WO2023248377A1 - アクセスポイント及び端末 - Google Patents

アクセスポイント及び端末 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023248377A1
WO2023248377A1 PCT/JP2022/024867 JP2022024867W WO2023248377A1 WO 2023248377 A1 WO2023248377 A1 WO 2023248377A1 JP 2022024867 W JP2022024867 W JP 2022024867W WO 2023248377 A1 WO2023248377 A1 WO 2023248377A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
terminal
link
signal processing
links
processing unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2022/024867
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
朗 岸田
健悟 永田
裕介 淺井
泰司 鷹取
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NTT Inc
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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp filed Critical Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
Priority to PCT/JP2022/024867 priority Critical patent/WO2023248377A1/ja
Priority to JP2024528169A priority patent/JP7794315B2/ja
Priority to US18/875,292 priority patent/US20250374322A1/en
Publication of WO2023248377A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023248377A1/ja
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to JP2025249574A priority patent/JP2026048834A/ja
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/10—Connection setup
    • H04W76/15—Setup of multiple wireless link connections
    • 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
    • H04W72/00—Local resource management
    • H04W72/12—Wireless traffic scheduling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W74/00—Wireless channel access
    • H04W74/08—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA
    • H04W74/0808—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W74/00—Wireless channel access
    • H04W74/08—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA
    • H04W74/0808—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA]
    • H04W74/0816—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA] with collision avoidance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/30—Connection release
    • 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

  • Embodiments of the present invention relate to access points and terminals.
  • a wireless LAN Local Area Network
  • AP Access point
  • terminals which are wireless stations of a wireless LAN, perform carrier sense based on CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) and transmit data when acquiring transmission rights.
  • CSMA/CA Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance
  • IEEE802.11be which is being developed as a successor standard to IEEE802.11ax, makes it possible to establish a link set consisting of multiple links between a terminal and an AP.
  • the wireless station performs carrier sense based on CSMA/CA for each link, and transmits a data frame using the link for which it has acquired the transmission right.
  • IEEE P802.11beTM/D1.5 “35.3.17 Enhanced multi-link single radio operation”, 18, March 2022.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an access point and a terminal that ensure reliability in data exchange between the access point and a terminal provided with only one STA function.
  • the access point includes a plurality of wireless signal processing units and a management unit.
  • the management section uses the plurality of radio signal processing sections to establish a plurality of links with the terminal, and causes each of the plurality of radio signal processing sections to transmit a first radio signal to the terminal.
  • the management unit is configured to control one of the plurality of radio signal processing units based on one of the plurality of radio signal processing units receiving a second radio signal transmitted from the terminal in response to the transmission of the first radio signal.
  • the second wireless signal received by the second wireless signal causes the terminal to perform wireless communication until the end of the specified period.
  • an access point and a terminal are provided that ensure reliability in data exchange between the access point and a terminal provided with only one STA function.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of link management information between an AP and a terminal in the communication system according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the AP according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the AP according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a terminal according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the format of a beacon frame generated by the beacon management unit of the communication management unit of the AP according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a channel access function provided in the wireless signal processing unit of the AP according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a channel access function provided in a radio signal processing unit of a terminal according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management unit of the AP according to the embodiment when using the rTWT function.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management unit of the terminal according to the embodiment when using the rTWT function.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing temporal changes in the communication state through the link set between the AP and the terminal in the communication system according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management unit of the AP according to the modification when using the rTWT function.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management unit of the terminal according to the modification when using the rTWT function.
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing temporal changes in the communication state through the link set between the AP and the terminal in the communication system according to the modification.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment.
  • the communication system 1 includes an access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP") 10, a terminal 20, and a network 30.
  • the AP 10 is also referred to as a "base station” station of the wireless LAN.
  • the AP 10 communicates with a server (not shown) on the network 30 by wire or wirelessly.
  • the terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet PC (personal computer), a desktop PC, a laptop PC, or an IoT (Internet of things) sensor/device.
  • IoT Internet of things
  • the AP 10 can be wirelessly connected to the terminal 20 and communicates with the terminal 20 wirelessly.
  • Wireless communication between the terminal 20 and the AP 10 complies with the IEEE802.11 standard.
  • wireless communication based on the IEEE802.11 standard will be explained as an example, but a wireless communication standard different from the IEEE802.11 standard may be used.
  • Each of the AP 10 and the terminal 20 has a wireless communication function based on the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model defined by the IEEE802.11 standard.
  • OSI Open Systems Interconnection
  • wireless communication functions are divided into seven layers (1st layer: physical layer, 2nd layer: data link layer, 3rd layer: network layer, 4th layer: transport layer, 5th layer: session layer, It is divided into 6 layers: presentation layer and 7th layer: application layer).
  • the data link layer which is the second layer, includes an LLC (Logical Link Control) sublayer and a MAC (Media Access Control) sublayer.
  • a link set LS consisting of multiple links is established.
  • Each of the plurality of links in the link set LS is established using an STA function provided as a functional configuration in each of the AP 10 and the terminal 20.
  • the AP 10 is provided with a plurality of STA functions, and the terminal 20 is provided with only one STA function.
  • the STA function corresponds to a wireless signal processing unit to be described later.
  • each of the plurality of links in the link set LS is established using a corresponding one of the plurality of STA functions of the AP 10 and the STA function of the terminal 20. Therefore, only one STA function provided in the terminal 20 is used to establish all the links that constitute the link set LS.
  • data can be transmitted from the AP 10 to the terminal 20 in parallel to each other via multiple links.
  • data cannot be transmitted in parallel from the terminal 20 to the AP 10 using multiple links. That is, at the same timing, uplink data and the like can be transmitted from the terminal 20 to the AP 10 only through one of the plurality of links in the link set LS.
  • the terminal 20 can receive downlink data through multiple links of the link set LS. Note that although the terminal 20 can receive management frames, which will be described later, in parallel with each other on multiple links of the link set LS, the terminal 20 is configured to be able to receive data only on one of the multiple links. There may be.
  • the STA function provided in only one wireless signal processing unit in the terminal 20 is also referred to as an "ESTA (Enhanced STA) function.”
  • a terminal such as the terminal 20 in which only one ESTA function is provided as an STA function is also referred to as an "SR (Single Radio) terminal.”
  • the function is to establish a link set LS as described above between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 which is an SR terminal, and to perform wireless communication as described above between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 using the link set LS. , also referred to as "EMLSR (Enhanced Multi Link Single Radio) function.”
  • the AP 10 and the terminal 20 manage the state of the link between the AP 10 and the terminal 20, including the state of the link set LS, using link management information.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of link management information between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment.
  • the link management information shows, for example, information about "link ID,” “link,” “frequency band,” “channel ID,” “link set,” and “traffic.”
  • “Link ID” is an identifier associated with the above-mentioned STA function of the AP 10.
  • three STA functions (STA1, STA2, STA3) are assigned to wireless communication with the terminal 20 in the AP 10.
  • Information regarding “link” indicates whether each of the plurality of STA functions of the AP 10 has established a link with the terminal 20.
  • a state is shown in which each of STA1 to STA3 of the AP 10 has established a link with the terminal 20.
  • frequency band indicates the frequency band assigned to each link.
  • a 6 GHz band, a 5 GHz band, and a 2.4 GHz band may be applied.
  • Each of the multiple frequency bands includes multiple channels.
  • “Channel ID” indicates the ID of the channel assigned to each link.
