Appratus and method for medeia access control based on muli-beacon

Abstract

A media access control device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document comprises: a buffer for temporarily storing data transmitted between networks; a communication module for forming a communication channel for said networks; and a processor functionally connected to said buffer and said communication module, wherein, when it is a beacon broadcast time, the processor checks whether data in said buffer is stored and can transmit first beacon information or second beacon information, which assigns different priorities depending on whether the data is stored, to nodes connected to said networks through said communication module.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The various embodiments disclosed in this document relate to PLCA-based media access control technology. Background Technology

[0002] The PLCA (Physical Layer Collision Avoidance) method used in 10BSAE-T1(one)S is an asynchronous multiple access method that avoids collisions between nodes in a single bus network based on the priority of each node.

[0003] Figure 1 shows the data transmission cycle of a typical PLCA method.

[0004] Referring to Fig. 1, the node acting as the master periodically broadcasts a beacon signal, and the slave nodes check the priority from the beacon signal and transmit data in order of priority. Each node monitors the data transmitted on the bus and waits for its turn based on the beacon signal. Each node can determine its turn based on the number of silence periods during which no data transmission occurs. A node with data to transmit during its turn transmits Ethernet data after announcing that it has data to transmit during the silence period. Conversely, a node without data to transmit during its turn remains silent without performing any transmission-related actions. Subsequently, this process is repeated so that the next node in line has the opportunity to communicate, until all nodes within the network have the opportunity to communicate.

[0005] For example, in Figure 1, it can be seen that the nodes with the first, third, fourth, and Nth priorities remained silent during the silence time because they had no data to transmit, while the nodes with the second and fifth priorities transmitted data after the silence time because they had data to transmit.

[0006] A 10BASE-T1S chip (IC; integrated chip) that supports the PLCA method can connect up to 8 nodes to a single bus network. The problem to be solved

[0007] The reason for limiting the maximum number of nodes is to prevent transmission delays. As the number of nodes connected to the bus network increases, the beacon cycle lengthens, which can lead to greater latency in transmitting Ethernet frames and lower network bandwidth utilization efficiency. However, if all nodes transmit frames, utilization efficiency is not a significant issue.

[0008] However, if network traffic is low, it results in wasting the entire silence period after the Beacon. For example, if bus network utilization is low, only silence periods without data transmission may be repeated (see "Smelliest possible PLCA cycle depends on" in Fig. 1). The transmission time of the silence signal, set to 20 bits, is related to the maximum length of the bus. This is because time is required for the silence signal to propagate to all nodes within the bus network. Therefore, conventional 10BASE-T1S Ethernet transceiver chips supporting PLCA are limited to using only a maximum of 8 nodes.

[0009] Various embodiments disclosed in this document can provide a multi-mode based media access control device and method capable of controlling media access using multiple beacons. means of solving the problem

[0010] A media access control device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document comprises: a buffer for temporarily storing data transmitted between networks; a communication module for forming a communication channel for said networks; and a processor functionally connected to said buffer and said communication module, wherein the processor checks whether data is stored in said buffer and, if it is a beacon broadcast time, transmits first beacon information or second beacon information to said nodes through said communication module to assign different priorities to said nodes connected to said networks depending on whether the data is stored.

[0011] Additionally, a node device connected to a PLCA network according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include an identification module that identifies the type of received beacon information when receiving beacon information through the network; and a scheduling module that transmits data to the network according to a timing corresponding to the identified type.

[0012] Additionally, a media access control method by a media access control device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include: an operation of checking whether data is stored in a buffer; and the buffer may include an operation of temporarily storing data to be transmitted from one network to another network, and, when it is a beacon broadcast time, transmitting first beacon information or second beacon information to the nodes connected to the networks to assign different priorities to the nodes depending on whether the data is stored. Effects of the invention

