WO2021220615A1 - Communication device and communication method - Google Patents

Communication device and communication method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021220615A1
WO2021220615A1 PCT/JP2021/008838 JP2021008838W WO2021220615A1 WO 2021220615 A1 WO2021220615 A1 WO 2021220615A1 JP 2021008838 W JP2021008838 W JP 2021008838W WO 2021220615 A1 WO2021220615 A1 WO 2021220615A1
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data
broadcast
communication device
storage unit
link
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PCT/JP2021/008838
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
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悠介 田中
浩介 相尾
龍一 平田
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ソニーグループ株式会社
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Publication of WO2021220615A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021220615A1/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H04W4/06—Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W72/00—Local resource management
    • H04W72/04—Wireless resource allocation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Definitions

  • the technology disclosed in this specification (hereinafter referred to as "the present disclosure”) relates to a communication device and a communication method for performing wireless communication by bundling a plurality of links.
  • MLO Multi-Link operation
  • AP access point
  • MAC Media Access Control
  • the data received from the upper layer is stored in the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit regardless of the context (meaning in the application) in the upper layer, and is received by the individual MAC processing unit corresponding to the link for which the transmission right has been acquired.
  • common MAC processing is performed at an appropriate timing (for example, when transmission is performed for data that is not retransmitted, and when a reception confirmation (ACK) signal is received for data that is retransmitted). It is deleted from the buffer corresponding to the part.
  • MLO there can be both a terminal that connects to the AP with multiple links and a terminal that connects to the AP with a single link.
  • signals addressed to all terminals such as ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) need to be transmitted from the AP to the broadcast on all links.
  • ARP Address Resolution Protocol
  • the data transmitted on one link is deleted from the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit, and the same data is transmitted on another link. Can not do it.
  • data to a broadcast is transmitted on a certain link, if the same data is kept in the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit so that the same data can be transmitted on other links, the link that has already transmitted the same data. When the transmission right is acquired again in, the same data is transmitted again even though it has already been transmitted.
  • the buffer is wasted and the memory capacity request is increased.
  • Non-Patent Document 1 In the published contribution of IEEE802.11 (19 / 1542r2) (Non-Patent Document 1), it is possible to set a problem when a terminal corresponding to MLO receives a broadcast signal and a link (Connected Link) for receiving the broadcast signal. It is stated. However, the contribution does not mention the above-mentioned problem regarding buffering of data addressed to broadcast, and broadcast transmission in MLO cannot be realized.
  • An object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device and a communication method for performing broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO.
  • the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the first aspect thereof is a communication device that performs wireless communication using a plurality of links.
  • a storage unit that holds data and a data processing unit that performs a process of transmitting the data held in the storage unit are provided.
  • the storage unit stores data addressed to the broadcast in association with each of the plurality of links.
  • the data processing unit takes out the data addressed to the broadcast for each link from the storage unit and transmits the data via the corresponding links. It is a communication device.
  • the data processing unit includes a plurality of individual data processing units associated with each of the plurality of links, and each individual data processing unit retrieves data addressed to the broadcast of the link associated with itself from the storage unit. And perform the process of sending with that link.
  • the second aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method for performing wireless communication using a plurality of links.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the communication device 200.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of AP MLD.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the AP MLD transmits data.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information exchange (corresponding to FIG. 4) in the AP MLD.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure when the MLD transmits data.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing information exchange (corresponding to FIG. 6) in the AP MLD.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence in which the AP performs broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the communication device 200.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of AP
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an architecture in which a communication device holds data addressed to a broadcast and a signal flow.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structure of a memory area in a communication device having the architecture shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the structure of the memory area in the communication device having the architecture shown in FIG.
  • the AP corresponding to MLO includes an individual buffer for broadcast-addressed data in the individual MAC processing unit in addition to the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit. Broadcast-addressed data input from the upper layer is stored in a separate buffer.
  • the individual buffer may be realized in a separate memory area, but it is also realized by managing a flag indicating whether or not transmission is performed on each link in the unified memory area. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the AP corresponding to MLO can realize data management for broadcast transmission and broadcast.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration example of a communication system to which the present disclosure is applied.
  • the illustrated communication system is composed of AP MLD (Multi Link Device), Non-AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2.
  • AP MLD Multi Link Device
  • Non-AP MLD Non-AP MLD
  • STA1 and STA2 STA2
  • AP MLD is a communication device equivalent to a base station that supports MLO.
  • Non-AP MLD is a communication device equivalent to a terminal compatible with MLO.
  • STA1 and STA2 are equipped with a legacy communication device that does not support MLO, or a single RF block (antenna, wireless interface, etc.), and communicates with a terminal equivalent to an MLO that communicates with a single link. It is a device.
  • Non-AP MLD and STA1 and STA2 are connected to AP MLD, respectively. Further, in FIG. 1, the solid line and the broken line connecting each of Non-AP MLD, STA1 and STA2 and AP MLD indicate that they are connected by different links.
  • the "link” referred to in the present specification is a wireless transmission line capable of transmitting data between two communication devices. Each link is selected from, for example, a plurality of independent radio transmission lines (channels) divided in the frequency domain.
  • the two links used in the communication system shown in FIG. 1 are selected from a plurality of channels included in any one of the frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 6 GHz band, and 920 GHz band, respectively. Use the channel.
  • the two links used in the communication system shown in FIG. 1 may be two channels selected from the same frequency band or two channels selected from different frequency bands. Further, even if the frequency band including the channel selected by at least one of the two links used in the communication system shown in FIG. 1 is a frequency band permitted to be used by database access such as SAS (Spectrum Access System). good.
  • SAS Specific Access System
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the communication device 200.
  • the communication device 200 is a communication device corresponding to MLO, and is assumed to operate as an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD in the communication system shown in FIG.
  • the communication device 200 is mainly composed of a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, a storage unit 230, and an antenna 240.
  • the communication unit 210 includes a communication control unit 211, a communication storage unit 212, a data processing unit including a common data processing unit 213 and an individual data processing unit 214, a signal processing unit 215, and a wireless interface (IF) unit 216.
  • the amplification unit 217 is provided.
  • the individual data processing unit 214, the signal processing unit 215, the wireless interface (IF) unit 216, the amplification unit 217, and the antenna 240 are provided for each link.
  • the communication device 200 assumes that MLO is performed using two links, a first link and a second link.
  • the individual data processing unit 214-1, the signal processing unit 215-1, the wireless interface unit 216-1, the amplification unit 217-1, and the antenna 240-1 are set as one set for transmission / reception processing in the first link.
  • the individual data processing unit 214-2, the signal processing unit 215-2, the wireless interface unit 216-2, the amplification unit 217-2, and the antenna 240-2 are made into another set for transmission / reception processing in the second link.
  • the communication control unit 211 controls the operation of each unit in the communication unit 210 and the information transmission between each unit. Further, the communication control unit 211 passes the control information and management information to be notified to other communication devices to the data processing unit (common data processing unit 213, individual data processing unit 214-1 and individual data processing unit 214-2). Take control.
  • the communication control unit 211 controls the operation of each unit in the communication unit 210 so as to transmit data to the broadcast on a plurality of links (for example, the first link and the second link).
  • the communication control unit 211 controls the communication storage unit 212 in particular to hold data addressed to the broadcast at each link.
  • the communication storage unit 212 holds the information used by the communication control unit 211. Further, the communication storage unit 212 holds the data transmitted by the communication device 200 and the data received by the communication device 200.
  • the data processing unit includes a common data processing unit 213 and an individual data processing unit 214. Further, the individual data processing unit 214 includes an individual data processing unit 214-1 for each link and an individual data processing unit 214-2.
  • the common data processing unit 213 manages the sequence of the data held in the communication storage unit 212 and the control information and management information received from the communication control unit 211, performs encryption processing and the like to generate a data unit. , Allocate to individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2. Further, the common data processing unit 213 performs decoding processing and reordering processing of the data unit at the time of reception.
  • the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 include channel access operations based on carrier sense at the corresponding links, addition of MAC headers and error detection codes to the data to be transmitted, and a plurality of data units. Perform the concatenation process. Further, the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 perform the disconnection processing, analysis and error detection, and retransmission request operation of the MAC header of the received data unit at the time of reception.
  • the operations of the common data processing unit 213 and the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 are not limited to the above, and for example, one may perform the other operation.
  • the signal processing units 215-1 and 215-1-2 perform coding, interleaving, modulation, etc. on the data unit, add a physical header, and generate a symbol stream.
  • the signal processing units 215-1 and 215-2 analyze the physical header, demodulate, deinterleave, and decode the symbol stream to generate a data unit. Further, the signal processing units 215-1 and 215-2 perform estimation of complex channel characteristics and spatial separation processing as necessary.
  • the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216-2 perform digital-analog signal conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and phase control on the symbol stream to generate a transmission signal. Further, the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216-2 perform down-conversion, filtering, and analog-digital signal conversion on the received signal at the time of reception to generate a symbol stream.
  • the amplification units 217-1 and 217-2 amplify the signals input from the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216-2 at the time of transmission, and amplify the signals input from the antennas 240-1 and 240-2 at the time of reception. ..
  • a part of the amplification units 217-1 and 217-2 may be components outside the communication unit 210. Further, a part of the amplification units 217-1 and 217-2 may be included in the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216.2.
  • the control unit 220 controls the communication unit 210 and the communication control unit 211. Further, the control unit 220 may perform a part of the operation of the communication control unit 211 instead. Further, the communication control unit 211 and the control unit 220 may be configured as one block.
  • the storage unit 230 holds information used by the communication unit 210 and the control unit 220. Further, the storage unit 230 may perform a part of the operation of the communication storage unit 212 instead. Further, the storage unit 230 and the communication storage unit 212 may be configured as one block.
  • the individual data processing unit 214-1, the signal processing unit 215-1, the wireless interface unit 216-1, the amplification unit 217-1, and the antenna 240-1 are used as one set to perform wireless communication on the first link. Further, the individual data processing unit 214-2, the signal processing unit 215-2, the wireless interface unit 216-2, the amplification unit 217-2, and the antenna 240-2 are used as another set, and wireless communication is performed by the second link. To carry out. Although only two sets are drawn in FIG. 2, three or more sets are components of the communication device 200, and each set may be configured to carry out wireless communication on its own link. Further, the storage unit 230 or the communication storage unit 212 may be included in each set.
  • a link is a wireless transmission line capable of transmitting data between two communication devices, and each link is selected from, for example, a plurality of independent wireless transmission lines (channels) divided by a frequency domain. ..
  • the links used by each of the above sets may be two channels selected from the same frequency band or two channels selected from different frequency bands.
  • the individual data processing unit 214 and the signal processing unit 215 may be combined into one set, and two or more sets may be configured to be connected to one wireless interface unit 216.
  • the wireless interface unit 216, the amplification unit 217, and the antenna 240 may be one set, and two or more sets may be components of the communication device 200.
  • the communication unit 210 can also be configured by one or more LSIs (Large Scale Integration).
  • LSIs Large Scale Integration
  • the common data processing unit 213 is also referred to as an Upper MAC or a Higher MAC, and the individual data processing unit 214 is also referred to as a Lower MAC. Further, the pair of the individual data processing unit 214 and the signal processing unit 215 is also referred to as AP entity or Non-AP entity.
  • the communication control unit 211 is also referred to as an MLD management entity.
  • FIG. 1 shows a communication system in which AP MLD, Non-AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2 are connected using two links.
  • AP MLD and Non-AP MLD are communication devices that support communication using a plurality of links.
  • the AP MLD can be realized by the communication unit 210 or the components of the communication unit 210.
  • FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional configuration of AP MLD.
  • the MAC SAP (Service Access Point) block is an interface between AP MLD and the upper layer.
  • the Sequence Number Assignment block is a functional block that assigns a sequence number to the data passed from the upper layer.
  • the Transmit Buffer is a functional block that holds the data passed from the upper layer. When the data passed from the upper layer is the data addressed to the broadcast, it may be held by the Broadcast Buffer described later.
  • the Sequence Number Assignment block and the Transmit Buffer can be realized by the common data processing unit 213 and the communication storage unit 212.
  • the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3 includes two MAC blocks for each link used.
  • the portion of the AP MLD excluding the two MAC blocks corresponds to the common data processing unit 213 of the communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2, and is also referred to as an Upper MAC or a Higher MAC.
  • each MAC block corresponds to individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2, respectively, and is also referred to as Lower MAC.
  • Each MAC block is an entity that performs media access corresponding to each link, and can be realized by the individual data processing unit 214 and the communication storage unit 212.
  • Each MAC block includes each functional block of Broadcast Buffer, CRC Creation block, Aggregation block, and Channel Access block.
  • the Broadcast Buffer is a functional block that holds data addressed to the broadcast. That is, it is a functional block owned by each MAC block separately from the above-mentioned Transmit Buffer outside the MAC block.
  • the data addressed to the broadcast may be passed from the Transmit Buffer to the Broadcast Buffer, or may be passed directly from the upper layer to the Broadcast Buffer without going through the Transmit Buffer.
  • Broadcast Buffer can be realized by the communication storage unit 212.
  • the Broadcast Buffer is an AP MLD when the Non-AP MLD or STA is not connected at at least one of the plurality of links used by the AP MLD and another Non-AP MLD or STA is connected. May be enabled.
  • the Transmit Buffer and the Broadcast Buffer may be memory areas individually assigned to each of the common data processing unit 213, the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 in the communication storage unit 212, respectively.
  • the CRC Creation block is a functional block that adds an error detection code (Cyclic Redundancy Code: CRC) to the data unit generated by performing encryption processing etc. on the data passed from the Transmit Buffer or Broadcast Buffer. be.
  • the Aggregation block is a functional block that connects a plurality of data blocks.
  • the Channel Access block is a functional block that acquires a transmission right based on a carrier sense at a corresponding link. Each functional block of CRC Creation, Aggregation, and Channel Acees can be realized by the individual data processing unit 214.
  • the AP MLD is provided with a Broadcast Buffer that holds data addressed to the broadcast in addition to a common Transmission Buffer that holds the data passed from the upper layer for each MAC block corresponding to each link. Allows data to be broadcast to multiple links. That is, when each MAC block acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link, by extracting the data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer, it affects the data addressed to the broadcast stored in the Broadcast Buffer provided by the other MAC blocks. Allows you to send without having to.
  • each MAC block can prevent data from being transmitted to the same broadcast again the next time the transmission right is acquired by deleting the data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer. As a result, it is possible to suppress the waste of memory and the increase in the memory capacity request of the communication storage unit 212.
  • FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure when the AP MLD transmits data in the form of a flowchart.
  • the AP MLD entity checks whether the destination of the input data is broadcast (step S402).
