METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSMISSION OR RECEPTION BASED ON THE TONE PLAN OF DISTRIBUTED RESOURCE UNITS AND PILOT TONE IN A WIRELESS LAN SYSTEM

Abstract

A method and a device for transmission or reception based on a distributed resource unit tone plan and a pilot tone in a wireless LAN system are disclosed. The method performed by means of a first station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise the steps of: generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including one or more fields, the one or more fields mapping onto one or more distributed resource units (DRUs); and transmitting the PPDU to one or more second STAs on a bandwidth including a 20MHz channel. On the basis of the one or more DRUs including a 26-tone DRU, the 26-tone DRU can be one of nine predefined 26-tone DRUs. A pilot tone of each of the nine predefined 26-tone DRUs can be the seventh lowest subcarrier and the seventh highest subcarrier from among subcarriers included in one 26-tone DRU.

Description

1 / 81 “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRANSMISSION OR RECEPTION BASED ON THE DISTRIBUTED RESOURCE UNIT TONE PLAN AND PILOT TONE "IN A WIRELESS LAN SYSTEM" Description TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] This disclosure relates to a method and device for transmitting or receiving based on a distributed resource unit tone plan and a pilot tone in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. PRECEDENT TECHNIQUE

[002] New technologies to improve transmission rates, increase bandwidth, improve reliability, reduce errors, and reduce latency have been introduced for wireless LANs (WLANs). Among WLAN technologies, a standard from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series can be called Wi-Fi. For example, recently introduced WLAN technologies include improvements to Very High Throughput (VHT) of the 802.11ac standard, and enhancements to High Efficiency (HE) of the IEEE 802.11ax standard.

[003] In order to provide a more enhanced wireless communication environment, improved technologies for Extremely High Throughput (EHT) are being discussed. For example, technologies for MIMO and multiple access point (AP) coordination that support higher bandwidth, efficient use of multiple bands, and higher spatial flows are being studied, and in particular, several technologies are being studied to support low latency or real-time traffic. In addition, new technologies are being discussed to support ultra-high reliability (UHR), including improvements or extensions of EHT technologies. Disclosure Technical Problem Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 9 / 115 2 / 81

[004] A technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide a method and device for transmitting or receiving based on a distributed resource unit tone plan and a pilot tone in a WLAN system.

[005] The technical objectives to be achieved by this disclosure are not limited to the technical objectives described above, and other technical objectives not described here will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Technical Solution

[006] A method performed by a first station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system according to an aspect of this disclosure may include generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including at least one field, wherein the at least one field is mapped to at least one distributed resource unit (DRU); and transmitting the PPDU to at least a second STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel. Based on at least one DRU including a 26-tone DRU, the 26-tone DRU may be one of 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs. The pilot tone of each of the 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs may be the 7th smallest subcarrier and the 7th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 26-tone DRU.

[007] A method performed by a second station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system according to a further aspect of this disclosure may include receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including at least one field from a first STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel; and decoding the at least one field mapped to at least one distributed resource unit (DRU). Based on at least one DRU including a 26-tone DRU, the 26-tone DRU may be one of 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs. The pilot tone of each of the 9 DRUs of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 10 / 115 3 / 81 preset tones can be the 7th smallest subcarrier and the 7th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 26-tone DRU. Technical Effects

[008] According to the present disclosure, a method and device for transmitting or receiving based on a distributed resource unit tone plan and a pilot tone in a WLAN system can be provided.

[009] The effects attainable by this disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not described herein may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Diagram Description

[010] The attached drawings included as part of the detailed description for understanding the present disclosure provide embodiments of the present disclosure and describe technical attributes of the present disclosure with detailed description.

[011] Figure 1 illustrates a block configuration diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[012] Figure 2 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary structure of a WLAN system to which the present disclosure can be applied.

[013] Figure 3 is a diagram to describe a link-building process to which this disclosure can be applied.

[014] Figure 4 is a diagram to describe a pullback process to which the present disclosure can be applied.

[015] Figure 5 is a diagram to describe a CSMA / CA-based frame transmission operation to which this disclosure may be applied. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 11 / 115 4 / 81

[016] Figure 6 is a diagram to describe an example of a frame structure used in a WLAN system to which the present disclosure may be applied.

[017] Figure 7 is a diagram that illustrates examples of PPDUs defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard to which this disclosure can be applied.

[018] Figures 8 to 10 are diagrams to describe examples of resource units of a WLAN system to which this disclosure can be applied.

[019] Figure 11 is a diagram to describe examples of a DRU to which this disclosure may apply.

[020] Figure 12 is a diagram representing the exemplary format of a firing frame to which the present disclosure can be applied.

[021] Figure 13 is a diagram to describe an example of the DRU tone plan of the first STA and the PPDU reception method based on pilot tone according to the present disclosure.

[022] Figure 14 is a diagram to describe an example of the DRU tone plan of the second STA and the pilot tone-based PPDU transmission method according to the present disclosure. Method for the Invention

[023] The embodiments in accordance with this disclosure will be described in detail hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description to be disclosed with the accompanying drawings describes exemplary embodiments of this disclosure and does not represent the only embodiment in which this disclosure may be implemented. The detailed description below includes specific details to provide a complete understanding of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the relevant art know that this disclosure may be implemented without such specific details. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 12 / 115 5 / 81

[024] In some cases, known structures and devices may be omitted or may be shown in the form of a block diagram based on a central function of each structure and device, in order to avoid ambiguity with a concept in the present disclosure.

[025] In this disclosure, when an element is referred to as being connected, combined, or linked to another element, it may include an indirect connection relationship that yet another element presents between them, as well as a direct connection relationship. Furthermore, in this disclosure, a term including or having specifies the presence of a mentioned attribute, step, operation, component, and / or element, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other attributes, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or their groups.

[026] In this disclosure, a term such as first, second, etc. is used only to distinguish one element from another element and is not used to limit elements and, unless otherwise specified, does not limit an order or importance, etc. between elements. Therefore, within the scope of this disclosure, a first element in one embodiment may be referred to as a second element in another embodiment and, similarly, a second element in one embodiment may be referred to as a first element in another embodiment.

[027] A term used in this disclosure serves to describe a specific embodiment and not to limit a claim. As used in a described and attached claim of an embodiment, a singular form is intended to include a plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. A term used in this disclosure, and / or, may refer to one of the related enumerated items or means that it refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of two or more of them. In addition, / between words in this disclosure has the same meaning as and / or, unless otherwise described. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 13 / 115 6 / 81

[028] Examples of this disclosure can be applied to various wireless communication systems. For example, examples of this disclosure can be applied to a wireless LAN system. For example, examples of this disclosure can be applied to a wireless LAN based on IEEE 802.11a / g / n / ac / ax standards. In addition, examples of this disclosure can be applied to a wireless LAN based on the recently proposed IEEE 802.11be (or EHT) standard. Examples of this disclosure can be applied to a wireless LAN based on the IEEE 802.11be Version-2 standard, corresponding to a further enhancement technology of the IEEE 802.11be Version-1 standard. In addition, examples of this disclosure can be applied to a wireless LAN based on next-generation standards after IEEE 802.11be. In addition, examples of this disclosure can be applied to a wireless cellular communication system.For example, they can be applied to a wireless cellular communication system based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology and 5G New Radio (NR) technology based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard.

[029] Next, technical attributes to which the examples in this disclosure can be applied will be described.

[030] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[031] The first device 100 and the second device 200 illustrated in Figure 1 can be replaced by various terms, such as a terminal, a wireless device, a Wireless Transmit and Receive Unit (WTRU), a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a user terminal (UT), a Mobile Subscriber Station (MSS), a Mobile Subscriber Unit (MSU), a subscriber station (SS), an advanced mobile station (AMS), a wireless terminal (WT), or simply a user, etc. In addition, the first device 100 and the second device 200 include an access point (AP), a base station (BS), Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 14 / 115 7 / 81 a fixed station, a Node B, a base transceiver system (BTS), a network. It can be replaced by various terms, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), a road unit (RSU), a repeater, a router, a relay, and a gateway.

[032] Devices 100 and 200 illustrated in Figure 1 may be referred to as stations (STAs). For example, devices 100 and 200 illustrated in Figure 1 may be referred to by various terms, such as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a transmitting STA, and a receiving STA. For example, STAs 110 and 200 may perform an access point (AP) function or a non-AP function. That is, in this disclosure, STAs 110 and 200 may perform the functions of an AP and / or a non-AP. When STAs 110 and 200 perform an AP function, they may simply be referred to as APs, and when STAs 110 and 200 perform non-AP functions, they may simply be referred to as STAs. Furthermore, in this disclosure, an AP may also be indicated as an AP STA.

[033] With reference to Figure 1, the first device 100 and the second device 200 can transmit and receive radio signals through various wireless LAN technologies (e.g., IEEE 802.11 series). The first device 100 and the second device 200 can include an interface to a medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical layer (PHY) conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[034] In addition, the first device 100 and the second device 200 can additionally support various communication standard technologies (e.g., 3GPP LTE series standards, 5G NR series, etc.) other than wireless LAN technology. Furthermore, the device of this disclosure can be implemented in various devices, such as a mobile phone, a vehicle, a personal computer, augmented reality (AR) equipment, and virtual reality (VR) equipment, etc. In addition, the STA of this specification can support various Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 15 / 115 8 / 81 communication services, such as voice calls, video calls, data communication, autonomous driving, machine-to-machine (MTC) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, IoT (Internet of Things), etc.

[035] A first device 100 may include one or more processors 102 and one or more memories 104 and may additionally include one or more transceivers 106 and / or one or more antennas 108. A processor 102 may control a memory 104 and / or a transceiver 106 and may be configured to implement the description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or operating flowcharts disclosed in this disclosure. For example, a processor 102 may transmit a wireless signal including the first information / signal through a transceiver 106 after generating the first information / signal by processing information in a memory 104. Furthermore, a processor 102 may receive a wireless signal including a second piece of information / signal through a transceiver 106 and then store information obtained by processing the signal from the second piece of information / signal in a memory 104.A memory 104 can be connected to a processor 102 and can store a variety of information related to an operation of a processor 102. For example, a memory 104 can store software code including instructions to perform all or part of the processes controlled by a processor 102 or to perform descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or flowcharts of operation disclosed in this disclosure. Herein, a processor 102 and a memory 104 can be part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement a wireless LAN technology (e.g., IEEE 802.11 series). A transceiver 106 can be connected to a processor 102 and can transmit and / or receive a wireless signal through one or more antennas 108. A transceiver 106 can include a transmitter and / or a receiver. A transceiver 106 can be used in conjunction with a unit. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 16 / 115 9 / 81 RF (Radio Frequency). In this disclosure, a device may mean a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[036] A second device 200 may include one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204 and may additionally include one or more transceivers 206 and / or one or more antennas 208. A processor 202 may control a memory 204 and / or a transceiver 206 and may be configured to implement the description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or operating flowcharts disclosed in this disclosure. For example, a processor 202 may generate a third piece of information / signal by processing information in a memory 204 and then transmit a wireless signal including a third piece of information / signal through a transceiver 206. Furthermore, a processor 202 may receive a wireless signal including a fourth piece of information / signal through a transceiver 206 and then store information obtained by processing the signal from the fourth piece of information / signal in a memory 204.A memory 204 can be connected to a processor 202 and can store a variety of information related to an operation of a processor 202. For example, a memory 204 can store software code including instructions to perform all or part of the processes controlled by a processor 202 or to perform descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or flowcharts of operation disclosed in this disclosure. Herein, a processor 202 and a memory 204 can be part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement a wireless LAN technology (e.g., IEEE 802.11 series). A transceiver 206 can be connected to a processor 202 and can transmit and / or receive a wireless signal through one or more antennas 208. A transceiver 206 can include a transmitter and / or a receiver. A transceiver 206 can be used in conjunction with an RF unit.In this disclosure, a device may mean a modem / communication circuit / chip. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 17 / 115 10 / 81

[037] Next, a hardware element of a device 100, 200 will be described in more detail. It is not limited to this, but one or more protocol layers may be implemented by one or more processors 102, 202. For example, one or more processors 102, 202 may implement one or more layers (e.g., a functional layer such as PHY, MAC). One or more processors 102, 202 may generate one or more PDUs (Protocol Data Units) and / or one or more SDUs (Service Data Units) according to the description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this disclosure. One or more processors 102, 202 may generate a message, control information, data, or information according to the description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts disclosed in this disclosure.One or more processors 102, 202 may generate a signal (e.g., a baseband signal) including a PDU, an SDU, a message, control information, data, or information in accordance with functions, procedures, proposals, and / or methods disclosed in this disclosure to provide it to one or more transceivers 106, 206. One or more processors 102, 202 may receive a signal (e.g., a baseband signal) from one or more transceivers 106, 206 and obtain a PDU, an SDU, a message, control information, data, or information in accordance with descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operating flowcharts disclosed in this disclosure.

[038] One or more 102, 202 processors may be referred to as a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or a microcomputer. One or more 102, 202 processors may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), one or more DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), one or more DSPDs (Digital Signal Processing Devices), one or Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 18 / 115 11 / 81 plus PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) or one or more FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) may be included in one or more 102, 202 processors. The description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or operating flowcharts disclosed in this disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software, and firmware or software may be implemented to include a module, a procedure, a function, etc. Firmware or software configured to perform descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or operating flowcharts disclosed in this disclosure may be included in one or more 102, 202 processors or may be stored in one or more 104, 204 memories and activated by one or more 102, 202 processors.The description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or flowcharts of operation disclosed in this disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software in the form of code, an instruction and / or a set of instructions.

[039] One or more 104, 204 memories may be connected to one or more 102, 202 processors and may store data, a signal, a message, information, a program, a code, an indication and / or an instruction in various forms. One or more 104, 204 memories may be configured with ROM, RAM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, a register, a cache memory, a computer-readable storage medium and / or a combination thereof. One or more 104, 204 memories may be positioned inside and / or outside one or more 102, 202 processors. Furthermore, one or more 104, 204 memories may be connected to one or more 102, 202 processors via a variety of technologies, such as a wired or wireless connection.

