. Next, when the conditions of the manufacturer's access permission information do not meet, an attempt is made when the condition of the user priority information or the station hardware identifier information is satisfied.

Fourth, it is assumed that the DILS information of the communication configuration message transmitted by the AP includes only one of manufacturer's access permission information, user's priority information, and station's hardware identifier information. Upon receiving this, the station attempts to access the AP when the conditions of the information included in the DILS information are satisfied.

As such, the combination state and priority of the conditions included in the DILS information may be variously set, and such information may be distinguished through link setting information.

9 illustrates a structure of a beacon message that an AP periodically transmits to STAs according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the AP provides differential connection configuration to the STAs, access priority information is inserted into the data field of the beacon message. STAs attempting to access the AP may attempt to access within the available time after receiving the beacon when they meet the corresponding conditions by analyzing the access priority conditions, particularly the initial access category information included in the DILS information. Otherwise, the connection can be attempted after the available time.

FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of a probe request message for STAs to request access of an AP to access an AP, and FIG. 11 illustrates a probe response message transmitted by an AP that receives a probe request message according to an embodiment of the present invention. The structure is shown.

When the AP provides differential connection configuration to the STAs, access priority information is inserted into the data field of the probe response message. STAs attempting to access the AP may attempt to access within the available time after receiving the beacon when they meet the corresponding conditions by analyzing the access priority conditions, particularly the initial access category information included in the DILS information. Otherwise, the connection can be attempted after the available time.

As such, the communication setup message, such as a passive scanning beacon message or an active scanning probe response message, includes information on each station's connection priority condition, and each station performs connection establishment based on this. .

12 is a flowchart illustrating an access procedure of an STA and an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the AP transmits a communication configuration message to the STA (S1210). For example, in the case of the passive scanning method, the beacon message becomes the communication setting message, and in the case of the active scanning method, the probe response message becomes the communication setting message. In addition, as described above, the communication configuration message includes DILS information, that is, information on the access priority condition of the STA.

Next, the STA reads information on the access priority condition included in the communication configuration message (S1220). In this case, the information on the access priority condition includes time information that a station corresponding to the access priority condition may attempt to access. In addition, the information on the access priority condition may include information indicating the priority of each user, information indicating the hardware identifier of the station that is allowed to access, and information on the condition of the station allowed to access defined by the manufacturer. In addition, the information may include a combination state of the pieces of information or information indicating a priority among the pieces of information.

Next, the STA transmits an access request to the AP based on the read information (S1230). Since the STAs satisfying the access priority conditions included in the communication configuration message are different from each other, the STA transmits the access request at different times through this configuration.

Next, the AP performs connection establishment with the STA that performed the access request (S1240).

13 illustrates an internal hierarchical structure of an STA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The layers defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard are largely divided into a medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical (PHY) layer. There are a Mac Layer Management Entity (MLME) and a Physical Layer Management Entity (PLME) that manage each layer, and they receive instructions from a Station Management Entity (SME) that manages STAs.

Based on the internal hierarchical structure of the STA, the STA searches for the AP as follows. The SME sends an MLME scan request primitive (MLME-SCAN.request primitive) to the MLME. This MLME scan request primitive contains conditions or information for channel search. Receiving this, the MLME performs the passive scanning or the active scanning mentioned in FIGS. 6 and 7 according to the conditions specified in the primitive.

On the other hand, when receiving a beacon message or probe response message of a specific AP, the processing information through the PHY layer, MAC layer to define the reporting option (Reporting Option) that is the time to report this information to the SME when BSS information is found can do.

In this case, the reporting option is classified into IMMEDIATE, channel-specific reporting (CHANNEL_SPECIFIC), and reporting at end (AT END).

First, if the reporting option is immediate reporting, the relevant information is sent to the SME through the MLME scan confirmation primitive (MLME-SCAN.confirm primitive) as soon as BSS information is found.

Second, if the reporting option is per-channel reporting, the MLME scan confirmation primitive (MLME-SCAN) at one time after the maximum channel time (MaxChannelTime) has elapsed from the time when scanning starts on one or more BSS information found in any channel. .confirm primitive) to send to the SME.

Third, if the reporting option is reporting at the end, all the BSS information found in one or more channels is sent through the MLME-SCAN.confirm primitive at a time when scanning for all channels is finished. Send to SME.

