CN118303124A - Ultra wideband apparatus for transmitting/receiving a plurality of packets and method of operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for operating a first Ultra Wideband (UWB) device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include: transmitting a ranging control message for UWB communication in a first slot within a ranging round; receiving a first packet transmitted by a second UWB device in a second time slot within a ranging round based on the ranging control message; and receiving a second packet transmitted by the third UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message.

Description

Ultra wideband apparatus for transmitting/receiving a plurality of packets and method of operating the same

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to Ultra Wideband (UWB) communications, and more particularly, to a UWB device for transmitting/receiving a plurality of packets and a method of operating the same.

Background

The internet is a human-centric connected network that generates and consumes information by humans, now evolving into the internet of things (IoT) in which distributed entities such as things exchange and process information without human intervention. Through a connection with a cloud server, everything interconnects (THE INTERNET of everything, ioE) combining IoT technology with big data processing technology have emerged. As IoT enforces the demands for technical elements such as "sensing technology", "wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure", "service interface technology", and "security technology", sensor networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, machine Type Communications (MTC), etc., have recently been investigated.

Such IoT environments may provide intelligent Internet Technology (IT) services that create new value for human life by collecting and analyzing data generated between connected things. With the convergence and combination between existing Information Technology (IT) and various industrial applications, ioT can be applied in a variety of fields including smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, smart grids, healthcare, smart appliances and advanced medical services.

With the development of the wireless communication system as described above, various services can be provided, and accordingly a scheme for efficiently providing these services is required. For example, a ranging technique for measuring a distance between electronic devices by using ultra-wideband may be used.

Disclosure of Invention

[ Technical problem ]

The present disclosure provides a UWB device for transmitting/receiving a plurality of packets and a method of operating the same.

Technical scheme

According to one aspect, a method for operating a first UWB device is provided. A ranging control message for UWB communication is transmitted in a first slot within a ranging round. Based on the ranging control message, a first packet is received from a second UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round. Based on the ranging control message, a second packet is received from the third UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round.

According to one aspect, a method for operating a second UWB device is provided. In a first time slot within a ranging round, a ranging control message for UWB communication is received from a first UWB device. The first packet is transmitted in a second slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message. The second packet is transmitted by the third UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message.

According to one aspect, a first UWB device is provided that includes a transceiver and a controller coupled to the transceiver. The controller is configured to control the transceiver to transmit a ranging control message for UWB communication in a first time slot within a ranging round, receive a first packet from a second UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message, and receive a second packet from a third UWB device in the second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message.

According to one aspect, a second UWB device is provided that includes a transceiver and a controller coupled to the transceiver. The controller is configured to control the transceiver to receive a ranging control message for UWB communication from a first UWB device in a first time slot within a ranging round and to transmit a first packet in a second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message. The second packet is transmitted by the third UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message.

[ Advantageous effects ]

The present disclosure provides a method in which power consumption may be reduced when a UWB device receives UWB packets from a plurality of other UWB devices.

Drawings

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

FIG. 1 illustrates an architecture of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 illustrates a communication system including a plurality of electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of a plurality of electronic devices performing communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 illustrates a structure of a UWB Media Access Control (MAC) frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates a structure of a UWB Physical (PHY) packet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a structure of a ranging block and a ranging round for UWB ranging according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a ranging round for UWB ranging according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates a ranging message exchange procedure according to a ranging scheme according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 9 illustrates a structure of a Synchronization Header (SHR) for UWB ranging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 10A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 10B illustrates a Ranging Device Management (RDM) list field inside an RDM Information Element (IE) according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11B illustrates RDM list fields inside an RDM IE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 12 illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 illustrates a structure of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 14 illustrates a structure of a second UWB device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 15A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 15B illustrates RDM list fields inside an RDM IE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 16A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 16B illustrates RDM list fields inside an RDM IE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 17A illustrates a set of scrambling time stamp sequences (STS) generated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 17B illustrates an STS set generated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 17C illustrates an STS set generated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 18 illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components may be denoted by like reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure.

In the drawings, some elements may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. 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.

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 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, the term "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 term "unit" does not always have a meaning limited to software or hardware. The units may be configured to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to execute one or more processors. Thus, a unit includes, for example, a software element, an object-oriented software element, a class element or task element, a process, a function, an attribute, a procedure, a subroutine, a segment of program code, a driver, 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 Central Processing Units (CPUs) within a reproduction device or a secure multimedia card. Further, the unit may comprise one or more processors.

As used herein, the term "terminal" or "device" may also be referred to as a Mobile Station (MS), user Equipment (UE), user Terminal (UT), wireless terminal, access terminal (ACCESS TERMINAL, AT), terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station (subscriber station, SS), wireless device, wireless communication device, wireless transmit/receive unit (WIRELESS TRANSMIT/receive unit, WTRU), mobile node, mobile phone, or 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 apparatus such as a digital camera having a wireless communication function, a game apparatus having a wireless communication function, a music storage and playback home appliance having a wireless communication function, an internet appliance capable of wireless internet access and browsing, and a portable unit or terminal having an integrated combination of these functions. Further, the terminals may include M2M terminals and MTC terminals/devices, but are not limited thereto. A terminal may also be referred to herein as an electronic device or simply a device.

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.

Herein, communication using UWB will be described by way of example, but 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 communication systems using Bluetooth ^TM or Zigbee ^TM, or the like. 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.

Generally, wireless sensor network technologies are roughly classified into wireless local area network (wireless local area network, WLAN) technologies and wireless personal area network (wireless personal area network, WPAN) technologies according to identification distances. WLAN technology is based on IEEE 802.11 and is capable of accessing the backbone network within a radius of about 100 meters (m). WPAN technology is based on IEEE 802.15 and includes Bluetooth ^TM、ZigBee^TM and UWB. A wireless network implemented by such wireless network technology may include a plurality of electronic devices.

UWB may refer to wireless communication technology using a bandwidth of 500 megahertz (MHz) or higher, or a bandwidth corresponding to a center frequency of 20% or higher, according to the definition of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). UWB may refer to the bandwidth itself over which UWB communications are applied. UWB enables safe and accurate ranging between devices. Thus, UWB is able to make a relative position estimate based on the distance between two devices, or an accurate position estimate based on the distance from a stationary 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 these specific terms may be changed to other forms without departing from the technical ideas of the present disclosure.

For example, an application specific file (ADF) may be a data structure within an application data structure that is capable of hosting an application or application specific data.

An Application Protocol Data Unit (APDU) may be a command and response used when communicating with an application data structure inside a UWB device.

The application specific data may be a file structure having an application level and a root level, including, for example, UWB session data and UWB controller information necessary for a UWB session.

A controller may refer to a ranging device configured to define and control a ranging control message (ranging control messages, RCM) (or control message).

The controlled party may refer to a ranging device configured to use ranging parameters inside an RCM (or control message) received from the controlled party.

The dynamic STS mode may refer to an operation mode in which STS is not repeated during a ranging session, unlike a static STS. In this mode, the STS may be managed by a ranging device and the ranging session key that generates the STS may be managed by a security component.

An applet may refer to an applet that is executed, for example, in a security component that includes service data and UWB parameters. Herein, the applet may be a fine ranging (FINE RANGING, FIRa) applet.

The ranging device may be a device capable of performing UWB ranging. Herein, the ranging device may be an enhanced ranging device (ENHANCED RANGING DEVICE, ERDEV) defined by IEEE 802.15.4z or a FIRa device defined by FIRa. The ranging device may be referred to as a UWB device.

UWB-enabled applications may refer to applications for UWB services. For example, the UWB-enabled application may be an application that uses a framework Application Programming Interface (API) to configure out-of-band (OOB) connectors for UWB sessions, security services, and/or UWB services. The UWB-enabled application may be referred to herein as an application or UWB application. The UWB-enabled application may be a FIRa-enabled application defined by FIRa.

A framework may refer to a component configured to provide access to profiles, individual UWB configurations, and/or notifications. For example, the framework may be a collection of logical software components including a profile manager, OOB connectors, security services, and/or UWB services. Herein, the frame may be a FIRa frame defined by FIRa.

OOB connectors may refer to software components for configuring OOB connections (e.g., bluetooth low energy (BluetoothTM low energy, BLE) connections) between ranging devices. Herein, the OOB connector may be a FIRa OOB connector defined by FIRa.

A profile may refer to a predetermined set of UWB and OOB configuration parameters. Herein, the profile may be a FIRa profile defined by FIRa.

A profile manager may refer to a software component configured to implement a profile that may be used by a ranging device. Herein, the profile manager may be a FIRa profile manager defined by FIRa.

The service may be an implementation of a use case that provides the service to the end user.

The intelligent ranging device may refer to a ranging device capable of implementing an optional framework API. Herein, the smart ranging device may be a FIRa smart device defined by FIRa.

