Background technology
Along with the universal result of recent development of wireless communication devices and wireless device, the demand via the transfer of data of the high speed of Radio Link, high reliability is increased.The wireless lan (wlan) that is developed to satisfy this demand mainly comprises: stand (STA), and it is a mobile data communication device; And access point (AP), can with the STA swap data.The AP and the STA that are positioned at the same wireless service coverage are considered to Basic Service Set (BSS).
In wlan system, the STA that is arranged in a wireless service coverage uses the AP assigned radio resource to send or the reception data.In this case, AP is with the form distributing radio resource of stage (phase) resource, and term " phase resource " is meant that STA or AP can send the time period of data.
Fig. 1 illustrates the structure of the transmission frame period in traditional wlan system.
With reference to Fig. 1, in the transmission frame period 100 of the regular length of determining in having system, AP sends MAP (mapping) frame 110 of indication to the phase resource allocation of whole transmission frame period 100.MAP frame 110 comprises: down link MAP 120, and indication AP can send the time period of data; With up link MAP 122, indication STA can send the time period of data.Down link MAP 120 comprises: the amount field 130 of STA and at least one STA information field 132 of determining based on the amount field 130 of STA.Similarly, up link MAP 122 comprises: the amount field 134 of STA and at least one STA information field 136 of determining according to the amount field 134 of STA. STA information field 132 and 136 each all comprise: STA id field 140 and 144, downlink transmission time section or the up link time period of STA are distributed in indication; With time migration field 142 and 146, the time migration of STA is distributed in indication.
Distributed the time period of the STA corresponding STA information indication in downlink transmission time section 112 of the time period in the MAP frame 110 to receive data, and the time period of corresponding STA information indication in the up link time period 114 send data.The At All Other Times section of STA the time period of indicating except the time period and the MAP frame 110 of transmission MAP frame 110 keeps park mode.Can be based on competition, by the competition time period 116 after at least one STA visit up link time period 114.
By this way, AP estimates the stock number that each STA needs in a transmission frame period 100, and estimates to distribute up link time period and downlink transmission time section according to this.Yet, when AP has over-evaluated the required stock number of STA, wasted Radio Resource, reduced data throughput performance.In this case, STA can not use assigned radio resource.In addition, owing to give specific STA with this resource allocation, so other STA can not re-use this resource.When AP had underestimated the required stock number of STA, STA can not be assigned with its required resource, up to next transmission frame period, and the transmission delay and the shake of experience uplink service.The service quality (QoS) that transmission delay and effect of jitter STA need.In addition, if owing to the shortage of the resource of the distribution of STA makes the SAT access contention time period 16, then in the competition time period, STA can not operate under park mode, the waste energy.
Therefore, determine by the timetable arrangement in the wireless communication system of up link time period that STA needs and downlink transmission time section at AP, need a kind ofly prevent the minimizing of data throughout and the waste of STA energy, and distribute the technology of up link time period and downlink transmission time section effectively.
Summary of the invention
For from addressing the above problem in fact at least and/or shortcoming, and following advantage is provided at least, the invention provides the transmission period distribution method and equipment and the system thereof that minimize the waste of SAT energy under a kind of situation that in wireless communication system, need not to reduce data throughout.
The invention provides a kind of method and apparatus and system thereof that in wireless communication system, uses a plurality of MAP frames to distribute the required transmission period of STA neatly.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of method of in Radio Network System, distributing transmission period.Described method is included in the method for distributing the transmission period in the frame period in the Radio Network System, the described frame period has the default duration, and described method comprises: send multi-wheel energy saving (PSMP) frame that downlink transmission time section and up link time period is offered at least one station (STA); In the downlink transmission time section that provides data are sent to described at least one STA, and receive data from described at least one STA in the up link time period that provides; After downlink transmission time section that the PSMP frame provides and up link time period expire, send at least one sub-PSMP frame in the frame period, described sub-PSMP frame offers in additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period at least one at least one STA that needs additional resource to distribute, if there is the additional data that will receive by STA, the additional downlink link time period then is provided in the frame period, if have the additional data that will send by STA, the affix line link time period then be provided in the frame period; And if existence will be by the additional data of at least one STA reception that needs additional resource to distribute, then receive data by this STA in the additional downlink link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides, to then send data by this STA by the additional data of at least one STA transmission that needs additional resource to distribute if exist in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides.
