CN1700677A - MAC header compression for use with frame aggregation - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of generating an aggregate frame having a header unit, which carries MAC-header information applicable to one or more data units of said aggregate frame. Since each data unit of the aggregate frame no longer needs to carry the full MAC-header information, the overhead associated with the MAC header can be significantly reduced. At the receiver, the full MAC header corresponding to the data unit is reconstructed by (i) matching the appropriate header and data units to one another and (ii) combining the information present in the header unit and the compressed header portion of the data unit. Embodiments of the present invention are capable of improving the data throughput, for example, in an entertainment network having paired source and destination devices (e.g., a DVD player and an LCD screen) with a relatively large amount of data streamed from the former to the latter.

Description

The mac header that uses with the frame set compresses

Technical field

The present invention relates to communication equipment, relate in particular to the equipment that is used for wireless lan (wlan).

Background technology

Typical case's wlan system comprises one or more stations (STA), for example, cell phone, laptop computer and/or handheld computer, wherein each all disposes available WLANPC card usually.The WLANPC card can make STA (i) between them directly communicate when being positioned at identical coverage, and/or (ii) communicates indirectly by the webserver when being positioned at different coverages.The webserver is supported in the communication between the STA of different coverages by the access point (AP) that is arranged in the coverage.Forming basic service set (BSS) between the STA or between the one or more STA in AP and same services zone.

An example of wlan network is the network (being referred to herein as the network according to the work of IEEE802.11 standard family) that meets by the standard of Institute of Electrical and Electric Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 exploitation suggestions, and this standard comprises as a reference at this.In the 802.11WLAN network, all message of launching between the different STA in same services zone are typically launched rather than are directly launched between STA by AP.This centralized radio communication is providing tangible advantage aspect the simplicity of communication link and the power save.Yet if essential or suitable, the 802.11WLAN network can also be configured to directly launch message with so-called IBSS (independent basic service set) pattern between two STA.

Most of wlan networks all are organized as series of layers (hierarchical network architecture), and each layer is built on its forerunner.The purpose of each low layer is to provide service to more high-rise, simultaneously, the implementation detail of those higher levels and low layer is shielded.It between every pair of adjacent layer the interface of those services of definition.Lowermost layer is data link and physical layer.The function of data link layer is that the input data are divided into Frame and launch these frames subsequently on physical layer.Each Frame comprises the control that comprises frame and the header of order information.The function of physical layer is to upload carry information at communication media.

Fig. 1 shows the prior art of framing user data sequence in meeting 802.11 representative WLAN.More particularly, Fig. 1 shows six protocol layers: application layer 150, transmission control protocol (TCP) layer 151, Internet protocol (IP) layer 152, logical link control layer (LLC) layer 153 (sublayer in the data link layer), media interviews controls (MAC) layer 154 (also being the sublayer in the data link layer) and physics (PHY) layer 155.User data 101 is provided for application layer 150, and it produces application data 102 by adding application header 110 to user data.Application data 102 is provided for TCP layer 151, and this layer adds TCP header 111 to application data 102 to form TCP section 103.IP layer 152 adds IP header 112 to TCP section 103 and forms IP frame 104.IP frame 104 can be to comprise that some not necessarily meets the typical TCP/IP grouping of generally using in 802.11 the several data web application.LLC layer 153 be provided at MAC layer 154 and more high-rise between unified interface, thereby be provided for the transparency of type of the WLAN of Transmission TCP/IP grouping.LLC layer 153 adds interface message to IP frame 104 as LLC header 113 and forms LLC frame 105.

In meeting 802.11 WLAN, physical equipment is first line radio station, and physical communication media is a free space.MAC equipment and PHY layer signaling control appliance guarantee that two correct frame format and agreements of WLAN terminals use communicate.The IEEE802.11 standard definition of WLAN the communication protocol between two (or more) reciprocity PHY equipment and relevant reciprocity MAC equipment.According to the 802.11WLAN data communication protocol, each packet frames of transmitting between MAC equipment and PHY equipment has PHY header, mac header, MAC data and error checking field.