[0013] According to the various embodiments disclosed in this document, media access can be controlled using multiple beacons. In addition, various effects that can be identified directly or indirectly through this document may be provided. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0014] Figure 1 shows the data transmission cycle of a typical PLCA method. FIG. 2 shows a plurality of networks connected by a bridge according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a comparison of the transmission cycles of the method (310) in which each node in an integrated bus network uses the priority of an individual bus and the method (320) in which it uses the priority of an integrated bus. FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a media access control device according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of a node device according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a mode switching method by a media access control device according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a mode-specific media access control method according to one embodiment. In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0015] In a 10BASE-T1S network using the PLCA method, multiple bus networks must be used to exchange Ethernet frames between nodes that exceed the maximum number of nodes in a single bus network. To achieve this, a bridge must be used to link the multiple bus networks.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of networks connected by a bridge according to one embodiment. In FIG. 2, the numbers represent priorities, and the lower the value, the higher the priority. For example, in network A, node A0 has the highest priority, and in network B, node B0 has the highest priority.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the bridge can connect network A and network B to each other using two 10BASE-T1S interfaces. The bridge can expand the environments of networks A and B, in which n and m nodes can communicate respectively, into an environment in which (m+n) nodes can communicate with each other. Each network (A, B) communicates according to the priority of the individual network assigned to each network.

[0018] However, a node transmitting data between multiple bus networks is subject to the priority of the node connected to the bridge. In the case of Figure 2, since the bridge is connected to Node A4 of Network A and Node B4 of Network B, the transmission priority from Network A to Network B is dependent on Node B4. Conversely, the transmission priority from Network B to Network A is dependent on Node A4. Specifically, although Node B0 is the highest priority node in Network B, it has the priority of Node A4 when transmitting Ethernet frames to Network A through the bridge. As such, when transmitting data between different bus networks, the higher priority received from the individual network may not be guaranteed. On the other hand, Node Bm-1 has the lowest priority in Network B, but is assigned a higher priority when transmitting frames to Network A through the bridge device.

[0019] A network-independent priority assignment method like that shown in Figure 2 may be unreasonable when transmitting and receiving data between networks. For example, it is not possible to assign an integrated priority to all nodes within Network A and Network B. All nodes B located in Network B cannot have a higher priority than node A4 when transmitting data to Network A. Therefore, it may be impossible to assign priorities such as (high priority) A0-A1-B0-B1-B2-A2-A3-B3-B4-A4-A5-B5-A6-A7-B6-B7 (low priority).

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a comparison of the transmission cycles of the method (310) in which each node in an integrated bus network uses the priority of an individual bus and the method (320) in which it uses the priority of an integrated bus.

[0021] Referring to the first method (310) of FIG. 3, it can be seen that when using the priority of individual buses, one beacon cycle is the same as using one bus network. However, as described above, the first method (310) has a problem in that the priority of data transmission between networks is dependent on the connection nodes of the bridge.

[0022] The second method (320) of FIG. 3 is a method in which Extended Network A and Extended Network B assign a single priority to all (m+n) nodes. In this case, the Extended Network has the advantage of being able to set priorities independently for all nodes within multiple networks. However, since this is similar to increasing the maximum number of nodes within a single bus, there is a disadvantage of increased wasted Silence time. Specifically, compared to the first method (310), more Silence time must be wasted when transmitting data within individual networks.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a media access control device according to one embodiment.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, a media access control device (40) according to one embodiment may include a first buffer (410), a second buffer (420), a first communication module (430), a second communication module (440), a memory (450), and a processor (460). In one embodiment, some components of the media access control device (40) may be omitted, or additional components may be included. For example, an input / output module (480) and a power module (490) may be included. The power module (490) may supply power to each component of the media access control device (40). Additionally, some of the components of the media access control device (40) may be combined to form a single entity, while performing the same functions as the corresponding components prior to combination. The media access control device (40) may be a bridge that supports data transmission between two bus networks (hereinafter referred to as 'first network and second network') using the PLCA method.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the input / output module (480) may acquire or receive user input. The user input may include at least one piece of information, for example, individual priority, integrated priority, number of nodes per network, or number of nodes in the entire network. The processor (460) may store the priorities of nodes existing in the first network and the second network, which are set through the input / output module (480), in the memory (450). The first and second networks may be, for example, 10BASE-T1S networks using a PLCA method in which nodes connected thereto transmit and receive Ethernet frames according to priorities guided by beacon signals.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first buffer (410) and the second buffer (420) may be buffer memories for compensating for delays that occur when Ethernet frames are transmitted between the first and second networks. For example, the first and second buffers (410, 420) may each be FIFO (first in first out) buffers.

[0027] The first buffer (410) can temporarily store data (Ethernet frames) received from the first network through the first communication module (430). Data temporarily stored in the first buffer (410) can be transmitted to the second network through the second communication module (440). Similarly, the second buffer (420) can temporarily store data (Ethernet frames) received from the second network through the second communication module (440). Data temporarily stored in the second buffer (420) can be transmitted to the first network through the second communication module (440).

