KR20120023481A - Method and apparatus for supporting multi-band wifi - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multiband WiFi providing method and an apparatus thereof are provided to classify traffic by using a traffic classification unit and to transmit traffic by selecting a MAC unit and a PHY unit. CONSTITUTION: A traffic classification unit allocates a frequency band based on the characteristic of traffic(1110). A MAC(Medium Access Control) unit packetizes the traffic(1120). The MAC unit is corresponded to the allocated frequency band of multiband WiFi device. The PHY unit transmits the packetized traffic by using the allocated frequency band(1130). The PHY unit is corresponded to the allocated frequency band of the WiFi device.

Description

Method and apparatus for providing multi-band wireless communication {Method and apparatus for supporting multi-band WiFi}

The present invention relates to wireless communications, and more particularly to a traffic classification unit for allocating categories and frequency bands suitable for traffic characteristics, comprising at least one MAC unit and at least one PHY unit, each supporting a different frequency band. A multiband WiFi device capable of transmitting traffic simultaneously using a multiband WiFi device, and a method thereof.

Recently, in the wireless communication field, application services for transmitting various multimedia data at high speed are increasing, and the market potential for CE (Consumer Elctronic) devices equipped with these services is also increasing.

Based on this market potential, since the 802.11b standard was introduced in the IEEE 802.11 WG to support the transmission rate of up to 11 Mbps using the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the WLAN technology has been introduced in the 802.11a (5 It has continued to evolve to 802.11n (2.4GHz / 5GHz, 600Mbps) via Mbps, 54Mbps) and 802.11g (2.4㎓, 54Mbps). In particular, 802.11n uses a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technique that uses multiple antennas to increase bandwidth in proportion to the number of antennas.

Recently, such as Wireless HD (WiHD) technology and Very High Frequency (VHF) / Ultra High Frequency (UHF) using the millimeter wave (mmWave) technology in the 60 GHz band, which supports physical layer data rates of several gigabits per second (Gbps). Next-generation wireless LAN technology using a high frequency band has also been proposed.

Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi Alliance allows the use of the trademark WiFi in certified devices that conform to the 802.11 standard.

An object of the present invention is to use a multi-band WiFi device comprising a traffic classification unit for allocating categories and frequency bands suitable for traffic characteristics, at least one MAC unit and at least one PHY unit, each supporting a different frequency band, A multiband WiFi device capable of transmitting traffic simultaneously and a method thereof are provided, and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-band WiFi providing method may include: allocating a category and a frequency band for each traffic based on characteristics of the traffic; Packetizing the traffic at a MAC unit corresponding to the assigned frequency band; And transmitting, by the PHY unit corresponding to the allocated frequency band, the packetized traffic using the assigned frequency band.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the MAC unit and the PHY unit are one MAC unit and one PHY unit supporting the allocated frequency band, among at least one MAC unit and at least one PHY unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one MAC unit supports different frequency bands between the MAC units; The at least one PHY unit supports different frequency bands between the PHY units.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the category includes a real-time traffic type and a non-real-time traffic type, a long range traffic type and a short range traffic type, or a high bandwidth traffic type. And Average Throughput traffic type, or as proposed in 802.11e, includes Background (BK) type, Best Effort (BE) type, VI (Video) type, and VO (Voice) type.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the frequency band is one of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of assigning a category and a frequency band for each traffic allocates a category and a frequency band by setting a flag.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises generating the traffic in an application unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the packetizing of the traffic and the transmitting of the packetized traffic using the allocated frequency band may be performed using the at least one MAC unit and the at least one PHY unit. Is performed simultaneously.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for performing the method is recorded.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-band WiFi device includes: a traffic classification unit for allocating a category and a frequency band for each traffic based on the characteristics of the traffic; A MAC unit corresponding to the assigned frequency band for packetizing the traffic; And a PHY unit corresponding to the allocated frequency band for transmitting the packetized traffic using the assigned frequency band.

1 illustrates the concept of a Spatial Multiplexing (SM) technique of an 802.11n device.
2 illustrates the concept of a Space Time Block Coding (STBC) scheme of an 802.11n device.
3 illustrates a beam forming concept of an 802.11n device.
4 illustrates a multiband WiFi network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 shows a schematic structure of a multiband WiFi device according to an embodiment of the invention.
6 shows a schematic structure of a Multi-MAC Multi-PHY (MMMP) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 illustrates a schematic structure of a Multi-MAC Single-PHY (MMSP) according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 illustrates a schematic structure of a Single-MAC Multi-PHY (SMMP) according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a comparison of the design aspects of different multiband WiFi devices.
10 illustrates a user scenario of a multiband WiFi network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a multiband WiFi providing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and the size of each element in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

1 illustrates the concept of a Spatial Multiplexing (SM) technique of an 802.11n device.