The typical format that meets the mac layer frame of 802.11 wlan system is added mac header 114 and Frame Check Sequence (FCS) 115 to LLC frame 105 and is formed mac frame 106.Mac header 114 comprises frame control, duration sign (ID), source and destination address and data sequence control (number) field.The data sequence control field provides the sequence numbering information of receiver from mac frame sequence reconstruct user data that allows.PHY layer 155 forms physical layer packet frame 107 by adding PHY header 118 to mac frame 106.PHY header 118 comprises preamble 116 and Physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) header 117.PLCP header 117 identification is data rate in PHY layer 155 and length for example, and receiving equipment can use the frame that preamble 116 (i) detection/synchronization arrives and (ii) estimate the characteristic of channel between transmitter and receiver.

The valid data throughput or the efficient of IEEE 802.11WLAN agreement are subjected to the influence in a plurality of expenses source.For example, this expense can be derived from PHY layer (for example, preamble 116 and PLCP header 117) and MAC layer (for example, mac header 114, FCS115, affirmation (ACK) frame, intra frame interval (IFS) and contention expense).In the IEEE802.11e that service quality (QoS) strengthens by and incoming frame burst and piece affirmation (Block-ACK) mechanism realized some raisings on the efficient, this mechanism notes reducing the expense relevant with ACK frame, IFS and contention.Yet, still need further by expense is reduced as target in other expense source.

Summary of the invention

According to principle of the present invention, the method that has the aggregated frame of header unit by generation solves the problems of the prior art, has carried the mac header information of the one or more data cells that can be used for described aggregated frame in this header unit.Because each data cell of this aggregated frame no longer needs to carry whole mac header informations, so the expense relevant with mac header can obviously reduce.At receiver, mate suitable header and data cell mutually and (ii) be combined in information that this header unit occurs and the header compression of this data cell partly comes the whole mac headers of reconstruct corresponding to this data cell by (i).Embodiments of the invention can improve, and for example, (data throughout in) the entertainment network for example, DVD player and lcd screen, in this network, lot of data is relatively flowing from the former to the latter having paired source and destination equipment.

According to an embodiment, the present invention is a kind of method that produces the aggregated frame of one or more subframes, this method comprises: (a) produce header unit from first group header from described one or more subframes, this header unit has the header information that can be applicable to each subframe in first group; (b), produce and have header compression part and payload data partial data unit for each subframe in first group; (c) formation comprises the header of generation and the aggregated frame of data cell.

According to another embodiment, the present invention is a kind of method by receiving equipment processing grouping, and this method comprises: receive the grouping that has corresponding to the aggregated frame of one or more subframes, wherein: this aggregated frame comprises the data cell of header unit and each subframe; This header unit has the header information that can be applicable to one or more subframes; And this data cell has header compression part and payload data part; And based on this header unit and data cell, the corresponding subframe of the described one or more subframes of reconstruct.

Description of drawings

From the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawing, it is more obvious that other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows the prior art according to 802.11 wireless lan (wlan) standard framing user data sequences;

Fig. 2 shows a typical case and becomes method of frame aggregation;

Fig. 3 has shown that another typical case becomes method of frame aggregation;

Fig. 4 A-C has shown aggregated frame form according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 has shown the method for frame aggregation that uses the aggregated frame form of Fig. 4 according to one embodiment of the invention; With

Fig. 6 has shown the method for frame aggregation of the aggregated frame form that uses Fig. 4 according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment

Mean that in this reference combining special characteristic, structure or the characteristics described with this embodiment can comprise at least one embodiment of the present invention to " embodiment " or " embodiment ".The phrase " in one embodiment " that occurs in the different places of specification differs to establish a capital and refers to identical embodiment, neither get rid of the independent or alternative embodiment of other embodiment mutually.

Above-cited ' 947 and 943 ' application solves the problems of the prior art by suggestion frame set mechanism.More particularly, use frame to gather a plurality of high-rise frames of separation with user data are combined into a PHY level frame, thereby, each PHY frame transmitting users data volume increased.The frame that has identical destination address and identical PHY layer data speed for (A), (B) has the frame of one or more destination addresses and identical PHY layer data speed, (C) has the frame of one or more destination addresses, wherein each frame have a plurality of may PHY in the layer data speed one, can gather a plurality of frames.The frame set has improved efficient by reducing PHY expense (for example, preamble and PLCP header overhead) and MAC expense (for example, contention expense).

