WO2014063624A1

WO2014063624A1 - Communication device and data communication method

Info

Publication number: WO2014063624A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/085765
Authority: WO
Inventors: 董贤东; 刘峰; 马莉
Original assignee: 东莞宇龙通信科技有限公司; 宇龙计算机通信科技(深圳)有限公司
Priority date: 2012-10-26
Filing date: 2013-10-23
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Also published as: CN102946634B; CN102946634A

Abstract

Provided are a communication device and data communication method, the communication device comprising: a data generation module for generating a first message, the first message containing at least the first information for determining the provider of network time synchronization information; a data transceiving module for transmitting the first message and receiving a second message, the second message containing at least the second information for determining the provider of the network time synchronization information; and a comparison and determination module for comparing the first information with the second information to obtain a comparison result, and determining from the communication device and the transmitter of the second message the provider of the network time synchronization information according to the comparison result. The present invention can ensure an STA on a network to synchronize the time after the network is established, thus ensuring normal communication.

Description

Communication device and data communication method

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular to a communication device and a data communication method.

Background technique

In the WFA (Wi-Fi Alliance), a new research group NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) was established. The content of the research is social network, mainly how the STA (terminal) discovers other common interests. STA and file sharing or other services after discovery. Before performing data communication services, it is necessary to ensure that STAs in the entire NAN network are synchronized in time to ensure normal communication.

In the prior art, the method of time synchronization is as follows:

1. In a traditional AP (access point) and STA-based network (IBBS, infrastructure basis service set), the time synchronization between the STA and the AP (access point) is STA periodic. Listen to the Timestamp of the AP broadcast, and update if it finds that its own clock is different from Timestamp.

2. In the p2p (independent basis service set) network, there is a Group Owner. The STA keeps time synchronization with each other by listening to the Timestamp broadcast by the Group Owner.

Since there is no concept of Group Owner in the NAN network, and there is no AP in the IBSS, the mechanism of the prior art time synchronization is not applicable in the NAN network; therefore, considering the characteristics of the NAN network, the NAN network The mobility of the device is quite large. It is possible that each STA leaves the NAN network only after staying in the NAN network for a few minutes. Therefore, a new mechanism is needed to provide a method for selecting a network time synchronization information provider in the NAN network. Meet the characteristics of the NAN network. Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a new time synchronization mechanism suitable for a type of network such as NAN, which enables STAs in the network to ensure time synchronization after the network is set up, thereby ensuring normal communication and satisfying at the same time. The NAN network has a large mobility.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a communication apparatus, including: a data generating module, generating a first message, where the first message includes at least first information determining a network time synchronization information provider; and a data transceiver module transmitting the first a message, and receiving a second message, where the second message includes at least second information determining the network time synchronization information provider; the comparison determining module compares the first information with the second information to obtain a comparison result, And determining, according to the comparison result, the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message. In the technical solution, the data generating module and the comparison determining module may be chip modules for data processing in the communication device, and the data transceiver module is equivalent to a signal transmitting and receiving device and an antenna, etc., in the communication device, the sender of the second message is a network When the organizer can use the message of interaction between the two, a user is selected as the provider of the network time synchronization information, and the establishment initiator of the network is not used to broadcast the network time synchronization information, thereby reducing the cause. The possibility that it leaves the network causes other devices to not hear network time synchronization information for time synchronization. This solution is applicable to a variety of networks formed by STAs such as NAN.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the first information includes at least a first random number generated by the data generating module and/or a first medium access control address of the communication device; the second information includes at least a second random number generated by the sender of the second message and/or a second medium access control address of the sender of the second message. In this technical solution, the first information may be a random number generated by the communication device, and the random number may be generated in any range from 1 to 10000, or the MAC address of the communication device; The generation method is the same as the generation method of the first information, wherein the generation range of the random number may also be other ranges. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that more types of mutually comparable information are applicable to the present technical solution.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the comparison result is the first random number and/or the first medium access control address and the second random number and/or the second medium access When the control addresses are different, the comparison determining module determines the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message. In the technical solution, the value of the first random number is 10, and the value of the second random number is 11, and both parties already know the value of the generated random number. As long as the two values are different, they can The provider of the network time synchronization information is determined; of course, the value of the MAC address is completely different, and the provider of the network time synchronization information can also be determined from the two.