The SM technique divides the data stream 110 into a plurality of portions called spatial streams 120 and 130, and each spar using one of a plurality of transmit / receive antennas 140, 150, 160 and 170, respectively. The social streams 120 and 130 are independently transmitted and received. In other words, the SM technique may be regarded as a technique of multiplexing a frequency space. As the number of spatial streams increases, a data rate may increase.

2 illustrates the concept of an STBC scheme of an 802.11n device.

The STBC technique uses an antenna diversity scheme that uses a plurality of transmit antennas, regardless of the number of receive antennas. The STBC technique can improve signal to noise ratio (SNR) at a receiving device by ultimately transmitting the same data stream multiple times using an antenna diversity technique, and ultimately can improve a data rate.

3 illustrates a beamforming concept of an 802.11n system.

802.11n devices support beamforming technology, which is one of the smart antenna schemes. Beamforming is an antenna implementation in which a beam of an antenna receives a signal from a desired direction or a beam of an antenna transmits a signal in a desired direction.

In the example shown, the 802.11n transmitting device 310 forms a beam of the first transmitting antenna 330 as shown to minimize the effect of ambient signal interference to the receiving device 320 and transmits the signal, 320 forms a beam of the first receive antenna 340 as shown to receive the signal by minimizing the effects of ambient signal interference from the transmitting device 310.

The transmitting device 310 may physically point the receiving device 320 using at least one directional antenna to compensate for free space loss to increase the efficiency of the antenna.

4 illustrates a multiband WiFi network 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The multiband WiFi network 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention refers to a wireless local area network (WLAN) including multiband WiFi devices supporting multiband. The WLAN is managed by an access point (410).

The multi-band WiFi network 400 may include a plurality of Wi-Fi Personal Area Networks (WPANs), each of which may be defined as a Personal Basic Service Set (PBSS) 440 or 450. The PBSSs 440 and 450 conceptually correspond to the Basic Service Set (BSS) 460 of the WLAN. Each PBSS 440, 450 is managed by a Personal Control Point (PCP) 420, 430. PCPs 420 and 430 conceptually correspond to APs in a WLAN. A multiband WiFi device may be included in one PBSS and simultaneously included in a BSS.

In the example shown, the multiband WiFi device includes a multiband WiFi chipset that supports 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz. The 802.11b standard uses a frequency band of 2.4 GHz and supports 11 Mbps. The 802.11a standard uses a 5 GHz frequency band and supports 54 Mbps. The 802.11g standard uses a frequency band of 2.4 GHz to support 54 Mbps. The 802.11n standard uses a frequency band of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, supporting a transmission rate of 600 Mbps. The WiHD (Wireless HD) standard can support gigabits per second (Gbps) transmission rates using mmWave (millimeter wave) technology in the 60 GHz frequency band, transmitting uncompressed high definition television (HDTV) signals. It can be used to

Also, although not shown, a multiband WiFi chipset of a multiband WiFi device may support high frequency bands such as Very High Frequency (VHF) / Ultra High Frequency (UHF). In addition to the frequency bands described above, the multiband WiFi chipset of the multiband WiFi device may support various frequency bands.

In the example shown, the multiband WiFi network includes two PBSSs 440, 450. PBSS 1 440 and PBSS 2 450 are managed by PCP 1 420 and PCP 2 430, respectively. Multiband WiFi devices in PBSS 440, 450 are also included in BSS 460 managed by AP 410.

In the example shown, a laptop that is a multiband WiFi device may transmit and receive HDTV traffic using a peer-to-peer link with a camcorder, which is another multiband WiFi device in PBSS 1 440, using a 60 GHz frequency band. At the same time, the laptop can send and receive FTP traffic or email traffic to the Internet through the AP 410 managing the BSS 460 using the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or send and receive traffic to and from other multiband WiFi devices within the BSS 460. have.

5 shows a schematic structure of a multiband WiFi device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Multiband WiFi device 500 includes a traffic classification unit 510, other OSI layers 520, a MAC unit 530, and a PHY unit 540.

The traffic classification unit 510 allocates a category and a frequency band for each traffic based on the characteristics of the traffic. The categories according to the traffic characteristics may include real-time traffic types and non-real-time traffic types, or may include long range traffic types and short range traffic types. In addition, the categories include High Throughput traffic types and Average Throughput traffic types, or as proposed in 802.11e, Background (BK) type, Best Effort (BE) type, BE (Video) type, and It may include a VO (Voice) type.

The traffic classification unit 510 allocates a MAC unit and a PHY unit suitable for the traffic characteristic among the at least one MAC unit and the at least one PHY unit based on the category according to the traffic characteristic.

