CN117546492A

CN117546492A - Method and apparatus for providing Ultra Wideband (UWB) communication

Info

Publication number: CN117546492A
Application number: CN202280045138.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李旼圭; 河泰荣
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-25
Filing date: 2022-06-24
Publication date: 2024-02-09

Abstract

Methods for operating an Ultra Wideband (UWB) channel and a Narrowband (NB) channel together are provided. The method of the second UWB device comprises the following steps: an advertisement message providing information about a UWB channel used by the first UWB device is received through an NB channel, and at least one operation for performing UWB ranging is performed by using the UWB channel based on the advertisement message. The UWB channel may be one of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communication, and the NB channel may be a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels.

Description

Method and apparatus for providing Ultra Wideband (UWB) communication

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to Ultra Wideband (UWB) communications. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for providing UWB services over UWB channels and Narrowband (NB) channels.

Background

The internet is evolving from human-centric connectivity networks, where people create and consume information, to internet of things (IoT), where information is exchanged and processed between distributed components such as objects. Internet of everything (IoE) technology has also grown and is a combination of big data processing technology and IoT technology based on connections to cloud servers. In order to implement IoT, technical elements such as sensing technology, wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure, service interface technology, and security technology are important. Recently, technologies such as sensor networks, machine-to-machine (M2M), and Machine Type Communication (MTC) have been studied for connection between objects.

In an IoT environment, intelligent Internet Technology (IT) services may be provided that collect and analyze data generated from connected objects, creating new value in human life. Through the fusion and combination of existing information technology and industries, ioT may find its application in the fields of smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart or networked vehicles, smart grids, healthcare, smart home appliances, advanced medical services, etc.

Various services can be provided with the development of wireless communication systems, and there is no method for efficiently providing such services in the related art, so that such a method is required. For example, a ranging technique for measuring a distance between electronic devices by using UWB may be used.

The above information is presented merely as background information to aid in the understanding of the present disclosure. No determination or assertion is made as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art with respect to the present disclosure.

Disclosure of Invention

[ technical problem ]

Aspects of the present disclosure address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a method for avoiding collisions and for efficiently using UWB devices.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method for a UWB device to perform advertisement, device discovery, and/or connection establishment by using in-band rather than out-of-band (OOB), and a structure of the UWB device for the method.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method of operating NB channels for advertisement, device discovery, and/or connection establishment.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method for a UWB device to advertise information about UWB communications used by the UWB device through NB channels.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

Technical scheme

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of a first UWB device is provided. The method comprises the following steps: an advertisement message is generated that provides information about UWB channels used by the first UWB device and is broadcast over a Narrowband (NB) channel, wherein the UWB channel is one of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications, and wherein the NB channel is a sub-channel of the one of the candidate UWB channels.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of a second UWB device is provided. The method comprises the following steps: an advertisement message is received over a Narrowband (NB) channel, the advertisement message providing information about a UWB channel used by the first UWB device, and at least one operation for performing UWB ranging is performed by using the UWB channel based on the advertisement message, wherein the UWB channel is one of candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communication, and wherein the NB channel is a sub-channel of the one of the candidate UWB channels.

By the method of the present disclosure, collision avoidance and efficient use of UWB devices may be provided.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments.

Drawings

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a structure of a UWB device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a communication system including a UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for a UWB device to perform NB procedures and UWB procedures according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A illustrates an advertising operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3B illustrates an advertising operation and a connection establishment operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates UWB ranging operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates UWB ranging operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates an example of a structure of a ranging block and ranging cycle for UWB ranging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6A illustrates a configuration of a ranging area network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6B illustrates a method of assigning NB announcement channels to UWB channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6C illustrates a method of allocating NB announcement channels to a plurality of UWB channels according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 6D illustrates a method of allocating NB announcement channels to a plurality of UWB channels according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 illustrates a structure of a channel used in a ranging area network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates a first method for a UWB device to transmit NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 illustrates a second method for a UWB device to transmit NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 illustrates a third method for a UWB device to transmit NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 illustrates a fourth method for a UWB device to transmit NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 illustrates the operation of a UWB device that has received NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 illustrates the operation of a UWB device that has received NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 14 illustrates the operation of a UWB device for establishing NB connections according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 17 shows a structure of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 18 illustrates a structure of a second UWB device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 19 illustrates a ranging cycle to which a transmission offset is applied according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 20 illustrates a slot in the case where a transmission offset is applied in an NB channel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are used to describe the same or similar elements, features and structures.

Detailed Description

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to aid understanding, but these are to be considered exemplary only. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to bookend meanings, but are used only by the inventors to enable clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more such surfaces.

In describing embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions related to technical contents well known in the art and not directly associated with the present disclosure will be omitted. This unnecessary description is omitted in order to prevent confusion and more clearly convey the main idea of the present disclosure.

For the same reasons, some elements may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the size of each element does not fully reflect the actual size. In the drawings, identical or corresponding elements have identical reference numerals.

The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the manner of attaining them will become apparent by reference to the embodiments described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth below, but may be implemented in various forms. The following examples are provided solely for the purpose of fully disclosing the present disclosure and informing those skilled in the art the scope of the present disclosure and are limited only by the scope of the appended claims. Throughout the specification, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

Here, it will be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-usable or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

Furthermore, each block of the flowchart illustrations may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

As used herein, "unit" refers to a software element or a hardware element, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), that performs a predetermined function. However, the "unit" does not always have a meaning limited to software or hardware. The "unit" may be configured to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to execute one or more processors. Thus, a "unit" includes, for example, software elements, object-oriented software elements, class elements or task elements, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and parameters. The elements and functions provided by a "unit" may be combined into a smaller number of elements or "units" or divided into a larger number of elements or "units". Furthermore, the elements and "units" may be implemented as one or more CPUs within a reproduction device or a secure multimedia card. Further, according to some embodiments, a "unit" may include one or more processors.

As used herein, the term "terminal" or "device" may be referred to as a Mobile Station (MS), user Equipment (UE), user Terminal (UT), wireless terminal, access Terminal (AT), terminal, subscriber Unit (SU), subscriber Station (SS), wireless device, wireless communication device, wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), mobile node, handset, or any other terminology. Various examples of the terminal may include a cellular phone, a smart phone having a wireless communication function, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) having a wireless communication function, a wireless modem, a portable computer having a wireless communication function, a photographing device such as a digital camera having a wireless communication function, a game device having a wireless communication function, a music storage and reproduction home appliance having a wireless communication function, an internet home appliance capable of wireless internet access and browsing, and a portable unit or terminal having an integrated combination of the above functions. Further, terminals may include, but are not limited to, machine-to-machine (M2M) terminals and Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminals/devices. In this specification, a terminal may also be simply referred to as an electronic device or device.

Hereinafter, the operation principle of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions or configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may be determined that the description may make the subject matter of the present disclosure unnecessarily unclear. The terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, and may be different according to users, intention or habit of the users. Accordingly, the definition of terms should be made based on the contents of the entire specification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system using UWB will be described by way of example, but the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to other communication systems having similar technical backgrounds or characteristics. Examples of such communication systems may include bluetooth or ZigBee communication systems. Thus, based on a determination by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to other communication systems with some modifications without departing significantly from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions or configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may be determined that the description may make the subject matter of the present disclosure unnecessarily unclear. The terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, and may be different according to users, intention or habit of the users. Accordingly, the definition of terms should be made based on the contents of the entire specification.

In general, wireless sensor network technologies are largely classified into Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies and Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technologies according to recognition distances. In this case, the wireless LAN is a technology based on IEEE 802.11, and a technology that can access a backbone network within a radius of 100 m. In addition, wireless private networks are IEEE 802.15 based technologies, including bluetooth, zigBee, ultra Wideband (UWB), and the like. A wireless network implementing such wireless network technology may be composed of a plurality of electronic devices.

UWB may refer to wireless communication technologies using a bandwidth of 500MHz or more or a bandwidth corresponding to a center frequency of 20% or more, according to the definition of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). UWB may refer to the frequency band itself in which UWB communications are applied. UWB enables safe and accurate ranging between devices. In this way, UWB can achieve a relative position estimate based on the distance between two devices, or an accurate position estimate of a device based on the distance from a fixed device (with a known position).

Specific terms used in the following description are provided to aid in understanding the present disclosure, and the use of specific terms may be changed to other forms without departing from the technical ideas of the present disclosure.

The "ranging device" may be a device capable of performing UWB ranging. In the present disclosure, the ranging device may be a Ranging Device (RDEV) or an Enhanced Ranging Device (ERDEV) as defined in IEEE 802.15.4/4z, for example. In this disclosure, the ranging device may be referred to as a UWB device.

An "advertiser" may be a device (e.g., a ranging device) that sends (or broadcasts) an advertisement message over an advertisement channel.

A "scanner" may be a device (e.g., a ranging device) that scans an announcement channel and receives an announcement message. In this disclosure, a scanner may be referred to as a viewer.

A "controller" may be a device (e.g., a ranging device) that defines and controls a Ranging Control Message (RCM) (or control message). The controller may define and control the ranging features by sending control messages.

The "slave" may be a device (e.g., a ranging device) that uses ranging parameters in an RCM (or control message) received from the controller. The slave may utilize ranging features configured via control messages from the controller.

An "initiator" may be a device that initiates a ranging exchange (e.g., a ranging device). The initiator may initiate a ranging exchange by sending a first RFRAME (ranging initiation message).

A "responder" may be a device (e.g., a ranging device) that responds to an initiator in a ranging exchange. The responder may respond to the ranging initiation message received from the initiator.

"in-band" is the underlying wireless technology and may be data communication using UWB.

"out-of-band (OOB)" is the underlying wireless technology and may be data communication that does not use UWB.

The "UWB session" may be a period from the start of communication between the controller and the slave through UWB to the stop of communication. In a UWB session, a Ranging Frame (RFRAME) may be transmitted, a data frame may be transmitted, or a ranging frame and a data frame may be transmitted.

The "UWB session ID" may be an ID (e.g., a 32 bit integer) that identifies the UWB session, which is shared between the controller and the slave.

The "UWB session key" may be a key used to secure UWB sessions. The UWB session key may be used to generate a scrambling time stamp sequence (STS). In this disclosure, the UWB session key may be a UWB ranging session key (urs k) and may be abbreviated as a session key.

A "UWB Subsystem (UWBs)" may be a hardware component that implements UWB PHY and MAC specifications included in UWB devices. In this disclosure, the UWB PHY and MAC specifications may be, for example, PHY and MAC specifications defined in IEEE 802.15.4/4 z. In this disclosure, the UWBS may be referred to as a UWB component.

The "UWB-enabled application" may be an application for a service (UWB service). In this disclosure, a "UWB-enabled application" may be abbreviated as an application or UWB application.

A "service" may be an implementation of a use case that provides a service to an end user. In this disclosure, the service may be referred to as UWB service.

"service data" may be data defined by a service provider that needs to be passed between two ranging devices to effect a service.

A "service provider" may be an entity that defines and provides the hardware and software necessary to provide a particular service to an end user.

An "STS" may be an encrypted sequence used to increase the integrity and accuracy of the ranging time-stamp.

The "dynamic STS mode" may be an operation mode in which STS is not repeated during a ranging session as in the case of a "static STS". In this mode, the STS may be managed by the ranging device and the ranging session key used to generate the STS may be managed by the security component.

The "static STS mode" is a mode of operation in which STS is repeated during a session and need not be managed by a security component.

The "secure channel" may be a data channel that is resistant to eavesdropping and tampering.

For example, a "security component" may be an entity (e.g., a Secure Element (SE) or Trusted Execution Environment (TEE)) that has a defined security level that interfaces with the UWBS to provide RDS to the UWBS when using a dynamic STS.