[0028] The first buffer (410) and the second buffer (420) can output status information indicating whether data is stored. Accordingly, the processor (460) can check whether data is stored in each buffer (410, 420) based on the status information from each buffer (410, 420).

[0029] The first communication module (430) and the second communication module (440) can support the establishment of a communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the media access control device (40) and other devices (e.g., nodes of the first network and nodes within the second network), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication channel may include, for example, at least one communication channel among a wireless sensor network, a wireless mesh network, a wireless PAN (Personal Area Network), Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. The first communication module (430) and the second communication module (440) may be, for example, a 10BASE-T1S transceiver chip.

[0030] The receiving unit of the first communication module (430) can receive an Ethernet frame from the first network under the control of the processor (460) and temporarily store the received Ethernet frame in the first buffer (410). The transmitting unit of the second communication module (440) can transmit the Ethernet frame temporarily stored in the first buffer (410) to the second network according to the integration priority of the second network under the control of the processor (460).

[0031] Similarly, the receiver of the second communication module (440) can receive an Ethernet frame from the second network under the control of the processor (460) and temporarily store the received Ethernet frame in the second buffer (420). The transmitter of the first communication module (430) can transmit the Ethernet frame temporarily stored in the second buffer (420) to the first network according to the integration priority of the first network under the control of the processor (460).

[0032] The memory (450) may include various forms of volatile or non-volatile memory. For example, the memory (450) may include ROM (read only memory) and RAM (random access memory). In one embodiment, the memory (450) may be located inside or outside the processor, and the memory (450) may be connected to the processor (460) through various known means.

[0033] The memory (450) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (460)) of the media access control device (40). The data may include, for example, input data or output data for software and related commands. For example, the memory (450) may store at least one instruction for media access control. The at least one instruction may include, for example, an instruction to transmit basic beacon information or extended beacon information to nodes connected to the networks via the communication module, which checks whether data in the buffer is stored when it is beacon broadcast time and assigns different priorities depending on whether the data is stored.

[0034] The processor (460) can control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the media access control device (40) and can perform various data processing or operations. The processor (460) may include, for example, at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, an application processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and may have multiple cores.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the processor (460) can temporarily store Ethernet frames received from one of the first and second networks through the first and second communication modules (430, 440) in a corresponding buffer among the first and second buffers (410, 420). The processor (460) can transmit the data stored in the corresponding buffer to another network according to the priority (integrated priority) assigned to the data in the corresponding buffer.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the processor (460) can transmit data according to different priorities in a normal mode and an extended mode. The normal mode may be a mode in which the nodes of each network follow individual priorities assigned to each network. The extended mode may be a mode in which the nodes of the first and second networks follow a combined priority.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the processor (460) can check whether data is stored in the first buffer (410) or the second buffer (420) when it is time for a beacon broadcast. For example, the processor (460) can check status information output from each buffer (410, 420) and check whether data is stored in each buffer (410, 420) based on the status information.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the processor (460) can transmit basic beacon information or extended beacon information, each assigned individual / integrated priority depending on whether data is stored in the first buffer (410) or the second buffer (420), to nodes connected to the first network or the second network through the first communication module (430) or the second communication module (440).

[0039] The above basic beacon information may include individual priority information of a first network for assigning a communication order to all nodes connected to a first network (hereinafter referred to as 'first individual priority information') and individual priority information of a second network for assigning a communication order to all nodes connected to a second network (hereinafter referred to as 'second individual priority information').

[0040] The above extended beacon information may include first extended beacon information for assigning integration priority to nodes of first networks and second extended beacon information for assigning integration priority to nodes of second networks. The first extended beacon information (or second extended beacon information) may be of one or more types. For example, the first extended beacon information may include first extended beacon information K for assigning integration priority to all nodes of the first network and all nodes of the second network, and first extended beacon information L for assigning integration priority to all nodes of the first network and some nodes of the second network. In this case, some nodes of the first network may be nodes that receive data from the second network. However, for the sake of convenience of explanation, this document describes, as an example, the case where the first and second extended beacon information assigns integration priority to all nodes connected to the first network and the second network. However, it is not limited thereto.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the processor (460) can check whether there is data to be transmitted to the first network stored in the second buffer (420) when it is the beacon broadcast time of the first network. If there is data stored in the second buffer (420), the processor (460) can operate in an extended mode. In the extended mode, the processor (460) can broadcast first extended beacon information to the first network, including integration priorities for the nodes of the first and second networks, at the beacon broadcast time. In this case, the nodes of the first network can check the integration priority from the first extended beacon information and transmit Ethernet frames sequentially according to the integration priority.

