Background technology
Along with the development of recent wireless communication technology and the universal result of wireless device, the demand via the transfer of data of the high speed of Radio Link, high reliability is increased.The WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN) that is developed to satisfy this demand mainly comprises: stand (STA), and it is 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 Radio Resource that AP distributes to send or receive data.In this case, AP is with the form distributing radio resource of stage (phase) resource, and term " phase resource " refers to 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 indication to MAP (mapping) frame 110 of 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 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.
The time period receive data that has distributed the STA corresponding STA information indication in downlink transmission time section 112 of the time period in MAP frame 110, and the time period transmission data of corresponding STA information indication in the up link time period 114.The At All Other Times section of STA the time period of indicating except 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 access 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 the Radio Resource of distribution.In addition, owing to this resource being distributed to specific STA, 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, until next transmission frame period, 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 because the shortage of the resource of the distribution of STA makes the SAT access contention time period 16, in the competition time period, STA can not operate under park mode, the waste energy.
Therefore, determine by the timetable arrangement at AP in the wireless communication system of up link time period that STA needs and downlink transmission time section, need to a kind ofly prevent the minimizing of data throughout and the waste of STA energy, and effectively distribute the technology of up link time period and downlink transmission time section.
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 a kind of in the situation that need not to reduce transmission period distribution method and equipment and the system thereof that data throughout minimizes the waste of SAT energy in wireless communication system.
The invention provides a kind of method and apparatus and system thereof that uses a plurality of MAP frames to distribute neatly the required transmission period of STA in wireless communication system.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of method of distributing transmission period in Radio Network System.Described method is included in the method for distributing the transmission period in the frame period in Radio Network System, the described frame period has the default duration, and described method comprises: send many polls energy-conservation (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 in the up link time period that provides from described at least one STA receive data; 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 at least one in additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period at least one STA that needs additional resource to distribute, if there is the additional data that will be received by STA, the additional downlink link time period is provided in the frame period, if have the additional data that will be sent by STA, the affix line link time period 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, in additional downlink link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides by this STA receive data, to by the additional data of at least one STA transmission that needs additional resource to distribute, send data in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides by this STA if exist.
According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of method that receives the transmission period that distributes in Radio Network System.Described method comprises: receive many polls energy-conservation (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 is from the AP receive data, and in the up link time period that the PSMP frame provides, data 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 received additional data, the additional downlink link time period is provided in the frame period, if exist the additional data that is sent out, the affix line link time period be provided in the frame period; And if exist received additional data, the additional downlink link time period receive data that provides at sub-PSMP frame if exist the additional data that is sent out, sends data in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides.
According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of access point (AP) equipment that distributes transmission period in Radio Network System.described AP equipment comprises: processor, generation offers downlink transmission time section and up link time period many polls energy-conservation (PSMP) frame at least one station (STA), and after downlink transmission time section that the PSMP frame provides and up link time period expire, generation offers at least one in additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period at least one the sub-PSMP frame that needs at least one STA that additional resource distributes, will be by the additional data of described STA reception if exist, the additional downlink link time period is provided in the frame period, will be by the additional data of described STA transmission if exist, the affix line link time period is provided in the frame period, and transceiver, the downlink transmission time section that provides at the PSMP frame sends to described at least one STA with data, in up link time period that the PSMP frame provides from described at least one STA receive data, will be by the additional data of at least one STA transmission that needs additional resource to distribute and if exist, in the additional downlink link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides, data are sent to described STA, will be by the additional data of at least one STA reception that needs additional resource to distribute if exist, in affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides by described STA receive data.
According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of station (STA) equipment that receives the transmission period that distributes in Radio Network System.Described STA equipment comprises: processor, analyze many polls energy-conservation (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 received additional data, the additional downlink link time period is provided in the frame period, if exist the additional data that is sent out, the affix line link time period 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 is from the AP receive data, the up link time period that provides at the PSMP frame sends to AP with data, and if exist received additional data, the additional downlink link time period receive data that provides at sub-PSMP frame, if exist the additional data that is sent out, send data in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides.
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 provides the downlink transmission time section of distributing at least one station (STA) and the PSMP frame of up link time period and at least one of additional downlink link time period and affix line link time period is 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 be received by STA, the additional downlink link time period is provided in the frame period, if there is the additional data that will be sent by STA, the affix line link time period is 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 is from the AP receive data, the up link time period that provides at the PSMP frame sends to AP with data, if exist received additional data, the additional downlink link time period receive data that provides at sub-PSMP frame if exist the additional data that is sent out, sends data in the affix line link time period that sub-PSMP frame provides.
Embodiment
Now describe with reference to the accompanying drawings the preferred embodiments of the present invention 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) frame is provided to the transmission period in 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 with reference to WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN) system based on IEEE 802.11 standards, the present invention is described in detail, but it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, without departing 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, each in AP 202 and AP 210 is connected to cable network 200, a plurality of STA204,206,208,212 and 214 access its relevant AP 202 and AP 210 via IEEE 802.11 physics (PHY) layer with based on the Radio Link of media interviews control (MAC) agreement, and via a plurality of wireless channel sending/receiving 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, access that another network (for example, cable network 200), roaming are supported, the control of media interviews that the service of BSS time-constrain is supported in synchronous, the energy management support in BSS and being used for.
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 convenient.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 the data of expectation, and converts the signal that receives to corresponding numerical data.Processor 234 is the controllers that operate under the control of operating system (OS) in being included in ROM 244 and other program, and the information that the operation by processor 234 produces is stored in RAM 242.