The "safe ranging" may range based on STS generated through a strong encryption operation.

The "UWB channel" may be one of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications. The candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications may be channels allocated for UWB communications defined in IEEE 802.15.4/4 z. UWB channels may be used for UWB ranging and/or transactions. For example, UWB channels may be used for transmission and reception of Ranging Frames (RFRAME) and/or transmission and reception of data frames. As an example, one or more UWB channels may operate together.

A "Narrowband (NB) channel" may be a channel having a narrower bandwidth than a UWB channel. As an example, the NB channel may be a sub-channel of one of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communication, or a channel of a specific bandwidth using another available frequency band (e.g., some of ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) frequency bands). The candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications may be channels allocated for UWB communications defined in IEEE 802.15.4/4 z. NB channels can be used for advertisement, device discovery, and/or connection establishment for additional parameter negotiation/authentication. For example, NB channels can be used to send and receive advertisement messages, additional advertisement messages, connection request messages, and/or connection acknowledgement messages. As an example, one or more NB channels may operate together. As an example, NB channels may be used for in-band communications, such as UWB channels.

In addition, in describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure provides a method for avoiding collisions and for efficiently using UWB devices.

The present disclosure provides a method for performing advertisement, device discovery, and/or connection establishment by using in-band rather than out-of-band (OOB), and an architecture of a UWB device thereof. Thus, the entire operation for providing UWB services can be performed by in-band communication. In this case, a complete UWB service may be provided even in a device without an additional OOB communication module such as a BLE communication module, in addition to the UWB communication module.

The present disclosure provides a method of operating at least one subchannel in a channel allocated to UWB as an NB channel for advertisement, device discovery, and/or connection establishment. In the present disclosure, NB channels for advertisement, device discovery, and/or connection establishment may be distinguished from channels for UWB ranging and/or transactions (UWB channels).

The present disclosure provides a method of transmitting information related to UWB communications used by a UWB device as a controller through an NB channel.

The present disclosure provides a method of setting transmission timing and/or transmission offset before starting UWB communication, which allows a UWB device as a controller to coexist with existing UWB communication by scanning an announcement channel (NB channel).

The present disclosure provides a method of obtaining transmission timing of a participating controller by scanning NB channels before a UWB device as a slave participates in UWB communication.

The present disclosure provides a method of obtaining transmission timing of a participating controller by scanning an NB channel before a UWB device as a slave participates in UWB communication, and thereafter provides a method of performing additional parameter negotiation and/or authentication through a sub-advertisement channel (NB channel).

Fig. 1A is a structure of a UWB device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1a, the uwb device 100a may include at least one PHY layer 110a, a MAC layer (MAC sublayer) 120a, and/or a higher layer 130a.

(1) PHY layer

At least one PHY layer 110a may include a transceiver with a low-level control mechanism. In this disclosure, the transceiver may be referred to as an RF transceiver or a radio transceiver.

In an embodiment, the at least one PHY layer 110a may include a first transceiver supporting UWB channels and a second transceiver supporting NB channels having a narrower bandwidth than UWB channels. In this disclosure, the first transceiver may be referred to as a UWB transceiver and the second transceiver may be referred to as an NB transceiver.

In another embodiment, at least one PHY layer 110a may include a transceiver (dual-channel transceiver) that supports both UWB channels and NB channels.

In an embodiment, the PHY layer 110a may support at least one of the following functions.

Transceiver activation and deactivation functions (transceiver on/off functions)

Energy detection function

-channel selection function

Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) function

-synchronization function

-low-level signaling functions

Ultra wideband ranging, deployment and positioning functions

-spectrum resource management function

-a function of transmitting/receiving packets over a physical medium

(2) MAC layer

The MAC layer 120a provides an interface between the higher layer 130a and the PHY layer 120 a.

In an embodiment, the MAC layer 120a may provide the following two services.

-MAC data service: service capable of transmitting and receiving MAC Protocol Data Units (PDUs) through PHY

-MAC management service: services interfacing with a MAC-SAP (MAC sublayer management entity (MLME) -Service Access Point (SAP)).

In an embodiment, the MAC layer 120a may support at least one of the following functions.

Device discovery and connection establishment functions

Channel access function (access function for physical channels (e.g. NB channels/UWB channels))

Synchronization functions (e.g., synchronization of NB channel and UWB channel)

-energy detection based interference suppression function

Narrowband signaling-related functions

Guaranteed Time Slot (GTS) management function

Frame transfer function

Ultra wideband ranging function

PHY parameter change notification function

Safety function

(3) High-rise building

The higher layers 130a may include a network layer that provides functions such as network configuration and message routing, and/or an application layer that provides the intended functions of the device.

In an embodiment, the application layer may be a UWB-enabled application layer for providing UWB services.

Fig. 1B illustrates a communication system including a UWB device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1B, a communication system 10B may include a first UWB device 100B and a second UWB device 200B. The first UWB device 100B and/or the second UWB device 200B of fig. 1B may be, for example, examples of UWB device 100a of fig. 1A.

The first UWB device 100b may include a UWB-enabled application layer 110b, an architecture 120b, a UWB transceiver 130b, and/or an NB transceiver 140b. Further, the second UWB device 200b may include a UWB-enabled application layer 210b, an architecture 220b, a UWB transceiver 230b, and/or an NB transceiver 240b.

In fig. 1B, the UWB transceiver and NB transceiver of each device are shown as separate configurations, but the configurations are divided according to their operations/functions. This is not intended to limit that the UWB transceiver and NB transceiver must be implemented in separate physical configurations (e.g., separate chipsets). Thus, the UWB transceiver and NB transceiver may be implemented as separate chipsets, respectively, and the UWB transceiver and NB transceiver may be implemented as one integrated chipset.

UWB-enabled application layers 110b and 210b may be higher application layers for UWB services.

Architectures 120b and 220b may be entities that integrate and manage UWB transceivers 130b and 230b and NB transceivers 140b and 240 b. In an embodiment, architectures 120b and 220b may support functionality to control UWB/NB communications (e.g., media Access Control (MAC), UWB/NB transceiver synchronization) and/or to communicate obtained information to higher application layers 110b and 210 b.

UWB transceivers 130b and 230b may support at least one of the candidate UWB channels assigned to UWB communications. That is, UWB transceivers 130b and 230b may support at least one UWB channel. Examples of allocation of candidate UWB channels for UWB communications may be shown in table 1 below.

TABLE 1

^a Note that the band represents the sequence of adjacent HRP UWB center frequencies: band 0 is a sub-gigahertz channel, band 1 has a low band HRP UWB channel, and band 2 has a high band channel.

In an embodiment, at least one channel in table 1 may be allocated as a UWB channel supported by UWB transceivers 130b and 230 b. For example, channel numbers 5 and/or 9 in table 1 may be assigned as UWB channels.

UWB transceivers 130b and 230b or at least one UWB channel supported by UWB transceivers 130b and 230b may be used for UWB ranging and/or transactions. For example, UWB transceivers 130b and 230b or at least one UWB channel supported by UWB transceivers 130b and 230b may be used to transmit/receive Ranging Frames (RFRAME) and/or data frames.

NB transceivers 140b and 240b can support at least one NB channel having a narrower bandwidth (e.g., 50MHz or less) than the UWB channel. NB transceivers 140b and 240b or at least one NB channel supported by NB transceivers 140b and 240b can be used for advertisement (discovery) and/or narrowband signaling.

In an embodiment, the NB channel may be a subchannel allocated to one of the candidate UWB channels for UWB communications. Examples of candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications may be as shown in table 1 above.

In another embodiment, the NB channels may be channels of a particular bandwidth that use another available frequency band (e.g., some of the ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) frequency bands).

As an example, NB channels may be used for in-band communications, such as UWB channels.

On the other hand, as shown in table 1 above, the candidate UWB channel mainly has a bandwidth of 500MHz or more. Therefore, when it is used for advertisement (discovery), it is disadvantageous for power spectral density (energy detection), and thus it is necessary to divide the corresponding channel into a plurality of sub-channels for advertisement (discovery).

For example, at least one sub-channel divided from one channel in table 1 or at least one channel using a specific bandwidth of an available frequency band (e.g., some of ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) frequency bands, etc.) may be allocated as a channel for advertisement (advertisement channel). In an embodiment, an advertisement channel may be used to communicate advertisement messages. In the present disclosure, the advertisement channel may be referred to as a first sub-channel, an NB advertisement channel, or a discovery channel, and the advertisement message may be referred to as a first advertisement message or an NB advertisement message.

In addition, at least one of the remaining sub-channels or channels not allocated as the announcement channel may be allocated as a channel for connection establishment (connection establishment channel). In this disclosure, the channel for connection establishment may be referred to as a second subchannel, NB connection establishment channel, or sub-announcement channel. On the other hand, in the present disclosure, the announcement channel and the connection establishment channel may be collectively referred to as NB channels.

In embodiments, the connection establishment channel may be used to communicate additional advertisement messages including additional advertisement information not transmitted over the advertisement channel for additional parameter negotiations or for authentication. In the present disclosure, the additional advertisement message may be referred to as a second advertisement message or an additional NB advertisement message.

As described above, NB channels have a narrower bandwidth than UWB channels. However, the band of the NB channel may be the same as or different from the band of the UWB channel.

For example, the NB and UWB channels may use different frequency bands. For example, the channel numbers of the candidate UWB channels including the sub-channels allocated as NB channels may be different from the channel numbers of the candidate UWB channels allocated as UWB channels. That is, the NB channels may be assigned one of the candidate UWB channels that are not assigned as UWB channels.

For another example, the NB channels and UWB channels may use the same frequency band. For example, the channel numbers of the candidate UWB channels including the sub-channels allocated as NB channels may be the same as the channel numbers of the candidate UWB channels allocated as UWB channels. That is, the NB channels may be assigned one (or more) sub-channels of the candidate UWB channels for use as UWB channels.

In an embodiment, the first UWB device 100b and the second UWB device 200b may perform UWB communication (process) (in-band communication) through a first wireless link (UWB channel) configured via the UWB transceiver 130b of the first UWB device 100b and the UWB transceiver 230b of the second UWB device 200 b.

In an embodiment, the first UWB device 100b and the second UWB device 200b may perform NB communication (process) (in-band communication) through a second wireless link (NB channel) configured via the NB transceiver 140b of the first UWB device 100b and the NB transceiver 240b of the second UWB device 200 b.

Hereinafter, with reference to fig. 2, a method for the UWB device to perform NB communication (procedure) and UWB communication (procedure) will be described.

Fig. 2 illustrates a method for a UWB device to perform NB and UWB processes according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The UWB device of fig. 2 may be, for example, the UWB device of fig. 1A or 1B.

Referring to fig. 2, a UWB device may perform NB procedure 210 and UWB procedure 220.NB process 210 and UWB process 220 may be managed or controlled by the MAC layer (entity) of the UWB device.

(1) NB procedure (step)

In this disclosure, NB procedure 210 refers to a procedure performed by using at least one NB channel. NB procedure 210 can be performed prior to UWB procedure 220.

NB procedure 210 can include at least one of the following operations.

Operation of the UWB device to send and/or receive NB advertisement messages over at least one NB advertisement channel (advertisement operation)

Operation of the UWB device transmitting and/or receiving additional NB advertisement messages, connection request messages and/or connection acknowledgement messages over at least one NB connection establishment channel (connection establishment operation).

(2) UWB procedure (step)

In the present disclosure, UWB process 220 refers to a process performed by using at least one UWB channel.

UWB process 220 may include at least one of the following operations.

-the UWB device performing UWB ranging operations with another UWB device (UWB ranging operations)

Operation of the UWB device to exchange traffic data with another UWB device (transaction operation)

Hereinafter, referring to fig. 3A, an embodiment of the NB procedure will be described.