In the above technical solution, preferably, when the comparison result is that the first random number is the same as the second random number, the data transceiver module regenerates and sends the first message, and re-receives the Said the second message. In this technical solution, when the first random number is 10 and the second random number is also 10, both parties know that the generated random numbers are the same, and cannot determine the provider of the network time synchronization information, then both A random number is generated and resent until the provider of the network time synchronization information is determined.

In the above technical solution, preferably, when the first random number is greater than or less than the second random number, and/or the first medium access control address is greater than or less than the second medium access control address, The comparison determination module determines the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message. In this technical solution, as long as the first random number and the second random number are different, we can be based on who generates the random number, who is the provider of the network time synchronization information, and of course, who can generate the random number. Who is the mechanism for the provider of network time synchronization information to determine. This method can also be used in the MAC address. The process is the same as the random number, and will not be described here.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the first message and/or the second message is a probe request frame, an association request frame, a device discovery frame, or a service discovery frame. In the technical solution, the probe request frame may include the first and second messages, and the first information and the second information may be known before the network is formed, and the network may be determined after the network is formed according to the first information and the second information. The provider of the time synchronization information facilitates the normal operation of the subsequent communication; the same association request frame, device discovery frame or service discovery frame may also include the first and second messages, in addition to the message types exemplified above, those skilled in the art shall Understand that more types of messages for interaction are applicable to this technical solution.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the network time synchronization information includes at least a timestamp. Information. In this technical solution, the network time synchronization information may be in the same format as the timestamp information, and is 8 bytes. Of course, the bytes may be other lengths of information.

The present invention also provides a data communication method, including: generating a first message, where the first message includes at least first information determining a network time synchronization information provider; transmitting the first message, and receiving a second message, The second message includes at least second information determining the network time synchronization information provider; comparing the first information with the second information to obtain a comparison result, and transmitting from the first message according to the comparison result And determining, by the party and the sender of the second message, the network time synchronization information provider. In the technical solution, when the sender of the first message and the second message is a network organizer, the message exchanged between the two may be used to select one of the providers as the network time synchronization information. Instead of using the establishment initiator of the fixed network to broadcast the network time synchronization information, the possibility of time synchronization due to the fact that other devices cannot hear the network time synchronization information due to leaving the network is reduced. This solution is applicable to a variety of networks formed by STAs such as NAN.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the first information includes at least a first random number generated by a sender of the first message and/or a first medium access control address of a sender of the first message; The second information includes at least a second random number generated by a sender of the second message and/or a second medium access control address of a sender of the second message. In the technical solution, the first information may be a random number generated by one of the network builders, and the random number may be generated by any integer from 1 to 10000, or the MAC address of the network constructor. Similarly, the second information is generated in the same manner as the first information, wherein the generation range of the random number may be other ranges. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that more types of mutually comparable information are applicable to the present technical solution.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the comparison result is the first random number and/or the first medium access control address and the second random number and/or the second medium access control address The network time synchronization information provider is determined from the sender of the first message and the sender of the second message. In the technical solution, the value of the first random number is 10, and the value of the second random number is 11, and both parties already know the value of the random number generated by each, as long as the two values are not the same, Determining the provider of the network time synchronization information; of course, the value of the MAC address is completely different, and the network time synchronization letter can also be determined from the two. Provider of interest.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the method further includes: regenerating and transmitting, when the comparison result is that the first random number and/or the first medium access control address is the same as the second random number Describe the first message, and re-receive the second message. In this technical solution, when the first random number is 10 and the second random number is also 10, both parties know that the generated random numbers are the same, and cannot determine the provider of the network time synchronization information, then both A random number is generated and resent until the provider of the network time synchronization information is determined.

In the above technical solution, preferably, when the first random number is greater than or less than the second random number, and/or the first medium access control address is greater than or less than the second medium access control address, The network time synchronization information provider is determined by the sender of the first message and the sender of the second message. In this technical solution, as long as the first random number and the second random number are different, we can be based on who generates the random number, who is the provider of the network time synchronization information, and of course, who can generate the random number. Who is the mechanism for the provider of network time synchronization information to determine. The same method can also be used in the MAC address, the process is the same as the random number, and will not be described here.

In the above technical solution, preferably, the network time synchronization information includes at least time stamp information. In this technical solution, the network time synchronization information may be in the same format as the timestamp information, and is 8 bytes. Of course, the bytes may be other lengths of information.