The main operation that is included in the processor 234 in 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 control based on the operator scheme 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 distributed to STA with resource Rinit, and if need additional resource to distribute, processor 234 is by at the sequence relevant to a MAP frame of transmission frame MAP of transmission immediately after the duration, for the uplink/downlink transmission, section remaining time in 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 " refer in fact pass the scheduled time.
After the downlink/uplink time period of a MAP frame indication expires, if necessary, can send in addition indication 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 in STA comprises: the generation of the generation of data/analysis, transmission frame and the operator scheme of transceiver 236 being controlled based on the MAP frame that receives from the starting point of transmission frame.Whether that is to say, processor 234 is controlled transceivers 236, thereby transceiver 236 receives the MAP frame in the starting point of each transmission frame from AP, and analyze this MAP frame and 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, processor 234 will be stored in memory 240 about downlink transmission time section and the information of up link time period of the distribution of the STA information relevant to STA ID indication, then wake receiver and the transmitter of transceiver 236 up in downlink transmission time section and up link time period, thereby receive/send 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, the processor 234 of STA monitors after the All Time section of MAP frame indication expires and whether receives the indication sub-MAP frame of the resource of distribution in addition from AP, and when receiving sub-MAP frame, analyze the sub-MAP frame that receives.
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 may exist sending/receiving to switch and process in real system.
With reference to Fig. 3, in the transmission frame period 300 with regular length, at first AP 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 like this all STA in service coverage can both receive MAP frame 310a.At first, send periodically MAP frame 310a according to the set time section (for example, being approximately respectively 20ms and 10ms for voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and Motion Picture Experts Group 4 (MPEG4)) of determining by the negotiation between AP and STA.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 comprises: STA id field 340 and 344a, and indication has been assigned with the STA of time period in 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 comprises at least a portion correlated identities (AID) of each STA or gives at least a portion hardware address (namely, MAC Address) 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 with the time interval of unit of a plurality of predetermined times (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 with unit of a plurality of predetermined times (for example, 16 μ s) indications from time interval of time started to the concluding time of time period the length of section (that is, instruction time).
The up link time period that at first the first up link MAP 322a indication of MAP frame 310a distributes for STA, and the data volume of data transfer rate that can be required according to each service that each STA participates in or AP estimation is determined the first up link MAP 322a.The STA that has been assigned with the time period by MAP frame 310a at the time period receive data 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 in downlink transmission time section 312.Down link data and down link data can comprise MPDU and confirmation, and described MPDU comprises one or more total Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Units (PDU) (A-MPDU) and/or payload.In the 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.Need the STA that additional resource distributes to monitor sub-MAP frame 310b after the first up link time period 314a expires.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, sub-MAP frame 310b comprises: the second up link MAP 322b, the phase resource allocation of indication to 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: STAID 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 at the time period receive data of the corresponding STA information 336b indication of the second up link 314b by sub-MAP frame 310b.
Although do not illustrate, if also need additional resource to distribute, can comprise in addition a plurality of sub-MAP frames and based on up link time period or the downlink transmission time section of sub-MAP frame in transmission frame period 300.The transmission plan that use can have the MAP frame of one or more subframes is called as the multistage " many polls energy-conservation (PSMP) ", and MAP frame 310a and sub-MAP frame 310b are called as respectively PSMP frame and sub-PSMP frame.Each of PSMP frame and sub-PSMP frame 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 access final nucleotide sequence duration.
Be noted that without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the element of the 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 comprises: STA id field, the time migration that is used for downlink transmission and a duration field and be used for time migration and the duration field of ul transmissions.In this case, if not free section is assigned to up link or down link, corresponding duration field is set to sky (0).In addition, each of MAP frame 310a and 310b can comprise and whether be used to indicate the field that will be followed by another sub-MAP frame.Whether STA analyzes the field in sub-MAP frame, be the last sub-MAP frame in 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 diagram (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 MAP frame 410a indicating downlink link time period 412 and the first up link time period 414a.
The resource that the diagram of Fig. 4 (b) illustrates the first up link time period 414a of MAP frame 410a distribution enough sends the data of STA expectation and the situation of control message.That is to say, switch to park mode after the time period 420 receives MAP frame 410a 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 from the AP receive data.Switch back park mode when the time period 422 expires after, STA keeps resting state until the time period 424 of the distribution 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 message.Here, distribute because STA does not need additional resource, so STA keeps park mode until it receives the MAP frame of next transmission frame period, and do not monitor the reception of sub-MAP frame 410b.
The diagram of Fig. 4 (c) is illustrated in after the first up link time period 414a that MAP frame 410a distributes expires, situation about need to distribute for the additional resource of STA.That is to say, switch to park mode after the time period 430 receives MAP frame 410a 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 from the AP receive data.After switching back park mode in the time period 432 to after date, STA keeps park mode until the time period 434 of the distribution in the first up link time period 414a of MAP frame 410a indication.In the described time period 434, STA sends to AP with data.Here, distribute because STA needs additional resource, therefore again be in wake-up states in the time period 436, and monitor the reception of sub-MAP frame 410b.When receiving sub-MAP frame 410, STA switches back resting state, and wait is until 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 maximizes STA and 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 until next transmission frame period and need not to keep this additional resource.
Although show and described the present invention with reference to specific embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that and to carry out the various changes of form and details to it in the situation that do not break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention of claim restriction.