Fig. 3A illustrates an advertising operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The advertisement operation of fig. 3A may be an example of the advertisement operation of NB process 210 of fig. 2.

The advertising operation of fig. 3A may be an advertising operation performed through an NB advertising channel.

Referring to fig. 3A, in operation 310a, the advertiser 301 may transmit an advertisement message. In an embodiment, advertiser 301 may broadcast an NB announcement message over at least one NB announcement channel. In this case, scanner 302 may scan at least one NB announcement channel to receive NB announcement messages. In this manner, scanner 302 may obtain device discovery and/or advertising information.

In an embodiment, the advertiser 301 may be a UWB device that functions as an advertiser and a controller.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement channel may be a channel known in advance by the advertiser 301 and the scanner 302. For example, the NB announcement channel may be included in the information provided when the relevant UWB-enabled application is installed, may be a hard-coded default channel or a channel shared between the advertiser 301 and the scanner 302 in various ways. As described above, the NB announcement channel can be one of the sub-channels in the candidate UWB channel.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include at least one of information about a start time point of a ranging cycle, information about a channel occupation time (e.g., information about a channel occupation time expressed as a multiple of a Time Unit (TU)), information about a length of a ranging block, information about a length of a ranging cycle, or information about a number or number of active cycles. Here, the active cycle may be a ranging cycle that is actually used (or occupied) during the ranging cycle.

In an embodiment, the NB advertisement message may include information (session ID information) on a session ID of a session (e.g., a ranging session) and/or information (address information) on an address of a UWB device (e.g., a MAC address of the UWB device) that transmits the NB advertisement message. In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include numbering information for indicating which of all active cycles in the respective ranging block the NB announcement message corresponds to.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include information (transmission time information) about the transmission time of the corresponding subsequent NB announcement message. For example, the NB announcement message or transmission time information may include information indicating in which slot transmission of the corresponding NB announcement message starts to be transmitted (transmission slot indication information) and/or information about the slot length (slot length information).

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include information about the period of the ranging block in which the NB announcement message is transmitted. For example, the information on the period of the NB announcement message or the ranging block may include information on how many ranging blocks are skipped (first information) or information on the number of consecutive ranging blocks to which the NB announcement message is not transmitted (second information).

In the case where the advertisement information obtained by the operation of fig. 3A includes all information necessary to perform UWB communication (UWB process), the scanner 302 may perform UWB process immediately after performing the operation of fig. 3A described above.

However, according to an embodiment, the advertisement information may include only a part of information necessary to perform the UWB process. That is, additional advertisement information may be further required to perform UWB communication. Alternatively, additional parameter negotiations or authentications may be further required to perform UWB communications. In this case, it is possible to further perform an additional advertisement operation and/or a connection establishment operation to obtain additional advertisement information, negotiation of additional parameters, and/or authentication. This will be described below with reference to fig. 3B.

Fig. 3B illustrates an advertisement operation and a connection establishment operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The advertisement operation and connection establishment operation of fig. 3B may be examples of the advertisement operation and connection establishment operation of the NB procedure of fig. 2.

The advertising operation of fig. 3B may be an advertising operation performed through at least one NB advertising channel, and the connection establishment operation may be a connection establishment operation performed through at least one NB connection establishment channel.

Referring to fig. 3B, in operation 310B, the advertiser 301 may transmit an advertisement message. For example, advertiser 301 may broadcast an NB announcement message over at least one NB announcement channel. In this case, scanner 302 may scan at least one NB announcement channel to receive NB announcement messages. In this manner, scanner 302 may obtain device discovery and/or advertising information.

As described above, the NB announcement channel may be a channel known in advance to the advertiser 301 and the scanner 302. Further, the NB announcement channel may be one of the sub-channels in the candidate UWB channels.

In addition, in the case where additional bulletin information is further required, the following operation 311b may be further performed. Operation 311b may be an optional operation.

In operation 311b, the advertiser 301 may transmit an additional advertisement message. For example, advertiser 301 may broadcast an additional NB advertisement message over the NB connection setup channel. In this case, scanner 302 may scan NB connection setup channels to receive additional NB announcement messages. In an embodiment, information on the NB connection establishment channel may be included in the advertisement message of operation 310 b.

The scanner 302 may also obtain additional bulletin information through an additional bulletin operation of operation 311 b.

In addition, in case additional parameter negotiation and/or authentication (connection establishment) is required, the following operations 320b and 330b may be further performed. Operations 320b and 330b may be optional operations.

In operation 320b, the scanner 302 may send a connection request message to the advertiser. For example, scanner 302 may send a connection request message to the advertiser over the NB connection setup channel. In an embodiment, the connection request message may include parameters for performing control and/or information for authentication.

In operation 330b, the advertiser 301 may transmit a connection confirmation message to the scanner in response to the connection request message. For example, the advertiser 301 may send a connection confirmation message to the scanner over the NB connection setup channel. In an embodiment, the connection confirmation message may include parameters for UWB establishment, parameters for protecting a session key for a UWB session, and/or information for authentication.

Negotiations and/or authentication of additional parameters may be performed through the connection establishment operations of operations 320b and 330b.

On the other hand, the message exchange operations of operations 320b and 330b may be repeatedly performed as many times as necessary. For example, in the case where additional message exchanges are required after the message exchanges of operations 320b and 330b are performed once (i.e., in the case where additional parameter negotiations and/or authentications require message exchanges), the message exchange operations of operations 320b and 330b may be further performed as many times as required in the corresponding NB connection setup channel (sub-announcement channel).

The embodiment of fig. 3B may reduce the congestion level of NB announcement channels (discovery channels) and allow for efficient operation of multiple NB channels as compared to the embodiment of fig. 3A. On the other hand, the embodiment of fig. 3A may perform a faster NB procedure than the embodiment of fig. 3B, thereby reducing the time for providing the entire UWB service. Accordingly, it is necessary to flexibly configure an appropriate NB procedure and NB channel operation method in consideration of the number of UWB devices participating in UWB ranging, surrounding environment, and the like.

Hereinafter, referring to fig. 4A, an embodiment of UWB ranging operation of the UWB process will be described.

Fig. 4A illustrates UWB ranging operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The UWB ranging operation of fig. 4A may be an example of the UWB ranging operation of the UWB process of fig. 2. The UWB ranging operation of fig. 4A may be performed through a UWB channel.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, UWB ranging may be, for example, single-sided two-way ranging (SS-TWR) or double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR).

In the embodiment of fig. 4A, it is assumed that the controller 401 performs the function of an initiator, and the controller 402 performs the function of a responder.

Referring to fig. 4A, the controller 401 may transmit a control message (ranging control message) for controlling UWB ranging to the slave 402 in operation 410 a. For example, the controller 401 may transmit a control message to the controller 402 through a UWB channel.

In an embodiment, the control message may include information about the function of the UWB device (e.g., initiator or responder), ranging slot index information, and/or address information of the UWB device.

Referring to operation 420a, the controller 401 may transmit a ranging initiation message for starting a ranging exchange to the slave 402. For example, controller 401 may send a ranging initiation message to slave 402 over a UWB channel.

Referring to operation 430a, the controller 402 may transmit a ranging response message corresponding to the ranging initiation message to the controller 401. For example, the controller 402 may transmit a ranging response message to the controller 401 through a UWB channel.

In an embodiment, the ranging response message may further include first measurement report information. The first measurement report information may include, for example, a list of AoA measurements, response times measured by the responder, and/or responder addresses and round trip time measurements of the responder. Here, the response time may indicate a time difference between a reception time of the ranging initiation message and a transmission time of the ranging response message of the responder side. Based on this, one-sided two-way ranging (SS-TWR) may be performed. Time of flight (ToF) and distance/direction/position calculations by SS-TWR follow the method defined in IEEE 802.15.4z.

On the other hand, in the case of DS-TWR, the controller (initiator) 401 may also transmit a ranging final message (ranging response message) for completing ranging to the slave (responder) 402. For example, the controller (initiator) 401 may also transmit a ranging final message to the slave (responder) 402 through a UWB channel.

In an embodiment, the ranging final message may further include second measurement report information. The second measurement report information may include the AoA measurement, a list of round trip times (first round trip times) of the first responder, and/or a responder address and a responder's response time measurement. Here, the first round trip time may indicate a time difference between a ranging response message from the responder and a ranging final message from the initiator. Based on this, double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR) may be performed. Calculation of time of flight (ToF) and distance/direction/position by DS-TWR follow the method defined in IEEE 802.15.4z.

Fig. 4B illustrates UWB ranging operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The UWB ranging operation of fig. 4B may be an example of the UWB ranging operation of the UWB process of fig. 2. The UWB ranging operation of fig. 4B may be performed through a UWB channel.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4B, UWB ranging may be, for example, single-sided two-way ranging (SS-TWR) or double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR).

In the embodiment of fig. 4B, it is assumed that the controller 401 performs the function of a responder, and the controller 402 performs the function of an initiator, unlike the embodiment of fig. 4A.

Referring to fig. 4B, the controller 401 may transmit a control message (ranging control message) for controlling UWB ranging to the slave 402 in operation 410B. For example, the controller 401 may transmit a control message to the controller 402 through a UWB channel.

Referring to operation 420b, the slave (initiator) 402 may transmit a ranging initiation message for starting ranging exchange to the controller (responder) 401. For example, the slave (initiator) 402 may transmit a ranging initiation message to the controller (responder) 401 through a UWB channel.

Referring to operation 430b, the controller (responder) 401 may transmit a ranging response message corresponding to the ranging initiation message to the slave (initiator) 402. For example, the controller (responder) 401 may transmit a ranging response message to the slave (initiator) 402 through a UWB channel.

On the other hand, in the case of DS-TWR, the slave (initiator) 402 may also transmit a ranging final message (ranging response message) for completing ranging to the controller (responder) 401. For example, the slave (initiator) 402 may also transmit a ranging final message to the controller (responder) 401 through a UWB channel.

In an embodiment, the ranging final message may further include second measurement report information. The second measurement report information may include the AoA measurement, a list of round trip times (first round trip times) of the first responder and/or a responder address and a response time measurement of the responder. Here, the first round trip time may indicate a time difference between a ranging response message from the responder and a ranging final message from the initiator. Based on this, double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR) may be performed. Calculation of time of flight (ToF) and distance/direction/position by DS-TWR follow the method defined in IEEE 802.15.4z.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a structure of a ranging block and ranging cycle for UWB ranging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this disclosure, a ranging block refers to a period for ranging. The ranging cycle may be a period of time sufficient to complete one complete ranging cycle involving a group of UWB devices participating in the ranging exchange. The ranging slot may be a period of sufficient duration for transmitting at least one ranging frame RFRAME (e.g., ranging initiate/response/final message, etc.).

Referring to fig. 5, one ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot.

On the other hand, in the case where the ranging mode is a block-based mode, the average time between consecutive ranging cycles may be constant. Alternatively, in the case where the ranging mode is an interval-based mode, the time between successive ranging cycles may be dynamically changed. That is, the interval-based pattern may employ a temporal structure with adaptive intervals.

The number and duration of time slots included in the ranging cycle may vary between ranging cycles. This may be set by a control message of the controller.

In the present disclosure, a ranging block may be abbreviated as a block, a ranging cycle may be abbreviated as a cycle, and a ranging slot may be abbreviated as a slot.

Fig. 6A illustrates a configuration of a ranging area network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, a Ranging Area Network (RAN) may be a network including an area where UWB devices perform UWB ranging. In the present disclosure, the ranging area network may be referred to as a New Generation (NG) ranging area network (NRAN), and the UWB device may be referred to as an NG UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 6A, it is assumed that the first UWB device 601 of the NRAN performs the functions of a controller and a bulletin board. In the NRAN of the embodiment of fig. 6A, the first UWB device 601 may perform NB procedure, and may also perform UWB procedure with the second UWB device 602 through UWB session that has been configured by the first UWB device 601. Each process will be described below.