Global special files (GDFs) may refer to the root level of application specific data that includes data necessary to configure a USB session.

The framework API may refer to an API used by the UWB-enabled application to communicate with the framework.

The initiator may refer to a ranging device configured to initiate a ranging exchange.

The object identifier (object identifier, OID) may refer to an identifier of the ADF inside the application data structure.

OOB may refer to a data communication as the underlying wireless technology that does not use UWB.

The Ranging Data Set (RDS) may refer to data necessary to configure a UWB session (e.g., UWB session key, session ID, etc.), the confidentiality, authenticity, and integrity of which need to be protected.

A responder may refer to a ranging device configured to respond to an initiator in connection with a ranging exchange.

STS may refer to an encryption sequence that is used to increase the integrity and accuracy of the ranging measurement time stamps. STS may be generated from the ranging session key.

The secure channel may refer to a data channel for protection against overheating and tampering.

A security component may refer to an entity (e.g., a Secure Element (SE) or trusted execution environment (trusted execution environment, TEE)) having a security level defined as follows: interact with the UWB subsystem (UWBS) to provide RDS to UWBS when using, for example, dynamic STS.

SE may refer to a tamper-resistant secure hardware component that may be used as a secure component inside a ranging device.

The security ranging may refer to ranging based on STS generated through a strong encryption operation.

A security service may refer to a software component for interacting with a security component such as a secure element or TEE.

A service applet may refer to an applet that is related to a security component that handles service specific transactions.

Service data may refer to data provided to a service provider that needs to communicate the service data between two ranging devices to effectuate a service.

A service provider may refer to an entity configured to define and provide the hardware and software necessary to provide a particular service to an end user.

The static STS mode refers to an operation mode in which STS is repeated during a session, and is not necessarily managed by a security component.

A Secure UWB Service (SUS) applet may refer to an applet associated with an SE that communicates with the applet to search for data necessary to implement a secure UWB session with another ranging device. In addition, the SUS applet may transmit corresponding data (information) to UWBS.

UWB services may refer to software components configured to provide access to UWBS.

UWB sessions may refer to a period of time between a controller and a slave beginning communication via UWB and they stopping communication. UWB sessions may include ranging, data transfer, or both ranging/data transfer.

The UWB session ID may refer to an ID (e.g., 32 bit shaping) that identifies a UWB session shared between the controlling and the controlled parties.

The UWB session key may refer to a key used to secure a UWB session. The UWB session key may be used to generate STS. Herein, the UWB session key may be a UWB ranging session key (UWB ranging session key, URSK) and may be referred to simply as a session key.

UWBS may refer to hardware components configured to implement UWB PHY and MAC layers. UWBS may have an interface with respect to the framework and an interface with respect to the security component for searching RDS. Herein, UWB PHY and MAC specifications may be, for example, the FIRa PHY and FIRa MAC specifications defined by FIRa with reference to IEEE 802.15.4/4 z.

One-way ranging (OWR) may refer to a ranging scheme using a time difference of arrival (TDoA) positioning method. The TDoA method locates a mobile device based on the relative arrival times of a single message or multiple messages. For a description of OWR (TDoA), reference may be made to the description in IEEE 802.15.4z. Examples of the OWR scheme may include a Downlink (DL) -TDoA (DT) scheme.

DT may refer to a positioning method using TDoA measurements from multiple DT anchors. The DT-anchor may exchange DT messages (DT MESSAGE, DTM) (ranging messages) with each other and the DT-tag may passively receive DTM. Each DT tag of the receiving DTM may calculate TDoA by using at least one of a reception time stamp of each DTM, a transmission time stamp of a DTM included in the corresponding DTM, or a response time included in the DTM. The DT-tag may estimate its position by using at least one of the calculated TDoA or coordinates of the DT-anchor.

Two-ray ranging (TWR) may refer to a ranging scheme in which the relative distance between two devices may be estimated by exchanging ranging messages between the two devices to measure time of flight (ToF). The TWR scheme may be one of double-side two-way ranging (DS-TWR) and single-side two-way ranging (ingle-side two-WAY RANGING, SS-TWR). The SS-TWR may correspond to a procedure of performing ranging through a single round trip time measurement. The DS-TWR may correspond to a procedure of performing ranging through two round trip time measurements. For descriptions of SS-TWR and DS-TWR, reference may be made to descriptions in IEEE 802.15.4z.

UWB messages may refer to messages that include a payload IE sent by a UWB device (e.g., ERDEV).

Ranging messages may refer to messages sent by UWB devices (e.g., ERDEV) during UWB ranging. For example, the ranging message may be a message sent by a UWB device (e.g., ERDEV) at a particular stage of a ranging round, such as a ranging initiation message (ranging initiation message, RIM), a ranging response message (ranging response message, RRM), a ranging final message (RANGING FINAL MESSAGE, RFM), or a measurement report message (measurement report message, MRM). The ranging message may include at least one UWB message. Multiple ranging messages may be combined into a single message if desired. For example, in the case of non-delayed DS-TWR ranging, the RFM and MRM may be combined into a single message at the ranging final stage.

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 the channels allocated for UWB communications defined by IEEE 802.15.4/4 z. UWB channels may be used for UWB ranging and/or transactions. For example, UWB channels may be used to transmit/receive ranging frames (RANGING FRAME, RFRAME) and/or to transmit/receive data frames.

A Narrowband (NB) channel may refer to a channel having a narrower bandwidth than a UWB channel. The NB channel may be a subchannel of one of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications. The candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications may be the channels allocated for UWB communications defined by IEEE 802.15.4/4 z. NB channels can be used for connection configuration for broadcast, device discovery, and/or additional parameter negotiation/authentication. For example, NB channels can be used to send/receive broadcast messages, additional broadcast messages, connection request messages, and/or connection acknowledgement messages.

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

Fig. 1 illustrates an architecture of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Herein, the electronic device may be one of various types of electronic devices. For example, the electronic device may be a portable device (e.g., UE, smart phone, wearable device, vehicle, tag device) or a stationary device (e.g., door lock, anchor device, etc.).

Referring to fig. 1, an electronic device 100 may include a PHY layer 110, a MAC layer (MAC sublayer) 120, and/or a higher layer 130.

(1) PHY layer

The PHY layer 110 may include a low-level control entity and at least one transceiver. The transceiver may be referred to herein as an RF transceiver or a radio transceiver.

The at least one transceiver may include a first transceiver supporting UWB communications (e.g., 802.15.4z-based UWB communications), a second transceiver supporting NB communications using a narrower bandwidth than that of UWB communications, and/or a third transceiver supporting a different communication technology (e.g., bluetooth, BLE, etc.). Herein, the first transceiver may be referred to as a UWB transceiver, the second transceiver may be referred to as an NB transceiver, and the third transceiver may be referred to as an OOB transceiver. A single transceiver may support multiple communication technologies. For example, a single transceiver may support UWB communications and NB communications.

The PHY layer 110 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 (CLEAR CHANNEL ASSESSMENT, CCA) function

-Synchronization function

-Low level signalling functions

UWB ranging, positioning (positioning) and localization (localization) functions

-Spectrum resource management function

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

(2) MAC layer

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

The MAC layer 120 may provide two services as follows:

-MAC data service: service for enabling a MAC Protocol Data Unit (PDU) to be transmitted/received through PHY

-MAC management service: a service for connecting to a MAC sublayer management entity (MLME) Service Access Point (SAP) (MLME-SAP).

The MAC layer 120 may support at least one of the following functions:

-device discovery and connection configuration functions

Channel access function (function for accessing physical channels (e.g., NB channel/UWB channel/OOB channel))

-Synchronization function

Interference mitigation function based on energy detection

-NB signaling related functions

-Guaranteed time slot (guaranteed timeslot, GTS) management function

Frame transfer function

UWB ranging function

PHY parameter change notification function

Safety function

(3) High-rise building

The higher layers 130 may include a network layer configured to provide functions such as network configuration and message routing and/or an application layer configured to provide the intended functions of the device. The application layer may be a UWB-enabled application layer for providing UWB services.

Fig. 2 illustrates a communication system including a plurality of electronic devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 2, a communication system 200 may include a first electronic device 210 and a second electronic device 220. The first electronic device 210 and/or the second electronic device 220 may be the electronic device 100 of fig. 1.

The first electronic device 210 may communicate with the second electronic device 220 for device discovery, connection configuration, ranging (e.g., UWB ranging), data communication, and/or other purposes.

The first electronic device 210 may communicate with the second electronic device 220 using a pre-configured communication scheme (technique). For example, the first electronic device 210 may perform wireless communication with the second electronic device 220 by using a UWB communication scheme, an NB communication scheme, and/or an OOB communication scheme.