Fig. 2 shows a disclosed typical frame collection approach in ' 947 and 943 ' application.More particularly, the frame of Fig. 2 set is carried out by before handling pseudo-mac frame at PHY layer 211 a plurality of mac frames being formed a pseudo-mac frame on MAC layer 205 times.The set of frame under the MAC layer can be independent of other frame and verify each LLC frame, and this is because each mac frame adding the ERROR CONTROL field of LLC frame to, for example has error detection information in the FCS field, for example, frame check and.In addition, because being used their header and destination address information, each of isolated M AC frame sends, so mac frame can be sent to different destinations.

At the LLC of LLC layer 202 frame 201 (1) to 201 (M), M is a positive integer, is passed to MAC layer 205.By adding mac header 203 (n) and MAC FCS204 (n) with each LLC frame 201 (n) (1≤n≤M) be formed in the MAC subframe 216 (n).MAC subframe 216 (1) to 216 (M) is incorporated in the pseudo-mac frame 206 then.Middle set layer 207 then with optional (i) pseudo-header 208 and/or (ii) forward error correction/detections (FEC) field 209 add pseudo-mac frame 206 to and gather mac frame 210 to form.PHY layer 211 forms PHY grouping 212 by adding preamble 213 and PLCP header 214 from set mac frame 210.

The sequence number that pseudo-header 208 can be used to represent the MAC subframe 216 (1) to 216 (M) that is included in the pseudo-mac frame 206 (for example, M) and big or small (that is length).FEC field 209 can be used to proofread and correct the bit error at receiver place to increase the possibility of any MAC subframe of correct reception 216 (1) to 216 (M).Alternatively, can use a plurality of FEC fields, or be added in the end or each mac frame 216 (1) to 216 (M) of pseudo-mac frame 206.When different MAC subframes have various objectives ground, can use the confirmation method (for example, the ACK message of delay) of modification.

Fig. 3 shows disclosed another typical method of frame aggregation in ' 947 and 943 ' application.More particularly, the set of the frame of Fig. 3 does not repeat preamble and carries out by connecting a plurality of PHY frames in the PHY layer.The frame set of Fig. 3 can use different data rates to launch each mac frame.For some implementation, the mac frame that comprises can be sorted according to the increase of data rate, and feasible STA with channel condition of relative mistake can correctly receive lower data rate.

The LLC frame 301 (1) to 301 (M) of LLC layer 302 is passed to MAC layer 305.MAC layer 305 adds mac header 303 (n) and MACFCS304 (n) to LLC frame 301 (n) to form MAC subframe 306 (n).MAC subframe 306 (1) to 306 (M) is passed to PHY layer 307 then.PHY layer 307 adds PCLP header 309 (n) to each corresponding M AC subframe 306 (n) to form PHY subframe 310 (n).PHY subframe 310 (1) to 310 (M) be connected and the PHY subframe of preamble 308 being added to connection to form PHY grouping 311.

Collection approach shown in Fig. 2 and 3 can be implemented in for example data network or entertainment network.Data network has AP and a plurality of STAs relevant with this AP usually, and wherein each source device (for example, STA or AP) has the mac frame of the limited quantity that will be transmitted into identical destination device usually.Therefore, mac frame 210 (Fig. 2) is for example gathered in aggregated frame, has the mac frame that is used for various objectives ground usually, and wherein specify in the mac header of frame the destination of each mac frame, for example, and mac header 203 (Fig. 2).On the contrary, entertainment network has paired source and destination equipment (for example, DVD player and lcd screen) usually, and wherein lot of data is transmitted into the other side's destination device from particular source equipment relatively.Therefore, aggregated frame, for example, set mac frame 210 (Fig. 2) has a plurality of mac frames that are used for identical destination usually, for example, frame 216 (n).Though Fig. 2 and 3 collection approach and art methods are realized compares the efficient that has improved entertainment network, still can be further be included in the efficient that the amount of redundant information of mac header 203 (n) in (Fig. 2) improves entertainment network by for example reducing.