(1) NB procedure

Referring to part (a) of fig. 6A, in operation 610a, the first UWB device 601 may perform a UWB ranging operation with the second UWB device 602 through an already configured UWB session. In an embodiment, the first UWB device 601 and the second UWB device 602 may perform UWB ranging operations through UWB antennas of each device. The UWB antenna of each device may be connected to a UWB transceiver of each device, and the UWB transceiver may support at least one UWB channel.

In operation 620a, the first UWB device 601 may transmit an advertisement message and the third UWB device 603 may receive the advertisement message. In an embodiment, the first UWB device 601 may broadcast the NB announcement message through an NB antenna of the first UWB device 601, and the third UWB device 603 may receive the NB announcement message through an NB antenna of the third UWB device 603. The NB antenna of each device may be connected to the NB transceiver of each device, and the NB transceiver may support at least one NB channel.

In the embodiment of part (a) of fig. 6A, the first UWB device 601 maintains the NB transceiver (or NB antenna) in an active state (on) to transmit an advertisement message and maintains the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) in an active state (on) to perform UWB ranging. Further, the second UWB device 602 keeps the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) in an active state (on) to perform UWB ranging, but may keep the NB transceiver (or NB antenna) in an inactive state (off) because it is not necessary to receive the advertisement message. Further, the third UWB device 603 keeps the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) in an active state (on) to receive the advertisement message, but may keep the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) in an inactive state (off) because the third UWB device 603 has not performed UWB ranging yet.

Thus, power may be saved by turning on/off the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) and/or NB transceiver (or NB antenna), as the case may be.

(2) UWB procedure

Referring to part (b) of fig. 6A, in operation 610b, the first UWB device 601 may perform a UWB ranging operation with the second UWB device 602 through an already configured UWB session. In an embodiment, the first UWB device 601 and the second UWB device 602 may perform UWB ranging operations through UWB antennas of each device. As described above, the UWB antenna of each device may be connected to the UWB transceiver of each device, and the UWB transceiver may support at least one UWB channel.

In operation 620b, the first UWB device 601 may perform a UWB ranging operation using the third UWB device 603. In an embodiment, in a case where the third UWB device 603 obtains information necessary to participate in UWB ranging (UWB process) with the first UWB device 601 through operation 620a, the third UWB device 603 may perform UWB ranging with the first UWB device 601. To this end, the third UWB device 603 may switch the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) of the third UWB device 603 to an active state (on). Thereafter, the third UWB device 603 may receive a ranging control message from the first UWB device 601 through a UWB antenna and may perform a UWB ranging operation based on the ranging control message. As described above, the UWB antenna may be connected to the UWB transceiver and the UWB transceiver may support at least one UWB channel.

On the other hand, in the case where the third UWB device 603 performs UWB ranging with the first UWB device 601, the third UWB device 603 may switch the NB transceiver (or NB antenna) of the third UWB device 603 to an inactive state (off) to save power.

In the embodiment of part (b) of fig. 6A, the first UWB device 601 maintains the NB transceiver (or NB antenna) in an active state (on) to transmit an advertisement message and maintains the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) in an active state (on) to perform UWB ranging. Further, the second UWB device 602 keeps the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) in an active state (on) to perform UWB ranging, but may keep the NB transceiver (or NB antenna) in an inactive state (off) because it is not necessary to receive the advertisement message. In addition, the third UWB device 603 also keeps the UWB transceiver (or UWB antenna) in an active state (on) to perform UWB ranging, but may keep the NB transceiver (or NB antenna) in an inactive state (off) because it is not necessary to receive the advertisement message.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of fig. 6A, it is assumed that the third UWB device 603 functions as a scanner and a controller, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The third UWB device 603 may function as a scanner and controller. In this case, the third UWB device 603 may perform UWB ranging by configuring its own UWB session without participating in a UWB session controlled by another device.

Fig. 6B illustrates a method of assigning NB announcement channels to UWB channels according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 6B, it is assumed that one UWB channel is used.

Referring to fig. 6b, nb announcement channel 60b may be allocated to UWB channel 70b to be used.

As an example, UWB channel 70b may be one of the candidate UWB channels of table 1 (e.g., channels 5 or 9) and NB channel 60b may be a subchannel of the candidate UWB channel of table 1 (e.g., channel 7).

As an example, UWB channel 70b and NB announcement channel 60b may be synchronized. Synchronization of NB channels and UWB channels may be described with reference to the following description, for example, of the embodiments of fig. 7-14.

As an example, a UWB device serving as an advertiser may transmit an advertisement message (packet) for the UWB channel 70b through the NB advertisement channel 60b allocated for the UWB channel 70b, and a UWB device serving as a scanner may receive an advertisement message (packet) for the UWB channel 70b through the NB advertisement channel 60 b.

As an example, a UWB device (scanner) may scan NB announcement channels 60b based on a predetermined scan interval and scan window.

On the other hand, according to an embodiment, multiple UWB channels may be used. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method of allocating NB announcement channels to a plurality of UWB channels will be described with reference to fig. 6C and 6D.

Fig. 6C illustrates a method of assigning NB announcement channels to a plurality of UWB channels according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 6C, it is assumed that two UWB channels (e.g., channels 5 or 9) are used, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, even when three or more UWB channels are used, what is described later can be applied.

In the embodiment of fig. 6C, separate NB announcement channels 60C-1 and 60C-2 may be allocated to each UWB channel 70C-1 and 70C-2 to be used. For example, as shown, a first NB advertisement channel 60c-1 may be allocated for use of a first UWB channel 70c-1, while a second NB advertisement channel 60c-2 may be allocated for use of a second UWB channel 70c-2.

As an example, the first UWB channel 70c-1 may be one of the UWB channel candidates of table 1 (e.g., channel 5), and the first NB channel 60c-1 may be a sub-channel of the UWB channel candidate of table 1. Further, the second UWB channel 70c-2 may be one of the candidate UWB channels of Table 1 (e.g., channel 9), and the second NB channel 60c-2 may be a sub-channel of the candidate UWB channel of Table 1. As an example, first NB channel 60c-1 and second NB channel 60c-2 may be different sub-channels of the same candidate UWB channel of table 1 (e.g., channel 7) or may be sub-channels of different candidate UWB channels of table 1 (e.g., channels 7 and 11).

As an example, each of NB advertising channels 60c-1 and 60c-2 may be synchronized with a respective UWB channel 70c-1 and 70 c-2. For example, the first NB advertisement channel 60c-1 may be synchronized with the first UWB channel 70c-1, while the second NB advertisement channel 60c-2 may be synchronized with the second UWB channel 70 c-2. Synchronization of NB channels and UWB channels may be described with reference to the following description, for example, of the embodiments of fig. 7-14.

As an example, a UWB device acting as an advertiser may transmit a first advertisement message (packet) for the first UWB channel 70c-1 through the first NB advertisement channel 60c-1 allocated for the first UWB channel 70c-1, and a UWB device acting as a scanner may receive the first advertisement message (packet) for the first UWB channel 70c-1 through the first NB advertisement channel 60 c-1. In addition, the UWB device serving as an advertiser may transmit a second advertisement message (packet) for the second UWB channel 70c-2 through the second NB advertisement channel 60c-2 allocated for the second UWB channel 70c-2, and the UWB device serving as a scanner may receive the second advertisement message (packet) for the second UWB channel 70c-2 through the second NB advertisement channel 60c-2.

As an example, a UWB device (scanner) may scan the first NB announcement channel 60c-1 and the second NB announcement channel 60c-2 based on a predetermined scanning interval and scanning window. As an example, a UWB device (scanner) may scan the first NB announcement channel 60c-1 and the second NB announcement 60c-2 simultaneously or alternately.

As an example, the advertisement message transmitted through each of the advertisement channels 60c-1 and 60c-2 may include information indicating the use of the corresponding UWB channels 70c-1 and 70 c-2. For example, the first advertisement message of the first NB advertisement channel 60c-1 may include channel number information of the first UWB channel 70c-1 to be used, and the advertisement message of the second NB advertisement channel 60c-2 may include channel number information of the second UWB channel 70c-2 to be used.

In the case of the embodiment of fig. 6C, the UWB device may operate an NB announcement channel allocated for each UWB channel, thereby rapidly obtaining the announcement information on the corresponding UWB channel as compared with the embodiment of 6d, which will be described later.

Fig. 6D illustrates a method of assigning NB announcement channels to a plurality of UWB channels according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 6D, it is assumed that two UWB channels (e.g., channels 5 or 9) are used, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, even when three or more UWB channels are used, what is described later can be applied.

In the embodiment of fig. 6D, one NB announcement channel 60D-1 for multiple UWB channels 70D-1 and 70D-2 may be allocated, unlike the embodiment of fig. 6C. For example, as shown, a single first NB advertisement channel 60d-1 may be allocated for use of the first UWB channel 70d-1 and the second UWB channel 70 d-1.

As an example, when a multiple access scheme such as Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) is used, a method of allocating a single NB announcement channel for a plurality of UWB channels such as fig. 6D may be applied.

As an example, the first UWB channel 70d-1 may be one of the UWB channel candidates of table 1 (e.g., channel 5), the second UWB channel 70d-2 may be one of the UWB channel candidates of table 1 (e.g., channel 9), and the first NB channel 60d-1 may be a sub-channel of the UWB channel candidates of table 1 (e.g., channel 7).

As an example, a single announcement channel 60d-1 may be synchronized with multiple UWB channels 70d-1 and 70 d-2. For example, the first NB advertising channel 60d-1 may be synchronized with the first UWB channel 70d-1 and the second UWB channel 70 d-2. Synchronization of NB channels and UWB channels may be described with reference to the following description, for example, of the embodiments of fig. 7-14.

As an example, the UWB device serving as the advertiser may transmit a first advertisement message (packet) for the first UWB channel 70d-1 and a second advertisement message (packet) for the second UWB channel (70 d-2) through the first NB advertisement channel 60d-1, and the UWB device serving as the scanner may receive the first advertisement message (packet) for the first UWB channel 70d-1 and the second advertisement message (packet) for the second UWB channel (70 d-2) through the first NB advertisement channel 60 d-1.

As an example, the UWB device (scanner) may scan the first NB announcement channel 60d-1 based on a predetermined scanning interval and scanning window.

As an example, each advertisement message transmitted over a single advertisement channel 60d-1 may include information indicating the use of the corresponding UWB channels 70d-1 and 70 d-2. For example, the first advertisement message for the first UWB channel 70d-1 may include channel number information of the first UWB channel 70d-1 to be used, and the second advertisement message for the second UWB channel 70d-2 may include channel number information of the second UWB channel 70d-2 to be used.

In the case of the embodiment of fig. 6D, the UWB device may operate only one NB announcement channel instead of operating a separate NB announcement channel for each UWB channel, thereby increasing efficiency of resource usage compared to the embodiment of fig. 6C.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described taking a case in which one UWB channel is used as an example, but the same description may be applied even when a plurality of UWB channels are used.

Fig. 7 illustrates a structure of a channel used in a ranging area network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The ranging area network of fig. 7 may correspond to the ranging area network of fig. 6A.

In the embodiment of fig. 7, the ranging blocks, ranging cycles, and ranging slots transmitted over the UWB channel may be ranging blocks, ranging cycles, and ranging slots used in a session (e.g., UWB ranging session) that has been configured by a UWB device (e.g., the first UWB device 601 of fig. 6A) that is acting as an advertiser/controller.

Referring to fig. 7, nb channels and UWB channels may be used in a ranging area network.