[0042] In one embodiment, if there is no data stored in the second buffer (420), the processor (460) can operate in a basic mode and broadcast basic beacon information to the first network, including individual priorities to be assigned to the nodes of the first network at the beacon broadcast time.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the processor (460) can check whether there is data stored in the first buffer (410)—transmitted to the second network—when it is the beacon broadcast time of the second network. If there is data stored in the first buffer (410), the processor (460) can operate in an extended mode. In the extended mode, the processor (460) can broadcast second extended beacon information including an integration priority to be assigned to the nodes of the second network at the beacon broadcast time. In this case, the nodes of the second network can check the integration priority from the second extended beacon information and sequentially transmit Ethernet frames according to the integration priority.

[0044] In one embodiment, if there is no data stored in the first buffer (410), the processor (460) can operate in a basic mode and broadcast second extended beacon information including individual priorities to the nodes of the second network at the beacon broadcast time.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the processor (460) can receive data to be transmitted to different networks in a basic mode. In this case, the processor (460) can accumulate and store the received data in a corresponding buffer among the first buffer (410) and the second buffer (420) and wait until at least the next beacon broadcast time. The processor (460) can check the data stored in the buffer (410 or 420) at the next beacon broadcast time of the network corresponding to the data received in the basic mode among the first and second networks.

[0046] Afterward, the processor (460) can transmit data stored in the corresponding buffer (410 or 420) in order according to the integration priority after switching to the extended mode.

[0047] In this way, the media access control device (40) according to one embodiment can reduce the number of silences and increase media usage efficiency by diversifying the network media access control method using multiple types of beacon information in an environment connecting multiple bus networks. Accordingly, the media access control device (40) according to one embodiment can maximize media usage efficiency in a flexible system environment, such as a software-defined vehicle.

[0048] In addition, since the media access control device (40) according to one embodiment can integrally manage priorities for all nodes of the entire bus network connected thereto, it can ensure the preset priority for each node to the maximum extent even when transmitting frames between networks. Accordingly, the media access control device (40) according to one embodiment can guarantee fast frame transmission to some extent for nodes with high importance (priority).

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of a node device according to one embodiment.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, a node device (50) according to one embodiment may include a communication module (510), a memory (520), and a processor (530). In one embodiment, the node device (50) may omit some components or include additional components. Additionally, some of the components of the node device (50) may be combined to form a single entity, while performing the same functions as the components prior to combination. In one embodiment, the node device (50) may be an electronic device connected to a network (e.g., a 10BASE-T1S bus network) using the PCLA method. For example, the node device (50) may be a vehicle ECU (electronic control unit). The network may be a first network or a second network.

[0051] The communication module (510) can support the establishment of a communication channel or a wireless communication channel between a node device (50) and another device (e.g., a media access control device (40)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication channel may include, for example, at least one communication channel among a wireless sensor network, a wireless mesh network, a wireless PAN (Personal Area Network), Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. The communication module (510) may be, for example, a 10BASE-T1S transceiver chip.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the communication module (510) may include an identification module (511) and a scheduling module (515).

[0053] According to one embodiment, when the identification module (511) receives an Ethernet frame from a network, it can identify the information contained in the Ethernet frame. For example, when the identification module (511) checks the beacon information from the Ethernet frame, it can identify whether the beacon information is basic beacon information or integrated beacon information. The identification module (511) can output the identified beacon type information.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the scheduling module (515) can set a timing value corresponding to the identified beacon type and perform network communication according to the set timing. For example, if the scheduling module (515) confirms that the identified beacon type is basic beacon information, it can set a first timing corresponding to the total number of nodes of a network. The first timing may, for example, be a timing corresponding to the total number of nodes of a network performing transmission sequentially. For example, if the scheduling module (515) confirms that the identified beacon type is extended beacon information, it can set a second timing corresponding to the total number of nodes of a network and another network connected to the network via the media access control device (40). The second timing may, for example, be a timing corresponding to the total number of nodes of a network and another network performing transmission sequentially.