[040] One or more 106, 206 transceivers may transmit user data, control information, a wireless signal / channel, etc. mentioned in methods and / or flowcharts of operation, etc. of this disclosure to one or more other Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 19 / 115 12 / 81 devices. One or more transceivers 106, 206 may receive user data, control information, a wireless signal / channel, etc., mentioned in the description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operating flowcharts, etc., disclosed in this disclosure from one or more other devices. For example, one or more transceivers 106, 206 may be connected to one or more processors 102, 202 and may transmit and receive a wireless signal. For example, one or more processors 102, 202 may control one or more transceivers 106, 206 to transmit user data, control information, or a wireless signal to one or more other devices. Furthermore, one or more processors 102, 202 may control one or more transceivers 106, 206 to receive user data, control information, or a wireless signal from one or more other devices.Furthermore, one or more 106, 206 transceivers may be connected to one or more 108, 208 antennas, and one or more 106, 206 transceivers may be configured to transmit and receive user data, control information, a wireless signal / channel, etc., mentioned in the description, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operating flowcharts, etc., disclosed in this disclosure via one or more 108, 208 antennas. In this disclosure, one or more antennas may be a plurality of physical antennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., an antenna port). One or more 106, 206 transceivers may convert a received wireless signal / channel, etc., into a baseband signal from an RF band signal to process received user data, control information, wireless signal / channel, etc. using one or more 102, 202 processors. One or more 106, 206 transceivers can convert user data, control information, a wireless signal / channel, etc.which are processed using one or more 102, 202 processors from a baseband signal to an RF band signal. Therefore, one or more 106, 206 transceivers may include an (analog) oscillator and / or a filter. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 20 / 115 13 / 81

[041] For example, one of the STAs 100 and 200 can perform an intended AP operation, and the other of the STAs 100 and 200 can perform an intended non-AP STA operation. For example, transceivers 106 and 206 in Figure 1 can perform a transmit and receive operation of a signal (e.g., a packet or a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) compliant with IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be). Furthermore, in this disclosure, an operation in which multiple STAs generate transmit / receive signals or perform data processing or calculation in advance so that transmit / receive signals can be performed by processors 102 and 202 in Figure 1.For example, an example of a transmission / reception signal generation operation or data processing or advance calculation performance for the transmission / reception signal might include 1) determining / acquiring / configuring / calculating / decoding / encoding bit information from fields (signal (SIG), short training field (STF), long training field (LTF), data, etc.) included in the PPDU; 2) determining / configuring / acquiring timing resources or frequency resources (e.g., subcarrier resources) used for fields (SIG, STF, LTF, data, etc.) included in the PPDU; 3) determining / configuring / acquiring a specific sequence (e.g., pilot sequence, STF / LTF sequence, extra sequence applied to SIG) used for fields (SIG, STF, LTF, data, etc.).) included in the PPDU action, 4) power control operation and / or power saving operation applied to the STA, 5) Operations related to the determination / acquisition / configuration / calculation / decoding / encoding of the ACK signal, etc. Furthermore, in the following example, various information (e.g., information related to fields / subfields / control fields / parameters / power, etc.) used by various STAs to determine / acquire / configure / calculate / decode / encode. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 21 / 115 14 / 81 transmission and reception signals can be stored in memories 104 and 204 of Figure 1.

[042] Hereafter, downlink (DL) may mean a communication link from an AP STA to a non-AP STA, and a DL PPDU / packet / signal may be transmitted and received via the DL. In DL communication, a transmitter may be part of an AP STA and a receiver may be part of a non-AP STA. Uplink (UL) may mean a communication link from non-AP STAs to AP STAs, and a UL PPDU / packet / signal may be transmitted and received via the UL. In UL communication, a transmitter may be part of a non-AP STA and a receiver may be part of an AP STA.

[043] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of a wireless LAN system to which the present disclosure can be applied.

[044] The structure of a wireless LAN system can consist of a plurality of components. A wireless LAN that supports transparent STA mobility to a higher layer can be provided by the interaction of a plurality of components. A Basic Service Set (BSS) corresponds to a basic building block of a wireless LAN. Figure 2 shows exemplarily that there are two BSSs (BSS1 and BSS2) and two STAs are included as members of each BSS (STA1 and STA2 are included in BSS1, and STA3 and STA4 are included in BSS2). An ellipse representing a BSS in Figure 2 can also be understood as representing a coverage area in which the STAs included in the corresponding BSS maintain communication. This area can be called the Basic Service Area (BSA). When an STA leaves the BSA, it cannot communicate directly with other STAs within the BSA.

[045] If the DS shown in Figure 2 is not considered, the most basic type of BSS in a wireless LAN is an independent BSS (IBSS). For example, the IBSS can have a minimal form containing only two STAs. For example, assuming Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 22 / 115 15 / 81 where other components are omitted, BSS1 containing only STA1 and STA2 or BSS2 containing only STA3 and STA4 may respectively correspond to representative examples of IBSS. This configuration is possible when the STAs can communicate directly without an AP. Furthermore, in this type of wireless LAN, it is not configured in advance, but can be configured when a LAN is required, and this can be called an ad-hoc network. Given that IBSS does not include an AP, there is no centralized management entity. That is, in IBSS the STAs are managed in a distributed manner. In IBSS, all STAs can be constituted by mobile STAs, with access to the distributed system (DS) not being allowed, forming a self-contained network.

[046] A STA's membership in the BSS can be dynamically changed by turning the STA on or off, entering or leaving the BSS area, and so on. To become a member of the BSS, the STA can join the BSS using a synchronization process. To access all services of the BSS infrastructure, the STA must be associated with the BSS. This association can be established dynamically and may include the use of a Distributed System Service (DSS).

[047] A direct distance from STA to STA in a wireless LAN may be limited by PHY performance. In some cases, this distance limit may be sufficient, but in others, communication between STAs at a greater distance may be required. A distributed system (DS) can be configured to support extended coverage.

[048] DS stands for a structure in which BSSs are interconnected. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, a BSS can exist as an extended form of a network composed of a plurality of BSSs. DS is a logical concept and can be specified by the characteristics of Distributed System Media (DSM). In this respect, a wireless medium (WM) and a DSM can be logically separated. Each logical medium is used for a different purpose and by Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 23 / 115 16 / 81 different components. These media are not limited to being the same, nor are they limited to being different. In this way, the flexibility of the wireless LAN structure (DS structure or other network structure) can be explained by the fact that a plurality of media are logically different. That is, the wireless LAN structure can be implemented in various ways, and the corresponding wireless LAN structure can be specified independently by the physical characteristics of each mode.

[049] A DS can support a mobile device by providing seamless integration of a plurality of BSSs and providing the logical services needed to address an address to a destination. In addition, the DS can also include a component called a portal that serves as a bridge for connection between the wireless LAN and other networks (e.g., IEEE 802.X).

[050] The AP enables access to the DS through the WM for the associated non-AP STAs and signifies an entity that also possesses the functionality of an STA. Data movement between the BSS and the DS can be performed through the AP. For example, STA2 and STA3 shown in Figure 2 have the functionality of STAs and provide a function that allows the associated non-AP STAs (STA1 and STA4) to access the DS. Furthermore, since all APs basically correspond to STAs, all APs are addressable entities. The address used by the AP for communication in the WM and the address used by the AP for communication in the DSM are not necessarily the same. A BSS composed of an AP and one or more STAs can be called an infrastructure BSS.

[051] Data transmitted from one or more STAs associated with an AP to a corresponding AP STA address can always be received on an uncontrolled port and can be processed by an IEEE 802.1X port access entity. Furthermore, when a controlled port is authenticated, the transmission data (or frames) can be delivered to the DS. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 24 / 115 17 / 81

[052] In addition to the DS structure described above, an extended services suite (ESS) can be configured to provide broad coverage.

[053] An ESS stands for a network in which a network of arbitrary size and complexity is composed of DSs and BSSs. The ESS may correspond to a set of BSSs connected to a DS. However, the ESS does not include the DS. An ESS network is characterized by being viewed as an IBSS at the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer. The STAs included in the ESS can communicate with each other, and mobile STAs can move from one BSS to another BSS (within the same ESS) transparently to the LLC. The APs included in an ESS may have the same Service Set Identification (SSID). The SSID is differentiated from the BSSID, which is a BSS identifier.

[054] The wireless LAN system assumes nothing about the relative physical locations of BSSs, and all of the following forms are possible. BSSs may partially overlap, which is a commonly used form to provide continuous coverage. Additionally, BSSs may not be physically connected, and logically there is no limit to the distance between BSSs. Furthermore, BSSs may be physically located in the same location, which can be used to provide redundancy. Additionally, one (or more) IBSS or ESS networks may physically exist in the same space as one (or more) ESS network. When an ad-hoc network operates in a location where an ESS network exists, when physically overlapping wireless networks are configured by different organizations, or when two or more different access and security policies are required in the same location, this may correspond to the form of a similar ESS network.

[055] Figure 3 is a diagram to explain a link-building process to which this disclosure can be applied.

[056] For an STA to establish a link to a network and transmit / receive data, it first discovers a network, performs authentication, Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 25 / 115 18 / 81 establishes an association and needs to perform the authentication process for security. The link establishment process can also be referred to as the session initiation process or session establishment process. Furthermore, the discovery, authentication, association, and security establishment processes of the link establishment process can be collectively called the association process.

[057] In the S310 step, the STA can perform a network discovery operation. The network discovery operation may include a scanning operation by the STA. That is, in order for the STA to access the network, it needs to find a network it can join. The STA must identify a compatible network before joining a wireless network, and the process of identifying an existing network in a specific area is called scanning.

[058] Scanning schemes include active scanning and passive scanning. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a network discovery operation including an active scanning process. In active scanning, a STA performing the scan transmits a probe request frame to discover which APs exist around it while moving channels and waits for a response from them. A responder transmits a probe response frame as a response to the probe request frame to the STA that transmitted the probe request frame. Here, the responder can be an STA that last transmitted a flag frame in the BSS of the channel being scanned. In the BSS, as the AP transmits the flag frame, the AP becomes a responder, and in the IBSS, the STAs in the IBSS rotate to transmit the flag frame, so the responder is not constant.For example, a STA that transmits a probe request frame on channel 1 and receives a probe response frame on channel 1, can store BSS-related information included in the received probe response frame and can move on to the next channel (e.g., channel 2). Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 26 / 115 19 / 81 perform scanning (i.e., transmission / reception of a probe request / response on channel 2) in the same manner.

[059] Although not shown in Figure 3, the scanning operation can be performed in a passive scanning mode. In passive scanning, a STA performing the scan waits for a signal frame while moving channels. The signal frame is one of the management frames defined in IEEE 802.11, and is transmitted periodically to notify of the existence of a wireless network and to allow the STA to perform the scan to find a wireless network and join the wireless network. In the BSS, the AP serves to transmit signal frames periodically, and in the IBSS, the STAs within the IBSS rotate to transmit signal frames. When the STA performing the scan receives a signal frame, the STA stores information for the BSS included in the signal frame and logs signal frame information on each channel while moving to another channel.The STA that receives the signal frame can store BSS-related information included in the received signal frame, move to the next channel, and perform the scan on the next channel in the same way. Comparing active and passive scanning, active scanning has the advantage of having less delay and lower power consumption than passive scanning.

[060] After the STA discovers the network, an authentication process can be executed in step S320. This authentication process can be referred to as a first authentication process to be clearly distinguished from the security establishment operation of step S340 to be described later.

[061] The authentication process includes a process in which the STA transmits an authentication request frame to the AP and, in response to this, the AP transmits an authentication response frame to the STA. A frame of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 27 / 115 20 / 81 authentication used for authentication request / response corresponds to a management frame.

[062] The authentication frame includes an authentication algorithm number, an authentication transaction sequence number, a status code, a challenge text, a robust security network (RSN), and a Finite Cyclic Group, etc. These are some examples of information that can be included in the authentication request / response frame and can be replaced by other information or additional information can be included later.

[063] The STA can transmit an authentication request frame to the AP. The AP can determine whether to allow authentication from the corresponding STA based on the information included in the received authentication request frame. The AP can provide the result of the authentication process to the STA through an authentication response frame.

[064] After the STA is successfully authenticated, a membership process can be performed in step S330. The membership process includes a process in which the STA transmits a membership request frame to the AP and, in response, the AP transmits a membership response frame to the STA.

[065] For example, the association request frame may include information related to various capabilities, a beacon listening range, a service set identifier (SSID), supported rates, supported channels, RSN, mobility domain, supported operating classes, Traffic Indication Map Broadcasting request (TIM broadcasting request), interoperability service capability, etc. For example, the association response frame may include information related to various features, status code, association ID (AID), supported rates, enhanced distributed channel access parameter set (EDCA), received channel power indicator (RCPI), received signal-to-noise indicator (RSNI), mobility domain, range of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 28 / 115 21 / 81 timeout (e.g., association return time), overlapping BSS scan parameters, TIM broadcast response, Quality of Service (QoS) map, etc. These are just some examples of information that can be included in the association request / response frame and can be replaced with other information, or additional information can be included later.

[066] After the STA is successfully associated with the network, a security establishment process can be performed in step S340. The security establishment process in step S340 can be referred to as a Robust Security Network Association (RSNA) request / response authentication process, and the authentication process in step S320 is referred to as a first authentication process, and the security establishment process in step S340 can also simply be referred to as an authentication process.

[067] The security establishment process of the S340 step may include, for example, a process of establishing a private key via a 4-way handshake through an Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) frame. Furthermore, the security establishment process may be performed according to a security scheme not defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[068] Figure 4 is a diagram to explain a pullback process to which the present disclosure can be applied.

[069] In a wireless LAN system, a basic medium access control (MAC) access mechanism is a carrier-sensing multiple access mechanism with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA). The CSMA / CA mechanism is also called the IEEE 802.11 MAC Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) and basically adopts a listen-before-talk access mechanism. According to this type of access mechanism, the AP and / or STA can perform Evaluation Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 29 / 115 22 / 81 Free Channel Acquisition (CCA) senses a radio channel or medium during a predetermined time interval (e.g., DCF Interframe Space (DIFS)) before initiating transmission. As a result of the sensing, if the medium is determined to be idle, frame transmission is initiated through the corresponding medium. Conversely, if the medium is detected to be busy, the corresponding AP and / or STA does not initiate its own transmission and may set a delay period for medium access (e.g., a random backoff period) and attempt frame transmission after waiting. By applying the random backoff period, since multiple STAs are expected to attempt frame transmission after waiting for different periods of time, collision can be minimized.

[070] In addition, the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol provides a Hybrid Coordination Function (HCF). HCF is based on DCF and Point Coordination Function (PCF). PCF is a synchronous access method based on checking and refers to a method in which all receiving APs and / or STAs periodically check to receive data frames. Furthermore, HCF has Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) and HCF-Controlled Channel Access (HCCA). EDCA is a contention-based access method for a provider to provide data frames to multiple users, and HCCA uses a non-contentation-based channel access method using a checking mechanism. Additionally, HCF includes a medium access mechanism to enhance wireless LAN QoS (Quality of Service) and can transmit QoS data in both a Contention Period (CP) and a Contention-Free Period (CFP).

[071] With reference to Figure 4, an operation based on a random backoff period will be described. When the busy medium changes to an idle state, several STAs may attempt to transmit data (or frames). As a method to minimize collisions, each of the STAs may, respectively, Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 30 / 115 23 / 81 Select a random backcount and attempt transmission after waiting for a corresponding time partition. The random backcount has a pseudo-random integer value and can be determined as one of values ​​ranging from 0 to CW. Here, CW is a contention window parameter value. The CW parameter receives CWmin as its initial value, but can assume a value twice as large in case of transmission failure (e.g., when an ACK for the transmitted frame is not received). When the CW parameter value reaches CWmax, data transmission can be attempted while maintaining the CWmax value until data transmission is successful, and when data transmission is successful, the CWmin value is reset. The CW, CWmin, and CWmax values ​​are preferably set to 2n-1 (n = 0, 1, 2, ...).

[072] When the random pullback process is initiated, the STA continuously monitors the medium while counting down the pullback partitions according to the determined pullback count value. When the medium is monitored for occupancy, it stops counting down and waits, and resumes the remainder of the countdown when the medium becomes idle.