According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of method that in Radio Network System, receives the transmission period that distributes.Described method comprises: receive multi-wheel energy saving (PSMP) frame that access point (AP) provides, described PSMP frame provides downlink transmission time section and up link time period; The downlink transmission time section that provides at the PSMP frame receives data from AP, and in the up link time period that the PSMP frame provides data is sent to AP; After downlink transmission time section that the PSMP frame provides and up link time period expire, receive at least one sub-PSMP frame in the frame period, described sub-PSMP frame provides at least one in additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period, if exist with received additional data, the additional downlink link time period then is provided in the frame period, if exist the additional data that is sent out, the affix line link time period then be provided in the frame period; And if existence then in the additional downlink link time period reception data that sub-PSMP frame provides, if exist the additional data that is sent out, then sends data in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides with received additional data.
According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of access point (AP) equipment that in Radio Network System, distributes transmission period.Described AP equipment comprises: processor, generation offers downlink transmission time section and up link time period multi-wheel energy saving (PSMP) frame of at least one station (STA), and after downlink transmission time section that the PSMP frame provides and up link time period expire, generation offers in additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period at least one at least one the sub-PSMP frame that needs at least one STA that additional resource distributes, will be if exist by the additional data of described STA reception, the additional downlink link time period then is provided in the frame period, to then in the frame period, provide the affix line link time period by the additional data of described STA transmission if exist; And transceiver, the downlink transmission time section that provides at the PSMP frame sends to described at least one STA with data, receive data in the up link time period that the PSMP frame provides from described at least one STA, if and existence will be by the additional data of at least one STA transmission that needs additional resource to distribute, then data are sent to described STA in the additional downlink link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides, to then receive data by described STA by the additional data of at least one STA reception that needs additional resource to distribute if exist in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides.
According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of station (STA) equipment that in Radio Network System, receives the transmission period that distributes.Described STA equipment comprises: processor, analyze multi-wheel energy saving (PSMP) frame that access point (AP) provides, and described PSMP frame provides downlink transmission time section and up link time period; After downlink transmission time section that the PSMP frame provides and up link time period expire, receive at least one sub-PSMP frame in the frame period, described sub-PSMP frame provides at least one in additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period, if exist with received additional data, the additional downlink link time period then is provided in the frame period, if exist the additional data that is sent out, the affix line link time period then be provided in the frame period; And transceiver, receive PSMP frame and sub-PSMP frame from AP, the PSMP frame and the sub-PSMP frame that receive are delivered to processor, the downlink transmission time section that provides at the PSMP frame receives data from AP, the up link time period that provides at the PSMP frame sends to AP with data, if and exist with received additional data, then receive data in the additional downlink link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides, if exist, then send data in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides with the additional data that is sent out.
According to a further aspect in the invention, a kind of Radio Network System is provided, described Radio Network System comprises: access point (AP), be used for sending and the downlink transmission time section of distributing at least one station (STA) and the PSMP frame of up link time period be provided and at least one of additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period offered at least one the sub-PSMP frame that needs at least one STA that additional resource distributes, if there is the additional data that will receive by STA, the additional downlink link time period then is provided in the frame period, if have the additional data that will send by STA, the affix line link time period then be provided in the frame period; And STA, receive PSMP frame and sub-PSMP frame from AP, the downlink transmission time section that provides at the PSMP frame receives data from AP, the up link time period that provides at the PSMP frame sends to AP with data, if exist with received additional data, then receive data,, then send data in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides if exist with the additional data that is sent out in the additional downlink link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides.
Embodiment
Now describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail.In the following description, the known function that is herein incorporated and the detailed description of structure have been omitted for clarity and conciseness.
Distribute relevant the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of MAP (mapping) are provided frame with the transmission period in the wireless communication system, distribute to the time period of each station (STA) with indication access point (AP) in transmission frame period.
The time period of distributing begins after the MAP frame is sent out immediately, and in transmission frame period, the MAP frame except a MAP frame will be called as " follow-up MAP " (sub-MAP).