  • 5 GHz band channel CH1, 5 GHz band channel CH2, and 5 GHz band channel CH3 are assigned to the link corresponding to STA1, the link corresponding to STA2, and the link corresponding to STA3, respectively. It will be done.
  • different frequency bands may be assigned to the plurality of links in the link set LS, or different channels in the same frequency band may be assigned to each other.
  • Information about the "link set” indicates whether a link set LS consisting of a plurality of links has been established between the AP 10 and the terminal 20. Furthermore, if the link set LS has been established, the information about the "link set” indicates which links constitute the link set LS.
  • the link set LS is configured from three links: a link corresponding to STA1, a link corresponding to STA2, and a link corresponding to STA3.
  • the information regarding "traffic” indicates the TID (Traffic Indicator) assigned to each link (each STA function of the AP 10).
  • the TID is an identifier that indicates each piece of traffic, and each piece of traffic may be associated with an access category. Traffic access categories include, for example, “VO (Voice),” “VI (Video),” “BE (Best Effort),” “BK (Background),” and “LL (Low Latency).” Access category LL is traffic that requires low latency (low delay).
  • TID#1 corresponds to any one of VO, VI, BE, BK, and LL. Then, TID #1 is assigned to each of the link corresponding to STA1, the link corresponding to STA2, and the link corresponding to STA3.
  • data can be transmitted from the AP 10 to the terminal 20 in parallel to each other using multiple links of the link set LS.
  • the association between traffic and links (STA function of the AP 10) is set, for example, so that the amount of traffic (amount of data) is equalized among the plurality of links that constitute the link set LS.
  • the association between traffic and links is not limited to the above-mentioned example. For example, types of traffic that are similar to each other, such as traffic that requires low latency and traffic that does not require low latency, may be collected on a specific link of the link set LS.
  • the AP 10 and the terminal 20 have an rTWT (restricted Target Wake Time) function.
  • rTWT restricted Target Wake Time
  • the AP 10 and the terminal 20 use the rTWT function, there is an opportunity to transmit traffic (uplink data) that requires low latency from the terminal 20 to the AP 10 in the link set LS established between the AP 10 and the terminal 20. , secured.
  • a service period in which transmission and reception of traffic that requires low latency can be given priority over transmission and reception of traffic that does not require low latency is set as a specified period.
  • the aforementioned service period set as a specified period by the rTWT function is also referred to as "rTWT-SP (Service Period)."
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the AP 10 according to the embodiment.
  • the AP 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a wireless communication module 14, and a wired communication module 15.
  • a CPU Central Processing Unit
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • the CPU 11 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the AP 10.
  • the ROM 12 is, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.
  • the ROM 12 stores programs and data for controlling the AP 10.
  • the RAM 13 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory.
  • the RAM 13 is used as a work area for the CPU 11.
  • the wireless communication module 14 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data using wireless signals.
  • Wireless communication module 14 is connected to an antenna.
  • the wired communication module 15 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data using wired signals. Wired communication module 15 is connected to network 30.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal 20 according to the embodiment.
  • the terminal 20 includes, for example, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a wireless communication module 24, a display 25, and a storage 26.
  • the CPU 21 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the terminal 20.
  • the ROM 22 is, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.
  • the ROM 22 stores programs and data for controlling the terminal 20.
  • the RAM 23 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. RAM23 is used as a work area for CPU21.
  • the wireless communication module 24 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data using wireless signals. Wireless communication module 24 is connected to the antenna.
  • the display 25 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.
  • the display 25 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) and the like corresponding to application software.
  • the storage 26 is a nonvolatile storage device.
  • the storage 26 stores system software of the terminal 20 and the like.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the AP 10 according to the embodiment.
  • the AP 10 includes, for example, an LLC processing section 100, a management section 110, and wireless signal processing sections 150, 160, and 170.
  • the processing of the LLC processing unit 100 can be realized by a combination of the CPU 11, the RAM 13, and the wired communication module 15, for example.
  • the respective processes of the management unit 110 and the wireless signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 can be realized by a combination of the CPU 11, the RAM 13, and the wireless communication module 14, for example.
  • the LLC processing unit 100 executes, for example, processing of the LLC sublayer of the second layer and processing of the third to seventh layers.
  • the management unit 110 executes processing of the second layer MAC sublayer.
  • the wireless signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 execute the second layer MAC sublayer processing and the first layer processing.
  • the management section 110 includes a data processing section 120, a communication management section 130, and a MAC frame processing section 140.
  • the LLC processing unit 100 adds a DSAP (Destination Service Access Point) header, an SSAP (Source Service Access Point) header, etc. to the data received from the network 30 to generate an LLC packet.
  • the LLC processing unit 100 then inputs the generated LLC packet to the data processing unit 120. Further, the LLC processing unit 100 receives an LLC packet from the data processing unit 120 and extracts data from the received LLC packet. The LLC processing unit 100 then transmits the extracted data to the network 30.
  • DSAP Disposination Service Access Point
  • SSAP Source Service Access Point
  • the data processing unit 120 adds a MAC header to the LLC packet input from the LLC processing unit 100 to generate a MAC frame.
  • the data processing unit 120 then inputs the generated MAC frame to the MAC frame processing unit 140.
  • the data processing unit 120 receives a MAC frame from the MAC frame processing unit 140 and extracts an LLC packet from the received MAC frame.
  • the data processing unit 120 then inputs the extracted LLC packet to the LLC processing unit 100.
  • a MAC frame containing data is also referred to as a "data frame.”
  • the communication management unit 130 manages the communication status between the AP 10 and the terminal 20, including the status of the link between the AP 10 and the terminal 20. Between the communication management unit 130 and the MAC frame processing unit 140, MAC frames containing management information regarding wireless communications such as management information regarding links, rTWTs, etc. are input and output. In the following description, the MAC frame including management information is also referred to as a "management frame.”
  • the communication management unit 130 can instruct the MAC frame processing unit 140 to execute a predetermined process by outputting a management frame to the MAC frame processing unit 140.
  • the communication management section 130 includes, for example, link management information 131, a link control section 132, a beacon management section 133, and a trigger generation section 134. Furthermore, the communication management unit 130 includes a clock and the like, and can generate time information.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 140 When a MAC frame is input from the data processing unit 120 or the communication management unit 130, the MAC frame processing unit 140 associates the input MAC frame with a link. Then, for the MAC frame to be transmitted to the terminal 20, the MAC frame processing unit 140 identifies the link associated with the MAC frame from the links in the link set LS. For example, when a data frame is input as a MAC frame from the data processing unit 120, the MAC frame processing unit 140 identifies the link associated with the TID included in the data frame. Then, the MAC frame processing section 140 inputs the MAC frame to the radio signal processing section (one or more of the corresponding one or more of 150, 160, and 170) corresponding to the identified link.
  • the radio signal processing section one or more of the corresponding one or more of 150, 160, and 170
  • the MAC frame processing unit 140 converts the MAC frame to the data processing unit 120 or the communication The information is input to the management section 130. If the MAC frame is a data frame, the MAC frame is input to the data processing unit 120, and if the MAC frame is a management frame, the MAC frame is input to the communication management unit 130.
  • the wireless signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 correspond to STA1, STA2, and STA3 shown in FIG. 2, which are the STA functions of the AP 10, respectively.
  • Radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 have similar functional configurations.
  • Each of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 adds a preamble, a PHY (physical layer) header, etc. to the data input from the MAC frame processing unit 140, and generates a radio frame.
  • each of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 converts the radio frame into a radio signal by performing a predetermined modulation operation on the generated radio frame, and radiates (transmits) the radio signal via the antenna. )do.