[073] In the example in Figure 4, when a packet to be transmitted arrives at the MAC of STA3, STA3 can transmit the frame immediately after confirming that the medium is idle as much as the DIFS. The remaining STAs monitor and wait for the medium to be busy. Meanwhile, the data to be transmitted can also occur in each of the STA1, STA2, and STA5, and each STA waits as long as the DIFS when the medium is monitored as idle, and then can perform a countdown of the backoff partition according to the random backoff count value selected by each STA. Suppose STA2 selects the lowest backoff count value and STA1 selects the highest backoff count value. That is, it exemplifies the case where the remaining backoff time of STA5 is shorter than the remaining backoff time of STA1 at the moment when Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 31 / 115 24 / 81 when STA2 completes the countdown and starts transmitting frames. STA1 and STA5 temporarily stop the countdown and wait while STA2 occupies the medium. When STA2's occupation ends and the medium becomes idle again, STA1 and STA5 wait for DIFS and resume the interrupted countdown. That is, frame transmission can be initiated after the countdown of the remaining backspace partitions to the remaining backspace time. Since STA5's remaining backspace time is less than STA1's, STA5 starts transmitting the frame. While STA2 occupies the medium, data to be transmitted can also occur on STA4. From STA4's point of view, when the medium becomes idle, STA4 can wait for DIFS and then perform a countdown according to the random backspace count value selected by STA4 and start transmitting frames.The example in Figure 4 shows a case where the remaining back time of STA5 coincides with the random back count value of STA4 by chance. In this case, a collision between STA4 and STA5 may occur. When a collision occurs, neither STA4 nor STA5 receive an ACK, therefore data transmission fails. In this case, STA4 and STA5 can duplicate the CW value, select a random back count value, and perform a countdown. STA1 waits while the medium is busy due to the transmission of STA4 and STA5, waits for DIFS when the medium becomes idle, and then starts transmitting the frame after the remaining back time has elapsed.

[074] As in the example in Figure 4, the data frame is a frame used for transmitting data forwarded to a higher layer and can be transmitted after a dropout performed after the DIFS has elapsed from the moment the medium becomes idle. Additionally, the management frame is a frame used for exchanging management information that is not forwarded to a higher layer, and is transmitted after a dropout performed after an IFS such as DIFS or Point Coordination Function IFS (PIFS). As a subtype of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 32 / 115 25 / 81 management frame frames, there is a Flag, a join request / response, a rejoin request / response, a probe request / response, an authentication request / response, etc. A control frame is a frame used to control access to a medium. As subtypes of control frames, there are Request to Send (RTS), Clear to Send (CTS), Acknowledgment (ACK), Power Saving Check (PS-Poll), Block ACK (BlockAck), Block ACK Request (BlockACKReq), null data packet announcement (NDP announcement) and trigger, etc. If the control frame is not a response frame from the previous frame, it will be transmitted after the backoff performed after the DIFS elapses, and if it is a response frame from the previous frame, it is transmitted without performing backoff after a short period of IFS (SIFS) elapses.The frame type and subtype can be identified by a type field and a subtype field in a frame control field (FC).

[075] A Quality of Service (QoS) STA can perform the fallback that is performed after an Arbitration IFS (AIFS) for an Access Category (AC) to which the frame belongs, i.e., AIFS[i] (where i is a value determined by AC) and then can transmit the frame. Here, the frame in which AIFS[i] can be used can be a data frame, a management frame, or a control frame other than a response frame.

[076] Figure 5 is a diagram to explain a CSMA / CA-based frame transmission operation to which this disclosure can be applied.

[077] As described above, the CSMA / CA mechanism includes virtual carrier sensing in addition to physical carrier sensing, in which an STA directly performs medium sensing. Virtual carrier sensing aims to compensate for problems that may occur in medium access, such as a hidden node problem. For virtual carrier sensing, the STA's MAC address can use a Network Allocation Vector (NAV). The NAV is a Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 33 / 115 26 / 81 is a value that indicates, for other STAs, the remaining time until the medium is available for use by an STA that currently uses or has the right to use the medium. Therefore, the value set for NAV corresponds to a period in which the medium is scheduled to be used by the STA transmitting the frame, and the STA receiving the NAV value is prohibited from accessing the medium during the corresponding period. For example, NAV can be configured based on the value of the “duration” field in the frame's MAC header.

[078] In the example in Figure 5, it is assumed that a STA1 intends to transmit data to a STA2, and a STA3 is in a position capable of listening to some or all of the frames transmitted and received between STA1 and STA2.

[079] In order to reduce the possibility of collision of multiple STA transmissions in CSMA / CA-based frame transmission operation, a mechanism using RTS / CTS frames can be applied. In the example in Figure 5, while the transmission of STA1 is being performed, as a result of the carrier sensing of STA3, it can be determined that the medium is in an idle state. That is, STA1 may correspond to a hidden node of STA3. Alternatively, in the example in Figure 5, it can be determined that the medium resulting from carrier sensing of STA3 is in an idle state while the transmission of STA2 is being performed. That is, STA2 may correspond to a hidden node of STA3.Through the exchange of RTS / CTS frames before performing data transmission and reception between STA1 and STA2, an STA outside the transmission range of either STA1 or STA2, or an STA outside the carrier sensing range for transmission from STA1 or STA3, cannot attempt to occupy the channel during data transmission and reception between STA1 and STA2.

[080] Specifically, STA1 can determine if a channel is being used through carrier sensing. In terms of carrier sensing Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 34 / 115 27 / 81 physical carrier, the STA1 can determine an idle channel occupancy state based on a detected energy level or signal correlation in a channel. Additionally, in terms of virtual carrier sensing, the STA1 can determine a channel occupancy state using a network allocation vector (NAV) timer.

[081] STA1 can transmit an RTS frame to STA2 after performing a rollback when the channel is idle during DIFS. When STA2 receives the RTS frame, STA2 can transmit a CTS frame in response to the RTS frame to STA1 after SIFS.

[082] If STA3 cannot hear the CTS frame from STA2, but can hear the RTS frame from STA1, STA3 can set a NAV timer for a frame transmission period (e.g., SIFS + CTS frame + SIFS + data frame + SIFS + ACK frame) that is subsequently transmitted continuously, using the duration information included in the RTS frame. Alternatively, if STA3 can hear a CTS frame from STA2, even though STA3 cannot hear an RTS frame from STA1, STA3 can set a NAV timer for a frame transmission period (e.g., SIFS + data frame + SIFS + ACK frame) that is subsequently transmitted continuously, using the duration information included in the CTS frame. That is, if STA3 can hear one or more of the RTS or CTS frames from one or more of STA1 or STA2, STA3 can set the NAV accordingly.When STA3 receives a new frame before the NAV timer expires, STA3 can update the NAV timer using duration information included in the new frame. STA3 does not attempt to access the channel until the NAV timer expires.

[083] When STA1 receives the CTS frame from STA2, STA1 can transmit the data frame to STA2 after SIFS once the reception of the CTS frame is complete. When STA2 successfully receives the data frame, STA2 can transmit an ACK frame in response to the data frame to STA2. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 35 / 115 28 / 81 STA1 after SIFS. STA3 can determine if the channel is being used through carrier sensing when the NAV timer expires. When STA3 determines that the channel is not being used by other terminals during DIFS after the NAV timer expires, STA3 can attempt to access the channel after a contention window (CW) according to a random recoil has passed.

[084] Figure 6 is a diagram to explain an example of a frame structure used in a WLAN system to which the present disclosure can be applied.

[085] By means of an instruction or primitive (meaning a set of instructions or parameters) from the MAC layer, the PHY layer can prepare a MAC PDU (MPDU) to be transmitted. For example, when a command requesting the start of transmission from the PHY layer is received from the MAC layer, the PHY layer switches to transmission mode and configures the information (e.g., data) provided by the MAC layer into a frame and transmits it. Furthermore, when the PHY layer detects a valid preamble in the received frame, the PHY layer monitors the preamble header and sends a command notifying the MAC layer of the start of reception from the PHY layer.

[086] In this way, the transmission / reception of information in a wireless LAN system is performed in the form of a frame, and for this a PHY layer protocol data unit (PPDU) frame format is defined.

[087] A basic PPDU can include a short training field (STF), a long training field (LTF), a SIGNAL field (SIG), and a data field (Data). The most basic PPDU format (e.g., non-HT (High Throughput) shown in Figure 7) can consist only of Legacy STF (L-STF), Legacy LTF (L-LTF), Legacy SIG (L-SIG), and data fields. Furthermore, depending on the PPDU format type (e.g., mixed-format HT PPDU, green-field HT format PPDU, VHT (very high throughput) PPDU), Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 36 / 115 29 / 81 etc.), additional (or different) fields from RL-SIG, U-SIG, non-legacy SIG, non-legacy STF, non-legacy LTF (e.g., xx-SIG, xx-STF, xx-LTF (e.g., xx is HT, VHT, HE, EHT, etc.)), etc. may be included between the L-SIG field and the data field.

[088] The STF is a signal for signal detection, automatic gain control (AGC), diversity selection, precise time synchronization and the like, and the LTF is a signal for channel estimation and frequency error estimation. The STF and LTF can be referred to as signals for synchronization and channel estimation of the OFDM physical layer.

[089] The SIG field can include various information related to PPDU transmission and reception. For example, the L-SIG field consists of 24 bits and the L-SIG field can include a 4-bit Rate field, a 1-bit Reserved bit, a 12-bit Length field, a 1-bit Parity field, and a 6-bit Tail field. The RATE field can include information about the modulation and data encoding rate. For example, the 12-bit Length field can include information about the length or duration of the PPDU. For example, the value of the 12-bit Length field can be determined based on the PPDU type. For example, for non-HT, HT, VHT, or EHT PPDUs, the value of the Length field can be determined as a multiple of 3. For example, for an HE PPDU, the value of the Length field can be determined as a multiple of 3 + 1 or a multiple of 3 + 2.

[090] The data field may include a SERVICE field, a Physical Layer Service Data Unit (PSDU), and a PPDU TAIL bit, and may also include padding bits if necessary. Some bits of the SERVICE field may be used for descrambler synchronization at the receiving end. The PSDU corresponds to the MAC PDU defined in the MAC layer and may include data generated / used in the upper layer. The PPDU TAIL bit may be used for Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 37 / 115 30 / 81 return the encoder to state 0. Padding bits can be used to adjust the length of a data field to a predetermined unit.

[091] A MAC PDU is defined according to various MAC frame formats, and a basic MAC frame consists of a MAC header, a frame body, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS). The MAC frame may consist of MAC PDUs and be transmitted / received via the PSDU of the data portion of the PPDU frame format.

[092] The MAC header includes a Frame Control field, a Duration / ID field, an Address field, and similar fields. The Frame Control field may include control information required for frame transmission / reception. The Duration / ID field may be set to a time for transmission of a corresponding frame or similar. For details on the Sequence Control, QoS Control, and HT Control subfields of the MAC header, see the IEEE 802.11 standard document.

[093] The Null Data PPDU (NDP) format refers to a PPDU format that does not include a data field. In other words, NDP refers to a frame format that includes the PPDU preamble in a general PPDU format (i.e., L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG fields and, additionally, non-legacy SIG, non-legacy STF, non-legacy LTF, if present) and does not include the remaining part (i.e., data field).

[094] Figure 7 is a diagram that illustrates examples of PPDUs defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard to which this disclosure can be applied.

[095] In standards such as IEEE 802.11a / g / n / ac / ax, several types of PPDUs have been used. The basic PPDU format (IEEE 802.11a / g) includes L-LTF, LSTF, L-SIG fields and data. The basic PPDU format may also be called the non-HT PPDU format (as shown in Figure 7(a)). Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 38 / 115 31 / 81

[096] The HT PPDU format (IEEE 802.11 n) additionally includes the HT-SIG, HT-STF, and HT-LFT(s) fields in the basic PPDU format. The HT PPDU format shown in Figure 7(b) can be called a mixed HT format. In addition, a green field HT format PPDU can be defined, and this corresponds to a format consisting of HT-GF-STF, HT-LTF1, HT-SIG, one or more HT-LTF, and the Data field, not including L-STF, L-LTF, and L-SIG (not shown).

[097] An example of the VHT PPDU format (IEEE 802.11ac) additionally includes the VHT SIG-A, VHT-STF, VHT-LTF and VHT-SIG-B fields in the basic PPDU format (as shown in Figure 7(c)).

[098] An example of the HE PPDU format (IEEE 802.11ax) additionally includes the fields Repeated L-SIG (RL-SIG), HE-SIG-A, HE-SIG-B, HE-STF, HE-LTF(s), Packet Extension (PE) for the basic PPDU format (as shown in Figure 7(d)). Some fields may be omitted or their length may vary according to detailed examples of the HE PPDU format. For example, the HE-SIG-B field is included in the multi-user (MU) HE PPDU format, and the HE-SIG-B field is not included in the single-user (SU) HE PPDU format. Furthermore, the trigger-based (TB) HE PPDU format does not include HE-SIG-B, and the length of the HE-STF field may vary up to 8 us. The Extended Range SU PPDU (HE ER) format does not include the HE-SIG-B field, and the length of the HE-SIG-A field can vary up to 16us. For example, RL-SIG can be configured the same way as L-SIG.The receiving STA can determine whether the received PPDU is a HE PPDU or an EHT PPDU, which will be described later, based on the presence of the RL-SIG.

[099] The EHT PPDU format may include MU (multi-user) EHT in Figure 7(e) and TB (shot-based) EHT PPDU in Figure 7(f). The EHT PPDU format is similar to the HE PPDU format in that it includes RL-SIG followed by L-SIG, but may include U (universal)-SIG, EHT-SIG, EHT-STF and EHT-LTF after RL-SIG. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 39 / 115 32 / 81

[0100] The EHT MU PPDU in Figure 7(e) corresponds to a PPDU that carries one or more data (or PSDU) for one or more users. That is, the EHT MU PPDU can be used for both SU transmission and MU transmission. For example, the EHT MU PPDU may correspond to a PPDU for a receiving STA or multiple receiving STAs.

[0101] The EHT TB PPDU in Figure 7(f) omits the EHT-SIG compared to the EHT MU PPDU. An STA that receives a trigger (e.g., trigger frame or triggered response schedule (TRS)) for UL MU transmission can perform UL transmission based on the EHT TB PPDU format.

[0102] The L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG (Universal SIGNAL), and EHT-SIG fields can be encoded and modulated so that even legacy STAs can attempt demodulation and decoding, and can be mapped based on a determined subcarrier frequency range (e.g., 312.5 kHz). These can be called pre-EHT modulated fields. Then, the EHT-STF, EHT-LTF, Data, and PE fields can be encoded and modulated to be demodulated and decoded by an STA that successfully decodes the non-legacy SIG (e.g., U-SIG and / or EHT-SIG) and obtains the information included in the field, and can be mapped based on a determined subcarrier frequency range (e.g., 78.125 kHz). These can be called EHT modulated fields.

