WO2018008373A1

WO2018008373A1 - Transmitting device, receiving device, transmitting method and receiving method

Info

Publication number: WO2018008373A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/022472
Authority: WO
Inventors: 裕幸本塚; 亨宗白方; 坂本　剛憲; 誠隆入江
Original assignee: パナソニックインテレクチュアルプロパティコーポレーションオブアメリカ
Priority date: 2016-07-07
Filing date: 2017-06-19
Publication date: 2018-01-11
Also published as: JP6989296B2; JP2018007241A

Abstract

A header encoding unit subjects PHY control data to bit scrambling and LDPC encoding to generate L-Header and EDMG-Header data. A modulating unit encodes the L-Header and E-Header output by the header encoding unit. Further, the modulating unit replicates the L-Header and E-Header data in accordance with the bandwidth of a channel notified by an RF control unit, and disposes the replicated data in a plurality of channels. Further, the modulating unit modulates one item of payload data split by a payload data splitting unit.

Description

Transmission device, reception device, transmission method, and reception method

The present disclosure relates to a transmission device, a reception device, a transmission method, and a reception method using millimeter wave communication.

IEEE 802.11 is one of the wireless LAN related standards. IEEE 802.11 includes the IEEE802.11ac standard (hereinafter referred to as “11ac standard”), the IEEE802.11ad standard (hereinafter referred to as “11ad standard”), and the like (for example, refer to Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

The 11ac standard is compatible with 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and achieves high throughput exceeding 100Mbps in the MAC layer. In the 11n standard, OFDM (Orthogonal-Frequency-Division-Multiplexing) transmission is defined as a secondary modulation scheme.

In addition, the 11ac standard is a channel that transmits data by arranging a data field (Payload) with a bandwidth of 40 MHz to 160 MHz over two or more adjacent channels having a bandwidth of 20 MHz in order to increase peak throughput. Bonding (CB) has been introduced. In the 11ac standard, the preamble part (including L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, and HT-SIG) is received for each channel so that it can be received even by a terminal that does not support channel bonding. Placed in.

The 11ad standard realizes high-speed communication of up to 7Gbps using multiple 60GHz band millimeter-wave channels. In the 11ad standard, single carrier transmission and OFDM transmission are respectively defined as secondary modulation schemes. In addition to channel bonding, a communication standard using channel aggregation (CA) has been proposed as means for further increasing peak throughput as compared with the 11ad standard. Channel aggregation may be referred to as carrier aggregation.

However, conventionally, since it is difficult to notify bonding channels of different bands, it is difficult to improve the frequency utilization efficiency. Also, it is difficult to achieve high throughput using D / A and A / D with low sampling rates.

One aspect of the present disclosure can provide notification of a bonding channel in a different band, and thus contributes to provision of a transmission device, a reception device, a transmission method, and a reception method that can improve frequency utilization efficiency.

A transmission apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first channel group that is n (n is an integer) channels having a first bandwidth in a predetermined band, and the first channel group in the predetermined band. A second channel group which is m consecutive channels (m is an integer and a value smaller than n), which are two consecutive channels of the channel groups, and the predetermined band A third channel group that is p (p is an integer, a value smaller than m) channels that are three consecutive channels of the first channel group and combined with non-overlapping channels; , First to r-th modulation circuits for modulating header information related to r (r is an integer of 1 or more) carriers to which one or more of them are assigned, and First to r th transmission circuits for transmitting adjusted header information, respectively, wherein the header information includes n bits indicating channel assignment of the first channel group, and the second channel group And m bits indicating the channel assignment, and the channel assignment of the third channel group is indicated by combining the n bits and the m bits.

A receiving device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes any one of first to r-th receiving circuits that respectively receive first to r-th (r is an integer of 1 or more) signals, and the first to r-th signals. A decoding circuit that decodes header information from one channel, a control circuit that controls channels used in the first to r-th receiving circuits using the header information, and the channel-controlled first to r-th channels. A payload decoding circuit that decodes the first to r-th signals output from the receiving circuit and outputs a payload, wherein the first to r-th signals have a first bandwidth in a predetermined band A combination of a first channel group of n (n is an integer) channels and two consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band that are not overlapping, Is an integer P, which is a combination of a second channel group, which is smaller than n) channels, and three consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band that are not overlapping. (P is an integer and a value smaller than m) one or more of the third channel groups that are channels are respectively assigned, and the header information indicates the channel assignment of the first channel group. N bits to indicate and m bits to indicate channel assignment of the second channel group, wherein the channel assignment of the third channel group includes the n bits and the m bits. Is shown in combination.

The transmission method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first channel group that is n (n is an integer) channels having a first bandwidth in a predetermined band, and the first channel group in the predetermined band. A second channel group which is m consecutive channels (m is an integer and a value smaller than n), which are two consecutive channels of the channel groups, and the predetermined band A third channel group that is p (p is an integer, a value smaller than m) channels that are three consecutive channels of the first channel group and combined with non-overlapping channels; , Each of the header information related to r (r is an integer of 1 or more) carriers to which one or more of them are assigned is modulated by the first to r-th modulation circuits. , Each of the modulated header information is transmitted by first to r-th transmission circuits, and the header information includes n bits indicating channel assignment of the first channel group, and the second channel. And m bits indicating the channel assignment of the group, and the channel assignment of the third channel group is indicated by combining the n bits and the m bits.

In the reception method according to an aspect of the present disclosure, each of the first to r-th (r is an integer of 1 or more) signals is received by the first to r-th reception circuits, and the first to r-th signals are received. The header information is decoded from any one of the above, and the channel used in the first to r-th receiving circuits is controlled using the header information, and the channel-controlled first to r-th receiving circuits The first to r-th signals output from the terminal are decoded and a payload is output. The first to r-th signals are n (n is an integer) channels having a first bandwidth in a predetermined band. M (m is an integer and a value smaller than n), which is a combination of two consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band and non-overlapping channels in the predetermined band. ) Channels P (p is an integer and a value smaller than m), which is a combination of non-overlapping channels of the second channel group and the three consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band One or more of a third channel group, which is a number of channels, is allocated, and the header information includes n bits indicating channel allocation of the first channel group, and the second channel And m bits indicating the channel assignment of the group, and the channel assignment of the third channel group is indicated by combining the n bits and the m bits.

Note that these comprehensive or specific modes may be realized by a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium. Any of the system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium may be used. It may be realized by various combinations.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to notify a bonding channel of a different band, and thus it is possible to improve frequency use efficiency. Also, high throughput can be realized by using D / A and A / D having a low sampling rate.

Also, a combination of channels can be notified with a small number of bits and no limitation on the number of carriers.

Further advantages and effects of one aspect of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or effects are provided respectively by the features described in some embodiments and the specification and drawings, but all have to be provided in order to obtain one or more identical features. There is no.

The figure which shows the structure of the transmitter which performs a channel aggregation The figure which shows the structure of the receiver which performs channel aggregation Diagram showing channelization Diagram showing an example of Channel set The figure which shows the example of the channel aggregation performed using a transmitter The figure which shows the example of the channel aggregation performed using a transmitter The figure which shows the example of the channel aggregation performed using a transmitter The figure which shows the example of the channel aggregation performed using a transmitter The figure which shows the format of a channel aggregation frame The figure which shows the format of a channel aggregation frame The figure which shows the format of a channel aggregation frame The figure which shows the format of a channel aggregation frame The figure explaining the method a transmission apparatus notifies channel selection information with respect to a reception apparatus The figure explaining the method a transmission apparatus notifies channel selection information with respect to a reception apparatus Figure showing format 1 information Figure showing format 2 information The figure which shows the index value and bitmap value of each channel The figure which shows the index value and bitmap value of each channel The figure which shows the index value and bitmap value of each channel The figure which shows the index value and bitmap value of each channel Diagram showing channelization (ch30 example) The figure which shows the index value and bitmap value of each channel The figure which shows the index value and bitmap value of each channel Figure showing format 4 information Figure showing format 5 information The figure which shows the relationship between the value of a BW | index field, the channel bandwidth from the 1st carrier to the 4th carrier, and the number of carriers Diagram showing channel combinations when BW index is 8 Figure showing format 6 information The figure which shows another structure of the transmitter which performs a channel aggregation The figure which shows another structure of the receiver which performs channel aggregation Figure showing an example of header format Figure showing an example of header format Figure showing an example of header format Figure showing an example of header format

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

<Configuration of transmitter>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission apparatus 100 that performs channel aggregation. The transmission device 100 generates PHY control data and payload data in an upper layer processing unit (not shown) (for example, a MAC layer).