  • the predetermined modulation operations include, for example, convolutional coding, interleaving, subcarrier modulation, inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) modulation, frequency conversion, and the like.
  • each of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 converts the radio signal received from the terminal 20 via the antenna into a radio frame by performing a predetermined demodulation operation.
  • the predetermined demodulation operations include, for example, frequency conversion, OFDM demodulation, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), subcarrier demodulation, deinterleaving, and Viterbi decoding.
  • the radio signal processing unit 150 extracts the MAC frame from the radio frame, and inputs the extracted MAC frame to the MAC frame processing unit 140.
  • the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 may share the same antenna, or may use different antennas for each other.
  • FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20 according to the embodiment.
  • the terminal 20 includes, for example, an application execution section 280, an LLC processing section 200, a management section 210, and a wireless signal processing section 250.
  • the respective processes of the application execution unit 280 and the LLC processing unit 200 can be realized by the CPU 21 and the RAM 23, for example.
  • the respective processes of the management unit 210 and the wireless signal processing unit 250 can be realized by a combination of the CPU 21, the RAM 23, and the wireless communication module 24, for example.
  • the application execution unit 280 executes processing of the seventh layer
  • the LLC processing unit 200 executes processing of the LLC sublayer of the second layer and processing of the third to sixth layers.
  • the management unit 210 executes second layer MAC sublayer processing, and the wireless signal processing unit 250 executes second layer MAC sublayer processing and first layer processing.
  • the management section 210 includes a data processing section 220, a communication management section 230, and a MAC frame processing section 240.
  • the application execution unit 280 executes an application based on the data input from the LLC processing unit 200. Further, the application execution unit 280 inputs data to the LLC processing unit 200 in correspondence with the operation of the application.
  • the application execution unit 280 can display application information on the display 25. Furthermore, the application execution unit 280 can execute processing corresponding to operations on the input interface.
  • the LLC processing unit 200 adds a DSAP header, an SSAP header, etc. to the data received from the application execution unit 280, and generates an LLC packet.
  • the LLC processing unit 200 then inputs the generated LLC packet to the data processing unit 220. Further, the LLC processing unit 200 receives the LLC packet from the data processing unit 220 and extracts data from the received LLC packet. The LLC processing unit 200 then inputs the extracted data to the application execution unit 280.
  • the data processing unit 220 adds a MAC header to the LLC packet input from the LLC processing unit 200 to generate a MAC frame.
  • the data processing unit 220 then inputs the generated MAC frame to the MAC frame processing unit 240.
  • the data processing unit 220 receives a MAC frame from the MAC frame processing unit 240, and extracts an LLC packet from the received MAC frame.
  • the data processing unit 220 then inputs the extracted LLC packet to the LLC processing unit 200.
  • the communication management unit 230 cooperates with the communication management unit 130 of the AP 10 to manage the communication status between the AP 10 and the terminal 20, including the status of the link between the AP 10 and the terminal 20.
  • MAC frames management frames
  • the communication management unit 230 can instruct the MAC frame processing unit 240 to execute a predetermined process by outputting a management frame to the MAC frame processing unit 240.
  • the communication management section 230 includes, for example, link management information 231, a link control section 232, and a beacon management section 233.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 240 associates the input MAC frame with a link. Then, for the MAC frame transmitted to the AP 10, the MAC frame processing unit 240 identifies the link associated with the MAC frame from the links in the link set LS. For example, when a data frame is input from the data processing unit 220, the MAC frame processing unit 240 identifies the link associated with the TID included in the data frame. Then, the MAC frame processing unit 140 inputs the MAC frame to the radio signal processing unit 250 along with an instruction to cause the radio signal processing unit 250 to transmit the MAC frame through the specified link.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 240 inputs the MAC frame to the data processing unit 220 or the communication management unit 230 in accordance with the type of the input MAC frame. If the MAC frame is a data frame, the MAC frame is input to the data processing unit 220, and if the MAC frame is a management frame, the MAC frame is input to the communication management unit 230.
  • the wireless signal processing unit 250 corresponds to ESTA, which is an STA function provided in the terminal 20. Therefore, the radio signal processing unit 250 establishes a plurality of links forming the link set LS with the AP 10.
  • the radio signal processing unit 250 adds a preamble, a PHY (physical layer) header, etc. to the data input from the MAC frame processing unit 240, and generates a radio frame. Then, the radio signal processing unit 250 converts the radio frame into a radio signal by performing a predetermined modulation operation on the radio frame, and radiates (transmits) the radio signal via the antenna.
  • the predetermined modulation operation is performed in the same manner as the predetermined modulation operation in each of the radio signal processing sections 150, 160, and 170.
  • the wireless signal processing unit 250 transmits a wireless signal using a corresponding one of the multiple links (multiple channels) of the link set LS. Note that, as described above, in the wireless signal processing unit 250, it is impossible to transmit wireless signals to each other in parallel using a plurality of links that constitute the link set LS.
  • the radio signal processing unit 250 converts the radio signal received from the AP 10 via the antenna into a radio frame by performing a predetermined demodulation operation.
  • the predetermined demodulation operation is performed in the same manner as the predetermined demodulation operation in each of the radio signal processing sections 150, 160, and 170.
  • the radio signal processing unit 250 extracts a MAC frame from the radio frame, and inputs the extracted MAC frame to the MAC frame processing unit 240.
  • the wireless signal processing unit 250 monitors each link (channel) of the link set LS, and when a wireless signal is detected in any of the links, the wireless signal processing unit 250 converts the MAC frame corresponding to the detected wireless signal into the MAC frame processing unit. 240.
  • the wireless signal processing unit 250 detects a wireless signal from the AP 10 on any of the links, it identifies the link (channel) where the wireless signal was detected. In addition to the MAC frame corresponding to the wireless signal, information indicating which link the wireless signal was received is input to the MAC frame processing unit 240. Furthermore, the radio signal processing unit 250 can receive radio signals from a plurality of links constituting the link set LS in parallel with each other, that is, at the same timing with respect to each other. Note that in the radio signal processing unit 250, an antenna may be shared by a plurality of links (a plurality of channels) of the link set LS, or one antenna may be provided for each of the plurality of links.
  • the link control unit 132 of the AP 10 and the link control unit 232 of the terminal 20 cooperate with each other to control the establishment of a link between the AP 10 and the terminal 20.
  • the link control units 132 and 232 execute association processing and authentication processing subsequent to the association processing, for example, in response to a connection request from the terminal 20 to the AP 10.
  • the link control units 132 and 232 control the state of the link established between the AP 10 and the terminal 20.
  • the link control units 132 and 232 can determine the association between the TID and the link (STA function of the AP 10) when establishing the link set LS between the AP 10 and the terminal 20.
  • the link control unit 132 refers to the link management information 131
  • the link control unit 232 refers to the link management information 231.
  • Each of the link management information 131 and 231 includes information regarding the link between the AP 10 and the terminal 20, and includes information shown in FIG. 2, for example.
  • the link control units 132 and 232 cooperate with each other to set up the link set LS.
  • any one of the wireless signal processing units 150, 160, 170 (STA1 to STA3) of the AP 10 communicates with the wireless signal processing unit 250 (ESTA) of the terminal 20.
  • the link control unit 232 causes the terminal 20 to transmit a probe request to the AP 10
  • the link control unit 132 causes the AP 10 to transmit a probe response to the terminal 20 as a response to the probe request.
