KR20240049077A - Electronic device for duplicated data through a plurality of links and method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

In an electronic device and a method of operating the electronic device according to various embodiments, the electronic device includes a communication circuit that performs short-range wireless communication through a plurality of links created between an external electronic device and the electronic device; and a processor operatively connected to the communication circuit, wherein the processor checks the status of the plurality of links based on information transmitted by the external electronic device, and determines the status of the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links. Select one of a first mode for dividing and transmitting data through links and a second mode for transmitting the same data through the plurality of links, and transmit the data to the external electronic device through the selected mode. Communication circuits can be controlled.
In addition, various embodiments are possible.

Description

Electronic device and method of operating the electronic device that transmit the same data through multiple links {ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR DUPLICATED DATA THROUGH A PLURALITY OF LINKS AND METHOD FOR THE SAME}

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to electronic devices and operating methods of electronic devices, and to technology for transmitting the same data through multiple links.

With the spread of various electronic devices, improvements in the speed of wireless communication that various electronic devices can use have been implemented. Among the wireless communications supported by recent electronic devices, IEEE 802.11 WLAN (or Wi-Fi) is a standard for implementing high-speed wireless connections on various electronic devices. The first implementation of Wi-Fi could support transmission rates of up to 1 to 9 Mbps, but Wi-Fi 6 technology (or IEEE 802.11ax) can support transmission rates of up to about 10 Gbps.

Electronic devices provide various services (e.g., UHD quality video streaming service, AR (augmented reality) service, VR (virtual reality) service) using relatively large capacity data through wireless communication supporting high transmission rates. , and/or MR (mixed reality) services), and various other services can be supported.

The IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard plans to introduce technology that supports multi-link operation (MLO) to improve the speed of data transmission and reception and reduce latency. Electronic devices that support multi-link operations are expected to be able to transmit or receive data through multiple links, thereby achieving relatively high transmission speeds and low latency.

An electronic device can transmit or receive data to an external electronic device through a plurality of links. The transmission time required to transmit data by dividing it through multiple links may be smaller than the transmission time required to transmit data through one link, so dividing data through multiple links can result in high data transmission and/or reception. Transmission speed or reception speed can be implemented.

However, in a situation where the condition of multiple links deteriorates, failure to transmit or receive part of the data through one link may mean that transmission or reception of the entire data fails, and retransmission of part of the data may result in failure. The delay time for transmitting all data may increase depending on the time taken.

The technical problem to be achieved in this document is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. There will be.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include a communication circuit that performs short-range wireless communication through one link or multiple links created between an external electronic device and the electronic device. The electronic device may include a processor operatively coupled to the communication circuit. The processor may check the status of the plurality of links based on information transmitted by the external electronic device. The processor may select one of a first mode in which data is divided and transmitted through the plurality of links and a second mode in which the same data is transmitted through the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links. The processor may control the communication circuit to transmit the data to the external electronic device through the selected mode.

A method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment includes the operation of checking the status of a plurality of links created to perform short-range wireless communication between an external electronic device and the electronic device based on information transmitted by the external electronic device. It can be included. A method of operating an electronic device includes selecting one of a first mode for dividing and transmitting data through the plurality of links and a second mode for transmitting the same data through the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links. It may include actions such as: A method of operating an electronic device may include transmitting the data to the external electronic device through the selected mode.

An electronic device and a method of operating the electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention include a first mode for dividing and transmitting data through a plurality of links based on the status of a plurality of links, and a second mode for transmitting the same data through a plurality of links. One of the two modes can be selected and data can be transmitted to an external electronic device using the selected mode. Accordingly, the electronic device can adaptively select an operation mode depending on the state of the link, and can implement low delay time and/or high transmission rate by selecting an operation mode suitable for the state of the link.

The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. will be.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a program according to various embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device and an access point (AP) operate in multi-link operation (MLO), according to various embodiments.
FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device performs medium synchronization of a link, according to various embodiments.
FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating link delay time according to various embodiments.
FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device according to various embodiments operates in a first mode in which data is divided and transmitted through a plurality of links.
FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device operates in a second mode transmitting the same data through a plurality of links, according to various embodiments of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart illustrating a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.
FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example in which an electronic device transmits data using either a first mode or a second mode based on delay time, according to various embodiments.
FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example in which an electronic device adjusts the number of links transmitting the same data based on the number of duplicate packets received from an external electronic device, according to various embodiments.
FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart illustrating an example in which an electronic device adjusts the number of links transmitting the same data based on whether data retransmission occurs, according to various embodiments.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100, according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, in the network environment 100, the electronic device 101 communicates with the electronic device 102 through a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network) or a second network 199. It is possible to communicate with the electronic device 104 or the server 108 through (e.g., a long-distance wireless communication network). According to one embodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicate with the electronic device 104 through the server 108. According to one embodiment, the electronic device 101 includes a processor 120, a memory 130, an input module 150, an audio output module 155, a display module 160, an audio module 170, and a sensor module ( 176), interface 177, connection terminal 178, haptic module 179, camera module 180, power management module 188, battery 189, communication module 190, subscriber identification module 196 , or may include an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one of these components (eg, the connection terminal 178) may be omitted or one or more other components may be added to the electronic device 101. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., sensor module 176, camera module 180, or antenna module 197) are integrated into one component (e.g., display module 160). It can be.

The processor 120, for example, executes software (e.g., program 140) to operate at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software component) of the electronic device 101 connected to the processor 120. It can be controlled and various data processing or calculations can be performed. According to one embodiment, as at least part of data processing or computation, the processor 120 stores commands or data received from another component (e.g., sensor module 176 or communication module 190) in volatile memory 132. The commands or data stored in the volatile memory 132 can be processed, and the resulting data can be stored in the non-volatile memory 134. According to one embodiment, the processor 120 includes a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor 123 that can operate independently or together (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural network processing unit ( It may include a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor). For example, if the electronic device 101 includes a main processor 121 and a secondary processor 123, the secondary processor 123 may be set to use lower power than the main processor 121 or be specialized for a designated function. You can. The auxiliary processor 123 may be implemented separately from the main processor 121 or as part of it.

The auxiliary processor 123 may, for example, act on behalf of the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or while the main processor 121 is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. ), together with the main processor 121, at least one of the components of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) At least some of the functions or states related to can be controlled. According to one embodiment, co-processor 123 (e.g., image signal processor or communication processor) may be implemented as part of another functionally related component (e.g., camera module 180 or communication module 190). there is. According to one embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (eg, neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. Artificial intelligence models can be created through machine learning. For example, such learning may be performed in the electronic device 101 itself, where artificial intelligence is performed, or may be performed through a separate server (e.g., server 108). Learning algorithms may include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but It is not limited. An artificial intelligence model may include multiple artificial neural network layers. Artificial neural networks include deep neural network (DNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), recurrent neural network (RNN), restricted boltzmann machine (RBM), belief deep network (DBN), bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), It may be one of deep Q-networks or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to hardware structures, artificial intelligence models may additionally or alternatively include software structures.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component (eg, the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronic device 101. Data may include, for example, input data or output data for software (e.g., program 140) and instructions related thereto. Memory 130 may include volatile memory 132 or non-volatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored as software in the memory 130 and may include, for example, an operating system 142, middleware 144, or application 146.

The input module 150 may receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 120) from outside the electronic device 101 (e.g., a user). The input module 150 may include, for example, a microphone, mouse, keyboard, keys (eg, buttons), or digital pen (eg, stylus pen).

The sound output module 155 may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output module 155 may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. Speakers can be used for general purposes such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. According to one embodiment, the receiver may be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of it.

The display module 160 can visually provide information to the outside of the electronic device 101 (eg, a user). The display module 160 may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector, and a control circuit for controlling the device. According to one embodiment, the display module 160 may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of force generated by the touch.

The audio module 170 can convert sound into an electrical signal or, conversely, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module 170 acquires sound through the input module 150, the sound output module 155, or an external electronic device (e.g., directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device 101). Sound may be output through the electronic device 102 (e.g., speaker or headphone).

The sensor module 176 detects the operating state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or the external environmental state (e.g., user state) and generates an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. can do. According to one embodiment, the sensor module 176 includes, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, It may include a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, or light sensor.

The interface 177 may support one or more designated protocols that can be used to connect the electronic device 101 directly or wirelessly with an external electronic device (eg, the electronic device 102). According to one embodiment, the interface 177 may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

The connection terminal 178 may include a connector through which the electronic device 101 can be physically connected to an external electronic device (eg, the electronic device 102). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal 178 may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (eg, a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimulation (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimulation that the user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic senses. According to one embodiment, the haptic module 179 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The camera module 180 can capture still images and moving images. According to one embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module 188 can manage power supplied to the electronic device 101. According to one embodiment, the power management module 188 may be implemented as at least a part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 189 may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device 101. According to one embodiment, the battery 189 may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

Communication module 190 is configured to provide a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or wireless communication channel between electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 102, electronic device 104, or server 108). It can support establishment and communication through established communication channels. Communication module 190 operates independently of processor 120 (e.g., an application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module 190 is a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., : LAN (local area network) communication module, or power line communication module) may be included. Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module is a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (e.g., legacy It may communicate with an external electronic device 104 through a telecommunication network such as a cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into one component (e.g., a single chip) or may be implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module 192 uses subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module 196 within a communication network such as the first network 198 or the second network 199. The electronic device 101 can be confirmed or authenticated.

The wireless communication module 192 may support 5G networks after 4G networks and next-generation communication technologies, for example, NR access technology (new radio access technology). NR access technology provides high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)), minimization of terminal power and access to multiple terminals (massive machine type communications (mMTC)), or ultra-reliable and low-latency (URLLC). -latency communications)) can be supported. The wireless communication module 192 may support high frequency bands (eg, mmWave bands), for example, to achieve high data rates. The wireless communication module 192 uses various technologies to secure performance in high frequency bands, for example, beamforming, massive array multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), and full-dimensional multiplexing. It can support technologies such as input/output (FD-MIMO: full dimensional MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module 192 may support various requirements specified in the electronic device 101, an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 104), or a network system (e.g., second network 199). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module 192 supports Peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for realizing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for realizing mmTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 164 dB or less) for realizing URLLC. Example: Downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) each of 0.5 ms or less, or round trip 1 ms or less) can be supported.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive signals or power to or from the outside (eg, an external electronic device). According to one embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include an antenna including a radiator made of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (eg, PCB). According to one embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include a plurality of antennas (eg, an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network such as the first network 198 or the second network 199 is connected to the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module 190. can be selected Signals or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and an external electronic device through the at least one selected antenna. According to some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, other components (eg, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module 197.

