Communication devices and communication methods

Abstract

This technology relates to communication apparatus and methods capable of achieving more reliable communication. A communication apparatus is provided, comprising a control unit that performs control to transmit data frames to other communication devices using available frequency channels, and adds available channel information related to the available frequency channels for transmission and reception of the data frames. This technology can be applied, for example, to wireless LAN systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to communication devices and communication methods, and more specifically to communication devices and communication methods that enable more reliable communication. Background Technology

[0002] As a conventional data transmission method, a technique is used to return an acknowledgment (ACK) frame on the same frequency channel immediately after the data frame transmission ends to confirm reception.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for including a blank space in the delimiter to indicate whether the A-MPDU is empty data. Additionally, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for including an identifier containing the ACK instruction information of the MPDU in the delimiter field of the MPDU.

[0004] Reference List

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-143715

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application National Publication (Special Publication) No. 2017-536004 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention

[0009] Furthermore, if the ACK frame is not returned correctly, the quality of communication deteriorates, for example, due to errors or collisions occurring in other communications. Therefore, a technical method for achieving more reliable communication is desired.

[0010] This technology was developed in light of this situation, and it aims to achieve more reliable communication.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] One aspect of the communication device of this technology is a communication device including a control unit that performs control to transmit data frames to other communication devices using available frequency channels, and adds available channel information to the data frames in relation to the available frequency channels for transmitting and receiving the frames.

[0013] One aspect of this technology is a communication method that includes: a communication device performing control to: transmit a data frame to another communication device using an available frequency channel, and add available channel information to the data frame in relation to the available frequency channels for transmitting and receiving the frame.

[0014] In one aspect of the communication apparatus and communication method of this technology, control is performed to transmit a data frame to another communication apparatus using an available frequency channel, and available channel information related to the available frequency channels for transmitting and receiving the frame is added to the data frame.

[0015] One aspect of the communication device of this technology is a communication device including a control unit that performs control to: receive data frames transmitted from other communication devices using available frequency channels, specify available frequency channels for transmitting and receiving frames based on available channel information included in the data frames, and send an acknowledgment signal for confirming receipt of the data frames to the other communication devices using the specified available frequency channels.

[0016] One aspect of the communication method of this technology is a communication method comprising: a communication device performing control to: receive a data frame sent from another communication device using an available frequency channel; specify an available frequency channel for sending and receiving the frame based on available channel information included in the data frame; and send an acknowledgment signal for confirming receipt of the data frame to the other communication device using the specified available frequency channel.

[0017] In one aspect of the communication apparatus and communication method of this technology, control is performed to: receive a data frame sent from another communication device using an available frequency channel, specify an available frequency channel for sending and receiving the frame based on available channel information included in the data frame, and send an acknowledgment signal for confirming receipt of the data frame to the other communication device using the specified available frequency channel.

[0018] Note that the communication device of this technology can be a standalone device or an internal block included in a device. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network configuration.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the data retransmission process performed using the current method.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the data retransmission process performed using the current method.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the operation flow of each communication device when the new method is applied.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of an A-MPDU with frame aggregation applied.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of an A-MPDU that includes available channel information.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a MAC header configuration that includes available channel information.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of information elements that include available channel information.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of configuring available channel information into parameters that can be recognized in the PHY layer.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a preamble configuration that includes available channel information.

[0029] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an example of an intermediate code configuration that includes available channel information.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a SACK frame.

[0031] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing a first example of parameters for available channel information.

[0032] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing a second example of parameters for available channel information.

[0033] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing a third example of parameters for available channel information.

[0034] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing a fourth example of parameters for available channel information.

[0035] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing the fifth example of parameters for available channel information.

[0036] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the primary and secondary channels.

[0037] Figure 19 This is a diagram showing the sixth example of parameters for available channel information.

[0038] Figure 20 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of frequency channels available in a wireless LAN system.

[0039] Figure 21 This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication device to which this technology is applied.

[0040] Figure 22 This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a wireless communication module.

[0041] Figure 23 This is a flowchart used to illustrate the operation of the communication device on the data frame sending side.