  • the link control unit 232 causes the terminal 20 to transmit an association request regarding the link set LS to the AP 10.
  • the link control unit 132 When the AP 10 receives the association request, the link control unit 132 performs association processing for the link set LS. At this time, based on the completion of association processing for two or more STA functions of the AP 10, the link control unit 132 recognizes that the link set LS has been established between the AP 10 and the terminal 20. When the association process is completed, the link control unit 132 updates the link management information 131. Then, the link control unit 132 causes the AP 10 to transmit a response indicating that the link set LS has been established to the terminal 20. Then, based on the terminal 20 receiving a response indicating establishment of the link set LS, the link control unit 232 updates the link management information 231.
  • the communication management unit 130 of the AP 10 and the communication management unit 230 of the terminal 20 cooperate with each other to Set up the function.
  • the rTWT function may be set up immediately after the link set LS is set up, or may be set up based on a transmission request from the terminal 20 for traffic requiring low latency.
  • rTWT-SP which is the aforementioned prescribed period, is set based on the set parameters.
  • Data exchange between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 in the rTWT-SP is performed using any one of the plurality of links that constitute the set up link set LS.
  • the rTWT start time, rTWT period, and rTWT duration are set as parameters related to the rTWT function.
  • the rTWT start time corresponds to the time at the start of rTWT-SP.
  • the rTWT period corresponds to the period of rTWT-SP and is also referred to as "rTWT interval.”
  • the rTWT duration corresponds to the length of the rTWT-SP.
  • the rTWT start time can be calculated based on the set rTWT cycle. For example, the time when the set rTWT cycle is added to the previous rTWT start time becomes the next rTWT start time.
  • the communication management units 130 and 230 set parameters related to the rTWT function, for example, in correspondence with the transmission cycle from the terminal 20 of traffic requiring low latency.
  • the method of acquiring the transmission cycle from the terminal 20 for traffic requiring low latency is not particularly limited.
  • a data generation cycle set for an application that generates data requiring low latency is acquired in the terminal 20, and parameters related to the rTWT function are set.
  • the beacon management unit 133 manages information transmitted by the AP 10 as a beacon signal. For example, in a state where the rTWT function is being used, the beacon management unit 133 generates a management frame including management information regarding the rTWT function, and inputs the generated management frame to the MAC frame processing unit 140.
  • the management information related to the rTWT function includes setting values for parameters related to the rTWT function set as described above.
  • the management frame generated by the beacon management unit 133 is also referred to as a "beacon frame.”
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the format of a beacon frame generated by the beacon management unit 133 of the communication management unit 130 of the AP 10 according to the embodiment.
  • the beacon frame includes respective setting values of an rTWT start time and an rTWT duration period as management information regarding the rTWT function.
  • the beacon frame includes a Quiet frame that causes terminals other than the terminal 20 to suppress data transmission to the AP 10.
  • the Quiet frame indicates a transmission suppression period during which terminals other than terminal 20 are suppressed from transmitting data.
  • the transmission suppression period to terminals other than terminal 20 is set to match the rTWT-SP of terminal 20.
  • the communication management unit 130 causes the AP 10 to transmit a beacon signal obtained by converting a beacon frame into a wireless signal to each of the terminal 20 and a terminal other than the terminal 20.
  • the beacon management unit 233 of the terminal 20 manages information included in the beacon signal received from the AP 10.
  • the beacon frame described above is input to the beacon management unit 233 from the MAC frame processing unit 240 while the rTWT function is being used.
  • the beacon management unit 233 then extracts management information regarding the rTWT function from the input beacon frame.
  • the beacon management unit 233 acquires setting values for parameters related to the rTWT function, and manages management information regarding the rTWT function, including setting values for parameters related to the rTWT function.
  • the trigger generation unit 134 generates a MAC frame including trigger information and inputs it to the MAC frame processing unit 140.
  • the trigger information instructs the terminal 20 to transmit uplink data that requires low latency when using the rTWT function. Furthermore, the trigger information notifies the terminal 20 that rTWT-SP has been started.
  • the trigger information indicates resources allocated to transmission of uplink data from the terminal 20 in the rTWT-SP. For example, the trigger information indicates the link (frequency band and channel), timing, period, etc. that are allocated to the transmission of uplink data from the terminal 20 in the rTWT-SP as allocated resources.
  • a management frame containing trigger information is also referred to as a "trigger frame.”
  • the trigger generation unit 134 may instruct the MAC frame processing unit 140 to generate a trigger frame along with specifying the time. Furthermore, when using the rTWT function, a trigger signal obtained by converting a trigger frame into a wireless signal is transmitted from the AP 10 to the terminal 20. Then, the trigger generation unit 134 generates a trigger frame or instructs the generation of a trigger frame in a state in which a trigger signal is transmitted from the AP 10 at the start of rTWT-SP, that is, at the rTWT start time. In addition, resource allocation for transmission of uplink data from the terminal 20 may be performed by the management unit 110 such as the communication management unit 130 and the MAC frame processing unit 140, and the wireless signal processing unit (150, 160, 170).
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the channel access function of the AP 10 according to the embodiment.
  • each of radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 (STA1 to STA3) is provided with a channel access function.
  • Each of the three channel access functions then checks the status of a corresponding one of the links in the linkset LS.
  • FIG. 8 shows a channel access function provided in the radio signal processing section 150, and in the following description, the channel access function of the radio signal processing section 150 will be mainly explained.
  • the channel access function provided in each of the radio signal processing units 160 and 170 also performs the same processing as the channel access function of the radio signal processing unit 150.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 140 may be provided with a channel access function instead of being provided in each of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170.
  • confirmation of the status of all links (all channels) of the link set LS is performed by one channel access function of the MAC frame processing unit 140.
  • the channel access function includes, for example, a classification section 151, queues 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D, carrier sense execution sections 153A, 153B, 153C, 153D, and an internal collision management section 154. .
  • the classification unit 151 classifies the input data frame into a plurality of access categories based on the TID included in the MAC header. Then, the classification unit 151 inputs the data frame into one of the queues 152A to 152D that corresponds to the access category. As a result, the data frame is input to the queue (corresponding one of 152A to 152D) corresponding to the classified access category.
  • data frames whose access categories are VO, VI, BE, and BK are input to queues 152A, 152B, 152C, and 152D, respectively.
  • Each of the queues 152A to 152D buffers input data frames.
  • queues 152A, 152B, 152C, and 152D buffer data frames whose access categories are VO, VI, BE, and BK, respectively.
  • Carrier sense execution units 153A, 153B, 153C, and 153D are provided corresponding to queues 152A, 152B, 152C, and 152D, respectively.
  • Each of carrier sense execution units 153A to 153D executes carrier sense based on CSMA/CA according to preset access parameters.
  • the carrier sense execution units 153A, 153B, 153C, and 153D perform carrier sense using VO, VI, BE, and BK as corresponding access categories, respectively.
  • Access parameters are set for each access category, and are set, for example, in a state where wireless signal transmission is prioritized in the order of VO, VI, BE, and BK.
  • the access parameters for example, CWmin, CWmax, AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space), and TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) Limit are used.
  • CWmin and CWmax respectively indicate the minimum and maximum values of a contention window, which are parameters used to set a transmission waiting time for collision avoidance.
  • AIFS indicates a fixed transmission waiting time set for each access category.
  • TXOPLimit indicates the upper limit of the channel occupation time TXOP.
