KR102330007B1 - Method for discovering neighbor node in wireless local area network - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for discovering neighboring nodes in a wireless LAN. The discovery method includes the steps of performing a scanning procedure, performing an authentication procedure with a first terminal detected through the scanning procedure, performing a connection procedure with a first terminal on which the authentication procedure is completed, scanning performed by the first terminal obtaining a result from the first terminal, and generating a first AP list based on a scanning result performed by the first access point and a scanning result performed by the first terminal. Accordingly, the problem of interference between neighboring access points can be resolved.

Description

How to discover neighboring nodes in WLAN

The present invention relates to a wireless LAN technology, and more particularly, to a technology for discovering a neighboring access point.

With the development of information and communication technology, various wireless communication technologies are being developed. Among them, wireless local area network (WLAN) is a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a smart It is a technology that enables wireless access to the Internet at home, in a business, or in a specific service area by using a portable terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet PC.

A standard for a wireless LAN technology is being developed as an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard. The WLAN technology according to the IEEE 802.11a standard operates based on an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme, and can provide a transmission rate of up to 54 Mbps in a 5 GHz band. The WLAN technology according to the IEEE 802.11b standard operates based on a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) method, and may provide a transmission rate of up to 11 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. The WLAN technology according to the IEEE 802.11g standard operates based on the OFDM method or the DSSS method, and can provide a transmission rate of up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band.

The WLAN technology according to the IEEE 802.11n standard operates in the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band based on the OFDM method, and when using the multiple input multiple output-OFDM (MIMO-OFDM) method, 4 spatial streams ( It can provide a transmission rate of up to 300 Mbps for spatial streams). The wireless LAN technology according to the IEEE 802.11n standard can support a channel bandwidth of up to 40 MHz, and in this case, a transmission speed of up to 600 Mbps can be provided.

As the spread of such WLANs is activated and applications using them are diversified, the need for a new WLAN technology to support a higher throughput than the data processing rate supported by IEEE 802.11n is increasing. A very high throughput (VHT) wireless LAN technology is one of the IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN technologies being proposed to support a data processing rate of 1 Gbps or more. Among them, IEEE 802.11ac is being developed as a standard for providing ultra-high throughput in a band below 5 GHz, and IEEE 802.11ad is being developed as a standard for providing ultra-high throughput in a band of 60 GHz.

As the use of wireless LANs increases in recent years, the possibility of using overlapping channels between neighboring access points is increasing. In addition, there is a problem in that the performance of the wireless LAN is degraded by the hidden (hidden) access point.

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems, to provide a neighboring access point discovery method for solving the interference problem between neighboring access points in a WLAN.

A discovery method performed in a first access point according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes the steps of performing a scanning procedure, performing an authentication procedure with the first terminal detected through the scanning procedure, authentication performing a connection procedure with the first terminal on which the procedure has been completed, obtaining a scanning result performed by the first terminal from the first terminal, and a scanning result performed in the first access point and the first terminal and generating a first AP list based on the scanning result performed in .

Here, the scanning result may include information on at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure.

Here, the first AP list may include at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first access point and at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first terminal. can

Here, in the discovery method, a first AP discovery indication frame including at least one of a scanning result performed in the first access point and at least one of the first AP list is preset among at least one terminal connected to the first access point. The method may further include transmitting to a terminal that satisfies the criteria, and receiving a first AP discovery confirmation frame, which is a response to the first AP discovery indication frame, from the terminal satisfying the preset criteria.

Here, the terminal satisfying the preset criterion may be a terminal that has detected the largest number of access points through a scanning procedure among at least one terminal connected to the first access point.

Here, the discovery method includes receiving a second AP discovery indication frame from a second terminal, and transmitting a second AP discovery confirmation frame to the second terminal in response to the second AP discovery indication frame and updating the first AP list based on the information included in the second AP discovery indication frame, wherein the second AP discovery indication frame generates the second AP discovery indication frame. It may include at least one of a scanning result performed by the access point and a second AP list generated by the access point that generated the second AP discovery indication frame.

Here, the second AP discovery confirmation frame may include at least one of information for establishing a connection with the first access point and operation channel information of the first access point.

Here, the discovery method includes performing an authentication procedure with a third terminal, performing a connection procedure with the third terminal for which an authentication procedure is completed, and obtaining a scanning result performed by the third terminal from the third terminal and updating the first AP list based on the scanning result performed by the third terminal.

A discovery method performed in a first terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes the steps of performing a scanning procedure, performing an authentication procedure with a first access point detected through the scanning procedure, and authentication performing a connection procedure with the first access point for which the procedure has been completed, and transmitting a scanning result performed by the first terminal to the first access point.

Here, the scanning result may include information on at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure.

Here, the discovery method may include at least one of a scanning result performed by the first terminal, a first AP list generated based on a scanning result performed by the first access point, and a scanning result performed by the first access point. Receiving a first AP discovery indication frame including one from the first access point, transmitting the first AP discovery indication frame, At least one access point receiving the first AP discovery indication frame The method may further include receiving a first AP discovery confirmation frame that is a response to the first AP discovery indication frame from the AP, and transmitting the first AP discovery confirmation frame to the first access point.

Here, the first AP list may include at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first access point and at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first terminal. can

Here, the first AP discovery confirm frame includes at least information for establishing a connection with the access point that transmitted the first AP discovery confirm frame and operation channel information of the access point that transmitted the first AP discovery confirm frame. may contain one.

Here, in response to the first AP discovery indication frame, a beacon frame may be used instead of the first AP discovery confirm frame.

A first access point according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a processor and a memory in which at least one program instruction executed through the processor is stored, wherein the at least one program instruction is scanned performing a procedure, performing an authentication procedure with a first terminal detected through a scanning procedure, performing a connection procedure with the first terminal for which an authentication procedure has been completed, and the scanning result performed by the first terminal acquiring from the first terminal, and generating a first AP list based on a scanning result performed by the first access point and a scanning result performed by the first terminal.

Here, the first AP list may include at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first access point and at least one access point detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first terminal. can

Here, the at least one program command transmits a first AP discovery indication frame including at least one of a scanning result performed by the first access point and the first AP list to at least one terminal connected to the first access point. Transmitting to a terminal that satisfies a preset criterion from among, and receiving a first AP discovery confirmation frame from a terminal satisfying the preset criterion in response to the first AP discovery indication frame. It may be possible.