[0042] Figure 24 This is a flowchart used to illustrate the operation of the communication device on the data frame sending side.

[0043] Figure 25 This is a flowchart used to illustrate the operation of the communication device on the data frame receiving side.

[0044] Figure 26 This is a flowchart used to illustrate the operation of the communication device on the data frame receiving side.

[0045] Figure 27 This is a flowchart used to illustrate the process of simultaneous broadcast reception and processing. Detailed Implementation

[0046] In the following description, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the description will be given in the following order.

[0047] 1. Embodiments of this technology

[0048] 2. Deformation

[0049] <1. Embodiments of this technology>

[0050] In the current data transmission method (current method), a technique is used to return an acknowledgment (ACK) frame on the same frequency channel immediately after the data frame transmission ends to confirm reception.

[0051] Additionally, in the current method, when the network allocation vector (NAV) is set using virtual carrier detection by exchanging transmit request (RTS) frames and allow transmit (CTS) frames, data frames and ACK frames are only exchanged on channels where RTS and CTS frames have already been exchanged.

[0052] Furthermore, in wireless local area network (LAN) systems, a frame aggregation technique is used that combines and transmits multiple data units (MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs)) to transmit large amounts of data using a single access control. Here, the method of returning a block ACK frame to confirm data reception is put into practical application.

[0053] Here, in the current method, a method of sending a data frame on a frequency channel and then receiving an ACK frame on the same frequency channel is commonly used.

[0054] In addition, this frame aggregation technique uses a technique that inserts a boundary signal called a delimiter to transmit the data length of subsequent data units (MPDUs) separately.

[0055] For example, Patent Document 1 disclosed above discloses a technique for including a null bit in the delimiter to indicate whether the subsequent A-MPDU is empty data.

[0056] Additionally, for example, Patent Document 2 disclosed above discloses a technique for including an identifier containing ACK instruction information of the MPDU in the MPDU delimiter field.

[0057] Furthermore, as in the current method, if a block ACK request is used on a frequency channel immediately after the transmission of a data frame ends to request the return of a block ACK frame, as in the current method, the return of the ACK frame may cause errors in the communication of other data frames if the wireless transmission path is also used for receiving other data frames (other communications).

[0058] It is easy to assume that if the communication device receiving the data frame has an error in the data as described above, it will be unable to decode the data correctly. Therefore, if an ACK frame is returned on the frequency channel where the error occurred, it will cause a conflict with other communications.

[0059] In addition, when using frame aggregation technology, the following problems exist: if subsequent block ACK frames are not returned correctly, all data is retransmitted, and the wireless transmission path is occupied for a long time.

[0060] For example, in the configuration disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, information related to the MPDU in the A-MPDU frame is described in the delimiter, and the following problem exists: if the delimiter cannot be decoded correctly, the configuration of the subsequent MPDU cannot be known.

[0061] Furthermore, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems: the delimiter does not describe information associated with the confirmation of A-MPDU frame reception, and it is unable to send usage status other than that frequency channel.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 above, the MPDU delimiter includes the ACK instruction information of the MPDU, which is a unique ACK instruction information pre-added to each MPDU, and there is the following problem: information about the available channels cannot be sequentially updated and notified to the receiving side in the middle of the frame.

[0063] In other words, there is a problem that the exchange of parameters required to acknowledge the reception cannot be changed during data transmission after receiving an A-MPDU frame, and the problem of unreliable acknowledgment of reception due to changes in the channel state during use has not yet been resolved.

[0064] In this technology, a new communication method is proposed to solve the above problems and achieve more reliable communication.

[0065] In other words, in the communication method (new method) that applies this technology, in the communication device (e.g., base station) that is the data frame sending side, control is performed to send the data frame (e.g., A-MPDU frame) to other communication devices (e.g., terminal station) using the available frequency channel, and available channel information (e.g., Available Channel Map) related to the frequency channel available for sending and receiving the frame is added to the data frame (e.g., the delimiter of the A-MPDU frame, etc.).