  • Each of the carrier sense execution units 153A to 153D uses carrier sense to check the status of one of the plurality of links (channels) that constitute the link set LS that corresponds to the radio signal processing unit 150. At this time, as long as the channel corresponding to the link whose status is being checked is in the busy state, that is, until the channel corresponding to the link whose status is being checked becomes idle, each of the carrier sense execution units 153A to 153D will continue to have a career sense. Then, when the channel corresponding to the link whose status is being checked becomes idle and the transmission right is acquired in the link whose status is being checked, each of the carrier sense execution units 153A to 153D controls the corresponding queues 152A to 152D. Extract the data frame from one. Then, each of the carrier sense execution units 153A to 153D causes the wireless signal obtained by converting the data frame to be transmitted to the terminal 20 from the wireless signal processing unit 150 through the link for which the transmission right has been acquired.
  • the internal collision management unit 154 prevents collisions in data transmission when a plurality of carrier sense execution units 153A to 153D acquire the right to transmit on the link corresponding to the radio signal processing unit 150. That is, the internal collision management unit 154 adjusts the transmission timing for each of the plurality of pieces of data for which transmission rights have been acquired by the STA1, and outputs the data to the STA1 in the order of access category data with the highest priority.
  • a trigger frame TF or a trigger frame TF generation instruction is input from the trigger generation unit 134 to the MAC frame processing unit 140.
  • the management unit 110 including the MAC frame processing unit 140 performs carrier sensing on each of the channel access functions of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 for each of all the links in the link set LS. , check the status. If all the links (channels) in the link set LS are in the busy state, the management unit 110 continues checking the status until one or more links become idle.
  • the management unit 110 transmits a radio signal processing unit (150) corresponding to the link that acquired the transmission right. , 160, 170), a trigger signal obtained by converting the trigger frame TF is transmitted to the terminal 20.
  • the classification unit 151 transmits the input trigger frame TF or generation instruction to the internal collision management unit 154 without passing through any of the queues 152A to 152D. Enter. Therefore, for the trigger frame TF, processing for acquiring transmission rights and the like is performed with lower latency than for other traffic.
  • the channel access function acquires the right to transmit the trigger frame TF so that the trigger signal is transmitted at the start of rTWT-SP (rTWT start time) set as a specified period.
  • the channel access function when the rTWT function is used, when the trigger frame TF is input to the channel access function of the radio signal processing unit 150, the channel access function sets the trigger frame TF as data with the highest transmission priority and triggers it. Carrier sense etc. are performed on the frame TF. In this case, the channel access function acquires the right to transmit the trigger frame TF, for example, by using the highest priority access category of EDCA (Enhanced distributed channel Access) or by a preferential transmission procedure different from EDCA. Then, a trigger signal is transmitted from the AP 10 at the start of rTWT-SP. In another example, by temporarily stopping the carrier sense of the carrier sense execution units 153A to 153D, the transmission of the VO, VI, BE, and BK data frames is temporarily stopped, and the trigger frame TF is Prioritize sending.
  • EDCA Enhanced distributed channel Access
  • carrier sensing is performed by the channel access functions of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170 in response to inputs such as trigger frames TF to the MAC frame processing unit 140. , is done.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 140 causes a trigger signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 through each of the plurality of links in an idle state.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 140 performs redundancy processing on the trigger frame TF by, for example, duplicating the trigger frame TF.
  • the redundancy process generates a plurality of trigger frames TF that are common to each other.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 140 outputs one redundant trigger frame TF to each of the idle links in the link set LS. Then, a trigger signal is transmitted to the terminal 20 as a first wireless signal that is redundantly transmitted to a plurality of links.
  • the MAC frame processing section 140 uses the time information generated by the communication management section 130 to correspond to the wireless signal processing section (150, 160, 170) that transmits the trigger signal. (2 or more). Then, the radio signal processing units (corresponding two or more of 150, 160, and 170) that have been notified of the time information cooperate with each other and operate in parallel (synchronously) with each other on multiple links of the link set LS. ), and causes a trigger signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20. In one example, each of the wireless signal processing units (two or more corresponding ones of 150, 160, and 170) that transmits the trigger signal is notified of the rTWT start time based on time information from the communication management unit 130.
  • the radio signal processing units (corresponding two or more of 150, 160, 170) that have been notified of the rTWT start time set the trigger frame to a state where they transmit trigger signals in parallel to each other at the start of rTWT-SP. Generate TF.
  • each trigger frame TF is customized to have unique information for each link that transmits a trigger signal.
  • only information that is common to multiple links is duplicated in the redundancy process.
  • a trigger frame TF is generated in each of the links that transmit the trigger signal, that is, in a corresponding plurality of STA1 to STA3.
  • the object to which the redundancy process is performed is not limited to the trigger frame TF, and, for example, the redundancy process may be similarly performed to a beacon frame.
  • a trigger frame TF is input from the MAC frame processing unit 240 to the communication management unit 230.
  • the communication management unit 230 recognizes from the input trigger frame TF that it has received an instruction from the AP 10 to transmit uplink data requiring low latency during rTWT-SP. Furthermore, the communication management unit 230 recognizes, by the trigger frame TF, resources allocated for transmitting uplink data requiring low latency in the rTWT-SP.
  • the wireless signal processing unit 250 of the terminal 20 may receive the trigger signal from each of the plurality of links (multiple channels).
  • the MAC frame processing unit 240 performs a duplication check to check for duplicate information on the plurality of input trigger frames TF. good.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 240 leaves only the information of one trigger frame TF and discards the information of other trigger frames, regarding information that overlaps with each other in a plurality of trigger frames TF.
  • the communication management unit 230 determines a link for transmitting uplink data requiring low latency in the rTWT-SP from among the links in the link set LS. If the trigger signal from the AP 10 is received through only one link, the communication management unit 230 sets the link that received the trigger signal as the link for transmitting uplink data. Then, the management unit 210 including the communication management unit 230 causes the wireless signal processing unit 250 to transmit a wireless signal of uplink data requiring low latency through the link that received the trigger signal, and transmits the wireless signal for uplink data requiring low latency for the specified period rTWT-SP. Until the end of the process, the AP 10 is caused to perform wireless communication using the link that received the trigger signal.
  • the communication management unit 230 When receiving the trigger signal from the AP 10 through each of the plurality of links, the communication management unit 230 selects one of the plurality of links that received the trigger signal as the link to transmit uplink data. Then, the management unit 210 including the communication management unit 230 transmits the uplink data wireless signal, which requires low latency, as a second wireless signal through the selected one of the plurality of links that received the trigger signal. The signal is transmitted from the signal processing unit 250. Then, the communication management unit 230 causes the AP 10 to perform wireless communication using the selected one of the plurality of links that received the trigger signal until the end of the specified period rTWT-SP.
  • the communication management unit 230 identifies a resource with the earliest transmission timing from among the resources for transmitting uplink data allocated in the trigger frame TF. The communication management unit 230 then selects the link corresponding to the resource identified as the resource with the earliest transmission timing as the link used for transmitting uplink data, that is, the link used for wireless communication with the AP 10 in the rTWT-SP. do.
  • the link (channel) with the least interference among the links that received the trigger signal is selected as the link used for transmitting uplink data.
  • the link used by the terminal 20 for wireless communication with the AP 10 is set in the rTWT-SP, so when using the rTWT function, the terminal 20 is selected from the links constituting the link set LS every time the rTWT-SP is used.