For example, there may be 13 channels in a 2.4 GHz WLAN. Any AP may operate on any channel. Since the STA does not know in which channel the APs exist, the STA performs a channel-by-channel scan sequentially or randomly. At this time, if the reporting option is immediate reporting, the discovered AP information is immediately reported inside the STA. If the reporting option is channel-specific reporting, all AP information found in one channel is reported at a time when the corresponding channel is terminated. In addition, when the reporting option is reporting at the end, information of all APs found in all channels is reported only once at the end time.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, even when the reporting option of the MLME scan request primitive is reporting option (Reporting Option = IMMEDIATE), and the MLME performs passive scanning or active scanning through the primitive, the LSB bit is set to 1 Delaying the delivery of the BSS information extracted from the beacon message or the probe response message including the DILS information to the SME. Instead, the BSS information may be delivered to the SME after a delay until the scanning of the corresponding channel or the scanning of all the channels is terminated. This is because it is determined that the access request of the other STA to the AP that transmits the communication configuration message is relatively high, and delays the access request to the corresponding AP.

However, BSS information extracted from beacons or probe response messages that do not include DILS information or that includes DILS information with the LSB bit set to 0 is immediately transmitted to the SME accordingly if the reporting option is immediate reporting. Through this, the SME can preferentially process information about an AP without DILS information. In addition, when it is determined that the access request of the other STA to the AP that transmits the communication configuration message is relatively low, the transmission is performed according to the initially set reporting option.

14 illustrates a passive scanning procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The SME sends an indication to the MLME by setting the scan type to Passive (Scan Type = PASSIVE) in the MLME Scan Request primitive, and setting the option for reporting time to Reporting Option = IMMEDIATE. When the STA receives transmission of a beacon message for a minimum channel time (MinChannelTime) from this point in any channel, it collects beacon messages for the maximum channel time (MaxChannelTime).

According to FIG. 14, the STA receives beacon messages from AP-1, AP-2, and AP-3, respectively. In this case, the beacon message received from AP-1 and AP-3 has the LSB bit in the DILS information set to 0. It is assumed that the LSB bit of the beacon message received from AP-2 is set to 1. This indicates that AP-2 is currently receiving an access request (Authentication Request or Association Request) from many STAs. In this case, the beacon message received from AP-1 and AP-3 by the STA is a beacon message received from AP-1 and AP-3 through the MLME scan acknowledgment primitive according to the immediate reporting option requested in the MLME scan request. The BSS information received by the SME is immediately delivered to the SME. However, the beacon message received from AP-2 does not immediately follow the reporting option and is delayed until the end of scanning of the corresponding channel or the end of scanning of all channels and is transmitted to the SME. FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which the BSS information included in the beacon message received from the AP-2 having the LSB bit set to 1 is delayed to the point at which scanning of the corresponding channel is delayed and then transmitted to the SME. This is because it is determined that the access request of the other STA to the AP that transmits the communication configuration message is relatively high, and delays the access request to the corresponding AP.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the beacon message in which the LSB bit is set to 1 may be delayed or transmitted to the SME by delaying other beacon messages in which the LSB bit is set to 0 or does not include DILS information. Include methods. This determination may be determined by a relative difference between the number of beacon messages where the actual LSB bit is set to 0 or does not include DILS information and the number of beacon messages where the LSB bit is set to 1.

15 is a diagram illustrating an active scanning procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The SME inside the STA sets the scan type to the MLME scan request primitive as active (Scan Type = ACTIVE), and immediately sets the option for the reporting time point to reporting option (Reporting Option = IMMEDIATE). When the STA receives the transmission of the probe response message for the minimum channel time (MinChannelTime) from the time when the probe request message is transmitted on any channel, the STA collects probe response messages for the maximum channel time (MaxChannelTime).