[0103] Similarly, in the HE PPDU format, the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, HE-SIG-A, and HE-SIG-B fields can be called pre-HE modulation fields, and the HE-STF, HE-LTF, Data, and PE fields can be called HE modulation fields. Furthermore, in the VHT PPDU format, the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, and VHT-SIG-A fields can be called free VHT modulation fields, and the VHT STF, VHT-LTF, VHT-SIG-B, and Data fields can be called VHT modulation fields. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 40 / 115 33 / 81

[0104] The U-GIS included in the EHT PPDU format in Figure 7 can be configured based on, for example, two symbols (e.g., two consecutive OFDM symbols). Each symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol) for U-GIS can have a duration of 4µs, and U-GIS can have a total duration of 8µs. Each U-GIS symbol can be used to transmit 26 bits of information. For example, each U-GIS symbol can be transmitted and received based on 52 data tones and 4 pilot tones.

[0105] U-GIS can be built in 20 MHz units. For example, if an 80 MHz PPDU is built, the U-GIS can be duplicated. That is, the same 4 U-GIS can be included in the 80 MHz PPDU. PPDUs that exceed the 80 MHz bandwidth can include different U-GIS.

[0106] For example, several unencoded bits can be transmitted through the U-SIG, the first U-SIG symbol (e.g., U-SIG-1 symbol) can transmit the first X bits of information from the total A bits of information, and the second U-SIG symbol (e.g., U-SIG-2 symbol) can transmit the remaining Y bits of information from the total A bits of information. The information of a bit (e.g., 52 unencoded bits) can include a CRC field (e.g., a 4-bit long field) and a tail field (e.g., a 6-bit long field). For example, the tail field can be used to close the convolutional decoder lattice and can be set to 0.

[0107] A bit information transmitted by the U-SIG can be divided into version-independent bits and version-dependent bits. For example, the U-SIG can be included in a new PPDU format not shown in Figure 7 (e.g., UHR PPDU format) and in the U-SIG field format included in the EHT PPDU format and in the U-SIG field format included in the UHR PPDU format, the version-independent bits may be the same, and some or all of the version-dependent bits may be different. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 41 / 115 34 / 81

[0108] For example, the size of the version-independent bits of the U-SIG can be fixed or variable. Version-independent bits can be assigned only to the U-SIG-1 symbol or to the U-SIG-1 and U-SIG-2 symbols. Version-independent bits and version-dependent bits can be called by various names, such as first control bit and second control bit.

[0109] For example, the U-SIG version-independent bits may include a 3-bit physical layer version identifier (PHY version identifier), and this information may indicate the PHY version (e.g., EHT, UHR, etc.) of the transmitted / received PPDU. The U-SIG version-independent bits may include a 1-bit UL / DL signaling field. The first value of the 1-bit UL / DL signaling field relates to UL communication, and the second value of the UL / DL signaling field relates to DL communication. The U-SIG version-independent bits may include information about the transmission opportunity length (TXOP) and information about the BSS color ID.

[0110] For example, U-SIG version-dependent bits may include information that directly or indirectly indicates the PPDU type (e.g., SU PPDU, MU PPDU, TB PPDU, etc.).

[0111] The information necessary for PPDU transmission and reception can be included in the U-SIG. For example, the U-SIG can additionally include information about bandwidth, information about the MCS technique applied to the non-legacy SIG (e.g., EHT-SIG or UHR-SIG, etc.), information indicating whether the DCM (dual carrier modulation) technique (e.g., a technique to obtain an effect similar to frequency diversity by reusing the same signal on two subcarriers) is applied to the non-legacy SIG, information about the number of symbols used for the non-legacy SIG, and whether the non-legacy SIG is generated across the entire band. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 42 / 115 35 / 81

[0112] Some of the information required for PPDU transmission and reception may be included in U-SIG and / or non-legacy SIG (e.g., EHT-SIG or UHR-SIG, etc.). For example, information about the type of non-legacy LTF / STF (e.g., EHT-LTF / EHT-STF or UHR-LTF / UHR-STF, etc.), information about the length of the non-legacy LTF and the length of the CP (cyclic prefix), information about the GI (guard interval) applicable to the non-legacy LTF, information about preamble punching applicable to the PPDU, information about RU (resource unit) allocation, etc. may be included only in the U-SIG, only in the non-legacy SIG, or may be indicated by a combination of information included in the USIG and information included in the non-legacy SIG.

[0113] Preamble puncturing can mean transmitting a PPDU in which a signal does not exist in one or more frequency units within the PPDU bandwidth. For example, the frequency unit size (or resolution of the preamble puncturing) can be defined as 20 MHz, 40 MHz, etc. For example, preamble puncturing can be applied to a PPDU bandwidth of a predetermined size or more.

[0114] In the example in Figure 7, non-legacy SIGs, such as HE-SIG-B and EHT-SIG, may include control information for the receiving STA. A non-legacy SIG may be transmitted by at least one symbol, and a symbol may have a length of 4us. Information on the number of symbols used for the EHT-SIG may be included in earlier SIGs (e.g., HE-SIG-A, U-SIG, etc.).

[0115] Non-legacy GIS, such as HE-SIG-B and EHT-SIG, may include common fields and user-specific fields. Common fields and user-specific fields may be coded separately.

[0116] In some cases, common fields may be omitted. For example, in a compression mode where non-OFDMA (frequency multiple access) Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 43 / 115 If orthogonal (36 / 81) is applied, the common field can be omitted, and multiple STAs can receive a PPDU (e.g., a PPDU data field) over the same frequency band. In an uncompressed mode where OFDMA is applied, multiple users can receive a PPDU (e.g., a PPDU data field) over different frequency bands.

[0117] The number of user-specific fields can be determined based on the number of users. A user block field can include up to two user fields. Each user field can be associated with a MU-MIMO allocation or it can be associated with a non-MU-MIMO allocation.

[0118] The common field may include a CRC bit and a tail bit, and the length of the CRC bit may be set to 4 bits, and the length of the tail bit may be set to 6 bits and set to 000000. The common field may include RU allocation information. The RU allocation information may include information about the location of the RU to which multiple users (i.e., multiple receiving STAs) are assigned.

[0119] RU can include multiple subcarriers (or tones). RU can be used when transmitting signals to multiple STAs based on the OFDMA technique. Furthermore, RU can be defined even when transmitting a signal to a single STA. Resources can be allocated in RU units for non-legacy STF, non-legacy LTF, and Data fields.

[0120] An applicable RU size can be defined according to the bandwidth of the PPDU. RUs can be defined identically or differently for the applied PPDU format (e.g., HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, etc.). For example, in the case of an 80 MHz PPDU, the RU placement of the HE PPDU and EHT PPDU may be different. The applicable RU size, the number of RUs and the RU location for each PPDU bandwidth, the location and number of the DC (direct current) subcarrier, the location and number of the null subcarrier, Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 44 / 115 37 / 81 The location and number of the guard subcarrier, etc., can be referred to as the tone plan. For example, a high-bandwidth tone plan can be defined as multiple iterations of a low-bandwidth tone plan.

[0121] RUs of various sizes can be defined as 26-tone RU, 52-tone RU, 106-tone RU, 242-tone RU, 484-tone RU, 996-tone RU, 2X996-tone RU, 3X996-tone RU, etc. MRU (multiple RU) is distinguished from a plurality of individual RUs and corresponds to a group of subcarriers composed of a plurality of RUs. For example, an MRU can be defined as 52 + 26 tones, 106 + 26 tones, 484 + 242 tones, 996 + 484 tones, 996 + 484 + 242 tones, 2X996 + 484 tones, 3X996 tones or 3X996 + 484 tones. Furthermore, a plurality of uniform rectilinear motions (URMs) that constitute a uniform rectilinear motion (URM) may or may not be continuous in the frequency domain.

[0122] The specific size of the RU can be reduced or expanded. Consequently, the specific size of each RU (i.e., the number of corresponding tones) in this disclosure is not limiting and is illustrative. Furthermore, in this disclosure, within a predetermined bandwidth (e.g., 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 MHz, ...), the number of RUs may vary depending on the RU size.

[0123] The names of each field in the PPDU formats in Figure 7 are exemplary, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited by the names. In addition, examples from this disclosure can be applied to the PPDU format illustrated in Figure 7, as well as a new PPDU format in which some fields are deleted and / or some fields are added based on the PPDU formats in Figure 7. Resource Unit

[0124] Figures 8 to 10 are diagrams to describe examples of resource units of a WLAN system to which this disclosure can be applied. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 45 / 115 38 / 81

[0125] With reference to Figures 8 to 10, a resource unit (RU) defined in a wireless LAN system will be described. The RU can include a plurality of subcarriers (or tones). The RU can be used when transmitting signals to multiple STAs based on the OFDMA scheme. Furthermore, the RU can be defined even when a signal is transmitted to a single STA. The RU can be used for STF field, LTF, PPDU data, etc.

[0126] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, RUs corresponding to different numbers of tones (i.e., subcarriers) are used to construct some 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz X-PPDU fields (X is HE, EHT, etc.). For example, resources can be allocated in RU units shown for the X-STF, XLTF, and Data fields.

[0127] Figure 8 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary allocation of resource units (RUs) used in a 20 MHz band.

[0128] As shown at the top of Figure 8, 26 units (i.e., units corresponding to 26 tones) can be allocated. 6 tones can be used as a guard band in the leftmost band of the 20 MHz band, and 5 tones can be used as a guard band in the rightmost band of the 20 MHz band. Additionally, 7 DC tones are inserted in the center band, i.e., the DC band, and 26 units corresponding to each of the 13 tones can exist on the left and right sides of the DC band. Furthermore, 26 units, 52 units, and 106 units can be allocated to other bands. Each unit can be allocated to STAs or users.

[0129] The RU allocation in Figure 8 is used not only in a multi-user (MU) situation, but also in a single-user (SU) situation, and in this case, it is possible to use a 242 unit as shown at the bottom of Figure 8. In this case, three DC tones can be inserted.

[0130] In the example in Figure 8, RUs of various sizes, i.e., 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, 242-RU, etc. are exemplified, but the specific size of these RUs Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 46 / 115 39 / 81 can be reduced or expanded. Therefore, in this disclosure, the specific size of each RU (i.e., the corresponding number of tones) is illustrative and not restrictive. Furthermore, within a predetermined bandwidth (e.g., 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 MHz, ...) in this disclosure, the number of RUs can vary according to the RU size. In the examples in Figure 9 and / or Figure 10 to be described below, the fact that the size and / or number of RUs can be varied is the same as in the example in Figure 8.

[0131] Figure 9 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary allocation of resource units (RUs) used in a 40 MHz band.

[0132] Just as RUs of various sizes are used in the example in Figure 8, 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, 242-RU, 484-RU and similar RUs can be used in the example in Figure 9 as well. In addition, 5 DC tones can be inserted at the center frequency, 12 tones can be used as a guard band in the leftmost band of the 40 MHz band, and 11 tones can be used as a guard band in the rightmost band of the 40 MHz band.

[0133] In addition, as shown, when used for a single user, a 484-RU can be used.

[0134] Figure 10 is a diagram that illustrates an exemplary allocation of resource units (RUs) used in an 80 MHz band.

[0135] Just as RUs of various sizes are used in the example in Figure 8 and Figure 9, 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, 242-RU, 484-RU, 996-RU and similar sizes can be used in the example in Figure 10 as well. Furthermore, in the case of an 80 MHz PPDU, the RU allocation of HE PPDUs and EHT PPDUs may be different, and the example in Figure 10 shows an example of RU allocation for 80 MHz EHT PPDUs. The scheme in which 12 tones are used as the guard band in the leftmost band of the 80 MHz band and 11 tones are used as the guard band in the rightmost band of the 80 MHz band in the example in Figure 10 is the same in Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 47 / 115 40 / 81 HE PPDU and EHT PPDU. Unlike HE PPDU, where 7 DC tones are inserted into the DC band and there is a 26-RU corresponding to each of the 13 tones on the left and right sides of the DC band, in EHT PPDU, 23 DC tones are inserted into the DC band, and a 26-RU exists on both the left and right sides of the DC band. Unlike HE PPDU, where there is a null subcarrier between 242-RUs instead of the center band, there are five null subcarriers in EHT PPDU. In HE PPDU, a 484-RU does not include null subcarriers, but in EHT PPDU, a 484-RU includes 5 null subcarriers.

[0136] Furthermore, as shown, when used for a single user, 996-RU can be used, and in this case 5 DC tones are inserted in common with HE PPDU and EHT PPDU.

[0137] EHT PPDUs above 160 MHz can be configured with a plurality of 80 MHz sub-blocks in Figure 10. The RU allocation for each 80 MHz sub-block can be the same as the 80 MHz EHT PPDU in Figure 10. If the 80 MHz sub-block of the 160 MHz or 320 MHz EHT PPDU is not punched and the entire 80 MHz sub-block is used as part of RU or multiple RU (MRU), the 80 MHz sub-block can use 996-RU from Figure 10.

[0138] Here, the MRU corresponds to a group of subcarriers (or tones) composed of a plurality of RUs, and the plurality of RUs that constitute the MRU can be RUs with the same size or RUs with different sizes. For example, a single MRU can be defined as 52+26 tones, 106+26 tones, 484+242 tones, 996+484 tones, 996+484+242 tones, 2x996+484 tones, 3x996 tones or 3x996+484 tones. Here, the plurality of RUs that constitute an MRU can correspond to small-sized RUs (e.g., 26, 52 or 106) or large-sized RUs (e.g., 242, 484 or 996). In other words, a uniform rectilinear motion (MRU) including a small-sized RU and a large-sized RU may not be configured / defined. Furthermore, a plurality of RUs constituting an MRU may or may not be consecutive in the frequency domain. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 48 / 115 41 / 81

[0139] When an 80 MHz sub-block includes RUs smaller than 996 tones, or parts of the 80 MHz sub-block are punctured, the 80 MHz sub-block may use RU allocation different from the 996-tone RU.

[0140] The RU of this disclosure can be used for uplink (UL) and / or downlink (DL) communication. For example, when trigger-based UL-MU communication is performed, the STA transmitting the trigger (e.g., AP) can allocate a first RU (e.g., 26 / 52 / 106 / 242-RU, etc.) to a first STA and allocate a second RU (e.g., 26 / 52 / 106 / 242-RU, etc.) to a second STA, via trigger information (e.g., trigger frame or triggered response schedule (TRS)). After that, the first STA can transmit a first trigger-based PPDU (TB) based on the first RU, and the second STA can transmit a second TB PPDU based on the second RU. The first / second TB PPDUs can be transmitted to the AP in the same time period.

[0141] For example, when a DL MU PPDU is configured, the STA transmitting the DL MU PPDU (e.g., AP) can allocate a first RU (e.g., 26 / 52 / 106 / 242-RU, etc.) to a first STA and allocate a second RU (e.g., 26 / 52 / 106 / 242-RU, etc.) to a second STA. In other words, a transmitting STA (e.g., an AP) can transmit an X-STF (e.g., X is HE, EHT, etc.), an X-LTF, and a data field to the first STA via the first RU within a MU PPDU, and can transmit an X-STF, an XLTF, and a data field to the second STA via the second RU. Information about the arrangement of an RU can be signaled via the X-SIG field (e.g., X is HE, EHT, U) of an X-PPDU format. Distributed Resource Unit

[0142] Limitations on power spectral density (PSD) may apply in a sub-7 GHz band (e.g., 6 GHz) due to regulations. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 49 / 115 42 / 81 in various regions. For a non-AP STA in a low power internal band (LPI), a PSD limitation may be -1dBm / MHz. For example, for the existing 52-tone RU, the maximum transmit power (Tx) may be approximately 6 dBm.