[0066] On the other hand, in a communication device (e.g., a terminal station) that acts as a data frame receiver, control is executed to receive data frames (e.g., A-MPDU frames) sent from other communication devices (e.g., base stations) using available frequency channels. Based on available channel information (e.g., Available Channel Map) included in the data frame (e.g., the delimiter of the A-MPDU frame), the available frequency channels for sending and receiving frames are specified, and an acknowledgment signal (e.g., a SACK frame) used to confirm the receipt of data frames is sent to other communication devices using the specified available frequency channels.

[0067] Note that, although details will be described later, a simulcast block ACK (SACK) frame corresponds to a frame that is transmitted via simulcast block ACK frames using multiple frequency channels (simulcast channels).

[0068] As described above, the new method proposes a communication protocol in which information (available channel information) of other frequency channels that can be exchanged with the transmitting side communication device is described, for example, in the delimiter of the A-MPDU frame, and this information is notified to the receiving side communication device so that the receiving side communication device can select frequency channels that are also available on the receiving side based on the available channel information and return block ACK frames on multiple frequency channels.

[0069] In other words, the new method proposes a communication method in which block ACK frames are transmitted on an idle channel available to both the communication devices on the receiving side and the communication devices on the sending side, and this channel is used as a frequency channel for subsequent data transmission.

[0070] The details of the communication method (new method) using this technology will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] (Example of wireless network configuration)

[0072] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network configuration.

[0073] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the white circles (○) indicate the location of each communication device 10, and the outer dashed circles centered on these locations indicate the radio wave reachability range from each communication device 10. Additionally, the thick arrows indicate the flow of data frames between the various communication devices 10, and the thin arrows indicate ACK frames. Note that in... Figure 1 In addition to communication device 10, there is also communication device 20, and this is similar to communication device 20.

[0074] Here, in the wireless LAN network of the Basic Service Set (BSS), communication takes place between the transmitting communication device 10Tx (BSS) and the receiving communication device 10Rx (BSS).

[0075] In this case, there are communication devices 10Tx (OBSS1) on the transmitting side and 10Rx (OBSS2) on the receiving side in the respective wireless LAN networks of the basic service sets (OBSS1, OBSS2) that overlap with the periphery of communication device 10Tx (BSS) and communication device 10Rx (BSS). In addition, there is a communication device 20Tx (Other System) on the transmitting side of another system that is different from the wireless LAN system.

[0076] Note that other systems include wireless communication systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced and 5G, as developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0077] At this time, when a data frame is sent from communication device 10Tx (BSS) to communication device 10Rx (BSS) (the “Data” arrow in the figure), the signal from communication device 10Tx (OBSS1) present on the periphery of communication device 10Tx (BSS) causes an interference wave (the shaded arrow in the figure).

[0078] In addition, after receiving a data frame from the communication device 10Tx (BSS), the communication device 10Rx (BSS) returns an ACK frame (the “ACK” arrow in the figure) to acknowledge the reception, and signals from the communication device 10Rx (OBSS2) and the communication device 20Tx (Other System) located around the communication device 10Rx (BSS) cause interference waves (the shaded arrows in the figure).

[0079] Conversely, ACK frames sent from communication device 10Rx (BSS) may be a source of interference for communication device 10Rx (OBSS2) and communication device 20Tx (Other System) located around communication device 10Rx (BSS) (thin arrows within the shaded arrows in the figure).

[0080] (Current data retransmission process)

[0081] Here, we will refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Describe the data retransmission process using the current method.

[0082] Figure 2 This illustrates a situation where, when communication device 10Tx (BSS) sends a data frame and communication device 10Rx (BSS) receives the data frame, communication device 10Rx (BSS) is unable to return (send) an ACK frame due to interference from another system (communication device 20Tx (Other System)).

[0083] In other words, in the case of a wireless LAN system, virtual carrier sensing can be pre-configured via Network Allocation Vector (NAV) to enable the use of wireless transmission paths by exchanging RTS and CTS frames. However, in the presence of other systems, the existence of RTS and CTS frames cannot be known, so similar processing cannot be achieved.