Based on the PHY control data, the RF control unit 110 determines the center frequency (sometimes referred to as carrier frequency) of the channels used in the first to fourth carriers and the channel bandwidth, and determines the center frequency and the channel frequency. Information on the combination of bandwidths is notified to the modulators 104a to 104d, the broadband D / A 105a to 105d, and the broadband RFs 106a to 106d. Note that the RF control unit 110 may report information on the combination of the center frequency of the channel and the bandwidth of the channel as a channel number.

The header encoding unit 101 performs bit scrambling and LDPC encoding on the PHY control data to generate L-Header and EDMG-Header data. The generated data is transferred to the modulation units 104a to 104d as the same data.

The payload encoding unit 102 performs bit scrambling and LDPC encoding of payload data. The payload data division unit 103 divides the encoded payload data into a maximum of four and transfers the data to the modulation units 104a to 104d. Hereinafter, the number of divisions is referred to as the number of carriers.

Modulation section 104a modulates the first carrier data. The modulation unit 104a first encodes the L-header and E-header output from the header coding unit 101. Π / 2-BPSK may be used as the modulation method. Also, the modulation unit 104a duplicates L-Header and E-Header data according to the channel bandwidth notified from the RF control unit 110, and arranges the data in a plurality of channels. The details of the processing performed by the modulation unit 104a will be described later together with the description of the frame format.

Also, the modulation unit 104a modulates one of the payload data divided by the payload data division unit 103. The divided payload data is referred to as first carrier data. The modulation unit 104a may use π / 2-BPSK, π / 2-QPSK, π / 2-16QAM, or π / 2-64QAM as a data modulation method. Modulation section 104a may transmit the data-modulated symbol using a single carrier, or may transmit the data-modulated symbol using OFDM.

The broadband D / A 105a, the broadband RF 106a, and the antenna 107a transmit the data of the first carrier using the first carrier frequency and channel bandwidth specified by the RF control unit 110. Note that the RF control unit 110 may specify a wideband D / A sampling rate instead of the channel bandwidth.

The modulation unit 104b modulates data of the second carrier. First, L-Header and E-Header output from the header encoding unit 101 are encoded. Since the L-Header and E-Header data is the same as that used in the first carrier, the modulation unit 104b modulates the modulated L-Header and E-Header data instead of performing the modulation. You may acquire from 104a.

However, when the channel bandwidth is different between the first carrier and the second carrier, first, the modulated L-Header and E-Header data for the 2.16 GHz band are acquired from the modulation unit 104a, and the modulation unit 104b Then, in accordance with the channel bandwidth for the second carrier, duplication of the modulated L-Header and E-Header data and channel arrangement are performed.

Also, one piece of payload data different from the first carrier among the payload data divided and output by the payload data division unit 103 is modulated. This payload data is referred to as second carrier data.

The

modulation units

104c and 104d modulate the remaining payload data (that is, the third carrier data and the fourth carrier data) in the same manner as the modulation unit 104b.

Also, the wideband D / A 105b to 105d, the wideband RF 106b to 106d, and the antennas 107b to 107d are the second to fourth carrier frequencies and the second carrier frequencies specified by the RF control unit 110 for the modulated second to fourth carrier data. Transmission is performed using the second to fourth channel bandwidths.

Each of the antennas 107a to 107d may be an array antenna. That is, the antennas 107a to 107d are each composed of a plurality of antenna elements, and the antennas 107a to 107d are directed by controlling the phase and gain between the antenna elements. It is good also as a structure which controls property.

Further, the RF control unit 110 may control the directivities of the antennas 107a to 107d according to the PHY control data.

<Configuration of receiving device>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reception device 200 that performs channel aggregation.

The RF control unit 210 first sets the first carrier so as to receive the L-Header and the E-Header based on the PHY control data. The reception of the L-Header and the E-Header may be performed through a predetermined channel called a primary channel. In this case, the center frequency and the bandwidth are set in accordance with one setting of the channel capable of receiving the primary channel for the demodulation unit 204a, the synchronization unit 208a, the broadband A / D 205a, and the broadband RF 206a of the first carrier. Note that the RF control unit 210 may set the second to fourth carriers and receive the L-Header and the E-Header with a plurality of carriers.

The broadband RF 206a converts a 60 GHz band RF signal and outputs a baseband signal. The broadband A / D 205a performs A / D (analog / digital) conversion on the baseband signal. The synchronization unit 208a detects the preamble from the digitally converted baseband signal, and estimates and corrects the carrier frequency offset for the digitally converted baseband signal using the detected preamble. The demodulator 204a includes an equalizer (equalizer) and a data demodulator, and performs equalization, symbol synchronization shift estimation and correction, data demodulation, and the like on the signal output from the synchronization unit 208a.

The header decoding unit 201 extracts header information from the demodulated data output from the demodulation unit 204a, and uses the extracted header information to perform LDPC decoding (error correction), CRC check (error detection), and header format analysis. To obtain PHY header information. The PHY header information includes channel information (information regarding the center frequency and bandwidth, or channel number) of the first to fourth carriers.

After the header is decoded, the RF control unit 210 performs demodulation of the first to fourth carriers 204a to 204d, synchronization units 208a to 208d, broadband A / D 205a to 205d, based on the channel information of the first to fourth carriers. The broadband RFs 206a to 206d are set. The information to be set includes information on the center frequency and channel bandwidth of the channel used in each carrier. Note that channel numbers may be used instead of such information. Note that the values obtained from the header decoding unit 201 may be used as the channel information of the first to fourth carriers, and when notified in advance before receiving the header, input from a MAC processing unit (not shown) Channel information included in the PHY control data to be used may be used.

Demodulators 204a to 204d, synchronizers 208a to 208d, broadband A / Ds 205a to 205d, and broadband RFs 206a to 206d are set in accordance with the set center frequency and channel bandwidth, respectively, based on the decoded header information. Receive channel-aggregated frames.

The demodulated data output from the demodulation units 204a to 204d is collected in the payload decoding unit 202. The payload decoding unit 202 performs LDPC decoding (error correction) and descrambling, and uses the obtained data as received payload data as a MAC processing unit. Forward to.

<Channelization>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating channelization. In the IEEE802.11ad-2012 standard, ch1 to ch4 are used. The respective center frequencies are 58.32 GHz, 60.48 GHz, 62.64 GHz, and 64.80 GHz. The channel interval between ch1 to ch4 is 2.16 GHz. For convenience, the channel bandwidth is described as 2.16 GHz. Each channel transmits a single carrier signal with a symbol rate of 1.76 Gs / s (samples / second) or an OFDM signal modulated with a sampling rate of 2.64 Gs / s (but limited to about 1.8 GHz). Can do.

Chch9 and ch11 are channels for channel bonding with a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz. The center frequencies are 59.40 GHz and 63.72 GHz, respectively. That is, ch9 uses a band that combines ch1 and ch2, and ch11 uses a band that combines ch3 and ch4. In addition, ch10, which is the combined band of ch2 and ch3, is a channel having a center frequency of 61.56 GHz and a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, but is not used because it partially overlaps with the bands of ch9 and ch11.

Ch17 is a channel for channel bonding with a channel bandwidth of 6.48 GHz. The center frequency is 60.48 GHz. That is, ch17 uses a band that combines ch1, ch2, and ch3. In addition, ch18, which is the combined band of ch2, ch3, and ch4, and ch19, which is the combined band of ch3, ch4, and ch5, have center frequencies of 62.64 GHz and 64.80 GHz, respectively, and the channel bandwidth is 6.48 GHz. Although it is a certain channel, it is not used because it partially overlaps the ch17 band.

Ch25 is a channel for channel bonding with a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz. The center frequency is 61.56 GHz. That is, ch25 uses a band that combines ch1, ch2, ch3, and ch4.

Ch5 to ch8 are not used in the IEEE802.11ad standard. This is the channel number to be used when the transmitter 100 can be used in a band other than 57 to 66 GHz in the future. Although the center frequency and channel bandwidth are undecided, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the width is 2.16 GHz like ch1 to ch4, and it is placed in a high frequency band adjacent to ch4, and the center frequency is 66.96 GHz respectively. 69.12 GHz, 71.28 GHz, 73.44 GHz.

That is, for convenience of explanation, ch1 to ch8 are continuously arranged at intervals of 2.16 GHz, but may be discontinuous bands. For example, ch5 and 6 may be continuous channels as shown, and ch7 and 8 may be separated bands (between ch6 and ch7 2.16 GHz or more).

When ch5 to 8 are present, bonding channels ch13, ch15, ch20, and ch29 are defined as shown by the dotted lines in FIG.