Fig. 4 A-C shows the aggregated frame form according to the embodiment of the invention.More particularly, the aggregated frame form of Fig. 4 A-C can be used for the collection approach based on derivation shown in Fig. 2 and 3, more specifically describes these methods below.Fig. 4 A shows and can be similar to the PHY grouping 418 that PHY grouping 212 (Fig. 2) or PHY grouping 311 (Fig. 3) launch, and Fig. 4 B-C shows mac header (MHDR) unit 426 and header compression data (CHDATA) unit 428 of PHY grouping 418 respectively.MHDR unit 426 has carried the mac header information that is applied to CHDATA unit 428 (1) to 428 (M), and they all are intended for use identical destination.Because each CHDATA unit 428 (n) no longer carries the information that appears in the MHDR unit 426,, the mac header expense in the PHY grouping 418 is reduced so for example comparing with the expense in PHY grouping 212 (Fig. 2).

With reference to figure 4A, PHY grouping 418 has preamble 420, PLCP header 422, MHDR unit 426 and CHDATA unit 428 (1) to 428 (M).Preamble 420 and PLCP header 422 can be similar to for example preamble 213 and the PLCP header 214 of Fig. 2 respectively.Preamble 420, PLCP header 422, MHDR unit 426 and CHDATA unit 428 are separated by the separator shown in the figure 424.Usually, separator 424 can have the combination of any predetermined bit, and it can be mark preamble 420, PLCP header 422, MHDR unit 426 or nonterminal CHDATA unit 428 (the n) (signal of the end of n ≠ M) wherein by system identification.MHDR unit 426, CHDATA unit 428 (1) to 428 (M) and corresponding separator 424 form set mac frame 430.

With reference to figure 4B, MHDR unit 426 has mac header part 436 and FCS404.Mac header part 436 has following field: frame control, duration, address 1 to 3, header identification (HID) and QoS control, the wherein byte length of the sequence number indication field on the field in Fig. 4 B.In these fields, frame control, duration, address 1, address 2, address 3 and QoS control field are similar to the respective field of the conventional 802.11MAC header of describing in the IEEE802.11 series standard, and the HID field is new Optional Field.More particularly, the HID field can be used in receiver coupling MHDR unit 426 and CHDATA unit 428.FCS404 is the conventional MAC FCS that is similar to FCS 204 (Fig. 2).Notice that at conventional 802.11MAC frame, for example, in the mac frame 216 (n) of Fig. 2, FCS protect mac header, for example the mac header 203 (n) of Fig. 2 and the payload LLC frame 210 (n) of Fig. 2 for example.On the contrary, in not having the MHDR unit 426 of payload data, FCS404 specifically protects mac header part 436.In addition, the frame control field of mac header part 436 has identification MHDR unit 426 promptly, as having particular type and the subtype value that (i) is used for the mac header information of corresponding CHDATA unit and (ii) do not have the unit of its oneself payload data.

With reference to figure 4C, CHDATA unit 428 has header portion 438, payload data part 401 and the FCS404 ' of compression.Header compression part 438 has following field: frame control, sequence control and HID, wherein the sequence number above the field of Fig. 4 C is indicated the byte length of this field.In these fields, frame control and sequence control field are similar to the respective field of the conventional 802.11MAC header of describing in the IEEE802.11 series standard.The HID field of header compression part 438 is similar to the HID field of mac header part 436, and is used for mating CHDATA unit 428 and MHDR unit 426.FCS404 ' is similar to for example conventional MAC FCS of FCS204 (Fig. 2).Because CHDATA unit 428 has payload data part 401, FCS404 ' protection header compression part 438 and payload data part.The frame control field of header compression part 438 has identification CHDATA unit 428, promptly, as the particular type and the subtype value of the unit with header compression part, its information must use the mac header information from corresponding MHDR unit to replenish with correct processing payload data part.