[0084] Figure 2 This indicates that in the presence of a communication device 20Tx in another system that cannot detect the existence of RTS and CTS frames, interference occurs due to signals from the communication device 20Tx of that other system. Furthermore, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) detects that the wireless transmission path is in use after the data transmission ends and cannot return an ACK frame.

[0085] At this point, after communication device 10Tx(BSS) sends a data frame, communication device 10Rx(BSS) does not return an ACK frame, so communication device 10Tx(BSS) retransmits all data frames. Therefore, communication device 10Rx(BSS) has the following problem: data that was normally received before being interfered with by other systems is also retransmitted, and unnecessary data, including data that was already received, is also retransmitted.

[0086] in addition, Figure 3 This illustrates a situation where, when communication device 10Tx (BSS) sends a data frame and communication device 10Rx (BSS) receives the data frame, communication device 10Tx (BSS) is unable to receive the ACK frame due to interference waves from other systems.

[0087] In other words, similar to the above Figure 2 In the case of wireless LAN systems, virtual carrier sensing can be set up through Network Allocation Vector (NAV). However, in other systems, the existence of RTS and CTS frames cannot be monitored, so similar processing cannot be achieved.

[0088] Figure 3 This indicates that the signal from the communication device 20Tx of another system is interfered with, and the communication device 10Tx (BSS) is unable to receive the ACK frame sent by the communication device 10Rx (BSS).

[0089] At this point, after communication device 10Tx(BSS) sends a data frame, communication device 10Rx(BSS) does not return an ACK frame, so communication device 10Tx(BSS) retransmits all data. That is to say, similarly... Figure 3 In cases similar to the second scenario described above, some data that was received normally before being interfered with by other systems is retransmitted, and some unnecessary data is also retransmitted.

[0090] The communication method (new method) using this technology can provide a mechanism for reliably sending data frames and returning ACK frames even in a mixed environment including wireless LAN systems and other systems.

[0091] (Operational procedures for the new method)

[0092] Figure 4 The operation flow of each communication device 10 and communication device 20 under the application of the new method is shown.

[0093] exist Figure 4In this diagram, since there are multiple frequency channels used for data transmission, for ease of explanation, the vertical axis represents the frequency channel (f) and the horizontal axis represents time (t). The diagram shows the states in which four frequency channels from f1 to f4 are used for operation, and the dynamics of each changing over time are shown in parallel.

[0094] Notice, Figure 4 The example shown uses four frequency channels, but the technique is not limited to this, and the number of frequency channels can be three or less or five or more.

[0095] Figure 4 A and B in the figures (i.e., the first and second stages in the figures) illustrate the operation flow of the transmitting-side communication device 10Tx (BSS) and the transmitting-side communication device 10Tx (OBSS1), respectively. Additionally, Figure 4 C and D in the figures (i.e., stages three and four in the figures) illustrate the operation flow of the receiving-side communication device 10Rx (BSS) and the receiving-side communication device 10Rx (OBSS2). Furthermore, Figure 4 E in the figure (i.e., the fifth stage in the figure) illustrates the operation flow of the communication device 20Tx (Other System) of the other system.

[0096] Note that in Figure 4 In this context, each position of communication device 10Tx (BSS), communication device 10Tx (OBSS1), communication device 10Rx (BSS), communication device 10Rx (OBSS2), and communication device 20Tx (Other System) corresponds to... Figure 1 The positional relationship is shown. Additionally, assume that the data frames transmitted from communication device 10Tx (BSS) are A-MPDU frames.

[0097] At time t1, communication device 10Tx (BSS) uses frequency channel f3 to transmit A-MPDU frames. Figure 4 The A-MPDU frame is "f3" of A in the "PD MPDU1...". This A-MPDU frame is received (detected) by communication device 10Rx (BSS) and communication device 10Tx (OBSS1) (and...). Figure 4 The corresponding "PD MPDU1..." of A in the text. Figure 4 (Rx in B and C).