Here, the terminal satisfying the preset criterion may be a terminal that has detected the largest number of access points through a scanning procedure among at least one terminal connected to the first access point.

Here, the at least one program command includes: receiving a second AP discovery indication frame from a second terminal; and sending a second AP discovery confirmation frame, which is a response to the second AP discovery indication frame, to the second terminal transmitting, and updating the first AP list based on information included in the second AP discovery indication frame, wherein the second AP discovery indication frame is the second AP It may include at least one of a scanning result performed by the access point that generated the discovery indication frame and a second AP list generated by the access point that generated the second AP discovery indication frame.

Here, the second AP discovery confirmation frame may include at least one of information for establishing a connection with the first access point and operation channel information of the first access point.

Here, the at least one program command includes the steps of performing an authentication procedure with a third terminal, performing a connection procedure with the third terminal for which an authentication procedure is completed, and a scanning result performed by the third terminal as the third terminal. It may be executable to further perform the steps of obtaining from the terminal, and updating the first AP list based on the scanning result performed by the third terminal.

According to the present invention, the problem of interference between neighboring access points can be solved.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a station performing methods according to the present invention;
2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of a configuration of a wireless LAN system according to IEEE 802.11.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a connection procedure of a terminal in an infrastructure BSS.
4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network in which BSSs overlap each other.
5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another embodiment of a network in which BSSs overlap each other.
6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of an AP discovery method based on a centralized topology.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a passive method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods.
8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an active method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods.
9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a terminal support method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods.
10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another embodiment of a network in which BSSs overlap each other.
11 is a flowchart illustrating an AP discovery method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Since the present invention can have various changes and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail.

However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component. and/or includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another component, it is understood that the other component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but other components may exist in between. it should be On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a certain element is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that the other element does not exist in the middle.

The terms used in the present application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification exists, but one or more other features It should be understood that this does not preclude the existence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application. does not

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, in order to facilitate the overall understanding, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and duplicate descriptions of the same components are omitted.

Throughout the specification, a station (STA) is a medium access control (MAC) conforming to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard and a physical layer for a wireless medium (medium). It means any functional medium including an interface. A station (STA) may be divided into a station (STA) which is an access point (AP) and a station (STA) which is a non-access point (non-AP). A station (STA) that is an access point (AP) may simply be called an access point (AP), and a station (STA) that is a non-access point (non-AP) may simply be called a terminal.

The station STA may include a processor and a transceiver, and may further include a user interface and a display device. The processor means a unit designed to generate a frame to be transmitted through a wireless network or process a frame received through a wireless network, and may perform various functions for controlling the station (STA). The transceiver is functionally connected to the processor and refers to a unit designed to transmit and receive frames through a wireless network for a station (STA).

The access point (AP) is a centralized controller, a base station (BS), a radio access station (radio access station), a node B (node B), an advanced node B (evolved node B), a relay (relay), MMR (mobile) multihop relay) - may refer to a BS, a base transceiver system (BTS), a site controller, or the like, and may include some or all functions thereof.

A terminal (ie, non-access point) is a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), user equipment (UE), user terminal (UT), access terminal (AT), Refers to a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station (SS), a wireless device, or a mobile subscriber unit. and may include some or all of the functions thereof.

Here, the terminal is a desktop computer capable of communication, a laptop computer, a tablet PC, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a smart watch. (smart watch), smart glass, e-book reader, PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), portable game console, navigation device, digital camera, DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) player, digital voice Digital audio recorder, digital audio player, digital picture recorder, digital picture player, digital video recorder, digital video player ), and so on.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a station performing methods according to the present invention;

Referring to FIG. 1 , the station 100 may include at least one processor 110 , a memory 120 , and a network interface device 130 connected to a network to perform communication. Also, the station 100 may further include an input interface device 140 , an output interface device 150 , a storage device 160 , and the like. Each component included in the station 100 may be connected by a bus 170 to communicate with each other.

The processor 110 may execute a program command stored in the memory 120 and/or the storage device 160 . The processor 110 may mean a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which methods according to the present invention are performed. The memory 120 and the storage device 160 may be configured of a volatile storage medium and/or a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory 120 may be configured as a read only memory (ROM) and/or a random access memory (RAM).

Embodiments of the present invention are applied to a wireless LAN system according to IEEE 802.11, and may be applied to other communication systems as well as a wireless LAN system according to IEEE 802.11.

For example, embodiments of the present invention include portable Internet such as wireless personal area network (WPAN), wireless body area network (WBAN), wireless broadband internet (WiBro) or world interoperability for microwave access (WiMax), global system (GSM). for mobile communication) or 2G mobile communication networks such as code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) or 3G mobile communication networks such as cdma2000, high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) or high speed uplink (HSUPA) It can be applied to a 3.5G mobile communication network such as packet access), a 4G mobile communication network such as long term evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced, a 5G mobile communication network, and the like.

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of a configuration of a wireless LAN system according to IEEE 802.11.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a WLAN system according to IEEE 802.11 may include at least one basic service set (BSS). BSS refers to a set of stations (STA1, STA2 (AP1), STA3, STA4, STA5 (AP2), STA6, STA7, STA8) that can communicate with each other through successful synchronization, and is not a concept meaning a specific area .

BSS can be divided into infrastructure BSS (infrastructure BSS) and independent BSS (independent BSS, IBSS). Here, BSS1 and BSS2 mean infrastructure BSS, and BSS3 means IBSS.

BSS1 is a distribution system connecting a first terminal (STA1), a first access point (STA2 (AP1)) providing a distribution service, and a plurality of access points (STA2 (AP1), STA5 (AP2)) ( distribution system (DS). In BSS1, the first access point STA2 (AP1) may manage the first terminal STA1.

BSS2 connects a third terminal (STA3), a fourth terminal (STA4), a second access point (STA5 (AP2)) providing a distribution service, and a plurality of access points (STA2 (AP1), STA5 (AP2)). a distribution system (DS). In BSS2, the second access point STA5 (AP2) may manage the third terminal STA3 and the fourth terminal STA4.

