JP2022029838A - Communication device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To restrict degradation of throughput of an entire network when a communication device is communicating with a plurality of communication devices including an access point.SOLUTION: It is determined whether or not an access point is present in a plurality of other communication devices participating in a network constructed by a communication device 101. When it is determined that an access point is present, a communication instruction for directing execution of data communication to the access point to and data is communicated with the assess point which has received the communication instruction, the communication instruction being generated such that the data communication between the access point and the communication apparatus 101 is performed with higher priority than data communication between a device other than the access point among the plurality of communication devices and the communication device 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to communication in a network including a plurality of access points.

Communication in a network including a plurality of access points (APs) (multi-AP network), such as the Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard established in the Wi-Fi Alliance, is being studied. The AP in the multi-AP network has both the function as an AP for constructing the network (fronthaul AP, Frontal AP) and the function as an STA participating in the network (backhaul STA, backhaul STA). The AP can join other APs and STAs to the network built by its own device by the front hall AP function. In addition, the AP can participate in the network constructed by other APs by the backhaul STA function.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for determining the topology of a network constructed by establishing a backhaul link between a plurality of APs.

Special Table 2019-509703 Gazette

In a network including a plurality of APs as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the performance of communication between APs (backhaul communication) greatly affects the performance of the entire network. The delay in backhaul communication may cause a decrease in the throughput of the entire network.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to suppress a decrease in throughput of the entire network when communicating with a plurality of communication devices including an access point.

In order to achieve the above object, the communication device of the present invention is a determination means for determining whether or not an access point exists in a plurality of other communication devices participating in the network constructed by the communication device, and the determination. When it is determined by the means that the access point exists, the data communication between the access point and the communication device is the data communication between the communication device and the device different from the access point among the plurality of other communication devices. When the communication instruction is generated so as to be executed with higher priority, and the communication instruction for instructing the execution of data communication is transmitted to the access point, and the communication instruction is transmitted by the transmission means. It also has a communication means for communicating data with the access point.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the throughput of the entire network when communicating with a plurality of communication devices including an access point.

It is a figure which shows the network configuration of the network in which an access point (AP) 101 participates. It is a figure which shows the hardware configuration of AP101. It is a flowchart which shows the process which is executed when the AP 101 performs a function as a front hole AP. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of MU EDCA Parameter Set element. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of a Parameter Record. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of Multi-AP IE format. It is a figure which shows an example of the frame structure of Multi-AP Extension subelent. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the process to execute when AP101 executes multi-AP communication with AP102, STA103. It is a flowchart which shows another process which is executed when AP 101 performs a function as a front hole AP. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of another process executed when the AP 101 executes multi-AP communication with the AP 102 and STA 103.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown.

Further, in the following embodiments, each communication device executes communication of a network including a plurality of access points (APs) by communication based on the Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each communication device may execute the communication of the network including a plurality of APs by the communication based on the IEEE 802.11s standard (11s standard) which is the standard concerning the wireless LAN mesh network of the IEEE 802.11 series standard. Alternatively, each communication device may execute communication of a network including a plurality of APs by communication based on the IEEE802.11be standard among the IEEE802.11 series standards.

In addition, IEEE is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and refers to the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Further, the IEEE802.11 series standard refers to at least one of the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be standards.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a network in which the access point (AP) 101 according to the present embodiment participates. AP101 and 102 are communication devices having a role of constructing a network compliant with the IEEE802.11 series standard. Stations (STA) 103 to 105 are communication devices having a role of participating in the network constructed by the AP. Further, the AP 101 is connected to the WAN (Wide Area Network) 106, and can relay the communication of the AP 102 and the STA 103 to 105 to connect each communication device to the WAN 106.

In this embodiment, each communication device executes multi-AP communication conforming to the Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard. In multi-AP communication, a plurality of connected APs operate in cooperation with each other. In the present embodiment, the multi-AP network 110 is formed by the AP 102 and STA 103 participating in the network constructed by AP 101 and the STA 104 and 105 participating in the network constructed by AP 102. The AP 102 has both a backhaul STA function, which is a function as an STA that participates in a network constructed by another AP, and a fronthaul AP function, which is a function as an AP that constructs a network. The AP 101 performs only the fronthaul AP function, but may also have a backhaul STA function.