According to various embodiments, the antenna module 197 may form a mmWave antenna module. According to one embodiment, a mmWave antenna module includes a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent to a first side (e.g., bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band); And a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on or adjacent to the second side (e.g., top or side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high frequency band. can do.

At least some of the components are connected to each other through a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)) and signal ( (e.g. commands or data) can be exchanged with each other.

According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 104 through the server 108 connected to the second network 199. Each of the external electronic devices 102 or 104 may be of the same or different type as the electronic device 101. According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations performed in the electronic device 101 may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices 102, 104, or 108. For example, when the electronic device 101 must perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101 may perform the function or service instead of executing the function or service on its own. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more external electronic devices may be requested to perform at least part of the function or service. One or more external electronic devices that have received the request may execute at least part of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least part of a response to the request. For this purpose, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology can be used. The electronic device 101 may provide an ultra-low latency service using, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment, the external electronic device 104 may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. Server 108 may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or neural networks. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device 104 or server 108 may be included in the second network 199. The electronic device 101 may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

Figure 2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating program 140 according to various embodiments. According to one embodiment, the program 140 includes an operating system 142, middleware 144, or an application 146 executable on the operating system 142 for controlling one or more resources of the electronic device 101. It can be included. Operating system 142 may include, for example, Android ^TM , iOS ^TM , Windows ^TM , Symbian ^TM , Tizen ^TM , or Bada ^TM . At least some of the programs 140 are preloaded into the electronic device 101, for example, at the time of manufacture, or are stored in an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102 or 104, or a server) when used by a user. It can be downloaded or updated from 108)).

The operating system 142 may control management (eg, allocation or retrieval) of one or more system resources (eg, process, memory, or power) of the electronic device 101 . Operating system 142 may additionally or alternatively operate on other hardware devices of electronic device 101, such as input device 150, audio output device 155, display device 160, audio module 170. , sensor module 176, interface 177, haptic module 179, camera module 180, power management module 188, battery 189, communication module 190, subscriber identification module 196, or It may include one or more driver programs for driving the antenna module 197.

The middleware 144 may provide various functions to the application 146 so that functions or information provided from one or more resources of the electronic device 101 can be used by the application 146. The middleware 144 includes, for example, an application manager 201, a window manager 203, a multimedia manager 205, a resource manager 207, a power manager 209, a database manager 211, and a package manager 213. ), connectivity manager (215), notification manager (217), location manager (219), graphics manager (221), security manager (223), call manager (225), or voice recognition manager (227). You can.

The application manager 201 may, for example, manage the life cycle of the application 146. The window manager 203 may, for example, manage one or more GUI resources used on the screen. For example, the multimedia manager 205 identifies one or more formats required for playing media files, and encodes or decodes the corresponding media file using a codec suitable for the selected format. It can be done. The resource manager 207 may, for example, manage the source code of the application 146 or the memory space of the memory 130. The power manager 209 manages, for example, the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery 189, and may use this information to determine or provide related information necessary for the operation of the electronic device 101. . According to one embodiment, the power manager 209 may interface with a basic input/output system (BIOS) (not shown) of the electronic device 101.

Database manager 211 may create, search, or change a database to be used by application 146, for example. The package manager 213 may, for example, manage the installation or update of applications distributed in the form of package files. The connectivity manager 215 may manage, for example, a wireless connection or direct connection between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device. For example, the notification manager 217 may provide a function for notifying the user of the occurrence of a designated event (eg, an incoming call, message, or alarm). The location manager 219 may, for example, manage location information of the electronic device 101. The graphics manager 221 may, for example, manage one or more graphic effects to be provided to the user or a user interface related thereto.

Security manager 223 may provide, for example, system security or user authentication. The telephony manager 225 may manage, for example, a voice call function or a video call function provided by the electronic device 101. For example, the voice recognition manager 227 transmits the user's voice data to the server 108 and provides a command corresponding to a function to be performed in the electronic device 101 based at least in part on the voice data, Alternatively, text data converted based at least in part on the voice data may be received from the server 108. According to one embodiment, the middleware 244 may dynamically delete some existing components or add new components. According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the middleware 144 may be included as part of the operating system 142 or may be implemented as separate software different from the operating system 142.

The application 146 includes, for example, home 251, dialer 253, SMS/MMS (255), instant message (IM) 257, browser 259, camera 261, and alarm 263. , Contacts (265), Voice Recognition (267), Email (269), Calendar (271), Media Player (273), Album (275), Watch (277), Health (279) (such as exercise amount or blood sugar) It may include applications that measure biometric information) or environmental information 281 (e.g., measure atmospheric pressure, humidity, or temperature information). According to one embodiment, the application 146 may further include an information exchange application (not shown) that can support information exchange between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device. The information exchange application may include, for example, a notification relay application configured to deliver designated information (e.g., calls, messages, or alarms) to an external electronic device, or a device management application configured to manage the external electronic device. there is. The notification relay application, for example, transmits notification information corresponding to a specified event (e.g., mail reception) generated in another application (e.g., email application 269) of the electronic device 101 to an external electronic device. You can. Additionally or alternatively, the notification relay application may receive notification information from an external electronic device and provide it to the user of the electronic device 101.

The device management application may, for example, control the power (e.g., turn-on or turn-on) of an external electronic device or some component thereof (e.g., display device 160 or camera module 180) that communicates with the electronic device 101. -off) or functions (e.g., brightness, resolution, or focus of the display device 160 or the camera module 180) can be controlled. A device management application may additionally or alternatively support installation, deletion, or update of applications running on external electronic devices.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device and an access point (AP) operate in multi-link operation (MLO), according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless LAN system 300 may include an electronic device 310 and/or an external electronic device 320. According to one embodiment, the electronic device 310 may perform wireless communication with an external electronic device 320 through short-range wireless communication. Wireless communication may refer to various communication methods that both the electronic device 310 and/or the external electronic device 320 can support. For example, wireless communication may be Wi-Fi. The external electronic device 320 may function as a base station that provides wireless communication to at least one electronic device 310 located within the communication radius of the wireless LAN system 300. For example, the external electronic device 320 may include an IEEE 802.11 access point (AP). The electronic device 310 may include an IEEE 802.11 station (STA).

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device 310 and/or the external electronic device 320 may support multi-link operation (multi-link operation, MLO). Multi-link operation may be an operation mode that transmits or receives data through a plurality of links (eg, the first link 331 and the second link 332). Multi-link operation is an operation mode scheduled to be introduced in IEEE 802.11be and may be an operation mode that transmits or receives data through multiple links based on multiple bands or channels.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device 310 includes a plurality of communication circuits (e.g., a first communication circuit 311 and/or a second communication circuit 312) to support multi-link operations. can do. The first communication circuit 311 can transmit data to the external electronic device 320 through the first link 331, or receive data transmitted by the external electronic device 320 through the first link 331. there is. The first communication circuit 311 may output or receive a signal in the frequency band corresponding to the first link 331 through the first antenna 313. The second communication circuit 312 can transmit data to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332, or receive data transmitted by the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332. there is. The second communication circuit 312 may output or receive a signal in the frequency band corresponding to the second link 332 through the second antenna 314.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the external electronic device 320 includes a plurality of communication circuits (e.g., a third communication circuit 321 and/or a fourth communication circuit 322) to support multi-link operations. It can be included. The third communication circuit 321 may transmit data to the electronic device 310 through the first link 331 or receive data transmitted by the electronic device 310 through the first link 331. The third communication circuit 321 may output or receive a signal in the frequency band corresponding to the first link 331 through the third antenna 323. The fourth communication circuit 322 may transmit data to the electronic device 310 through the second link 332 or receive data transmitted by the electronic device 310 through the second link 332. The fourth communication circuit 322 may output or receive a signal in the frequency band corresponding to the second link 332 through the fourth antenna 324.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the frequency band of the first link 331 and the frequency band of the second link 333 may be different from each other. For example, the frequency band of the first link 331 may be 2.5 GHz, and the frequency band of the second link 332 may be 5 GHz or 6 GHz.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the first link 331 and the second link 332 may also use electronic devices other than the electronic device 310. In order to prevent a situation where the electronic device 310 and another electronic device transmit or receive data through the same link at the same time, the electronic device 310 may support a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) method. there is. The CSMA/CA method may be a method of performing data transmission when a specific link (eg, the first link 331 and/or the second link 332) is in an idle state. The electronic device 310 supporting CSMA/CA checks whether another electronic device is transmitting data through a specific link, and when it detects data transmission, it does not transmit data through the specific link and waits. can do. Electronic device 310 that supports CSMA/CA, in response to confirming that no other electronic device is transmitting data over a particular link, performs a specified method (e.g., activating a timer and transmitting data when the timer expires). Accordingly, data can be transmitted through a specific link. Through the above method, the electronic device 310 can transmit and/or receive data using a specific link without colliding with other electronic devices.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the first link 331 and/or the second link 332 supported by multi-link operation may independently support CSMA/CA.

The electronic device 310 supporting the CSMA/CA method can check whether a specific link is in an idle state before transmitting data. The electronic device 310 may transmit data through a specific link that is in an idle state.

The electronic device 310 may check whether the first link 331 is in an idle state based on information related to the idle state of the first link 331 included in data transmitted by the external electronic device 320. . Information related to the idle state of the first link 331 may include a clear channel assessment (CCA) field and/or a network allocation vector (NAV) configuration field. Information related to the idle state of the first link 331 includes a ready to send (RTS) message requesting data transmission through the first link 331 and a CTS indicating that data transmission through the first link 331 is possible. (clear to send) Can be included in the message. The electronic device 310 may check whether a specific link is in an idle state by referring to the clear channel assessment (CCA) field and/or the network allocation vector (NAV) configuration field. The electronic device 310 determines whether the first link 331 is physically idle by referring to the CCA status field, and determines whether the first link 331 is logically idle by referring to the NAV configuration field. You can judge whether or not. In response to confirming that the first link 331 is in an idle state, the electronic device 310 activates a timer, and in response to the timer expiring after a specified time, transmits data to the external electronic device 320 to the first link 331. ) can be transmitted through.