In an embodiment, the NB channels can be used to send and/or receive at least one advertisement message. For example, NB channels can be used to send/receive the first advertisement message 710a and the second advertisement message 710b. As described above, the NB channels used for the advertisement message may be referred to as NB advertisement channels.

Further, the NB channels can be used to send and/or receive at least one additional advertisement message, connection request message, and/or connection acknowledgement message. As described above, NB channels used for the additional advertisement messages, connection request messages, and/or connection acknowledgement messages may be referred to as NB connection setup channels.

In an embodiment, a UWB channel may be used to transmit and/or receive at least one ranging message for UWB ranging. At least one ranging message may be transmitted/received through the ranging blocks 720a and 720 b.

As shown in fig. 5, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first ranging block 720a may include M ranging cycles 730a-1, 730a-2, … …, and 730a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 720b may include M ranging cycles 730b-1, 730b-2, … …, and 730b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

In an embodiment, the NB channel (or NB transceiver) and UWB channel (or UWB transceiver) may be, for example, fully synchronized. In this case, 1) mutual discovery between UWB devices is achieved by supporting NB channels using Energy Detection (ED) on the NB channels through the newly defined PHY layer entity. 2) Further, by using the advertisement message received through the NB channel, the starting time point, structure, etc. of the ranging block transmitted through the UWB channel can be identified. In this case, some information about the configured current UWB session may be implicitly signaled. Further, the use of NB channels and the use of UWB channels can be turned on/off, thereby achieving power saving.

In the following embodiments, for example, NB channels and UWB channels are assumed to be fully synchronized, and various embodiments of the present disclosure are described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially adapted and applied as the case may be, even if the NB and UWB channels are partially synchronized or unsynchronized.

Fig. 8 illustrates a first method for a UWB device to transmit NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 8, the UWB device transmitting the NB advertisement message may be a UWB device acting as a controller and advertiser. For example, the UWB device of fig. 8 may be the first UWB device 601 of fig. 6A.

The transmission of NB announcement messages of the embodiment of fig. 8 can be controlled/managed by the MAC layer of the UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 8, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the first ranging block 820a may include M ranging cycles 830a-1, 830a-2, … …, and 830a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 820b may include M ranging cycles 830b-1, 830b-2, … …, and 830b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

Referring to fig. 8, the uwb device may transmit an NB announcement message through an NB channel at a start time point of each ranging block (i.e., at each start time point of the ranging block). For example, the UWB device may transmit a first NB announcement message 810a over the NB announcement channel at a start time point of the first ranging block 820a and a second NB announcement message 810b over the NB announcement channel at a start time point of the second ranging block 820 b. Here, the start time point may be a start time point of a first slot of the corresponding ranging block.

In this way, in the case where the NB announcement message is transmitted at the start time point of each ranging block, even if information about the start time point of the corresponding ranging block is not included in the NB announcement message, the start time point of the corresponding ranging block can be identified by the transmission time (or reception time) of the NB announcement message. That is, even without explicit signaling, the starting point in time of the ranging block may be implicitly signaled.

In an embodiment, the transmission time of the NB advertisement message may be identified based on a transmission timestamp included in the NB advertisement message.

In an embodiment, the NB advertisement message may include information about UWB channels (UWB channel information). For example, the NB announcement message may include occupancy information (UWB channel occupancy information) about the UWB channel. For example, the UWB channel information or UWB channel occupancy information may include at least one of information about a start time point of a ranging cycle, information about a channel occupancy time (e.g., information about a channel occupancy time expressed as a multiple of a Time Unit (TU)), information about a length of a ranging block, information about a length of a ranging cycle, or information about the number or number of active cycles. Here, the active cycle may be a ranging cycle that is actually used (or occupied) in the ranging cycle.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include configuration information (UWB configuration information) for receiving a message (or packet) (or frame) in a UWB channel. For example, UWB configuration information may include information about PHY configuration and/or information about STS index.

As shown in fig. 8, the first NB announcement message 810a transmitted at the start time point of the first ranging block 820a may include information about the length of the ranging block set to L, information about the ranging cycle number set to 4, and information about the number of active cycles set to "1" and "2". In this way, the starting time point of the first ranging block 820a may be implicitly signaled, and the length of the first ranging block 820a, the number of ranging cycles included in the first ranging block 820a, and the active cycle number may be explicitly signaled. Accordingly, the UWB device receiving the first NB announcement message 810a can identify a starting point in time and a total length L of the first ranging block 820a, and identify that the first ranging block 820a includes four ranging cycles, and wherein the first and second cycles are in an active state. The UWB device may perform UWB ranging based on the identified information. Since the ranging cycles 830a-1, 830a-2, 830a-m, 830b-1, 830b-2 and 830a-m correspond to the ranging cycles shown in fig. 7, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 9 illustrates a second method for a UWB device to transmit NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 9, the UWB device transmitting the NB announcement message may be a UWB device acting as a controller and an advertiser. For example, the UWB device of fig. 9 may be the first UWB device 601 of fig. 6A.

The transmission of NB announcement messages of the embodiment of fig. 9 can be controlled/managed by the MAC layer of the UWB device.

Referring to fig. 9, the uwb device may transmit an NB announcement message over the NB channel at a start time point of each active cycle (i.e., at each start time point of the active cycle). For example, the UWB device may transmit NB advertisement messages 910a-1 and NB advertisement messages 910a-2 over the NB advertisement channel at a start time point of the active cycle 930a-1 and a start time point of the active cycle 930a-2 of the first ranging block 920a, respectively, and NB advertisement messages 910b-1 and NB advertisement messages 910b-2 over the NB advertisement channel at a start time point of the active cycle 930b-1 and a start time point of the active cycle 930b-2 of the second ranging block 920b, respectively. Here, the start time point may be a start time point of the first slot of the corresponding active cycle.

In this way, in the case where the NB announcement message is transmitted at the start time point of each active cycle, even if information about the number of active cycles and the start time point are not included in the NB announcement message, the number of active cycles and the start time point can be identified by the number of times of transmission and time (or reception time) of the NB announcement message. That is, the number of active cycles and the starting point in time may be implicitly signaled even without explicit signaling. Further, the length of the ranging cycle may be estimated by the interval (transmission interval) of the NB announcement message.

Accordingly, when the method of fig. 9 is followed, at least one of the information included in the NB announcement message of the embodiment of fig. 8 may be excluded from the NB announcement message. For example, the NB announcement message of fig. 9 may not include at least one of the length of the corresponding ranging block, the length of the ranging cycle, or information (number/number) about the active cycle. In this way, the congestion level of the NB announcement channel can be reduced.

On the other hand, for example, in the case where one ranging block is used by a plurality of controllers, the active cycles included in the corresponding ranging block may be used by different controllers. Thus, it is necessary to signal whether an active loop belongs to the same session or is used by the same controller.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include information for identifying whether the active loops included in the same block belong to the same session or are used by the same controller. For example, the NB announcement message may include information about a session ID (session ID information) of a session to which the corresponding active cycle belongs (e.g., a ranging session) and/or information about an address (e.g., a source MAC address) of a UWB device transmitting the NB announcement message associated with the corresponding active cycle.

The session ID information or address information may be used to distinguish whether the active loops in the same ranging block belong to the same session (or whether the active loops are used by the same controller) or different sessions (or whether the active loops are used by different controllers). For example, the active cycle corresponding to NB advertisement messages including the same session ID (or address) in the same ranging block may be an active cycle belonging to the same session.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include numbering information for indicating which of all active cycles in the respective ranging block the NB announcement message corresponds to. For example, as shown, where the numbering information is set to (1, 2), the numbering information may indicate that the respective NB announcement message corresponds to a first active cycle of all two active cycles in the respective ranging block. Alternatively, in the case where the numbering information is set to (2, 2), the numbering information may indicate that the respective NB announcement message corresponds to a second one of all two active cycles in the respective ranging block.

In the embodiment of fig. 9, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first ranging block 920a may include M ranging cycles 930a-1, 930a-2, … …, and 930a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 920b may include M ranging cycles 930b-1, 930b-2, … …, and 930b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

As shown in fig. 9, the NB announcement message 910a-1 transmitted at the start time point of the active cycle 930a-1 includes session ID information set to "session id=xx" and number information set to (1, 2), and the NB announcement message 910a-2 transmitted at the start time point of the active cycle 930a-2 includes session ID information set to "session id=xx" and number information set to (2, 2). In this case, the session ID of NB advertisement message 910a-1 and the session ID of NB advertisement message 910a-2 are the same.

UWB devices (receiving UWB devices) that have received NB announcement messages 910a-1 and 910a-2 through the included information can recognize that the active cycle (930 a-1) corresponding to NB announcement message (910 a-1) and the active cycle (930 a-2) corresponding to NB announcement message (910 a-2) correspond to active cycles belonging to the same session. The active cycle 930a-1 is the first of the two active cycles and the active cycle 930a-2 is the second of the two active cycles.

Further, the receiving UWB device may identify the interval between the active cycle (930 a-1) and the active cycle (930 a-2) through the interval between the NB announcement message (910 a-1) and the NB announcement message (910 a-2), and in this way, the length of the active cycle may be estimated. The UWB device may perform UWB ranging based on the identified information.

On the other hand, when there is no active cycle in the corresponding ranging block, as shown in fig. 8, the UWB device may transmit an NB announcement message at the start time point of the corresponding ranging block.

Fig. 10 illustrates a third method of a UWB device transmitting NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 10, the UWB device transmitting the NB announcement message may be a UWB device acting as a controller and an advertiser. For example, the UWB device of fig. 10 may be the first UWB device 601 of fig. 6A.

The transmission of NB announcement messages of the embodiment of fig. 10 can be controlled/managed by the MAC layer of the UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 10, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first ranging block 1020a may include M ranging cycles 1030a-1, 1030a-2, … …, and 1030a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 1020b may include M ranging cycles 1030b-1, 1030b-2, … …, and 1030b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

Referring to fig. 10, the uwb device may transmit an NB announcement message in one selected slot among slots in each ranging block or in one selected slot in each active cycle through an NB channel. The selected time slot may not be the starting time slot. For example, the UWB device may transmit the NB advertisement message 1010b-1 over the NB advertisement channel in the third slot of the active cycle 1030b-1 of the second ranging block 1020b, and may transmit the NB advertisement message 1010b-2 over the NB advertisement channel in the kth slot of the active cycle 1030b-2 of the second ranging block 1020 b.

In the case where a plurality of UWB devices transmit advertisement messages, infinite collision may occur between NB advertisement messages transmitted at the same time of NB (e.g., a start time point of each ranging block or a start time point of each active cycle) at all times. Therefore, as in the embodiment of fig. 10, in the case where the transmission times of NB announcement messages are not always the same fixed time point but are selected and used at random, collisions between these NB announcement messages can be avoided.

However, in order to indicate the transmission time of the NB announcement message, the NB announcement message may include information about the transmission time of the current (own) NB announcement message and/or information about the transmission time of the corresponding NB announcement message transmitted after the current NB announcement message.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include information (transmission slot indication information) indicating at which slot the transmission of the current NB announcement message or the corresponding NB announcement message starts (slot unit shift) and/or information about the slot length (slot length information).

For example, the NB announcement message 1010a-1 transmitted from the first active cycle 1030a-1 of the first ranging block 1020a may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the corresponding NB announcement message begins in a third slot) and/or slot length information related to the NB announcement message 1010b-1 transmitted from the first active cycle 1030b-1 of the second ranging block 1020 b. Alternatively, the NB announcement message 1010a-2 transmitted from the second active loop 1030a-2 of the first ranging block 1020a may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the corresponding NB announcement message begins in the kth slot) and/or slot length information related to the NB announcement message 1010b-2 transmitted from the second active loop 1030b-2 of the second ranging block 1020 b. In this way, the transmission time of the NB announcement message transmitted from the subsequent ranging block can be identified.