[0143] Furthermore, different limitations may be applied in a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band. For example, in the EU / China / Japan / Korea, a PSD limitation of 10 dBm / MHz may be applied in a 2.4 GHz band. For the existing 52-tone RU, the maximum Tx power may be approximately 17 dBm. If a PSD limitation can be avoided in a 5 GHz band, the transmission power may be increased. For example, the maximum transmission power is 24 dBm for the existing 52-tone RU, which is still 6 dBm less than the maximum allowable effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of 30 dBm.

[0144] When a PSD limitation is overcome, the transmission power can be increased, thereby improving spectrum efficiency or extending the range.

[0145] Considering that a PSD limitation is defined by MHz for each STA, when the tones of a small RU are distributed over a wide bandwidth, the tones for each STA are non-contiguous, so each tone can be transmitted with high power. An RU that includes tones distributed in this way is called a Distributed RU (DRU), and to differentiate it, an RU that includes contiguous tones defined in an existing WLAN system (e.g., a system according to IEEE 802.11ax, 11be, etc.) can be called a Regular RU (RRU).

[0146] Compared to an STA transmitting an existing RRU, an STA transmitting a DRU can use high power. For example, a 52-tone DRU at 80 MHz has only one tone per MHz, while for a 52-tone RRU, there are approximately 13 tones per MHz. When a PSD limitation of -1dBm / MHz is assumed in a 6 GHz LPI band, for a 52-tone RU, the power of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 50 / 115 43 / 81 transmission can be increased by approximately 11dB when a DRU is used. When transmission power is increased in this way, a higher MCS can be applied and a longer range can be supported.

[0147] Figure 11 is a diagram to describe examples of a DRU to which this disclosure may apply.

[0148] The example in Figure 11 illustrates that STA1 performs transmission on DRU1, STA2 performs transmission on DRU2, and STA3 performs transmission on DRU3. Each STA can apply a transmission power boost using a DRU. Compared to when an RRU of the same size is used, higher transmission power is applied to all tones in a DRU, and consequently, spectral efficiency can be significantly improved. In this way, a DRU can be usefully applied, particularly in UL-OFDMA.

[0149] In the case of an AP, a DRU can also be used. In some cases, an AP can perform DL-OFDMA transmission to STA(s) using only some of the DRU1, DRU2, and DRU3, and in that case, a transmission power boost due to the use of a DRU can be applied.

[0150] To maximize power amplification, the tones within a DRU can be distributed as widely as possible. For example, a DRU including one tone per MHz can be considered an optimal example. The size of a DRU (or the number of available tones (i.e., the number of remaining tones, excluding unavailable tones such as a null tone, a guard tone, a DC tone, etc.) included in a DRU) can be defined as being the same as the size of an RRU (or the number of available tones included in an RRU). In this way, the effects on various technologies previously defined based on an RRU can be minimized. The table below shows an example of achievable power amplification (in dB) for several DRUs distributed over a bandwidth of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 51 / 115 44 / 81 different band. The examples in the table below assume a 6 GHz LPI band, and power amplification can also be achieved in a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band in other regions. For example, in an 80 MHz ULOFDMA transmission by 8 users, when each user uses a 106-tone DRU, the overall performance can be improved by approximately 8.13 dB compared to when each user uses a 106-tone RRU. In this way, a DRU can be used to overcome PSD limitations and obtain significant benefits. Table 1 20 MHz bandwidth 40 MHz bandwidth 80 MHz bandwidth 26-tone RU 8.13 11.14 11.14 52-tone RU 6.37 8.13 11.14 106-tone RU 3.36 6.37 8.13 242-tone RU Not applicable 2.69 5.12 484-tone RU Not applicable Not applicable 2.69 Trigger Frame

[0151] Figure 12 is a diagram representing the exemplary format of a firing frame to which the present disclosure can be applied.

[0152] A trigger frame can allocate a resource for at least one TB PPDU transmission and request a TB PPDU transmission. A trigger frame can also include other information required by an STA transmitting a TB PPDU in response to it. A trigger frame can include common info fields and a user info list in a frame body.

[0153] A common information field may include information that is commonly applied to at least one TB PPDU transmission requested by a trigger frame, for example, a trigger type, a UL length, if it exists. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 52 / 115 45 / 81 a subsequent firing frame (e.g., more TF), if channel sensing (CS) is required, a UL bandwidth (BW), etc. Figure 12 illustrates a common EHT variant information field format.

[0154] A trigger-type subfield with a size of 4 bits can have a value from 0 to 15. Among them, values ​​0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of a trigger-type subfield are defined to correspond to the basic BFRP (Beam Formation Report Check), MU-BAR (Multi-User Block Confirmation Request), MU-RTS (Multi-User Send Request), BSRP (Buffer Storage Status Report Check), GCR (Groupcast Retries), MU-BAR, BQRP (Bandwidth Query Report Check), and NFRP (NDP Feedback Report Check), respectively, and values ​​8 to 15 are defined as reserved.

[0155] Among the common information, a trigger-dependent common information subfield may include information that is selectively included based on the trigger type.

[0156] A special user information field can be included within a trigger frame. A special user information field does not include user-specific information, but includes extended common information that is not provided in a common information field.

[0157] A user information list includes at least 0 user information fields. Figure 12 illustrates an EHT variant user information field format.

[0158] An AID12 subfield basically represents a user information field for a STA having a corresponding AID. Furthermore, when an AID12 field has a specific predetermined value, it can be used for other purposes, such as allocating random access (RA)-RU or being configured as a special user information field. A field Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 53 / 115 46 / 81 special user information is a user information field that does not include specific user information, but includes extended common information not provided in a common information field. For example, a special user information field might be identified by an AID12 value of 2007, and a special user information field flag subfield within a common information field might indicate whether a special user information field is included.

[0159] A RU allocation subfield can represent the size and location of a RU / an MRU. For this purpose, a RU allocation subfield can be interpreted together with the PS160 (primary / secondary 160 MHz) subfield of a user information field, the UL BW subfield of a common information field, etc.

[0160] For example, as shown in Table 2 below, the B7-B1 mapping of a RU allocation subfield can be defined along with the adjustments of the B0 and PS160 subfields of a RU allocation subfield. Table 2 shows an example of encoding the PS160 subfield and the RU allocation subfield of an EHT variant user information field. Table 2 Subcamp PS160 B0 of the RU Allocation subcampus B7-B1 of the RU Allocation subcampus Range (MHz) RU / MRU Size RU / MRU Index PHY RU / MRU Index 03: 80MHz segment where the RU is allocated 0-8 20, 40, 80, 160 or 320 26 RU1 to RU9, respectively index 37x / V+RU 9-17 40, 80, 160 or 320 RU10 to RU18, respectively 18 80, 160 or 320 Reserved 19-36 80, 160 or 320 RU20 to 5837 respectively Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 54 / 115 47 / 81 37-40 20, 40, 80, 160 or 320 52 RU1 to RU4 respectively index 16x / V+RU 41-44 40, 80, 160 or 320 RU5 to RU8 45-52 80, 160 or 320 RU9 to RU16, respectively 53, 54 20, 40, 80, 160 or 320 106 RU1 and RU2, respectively index 8x / V+RU 55, 56 40, 80, 160 or 320 RU3 and RU4 respectively 57-60 80, 160 or 320 RU5 to RU8, respectively 61 20, 40, 80, 160 or 320 242 RU1 index 4x / V+RU 62 40, 80, 160 or 320 RU2 63, 64 80, 160 or 320 RU3 and RU4, respectively 65 40, 80, 160 or 320 484 RU1 index 2xN+RU 66 80, 160 or 320 RU2 67 80, 160 or 320 996 RU1 index + +RU 0-1: Segment ο 160 MHz where ο RU is located 0 0 68 Reserved index X1+RU 1 160 or 320 2x996 RU1 0 0 69 Reserved Reserved 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 320 4x996 RU1 RU1 0-3: 70-72 20, 40, 52+26 MRU1 a Index Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 55 / 115 48 / 81 Segment ο 80 MHz where ο RU is located 0 80, 160 or 320 MRU3, respectively 12χΛ / +M RU 73-75 40, 80, 160 or 320 52+26 MRU4 to MRU6, respectively 76-81 80, 160 or 20 52+26 MRU7 to MRU12, respectively 82, 83 20, 40, 80, 160 or 320 160+26 MRU1 and MRU2, respectively index 8x / V+MR U 84, 85 40, 80, 160 or 320 106+26 MRU3 and MRU4, respectively 86-89 80, 160 or 320 106+26 MRU5 to MRU8, respectively 90-93 80, 160 or 320 484+242 MRU1 and MRU4, respectively index 4x / V+MRU 0-1: Segment 0 160MHz where the MRU is located and 0 94, 95 160 or 320 996+494 MRU1 and MRU2, respectively index 4xX1 +MRU 1 MRU3 and MRU4, respectively 0-1: Segment 160 MHz where the MRU is located and 0 96-99 160 or 320 996+484+242 MRU1 and MRU4, respectively index 8xX1 +MRU 1 MRU5 to MRU8, respectively 0 0 100-103 320 2x996+484 MRU1 to MRu4, respectively MRU Index Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 56 / 115 49 / 81 nte 0 1 MRU5 and MRU6, respectively 1 0 MRU7 and MRU8, respectively 1 1 MRU9 to MRU12, respectively 0 0 105, 106 320 3x996+484 MRU1 and MRU2, respectively index MRU 0 1 MRU3 and MRU4, respectively 1 0 MRU5 and MRU6, respectively 1 1 MRU7 and MRU8, respectively Any Any 107-127 Any Reserved Reserved Reserved

[0161] When B0 of a RU allocation subfield is set to 0, this may represent that RU / MRU allocation is applied to an 80 MHz primary channel, and when its value is set to 1, this may represent that RU allocation is applied to the 80 MHz secondary channel of the 160 MHz primary channel. When B0 of a RU allocation subfield is set to 0, this may represent that RU / MRU allocation is applied to the lower 80 MHz of the 160 MHz secondary, and when its value is set to 1, this may represent that RU allocation is applied to the upper 80 MHz of the 160 MHz secondary. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 57 / 115 50 / 81

[0162] In the RU allocation table of the firing frame in Table 2, the parameter N can be calculated based on the formula N=2*X1+X0. For bandwidth less than or equal to 80 MHz, the values ​​of PS160, B0, X0, and X1 can be set to 0. For bandwidth of 160 MHz and bandwidth of 320 MHz, the values ​​of PS160, B0, X0, and X1 can be set as shown in Table 3. This configuration represents the absolute frequency order for primary and secondary channels of 80 MHz and 160 MHz. The order from left to right represents the order from low frequency to high frequency. An 80 MHz primary channel is indicated as P80, an 80 MHz secondary channel is indicated as S80, and a 160 MHz secondary channel is indicated as S160. Table 3 Bandwidth (MHz) Inputs Outputs Configuration PS 160 B0 XO X1 N 20 / 40 / 80 [P80] 0 0 0 0 0 160 [P80 S80] 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 [S80 P80] 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 320 [P80 S80 S160] 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 [S80 P80 S160] 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 [S160 P80 S80] 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 [S160 S80 P80] 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 Transmission and Reception Based on DRU Tone Plan Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 58 / 115 51 / 81

[0163] As described above, to overcome PSD limitations and enhance power gain, a DRU using a distributed tone / subcarrier, without an RRU using a contiguous tone / subcarrier, can be applied.

[0164] In this disclosure, for DRU-based transmission / reception via a PPDU in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel, the definition of a DRU tone plane of various sizes and a transmission / reception method based on it are described.

[0165] A tone plan for a bandwidth of 20 MHz may include an example of support for an existing RRU of various sizes (e.g., Figure 8) and an example of a DRU of various sizes according to this disclosure. In a tone plan for DRU application, the number of tones / subcarriers included in each DRU (i.e., a DRU size) is the same as the number of tones / subcarriers included in a corresponding RRU (i.e., an RRU size), but the location of each tone / subcarrier in a frequency domain may be defined differently. For example, a tone plan that supports a 26-tone DRU, a 52-tone DRU, and a 106-tone DRU for a bandwidth of 20 MHz may be defined, but a 242-tone DRU may not support tone / subcarrier distribution, therefore it is not included in the example of this disclosure.

[0166] In the examples in this disclosure, it is assumed that the number and location of DC subcarriers, null subcarriers, and guard subcarriers in a DRU tone plane for a bandwidth of 20 MHz is the same as that in an RRU tone plane for a bandwidth of 20 MHz. In other words, among the 256 subcarriers within a bandwidth of 20 MHz, a DC subcarrier may correspond to the middle 7 subcarriers of a 20 MHz bandwidth, and a guard subcarrier may correspond to the leftmost 6 subcarriers and the rightmost 5 subcarriers of a bandwidth. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 59 / 115 52 / 81 of 20 MHz bandwidth. A null subcarrier can correspond to four (subcarrier indices -122, -69, 69, 122) for a 26-tone DRU and a 52-tone DRU, and a null subcarrier is not applied for a 106-tone DRU (i.e., four null subcarrier locations considered in a 26-tone DRU and a 52-tone DRU are used as an available subcarrier in a 106-tone DRU). In the following description, the remaining subcarriers, excluding a CC subcarrier, a null subcarrier, and a guard subcarrier within a bandwidth, can be referred to as available subcarriers.

[0167] In embodiments described below, a DRU index (i.e., DRU-n) or the nth DRU may correspond to a location in a frequency domain, or may be assigned independently of a location in a frequency domain. In embodiments described below, for clarity of description, it is described assuming that a relatively low DRU index includes a relatively low tone / subcarrier, but the scope of this disclosure is not limited to this, and a DRU index may be assigned in various ways to distinguish different DRUs.

[0168] Furthermore, in the following description, a subcarrier index assumes that the index of a DC subcarrier is 0 and corresponds to a location in a frequency domain, and the term subcarrier can be replaced by tone.