[0055] Memory (520) may include various forms of volatile or non-volatile memory. For example, memory (520) may include ROM (read only memory) and RAM (random access memory). In one embodiment, memory (520) may be located inside or outside the processor, and memory (520) may be connected to the processor (530) through various known means. Memory (520) may store various data used by at least one component of the node device (50) (e.g., processor (530)). The data may include, for example, input data or output data for software and related instructions. For example, memory (520) may store at least one instruction for providing media access control services.

[0056] The processor (530) can control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the node device (50) and can perform various data processing or operations. The processor (530) may include, for example, at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, an application processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and may have multiple cores. As the processor (530) executes the first application, it can transmit and receive data to and from a network connected to the node device (50) through the communication module (510).

[0057] The processor (530) can receive data from a network or another network through the communication module (510). Alternatively, if the processor (530) has data to be transmitted to the network or another network, it can transmit the data to the communication module (510). The data transmitted to the communication module (510) is stored in the memory (520), and the communication module (510) can transmit the data to the network or another network according to a first timing or a second timing set by the scheduling module (515).

[0058] As such, the node device (50) according to one embodiment operates as set in basic mode, taking into account only the number of nodes directly connected to each bus network. For example, the node device (50) may be a node Ax (0 ≤ x ≤ n-1, constant) connected to network A (see FIG. 2). In this case, when node Ax receives basic beacon information, it can perform media access based on n priorities. The node device (50) may be a node Bx (0 ≤ x ≤ m-1, constant) connected to network B (see FIG. 2). In this case, when node Bx receives basic beacon information, it can perform media access based on m priorities. Additionally, the node device (50) can perform media access based on (m+n) integrated priorities in extended mode.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a mode switching method by a media access control device according to one embodiment.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 610, the media access control device (40) can check whether data transferred between networks is stored in the buffer (410 or 420).

[0061] When the media access control device (40) confirms that the buffer (410 or 420) is empty in operation 610, in operation 620, it can determine the communication mode of the next beacon cycle to be the default mode.

[0062] When the media access control device (40) confirms that data in the buffer (410 or 420) is stored in operation 610, in operation 630, it can determine the communication mode of the next beacon cycle to be extended mode.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a mode-specific media access control method according to one embodiment.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 710, the media access control device (40) can be identified as the beacon broadcast time of the network.

[0065] When the media access control device (40) is in the beacon broadcast time, in operation 720, it can check whether the communication mode of the current beacon cycle is the default mode. For example, the media access control device (40) can check the communication mode determined through operations 610 to 630.

[0066] If the communication mode of the current beacon cycle is the default mode, in operation 730, the media access control device (40) can set a first timing according to individual priority to the communication module (430 or 440) of the network. For example, if the communication mode of the first network is the default mode, the media access control device (40) can set the first communication module (430) to the first timing according to individual priority.

[0067] In operation 740, the media access control device (40) can transmit basic beacon information to a network. The basic beacon information may be, for example, information for assigning individual priorities limited to the network to the nodes of the network.

[0068] In operation 750, the media access control device (40) can perform media access control according to individual priorities. For example, the media access control device (40) can store data received from a network in a buffer (410 or 420) according to individual priorities.

[0069] If the communication mode of the current beacon cycle is not the basic mode (if it is the extended mode), in operation 760, the media access control device (40) can set a second timing according to the integration priority to the communication module (430 or 440) of the network. For example, if the communication mode of the first network is the extended mode, the media access control device (40) can set the first communication module (430) to the second timing according to the integration priority.

[0070] In operation 770, the media access control device (40) can transmit extended beacon information to a network. The extended beacon information may be, for example, information for giving nodes of a network integration priority to nodes of a network and nodes of other networks.

[0071] In operation 780, the media access control device (40) can perform media access control according to the integration priority. For example, the media access control device (40) can transfer data stored in the buffer (410 or 420) to the network according to the integration priority.

[0072] In this way, the media access control device (40) according to one embodiment can reduce the number of silences and increase media usage efficiency by diversifying the network media access control method based on various beacon information in an environment connecting multiple bus networks.

[0073] In addition, the media access control device (40) according to one embodiment can manage priorities in an integrated manner for all nodes of the entire bus network connected thereto, so that the preset priority for each node can be guaranteed to the maximum extent even when transmitting frames between networks.