Although the present invention is described in detail with reference to wireless lan (wlan) system based on IEEE 802.11 standards, but it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, under the situation that does not break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the distribution of phase resource (basic purpose of the present invention) also can be applicable to have other wireless communication system of similar technique demand and channel format.
Fig. 2 A illustrates the configuration according to wlan system of the present invention.
With reference to Fig. 2 A, among AP 202 and the AP 210 each is connected to cable network 200, a plurality of STA204,206,208,212 visit its relevant AP 202 and AP 210 via IEEE 802.11 physics (PHY) layer with the Radio Link of controlling (MAC) agreement based on media interviews with 214, and via a plurality of wireless channel transmission/reception data.The STA 204 to STA208 and the AP 202 that are positioned at same wireless service coverage 220 form a Basic Service Set (BSS).In an identical manner, be positioned at STA 212 and STA 214 and AP 210 another BSS of formation of same wireless service coverage 222.The STA that is positioned at each BSS can be via corresponding AP swap data each other.The major function of AP 202 and AP 210 comprise data communication transmission, visit that another network (for example, cable network 200), roaming are supported, among the BSS synchronously, energy management support and being used for supports the control of the media interviews of BSS time-constrain service.
Fig. 2 B is the block diagram that is illustrated in the exemplary configurations of AP and each STA in the wlan system shown in Fig. 2 A.AP and STA can comprise: display 232, processor 234, transceiver 236, input unit 238, memory 240, random access storage device (RAM) 242, read-only memory (ROM) 244 and common bus 230.Provide the exemplary configurations that illustrates only for convenience.Although describe the specific components of the computer system that is used as AP and STA and their operation with reference to Fig. 2 B at this, exemplary description does not limit the present invention.
With reference to Fig. 2 B, the transceiver 236 that is connected to the antenna (not shown) receives desired data, and the conversion of signals that receives is become the corresponding digital data.Processor 234 is controllers of operation under the control of operating system (OS) in being included in ROM 244 and other program, and the information stores that the operation by processor 234 produces is in RAM 242.
The main operation that is included in the processor 234 among the AP comprises: the generation of data/analyze, be positioned at the same wireless service coverage and be connected to AP STA time period distribution, at least one MAP frame of time period that indication distributes generation and based on the operator scheme control of the transceiver 236 of the time period of distributing.Specifically, the MAP frame of the first of the processor 234 of AP by being positioned at transmission frame is with resource R
InitDistribute to STA, and additional resource distributes if desired, then processor 234 is by at the sequence relevant with a MAP frame of transmission frame MAP of transmission immediately after the duration, for the uplink/downlink transmission, section remaining time in the transmission frame period is distributed in addition at least one STA that needs additional resource to distribute.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that: term " ... immediately afterwards " is meant in fact and passes the scheduled time.
After the downlink/uplink time period of MAP frame indication expires, if necessary, then can send indication in addition at the down link of identical traffic frame period distribution and/or a plurality of sub-MAP of up link time period.The down link of sub-MAP frame indication and/or up link time period are after sub-MAP frame.
The main operation that is included in the processor 234 among the STA comprises: the generation/analysis of data, the generation of transmission frame and the MAP frame that receives based on the starting point from transmission frame are to the operator scheme control of transceiver 236.That is to say, processor 234 control transceivers 236, thus transceiver 236 receives the MAP frame in the starting point of each transmission frame from AP, and analyze this MAP frame and whether be included in wherein with the STA ID (sign) that determines STA oneself.If the STA ID of STA oneself is included in the MAP frame, then processor 234 will be about the downlink transmission time section of the distribution of the STA information relevant with STA ID indication and the information stores of up link time period in memory 240, then wake the receiver and the transmitter of transceiver 236 up in downlink transmission time section and up link time period, thus reception/transmission data.The receiver of transceiver 236 and transmitter enter park mode in the section At All Other Times except the time period of distributing.In addition, whether the processor of STA 234 monitors after the All Time section of MAP frame indication expires the sub-MAP frame that receives the resource that indication distributes in addition from AP, and when receiving sub-MAP frame, the sub-MAP frame of analysis reception.
Fig. 3 illustrates the structure according to transmission frame period of the present invention.Although contiguous at frame this illustrate and uplink/downlink time period, the time interval that in real system, may exist transmission/reception to switch and handle.