For another example, the NB announcement message 1010a-1 sent from the first active loop 1030a-1 of the first ranging block 1020a may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the current (own) NB announcement message begins in the first slot) and/or slot length information related to the current NB announcement message 1010 a-1. Alternatively, the NB announcement message 1010a-2 sent from the second active loop 1030a-2 of the first ranging block 1020a may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the current (own) NB announcement message begins in the first slot) and/or slot length information related to the current (own) NB announcement message 1010 a-2. In this way, the transmission time of the own NB advertisement message can be identified.

As another example, the NB announcement message 1010a-1 transmitted from the first active cycle 1030a-1 of the first ranging block 1020a may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the current (own) NB announcement message starts in the first slot) and/or slot length information related to the current NB announcement message 1010a-1, and may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the corresponding NB announcement message starts in the third slot) and/or slot length information related to the NB announcement message 1010b-1 transmitted from the first active cycle 1030b-1 of the second ranging block 1020b together. Alternatively, the NB announcement message 1010a-2 transmitted from the second active cycle 1030a-2 of the first ranging block 1020a may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the current (own) NB announcement message starts in the first slot) and/or slot length information regarding the current (own) NB announcement message 1010a-2, and may include transmission slot indication information (e.g., information indicating that transmission of the corresponding NB announcement message starts in the kth slot) and/or slot length information regarding the NB announcement message 1010b-2 transmitted from the second active cycle 1030b-2 of the second ranging block 1020 b. In this way, the transmission time of the own NB advertisement message and the transmission time of another NB advertisement message transmitted from the subsequent ranging block can be identified.

Fig. 11 illustrates a fourth method for a UWB device to transmit NB advertisement messages in NB channels in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 11, the UWB device transmitting the NB announcement message may be a UWB device acting as a controller and an advertiser. For example, the UWB device of fig. 11 may be the first UWB device 601 of fig. 6A.

The transmission of NB announcement messages of the embodiment of fig. 11 can be controlled/managed by the MAC layer of the UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 11, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first ranging block 1130a may include M ranging cycles 1130a-1, 1130a-2, … …, and 1130a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 1120b may include M ranging cycles 1130b-1, 1130b-2, … …, and 1130b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the third ranging block 1120c may include M ranging cycles with 1130c-1, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

Referring to fig. 11, instead of transmitting an NB announcement message for each ranging block over an NB channel, the uwb device may transmit the NB announcement message once in a plurality of ranging blocks. For example, the UWB device may transmit an NB announcement message 1110a in the first ranging block 1120a and transmit an NB announcement message 1110c over an NB announcement channel in the third ranging block 1120c, while not transmitting an NB announcement message in the second ranging block 1120 b. In this way, the NB announcement message may be sent once for every two ranging blocks. In this way, by transmitting the NB announcement message once every predetermined period, instead of transmitting the NB announcement message every ranging block, transmission power consumption can be reduced.

On the other hand, the period of the ranging block transmitting the NB announcement message may be set in various manners according to the embodiment. In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include information about the period of the ranging block in which the NB announcement message is sent. For example, the information on the period of the NB announcement message or the ranging block may include information on how many ranging blocks are skipped (first information) or information on the number of consecutive ranging blocks to which the NB announcement message is not transmitted (second information). Based on this information, the UWB device receiving the NB announcement message can identify how many ranging blocks have been skipped not to transmit the NB announcement message.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the NB announcement message may include first information or second information set to 1. In this case, the UWB device receiving the corresponding NB announcement message may recognize that one ranging block has been skipped and does not transmit the NB announcement message.

On the other hand, transmission of the NB advertisement message in the ranging block that transmits the NB advertisement message may be performed using, for example, one method or a combination of methods in fig. 8, 9, or 11. For example, according to the method of fig. 8, the NB announcement message may be sent at the beginning point in time of the ranging block, according to the method of fig. 9, the NB announcement message may be sent at the beginning point in time of the active cycle, according to the method of fig. 10, the NB announcement message may be sent from any selected time slot of the ranging block or the active cycle, or the NB announcement message may be sent according to a combination thereof.

Fig. 12 illustrates the operation of a UWB device that has received NB advertisement messages in NB channels according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 12, the UWB device receiving the NB announcement message may be a UWB device serving as a controller and a scanner. For example, the UWB device of fig. 12 may be the third UWB device 603 of fig. 6A.

The reception and processing of NB announcement messages of the embodiment of fig. 12 can be controlled/managed by the MAC layer of the UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 12, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in fig. 12, the first ranging block 1230a may include M ranging cycles 1230a-1, 1230a-2, … …, and 1230a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 1220b may include M ranging cycles 1230b-1, 1230b-2, … …, and 1230b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

In the embodiment of fig. 12, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 8, it is assumed that a first NB announcement message 1210a corresponds to an NB announcement message sent at a starting time point of a first ranging block 1220a, and a second NB announcement message 1210b corresponds to an NB announcement message sent at a starting time point of a second ranging block 1220 b. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the first NB announcement message 1210a and the second NB announcement message 1210b may be NB announcement messages transmitted according to one or a combination of the transmission methods of fig. 8 to 11.

Referring to fig. 12, the uwb device may receive the NB announcement message by scanning the NB channels. For example, the UWB device may receive the first NB announcement message 1210a and the second NB announcement message 1210b transmitted at a start time point of each ranging block by scanning an NB announcement channel. As shown, the first NB announcement message 1210a may include, for example, block length information set to L, the number of ranging information set to 4, and active cycle number information set to "1 and 2". Accordingly, the ranging block 1220a may include active loops 1230a-1 and 1230a-2, as well as inactive loops 1230a-m. Similarly, ranging block 1220b may include active loops 1230b-1 and 1230b-2, and inactive loops 1230b-m.

In this way, the UWB device can recognize that the start time point of the first ranging block 1220a corresponding to the first NB announcement message 1210a corresponds to the transmission time of the first NB announcement message 1210a, the length of the first ranging block 1220a corresponds to L, the total number of ranging cycles included in the first ranging block 1220a is 4, and the active cycle numbers included in the ranging block 1220a are 1 and 2. In this way, the UWB device may determine the surrounding UWB usage environment.

After determining the UWB usage environment, the UWB device as a controller may determine UWB settings such as a ranging block length, a start time point, and a transmission offset for its UWB session, and may start its own UWB session based on the determination.

In an embodiment, the transmission offset may be appropriately adjusted according to the duration of the ranging slot and/or the duration of the UWB message (e.g., RFRAME). Collisions can be avoided by setting such a transmission offset.

Further, in the case where the UWB device activates a UWB transceiver for UWB communication, the UWB device may deactivate an NB transceiver for NB announcement reception. In this way, power can be saved.

Fig. 13 illustrates the operation of a UWB device that has received NB advertisement messages in NB channels according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 13, the UWB device receiving the NB announcement message may be a UWB device serving as a controller and a scanner. For example, the UWB device of fig. 13 may be the third UWB device 603 of fig. 6A.

The reception and processing of NB announcement messages of the embodiment of fig. 13 can be controlled/managed by the MAC layer of the UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 13, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a first ranging block 1330a may include M ranging cycles 1330a-1, 1330a-2, … …, and 1330a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 1320b may include M ranging cycles 1330b-1, 1330b-2, … …, and 1330b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

In the embodiment of fig. 13, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 8, it is assumed that the first NB advertisement message 1310a corresponds to an NB advertisement message transmitted at a starting time point of the first ranging block 1320a, and the second NB advertisement message 1310b corresponds to an NB advertisement message transmitted at a starting time point of the second ranging block 1320 b. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the first NB announcement message 1310a and the second NB announcement message 1310b may be NB announcement messages transmitted according to one or a combination of the transmission methods of fig. 8 to 11.

Referring to fig. 13, the uwb device may receive the NB announcement message by scanning the NB channels. For example, the UWB device may receive the first NB announcement message 1310a and the second NB announcement message 1310b transmitted at a start time point of each ranging block by scanning an NB announcement channel. As shown, the first NB announcement message 1310a may include, for example, block length information set to L, the number of ranging information set to 4, and active cycle number information set to "1 and 2". Accordingly, ranging block 1320a may include active loops 1330a-1 and 1330a-2, as well as inactive loops 1330a-m. Similarly, ranging block 1320b may include active loops 1330b-1 and 1330b-2, and inactive loops 1330b-m.

In this way, the UWB device may recognize that the starting time point of the first ranging block 1320a corresponding to the first NB announcement message 1310a corresponds to the transmission time of the first NB announcement message 1310a, the length of the first ranging block 1320a corresponds to L, the total number of ranging cycles included in the first ranging block 1320a is 4, and the active cycle numbers included in the ranging block 1320a are 1 and 2. In this way, the UWB device may determine the surrounding UWB usage environment.

After determining the UWB usage environment, when there is a UWB session to be engaged in, the UWB device as a slave may engage in the corresponding UWB session. For example, the UWB device may determine a UWB session to participate in based on information included in the NB announcement message, receive a control message through a UWB channel of the corresponding UWB session, and perform UWB ranging based on the control message. For another example, the UWB device may perform connection establishment operations for additional parameter exchange and/or authentication through the NB connection establishment channel, and then perform UWB ranging through the UWB channel.

Fig. 14 illustrates the operation of a UWB device for establishing NB connections according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 14, the UWB device (first UWB device) that transmits the NB announcement message may be a UWB device that functions as a controller and an advertiser, and the UWB device (second UWB device) that receives the NB announcement message may be a UWB device that functions as a slave and a scanner. For example, the first UWB device of fig. 14 may be the first UWB device 601 of fig. 6A, and the second UWB device may be the third UWB device 603 of fig. 6A.

The transmission/reception of the NB announcement message, the transmission/reception of the additional NB announcement message, the transmission/reception of the connection request message/connection response message, and the processing thereof in the embodiment of fig. 14 can be controlled/managed by the MAC layer of the UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 14, each ranging block may include at least one ranging cycle, and each ranging cycle may include at least one ranging slot. For example, as shown in fig. 14, the first ranging block 1430a may include M ranging cycles 1430a-1, 1430a-2, … … and 1430a-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots. Further, the second ranging block 1420b may include M ranging cycles 1430b-1, 1430b-2, … …, and 1430b-M, and each ranging cycle may include a plurality of ranging slots.

In the embodiment of fig. 14, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 9, it is assumed that the NB announcement message is sent at the start time point of the active cycle. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the NB announcement message may be an NB announcement message transmitted according to one or a combination of the transmission methods of fig. 8 to 11.

Referring to fig. 14, the first UWB device may transmit an NB announcement message over the NB channel at a start time point of each active cycle (i.e., at each start time point of the active cycle). For example, the first UWB device may transmit the NB advertisement message 1410a-1 and the NB advertisement message 1410a-2 over the NB advertisement channel (NB 1) at the beginning time points of the active cycle 1430a-1 and the active cycle 1430a-2 of the first ranging block 1420a, respectively, and may transmit the NB advertisement message 1410b-1 and the NB advertisement message 1410b-2 over the NB advertisement channel (NB 1) at the beginning time points of the active cycle 1430b-1 and the active cycle 1430b-2 of the second ranging block 1420b, respectively.

On the other hand, in the case where the information provided from the NB announcement message is insufficient to perform UWB communication, the first UWB device may allocate a separate NB channel (connection establishment channel) for additional information transfer or connection establishment, and transmit information about the allocation to the second UWB device through the NB announcement message.

In an embodiment, the NB announcement message may include information about the corresponding connection setup channel (connection setup channel information). For example, NB announcement messages 1410a-1 and NB announcement message 1410b-1 may include connection setup channel information (e.g., a subchannel number) configured to NB2, and NB announcement messages 1410a-2 and NB announcement message 1410b-2 may include connection setup channel information (e.g., a subchannel number) configured to NB 3.