BSS3 refers to IBSS operating in an ad-hoc mode. In BSS3, an access point, which is a centralized management entity, does not exist. That is, in the BSS3, the terminals STA6, STA7, and STA8 are managed in a distributed manner. In BSS 3, all terminals STA6, STA7, and STA8 may refer to mobile terminals, and since access to the distribution system DS is not allowed, they form a self-contained network.

The access points STA2 (AP1), STA5 (AP2) may provide access to the distributed system DS through a wireless medium for the terminals STA1, STA3, STA4 coupled thereto. In BSS1 or BSS2, communication between terminals STA1, STA3, STA4 is generally performed through access points STA2 (AP1), STA5 (AP2), but when a direct link is established, the terminals ( Direct communication between STA1, STA3, and STA4) is possible.

A plurality of infrastructure BSSs may be interconnected through a distribution system (DS). A plurality of BSSs connected through a distribution system (DS) is called an extended service set (ESS). Entities included in the ESS (STA1, STA2 (AP1), STA3, STA4, STA5 (AP2)) can communicate with each other, and any terminal (STA1, STA3, STA4) within the same ESS communicates seamlessly with one You can move from one BSS to another.

The distribution system (DS) is a mechanism for one access point to communicate with another access point, according to which the access point transmits a frame for terminals connected to the BSS it manages, or moves to another BSS. A frame may be transmitted for any terminal. In addition, the access point may transmit and receive frames to and from an external network such as a wired network. Such a distribution system (DS) does not necessarily have to be a network, and if it can provide a predetermined distribution service stipulated in the IEEE 802.11 standard, there is no restriction on its form. For example, the distribution system may be a wireless network such as a mesh network or a physical structure that connects access points to each other.

In the infrastructure BSS, a terminal (STA) may be associated with an access point (AP). The terminal (STA) may transmit/receive data when connected to the access point (AP).

3 is a flowchart illustrating a connection procedure of a terminal in an infrastructure BSS.

Referring to Figure 3, the connection procedure of the terminal (STA) in the infrastructure BSS is largely a step of detecting the access point (AP) (probe step), the authentication step with the detected access point (AP) (authentication step), the authentication procedure It may be divided into an association step with an access point (AP) that has performed .

The terminal STA may first detect neighboring access points (APs) using a passive scanning method or an active scanning method. When the passive scanning method is used, the terminal STA may detect neighboring access points (APs) by overhearing beacons transmitted by the access points (APs). In the case of using the active scanning method, the terminal (STA) transmits a probe request frame and receives a probe response frame that is a response to the probe request frame from the access points (APs). One access point (APs) can be detected.

When the terminal (STA) detects neighboring access points (APs), it may perform an authentication step with the detected access points (AP). In this case, the terminal (STA) may perform an authentication step with a plurality of access points (APs). An authentication algorithm according to the IEEE 802.11 standard may be divided into an open system algorithm for exchanging two authentication frames, a shared key algorithm for exchanging four authentication frames, and the like.

Based on the authentication algorithm according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the terminal (STA) transmits an authentication request frame (authentication request frame) and receives an authentication response frame (authentication response frame) as a response to the authentication request frame from the access point (AP) By doing so, authentication with the access point (AP) can be completed.

When the terminal (STA) completes authentication, it may perform a connection step with the access point (AP). In this case, the terminal STA may select one access point (AP) from among the access points (APs) that have performed the authentication step with itself, and may perform the connection step with the selected access point (AP). That is, the terminal STA transmits an association request frame to the selected access point AP and receives an association response frame that is a response to the association request frame from the selected access point AP. Connection with the selected access point (AP) may be completed.

Meanwhile, the use of wireless LANs operating in an unlicensed band is increasing due to an increase in the use of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet PCs. In particular, in the case of Internet traffic, more than half of the wireless LAN is in charge. For this reason, interference between terminals accessing each of the neighboring access points (ie, belonging to different BSSs) is increasing.

A wireless LAN system according to the IEEE 802.11ac standard may use a wider 20MHz/40MHz/80MHz/160MHz band than a wireless LAN system according to the IEEE 802.11n standard using a 20MHz/40MHz band. Accordingly, each of the neighboring access points may use a channel that partially overlaps or completely overlaps each other. In such an environment, it is an important issue to solve an interference problem between neighboring access points for efficient use of frequency resources. In particular, the interference in the 2.4 GHz band is more serious than the interference in the 5 GHz band. In order to minimize interference in the 2.4GHz band, it is recommended to set the channel bandwidth of 22MHz or less and use channels 1, 5, 7, and 13 in the 2.4GHz band.

In order to minimize interference between neighboring access points and efficiently use frequency resources, it is important for an access point to recognize the existence of an access point that may interfere with itself. In relation to AP discovery, two cases may be considered, such as the network shown in FIG. 4 and the network shown in FIG. 5 below.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network in which BSSs overlap each other.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a first access point 410 may configure a first BSS 401 , and a second access point 420 may configure a second BSS 402 . A first access point 410 , a second access point 420 , a first terminal 411 , a second terminal 412 , and a third terminal 421 may be located within the range of the first BSS 401 . The first access point 410 , the second access point 420 , the third terminal 421 , the fourth terminal 422 , and the fifth terminal 423 may be located within the range of the second BSS 402 . The first terminal 411 and the second terminal 412 may be associated with the first access point 410 . The third terminal 421 , the fourth terminal 422 , and the fifth terminal 423 may be connected to the second access point 420 .

Here, since the first BSS 401 and the second BSS 402 overlap, when the first access point 410 and the second access point 420 use the same channel, communication within the first BSS 401 Interference may occur between communication in the second BSS 402 and the second BSS 402 . In this case, since the first access point 410 can receive the beacon frame transmitted from the second access point 420 , it can know the existence of the second access point 420 , and the second access point 420 also Since a beacon frame transmitted from the first access point 410 may be received, the existence of the first access point 410 may be recognized. Accordingly, since the first access point 410 and the second access point 420 do not have a hidden access point relationship, in this case, a separate method for AP discovery is not required.