In addition to the IEEE802.11 series standard, each communication device may support other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, Zigbee, and MBOA. UWB is an abbreviation for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. OFDM is an abbreviation for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. NFC is an abbreviation for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, Winet and the like. Further, it may be compatible with a communication standard for wired communication such as a wired LAN.

Specific examples of AP 101 and 102 include, but are not limited to, wireless LAN routers and PCs. The APs 101 and 102 may be any communication device capable of performing multi-AP communication with other communication devices. Specific examples of the STAs 103 to 105 include, but are not limited to, cameras, tablets, smartphones, PCs, mobile phones, video cameras, and the like. The STAs 103 to 105 may be any communication device having a function as an STA participating in the network. The network in FIG. 1 is a network composed of two APs and three STAs, but the number of APs and STAs is not limited to this.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of AP101 in this embodiment. The AP 101 has a storage unit 201, a control unit 202, a functional unit 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 205, a communication unit 206, and an antenna 207.

The storage unit 201 is composed of one or more memories such as ROM and RAM, and stores various information such as a computer program for performing various operations described later and communication parameters for wireless communication. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory, and RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. As the storage unit 201, in addition to memories such as ROM and RAM, storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and DVDs. May be used. Further, the storage unit 201 may include a plurality of memories and the like.

The control unit 202 is composed of one or more processors such as a CPU and an MPU, and controls the entire AP 101 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 201. The control unit 202 may control the entire AP 101 in cooperation with the computer program stored in the storage unit 201 and the OS (Operating System). Further, the control unit 202 generates data or signals (wireless frames) to be transmitted in communication with other communication devices. The CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, and MPU is an abbreviation for Micro Processing Unit. Further, the control unit 202 may include a plurality of processors such as a multi-core processor, and the entire AP 101 may be controlled by the plurality of processors.

Further, the control unit 202 executes the function as the front hole AP unit 208 that controls the front hole AP function of the AP 101 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 201. In addition to this, the control unit 202 executes the function as the backhaul STA unit 209 that controls the backhaul STA function of the AP 101 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 201. Which function is executed is determined by the instruction of the application running on the AP101, the setting of the AP101, or the instruction from the user.

When the AP 101 executes the function as AP and the function as STA at the same time, both the front hole AP unit 208 and the backhaul STA unit 209 are enabled. Alternatively, when the AP 101 executes only the function as an AP, that is, does not execute the function as an STA, only the front hole AP unit 208 is enabled and the backhaul STA unit 209 is invalidated. The AP101 does not have to have the backhaul STA unit 209.

Further, the control unit 202 controls the functional unit 203 to execute predetermined processing such as wireless communication, imaging, printing, and projection. The functional unit 203 is hardware for the AP 101 to execute a predetermined process.

The input unit 204 receives various operations from the user. The output unit 205 outputs various outputs to the user via the monitor screen and the speaker. Here, the output by the output unit 205 may be a display on a monitor screen, an audio output by a speaker, a vibration output, or the like. It should be noted that both the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 may be realized by one module as in the touch panel. Further, the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 may be integrated with the AP 101 or may be separate from each other.

The communication unit 206 controls a wireless LAN based on the IEEE802.11 series standard, which is a data link layer protocol, and controls wired communication such as a wired LAN based on the IEEE802.3 standard. Further, it controls IP communication, which is a communication protocol of the network layer. Further, the communication unit 206 executes a protocol according to the IEEE1905.1 standard on communication according to the IEEE802.11 standard and the IEEE802.3 standard, and acts as a controller and / or an agent according to the Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard. Take control. The IEEE1905.1 standard is a standard that defines a protocol located in the layer between the data link layer and the network layer. Further, the controller is a device having a role of controlling the communication of the entire network among the APs participating in the multi-AP network. An agent is a device having a role controlled by a controller among APs participating in a multi-AP network.

Not limited to this, the present embodiment also applies to communication devices compliant with other wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, ZigBee, MBOA, and communication devices compliant with other wired communication methods. The configuration is applicable. Here, MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Further, UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WINET and the like. The communication unit 206 controls the antenna 207 to transmit and receive radio signals for wireless communication. The antenna 207 may be configured as a separate body from the communication unit 206, or may be configured as one module together with the communication unit 206.