In summary, the above technical solution can realize a communication device and a data communication method, which can enable STAs in the network to ensure time synchronization after the network is established, thereby ensuring normal communication and satisfying the NAN. The characteristics of large network mobility. DRAWINGS

1 is a block diagram of a communication device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flow chart of a data communication method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic diagram of the principle of a data communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a data interaction diagram of a data communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. detailed description

The above described objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description. It should be noted that, in the case of no conflict, the features in the embodiments and the embodiments of the present application may be combined with each other.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, but the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described herein. Limitations of the embodiments.

1 is a block diagram of a communication device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the present invention provides a communication device 100, including: a data generating module 102, generating a first message, where the first message includes at least first information for determining a network time synchronization information provider; and the data transceiver module 104 Transmitting the first message, and receiving the second message, where the second message includes at least second information determining the network time synchronization information provider; the comparison determining module 106, comparing the first information with the first The second information is compared, and the network time synchronization information provider is determined from the communication device and the sender of the second message according to the comparison result. In the technical solution, the data generating module 102 and the comparison determining module 106 may be chip modules for data processing in the communication device, and the data transceiver module 104 is equivalent to a signal transmitting and receiving device and an antenna, etc., in the sending of the communication device and the second message. When the party is a network organizer, it can use the message of interaction between the two to select one as the provider of the network time synchronization information, and not the fixed initiator of the network to broadcast the network time synchronization information. It reduces the possibility of time synchronization because other devices can't hear network time synchronization information because they leave the network. This solution is applicable to a variety of networks formed by STAs such as NAN.

In the above technical solution, the first information includes at least the data generating module 102 Generating a first random number and/or a first medium access control address of the communication device; the second information includes at least a second random number generated by a sender of the second message and/or the second The second medium access control address of the sender of the message. In this technical solution, the first information may be a random number generated by the communication device, and the random number may be generated in any range from 1 to 10000, or the MAC address of the communication device; The generation method is the same as the generation method of the first information, wherein the generation range of the random number may also be other ranges. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that more types of mutually comparable information are applicable to the present technical solution.

In the above technical solution, when the comparison result is that the first random number and/or the first medium access control address is different from the second random number and/or the second medium access control address, The comparison determination module 106 determines the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message. In the technical solution, the value of the first random number is 10, and the value of the second random number is 11, and both parties already know the value of the random number generated by each, as long as the two values are not the same, The provider of the network time synchronization information is determined; of course, the value of the MAC address is completely different, and the provider of the network time synchronization information can also be determined from the two.

In the above technical solution, when the comparison result is that the first random number is the same as the second random number, the data transceiver module 104 regenerates and sends the first message, and re-receives the first Two messages. In this technical solution, when the first random number is 10 and the second random number is also 10, both parties know that the generated random numbers are the same, and cannot determine the provider of the network time synchronization information, then both A random number is generated and resent until the provider of the network time synchronization information is determined.

In the above technical solution, when the first random number is greater than or less than the second random number, and/or the first medium access control address is greater than or less than the second medium access control address, the comparison is determined. The module 106 determines the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message. In this technical solution, as long as the first random number and the second random number are different, we can be based on who generates the random number, who is the provider of the network time synchronization information, and of course, who can generate the random number. Who is the mechanism for the provider of network time synchronization information to determine. Again this method can also be used in MAC addresses, processes with The same as random numbers, we will not repeat them here.

In the above technical solution, the first message and/or the second message is a probe request frame, an association request frame, a device discovery frame, or a service discovery frame. In the technical solution, the probe request frame may include the first and second messages, and the first information and the second information may be known before the network is formed, and the network may be determined after the network is formed according to the first information and the second information. The provider of the time synchronization information facilitates the normal operation of the subsequent communication; the same association request frame, device discovery frame or service discovery frame may also include the first and second messages, in addition to the message types exemplified above, those skilled in the art shall Understand that more types of messages for interaction are applicable to this technical solution.

In the above technical solution, the network time synchronization information includes at least timestamp information. In the technical solution, the network time synchronization information may be in the same format as the timestamp information,

8 bytes, of course, bytes can also be used for other lengths of information.