The electronic device 310 may check whether the second link 332 is in an idle state based on information related to the idle state of the second link 332 included in data transmitted by the external electronic device 320. . Information related to the idle state of the second link 332 may include a clear channel assessment (CCA) field and/or a network allocation vector (NAV) configuration field. Information related to the idle state of the second link 332 includes a ready to send (RTS) message requesting data transmission through the second link 332, and a CTS indicating that data transmission through the second link 332 is possible. (clear to send) Can be included in the message. The electronic device 310 may check whether a specific link is in an idle state by referring to the clear channel assessment (CCA) field and/or the network allocation vector (NAV) configuration field. The electronic device 310 determines whether the second link 332 is physically idle by referring to the CCA status field, and determines whether the second link 332 is logically idle by referring to the NAV configuration field. You can judge whether or not. In response to determining that a specific link is idle, the electronic device 310 activates a timer, and in response to the timer expiring after a specified time, transmits data to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332. You can.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device performs medium synchronization of a link according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a first electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 310 of FIG. 3) 401, a second electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 310 of FIG. 3) 402, and a third electronic device (e.g. : The electronic device 310 of FIG. 3 403 and/or the fourth electronic device 404 (e.g., the electronic device 310 of FIG. 3) are connected to the same link (e.g., the second link 332 of FIG. 3). ) is used to transmit data to the external electronic device 320.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the first electronic device 401, the second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403, and/or the fourth electronic device 404 collects data through the CSMA/CA method. transmission can be performed. The first electronic device 401, the second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403, and/or the fourth electronic device 404 use the medium of the second link 332 before transmitting data. Synchronization can be performed. Media synchronization of the second link 332 may mean that the status of the second link 332 can be updated in real time. Media synchronization of the second link 332 may be performed using a portion of data (eg, data header) transmitted through the second link 332.

Before transmitting the data 411, the first electronic device 401 supporting the CSMA/CA method determines that a specific link (e.g., the first link 331 and/or the second link 332) is idle. You can check whether the status is present or not. The first electronic device 401 determines whether the second link 332 is in an idle state based on information related to the idle state of the second link 332 included in data transmitted by the external electronic device 320. You can. Information related to the idle state of the second link 332 may include a clear channel assessment (CCA) field and/or a network allocation vector (NAV) configuration field. Information related to the idle state of the second link 332 includes a ready to send (RTS) message requesting data transmission through the second link 332, and a CTS indicating that data transmission through the second link 332 is possible. (clear to send) Can be included in the message. The first electronic device 401 may check whether a specific link is in an idle state by referring to the clear channel assessment (CCA) field and/or the network allocation vector (NAV) configuration field. The first electronic device 401 determines whether the second link 332 is physically idle by referring to the CCA status field, and determines whether the second link 332 is logically idle by referring to the NAV configuration field. You can determine whether the status is present or not. In response to confirming that a specific link is idle, the first electronic device 401 activates a timer, and in response to the timer expiring after a specified time, transmits data 411 to the external electronic device 320 through the second link ( 332).

While the first electronic device 401 is transmitting data 411, the second electronic device 402, third electronic device 403, and/or fourth electronic device 404 supporting CSMA/CA You can wait without transmitting data (412, 413, 414). The second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403, and/or the fourth electronic device 404 may receive a portion of the data 411 transmitted through the second link 332 (e.g., included in the PHY header). The end time of transmission of the data 411 is determined based on the rate field of the data and/or the length field of the data, and the duration field of the data included in the MAC header, and is determined based on the end of transmission of the data 411. You can wait time (415).

The second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403, and/or the fourth electronic device 404 activates a timer after a certain period of time 415, and sends data to the second electronic device in response to the expiration of the timer. It can be transmitted to the external electronic device 320 through the link 332. The length of the timer set in the second electronic device 402, third electronic device 403, and/or fourth electronic device 404 may be different. According to one embodiment, the second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403, and/or the fourth electronic device 404 uses a randomly set timer to check whether the timer has expired, and when the timer expires, , data can be transmitted.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the second electronic device 402 may activate a timer set to a first period 416, and the third electronic device 403 may activate a timer set to a second period 417. and the fourth electronic device 404 can activate a timer with a third period 418 set. The first period 416, second period 417 and/or third period 418 may be different from each other. Referring to FIG. 4A , the first period 416 may be longer than the third period 418, and the third period 418 may be longer than the second period 417.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the third electronic device 403, in response to confirming that the third period 417 has expired, sends the data 419 to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332. ) can be transmitted. The second electronic device 402 and/or the fourth electronic device 404 may wait without transmitting other data while the third electronic device 403 transmits the data 419. The second electronic device 402 may store the remaining period 416-b obtained by subtracting the elapsed period 416-a from the first period 416, and the fourth electronic device 404 may store the third period 418. The remaining period (418-b) obtained by subtracting the elapsed period (418-a) can be stored. The second electronic device 402 and/or the fourth electronic device 404 may transmit a portion of the data 419 transmitted through the second link 332 (e.g., the rate field and/or data included in the PHY header). The end time of transmission of the data 419 can be determined based on the length field and the duration field of the data included in the MAC header, and the end time of transmission of the data 419 can be waited for a certain time 420. there is.

The second electronic device 402 and/or the fourth electronic device 404 may reactivate the timer after a certain period of time (420) has elapsed. In response to confirming that the remaining period 418-b expires, the fourth electronic device 404 may transmit data 423 to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332. The second electronic device 402 may detect that the fourth electronic device 404 transmits data 423 before the remaining period 416-b expires, and may deactivate the timer operation again. The second electronic device 420 may store the remaining period 422 by subtracting the elapsed period 421 from the remaining period 416-b. The second electronic device 402 may transmit a portion of the data 423 transmitted through the second link 332 (e.g., the rate field and/or the length field of data included in the PHY header, and the data included in the MAC header). The end time of transmission of the data 423 may be determined based on the duration field of ) and may wait for a certain period of time 425 based on the end of transmission of the data 423.

The second electronic device 402 may reactivate the timer after a certain period of time (425) has elapsed. In response to confirming that the remaining period 422 expires, the fourth electronic device 404 may transmit data 424 to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332.

In the manner described above, the first electronic device 401, the second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403 and/or the fourth electronic device 404 perform media synchronization of the second link 332. can be performed.

Through the method shown in FIG. 4A, the first electronic device 401, the second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403, and/or the fourth electronic device 404 supporting CSMA/CA are prevented from colliding. Without this, data can be transmitted to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332.

Figure 4b is a diagram showing link delay time according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the electronic device (e.g., the first electronic device 401, the second electronic device 402, the third electronic device 403, and/or the fourth electronic device 404 in FIG. 4A) is Data may be transmitted through a link (e.g., the first link 331 in FIG. 3 or the second link 332 in FIG. 3) provided by an AP (e.g., the external electronic device 302 in FIG. 3). In FIG. 4B, the second electronic device 402 is described as the electronic device 402 for convenience of explanation, but the description of FIG. 4B refers to other electronic devices (e.g., the first electronic device 401 of FIG. 4A, the third electronic device) It may be applied to (403) and/or the fourth electronic device (404). According to one example, the electronic device 402 connects the AP 302 with the electronic device 402 in order to perform various services (e.g., streaming service, voice call, or video call) on the electronic device 402. Data related to the service can be transmitted through the created links 331 and 332.

The electronic device 402 may detect that data transmission is necessary and wait for data transmission (431). As shown in FIG. 4A, the electronic device 402 may transmit data through the links 331 and 332 using the CSMA/CA method.

The electronic device 402 may confirm that the links 331 and 332 are in an idle state for data transmission and activate a timer. Before the activated timer expires, the electronic device 402 connects the links 331 and 332 to other electronic devices (e.g., the first electronic device 401, the third electronic device 403, and the fourth electronic device in FIG. 4A). Upon confirming that the device 404 is occupied, the timer may be switched to a deactivated state. The electronic device 420 may wait without transmitting data through the links 331 and 332.

The electronic device 402 may wait for data transmission until the links 331 and 332 are idle and the timer expires. The time waiting for data transmission can be defined as contention time (432).

The electronic device 402 may determine that the links 331 and 332 are idle again, reactivate the deactivated timer and transmit data over the links 331 and 332 after the remaining time on the timer has expired. there is. The period between the start of data transmission and the completion of data transmission can be defined as a transmission time (433).

Referring to FIG. 4B, the period from when the electronic device 402 waits for data transmission (431) to when data transmission is completed can be defined as latency (latency) (434).

The delay time 434 can be set to a value representing the state of the link. According to one example, the contention time 432 included in the delay time 434 may change depending on the state of the link. For example, the contention time 432 may become longer as the channel occupancy rate of the link increases. If the contention time 432 is long, the link status can be considered to be relatively poor. For another example, the contention time 432 may be shorter as the channel occupancy rate of the link is lower, and when the contention time 432 is short, the link status can be considered to be relatively good. Therefore, when the delay time 434 is relatively long, the link state can be considered to be relatively poor, and when the delay time 434 is relatively short, the link state can be considered to be relatively good.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device according to various embodiments operates in a first mode in which data is divided and transmitted through a plurality of links.

An electronic device (e.g., electronic device 310 in FIG. 3) uses a first link (e.g., first link 331 in FIG. 3) and a second link (e.g., second link 333 in FIG. 3). Data can be transmitted to an external electronic device (eg, the external electronic device 320 of FIG. 3) through a plurality of links included.

The electronic device 310 may support a first mode in which data 440 is divided and transmitted through a plurality of links. While operating in the first mode, the electronic device 310 transmits at least some of the data 440 (441, 442) to the external electronic device 320 through the first link 331, and transmits the data 440 to the external electronic device 320. Other parts 443 and 444 may be transmitted to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332. When the electronic device 310 operates in the first mode, the data transmission speed can be improved by dividing the data 440 and transmitting it to the external electronic device 320 through a plurality of links.