Herein, according to the UWB communication scheme, communication may be performed by using at least one of the candidate UWB channels allocated to UWB communication. Examples of candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications are provided in table 1 below:

TABLE 1

Note that the frequency bands represent a sequence of adjacent HRPUWB center frequencies: band 0 is a sub-gigahertz channel, band 1 has a low frequency band HRPUWB channel, band 2 has a high frequency band channel

Herein, 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.

NB communications may support at least one NB channel having a narrower bandwidth than UWB channels.

The NB channels may be sub-channels of the candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications. As described above, examples of candidate UWB channels allocated for UWB communications are given in table 1 above.

As shown in table 1, the candidate UWB channels have primarily bandwidths of 500MHz or higher. Therefore, if used as is, it is disadvantageous for the power spectral density (energy detection) and it may be necessary to divide the corresponding channel into a plurality of sub-channels (NB channels) which may then be used. For example, it may be necessary to use NB channels for device discovery (or broadcast) and/or connection configuration.

Fig. 3 illustrates a method of a plurality of electronic devices performing communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first electronic device 301 and the second electronic device 302 in fig. 3 may be, for example, the electronic devices in fig. 1 or fig. 2.

Referring to fig. 3, a first electronic device 301 and a second electronic device 302 may perform a device search/connection configuration process 310 and a data communication process 320. The device search/connection configuration process 310 and the data communication process 320 may be managed or controlled by a MAC layer (entity) of the electronic device.

(1) Device search/connection configuration procedure

Herein, the device search/connection configuration process 310 may be a preliminary process performed before the data communication process 320. The device search/connection configuration process 310 may be performed by OOB communication (channel), NB communication (channel), and/or UWB communication (channel).

The device search/connection configuration process 310 may include at least one of the following operations:

-a device search operation: the electronic device searches (discovers) the operation of another UWB device. The device search operation may include an operation of transmitting/receiving a broadcast message. The device search operation may be referred to herein as a discovery operation or a broadcast operation.

Connection configuration operation: the two electronic devices configure the operation of the connection. The connection configuration operation may include an operation of transmitting/receiving a connection request message and a connection confirmation message. The connection (channel) used for connection configuration operations may be used to configure and control UWB sessions for data communications. For example, parameters for configuring a UWB session (e.g., UWB performance parameters (slave performance parameters), UWB configuration parameters, session key related parameters) may be negotiated between two electronic devices through a secure channel configured via a connection configuration operation.

(2) Data communication process

Herein, the data communication process 320 may be a process of transmitting/receiving data by using UWB communication. The data communication process may be performed by using UWB communication or NB communication.

The data communication process 320 may include at least one of the following operations:

-UWB ranging operation: the electronic device performs UWB ranging operations with another electronic device according to a pre-configured UWB ranging scheme (e.g., OWR, SS-TWR, DS-TWR scheme). UWB ranging operations may include ToF measurement operations and/or angle of arrival (AoA) measurement operations.

Transaction operations: an operation of the electronic device exchanging service data with another electronic device.

Fig. 4 illustrates a structure of a UWB MAC frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, a UWB MAC frame may follow a MAC frame structure according to IEEE 802.15.4z. UWB MAC frames may be referred to herein simply as MAC frames or frames. UWB MAC frames may be used to communicate UWB data (e.g., UWB messages, ranging messages, control information, service data, application data, transaction data, etc.).

Referring to fig. 4, the uwb MAC frame may include a MAC Header (MHR), a MAC payload, and/or a MAC trailer (MFR).

(1) MAC header

The MAC header may include a frame control field, a sequence number field, a destination address field, a source address field, an auxiliary security header field, and/or at least one header IE field. Some fields may not be included in the MAC header.

The frame control field may include a frame type field, a security-enabled field, a frame pending (pending) field, an AR field, a PAN ID compression field, a sequence number suppression field, an IE present field, a destination addressing mode field, a frame version field, and/or a source addressing mode field. Each field will now be described.

The frame type field may indicate the type of frame. The type of frame may include a data type and/or a multi-purpose type.

The security-enabled field may indicate whether a secondary security header field is present. The auxiliary security header field may include information necessary for security processing.

The frame pending field may indicate whether the device transmitting the frame has more data for the recipient. That is, the frame pending field may inform the recipient whether there is a pending frame.

The AR field may indicate whether the recipient requests an acknowledgement regarding the receipt of the frame.

The PAN ID compression field may indicate whether a PAN ID field is present.

The sequence number suppression field may indicate whether a sequence number field is present. The sequence number field may indicate a sequence identifier associated with the frame.

The IE present field may indicate whether a header IE field and a payload IE field are included in the frame.

The destination addressing mode field may indicate whether the destination address field includes a short address (e.g., 16 bits) or an extended address (e.g., 64 bits). The destination address field may indicate the address of the frame recipient.

The frame version field may indicate the version of the frame. For example, the frame version field may be configured to have a value indicating IEEE std 802.15.4z-2020.

The source addressing mode field may indicate whether a source address field is present, and when the source address field is present, may indicate whether the source address field includes a short address (e.g., 16 bits) or an extended address (e.g., 64 bits). The source address field may indicate the address of the frame initiator.

(2) MAC payload

The MAC payload may include at least one payload IE field. The payload IE field may include a vendor specific nested IE. The payload IE field may include a payload IE field of a UWB message or a control message.

(3) MAC (media access control) newspaper tail

The MAC trailer may include an FCS field. The FCS field may include a 16-bit CRC or a 32-bit CRC.

Fig. 5 illustrates a structure of a UWB PHY packet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In fig. 5 (a), the structure of a UWB PHY packet without the STS packet configuration applied thereto is shown. In fig. 5 (b), a structure of a UWB PHY packet having an STS packet configuration applied thereto is shown. The UWB PHY packet may be referred to herein as a PHY packet, a PHY PDU (PPDU), or a frame.

Referring to fig. 5 (a), the PPDU may include a synchronization header (synchronization header, SHR), a PHY header (PHY HEADER, PHR), and a PHY Payload (PSDU). The PSDU may include a MAC frame, and as shown in fig. 4, the MAC frame may include a MAC header (MAC HEADER, MHR), a MAC payload, and/or a MAC trailer (MFR). Herein, the synchronization header portion may be referred to as a preamble, and the portion including the PHY header and the PHY payload may be referred to as a data portion.

The synchronization header is used for synchronization of signal reception, and may include a SYNC field and a start-of-FRAME DELIMITER (SFD) field.

The SYNC field may be a field including a plurality of preamble symbols for synchronization between transmission/reception apparatuses. The preamble symbol may be configured by one of the predetermined preambles.

The SFD field may be a field indicating the end of the SHR and the start of the data field.

The PHY header may provide information regarding the configuration of the PHY payload. For example, the PHY header may include information about the length of the PSDU, information indicating whether the current frame is RFRAME, etc.

The PHY layer of the UWB device may include a selectable mode for providing reduced air time for high density/low power operation. In this case, the UWB PHY packet may include an encryption sequence (e.g., STS) for increasing the integrity and accuracy of the ranging measurement time stamp. The STS may be included in an STS field of the UWB PHY packet and may be used for secure ranging.

Referring to (b) of fig. 5, when the STS packet (STS PACKET, SP) configuration is 0 (SP 0), the STS field is not included in the PPDU (SP 0 packet). When the SP configuration is 1 (SP 1), the STS field immediately follows the Start of Frame Delimiter (SFD) field and precedes the PHR field (SP 1 packet). When the SP configuration is 2 (SP 2), the STS field is located after the PHY payload (SP 2 packet). When the SP configuration is 3 (SP 3), the STS field immediately follows the SFD field, and the PPDU does not include PHR and a data field (PHY payload) (SP 3 packet). That is, in the case of SP3, the PPDU does not include PHR and PHY payload.

According to the embodiment in fig. 5 (b), each UWB PHY packet may include RMARKER for defining a reference time, and RMARKER may be used to acquire a ranging message (frame) transmission time, reception time, and/or time interval during UWB ranging.

Fig. 6 illustrates a structure of a ranging block and a ranging round for UWB ranging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Herein, the ranging block refers to a period of time for ranging. The ranging round may be a sufficient duration to complete the entire ranging cycle (ranging cycle) handled by a group of UWB devices participating in the ranging exchange. The ranging slot may be a sufficient duration to transmit at least one ranging frame (RANGING FRAME, RFRAME) (e.g., ranging initiate/respond/end message, etc.).

As shown in fig. 6, the ranging block may include at least one ranging round, and each ranging round may include at least one ranging slot.

When the ranging mode is a block-based mode, the average time between consecutive rounds may be constant. Alternatively, when the ranging mode is an interval-based mode, the time between successive ranging rounds may be dynamically changed. That is, the interval-based pattern may employ a temporal structure with adaptive intervals.

The number of time slots included in a ranging round and their duration may vary between ranging rounds.