The correspondence between the channel center frequency and channel number shown in Fig. 3 is defined by the following equation 1 for ch1 to ch8 (bandwidth 2.16 GHz), and for ch9 to ch16 (bandwidth 4.32 GHz) Is defined by Equation 2 below, ch17 to ch24 (bandwidth is 6.48 GHz) is defined by Equation 3 below, and ch25 to ch31 (bandwidth is 8.64 GHz) is defined by Equation 4.
Channel center frequency = Channel starting frequency
+ Channel spacing x Channel number ・・・ Formula 1
Channel center frequency = Channel starting frequency
+ (Channel spacing / 2) x (Channel number mod 8) + 1.08GHz
... Formula 2
Channel center frequency = Channel starting frequency
+ (Channel spacing / 3) x (Channel number mod 16) + 2.16GHz
... Formula 3
Channel center frequency = Channel starting frequency
+ (Channel spacing / 4) x (Channel number mod 24) + 3.24GHz
... Formula 4

For example, in the case of ch1 to ch8, refer to the line where the channel number (1 to 8) is described in Channel set in FIG. 4 and determine that Channel spacing is 2160 MHz and Channel starting frequency is 56.16 GHz. Since the bandwidth is 2.16 GHz, channel number (1 to 8) corresponding to Channel チャネル number is substituted with reference to Equation 1, and Channel center frequency (channel center frequency) is calculated.

<Example of channel aggregation>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of channel aggregation performed using the transmission device 100.

In FIG. 5A, ch1 is used for the first carrier, ch2 is used for the second carrier, ch3 is used for the third carrier, and ch4 is used for the fourth carrier, both of which transmit at a 2.16 GHz channel width. The first to fourth carriers correspond to the first to fourth carriers in FIG. 1 (transmitting apparatus).

In FIG. 5A, the throughput can be quadrupled by aggregating up to four carriers. Since each carrier has a channel width of 2.16 GHz (symbol rate is 1.76 G symbol / second), it does not use high-speed D / A and A / D converters like channel bonding, and has the same speed as the 11ad standard. / A, A / D converters (eg 2.64 Gsample / s, 1.5 times the single carrier symbol rate) can be used for high-speed communication. Further, power consumption can be reduced by stopping transmission of some carriers according to the amount of data to be transmitted. In channel bonding, for example, when switching from ch9 to ch1, the center frequency is changed, so that a delay is required for switching.

Also, channel bonding may be used for each carrier. In FIG. 5B, by transmitting a bonding channel having a channel width of 4.32 GHz (single carrier symbol rate of 3.52 G samples / second) with three carriers, a throughput approximately six times that of the 11ad standard is realized. In the case of realization by channel bonding, a D / A and A / D converter that can receive a signal with a channel width of 12.96 GHz (for example, a single carrier symbol rate of 10.56 G symbols / second) is used. It is difficult to realize power consumption. Compared with this, a high throughput can be realized by using a D / A and A / D converter having a relatively low sampling rate, so that low power consumption can be achieved.

Also, each carrier may use a different channel width (different symbol rate, different channel bonding level). FIG. 5C shows a combination of ch17 (3-channel bonding), ch4, and ch13 (2-channel bonding).

First, if the total number of channels that can be used is an odd number such as 5 channels (10.8 GHz = 2.16 GHz × 5), 4 channels (8.64 GHz) and 1 channel (2.16 GHz), or 3 channels ( 6.48GHz) and 2 channels (4.32GHz) can be combined to obtain the maximum throughput.

Second, when transmitting the signal of each carrier to another user (explained in detail in the MCS notification of multi-user transmission), the capability for each user (number of channels that can be bonded) and the data for each user According to the amount, the channel width of each carrier can be appropriately selected, the throughput can be increased, and the channel utilization efficiency can be increased.

Third, as shown in FIG. 5D, carriers can be arranged avoiding a congested channel (for example, ch4), so that throughput can be increased and channel utilization efficiency can be increased.

<Frame format>
A format of a PHY frame (hereinafter referred to as “channel aggregation frame”) in channel aggregation performed by the transmission apparatus 100 is illustrated in FIG. 6. 6A corresponds to FIG. 5A, FIG. 6B corresponds to FIG. 5B, FIG. 6C corresponds to FIG. 5C, and FIG. 6D corresponds to FIG.

From STF to E-Header, all channels are transmitted using the same signal and modulation. Note that the receiving device does not have to receive anything other than the primary channel. Here, the Primary channel is any channel with a width of 2.16 GHz and is determined in advance. For example, in FIG. 6A, any one of ch1 to ch4. In FIG. 6B, any one of ch1 to ch6.

The transmitting device transmits the E-Header including the channel selection information. For example, in FIG. 6A, information indicating that ch1, 2, 3, and 4 are selected is included. Further, in FIG. 6B, information indicating that ch9, 11, and 13 are selected is included. In addition, Primary-Channel information may be included in the E-Header for an STA that is not associated with a transmitting apparatus. The details of the channel selection information notification method will be described later.

Note that channel selection information may be included in the L-Header instead of the E-Header.

In FIG. 6A, the header (L-Header, E-Header) and payload (from Payload1 to Payload4) are modulated with a single carrier with a symbol rate of 1.76 Gsps and transmitted with a 2.16 GHz bandwidth in the first to fourth carriers. Is done.

In FIG. 6B, in the first carrier to the third carrier, the payload (from Payload 1 to Payload 3) is modulated with a single carrier with a symbol rate of 3.52sGsps and transmitted with a bandwidth of 4.32 GHz. The header is single-carrier modulated at 1.76 Gsps and transmitted in ch1 to ch6, which are 2.16 GHz channels corresponding to ch9, ch11, and ch13.

In FIG. 6C, Payload1, Payload2, and Paylaod3 are modulated with single carriers of symbol rates 5.28 Gsps, 1.76 Gsps, 3.52 Gsps, respectively, for the first, second, and third carriers, and the bandwidths of 6.48 GHz, 2.16 GHz, and 4.32 GHz, respectively. Sent by. The header is single-carrier modulated at 1.76 Gsps and transmitted in ch1 to ch6, which are 2.16 GHz channels corresponding to ch17, ch4, and ch13.

6D, in the first and second carriers, Payload 1 and Payload 2 are modulated with single carriers of symbol rates 5.28 Gsps and 3.52 Gsps, respectively, and transmitted with bandwidths of 6.48 GHz and 4.32 それぞれ GHz, respectively. The header is single-carrier modulated at 1.76 Gsps and transmitted in ch1, ch2, ch3, ch5, and ch6, which are 2.16 GHz channels corresponding to ch17 and ch13.

In this way, even when different bandwidths are used for each carrier, the header is transmitted with a 2.16 GHz bandwidth, so by receiving any one 2.16 チャネル GHz channel included in the carrier aggregation frame, Information can be obtained, and channel selection information in the channel aggregation frame can be obtained.

Note that STF (Short Training Field) and CEF (Channel Estimation Field) are equivalent to signals defined in the IEEE 802.11ad standard. These are used for signal synchronization and L-header and E-header demodulation.

E-STF (EDMGEDSTF) and E-CEF (EDMG CEF) are used for signal synchronization and payload demodulation (channel estimation), and are transmitted with the same signal bandwidth as the payload.

<Channel selection information notification method>
Next, a method in which the transmission apparatus notifies channel selection information to the reception apparatus will be described.

(Method 1)
As described above, the channel selection information is notified using the E-Header (or L-Header) of the data packet.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the receiving apparatus 200 receives and decodes the E-Header on the Primary-Channel and acquires channel selection information. The A / D converter sampling rate is switched at the E-STF reception start timing according to the acquired channel selection information.

The A / D converter may be set in advance to 3.52 GSps or the maximum sampling rate supported by the receiving device (before receiving the header), and the digital filter and analog filter may be switched.

(Method 2)
Before transmitting the data packet, the used channel is notified by the preceding packet.

In this case, as illustrated in Non-Patent Document 1, the transmission apparatus 100 adds a CT (Control Trailer) to an RTS (Request To Send) frame that conforms to the 11ad standard and transmits, as described in Non-Patent Document 1. . At this time, information on the channel used for data packet transmission is included in the CT. STA1 transmits the RTS frame with CT added to ch1 and ch2 in order to acquire the transmission right in ch1 and ch2. STA2 receives the RTS frame and transmits a CTS with CT added to ch1 and ch2 in order to permit transmission from STA1 in ch1 and ch2. Each CT includes information indicating that channel bonding is performed using ch1 and ch2. After receiving the CTS, STA1 performs channel bonding using ch1 and ch2, and transmits a Data packet.

The interval between RTS and CTS, CTS and Data packet (see FIG. 7A) is defined as SIFS (short interframe space), and it is stipulated that transmission is performed to be about 3 μs.

STA2 may switch the configuration and settings (sampling rate, etc.) of the receiving device in SIFS immediately after receiving the RTS. That is, STA2 normally waits on the primary channel (for example, ch2). RTS frame is received on ch2. The channel used is switched by SIFS immediately after RTS, and CTS is transmitted to ch1 and ch2. Data is received by ch1 and ch2. When the transmission right (TXOP) acquired by STA1 through RTS expires, STA2 returns to standby in the Primary channel.