With reference to Fig. 3, in the transmission frame period 300 with regular length, AP at first sends MAP frame 310a with the basic rate collection (comprising modulation scheme, encoding rate and data transfer rate) less than the normal rate collection.Make all STA in the service coverage can both receive MAP frame 310a like this.At first, send MAP frame 310a periodically according to the set time section of determining by the negotiation between AP and the STA (for example, being approximately 20ms and 10ms respectively) for Internet protocol voice (VoIP) and Motion Picture Experts Group 4 (MPEG4).Send initialization transmission frame period 300 by MAP frame 310a.
For example, for the downlink transmission time section 312 subsequently of indicating MAP frame 310a and the phase resource allocation of the first up link time period 314a, MAP frame 310a comprises: down link MAP 320, and indication AP in downlink transmission time section 312 can send the time period of data; With the first up link MAP 322a, indication can send the time period of data at the first up link time period 314a STA.Down link MAP 320 comprises: the amount field 330 of STA and at least one STA information field 332 of determining based on the amount field 330 of STA.In an identical manner, the first up link MAP 322a comprises: the amount field 334a of STA and at least one STA information field 336a definite according to the amount field 334a of STA.
Each of STA information field 332 and STA information field 336a all comprises: STA id field 340 and 344a, and indication has been assigned with the STA of time period in the downlink transmission time section 312 and the first up link time period 314a; Time migration field 342 and 346a, the time started of the time period of STA is distributed in indication; With duration field 343 and 348a, the length of the time period that indication distributes.Each of STA id field 340 and 344a all comprises at least a portion correlated identities (AID) of each STA or gives at least a portion hardware address (MAC Address promptly) of each STA.The STA ID that indication is used for the time period of broadcast/multi broadcast data is arranged to particular value, for example, and " 0 ".Each of time migration field 342 and 346a is all with the time interval of a plurality of preset times unit (for example, 4 μ s) indication from MAP frame 310a to the time started of corresponding time period.Each of duration field 343 and 348a all with a plurality of preset times unit (for example, 16 μ s) indication from time interval of time started to concluding time of time period the length of section (that is, instruction time).
The up link time period that the first up link MAP 322a indication of MAP frame 310a at first distributes for STA, and can determine the first up link MAP 322a according to each data volume of serving required data transfer rate or AP estimation that each STA participates in.The STA that has been assigned with the time period by MAP frame 310a receives data in downlink transmission time section 312 in the time period of corresponding STA information 332 indications, and at the first up link time period 314a, sends data in the time period of corresponding STA information 336a indication.Down link data and down link data can comprise MPDU and affirmation, and described MPDU comprises that one or more total Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Units (PDU) (A-MPDU) and/or payload.In time period that sends MAP frame 310a and the section At All Other Times except the time period of MAP frame 310a indication, STA keeps park mode.
After the time period of the distribution of the first up link time period 314a sent data, each STA need to determine whether additional resource to distribute.Based on whether having additional transmission data or whether have the information that receives from AP, need to determine whether additional resource to distribute.To understand the present invention in order knowing, will to omit the detailed description of described determining step.The STA that needs additional resource to distribute monitors sub-MAP frame 310b after first up link time period 314a expiration.Down link and/or uplink resource that sub-MAP frame 310b can indicate AP to distribute in addition, for example, the distribution of the additional uplink resource of sub-MAP frame 310b indication shown in Figure 3.
That is to say that sub-MAP frame 310b comprises: the second up link MAP 322b, indication is to the phase resource allocation of thereafter the second up link time period 314b.Similarly, can send sub-MAP frame 310b by the basic rate collection.The second up link MAP 322b comprises: the amount field 334b of STA and at least one the STA information field 336b that determines based on the amount field 334b of STA.STA information field 336b comprises: STA id field 344b, and indication has been assigned with the STA of time period in the second up link time period 314b; Time migration field 346b, the time started of the time period of STA is distributed in indication; With duration field 348b, instruction time section length.The element of STA information field 336b described above.Distributed the STA of phase resource to receive data in the time period of the corresponding STA information 336b indication of the second up link 314b by sub-MAP frame 310b.