The ranging blocks, ranging rounds, and ranging slots may be referred to herein simply as blocks, rounds, and slots, respectively.

Fig. 7 illustrates a structure of a ranging round for UWB ranging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 7, the ranging round may include a plurality of ranging slots. Within a ranging round, a ranging control phase (ranging control phase, RCP), a ranging phase (RANGING PHASE, RP) and a measurement reporting phase (measurement report phase, MRP) may be performed.

The RCP may be the stage in the ranging round where the controller sends a ranging control message (ranging control message, RCMP). The RCM may be a message sent by the controller in the first slot (e.g., slot 0) of the ranging round in order to construct the ranging parameters.

RP may be the stage of sending/receiving messages for UWB ranging within a ranging round. The RP may include at least one of a ranging initiation phase (ranging initiation phase, RIP), a ranging response phase (ranging response phase, RRP), and a ranging final phase (RANGING FINAL PHASE, RFP).

RIP may be a stage in which at least one initiator transmits at least one ranging initiation message. RRP may be the stage of at least one response to the initiator sending at least one response message. RFP may be a stage in which an initiating party sends at least one ranging final message to at least one responding party.

MRP may be the stage of exchanging ranging measurements and related service information within a ranging round.

The RCP may be performed in a first ranging slot within a ranging round. The ranging control phase may be performed in at least one ranging slot.

RP may be performed in ranging slots from the second ranging slot to the kth (K is a natural number equal to or greater than 3) ranging slot within the ranging round. The ranging phase may be performed in at least one ranging slot.

MRP may be performed in ranging slots from the (k+1) th ranging slot to the L (L is a natural number equal to or greater than 5) th ranging slot within a ranging round. The measurement reporting phase may be performed in at least one ranging slot.

A UWB device configured to perform UWB ranging may occupy at least one ranging slot in order to transmit UWB packets. The ranging slot allocation information may be included in an RCM transmitted in an RCP.

To guarantee packet processing time and avoid interference, the length of the ranging slot may be implemented to be greater than the packet length. The transmission time point within the ranging slot is basically a slot start time point, but the transmission time point within the ranging slot may be adjusted by an offset.

The RCM transmitted in the RCP may include a Ranging Round (RR) IE. The RCM including the RR IE may be transmitted in the beginning portion of the ranging slot within the first ranging round of the ranging message exchange.

The RR IE may be used to signal the ranging round information. The RR IE may include information about the current ranging round (e.g., the ranging round in the current ranging block i) and/or the next ranging round (e.g., the ranging round in the next ranging block i+1).

The RR IE may be configured in the content field format in table 2. For example, the RR IE may include a ranging block index, a hopping pattern field, a round index field, and a transmission offset field.

TABLE 2

Octets: 2	Bits: 0	1-15	Octets: 2
				Ranging block index	Hopping pattern	Wheel index	Transmitting an offset

The ranging block index field may specify an index of the ranging block and the hopping pattern field may specify a hopping pattern for the ranging block (e.g., 0 indicates no hopping and 1 indicates hopping).

The round index field may specify a round index for a ranging block, and the transmit offset field may specify a transmit offset value for a round of ranging in the ranging block. The transmission offset field may correspond to a value obtained by subtracting the packet duration from the ranging slot duration.

The RCM transmitted in the RCP may include an RDM IE. The RDM IE may allocate ranging slots and device roles (e.g., initiator or responder) in a ranging round.

In the case of time scheduled ranging, the controller may select a participating ranging device using the RDM IE, designate the role of the corresponding device as an initiator or a responder, and allocate a slot of the corresponding device.

The RDM IE may be configured in the content field format in table 3. For example, the RDM IE may include a SIU field (SIU), an address size field, an RDM list length field, and an RDM list field

TABLE 3 Table 3

Bits: 0	1	2-7	Octets: variable
				SIU	Address size	RDM list Length	RDM list

The SIU field may indicate whether the slot index field of the RDM list element is used (e.g., if the SIU field is1, the slot index field is used).

The address size field may specify the size of the address used in the RDM list field. For example, if the address size field is "0", all addresses of the RDM list element may be short addresses, and if the address size is "1", all addresses may be extended addresses.

The RDM list length field may indicate the number of elements in the RDM list field.

The RDM list field may be configured in the element format in table 4. For example, the RDM list field may include a ranging role field, a ranging slot index field, and an address field.

TABLE 4 Table 4

Bits: 0	1-7	Octets: 2/8
			Ranging role	Ranging slot index	Address of

The ranging role field may specify whether the selected device is an initiator or a responder. When the slot index field of the RDM list element is used (e.g., when the SIU field is "1"), the ranging slot index field may be used to assign a slot index to a device.

An address field may be used to identify each participating device. The size of the address field may be specified by an address size field within RDMIE.

Fig. 8 illustrates a ranging message exchange procedure according to a ranging scheme according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The embodiment in fig. 8 shows that the time of the ranging cycle (ranging according to the ranging scheme (type)

Round), exchange messages for ranging. The ranging scheme (type) used may be indicated by RCM. The RCM may transmit in the first slot of the corresponding ranging round.

<OWR>

Referring to fig. 8, a ranging procedure (OWR procedure) using an OWR scheme may include at least one stage for ranging message exchange. The OWR process may include RCP, RIP, RRP, RFP, MRP and/or ranging control update phases (ranging control update phase, RCUP). The description of the various stages is as follows:

RCP: and a stage of transmitting a ranging control message (ranging control message, RCM) by the control device. The RCM of the OWR procedure may also be referred to as a poll message.

RIP: and a stage in which the one or more initiating devices send ranging initiation messages (ranging initiation message, RIM) to the one or more responding devices.

RRP: and a stage of transmitting a ranging response message (ranging response message, RRM) to the initiating device by the responding device.

MRP: the devices participating in ranging exchange ranging measurements and related service information via measurement reports (measurement report, MR).

RCUP: a stage of transmitting a ranging control update message (ranging control update message, RCUM) by the control device. RCUP, if present, may be the last slot of a set of ranging rounds specified by the RCM.

<SS-TWR>

Referring to fig. 8, a ranging procedure using a TWR scheme (TWR procedure) may include at least one stage for ranging message exchange.

Referring to fig. 8, the twr process may include RCP, RIP, RRP, MRP and/or RCUP. RCP: the stage of the control device transmitting the RCM.

RIP: and a stage in which the one or more initiating devices send the RIM to the one or more responding devices.

RRP: and the responding device sends RRM to the initiating device.

MRP: the devices participating in ranging exchange ranging measurements and related service information via measurement reports (measurement report, MR).

RCUP: stage of control device transmitting RCUM. RCUP, if present, may be the last slot of a set of ranging rounds specified by the RCM.

The stages including RIP and RRP may be referred to as RP.

As shown in fig. 8, the RCP and RIP may be combined into a single stage in the SS-TWR process. For example, when a single electronic device performs both the role of the originating device and the role of the controlling device, the RCP and RIP may be combined into a single phase. In this case, in the combining phase, a single ranging message may be transmitted, which includes all information included in the RCM and RIM.

<DS-TWR>

Referring to fig. 8, a ranging procedure using a TWR scheme (TWR procedure) may include at least one stage for ranging message exchange.

Referring to fig. 8, the twr process may include RCP, RIP, RRP, RFP, MRP and/or RCUP. The description of the various stages is as follows:

RCP: the stage of the control device transmitting the RCM.

RIP: and a stage in which the one or more initiating devices send the RIM to the one or more responding devices.

RRP: and the responding device sends RRM to the initiating device.

RFP: the initiating device sends the RFM phase to one or more responding devices.

MRP: the devices participating in ranging exchange ranging measurements and related service information through MR.

RCUP: stage of control device transmitting RCUM. RCUP, if present, may be the last slot of a set of ranging rounds specified by the RCM.

Stages including RIP, RRP, and RFP may be referred to as RP.

In the DS-TWR process, the RCP and RIP may be combined into a single stage. For example, when a single electronic device performs both the role of the originating device and the role of the controlling device, the RCP and RIP may be combined into a single phase. In this case, in the combining stage, a single ranging message including all information included in the RCM and RIM may be transmitted.

< Many-to-many SS-TWR/many-to-many DS-TWR >

Referring to fig. 8, ss-TWR and DS-TWR may be performed between multiple initiators and multiple responders. In this case, in order to transmit RIM through multiple initiators, the RIP may include a number of ranging slots corresponding to the number of the multiple initiators. The scheduling of ranging slots in the RIP used by each initiator to transmit its RIM may be indicated by the RCM.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a structure of SHR for UWB ranging according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The SHR shown in fig. 9 may be the same or substantially the same as the SHR shown in fig. 5 (a). The SYNC field and SFD shown in fig. 9 may be the same or substantially the same as the SYNC field and SFD shown in fig. 5 (b).