[0169] Furthermore, in the following description, the expression a:b:c for a subcarrier index refers to all b subcarrier indices of aa c. Furthermore, in the following description, +-{a:b:c} refers to {-a:b:-c, a:b:c}. Mode 1

[0170] In this mode, several examples of a subcarrier index are described configuring a 26-tone DRU. Mode 1-1 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 60 / 115 53 / 81

[0171] This embodiment refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the nine 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier. For example, each of the nine 26-tone DRUs may include the following subcarriers. 26-tone DRU-1: -121:9:-76, -66:9:-12, 4:9:67, 77:9:113 26-Tone DRU-2: -120:9:-75, -65:9:-11.5:9:68, 78:9:114 26-Tone DRU-3: -119:9:-74, -64:9:-10, 6:9:60, 70:9:115 DRU-4 26-ton range: -118:9:-73, -63:9:-9, 7:9:61, 71:9:116 DRU-5 26-tone: -117:9:-72, -62:9:-8, 8:9:62, 72:9:117 DRU-6 26-tone: -116:9:-71, -61:9:-7, 9:9:63, 73:9:118 DRU-7 26-tone: -115:9:-70, -60:9:-6, 10:9:64, 74:9:119 DRU-8 26-ton range: -114:9:-78, -68:9:-5, 11:9:65, 75:9:120 DRU-9 26-tone: -113:9:-77, -67:9:-4, 12:9:66, 76:9:121 Modalidade 1-2

[0172] This embodiment refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the nine 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier below a CC subcarrier (i.e., the subcarrier with a negative index), and allocating a mirror-symmetry corresponding subcarrier based on the allocated subcarrier and a CC subcarrier (i.e., the subcarrier with a positive index) to a 26-tone DRU including the allocated subcarrier. For example, each of the nine 26-tone DRUs may include the following subcarriers. 26-Tone DRU-1: +-{12:9:66, 76:9:121} 26-Tone DRU-2: +-{11:9:65, 75:9:120} 26-Tone DRU-3: +-{10:9:64, 74:9:119} 26-Tone DRU-4: +-{9:9:63, 73:9:118} 26-Tone DRU-5: +-{8:9:62, 72:9:117} Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 61 / 115 54 / 81 26-Tone DRU-6: +-{7:9:61, 71:9:116} 26-Tone DRU-7: +-{6:9:60, 70:9:115} 26-Tone DRU-8: +-{5:9:68, 78:9:114} 26-Tone DRU-9: +-{4:9:67, 77:9:113} Mode 1-3

[0173] This embodiment refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the eight 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier, excluding subcarriers corresponding to the intermediate 26-tone RRU (see Figure 8, known as the 26-tone RRU-5). The 26-tone DRU-5 can use the existing 26-tone RRU-5 as is (in which case the 26-tone DRU-5 can be used as an RRU instead of a DRU, since it does not actually include a distributed subcarrier). In this way, a total of 9 26-tone DRUs can be defined. For example, each of the nine 26-tone DRUs can include the following subcarriers. 26-Tone DRU-1: -121:8:-73, -64:8:-24, 17:8:65, 74:8:114 26-Tone DRU-2: -120:8:-72, -63:8:-23, 18:8:66, 75:8:115 26-tone DRU-3: -119:8:-71, -62:8:-22, 19:8:67, 76:8:116 26-tone DRU-4: -118:8:-70, -61:8:-21, 20:8:68, 77:8:117 DRU-5 26-tone: +-{4:1:16} (same as RRU-5 26-tone) 26-Tone DRU-6: -117:8:-77, -68:8:-20, 21:8:61, 70:8:118 26-Tone DRU-7: -116:8:-76, -67:8:-19, 22:8:62, 71:8:119 26-Tone DRU-8: -115:8:-75, -66:8:-18, 23:8:63, 72:8:120 26-Tone DRU-9: -114:8:-74, -65:8:-17, 24:8:64, 73:8:121 Mode 1-4

[0174] This modality refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the nine 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier below a CC subcarrier (or Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 62 / 115 55 / 81, i.e., the subcarrier with a negative index), excluding subcarriers corresponding to the intermediate 26-tone RRU (see Figure 8, referred to as 26-tone RRU-5) and allocating a mirror-symmetry subcarrier based on the allocated subcarrier and a CC subcarrier (i.e., the subcarrier with a positive index) for a 26-tone DRU including the allocated subcarrier. The 26-tone DRU-5 can use the existing 26-tone RRU-5 as is (in which case the 26-tone DRU-5 can be used as an RRU instead of a DRU, since it does not actually include a distributed subcarrier). In this way, a total of 9 26-tone DRUs can be defined. For example, each of the nine 26-tone DRUs can include the following subcarriers. 26-Tone DRU-1: +-{24:8:64, 73:8:121} 26-Tone DRU-2: +-{23:8:63, 72:8:120} 26-Tone DRU-3: +-{22:8:62, 71:8:119} 26-Tone DRU-4: +-{21:8:61, 70:8:118} DRU-5 26-tone: +-{4:1:16} (same as RRU-5 26-tone) 26-Tone DRU-6: +-{20:8:68, 77:8:117} 26-Tone DRU-7: +-{19:8:67, 76:8:116} 26-Tone DRU-8: +-{18:8:66, 75:8:115} 26-Tone DRU-9: +-{17:8:65, 74:8:114}

[0175] In the examples described above, Modes 1-1 and 1-2 include subcarriers that are more evenly distributed within each DRU compared to Modes 1-3 and 1-4, therefore they may be advantageous in terms of power gain. Furthermore, Modes 1-1 and 1-3 may be advantageous in terms of channel estimation performance because the spacing between subcarriers within each DRU is kept constant compared to Modes 1-2 and 1-4, and it is easy to apply an interpolation technique, etc. Additionally, Modes 1-2 and 1-4 can expect better performance according to a Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 63 / 115 56 / 81 application because the subcarrier spacing is symmetrical based on DC compared to Modes 1-1 and 1-3.

[0176] In addition to a subcarrier index included in a 26-tone DRU, as in the examples of Modes 1-1 to 1-4 described above, a subcarrier index can be allocated to a 26-tone DRU in a different way. For example, although the examples described above assume that an available subcarrier excludes guard, null, and CC subcarriers, it is also possible to assume that an available subcarrier includes at least one guard, null, or CC subcarrier and define an included subcarrier index in each 26-tone DRU. Mode 2

[0177] In this section, several examples of a subcarrier index configuring a 52-tone DRU are described.

[0178] For example, four 52-tone DRUs can be defined within a 20 MHz bandwidth, and a 52-tone DRU can correspond to a combination of two 26-tone DRUs. For example, two 26-tone DRUs can correspond to two of the nine 26-tone DRUs defined in Mode 1 described above. If the 26-tone DRU-5 is not used as the basis for a 52-tone DRU, a combination of two 26-tone DRUs among the eight 26-tone DRUs can correspond to a 52-tone DRU.

[0179] The two 26-tone DRUs corresponding to a 52-tone DRU can correspond to those that are spaced as far apart as possible in a frequency domain and evenly distribute the subcarriers to the 52-tone DRUs. The four 52-tone DRUs can be defined as follows. 52-tone DRU-1: 26-tone DRU-1 and 26-tone DRU-6 52-tone DRU-2: 26-tone DRU-2 and 26-tone DRU-7 52-tone DRU-3: 26-tone DRU-3 and 26-tone DRU-8 52-tone DRU-4: 26-tone DRU-4 and 26-tone DRU-9 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 64 / 115 57 / 81

[0180] Here, each 52-tone DRU can be defined as a set of subcarrier indices corresponding to a 26-tone DRU index defined in Mode 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, or 1-4. Mode 3

[0181] In this section, several examples of a subcarrier index configuring a 106-tone DRU are described.

[0182] For example, two 106-tone DRUs can be defined within a 20 MHz bandwidth. The subcarrier indices included in a 106-tone DRU can correspond to a set of subcarrier indices included in two 52-tone DRUs and two additional subcarrier indices. Furthermore, the subcarriers included in each 106-tone DRU can be defined to be distributed as widely as possible. Mode 3-1

[0183] The two additional subcarriers included in a 106-tone DRU may be two of the four null subcarriers (e.g., -122, -69, 69, 122) that are not used in a 26-tone DRU and a 52-tone DRU. In other words, some of the null subcarriers in a 26-tone DRU and a 52-tone DRU may be included in a subcarrier available for a 106-tone DRU. Furthermore, two additional subcarrier indices included in a different 106-tone DRU may not overlap.

[0184] For example, when 26-tone DRUs corresponding to a 52-tone DRU are defined according to Mode 1-1 or 1-3, two 106-tone DRUs can be defined as follows. 106-tone DRU-1: 52-tone DRU-1, 52-tone DRU-3 and subcarrier index {-122, 69} 106-tone DRU-2: 52-tone DRU-2, 52-tone DRU-4 and subcarrier index {-69, 122} Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 65 / 115 58 / 81

[0185] Alternatively, when 26-tone DRUs corresponding to a 52-tone DRU are defined according to Mode 1-1 or 1-3, two 106-tone DRUs can be defined as follows. 106-tone DRU-1: 52-tone DRU-1, 52-tone DRU-3 and subcarrier index {-69, 122} 106-tone DRU-2: 52-tone DRU-2, 52-tone DRU-4 and subcarrier index {-122, 69} Mode 3-2

[0186] Similar to Mode 3-1, two additional subcarriers included in a 106-tone DRU can be two of the four null subcarriers (e.g., -122, -69, 69, 122) that are not used in a 26-tone DRU and a 52-tone DRU.

[0187] For example, when 26-tone DRUs corresponding to a 52-tone DRU are defined according to Mode 1-2 or 1-4, two 106-tone DRUs can be defined as follows. 106-tone DRU-1: 52-tone DRU-1, 52-tone DRU-3 and subcarrier index {-122, 122} 106-tone DRU-2: 52-tone DRU-2, 52-tone DRU-4 and subcarrier index {-69, 69}

[0188] Alternatively, when 26-tone DRUs corresponding to a 52-tone DRU are defined according to Mode 1-2 or 1-4, two 106-tone DRUs can be defined as follows. 106-tone DRU-1: 52-tone DRU-1, 52-tone DRU-3 and subcarrier index {-69, 69} 106-tone DRU-2: 52-tone DRU-2, 52-tone DRU-4 and subcarrier index {-122, 122} Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 66 / 115 59 / 81

[0189] In accordance with a DRU tone plan defined in several examples of this disclosure described above, DRUs of the same / different size may be allocated to different STAs.

[0190] For example, when a specific RU index is indicated via an RU allocation field included in a SIG field (e.g., U-SIG and / or UHR-SIG) in the OFDMA DL transmission, a STA receiving a PPDU can interpret that a data field within a corresponding PPDU is mapped to subcarriers included in a DRU corresponding to a indicated RU index and can decode a data field appropriately. Alternatively, when a specific RU index is indicated via an RU allocation subfield within a trigger frame, a STA receiving a trigger frame can transmit a TB PPDU for which a data field is mapped to subcarriers included in a DRU corresponding to an indicated RU index. Here, a DRU corresponding to an indicated RU index can be determined based on a mapping rule between an RRU and a DRU. Pilot Tom for DRU's Tom Plan

[0191] This mode refers to a pilot tone for each DRU for a DRU tone plan for a 20 MHz channel defined as described above.

[0192] For example, in a 26-tone DRU, 2 of the 26 tones can be defined as a pilot tone. In a 52-tone DRU, 4 of the 52 tones can be defined as a pilot tone. In a 106-tone DRU, 4 of the 106 tones can be defined as a pilot tone. A pilot sequence has a length corresponding to the number of pilot tones, each element of a pilot sequence can be 1 or -1, and the order of the elements within a pilot sequence can be determined based on a DRU index. Several examples of pilot tone locations (i.e., a subcarrier index) are described below. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 67 / 115 60 / 81

[0193] Figure 13 is a diagram to describe an example of the DRU tone plan of the first STA and the PPDU reception method based on pilot tone according to the present disclosure.

[0194] In S1310, the first STA can generate a PPDU including at least one field mapped in at least one DRU.

[0195] For example, at least one field can include a data field. In other words, the data field of a PPDU can be generated by mapping it to at least one DRU of various sizes.

[0196] When at least one DRU includes any 26-tone DRU, a corresponding 26-tone DRU can be one of the 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs. For example, the pilot tone of each of the 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs can be the 7th smallest subcarrier and the 7th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 26-tone DRU.

[0197] When at least one DRU includes a 52-tone DRU, a 52-tone DRU can be one of the 4 predefined 52-tone DRUs. For example, the pilot tone of each of the 4 predefined 52-tone DRUs can be the 9th smallest subcarrier, the 18th smallest subcarrier, the 18th largest subcarrier, and the 9th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 52-tone DRU.

[0198] When at least one DRU includes a 106-tone DRU, a 106-tone DRU can be one of the 2 predefined 106-tone DRUs. For example, the pilot tone of each of the 2 predefined 106-tone DRUs can be the 18th smallest subcarrier, the 36th smallest subcarrier, the 36th largest subcarrier, and the 18th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 106-tone DRU.

[0199] Here, the nth (n=1, 2, ..., 9) 26-tone DRU may include the nth smallest subcarrier among the subcarriers available within a 20 MHz channel. Furthermore, the nth (n=1, 2, ..., 9) 26-tone DRU may include every 9th Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 68 / 115 61 / 81 subcarrier within each of at least one band, and one of these subcarriers may correspond to the nth smallest subcarrier described above.

[0200] Furthermore, when any of at least one range is from subcarrier index x to subcarrier index z, every 9th subcarrier index within that range can be indicated as x:9:z.

[0201] For example, the first 26-tone DRU might include -121:9:-76, -66:9:12, 4:9:67, and 77:9:113. The second 26-tone DRU might include -120:9:-75, -65:9:-11, 5:9:68, and 78:9:114. The third 26-tone DRU might include -119:9:-74, -64:9:-10, 6:9:60, and 70:9:115. The fourth 26-tone DRU might include -118:9:-73, -63:9:-9, 7:9:61, and 71:9:116. The fifth 26-tone DRU can include -117:9:-72, -62:9:-8, 8:9:62, and 72:9:117. The sixth 26-tone DRU can include -116:9:-71, -61:9:-7, 9:9:63, and 73:9:118. The seventh 26-tone DRU can include -115:9:-70, -60:9:-6, 10:9:64, and 74:9:119. The eighth 26-tone DRU can include -114:9:-78, -68:9:-5, 11:9:65, and 75:9:120. The ninth 26-tone DRU can include -113:9:-77, -67:9:-4, 12:9:66, and 76:9:121.

[0202] In this case, a pilot tone for the 1st DRU of 26 tones could be -66, 58. A pilot tone for the 2nd DRU of 26 tones could be -65, 59. A pilot tone for the 3rd DRU of 26 tones could be -64, 60. A pilot tone for the 4th DRU of 26 tones could be 63, 61. A pilot tone for the 5th DRU of 26 tones could be -62, 62. A pilot tone for the 6th DRU of 26 tones could be -61, 63. A pilot tone for the 7th DRU of 26 tones could be -60, 64. A pilot tone for the 8th DRU of 26 tones could be -59, 65. A pilot tone for the 9th DRU of 26 tones could be -58, 66.

[0203] For example, the first 52-tone DRU may include subcarriers included in the first 26-tone DRU and the sixth 26-tone DRU. The second 52-tone DRU may include subcarriers included in the second 26-tone DRU and the seventh 26-tone DRU. The third 52-tone DRU may include subcarriers included in the third 26-tone DRU and the eighth 26-tone DRU. The fourth 52-tone DRU may include subcarriers included in the fourth 26-tone DRU and the ninth 26-tone DRU. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 69 / 115 62 / 81

[0204] In this case, a pilot tone for the 1st DRU of 52 tones could be -85, -43, 40, 82. A pilot tone for the 2nd DRU of 52 tones could be -84, -42, 41, 83. A pilot tone for the 3rd DRU of 52 tones could be -83, -41, 42, 84. A pilot tone for the 4th DRU of 52 tones could be -82, -40, 43, 85.

[0205] For example, the first 106-tone DRU may include the first group corresponding to two of the four null subcarriers and subcarriers included in the first 52-tone DRU and the third 52-tone DRU. The second 106-tone DRU may include the second group corresponding to another two of the four null subcarriers and subcarriers included in the second 52-tone DRU and the fourth 52-tone DRU.