  • One to be used for wireless communication with AP 10 is determined. Therefore, a link different from the link used by the terminal 20 for wireless communication with the AP 10 in the previous rTWT-SP is selected as the link used for the terminal 20 to wirelessly communicate with the AP 10 in the real-time rTWT-SP. obtain.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 240 inputs a data frame for traffic requiring low latency to the radio signal processing unit 250 along with information indicating a link used for transmitting uplink data in the rTWT-SP. Then, the wireless signal processing unit 250 transmits a wireless signal of uplink data requiring low latency to the AP 10 through the link set as a link used for transmitting uplink data.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 240 of the management unit 210 inputs a data frame requiring low latency to the wireless signal processing unit 250. do. Then, the wireless signal processing unit 250 converts the input data frame into a wireless signal and transmits it to the AP 10.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 240 acquires the rTWT start time at which the rTWT-SP starts based on the information included in the beacon frame described above. Then, the MAC frame processing unit 240 inputs a data frame requiring low latency to the radio signal processing unit 250, together with time information indicating the rTWT start time, before the start of the rTWT-SP. Then, in response to receiving the trigger signal, the wireless signal processing unit 250 converts the data frame input from the MAC frame processing unit 240 into a wireless signal, and transmits the converted wireless signal to the AP 10.
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a channel access function of the terminal 20, which is an SR terminal according to the embodiment.
  • the radio signal processing unit 250 is provided with one channel access function, and the channel access function confirms one situation in which data is transmitted among the plurality of links forming the link set LS.
  • the MAC frame processing section 240 is provided with a channel access function instead of the radio signal processing section 250.
  • the wireless signal processing unit 250 is provided with the same number of channel access functions as the links constituting the link set LS, and one channel access function is provided for each of the plurality of links in the link set LS. Access functions are provided.
  • Each of the plurality of channel access functions then checks the status of a corresponding one of the links in the link set LS.
  • the channel access function includes, for example, a classification section 251, queues 252A, 252B, 252C, 252D, carrier sense execution sections 253A, 253B, 253C, 253D, 253E, and an internal collision management section 254. be done.
  • the basic operation of the classification unit 251 is the same as that of the classification unit 151 of the AP 10, and the basic functions of the queues 252A, 252B, 252C, and 252D are the same as those of the queues 152A, 152B, 152C, and 152D of the AP 10, respectively. be. Further, the basic operations of the carrier sense execution units 253A, 253B, 253C, and 253D are the same as those of the carrier sense execution units 153A, 153B, 153C, and 153D of the AP 10, respectively, and the basic operations of the internal collision management unit 254 is similar to the internal conflict management unit 154 of the AP 10.
  • a data frame whose access category is LL which requires low latency, is input to the channel access function of the radio signal processing unit 250 of the terminal 20.
  • the channel access function transmits uplink data whose access category is LL using the rTWT function.
  • uplink data whose access category is LL is preferentially transmitted from the terminal 20 to the AP 10 during rTWT-SP.
  • rTWT-SP where priority is given to transmission of upstream data whose access category is LL, transmission of upstream data whose access category is other than LL is suppressed.
  • the classification unit 241 inputs a data frame with an access category of LL to the carrier sense execution unit 253E without going through any of the queues 252A to 252D.
  • the carrier sense execution unit 253E also executes carrier sense according to preset access parameters.
  • the carrier sense execution unit 253E performs carrier sense on uplink data whose access category is LL.
  • the above-mentioned access parameters are set, for example, in a state in which wireless signal transmission is prioritized in the order of LL, VO, VI, BE, and BK. Therefore, in the channel access function of the terminal 20, especially in the rTWT-SP, traffic with the access category LL is processed to acquire the transmission right with lower latency than other traffic.
  • by temporarily stopping the carrier sense of the carrier sense execution units 253A to 253D transmission of traffic in access categories other than LL is temporarily stopped, and priority is given to transmission of traffic in the access category of LL. .
  • a trigger signal (first radio signal) is sent to the terminal 20 from each of the plurality of radio processing units (two or more of 150, 160, 170) of the AP 10.
  • the management unit 210 of the terminal 20 causes the uplink data wireless signal (second wireless signal) to be transmitted to the AP 10 through one of the plurality of links that received the trigger signal. Therefore, the AP 10 receives the wireless signal of the uplink data transmitted from the terminal 20 in response to the trigger signal on the corresponding one of the plurality of links to which the trigger signal was transmitted. That is, in the AP 10, a corresponding one of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, 170 (STA1 to STA3) receives a radio signal of uplink data.
  • the management unit 110 processes the uplink data (second wireless signal) in the wireless signal processing units 150, 160, 170 (STA1 to STA3).
  • the received one causes the terminal 20 to perform wireless communication until the end of the specified period rTWT-SP. Therefore, until the end of rTWT-SP, the AP 10 wirelessly communicates with the terminal 20 through only one of the links in the link set LS that received uplink data (second radio signal).
  • downstream data may be transmitted from the AP 10 to the terminal 20 following upstream data received from the terminal 20.
  • the MAC frame processing section 140 inputs the data frame of the downlink data to the radio signal processing section (corresponding one of 150, 160, and 170) that has received the uplink data.
  • the management unit 110 transmits the uplink data from the radio signal processing unit (corresponding one of 150, 160, 170) that has received the uplink data, that is, through the one of the links in the link set LS that has received the uplink data.
  • a data wireless signal is transmitted to the terminal 20.
  • the management unit 110 transmits a trigger signal to a plurality of links other than the one that received uplink data from the terminal 20. , release from wireless communication to the terminal 20.
  • the wireless signal processing units (corresponding one or more of 150, 160, 170) that do not receive uplink data from the terminal 20 after transmitting the trigger signal perform wireless communication with the terminal 20 in rTWT-SP. Released from resources for.
  • the management unit 110 performs wireless communication with the terminal 20 for the wireless signal processing unit (corresponding one or more of 150, 160, 170) that has not received uplink data from the terminal 20 after transmitting the trigger signal. Notify that the resource will be released.
  • the link (channel) released from the resource for wireless communication with the terminal 20 is used as a resource for the AP 10 to wirelessly communicate with terminals other than the terminal 20 until the end of rTWT-SP. Newly assigned.
  • the MAC frame processing unit 140 may, for example, generate a trigger frame indicating a new allocation as a resource for the link released from the wireless communication to the terminal 20 by the radio signal processing unit ( 150, 160, 170).
  • the link (channel) released from wireless communication to terminal 20 is newly allocated as a resource for wireless communication to terminals other than terminal 20.
  • the management unit 110 does not necessarily need to newly allocate a link released from wireless communication to the terminal 20 as a resource.
  • the radio signal processing unit (corresponding one or more of 150, 160, 170) released from the radio communication for the terminal 20 determines a new allocation as a resource for the corresponding link (channel). .
  • the frequencies of the allocated channels may be close to each other to the extent that power leakage occurs.
  • the link used for wireless communication with the terminal 20 and the link released from the wireless communication with the terminal 20 may have an NSTR (Non-Simultaneous Transmit and Receive) relationship with each other.
  • the link (channel) released from the wireless communication to the terminal 20 may be newly allocated as a resource so that it is not used for transmitting data from the AP 10 to terminals other than the terminal 20. ,preferable.
  • FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management unit 110 of the AP 10 according to the embodiment when using the rTWT function.
  • the example process in FIG. 10 is performed to cause the terminal 20 to transmit uplink data requiring low latency every time rTWT-SP is performed.
  • immediately before rTWT-SP one or more of the links in the link set LS is in an idle state, and the AP 10 transmits a wireless signal through one or more of the links in the link set LS. It is assumed that transmission to the terminal 20 is possible.