At receiver for example, can following reconstruct be used to be similar to for example complete conventional 802.11MAC header of the payload data part 401 of the part of the LLC frame 201 of Fig. 2.The value of the HID field in the header compression part 438 of the mac header part 436 of MHDR unit 426 and CHDATA unit 428 at first is used to mate mutually this two unit.Then, the value in the residue field of mac header part 436 and header compression part 438 is used to derive the respective field value that is used for complete conventional mac header.Receiver can use the complete conventional mac header of reconstruct, continues to handle in a usual manner payload data part 401.

Fig. 5 shows the method for frame aggregation that uses the aggregated frame form of Fig. 4 according to one embodiment of the invention.Be similar to the method for frame aggregation of Fig. 2, the frame set in the method for Fig. 5 is to carry out with the set mac frame that formation has MHDR unit and one or more CHDATA unit by handling conventional mac frame below 505 at the MAC layer.Then handle the set mac frame to form corresponding PHY grouping by PHY layer 511.Yet a difference between the method for frame aggregation of Fig. 2 and 5 is that at the former, the different MAC subframes in the set mac frame can be sent to different destinations, and the latter, the identical destination of MHDR unit appointment is attempted to be used in all CHDATA unit.

The LLC frame 501 (1) to 501 (M) of LLC layer 502, M is a positive integer, is passed to MAC layer 505.(1≤n≤M) formed MAC subframe 516 (n) by adding mac header 503 (n) and MAC FCS504 (n), wherein each mac header 503 (n) is specified identical destination address to each LLC frame 501 (n).MAC subframe 516 (1) to 516 (M) is processed with productive set mac frame 530 in middle header-compressed and set layer 507 then.Set mac frame 530 is similar to set mac frame 430 (Fig. 4 A) and has MHDR unit 526 and CHDATA unit 528 (1) to 528 (M).MHDR unit 526 is similar to the MHDR unit 426 of Fig. 4, and each CHDATA unit 528 (n) is similar to the CHDATA unit 428 of Fig. 4.So, the mac header of MHDR unit 526 partly has the mac header information that is applied to each CHDATA unit 528 (n).The header compression of CHDATA unit 528 (n) partly has for the specific mac header information of MAC subframe 516 (n), when this information is handled with the mac header information of MHDR unit 526, makes that receiver can reconstruct mac header 503 (n).The payload data of CHDATA unit 528 (n) partly has the user data of LLC frame 501 (n).PHY layer 511 forms PHY grouping 518 by adding preamble 520 and PLCP header 522 by set mac frame 530, and wherein PHY grouping 518, preamble 520 and PLCP header 522 are similar to PHY grouping 418, preamble 420 and the PLCP header 422 of Fig. 4 respectively.

In one embodiment, emission STA or AP can be included in a plurality of duplicates of MHDR unit 526 in the set mac frame 530 to increase robustness to prevent owing to transmission error is lost the one or more of MHDR unit.The additional duplicate of MHDR unit 526 can be positioned at any position of CHDATA unit 528 (n), and stands the certain ordering restriction for the unit with different HID values, this restriction more specifically narration below.Emission STA or AP be each destination and the compression of each service level (TC, Traffic Class) execution mac header individually.The re-transmission of the CHDATA unit of losing owing to transmission error 528 can be performed as conventional not compression mac frame or once more as the CHDATA unit.

Receive STA or AP and determine whether to have used the mac header compression based on type and subtype value in the frame control field of MHDR that receives and CHDATA unit.Receiver uses the appropriate fields of MHDR unit 526 and the header compression of CHDATA unit 528 (n) partly to rebulid MAC subframe 516 (n).MHDR unit 526 need not confirmed by receiving STA or AP.Affirmation strategy for CHDATA unit 528 defines in the qos field of corresponding MHDR unit 526.When needing the affirmation of CHDATA unit 528, can call existing 802.11 ACK schemes.Handle the CHDATA unit 528 of re-transmission, the interior tram of CHDATA unit sequence that the described CHDATA of this value indication unit formerly receives based on the value in the sequence control field of header compression part.When based on the value in the HID field, when in aggregated frame, not finding corresponding MHDR unit, then abandon this CHDATA unit.