In an embodiment, the first UWB device may transmit an additional NB advertisement message including additional advertisement information in the corresponding connection establishment channel. For example, the first UWB device may broadcast additional NB advertisement messages 1411a-1 and 1411b-1 including additional advertisement information on the connection setup channel corresponding to NB2, and the first UWB device may broadcast additional NB advertisement messages 1412a-1 and 1412b-1 including additional advertisement information on the connection setup channel corresponding to NB 3. In an embodiment, the additional NB announcement message may include detailed structure information about ranging blocks of the corresponding UWB session. The detailed structure information may include, for example, a length of a ranging block, a number/length of ranging cycles, and/or a number/length of ranging slots.

A second UWB device that wants to participate in a particular ranging block/cycle in the UWB channel may send a connection request message for this purpose. In an embodiment, the second UWB device may send a connection request message to the first UWB device in a corresponding connection setup channel. For example, the second UWB device may send a connection request message 1411a-2 to the first UWB device in a connection setup channel corresponding to NB2 and may send a connection request message 1412a-2 to the first UWB device in a connection setup channel corresponding to NB 3.

In an embodiment, the first UWB device may transmit a connection confirmation message corresponding to the connection request message to the second UWB device in the corresponding connection establishment channel. For example, a first UWB device may send a connection acknowledgement message 1411a-3 to a second UWB device in a connection setup channel corresponding to NB2, and may send a connection acknowledgement message 1412a-3 to the second UWB device in a connection setup channel corresponding to NB 3. In an embodiment, the connection acknowledgement message may include slot allocation information.

On the other hand, the operation of exchanging the above-described connection request message and connection confirmation message may be repeatedly performed as many times as necessary. For example, in case additional message exchanges are required after one message exchange is performed (i.e. in case a message exchange is required for further parameter negotiations and/or authentications), the message exchange operation may be further performed as many times as needed in the corresponding NB connection establishment channel (sub-advanced channel).

In this way, in the case where the operation for delivering the additional NB announcement message and/or connection establishment is performed through the NB channel (connection establishment channel) separate from the announcement channel (discovery channel), it is possible to reduce congestion of the discovery channel and to efficiently operate the plurality of NB channels.

On the other hand, when the message exchange procedure through the connection setup channel is completed, the corresponding connection setup channel may be in a dormant state. In this case, the UWB device (or NB transceiver of the UWB device) may not scan the corresponding channel until, for example, the corresponding connection of the next ranging block is activated to establish the channel, as shown.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 15, the first UWB device may be the UWB device of fig. 1A or the first UWB device of fig. 1B, and the second UWB device may be the UWB device of fig. 1A or the second UWB device of fig. 1B.

In the embodiment of fig. 15, the first UWB device may function as a controller/advertiser and the second UWB device may function as a controller/scanner or a controller/scanner.

Referring to fig. 15, a first UWB device may broadcast at least one advertisement message 1510 providing information about UWB channels used by the first UWB device through NB channels. In an embodiment, the UWB channel may be one of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communication, and the NB channel may be a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels.

In an embodiment, broadcasting the advertisement message may include broadcasting the advertisement message over the NB channel at a starting point in time of each ranging block used in the UWB channel. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include at least one of information about a length of the ranging block, information about a length of a ranging cycle included in the ranging block, information about a start time point of the ranging cycle, information about the number or number of active cycles, or information about a channel occupation time of the UWB channel. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 8. In an embodiment, each ranging block corresponds to a ranging block used in a UWB ranging session configured by the first UWB device.

In an embodiment, broadcasting the advertisement message may include broadcasting the advertisement message over the NB channel at a starting point in time of each active cycle used in the UWB channel. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include at least one of information for identifying whether the active loops included in the same ranging block belong to the same session or information for indicating which active loop is among all active loops within the corresponding ranging block. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 9. In an embodiment, each activity cycle corresponds to an activity cycle used in a UWB ranging session configured by the first UWB device.

In an embodiment, broadcasting the advertisement message may include broadcasting the advertisement message over the NB channel in selected time slots of each ranging block or each activity cycle used in the UWB channel. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include at least one of information indicating from which slot the advertisement message is transmitted or information about a slot length. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 10.

In an embodiment, broadcasting the advertisement message may include broadcasting the advertisement message over the NB channel every predetermined period in a ranging block used by the UWB channel. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include information about a period of a ranging block from which the advertisement message is transmitted. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 11.

In an embodiment, the method may further include broadcasting an additional advertisement message including additional information through a second NB channel different from the NB channel; receiving a connection request message for connection establishment from a second UWB device over a second NB channel; and transmitting a connection confirmation message corresponding to the connection request message to the second UWB device through the second NB channel. The advertisement message may include information about the second NB channel. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 16, the first UWB device may be the UWB device of fig. 1A or the first UWB device of fig. 1B, and the second UWB device may be the UWB device of fig. 1A or the second UWB device of fig. 1B.

In the embodiment of fig. 16, the first UWB device may function as a controller/advertiser and the second UWB device may function as a controller/scanner or a controller/scanner.

Referring to fig. 16, the second UWB device may receive at least one advertisement message 1610 providing information about the UWB channel used by the first UWB device through an NB channel.

The second UWB device may perform at least one operation 1620 for performing UWB ranging by using a UWB channel based on the advertisement message.

In an embodiment, the UWB channel may be one of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communication, and the NB channel may be a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels.

In an embodiment, the advertisement message may be broadcast over the NB channel at a starting point in time of each ranging block used in the UWB channel by the first UWB device. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include at least one of information about a length of the ranging block, information about a length of a ranging cycle included in the ranging block, information about a start time point of the ranging cycle, information about the number or number of active cycles, or information about a channel occupation time of the UWB channel. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 8. In an embodiment, each ranging block corresponds to a ranging block used in a UWB ranging session configured by the first UWB device.

In an embodiment, the advertisement message may be broadcast over the NB channel by the first UWB at a starting point in time of each active cycle used in the UWB channel. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include at least one of information for identifying whether the active loops included in the same ranging block belong to the same session or information for indicating which active loop is among all active loops within the corresponding ranging block. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 9. In an embodiment, each activity cycle corresponds to an activity cycle used in a UWB ranging session configured by the first UWB device.

In an embodiment, the advertisement message may be broadcast by the first UWB over the NB channel in selected time slots of each ranging block or in each active cycle used by the UWB channel. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include at least one of information indicating from which slot the advertisement message is transmitted or information about a slot length. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 10.

In an embodiment, the advertisement message is broadcast by the first UWB over the NB channel every preset period in a ranging block used by the UWB channel. In an embodiment, the advertisement message may include information about a period of a ranging block from which the advertisement message is transmitted. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 11.

In an embodiment, the method may further include receiving an additional advertisement message including additional information through a second NB channel different from the NB channel; transmitting a connection request message for establishing a connection to the first UWB device through the second NB channel; the advertisement message may include information about a second NB channel by receiving a connection acknowledgement message corresponding to the connection request message from the first UWB device. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 14.

In an embodiment, performing at least one operation for performing UWB ranging may include: performing an operation for participating in a first UWB ranging session controlled by a first UWB device; or performing an operation for configuring a second UWB ranging session controlled by the second UWB device, and the first UWB ranging session and the second UWB ranging session may use UWB channels. This embodiment may be described with reference to the embodiment of fig. 12 and 13.

Fig. 17 shows a structure of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 17, the first UWB device may correspond to the UWB device of fig. 1A and 1B, or comprise a UWB device, or may be an electronic device comprising a portion of a UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 17, the first UWB device may be a UWB device that functions as a controller/advertiser.

Referring to fig. 17, a first UWB device may include a transceiver 1710, a controller 1720, and a memory 1730. In this disclosure, a controller may be defined as a circuit, an application specific integrated circuit, or at least one processor.

The transceiver 1710 may transmit/receive signals to/from another entity. The transceiver 1710 may transmit/receive data to/from another device by using, for example, at least one NB channel and/or at least one UWB channel.

In an embodiment, the transceiver 1710 may include a first transceiver supporting NB channels and a second transceiver supporting UWB channels. In another embodiment, transceiver 1720 may include a transceiver that supports NB channels and UWB channels.

The controller 1720 may control the overall operation of the electronic device according to embodiments presented in the present disclosure. For example, the controller 1720 may control signal flow between blocks to perform operations according to the flowcharts described above. In particular, the controller 1720 may, for example, control the operation of the first UWB device (e.g., the operation of the MAC entity of the first UWB device) described with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 7 to 16.

For example, controller 1720 may broadcast at least one advertisement message over the NB channel that provides information about the UWB channel used by the first UWB device.

The memory 1730 may store at least one of information transmitted and received through the transceiver 1710 and information generated through the controller 1720. For example, the storage unit 1730 may store information and data (e.g., bulletin information) necessary for the methods described with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 7 to 16, for example.

Fig. 18 shows a structure of a second UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of fig. 18, the second UWB device may correspond to the UWB device of fig. 1A and 1B, or comprise a UWB device, or may be an electronic device comprising a portion of a UWB device.

In the embodiment of fig. 18, the second UWB device may be a UWB device that functions as a controller/scanner or a controller/scanner.

Referring to fig. 18, a first UWB device may include a transceiver 1810, a controller 1820, and a memory 1830. In this disclosure, a controller may be defined as a circuit, an application specific integrated circuit, or at least one processor.

The transceiver 1810 may transmit/receive signals to/from another entity. The transceiver 1810 may transmit/receive data to/from another device by using, for example, at least one NB channel and/or at least one UWB channel.

In an embodiment, the transceiver 1810 may include a first transceiver supporting NB channels and a second transceiver supporting UWB channels. In another embodiment, transceiver 1820 may include a transceiver to support at least one NB channel and at least one UWB channel.

The controller 1820 may control the overall operation of the electronic device according to the embodiments presented in the present disclosure. For example, the controller 1820 may control signal flow between blocks to perform operations according to the flowcharts described above. In particular, the controller 1820 may control, for example, the operation of the second UWB device (e.g., the operation of the MAC entity of the second UWB device) described with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 7 to 16.

For example, the controller 1820 may receive at least one advertisement message over the NB channel providing information about the UWB channel used by the first UWB device.

For example, the controller 1820 may perform at least one operation for performing UWB ranging by using a UWB channel based on the advertisement message.

A memory 1830 may store at least one of information transmitted and received through the transceiver 1810 and information generated through the controller 1820. For example, the storage unit 1830 may store information and data (e.g., advertisement information) necessary for the methods described with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 7 to 16, for example.

The embodiments described below may be used in addition to, or in lieu of, some embodiments described above with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 7-18, in addition to, or in lieu of, some embodiments described above with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 7-18.

Embodiments of multi-NB channel operation and channel hopping

As described above, one NB channel or multiple NB channels can be operated/supported together.

On the other hand, in the case where only one NB channel is operated (single NB channel operation case), a case where smooth communication cannot be achieved may occur in some cases. For example, in the case where a single NB channel is used by a plurality of apparatuses at the same time, smooth communication in the corresponding NB channel may not be achieved due to collision between signals of the plurality of apparatuses. For another example, because the wireless communication environment of a single NB channel is not good, smooth communication in the corresponding NB channel may not be achieved.

Thus, multiple NB channels need to operate together if needed. In the case of operating multiple NB channels, channel hopping techniques for communicating when hopping (or moving) channels can be used for smoother communications.

In the case of operating multiple NB channels and using/applying channel hopping techniques, the UWB device may perform channel hopping operations based on pre-configured hopping settings (e.g., hopping sequences, hopping periods, and the number of multiple channels for channel hopping). For example, in the case of operating multiple NB channels and using channel hopping techniques, the UWB device may hop multiple mirror channels and send advertisement/discovery messages according to pre-configured hopping settings.