  • the management unit 110 determines whether there are a plurality of idle links (channels) in the link set LS (S301).
  • the management unit 110 transmits the signal through the one link in the idle state, that is, the radio signal processing unit (150, 160, 170) to transmit the aforementioned trigger signal to the terminal 20 (S302). Then, the management unit 110 determines whether uplink data from the terminal 20 has been received on the link that transmitted the trigger signal (S303). The process waits in S303 until upstream data from the terminal 20 is received.
  • the management unit 110 upon receiving the upstream data from the terminal 20 (S303-Yes), the management unit 110 causes the terminal 20 to communicate wirelessly through the link through which the upstream data was received (S304). For this reason, the management unit 110 transmits downlink data subsequent to the uplink data to the terminal 20 through the link through which the uplink data was received. Then, the management unit 110 determines whether the rTWT-SP has ended (S305). Unless the rTWT-SP ends (S305-No), the process returns to S304, and the management unit 110 causes the terminal 20 to perform wireless communication through the link that received the uplink data.
  • the management unit 110 transmits the signal through each of the plurality of links in the idle state, that is, the radio signal processing unit corresponding to the plurality of links in the idle state. (two or more corresponding ones of 150, 160, and 170) transmit the aforementioned trigger signal (first wireless signal) to the terminal 20 (S311). At this time, trigger signals are transmitted to the terminal 20 in parallel with each other through a plurality of links.
  • the management unit 110 determines whether uplink data from the terminal 20 has been received on any of the multiple links to which the trigger signal was transmitted (S312). The process waits in S312 until any one of the plurality of links receives uplink data from the terminal 20.
  • the management unit 110 transmits the wireless communication to the terminal 20 through the link that received the uplink data.
  • the communication is performed (S313). Therefore, the management unit 110 transmits downlink data subsequent to the uplink data to the terminal 20 through one of the plurality of links that received the uplink data.
  • the management unit 110 releases the links other than the one link that received the uplink data from wireless communication with the terminal 20 among the plurality of links that transmitted the trigger signal (S314).
  • the link released from the wireless communication for the terminal 20 may be allocated as a resource used for wireless communication between the AP 10 and a terminal other than the terminal 20.
  • the management unit 110 determines whether the rTWT-SP has ended (S315). Unless rTWT-SP ends (S315-No), the process returns to S313. Therefore, until the end of rTWT-SP, the management unit 110 causes the terminal 20 to communicate wirelessly through the link that received uplink data, and connects links other than the link that received uplink data from wireless communication to the terminal 20. Release.
  • the trigger signal is transmitted to the terminal 20 through each of the multiple links of the link set LS at the start of rTWT-SP, and the trigger signal is not transmitted only through one link.
  • the processes of S302 to S305 are not performed, and the processes of S311 to S315 are performed sequentially every time rTWT-SP is performed.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the management unit 210 of the terminal 20 according to the embodiment when using the rTWT function.
  • the example process in FIG. 11 is performed to transmit uplink data requiring low latency to the AP 10 every time rTWT-SP is used. Further, when performing the process shown in the example of FIG. 11, it is assumed that a trigger signal is transmitted from the AP 10 to the terminal 20 by the process shown in the example of FIG.
  • the management unit 210 determines whether a trigger signal from the AP 10 has been received on any link (S321). The process waits at S321 until a trigger signal is received on either link. Then, upon receiving the trigger signal (S321-Yes), the management unit 210 determines whether the trigger signal has been received on multiple links of the link set LS (S322).
  • the management unit 210 causes the AP 10 to communicate wirelessly through the one link that received the trigger signal (S323). For this reason, the management unit 210 transmits uplink data etc. that require low latency to the AP 10 through the link that received the trigger signal. Then, the management unit 210 determines whether the rTWT-SP has ended (S324). Unless the rTWT-SP ends (S324-No), the process returns to S323, and the management unit 210 causes the AP 10 to communicate wirelessly through the link that received the trigger signal.
  • the management unit 210 selects one link from which the trigger signal has been received to transmit uplink data etc. that require low latency. (S331). At this time, one link is selected in a manner similar to any of the methods described above. The management unit 210 then causes the AP 10 to communicate wirelessly through the selected link (S332). For this reason, the management unit 210 transmits uplink data etc. that require low latency to the AP 10 through one of the links that received the trigger signal. Then, the management unit 210 determines whether the rTWT-SP has ended (S333). Unless the rTWT-SP ends (S333-No), the process returns to S332, and the management unit 210 causes the AP 10 to communicate wirelessly through the selected link.
  • FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing temporal changes in the communication state through the link set between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 in the communication system 1 according to the embodiment.
  • two STA functions STA1, STA2, and STA3 of the AP 10 connect links with link IDs “STA1”, “STA2”, and “STA3” in the link set LS to the ESTA function of the terminal 20. shall be formed.
  • the management unit 110 of the AP 10 causes the AP 10 to transmit a trigger signal to the terminal 20 through each of three links "STA1", “STA2", and "STA3" at the start of rTWT-SP.
  • the management unit 210 selects the "STA1" link from the three links that received the trigger signal as the link for transmitting uplink data in rTWT-SP. Then, the management unit 210 causes uplink data to be transmitted through the selected link of "STA1". Then, when the AP 10 receives uplink data through the link "STA1", the management unit 210 causes the subsequent downlink data to be transmitted to the terminal 20 through the link "STA1". Therefore, until the end of the rTWT-SP, the AP 10 and the terminal communicate wirelessly with each other through the link of "STA1". In the example of FIG. 12, the management unit 110 releases each of the links "STA2" and "STA3" that were not selected as links for transmitting uplink data from wireless communication with the terminal 20.
  • the management unit 110 of the AP 10 sends the trigger signal, which is the first wireless signal, from each of the plurality of wireless signal processing units (two or more corresponding ones of 150, 160, and 170) to the terminal. Send to 20. Then, the management unit 210 of the terminal 20 transmits a wireless signal of uplink data as a second wireless signal to the AP 10 through one of the plurality of links that received the trigger signal. Then, until the end of the specified period rTWT-SP, the AP 10 and the terminal 20 communicate wirelessly with each other through the one link through which the terminal 20 transmitted uplink data.
  • the trigger signal which is the first wireless signal
  • the management unit 210 Since the wireless communication in the rTWT-SP is performed as described above, even if a problem occurs in the wireless communication between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 through one of the plurality of links, the management unit 210 will not send the trigger signal. It becomes possible to transmit uplink data to the AP 10 through another one of the plurality of links that have received the . For example, by transmitting a trigger signal to the terminal 20 through each of the three links "STA1", “STA2", and “STA3”, even if a problem occurs in wireless communication through the link "STA1", " Either one of "STA2" and “STA3" can be selected as the link for transmitting uplink data.
  • redundancy is appropriately performed even when uplink data is transmitted to the AP from a terminal provided with only one STA function, such as the terminal 20.
  • a terminal provided with only one STA function, such as the terminal 20.
  • reliability in transmitting uplink data to the AP 10 is ensured, and reliability in data exchange between the terminal 20 and the AP 10 is ensured. It becomes possible to ensure that
  • links (channels) that are not selected as links for transmitting uplink data among the links used to transmit the trigger signal are released from wireless communication to the terminal 20 by the management unit 110. . Therefore, even links (channels) that are not used for transmitting uplink data in the rTWT-SP can be effectively utilized, such as by being used for wireless communication between terminals other than the terminal 20 and the AP 10.