[0098] At this time, communication device 10Tx (OBSS1) sets the network allocation vector (NAV) of frequency channel f3 for the duration described in the header of the received A-MPDU frame. Figure 4(NAV in B). In addition, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) is configured to receive A-MPDU frames when the A-MPDU frame is an A-MPDU frame addressed to the communication device 10Rx (BSS).

[0099] Here, in the A-MPDU frame, MPDU1 is transmitted after the predetermined preamble (P) and delimiter (D). The new method is characterized by describing the available channel information in the delimiter (D) inserted in the middle of the A-MPDU frame.

[0100] In other words, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) uses frequency channel f3 to transmit A-MPDU frames from time t1 to time t7, but the new method is configured to monitor the status of the wireless transmission path in frequency channels f1, f2, and f4 as well.

[0101] Accordingly, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) also uses frequency channel f3 to receive A-MPDU frames from time t1 to time t7, but the new method is configured to monitor the status of the wireless transmission path in frequency channels f1, f2, and f4 as well.

[0102] Additionally, at intermediate times t2, t4, and t6, delimiters (D) of A-MPDU frames are transmitted and received on frequency channel f3, and communication device 10Tx (BSS) performs transmission including descriptions of delimiters (D) so that communication device 10Rx (BSS) can obtain the latest delimiter (D) information.

[0103] In other words, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) performs a transmission that includes a description in the delimiter (D) of the availability of wireless transmission paths in frequency channels f1 to f4, so that the communication device 10Rx (BSS) can determine the available frequency channels from the information of the received delimiter (D).

[0104] Here, at time t3, communication device 10Tx (OBSS1) uses frequency channel f1 to transmit RTS frames ( Figure 4 (The "RTS" in B).

[0105] The RTS frame was received (detected) by the communication device 10Tx (BSS) (and) Figure 4 The "RTS" corresponding to B in the middle Figure 4 (Rx of A in the RTS frame). At this time, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) sets the network allocation vector (NAV) of frequency channel f1 for the duration described in the received RTS frame. Figure 4 (NAV of A in the text).

[0106] Then, in frequency channel f1, when communication device 10Tx (OBSS1) receives a CTS frame, it subsequently sends a data frame ( Figure 4 The B in the text contains “Rx” and “Data”, so the communication device 10Tx (BSS) can receive the data so that the frequency channel f1 is in a BUSY state until the data transmission ends.

[0107] Furthermore, at time t4, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) sets the network allocation vector (NAV) for frequency channel f1 in the delimiter (D) included in the A-MPDU frame transmitted using frequency channel f3, and includes a description in the delimiter (D) indicating that frequency channel f1 is unavailable.

[0108] On the other hand, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) receives an A-MPDU frame from the communication device 10Tx (BSS) to obtain the delimiter (D) included in the A-MPDU frame, thereby enabling the communication device 10Rx (BSS) to know that frequency channel f1 is unavailable in the communication device 10Tx (BSS).

[0109] Furthermore, at time t5, when communication device 20Tx (Other System) uses frequency channel f3 to transmit data ( Figure 4 In the communication device 10Rx (BSS), the "T_Data" of E in the data (signal) has the following problem: data (signal) is interfered with, and the A-MPDU frame received from the communication device 10Tx (BSS) cannot be decoded correctly. Figure 4 The "T_Data" corresponding to E in the middle Figure 4 (Error in C).

[0110] In other words, since the communication device 20Tx (Other System) of the other system has not detected a signal on frequency channel f3 for a predetermined duration (T_LBT), even though the communication device 10Rx (BSS) is receiving A-MPDU frames, the communication device 20Tx (Other System) also transmits data (signals) for the predetermined duration. Figure 4 (E in "T_Data").

[0111] Therefore, communication device 10Rx (BSS) cannot correctly decode the MPDU3 and MPDU4 portions of the A-MPDU frame and detects that an error has occurred. Additionally, communication device 20Tx (Other System) has not detected a signal within a predetermined duration (T_LBT), therefore, communication device 20Tx (Other System) retransmits data (…). Figure 4(E in "T_Data").