<Format 1 indicating channel selection information>
Information composed of five fields (Primary channel number, BW of 1st carrier, Channel number of 2nd carrier, Channel number of 3rd carrier, Channel number of 4ht carrier) shown in FIG. Transmitting apparatus 100 uses format 1 to notify information from the first carrier to the fourth carrier and information on the primary channel. Format 1 is transmitted as part of E-Header (or L-Header) and CT (Control Trailer).

Also, the receiving apparatus 200 receives the format 1, and acquires information from the first carrier to the fourth carrier and information on the primary channel from the contents.

(Description of each field)
The Primary channel number field indicates the value of the primary channel number (from ch1 to ch8). The value 0 may represent ch8. Also, when the usable channels are ch1 to ch4, the values 5 to 7 and 0 are reserved and may be used for future expansion.

The BW of 1st carrier field indicates the channel bandwidth (BW: Bandwidth) of the first carrier. A value 0 represents 2.16 GHz, a value 1 represents 4.32 GHz, a value 2 represents 6.48 GHz, and a value 3 represents 8.64 GHz. Further, values 4 to 7 are reserved and may be used for future expansion.

The channel number of the first carrier can be determined by combining the values of the Primary channel number field and the BW of 1st carrier field. For example, when the primary channel is 3 and the first carrier is ch11, the transmitting apparatus 100 sets 3 in the Primary channel number field and sets 1 in the BW of 1st carrier field for transmission. From the received value and the channelization information shown in FIG. 3, the receiving apparatus 200 determines that the first carrier is ch11 when the Primary channel number field is 3 and the BW of 1st carrier field is 1. . That is, the channel of the first carrier is determined so that the band of the primary channel is included as at least part of the band of the first carrier.

The “Channel number” of “2nd” carrier field indicates the channel number of the second carrier. Also, when transmission on the second carrier is not performed, the value of the Channel number of 2nd carrier field is 0. When performing transmission of the second carrier, the transmitting apparatus 100 is one of valid channel numbers (for example, ch1, ch2, ch3, ch4, ch9, ch11, ch17, ch25 (solid line portion) shown in FIG. 3). Set the value. Further, for future expansion, any value from 1 to 31 may be set to notify a channel number not included in FIG. For example, channel numbers ch30 and ch31 not shown in FIG. 3 may be newly determined.

The “channel number” of “3rd” carrier field and the “channel number” of “4th” carrier field indicate the channel numbers of the third and fourth carriers in the same manner as the “channel number” of “2nd” carrier field. If there is no third or fourth carrier, the corresponding field value is zero.

Using format 1, transmission apparatus 100 transmits the channel numbers of the second, third, and fourth carriers, and the channel numbers of the second, third, and fourth carriers are shown in FIG. By using the numbers from ch1 to ch31 including the indicated channel numbers, each carrier of channel aggregation can be configured by a bonding channel, so that the channel utilization efficiency can be improved and the data transfer rate can be improved.

Also, since the transmission apparatus 100 uses the format 1 to notify the primary channel number and the index indicating the channel bandwidth, it is not necessary to notify the channel number of the first carrier, and the bit of control information to be transmitted. The number can be reduced and the data transfer speed can be improved.

<Format 2 indicating channel selection information>
Another method for notifying information from the first carrier to the fourth carrier and information on the primary channel will be described. The transmitting apparatus 100 notifies the information from the first carrier to the fourth carrier and the information on the primary channel using the format 2 shown in FIG. Format 2 is transmitted as a part of E-Header (or L-Header) and CT (Control Trailer) in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The Primary channel number field is a Primary channel number.

2. In the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field, set 1 when any of ch1 to ch8 is used for any of the first carrier to the fourth carrier. For example, when the first carrier uses ch1 and the second carrier uses ch3, the value of 2.16 GHz channel bitmap is set to 00000101 in binary notation. That is, LSB represents ch1 and MSB represents ch8.

The 4.32 GHz channel bitmap field is set to 1 when any of ch9, ch11, ch13, and ch15 is used from the first carrier to the fourth carrier. For example, when the first carrier uses ch15 and the second carrier uses ch11, the value of 4.32 GHz channel bitmap is set to 1010 in binary notation. That is, LSB represents ch9 and MSB represents ch15.

When channel aggregation is performed using a combination of 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz, 1 is set for each of the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap and 4.32 GHz channel bitmap. For example, when the first carrier uses ch13 and the second carrier uses ch2, 00000010 and 0100 are set. The former is a 2.16 GHz channel bitmap and the latter is a 4.32 GHz channel bitmap.

The values of 2.16 GHz channel bitmap and 4.32 GHz channel bitmap of format 2 may be determined by correspondence between channel numbers and integer values as in the “ch” column and “index” column of FIG. 10A. The integer value defined in FIG. 10A is called an index. In the “bitmap” column of FIG. 10A, the value of the channel bitmap field of 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz is described with the left end as LSB and the right end as MSB. The index value is obtained by combining the 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz channel bitmaps, and converting them to decimal numbers with the 4.32GHz side as the upper bit and the 2.16GHz side as the lower bit. For example, in the case of ch1, since the LSB of bitmap is 1, it can be regarded as an integer 1.

6.4Hz GHz, 8.64 GHz channel bonding is notified as follows. That is, an invalid combination of the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field and the 4.32 GHz channel bitmap field is predetermined as representing 6.48 GHz and 8.64 GHz channel bonding. For example, the combination of ch9 and ch1 is invalid because the ch1 bands overlap. Therefore, the combination of ch9 and ch1 is predetermined to indicate ch17. The value of the bitmap at this time is 00000001,0001.

Similarly, the bit map values of ch20, ch25, and ch29 are determined as shown in FIG. 10B. FIG. 10B shows index values for the 6.48 GHz channel and the 8.64 GHz channel bitmaps. For example, the index of ch17 is 257. This is a value obtained by adding the indexes of ch1 and ch9. Since aggregation of ch1 and ch9 is invalid as described above, it is used as an index indicating ch17.

Channel aggregation using a plurality of the aforementioned channels (ch1 to ch29 shown in FIG. 3) including 6.48 6.GHz or 8.64 GHz channel bonding can be specified by adding the index values shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. .

For example, the index indicating the channel aggregation of ch1 (index value is 1) and ch3 (index value is 4) is 5 by adding each index.

Also, the index indicating the channel aggregation of ch4 (index value is 8) and ch13 (index value is 1024) is 1032 by adding each index.

Also, the index indicating the channel aggregation of ch25 (index = 516), ch13 (index = 1024), and ch7 (index = 64) is 1604 (= 516 + 1024 + 64).

The addition of the index may be an integer addition or a logical sum. This is because there is no duplication of bits and the same result is obtained.

An aggregation index combining the arbitrary channels in FIGS. 10A and 10B is determined by adding the indexes. For example, since the indexes of ch17 and ch4 are 257 and 8, respectively, the aggregation index of ch17 and ch4 is 265. Here, when the receiving apparatus 200 receives 265 as an index value, it is an index that is not included in either FIG. 10A or FIG. 10B, and therefore it can be determined that 265 is an index representing aggregation.

As described above, the first bandwidth bitmap and the second bandwidth bitmap are notified, and the third bandwidth channel is notified in the above combination.

In addition, although the transmission apparatus 100 has been shown as an example of a configuration that can transmit a maximum of 4 carriers, a transmission apparatus that can transmit 5 carriers or more may be used. Unlike format 1, format 2 can notify channel aggregation of 5 carriers or more. For example, the index of channel aggregation of 8 carriers using all of ch1 to ch8 is 255. Also, the index of 7-carrier channel aggregation using ch1 to ch6 and ch15 is 2111.

<Effect>
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify a bonding channel of a different band, so that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved. Further, high throughput can be realized by using D / A and A / D having a low sampling rate.

Also, when performing channel aggregation, it is obtained by adding the index value or performing a logical sum (OR) operation. For example, since the indexes of ch1 and ch3 are 1 and 4, respectively, the aggregation index of ch1 and ch3 is 5.

In format 2, the index value is determined from the two bitmaps of 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz, and the index of channel aggregation is determined by adding the index value. Therefore, aggregation of wideband channels (bonding channels) is realized. The transmission speed can be increased.

In addition, the combination of overlapping bands in the two bitmaps of 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz is defined as an index that represents the 6.48 GHz and 8.64 GHz channels, so channel aggregation can be reported with a small bit width, and the transmission speed can be reduced. Can be increased.

Also, since index values are determined from two bitmaps of 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz, channel aggregation can be notified without restriction on the number of carriers, and the transmission speed can be increased.

In format 2, in addition to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the indexes shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B may be determined and used for future expansion.