  • the management unit 210 selects a link in the link set LS that is used for transmitting uplink data in rTWT-SP.
  • the management unit 110 of the AP 10 transmits an RTS (Request To Send) signal as a first wireless signal before the prescribed period of rTWT-SP starts. .
  • RTS signals are transmitted to the terminal 20 through each of the plurality of links of the link set LS, and are sent from a plurality of wireless communication units (two or more corresponding ones of 150, 160, 170) to each other in parallel (synchronized). ) will be sent.
  • the RTS signal notifies terminals 20 other than the terminal 20 that the AP 10 is scheduled to wirelessly communicate with the terminal 20 in the rTWT-SP.
  • the management unit 210 selects one from the multiple links that received the RTS signal. Then, before rTWT-SP is started, the management unit 210 transmits a CTS (Clear To Send) signal as a second wireless signal to the AP 10 through the selected link. At this time, the CTS signal is not transmitted from the terminal 20 to the AP 10 on a link other than the one that transmitted the CTS signal among the links used for transmitting the RTS signal. The CTS signal notifies terminals 20 other than the terminal 20 that the link (channel) that transmitted the CTS signal will be used for wireless communication between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 in rTWT-SP.
  • CTS Car To Send
  • the AP 10 receives the CTS signal on a corresponding one of the links that transmitted the RTS signal, that is, on a corresponding one of the radio signal processing units 150, 160, and 170. Then, at the start of rTWT-SP, the management unit 110 causes the aforementioned trigger signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 through one of the links that has transmitted the RTS signal and that has received the CTS signal. Thereby, the terminal 20 receives the trigger signal through the link that transmitted the CTS signal. Then, during the specified period rTWT-SP, the AP 10 and the terminal 20 wirelessly communicate with each other through the one link used for transmitting the CTS signal. Furthermore, the management unit 110 releases links that have transmitted the RTS signal other than the one that received the CTS signal from wireless communication with the terminal 20 until the end of the rTWT-SP.
  • FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the management unit 110 of the AP 10 according to the modification when using the rTWT function.
  • the example process in FIG. 13 is performed to cause the terminal 20 to transmit uplink data that requires low latency every time rTWT-SP occurs.
  • a wireless signal can be transmitted from the AP 10 to the terminal 20 using each of the plurality of links in the link set LS immediately before rTWT-SP.
  • the management unit 110 causes the RTS signal to be transmitted as a first wireless signal to the terminal 20 through each of the plurality of links of the link set LS (S341).
  • the management unit 110 determines whether the CTS signal from the terminal 20 has been received on any of the multiple links to which the RTS signal was transmitted (S342). The process waits in S342 until any one of the plurality of links receives the CTS signal from the terminal 20.
  • the management unit 110 waits until the rTWT start time (rTWT-SP start time). (S343-No). Then, when the rTWT start time arrives (S343-Yes), the management unit 110 causes a trigger signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 through the link that received the CTS signal (S344). The management unit 110 then causes the terminal 20 to communicate wirelessly through the link that received the CTS signal (S345). Furthermore, the management unit 110 releases the links other than the one that received the CTS signal from wireless communication with the terminal 20 among the plurality of links that transmitted the RTS signal (S346).
  • the management unit 110 determines whether the rTWT-SP has ended (S347). Unless rTWT-SP ends (S347-No), the process returns to S345. Therefore, until the end of rTWT-SP, the management unit 110 causes the terminal 20 to communicate wirelessly through the link that received the CTS signal, and connects links other than the link that received the CTS signal from wireless communication to the terminal 20. Release.
  • FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the management unit 210 of the terminal 20 according to the modification of FIG. 13 when using the rTWT function.
  • the example process in FIG. 14 is performed to transmit uplink data requiring low latency to the AP 10 every time rTWT-SP is used.
  • the management unit 210 determines whether the RTS signal transmitted from the AP 10 has been received by each of the plurality of links (S351). Processing waits at S351 until multiple links receive RTS signals.
  • the management unit 210 When receiving RTS signals on multiple links (S351-Yes), the management unit 210 selects one of the links that received the RTS signals to be used for transmitting uplink data requiring low latency (S352). Then, the management unit 210 causes the CTS signal to be transmitted to the AP 10 through the selected link (S353). Then, the management unit 210 waits until the trigger signal from the AP 10 is received on the selected link, which is the one link that transmitted the CTS signal (S354-No).
  • the management unit 210 When the trigger signal is received on the link that transmitted the CTS signal (S354-Yes), the management unit 210 causes the AP 10 to communicate wirelessly through the selected link, which is the link that received the trigger signal (S355). Then, unless the rTWT-SP ends (S356-No), the process returns to S355, and the management unit 210 causes the AP 10 to communicate wirelessly through the selected link.
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing temporal changes in the communication state through the link set between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 in the communication system 1 according to the modification.
  • the management unit 110 of the AP 10 transmits the RTS signal from the AP 10 to the terminal 20 through each of the three links "STA1", “STA2", and "STA3" before rTWT-SP is started. Let it be sent. Then, the management unit 210 selects the "STA1" link from the three links that received the RTS signal as the link for transmitting uplink data in the rTWT-SP. Then, the management unit 210 causes the CTS signal to be transmitted through the selected link of "STA1".
  • the management unit 110 transmits a trigger signal to the terminal 20 through the "STA1" link at the start of rTWT-SP.
  • the AP 10 and the terminal wirelessly communicate with each other through the "STA1" link from the start to the end of the rTWT-SP. Therefore, in the rTWT-SP, uplink data to the AP 10 is transmitted through the "STA1" link.
  • the management unit 110 releases each of the links “STA2” and “STA3” that were not selected as links for transmitting uplink data from wireless communication with the terminal 20.
  • the same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment etc. can be achieved.
  • reliability in transmitting uplink data to the AP 10 can be ensured in a terminal provided with only one STA function, such as the terminal 20, and data exchange between the terminal 20 and the AP 10 can be ensured.
  • links (channels) that are not used for transmitting uplink data in rTWT-SP can be effectively utilized.
  • the link used for transmitting uplink data from the terminal 20 to the AP 10 in the specified period rTWT-SP is determined before transmitting the trigger signal to the terminal 20. For this reason, a new allocation as a resource for the link (channel) released from wireless communication to the terminal 20 in rTWT-SP is performed after the start of rTWT-SP, that is, after transmitting the trigger signal. There's no need.
  • the AP 10 wirelessly communicates with the terminal 20 using three STA functions and the link set LS between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 is composed of three links. However, it is not limited to this. In the embodiments, if the AP 10 wirelessly communicates with the terminal 20 using a plurality of STA functions and the link set LS between the AP 10 and the terminal 20 is composed of a plurality of links, the above-described functions can be applied. Yes, the above-mentioned process can be executed.
  • the processes according to the embodiments and modifications described above can be stored as a program that can be executed by a processor that is a computer. Further, a program for executing the above-described processing can be stored and distributed in a storage medium of an external storage device such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. Then, the processor reads the program stored in the storage medium of the external storage device, and its operations are controlled by the read program, thereby making it possible to execute the processes of the embodiments and the like.
  • the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the gist thereof.
  • each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate, and in that case, a combined effect can be obtained.
  • the embodiments described above include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the plurality of constituent features disclosed. For example, if a problem can be solved and an effect can be obtained even if some constituent features are deleted from all the constituent features shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which these constituent features are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

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US18/875,292 US20250374322A1 (en) 2022-06-22 2022-06-22 Access point and terminal
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