However, when the electronic device 310 transmits the data 440 to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode in a situation where the status of the plurality of links is poor, the probability of successful transmission of the data 440 is low. It may be relatively low.

According to one example, assuming that the success rate of data transmission through the first link 331 is 80% and the success rate of data 440 through the second link 332 is 70%, the electronic device 310 The probability of successfully transmitting data 440 to the external electronic device 320 at once using the first mode may be 56% (0.8*0.7). Furthermore, when the transmission rate of the data 440 through a specific link (e.g., the second link 332) decreases, the electronic device 310 transmits the data 440 again through the link in which transmission of the data 440 failed. ) is performed, and the delay time of transmission of the data 440 may increase due to the retransmission of the other parts 443 and 444 of the data 440.

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating an example in which an electronic device operates in a second mode transmitting the same data through a plurality of links, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

An electronic device (e.g., electronic device 310 in FIG. 3) uses a first link (e.g., first link 331 in FIG. 3) and a second link (e.g., second link 333 in FIG. 3). Data can be transmitted to an external electronic device (eg, the external electronic device 320 of FIG. 3) through a plurality of links included.

The electronic device 310 may support a second mode in which the same data 440 is transmitted through a plurality of links. While operating in the second mode, the electronic device 310 duplicates data 440 to be transmitted to the external electronic device 320, thereby duplicating data that is the same as the data 440. data) (441) can be created. The electronic device 310 transmits data 440 to the external electronic device 320 through the first link 331, and transmits the copied data 441 to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332. ) can be transmitted. When operating in the second mode, the electronic device 310 can improve the data transmission success rate by transmitting the same data 440 and 441 to the external electronic device 320 through a plurality of links.

According to one example, assuming that the success rate of data transmission through the first link 331 is 80% and the success rate of data 440 through the second link 332 is 70%, the electronic device 310 The probability of successfully transmitting data 440 to the external electronic device 320 at once using the second mode may be 94% (1- 0.2*0.3). As explained in FIG. 4C, considering that the probability of the electronic device 310 successfully transmitting data 440 to the external electronic device 320 at once using the first mode is 56%, the second mode is the first mode. Compared to other modes, a higher data transmission success rate can be achieved.

However, even if the electronic device 310 transmits the data 440 using the first mode in a situation where the plurality of links are in good condition, the success rate of transmitting the data 440 may be sufficiently high. Accordingly, when the electronic device 310 transmits data 440 to the external electronic device 320 using the second mode in a situation where the status of a plurality of links is good, a phenomenon resulting in a high delay time may occur. You can.

Hereinafter, the electronic device 310 transmits data to the external electronic device 320 using either the first mode or the second mode based on the status of a plurality of links, thereby achieving low latency and/or An embodiment that can implement a high transmission success rate is described.

5 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the electronic device 500 (e.g., the electronic device 310 of FIG. 3) includes a communication circuit 510 (e.g., the first communication circuit 311 or the second communication circuit of FIG. 4B). 312) and/or a processor 520 (e.g., processor 120 of FIG. 1).

In FIG. 5 , for convenience of explanation, the first electronic device 401 is described as another external electronic device 401, but the description of FIG. 5 refers to other electronic devices (e.g., the second electronic device 402 and the third electronic device 402 of FIG. 4A ). It may be applied to the electronic device 403 and/or the fourth electronic device 404). The other external electronic device 401 may be an electronic device that transmits data to an external electronic device (eg, the external electronic device 320 of FIG. 3) or receives data from the external electronic device 320.

The communication circuit 510 may include various circuit structures used for modulating and/or demodulating signals within the electronic device 500. For example, the communication circuit 510 modulates a baseband signal into a RF (radio frequency) band signal to be output through an antenna (not shown), or modulates an RF band signal received through an antenna into a baseband signal. It can be demodulated into a signal in the band and transmitted to the processor 520.

The communication circuit 510 transmits a plurality of packets to the AP (e.g., the external electronic device 320 in FIG. 3) through a first link (e.g., the first link 331 in FIG. 3), or transmits a plurality of packets to the AP (e.g., the external electronic device 320 in FIG. Data transmitted by the external electronic device 320 can be received through 331). The communication circuit 510 transmits a packet to the external electronic device 320 through a second link (e.g., the second link 332 in FIG. 3) or transmits the packet to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332. You can receive packets transmitted by . The communication circuit 510 may output or receive a signal in a frequency band corresponding to the first link 331 through an antenna (e.g., the first antenna 313 in FIG. 3), and the second link 332 A signal in a frequency band corresponding to can be output or received through an antenna (e.g., the second antenna 314 in FIG. 3).

The processor 520 may perform an operation of receiving data transmitted by an application processor (e.g., processor 120 of FIG. 1) and generating a packet for transmitting the received data to the external electronic device 320. there is. The processor 520 may be defined as a communication processor (or communication processor) included in a communication module (eg, the wireless communication module 192 of FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the processor 520 generates a packet by performing channel coding based on data transmitted by an application processor (e.g., the application processor 120 of FIG. 1), or the external electronic device 320 It is possible to check whether at least part of the transmitted data has an error or, if an error occurs, to perform an error recovery operation (e.g., HARQ (hybrid auto repeat request)).

The processor 520 may be operatively connected to the communication circuit 510 and control the operation of the communication circuit 510 . The processor 520 may receive data transmitted by the application processor 120 and select a channel to use for transmitting or receiving packets corresponding to the data based on the characteristics of the service included in the data.

The processor 520 transmits data to an external electronic device (e.g., FIG. It can be transmitted to the external electronic device 320 of 3).

According to one example, the data to be transmitted may be at least one A-MPDU (Aggregate-MPDU) including a plurality of MPDUs (MAC Protocol Data Units), but in the present invention, data that can be implemented in various ways as well as MPDUs It can be included.

The processor 520 may check the status of a plurality of links including the first link 331 and the second link 332 in order to select one of the first mode and the second mode.

Various methods may be applied as the processor 520 checks the status of a plurality of links.

According to one example, the processor 520 may check the status of a plurality of links using delay time as part of the operation of checking the status of a plurality of links.

The processor 520 determines the first latency required to transmit data in a first mode, which is a mode in which data is divided and transmitted through a plurality of links, and/or a mode in which the same data is transmitted through multiple links. The second delay time required to transmit data in the second mode can be confirmed. The processor 520 may check the status of a plurality of links by comparing the first delay time and the second delay time. According to one example, a situation in which the first delay time is greater than the second delay time may be a situation in which the link state is relatively poor. According to another example, a situation in which the first delay time is smaller than the second delay time may be a situation in which the link state is relatively good. In the following, an embodiment of checking the status of a link based on delay time is described. However, the present invention can be applied in various ways to check not only the delay time but also the status of the link. According to one example, the processor 520 may check the channel occupancy rate of a plurality of links and check the status of the link based on the channel occupancy rate.

As described in Figure 4b, latency is the contention time between the start of waiting for data transmission and the start of data transmission, and the time when data transmission begins from the start of data transmission. It may be determined based on the transmission time between completion points.

According to one embodiment, the processor 520 may determine the delay time as the sum of contention time and transmission time. According to one embodiment, the processor 520 may determine the delay time as the sum of contention time, transmission time, and other times (eg, distributed inter frame space (DIFS)).

When determining (or predicting) the contention time, the processor 520 may determine the time required until all counters allocated to the electronic device 500 are deducted. The electronic device 500 may be capable of transmitting data when all counters are deducted, and the time taken while all counters are deducted (e.g., the time for another electronic device to transmit data and the subject of monitoring) If the link being used is idle, it may include the time required to deduct the counter) may be the same as the contention time, or may be a similar value. Accordingly, the processor 520 determines the time it takes for all counters allocated to the electronic device 500 to be deducted, and sets the determined time as the contention time to predict (or determine) the exact contention time. You can.

In determining the time it takes for all counters allocated to the electronic device 500 to be deducted, the processor 520 checks the time it takes for the counter to be deducted in a designated unit (e.g., 1 slot) and , the value obtained by multiplying the specified number of times by the time it takes for the counter to be deducted by a designated unit (e.g., 1 slot) can be set as the time it takes for all counters assigned to the electronic device 500 to be deducted.

The processor 520 determines the time it takes for the electronic device 500 to deduct a counter that can be used to perform CSMA/CA contention for each designated unit (e.g., 1 slot) and the link that is the subject of monitoring. You can check the percentage of time that exists in an idle state. The ratio of the time it takes for the counter to be deducted for each designated unit (e.g., 1 slot) and the time that the link subject to monitoring is in an idle state is determined by determining whether the link subject to monitoring exists in an idle state and the electronic device (500) ) participates in the competition, this may mean the number of times deduction is possible.

For example, the processor 520 uses Equation 1 below to determine the ratio of the time it takes for the counter to be deducted for each designated unit (e.g., 1 slot) and the time the first link 331 is in an idle state. can confirm.

[Equation 1]

(T _on : Time for monitoring the link subject to monitoring, T _cca : Time for which the link subject to monitoring is occupied by another external electronic device 401, T _slot : Time required for the counter to deduct one unit time)

Referring to Equation 1, the difference between the first time, which is the time when the link subject to monitoring is monitored, and the second time, which is the time when the link subject to monitoring is occupied by another external electronic device 401, is the monitoring time. This may mean the time during which the target link exists in an idle state (or the time during which the electronic device 500 can deduct the counter), and in the time during which the target link exists in an idle state, the counter The value obtained by dividing the time taken to deduct one unit may mean the number of counters that the electronic device 500 can deduct from the idle time.

Alternatively, the processor 520 may set the counter in a designated unit (e.g. You can also check the time required to be deducted for each slot (1 slot) and the ratio of the time that the link subject to monitoring is in an idle state.

The processor 520 may check the contention time of the electronic device 400 when the counter is deducted by one. The processor 520 uses a counter that allows the electronic device 500 to deduct the second time, which is the time when the link subject to monitoring is occupied by another external electronic device 401, from the idle time obtained in Equation 1. By dividing by the number, when the counter is deducted by one, the contention time per unit, which means the contention time of the electronic device 400, can be confirmed. For example, the processor 520 can check the contention time per counter unit based on Equation 2 below.