  • the AP MLD entity transfers the data to all MAC blocks and stores the data in each Broadcast Buffer (step S403). At that time, incidental information (described later) necessary for transmission processing of data addressed to the broadcast is also transferred to each MAC block and stored in the Broadcast Buffer.
  • the MAC block extracts the data from its own Broadcast Buffer and uses it as the accompanying information passed from the AP MLD entity. Data is transmitted based on this (step S405). After that, the data transmitted in step S405 is deleted from the Broadcast Buffer in the MAC block (step S406).
  • step S407 If data still remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (Yes in step S407), the process returns to step S404 and the data transmission process addressed to the broadcast of the other MAC block is repeatedly executed. If no data remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (No in step S407), this process ends.
  • the AP MLD entity stores the data in the Transmit Buffer (step S408). Then, when the MAC block connected to the destination of the data acquires the transmission right (Yes in step S409), the AP MLD entity takes out the data from the Transmit Buffer and delivers it to the MAC block. Then, the MAC block transmits the data passed from the AP MLD entity (step S410). After that, when the MAC block receives an ACK signal from the data transmission destination or exceeds the retransmission / retention upper limit of the data, the data is deleted from the Transmission Buffer (step S411), and this process ends.
  • FIG. 5 shows an operation sequence for exchanging information in the AP MLD when transmitting data to a broadcast.
  • the illustrated operation sequence shows an operation sequence when the AP MLD transmits data to the broadcast, and mainly shows an operation sequence corresponding to the processing of steps S403 to S407 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
  • the AP MLD entity in FIG. 5 corresponds to any of the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, Upper MAC, and AP MLD management entity.
  • AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 correspond to one MAC block and the other MAC block in the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, respectively.
  • the AP MLD entity When the AP MLD entity receives the data addressed to the broadcast from the upper layer through the MAC SAP block (SEQ501), the AP MLD entity passes the data to each of the AP entity 1 and the AP entity 2. At that time, AP MLD entity notifies each of AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 of the following data information.
  • Data information -Data payload (data addressed to broadcast) -Received address (Received Address: RA) -Traffic ID (TID) -Sequence number (SN) -Access Category (AC)
  • AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 store the broadcast-addressed data received from the AP MLD entity in their respective Broadcast Buffers together with the above-mentioned incidental information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC.
  • AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 each acquire a transmission right (Transmission: Operation: TXOP) at the corresponding link (SEQ 511, SEQ 521), they take out data addressed to the broadcast from their respective Broadcast Buffers and together with the data payload from the AP MLD. Data is transmitted based on the passed incidental information (RA, TID, SN, AC) (SEQ512, SEQ522). After that, AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 delete the data addressed to the broadcast from their respective Broadcast Buffers (SEQ 513, SEQ 523).
  • FIG. 6 shows another processing procedure when the AP MLD transmits data in the form of a flowchart.
  • the AP MLD entity When data is input from the upper layer through the MAC SAP block (step S601), the AP MLD entity stores the input data in the Transmit Buffer (step S602). In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6, the data is temporarily stored in the Transmit Buffer regardless of whether the destination of the data is broadcast. At that time, incidental information (described later) necessary for the data transmission process and the like is transferred to each MAC block.
  • the MAC block transmits the transmission data to the AP MLD entity. Request.
  • the AP MLD entity takes out the transmission data from the Transmit Buffer and checks whether the destination of the transmission data is broadcast (step S604).
  • the AP MLD entity transfers the data to all MAC blocks and stores the transmission data in each Broadcast Buffer (step S605). In addition, AP MLD entity deletes the data transferred to the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC block from the Transmit Buffer.
  • the MAC block that has acquired the transmission right in step S603 extracts data from its own Broadcast Buffer and transmits data based on the accompanying information previously passed from the AP MLD entity in step S602 (step S606). ). After that, the MAC block deletes the data transmitted in step S606 from its own Broadcast Buffer (step S607).
  • the other MAC blocks check whether or not data still remains in their own Broadcast Buffer (step S608). If data still remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (Yes in step S608), it waits until the other MAC block acquires the transmission right (No in step S609). Then, when the other MAC block acquires the transmission right (Yes in step S609), the process returns to step S606 to repeatedly transmit data to the broadcast in the other MAC block and delete the data from the Broadcast Buffer. If no data remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (No in step S608), this process ends.
  • the AP MLD entity takes out the data from the Transmit Buffer and passes the data to the MAC block that acquired the transmission right in step S603. Then, the MAC block transmits the data based on the incidental information previously passed from the AP MLD entity in step S602 (step S610). After that, when the MAC block receives an ACK signal from the data transmission destination, retransmits the data, or exceeds the holding upper limit of the Transmission Buffer, the AP MLD entity deletes the data from the Transmission Buffer ( Step S611), this process is terminated.
  • FIG. 7 shows an operation sequence for exchanging information in the AP MLD when transmitting data to a broadcast.
  • the illustrated operation sequence mainly shows the operation sequence when the AP MLD transmits data to the broadcast, and shows the operation sequence corresponding to the processing of steps S604 to S609 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.
  • the AP MLD entity in FIG. 5 corresponds to any of the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, Upper MAC, and AP MLD management entity.
  • AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 correspond to one MAC block and the other MAC block in the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, respectively.
  • the AP MLD entity When the AP MLD entity receives data addressed to the broadcast from the upper layer through the MAC SAP block (SEQ701), it stores the received data in the Transmission Buffer and also stores the following information accompanying this data in each of the AP entity1 and AP entity2. Notice. At this point, the data payload has not yet been passed to AP entry 1 and AP entity 2.
  • AP entity1 When AP entity1 acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link (SEQ711), it requests transmission data (Data Request) from AP MLD entity. In response to this request, the AP MLD entity extracts data addressed to the broadcast from the Transmit Buffer and delivers it to each of the AP entity 1 and the AP entity 2.
  • Data Request transmission data
  • the AP MLD entity extracts data addressed to the broadcast from the Transmit Buffer and delivers it to each of the AP entity 1 and the AP entity 2.
  • AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 store the broadcast-addressed data delivered from the AP MLD entity in their respective Broadcast Buffers together with the above-mentioned incidental information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC. Then, the AP MLD entity deletes the data addressed to the broadcast from the Transmit Buffer (SEQ702).
  • AP entity1 extracts data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer and transmits the data based on the accompanying information (RA, TID, SN, AC) of the data (SEQ712). Then, AP entity1 deletes the transmitted data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer (SEQ713).
  • AP entity2 acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link (SEQ721), it extracts data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer, and data based on the accompanying information (RA, TID, SN, AC) of the data. Transmission is performed (SEQ722). Then, AP entity2 deletes the transmitted data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer (SEQ723).
  • whether or not the destination of the transmission data in steps S402 and S604 is broadcast is determined by, for example, the data passed from the upper layer by the communication control unit 211. Judgment is made based on whether or not the MAC address of the destination is a broadcast address. Further, this determination may be performed based on the accompanying information of the data.
  • the accompanying information may be information indicating that the data is stored in the Broadcast Buffer of all MACs, or may be an identifier. This identifier may be a specific value of the Traffic Identity specified in 802.11.
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of a communication sequence in which the AP performs broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO in the communication system shown in FIG.
  • this communication system is composed of AP MLD, Non-AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2.
  • a first link (Link1) and a second link (Link2) can be used, and AP MLD and Non-AP MLD corresponding to MLO are connected by Link1 and Link2, and STA1 is connected to AP MLD. It is assumed that it is connected by Link1 and STA2 is connected by AP MLD and Link2.
  • the horizontal axis in FIG. 8 is the time axis, and shows the communication operation for each time on each link of AP MLD, Non-AP MLD, STA1 and STA2.
  • the square block drawn with a solid line indicates the transmission frame at the corresponding communication device, link, and time, and the vertical solid arrow indicates the frame transmission to the destination.
  • the parallelogram block drawn with a solid line shows the back-off operation.
  • each MAC block of AP MLD starts backoff in Link1 and Link2, respectively, and performs carrier sense.
  • Backoff is an operation of setting a random waiting time and subtracting the waiting time.
  • the random wait time may be determined based on the priority of broadcast-addressed data stored in the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC block (eg, access category (AC)), or may be selected from a unique width value. good. Further, the random waiting time may be determined based on the priority (for example, access category (AC)) of other data stored in the Transmit Buffer of the AP MLD. Further, the random waiting time may be a different value for each MAC block, and a value determined outside each MAC block may be used in common by each MAC block.
  • the MAC block corresponding to Link1 of AP MLD expires the backoff and acquires the transmission right, it takes out the data addressed to the broadcast from its own Blockcast Buffer and transfers the data to Non-AP MLD and STA1.
  • the transmission signal including the transmission signal is started to be transmitted by Link1.
  • the MAC block corresponding to Link1 of the AP MLD deletes the transmitted data from its own Broadcast Buffer when the transmission of the transmission signal in Link1 is completed.
  • the MAC block corresponding to Link2 of AP MLD deletes the transmitted data from its own Broadcast Buffer in accordance with the completion of transmission of the transmission signal in Link2.
  • Embodiments in IEEE 802.11 This section describes an embodiment in which the present disclosure is applied to a communication system conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard to perform broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO.
  • FIG. 9 shows an architecture in which a communication device (for example, AP MLD) conforming to IEEE802.11 holds data addressed to a broadcast and a signal transmission flow.
  • a communication device for example, AP MLD
  • the direction below the paper surface is the transmission flow direction.
  • the Sequence Number Assignment block performs a process common to all the links.
  • MPDU medium access protocol protocol data unit
  • Encryption Broadcast advanced data holding, MPDU Header + CRC Creation, A-MPDU (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU
  • Data is input to the AP MLD through the Upper Layer, the LLC (Logical Link Control) Sublayer, and the 802.1 function function.
  • the data unit input to the AP MLD is assigned a sequence number by the Sequence Number Assignment block, and then distributed to the processing flow for each link.
  • the data unit is stored in the Broadcast Buffer in the corresponding MAC block by the Broadcast added data holding block after being encrypted by the MPDU Encryption block.
  • the data unit after the encryption process is stored in the Broadcast Buffer. This makes it possible to transmit the data unit encrypted using the encryption key set for each link for each link.
  • the data unit encryption process may be performed as a process common to all links, not as a process flow for each link. In that case, the encryption key used for the encryption processing of the data unit for each link may be the encryption key set for each link.
  • the data unit is taken out from the Broadcast Buffer corresponding to the link, and the MPDU header and the error detection code (CRC) are added by the MPDU Header + CRC Creation block.
  • CRC error detection code
  • an error detection code is added to the data unit taken out from the Broadcast Buffer, in other words, the data unit before the error detection code is added is stored in the Broadcast Buffer. I want to be. As a result, processing can be performed based on the address of the data unit in the same block of architecture on the transmitting side and the receiving side.
  • the A-MPDU Addition block connects the MPDU header and a plurality of data units to which an error detection code is added.
  • the linked data units are wirelessly transmitted from the corresponding link as a process of the PHY layer.
  • FIG. 10 schematically shows the structure of a memory area in a communication device (AP MLD) having the architecture shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 10 shows the structure of a memory area (Integrated Memory area) that integrates and manages the Transmit Buffer and the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC.
  • the memory area shown in FIG. 10 is realized by the communication storage unit 212 that the individual data processing unit 214 and the common data processing unit 213 can access in common.
  • the data payload (Store data area) to be held, the destination data (Destination) of the data, the accompanying information (Data Property) of the data, and the data are the first.
  • a flag (Link1 retrieved) indicating whether or not the data was retrieved by the MAC corresponding to the link (Link1) of 1 and a flag (Link2 retried) indicating whether or not the data was retrieved by the MAC corresponding to the second link (Link2) are set. Shown. Note that these flags are 0 for not yet retrieved by the corresponding MAC (ie, not yet transmitted on the corresponding link) and have already been retrieved by the corresponding MAC (ie, the corresponding link).
  • the accompanying information is information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC of the corresponding data payload, and is used when transmitting the data payload. Then, in each row of the memory area shown in FIG. 10, the information of each of the above columns is stored for each held data.
  • the data input to the AP MLD from the upper layer is stored in the communication storage unit 212 in the format of the memory area shown in FIG. Then, each time data transmission is performed on each link, the flag of the corresponding link in the line corresponding to the transmitted data is changed from 0 to 1. As a result, even when data is transmitted to the broadcast on a certain link, the data is still held in the memory area and can be transmitted on other links as well. In addition, even if the transmission right is acquired on the link that has already transmitted the data, it is possible to prevent duplicate transmission on the same link by referring to the flag of the link in the line corresponding to the data. .. Further, when the flags of all the links are 1, the data (the line corresponding to the data) may be deleted from this memory area.
  • FIG. 11 schematically shows another structure of the memory area in the communication device (AP MLD) having the architecture shown in FIG.
  • the Transmit Buffer and the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC are realized by independent memory areas. That is, the Memory area 1 shown in the upper half of FIG. 11 is a memory area corresponding to the Transmit Buffer, and the Memory area 2/3 shown in the lower half of FIG. 11 corresponds to the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC block.
  • the memory area shown in FIG. 11 is realized by a communication storage unit corresponding to the common data processing unit 213 and a plurality of communication storage units corresponding to the plurality of individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2, respectively. These communication storage units may be logically independent memory areas within one communication storage unit 212, or may be composed of physically different storage units.
  • Each column of the memory area shown in FIG. 11 shows the data payload (Stored data area) to be held, the destination data (Destination) of the data, and the accompanying information (Data Property) of the data in order from the left.
  • the accompanying information is information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC of the corresponding data payload, and is used when transmitting the data payload. Then, in each row of the memory area, the information of each of the above columns for each held data is stored.
  • the data payload input to the AP MLD from the upper layer is stored in the Memory area 2/3 shown in the lower half of FIG. 11 if it is addressed to the broadcast, and in the Memory area 1 shown in the upper half of FIG. 11 if it is not addressed to the broadcast. Stored.
  • the line corresponding to the transmitted data is deleted from one of the memory areas of Memory area 2 or Memory area 3 corresponding to the link, but the line corresponding to the transmitted data is deleted from the other memory area. Not done.
  • the data transmitted by all the links is deleted from the memory areas of both Memory area 2 and Memory area 3. Further, when the data not addressed to the broadcast is transmitted, the line corresponding to the transmission data of Memory are1 is deleted.
  • a communication device that implements a multi-link function can execute broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO, and has a high throughput. Can be realized.
  • MLO communication device
  • the same effect can be obtained by applying the present disclosure to a wireless system that has become another communication standard.
  • a communication device that performs wireless communication using a plurality of links.
  • a storage unit that holds data and a data processing unit that performs a process of transmitting the data held in the storage unit are provided.
  • the storage unit stores data addressed to the broadcast in association with each of the plurality of links.