[0112] As described above, a configuration is needed in which, when communication device 10Tx and communication device 10Rx use a certain frequency channel to transmit data, other frequency channels are monitored, and the available frequency channels are always known.

[0113] Furthermore, at time t6, communication device 10Rx (OBSS2) uses frequency channel f2 to transmit CTS frames ( Figure 4 (CTS of D in the text).

[0114] The CTS frame was received (detected) by the communication device 10Rx (BSS) (and) Figure 4 The "CTS" corresponding to D in the middle Figure 4 (C in "Rx"). At this time, in communication device 10Rx (BSS), the network allocation vector (NAV) of frequency channel f2 is set until the data reception of subsequent communication device 10Rx (OBSS2) ends. Figure 4 (NAV in C).

[0115] Subsequently, when the transmission of the predetermined A-MPDU frame from communication device 10Tx (BSS) ends, a SACK frame, as a block ACK frame, is returned from communication device 10Rx (BSS) at a timing immediately following the transmission. Figure 4 (The "SACK" in C).

[0116] Here, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) takes into account the available channel information (from the sending side) obtained from the recently received delimiter (D) and the frequency channels available in its periphery (where the frequency channels for NAV have not yet been set) to determine the frequency channels in the communication device 10Tx (BSS) that can be used to return SACK frames.

[0117] Specifically, at time t7, SACK frames are transmitted using frequency channels f3 and f4, which are available to both communication device 10Tx (BSS) and communication device 10Rx (BSS). Figure 4 (The "SACK" in C for "f3" and "f4").

[0118] At this point, by waiting for SACK frames on the available frequency channels of the communication device 10Tx (BSS) or on all monitored frequency channels, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) can more reliably receive SACK frames on both frequency channels f3 and f4. Figure 4 The "SACK" in C corresponds to Figure 4 (in A's "Rx").

[0119] Then, when the communication device 10Tx (BSS) has grasped the data (MPDU3, MPDU4) that has not yet been received by the communication device 10Rx (BSS) based on the ACK information included in the SACK frame, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) retransmits the data.

[0120] In other words, at the subsequent transmission timing t8, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) retransmits the undelivered data (MPDU3, MPDU4) of the A-MPDU frame using frequency channels f3 and f4 on which SACK frames have already been received. Figure 4 The A in "f3" is "PD MPDU4 D MPDU3". Figure 4 (in A of “f4” of “PD MPDU3 DMPDU4”).

[0121] Here, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) performs transmission by changing the order of MPDUs to be aggregated on different frequency channels, so that the communication device 10Rx (BSS) can transmit data more reliably on multiple frequency channels that are most recently available.

[0122] On the other hand, by waiting for retransmitted data frames to be retransmitted on frequency channels available to the communication device 10Rx (BSS) or on all monitored frequency channels, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) can receive retransmitted data frames more reliably on both frequency channels f3 and f4. Figure 4 The "Rx" in C corresponds to Figure 4 In A, “f3” is “PD MPDU4 D MPDU3” and “f4” is “PD MPDU3 D MPDU4”.

[0123] Note that at time t8, the delimiter (D) is placed in the A-MPDU frame, but in the communication device 10Tx (BSS), frequency channels f2, f3 and f4 are described as available frequency channels in the available channel information and are included in the delimiter (D).

[0124] Furthermore, at time t9, the delimiter (D) is also placed in the A-MPDU frame, and at this time, the following state is established: data transmission of communication device 10Tx (OBSS1) has ended, and frequency channel f1 is available. Therefore, in communication device 10Tx (BSS), frequency channels f1 to f4 are described as available frequency channels in the available channel information and are included in the delimiter (D).

[0125] Therefore, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) obtains the available channel information of these delimiters (D) from the received A-MPDU frame, and thereafter, it can grasp the frequency channel available for returning the SACK frame each time it returns a SACK frame.

[0126] Then, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) can use frequency channels f3 and f4 to receive A-MPDU frames retransmitted from the communication device 10Tx (BSS).