[0206] Here, when the index of the four null subcarriers is -122, -69, 69, and 122, the first group may include subcarrier indices -122 and 69, and the second group may include subcarrier indices -69 and 122. Alternatively, the first group may include subcarrier indices -69 and 122, and the second group may include subcarrier indices -122 and 69.

[0207] In this case, among the 4 pilot tones for the 1st DRU of 106 tones, the 1st pilot tone can be -85 or -83, the 2nd pilot tone can be -43, the 3rd pilot tone can be 42 and the 4th pilot tone can be 84 or 82 (i.e., -85 / -83, -43, -42, 84 / 82). Among the 4 pilot tones for the 2nd DRU of 106 tones, the 1st pilot tone can be -82 or -84, the 2nd pilot tone can be -42, the 3rd pilot tone can be 43 and the 4th pilot tone can be 85 or 83 (i.e., -82 / -84, -42, 43, 85 / 83).

[0208] A DRU tone plan and pilot tone as above are exemplary, and tones / subcarriers and pilot tones / subcarriers included in a 26-tone DRU, a 52-tone DRU and a 106-tone DRU can be defined according to a variety of other examples described below.

[0209] In S1320, the first STA can transmit a PPDU to at least one second STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, pp. 70 / 115 63 / 81

[0210] At least one DRU can be indicated based on the RU allocation information included in a corresponding PPDU. For example, a corresponding PPDU could be a downlink PPDU (or a DL-OFDMA PPDU).

[0211] Alternatively, at least one DRU may be specified based on the RU allocation information included in a trigger frame that triggers the transmission of a corresponding PPDU. For example, a corresponding PPDU may be a TB PPDU (or a UL-OFDMA PPDU).

[0212] A method described in the example in Figure 13 can be performed by a first device 100 in Figure 1. For example, at least one processor 102 of the first device 100 in Figure 1 can be configured to generate a PPDU including at least one field mapped to at least one DRU and transmit a PPDU to at least one second STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel. Furthermore, at least one memory 104 of a first device 100 can store instructions to perform a method described in the example in Figure 13 or examples described below when executed by at least one processor 102.

[0213] Figure 14 is a diagram to describe an example of the DRU tone plan of the second STA and the pilot tone-based PPDU transmission method according to the present disclosure.

[0214] In S1410, the second STA can receive a PPDU including at least one field from the first STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel.

[0215] In S1420, the second STA can decode at least one field mapped to at least one DRU.

[0216] For example, the second STA can determine the number and location of pilot tones / subcarriers and the number and location of tones / subcarriers of at least one DRU for which at least one field (by Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 71 / 115 64 / 81 example, data field) is mapped to a PPDU transmitted by the first STA based on RU allocation information included in a corresponding PPDU or based on RU allocation information included in a trigger frame that triggers the transmission of a corresponding PPDU. Based on this, the second STA can decode at least one field mapped to at least one DRU.

[0217] The various sizes (or number of tones / subcarriers) and locations of at least one DRU are the same as described in the example in Figure 13, so an overlapping description is omitted.

[0218] A method described in the example in Figure 14 can be performed by a second device 200 in Figure 1. For example, at least one processor 202 of the second device 200 in Figure 1 can be configured to receive a PPDU including at least one field from the first STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel and decode at least one field mapped to at least one DRU. Furthermore, at least one memory 204 of a second device 200 can store instructions to perform a method described in the example in Figure 14 or examples described below when executed by at least one processor 202.

[0219] The examples in Figures 13 and 14 may correspond to some of the various examples in this disclosure. Several examples in this disclosure, including the example in Figures 13 and 14, will be described in more detail below. Mode 4

[0220] This modality refers to the localization of a pilot tone in DRUs of various sizes for 20 MHz transmission.

[0221] The various examples of a pilot location described below can be applied to each of the 26-ton DRUs based on each of the Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 72 / 115 65 / 81 Modalities 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, and 2-2 described above and the larger-sized DRUs based on them. For example, Modality 4-1 may correspond to a method in which pilot tones are evenly distributed within a DRU at each size. Modality 4-2 may correspond to a method in which pilot tones are evenly distributed at the tone of an even index within a DRU at each size. Modality 4-3 may correspond to a method in which pilot tones are evenly distributed within a 26-tone DRU, and a larger-sized DRU includes the location of a pilot tone within a 26-tone DRU. Modality 4-4 may correspond to a method in which pilot tones are evenly distributed at the tone of an even index within a 26-tone DRU, and a larger-sized DRU includes the location of a pilot tone within a 26-tone DRU.

[0222] In the following description, in the indication of a subcarrier index representing the location of a pilot tone, a / b / c represents a, b, or c. Furthermore, {a / b, c} represents {a, c} or {b, c}. Furthermore, {a / b, c / d} represents {a, c} or {a, d} or {b, c} or {b, d}. Furthermore, {a / b, c, d / e} represents {a, c, d} or {a, c, e} or {b, c, d} or {b, c, e}. Furthermore, +-{a, b} represents {a, b} and {-a, -b}. Furthermore, +-a / b represents {a, -a} or {b, -b}. Tom Pilot's Location Based on Mode 1-1

[0223] Mode 1-1 refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the 9 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier. For each of the 26-tone DRUs in this Mode 1-1 and the larger DRUs based on them, examples of pilot tone placement according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly (Mode 4-1) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: -66.58 DRU-2 of 26 tons: -65.59 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 73 / 115 66 / 81 DRU-3 26-ton: -64, 60 DRU-4 26-ton: -63, 61 DRU-5 26-ton: -62, 62 DRU-6 of 26 tons: -61.63 DRU-7 26-ton: -60, 64 DRU-8 26-ton: -59, 65 DRU-9 26-ton: -58, 66 52-Tone DRU-1: -85, -43, 40, 82 52-Tone DRU-2: -84, -42, 41, 83 52-Tone DRU-3: -83, -41,42, 84 52-Tone DRU-4: -82, -40, 43, 85 106-Tone DRU-1: -85 / -83, -43, 42, 82 / 84 106-Tone DRU-2: -82 / -84, -42, 43, 85 / 83

[0224] For each of the 26-tone DRUs in Mode 1-1 and the larger-sized DRUs based on them, examples of a pilot tone location according to a method in which the pilot tones are distributed uniformly in the tone of an even index (Mode 4-2) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tones: -66, DRU-2 of 26 tones: -56, 50 / 68 DRU-3 of 26 tones: -64, DRU-4 of 26 tones: -54, DRU-5 of 26 tones: -62, DRU-6 of 26 tones: -52, DRU-7 of 26 tones: -60, DRU-8 of 26 tones: -50 / -68, DRU-9 of 26 tones: -58, DRU-1 of 52 tones: -80, -48, 40, Petition 870250077888, of 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 74 / 115 67 / 81 DRU-2 of 52 tones: -84, -42, 46, DRU-3 of 52 tones: -78, -46, 42, DRU-4 of 52 tones: -82, -40, 48, DRU-1 of 106 tones: -80, -46, 42, 82 / 84 DRU-2 of 106 tons: -82 / -84, -42, 46,

[0225] Examples of pilot tone placement according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly for a 26-tone DRU in Mode 1-1 and a larger DRU includes pilot tone placement within a 26-tone DRU (Mode 4-3) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: -66.58 DRU-2 of 26 tons: -65.59 DRU-3 26-ton: -64, 60 DRU-4 26-ton: -63, 61 DRU-5 26-ton: -62, 62 DRU-6 of 26 tons: -61.63 DRU-7 26-ton: -60, 64 DRU-8 26-ton: -59, 65 DRU-9 26-ton: -58, 66 52-Tone DRU-1: -66, -61, 58, 63 52-Tone DRU-2: -65, -60, 59, 64 52-Tone DRU-3: -64, -59, 60, 65 52-Tone DRU-4: -63, -58, 61.66 106-Tone DRU-1: -66 / -64, -61 / -59, 58 / 60, 63 / 65 106-Tone DRU-2: -65 / -63, -60 / -58, 59 / 61,64 / 66

[0226] Examples of pilot tone location according to a method in which pilot tones are evenly distributed in the tone of an even index for a 26-tone DRU in Modality 1-1 and a larger size DRU includes the Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 75 / 115 68 / 81 The location of a pilot tone within a 26-tone DRU (Mode 4-4) is as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: -66.58 DRU-2 26-ton: -56, 50 / 68 DRU-3 26-ton: -64, 60 DRU-4 26-ton: -54, 52 DRU-5 26-ton: -62, 62 DRU-6 26-ton: -52, 54 DRU-7 26-ton: -60, 64 DRU-8 26-ton: -50 / -68, 56 DRU-9 26-ton: -58, 66 52-Tone DRU-1: -66, -52, 58, 54 52-Tone DRU-2: -56, -60, 50 / 68, 64 52-tone DRU-3: -64, -50 / -68, 60, 56 52-Tone DRU-4: -54, -58, 52, 66 106-Tone DRU-1: -66 / -64, -52 / -50 / -68, 58 / 60, 54 / 56 106-Tone DRU-2: -56 / -54, -60 / -58, 50 / 68 / 52, 64 / 66 Tom Pilot's Location Based on Mode 1-2

[0227] Modality 1-2 refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the 9 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier below a CC subcarrier (i.e., the subcarrier with a negative index), and allocating a mirror-symmetry corresponding subcarrier based on the allocated subcarrier and a CC subcarrier (i.e., the subcarrier with a positive index) to a 26-tone DRU including the allocated subcarrier. For each of the 26-tone DRUs in this Modality 1-2 and the larger-sized DRUs based on them, the Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 76 / 115 69 / 81 examples of a pilot tone location according to a method in which the pilot tones are distributed uniformly (Modality 4-1) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-66 DRU-2 26-ton: +-65 DRU-3 26-ton: +-64 DRU-4 26-ton: +-63 DRU-5 26-ton: +-62 DRU-6 26-ton: +-61 DRU-7 26-ton: +-60 DRU-8 26-ton: +-59 DRU-9 26-ton: +-58 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{85, 43} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{84, 42} DRU-3 of 52 tons: +-{83, 41} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{82, 40} 106-Tone DRU-1: +-{85 / 83, 43} 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{82 / 84, 42}

[0228] For each of the 26-tone DRUs in Mode 1-2 and the larger-sized DRUs based on them, examples of a pilot tone location according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly in the tone of an even index (Mode 4-2) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-66 DRU-2 of 26 tons: +-56 DRU-3 26-ton: +-64 DRU-4 26-ton: +-54 DRU-5 26-ton: +-62 DRU-6 26-ton: +-52 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 77 / 115 70 / 81 DRU-7 26-ton: +-60 DRU-8 26-ton: +-50 / +-68 DRU-9 26-ton: +-58 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{80, 48} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{84, 42} DRU-3 of 52 tons: +-{78, 46} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{82, 40} DRU-1 of 106 tons: +-{80, 46} 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{82 / 84, 42}

[0229] Examples of pilot tone placement according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly for a 26-tone DRU in Mode 1-2 and larger DRUs include pilot tone placement within a 26-tone DRU (Mode 4-3) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-66 DRU-2 26-ton: +-65 DRU-3 26-ton: +-64 DRU-4 26-ton: +-63 DRU-5 26-ton: +-62 DRU-6 26-ton: +-61 DRU-7 26-ton: +-60 DRU-8 26-ton: +-59 DRU-9 26-ton: +-58 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{66, 61} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{65, 60} DRU-3 of 52 tons: +-{64, 59} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{63, 58} 106-Tone DRU-1: +-{66 / 64, 61 / 59} Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 78 / 115 71 / 81 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{65 / 63, 60 / 58}

[0230] Examples of pilot tone location according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly in the tone of an even index for a 26-tone DRU in Mode 1-2 and larger size DRUs include pilot tone location within a 26-tone DRU (Mode 4-4) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-66 DRU-2 of 26 tons: +-56 DRU-3 26-ton: +-64 DRU-4 26-ton: +-54 DRU-5 26-ton: +-62 DRU-6 26-ton: +-52 DRU-7 26-ton: +-60 DRU-8 26-ton: +-50 / +-68 DRU-9 26-ton: +-58 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{66, 52} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{56, 60} 52-Tone DRU-3: +-{64, 50 / 68} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{54, 58} 106-Tone DRU-1: +-{66 / 64, 52 / 50 / 68} 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{56 / 54, 60 / 58} Tom Pilot's Location Based on Mode 1-3

[0231] Modality 1-3 refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the 8 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier, excluding subcarriers corresponding to the middle 26-tone RRU (see Figure 8, known as the 26-tone RRU-5). For each of the 26-tone DRUs in this Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 79 / 115 72 / 81 Mode 1-3 and the larger DRUs based on them, examples of pilot tone location according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly (Mode 4-1) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: -73.65 DRU-2 of 26 tons: -72, 66 DRU-3 26-ton: -71.67 DRU-4 26-ton: -70, 68 DRU-5 26-tone: -10, 10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: -68, 70 DRU-7 26-ton: -67, 71 DRU-8 26-ton: -66, 72 DRU-9 26-ton: -65, 73 52-Tone DRU-1: -89, -52, 49, 86 52-Tone DRU-2: -88, -51, 50, 87 52-Tone DRU-3: -87, -50, 51, 88 52-Tone DRU-4: -86, -49, 52, 89 106-Tone DRU-1: -89 / -87, -52, 51, 86 / 88 106-Tone DRU-2: -86 / -88, -51, 52, 89 / 87

[0232] For each of the 26-tone DRUs in Mode 1-3 and the larger-sized DRUs based on them, examples of a pilot tone location according to a method in which the pilot tones are distributed uniformly in the tone of an even index (Mode 4-2) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: -64, 74 DRU-2 of 26 tons: -72, 66 DRU-3 26-ton: -62, 76 DRU-4 26-ton: -70, 68 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, pp. 80 / 115 73 / 81 DRU-5 26-tone: -10, 10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: -68, 70 DRU-7 26-ton: -76.62 DRU-8 26-ton: -66, 72 DRU-9 26-ton: -74, 64 52-Tone DRU-1: -68, -52, 70, 86 52-Tone DRU-2: -88, -72, 50, 66 52-Tone DRU-3: -66, -50, 72, 88 52-Tone DRU-4: -86, -70, 52, 68 106-Tone DRU-1: -68, -52, 70, 86 / 88 106-Tone DRU-2: -86 / -88, -70, 52, 68

[0233] Examples of pilot tone placement according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly for a 26-tone DRU in Mode 1-3 and larger DRUs include pilot tone placement within a 26-tone DRU (Mode 4-3) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: -73.65 DRU-2 of 26 tons: -72, 66 DRU-3 26-ton: -71.67 DRU-4 26-ton: -70, 68 DRU-5 26-tone: -10, 10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: -68, 70 DRU-7 26-ton: -67, 71 DRU-8 26-ton: -66, 72 DRU-9 26-ton: -65, 73 52-Tone DRU-1: -73, -68, 65, 70 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 81 / 115 74 / 81 52-Tone DRU-2: -72, -67, 66, 71 52-Tone DRU-3: -71, -66, 67, 72 52-Tone DRU-4: -70, -65, 68, 73 106-Tone DRU-1: -73 / -71, -68 / -66, 65 / 67, 70 / 72 106-Tone DRU-2: -72 / -70, -67 / -65, 66 / 68, 71 / 73