  • the data processing unit takes out the data addressed to the broadcast for each link from the storage unit and transmits the data via the corresponding links.
  • the data processing unit includes a plurality of individual data processing units associated with each of the plurality of links, and each individual data processing unit stores the data addressed to the broadcast of the link associated with itself. Process to take out from the department and send with that link, The communication device according to (1) above.
  • the storage unit includes an individual storage area for holding data addressed to a broadcast in association with each link, and a common storage area common to all links.
  • the communication device according to any one of (1) and (2) above.
  • the storage unit is composed of a single storage area.
  • the single storage area manages whether or not data addressed to the broadcast is transmitted by each link.
  • the individual storage area is composed of a plurality of storage areas for each link.
  • the storage unit holds data addressed to the broadcast together with accompanying information.
  • the communication device according to any one of (1) to (8) above.
  • the accompanying information includes at least one of a destination address, a traffic identifier, a sequence number, and an access category.
  • a communication method for performing wireless communication using a plurality of links A step of associating data addressed to a broadcast with each of the plurality of links and holding the data in a storage unit, A data processing step in which data addressed to a broadcast for each link is taken out from the storage unit and transmitted via the corresponding links, and a data processing step. Communication method with.

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Abstract

Provided is a communication device that carries out MLO-compatible broadcast transmission.　A communication device according to the present invention uses links from a plurality of communication devices to carry out wireless communication and comprises a storage unit that retains data, and a data processing unit that executes a process that transmits the data retained in the storage unit. The storage unit retains broadcast-addressed data in association with the plurality of respective links. The data processing unit executes a process that retrieves the broadcast-addressed data for each link from the storage unit, and transmits the data via the corresponding link.

Description

通信装置及び通信方法Communication device and communication method
　本明細書で開示する技術（以下、「本開示」とする）は、複数のリンクを束ねて無線通信を行う通信装置及び通信方法に関する。 The technology disclosed in this specification (hereinafter referred to as "the present disclosure") relates to a communication device and a communication method for performing wireless communication by bundling a plurality of links.
　近年、ＸＲや８Ｋのビデオ伝送などの高い伝送速度要求に対応する方法として、複数の周波数帯（リンク）を用いた無線通信（Ｍｕｌｔｉ－Ｌｉｎｋ　ｏｐｅｒａｔｉｏｎ：ＭＬＯ）の規格化が進められている。このＭＬＯに対応したアクセスポイント（Ａｃｃｅｓｓ　Ｐｏｉｎｔ：ＡＰ）は、単一のリンクでの通信を行うＡＰとは異なるアーキテクチャを持つことが想定される。具体的には、通信プロトコルの上位層との単一のインターフェースを介して接続される共通のＭＡＣ（Ｍｅｄｉａ　Ａｃｃｅｓｓ　Ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ）層処理部と、各リンクへアクセスする複数のＰＨＹ層処理部及び各ＰＨＹ層処理部に接続される個別ＭＡＣ処理部から構成される。通常、上位層から受け取ったデータは、上位層におけるコンテキスト（アプリケーションにおける意味合い）によらず共通ＭＡＣ処理部に対応するバッファに格納され、送信権を獲得したリンクに対応する個別ＭＡＣ処理部へと受け渡された後、適当なタイミング（例えば、再送を行わないデータであれば送信を実施した時点、再送を行うデータであれば受信確認（Ａｃｋｎｏｗｌｅｄｇｅｍｅｎｔ：ＡＣＫ）信号を受信した時点）で、共通ＭＡＣ処理部に対応するバッファから削除される。 In recent years, as a method for responding to high transmission speed demands such as XR and 8K video transmission, standardization of wireless communication (Multi-Link operation: MLO) using a plurality of frequency bands (links) has been promoted. It is assumed that the access point (Access Point: AP) corresponding to this MLO has an architecture different from that of the AP that communicates with a single link. Specifically, a common MAC (Media Access Control) layer processing unit connected via a single interface with the upper layer of the communication protocol, a plurality of PHY layer processing units that access each link, and each PHY layer. It consists of individual MAC processing units connected to the processing unit. Normally, the data received from the upper layer is stored in the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit regardless of the context (meaning in the application) in the upper layer, and is received by the individual MAC processing unit corresponding to the link for which the transmission right has been acquired. After being passed, common MAC processing is performed at an appropriate timing (for example, when transmission is performed for data that is not retransmitted, and when a reception confirmation (ACK) signal is received for data that is retransmitted). It is deleted from the buffer corresponding to the part.
　ＭＬＯでは、ＡＰに対し複数のリンクで接続する端末と単一のリンクで接続する端末の両方があり得る。このような接続状態において、ＡＲＰ（Ａｄｄｒｅｓｓ　Ｒｅｓｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ　Ｐｒｏｔｏｃｏｌ）など全端末宛ての信号は、すべてのリンクにおいてＡＰからブロードキャスト宛てに送信される必要がある。しかしながら、通常、ブロードキャスト宛ての信号は再送がされないため、上記の処理に従うと、あるリンクで送信が実施されたデータは共通ＭＡＣ処理部に対応するバッファから削除され、他のリンクにおいて同じデータを送信することができない。また、あるリンクでブロードキャスト宛てのデータの送信が実施された際に、他のリンクにおいて同じデータを送信できるように共通ＭＡＣ処理部に対応するバッファで保持し続けると、既に同じデータを送信したリンクにおいて再度送信権を獲得したときに、既に送信済みにも関わらず同じデータを再度送信してしまう。加えて、同じデータを共通ＭＡＣ処理部に対応するバッファで保持し続けてしまうため、バッファの浪費やメモリ容量要求の増大を引き起こす。 In MLO, there can be both a terminal that connects to the AP with multiple links and a terminal that connects to the AP with a single link. In such a connected state, signals addressed to all terminals such as ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) need to be transmitted from the AP to the broadcast on all links. However, since the signal addressed to the broadcast is not normally retransmitted, according to the above processing, the data transmitted on one link is deleted from the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit, and the same data is transmitted on another link. Can not do it. Also, when data to a broadcast is transmitted on a certain link, if the same data is kept in the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit so that the same data can be transmitted on other links, the link that has already transmitted the same data. When the transmission right is acquired again in, the same data is transmitted again even though it has already been transmitted. In addition, since the same data is continuously held in the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit, the buffer is wasted and the memory capacity request is increased.
　ＩＥＥＥ８０２．１１の公開寄書（１９／１５４２ｒ２）（非特許文献１）では、ＭＬＯに対応した端末がブロードキャスト信号を受信する際の課題と、ブロードキャスト信号を受信するリンク（Ｃｏｎｆｉｇｕｒｅｄ　Ｌｉｎｋ）を設定することが述べられている。しかしながら、当該寄書は、ブロードキャスト宛てデータのバッファリングに関する上述の課題については言及しておらず、ＭＬＯにおけるブロードキャスト送信を実現することはできない。 In the published contribution of IEEE802.11 (19 / 1542r2) (Non-Patent Document 1), it is possible to set a problem when a terminal corresponding to MLO receives a broadcast signal and a link (Connected Link) for receiving the broadcast signal. It is stated. However, the contribution does not mention the above-mentioned problem regarding buffering of data addressed to broadcast, and broadcast transmission in MLO cannot be realized.
　また、マルチバンドＡＰが所定の情報をブロードキャストする方法について提案がなされているが（特許文献１を参照のこと）、この方法は、ブロードキャスト宛てデータのバッファリングに関して提案するものではなく、ＭＬＯにおけるブロードキャスト送信を実現することができない。 Further, although a method has been proposed for a multi-band AP to broadcast predetermined information (see Patent Document 1), this method does not propose a method for buffering data addressed to a broadcast, but broadcasts in an MLO. Transmission cannot be realized.
特開２００８－５３５３９８号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-535398
　本開示の目的は、ＭＬＯに対応したブロードキャスト送信を行う通信装置及び通信方法を提供することにある。 An object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device and a communication method for performing broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO.
　本開示は、上記課題を参酌してなされたものであり、その第１の側面は、複数のリンクを用いて無線通信を行う通信装置であって、
　データを保持する記憶部と、前記記憶部に保持されたデータを送信する処理を行うデータ処理部を具備し、
　前記記憶部は、ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けて保持し、
　前記データ処理部は、リンク毎のブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出して、それぞれ対応するリンクで送信する処理を行う、
通信装置である。 The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the first aspect thereof is a communication device that performs wireless communication using a plurality of links.
A storage unit that holds data and a data processing unit that performs a process of transmitting the data held in the storage unit are provided.
The storage unit stores data addressed to the broadcast in association with each of the plurality of links.
The data processing unit takes out the data addressed to the broadcast for each link from the storage unit and transmits the data via the corresponding links.
It is a communication device.
　前記データ処理部は、前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けられた複数の個別データ処理部を含み、各個別データ処理部は自分に対応付けられたリンクのブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出してそのリンクで送信する処理を行う。 The data processing unit includes a plurality of individual data processing units associated with each of the plurality of links, and each individual data processing unit retrieves data addressed to the broadcast of the link associated with itself from the storage unit. And perform the process of sending with that link.
　また、本開示の第２の側面は、複数のリンクを用いて無線通信を行う通信方法であって、
　ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けて記憶部に保持するステップと、
　リンク毎のブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出して、それぞれ対応するリンクで送信する処理を行うデータ処理ステップと、
を有する通信方法である。 Further, the second aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method for performing wireless communication using a plurality of links.
A step of associating data addressed to a broadcast with each of the plurality of links and holding the data in a storage unit,
A data processing step in which data addressed to a broadcast for each link is taken out from the storage unit and transmitted via the corresponding links, and a data processing step.
It is a communication method having.
　本開示によれば、ＭＬＯに対応したブロードキャスト送信及びブロードキャスト送信のためのデータ管理を行う通信装置及び通信方法を提供することができる。 According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a communication device and a communication method for performing data management for broadcast transmission and broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO.
　なお、本明細書に記載された効果は、あくまでも例示であり、本開示によりもたらされる効果はこれに限定されるものではない。また、本開示が、上記の効果以外に、さらに付加的な効果を奏する場合もある。 It should be noted that the effects described in the present specification are merely examples, and the effects brought about by the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In addition to the above effects, the present disclosure may have additional effects.
　本開示のさらに他の目的、特徴や利点は、後述する実施形態や添付する図面に基づくより詳細な説明によって明らかになるであろう。 Still other objectives, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be clarified by more detailed description based on embodiments and accompanying drawings described below.
図１は、通信システムの構成例を示した図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system. 図２は、通信装置２００の内部構成例を示した図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the communication device 200. 図３は、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤの機能的構成例を示した図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of AP MLD. 図４は、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤがデータを送信する際の処理手順を示したフローチャートである。FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the AP MLD transmits data. 図５は、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ内における情報の授受（図４に対応）を示した図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram showing information exchange (corresponding to FIG. 4) in the AP MLD. 図６は、ＭＬＤがデータを送信する際の別の処理手順を示したフローチャートである。FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure when the MLD transmits data. 図７は、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ内における情報の授受（図６に対応）を示した図である。FIG. 7 is a diagram showing information exchange (corresponding to FIG. 6) in the AP MLD. 図８は、ＡＰがＭＬＯに対応したブロードキャスト送信を行う通信シーケンス例を示した図である。FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence in which the AP performs broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO. 図９は、通信装置がブロードキャスト宛てデータを保持するアーキテクチャ及び信号のフローを示した図である。FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an architecture in which a communication device holds data addressed to a broadcast and a signal flow. 図１０は、図９に示すアーキテクチャを備えた通信装置におけるメモリ領域の構造を示した図である。FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structure of a memory area in a communication device having the architecture shown in FIG. 図１１は、図９に示すアーキテクチャを備えた通信装置におけるメモリ領域の構造の他の例を示した図である。FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the structure of the memory area in the communication device having the architecture shown in FIG.
　以下、図面を参照しながら本開示について、以下の順に従って説明する。
Ａ．概要
Ｂ．システム構成
Ｃ．装置構成
Ｄ．ＡＰ　ＭＬＤの機能的構成
Ｅ．ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信処理（１）
Ｆ．ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信処理（２）
Ｇ．通信シーケンス例
Ｈ．ＩＥＥ８０２．１１における実施形態 Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings.
A. Overview B. System configuration C. Device configuration D. Functional configuration of AP MLD E.I. Data transmission process for AP MLD broadcast (1)
F. Data transmission process for AP MLD broadcast (2)
G. Communication sequence example H. Embodiment in IEE802.11
Ａ．概要
　本開示によれば、ＭＬＯに対応したＡＰは、共通ＭＡＣ処理部に対応するバッファに加え、個別ＭＡＣ処理部にブロードキャスト宛てデータ用の個別バッファを備えている。上位層から入力されたブロードキャスト宛てデータは、個別バッファに格納される。個別バッファは、個別のメモリ領域で実現されてもよいが、統一のメモリ領域において各リンクでの送信が行われたかどうかを示すフラグを管理することによっても実現される。したがって、本開示によれば、ＭＬＯに対応したＡＰは、ブロードキャスト送信及びブロードキャストのためのデータ管理を実現することができる。 A. Outline According to the present disclosure, the AP corresponding to MLO includes an individual buffer for broadcast-addressed data in the individual MAC processing unit in addition to the buffer corresponding to the common MAC processing unit. Broadcast-addressed data input from the upper layer is stored in a separate buffer. The individual buffer may be realized in a separate memory area, but it is also realized by managing a flag indicating whether or not transmission is performed on each link in the unified memory area. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the AP corresponding to MLO can realize data management for broadcast transmission and broadcast.
Ｂ．システム構成
　図１には、本開示が適用される通信システムの一構成例を模式的に示している。図示の通信システムは、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ（Ｍｕｌｔｉ　Ｌｉｎｋ　Ｄｅｖｉｃｅ）と、Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤと、ＳＴＡ１及びＳＴＡ２によって構成される。 B. System Configuration FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration example of a communication system to which the present disclosure is applied. The illustrated communication system is composed of AP MLD (Multi Link Device), Non-AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2.
　ＡＰ　ＭＬＤは、ＭＬＯに対応した基地局相当の通信装置である。Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤは、ＭＬＯに対応した端末相当の通信装置である。ＳＴＡ１及びＳＴＡ２は、ＭＬＯに対応していないレガシーの通信装置、又は単一のＲＦブロック（アンテナ、無線インターフェースなど）を装備し、単一のリンクでの通信を行うＭＬＯに対応した端末相当の通信装置である。 AP MLD is a communication device equivalent to a base station that supports MLO. Non-AP MLD is a communication device equivalent to a terminal compatible with MLO. STA1 and STA2 are equipped with a legacy communication device that does not support MLO, or a single RF block (antenna, wireless interface, etc.), and communicates with a terminal equivalent to an MLO that communicates with a single link. It is a device.
　Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤとＳＴＡ１及びＳＴＡ２は、それぞれＡＰ　ＭＬＤに接続している。また、図１中で、Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ、ＳＴＡ１、ＳＴＡ２の各々とＡＰ　ＭＬＤの間を結ぶ実線及び破線は、それぞれ異なるリンクで接続していることを示している。 Non-AP MLD and STA1 and STA2 are connected to AP MLD, respectively. Further, in FIG. 1, the solid line and the broken line connecting each of Non-AP MLD, STA1 and STA2 and AP MLD indicate that they are connected by different links.
　なお、本明細書で言う「リンク」とは、２つの通信装置間でデータの伝送を行うことができる無線伝送路である。個々のリンクは、例えば周波数領域で分割された、互いに独立した複数の無線伝送路（チャネル）の中から選択される。図１に示す通信システムで使用する２つのリンクは、例えば２．４ＧＨｚ帯、５ＧＨｚ帯、６ＧＨｚ帯、９２０ＧＨｚ帯などの周波数帯のうちいずれかの帯域に含まれる複数のチャネルの中からそれぞれ選択されたチャネルを使用する。図１に示す通信システムで使用する２つのリンクは、同じ周波数帯から選択された２つのチャネルであっても、異なる周波数帯から選択された２つのチャネルであってもよい。また、図１に示す通信システムで使用する２つのリンクのうち少なくとも一方が選択したチャネルを含む周波数帯は、ＳＡＳ（Ｓｐｅｃｔｒｕｍ　Ａｃｃｅｓｓ　Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ）などのデータベースアクセスにより使用が許可される周波数帯であってもよい。 The "link" referred to in the present specification is a wireless transmission line capable of transmitting data between two communication devices. Each link is selected from, for example, a plurality of independent radio transmission lines (channels) divided in the frequency domain. The two links used in the communication system shown in FIG. 1 are selected from a plurality of channels included in any one of the frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 6 GHz band, and 920 GHz band, respectively. Use the channel. The two links used in the communication system shown in FIG. 1 may be two channels selected from the same frequency band or two channels selected from different frequency bands. Further, even if the frequency band including the channel selected by at least one of the two links used in the communication system shown in FIG. 1 is a frequency band permitted to be used by database access such as SAS (Spectrum Access System). good.
Ｃ．装置構成
　図２には、通信装置２００の内部構成例を示している。通信装置２００は、ＭＬＯに対応した通信装置であり、図１に示した通信システムにおいてＡＰ　ＭＬＤ又はＮｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤとして動作することを想定している。通信装置２００は、主に通信部２１０と、制御部２２０と、記憶部２３０と、アンテナ２４０で構成される。また、通信部２１０は、通信制御部２１１と、通信記憶部２１２と、共通データ処理部２１３及び個別データ処理部２１４からなるデータ処理部と、信号処理部２１５と、無線インターフェース（ＩＦ）部２１６と、増幅部２１７を備えている。 C. Device Configuration FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the communication device 200. The communication device 200 is a communication device corresponding to MLO, and is assumed to operate as an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD in the communication system shown in FIG. The communication device 200 is mainly composed of a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, a storage unit 230, and an antenna 240. Further, the communication unit 210 includes a communication control unit 211, a communication storage unit 212, a data processing unit including a common data processing unit 213 and an individual data processing unit 214, a signal processing unit 215, and a wireless interface (IF) unit 216. And the amplification unit 217 is provided.
　個別データ処理部２１４と、信号処理部２１５と、無線インターフェース（ＩＦ）部２１６と、増幅部２１７と、アンテナ２４０は、リンク毎に装備される。通信装置２００は、第１のリンクと第２のリンクの２つのリンクを使ってＭＬＯを実施することを想定している。例えば、個別データ処理部２１４－１、信号処理部２１５－１、無線インターフェース部２１６－１、増幅部２１７－１、及びアンテナ２４０－１を第１のリンクにおける送受信処理用の１つの組とし、個別データ処理部２１４－２、信号処理部２１５－２、無線インターフェース部２１６－２、増幅部２１７－２、及びアンテナ２４０－２を第２のリンクにおける送受信処理用の別の組とする。 The individual data processing unit 214, the signal processing unit 215, the wireless interface (IF) unit 216, the amplification unit 217, and the antenna 240 are provided for each link. The communication device 200 assumes that MLO is performed using two links, a first link and a second link. For example, the individual data processing unit 214-1, the signal processing unit 215-1, the wireless interface unit 216-1, the amplification unit 217-1, and the antenna 240-1 are set as one set for transmission / reception processing in the first link. The individual data processing unit 214-2, the signal processing unit 215-2, the wireless interface unit 216-2, the amplification unit 217-2, and the antenna 240-2 are made into another set for transmission / reception processing in the second link.
　通信制御部２１１は、通信部２１０内の各部の動作及び各部間の情報伝達の制御を行う。また、通信制御部２１１は、他の通信装置へ通知する制御情報及び管理情報をデータ処理部（共通データ処理部２１３、個別データ処理部２１４－１及び個別データ処理部２１４－２）へ受け渡す制御を行う。 The communication control unit 211 controls the operation of each unit in the communication unit 210 and the information transmission between each unit. Further, the communication control unit 211 passes the control information and management information to be notified to other communication devices to the data processing unit (common data processing unit 213, individual data processing unit 214-1 and individual data processing unit 214-2). Take control.
　本開示においては、通信制御部２１１は、複数のリンク（例えば第１のリンク及び第２のリンク）におけるブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信を行うように、通信部２１０内の各部の動作を制御する。通信制御部２１１は、特に通信記憶部２１２に対し、各リンクにおいてブロードキャスト宛てデータを保持するように制御する。 In the present disclosure, the communication control unit 211 controls the operation of each unit in the communication unit 210 so as to transmit data to the broadcast on a plurality of links (for example, the first link and the second link). The communication control unit 211 controls the communication storage unit 212 in particular to hold data addressed to the broadcast at each link.
　通信記憶部２１２は、通信制御部２１１で使用する情報を保持する。また、通信記憶部２１２は、通信装置２００が送信するデータ及び通信装置２００が受信したデータを保持する。 The communication storage unit 212 holds the information used by the communication control unit 211. Further, the communication storage unit 212 holds the data transmitted by the communication device 200 and the data received by the communication device 200.
　データ処理部は、共通データ処理部２１３及び個別データ処理部２１４からなる。また、個別データ処理部２１４は、リンク毎の個別データ処理部２１４－１及び個別データ処理部２１４－２からなる。 The data processing unit includes a common data processing unit 213 and an individual data processing unit 214. Further, the individual data processing unit 214 includes an individual data processing unit 214-1 for each link and an individual data processing unit 214-2.
　共通データ処理部２１３は、送信時には、通信記憶部２１２に保持されたデータ及び通信制御部２１１から受け取った制御情報及び管理情報のシーケンス管理を行い、暗号化処理などを行ってデータユニットを生成し、個別データ処理部２１４－１及び２１４－２への割り振りを行う。また、共通データ処理部２１３は、受信時には、データユニットの解読処理とリオーダー処理を行う。 At the time of transmission, the common data processing unit 213 manages the sequence of the data held in the communication storage unit 212 and the control information and management information received from the communication control unit 211, performs encryption processing and the like to generate a data unit. , Allocate to individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2. Further, the common data processing unit 213 performs decoding processing and reordering processing of the data unit at the time of reception.
　個別データ処理部２１４－１及び２１４－２は、送信時には、対応するリンクにおけるキャリアセンスに基づくチャネルアクセス動作と、送信するデータへのＭＡＣヘッダの付加及び誤り検出符号の付加、及びデータユニットの複数連結処理を行う。また、個別データ処理部２１４－１及び２１４－２は、受信時には、受信したデータユニットのＭＡＣヘッダの連結解除処理、解析及び誤り検出、及び再送要求動作を行う。 At the time of transmission, the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 include channel access operations based on carrier sense at the corresponding links, addition of MAC headers and error detection codes to the data to be transmitted, and a plurality of data units. Perform the concatenation process. Further, the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 perform the disconnection processing, analysis and error detection, and retransmission request operation of the MAC header of the received data unit at the time of reception.
　なお、共通データ処理部２１３と個別データ処理部２１４－１及び２１４－２の動作は、上記に限定されるものではなく、例えば一方が他方の動作を行うこともあり得る。 The operations of the common data processing unit 213 and the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 are not limited to the above, and for example, one may perform the other operation.
　信号処理部２１５－１及び２１５－１－２は、送信時には、データユニットに対する符号化、インターリーブ及び変調などを行い、物理ヘッダを付加しシンボルストリームを生成する。また、信号処理部２１５－１及び２１５－２は、受信時には、物理ヘッダを解析し、シンボルストリームに対する復調、デインターリーブ及び復号化などを行い、データユニットを生成する。また、信号処理部２１５－１及び２１５－２は、必要に応じて複素チャネル特性の推定及び空間分離処理を行う。 At the time of transmission, the signal processing units 215-1 and 215-1-2 perform coding, interleaving, modulation, etc. on the data unit, add a physical header, and generate a symbol stream. At the time of reception, the signal processing units 215-1 and 215-2 analyze the physical header, demodulate, deinterleave, and decode the symbol stream to generate a data unit. Further, the signal processing units 215-1 and 215-2 perform estimation of complex channel characteristics and spatial separation processing as necessary.
　無線インターフェース部２１６－１及び２１６－２は、送信時には、シンボルストリームに対するデジタル－アナログ信号変換、フィルタリング、アップコンバート、位相制御を行い、送信信号を生成する。また、無線インターフェース部２１６－１及び２１６－２は、受信時には、受信信号に対しダウンコンバート、フィルタリング、アナログ－デジタル信号変換を行い、シンボルストリームを生成する。 At the time of transmission, the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216-2 perform digital-analog signal conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and phase control on the symbol stream to generate a transmission signal. Further, the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216-2 perform down-conversion, filtering, and analog-digital signal conversion on the received signal at the time of reception to generate a symbol stream.
　増幅部２１７－１及び２１７－２は、送信時には無線インターフェース部２１６－１及び２１６－２から入力された信号を増幅し、受信時にはアンテナ２４０－１及び２４０－２から入力された信号を増幅する。増幅部２１７－１及び２１７－２は、一部が通信部２１０外の構成要素となっていてもよい。また、増幅部２１７－１及び２１７－２の一部が無線インターフェース部２１６－１及び２１６－２に内包されてもよい。 The amplification units 217-1 and 217-2 amplify the signals input from the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216-2 at the time of transmission, and amplify the signals input from the antennas 240-1 and 240-2 at the time of reception. .. A part of the amplification units 217-1 and 217-2 may be components outside the communication unit 210. Further, a part of the amplification units 217-1 and 217-2 may be included in the wireless interface units 216-1 and 216.2.
　制御部２２０は、通信部２１０及び通信制御部２１１の制御を行う。また、制御部２２０は、通信制御部２１１の一部の動作を代わりに行ってもよい。また、通信制御部２１１と制御部２２０は１つのブロックとして構成されてもよい。 The control unit 220 controls the communication unit 210 and the communication control unit 211. Further, the control unit 220 may perform a part of the operation of the communication control unit 211 instead. Further, the communication control unit 211 and the control unit 220 may be configured as one block.
　記憶部２３０は、通信部２１０及び制御部２２０で使用する情報を保持する。また、記憶部２３０は、通信記憶部２１２の一部の動作を代わりに行ってもよい。また、記憶部２３０と通信記憶部２１２は１つのブロックとして構成されてもよい。 The storage unit 230 holds information used by the communication unit 210 and the control unit 220. Further, the storage unit 230 may perform a part of the operation of the communication storage unit 212 instead. Further, the storage unit 230 and the communication storage unit 212 may be configured as one block.
　個別データ処理部２１４－１、信号処理部２１５－１、無線インターフェース部２１６－１、増幅部２１７－１、及びアンテナ２４０－１を１つの組として、第１のリンクで無線通信を実施する。また、個別データ処理部２１４－２、信号処理部２１５－２、無線インターフェース部２１６－２、増幅部２１７－２、及びアンテナ２４０－２を他の１つの組として、第２のリンクで無線通信を実施する。図２では、２組しか描いていないが、３つ以上の組が通信装置２００の構成要素となり、各組がそれぞれのリンクで無線通信を実施するように構成することもできる。また、記憶部２３０又は通信記憶部２１２が各々の組に含まれていてもよい。 The individual data processing unit 214-1, the signal processing unit 215-1, the wireless interface unit 216-1, the amplification unit 217-1, and the antenna 240-1 are used as one set to perform wireless communication on the first link. Further, the individual data processing unit 214-2, the signal processing unit 215-2, the wireless interface unit 216-2, the amplification unit 217-2, and the antenna 240-2 are used as another set, and wireless communication is performed by the second link. To carry out. Although only two sets are drawn in FIG. 2, three or more sets are components of the communication device 200, and each set may be configured to carry out wireless communication on its own link. Further, the storage unit 230 or the communication storage unit 212 may be included in each set.
　リンクは２つの通信装置間でデータの伝送を行うことができる無線伝送路であり、個々のリンクは例えば周波数領域で分割された互いに独立した複数の無線伝送路（チャネル）の中から選択される。上記の各組がそれぞれ用いるリンクは、同じ周波数帯から選択された２つのチャネルであっても、異なる周波数帯から選択された２つのチャネルであってもよい。また、個別データ処理部２１４と信号処理部２１５を１つの組とし、２つ以上の組が１つの無線インターフェース部２１６と接続されるように構成してもよい。 A link is a wireless transmission line capable of transmitting data between two communication devices, and each link is selected from, for example, a plurality of independent wireless transmission lines (channels) divided by a frequency domain. .. The links used by each of the above sets may be two channels selected from the same frequency band or two channels selected from different frequency bands. Further, the individual data processing unit 214 and the signal processing unit 215 may be combined into one set, and two or more sets may be configured to be connected to one wireless interface unit 216.
　無線インターフェース部２１６、増幅部２１７、及びアンテナ２４０を１つの組とし、２つ以上の組が通信装置２００の構成要素となっていてもよい。 The wireless interface unit 216, the amplification unit 217, and the antenna 240 may be one set, and two or more sets may be components of the communication device 200.
　通信部２１０は、１つ以上のＬＳＩ（Ｌａｒｇｅ　Ｓｃａｌｅ　Ｉｎｔｅｇｒａｔｉｏｎ）によって構成することもできる。 The communication unit 210 can also be configured by one or more LSIs (Large Scale Integration).