Referring to fig. 9, the period in which the shr is transmitted may be configured as T _pre, the period in which the SYNC field is transmitted may be configured as T _SYNC, and the period in which the SFD field is transmitted may be configured as T _SFD.

The SYNC field is configured as a code (known code) that is known between UWB devices and can be used to synchronize the reception time points of UWB devices. The SYNC field may be configured based on a ternary code. When the SYNC field is configured, each channel may use a different code, and a different code index may be assigned to each code.

The SYNC field may include a length 31 triple code as in table 5. For example, each code sequence may be assigned a different code index, and UWB channel numbers may be preconfigured for each code sequence.

TABLE 5

The SYNC field may include a length 127 triple code as in table 6.

TABLE 6

A UWB device configured to perform ranging occupies ranging slots and transmits UWB packets, and with respect to each ranging slot, only one UWB device is able to transmit packets. However, if only one UWB device can transmit a packet with respect to each ranging slot, the UWB device receiving the packet needs to guarantee a long RX time, and this may increase power consumption.

UWB has a very short transmission time compared to other wireless communication technologies and therefore has a low level of TX power consumption, but a large amount of RX power consumption. In view of the characteristics of electronic devices using various wireless communication technologies, RX power consumption may be a burden when UWB is operated, and thus a scheme of reducing power consumption by minimizing/optimizing RX time is required.

A method is provided in which multiple UWB devices transmit multiple packets in a single ranging slot in order to reduce power consumption by minimizing/optimizing the RX time of each UWB device.

Multiple UWB devices may transmit multiple packets in a single ranging slot through a time division scheme, a code division scheme, or an STS parallel transmission scheme.

Time division refers herein to a scheme in which multiple UWB devices transmit packets in a single ranging slot at different points in time (i.e., by using small slots). Code division refers to a scheme in which multiple UWB devices transmit packets through different codes in a single ranging slot. STS parallel transmission refers to a scheme in which a plurality of UWB devices transmit packets through different STS (STS configured by different codes) in a single ranging slot.

Time division is described in more detail in fig. 10A below, code division is described in more detail in fig. 11A below, and STS parallel transmission is described in more detail in fig. 12 below.

Applying time or code division may be preconfigured for each of the plurality of UWB devices such that the plurality of UWB devices transmit a plurality of packets in a single ranging slot.

The transmission control information (e.g., RCM) transmitted through the narrowband or UWB may include an indicator for selecting time division or code division. For example, in the case of a one-bit indicator, if the indicator is "1", the time division may be configured, and if the indicator is "0", the code division may be configured.

When a plurality of UWB devices have been allocated to a single ranging slot, time division or code division may be configured according to a transmission offset field value included in the RR IE in table 1. For example, when a plurality of UWB devices have been allocated to a single ranging slot, and when the transmission offset field value included in the RR IE is "0", the code division may be configured. For example, when a plurality of UWB devices have been allocated to a single ranging slot, and when the transmission offset field value included in the RR IE is "1", time division may be configured.

Fig. 10A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 10A, a first UWB device may perform the role of an initiator, a second UWB device may perform the role of a first responder, a third UWB device may perform the role of a second responder, a fourth UWB device may perform the role of a third responder, and a fifth UWB device may perform the role of a fourth responder.

Although the first UWB device is illustrated in fig. 10A as performing the role of the initiator that transmits control information (e.g., the first UWB device performs the roles of the controller and the initiator), the first UWB device may perform the role of the controller that transmits control information and the other UWB device performs the role of the initiator that transmits ranging initiation messages.

Although five UWB devices are shown in fig. 10A as performing the role of an initiator/responder for convenience of description, the technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the number of UWB devices performing the role of an initiator or responder may be variously implemented.

Referring to fig. 10A, a single ranging round may include a first slot (slot 0), a second slot (slot 1), and a third slot (slot 2). The first UWB device (initiator) may transmit the transmission control information (e.g., UWB RCM) through UWB or narrowband transmission at a start time point of the first time slot (time slot 0). The transmission offset of the transmission control information (e.g., UWB RCM) may be configured as "offset timing #0".

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the second UWB device (responder 1) may transmit a packet including SHR or the first SP3 type (in case of SP configuration 3) packet (shr+sts 0) at a start time of the second slot (slot 1). The transmission offset of a packet including SHR or the first SP3 type packet may be configured as "offset timing #2" in the second slot (slot 1).

The first SP3 type packet may include SHR and a first encryption sequence (STS 0). The first SP3 type packet may be a ranging response message transmitted in the RP of fig. 7.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a packet including the SHR or the second SP3 type packet (shr+sts 1) at an intermediate time point of the second time slot (time slot 1). The transmission offset of the packet including the SHR or the second SP3 type packet may be configured as "offset timing #3" in the second slot (slot 1).

The second SP3 type packet may include SHR and a second encryption sequence (STS 1). The second SP3 type packet may be configured to include a different STS than the first SP3 type packet. The second SP3 type packet may be a ranging response message transmitted in the RP of fig. 7.

Each of the second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a packet including a SHR or SP3 type packet by changing a transmission offset in the second time slot (time slot 1). The transmit offset may be configured by a transmit offset field within the RR IE in table 1.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fourth UWB device (responder 3) may transmit a packet including SHR or a third SP3 type packet (preamble+sts 2) at a start time point of the third slot (slot 2). The transmission offset of the packet including the SHR or the third SP3 type packet may be configured as "offset timing #4" in the third slot (slot 2).

The third SP3 type packet may include a preamble and a third encryption sequence (STS 2). The third SP3 type packet may be a ranging response message transmitted in the RP of fig. 7.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit a packet including a SHR or a fourth SP3 type packet (preamble+sts 3) at an intermediate time point of the third time slot (time slot 2). The transmission offset of the packet including the SHR or the fourth SP3 type packet may be configured as "offset timing #5" in the third slot (slot 2).

The fourth SP3 type packet may include SHR and a fourth encryption sequence (STS 3). The fourth SP3 type packet may be a ranging response message transmitted in the RP of fig. 7.

Each of the fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit a packet including a SHR or SP3 type packet by changing a transmission offset in the third slot (slot 2). The transmit offset may be configured by a transmit offset field within the RR IE in table 1.

The length of the small slot in the ranging slot may be differently configured according to the transmission offset value in the RR IE in table 1. The number of small slots included in the ranging slot may also be implemented differently if the transmission offset value in the RR IE is configured to various numbers.

Fig. 10B illustrates RDM list fields inside an RDM IE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The RDM list field shown in fig. 10B may include the same ranging role field, ranging slot index field, and address field as the RDM list field in table 3. The various fields within the RDM list field have been described in detail with reference to table 3 and will not be repeated herein.

Referring to fig. 10b, the rdm list field may allocate a plurality of UWB devices and a plurality of device addresses with respect to a single ranging slot index. The number of UWB devices or device addresses may be configured to be less than the number of small slots in the ranging slots.

UWB devices assigned to the same ranging slot index in the RDM list field may be assigned to individual minislots according to the order included in the RDM list.

Referring to fig. 10A and 10B, the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2), the first address (address of responder 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1), and the second address (address of responder 2) may be allocated to the third UWB device (responder 2).

The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) assigned to the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit packets according to the order included in the RDM list. For example, a second UWB device (responder 1) may transmit a first packet in a ranging slot index (slot 1) and a third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a second packet in the ranging slot index (slot 1).

Fig. 11A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 11A, a first UWB device may perform the role of an initiator, a second UWB device may perform the role of a first responder, a third UWB device may perform the role of a second responder, a fourth UWB device may perform the role of a third responder, and a fifth UWB device may perform the role of a fourth responder.

Although the first UWB device is illustrated in fig. 11A as performing the role of the initiator that transmits control information (i.e., the first UWB device performs the roles of the controller and the initiator), the first UWB device may perform the role of the controller that transmits control information and the other UWB device may perform the role of the initiator that transmits ranging initiation messages.

Although five UWB devices are shown in fig. 11A as performing the role of an initiator/responder for convenience of description, the technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the number of UWB devices performing the role of an initiator or responder may be variously implemented.

Referring to fig. 11A, a single ranging round may include a first slot (slot 0), a second slot (slot 1), and a third slot (slot 2). The first UWB device (initiator) may transmit transmission control information (e.g., UWB Ranging Control Message (RCM)) through UWB or a narrowband at a start time point of the first time slot (time slot 0).

The first UWB device (initiator) may assign a ranging slot and a preamble to each of the second UWB device (responder 1) to the fifth UWB device (responder 4). Multiple responders may transmit in a single ranging slot and may transmit preambles orthogonally.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the second UWB device (responder 1) may transmit a packet including the first synchronization header (SHR 1) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a packet including a third synchronization header (SHR 3) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit packets by using different configured Synchronization Headers (SHRs) in the second time slot (time slot 1), respectively. The first synchronization header (SHR 1) and the third synchronization header (SHR 3) may be configured based on different codes (e.g., different tri-codes) in the SYNC field, respectively.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB Ranging Control Message (RCM)), the fourth UWB device (responder 3) may transmit a packet including a third synchronization header (SHR 3) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third time slot (time slot 2).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB Ranging Control Message (RCM)), the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit a packet including the second synchronization header (SHR 2) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third time slot (time slot 2).

The fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit packets by using different configurations of Synchronization Headers (SHRs) in the third time slot (time slot 2), respectively. The second synchronization header (SHR 2) and the third synchronization header (SHR 3) may be configured based on different codes (e.g., different tri-codes) in the SYNC field, respectively.

Fig. 11B illustrates RDM list fields inside an RDM IE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The RDM list field shown in fig. 11B may include the same ranging role field, ranging slot index field, and address field as the RDM list field in table 3. A detailed description of the respective fields inside the RDM list field is described with reference to table 3.

Referring to fig. 11b, the rdm list field may allocate a plurality of UWB devices and a plurality of device addresses with respect to a single ranging slot index. The number of UWB devices or device addresses may be configured to be equal to or less than the total number of code indices.

UWB devices assigned to the same ranging slot index in the RDM list field may be assigned to corresponding pre-configured code indexes according to the order included in the RDM list.

Referring to fig. 11A and 11B, the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2), the first address (address of responder 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1), and the second address (address of responder 2) may be allocated to the third UWB device (responder 2).

The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) assigned to the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit packets based on a predetermined code index according to the order included in the RDM list. For example, a second UWB device (responder 1) first assigned to a ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit a packet based on "code index 3" in the SYNC field, and a third UWB device (responder 2) second assigned to a ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit a packet based on "code index 4" in the SYNC field.

In the case of a scheme of transmitting the SHR part, a code index defined by a standard may be utilized. For example, when the trickplay of length 31 shown in table 4 is utilized by channel number 9, code index 3 and code index 4 are available.

Fig. 12 illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 12, a first UWB device may perform the role of an initiator, a second UWB device may perform the role of a first responder, a third UWB device may perform the role of a second responder, a fourth UWB device may perform the role of a third responder, and a fifth UWB device may perform the role of a fourth responder.

Although five UWB devices are shown in fig. 12 as performing roles of an initiator/responder for convenience of description, the technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the number of UWB devices performing roles of an initiator or responder may be variously implemented.

Referring to fig. 12, a single ranging round may include a first slot (slot 0), a second slot (slot 1), and a third slot (slot 2). The first UWB device (initiator) may transmit the transmission control information (e.g., UWB RCM) through UWB or narrowband at a start time point of the first time slot (time slot 0).

The first UWB device (initiator) may allocate a ranging slot to which the STS parallel transmission mode has been applied to each of the second UWB device (responder 1) to the fifth UWB device (responder 4), and may transmit allocation information on the ranging slot to which the STS parallel transmission mode has been applied to each of the second UWB device (responder 1) to the fifth UWB device (responder 4).

Herein, the STS parallel transmission mode refers to a scheme in which a plurality of UWB devices transmit packets in parallel through different STS in a single ranging slot.

In the case of the scheduling scheme, a set of fixed STAs may be differently applied (or determined) according to a slot allocation order with respect to the respective UWB devices. A list of fixed STS's may be pre-shared between UWB devices, as is the case with the list of SYNC codes.

In the case of the contention scheme, the UWB device may select one from a set of fixed STS and may transmit a packet in a ranging slot (collision occurs if the same STS is selected).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the second UWB device (responder 1) may transmit a first SP3 type (in the case of SP configuration 3) packet (SP 3 with a fixed first STS (STS 0)) including the fixed first STS (STS 0) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a second SP3 type packet (SP 3 with a fixed second STS (STS 1)) including the fixed second STS (STS 1) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit SP3 type packets by using different fixed STS in the second time slot (time slot 1), respectively. The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) may share information about the fixed STS in advance, respectively.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fourth UWB device (responder 3) may transmit a third SP3 type packet (SP 3 with a fixed STS 2) including the fixed third STS (STS 2) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third slot (slot 2).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit a first SP3 type packet (SP 3 with a fixed STS 0) including the fixed first STS (STS 0) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third slot (slot 2).

The fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit SP3 type packets by using different fixed STS in the third time slot (time slot 2), respectively. The fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may share information about the fixed STS in advance, respectively.

The first STS (STS 0) to the third STS (STS 2) may be configured by using different STS codes, respectively. The indexes may be allocated separately with respect to different STS codes, and the STS codes may be configured to be used only between specific UWB devices. The predefined STS codes may be configured such that they may be received by the respective UWB devices even if transmitted simultaneously at the same point in time.

The RDM list field may allocate multiple UWB devices and multiple device addresses with respect to a single ranging slot index. The number of UWB devices or device addresses may be configured to be equal to or less than the total number of code indices.

UWB devices assigned to the same ranging slot index in the RDM list field may be respectively assigned to STS code indexes according to the order included in the RDM list.

Fig. 13 illustrates a structure of a first UWB device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first UWB device described with reference to fig. 1 to 12 and 15A, 18 may correspond to the electronic device 100 in fig. 1, the first electronic device 210 in fig. 2, the first electronic device 301 in fig. 3, the initiator in fig. 10A, the initiator in fig. 11A, or the initiator in fig. 12. Referring to fig. 13, the proxy device may include a transceiver 1310, a memory 1320, and a controller 1330.

The transceiver 1310, the controller 1330 and the memory 1320 of the first UWB device may operate according to the communication method of the first UWB device described above. However, the components of the first UWB device are not limited to the above examples. For example, the first UWB device may include more components or fewer components than those described above. Further, the transceiver 1310, the controller 1330, and the memory 1320 may be implemented as a single chip. Further, the controller 1330 may include at least one processor.

Transceiver 1310 refers to a combination of a receiver of the first UWB device and a transmitter of the first UWB device, and may transmit/receive signals with other devices. To this end, the transceiver 1310 may include an RF transmitter configured to up-convert and amplify the frequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver configured to low-noise amplify and down-convert a received signal, and so forth. However, this is merely an embodiment of transceiver 1310, and components of transceiver 1310 are not limited to RF transmitters and RF receivers.

In addition, the transceiver 1310 may receive a signal through a radio channel, may output it to the controller 1330, and may transmit the signal output from the controller 1330 through the radio channel.

The memory 1320 may store programs and data required for the operation of the first UWB device. Further, the memory 1320 may store control information or data included in the signal acquired by the first UWB device. Memory 1320 may include storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), hard disk, compact disc-ROM (CD-ROM), and digital versatile disc (DIGITAL VERSATILEDISC, DVD), or a combination of these storage media. Further, the memory 1320 may not exist alone and may be included in the controller 1330.

The controller 1330 may control a series of operations so that the first UWB device may operate according to the above-described embodiments.

The controller 1330 controls such that a ranging control message for UWB communication is transmitted in the first slot inside the ranging round. The controller 1330 may control the second UWB device based on the ranging control message to receive the first packet transmitted in the second slot inside the ranging round, and may control the third UWB device based on the ranging control message to receive the second packet transmitted in the second slot inside the ranging round.

The first packet may include a SHR, and a point in time at which the first packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a first offset included in the ranging control message. The second packet may include SHR, and a point in time at which the second packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a second offset included in the ranging control message.

The first packet may be configured as a first SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3, and a point of time at which the first packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a first offset included in the ranging control message. The second packet may be configured as a second SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3, and a point of time at which the second packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a second offset included in the ranging control message.

The first SP3 type packet may include a SHR and a first STS, and the second SP3 type packet may include a synchronization header and a second STS.

If the second UWB device and the third UWB device are allocated to the same slot index corresponding to the second slot in the RDM list field included in the ranging control message, the transmission order of the second UWB device and the third UWB device in the second slot may be determined according to the order included in the RDM list.

The first packet may include a first synchronization header, the second packet may include a second synchronization header, and the first and second synchronization headers may be configured based on different codes, respectively.

If the second UWB device and the third UWB device are allocated to the same slot index corresponding to the second slot in the RDM list field included in the ranging control message, the codes of the synchronization header of the second UWB device and the third UWB device in the second slot may be determined according to the order included in the RDM list.

The first packet may be configured as a first SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3 and the second packet may be configured as a second SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3. The first SP3 type packet and the second PS3 type packet may be configured based on different codes, respectively.

Fig. 14 illustrates a structure of a second UWB device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The second UWB device described with reference to fig. 1-12 and 15A, 18 may correspond to the electronic device 100 in fig. 1, the second electronic device 220 in fig. 2, the second electronic device 302 in fig. 3, the responder in fig. 10A (e.g., one of the respondents 1-4), the responder in fig. 11A (e.g., one of the respondents 1-4), or the responder in fig. 12 (e.g., one of the respondents 1-4). Referring to fig. 14, the second UWB device may include a transceiver 1410, a memory 1420, and a controller 1430.