5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another embodiment of a network in which BSSs overlap each other.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a first access point 510 may configure a first BSS 501 , and a second access point 520 may configure a second BSS 502 . A first access point 510 , a first terminal 511 , a second terminal 512 , and a third terminal 521 may be located within the range of the first BSS 501 . A second access point 520 , a third terminal 521 , a fourth terminal 522 , and a fifth terminal 523 may be located within the range of the second BSS 502 . The first terminal 511 and the second terminal 512 may be connected to the first access point 510 . The third terminal 521 , the fourth terminal 522 , and the fifth terminal 523 may be connected to the second access point 520 .

Here, since the first BSS 501 and the second BSS 502 overlap, when the first access point 510 and the second access point 520 use the same channel, communication within the first BSS 501 Interference may occur between communication in the second BSS 502 and the second BSS 502 . In this case, since the first access point 510 cannot receive the beacon frame transmitted from the second access point 520, it cannot know the existence of the second access point 520, and the second access point 520 also Since the beacon frame transmitted from the first access point 510 cannot be received, the existence of the first access point 510 cannot be known. Accordingly, since the first access point 510 and the second access point 520 have a hidden access point relationship, in this case, a separate method for AP discovery is absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, the AP discovery scheme may be classified into a centralized topology-based AP discovery scheme and a distributed topology-based AP discovery scheme.

6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of an AP discovery method based on a centralized topology.

Referring to FIG. 6 , a first access point 610 may configure a first BSS 601 , and a second access point 620 may configure a second BSS 602 . A first access point 610 , a first terminal 611 , a second terminal 612 , and a third terminal 621 may be located within the range of the first BSS 601 . A second access point 620 , a third terminal 621 , a fourth terminal 622 , and a fifth terminal 623 may be located within the range of the second BSS 602 . The first terminal 611 and the second terminal 612 may be connected to the first access point 610 . The third terminal 621 , the fourth terminal 622 , and the fifth terminal 623 may be connected to the second access point 620 . The AP controller 630 may be connected to the first access point 610 and the second access point 620 by wire or wirelessly.

The centralized topology-based AP discovery method is an AP discovery technology using the AP controller 630 applied to an enterprise network. First, each of the access points 610 and 620 may be connected to the AP controller 630 , and may transmit its own location information, coverage information, and the like to the AP controller 630 . Thereafter, each of the access points 610 and 620 may transmit an AP discovery request frame to the AP controller 630 . The AP controller 630 may transmit an AP discovery response frame including location information and coverage information of the registered access point in response to the AP discovery request frame to each of the access points 610 and 620. have. Each of the access points 610 and 620 may acquire information on a neighboring access point including a hidden access point based on information included in the AP discovery response frame.

The centralized topology-based AP discovery method is useful in networks using the same operator network or the same WLAN solution, but it is difficult to use in an environment where private access points exist between different operator networks.

Meanwhile, according to the distributed topology-based AP discovery method, an access point can discover a neighboring access point without the AP controller 630 . The distributed topology-based AP discovery method may be classified into a passive method, an active method, and a terminal support method.

7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a passive method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a first access point 710 may configure a first BSS 701 , and a second access point 720 may configure a second BSS 702 . A first access point 710 , a second access point 720 , a first terminal 711 , a second terminal 712 , and a third terminal 721 may be located within the range of the first BSS 701 . The first access point 710 , the second access point 720 , the third terminal 721 , the fourth terminal 722 , and the fifth terminal 723 may be located within the range of the second BSS 702 . The first terminal 711 and the second terminal 712 may be connected to the first access point 710 . The third terminal 721 , the fourth terminal 722 , and the fifth terminal 723 may be connected to the second access point 720 .

The first access point 710 may transmit a beacon frame in a broadcast manner, and the second access point 720 may receive the beacon frame transmitted from the first access point 710 . The second access point 720 may transmit a beacon frame in a broadcast manner, and the first access point 710 may receive a beacon frame transmitted from the second access point 720 . That is, each of the access points 710 and 720 may check the existence of the neighboring access point based on the beacon frame received from the neighboring access point.

However, among the distributed topology-based AP discovery methods, the passive method may be used only when the access point is located in an area capable of receiving a beacon frame transmitted from another access point. Accordingly, when the access point is not located in an area capable of receiving a beacon frame transmitted from another access point, the passive method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods cannot be used.

8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an active method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods.

Referring to FIG. 8 , a first access point 810 may configure a first BSS 801 , and a second access point 820 may configure a second BSS 802 . A first access point 810 , a second access point 820 , a first terminal 811 , a second terminal 812 , and a third terminal 821 may be located within the range of the first BSS 801 . A first access point 810 , a second access point 820 , a third terminal 821 , a fourth terminal 822 , and a fifth terminal 823 may be located within the range of the second BSS 802 . The first terminal 811 and the second terminal 812 may be connected to the first access point 810 . The third terminal 821 , the fourth terminal 822 , and the fifth terminal 823 may be connected to the second access point 820 .

The first access point 810 may transmit a probe request frame. When receiving the probe request frame from the first access point 810 , the second access point 820 may transmit a probe response frame that is a response to the probe request frame to the first access point 810 . When the first access point 810 receives a probe response frame that is a response to the probe request frame, the first access point 810 may check the existence of the second access point 820 .

However, among the distributed topology-based AP discovery methods, the active method can be used only when the access point is located in an area in which a probe request frame (or probe response frame) transmitted from another access point can be received. Accordingly, if the access point is not located in an area capable of receiving a probe request frame (or probe response frame) transmitted from another access point, the active method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods cannot be used.

9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a terminal support method among distributed topology-based AP discovery methods.

Referring to FIG. 9 , a first access point 910 may configure a first BSS 901 , and a second access point 920 may configure a second BSS 902 . A first access point 910 , a first terminal 911 , a second terminal 912 , a third terminal 921 , and a fourth terminal 922 may be located within the range of the first BSS 901 . A second access point 920 , a third terminal 921 , a fourth terminal 922 , a fifth terminal 923 , and a sixth terminal 924 may be located within the range of the second BSS 902 . The first terminal 911 and the second terminal 912 may be connected to the first access point 910 . The third terminal 921 , the fourth terminal 922 , the fifth terminal 923 , and the sixth terminal 924 may be connected to the second access point 920 . Here, the third terminal 921 and the fourth terminal 922 may be located in an area where the first BSS 901 and the second BSS 902 overlap. The first access point 910 and the second access point 920 have a hidden access point relationship.