The AP 102 has a hardware configuration similar to that of the AP 101 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the control unit 202 reading and executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 201 when the AP 101 executes the function as the front hole AP. When the AP 102 also executes the function as the front hole AP, the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

This flowchart starts in response to the power of AP101 being turned on. Alternatively, it may be started in response to an instruction from a user or an application to execute the function as the front hall AP. Alternatively, it may be started in response to an instruction from the user or the application to start the multi-AP communication.

AP101 starts transmitting a beacon in order to notify the presence of its own device (S301). After that, AP101 transmits a beacon at predetermined time intervals until the processing of this flow is completed. Beacons are broadcast to all clients in the network. The beacon transmitted here includes a MU EDCA (Multi-User Enhanced Channel Access) Parameter Set argument. The MU EDCA Parameter Set element is a parameter defined by the IEEE802.11ax standard (hereinafter referred to as 11ax) used for controlling the transmission of frames according to the priority.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the frame configuration of the MU EDCA Parameter Set element. As shown in FIG. 4, this element is configured to include each field of Element ID, Lens, Element ID Extension, and QoS (Quality of Service) Info. In addition to this, this element is configured to include the fields MU AC_BE Parameter Record and MU AC_BK Parameter Record. The element further comprises the fields MU AC_VI Parameter Record and MU AC_VO Parameter Record. AP101 generates and transmits each field shown in FIG. 4 in order from the left.

In EDCA, packets are classified into four access categories (hereinafter referred to as AC), stored in each corresponding transmission queue, and transmitted according to priority. AC has AC_VO (Voice), AC_VI (Video), AC_BE (Best Effort), and AC_BK (Back Ground) in descending order of priority. AC_VO is the highest priority category and is assigned to packets that require low latency and bandwidth guarantee, such as voice. AC_VI is the second highest priority category and is assigned to packets that require bandwidth guarantee, such as moving images. AC_BE is the third highest priority category and is assigned to regular packets. AC_BK is the lowest priority category and is assigned to a large amount of packets that are not time-constrained. AP101 controls so that a packet having a high priority is transmitted preferentially.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the frame configuration of the Parameter Record of each AC shown in FIG. It is assumed that the Parameter Record of any AC has the frame configuration shown in FIG. The Parameter Record includes the ACI / AIFSN, ECWmin / ECWmax, and MU EDCA Timer fields. AP101 generates and transmits each field shown in FIG. 5 in order from the left.

ACI / AIFSN is an abbreviation for Access Category Index / Arbitration Inter Frame Space Number. This field includes ACI, which is information indicating an access category, and AIFSN, which is a parameter indicating a frame transmission interval. Since the backoff control starts earlier as the AIFSN value becomes smaller, the AIFSN value becomes smaller in the AC having a higher priority.

ECWmin / ECWmax includes information indicating a minimum value (min) and a maximum value (max) of CW (Contention Window), which is a parameter for determining the transmission waiting time. The shorter the waiting time for transmission, the higher the probability of obtaining the transmission right. Therefore, the higher the priority of AC, the smaller these values.

The MU EDCA Timer contains information indicating the period during which the control based on each parameter shown in this element is invalidated. When the value of this field is 0, there is no period during which each parameter indicated by this element is invalid. During the period in which this timer is set, STA's SU (Single-User) communication becomes dominant.

Return to the flowchart of FIG. AP101 establishes a wireless connection with the opposite device (STA or backhaul STA) (S302). The wireless connection process can use, for example, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (hereinafter, WPS) or Device Provisioning Protocol (hereinafter, DPP), but is not limited to these methods and protocols. When the WPS method is used, the AP101 starts the communication parameter sharing process by pressing the WPS button by the user. When the DPP method is used, the AP 101 displays a QR code (registered trademark) including the public key of the own device in response to the user's instruction to start the parameter sharing process by the DPP method. Alternatively, the AP 101 captures a QR code including the public key of the opposite device displayed by the opposite device.