Next, FIG. 11A will be described. In FIG. 10B, since the index value 257 is set to ch17, for example, the index value 261 represents the aggregation of ch17 and ch3. However, ch17 and ch3 are invalid combinations because of overlapping bands. Therefore, the index value 261 is determined not as an aggregation of ch17 and ch3 but as an index representing another channel. For example, ch30 (not shown in FIG. 3) is added, and the index value is defined as 261. An example of ch30 is shown in FIG. For example, ch30 has a channel bandwidth of 10.80 GHz, and the center frequency is the same as the center frequency of ch3.

Using format 2, for example, the aggregation of ch30 and ch15 is defined as index 2309 by adding the respective indexes (261 and 2048).

Since the value of this index does not overlap with any of the other channels defined in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B, the receiving apparatus 200 is an aggregation of ch30 and ch15 when this index is received. Can be determined.

11A and 11B show combinations of ch17, ch20, ch25, and ch29, and 2.16 GHz channels with overlapping bands (except for those shown in FIG. 10B). Since these are invalid combinations, they may be reserved for future expansion (eg, new bandwidth channels).

That is, the values shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B may be used as an index indicating a single bonding channel (when channel aggregation is not performed). When performing channel aggregation, any valid channel combination (that is, the bands do not overlap) is designated by adding the values of any index defined in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, and 11B. be able to.

<Format 3 indicating channel selection information>
Format 3 uses bitmaps of 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz as in format 2. FIG. 13A is the same as FIG. 10A.

FIG. 13B represents ch17, ch20, ch25, and ch29 using an index that represents an invalid combination set of aggregation, as in FIG. 10B. However, unlike FIG. 10B, all the bits corresponding to the 2.16 GHz channel occupying the band are set to 1.

For example, since ch17 occupies the bandwidth of ch1, ch2, and ch3, set the lower 3 bits of the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field to 1. In addition, the least significant bit (corresponding to ch9) of the 4.32１GHz channel bitmap field is set to 1 to make an invalid combination index. At this time, the value of the 4.32 GHz channel bitmap field is selected so that all of the band occupied by ch17 is included. In other words, ch9 and ch11 overlap with Ch17, but ch11 uses a band not included in a part of ch17, so ch9 is selected instead of ch11. Thus, the index value of ch17 is set to 263.

Similarly for ch20, set the value of the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field corresponding to ch4, ch5, and ch6, which are 2.16 GHz channels that ch20 occupies to 1, and all the band occupied by ch20 is 4.32 GHz Set the 4.32 GHz channel bitmap field corresponding to channel ch13 to 1.

For ch25, set the value of the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field corresponding to ch1 to ch4, which is the 2.16 GHz channel that ch25 occupies to 1, and ch11 that is a 4.32 GHz channel that includes everything in the band that ch25 occupies. Set the 4.32 GHz channel bitmap field corresponding to 1 to 1. Here, ch9 includes all of the band occupied by ch25, but in order to distinguish it from ch17, ch25 uses 1 corresponding to ch11. Similarly for ch29, the bits corresponding to ch4 to ch8 and ch15 are set to 1. Similarly, new bonding channels that are not included in the channelization of FIG. 3 can be added. For example, in ch30 shown in FIG. 12, the bits corresponding to ch1 to ch5, ch9, and ch11 may be set to 1.

According to Format 3, 2.16 GHz channel bitmap is set to 1 for bits corresponding to all 2.16 GHz band channels occupied by channel aggregation frames, so the terminal receiving the frame does not support channel aggregation. Even so, it can be determined which channel is being used.

To determine which channel is occupied by referring to the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field even when a terminal whose newly added index is unknown will receive a channel aggregation frame due to future expansion. Can do.

In addition, since 2.16 GHz channel bitmap and 4.32 GHz channel bitmap are transmitted in combination, the channel selection information of the channel aggregation frame including the band exceeding 4.32 GHz can be transmitted, and high-speed transmission is realized. be able to.

<Format 4 indicating channel selection information>
In the present embodiment, transmitting apparatus 100 transmits a channel aggregation frame whose channel bandwidth is common among carriers. That is, the channel bandwidth is common to the first to fourth carriers. 5A and 5B are realized, and FIGS. 5C and 5D are not realized.

The transmission apparatus 100 notifies the channel selection information of the channel aggregation frame using the format 4 shown in FIG.

The BW field specifies a common channel bandwidth for the first to fourth carriers.

The Primary channel number field reports the channel number of the primary channel. The primary channel is one of channels (ch1 to ch8) with a width of 2.16 GHz. The first carrier includes a primary channel band. Thereby, receiving apparatus 200 can determine the channel number of the first carrier from the value of the BW field and the value of the Primary channel number field. For example, when the value of the BW field is 2 and the value of the Primary channel number field is 3, from the channelization of FIG. 3, the channel having these values is ch17. Can be determined.

The “Partial channel number” of “2nd” carrier field reports the lower 3 bits of the channel number of the second carrier. Based on the combination of this field and the value of the BW field, receiving apparatus 200 can specify the channel number of the second carrier.

For example, if the value of the BW field is 3 and the value of the Partial Channel number of 2nd carrier field is 1, it indicates that the second carrier uses channel 25.

Similarly, the “Partial channel number” of “3rd” carrier field reports the lower 3 bits of the channel number of the third carrier. Based on the combination of this field and the value of the BW field, receiving apparatus 200 can specify the channel number of the third carrier.

Similarly, the “Partial channel number” of “4th” carrier field notifies the lower 3 bits of the channel number of the fourth carrier. Based on the combination of this field and the value of the BW field, receiving apparatus 200 can specify the channel number of the fourth carrier.

When transmission using the second carrier is not performed, the value of the Partial channel number of the second channel field is set to the same value as the Primary channel number field. Thus, transmission can be performed by arbitrarily selecting the number of carriers from 1 to 4 without adding a field for notifying the number of carriers.

In format 4, the low order bits of the channel numbers of the second to fourth carriers are transmitted using the partial channel number, the second channel field, the partial channel number, the number of 3rd carrier field, and the partial channel number, number of 4th carrier field. The number of bits used for transmission of channel selection information can be reduced, and the data transmission rate can be increased.

<Format 5 indicating channel selection information>
In the present embodiment, as in format 4 in FIG. 14, transmitting apparatus 100 transmits a channel aggregation frame whose channel bandwidth is common among carriers. That is, the channel bandwidth is common to the first to fourth carriers. 5A and 5B are realized, and FIGS. 5C and 5D are not realized. FIG. 15A shows format 5.

The “Primary channel number” field indicates the channel number of the primary channel. Similar to the format 4, the first carrier uses a channel that partially includes the band of the primary channel.

The BW index field is an index representing a channel bandwidth, the number of carriers, and a combination of channels from the first carrier to the fourth carrier.

The relationship between the value of the BW index field, the channel bandwidth from the first carrier to the fourth carrier, and the number of carriers is determined as shown in FIG. 15B.

Next, how to determine the BW index for the combination of channels will be explained. In the following description, a value obtained by subtracting 1 from Primary channel number is represented by c1, and a value obtained by subtracting 1 from Partial channel number of the second to fourth carriers is represented by c2 to c4. Here, c1 to c4 take values of 0 to 7.

(BW index = 0)
When the channel bandwidth is 2.16 GHz and the number of carriers is 1, the BW index is 0. The channel number of the first carrier is equal to the value of the Primary channel number field.

(BW index = 1-7)
When the channel bandwidth is 2.16 GHz and the number of carriers is 2, the BW index is one of 1 to 7. Transmitting apparatus 100 determines the value of BW index by the following equation.
BW_index = (c2-c1) mod 8

On the other hand, the receiving apparatus 200 calculates the values of c1 and c2 from the received BW index and Primary channel number values as follows.
c2 = (c1 + BW_index) mod 8

(BW index = 8-28)
When the channel bandwidth is 2.16 GHz and the number of carriers is 3, the BW index is 8 to 28. Transmitting apparatus 100 determines BW_index as follows.
(c2-c1-1) When mod8 is 2 or less (c2-c1-1) mod 8 + ((c3-c1-1) mod 8) * 3 + 8
Other than the above (5- (c2-c1-1)) mod 8 + (6- (c3-c1-1) mod 8) * 3 + 8

The receiving apparatus 200 calculates the values of c2 and c3 from the received BW index and Primary channel number values as follows.
t1 = (BW_index-8) mod 3, t2 = floor ((BW_index-8) / 3)
When t1 <t2, c2 = (c1 + t1 + 1) mod 8, c3 = (c1 + t2 + 1) mod 8
Otherwise c2 = (6 + c1-t1) mod 8, c3 = (7 + c1-t2) mod 8

Hereinafter, the case where BW index = 8 to 28 will be described in detail. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating combinations of channels when BW index is 8.