Among the distributed topology-based AP discovery methods, the terminal support method is an AP discovery method using terminals located in areas where BSSs overlap each other. Specifically, the first access point 910 allows the terminals 921 and 922 located in the overlapping area of the first BSS 901 and the second BSS 902 to receive a terminal assist probe request frame (station assist probe). request frame) can be transmitted periodically or aperiodically. Each of the terminals 921 and 922 located in the overlapping area may transmit the probe request frame to the second access point 920 to which it is connected when receiving the terminal supported probe request frame. Here, the probe request frame transmitted by each of the terminals 921 and 922 located in the overlapping area may include information on the first access point 910 .

When the second access point 920 receives the probe request frame generated based on the terminal supported probe request frame from the third terminal 921 or the fourth terminal 922 , the second access point 920 checks the existence of the first access point 910 . can Thereafter, the second access point 920 may transmit a probe response frame that is a response to the probe request frame to the first access point 910 through a wire. When the first access point 910 receives a probe response frame that is a response to the terminal supported probe request frame, the first access point 910 may check the existence of the second access point 920 .

The distributed topology-based AP discovery method described above is partially applicable to a distributed system-based WLAN. Among the distributed topology-based AP discovery methods, the passive method and the active method are applied to the IEEE 802.11 standard and can be applied between different operator networks and environments in which individual access points exist, but there is a limit to discovering hidden access points.

In order to discover the hidden access point, the help of the terminal located in the area where the BSSs overlap each other is required. According to the terminal support method among the distributed topology-based AP discovery methods, the access point must periodically or aperiodically transmit a terminal support probe request frame in order to use a terminal not connected to it, and transmit the terminal support probe request frame. As a result, overhead may be generated. In addition, each of the terminals receiving the terminal assisted probe request frame must transmit the probe request frame to the access point to which it is connected, and overhead may occur due to the transmission of the probe request frame according to the terminal assisted probe request frame. In addition, since transmission and reception of a probe response frame is possible when communication is possible between the access points through a wire, a procedure for connection setup between the access points is absolutely necessary, and accordingly, the terminal is installed in various wireless LAN devices. Applying the support method is not easy.

10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another embodiment of a network in which BSSs overlap each other.

Referring to FIG. 10 , a first access point 1010 may configure a first BSS 1001 , a second access point 1020 may configure a second BSS 1002 , and a third access point 1030 may configure the third BSS 1003 . The first access point 1010 , the first terminal 1011 , and the third terminal 1031 may be located within the range of the first BSS 1001 . A second access point 1020 , a third access point 1030 , a second terminal 1021 , a third terminal 1031 , and a fourth terminal 1032 may be located within the range of the second BSS 1002 . . A second access point 1020 , a third access point 1030 , a third terminal 1031 , a fourth terminal 1032 , and a fifth terminal 1033 may be located within the range of the third BSS 1003 . .

The first terminal 1011 may be connected to the first access point 1010 . The second terminal 1021 may be connected to the second access point 1020 . The third terminal 1031 , the fourth terminal 1032 , and the fifth terminal 1033 may be connected to the third access point 1030 . The third terminal 1031 may be located in an area where the first BSS 1001 , the second BSS 1002 , and the third BSS 1003 overlap. The second access point 1020 , the third access point 1030 , and the fourth terminal 1032 may be located in an area where the second BSS 1002 and the third BSS 1003 overlap.

In the following, an AP discovery method in the network shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

11 is a flowchart illustrating an AP discovery method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 , a first access point AP1, a second access point AP2, a third access point AP3, a first terminal STA1, a second terminal STA2, a third terminal STA3 , the fourth terminal STA4 and the fifth terminal STA5 may be the same as each communication entity shown in FIG. 10 .

Each of the communication entities (AP1, AP2, AP3, STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5) may perform a channel scanning procedure (S1101-1, S1101-2, S1101-3, S1101-4, S1101-5). , S1101-6, S1101-7, S1101-8). That is, each of the communication entities AP1, AP2, AP3, STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5 may detect a neighboring communication entity based on at least one of a passive scanning method and an active scanning method.

For example, the first access point AP1 may detect the first terminal STA1 , the third terminal STA3 , and the like through a channel scanning procedure. The second access point AP2 may detect the third access point AP3 , the second terminal STA2 , the third terminal STA3 , the fourth terminal STA4 , and the like through a channel scanning procedure. The third access point AP3 may detect the second access point AP2 , the third terminal STA3 , the fourth terminal STA4 , the fifth terminal STA5 , and the like through a channel scanning procedure. The first terminal STA1 may detect the first access point AP1 or the like through a channel scanning procedure. The second terminal STA2 may detect the second access point AP2 or the like through a channel scanning procedure. The third terminal STA3 may detect the first access point AP1 , the second access point AP2 , the third access point AP3 , and the like through a channel scanning procedure. The fourth terminal STA4 may detect the second access point AP2 , the third access point AP3 , and the like through a channel scanning procedure. The fifth terminal STA5 may detect the third access point AP3 or the like through a channel scanning procedure.

Next, an AP list generation procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1, an AP list generation procedure between the second access point AP2 and the second terminal STA2, and a third access point AP3 ) and the AP list generation procedure between the third terminal STA3 will be described.

AP list generation procedure between the first access point (AP1) and the first terminal (STA1)

The first terminal STA1 may perform an authentication procedure with the first access point AP1 among at least one access point discovered through the channel scanning procedure ( S1102-1 ). That is, the first terminal STA1 may transmit an authentication request frame to the first access point AP1, and when the first access point AP1 receives the authentication request frame, the authentication response frame is a response to the authentication request frame. may be transmitted to the first terminal STA1. Through this process, an authentication procedure between the first terminal STA1 and the first access point AP1 may be completed.

The first terminal STA1 may perform a connection procedure with the first access point AP1 for which the authentication procedure has been completed (S1103-1). That is, the first terminal STA1 may transmit a connection request frame to the first access point AP1, and when the first access point AP1 receives the connection request frame, the connection response frame is a response to the connection request frame. may be transmitted to the first terminal STA1. Through this process, the connection procedure between the first terminal STA1 and the first access point AP1 may be completed.