As a method of participating in the multi-AP network of AP102, which is a multi-AP device, WPS or DPP can be used, for example, based on the Wi-Fi EasyMesh specification. WPS and DPP are standards established by Wi-Fi Alliance, and are standards for easily setting communication parameters such as SSID and encryption key required for wireless LAN connection in a communication device. The method of participating in the multi-AP network is not limited to these methods and protocols. When the AP 102 uses WPS to connect to the AP 101, the user starts participating in the multi-AP network by pressing the WPS push button. The participation sequence to the multi-AP network is executed by transmitting and receiving a radio frame such as WPS Authentication between AP101 and AP102.

In addition, regardless of which step of this flow is being executed, the AP 101 receives a user instruction or a connection request from the opposite device, in parallel with the processing of the step being executed, or in parallel with the processing of the step being executed. After that, the process of S302 is executed.

Next, AP101 determines whether it is connected to the backhaul STA (S303). Specifically, the AP 101 determines whether the device connected to the own device includes an AP that operates as a backhaul STA. The AP 101 makes a determination in this step based on the information included in the association request received in the process of S302 from the connected opposite device.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the frame configuration of the Multi-AP IE (Information Element) format. The Multi-AP IE includes fields of Element ID, Length, OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier), and OUI Type. In addition to this, the Multi-AP IE is configured to include a field of Sublemented reserved fields. The association request transmitting device generates and transmits each field shown in FIG. 6 in order from the top. In Multi-AP IE, Multi-AP Extension subelement is included as Sublement reserved fields.

Figure 7 shows an example of the frame configuration of the Multi-AP Extension subelent. The Multi-AP Extension sublement is configured to include a Subelement ID, a Subelement Length, and a Subelement Value. The association request transmitting device generates and transmits each field shown in FIG. 7 in order from the top.

The 7th bit of the Sublement Value is information indicating whether or not the backhaul STA is used. When the value of this bit is 1, it means that the transmitting device of the association request is the backhaul STA, and when it is 0, it means that the transmitting device of the association request is not the backhaul STA.

When the value of the 7th bit of the Sublement Value included in the received association request is 1, the AP101 determines Yes in S303 of FIG. 3 and processes S304. On the other hand, when the value of the 7th bit of the Sublement Value included in the received association request is 0, it is determined as No in S303 of FIG. 3 and the process of S310 is performed.

Alternatively, the AP 101 may determine Yes in S303 when the received association request includes Multi-AP IE, and may determine No in S303 when it does not include it.

When No is determined in S303, AP101 performs SU (Single User) communication control under the same communication conditions for all connected STAs (S310). In this step, AP101 performs priority control based on a QoS method such as EDCA or HCCA defined in the IEEE802.11e standard, for example. HCCA is an abbreviation for Hybrid codetion Function Control Channel Access. When the processing of this step is performed, the AP 101 performs the processing of S311.

On the other hand, if it is determined to be Yes in S303, AP101 instructs the backhaul STA to transmit data (S304). Specifically, the AP 101 instructs the backhaul STA to execute data transmission by transmitting the trigger frame (TF) defined by 11ax to the backhaul STA. The trigger frame defined by 11ax is a communication instruction instructing the communication device that has received the trigger frame to execute data communication.

The TF is a frame for the AP to instruct the STA to transmit the uplink, and is a frame in which one TF can instruct one or more STAs to execute data transmission. The TF includes information on the number of streams for each STA, allocation of a resource unit (RU), and information on power control at the time of transmission (whether or not transmission output can be increased or decreased). The resource unit is a unit of the band allocated to the STA, and refers to a band divided into subchannels finer than the channels defined in the IEEE802.11 series standard. Specifically, the 20 MHz band can be divided into a maximum of nine RUs, and each RU can be assigned to a different STA. The number of divisions of the frequency band is not limited to this, and the 20Mhz band may be divided into a smaller number of RUs. In this case, the bandwidth per RU becomes wider. Further, RUs having different bandwidths may be mixed in the 20 MHz band. The AP may assign only one RU to one STA, or may assign a plurality of RUs.

In addition, AP101 may instruct only STAs supporting 11ax to transmit data by transmitting TF. Whether or not the STA supports 11ax can be determined, for example, based on the information included in the association request received from the opposite device in S302. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the received association request includes the HE (High Efficiency) Capabilities election indicating the capability information in the 11ax communication of the opposite device. If the received association request includes the HE Capabilities element, it is determined that the opposite device corresponds to 11ax. On the other hand, if it is not included, it is determined that the opposite device does not correspond to the 11ax standard.