[0127] Here, at time t10, in the case where communication device 20Tx (Other System) uses frequency channel f3 to transmit data ( Figure 4 In the communication device 10Rx (BSS), the "T_Data" of E in the data (signal) has the following problem: data (signal) is interfered with, and retransmitted data frames received from the communication device 10Tx (BSS) cannot be decoded correctly. Figure 4 The "T_Data" corresponding to E in the middle Figure 4 (Error in C).

[0128] Therefore, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) cannot correctly decode the data of the MPDU3 portion transmitted using frequency channel f3 in the retransmitted data frame and detects that an error has occurred. However, since the A-MPDU frame transmitted using frequency channel f4 has already correctly received MPDU3, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) has already received all the data from MPDU1 to MPDU4 at this point.

[0129] Here, the communication device 10Rx (BSS) takes into account the available channel information (from the sending side) obtained from the recently received delimiter (D) and the frequency channels available in its periphery (where the frequency channels for NAV have not yet been set) to determine the frequency channels in the communication device 10Tx (BSS) that can be used to return SACK frames.

[0130] Specifically, at time t11, SACK frames are transmitted using frequency channels f1 and f4, which are available to both communication device 10Tx (BSS) and communication device 10Rx (BSS). Figure 4 (The "SACK" in C for "f1" and "f4").

[0131] Then, the communication device 10Tx (BSS) uses frequency channels f1 and f4 to receive SACK frames from the communication device 10Rx (BSS), and can know that all MPDUs have been transmitted to the communication device 10Rx (BSS) based on the ACK information included in the SACK frame.

[0132] As described above, in the new method, compared to the current method which uses only one frequency channel to transmit data, the acknowledgment of ACK frame reception and retransmission of data frames can be reliably performed by using other frequency channels together. Therefore, more reliable communication can be achieved.

[0133] (Data Frame Configuration)

[0134] Figure 5 This shows an example configuration of an Aggregation-MPDU (A-MPDU) with frame aggregation applied.

[0135] Here, the frame configuration using A-MPDU (i.e., A-MPDU in which multiple MAC layer protocol data units (MPDUs) are transmitted as an aggregated frame) will be described.

[0136] Additionally, since the configuration of an A-MPDU includes MPDUs corresponding to the number of frames to be aggregated, an example is shown here where an A-MPDU as a frame includes, for example, eight subframes from MPDU1 to MPDU8.

[0137] The A-MPDU is sent after the preamble signal of the PHY layer. In addition, each MPDU included in the A-MPDU includes a delimiter indicating the subframe boundary and a MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU), and is configured by adding padding as needed.

[0138] In addition, each MPDU includes a predefined MAC header, data payload, and frame check sequence (FCS).

[0139] The delimiters corresponding to the new method include: Reserved for future expansion; Available Channel Map, which describes available channel information; MPDULength, indicating the information length of the MPDU; CRC, including error detection code; and Signature, including a signature indicating the delimiters.

[0140] Note that the positions of the parameters described in the delimiters are not limited to... Figure 5 The order shown can be adjusted, and parameters can be added or removed as needed.

[0141] Figure 6 Another example of an A-MPDU configuration that includes available channel information is shown.

[0142] Will Figure 6 The data frame shown is Figure 5 Comparing the data frames shown, the configuration of placing the padding position at one position (EOF Pad) at the end of the frame is different, but the configuration of the other parts is similar.

[0143] With this change, Figure 6 The data frame shown has parameters described in the delimiter to prepare the EOF bit and can identify a configuration where only the EOF Pad is set.

[0144] (MAC header configuration)

[0145] Figure 7 An example of a MAC header configuration that includes available channel information is shown.

[0146] Figure 7 This illustrates a scenario where available channel information is included not only as a delimiter parameter but also as a parameter in the MAC header.

[0147] The MAC header includes: Frame Control indicating the frame format, Duration indicating the frame duration, Address1 to Address4 indicating the address information that identifies the communication device 10, Sequence Control indicating the sequence number, QoS Control indicating the QoS parameters, and HT Control indicating the high throughput parameters.