Meanwhile, the first terminal STA1 may transmit information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the first access point AP1. For example, the first terminal STA1 may transmit information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the first access point AP1 through the connection procedure. In this case, the first terminal STA1 may transmit a connection request frame including information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the first access point AP1. Alternatively, after completing the connection procedure, the first terminal STA1 may transmit information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the first access point AP1. In this case, after receiving the connection response frame from the first access point AP1, the first terminal STA1 may transmit an arbitrary frame including information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the first access point AP1. .

Here, the information detected by the channel scanning procedure may mean information about a communication entity located in an area capable of communicating with the first terminal STA1. The information on the communication entity may refer to identification information of the communication entity, such as a MAC address, an association identifier (AID), a partial association identifier (PAID), and the like.

The first access point AP1 may obtain information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first terminal STA1 from the first terminal STA1 . For example, the first access point AP1 may obtain information detected by a channel scanning procedure performed in the first terminal STA1 from a connection request frame transmitted from the first terminal STA1 . Alternatively, the first access point AP1 may acquire information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed in the first terminal STA1 from an arbitrary frame transmitted from the first terminal STA1 after the connection procedure.

The first access point AP1 creates an AP list based on information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first access point AP1 and information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first terminal STA1. can be generated (S1104-1).

Specifically, the first access point AP1 performs at least one access point indicated by the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first access point AP1 and the channel scanning procedure performed by the first terminal STA1. An AP list including at least one access point indicated by the detected information may be generated.

In particular, the first access point AP1 does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first access point AP1, but is not present in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first terminal STA1. An existing access point may be determined as a hidden access point.

AP list generation procedure between the second access point (AP2) and the second terminal (STA2)

The AP list generation procedure between the second access point AP2 and the second terminal STA2 may be the same as the AP list generation procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above.

Specifically, the second terminal STA2 may perform an authentication procedure (ie, exchange of an authentication request frame and an authentication response frame) with the second access point AP2 among at least one access point discovered through the channel scanning procedure. There is (S1102-2). The second terminal STA2 may perform a connection procedure (ie, exchange of a connection request frame and a connection response frame) with the second access point AP2 for which the authentication procedure has been completed ( S1103-2 ). The second terminal STA2 may transmit information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the second access point AP2 through a connection procedure or a separate procedure after the connection procedure. When the second access point AP2 obtains information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the second terminal STA2 from the second terminal STA2, the channel scanning procedure performed by the second access point AP2 The AP list may be generated based on the information detected by the STA2 and the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the second terminal STA2 (S1104-2).

AP list generation procedure between the third access point (AP3) and the third terminal (STA3)

The AP list generation procedure between the third access point AP3 and the third terminal STA3 may be the same as the AP list generation procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above.

Specifically, the third terminal STA3 may perform an authentication procedure (ie, exchange of an authentication request frame and an authentication response frame) with the third access point AP3 among at least one access point discovered through the channel scanning procedure. There is (S1102-3). The third terminal STA3 may perform a connection procedure (ie, exchange of a connection request frame and a connection response frame) with the third access point AP3 for which the authentication procedure has been completed ( S1103-3 ). The third terminal STA3 may transmit information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the third access point AP3 through a connection procedure or a separate procedure after the connection procedure. When the third access point AP3 obtains information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed in the third terminal STA3 from the third terminal STA3, the third access point AP3 obtains the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed in the third access point AP3. An AP list may be generated based on the information detected by the STA3 and the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third terminal STA3 (S1104-3).

Here, the identification information of the first access point AP1 does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third access point AP3, but it is detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third terminal STA3. When identification information of the first access point AP1 is present in the identified information, the third access point AP3 may determine the first access point AP1 as a hidden access point.

Next, the AP list update procedure will be described. When the access point is connected to a new terminal, the AP list includes information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the access point in another communication entity (ie, the access point) (or the AP list generated by the other communication entity). It can be updated when received.

AP list update procedure by connection with a new terminal

After generating the AP list, the third access point AP3 may perform an authentication procedure (ie, exchange of an authentication request frame and an authentication response frame) with the new fourth terminal STA4 ( S1105 ). Thereafter, the third access point AP3 may perform a connection procedure (ie, exchange of a connection request frame and a connection response frame) with the fourth terminal STA4 on which the authentication procedure has been completed ( S1106 ). The fourth terminal STA4 may transmit information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the fourth access point AP4 through a connection procedure or a separate procedure after the connection procedure.

Here, the authentication procedure between the third access point AP3 and the fourth terminal STA4 may be the same as the authentication procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above. The connection procedure between the third access point AP3 and the fourth terminal STA4 may be the same as the connection procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above. The information transmission/reception procedure detected by the channel scanning procedure between the third access point AP3 and the fourth terminal STA4 is detected by the channel scanning procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above. It may be the same as the transmission/reception procedure of the received information.

The third access point AP3 may update the AP list based on information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the fourth terminal STA4 obtained from the fourth terminal STA4 ( S1107 ).

Specifically, the third access point AP3 may update the AP list to include at least one access point indicated by information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the fourth terminal STA4 . In particular, the third access point AP3 does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third access point AP3, but does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the fourth terminal STA4. An existing access point may be determined as a hidden access point.

Meanwhile, after updating the AP list, the third access point AP3 may perform an authentication procedure (ie, exchange of an authentication request frame and an authentication response frame) with the new fifth terminal STA5 ( S1108 ). Thereafter, the third access point AP3 may perform a connection procedure (ie, exchange of a connection request frame and a connection response frame) with the fifth terminal STA5 on which the authentication procedure has been completed ( S1109 ). The fifth terminal STA5 may transmit information detected by the channel scanning procedure to the third access point AP3 through a connection procedure or a separate procedure after the connection procedure.

Here, the authentication procedure between the third access point AP3 and the fifth terminal STA5 may be the same as the authentication procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above. The connection procedure between the third access point AP3 and the fifth terminal STA5 may be the same as the connection procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above. The information transmission/reception procedure detected by the channel scanning procedure between the third access point AP3 and the fifth terminal STA5 is detected by the channel scanning procedure between the first access point AP1 and the first terminal STA1 described above. It may be the same as the transmission/reception procedure of the received information.

The third access point AP3 may update the AP list based on information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the fifth terminal STA5 obtained from the fifth terminal STA5 ( S1110 ).