Next, AP101 receives data from the backhaul STA that transmitted the TF (S305). The backhaul STA that received the TF in S304 transmits data to the AP101 based on the number of spatial streams specified by the TF, the RU, and the transmission power control. In this case, a plurality of STAs designated by the TF simultaneously transmit data to the AP 101 using the designated RUs. The AP 101 receives the data by separating the received data from the plurality of STAs as spatial multiplexing signals as needed and processing the data.

AP101 transmits a response to the received data to the backhaul STA (S306). In this step, the AP 101 transmits a response by transmitting a signal such as Ac, Block Ac, or M-BA (Multi-STA Block ACK). Block Ac is a signal for transmitting a response for a plurality of packets to one STA. Further, the M-BA is a signal for collectively transmitting a response to a plurality of STAs in order to improve the efficiency of the response in multi-user communication.

When there are a plurality of backhaul STAs in AP101, AP101 transmits TF to all backhaul STAs in S304. Alternatively, AP101 may transmit TF to some backhaul STAs in S304, and then repeat the processes of S304 to S306 until TFs are transmitted to all backhaul STAs.

Next, AP101 activates the MU EDCA timer (S307). Specifically, the value included in the MU EDCA Timer field shown in FIG. 5 is set, and timing is started. The MU EDCA timer ends when the set time elapses. While this timer is running, communication with other STAs has priority over communication with the backhaul STA instructed to transmit data in S304.

When the MU EDCA timer is started, AP101 determines whether the timer has expired (S308). If the timer has expired, it is determined to be Yes in this step, and AP101 processes S311. On the other hand, if the timer has not expired, it is determined as No in this step, and the process of S309 is performed.

If the MU EDCA timer has not expired, AP101 preferentially receives data from the STA that did not instruct the transmission of data in S304 (S309). In this step, AP101 uses TF to execute data reception from STA that has not been instructed to transmit data. Alternatively, AP101 may communicate with the corresponding STA by a QoS method such as EDCA or HCCA defined in the IEEE802.11e standard. When the processing of this step is performed, the AP101 re-determines S308.

When the TF is transmitted only to the backhaul STA that supports 11ax in S304, the backhaul STA that does not support 11ax in S309 is also controlled to preferentially communicate data.

When the MU EDCA timer ends, the AP101 determines whether the communication has ended (S311). Specifically, the AP 101 determines whether the end of the multi-AP communication has been instructed by the user or application. If the end of the multi-AP communication is not instructed, AP101 determines No in this step and executes the process of S303. On the other hand, when the end of the multi-AP communication is instructed, the AP 101 determines Yes in this step and ends the processing of this flow.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 3, when the AP101 is connected to the backhaul STA, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the throughput of the entire network by preferentially executing communication with the backhaul STA. ..

In this flow, the uplink communication from the backhaul STA to the AP is preferentially performed, but in addition to or instead, the downlink communication from the AP to the backhaul STA may be preferentially performed. good.

When executing downlink communication, the AP 101 instructs the backhaul STA to receive the data transmitted from the AP 101 in S304. In this case, AP101 instructs the backhaul STA to receive data by using TF as in the case of uplink communication. Further, the AP 101 transmits data to the backhaul STA in S305, and receives a response from the backhaul STA to the transmitted data in S306. Further, in S309, the AP101 preferentially transmits data to the STA that has not been instructed to receive data in S304.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a sequence of processes executed by the AP 101 when executing multi-AP communication with the AP 102 and STA 103.

In this sequence, AP101 is connected to AP102 and STA103 as a front hole AP. Further, the AP 102 is connected to the AP 101 as a backhaul STA.

AP101 transmits a beacon (601). The beacon includes the MU EDCA Parameter Set element shown in FIG. Upon receiving this beacon, AP102 and STA103 update various parameters used for communication with AP101 based on the information contained in the received beacon. After that, AP102 and STA103 control communication with AP101 using the updated parameters. The AP101 also transmits a beacon at predetermined time intervals after 601.

Next, since the AP 101 is connected to the AP 102, which is a backhaul STA, the TF is used to instruct the AP 102 to transmit data (602). Here, the AP 101 does not transmit the TF to the STA 103, which is a normal STA, in order to give priority to the communication with the backhaul STA.