If the channel number of the first carrier (the bandwidth is 2.16 GHz, the same as the primary channel number) is ch1, the channel numbers of the second and third carriers are ch7 and ch8, respectively. When the first carrier is channel 2, the channel numbers of the 2nd and 3rd carriers are ch8 and ch1, respectively. In this way, even if the value of BW index is one (for example, 8), the combination of channel numbers of different 2nd and 3rd carriers is represented according to the Primary 番号 channel number. Combinations can be represented. In the present embodiment, since the primary channel number can take eight values, one value of BW_index can represent eight channel combinations.

For example, when BW_index is 8, if it is fixedly determined that the second carrier represents ch7 and the third carrier represents ch8, the combination of BW_index = 8 and Primary channel = ch7 or ch8 becomes invalid, and BW_index is 8 There are six combinations of channels that can be represented at

(BW index = 29-63)
When the channel bandwidth is 2.16 GHz and the number of carriers is 4, the BW index is 29 to 63. Transmitting apparatus 100 determines the value of BW index as follows.

First, for the calculation, the values of c2 ′, c3 ′, and c4 ′ are calculated as follows.
c2 '= (c2-c1) mod 8, c3' = (c3-c1) mod 8, c4 '= (c4-c1) mod 8

(1) In the case where at least two of the three channels excluding the primary channel are adjacent to each other. In this case, the case where the adjacent channels straddle the primary channel is included. Also, ch8 and ch1 are considered to be adjacent. That is, for example, when ch8 is a primary channel, ch7 and ch1 are considered to be adjacent.

Determine the values of c2, c3, and c4 so that the two adjacent channels are c2, c3 and the rest are c4. Here, c2 and c3 are selected so that (c3′−c2 ′) mod7 = 1. That is, the value of c2 is determined corresponding to the adjacent left channel, and the value of c3 is determined corresponding to the right channel. When three channels are adjacent, c2, c3, and c4 are selected so that c2 ′ and c4 ′ are not adjacent.

For example, when Primary channel is ch3, and other channels are ch2, ch4, ch5, select c1 = 2, c2 = 1, c3 = 3, c4 = 4. At this time, c2 ′ = 7, c3 ′ = 1, and c4 ′ = 2.

The value of BW_index is determined as follows.
BW_index = ((c4'-c2'-2) mod7) + (c2'-1) * 4 + 29
Here, the value of BW index is 29-56.

When the value of BW index is 29 to 56, receiving apparatus 200 calculates c2, c3, and c4 from BW_index as follows.
c2 '= floor ((BW_index-29) / 4) +1, c2 = (c2' + c1) mod 8
c3 '= (c2' + 1) mod 7, c3 = (c3 '+ c1) mod 8
c4 '= ((BW_index-29) mod 4 + c2' + 2) mod 7, c4 = (c4 '+ c1) mod 8

(2) When none of the three channels except the primary channel are adjacent to each other. In this case, the relationship is c3 '= (c2' + 2) mod7, c4 '= (c3' + 2) mod7 C2, c3, and c4 are determined as follows.

For example, when the primary channel is ch7 and the other channels are ch2, ch5, and ch8, c1 = 6, c2 = 4, c3 = 7, and c4 = 1. At this time, c2 ′ = 6, c3 ′ = 1, c4 ′ = 3, and c3 ′ = (c2 ′ + 2) mod7 and c4 ′ = (c3 ′ + 2) mod7 hold.
The value of BW_index is determined as follows.
BW_index = c2'-1 + 57
Here, the value of BW index is 57-63.

When the value of BW index is 57 to 63, receiving apparatus 200 calculates c2, c3, and c4 from BW_index and Primary channel number as follows.
c2 '= BW_index-57 + 1, c2 = (c2' + c1) mod 8
c3 '= (c2' + 2) mod 7, c3 = (c3 '+ c1) mod 8
c4 '= (c3' + 2) mod 7, c4 = (c4 '+ c1) mod 8

(BW index = 64)
When the channel bandwidth is 4.32 GHz and the number of carriers is 1, the BW index is 64.

(BW index = 65 ~ 67)
When the channel bandwidth is 4.32 GHz and the number of carriers is 2, the BW index is 65 to 67.

Transmitting apparatus 100 determines the value of BW index as follows.
Set c1 '= floor (c1 / 2) and c2' = floor (c2 / 2).
BW_index = (c2'-c1 ') mod 8 + 64

When the value of BW index is 65 to 67, receiving apparatus 200 calculates c2 from the values of BW index and Primary channel number as follows.
c1 '= floor (c1 / 2)
c2 = c1 '* 2 + (BW_index-64) * 2

(BW index = 68-70)
When the channel bandwidth is 4.32 GHz and the number of carriers is 3, the BW index is 68-70.

Transmitting apparatus 100 determines the value of BW index as follows.
Let c1 '= floor (c1 / 2), c2' = floor (c2 / 2), c3 '= floor (c3 / 2).

However, the order of c2, c3 is determined so that c1, c2, c3 are in a cyclic order. That is, c2 and c3 are switched so that (c2-c1) mod 8 <(c3-c1) mod 8.

At this time, the BW index is calculated as follows.
BW_index = ((c2'-c1'-1) mod 2) * 2 + (c3'-c2'-1) mod 2 + 68

When the value of BW index is 68 to 70, receiving apparatus 200 calculates c2 and c3 from the values of BW index and Primary channel number as follows.
c1 '= floor (c1 / 2)
c2 '= ((c1' + floor (BW_index-68) / 2) mod 4)
c3 '= (c2' + floor (BW_index-68) mod 2)
c2 = c2 '* 2
c3 = c3 '* 2

(BW index = 71)
When the channel bandwidth is 4.32 GHz and the number of carriers is 4, the BW index is 71. The combination of channels is one of the combinations of ch9, ch11, ch13, and ch15.

When the value of BW index is 71, receiving apparatus 200 calculates c2, c3, and c4 from the value of Primary channel number as follows. That is, c2 to c4 are determined so that c1 to c4 are in a cyclic order.
c1 '= floor (c1 / 2)
c2 = (c1 '* 2 + 2) mod8
c3 = (c2 + 2) mod8
c4 = (c3 + 2) mod8

(BW index = 72)
When the channel bandwidth is 6.48 GHz and the number of carriers is 1, the BW index is 72. The channel used is ch17 or ch20.

The receiving apparatus 200 can determine whether ch17 or ch20 is used from the value of Primary channel number. That is, if the primary channel is ch1 to ch3, the used channel is ch17, and if the primary channel is any of ch4 to ch6, the used channel is ch20.

(BW index = 73)
When the channel bandwidth is 6.48 GHz and the number of carriers is 2, the BW index is 73. The combination of channels used is one of ch17 and ch20.

(BW index = 74)
When the channel bandwidth is 8.64 GHz and the number of carriers is 1, the BW index is 74. The channel used is ch25 or ch29.

The receiving device 200 can determine whether ch25 or ch29 is used from the value of Primary channel number. That is, if the primary channel is any one of ch1 to ch4, the use channel is ch25, and if the primary channel is any one of ch5 to ch8, the use channel is ch29.

(BW index = 75)
When the channel bandwidth is 8.64 GHz and the number of carriers is 2, the BW index is 75. The combination of channels used is one of ch25 and ch29.

(BW index = 76-127)
A BW index value of 76 to 127 is reserved. In future expansion, it is used when adding a new channel bandwidth or when setting the number of carriers to 5 or more.

<Format 6 indicating channel selection information>
Format 6 uses a 2.16 GHz bitmap as in format 2, but adds a Maximum bandwidth field instead of a 4.32 GHz bitmap. FIG. 17 shows format 6.

In the Maximum bandwidth field, specify the maximum channel bandwidth used by the corresponding packet. For example, even if the transmission apparatus 100 can transmit a maximum 8.64 GHz bandwidth, when performing aggregation of 2.16 GHz and 4.32 GHz with the corresponding packet, the value 1 indicating 4.32 GHz is set in the Maximum bandwidth field. .

In the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field, set 1 to the channel number corresponding to the band occupied by the channel with the bandwidth from 2.16 GHz to 8.64 GHz. For example, when ch9 is used, the bits corresponding to ch1 and ch2 (the lower 2 bits of the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field) are set to 1.

The transmitter 100 sets 0 in the Maximum bandwidth field when performing aggregation transmission of 2.16 GHz + 2.16GHz using ch1 and ch2, and sets the Maximum bandwidth field to 0 when using ch9 to perform channel bonding transmission of 4.32 GHz band. Set the bandwidth field to 1 and send. When performing aggregation transmission of ch9 and ch3, 1 is set in the MaximumMaxbandwidth field, and 1 is set in the lower 3 bits (corresponding to ch1 to ch3) of the 2.16 GHz channel bitmap field.

As described above, the transmission apparatus 100 can specify a combination of channels with a small number of bits by performing transmission using the format 6, and can perform channel aggregation including a plurality of channel bandwidths. Transmission can be realized.