[Equation 2]

(T _on : The first time the link subject to monitoring is monitored, T _cca : The second time the link subject to monitoring is occupied by another external electronic device 401, T _slot : The counter is one unit time required to deduct)

Referring to Equation 2, the second time occupied by another external electronic device 401 divided by the number of counters that the electronic device 500 can deduct may mean the contention time per counter unit.

The processor 520 may determine the contention time by multiplying the contention time per unit time of the counter by the designated number of counters. The designated number of counters may mean the number of counters to be allocated when the electronic device 500 participates in contention. The designated number of counters may be determined when the electronic device 500 participates in contention. Accordingly, the processor 520 may set the average value of the counter to be allocated when the electronic device 500 participates in a contention to a specified number of times and determine the contention time. The average value of the counter to be assigned may be the average of the values of the counters that can be assigned to the electronic device 500. Alternatively, the average value of the counter to be assigned may be the average of the values of the counters previously assigned to the electronic device 500. Alternatively, the average value of the counter to be assigned is the counter values obtained by the electronic device 500 by monitoring the link that is the subject of monitoring (e.g., assigned to the electronic device 500 or another external electronic device 401). It may be the average value of the counter values. According to one example, the processor 520 may determine the contention time based on Equation 3 below.

[Equation 3]

(T _on : The first time the link subject to monitoring is monitored, T _cca : The second time the link subject to monitoring is occupied by another external electronic device 401, T _slot : The counter is one unit Time required to deduct, N _slot : Number of counters that can be assigned when the electronic device 500 participates in contention)

As part of the operation to determine the delay time, the processor 520 may determine the transmission time between the start of data transmission and the completion of data transmission.

When determining the transmission time, the processor 520 may determine the transmission time based on the size of data to be transmitted and the uplink reference data rate of the link that is the target of monitoring. The processor 520 can determine the transmission time by dividing the size of data to be transmitted by the data rate. The processor 520 may determine the transmission time based on Equation 4 below.

[Equation 4]

(T _tx : data transmission time, payload: data size, R _ul : uplink standard data rate of the link subject to monitoring)

When determining the transmission time, the processor 520 may determine the transmission time based on the type of service or data type that the electronic device 500 is performing. For example, if the service being performed by the electronic device 500 is a service that transmits relatively large amounts of data, the processor 520 may determine the transmission time by setting the data size to be large. If the type of data to be transmitted by the electronic device 500 has a relatively large capacity, the processor 520 may determine the transmission time by setting the data size to be large.

Processor 520 may determine the delay time based on contention time and transmission time. The processor 520 may determine the delay time by adding contention time and transmission time.

According to one example, while operating in the first mode, the processor 520 calculates the first delay time, which is the delay time required for data transmission through one of a plurality of links, using Equation 5. You can decide (or confirm).

[Equation 5]

( : delay time of data transmission through link i, : transmission time of transmission of data through the i link, Ton: the first time monitoring the i link, Tcca: the second time the i link is occupied by the external electronic device 401, Tslot: the counter is 1 Time required to deduct units, Nslot: Number of counters that can be assigned when the electronic device 500 participates in contention)

The processor 520 determines (or checks) the delay time of each of the plurality of links, and uses the harmonic average of the delay time of each of the plurality of links to determine the delay time of data transmission while operating in the first mode. A first delay time may be determined.

According to one example, the processor 520 determines (or checks) the delay time of each of a plurality of links, and determines the delay of data transmission while operating in the first mode of dividing and transmitting data through a plurality of links. The first delay time can be determined (or confirmed) using Equation 6 below.

[Equation 6]

( : Delay time required to divide and transmit data through a plurality of links, K: Number of links created between the electronic device 500 and the external electronic device 320, : delay time of data transmission through the i link)

Equation 6 above may be a delay time determined assuming that data transmission is successful all at once. In other words, Equation 6 may mean the delay time required for one transmission opportunity. The processor 520 may determine the first delay time by additionally considering the number of transmissions required to successfully transmit data.

The processor 520 may determine (or confirm) the number of transmissions (TXOP) required for data transmission while operating in the first mode using Equation 7 below.

[Equation 7]

( : Size of data, : the size of the portion of data to be transmitted over the Article I link, : Success probability when transmitting data through the i link, K: Number of links created between the electronic device 500 and the external electronic device 320)

In a situation where the electronic device 500 operates in the first mode, when data is transmitted separately through a plurality of links, successful data transmission can be achieved only when all data transmission through each of the plurality of links is successful. . Therefore, referring to Equation 7, the number of transmissions required to transmit data in the first mode is the sum of the effective size of data transmission through each link (the product of the size of a portion of data and the transmission success rate) from the data size. It can be determined using the divided value.

In determining the first delay time, the processor 520 determines the first delay time based on the product of the delay time of data transmission in one transmission opportunity determined through Equation 6 and the number of transmissions determined through Equation 7. can be decided.

According to one example, the processor 520 may determine the first delay time using Equation 8 below.

[Equation 8]

( : Size of data, : the size of the portion of data to be transmitted over the Article I link, : Probability of success when transmitting data through the i link, K: Number of links created between the electronic device 500 and the external electronic device 320, : Delay time required to divide and transmit data through multiple links)

The processor 520 may check the second delay time required to transmit data while operating in the second mode transmitting the same data through a plurality of links. Various information used to determine the second delay time can be directly obtained by the electronic device 500 or received from the external electronic device 320.

According to one example, while operating in the second mode, the processor 520 calculates the second delay time, which is the delay time required to transmit data through one of a plurality of links, using Equation 9. You can decide (or confirm).

[Equation 9]

( : delay time of data transmission over link i, : Number of links created between the electronic device 500 and the external electronic device 320, : transmission time of transmission of data through the i link, Ton: the first time monitoring the i link, Tcca: the second time the i link is occupied by the external electronic device 3, Tslot: the counter is 1 Time required to deduct units, Nslot: Number of counters that can be assigned when the electronic device 500 participates in contention)

The processor 520 determines (or confirms) the delay time of each of the plurality of links, and uses the harmonic average of the delay time of each of the plurality of links to determine the delay time of data transmission while operating in the second mode. A second delay time may be determined.

According to one example, the processor 520 determines (or confirms) the delay time of each of the plurality of links and determines the delay of data transmission while operating in the second mode of transmitting the same data through the plurality of links. The second delay time can be determined (or confirmed) using Equation 10 below.

[Equation 10]

( : Delay time required to transmit the same data through multiple links, K: Number of links created between the electronic device 500 and the external electronic device 320, : Latency of data transmission over the first I link)

Equation 10 above may be a delay time determined assuming that data transmission is successful all at once. In other words, Equation 10 may refer to the delay time required for one transmission opportunity. The processor 520 may determine the second delay time by additionally considering the number of transmissions required to successfully transmit data.

The processor 520 may determine (or confirm) the number of transmissions (TXOP) required for data transmission while operating in the second mode using Equation 11 below.

[Equation 11]

( : Success probability when transmitting data through the i link, K: Number of links created between the electronic device 500 and the external electronic device 320)

In a situation where the electronic device 500 operates in the second mode, when transmitting the same data through a plurality of links, success in data transmission is achieved when data transmission is successful through any one link of the plurality of links. It can be implemented. Therefore, referring to Equation 11, the number of transmissions required to transmit data in the second mode is the probability that all of the plurality of links fail to transmit data in the overall probability (1) ( ) minus the value ( ) may be the reciprocal of

In determining the second delay time, the processor 520 determines the second delay time based on the product of the delay time of data transmission in one transmission opportunity determined through Equation 10 and the number of transmissions determined through Equation 11. can be decided.

According to one example, the processor 520 may determine the second delay time using Equation 12 below.

[Equation 12]

( : Probability of success when transmitting data through the i link, K: Number of links created between the electronic device 500 and the external electronic device 320, : Delay time required to transmit the same data through multiple links)

Through the method described above, the processor 520 controls the first delay time required for data transmission while the electronic device 500 operates in the first mode and/or the electronic device 500 operates in the second mode. While doing so, the second delay time required for data transmission can be checked.

The processor 520 may compare the first delay time and the second delay time and check the status of a plurality of links based on the comparison result.

According to one example, the processor 520 may confirm that the second delay time is equal to or greater than (or exceed) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is good. The good condition of the plurality of links may mean that a high transmission success rate can be achieved even when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode. The processor 520 may select the first mode based on confirming that the second delay time is greater than or equal to the first delay time.

According to one example, the processor 520 may confirm that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is poor. The poor condition of the plurality of links may mean that a low transmission success rate may result when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode. The processor 520 may select the second mode based on confirming that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time.

According to one example, the processor 520 operates in the second mode based on determining that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time and is less than the delay time required by the service related to the transmission of data. You can select . The second delay time must be smaller than the delay time required by the service related to data transmission to enable smooth performance of the service.

If the second delay time is greater than the delay time required by a service related to data transmission, the processor 520 may not select the second mode. Alternatively, if the second delay time is greater than the delay time required by a service related to data transmission, the processor 520 may use a communication method other than the currently used short-range wireless communication (e.g., cellular communication, D2D communication). Data can be transmitted via (e.g. NAN, Wi-Fi direct).

The processor 520 may support a third mode of transmitting or receiving data to the external electronic device 320 through one link. The processor 520 may determine whether to switch to the second mode while transmitting or receiving data to the external electronic device 320 using the third mode based on the state of the link.

Various methods may be applied as the processor 520 checks the status of the link.

According to one example, the processor 520 may check the link status using delay time as part of the operation of checking the link status.

The processor 520 transmits the second delay time required to transmit data in the second mode, which is a mode for transmitting the same data through a plurality of links, and the third mode, which is a mode for transmitting data through a single link. You can check the third delay time required to do this. The processor 520 may check the state of the link by comparing the second delay time and the third delay time.

As described in Figure 4b, latency is the contention time between the start of waiting for data transmission and the start of data transmission, and the time when data transmission begins from the start of data transmission. It may be determined based on the transmission time between completion points.