AP102, which is instructed to transmit the uplink from AP101, transmits data to AP101 (603).

Upon receiving the data from the AP 102, the AP 101 transmits an acknowledgment (ACK) indicating that the data has been received to the AP 102 (604).

Although the sequence diagram shows the case where one backhaul STA is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of backhaul STAs may be connected to the AP 101. In this case, when the AP101 transmits the TF at 602, the AP101 transmits a plurality of backhaul STAs as destinations. In addition, AP101 receives data from a plurality of backhaul STAs at the same time in 603. The AP101 may individually transmit the confirmation response indicating that the data has been received to each of the plurality of backhaul STAs, or may collectively transmit the confirmation response using the M-BA.

After the priority communication of the backhaul STAs 602 to 604 is completed, the normal STA (STA103) communication is prioritized over the backhaul STA (AP102) during the period from the start to the end of the EDCA timer. Is done (605). Therefore, when the STA 103 holds the data for the AP 101, the data can be preferentially transmitted to the AP 101 during the period of 605.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by preferentially executing communication with the backhaul STA using the TF, the bottleneck in the multi-AP communication can be eliminated and the decrease in the throughput of the entire network can be suppressed.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, when the fronthaul AP is connected to the backhaul STA, the communication with the backhaul STA is preferentially executed by transmitting the TF only to the backhaul AP first. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, among the STAs to which the fronthaul AP is connected, the band is preferentially allocated to the backhaul STA to preferentially execute communication with the backhaul STA. In this embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

The network configuration in this embodiment is the same as in FIG. The hardware configurations of AP101 and AP102 are the same as those in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another process executed by the control unit 202 reading and executing the computer program stored in the storage unit 201 when the AP 101 executes the function as the front hole AP. When the AP 102 also executes the function as the front hole AP, the process shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

This flowchart starts in response to the power of AP101 being turned on. Alternatively, it may be started in response to an instruction from a user or an application to execute the function as the front hall AP. Alternatively, it may be started in response to an instruction from the user or the application to start the multi-AP communication.

The processing of S701 to S703 is the same as that of S301 to S303 of FIG.

When it is determined in S703 that the backhaul STA is connected, the AP101 assigns the RU to the backhaul STA in preference to the normal STA to which the backhaul STA is connected (S704). Specifically, the AP 101 generates a TF that allocates a larger number of RUs to the backhaul STA or allocates a wider bandwidth RU.

AP101 instructs both the normal STA and the backhaul STA to transmit data (S705). The instruction to transmit data is executed by transmitting TF as in S304 of FIG. 3, but in the present embodiment, TF is transmitted not only to the backhaul STA but also to a normal STA in this step. The other device that transmits TF in this step may be limited to a normal STA and a backhaul STA that support 11ax. Whether or not the normal STA and the backhaul STA support 11ax may be determined by the method described in S304 of FIG.

The AP 101 then receives data from the normal STA and backhaul STA that transmitted the TF in S705 (S706). Normally the STA and backhaul STA transmit data to the AP101 based on the spatial stream, RU, and transmit power specified by the received TF. The reception process of AP101 is the same as that of S305 in FIG.

The processing of S707 to S712 is the same as that of S306 to S311 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, AP101, which is a fronthaul AP, preferentially allocates RU to AP102, which is a backhaul STA, thereby suppressing a decrease in communication throughput of the entire multi-AP network.

In this flow, the RU is preferentially assigned to the uplink communication from the backhaul STA to the AP, but in addition to or instead, the RU is preferentially assigned to the downlink communication from the AP to the backhaul STA. May be assigned.

When performing downlink communication, AP101 instructs STA and backhaul STA to receive data from AP101 in S705. In this case, AP101 uses TF to instruct data reception. Further, in the TF, the RU is preferentially assigned to the backhaul STA rather than the STA. AP101 transmits data to the STA and the backhaul STA in S706. AP101 receives a response to transmission data from the STA and the backhaul STA in S707. Further, in S710, the AP 101 preferentially transmits data to the STA that has not been instructed to receive the data in S705.

FIG. 10 shows an example of another processing sequence executed when the AP 101 executes multi-AP communication with the AP 102 and the STA 103.