According to FIG. 15, the STA receives probe response messages from AP-1 and AP-2, respectively. In this case, the LSB bit in DILS information is set to 0 in the probe response message received from AP-1. It is assumed that the LSB bit of the probe response message received from the UE is set to one. This indicates that AP-2 is currently receiving an access request (Authentication Request or Association Request) from many STAs. In this case, the STA responds to the BSS information received in the probe response message received from AP-1 through the MLME scan acknowledgment primitive according to the immediate reporting option, which is a reporting option requested at the time of the MLME scan request. Deliver immediately to SME. However, the probe response message received from AP-2 does not immediately follow the reporting option, and is delayed until the end of scanning of the corresponding channel or the end of scanning of all channels and is transmitted to the SME. FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which the BSS information included in the probe response message received from AP-2 having the LSB bit set to 1 is delayed to the time point at which scanning of a corresponding channel is delayed and then transmitted to the SME. This is because it is determined that the access request of the other STA to the AP that transmits the communication configuration message is relatively high, and delays the access request to the corresponding AP.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a probe response message in which the LSB bit is set to 1, the probe response message is delayed than other probe response messages in which the LSB bit is set to 0 or does not include DILS information. Includes methods that can be withheld. This determination may be determined by a relative difference between the number of probe response messages in which the actual LSB bit is set to 0 or does not include DILS information and the number of probe response messages in which the LSB bit is set to 1.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the scan type is set to active or passive in the MLME scan request primitive, and the reporting option is set to report by channel to convey an indication. At this time, in case of the communication setting message in which the LSB bit is set to 1, the LSB bit is delayed than other communication setting messages in which the LSB bit is set to 0 or does not include DILS information. At this time, the related information is transmitted according to the reporting option at the end of delaying the reporting time point more than the reporting for each channel. However, in the case of a communication configuration message that does not include DILS information or the LSB bit is set to 0, related information may be transmitted according to the reporting option for each channel.

FIG. 16 illustrates a scanning procedure between an AP and a STA including a plurality of network interface card modules according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 illustrates an access procedure between an AP and a STA according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating.

The illustrated embodiment is for the case where the AP includes a plurality of network interface card modules, and the STA performs access in consideration of connection priority conditions for each network interface card module.

The SME inside the STA sets the scan type to the MLME scan request primitive as passive (Scan Type = PASSIVE), and immediately sets an option for a reporting time point to reporting option (Reporting Option = IMMEDIATE) to deliver an indication. When the STA receives the transmission of the beacon message for the minimum channel time (MinChannelTime) from this point in any channel using the network interface card module, it collects the beacon messages for the maximum channel time (MaxChannelTime).

The STA receives beacon messages from AP-1 and AP-2, respectively. It is assumed that AP-1 and AP-2 have two network interface card modules, respectively. The communication configuration message transmitted by AP-1 includes a first beacon message (Beacon # 1) including information on a BSS operated by the first network interface card module 220_1 of AP-1 and a second network of AP-1. It includes a first neighbor report (NR) # 1 including information on the BSS operated by the interface card module 220_2. That is, the first beacon message and the first neighbor report are combined and transmitted.

In this case, it is assumed that the LSB bit in the DILS information of the first beacon message is set to 1 and the LSB bit in the DILS information of the first neighbor report message is set to 0. This is a state where the first network interface card module 220_1 of AP-1 is receiving an access request (Authentication Request or Association Request) from many STAs, and the second network interface card module 220_2 of AP-1 is The connection is in good condition.

The communication setting message transmitted by AP-2 includes a second beacon message (Beacon # 2) including information on the BSS operated by the first network interface card module of AP-1 and the second network interface card module of AP-2. It includes a second neighbor report (NR) # 2 including information on the BSS operated by.

In this case, it is assumed that the LSB bit in the DILS information of the second beacon message is set to 0 and the LSB bit in the DILS information of the second neighbor report message is set to 1. This indicates that the first network interface card module of AP-2 is smoothly connected and the second network interface card module of AP-2 is receiving an access request (Authentication Request or Association Request) from many STAs. .