In format 6, since 2.16 GHz channel bitmap indicates the usage status of the band, the receiving apparatus 200 can know which band is used even when an unknown channel combination is received. .

<Description of Transmitting Device 300 and Receiving Device 400>
FIG. 18 shows another configuration of a transmission apparatus that performs channel aggregation. In the transmission apparatus 300, the same parts as those of the transmission apparatus 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The transmission device 300 includes a payload division unit 303 having a function different from that of the payload division unit 103 of the transmission device 100, and divides the payload data and allocates it to the first to fourth carriers before encoding the payload. Note that the payload dividing unit 303 may perform CRC (error detection code) addition and bit scrambling before performing payload division.

Payload encoders 302a to 302d perform LDPC encoding of payload data of the first to fourth carriers. Note that the payload encoding units 302a to 302d may perform LDPC encoding at different encoding rates for each of the first to fourth carriers. Further, payload encoding sections 302a to 302d may perform LDPC encoding using different LDPC parity check matrices for the first to fourth carriers.

The modulation units 104a to 104d modulate the payload data of the first to fourth carriers. Note that the modulation units 104a to 104d may use different modulation schemes for the first to fourth carriers. As a data modulation method, π / 2-BPSK, π / 2-QPSK, π / 2-16QAM, or π / 2-64QAM may be used. The symbol after data modulation may be transmitted by a single carrier, and the symbol after data modulation may be transmitted by OFDM.

Based on the PHY control data, the PHY / RF control unit 310 outputs an instruction signal indicating which coding rate LDPC encoding is to be performed on to the payload encoding units 302a to 302d. In addition, an instruction signal indicating which data modulation is performed in each of the modulation units 104a to 104d is output. That is, the PHY control data may include a different MCS (Modulation and Coding scheme) for each carrier, and the PHY / RF control unit 310 may apply a different MCS for each carrier.

The header encoding unit 101 encodes the header by including MCS information for each carrier in the header (L-Header or E-Header) in addition to the channel selection information (any one of formats 1 to 6). 20A, 20B, 21A, and 21B show a method of including MCS information for each carrier in the header. (See below)

FIG. 19 shows another configuration of a receiving apparatus that performs channel aggregation. In the receiving apparatus 400, the same parts as those of the receiving apparatus 200 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Unlike the receiving apparatus 200, the receiving apparatus 400 includes payload decoding units 402a to 402d for each carrier. The payload decoding units 402a to 402d perform LDPC decoding (error correction). Payload decoding sections 402a to 402d may perform LDPC decoding using different coding rates and different check matrices for each of payload decoding sections 402a to 402d in accordance with instructions from PHY / RF control section 410 described later.

The payload combining unit 403 combines the data output from the payload decoding units 402a to 402d for each carrier to generate received data. The payload combining unit 403 may perform data descrambling and CRC check.

The PHY / RF control unit 410 is based on the PHY header information received by the header decoding unit 201 and the PHY control data notified from the MAC processing unit in advance, the center frequency for each carrier, the channel bandwidth for each carrier, and for each carrier. Determine the MCS.

(Notice of MCS in single user (SU) transmission)
In the case of single user transmission, transmitting apparatus 300 includes the MCS selection information of FIG. 20A in the header in addition to channel selection information (any one of formats 1 to 6).

In FIG. 20A, the header has eight fields (Stream1 MCS to Stream8 MCS). When the number of carriers is 1 (that is, when carrier aggregation is not performed), transmitting apparatus 300 sets the MCS number of the first carrier (that is, the MCS number used by payload encoder 302a and modulator 104a) in the Stream1StreamMCS field. include. When performing MIMO transmission on the first carrier, MIMO transmission of up to 8 streams is performed using the Stream2 MCS to Stream 8 MCS fields. That is, the payload encoding unit 302a, the modulation unit 104a, the wideband D / A 105a, the wideband RF 106a, and the antenna 107a, which are the first carrier part of the transmission apparatus 300, may be multiplexed up to 8 at maximum to perform MIMO transmission of up to 8 streams. .

That is, since a maximum of 8 streams are MIMO-transmitted for one channel, the configuration of the transmission apparatus 300 is different from that in FIG. 18, and in the transmission apparatus 300, the payload encoding unit 302a is changed from the payload encoding unit 302a1 to the payload code. 302a8, modulator 104a includes modulator 104a1 to modulator 104a8, broadband D / A 105a includes broadband D / A 105a1 to broadband D / A 105a8, and broadband RF 106a includes broadband RF 106a1 to broadband RF 106a8 The antenna 107a includes antennas 107a1 to 107a8. For example, the stream 1 is transmitted via the payload encoding unit 302a1, the modulation unit 104a1, the wideband D / A 105a1, the wideband RF 106a1, and the antenna 107a1.

The payload encoding unit 302a includes the MCS number used by the payload encoding unit 302a1 in the Stream1 MCS field, and the MCS number used by the payload encoding unit 302a8 in the Stream8 MCS field. The data encoded by the payload encoding unit 302a1 to the payload encoding unit 302a8 are referred to as stream 1 to stream 8, respectively.

Also, the broadband RF 106a uses a common channel number for the broadband RF 106a1 to the broadband RF 106a8. That is, the first carrier is transmitted using one channel. The common channel number is notified using any one of format 1 to format 6 described above. That is, when performing MIMO transmission on the first carrier, streams 1 to 8 may use a common channel (one channel), while streams 1 to 8 may use different MCSs.

That is, when the number of carriers is 1, the first carrier can perform MIMO transmission of a maximum of 8 streams using 8 transmission branches.

When the number of carriers is 2, the transmitting apparatus 300 includes the MCS number of the first carrier in the Stream1 MCS field and the MCS number of the second carrier in the Stream5 MCS field. When performing MIMO transmission on the first carrier, MIMO transmission of up to four streams is performed using the Stream1 MCS to Stream 4 MCS fields. Also, when performing MIMO transmission on the second carrier, MIMO transmission of up to four streams is performed using the Stream5 MCS to Stream 8 MCS fields. That is, a maximum of 8 streams are transmitted together with the first carrier and the second carrier.

In other words, when the number of carriers is 2, it is possible to perform MIMO transmission of a maximum of 8 streams using a total of 8 transmission branches including 4 transmission branches for the first carrier and 4 transmission branches for the second carrier. it can.

When the number of carriers is 3, transmitting apparatus 300 includes the MCS number of the first carrier in the Stream1 MCS field, the MCS number of the second carrier in the Stream4 MCS field, and the MCS number of the third carrier in the Stream7 MCS field. . When performing MIMO transmission on the first carrier, MIMO transmission of a maximum of three streams is performed using the Stream1 MCS to Stream 3 MCS fields. Also, when performing MIMO transmission on the second carrier, MIMO transmission of up to three streams is performed using the Stream4 MCS to Stream 6 MCS fields. Also, when performing MIMO transmission on the third carrier, MIMO transmission of a maximum of two streams is performed using the Stream7 MCS to Stream 8 MCS fields. That is, a maximum of 8 streams are transmitted together with the first to third carriers.

That is, when the number of carriers is 3, the first carrier uses three transmission branches, the second carrier uses three transmission branches, the third carrier uses two transmission branches, and a total of eight transmission branches. Up to 8 streams of MIMO transmission can be performed.

When the number of carriers is 4, similarly, the transmitting apparatus 300 includes the MCS numbers of the first to fourth carriers in the Stream1 MCS, Stream3 MCS, Stream5 MCS, and Stream 7 fields, respectively. Similarly, a maximum of 8 streams are transmitted together with the first to fourth carriers.

That is, when the number of carriers is 4, the first carrier has two transmission branches, the second carrier has two transmission branches, the third carrier has two transmission branches, and the fourth carrier has two transmission branches. A maximum of 8 streams of MIMO transmission can be performed using a total of 8 transmission branches.

Note that the format of FIG. 20B may be used instead of FIG. 20A. In FIG. 20B, the field number to be used can be calculated by a mathematical formula as follows.
(Field No.) = (carrier No.) + (The number of carriers) × (stream No.-1)

For example, in the case of carrier number 2, carrier number 3, stream number 3, the field number is 8. Therefore, the MCS of the corresponding stream is notified using the Stream8 MCS field.

As described above, the transmission apparatus 300 can specify a different MCS for each carrier by using the header formats of FIGS. 20A and 20B, so that the transmission rate can be increased.

In addition, the transmission apparatus 300 uses the header formats of FIGS. 20A and 20B so that the maximum total number of MIMO streams is a predetermined value (for example, 8) regardless of the number of carriers. It is not necessary to add a field for notifying the MCS information for performing the aggregation. Therefore, the number of bits required for the header can be reduced, and the transmission rate can be increased.