　共通データ処理部２１３は、Ｕｐｐｅｒ　ＭＡＣ又はＨｉｇｈｅｒ　ＭＡＣとも称され、個別データ処理部２１４はＬｏｗｅｒ　ＭＡＣとも称される。また、個別データ処理部２１４と信号処理部２１５の組は、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ又はＮｏｎ－ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙとも称される。また、通信制御部２１１は、ＭＬＤ　ｍａｎａｇｅｍｅｎｔ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙとも称される。 The common data processing unit 213 is also referred to as an Upper MAC or a Higher MAC, and the individual data processing unit 214 is also referred to as a Lower MAC. Further, the pair of the individual data processing unit 214 and the signal processing unit 215 is also referred to as AP entity or Non-AP entity. The communication control unit 211 is also referred to as an MLD management entity.
Ｄ．ＡＰ　ＭＬＤの機能的構成
　図１には、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤと、Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤと、ＳＴＡ１及びＳＴＡ２が２つのリンクを用いて接続される通信システムを示した。このうちＡＰ　ＭＬＤとＮｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤは、複数のリンクを用いた通信に対応した通信装置である。ＡＰ　ＭＬＤは、通信部２１０又は通信部２１０の構成要素によって実現され得る。図３には、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤの機能的構成例を示している。 D. Functional Configuration of AP MLD FIG. 1 shows a communication system in which AP MLD, Non-AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2 are connected using two links. Of these, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD are communication devices that support communication using a plurality of links. The AP MLD can be realized by the communication unit 210 or the components of the communication unit 210. FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional configuration of AP MLD.
　ＭＡＣ　ＳＡＰ（Ｓｅｒｖｉｃｅ　Ａｃｃｅｓｓ　Ｐｏｉｎｔ）ブロックは、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤと上位層とのインターフェースである。 The MAC SAP (Service Access Point) block is an interface between AP MLD and the upper layer.
　Ｓｅｑｕｅｎｃｅ　Ｎｕｍｂｅｒ　Ａｓｓｉｇｎｍｅｎｔブロックは、上位層から受け渡されたデータにシーケンス番号を割り当てる機能ブロックである。Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒは、上位層から受け渡されたデータを保持する機能ブロックである。なお、上位層から受け渡されたデータがブロードキャスト宛のデータである場合、後述するＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒで保持されてもよい。Ｓｅｑｕｅｎｃｅ　Ｎｕｍｂｅｒ　ＡｓｓｉｇｎｍｅｎｔブロックとＴｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒは、共通データ処理部２１３及び通信記憶部２１２によって実現され得る。 The Sequence Number Assignment block is a functional block that assigns a sequence number to the data passed from the upper layer. The Transmit Buffer is a functional block that holds the data passed from the upper layer. When the data passed from the upper layer is the data addressed to the broadcast, it may be held by the Broadcast Buffer described later. The Sequence Number Assignment block and the Transmit Buffer can be realized by the common data processing unit 213 and the communication storage unit 212.
　図３に示すＡＰ　ＭＬＤは、使用するリンク毎の２つのＭＡＣブロックを備えている。なお、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのうち、２つのＭＡＣブロックを除いた部分は、図２に示した通信装置２００のうち、共通データ処理部２１３に相当し、Ｕｐｐｅｒ ＭＡＣ又はＨｉｇｈｅｒ　ＭＡＣとも称される。また、各ＭＡＣブロックはそれぞれ個別データ処理部２１４－１及び２１４－２に相当し、Ｌｏｗｅｒ　ＭＡＣとも称される。 The AP MLD shown in FIG. 3 includes two MAC blocks for each link used. The portion of the AP MLD excluding the two MAC blocks corresponds to the common data processing unit 213 of the communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2, and is also referred to as an Upper MAC or a Higher MAC. In addition, each MAC block corresponds to individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2, respectively, and is also referred to as Lower MAC.
　各ＭＡＣブロックは、各リンクに対応するメディアアクセスを行うエンティティであり、個別データ処理部２１４及び通信記憶部２１２によって実現され得る。各ＭＡＣブロックは、Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒ、ＣＲＣ　Ｃｒｅａｔｉｏｎブロック、Ａｇｇｒｅｇａｔｉｏｎブロック、及びＣｈａｎｎｅｌ　Ａｃｃｅｓｓブロックの各機能ブロックを含む。 Each MAC block is an entity that performs media access corresponding to each link, and can be realized by the individual data processing unit 214 and the communication storage unit 212. Each MAC block includes each functional block of Broadcast Buffer, CRC Creation block, Aggregation block, and Channel Access block.
　Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒは、ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを保持する機能ブロックである。すなわち、ＭＡＣブロック外の上記のＴｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒとは別に、各ＭＡＣブロックが保有する機能ブロックである。ブロードキャスト宛てのデータは、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　ＢｕｆｆｅｒからＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに受け渡されてもよく、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒを経由せずに上位層から直接Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに受け渡されてもよい。Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒは通信記憶部２１２によって実現され得る。また、Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒは、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤが用いる複数のリンクの少なくとも１つにおいてＮｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ又はＳＴＡが接続されておらず、且つ他のＮｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ又はＳＴＡが接続されている場合に、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤが有効化してもよい。 The Broadcast Buffer is a functional block that holds data addressed to the broadcast. That is, it is a functional block owned by each MAC block separately from the above-mentioned Transmit Buffer outside the MAC block. The data addressed to the broadcast may be passed from the Transmit Buffer to the Broadcast Buffer, or may be passed directly from the upper layer to the Broadcast Buffer without going through the Transmit Buffer. Broadcast Buffer can be realized by the communication storage unit 212. Further, the Broadcast Buffer is an AP MLD when the Non-AP MLD or STA is not connected at at least one of the plurality of links used by the AP MLD and another Non-AP MLD or STA is connected. May be enabled.
　Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　ＢｕｆｆｅｒとＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒは、それぞれ通信記憶部２１２内で、共通データ処理部２１３、個別データ処理部２１４－１及び２１４－２の各々に対して個別に与えられたメモリ領域であってもよい。 The Transmit Buffer and the Broadcast Buffer may be memory areas individually assigned to each of the common data processing unit 213, the individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2 in the communication storage unit 212, respectively.
　ＣＲＣ　Ｃｒｅａｔｉｏｎブロックは、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒ又はＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから受け渡されたデータに対し、暗号化処理などが施されて生成されたデータユニットに、誤り検出符号（Ｃｙｃｌｉｃ　Ｒｅｄｕｎｄａｎｃｙ　Ｃｏｄｅ：ＣＲＣ）を付加する機能ブロックである。Ａｇｇｒｅｇａｔｉｏｎブロックは、データブロックを複数連結する機能ブロックである。Ｃｈａｎｎｅｌ　Ａｃｃｅｓｓブロックは、対応するリンクにおいてキャリアセンスに基づいて送信権の獲得を行う機能ブロックである。ＣＲＣ　Ｃｒｅａｔｉｏｎ、Ａｇｇｒｅｇａｔｉｏｎ、及びＣｈａｎｎｅｌ　Ａｃｅｅｓの各機能ブロックは、個別データ処理部２１４によって実現され得る。 The CRC Creation block is a functional block that adds an error detection code (Cyclic Redundancy Code: CRC) to the data unit generated by performing encryption processing etc. on the data passed from the Transmit Buffer or Broadcast Buffer. be. The Aggregation block is a functional block that connects a plurality of data blocks. The Channel Access block is a functional block that acquires a transmission right based on a carrier sense at a corresponding link. Each functional block of CRC Creation, Aggregation, and Channel Acees can be realized by the individual data processing unit 214.
　上述の通り、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤは、上位層から受け渡されたデータを保持する共通のＴｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに加えて、ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを保持するＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒを各リンクに対応するＭＡＣブロック毎に備えることで、複数のリンクに対してブロードキャスト宛てデータを送信することを可能にする。すなわち、各ＭＡＣブロックがそれぞれ対応するリンクで送信権を獲得した際に、自身が備えるＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを取り出すことで、他のＭＡＣブロックが備えるＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納されたブロードキャスト宛てデータに影響することなく、送信を行うことを可能にする。 As described above, the AP MLD is provided with a Broadcast Buffer that holds data addressed to the broadcast in addition to a common Transmission Buffer that holds the data passed from the upper layer for each MAC block corresponding to each link. Allows data to be broadcast to multiple links. That is, when each MAC block acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link, by extracting the data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer, it affects the data addressed to the broadcast stored in the Broadcast Buffer provided by the other MAC blocks. Allows you to send without having to.
　また、各ＭＡＣブロックは、自身が備えるＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを送信後に削除することで、次に送信権を獲得した際に再度同一のブロードキャスト宛てデータを送信してしまうことを防ぐことができ、それによりメモリの浪費や通信記憶部２１２のメモリ容量要求の増大を抑えることができる。 In addition, each MAC block can prevent data from being transmitted to the same broadcast again the next time the transmission right is acquired by deleting the data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer. As a result, it is possible to suppress the waste of memory and the increase in the memory capacity request of the communication storage unit 212.
Ｅ．ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信処理（１）
　図４には、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤがデータを送信する際の処理手順をフローチャートの形式で示している。 E. Data transmission process for AP MLD broadcast (1)
FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure when the AP MLD transmits data in the form of a flowchart.
　ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、上位層からＭＡＣ　ＳＡＰブロックを通してデータが入力されると（ステップＳ４０１）、入力データの宛て先がブロードキャストかどうかをチェックする（ステップＳ４０２）。 When data is input from the upper layer through the MAC SAP block (step S401), the AP MLD entity checks whether the destination of the input data is broadcast (step S402).
　入力データの宛て先がブロードキャストであれば（ステップＳ４０２のＹｅｓ）、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、すべてのＭＡＣブロックにそのデータを転送して、各々のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにそのデータを格納する（ステップＳ４０３）。その際、ブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信処理などに必要な付随情報（後述）も併せて各ＭＡＣブロックに転送され、Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納される。 If the destination of the input data is broadcast (Yes in step S402), the AP MLD entity transfers the data to all MAC blocks and stores the data in each Broadcast Buffer (step S403). At that time, incidental information (described later) necessary for transmission processing of data addressed to the broadcast is also transferred to each MAC block and stored in the Broadcast Buffer.
　そして、いずれかのＭＡＣブロックが対応するリンクで送信権を獲得すると（ステップＳ４０４のＹｅｓ）、そのＭＡＣブロックは、自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからデータを取り出して、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙから受け渡された付随情報に基づいてデータ送信を行う（ステップＳ４０５）。その後、そのＭＡＣブロック内のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから、ステップＳ４０５で送信したデータを削除する（ステップＳ４０６）。 Then, when one of the MAC blocks acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link (Yes in step S404), the MAC block extracts the data from its own Broadcast Buffer and uses it as the accompanying information passed from the AP MLD entity. Data is transmitted based on this (step S405). After that, the data transmitted in step S405 is deleted from the Broadcast Buffer in the MAC block (step S406).
　他のＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにデータがまだ残っている場合には（ステップＳ４０７のＹｅｓ）、ステップＳ４０４に戻って、他のＭＡＣブロックのブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信処理を繰り返し実行する。また、他のＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにもデータが残っていない場合には（ステップＳ４０７のＮｏ）、本処理を終了する。 If data still remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (Yes in step S407), the process returns to step S404 and the data transmission process addressed to the broadcast of the other MAC block is repeatedly executed. If no data remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (No in step S407), this process ends.
　一方、入力データの宛て先がブロードキャストでない場合には（ステップＳ４０２のＮｏ）、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにそのデータを格納する（ステップＳ４０８）。そして、そのデータの宛て先と接続するＭＡＣブロックが送信権を獲得すると（ステップＳ４０９のＹｅｓ）、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからデータを取り出して、そのＭＡＣブロックに受け渡す。そして、そのＭＡＣブロックは、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙから受け渡されたデータの送信を行う（ステップＳ４１０）。その後、そのＭＡＣブロックがデータの送信先からＡＣＫ信号を受信するか、そのデータの再送・保持上限を超えたら、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからそのデータを削除して（ステップＳ４１１）、本処理を終了する。 On the other hand, if the destination of the input data is not broadcast (No in step S402), the AP MLD entity stores the data in the Transmit Buffer (step S408). Then, when the MAC block connected to the destination of the data acquires the transmission right (Yes in step S409), the AP MLD entity takes out the data from the Transmit Buffer and delivers it to the MAC block. Then, the MAC block transmits the data passed from the AP MLD entity (step S410). After that, when the MAC block receives an ACK signal from the data transmission destination or exceeds the retransmission / retention upper limit of the data, the data is deleted from the Transmission Buffer (step S411), and this process ends.
　図５には、ブロードキャスト宛てデータを送信する際のＡＰ　ＭＬＤ内で情報を授受する動作シーケンスを示している。図示の動作シーケンスは、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤがブロードキャスト宛てデータを送信する場合の動作シーケンスを示しており、図４に示したフローチャート中で主にステップＳ４０３～Ｓ４０７の処理に相当する動作シーケンスを示している。また、図５中のＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、図３に示したＡＰ　ＭＬＤ、又はＵｐｐｅｒ　ＭＡＣ、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｍａｎａｇｅｍｅｎｔ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙのいずれかに対応する。また、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２はそれぞれ図３に示したＡＰ　ＭＬＤ内の一方のＭＡＣブロック及び他方のＭＡＣブロックに対応する。 FIG. 5 shows an operation sequence for exchanging information in the AP MLD when transmitting data to a broadcast. The illustrated operation sequence shows an operation sequence when the AP MLD transmits data to the broadcast, and mainly shows an operation sequence corresponding to the processing of steps S403 to S407 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Further, the AP MLD entity in FIG. 5 corresponds to any of the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, Upper MAC, and AP MLD management entity. Further, AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 correspond to one MAC block and the other MAC block in the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, respectively.
　ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、上位層からＭＡＣ　ＳＡＰブロックを通してブロードキャスト宛てデータを受け取ると（ＳＥＱ５０１）、そのデータをＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２の各々に受け渡す。その際、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、以下のデータ情報をＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２の各々に通知する。 When the AP MLD entity receives the data addressed to the broadcast from the upper layer through the MAC SAP block (SEQ501), the AP MLD entity passes the data to each of the AP entity 1 and the AP entity 2. At that time, AP MLD entity notifies each of AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 of the following data information.
データ情報：
　－データペイロード（ブロードキャスト宛てデータ）
　－受信アドレス（Ｒｅｃｅｉｖｅｄ　Ａｄｄｒｅｓｓ：ＲＡ）
　－トラフィック識別子（Ｔｒａｆｆｉｃ　ＩＤ：ＴＩＤ）
　－シーケンス番号（Ｓｅｑｕｅｎｃｅ　Ｎｕｍｂｅｒ：ＳＮ）
　－アクセスカテゴリ（Ａｃｃｅｓｓ　Ｃａｔｅｇｏｒｙ：ＡＣ） Data information:
-Data payload (data addressed to broadcast)
-Received address (Received Address: RA)
-Traffic ID (TID)
-Sequence number (SN)
-Access Category (AC)
　ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２は、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙから受け取ったブロードキャスト宛てデータを、上記のＲＡ、ＴＩＤ、ＳＮ、ＡＣなどの付随情報とともに、各々のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納する。 AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 store the broadcast-addressed data received from the AP MLD entity in their respective Broadcast Buffers together with the above-mentioned incidental information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC.