In this case, the STA communicates with AP-1 through the MLME scan acknowledgment primitive according to the immediate reporting option, which is a reporting option requested in the MLME scan request for the first neighbor report message and the second beacon message received from AP-1 and AP-2. Immediately deliver the BSS information received from the AP-2 to the SME. However, the first beacon message and the second neighbor report do not follow the immediate reporting option, and are delayed until the end of scanning of the corresponding channel or the end of scanning of all channels, and then transmitted to the SME. FIG. 16 illustrates an example in which BSS information included in a message in which an LSB bit is set to 1 is delayed to a time point at which scanning of a corresponding channel is terminated and then transmitted to the SME. This is because it is determined that the access request of the other STA to the AP that transmits the communication configuration message is relatively high, and delays the access request to the corresponding AP.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a beacon (or neighbor report) message in which the LSB bit is set to 1 may be delayed than another beacon (or neighbor report) message in which the LSB bit is set to 0 or does not include DILS information. It may include ways to deliver or withhold delivery to the SME. This determination may be determined by the relative difference between the number of beacon (or neighbor report) messages with the actual LSB bit set to 0 or without DILS information and the number of beacon (or neighbor report) messages with the LSB bit set to 1. Can be.

17 is a diagram illustrating an access procedure between a STA and an AP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 As shown, the STA 100 has a plurality of network interface card modules 120_1 and 120_2 and the AP-1 200 has a plurality of network interface card modules 220_1 and 220_2. In more detail, a case where the STA 100 accesses the multiple network interface card modules 220_1 and 220_2 of the AP-1200 using two modules simultaneously among the multiple network interface card modules 120_1 and 120_2 is shown. have.

Referring to the case where the STA 100 attempts to access the WLAN, the AP-1 200 periodically transmits a beacon message to the STAs present in the service areas of all the BSSs operated by the broadcast method in a broadcast manner ( S101). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the AP-1 200 transmits a beacon message through the first network interface card module 220_1 (S101).

In the present embodiment, when the STA 100 receives a communication configuration message through the first network interface card module 120_1, the corresponding message may include a beacon message and a neighbor report message. The beacon message includes information of the BSS operated by the AP-1 200 through the first network interface card module 220_1. The neighbor report message includes information of the BSS of the second network interface card module 220_2 operated by the AP-1 200.

Upon receiving the communication setup message, the STA 100 may delay reporting of the BSS information included in each message based on the value of the LSB bit of the DILS information included in the beacon message and the neighbor report. Since the beacon message transmitted by the first network interface card module 220_1 of the AP-1 200 has the LSB bit value set to 1, the beacon message is delayed to enter the access step (S109, S111).

Since the neighbor report transmitted by the second network interface card module 220_2 of the AP-1 200 is set to 0 in the LSB bit, the neighbor report immediately reports to the SME and then enters the access steps S209 and S211.

As such, the AP may transmit information on the access priority condition for each of the plurality of network interface card modules, and the STA performs the access request for each network interface card module unit with reference to this.

One embodiment of the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executed by the computer. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. In addition, computer readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, or other transmission mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

Although the methods and systems of the present invention have been described in connection with specific embodiments, some or all of their components or operations may be implemented using a computer system having a general purpose hardware architecture.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the above description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

Claims (30)

1. In the connection setting method between the access point and the station,

   The access point sending a communication setup message to one or more stations; and

   Performing the connection setting by the access point according to the connection request of the station that has received the communication setting message,

   And the communication setting message includes information on a connection priority condition of each station.
2. The method of claim 1,

   The information on the connection priority condition

   And time information that the station corresponding to the connection priority condition can try to connect.
3. The method of claim 1,

   The information on the connection priority condition

   And at least one of first information indicating a priority for each user, second information indicating a hardware identifier of a station to which a connection is allowed, and third information indicating a condition of a station to which a connection defined by a manufacturer is allowed.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein

   The information on the connection priority condition

   And a fourth information indicating a combined state of the first information, the second information, and the third information or a priority of the pieces of information.
5. The method of claim 1,

   The communication setting message is a beacon message of the access point,

   And a response message output from the access point at the request of the station.
6. In the connection setting method between the access point and the station,

   The station receiving a communication setup message sent by the access point; and

   Reading information on a priority condition of a station included in the communication setting message;

   Requesting connection to the access point according to the information on the priority condition of the station.
7. The method of claim 6,

   The information on the connection priority condition

   And time information that the station corresponding to the connection priority condition can try to connect.
8. The method of claim 6,

   The information on the connection priority condition

   And at least one of first information indicating a priority for each user, second information indicating a hardware identifier of a station to which a connection is allowed, and third information indicating a condition of a station to which a connection defined by a manufacturer is allowed.
9. The method of claim 8,

   The information on the connection priority condition

   And a fourth information indicating a combined state of the first information, the second information, and the third information or a priority of the pieces of information.
10. The method of claim 8,