The traffic classification unit 510 assigns a category and a frequency band by setting a flag. The traffic classification unit 510 transmits the set flag to the MAC unit 530 via other OSI layers 520, which are lower layers.

For example, the traffic classification unit 510 assigns a high bandwidth traffic type and a 60 GHz frequency band to HDTV traffic, and an average bandwidth traffic type and a 2.4 GHz frequency band to email traffic, thereby corresponding each MAC layer and PHY. The layer can transmit HDTV traffic at high bandwidth using the 60 GHz frequency band and email traffic at a relatively low bandwidth using the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

The MAC unit 530 refers to one MAC unit that supports an allocated frequency band among at least one MAC unit. At least one MAC unit may support different frequency bands between the MAC units. The at least one MAC unit is a MAC unit corresponding to different frequency bands among the MAC units, respectively, and may simultaneously packetize traffic.

The PHY unit 540 means one PHY unit that supports an allocated frequency band among at least one PHY unit. At least one PHY unit may support different frequency bands between PHY units. At least one PHY unit is a PHY unit respectively corresponding to different frequency bands between PHY units, and may simultaneously transmit packetized traffic.

For example, the frequency band that the MAC unit 530 and the PHY unit 540 can support may be one of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

The multiband WiFi device 500 may further include at least one application unit (not shown), where each application unit generates traffic with certain characteristics.

The multiband WiFi device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention may operate based on different frequencies as well as a plurality of antennas capable of operating based on the same frequency as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. It may include a plurality of antennas. Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the multi-band WiFi device 500 classifies the traffic based on the application traffic characteristics using the traffic classification unit, thereby providing a MAC unit and a PHY unit supporting a frequency suitable for the classified traffic. Traffic can be selected and transmitted, which can improve frequency utilization and application performance.

In addition, the multiband WiFi device 500 may simultaneously transmit a plurality of data using a MAC unit and a PHY unit supporting a plurality of different frequencies within one device.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the multi-band WiFi device 500 in the multi-band WiFi network may transmit data at different frequencies at specific times, mutual signal interference may be minimized.

6 shows a schematic structure of a Multi-MAC Multi-PHY (MMMP) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Multiband WiFi device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an independent MAC unit and PHY unit dedicated to each frequency band.

For example, MAC / PHY unit 1, MAC / PHY unit 2, and MAC / PHY unit N support frequency bands corresponding to 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz, respectively.

7 illustrates a schematic structure of a Multi-MAC Single-PHY (MMSP) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Multiband WiFi device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an independent MAC unit dedicated to each frequency band and one PHY unit supporting all different frequency bands.

8 illustrates a schematic structure of a Single-MAC Multi-PHY (SMMP) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Multiband WiFi device 500 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes one MAC unit supporting all different PHYs and an independent PHY unit dedicated to each frequency band.

9 is a comparison of the design aspects of different multiband WiFi devices.

The MMMP architecture is the simplest in implementation, but incurs the highest cost since it includes independent MAC units and PHY units dedicated to each frequency band. The MMMP structure has the largest gate count, code size, and die size. The MMMP architecture includes independent MAC units and PHY units dedicated to each frequency band, so that they can support simultaneous transmission.

The MMSP architecture is very complex to implement since all frequency bands are supported in one PHY unit. Since the number of gates of the PHY unit is typically about eight times the number of gates of the MAC unit, the MMSP structure has a relatively small gate count, code size, and die size compared to the SMMP structure.

Since the SMMP structure integrates a plurality of MAC units into one MAC unit, the gate number, code size, and die size are relatively smaller than those of the MMMP structure.

The MMSP structure and the SNMP structure cannot support simultaneous transmission.

10 illustrates a user scenario of a multiband WiFi network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the example shown, the traffic classification unit 510 of the multiband WiFi device 500 assigns the VO traffic type and the VI traffic type and the 5 GHz frequency band to the voice traffic and the video traffic, respectively, thereby providing a MAC unit corresponding to the 5 GHz frequency band. And allow the PHY unit to transmit voice traffic and video traffic.

The traffic classification unit 510 of the multiband WiFi device 500 assigns the BE traffic type or the BK traffic type and the 2.4 GHz frequency band to the best service traffic such as e-mail so that the MAC unit and the PHY unit correspond to the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Send this best service traffic.

The multiband WiFi device 500 may simultaneously transmit the best service traffic using the 2.4 GHz frequency band while transmitting voice / video traffic using the 5 GHz frequency band using the plurality of MAC units and the plurality of PHY units.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a multiband WiFi providing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 1110, the traffic classification unit of the multiband WiFi device 500 allocates a category and a frequency band for each traffic based on the characteristics of the traffic.