(MCS notification of multi-user (MU) transmission)
The transmission apparatus 300 may transmit one channel aggregation packet to a plurality of users. That is, multi-user transmission may be performed. That is, the user may be changed for each carrier, or the user may be changed for each stream within the carrier.

In the case of multi-user transmission, in addition to channel selection information (any one of formats 1 to 6), the field shown in FIG. 21A is included in the header (E-Header).

In FIG. 21A, the header has eight fields (Stream1 Address to Stream8 Address).

When the number of carriers is 2, the transmission device 300 includes the destination address of the first carrier in the Stream1 Address field and the destination address of the second carrier in the Stream5 Address field. The destination address may be an AID (Association ID), or may be a MAC address or a part of the MAC address. Further, it may be a hash value calculated from the MAC address. When performing MU-MIMO (multi-user MIMO) transmission on the first carrier, MIMO transmission of a maximum of 4 streams is performed using the Stream1 Address to Stream 4 Address fields. In addition, when performing MU-MIMO transmission on the second carrier, MIMO transmission of a maximum of four streams is performed using the Stream5 Address to Stream 8 Address fields. That is, multi-user transmission addressed to a maximum of eight users is performed by combining the first carrier and the second carrier.

Similarly, when the number of carriers is 3 or 4, the address for each carrier is notified using either the Stream1 Address field to the Stream8 Address field. When performing MU-MIMO transmission, multi-user transmission for a maximum of eight users is performed for all carriers.

When the number of carriers is 1, when performing MU-MIMO transmission, the format of FIG. 21A is used. A maximum of 8 streams of MIMO transmission is performed on the first carrier using the Stream1 Address field to the Stream8 Address field. Note that the format of FIG. 21B may be used instead of FIG. 21A.

As described above, the transmission apparatus 300 can specify different addresses for each carrier using the header formats of FIGS. 21A and 21B, so that multi-user transmission is performed using channel aggregation packets, and there are a plurality of users. In this case, the transmission rate can be increased.

Further, the transmission apparatus 300 uses the header formats of FIGS. 21A and 21B to set the maximum number of destination users to a predetermined value (for example, 8) regardless of the number of carriers. It is not necessary to add a field for notifying address information for performing multi-user transmission in aggregation. Therefore, the number of bits required for the header can be reduced, and the transmission rate can be increased.

(Other embodiments)
Although cases have been described with the above embodiment as examples where one aspect of the present disclosure is configured by hardware, the present disclosure can also be realized by software in cooperation with hardware.

Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiment is typically realized as an LSI which is an integrated circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal. The integrated circuit may control each functional block used in the description of the above embodiment, and may include an input and an output. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

Also, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI emerges as a result of advances in semiconductor technology or other derived technology, it is naturally also possible to integrate functional blocks using this technology. Biotechnology can be applied.

One aspect of the present disclosure is suitable for a communication apparatus using millimeter wave communication.

100, 300 Transmission device 101 Header encoding unit 102, 302 Payload encoding unit 103 Payload data division unit 104 Modulation unit 105 Wideband D / A
106,206 Broadband RF
107, 207

Antenna

110, 210 RF control unit 200, 400 Receiver 201 Header decoding unit 202, 402 Payload decoding unit 204 Demodulation unit 205 Broadband A / D
208 Synchronizing unit 303 Payload

data dividing unit

310, 410 PHY / RF control unit 403 Payload combining unit

Claims

A first channel group of n (n is an integer) channels having a first bandwidth in a predetermined band;
A second channel that is two consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band and is a combination of non-overlapping channels (m is an integer and a value smaller than n). Channel groups,
In the predetermined band, there are three consecutive channels in the first channel group, which are p channels (p is an integer, a value smaller than m) that combines non-overlapping channels. Channel groups,
First to r-th modulation circuits that respectively modulate header information related to r (r is an integer of 1 or more) carriers to which one or more of them are assigned;
First to r-th transmitter circuits for transmitting the modulated header information, respectively.
Including
The header information is
N bits indicating the channel assignment of the first channel group;
M bits indicating the channel assignment of the second channel group;
Including
The channel assignment of the third channel group is
The n bits and the m bits are shown in combination.
Transmitter device.
In the channel assignment of the first channel group, one channel is assigned using one bit among the n bits,
In the channel assignment of the second channel group, one channel is assigned using one bit among the m bits.
The transmission device according to claim 1.
Each channel of the third channel group is
Of the n bits, the bits assigned to the channels of the first channel group that overlap the band of the respective channels of the third channel group;
Of the m bits, the bits allocated to the channels of the second channel group that overlap the respective channel bands of the third channel group;
Is assigned,
The transmission device according to claim 2.
The band of the channel of the second channel group and the band of the channel of the first channel group indicated by the bits allocated to the respective channels of the third channel group include overlapping bands.
The transmission device according to claim 3.
The header information is
In the predetermined band, there are four consecutive channels in the first channel group, which are q channels (q is an integer and a value smaller than m) combining non-overlapping channels. Assignment of the channel groups to the r carriers,
The channel assignment of the fourth channel group is
The n bits and the m bits are shown in combination.
The transmission device according to claim 1.
The transmission circuit includes:
Transmitting the header information by the channel of the first channel group whose band overlaps with the channel of the second and third channel groups allocated to each carrier;
The transmission device according to claim 1.
First to r-th receiving circuits for respectively receiving first to r-th (r is an integer of 1 or more) signals;
A decoding circuit for decoding header information from any one of the first to r-th signals;
A control circuit for controlling a channel used in the first to r-th receiving circuits using the header information;
A payload decoding circuit for decoding the first to r-th signals output from the first to r-th receiving circuits controlled by the channel and outputting a payload;
Including
The first to r-th signals are:
A first channel group of n (n is an integer) channels having a first bandwidth in a given band;
A second channel that is two consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band and is a combination of non-overlapping channels (m is an integer and a value smaller than n). Channel groups,
In the predetermined band, there are three consecutive channels in the first channel group, which are p channels (p is an integer, a value smaller than m) that combines non-overlapping channels. Channel groups,
One or more of each is assigned,
The header information is
N bits indicating the channel assignment of the first channel group;
M bits indicating the channel assignment of the second channel group;
Including
The channel assignment of the third channel group is
The n bits and the m bits are shown in combination.
Receiver device.
In the channel assignment of the first channel group, one channel is assigned using one bit among the n bits,
In the channel assignment of the second channel group, one channel is assigned using one bit among the m bits.
The receiving device according to claim 7.
Each channel of the third channel group is
Of the n bits, the bits assigned to the channels of the first channel group that overlap the band of the respective channels of the third channel group;
Of the m bits, the bits allocated to the channels of the second channel group that overlap the respective channel bands of the third channel group;
Is assigned,
The receiving device according to claim 8.
The band of the channel of the second channel group and the band of the channel of the first channel group indicated by the bits allocated to the respective channels of the third channel group include overlapping bands.
The receiving device according to claim 8.
The first to r-th receiving circuits are:
Receiving the header information in each of the channels of the first channel group whose bandwidth overlaps with the channel of the allocated channel group;
The receiving device according to claim 7.
A first channel group of n (n is an integer) channels having a first bandwidth in a predetermined band;
A second channel that is two consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band and is a combination of non-overlapping channels (m is an integer and a value smaller than n). Channel groups,
In the predetermined band, there are three consecutive channels in the first channel group, which are p channels (p is an integer, a value smaller than m) that combines non-overlapping channels. Channel groups,
Each of the header information related to r (r is an integer of 1 or more) carriers to which one or more of them are assigned is modulated by first to r-th modulation circuits,
Each of the modulated header information is transmitted by first to r-th transmitter circuits;
The header information is
N bits indicating the channel assignment of the first channel group;
M bits indicating the channel assignment of the second channel group;
Including
The channel assignment of the third channel group is
The n bits and the m bits are shown in combination.
Transmission method.
Each of the first to r-th (r is an integer equal to or greater than 1) signals is received by the first to r-th receiving circuits,
Decoding header information from any one of the first to r-th signals;
Using the header information to control channels used in the first to r-th receiving circuits;
Decoding the first to r-th signals output from the first to r-th receiving circuits controlled by the channel and outputting a payload;
The first to r-th signals are:
A first channel group of n (n is an integer) channels having a first bandwidth in a given band;
A second channel that is two consecutive channels of the first channel group in the predetermined band and is a combination of non-overlapping channels (m is an integer and a value smaller than n). Channel groups,
In the predetermined band, there are three consecutive channels in the first channel group, which are p channels (p is an integer, a value smaller than m) that combines non-overlapping channels. Channel groups,
One or more of each is assigned,
The header information is
N bits indicating the channel assignment of the first channel group;
M bits indicating the channel assignment of the second channel group;
Including
The channel assignment of the third channel group is
The n bits and the m bits are shown in combination.
Reception method.