    The requesting the connection

    And requesting access when the first information matches the priority of the transmission target traffic of the station.
11. The method of claim 9,

    The requesting the connection

    And determining whether the conditions included in the fourth information are satisfied, and requesting access according to the determination result.
12. The method of claim 9,

    The requesting connection may include:

    And when the fourth information indicates that the first information and the third information are all satisfied, requesting access only when all of the corresponding conditions are satisfied.
13. The method of claim 9,

    The requesting connection may include:

    When the fourth information indicates that the condition corresponding to one or more of the first information to the third information is satisfied, the connection requesting access even when only one of the conditions corresponding to the first information to the third information is satisfied. How to set up.
14. The method of claim 9,

    The requesting connection may include:

    If the fourth information indicates that the priority is high in the order of the third information, the first information, and the second information, requesting access if the condition corresponding to the third information is satisfied. .
15. The method of claim 14,

    The requesting connection may include:

    If the condition corresponding to the third information is not satisfied, requesting connection if the condition corresponding to the first information and the second information is satisfied.
16. The method of claim 14,

    The requesting connection may include:

    If the condition corresponding to the third information is not satisfied, the connection setting method further comprises the step of requesting access when the information of the priority of each user included in the first information is above the threshold level even if only the first information is satisfied. .
17. The method of claim 9,

    The requesting connection may include:

    Requesting access when the fourth information satisfies a condition corresponding to the first information and the second information, and requesting access when the fourth information satisfies a condition corresponding to the first information and the second information. .
18. The method of claim 17,

    The requesting connection may include:

    If the first information and the second information does not satisfy the condition, even if only the first information is satisfied, if the information of the priority of each user included in the first information is more than a threshold level further comprises the step of requesting access Connection setting method to do.
19. The method of claim 9,

    The requesting connection may include:

    When the fourth information indicates that the condition corresponding to the third information and the second information or the condition corresponding to the third information and the first information is satisfied, the connection request is requested when the condition corresponding to the third information is satisfied. Connection setting method comprising the step of.
20. The method of claim 19,

    The requesting connection may include:

    Requesting access when the condition corresponding to the third information is not satisfied when the condition corresponding to the third information is not satisfied.
21. The method of claim 9,

    The requesting connection may include:

    Requesting connection when the fourth information satisfies a condition corresponding to the first information, second information, or third information.
22. The method of claim 6,

    The communication establishment message is a beacon message of the access point or a response message output by the access point in response to a request of the station.
23. In an access point apparatus,

    Memory that stores a program for establishing a connection with a station,

    One or more communication interface cards and

    A processor for executing the program stored in the memory,

    The processor transmits a communication setting message to one or more stations according to the execution of the program, and performs a connection setting according to a connection request of a station, wherein the communication setting message provides information on connection priority conditions of each station. Access point device comprising.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein

    The information on the connection priority condition

    And time information that the station corresponding to the connection priority condition can try to connect.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein

    The information on the connection priority condition

    And at least one of first information indicating a priority for each user, second information indicating a hardware identifier of a station to which a connection is allowed, and third information indicating a condition of a station to which a connection defined by a manufacturer is allowed.
26. The method of claim 25,

    The information on the connection priority condition

    And fourth information indicating a combination state of the first information, the second information, and the third information or a priority of the pieces of information.
27. In the station apparatus,

    Memory that stores a program that performs connection setup with an access point,

    One or more communication interface cards and

    A processor for executing the program stored in the memory,

    The processor receives a communication setting message transmitted by the access point according to the execution of the program, reads information on the priority condition of the station included in the communication setting message, and according to the information on the priority condition of the station. A station apparatus for requesting a connection to the access point.
28. The method of claim 27,

    The information on the connection priority condition

    And a time information that the station corresponding to the connection priority condition can try to connect.
29. The method of claim 27,

    The information on the connection priority condition

    And at least one of first information indicating a priority for each user, second information indicating a hardware identifier of a station to which a connection is allowed, and third information indicating a condition of a station to which a connection is defined by a manufacturer.
30. The method of claim 29,

    The information on the connection priority condition

    And a fourth information indicating a combination state of the first information, the second information, and the third information or a priority among the pieces of information.

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