　そして、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２はそれぞれ、対応するリンクで送信権（Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ：　Ｏｐｐｏｒｔｕｎｉｔｙ：ＴＸＯＰ）を獲得すると（ＳＥＱ５１１、ＳＥＱ５２１）、各々のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを取り出して、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤからデータペイロードとともに受け渡された付随情報（ＲＡ、ＴＩＤ、ＳＮ、ＡＣ）に基づいて、データ送信を行う（ＳＥＱ５１２、ＳＥＱ５２２）。その後、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２は、各々のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからそのブロードキャスト宛てデータを削除する（ＳＥＱ５１３、ＳＥＱ５２３）。 Then, when AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 each acquire a transmission right (Transmission: Operation: TXOP) at the corresponding link (SEQ 511, SEQ 521), they take out data addressed to the broadcast from their respective Broadcast Buffers and together with the data payload from the AP MLD. Data is transmitted based on the passed incidental information (RA, TID, SN, AC) (SEQ512, SEQ522). After that, AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 delete the data addressed to the broadcast from their respective Broadcast Buffers (SEQ 513, SEQ 523).
Ｆ．ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信処理（２）
　図６には、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤがデータを送信する際の別の処理手順をフローチャートの形式で示している。 F. Data transmission process for AP MLD broadcast (2)
FIG. 6 shows another processing procedure when the AP MLD transmits data in the form of a flowchart.
　ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、上位層からＭＡＣ　ＳＡＰブロックを通してデータが入力されると（ステップＳ６０１）、その入力データをＴｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納する（ステップＳ６０２）。図６に示す処理手順では、データの宛て先がブロードキャストであるかどうかに拘わらず、一旦Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納する。その際、そのデータの送信処理などに必要な付随情報（後述）が、各ＭＡＣブロックに転送される。 When data is input from the upper layer through the MAC SAP block (step S601), the AP MLD entity stores the input data in the Transmit Buffer (step S602). In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 6, the data is temporarily stored in the Transmit Buffer regardless of whether the destination of the data is broadcast. At that time, incidental information (described later) necessary for the data transmission process and the like is transferred to each MAC block.
　その後、複数（図３に示す例では２つ）のＭＡＣブロックのうちいずれかが対応するリンクで送信権を獲得すると（ステップＳ６０３のＹｅｓ）、そのＭＡＣブロックがＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙに対して送信データを要求する。ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、ＭＡＣブロックから送信データを要求されると、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから送信データを取り出して、その送信データの宛て先がブロードキャストであるかどうかをチェックする（ステップＳ６０４）。 After that, when any one of the plurality of MAC blocks (two in the example shown in FIG. 3) acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link (Yes in step S603), the MAC block transmits the transmission data to the AP MLD entity. Request. When the transmission data is requested from the MAC block, the AP MLD entity takes out the transmission data from the Transmit Buffer and checks whether the destination of the transmission data is broadcast (step S604).
　送信データの宛て先がブロードキャストであれば（ステップＳ６０４のＹｅｓ）、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、すべてのＭＡＣブロックにそのデータを転送して、各々のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにその送信データを格納する（ステップＳ６０５）。また、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、各ＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに転送したデータを、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから削除する。 If the destination of the transmission data is broadcast (Yes in step S604), the AP MLD entity transfers the data to all MAC blocks and stores the transmission data in each Broadcast Buffer (step S605). In addition, AP MLD entity deletes the data transferred to the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC block from the Transmit Buffer.
　次いで、ステップＳ６０３で送信権を獲得したＭＡＣブロックは、自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからデータを取り出して、ステップＳ６０２においてＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙから事前に受け渡された付随情報に基づいて、データ送信を行う（ステップＳ６０６）。その後、そのＭＡＣブロックは、自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから、ステップＳ６０６で送信したデータを削除する（ステップＳ６０７）。 Next, the MAC block that has acquired the transmission right in step S603 extracts data from its own Broadcast Buffer and transmits data based on the accompanying information previously passed from the AP MLD entity in step S602 (step S606). ). After that, the MAC block deletes the data transmitted in step S606 from its own Broadcast Buffer (step S607).
　次いで、他のＭＡＣブロックは自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにデータがまだ残っているかどうかをチェックする（ステップＳ６０８）。他のＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにデータがまだ残っている場合には（ステップＳ６０８のＹｅｓ）、当該他のＭＡＣブロックが送信権を獲得するまで待機する（ステップＳ６０９のＮｏ）。そして、当該他のＭＡＣブロックが送信権を獲得すると（ステップＳ６０９のＹｅｓ）、ステップＳ６０６に戻って、当該他のＭＡＣブロックにおけるブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信とＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからのデータの削除を繰り返し実施する。また、他のＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにもデータが残っていない場合には（ステップＳ６０８のＮｏ）、本処理を終了する。 Next, the other MAC blocks check whether or not data still remains in their own Broadcast Buffer (step S608). If data still remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (Yes in step S608), it waits until the other MAC block acquires the transmission right (No in step S609). Then, when the other MAC block acquires the transmission right (Yes in step S609), the process returns to step S606 to repeatedly transmit data to the broadcast in the other MAC block and delete the data from the Broadcast Buffer. If no data remains in the Broadcast Buffer of another MAC block (No in step S608), this process ends.
　一方、送信データの宛て先がブロードキャストでない場合には（ステップＳ６０４のＮｏ）、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからデータを取り出して、ステップＳ６０３で送信権を獲得したＭＡＣブロックにそのデータを受け渡す。そして、そのＭＡＣブロックは、ステップＳ６０２においてＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙから事前に受け渡された付随情報に基づいて、そのデータの送信を行う（ステップＳ６１０）。その後、そのＭＡＣブロックがデータの送信先からＡＣＫ信号を受信するか、そのデータを再送するか、又はＴｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒの保持上限を超えたら、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからそのデータを削除して（ステップＳ６１１）、本処理を終了する。 On the other hand, if the destination of the transmission data is not broadcast (No in step S604), the AP MLD entity takes out the data from the Transmit Buffer and passes the data to the MAC block that acquired the transmission right in step S603. Then, the MAC block transmits the data based on the incidental information previously passed from the AP MLD entity in step S602 (step S610). After that, when the MAC block receives an ACK signal from the data transmission destination, retransmits the data, or exceeds the holding upper limit of the Transmission Buffer, the AP MLD entity deletes the data from the Transmission Buffer ( Step S611), this process is terminated.
　図７には、ブロードキャスト宛てデータを送信する際のＡＰ　ＭＬＤ内で情報を授受する動作シーケンスを示している。図示の動作シーケンスは、主にＡＰ　ＭＬＤがブロードキャスト宛てデータを送信する場合の動作シーケンスを示しており、図７に示したフローチャート中のステップＳ６０４～Ｓ６０９の処理に相当する動作シーケンスを示している。また、図５中のＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、図３に示したＡＰ　ＭＬＤ、又はＵｐｐｅｒ　ＭＡＣ、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｍａｎａｇｅｍｅｎｔ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙのいずれかに対応する。また、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２はそれぞれ図３に示したＡＰ　ＭＬＤ内の一方のＭＡＣブロック及び他方のＭＡＣブロックに対応する。 FIG. 7 shows an operation sequence for exchanging information in the AP MLD when transmitting data to a broadcast. The illustrated operation sequence mainly shows the operation sequence when the AP MLD transmits data to the broadcast, and shows the operation sequence corresponding to the processing of steps S604 to S609 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. Further, the AP MLD entity in FIG. 5 corresponds to any of the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, Upper MAC, and AP MLD management entity. Further, AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 correspond to one MAC block and the other MAC block in the AP MLD shown in FIG. 3, respectively.
　ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、上位層からＭＡＣ　ＳＡＰブロックを通してブロードキャスト宛てデータを受け取ると（ＳＥＱ７０１）、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに受け取ったデータを格納するとともに、このデータに付随する以下の情報をＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２の各々に通知する。この時点では、まだＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２にデータペイロードを渡さない。 When the AP MLD entity receives data addressed to the broadcast from the upper layer through the MAC SAP block (SEQ701), it stores the received data in the Transmission Buffer and also stores the following information accompanying this data in each of the AP entity1 and AP entity2. Notice. At this point, the data payload has not yet been passed to AP entry 1 and AP entity 2.
データ情報：
　－受信アドレス（Ｒｅｃｅｉｖｅｄ　Ａｄｄｒｅｓｓ：ＲＡ）
　－トラフィック識別子（Ｔｒａｆｆｉｃ　ＩＤ：ＴＩＤ）
　－シーケンス番号（ＳＮ）
　－アクセスカテゴリ（ＡＣ） Data information:
-Received address (Received Address: RA)
-Traffic ID (TID)
-Sequence number (SN)
-Access category (AC)
　ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１は、対応するリンクで送信権を獲得すると（ＳＥＱ７１１）ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙに対して送信データの要求（Ｄａｔａ　Ｒｅｑｕｅｓｔ）を行う。ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、この要求に応答して、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを取り出して、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２の各々に受け渡す。 When AP entity1 acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link (SEQ711), it requests transmission data (Data Request) from AP MLD entity. In response to this request, the AP MLD entity extracts data addressed to the broadcast from the Transmit Buffer and delivers it to each of the AP entity 1 and the AP entity 2.
　ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１及びＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２は、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙから受け渡されたブロードキャスト宛てデータを、上記のＲＡ、ＴＩＤ、ＳＮ、ＡＣなどの付随情報とともに、各々のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納する。そして、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙは、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからそのブロードキャスト宛てデータを削除する（ＳＥＱ７０２）。 AP entity 1 and AP entity 2 store the broadcast-addressed data delivered from the AP MLD entity in their respective Broadcast Buffers together with the above-mentioned incidental information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC. Then, the AP MLD entity deletes the data addressed to the broadcast from the Transmit Buffer (SEQ702).
　ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１は、自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを取り出して、そのデータの付随情報（ＲＡ、ＴＩＤ、ＳＮ、ＡＣ）に基づいて、データ送信を行う（ＳＥＱ７１２）。そして、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ１は、送信したブロードキャスト宛てデータを自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから削除する（ＳＥＱ７１３）。 AP entity1 extracts data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer and transmits the data based on the accompanying information (RA, TID, SN, AC) of the data (SEQ712). Then, AP entity1 deletes the transmitted data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer (SEQ713).
　また、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２は、対応するリンクで送信権を獲得すると（ＳＥＱ７２１）、自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを取り出して、そのデータの付随情報（ＲＡ、ＴＩＤ、ＳＮ、ＡＣ）に基づいて、データ送信を行う（ＳＥＱ７２２）。そして、ＡＰ　ｅｎｔｉｔｙ２は、送信したブロードキャスト宛てデータを自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから削除する（ＳＥＱ７２３）。 In addition, when AP entity2 acquires the transmission right with the corresponding link (SEQ721), it extracts data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer, and data based on the accompanying information (RA, TID, SN, AC) of the data. Transmission is performed (SEQ722). Then, AP entity2 deletes the transmitted data addressed to the broadcast from its own Broadcast Buffer (SEQ723).
　なお、図４及び図６に示したいずれの処理手順においても、ステップＳ４０２及びステップＳ６０４における送信データの宛て先がブロードキャストであるかどうかは、例えば通信制御部２１１が上位層から受け渡されたデータの宛て先のＭＡＣアドレスがブロードキャストアドレスになっているかどうかによって判定する。また、この判定は、データの付随情報に基づいて実施されてもよい。付随情報は、データをすべてのＭＡＣのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納することを示す情報であってもよく、識別子であってもよい。この識別子は、ＩＥＥＥ８０２．１１で規定されるＴｒａｆｆｉｃ　Ｉｄｅｎｔｉｆｉｅｒの特定の値であってもよい。 In any of the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, whether or not the destination of the transmission data in steps S402 and S604 is broadcast is determined by, for example, the data passed from the upper layer by the communication control unit 211. Judgment is made based on whether or not the MAC address of the destination is a broadcast address. Further, this determination may be performed based on the accompanying information of the data. The accompanying information may be information indicating that the data is stored in the Broadcast Buffer of all MACs, or may be an identifier. This identifier may be a specific value of the Traffic Identity specified in 802.11.
Ｇ．通信シーケンス例
　図８には、図１に示した通信システムにおいて、ＡＰがＭＬＯに対応したブロードキャスト送信を行う通信シーケンス例を示している。既に説明したように、この通信システムは、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤと、Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤと、ＳＴＡ１及びＳＴＡ２によって構成される。また、通信システムでは第１のリンク（Ｌｉｎｋ１）と第２のリンク（Ｌｉｎｋ２）が利用可能であり、ＭＬＯに対応したＡＰ　ＭＬＤとＮｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤはＬｉｎｋ１及びＬｉｎｋ２で接続され、ＳＴＡ１はＡＰ　ＭＬＤとＬｉｎｋ１で接続され、ＳＴＡ２はＡＰ　ＭＬＤとＬｉｎｋ２で接続されることを想定している。 G. Example of Communication Sequence FIG. 8 shows an example of a communication sequence in which the AP performs broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO in the communication system shown in FIG. As described above, this communication system is composed of AP MLD, Non-AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2. Further, in the communication system, a first link (Link1) and a second link (Link2) can be used, and AP MLD and Non-AP MLD corresponding to MLO are connected by Link1 and Link2, and STA1 is connected to AP MLD. It is assumed that it is connected by Link1 and STA2 is connected by AP MLD and Link2.
　なお、図８中の横軸は時間軸であり、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ、Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ ＭＬＤ、ＳＴＡ１及びＳＴＡ２の各リンク上の時間毎の通信動作を示している。実線で描いた四角いブロックは対応する通信装置、リンク、及び時刻における送信フレームを示し、縦方向の実線の矢印は宛て先へのフレーム送信を示している。また、実線で描いた平行四辺形のブロックはバックオフ動作を示している。 The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 is the time axis, and shows the communication operation for each time on each link of AP MLD, Non-AP MLD, STA1 and STA2. The square block drawn with a solid line indicates the transmission frame at the corresponding communication device, link, and time, and the vertical solid arrow indicates the frame transmission to the destination. The parallelogram block drawn with a solid line shows the back-off operation.