In this sequence, AP101 is connected to AP102 and STA103 as a front hole AP. Further, the AP 102 is connected to the AP 101 as a backhaul STA.

Since 801 is the same as 601 in FIG. 8, it is omitted.

AP101 uses TF to transmit TF to AP102 and STA103, and instructs the execution of uplink communication (802). In the transmitted TF, more RUs or wider RUs are assigned to AP102 than to STA103. The AP101 may specify only the other device that supports 11ax by TF.

Upon receiving the TF, AP102 and STA103 transmit data to AP101 (803, 804). In this case, since the AP 102 is preferentially assigned more RUs or RUs having a wider bandwidth as compared with the STA 103, the AP 102 can communicate at a higher speed than the STA 103.

When AP101 receives data from AP102 and STA103 at the same time, AP101 sends an acknowledgment to each of them (805). The confirmation response is the same as that of 604 in FIG.

Further, 806 is the same as 605 in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the fronthaul AP preferentially allocates the RU to the backhaul STA over the normal STA, so that the communication with the backhaul STA can be prioritized. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the throughput of the entire multi-AP network.

The AP 101 may have the processes shown in the first and second embodiments as operation modes, respectively. Such an AP may switch whether to operate in the mode for executing the process shown in the embodiment based on a user instruction or an application instruction.

In addition, at least a part or all of the flowchart of AP101 shown in FIGS. 3 and 9 may be realized by hardware. When it is realized by hardware, for example, by using a predetermined compiler, a dedicated circuit may be generated on the FPGA from a computer program for realizing each step, and this may be used. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array. Further, a Gate Array circuit may be formed in the same manner as the FPGA and realized as hardware. Further, it may be realized by ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101, 102 AP
103, 104, 105 STA
106 WAN
110 multi-AP network

Claims (14)

It ’s a communication device,
A determination means for determining whether or not an access point exists in a plurality of other communication devices participating in the network constructed by the communication device, and
When it is determined by the determination means that the access point exists, the data communication between the access point and the communication device is different between the device and the communication device among the plurality of other communication devices, which are different from the access point. A transmission means for transmitting a communication instruction to the access point, which is a communication instruction generated so as to be executed with priority over data communication and instructing execution of data communication.
A communication means that communicates data with the access point when the communication instruction is transmitted by the transmission means.
A communication device characterized by having. The transmitting means does not transmit the communication instruction to a device different from the access point,
The communication device further
The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for controlling communication with a device different from the access point after communicating data with the access point by the communication means. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein when the plurality of other communication devices includes a plurality of the access points, the transmission means transmits the communication instruction to the plurality of access points. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein when the communication instruction is transmitted to the plurality of access points, the communication means communicates at the same time as the plurality of access points. The transmission means transmits the communication instruction to the access point and a device different from the access point.
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication instruction instructs the access point to allocate bandwidth in preference to a device different from the access point. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the communication means communicates data at the same time as the access point to which the communication instruction is transmitted and a device different from the access point. The communication device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the communication instruction instructs the access point to allocate a wider resource unit than a device different from the access point. The communication device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the communication instruction instructs the access point to allocate more resource units than a device different from the access point. Further having a timekeeping means for measuring a predetermined period based on the communication of data with the access point by the communication means.
Any of claims 1 to 8, wherein communication with the other communication device that did not transmit the communication instruction is prioritized among the plurality of other communication devices during the predetermined period. The communication device according to item 1. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transmission means transmits the communication instruction only to the access points that support the communication conforming to the IEEE802.11ax standard. Communication device. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the access point is an access point that operates as a backhaul STA conforming to the Wi-Fi EasyMesh standard. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the communication instruction is a trigger frame conforming to the IEEE802.11ax standard. It is a control method for communication devices.
A determination step for determining whether an access point exists in a plurality of other communication devices participating in the network constructed by the communication device, and a determination step.
When it is determined in the determination step that the access point exists, the data communication between the access point and the communication device is different between the device and the communication device among the plurality of other communication devices, which are different from the access point. A transmission step of transmitting a communication instruction to the access point, which is a communication instruction generated so as to be executed with priority over data communication and instructing execution of data communication.
A communication step of communicating data with the access point when the communication instruction is transmitted in the transmission step.
A control method characterized by having. A program for making a computer function as each means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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