2 is a flow chart of a data communication method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention further provides a data communication method, including: Step 202: Generate a first message, where the first message includes at least first information that determines a network time synchronization information provider; Step 204, Determining a first message, and receiving a second message, where the second message includes at least determining second information of the network time synchronization information provider; Step 206, comparing the first information with the second information to obtain a comparison result And determining, according to the comparison result, the network time synchronization information provider from a sender of the first message and a sender of the second message. In the technical solution, when the sender of the first message and the second message is a network organizer, the message exchanged between the two may be used to select one of the providers as the network time synchronization information. Instead of using the establishment initiator of the fixed network to broadcast the network time synchronization information, the possibility of time synchronization due to the fact that other devices cannot hear the network time synchronization information due to leaving the network is reduced. This solution is applicable to a variety of networks formed by STAs such as NAN.

In the above technical solution, the first information includes at least a first random number generated by a sender of the first message and/or a first medium access control address of a sender of the first message; The second information includes at least a second random number generated by the sender of the second message and/or a second medium access control address of the sender of the second message. In this technical solution, The first information may be a random number generated by one of the network builders, and the random number may be generated from any integer between 1 and 10000, or the MAC address of the network constructor; The generation method is the same as the generation method of the first information, wherein the generation range of the random number may also be other ranges. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that more types of mutually comparable information are applicable to the present technical solution.

In the above technical solution, the step 206 includes: the comparing result is the first random number and/or the first medium access control address and the second random number and/or the second medium When the access control addresses are different, the network time synchronization information provider is determined from the sender of the first message and the sender of the second message. In the technical solution, the value of the first random number is 10, and the value of the second random number is 11, and both parties already know the value of the random number generated by each, as long as the two values are not the same, The provider of the network time synchronization information is determined; of course, the value of the MAC address is completely different, and the provider of the network time synchronization information can also be determined from the two.

In the above technical solution, the method further includes: regenerating and transmitting the first when the comparison result is that the first random number and/or the first medium access control address is the same as the second random number a message, and re-receiving the second message. In this technical solution, when the first random number is 10 and the second random number is also 10, both parties know that the generated random numbers are the same, and cannot determine the provider of the network time synchronization information, then both A random number is generated and resent until the provider of the network time synchronization information is determined.

In the foregoing technical solution, the step 206 includes: when the first random number is greater than or less than the second random number, and/or the first medium access control address is greater than or less than the second medium access control address And determining, by the sender of the first message and the sender of the second message, the network time synchronization information provider. In this technical solution, as long as the first random number and the second random number are different, we can be based on who generates the random number, who is the provider of the network time synchronization information, and of course, who can generate the random number. Who is the mechanism for the provider of network time synchronization information to determine. The same method can also be used in the MAC address, the process is the same as the random number, and will not be described here.

In the foregoing technical solution, the first message and/or the second message is a probe request frame, an association request frame, a device discovery frame, or a service discovery frame. In this technical solution, the probe request The frame may include first and second messages, and the first information and the second information may be known before the network is formed, and the provider of the network time synchronization information may be determined after the network is formed according to the first information and the second information, which is beneficial to the network. The subsequent communication is normally performed; the same association request frame, device discovery frame or service discovery frame may also contain the first and second messages. In addition to the above-described example message types, those skilled in the art will appreciate that more types are used for The interactive messages are applicable to this technical solution.

8 bytes, of course, bytes can also be used for other lengths of information.

The main idea of the present invention is: When the NAN network is initially established, the initiating STA established by the NAN network negotiates with the responding STA, and determines one STA as the Timestamp in the NAN network, as a specific time. The provider of the synchronization information (due to the channel monopoly in Wi-Fi technology, it is only possible that the initiator and a response STA negotiate the Timestamp).

Scheme 1: STA A and STA B can randomly generate a random number between [1, 100000]. If any STA generates a random number that is small/large, it can be used as a provider of NAN network time synchronization information Timestamp. As shown in Figure 3 below, where xl is the random number generated by STA A and x2 is the random number generated by STA B.

Step 302, determining whether xl and x2 are equal;

Step 304: When x1 and x2 are equal, both STA A and STA B regenerate the random number. Step 306: When xl and x2 are not equal, determine whether xl is smaller than x2. When xl is less than x2, proceed to step 308, where xl If it is greater than x2, proceed to step 310;

Step 308, using STA B as a timestamp provider;

In step 310, STA A is used as a timestamp provider.