Specifically, the third access point AP3 may update the AP list to include at least one access point indicated by information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the fifth terminal STA5 . In particular, the third access point AP3 does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third access point AP3, but does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the fifth terminal STA5. An existing access point may be determined as a hidden AP.

AP list update procedure based on information detected by the channel scanning procedure of another communication entity (or AP list created by another communication entity)

The third access point AP3 includes an AP discovery indication frame including at least one of information detected by a channel scanning procedure performed by the third access point AP3 and an AP list generated by the third access point AP3. indication frame) can be transmitted (S1111). The third access point AP3 may transmit the AP discovery indication frame in a broadcast method, a multicast method, or a unicast method.

When transmitting the AP discovery indication frame in a unicast manner, the third access point AP3 performs a channel scanning procedure (S1101-5, S1101-7, S1101-8) among the terminals STA3, STA4, and STA5 connected thereto. ), the AP discovery indication frame may be transmitted to the terminal that has detected the largest number of access points.

Here, the third terminal STA3 detects the three access points AP1, AP2, and AP3 through the channel scanning procedure, and the fourth terminal STA4 detects the two access points AP2 through the channel scanning procedure. AP3) was detected, and the fifth terminal (STA5) detected one access point (AP3) through a channel scanning procedure. Accordingly, the third access point AP3 may transmit the AP discovery indication frame to the third terminal STA3.

The third terminal STA3 may receive the AP discovery indication frame from the third access point AP3 and may transmit the received AP discovery indication frame (S1112). In this case, the third terminal STA3 may transmit the AP discovery indication frame in a broadcast method, a multicast method, or a unicast method.

Meanwhile, the first access point AP1 and the second access point AP2 are the third terminal STA3 (that is, the terminal not connected to each of the first access point AP1 and the second access point AP2) It may receive an AP discovery indication frame transmitted from . Upon successfully receiving the AP discovery indication frame, the second access point AP2 may transmit an AP discovery confirm frame, which is a response to the AP discovery indication frame, to the third terminal STA3 ( S1113). The AP discovery confirmation frame transmitted by the second access point AP2 includes at least one of information for connection setup with the second access point AP2 and operation channel information of the second access point AP2. can Alternatively, when the AP discovery indication frame is successfully received, the second access point AP2 may transmit a beacon frame instead of the AP discovery confirmation frame in response to the AP discovery indication frame. In this case, the beacon frame may include at least one of information for establishing a connection with the second access point AP2 and operation channel information of the second access point AP2 .

When the first access point AP1 successfully receives the AP discovery indication frame, the first access point AP1 may transmit an AP discovery confirmation frame that is a response to the AP discovery indication frame to the third terminal STA3 ( S1114 ). The AP discovery confirmation frame transmitted by the first access point AP1 may include at least one of information for establishing a connection with the first access point AP1 and operation channel information of the first access point AP1 . Alternatively, when the first access point AP1 successfully receives the AP discovery indication frame, the first access point AP1 may transmit a beacon frame instead of the AP discovery confirmation frame in response to the AP discovery indication frame. In this case, the beacon frame may include at least one of information for establishing a connection with the first access point AP1 and operation channel information of the first access point AP1 .

The third terminal STA3 may transmit the AP discovery confirmation frame received from the first access point AP1 and the second access point AP2 to the third access point AP3 ( S1115 ). If the third terminal STA3 receives a beacon frame in response to the AP discovery indication frame from the first access point AP1 and the second access point AP, the AP discovery indication frame is transmitted to each access point. An AP discovery confirmation frame indicating that the points AP1 and AP2 have been successfully received may be transmitted to the third access point AP3.

The first access point AP1 may update the AP list based on information included in the AP discovery indication frame (S1116-1). Specifically, the first access point AP1 may obtain information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third access point AP3 from the AP discovery indication frame. The first access point AP1 may update the AP list to include at least one access point indicated by information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third access point AP3 . In particular, the first access point AP1 does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first access point AP1, but information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the third access point STA3 It can be determined that the access point existing in the hidden access point.

Alternatively, the first access point AP1 may obtain the AP list generated by the third access point AP3 from the AP discovery indication frame. The first access point AP1 may update the AP list to include at least one access point existing in the AP list generated by the third access point AP3 . In particular, the first access point AP1 does not exist in the information detected by the channel scanning procedure performed by the first access point AP1, but exists in the AP list among the AP lists generated by the third access point STA3. The access point may be determined as a hidden access point. For example, the first access point AP1 may determine the second access point AP2 and the third access point AP3 as hidden access points based on the AP discovery indication frame.

The second access point AP2 may update the AP list based on information included in the AP discovery indication frame (S1116-2). The procedure for updating the AP list at the second access point AP2 may be the same as the procedure for updating the AP list at the first access point AP1 described above.

Here, the AP list update steps (S1116-1, S1116-2) have been described as being respectively performed after the steps (S1114, S1113) of transmitting the AP discovery confirmation frame, but the AP list update steps (S1116-1, S1116-2) ) may be performed before or simultaneously with the steps of transmitting the AP discovery confirmation frame ( S1114 and S1113 ), respectively.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the computer readable medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiments of the present invention, or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software.

The computer-readable medium may refer to a hardware device specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like. A hardware device may be configured to operate as at least one software module to perform operations according to embodiments of the present invention, and vice versa. The program command may refer to high-level language code that can be executed in a computer based on an interpreter as well as machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler.