According to one embodiment, the processor 520 may determine the delay time as the sum of contention time and transmission time. According to one embodiment, the processor 520 may determine the delay time as the sum of contention time, transmission time, and other times (eg, distributed inter frame space (DIFS)).

The processor 520 can determine the delay time required to transmit data in the third mode using Equation 13 below.

[Equation 13]

+ … =

( : delay time of data transmission through link i, : transmission time of transmission of data through the i link, Ton: the first time monitoring the i link, Tcca: the second time the i link is occupied by the external electronic device 401, Tslot: the counter is 1 Time required to subtract units, Nslot: Number of counters that can be assigned when the electronic device 500 participates in contention, P _i : Data transmission success rate through the i link, N _limit : Maximum number of retransmissions, communication Maximum number of retransmissions that the circuit 510 can support) The delay time in Equation 13 may be a value determined by considering the transmission success rate and number of retransmissions of the link.

The processor 520 can determine the delay time required to transmit data in the second mode using Equation 14 below.

[Equation 14]

+ … =

( : Delay time of data transmission through multiple links, : Transmission time of transmission of data through the i link, T _i,on : First time monitoring the i link, T _cca : Second time when the i link is occupied by the external electronic device 401, T _slot : time required for a counter to deduct one unit, N _slot : number of counters that can be assigned when the electronic device 500 participates in contention, P _i : data transmission success rate through the i link, N _limit : Maximum number of retransmissions, which is the maximum number of retransmissions that the communication circuit 510 can support)

Referring to Equation 14, in the second mode of transmitting the same data through a plurality of links, if data transmission through one of the plurality of links is successful, the data transmitted through the other link is duplicated. Since it is data, the external electronic device 320 may not process data received through another link. Accordingly, the total delay time in the second mode may be the smallest delay time among the delay times of data transmitted through a plurality of links.

The processor 520 compares the delay time in the third mode determined through Equation 13 with the delay time in the second mode determined through Equation 14, and determines whether to switch to the second mode based on the comparison result. You can decide.

According to one example, the processor 520 may maintain the third mode when the delay time in the third mode is smaller than the delay time in the second mode.

According to one example, the processor 520 may determine to switch from the third mode to the second mode when the delay time in the third mode is greater than the delay time in the second mode.

According to one example, the processor 520 operates when the delay time in the third mode is greater than the delay time in the second mode and the delay time in the second mode is less than the required delay time of a service related to data transmission. , it is possible to decide to switch from the third mode to the second mode.

As the processor 520 determines to switch from the third mode to the second mode, the processor 520 selects (or determines) a combination of links to be used for data transmission, and transmits the data to the external electronic device 320 through the combination of the selected links. ) can be transmitted.

When selecting a combination of links, the processor 520 may select a combination of links that satisfies that the delay time that occurs when data is transmitted through the combination of links is less than the delay time required for a service related to data transmission. there is. If there are a plurality of link combinations that satisfy that the delay time that occurs when data is transmitted through a combination of links is less than the required delay time of a service related to data transmission, the processor 520 determines the lowest among the link combinations. You can choose any combination that can implement power consumption.

When operating in the second mode, the processor 520 may transmit a signal containing information indicating operation in the second mode to the external electronic device 320. Information indicating operation in the second mode may be included in various signals. According to one example, the processor 520 may control the communication circuit 510 to transmit various action frames defined in services related to data transmission to the external electronic device 320. The processor 520 may include information indicating operation in the second mode in a specific field included in the action frame.

According to one example, the processor 520 provides a specific service request frame defined in a service requiring high reliability and low latency (e.g., ultra reliable and low latency communication (URLLC) (e.g., emergency preparedness communication service (EPCS)) Information indicating operation in the second mode may be included in a field (e.g., priority access multi-link element field) included in the EPCS priority access enable request action frame.

While operating in the second mode, the processor 520 may adjust (increase or decrease) the number of links transmitting the same data based on the state of the link.

According to one example, while operating in the second mode, the processor 520 may receive information related to the number of times the same data is received from the external electronic device 320.

Information related to the number of times the same data is received may include the number of times a data unit with the same sequence number is received among a plurality of data units (eg, MPDUs) included in the data.

According to one example, when the external electronic device 320 relatively frequently receives data units having the same sequence number, this may mean that the quality of a plurality of links improves.

According to one example, when the external electronic device 320 does not receive data units having the same sequence number relatively frequently, this may mean that the quality of a plurality of links is reduced.

While operating in the second mode, the processor 520 determines (or adjusts) the number of links transmitting the same data based on information related to the number of times the same data is received from the external electronic device 320. )can do.

According to one example, the processor 520 may reduce the number of links transmitting the same data based on the number of times the same data is received satisfying a specified condition.

The designated condition may include a condition in which the number of times the external electronic device 320 receives the same data is greater than or equal to a designated number of times, or a condition in which the number of times the external electronic device 320 receives the same data increases. If the number of times the external electronic device 320 receives the same data increases, this may mean that the quality of the link improves. Therefore, by reducing the number of links, power consumption can be reduced while maintaining the quality of service.

The processor 520 may not decrease the number of links transmitting the same data (or maintain the number of links transmitting the same data) based on the number of times the same data is received does not satisfy a specified condition. , can be increased).

According to one example, while operating in the second mode, the processor 520 may check the number of times the same data is retransmitted to the external electronic device 320. The number of retransmissions of the same data can be received from the external electronic device 320, but the electronic device 500 can also directly check it.

While operating in the second mode, the processor 520 determines (or adjusts) the number of links transmitting the same data based on whether the same data is retransmitted to the external electronic device 320. You can.

According to one example, the processor 520 may increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on confirmation that the same data is retransmitted to the external electronic device 320. Retransmitting the same data to the external electronic device 320 may mean that the link quality is poor. Accordingly, processor 520 may increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on retransmissions occurring.

According to one example, the processor 520 may not increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on confirmation that the same data is not retransmitted to the external electronic device 320. Not increasing the number of links transmitting the same data may include decreasing the number of links transmitting the same data or maintaining the number of links transmitting the same data.

According to one example, while operating in the second mode, the processor 520 may receive information related to the number of times the same data is received and the number of times the data reception fails, from the external electronic device 320.

Information related to the number of times the same data is received and the number of times data reception fails is included in the data and the number of times a data unit with the same sequence number is received among a plurality of data units (e.g., MPDUs) included in the data. It may include the number of data units that failed to be received among the plurality of data units received. Alternatively, information related to the number of times the same data is received and the number of failed data receptions includes the number of times a data unit with the same sequence number is received and the data number among a plurality of data units (e.g., MPDUs) included in the data. It may also include a difference value of the number of data units that failed to be received among a plurality of data units included in .

According to one example, when the external electronic device 320 relatively frequently receives data units having the same sequence number, this may mean that the quality of a plurality of links improves.

According to one example, when the external electronic device 320 does not receive data units having the same sequence number relatively frequently, this may mean that the quality of a plurality of links is reduced.

According to one example, if the number of data units that the external electronic device 320 failed to receive decreases, this may mean that the quality of the plurality of links improves, and the number of data units that the external electronic device 320 failed to receive decreases. If it increases, it may mean that the quality of multiple links improves.

The processor 520 determines the number of receptions of data units having the same sequence number among a plurality of data units (e.g., MPDUs) included in the data and the number of data units that failed to be received among the plurality of data units included in the data. As the number difference value increases, the number of links transmitting the same data can be reduced.

The difference between the number of receptions of data units with the same sequence number among multiple data units (e.g., MPDUs) included in the data and the number of data units that failed to receive among the multiple data units included in the data increases. This means that the number of receptions of data units with the same sequence number increases and/or the number of data units that fail to receive decreases, and may mean that the link quality is good. Accordingly, the processor 520 can reduce the number of links transmitting the same data.

The processor 520 determines the number of receptions of data units having the same sequence number among a plurality of data units (e.g., MPDUs) included in the data and the number of data units that failed to be received among the plurality of data units included in the data. As the number difference value decreases, the number of links transmitting the same data can be increased. Retransmitting the same data to the external electronic device 320 may mean that the link quality is poor.

The difference between the number of receptions of data units with the same sequence number among multiple data units (e.g. MPDUs) included in the data and the number of data units that failed to receive among the multiple data units included in the data decreases. This means that the number of receptions of data units with the same sequence number decreases and/or the number of data units that fail to receive increases, and may mean that the link quality is poor. Accordingly, the processor 520 can increase the success rate of data transmission by increasing the number of links transmitting the same data.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart 600 illustrating a method of operating an electronic device according to various embodiments.

In operation 610, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 500 of FIG. 5) determines the status of a plurality of links between the electronic device 500 and an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 320 of FIG. 3). You can check it.

Various methods may be applied as the electronic device 500 checks the status of a plurality of links.

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may check the status of a plurality of links using delay time as part of the operation of checking the status of a plurality of links.

The electronic device 500 has a first latency required to transmit data in a first mode, which is a mode in which data is divided and transmitted through a plurality of links, and/or a mode in which the same data is transmitted through a plurality of links. The second delay time required to transmit data in the second mode can be confirmed.

The electronic device 500 may check the status of a plurality of links by comparing the first delay time and the second delay time. According to one example, a situation in which the first delay time is greater than the second delay time may be a situation in which the link state is relatively poor. According to another example, a situation in which the first delay time is smaller than the second delay time may be a situation in which the link state is relatively good. However, the present invention can be applied in various ways to check not only the delay time but also the status of the link. According to one example, the electronic device 500 may check the channel occupancy rate of a plurality of links and check the status of the link based on the channel occupancy rate.

As described in Figure 4b, latency is the contention time between the start of waiting for data transmission and the start of data transmission, and the time when data transmission begins from the start of data transmission. It may be determined based on the transmission time between completion points.

According to one embodiment, the electronic device 500 may determine the delay time as the sum of the contention time and the transmission time. According to one embodiment, the electronic device 500 may determine the delay time as the sum of contention time, transmission time, and other times (eg, distributed inter frame space (DIFS)).

According to one example, while operating in the first mode, the electronic device 500 determines (or confirms) a first delay time, which is the delay time required to transmit data through one of a plurality of links. )can do.

The electronic device 500 determines (or confirms) the delay time of each of the plurality of links and uses the harmonic average of the delay time of each of the plurality of links to determine the delay time of data transmission while operating in the first mode. The first delay time can be determined.

In determining the first delay time, the electronic device 500 may determine the first delay time based on the product of the delay time of data transmission in the determined one-time transmission opportunity and the determined number of transmissions.

The electronic device 500 may check the second delay time required to transmit data while operating in the second mode transmitting the same data through a plurality of links. Various information used to determine the second delay time can be directly obtained by the electronic device 500 or received from the external electronic device 320.

According to one example, while operating in the second mode, the electronic device 500 determines (or checks) a second delay time, which is the delay time required to transmit data through one of a plurality of links. )can do.

The electronic device 500 determines (or confirms) the delay time of each of the plurality of links and determines the delay time of data transmission while operating in the second mode using the harmonic average of the delay time of each of the plurality of links. A second delay time can be determined.

In determining the second delay time, the electronic device 500 may determine the second delay time based on the product of the delay time of data transmission in the determined one-time transmission opportunity and the determined number of transmissions.

The electronic device 500 may compare the first delay time and the second delay time and check the status of a plurality of links based on the comparison result.

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is equal to or greater than (or exceed) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is good.

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is poor. The poor condition of the plurality of links may mean that a low transmission success rate may result when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode.

In operation 620, the electronic device 500 selects one of a first mode in which data is divided and transmitted through a plurality of links and a second mode in which the same data is transmitted through a plurality of links, based on the status of the plurality of links. You can select a mode.

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is equal to or greater than (or exceed) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is good. The good condition of the plurality of links may mean that a high transmission success rate can be achieved even when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode. The electronic device 500 may select the first mode based on confirmation that the second delay time is greater than or equal to the first delay time.

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is poor. The poor condition of the plurality of links may mean that a low transmission success rate may result when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode. The electronic device 500 may select the second mode based on confirming that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time.

According to one example, the electronic device 500, based on confirming that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time and less than the delay time required by a service related to data transmission, You can select a mode. The second delay time must be smaller than the delay time required by the service related to data transmission to enable smooth performance of the service.

In operation 630, the electronic device 500 may transmit data to the external electronic device 320 using the selected mode.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart 700 illustrating an example in which an electronic device transmits data using either the first mode or the second mode based on delay time, according to various embodiments.

In operation 710, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 500 of FIG. 5) may check whether data related to the specified service is transmitted.

The designated service may be a service that requires data transmission using the second mode. According to one example, the designated service is a service that requires relatively high reliability and may include emergency dispatch services (eg, 211, 911).

The electronic device 500 verifies information indicating the service type included in the header of the packet (or data unit) included in the data, and verifies whether the service type matches the specified service to connect to the specified service. You can check whether related data is being transmitted.

In operation 720, the electronic device 500 determines that the first delay time for data transmission using the first mode is determined based on the fact that data related to the designated service is not transmitted (operation 710-N). It can be checked whether it is greater than the second delay time for data transmission.

As described in Figure 4b, latency is the contention time between the start of waiting for data transmission and the start of data transmission, and the time when data transmission begins from the start of data transmission. It may be determined based on the transmission time between completion points.

In determining the first delay time, the electronic device 500 may determine the first delay time based on the product of the delay time of data transmission in the determined one-time transmission opportunity and the determined number of transmissions.

In determining the second delay time, the electronic device 500 may determine the second delay time based on the product of the delay time of data transmission in the determined one-time transmission opportunity and the determined number of transmissions.

According to one example, a situation in which the first delay time is greater than the second delay time may be a situation in which the link state is relatively poor. According to another example, a situation in which the first delay time is smaller than the second delay time may be a situation in which the link state is relatively good.

The electronic device 500 may compare the first delay time and the second delay time and check the status of a plurality of links based on the comparison result.

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is equal to or greater than (or exceed) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is good.

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is poor. The poor condition of the plurality of links may mean that a low transmission success rate may result when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode.

In operation 730, the electronic device 500 selects the second mode when the first delay time is greater than the second delay time (operation 720-Y) or when data related to a specified service is transmitted (operation 710-Y). Data transmission can be performed using

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is poor. The poor condition of the plurality of links may mean that a low transmission success rate may result when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode. The electronic device 500 may select the second mode based on confirming that the second delay time is less than (or less than) the first delay time.

In operation 740, the electronic device 500 may perform data transmission using the first mode when the first delay time is not greater than the second delay time (operation 720-N).

According to one example, the electronic device 500 may confirm that the second delay time is equal to or greater than (or exceed) the first delay time and confirm that the status of the plurality of links is good. The good condition of the plurality of links may mean that a high transmission success rate can be achieved even when data is transmitted to the external electronic device 320 using the first mode. The electronic device 500 may select the first mode based on confirmation that the second delay time is greater than or equal to the first delay time.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart 800 illustrating an example in which an electronic device according to various embodiments adjusts the number of links transmitting the same data based on the number of duplicate data units received from an external electronic device.

The electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 500 of FIG. 5) may perform data transmission using the second mode in operation 810.

The second mode may be a mode in which the electronic device 500 transmits the same data through a plurality of links created on the electronic device 500 and an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 320 in FIG. 3). there is.

While operating in the second mode, the electronic device 500 can generate duplicated data, which is the same data as the data, by duplicating data to be transmitted to the external electronic device 320. there is.

According to one example, the electronic device 310 transmits data to the external electronic device 320 through a first link (e.g., the first link 331 in FIG. 3) and transmits the copied data to the second link (e.g., the first link 331 in FIG. 3). Example: It can be transmitted to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332 in FIG. 3. When operating in the second mode, the electronic device 500 can improve the data transmission success rate by transmitting the same data to the external electronic device 320 through a plurality of links.

In operation 820, the electronic device 500 may receive information related to the number of duplicate data units among the same data from the external electronic device 320.

Information related to the number of times a duplicate data unit is received among the same data may include the number of times a data unit with the same sequence number is received among a plurality of data units (eg, MPDUs) included in the data.

According to one example, when the external electronic device 320 relatively frequently receives data units having the same sequence number, this may mean that the quality of a plurality of links improves.

According to one example, when the external electronic device 320 does not receive data units having the same sequence number relatively frequently, this may mean that the quality of a plurality of links is reduced.

In operation 830, the electronic device 500 may check whether the number of duplicated data units satisfies a specified condition.

The designated condition may include a condition in which the number of times the external electronic device 320 receives the same data is greater than or equal to a designated number of times, or a condition in which the number of times the external electronic device 320 receives the same data increases. If the number of times the external electronic device 320 receives a duplicate data unit satisfies a specified condition, this may mean that the quality of the link improves.

In operation 840, the electronic device 500 may adjust the number of links transmitting the same data based on the number of overlapping data units satisfying a specified condition (operation 830-Y).

The electronic device 500 may adjust the number of links transmitting the same data based on the number of times the same data is received satisfying a specified condition. Adjusting the number of links transmitting the same data may include reducing the number of links transmitting the same data.

In operation 850, the electronic device 500 may maintain the number of links transmitting the same data based on the fact that the number of duplicated data units does not satisfy a specified condition (operation 830-N).

The electronic device 500 may not reduce the number of links transmitting the same data (or maintain the number of links transmitting the same data) based on the fact that the number of times the same data is received does not satisfy a specified condition. or can be increased).

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart 900 illustrating an example in which an electronic device according to various embodiments adjusts the number of links transmitting the same data based on whether data retransmission occurs.

The electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 500 of FIG. 5) may perform data transmission using the second mode in operation 910.

The second mode may be a mode in which the electronic device 500 transmits the same data through a plurality of links created on the electronic device 500 and an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device 320 in FIG. 3). there is.

While operating in the second mode, the electronic device 500 can generate duplicated data, which is the same data as the data, by duplicating data to be transmitted to the external electronic device 320. there is.

According to one example, the electronic device 310 transmits data to the external electronic device 320 through a first link (e.g., the first link 331 in FIG. 3) and transmits the copied data to the second link (e.g., the first link 331 in FIG. 3). Example: It can be transmitted to the external electronic device 320 through the second link 332 in FIG. 3. When operating in the second mode, the electronic device 500 can improve the data transmission success rate by transmitting the same data to the external electronic device 320 through a plurality of links.

In operation 920, the electronic device 500 may check whether data retransmission has occurred.

According to one example, while operating in the second mode, the electronic device 500 may check the number of times the same data is retransmitted to the external electronic device 320. The number of retransmissions of the same data can be received from the external electronic device 320, but the electronic device 500 can also directly check it.

In operation 940, the electronic device 500 may increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on confirmation that retransmission of the same data occurs (operation 930-Y).

The electronic device 500 may increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on confirmation that the same data is retransmitted to the external electronic device 320. Retransmitting the same data to the external electronic device 320 may mean that the link quality is poor. Accordingly, processor 520 may increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on retransmissions occurring.

In operation 950, the electronic device 500 may maintain or reduce the number of links transmitting the same data based on confirmation that retransmission of the same data does not occur (operation 930-N).

The electronic device 500 may not increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on confirmation that the same data is not retransmitted to the external electronic device 320. Not increasing the number of links transmitting the same data may include decreasing the number of links transmitting the same data or maintaining the number of links transmitting the same data.

An electronic device according to an embodiment may include a communication circuit that performs short-range wireless communication through one link or multiple links created between an external electronic device and the electronic device. The electronic device may include a processor operatively coupled to the communication circuit. The processor may check the status of the plurality of links based on information transmitted by the external electronic device. The processor may select one of a first mode in which data is divided and transmitted through the plurality of links and a second mode in which the same data is transmitted through the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links. The processor may control the communication circuit to transmit the data to the external electronic device through the selected mode.

In the electronic device according to one embodiment, when operating in the first mode, the processor has a first delay time required to transmit the data and when operating in the second mode, the processor has a first delay time required to transmit the data. 2 You can check the delay time. The processor may be set to check the status of the plurality of links based on a comparison result of the first delay time and the second delay time.

In the electronic device according to one embodiment, the processor selects the first mode based on the second delay time being greater than the first delay time, or the second delay time being less than the first delay time. Based on this, the second mode may be selected.