It should be noted that in this process, STA B can also be used as a timestamp provider when xl is greater than x2, and STA A is used as a timestamp provider when xl is less than x2. In both ways, the randomness of the Timestamp provider can be increased.

Solution 2: According to the comparison of the MAC address values of STA A and STA B, determining, according to the comparison result, one STA is provided as the time synchronization information Timestamp in the NAN network. The specific process is similar to that of Option 1.

The following is the negotiation process of the Timestamp provider after the two STAs complete the discovery and association, as shown in Figure 4.

1. STA A is ready for random number 1 or MAC address 1, where STA B is ready for random number 2 or MAC address 2;

2. Generally, the initiator of the network establishment (if it is STA A) sends the first signaling Timestamp provider request message, and carries the random number 1 or MAC address 1 in this message;

3. STA B replies to the response message of the Timestamp provider request message, which carries the random number 2 or the MAC address 2;

4. The two parties obtained the comparison result and negotiated the provider of Timestamp.

As long as the provider of Timestamp is still in the NAN network, the subsequent STAs join the Timestamp information broadcast by the provider of Timestamp as the time synchronization information in the NAN network, and no longer need to continue the process of negotiating the Timestamp provider negotiation; If the provider of Timestamp is to leave the NAN network, it can designate any STA in the NAN network to be the provider of Timestamp before leaving the NAN network and broadcast it before leaving the NAN network.

In summary, with the technical solution of the present invention, a communication device and a data communication method are implemented to avoid that a certain NAN network organizer leaves the NAN network, and other devices in the network cannot detect the Timestamp. Time synchronization solves the problem that the existing time synchronization mechanism cannot meet the characteristics of the NAN network, and ensures normal communication of devices in the NAN network.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. within the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

claims

1. A communication device, characterized in that it includes:

The data generation module generates a first message, where the first message at least contains first information that determines the network time synchronization information provider;

A data transceiver module sends the first message, and receives a second message, where the second message at least contains second information that determines the network time synchronization information provider;

A comparison determination module, compares the first information and the second information to obtain a comparison result, and determines the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message based on the comparison result. .

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first information includes at least a first random number generated by the data generation module and/or a first medium access control address of the communication device;

The second information at least includes a second random number generated by the sender of the second message and/or a second medium access control address of the sender of the second message.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the comparison result is the first random number and/or the first medium access control address and the second random number and/or the When the second medium access control address is different, the comparison determination module determines the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein when the comparison result is that the first random number and the second random number are the same, the data transceiver module regenerates and sends the first random number. a message, and re-receiving the second message.

5. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein when the first random number is greater than or less than the second random number, and/or the first medium access control address is greater than or less than the second random number. When the media access control address is specified, the comparison determination module determines the network time synchronization information provider from the communication device and the sender of the second message.

6. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first message and/or the second message is a detection request frame, an association request frame, a device discovery frame or a service discovery frame.

7. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the network time synchronization information at least includes timestamp information.

8. A data communication method, characterized by including:

Generate a first message, the first message containing at least first information that determines the network time synchronization information provider;

Send the first message, and receive a second message, where the second message at least contains second information that determines the network time synchronization information provider;

Comparing the first information and the second information to obtain a comparison result, and determining the network time synchronization information provider from the sender of the first message and the sender of the second message based on the comparison result .

9. The data communication method according to claim 8, wherein the first information at least includes a first random number generated by the sender of the first message and/or the sender of the first message. The first media access control address;

10. The data communication method according to claim 9, wherein the comparison result is the first random number and/or the first medium access control address and the second random number and/or When the second medium access control address is different, the network time synchronization information provider is determined from the sender of the first message and the sender of the second message.

11. The data communication method according to claim 10, further comprising: when the comparison result is the first random number and/or the first medium access control address and the second random number At the same time, the first message is regenerated and sent, and the second message is re-received.

12. The data communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that when the first random number is greater than or less than the second random number, and/or the first medium access control address is greater than or less than the third random number. When there are two media access control addresses, the network time synchronization information provider is determined from the sender of the first message and the sender of the second message.

13. The data communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the first message and/or the second message are a detection request frame, an association request frame, a device Discovery frame or service discovery frame.

14. The data communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the network time synchronization information at least includes timestamp information.