The categories include real-time traffic types and non-real-time traffic types, or include long range traffic types and short range traffic types. Alternatively, the category may include a High Throughput traffic type and Average Throughput traffic type, or as proposed in 802.11e, a Background type, a Best Effort type, a BE type, a Video type, and a VI. Contains the VO (Voice) type.

The frequency band is one of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

The multiband WiFi device 500 assigns a category and frequency band by setting a flag.

The traffic is generated by an application unit existing at the upper layer of the traffic classification unit.

In step 1120, the MAC unit corresponding to the assigned frequency band of the multiband WiFi device 500 packetizes the traffic. The MAC unit refers to one MAC unit that supports an allocated frequency band among at least one MAC unit. At least one MAC unit supports different frequency bands between the MAC units.

In operation 1130, the PHY unit corresponding to the allocated frequency band of the multiband WiFi device 500 transmits the packetized traffic using the allocated frequency band. The PHY unit refers to one PHY unit that supports an allocated frequency band among at least one PHY unit. At least one PHY unit supports different frequency bands between PHY units.

Packetizing the traffic of step 1120 and transmitting the packetized traffic of step 1130 using the assigned frequency band may be performed simultaneously using at least one MAC unit and at least one PHY unit.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the appended claims.

For example, a multiband WiFi device 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a bus coupled to each of the units of the device as shown in FIG. 5, and at least one processor coupled to the bus. And a memory coupled to the bus for storing instructions, received or generated messages, and coupled to at least one processor for performing instructions as described above.

In addition, the system according to the present invention can be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. The computer-readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium (for example, a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, etc.), an optical reading medium (for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD, etc.), and a carrier wave (for example, the Internet). Storage medium). The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Claims (17)

Assigning a category and a frequency band for each traffic based on the characteristics of the traffic;
Packetizing the traffic at a MAC unit corresponding to the assigned frequency band; And
And transmitting the packetized traffic using the allocated frequency band in the PHY unit corresponding to the allocated frequency band. The method of claim 1, wherein the MAC unit and the PHY unit
Method of providing a multi-band WiFi, characterized in that among the at least one MAC unit and at least one PHY unit, one MAC unit and one PHY unit supporting the allocated frequency band. The method of claim 2,
The at least one MAC unit supports different frequency bands between the MAC units;
And the at least one PHY unit supports different frequency bands between the PHY units. The method of claim 1, wherein the category is
Include real-time and non-real-time traffic types, or
Include Long Range traffic type and Short Rage traffic type, or
Include high bandwidth traffic type and average throughput traffic type, or
A method for providing multiband WiFi, comprising a Background (BK) type, a Best Effort (BE) type, a VI (Video) type, and a VO (Voice) type, proposed in 802.11e. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency band
Method of providing multi-band WiFi, characterized in that one of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning a category and a frequency band for each traffic
And assigning a category and a frequency band by setting a flag. The method of claim 1,
And generating the traffic at an application unit. The method of claim 3,
Packetizing the traffic and transmitting the packetized traffic using the assigned frequency band
And at least one MAC unit and at least one PHY unit. A traffic classification unit for allocating categories and frequency bands for each traffic based on the characteristics of the traffic;
A MAC unit corresponding to the assigned frequency band for packetizing the traffic; And
And a PHY unit corresponding to the allocated frequency band for transmitting the packetized traffic using the assigned frequency band. The method of claim 9, wherein the MAC unit and the PHY unit
A multiband WiFi device, characterized in that, among at least one MAC unit and at least one PHY unit, one MAC unit and one PHY unit supporting the assigned frequency band. The method of claim 10,
The at least one MAC unit supports different frequency bands between the MAC units;
Wherein said at least one PHY unit supports different frequency bands between PHY units. The method of claim 9, wherein the category is
Include real-time and non-real-time traffic types, or
Include Long Range traffic type and Short Rage traffic type, or
Include high bandwidth traffic type and average throughput traffic type, or
A multiband WiFi device, characterized in that it includes a Background (BK) type, a Best Effort (BE) type, a Video (VI) type, and a Voice (VO) type, as proposed in 802.11e. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the frequency band is
Multi-band WiFi device, characterized in that one of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz, Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF). 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the traffic classification unit is
And assigning categories and frequency bands by setting flags. The method of claim 9,
And further comprising an application unit for generating said traffic. 12. The method of claim 11,
The at least one MAC unit is a MAC unit respectively corresponding to a different frequency band between the MAC units, each packetizing traffic simultaneously;
The at least one PHY unit is a PHY unit respectively corresponding to different frequency bands between the PHY unit, each multi-band WiFi device, characterized in that for transmitting the packetized traffic at the same time. A computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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