Preferably there is at least one the MHDR unit 526 with identical HID value in CHDATA unit 528 with specific HID value before it.Each HID value only needs the single MHDR unit 526 of set mac frame 530 just can be made receiver reconstruct have MAC subframe 516 (n) sequence of this HID value by reception correctly.Simple in order to realize, preferably, the MHDR unit that between CHDATA unit 528 and coupling MHDR unit 526 thereof, different HID values do not occur having.In single set mac frame 530, the MHDR unit that does not carry identical mac header information is assigned with different HID values.

Compare with the collection approach of Fig. 2, the collection approach of Fig. 5 can reduce by about 15% more than overall overhead, and wherein most minimizing comes from the minimizing of the expense relevant with mac header.For example, simulation shows for the MAC subframe 516 with 188 byte-sized and has Gauss's communication channel of the error rate (BER) between about 10-6 to 10-3 that the minimizing of expense is between about 4 and 15%.

Fig. 6 shows the method for frame aggregation of the aggregated frame form that uses Fig. 4 according to a further embodiment of the invention.Frame set in Fig. 6 method is by at first forming a plurality of PHY groupings in set and PHY layer 607, the PHY grouping 632 transmitted on the communication media carries out to be formed on to connect this a little grouping then under the situation that does not repeat preamble, and each sub-classes of packets is similar to PHY grouping 418 (Fig. 4 A).

In one embodiment, the processing in LLC layer 602 and the MAC layer 605 is similar to the processing in LLC layer 502 and the MAC layer 505 (Fig. 5) respectively.More particularly, LLC frame 601 (1) to 601 (M) is delivered to MAC layer 605 from LLC layer 602, and wherein each LLC frame 601 (n) pass through interpolation mac header 603 (n) and MAC FCS604 (n) forms MAC subframe 616 (n).Mac header 603 (n) is corresponding to identical destination.MAC subframe 616 (1) to 616 (M) is delivered to set and PHY layer 607, and at this, they at first are stored and divide into groups.Interior on the same group mutually MAC subframe 616 has identical destination.Then, every group of MAC subframe is processed to form set mac frame 630, and it is similar to for example gathers mac frame 530 (Fig. 5).Then, set and PHY layer 607 (A) add PLCP header 622 (i) to each set mac frame 630 (i) (1≤i≤K) divide into groups 618 ' (i) to form corresponding PHY, (B) the individual PHY grouping 618 that is produced of connection K ', and (C) add preamble 620 and divide into groups 632 with formation PHY.The maximum length (duration) of PHY grouping 632 can be limited by the maximum available 802.11 burst sizes of 3ms.

At receiver, mac header 603 (n) that can following reconstruct LLC frame 601 (n).What at first use to receive mates MHDR and CHDATA unit mutually corresponding to the MHDR of the set mac frame 630 (i) of LLC frame 601 (n) and the value of the HID field in the CHDATA unit.Then, the header compression of the mac header of MHDR unit part and CHDATA unit partly is used to reconstruct mac header 603 (n).At last, use the mac header of reconstruct, receiver is handled the payload of CHDATA unit with restoring user data in habitual mode.

Though the present invention is described with reference to illustrated embodiment, this purpose of description does not lie in limiting sense and makes an explanation.Those of skill in the art to the technical field of the invention are obviously, and the various modifications of described embodiment and other embodiments of the invention are considered to fall into in the represented the principle and scope of the present invention of following claims.

Though the step in the claim to a method below, if exist, quote with particular order with respective labels, but, quote some or all the particular order that imply to realize these steps unless require these, otherwise these parts not necessarily are restricted to this particular order and realize.

The processing that the present invention can be used as based on circuit realizes, is included in may realize on the monolithic integrated circuit.To those skilled in the art clearly, the treatment step that also can be used as in software program of the various functions of circuit unit is realized.This software can for example implemented in digital signal processor, microcontroller or the all-purpose computer.

The present invention can implement with the form of the method and apparatus of implementing these methods.The present invention can also be embedded in the form of the program code in the tangible medium and implement, for example, floppy disk, CD-ROM, hard disk drive or any other machinable medium, wherein, when this program code is loaded into machine and is carried out by this machine, this machine for example is a computer, and this machine becomes realizes device of the present invention.The present invention can also for example be stored in storage medium, be loaded into also/or carry out by machine, or the form of the program code that transmits by some transmission medium or carrier wave implements, for example, and on electric wire or cable, pass through optical fiber, or by electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when this program code is loaded into and is carried out by machine, computer for example, this machine become implements device of the present invention.When implementing on general processor, this program code segment and processor combination are to provide the unique equipment that is similar to particular logic circuit work.