In this way, in the case where a plurality of NB channels are operated and a channel hopping technique is used, even if a plurality of apparatuses simultaneously use the respective NB channels, since signals (messages) are transmitted from arbitrary channels according to the channel hopping operation, collision between the signals is prevented and communication can be smoothed. Further, in this case, even if the wireless communication environment of any particular channel is not good, since a signal (message) is transmitted while hopping/moving a plurality of channels according to a channel hopping operation, smooth communication can be performed through another channel having a good wireless communication environment.

Embodiments of transmit offset for NB channels

To avoid collisions between messages/frames within a slot (ranging slot), a transmission offset may be used. An example of a ranging cycle to which the transmission offset is applied may be as shown in fig. 19.

Fig. 19 illustrates a ranging cycle to which a transmission offset is applied according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Part (a) of fig. 19 shows a ranging cycle with a transmission offset of 0, and part (b) of fig. 19 shows a ranging cycle with a transmission offset of S ₁ Part (c) of fig. 19 shows a ranging cycle with a transmission offset S ₂ Part (d) of fig. 19 shows a ranging cycle with a transmission offset S ₃ Is a range finding cycle of (a).

The embodiment of fig. 19 may be an embodiment in which a transmission offset is applied, for example, when ranging messages are exchanged in a UWB channel, but is not limited thereto, and may be applied to message transmission in an NB channel, for example. The description of the transmission offset may refer to the description of IEEE 802.15.4z.

Referring to fig. 19, a start time point (reference time point) of the transmission offset may be a start time of the ranging slot.

As an embodiment, the controller may determine a transmission offset and transmit information about the transmission offset to the controller. For example, the controller may determine a transmission offset of a next ranging cycle (e.g., a ranging cycle of a next ranging block) and transmit information about the transmission offset to the controller through a ranging control message or another message (e.g., a ranging final message) of a current ranging cycle (e.g., a ranging cycle of a current ranging block). In this case, a corresponding transmission offset may be applied in the next ranging cycle.

As an example, the same transmission offset may be applied in case of transmission of messages/packets within the same ranging cycle. That is, the packet in each ranging slot within the corresponding ranging cycle may be transmitted by applying the same transmission offset.

On the other hand, even when a message/packet is transmitted from the NB channel, a transmission offset needs to be used if necessary in order to avoid collision between a plurality of devices. An example of a slot to which a transmission offset is applied when a message is transmitted from an NB channel may be as shown in fig. 20.

First embodiment

The first embodiment may be an embodiment in which a UWB device transmitting a message through an NB channel determines a transmission offset regardless of whether another terminal (e.g., another UWB device) transmits a message in a corresponding slot of a corresponding NB channel.

Part (a) of fig. 20 may be an example of a slot to which the transmission offset determined according to the first embodiment is applied.

Referring to part (a) of fig. 20, the UWB device may determine an arbitrary delay period x. As an example, the UWB device may determine an arbitrary delay period x based on a specific time arbitrarily selected within a preset time range. As an example, the time range for determining the arbitrary delay period x may be the same time range preset for UWB devices transmitting messages over NB channels.

The UWB device may determine any delay period x as the transmission offset. Thus, in the embodiment of part (a) of fig. 20, since the start time point (reference time point) of the arbitrary delay period x corresponds to the start time point of the corresponding slot, the arbitrary delay period x can be determined as the transmission offset.

As an example, the UWB device may include information about a transmission offset (or any delay period x) in a message (e.g., an announcement message/discovery message) transmitted from a corresponding slot (e.g., a ranging slot determining any delay period x or transmission offset) and transmit the information.

As an example, the same transmission offset may be applied in the associated time slots. For example, in the next slot (e.g., a slot in which the advertisement/discovery message following the current slot is transmitted) of the current slot (e.g., a slot in which the advertisement/discovery message including information about the transmission offset (or any delay period x) is transmitted), the same transmission offset may be applied.

Second embodiment

The second embodiment may be an embodiment in which a UWB device transmitting a message through an NB channel determines a transmission offset considering whether another terminal (e.g., another UWB device) transmits a message in a corresponding slot of a corresponding NB channel.

Part (b) of fig. 20 may be an example of a ranging slot to which the transmission offset determined according to the second embodiment is applied.

Referring to part (b) of fig. 20, the UWB device may recognize/ascertain whether a message has been transmitted from another UWB device during a predetermined specific period y from a start time point of a corresponding slot. As an example, the specific period y for identifying/ascertaining whether another UWB device has transmitted a message may be the same period preset for UWB devices transmitting messages over NB channels.

In case no message is transmitted from another UWB device during a preset specific period y, the UWB device may determine an arbitrary delay period x. As an example, the UWB device may determine an arbitrary delay period x based on a specific time arbitrarily selected within a preset time range. As an example, the time range used to determine the arbitrary delay period x may be the same preset time range used for the UWB device to transmit messages over the NB channel.

The UWB device may determine a period obtained by adding a preset specific period y and an arbitrary delay period x as a transmission offset.

As an example, the UWB device may include information about the transmission offset (or any delay period x) in a message transmitted from the corresponding slot (e.g., a slot in which any delay period x or transmission offset is determined) to the corresponding transmission offset, and transmit the information. For example, the UWB device may include information about the transmission offset (or any delay period x) in an advertisement message/discovery message transmitted from a corresponding slot through the NB channel.

Part (c) of fig. 20 may be another example of a ranging slot to which the transmission offset determined according to the second embodiment is applied.

Referring to part (c) of fig. 20, the UWB device may recognize/ascertain whether a message has been transmitted from another UWB device during a predetermined specific period y from a start time point of a corresponding slot. As an example, the specific period y for identifying/ascertaining whether another UWB device has transmitted a message may be the same period preset for UWB devices transmitting messages over NB channels.

In the case where a message is transmitted from another UWB device during a predetermined specific period y (first period), the UWB device can re-recognize/ascertain from the point in time when the transmission of the corresponding message is completed whether or not a message has been transmitted from another UWB device during the predetermined specific period y' (second period). As an example, as shown in the drawing, the first period y and the second period y' may be the same period, but are not limited thereto. For example, according to some embodiments, the second period y' may be a shorter period than the first period y.

In case no message is transmitted from another UWB device during a preset specific period y', the UWB device may determine an arbitrary delay period x. As an example, the UWB device may determine an arbitrary delay period x based on a specific time arbitrarily selected within a preset time range. As an example, the time range used to determine the arbitrary delay period x may be the same preset time range used for the UWB device to transmit messages over the NB channel.

The UWB device may determine the transmission offset based on a preset specific period y (first period), a preset specific period y' (second period), transmission-related time information (e.g., a transmission start time point, a transmission end time point and/or a transmission period) of UWB messages transmitted from other UWB devices, and/or an arbitrary delay period x. For example, the UWB device may determine a period obtained by summing up a preset specific period y (first period), a period from after the preset specific period y to the end of transmission of a message transmitted from the other UWB device, a preset specific period y' (second period), and an arbitrary delay period x as a transmission offset. For another example, the UWB device may determine a period obtained by summing up a period from a start time point of a slot to a start time point of transmission of a UWB message transmitted from the other UWB device, a transmission duration of the UWB message transmitted from the other UWB device, a preset specific period y' (second period), and an arbitrary delay period x as a transmission offset.

In the above detailed embodiments of the present disclosure, elements included in the present disclosure are expressed in singular or plural according to the presented detailed embodiments. However, for convenience of description, the singular or plural forms are appropriately selected as presented, and the present disclosure is not limited by the elements expressed in the singular or plural. Thus, an element expressed in a plurality of numbers can also include a single element, or an element expressed in the singular can also include a plurality of elements.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of a first ultra-wideband UWB device, the method comprising:

generating an advertisement message providing information about a UWB channel used by the first UWB device; and

broadcasting the announcement message over a narrowband NB channel,

wherein the UWB channel is one of candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communication, an

Wherein the NB channel is a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels.

2. The method according to claim 1,

wherein broadcasting the announcement message includes: broadcasting the advertisement message over the NB channel at a starting point in time of each ranging block used by the UWB channel, an

Wherein the advertisement message includes at least one of:

information about the length of the ranging block,

information about the length of a ranging cycle included in the ranging block,

information about the starting point in time of the ranging cycle,

information about the number of active cycles, or

Information about the channel occupancy time of the UWB channel.

3. The method according to claim 1,

wherein broadcasting the announcement message includes: broadcasting the advertisement message over the NB channel at a beginning time point of each active cycle used by the UWB channel, an

Wherein the advertisement message includes at least one of:

information for identifying whether active loops included in the same ranging block belong to the same session, or

Information indicating which of all active cycles within the corresponding ranging block is the active cycle.

4. The method according to claim 1,

wherein broadcasting the announcement message includes: broadcasting the advertisement message over the NB channel in selected time slots of each ranging block or each activity cycle used by the UWB channel, an

Wherein the advertisement message includes at least one of:

information indicating from which slot the announcement message is sent, or

Information about the length of the time slot.

5. The method according to claim 1,

wherein broadcasting the announcement message includes: broadcasting the announcement message through the NB channel at every preset period in a ranging block used by the UWB channel, and

wherein the advertisement message includes information about a period of a ranging block transmitting the advertisement message.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

broadcasting an additional advertisement message including additional information through a second NB channel different from the NB channel;

Receiving a connection request message for connection establishment from a second UWB device over the second NB channel; and

transmitting a connection confirmation message corresponding to the connection request message to the second UWB device through the second NB channel;

wherein the advertisement message includes information related to the second NB channel.

7. A method of a second ultra-wideband UWB device, the method comprising:

receiving an advertisement message providing information about a UWB channel used by the first UWB device through a narrowband NB channel; and

performing at least one operation for performing UWB ranging by using the UWB channel based on the advertisement message;

Wherein the NB channel is a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels.

8. The method according to claim 7,

wherein the advertisement message is broadcast by the first UWB device over the NB channel at a starting point in time of each ranging block used by the UWB channel, an

Wherein the advertisement message includes at least one of:

information about the length of the ranging block,

Information about the length of a ranging cycle included in the ranging block,

information about the starting point in time of the ranging cycle,

information about the number of active cycles, or

Information about the channel occupancy time of the UWB channel.

9. The method according to claim 7,

wherein the advertisement message is broadcast by the first UWB over the NB channel at a start time point of each active cycle used by the UWB channel, an

Wherein the advertisement message includes at least one of:

10. The method according to claim 7,

wherein the advertisement message is broadcast by the first UWB over the NB channel in each ranging block used by the UWB channel or in selected time slots of each active cycle, an

Wherein the advertisement message includes at least one of:

information indicating from which slot the announcement message is sent, or

Information about the length of the time slot.

11. The method according to claim 7,

wherein the advertisement message is broadcast by the first UWB through the NB channel at preset period intervals in a ranging block used by the UWB channel, an

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving an additional advertisement message including additional information through a second NB channel different from the NB channel;

transmitting a connection request message for connection establishment to the first UWB device through the second NB channel; and

receiving a connection confirmation message corresponding to the connection request message from the first UWB device through the second NB channel;

13. The method of claim 7, wherein performing at least one operation for performing the UWB ranging comprises:

performing an operation for participating in a first UWB ranging session controlled by the first UWB device; or (b)

Performing an operation for configuring a second UWB ranging session controlled by the second UWB device;

Wherein the first UWB ranging session and the second UWB ranging session use the UWB channel.

14. A first ultra wideband UWB device comprising:

at least one transceiver; and

a controller connected to the at least one transceiver,

wherein the controller is configured to:

broadcasting the announcement message over a narrowband NB channel,

Wherein the NB channel is a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels.

15. A second ultra wideband UWB device comprising:

at least one transceiver; and

a controller connected to the at least one transceiver,

wherein the controller is configured to:

Wherein the NB channel is a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels.