WO2013037320A1

WO2013037320A1 - Method and device for transmitting information

Info

Publication number: WO2013037320A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/081476
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王学寰; 高磊; 夏林峰
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2011-09-15
Filing date: 2012-09-17
Publication date: 2013-03-21
Also published as: CN103002514B; CN103002514A

Abstract

Provided in embodiments of the present invention are a method and device for transmitting information. The method for transmitting information comprises: acquiring the highest protocol versions/capacities supported by some or all stations within a coverage range, transmitting duration field-carrying information on the basis of a protocol version/capacity identical to or lower than a first protocol version/capacity or of a protocol version/capacity on record, where the first protocol version/capacity is the lowest one among the highest protocol versions/capacities supported by some or all stations. Thus, in one network having stations supporting different protocol versions/capacities, by selecting the appropriate protocol version/capacity for transmission of short data frame exchange, the method and device of the embodiments of the present invention for transmitting information ensure the correct configuration of a network allocation vector.

Description

Method and device for transmitting information

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications technology and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for transmitting information. Background technique

The IEEE 802.il working group has developed IEEE802.Ua/b/g/n standards since 1997, and is currently developing the IEEE802.11ac standard, which will be backward compatible with the IEEE802.11n standard. In order to reduce the collision probability of each STA (Station) access in wireless communication during IEEE 802.il/WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networks) sharing medium access, MAC (Media Access Control) The Layer 釆 Multiple Carrier Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) mechanism is used to implement channel interception and collision avoidance. It is called DCF (Distributed Coordination Function) in the IEEE 802.11 standard. Distributed coordination function). In order to enhance the QoS (Quality of Service) guarantee capability, the IEEE 802.11e standard introduces the EDCA (Enhanced Distribution Channel Access) mechanism based on DCF. IEEE802.11ac follows the mechanism of EDCA.

In order to solve the data collision problem caused by hidden nodes, IEEE802.il usually uses NAV.

(Network Allocation Vector) mode. NAV is logically present in MAC frames and provides a virtual carrier sensing mechanism to overcome the problem of the physical layer not listening to hidden nodes. Each MAC frame carries a "time" field to update the network allocation vector NAV of sites other than the site transmitting the information (sites that are not transmitting information). The IEEE 802.11ac protocol provides RTS/CTS (request to send/clear to send) frame exchange and short data frame exchange to set the network allocation vector NAV.

The RTS/CTS frame exchange mode requires the request direction to be sent by the requester to the RTS frame, and the requested party needs to reply to the CTS frame. Since both RTS frames and CTS frames do not carry useful data, they affect the actual utilization and throughput of the network. Therefore, the short data frame switching mode can be used to solve the problem of the actual utilization and low throughput of the network occurring in the RTS/CTS frame switching mode. However, because different sites support different protocol versions/capabilities, if a site that supports low protocol versions/capabilities receives support, The data frame sent by the version/capability site cannot be demodulated and the respective network allocation vector cannot be updated. Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for transmitting information, which can ensure that some or all sites in a network can correctly set a network allocation vector NAV.

In one aspect, a method for transmitting information is provided, including: obtaining a highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all sites in a coverage; and a protocol version/capability or record that is the same or lower than the first protocol version/capability Protocol version/capability transmits information carrying a duration field, where the first protocol version/capability is the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites, so that the non-transported site sets the network according to the duration field Assign a vector.

In another aspect, a method for transmitting information is provided, comprising: listening for information carrying a duration field, wherein the information is transmitted by a site of the same or lower protocol version/capability than a first protocol version/capability or Recorded protocol version/capability transmission, the first protocol version/capability being the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites within the coverage of the site transmitting the information.

In another aspect, an apparatus for transmitting information is provided, including: obtaining a version unit, configured to obtain a highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all sites in a coverage; and a transmission unit, configured to follow the first protocol version/ The same or lower protocol version/capability or recorded protocol version/capability transmission carries the duration field information, where the first protocol version/capability is the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites, so that A site that does not transmit information sets a network allocation vector according to the duration field.

In still another aspect, an apparatus for transmitting information is provided, including: a listening unit, configured to listen to information of a length of time field, wherein the information is the same or lower than a first protocol version/capability by a station that transmits information. Protocol version/capability or recorded protocol version/capability transmission, the first protocol version/capability being the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites within the coverage of the site transmitting the information And a setting unit, configured to set a network allocation vector according to the duration field.

The method and apparatus for transmitting information, the station and the access point in the embodiment of the present invention can ensure that short data frame exchange is implemented by selecting an appropriate protocol version/capability mode in a network having a site supporting different protocol versions/capabilities. The correct setting of the network allocation vector. DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some of the present invention. For the embodiments, those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings according to the drawings without any creative work.

1 is a flow chart of a method of transmitting information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart of a method of transmitting information according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for transmitting information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for transmitting information according to another embodiment of the present invention. detailed description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is obvious that the described embodiments are a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative labor are within the scope of the present invention.

According to the IEEE802.11ac air interface protocol, NAV is set by short data frame exchange. For example, there are stations transmitting information and sites not transmitting information in the network, wherein the stations transmitting the information are the first station STA1 and the second station STA2, and information is being transmitted between them. It is assumed that the first station STA1 sends an IEEE802.11ac short data frame Data1 to the second station STA2 (e.g., a general station, or an access point), wherein the short data frame Data1 carries the first duration field. The station that listens to all non-transport information of the IEEE802.11ac short data frame Datal (except the second station STA2) sets the network allocation vector NAV with the duration field carried by the short data frame Datal. After receiving the IEEE802.11ac short data frame Data1, the second station STA2 needs to feed back an acknowledgement frame ACK1 to the first station STA1, where the acknowledgement frame ACK1 carries the second duration field. The station that listens to all non-transmitted information of the acknowledgement frame ACK1 (except the first station STA1) shall set the network allocation vector NAV with the duration field carried by the acknowledgement frame ACK1.

In addition, if the first station STA1 has the hidden node STA3, although the hidden node STA3 cannot detect the information transmitted by the first station STA1, since the hidden node STA3 can listen to the information transmitted by the second station STA2, it can be based on the second station. The acknowledgement frame ACK1 of the carry duration field sent by the STA2 sets the network allocation vector NAV to know when the shared medium is to be occupied. The length of the interval does not attempt to initiate access to the second station STA2 to transmit data within the length of time indicated by the network allocation vector NAV, thereby avoiding data collision of the shared medium network.

A method of transmitting a message according to an embodiment of the present invention according to Fig. 1 for correctly setting NAV by transmitting information having a protocol version/capability capable of being demodulated will be described to avoid the occurrence of data collision problems of the shared medium network.

11 . Obtain the highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all sites within the coverage.

Here, the highest protocol version/capability is obtained through inter-site association or data exchange in the network. The coverage of the site includes all sites that can listen to the site. For sites that need to transmit information, they only need to obtain the highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all of the sites within their coverage.

Take the association between a site and an access point as an example. The site needs to be associated with the access point to be able to transmit data with the access point. Before the association, the station receives a beacon (Beacon) frame periodically sent by the access point, and the beacon frame carries some basic information of the network where the station and the access point are located, so that the station can associate with the access point. The association establishes a mapping relationship between the site and the access point. The association begins with the site sending an association request to the access point, and if the access point receives the association request, it replies with an association response. In the association process, the access point and the site are authenticated securely, a secure and reliable communication mechanism is established, and the necessary basic information is exchanged. The access point obtains the protocol stack supported by the site and the characteristics and capabilities supported by the access point, and the access point sends the running specific parameters required by the site to the site.

It can be understood that the highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all of the sites within its coverage can be known during the process of the site being associated with the access point or transmitting data with other sites.

12. Transmitting information carrying a duration field according to a protocol version/capability or a recorded protocol version/capability of the same or lower version of the first protocol version/capability, wherein the first protocol version/capability is supported by the part of the site within the coverage The lowest one of the highest protocol versions/capabilities, so that the non-transported site sets the network allocation vector according to the duration field.

In order for a site that receives or listens to information in the network to properly demodulate the information, the site that sent the message needs to be at least the lowest of all known highest protocol versions/capabilities or less than the lowest protocol version/capability. The protocol version/capability sends this information so that the site that hears the non-transported information of the message can set the network allocation vector according to the demodulated duration field.

This information may be the data frame Data1 or the acknowledgement frame ACK1. Specifically, when the first station needs to send the data frame Data1 to another station, the first station needs to first determine the lowest protocol version/capability of the highest protocol version/capability supported by the site within the range covered by the signal. , of course The data frame Data1 carrying the first duration field is then transmitted with the lowest protocol version/capability or lower protocol version/capability. At this time, the station capable of detecting the data frame Data1, that is, the station that does not send or receive information, will set the network allocation vector according to the first duration field.

After the other station receives the data frame Data1, it needs to send an acknowledgement frame ACK1 to the first station. Thus, the other site needs to first determine the lowest protocol version/capability of the highest protocol version/capability supported by the site within the range covered by its signal, and then use the lowest protocol version/capability or lower protocol version/ The capability sends an acknowledgement frame ACK1 carrying the second duration field. At this time, the station capable of detecting the acknowledgement frame ACK1 will set the network allocation vector according to the second duration field. The first station receives an acknowledgement frame ACK1 sent by the other station.

In other words, whether the first site or another site is the same or lower than the first protocol version/capability in the case of obtaining the highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all of the sites in its coverage. The protocol version/capability transmits information carrying a duration field, where the first protocol version/capability is the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites. That is, the station transmits the information carrying the duration field according to the protocol version/capability of the same protocol version/capability as the first protocol version/capability; or receives the information carrying the duration field.

Optionally, the station may also transmit information carrying the duration field according to the recorded protocol version/capability, where the recorded protocol version/capability is fixed configuration or configured by the network in real time.

The method for transmitting information in the embodiment of the present invention can ensure that a short data frame exchange is transmitted by selecting an appropriate protocol version/capability mode in a network having a site supporting different protocol versions/capabilities, thereby realizing correct setting of the NAV.

A method of transmitting a message according to another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIG. 21 . Listening to information of a time length carrying field, where the information is transmitted by a station transmitting the information according to a protocol version/capability or a recorded protocol version/capability of the same or lower version of the first protocol version/capability, the first protocol. The version/capability is the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by all or part of the sites within the coverage of the site transmitting the information. 22. Set a network allocation vector according to the duration field.

That is, for a station that does not transmit information, when the other station performs information transmission according to the protocol version/capability or the recorded protocol version/capability of the first protocol version/capability, or the recorded protocol version/capability, the first protocol version / The lowest one of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites within the coverage of the site transmitting the information, the partial or all sites listening for information transmission, if listening for the transmission information of the length field , then set the network according to the duration field Network allocation vector. Since the network allocation vector is set, the part or all of the stations will not send data to the station that is transmitting the information and send data.

Moreover, those skilled in the art should also understand that the above network is not limited to a Basic Service Set (BSS) network, an Overlay Basic Service Set (OBSS) network, and an Extended Service Set (ESS). The internet.

Methods and apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are applicable between a site and a site, as well as between a site and an access point. The access point itself is a site that is the central site for management and control in the network. In general, in a network where no access point exists, a site can exist and manage the network as a central site at a time.

In a specific embodiment, when there is only one access point and one site in a BSS network, the station sends a short data frame to the access point according to the protocol version/capability supported by the station, and the AP is shorted according to the reception. If the data frame has the same or lower protocol version/capability reply acknowledgement frame, the station that listens to the acknowledgement frame will set the network allocation vector NAV.

In another embodiment, when there is one access point and multiple sites in one BSS network, if all sites support one protocol version/capability, one of the sites sends a short according to the protocol version/capability. The data frame is sent to the access point, and the access point replies to the acknowledgement frame according to the protocol version/capability of the same or lower received short data frame, and the station that listens to the acknowledgement frame sets the network allocation vector NAV. Alternatively, one of the stations sends a short data frame to the access point with the lowest protocol version/capability (i.e., IEEE 802.11a), and the access point also replies with the lowest protocol version/capability acknowledgement frame. However, in general, the lower the protocol version/capability to transmit information, the lower the spectrum effect and utilization of the network, so this method is not worth recommending. Therefore, it is a better choice to transfer information at the highest protocol version/capability acceptable to all sites.

In yet another embodiment, after one of the stations transmits the short data frame to the access point with the lowest protocol version/capability (ie, IEEE 802.11a), the access point can reply to the acknowledgment of the recorded protocol version/capability. frame. The recorded protocol version/capabilities can be fixed configurations, or configured in real time by the network, or obtained from surrounding sites, or recorded by recording the process of association or data exchange with surrounding sites.

It should be understood that in the specific embodiment described above, the access point may also be replaced with any ordinary site. The above method can be applied between the site and the site, or between the site and the access point.

An apparatus for transmitting information according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 3, the means 30 for transmitting information includes an acquisition version unit 31 and a transmission unit 32. Its The obtaining version unit 31 is configured to obtain the highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all sites in the coverage, and the transmitting unit 32 is configured to use the same or lower protocol version/capability or record as the first protocol version/capability. The protocol version/capability transmits information carrying a duration field, where the first protocol version/capability is the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by the part or all of the sites. The recorded protocol version/capability is fixed configuration or configured by the network in real time, or obtained through inter-site association or data exchange. Here, the information transmitted by the apparatus for transmitting information according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a data frame or an acknowledgement frame.

In Fig. 4, the means 40 for transmitting information includes a listening unit 41 and a setting unit 42. Specifically, the listening unit 41 is configured to listen to the information of the carrying duration field, wherein the information is transmitted by the station transmitting the information according to the protocol version/capability or the recorded protocol version of the same or lower than the first protocol version/capability/ Capability transmission, the first protocol version/capability being the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites within the coverage of the site transmitting the information. The setting unit 42 is configured to set a network allocation vector according to the duration field.

The apparatus for transmitting information according to the embodiment of the present invention can ensure that a short data frame exchange is transmitted by selecting an appropriate protocol version/capability mode in a network having STAs supporting different protocol versions/capabilities, thereby realizing correct setting of the NAV.

It should be understood that the apparatus for transmitting information in the embodiments of the present invention may be a station or an access point.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps of the various examples described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in a combination of electronic hardware or computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the solution. A person skilled in the art can use different methods for implementing the described functions for each particular application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present invention.

A person skilled in the art can clearly understand that the specific working process of the system, the device and the unit described above can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments for the convenience and brevity of the description, and details are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be another division manner, for example, multiple units or components may be combined or Can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored, or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling through some interfaces, devices or units. Or a communication connection, which can be electrical, mechanical or other form. The components displayed for the unit may or may not be physical units, ie may be located in one place, or may be distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as separate products, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, which is essential or contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including The instructions are used to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and the like, which can store program codes. .

The above is only the specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention. It should be covered by the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

Rights request

A method for transmitting information, comprising:

Obtaining the highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all sites in the coverage; transmitting the information of the carrying duration field according to the protocol version/capability or the recorded protocol version/capability of the same or lower version of the first protocol version/capabilities, wherein The first protocol version/capability is the lowest one of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by the part or all of the sites, so that the non-transported station sets the network allocation vector according to the duration field.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recorded protocol version/capability is a fixed configuration or configured in real time by a network.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recorded protocol version/capability is obtained by inter-site association or data exchange.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the recorded protocol version/capability is obtained by inter-site association or data exchange, and the protocol version/capability including the record is an association between the site and the access point. Or data exchange is obtained.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information comprises a data frame or an acknowledgement frame.

6. A method of transmitting information, comprising:

Listening to information carrying a duration field, wherein the information is transmitted by a station transmitting the information according to a protocol version/capability or a recorded protocol version/capability identical or lower than the first protocol version/capability, the first protocol version/ The capability is the lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites within the coverage of the site transmitting the information;

A network allocation vector is set according to the duration field.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information comprises a data frame or an acknowledgement frame.

8. A device for transmitting information, comprising:

Obtain a version unit for obtaining the highest protocol version/capability supported by some or all sites within the coverage;

a transmission unit, configured to transmit, according to a protocol version/capability or a recorded protocol version/capability of the first protocol version/capability, or a recorded protocol version/capability, where the first protocol version/capability is the part or The lowest of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by all sites, so that the site 4 that is not transmitting information sets the network allocation vector according to the duration field.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recorded protocol version/capability is a fixed configuration or configured in real time by a network.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recorded protocol version/capability is obtained by inter-site association or data exchange.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the recorded protocol version/capability is obtained by inter-site association or data exchange, and the protocol version/capability including the record is an association between the site and the access point. Or data exchange is obtained.

The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the information comprises a data frame or an acknowledgement frame.

13. A device for transmitting information, comprising:

a listening unit, configured to listen to information carrying a duration field, where the information is transmitted by a station transmitting the information according to a protocol version/capability or a recorded protocol version/capability of the same or lower version of the first protocol version/capability, The first protocol version/capability is the lowest one of the highest protocol versions/capabilities supported by some or all of the sites within the coverage of the site transmitting the information;

a setting unit, configured to set a network allocation vector according to the duration field.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said information comprises a data frame or an acknowledgement frame.