The cross reference of related application

The exercise question that the application requires on May 7th, 2004 to submit to is the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.60/569 of " MAC Header CompressionMechanism That Increases Wireless Medium Efficiency When Combined withFrame Aggregation ", 313 priority.The exercise question that the theme of this application relates to (i) on September 30th, 2004 to be submitted to is the U.S. Patent application No.10/955 of " Frame Aggregation Format ", 947 and the exercise question (ii) submitted on September 30th, 2004 be the U.S. Patent application No.10/955 of " FrameAggregation ", 943, both incorporate into by reference at this.

Claims (10)

1, a kind of method that produces the aggregated frame of one or more subframes, this method comprises:

(a) produce header unit from first group of header from described one or more subframes, this header unit has the header information that can be applicable to each subframe in first group;

(b), produce and have header compression part and payload data partial data unit for each subframe in first group; With

(c) formation comprises the aggregated frame of the header unit and the data cell of generation.

2, method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

In step (b) for each subframe:

Described header compression partly has the header information that can be applied to described subframe; With

Described payload data partly has the user data of this subframe;

All subframes in first group attempt to be used for single destination; With

For each subframe in first group, header compression part and header unit have all header information of this subframe together.

3, method as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: duplicate header unit at least once, wherein step (c) comprises the position of ordering header and data cell, makes at least one duplicate of header unit before all corresponding data unit.

4, method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step (c) comprising:

Produce sequence from header unit and data cell; With

Between per two adjacent cells, insert separator.

5, method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

Each header unit and header compression partly have header identification (HID) field, and it can be matched with header unit the one or more corresponding datas unit in the aggregated frame;

Described header unit comprises the frame control field of indicating member type as the header type unit;

Described header unit user data of no use;

Described header compression partly comprises the frame control field of indicating member type as data type element, and wherein said header compression part further comprises the sequence control field of this subframe of indication with respect to the position of other subframe in first group; With

Each header unit and data cell have Frame Check Sequence (FCS), and this sequence has the error detection occurs/control information that is used for this unit.

6, method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

Described one or more subframe comprises two or more subframes; With

This method further comprises:

For the one or more additional group of repeating step (a) of described one or more frames and (b);

For each son group, produce sequence from header and data cell;

The sequence that connection is produced is to form aggregated frame; With

Use aggregated frame to form physical layer packet, wherein form physical layer packet and comprise and add packet preamble and packet header to aggregated frame.

7, a kind of method by receiving equipment processing grouping, this method comprises:

Reception has the grouping corresponding to the aggregated frame of one or more subframes, wherein:

Described aggregated frame comprises header unit and is used for the data cell of each subframe;

Described header unit has the header information that can be applied to described one or more subframes; With

Described data cell has header compression part and payload data part; With

Based on described header unit and data cell, the corresponding subframe of the described one or more subframes of reconstruct.

8, method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

Described header compression partly has for the specific header information of described subframe;

Described payload data partly has the user data of this subframe; With

The header information of described header unit is for the common information of the header of described one or more subframes.

9, method as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

Each described header unit and header compression partly have header identification (HID) field;

This method comprises that the value of using in the HID field mates header unit and corresponding data unit;

Each header unit and data cell comprise the frame control field of indicating member type;

This method comprises the type of discerning each unit based on the value in the frame control field;

Each header unit and data cell comprise Frame Check Sequence (FCS), and this sequence has the error detection occurs/control information that is used for this unit;

This method comprises proofreaies and correct one or more mistakes for each header unit and data cell based on error detection occurs/control information; With

Described header compression partly comprises the sequence control field of the corresponding subframe of indication with respect to the position of other subframe of described one or more subframes.

10, method as claimed in claim 7, wherein, described method realizes as the step in the processor of integrated circuit (IC), wherein said IC is embedded in the equipment according to the IEEE802.11 standard operation.

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