In the electronic device according to one embodiment, the processor selects the second mode based on the second delay time being less than the first delay time and less than the delay time required by a service related to transmission of the data. can be set.

In the electronic device according to one embodiment, when operating in the first mode, the processor includes a first transmission time required to transmit the data, a time required for a counter to be allocated to the electronic device to be deducted for each designated unit, and Based on the ratio of time that the at least one link is in an idle state and the designated number of times in the counter, a first delay time that is the sum of the contention time, which is the waiting time for transmission of the data, can be confirmed. When operating in the second mode, the processor may be set to check a second delay time that is the sum of the second transmission time and the contention time required to transmit the data.

In the electronic device according to one embodiment, while operating in the second mode, the processor may receive information related to the number of times the same data is received from the external electronic device. The processor may be set to determine the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on the number of times the same data is received.

In an electronic device according to an embodiment, the processor may be set to decrease the number of links transmitting the same data based on an increase in the number of receptions of the same data.

In an electronic device according to an embodiment, the processor may be set to increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on a decrease in the number of receptions of the same data.

In the electronic device according to one embodiment, the processor may check whether the same data is retransmitted while operating in the second mode. The processor may be set to determine the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on whether the same data is retransmitted.

In an electronic device according to an embodiment, the processor may be set to increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on retransmission of the same data.

In the electronic device according to one embodiment, the processor is configured to divide and transmit data through the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links and characteristics of services related to transmission of the data, and a first mode for transmitting data through the plurality of links. It can be set to select one of the second modes transmitting the same data through .

A method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment includes the operation of checking the status of a plurality of links created to perform short-range wireless communication between an external electronic device and the electronic device based on information transmitted by the external electronic device. It can be included. A method of operating an electronic device includes selecting one of a first mode for dividing and transmitting data through the plurality of links and a second mode for transmitting the same data through the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links. It may include actions such as: A method of operating an electronic device may include transmitting the data to the external electronic device through the selected mode.

In a method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment, the operation of checking the status of the plurality of links includes, when operating in the first mode, a first delay time required to transmit the data and operating in the second mode. In this case, an operation of checking the second delay time required to transmit the data may be included. The operation of checking the status of the plurality of links may include checking the status of the plurality of links based on a comparison result of the first delay time and the second delay time.

In a method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment, the operation of selecting one of the first mode and the second mode is based on the second delay time being greater than the first delay time. The action of selecting; Alternatively, it may include selecting the second mode based on the second delay time being less than the first delay time.

In a method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment, the operation of selecting one of the first mode and the second mode is performed when the second delay time is smaller than the first delay time and related to transmission of the data. It may include selecting the second mode based on the delay time being less than that required by the service.

In a method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment, the operation of checking the status of the plurality of links includes, when operating in the first mode, a first transmission time required to transmit the data and a first transmission time to be allocated to the electronic device. The ratio of the time it takes for the counter to be deducted for each specified unit, the ratio of the time that the at least one link is in an idle state, and the contention time, which is the time waiting for the data to be transmitted, based on the specified number of times of the counter, is the sum of 1 May include an operation to check the delay time. The operation of checking the status of the plurality of links may include checking a second delay time that is the sum of the second transmission time and the contention time required to transmit the data when operating in the second mode. .

The method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment may further include receiving information related to the number of times the same data is received from the external electronic device while operating in the second mode. The method of operating the electronic device may further include determining the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on the number of times the same data is received.

In a method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment, the operation of determining the number of links may include reducing the number of links transmitting the same data based on an increase in the number of receptions of the same data. there is.

In a method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment, the operation of determining the number of links may include increasing the number of links transmitting the same data based on a decrease in the number of receptions of the same data. there is.

The method of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment may further include checking whether the same data is retransmitted while operating in the second mode. The method of operating an electronic device may further include determining the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on whether the same data is retransmitted.

Electronic devices according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be of various types. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to embodiments of this document are not limited to the above-described devices.

The various embodiments of this document and the terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various changes, equivalents, or replacements of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numbers may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the above items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A. Each of the phrases such as “at least one of , B, or C” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase. Terms such as "first", "second", or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another, and to refer to those components in other respects (e.g., importance or order) is not limited. One (e.g., first) component is said to be “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., second) component, with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively.” When mentioned, it means that any of the components can be connected to the other components directly (e.g. wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

The term “module” used in this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit, for example. A module may be an integrated part or a minimum unit of the parts or a part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, the module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments of the present document are one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., built-in memory 136 or external memory 138) that can be read by a machine (e.g., electronic device 101). It may be implemented as software (e.g., program 140) including these. For example, a processor (e.g., processor 120) of a device (e.g., electronic device 101) may call at least one command among one or more commands stored from a storage medium and execute it. This allows the device to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction called. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that can be executed by an interpreter. Device-readable storage media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, 'non-transitory' only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g. electromagnetic waves). This term refers to cases where data is stored semi-permanently in the storage medium. There is no distinction between temporary storage cases.

According to one embodiment, methods according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be included and provided in a computer program product. Computer program products are commodities and can be traded between sellers and buyers. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g. compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)) or through an application store (e.g. Play StoreTM) or on two user devices (e.g. It can be distributed (e.g. downloaded or uploaded) directly between smartphones) or online. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (eg, module or program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or a plurality of entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components or operations described above may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (eg, modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each component of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component of the plurality of components prior to the integration. . According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, or omitted. Alternatively, one or more other operations may be added.

Claims (20)

In electronic devices,
a communication circuit that performs short-range wireless communication through one link or a plurality of links created between an external electronic device and the electronic device; and
comprising a processor operatively coupled to the communication circuit;
The processor is
Checking the status of the plurality of links based on information transmitted by the external electronic device,
Based on the status of the plurality of links, select one of a first mode in which data is transmitted separately through the plurality of links and a second mode in which the same data is transmitted through the plurality of links, and
An electronic device that controls the communication circuit to transmit the data to the external electronic device through the selected mode.
According to claim 1,
The processor is
When operating in the first mode, check the first delay time required to transmit the data and when operating in the second mode, check the second delay time required to transmit the data,
An electronic device configured to check the status of the plurality of links based on a comparison result of the first delay time and the second delay time.
According to clause 2,
The processor is
select the first mode based on the second delay time being greater than the first delay time, or
An electronic device configured to select the second mode based on the second delay time being less than the first delay time.
According to claim 2,
The processor is
An electronic device configured to select the second mode based on the second delay time being less than the first delay time and less than the delay time required by a service related to transmission of the data.
According to claim 2,
The processor is
When operating in the first mode, the first transmission time required to transmit the data, the time required for the counter to be allocated to the electronic device to be deducted for each designated unit, and the time for which the at least one link is in an idle state Based on the ratio and the specified number of counters, determine a first delay time, which is the sum of the contention time, which is the time waiting for the transmission of the data,
When operating in the second mode, the electronic device is configured to check a second delay time that is the sum of the second transmission time and the contention time required to transmit the data.
According to claim 1,
The processor is
While operating in the second mode, receive information related to the number of times the same data is received from the external electronic device,
An electronic device configured to determine the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on the number of times the same data is received.
According to clause 6,
The processor is
An electronic device configured to reduce the number of links transmitting the same data based on an increase in the number of receptions of the same data.
According to clause 6,
The processor is
An electronic device configured to increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on a decrease in the number of receptions of the same data.
According to claim 1,
The processor is
While operating in the second mode, check whether the same data is retransmitted and
An electronic device configured to determine the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on whether the same data is retransmitted.
According to clause 9,
The processor is
An electronic device configured to increase the number of links transmitting the same data based on retransmission of the same data occurring.
According to claim 1,
The processor is
One of a first mode in which data is divided and transmitted through the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links and the characteristics of the service related to the transmission of the data, and a second mode in which the same data is transmitted through the plurality of links. An electronic device set to select a mode of
In a method of operating an electronic device,
An operation of checking the status of a plurality of links created to perform short-range wireless communication between an external electronic device and the electronic device based on information transmitted by the external electronic device;
selecting one of a first mode for dividing and transmitting data through the plurality of links and a second mode for transmitting the same data through the plurality of links based on the status of the plurality of links; and
A method of operating an electronic device including transmitting the data to the external electronic device through the selected mode.
According to claim 12,
The operation of checking the status of the plurality of links is
Checking a first delay time required to transmit the data when operating in the first mode and a second delay time required to transmit the data when operating in the second mode;
A method of operating an electronic device including checking the status of the plurality of links based on a comparison result of the first delay time and the second delay time.
According to clause 13,
The operation of selecting one of the first mode and the second mode is
selecting the first mode based on the second delay time being greater than the first delay time; or
A method of operating an electronic device including selecting the second mode based on the second delay time being less than the first delay time.
According to claim 13,
The operation of selecting one of the first mode and the second mode is
A method of operating an electronic device comprising selecting the second mode based on the second delay time being less than the first delay time and less than the delay time required by a service related to transmission of the data.
According to claim 13,
The operation of checking the status of the plurality of links is
When operating in the first mode, the first transmission time required to transmit the data, the time required for the counter to be allocated to the electronic device to be deducted for each designated unit, and the time during which the at least one link is in an idle state An operation of checking a first delay time, which is the sum of contention times, which is a waiting time for transmission of the data, based on the ratio and the designated number of times of the counter; and
When operating in the second mode, a method of operating an electronic device comprising checking a second delay time that is the sum of the second transmission time and the contention time required to transmit the data.
According to claim 12,
The method of operating the electronic device is
While operating in the second mode, receiving information related to the number of times the same data is received from the external electronic device; and
A method of operating an electronic device further comprising determining the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on the number of times the same data is received.
According to clause 17,
The operation of determining the number of links is
A method of operating an electronic device, comprising reducing the number of links transmitting the same data based on an increase in the number of receptions of the same data.
According to clause 17,
The operation of determining the number of links is
A method of operating an electronic device comprising increasing the number of links transmitting the same data based on a decrease in the number of receptions of the same data.
According to claim 12,
The method of operating the electronic device is
Checking whether the same data is retransmitted while operating in the second mode;
A method of operating an electronic device further comprising determining the number of links transmitting the same data among the plurality of links based on whether the same data is retransmitted.

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