Although it has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. will be able

Claims (20)

A discovery method performed in a first access point (AP), comprising:
performing a scanning procedure;
performing an authentication procedure with at least one terminal detected through the scanning procedure;
performing an association procedure with the at least one terminal on which the authentication procedure has been completed;
obtaining, from the at least one terminal, a scanning result for each terminal corresponding to a scanning result performed by each of the at least one terminal;
generating a first AP list based on information on at least one AP included in a scanning result performed by each of the first AP and the at least one terminal;
When at least one AP not included in the scanning result performed by the first AP is identified among at least one AP included in the first AP list, the identified at least one AP is hidden from the first AP determining that it corresponds to a hidden AP corresponding to the AP relationship; and
When at least one hidden AP is present in the first AP list, operation channel information of the APs including the at least one hidden AP and connection establishment with the APs through at least a part of the at least one terminal A method of discovery comprising obtaining information about the APs including information. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
The step of obtaining information about the APs includes:
transmitting a first AP discovery indication frame to a terminal that satisfies a preset criterion among the at least one terminal;
receiving a first AP discovery confirm frame, which is a response to the first AP discovery indication frame, from a terminal satisfying the preset criteria; and
The method further comprises: acquiring operation channel information of the AP that transmitted the first AP discovery confirmation frame, included in the first AP discovery confirmation frame,
The first AP discovery indication frame includes at least one of a scanning result performed by each of the first AP and the at least one terminal, and the first AP list. 5. The method according to claim 4,
The first AP,
A discovery method for comparing the number of detected APs as a result of scanning for each terminal, and determining a terminal having the largest number of detected APs as a terminal satisfying the preset criterion. The method according to claim 1,
The discovery method is
Receiving a second AP discovery indication frame from the first terminal;
transmitting a second AP discovery confirmation frame to the first terminal in response to the second AP discovery indication frame; and
The method further comprising: updating the first AP list based on the information included in the second AP discovery indication frame;
The second AP discovery indication frame includes at least one of a scanning result performed by the AP that generated the second AP discovery indication frame and a second AP list generated by the AP that generated the second AP discovery indication frame. comprising, a discovery method. 7. The method of claim 6,
The second AP discovery confirm frame,
A discovery method comprising at least one of information for establishing a connection with the first AP and operation channel information of the first AP. The method according to claim 1,
The discovery method is
performing an authentication procedure with a second terminal;
performing a connection procedure with the second terminal on which the authentication procedure has been completed;
obtaining a scanning result performed by the second terminal from the second terminal; and
Further comprising the step of updating the first AP list based on the scanning result performed by the second terminal, the discovery method. A discovery method performed in a first terminal, comprising:
performing a scanning procedure;
performing an authentication procedure with a first access point (AP) detected through the scanning procedure;
performing an association procedure with the first AP on which the authentication procedure has been completed;
transmitting information on at least one AP included in a scanning result performed by the first terminal to the first AP; and
Based on the information transmitted to the first AP and a signal received from the first AP based on the scanning result performed by the first AP, at least one hidden AP corresponding to the relationship between the first AP and the hidden AP ) transmitting, to the first AP, information on the APs including operation channel information of the APs including the AP and information for establishing a connection with the APs,
The at least one hidden AP is at least one AP not included in the scanning result performed by the first AP, among at least one AP included in the scanning result performed by the first terminal. delete 10. The method of claim 9,
The step of transmitting the operation channel information to the first AP includes:
receiving, from the first AP, a first AP discovery indication frame generated based on the information transmitted to the first AP and a scanning result performed by the first AP;
transmitting the first AP discovery indication frame to at least one second AP;
A first AP discovery confirmation frame that is a response to the first AP discovery indication frame from the at least one second AP receiving the first AP discovery indication frame and includes operation channel information of the at least one second AP receiving (AP discovery confirm frame); and
The method further comprising transmitting the first AP discovery confirmation frame to the first AP. 12. The method of claim 11,
The first AP discovery indication frame,
A discovery method comprising a first AP list generated to include at least one AP detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first AP and at least one AP detected through a scanning procedure performed by the first terminal . 12. The method of claim 11,
The first AP discovery confirm frame,
The discovery method, comprising at least one of information for establishing a connection with the AP that has transmitted the first AP discovery confirm frame and operation channel information of the AP that has transmitted the first AP discovery confirm frame. 12. The method of claim 11,
In response to the first AP discovery indication frame, a beacon frame is used instead of the first AP discovery confirm frame. As a first access point (access point, AP),
processor; and
At least one program command executed through the processor comprises a memory (memory) stored,
The at least one program command is the first AP,
performing a scanning procedure;
performing an authentication procedure with at least one terminal detected through the scanning procedure;
performing an association procedure with the at least one terminal on which the authentication procedure has been completed;
obtaining, from the at least one terminal, a scanning result for each terminal corresponding to a scanning result performed by each of the at least one terminal;
generating a first AP list based on information on at least one AP included in a scanning result performed by each of the first AP and the at least one terminal;
When at least one AP not included in the scanning result performed by the first AP is identified among at least one AP included in the first AP list, the identified at least one AP is hidden from the first AP Determining that it corresponds to a hidden (hidden) AP corresponding to the AP relationship; and
When at least one hidden AP is present in the first AP list, operation channel information of the APs including the at least one hidden AP and connection establishment with the APs through at least a part of the at least one terminal A first access point operative to cause obtaining information about the APs comprising information. delete 16. The method of claim 15,
The at least one program command is the first AP,
Transmitting a first AP discovery indication frame (AP discovery indication frame) to a terminal that satisfies a preset criterion among the at least one terminal;
receiving a first AP discovery confirm frame from the terminal satisfying the preset criterion in response to the first AP discovery indication frame; and
operative to further cause obtaining operation channel information of the AP that transmitted the first AP discovery confirm frame, which is included in the first AP discovery confirm frame,
The first AP discovery indication frame includes at least one of a scanning result performed by each of the first AP and the at least one terminal, and the first AP list. 18. The method of claim 17,
The first AP,
A first access point that compares the number of detected APs as a result of scanning for each terminal, and determines that a terminal with the largest number of detected APs is a terminal that satisfies the preset criterion. 16. The method of claim 15,
The at least one program command is the first AP,
receiving a second AP discovery indication frame from the first terminal;
transmitting a second AP discovery confirmation frame, which is a response to the second AP discovery indication frame, to the first terminal; and
operative to further cause updating of the first AP list based on information included in the second AP discovery indication frame,
The second AP discovery indication frame includes at least one of a scanning result performed by the AP that generated the second AP discovery indication frame and a second AP list generated by the AP that generated the second AP discovery indication frame. comprising, a first access point. 16. The method of claim 15,
The at least one program command is the first AP,
performing an authentication procedure with a second terminal;
performing a connection procedure with the second terminal on which the authentication procedure has been completed;
obtaining a scanning result performed by the second terminal from the second terminal; and
The first access point is executable to further perform the step of updating the first AP list based on the scanning result performed by the second terminal.

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