[0074] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as “first,” “second,” or “first” or “second” may be used simply to distinguish a component from another corresponding component and do not limit the components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order). Where any (e.g., 1st) component is referred to as “coupled” or “connected” to another (e.g., 2nd) component, with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicationly,” it means that said any component may be connected to said other component directly (e.g., via a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0075] As used herein, the term "module" may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be a component formed integrally, or a minimum unit of said component or a part thereof that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0076] Various embodiments of this document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program) comprising one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., memory (450) of FIG. 4) (e.g., internal memory or external memory) that can be read by a machine (e.g., a media access control device). For example, a processor (e.g., processor (460)) of a device (e.g., media access control device (40)) may call at least one of one or more instructions stored from a storage medium and execute it. This enables the device to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code that can be executed by an interpreter. A storage medium readable by the device may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily in the storage medium.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided by being included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or an application store (e.g., Play Store). TM It can be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0078] Components according to various embodiments of this document may be implemented in software or in hardware form, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and may perform specific roles. The term "components" is not limited to software or hardware, and each component may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to run one or more processors. As an example, components may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, as well as processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

[0079] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., module or program) of the components described above may include a singular or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Generally or additionally, multiple components (e.g., module or program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the components of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the corresponding component among the multiple components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, program, or other components may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

Claim 1 A media access control device comprising: a buffer for temporarily storing data transmitted between networks; a memory for storing at least one priority-related information among the total number of nodes of the networks, the number of nodes for each network, an integrated priority for the networks, and an individual priority for each network; a communication module for forming a communication channel for the networks; and a processor functionally connected to the buffer, the memory, and the communication module, wherein the processor checks whether data is stored in the buffer, and if it is a beacon broadcast time, based on the priority-related information, if there is data in the buffer, generates first beacon information for assigning the integrated priority to the networks, and if there is no data in the buffer, generates second beacon information for assigning the individual priority to each network, and transmits the first beacon information or the second beacon information to at least some of the nodes connected to the networks through the communication module depending on whether the data is stored. Claim 2 A media access control device according to claim 1, wherein, when the networks include a first network and a second network, the buffer includes a first buffer for storing data to be transmitted from the first network to the second network and a second buffer for storing data to be transmitted from the second network to the first network, and when it is confirmed that there is data stored in the first buffer at the beacon broadcast time of the first network or data stored in the second buffer at the beacon broadcast time of the second network, the device generates and transmits the first beacon information including an integrated priority corresponding to the total number of nodes of the first and second networks. Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A media access control device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer outputs status information indicating whether data is stored, and the processor checks whether data in the buffer is stored based on the status information. Claim 5 A media access control device according to claim 1, wherein the processor transmits data stored in the buffer in an extended mode in which data in the buffer is present to another network, which is the transmission destination of the stored data, through the communication module in the order according to the first beacon information. Claim 6 A media access control device comprising: a buffer for temporarily storing data transmitted between networks; a communication module for forming a communication channel for said networks; and a processor functionally connected to said buffer and said communication module, wherein the processor checks whether data is stored in said buffer and, if it is a beacon broadcast time, transmits first beacon information or second beacon information to said nodes connected to said networks through said communication module to assign different priorities to said nodes depending on whether data is stored in said buffer, and wherein, in a basic mode where there is no data in said buffer, if data to be transmitted from a node of one network to a node of another network is received, the data is accumulated and stored in said buffer and waits until at least the next beacon broadcast time, and at said next beacon broadcast time, the first beacon information is transmitted and then the stored data is transmitted to said other network through said communication module in the order according to said first beacon information. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A node device connected to a first network of a PLCA method, comprising: an identification module that identifies whether the type of received beacon information is basic beacon information or extended beacon information when receiving beacon information through the first network from a media access control device managing the first network and the second network; and a scheduling module that transmits data to the first network or the second network according to a timing corresponding to the identified type, wherein the scheduling module sets a first timing corresponding to the total number of nodes of the first network in the case of basic beacon information, and sets a second timing corresponding to the total number of nodes connected to the first network and the second network in the case of extended beacon information, and transmits data to the second network via the first network or the media access control device according to an individual priority of the first network corresponding to the first timing or an integrated priority of the first and second networks corresponding to the second timing.

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