Although do not illustrate,, then in transmission frame period 300, can comprise a plurality of sub-MAP frames in addition and based on the up link time period or the downlink transmission time section of sub-MAP frame if also need additional resource to distribute.The transmission plan that use can have the MAP frame of one or more subframes is called as the multistage " multi-wheel energy saving (PSMP) ", and MAP frame 310a and sub-MAP frame 310b are called as PSMP frame and sub-PSMP frame respectively.Each of PSMP frame and sub-PSMP frame all followed at least one downlink transmission time section or the up link time period by the indication of corresponding (son) PSMP frame, and (son) PSMP frame and corresponding time period are called as (son) PSMP sequence.In other words, come PSMP sequence of initialization by sending the PSMP frame, and STA only the time period of the indication of the PSMP frame the PSMP sequence that begins from the PSMP frame be in wake-up states, thereby minimum power consumption.
Can be based on competition by the competition time period 316 of at least one STA after the visit final nucleotide sequence duration.
Be noted that under the situation that does not break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention the element of MAP frame 310a shown in Fig. 3 and 310b and the arrangement of described element can be changed.For example, each of MAP frame 310a and 310b all comprises: STA id field, the time migration that is used for downlink transmission and a duration field and be used for the time migration and the duration field of ul transmissions.In this case, if not free section is assigned to up link or down link, then corresponding duration field is set to sky (0).In addition, each of MAP frame 310a and 310b can comprise and be used to indicate whether the field of following by another sub-MAP frame.Whether STA analyzes the field in the sub-MAP frame, be the last sub-MAP frame in the current transmission frame period to determine this sub-MAP frame.
Fig. 4 is the sequential chart that illustrates according to the power reduction effect of phase resource allocation of the present invention.
With reference to the diagrammatic sketch (a) of Fig. 4, transmission frame period 400 comprises: MAP frame 410a, downlink transmission time section 412, the first up link time period 414a, sub-MAP frame 410b and the second up link time period.The phase resource allocation of the MAP frame 410a indicating downlink link time period 412 and the first up link time period 414a.
The resource that the diagrammatic sketch of Fig. 4 (b) illustrates the first up link time period 414a that MAP frame 410a distributes enough sends the situation of STA desired data and control messages.That is to say, after the time period 420 receives MAP frame 410a, switch to park mode after, the time period 422 of the distribution of STA in the downlink transmission time section 412 of MAP frame 410a indication is in wake-up states, and receives data from AP.Switch back park mode when the time period 422 expires after, STA keeps the time period 424 of the distribution of resting state in the first up link time period 414a of MAP frame 410a indication.In the described time period 424, STA sends to AP with data and/or control messages.Here, because STA does not need additional resource to distribute, so STA keeps park mode to receive the MAP frame of next transmission frame period up to it, and do not monitor the reception of sub-MAP frame 410b.
The diagrammatic sketch of Fig. 4 (c) is illustrated in after the first up link time period 414a that MAP frame 410a distributes expires, situation about need distribute for the additional resource of STA.That is to say, after the time period 430 receives MAP frame 410a, switch to park mode after, the time period 432 of the distribution of STA in the downlink transmission time section 412 of MAP frame 410a indication is in wake-up states, and receives data from AP.After switching back park mode in time period 432 to after date, the time period 434 of the distribution of STA maintenance park mode in the first up link time period 414a that MAP frame 410a indicates.In the described time period 434, STA sends to AP with data.Here, because STA needs additional resource to distribute, therefore be in wake-up states once more, and monitor the reception of sub-MAP frame 410b in the time period 436.When receiving sub-MAP frame 410, STA switches back resting state, and waits for the time period 438 in the second up link time period 414b of sub-MAP frame 410b indication.In the time period 438, STA sends to AP with data.Although do not illustrate, before expiring, transmission frame period 400 can have the time period of the distribution that is mapped to additional one or more MAP frames.
Be appreciated that from foregoing description, even the stock number that AP estimates is inaccurate, but reducing of the waste of minimized resource of the present invention and data throughout, maximization STA keeps time of park mode and unnecessary supervision down link or up link, and reduces the energy consumption of STA.In addition, the present invention can carry out the required additional resource of STA in current frame period and distribute, and distributes up to next transmission frame period and need not to keep this additional resource.
Although reference specific embodiment of the present invention shows and has described the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that under the situation of the spirit and scope of the present invention that do not break away from the claim qualification, can carry out the various changes of form and details to it.