The transceiver 1410, the controller 1430, and the memory 1420 of the second UWB device may operate according to the communication method of the gate device described above. However, the components of the second UWB device are not limited to the above examples. For example, the second UWB device may include more components or fewer components than those described above. In addition, the transceiver 1410, the controller 1430, and the memory 1420 may be implemented as a single chip. Further, the controller 1430 may include at least one processor.

The transceiver 1410 refers to a combination of a receiver of the second UWB device and a transmitter of the second UWB device, and may transmit/receive signals with other devices. To this end, the transceiver 1410 may include an RF transmitter configured to up-convert and amplify the frequency of a transmitted signal, an RF receiver configured to low-noise amplify and down-convert a received signal, and the like. However, this is merely an embodiment of transceiver 1410, and the components of transceiver 1410 are not limited to RF transmitters and RF receivers.

In addition, the transceiver 1410 may receive a signal through a radio channel, may output it to the controller 1430, and may transmit a signal output from the controller 1430 through the radio channel.

The memory 1420 may store programs and data required for the operation of the second UWB device. Further, the memory 1420 may store control information or data included in a signal acquired by the second UWB device. The memory 1420 may include storage media such as ROM, RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, and DVD, or a combination of such storage media. Further, the memory 1420 may not exist alone and may be included in the controller 1430.

The controller 1430 may control a series of operations so that the second UWB device may operate in accordance with the embodiments disclosed above.

Controller 1430 may control such that ranging control messages for UWB communications are received from the first UWB device in a first time slot within a ranging round. The controller 1430 may control the transmission of the first packet in the second slot inside the ranging round based on the ranging control message. Based on the ranging control message, a second packet may be transmitted by the third UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round.

The first packet may include a SHR, and a point in time at which the first packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a first offset included in the ranging control message. The second packet may include SHR, and a point in time at which the second packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a second offset included in the ranging control message.

The first packet may be configured as a first SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3, and a point of time at which the first packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a first offset included in the ranging control message. The second packet may be configured as a second SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3, and a point of time at which the second packet is transmitted in the second slot may be configured based on a second offset included in the ranging control message.

The first packet may be configured as a first SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3 and the second packet may be configured as a second SP3 type packet of SP configuration 3. The first SP3 type packet and the second PS3 type packet may be configured based on different codes, respectively.

Fig. 15A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 15A, a first UWB device may perform the role of an initiator, a second UWB device may perform the role of a first responder, a third UWB device may perform the role of a second responder, a fourth UWB device may perform the role of a third responder, and a fifth UWB device may perform the role of a fourth responder.

Although the first UWB device is illustrated in fig. 15A as performing the role of the initiator that transmits control information (i.e., the first UWB device performs the roles of the controller and the initiator), the first UWB device may perform the role of the controller that transmits control information and the other UWB device performs the role of the initiator that transmits ranging initiation messages.

Although five UWB devices are shown in fig. 15A as performing the role of an initiator/responder for convenience of description, the technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the number of UWB devices performing the role of an initiator or responder may be variously implemented.

Referring to fig. 15A, a single ranging round may include a first slot (slot 0), a second slot (slot 1), and a third slot (slot 2). The first UWB device (initiator) may transmit transmission control information (e.g., UWB ranging control message (ranging control message, RCM)) through UWB or a narrowband at a start time point of the first time slot (time slot 0).

The first UWB device (initiator) may assign a ranging slot and a preamble to each of the second UWB device (responder 1) to the fifth UWB device (responder 4). Multiple responders may transmit in a single ranging slot and may transmit preambles orthogonally.

The SHR may include a preamble (or SYNC field) and an SFD. The length and code of the preamble included in the SHR may be configured to be variable, and the SFD included in the SHR may be configured to be a fixed value. The UWB device may transmit only the preamble other than the SFD in response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the second UWB device (responder 1) may transmit the first preamble (preamble 1) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a third preamble (preamble 3) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit differently configured preambles (preamble 1) in the second time slot (time slot 1), respectively. The first preamble (preamble 1) and the third preamble (preamble 3) may be configured based on different codes, respectively.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fourth UWB device (responder 3) may transmit a third preamble (preamble 3) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third time slot (time slot 2).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit the second preamble (preamble 2) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third time slot (time slot 2).

The fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit different configurations of the preamble (preamble 1) in the third time slot (time slot 2), respectively. The second preamble (preamble 2) and the third preamble (preamble 3) may be configured based on different codes, respectively.

Fig. 15B illustrates RDM list fields inside an RDM IE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The RDM list field shown in fig. 15B may include the same ranging role field, ranging slot index field, and address field as the RDM list field in table 4. A detailed description of the various fields within the RDM list field is provided with reference to table 4.

Referring to fig. 15b, the rdm list field may allocate a plurality of UWB devices and a plurality of device addresses with respect to a single ranging slot index. The number of UWB devices or device addresses may be configured to be equal to or less than the total number of code indices.

UWB devices assigned to the same ranging slot index in the RDM list field may be assigned to corresponding pre-configured code indexes according to the order included in the RDM list.

Referring to fig. 15A and 15B, the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2), the first address (address of responder 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1), and the second address (address of responder 2) may be allocated to the third UWB device (responder 2).

The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) assigned to the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit packets based on a predetermined code index according to the order included in the RDM list. For example, a second UWB device (responder 1) assigned first to a ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit a packet based on "code index 3", and a third UWB device (responder 2) assigned second to a ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit a packet based on "code index 4".

Fig. 16A illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 16A, a first UWB device may perform the role of an initiator, a second UWB device may perform the role of a first responder, a third UWB device may perform the role of a second responder, a fourth UWB device may perform the role of a third responder, and a fifth UWB device may perform the role of a fourth responder.

Although the first UWB device is illustrated in fig. 16A as performing the role of the initiator that transmits control information (i.e., the first UWB device performs the roles of the controller and the initiator), the first UWB device may perform the role of the controller that transmits control information and the other UWB device performs the role of the initiator that transmits ranging initiation messages.

Although five UWB devices are shown in fig. 16A as performing the role of an initiator/responder for convenience of description, the technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the number of UWB devices performing the role of an initiator or responder may be variously implemented.

Referring to fig. 16A, a single ranging round may include a first slot (slot 0), a second slot (slot 1), and a third slot (slot 2). The first UWB device (initiator) may transmit the transmission control information (e.g., UWB RCM) through UWB or narrowband at a start time point of the first time slot (time slot 0).

The first UWB device (initiator) may assign a ranging slot and a preamble to each of the second UWB device (responder 1) to the fifth UWB device (responder 4). Multiple responders may transmit in a single ranging slot and may transmit preambles orthogonally.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the UWB device may transmit only the STS by excluding the SHR from the SP3 type packet (shr+sts) that is SP configuration 3. A set of fixed STS may be applied (or determined) differently according to the slot allocation order for the individual UWB devices. The UWB device may select one from a set of fixed STS and may transmit packets in ranging slots accordingly. The UWB device may select one from a set of STS generated by a predefined method between devices and may transmit packets in ranging slots accordingly.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the second UWB device (responder 1) may transmit the first STS (STS 1) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a second STS (STS 2) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the second time slot (time slot 1).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fourth UWB device (responder 3) may transmit a third STS (STS 3) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third time slot (time slot 2).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit a fourth STS (STS 4) at a preconfigured point in time (e.g., a start point in time) of the third time slot (time slot 2).

Fig. 16B is a diagram illustrating an RDM list field inside an RDM IE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The RDM list field shown in fig. 16B may include the same ranging role field, ranging slot index field, and address field as the RDM list field in table 4. A detailed description of the various fields within the RDM list field is provided with reference to table 4.

Referring to fig. 16b, the rdm list field may allocate a plurality of UWB devices and a plurality of device addresses with respect to a single ranging slot index. The number of UWB devices or device addresses may be configured to be equal to or less than the total number of code indices.

UWB devices assigned to the same ranging slot index in the RDM list field may be assigned to corresponding pre-configured code indexes according to the order included in the RDM list.

Referring to fig. 16A and 16B, the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2), the first address (address of responder 1) may be allocated to the second UWB device (responder 1), and the second address (address of responder 2) may be allocated to the third UWB device (responder 2).

The second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) assigned to the same ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit packets based on a predetermined STS index according to the order included in the RDM list. For example, a second UWB device (responder 1) first assigned to a ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit a packet based on "STS index 1", and a third UWB device (responder 2) second assigned to a ranging slot index (slot 1) may transmit a packet based on "STS index 2".

The same ranging slot index (slot 2) may be assigned to the fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4), the third address (address of responder 3) may be assigned to the fourth UWB device (responder 3), and the fourth address (address of responder 4) may be assigned to the fifth UWB device (responder 4).

The fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4) assigned to the same ranging slot index (slot 2) may transmit packets based on a predetermined STS index according to the order included in the RDM list. For example, a fourth UWB device (responder 3) first assigned to a ranging slot index (slot 2) may transmit a packet based on "STS index 3", and a fifth UWB device (responder 4) second assigned to a ranging slot index (slot 2) may transmit a packet based on "STS index 4".

The UWB device may select one from a set of STS generated by a predefined method between devices and may transmit packets in ranging slots accordingly. The UWB device may generate the STS set by using the DRGB, CCC digital key phase 3method (CCC DIGITAL KEY PHASE method) defined in IEEE 802.15.4z or the STS generation method defined in FIRa. The UWB device may generate an STS set by using a fixed STS key. The UWB device may generate the STS set based on at least one of the block index/round index/slot index.

Fig. 17A illustrates an STS set generated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 17a, the uwb device may generate the STS set according to a preconfigured index reference (e.g., one of a block index/round index/slot index).

For example, the STS set may be generated by selecting a first STS (STS 1) from index 1, a second STS (STS 2) from index 2, a third STS (STS 3) from index 3, and a fourth STS (STS 4) from index 4.

Fig. 17B illustrates an STS set generated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 17b, the uwb device may generate STS sets from preconfigured index references (e.g., a combination of block index/round index/slot index).

For example, STS sets may be generated by selecting STS1-1-1 when the block index is 1, the round index is 1, and the slot index is 1, and selecting STS1-1-2 when the block index is 1, the round index is 1, and the slot index is 2. For example, STS sets may be generated by selecting STS100-5-7 when the block index is 100, the round index is 5, and the slot index is 7, and STS1-1-2 when the block index is 1, the round index is 1, and the slot index is 2.

Fig. 17C illustrates an STS set generated in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 17c, the uwb device may generate STS sets from preconfigured index references (e.g., a combination of block index/round index/slot index).

For example, the STS set may be generated by selecting STS1-1-1-1 and/or STS1-1-1-2 when the block index is 1, the round index is 1, and the slot index is 1, and selecting STS1-1-2-1 and/or STS1-1-2-2 when the block index is 1, the round index is 1, and the slot index is 2. For example, the STS set may be generated by selecting STS100-5-7-1 and/or STS100-5-7-2 when the block index is 100, the round index is 5, and the slot index is 7.

Fig. 18 illustrates a method of a UWB device transmitting packets according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In fig. 18, a first UWB device may perform the role of an initiator, a second UWB device may perform the role of a first responder, a third UWB device may perform the role of a second responder, a fourth UWB device may perform the role of a third responder, and a fifth UWB device may perform the role of a fourth responder.

Although the first UWB device is illustrated in fig. 18 as performing the role of the initiator that transmits control information (i.e., the first UWB device performs the roles of the controller and the initiator), the first UWB device may perform the role of the controller that transmits control information and the other UWB device performs the role of the initiator that transmits ranging initiation messages.

Although five UWB devices are shown in fig. 18 as performing roles of an initiator/responder for convenience of description, the technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the number of UWB devices performing roles of an initiator or responder may be variously implemented.

Referring to fig. 18, a single ranging round may include a first slot (slot 0), a second slot (slot 1), and a third slot (slot 2). The first UWB device (initiator) may transmit the transmission control information (e.g., UWB RCM) through UWB or narrowband at a start time point of the first time slot (time slot 0). The transmission offset of the transmission control information (e.g., UWB RCM) may be configured as "offset timing #0".

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the second UWB device (responder 1) may transmit a first packet (preamble+sts 0) including the preamble and STS at a start time of the second time slot (time slot 1). The transmission offset with respect to the first packet (preamble+sts 0) may be configured as "offset timing #2" in the second slot (slot 1).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a second packet (preamble+sts 1) including the preamble and STS at an intermediate time of the second time slot (time slot 1). The transmission offset with respect to the second packet (preamble+sts 1) may be configured as "offset timing #3" in the second slot (slot 1).

Each of the second UWB device (responder 1) and the third UWB device (responder 2) may transmit a packet including a preamble and an STS by changing a transmission offset in the second time slot (time slot 1). The transmit offset may be configured by a transmit offset field within the RR IE in table 1.

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fourth UWB device (responder 3) may transmit a third packet (preamble+st2) including the preamble and STS at a start time of the third slot (slot 2). The transmission offset with respect to the third packet (preamble+sts 2) may be configured as "offset timing #4" in the second slot (slot 1).

In response to transmitting the control information (e.g., UWB RCM), the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit a fourth packet (preamble+sts 3) including the preamble and STS at an intermediate time point of the third time slot (time slot 2). The transmission offset with respect to the fourth packet (preamble+sts 3) may be configured as "offset timing #5" in the second slot (slot 1).

Each of the fourth UWB device (responder 3) and the fifth UWB device (responder 4) may transmit a packet including a preamble and STS by changing a transmission offset in the third time slot (time slot 2). The transmit offset may be configured by a transmit offset field within the RR IE in table 1.

The length of the small slot in the ranging slot may be differently configured according to the transmission offset value in the RR IE in table 1. The number of small slots included in the ranging slot may also be implemented differently if the transmission offset field value in the RR IE is configured to various numbers.

In the above detailed embodiments of the present disclosure, elements included in the present disclosure may be expressed in singular or plural numbers according to the presented detailed embodiments. However, the singular or plural forms are appropriately selected for convenience of description and the present disclosure is not limited to 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.

Although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (15)

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

transmitting a ranging control message for UWB communication in a first slot within a ranging round;

Receiving a first packet from a second UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message; and

Based on the ranging control message, a second packet is received from a third UWB device in the second time slot within the ranging round.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

The first packet comprises a sync header SHR,

The first point in time at which the first packet is transmitted in the second slot is configured based on a first offset included in the ranging control message,

The second packet includes a synchronization header, and

A second point in time at which the second packet is transmitted in the second slot is configured based on a second offset included in the ranging control message.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the first packet is configured as a first SP3 type packet of STS packet SP configuration 3, and

The first point in time at which the first packet is transmitted in the second slot is configured based on a first offset included in the ranging control message,

The second packet is configured as a second SP3 type packet that is SP configuration 3, and

A second point in time at which the second packet is transmitted in the second slot is configured based on a second offset included in the ranging control message.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first SP3 type packet comprises a SHR and a first STS and the second SP3 type packet comprises a SHR and a second STS.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the case where the second UWB device and the third UWB device are allocated to the same slot index corresponding to the second slot in an RDM list included in the ranging control message, a transmission order of the second UWB device and the third UWB device in the second slot is determined according to an order in which the second UWB device and the third UWB device are included in the RDM list.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first packet comprises a first SHR, the second packet comprises a second SHR, and the first SHR and the second SHR are configured based on different codes.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein SHR codes of the second UWB device and the third UWB device are determined according to an order in which the second UWB device and the third UWB device are included in the RDM list in the case that the second UWB device and the third UWB device are allocated to the same slot index corresponding to the second slot in the RDM list included in the ranging control message.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

The first packet is configured as a first SP3 type packet of STS packet SP configuration 3,

The second packet is configured as a second SP3 type packet that is SP configuration 3, and

The first SP3 type packet and the second SP3 type packet are configured based on different codes, respectively.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first packet comprises a first preamble and the second packet comprises a second preamble.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first packet comprises a first STS and the second packet comprises a second STS.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first packet comprises a first preamble and a first STS and the second packet comprises a second preamble and a second STS.

12. A method for operating a second ultra-wideband UWB device, the method comprising:

in a first time slot within a ranging round, receiving a ranging control message for UWB communication from a first UWB device; and

Based on the ranging control message, a first packet is transmitted in a second slot within the ranging round,

Wherein a second packet is transmitted by a third UWB in the second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein:

The first packet comprises a sync header SHR,

The first point in time at which the first packet is transmitted in the second slot is configured based on a first offset included in the ranging control message,

The second packet includes a synchronization header, and

A second point in time at which the second packet is transmitted in the second slot is configured based on a second offset included in the ranging control message.

14. A first ultra wideband UWB device comprising:

A transceiver; and

A controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to control the transceiver to:

transmitting a ranging control message for UWB communication in a first slot within a ranging round;

Receiving a first packet from a second UWB device in a second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message; and

Based on the ranging control message, a second packet is received from a third UWB device in the second time slot within the ranging round.

15. A second ultra wideband UWB device, comprising:

A transceiver; and

A controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to control the transceiver to:

in a first time slot within a ranging round, receiving a ranging control message for UWB communication from a first UWB device; and

Based on the ranging control message, a first packet is transmitted in a second slot within the ranging round,

Wherein a second packet is transmitted by a third UWB in the second time slot within the ranging round based on the ranging control message.