[0234] Examples of pilot tone location according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly in the tone of an even index for a 26-tone DRU in Modality 1-3 and larger size DRUs include pilot tone location within a 26-tone DRU (Modality 4-4) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: -64, 74 DRU-2 of 26 tons: -72, 66 DRU-3 26-ton: -62, 76 DRU-4 26-ton: -70, 68 DRU-5 26-tone: -10, 10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: -68, 70 DRU-7 26-ton: -76.62 DRU-8 26-ton: -66, 72 DRU-9 26-ton: -74, 64 52-Tone DRU-1: -64, -68, 74, 70 52-Tone DRU-2: -72, -76, 66, 62 52-Tone DRU-3: -62, -66, 76, 72 52-Tone DRU-4: -70, -74, 68, 64 106-Tone DRU-1: -64 / -62, -68 / -66, 74 / 76, 70 / 72 106-Tone DRU-2: -72 / -70, -76 / -74, 66 / 68, 62 / 64 Tom Pilot's Location Based on Mode 1-4 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 82 / 115 75 / 81

[0235] Modality 1-4 refers to a method for allocating a subcarrier to each of the 9 26-tone DRUs, in order from the smallest available subcarrier to the largest available subcarrier below a CC subcarrier (i.e., the subcarrier with a negative index), excluding subcarriers corresponding to the intermediate 26-tone RRU (see Figure 8, referred to as 26-tone RRU-5) and allocating a mirror-symmetry subcarrier based on the allocated subcarrier and a CC subcarrier (i.e., the subcarrier with a positive index) to a 26-tone DRU including the allocated subcarrier. For each of the 26-tone DRUs in this Modality 1-4 and the larger-sized DRUs based on them, examples of a pilot tone location according to a method in which the pilot tones are uniformly distributed (Modality 4-1) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-73 DRU-2 of 26 tons: +-72 DRU-3 26-ton: +-71 DRU-4 26-ton: +-70 DRU-5 26-tone: -10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU-5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: +-68 DRU-7 26-ton: +-67 DRU-8 26-ton: +-66 DRU-9 26-ton: +-65 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{89, 52} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{88, 51} DRU-3 of 52 tons: +-{87, 50} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{86, 49} 106-Tone DRU-1: +-{89 / 87, 52} Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 83 / 115 76 / 81 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{86 / 88, 51}

[0236] For each of the 26-tone DRUs in Mode 1-4 and the larger-sized DRUs based on them, examples of a pilot tone location according to a method in which the pilot tones are distributed uniformly in the tone of an even index (Mode 4-2) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-64 DRU-2 of 26 tons: +-72 DRU-3 26-ton: +-62 DRU-4 26-ton: +-70 DRU-5 26-tone: -10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU-5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: +-68 DRU-7 26-ton: +-76 DRU-8 26-ton: +-66 DRU-9 26-ton: +-74 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{68, 52} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{88, 72} DRU-3 of 52 tons: +-{66, 50} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{86, 70} DRU-1 of 106 tons: +-{68, 52} 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{86 / 88, 70}

[0237] Examples of pilot tone placement according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly for a 26-tone DRU in Mode 1-4 and larger DRUs include pilot tone placement within a 26-tone DRU (Mode 4-3) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-73 DRU-2 of 26 tons: +-72 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 84 / 115 77 / 81 DRU-3 26-ton: +-71 DRU-4 26-ton: +-70 DRU-5 26-tone: -10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU-5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: +-68 DRU-7 26-ton: +-67 DRU-8 26-ton: +-66 DRU-9 26-ton: +-65 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{73, 68} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{72, 67} DRU-3 of 52 tons: +-{71,66} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{70, 65} 106-Tone DRU-1: +-{73 / 71, 68 / 66} 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{72 / 70, 67 / 65}

[0238] Examples of pilot tone location according to a method in which pilot tones are distributed uniformly in the tone of an even index for a 26-tone DRU in Modality 1-4 and larger size DRUs include pilot tone location within a 26-tone DRU (Modality 4-4) are as follows. DRU-1 of 26 tons: +-64 DRU-2 of 26 tons: +-72 DRU-3 26-ton: +-62 DRU-4 26-ton: +-70 DRU-5 26-tone: -10 (same as the pilot tone location of the RRU-5 26-tone) DRU-6 26-ton: +-68 DRU-7 26-ton: +-76 Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 85 / 115 78 / 81 DRU-8 26-ton: +-66 DRU-9 26-ton: +-74 DRU-1 of 52 tons: +-{64, 68} DRU-2 of 52 tons: +-{72, 76} DRU-3 of 52 tons: +-{62, 66} DRU-4 of 52 tons: +-{70, 74} 106-Tone DRU-1: +-{64 / 62, 68 / 66} 106-Tone DRU-2: +-{72 / 70, 76 / 74}

[0239] Mode 4-1 for a pilot location can evenly distribute pilot tones within a DRU and avoid a pilot tone that does not overlap with a 4x LTF (an LTF coefficient is mapped to each subcarrier index). Mode 4-2 distributes pilot tones less evenly compared to Mode 4-1 because a pilot tone is limited to the tone of an even index, but it can prevent a pilot tone that does not overlap with a 1x LTF (an LTF coefficient is mapped to each 4th subcarrier index) or 2x LTF tone (an LTF coefficient is mapped to each 2nd subcarrier index). Because Mode 4-3 or Mode 4-4 uses a smaller DRU pilot tone as a larger DRU pilot tone, the pilot tones may be biased towards a specific frequency domain compared to Mode 4-1 or Mode 4-2.

[0240] Unlike existing WLAN systems, where only one RRU is applied, when the application of a DRU is supported, resource utilization efficiency can be improved by transmitting / receiving at least one PPDU field based on the DRU tone plan of various sizes applicable to the 20 MHz bandwidth PPDU, according to this disclosure. Furthermore, a pilot tone location on each DRU can be defined based on Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 86 / 115 79 / 81 in a DRU tone location to perform an efficient and accurate pilot-based channel estimation.

[0241] The embodiments described above are that the elements and attributes of this disclosure are combined in a predetermined manner. Each element or attribute should be considered optional unless explicitly stated otherwise. Each element or attribute may be implemented in a way that is not combined with another element or attribute. Furthermore, an embodiment of this disclosure may include the combination of a portion of elements and / or attributes. The order of operations described in the embodiments of this disclosure may be altered. Some elements or attributes of one embodiment may be included in another embodiment or may be replaced by a corresponding element or attribute from another embodiment. Of course, an embodiment may include the combination of claims without an explicit dependency relationship in the claims or may be included as a new claim by modification after application.

[0242] It is clear to one skilled in the relevant art that the present disclosure may be implemented in another specific manner within a scope that does not extend beyond an essential attribute of the present disclosure. Consequently, the detailed description set forth above should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects and should be considered illustrative. The scope of this disclosure shall be determined by the reasonable construction of an attached claim, and all changes within an equivalent scope of this disclosure are included in the scope of this disclosure.

[0243] The scope of this disclosure includes software or machine executable commands (for example, an operating system, an application, firmware, a program, etc.) that perform an operation according to a method of various modes on a device or computer and a non-transient medium. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 87 / 115 80 / 81 computer-readable in which such software or command, etc., is stored and executable on a device or computer. A command that can be used to program a processing system that performs an attribute described in this disclosure may be stored on a storage medium or a computer-readable storage medium, and an attribute described in this disclosure may be implemented using a computer program product including such storage medium. A storage medium may include, but is not limited to, high-speed random-access memory such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random-access solid-state memory device, and may include non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices.A memory optionally includes one or more storage devices positioned remotely from the processor(s). A memory, or alternatively, non-volatile memory device(s) within a memory, includes a non-transient, machine-readable storage medium. An attribute described in this disclosure may be stored in any of the machine-readable media to control a processing system's hardware and may be integrated into software and / or firmware that enables a processing system to interact with another mechanism using an outcome of an embodiment of this disclosure. Such software or firmware may include, but is not limited to, application code, a device driver, an operating system, and an execution environment / container. Industrial Applicability

[0244] A method proposed by this disclosure is described primarily based on an example applied to an IEEE-based system. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 88 / 115 81 / 81 802.11, a 5G system, but it can be applied to various WLAN or wireless communication systems different from the IEEE 802.11-based system. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page 89 / 115

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1. Method, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: generating, by a first station (STA), a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including at least one field, wherein the at least one field is mapped to at least one distributed resource unit (DRU); and transmitting, by the first STA, the PPDU to at least a second STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel, wherein, based on at least one DRU including a 26-tone DRU, the 26-tone DRU is one of 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs, and wherein a pilot tone of each of the 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs is the 7th smallest subcarrier and the 7th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 26-tone DRU.

2. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that: based on at least one DRU including a 52-tone DRU, the 52-tone DRU is one of the 4 predefined 52-tone DRUs, and a pilot tone of each of the 4 predefined 52-tone DRUs is a 9th smallest subcarrier, an 18th smallest subcarrier, an 18th largest subcarrier and a 9th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 52-tone DRU.

3. Method, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that: based on at least one DRU including a 106-tone DRU, the 106-tone DRU is one of the 2 predefined 106-tone DRUs, and a pilot tone of each of the 2 predefined 106-tone DRUs is the 18th smallest subcarrier, the 36th smallest subcarrier, the 36th largest subcarrier and the 18th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 106-tone DRU.

4. Method, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED by the suit of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 110 / 115 2 / 6, in which: a 26-tone nth DRU (n=1, 2, ..., 9) is defined as each 9th subcarrier within each of at least one band, which includes an nth smallest subcarrier among the subcarriers available within the 20 MHz channel.

5. Method according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that: the available subcarriers are one subcarrier excluding 7 direct current (DC) subcarriers, 4 null subcarriers and 11 guard subcarriers among 256 subcarriers within the 20 MHz channel.

6. Method according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that: based on at least one range corresponding to the x-subcarrier index to the z-subcarrier index, each 9th subcarrier index within the range is indicated as x:9:z, a first 26-tone DRU includes -121:9:-76, -66:9:-12, 4:9:67 and 77:9:113, a second 26-tone DRU includes -120:9:-75, -65:9:-11, 5:9:68 and 78:9:114, a third 26-tone DRU includes -119:9:-74, -64:9:-10, 6:9:60 and 70:9:115, a fourth 26-tone DRU includes -118:9:-73, -63:9:-9, 7:9:61 and 71:9:116, a fifth 26-tone DRU includes -117:9:-72, -62:9:-8, 8:9:62 and 72:9:117, a sixth 26-tone DRU includes -116:9:-71, -61:9:-7, 9:9:63 and 73:9:118, a seventh 26-tone DRU includes -115:9:-70, -60:9:-6, 10:9:64 and 74:9:119, an eighth 26-tone DRU includes -114:9:-78, -68:9:-5, 11:9:65 and 75:9:120, and a ninth 26-tone DRU includes -113:9:-77, -67:9:-4, 12:9:66 and 76:9:

121.

7. Method, according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that: a pilot tone for the 1st DRU of 26 tones is -66 and 58, a pilot tone for the 2nd DRU of 26 tones is -65 and 59, Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 111 / 115 3 / 6 a pilot tone for the 3rd DRU of 26 tones is -64 e60, a pilot tone for the 4th DRU of 26 tones is -63 e61, a pilot tone for the 5th DRU of 26 tones is -62 e62, a pilot tone for the 6th DRU of 26 tones is -61 e63, a pilot tone for the 7th DRU of 26 tones is -60 e64, a pilot tone for the 8th DRU of 26 tones is -59 e65, and a pilot tone for the 9th DRU of 26 tones is -58 e66.

8. Method, according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that: a first 52-tone DRU includes subcarriers included in the first 26-tone DRU and the sixth 26-tone DRU, a second 52-tone DRU includes subcarriers included in the second 26-tone DRU and the seventh 26-tone DRU, a third 52-tone DRU includes subcarriers included in the third 26-tone DRU and the eighth 26-tone DRU, and a fourth 52-tone DRU includes subcarriers included in the fourth 26-tone DRU and the ninth 26-tone DRU.

9. Method, according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that: a pilot tone for the 1st DRU of 52 tones is -85, -43, 40 and 82, a pilot tone for the 2nd DRU of 52 tones is -84, -42, 41 and 83, a pilot tone for the 3rd DRU of 52 tones is -83, -41, 42 and 84, and a pilot tone for the 4th DRU of 52 tones is -82, -40, 43 and 85.

10. Method, according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that: a first 106-ton DRU includes subcarriers included in the first 52-ton DRU and the third 52-ton DRU, and a first group corresponding to two of the 4 null subcarriers, and a second 106-ton DRU includes subcarriers included in the second 52-ton DRU and the fourth 52-ton DRU, and a second group corresponding to another two of the 4 null subcarriers.

11. Method, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that it is based on an index of the 4 null subcarriers being -122, -69, 69 and 122: the first group includes subcarrier indices -122 and 69, and the second group includes subcarrier indices -69 and 122, or the first group includes subcarrier indices -69 and 122, and the second group includes subcarrier indices -122 and 69.

12. Method, according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED in that: a 1st pilot tone among 4 pilot tones for the 1st DRU of 106 tones is one of -85 or -83, a 2nd pilot tone is -43, a 3rd pilot tone is 42 and a 4th pilot tone is one of 84 or 82, and a 1st pilot tone among 4 pilot tones for the 2nd DRU of 106 tones is one of -82 or -84, a 2nd pilot tone is -42, a 3rd pilot tone is 43 and a 4th pilot tone is one of 85 or 83.

13. Method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that: based on the PPDU being a downlink PPDU, at least one DRU for the downlink PPDU is indicated based on the resource unit (RU) allocation information included in the downlink PPDU, or based on the PPDU being an uplink trigger-based PPDU (TB), at least one DRU for the uplink TB PPDU is indicated based on the RU allocation information included in a trigger frame that triggers a transmission of the uplink TB PPDU. Petition 870250077888, dated 09 / 01 / 2025, pp. 113 / 115 5 / 6 14. Method according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that: at least one field includes a data field.

15. First Station Device (STA), CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor connected to the at least one transceiver, wherein at least one processor is configured to: generate a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) including at least one field, wherein the at least one field is mapped to at least one Distributed Resource Unit (DRU); and transmit, through the at least one transceiver, the PPDU to at least one second STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel, wherein, based on at least one DRU including a 26-tone DRU, the 26-tone DRU is one of 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs, and wherein a pilot tone of each of the 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs is the 7th smallest subcarrier and the 7th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 26-tone DRU.

16. Second Station Device (STA), CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: at least one transceiver; and at least one processor connected to at least one transceiver, wherein the at least one processor comprises: receiving, through at least one transceiver, a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) including at least one field from a first STA in a bandwidth including a 20 MHz channel; and decoding at least one field mapped to at least one unit of Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, page. 114 / 115 6 / 6 Distributed Resource Unit (DRU), wherein, based on at least one DRU including a 26-tone DRU, the 26-tone DRU is one of 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs, and wherein a pilot tone of each of the 9 predefined 26-tone DRUs is the 7th smallest subcarrier and the 7th largest subcarrier among the subcarriers included in a 26-tone DRU. Petition 870250077888, dated 01 / 09 / 2025, p. 115 / 115

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