　時刻Ｔ１において、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤには上位層からブロードキャスト宛てのデータが入力されると、そのデータは各ＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納される。これに基づき、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤの各ＭＡＣブロックは、それぞれＬｉｎｋ１及びＬｉｎｋ２においてバックオフを開始してキャリアセンスを行う。バックオフは、ランダムな待ち時間の設定とその待ち時間を減算する動作である。ランダムな待ち時間は、各ＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納されたブロードキャスト宛てデータの優先度（例えば、アクセスカテゴリ（ＡＣ））に基づいて決定されてもよく、一意の幅の値から選択されてもよい。また、ランダムな待ち時間は、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのＴｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納された他のデータの優先度（例えば、アクセスカテゴリ（ＡＣ））に基づいて決定されてもよい。また、ランダムな待ち時間は、ＭＡＣブロック毎に異なる値でもよく、各ＭＡＣブロックの外で決定された値を各ＭＡＣブロックが共通して用いてもよい。 At time T1, when data addressed to the broadcast is input to the AP MLD from the upper layer, the data is stored in the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC block. Based on this, each MAC block of AP MLD starts backoff in Link1 and Link2, respectively, and performs carrier sense. Backoff is an operation of setting a random waiting time and subtracting the waiting time. The random wait time may be determined based on the priority of broadcast-addressed data stored in the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC block (eg, access category (AC)), or may be selected from a unique width value. good. Further, the random waiting time may be determined based on the priority (for example, access category (AC)) of other data stored in the Transmit Buffer of the AP MLD. Further, the random waiting time may be a different value for each MAC block, and a value determined outside each MAC block may be used in common by each MAC block.
　時刻Ｔ２において、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのＬｉｎｋ１に対応するＭＡＣブロックは、バックオフを満了して送信権を獲得すると、自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを取り出して、Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ及びＳＴＡ１に、そのデータを含む送信信号をＬｉｎｋ１で送信開始する。 At time T2, when the MAC block corresponding to Link1 of AP MLD expires the backoff and acquires the transmission right, it takes out the data addressed to the broadcast from its own Blockcast Buffer and transfers the data to Non-AP MLD and STA1. The transmission signal including the transmission signal is started to be transmitted by Link1.
　また、時刻Ｔ３において、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのＬｉｎｋ２に対応するＭＡＣブロックは、バックオフを満了して送信権を獲得すると、自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからブロードキャスト宛てデータを取り出して、Ｎｏｎ－ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ及びＳＴＡ２に、そのデータを含む送信信号をＬｉｎｋ２で送信開始する。 Further, at time T3, when the MAC block corresponding to Link2 of AP MLD expires the backoff and acquires the transmission right, the data addressed to the broadcast is taken out from its own Blockcast Buffer and sent to Non-AP MLD and STA2. The transmission signal including the data is started to be transmitted by Link2.
　その後、時刻Ｔ４において、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのＬｉｎｋ１に対応するＭＡＣブロックは、Ｌｉｎｋ１における送信信号の送信が完了すると、それに合わせて自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから送信完了したデータを削除する。 After that, at time T4, the MAC block corresponding to Link1 of the AP MLD deletes the transmitted data from its own Broadcast Buffer when the transmission of the transmission signal in Link1 is completed.
　また、時刻Ｔ５において、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤのＬｉｎｋ２に対応するＭＡＣブロックは、Ｌｉｎｋ２における送信信号の送信が完了すると、それに合わせて自身のＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから送信完了したデータを削除する。 Further, at time T5, the MAC block corresponding to Link2 of AP MLD deletes the transmitted data from its own Broadcast Buffer in accordance with the completion of transmission of the transmission signal in Link2.
Ｈ．ＩＥＥＥ８０２．１１における実施形態
　この項では、本開示をＩＥＥＥ８０２．１１規格に則った通信システムに適用して、ＭＬＯに対応したブロードキャスト送信を行う実施形態について説明する。 H. Embodiments in IEEE 802.11 This section describes an embodiment in which the present disclosure is applied to a communication system conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard to perform broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO.
　図９には、ＩＥＥＥ８０２．１１に則った通信装置（例えば、ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ）がブロードキャスト宛てデータを保持するアーキテクチャ及び信号の送信フローを示している。図９は、紙面下方向を送信フロー方向とする。図９において、Ｓｅｑｕｅｎｃｅ　Ｎｕｍｂｅｒ　Ａｓｓｉｇｎｍｅｎｔブロックはすべてのリンクに共通の処理を行う。また、ＭＰＤＵ　（ｍｅｄｉｕｍ　ａｃｃｅｓｓ　ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ　ｐｒｏｔｏｃｏｌ　ｄａｔａ　ｕｎｉｔ）　Ｅｎｃｒｙｐｔｉｏｎ、Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　ａｄｄｒｅｓｓｅｄ　ｄａｔａ　ｈｏｌｄｉｎｇ、ＭＰＤＵ　Ｈｅａｄｅｒ＋ＣＲＣ　Ｃｒｅａｔｉｏｎ、Ａ－ＭＰＤＵ　（Ａｇｇｒｅｇａｔｅ　ＭＰＤＵ）　Ａｇｇｒｅｇａｔｉｏｎの各ブロックからなる処理フローは、リンク毎に設けられる。 FIG. 9 shows an architecture in which a communication device (for example, AP MLD) conforming to IEEE802.11 holds data addressed to a broadcast and a signal transmission flow. In FIG. 9, the direction below the paper surface is the transmission flow direction. In FIG. 9, the Sequence Number Assignment block performs a process common to all the links. In addition, MPDU (medium access protocol protocol data unit) Encryption, Broadcast advanced data holding, MPDU Header + CRC Creation, A-MPDU (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU) (A-MPDU)
　ＡＰ　ＭＬＤには、Ｕｐｐｅｒ　Ｌａｙｅｒ、ＬＬＣ（Ｌｏｇｉｃａｌ　Ｌｉｎｋ　Ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ）　Ｓｕｂｌａｙｅｒ、８０２．１ ｃｏｎｖｅｒｇｅｎｃｅ ｆｕｎｃｔｉｏｎを通して、データが入力される。ＡＰ　ＭＬＤに入力されたデータユニットは、Ｓｅｑｕｅｎｃｅ　Ｎｕｍｂｅｒ　Ａｓｓｉｇｎｍｅｎｔブロックによってシーケンス番号が割り当てられた後、リンク毎の処理フローに分配される。 Data is input to the AP MLD through the Upper Layer, the LLC (Logical Link Control) Sublayer, and the 802.1 function function. The data unit input to the AP MLD is assigned a sequence number by the Sequence Number Assignment block, and then distributed to the processing flow for each link.
　リンク毎の処理フローでは、データユニットは、ＭＰＤＵ　Ｅｎｃｒｙｐｔｉｏｎブロックによって暗号化処理が施された後に、Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　ａｄｄｒｅｓｓｅｄ　ｄａｔａ　ｈｏｌｄｉｎｇブロックによって該当するＭＡＣブロックにおけるＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納される。本実施形態では、暗号化処理が施された後のデータユニットがＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納される、という点に十分留意されたい。これにより、リンク毎に設定された暗号化キーを用いて暗号化処理されたデータユニットを、リンク毎に送信することが可能となる。なお、データユニットの暗号化処理は、リンク毎の処理フローではなく、すべてのリンクに共通の処理として実施されてもよい。その場合、リンク毎のデータユニットの暗号化処理に用いられる暗号化キーは、リンク毎に設定された暗号化キーであってもよい。 In the processing flow for each link, the data unit is stored in the Broadcast Buffer in the corresponding MAC block by the Broadcast added data holding block after being encrypted by the MPDU Encryption block. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the data unit after the encryption process is stored in the Broadcast Buffer. This makes it possible to transmit the data unit encrypted using the encryption key set for each link for each link. The data unit encryption process may be performed as a process common to all links, not as a process flow for each link. In that case, the encryption key used for the encryption processing of the data unit for each link may be the encryption key set for each link.
　その後、あるリンクで送信権が獲得されると、そのリンクに該当するＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒからデータユニットが取り出され、ＭＰＤＵ　Ｈｅａｄｅｒ＋ＣＲＣ　ＣｒｅａｔｉｏｎブロックによってＭＰＤＵヘッダと誤り検出符号（ＣＲＣ）が付加される。本実施形態では、Ｂｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒから取り出されたデータユニットに対して誤り検出符号が付加されること、言い換えれば、誤り検出符号が付加される前のデータユニットがＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに格納される点に十分留意されたい。これにより、データユニットのアドレスに基づいて処理が実施を、送信側と受信側でアーキテクチャの同一のブロックで実施することができる。 After that, when the transmission right is acquired at a certain link, the data unit is taken out from the Broadcast Buffer corresponding to the link, and the MPDU header and the error detection code (CRC) are added by the MPDU Header + CRC Creation block. In the present embodiment, it is sufficiently noted that an error detection code is added to the data unit taken out from the Broadcast Buffer, in other words, the data unit before the error detection code is added is stored in the Broadcast Buffer. I want to be. As a result, processing can be performed based on the address of the data unit in the same block of architecture on the transmitting side and the receiving side.
　そして、Ａ－ＭＰＤＵ　Ａｇｇｒｅｇａｔｉｏｎブロックは、ＭＰＤＵヘッダと誤り検出符号が付加された複数のデータユニットを連結する。連結されたデータユニットは、ＰＨＹ層の処理として、該当するリンクから無線送信される。 Then, the A-MPDU Addition block connects the MPDU header and a plurality of data units to which an error detection code is added. The linked data units are wirelessly transmitted from the corresponding link as a process of the PHY layer.
　図１０には、図９に示すアーキテクチャを備えた通信装置（ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ）におけるメモリ領域の構造を模式的に示している。図１０では、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒと各ＭＡＣのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒを統合して管理するメモリ領域（Ｉｎｔｅｇｒａｔｅｄ　Ｍｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ）の構造を示している。図１０に示すメモリ領域は、個別データ処理部２１４と共通データ処理部２１３が共通してアクセス可能な通信記憶部２１２よって実現される。 FIG. 10 schematically shows the structure of a memory area in a communication device (AP MLD) having the architecture shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows the structure of a memory area (Integrated Memory area) that integrates and manages the Transmit Buffer and the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC. The memory area shown in FIG. 10 is realized by the communication storage unit 212 that the individual data processing unit 214 and the common data processing unit 213 can access in common.
　図１０に示すメモリ領域の各列は、左から順に、保持されるデータペイロード（Ｓｔｏｒｅｄ　ｄａｔａ　ａｒｅａ）、そのデータの宛て先データ（Ｄｅｓｔｉｎａｔｉｏｎ）、そのデータの付随情報（Ｄａｔａ　Ｐｒｏｐｅｒｔｙ）、そのデータが第１のリンク（Ｌｉｎｋ１）に対応するＭＡＣによって引き出されたかどうかを示すフラグ（Ｌｉｎｋ１　ｒｅｔｒｉｅｖｅｄ）、そのデータが第２のリンク（Ｌｉｎｋ２）に対応するＭＡＣによって取り出されたかどうかを示すフラグ（Ｌｉｎｋ２　ｒｅｔｒｉｅｖｅｄ）を示している。なお、これらのフラグは、対応するＭＡＣによってまだ取り出されていないこと（すなわち、対応するリンクでまだ送信されていないこと）を０で、対応するＭＡＣによって既に取り出されたこと（すなわち、対応するリンクで既に送信されたこと）を１で示している。また、付随情報は、該当するデータペイロードのＲＡ、ＴＩＤ、ＳＮ、ＡＣなどの情報であり、そのデータペイロードの送信時に使用される。そして、図１０に示すメモリ領域の各行には、保持されたデータ毎に上記の各列の情報が格納される。 In each column of the memory area shown in FIG. 10, in order from the left, the data payload (Store data area) to be held, the destination data (Destination) of the data, the accompanying information (Data Property) of the data, and the data are the first. A flag (Link1 retrieved) indicating whether or not the data was retrieved by the MAC corresponding to the link (Link1) of 1 and a flag (Link2 retried) indicating whether or not the data was retrieved by the MAC corresponding to the second link (Link2) are set. Shown. Note that these flags are 0 for not yet retrieved by the corresponding MAC (ie, not yet transmitted on the corresponding link) and have already been retrieved by the corresponding MAC (ie, the corresponding link). (It has already been sent in) is indicated by 1. Further, the accompanying information is information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC of the corresponding data payload, and is used when transmitting the data payload. Then, in each row of the memory area shown in FIG. 10, the information of each of the above columns is stored for each held data.
　上位層からＡＰ　ＭＬＤに入力されたデータは、図１０に示すメモリ領域の形式で通信記憶部２１２に格納される。そして、各リンクにおいてデータ送信を実施する度に、その送信データに該当する行の該当するリンクのフラグを０から１に変更する。これにより、あるリンクにおいてブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信が実施された場合でも、そのデータはメモリ領域に保持されたままであり、他のリンクにおいても送信することが可能となる。また、既にデータの送信を実施したリンクにおいて送信権を獲得しても、そのデータに該当する行のそのリンクのフラグを参照することによって、同じリンクで重複して送信することを防ぐことができる。また、すべてのリンクのフラグが１となった場合には、そのデータ（そのデータに該当する行）をこのメモリ領域から削除するようにしてもよい。 The data input to the AP MLD from the upper layer is stored in the communication storage unit 212 in the format of the memory area shown in FIG. Then, each time data transmission is performed on each link, the flag of the corresponding link in the line corresponding to the transmitted data is changed from 0 to 1. As a result, even when data is transmitted to the broadcast on a certain link, the data is still held in the memory area and can be transmitted on other links as well. In addition, even if the transmission right is acquired on the link that has already transmitted the data, it is possible to prevent duplicate transmission on the same link by referring to the flag of the link in the line corresponding to the data. .. Further, when the flags of all the links are 1, the data (the line corresponding to the data) may be deleted from this memory area.
　また、図１１には、図９に示すアーキテクチャを備えた通信装置（ＡＰ　ＭＬＤ）におけるメモリ領域の他の構造を模式的に示している。図１１では、Ｔｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒと各ＭＡＣのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒが独立したメモリ領域によって実現される。すなわち、図１１の上半分に示すＭｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ１はＴｒａｎｓｍｉｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒに対応するメモリ領域であり、図１１の下半分に示すＭｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ２／３は各ＭＡＣブロックのＢｒｏａｄｃａｓｔ　Ｂｕｆｆｅｒにそれぞれ対応する。また、図１１に示すメモリ領域は、共通データ処理部２１３に対応する通信記憶部と、複数の個別データ処理部２１４－１及び２１４－２に対応する複数の通信記憶部によってそれぞれ実現される。これらの通信記憶部は、１つの通信記憶部２１２内で論理的に独立したメモリ領域であってもよいし、物理的に異なる記憶部によって構成されてもよい。 Further, FIG. 11 schematically shows another structure of the memory area in the communication device (AP MLD) having the architecture shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the Transmit Buffer and the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC are realized by independent memory areas. That is, the Memory area 1 shown in the upper half of FIG. 11 is a memory area corresponding to the Transmit Buffer, and the Memory area 2/3 shown in the lower half of FIG. 11 corresponds to the Broadcast Buffer of each MAC block. Further, the memory area shown in FIG. 11 is realized by a communication storage unit corresponding to the common data processing unit 213 and a plurality of communication storage units corresponding to the plurality of individual data processing units 214-1 and 214-2, respectively. These communication storage units may be logically independent memory areas within one communication storage unit 212, or may be composed of physically different storage units.
　図１１に示すメモリ領域の各列は、左から順に、保持されるデータペイロード（Ｓｔｏｒｅｄ　ｄａｔａ　ａｒｅａ）、そのデータの宛て先データ（Ｄｅｓｔｉｎａｔｉｏｎ）、そのデータの付随情報（Ｄａｔａ　Ｐｒｏｐｅｒｔｙ）を示している。付随情報は、該当するデータペイロードのＲＡ、ＴＩＤ、ＳＮ、ＡＣなどの情報であり、そのデータペイロードの送信時に使用される。そして、メモリ領域の各行には、保持されたデータ毎の上記の各列の情報が格納される。 Each column of the memory area shown in FIG. 11 shows the data payload (Stored data area) to be held, the destination data (Destination) of the data, and the accompanying information (Data Property) of the data in order from the left. The accompanying information is information such as RA, TID, SN, and AC of the corresponding data payload, and is used when transmitting the data payload. Then, in each row of the memory area, the information of each of the above columns for each held data is stored.
　上位層からＡＰ　ＭＬＤに入力されたデータペイロードは、ブロードキャスト宛てであれば図１１の下半分に示したＭｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ２／３に格納され、ブロードキャスト宛てでなければ図１１の上半分に示したＭｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ１に格納される。あるリンクにおいてブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信が実施されると、Ｍｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ２又はＭｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ３のうちそのリンクに対応する一方のメモリ領域から送信データに該当する行が削除されるが、他方のメモリ領域からは削除されない。これにより、あるリンクにおいてブロードキャスト宛てデータの送信が実施された場合でも、そのデータはメモリ領域に保持されたままであり、他のリンクにおいても送信することが可能となる。また、すべてのリンクで送信されたデータは、Ｍｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ２及びＭｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ３の両方のメモリ領域から削除される。また、ブロードキャスト宛てでないデータの送信が実施された場合には、Ｍｅｍｏｒｙ　ａｒｅａ１の送信データに該当する行が削除される。 The data payload input to the AP MLD from the upper layer is stored in the Memory area 2/3 shown in the lower half of FIG. 11 if it is addressed to the broadcast, and in the Memory area 1 shown in the upper half of FIG. 11 if it is not addressed to the broadcast. Stored. When data is transmitted to a broadcast on a certain link, the line corresponding to the transmitted data is deleted from one of the memory areas of Memory area 2 or Memory area 3 corresponding to the link, but the line corresponding to the transmitted data is deleted from the other memory area. Not done. As a result, even when data is transmitted to the broadcast on a certain link, the data is still held in the memory area and can be transmitted on other links as well. In addition, the data transmitted by all the links is deleted from the memory areas of both Memory area 2 and Memory area 3. Further, when the data not addressed to the broadcast is transmitted, the line corresponding to the transmission data of Memory are1 is deleted.
　以上、特定の実施形態を参照しながら、本開示について詳細に説明してきた。しかしながら、本開示の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で当業者が該実施形態の修正や代用を成し得ることは自明である。 The present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiment. However, it is self-evident that a person skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.
　例えば、ＩＥＥＥ８０２．１１規格に則った無線ＬＡＮシステムに本開示を適用することによって、マルチリンク機能を実装する通信装置（ＭＬＤ）は、ＭＬＯに対応したブロードキャスト送信を実行することが可能となり、高スループット化を実現することができる。もちろん、他の通信規格になっとった無線システムに本開示を適用しても、同様の効果を奏することができる。 For example, by applying the present disclosure to a wireless LAN system conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, a communication device (MLD) that implements a multi-link function can execute broadcast transmission corresponding to MLO, and has a high throughput. Can be realized. Of course, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present disclosure to a wireless system that has become another communication standard.
　要するに、例示という形態により本開示について説明してきたのであり、本明細書の記載内容を限定的に解釈するべきではない。本開示の要旨を判断するためには、特許請求の範囲を参酌すべきである。 In short, the present disclosure has been described in the form of an example, and the contents of the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to judge the gist of this disclosure, the scope of claims should be taken into consideration.
　なお、本開示は、以下のような構成をとることも可能である。 Note that this disclosure can also have the following structure.
（１）複数のリンクを用いて無線通信を行う通信装置であって、
　データを保持する記憶部と、前記記憶部に保持されたデータを送信する処理を行うデータ処理部を具備し、
　前記記憶部は、ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けて保持し、
　前記データ処理部は、リンク毎のブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出して、それぞれ対応するリンクで送信する処理を行う、
通信装置。 (1) A communication device that performs wireless communication using a plurality of links.
A storage unit that holds data and a data processing unit that performs a process of transmitting the data held in the storage unit are provided.
The storage unit stores data addressed to the broadcast in association with each of the plurality of links.
The data processing unit takes out the data addressed to the broadcast for each link from the storage unit and transmits the data via the corresponding links.
Communication device.
（２）前記データ処理部は、前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けられた複数の個別データ処理部を含み、各個別データ処理部は自分に対応付けられたリンクのブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出してそのリンクで送信する処理を行う、
上記（１）に記載の通信装置。 (2) The data processing unit includes a plurality of individual data processing units associated with each of the plurality of links, and each individual data processing unit stores the data addressed to the broadcast of the link associated with itself. Process to take out from the department and send with that link,
The communication device according to (1) above.
（３）前記記憶部は、各リンクに対応付けてブロードキャスト宛てのデータを保持する個別記憶領域と、すべてのリンクに共通の共通記憶領域を含む、
上記（１）又は（２）のいずれかに記載の通信装置。 (3) The storage unit includes an individual storage area for holding data addressed to a broadcast in association with each link, and a common storage area common to all links.
The communication device according to any one of (1) and (2) above.
（４）前記記憶部は単一の記憶領域で構成される、
上記（３）に記載の通信装置。 (4) The storage unit is composed of a single storage area.
The communication device according to (3) above.
（５）前記単一の記憶領域は、ブロードキャスト宛てデータが各リンクで送信されたか否かを管理する、
上記（４）に記載の通信装置。 (5) The single storage area manages whether or not data addressed to the broadcast is transmitted by each link.
The communication device according to (4) above.
（６）前記個別記憶領域は、リンク毎の複数の記憶領域で構成される、
上記（３）に記載の通信装置。 (6) The individual storage area is composed of a plurality of storage areas for each link.
The communication device according to (3) above.
（７）データの宛て先がブロードキャストである場合に、前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けた前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
上記（１）乃至（６）のいずれかに記載の通信装置。 (7) When the destination of the data is broadcast, the data is retained in the storage unit associated with each of the plurality of links.
The communication device according to any one of (1) to (6) above.
（８）データの宛て先がブロードキャストである場合に、前記複数のリンクのいずれかで送信が実施されるときに、前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けた前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
上記（１）乃至（６）のいずれかに記載の通信装置。 (8) When the destination of the data is broadcast and transmission is performed by any of the plurality of links, the data is held in the storage unit associated with each of the plurality of links. ,
The communication device according to any one of (1) to (6) above.
（９）前記記憶部は、ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを付随情報とともに保持する、
上記（１）乃至（８）のいずれかに記載の通信装置。 (9) The storage unit holds data addressed to the broadcast together with accompanying information.
The communication device according to any one of (1) to (8) above.
（１０）前記付随情報は、宛先アドレス、トラフィック識別子、シーケンス番号、アクセスカテゴリのうち少なくとも１つを含む、
上記（９）に記載の通信装置。 (10) The accompanying information includes at least one of a destination address, a traffic identifier, a sequence number, and an access category.
The communication device according to (9) above.
（１１）ブロードキャスト宛てのデータが暗号化処理された後に、前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
上記（１）乃至（１０）のいずれかに記載の通信装置。 (11) After the data addressed to the broadcast is encrypted, the data is retained in the storage unit.
The communication device according to any one of (1) to (10) above.
（１２）ブロードキャスト宛てのデータに誤り検出符号が付加される前に、前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
上記（１）乃至（１１）のいずれかに記載の通信装置。 (12) Before the error detection code is added to the data addressed to the broadcast, the data is held in the storage unit.
The communication device according to any one of (1) to (11) above.
（１３）複数のリンクの少なくとも１つにおいて、他のリンクで接続している通信装置が接続していない場合に、前記処理を行う、
上記（１）乃至（１２）のいずれかに記載の通信装置。 (13) When the communication device connected by the other link is not connected to at least one of the plurality of links, the above processing is performed.
The communication device according to any one of (1) to (12) above.
（１４）複数のリンクを用いて無線通信を行う通信方法であって、
　ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けて記憶部に保持するステップと、
　リンク毎のブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出して、それぞれ対応するリンクで送信する処理を行うデータ処理ステップと、
を有する通信方法。 (14) A communication method for performing wireless communication using a plurality of links.
A step of associating data addressed to a broadcast with each of the plurality of links and holding the data in a storage unit,
A data processing step in which data addressed to a broadcast for each link is taken out from the storage unit and transmitted via the corresponding links, and a data processing step.
Communication method with.
　２００…通信装置、２１０…通信部、２１１…通信制御部
　２１２…通信記憶部、２１３…共通データ処理部
　２１４…個別データ処理部、２１５…信号処理部
　２１６…無線インターフェース部、２１７…増幅部、２２０…制御部
　２３０…記憶部、２４０…アンテナ 200 ... Communication device, 210 ... Communication unit, 211 ... Communication control unit 212 ... Communication storage unit 213 ... Common data processing unit 214 ... Individual data processing unit 215 ... Signal processing unit 216 ... Wireless interface unit 217 ... Amplification unit, 220 ... Control unit 230 ... Storage unit, 240 ... Antenna

Claims (14)

  1. 　複数のリンクを用いて無線通信を行う通信装置であって、
    　データを保持する記憶部と、前記記憶部に保持されたデータを送信する処理を行うデータ処理部を具備し、
    　前記記憶部は、ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けて保持し、
    　前記データ処理部は、リンク毎のブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出して、それぞれ対応するリンクで送信する処理を行う、
    通信装置。     A communication device that performs wireless communication using multiple links.
    A storage unit that holds data and a data processing unit that performs a process of transmitting the data held in the storage unit are provided.
    The storage unit stores data addressed to the broadcast in association with each of the plurality of links.
    The data processing unit takes out the data addressed to the broadcast for each link from the storage unit and transmits the data via the corresponding links.
    Communication device.
  2. 　前記データ処理部は、前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けられた複数の個別データ処理部を含み、各個別データ処理部は自分に対応付けられたリンクのブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出してそのリンクで送信する処理を行う、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     The data processing unit includes a plurality of individual data processing units associated with each of the plurality of links, and each individual data processing unit retrieves data addressed to the broadcast of the link associated with itself from the storage unit. Perform the process of sending with that link,
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  3. 　前記記憶部は、各リンクに対応付けてブロードキャスト宛てのデータを保持する個別記憶領域と、すべてのリンクに共通の共通記憶領域を含む、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     The storage unit includes an individual storage area for holding data addressed to a broadcast in association with each link, and a common storage area common to all links.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  4. 　前記記憶部は単一の記憶領域で構成される、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     The storage unit is composed of a single storage area.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  5. 　前記単一の記憶領域は、ブロードキャスト宛てデータが各リンクで送信されたか否かを管理する、
    請求項４に記載の通信装置。     The single storage area controls whether or not data addressed to the broadcast was transmitted on each link.
    The communication device according to claim 4.
  6. 　前記個別記憶領域は、リンク毎の複数の記憶領域で構成される、
    請求項３に記載の通信装置。     The individual storage area is composed of a plurality of storage areas for each link.
    The communication device according to claim 3.
  7. 　データの宛て先がブロードキャストである場合に、前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けた前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     When the destination of the data is broadcast, the data is retained in the storage unit associated with each of the plurality of links.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  8. 　データの宛て先がブロードキャストである場合に、前記複数のリンクのいずれかで送信が実施されるときに、前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けた前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     When the destination of the data is broadcast and transmission is performed on any of the plurality of links, the data is held in the storage unit associated with each of the plurality of links.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  9. 　前記記憶部は、ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを付随情報とともに保持する、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     The storage unit holds data addressed to the broadcast together with accompanying information.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  10. 　前記付随情報は、宛先アドレス、トラフィック識別子、シーケンス番号、アクセスカテゴリのうち少なくとも１つを含む、
    請求項９に記載の通信装置。     The accompanying information includes at least one of a destination address, a traffic identifier, a sequence number, and an access category.
    The communication device according to claim 9.
  11. 　ブロードキャスト宛てのデータが暗号化処理された後に、前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     After the data addressed to the broadcast is encrypted, the data is retained in the storage unit.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  12. 　ブロードキャスト宛てのデータに誤り検出符号が付加される前に、前記記憶部への保持が実施される、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     Preservation in the storage unit is performed before the error detection code is added to the data addressed to the broadcast.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  13. 　複数のリンクの少なくとも１つにおいて、他のリンクで接続している通信装置が接続していない場合に、前記処理を行う、
    請求項１に記載の通信装置。     When the communication device connected by the other link is not connected to at least one of the plurality of links, the above processing is performed.
    The communication device according to claim 1.
  14. 　複数のリンクを用いて無線通信を行う通信方法であって、
    　ブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記複数のリンクの各々に対応付けて記憶部に保持するステップと、
    　リンク毎のブロードキャスト宛てのデータを前記記憶部から取り出して、それぞれ対応するリンクで送信する処理を行うデータ処理ステップと、
    を有する通信方法。     It is a communication method that performs wireless communication using multiple links.
    A step of associating data addressed to a broadcast with each of the plurality of links and holding the data in a storage unit,
    A data processing step in which data addressed to a broadcast for each link is taken out from the storage unit and transmitted via the corresponding links, and a data processing step.
    Communication method with.
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Citations (2)

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JP2010135909A (en) * 2008-12-02 2010-06-17 Toshiba Corp Radio communication apparatus, and radio communication method
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JP2010135909A (en) * 2008-12-02 2010-06-17 Toshiba Corp Radio communication apparatus, and radio communication method
JP2015122660A (en) * 2013-12-24 2015-07-02 沖電気工業株式会社 Radio communication apparatus and method, and radio communication system

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Title
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