[0148] In the MAC header corresponding to the new method, in addition to these parameters, as available channel information, it also includes the Start Channel (Start Ch.) indicating the starting channel and the Available Channel Map (Available Ch.Map) bitmap information indicating the available frequency channels.

[0149] (Information element configuration)

[0150] Figure 8 An example configuration of information elements including available channel information is shown.

[0151] Available channel information can be configured as a management frame or action frame, which is one of the MPDUs, and Figure 8 The configuration is shown in the case of the information element format required for this configuration.

[0152] The information element includes: Element Type indicating the format of the information element; Length indicating the length of the information; Transmit Address indicating the address of the communication device 10 on the sending side; Receive Address indicating the address of the communication device 10 on the receiving side; BA Control and BA Information including block ACK parameters; Transfer Information including parameters related to transmission; and FCS for error detection. In addition, it also includes Start Channel and Available Channel Map.

[0153] In other words, the information elements corresponding to the new method include the Start Channel, which indicates the start channel, and the Available Channel Map, which indicates the available frequency channels, as available channel information.

[0154] (PHY layer configuration)

[0155] Figure 9 An example of configuring available channel information as parameters that can be recognized in the PHY layer is shown.

[0156] Available channel information can be placed in the preamble signal of the PHY layer, or it can be placed as an intermediate code signal inserted in the middle of a data frame such as an A-MPDU frame during resynchronization.

[0157] Figure 9 The following state is schematically illustrated: A-MPDU is transmitted after a predetermined preamble signal, and a mid-amble signal is inserted into three positions for each predetermined OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbol that includes the A-MPDU data.

[0158] Here, in Figure 10 The detailed configuration of the preamble signal is shown in the figure. That is, in addition to L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, HE-SIG-A, and HE-STF, the preamble signal also includes a predetermined number of HE-LTFs repeated according to the number of spatial multiplexing.

[0159] Specifically, L-STF indicates a regular short training field, while L-LTF indicates a regular long training field.

[0160] Additionally, L-SIG indicates regular signaling information, RL-SIG indicates repetitive signaling information, and HE-SIG-A indicates high-density signaling information. Furthermore, HE-STF indicates high-density short training fields, and HE-LTF indicates high-density long training fields.

[0161] In addition to these parameters, the preamble signal corresponding to the new method also includes a Channel Signal as available channel information, which indicates information used to identify available frequency channels.

[0162] In addition, Figure 11 The diagram illustrates the detailed configuration of the mid-amble. Specifically, the mid-amble includes: L-STF indicating a regular short training field, L-LTF indicating a regular long training field, L-SIG indicating regular signaling information, HE-SIG-A indicating high-density signaling information, and so on.

[0163] In addition to these parameters, the intermediate code signal corresponding to the new method also includes a Channel Signal as available channel information, which indicates information used to identify available frequency channels.

[0164] Notice, Figure 11 The configuration of the intermediate code signal shown is an example, and some parameters included in the intermediate code signal can be removed or other parameters can be added as needed.

[0165] (SACK frame configuration)

[0166] Figure 12 An example of the configuration of a Simulcast Block ACK (SACK) frame using this technology is shown.

[0167] The SACK frame is essentially configured to be sent independently after a preamble signal.

[0168] exist Figure 12In the SACK (Available Channel ACK Frame) it includes: FrameControl indicating the frame format; Duration indicating the duration of the frame; Transmit Address indicating the address information for identifying the communication device 10 on the sending side; Receive Address indicating the address information for identifying the communication device 10 on the receiving side; BA Control and BA Information including block ACK parameters; and FCS for error detection, and also includes Start Channel and Available Channel Map.

[0169] In other words, the SACK frame corresponding to the new method includes a Start Channel indicating the start channel and an Available Channel Map indicating bitmap information of available frequency channels.

[0170] Additionally, the BA Control describes the control information for block ACKs. Within the BA Information, as block ACK information, information is described to specify the received MPDU (hereinafter also referred to as specification information). In other words, this specification information relates to the retransmission data (data that needs to be retransmitted) specified when acknowledging receipt for each MPDU.

[0171] Note that the data frame configuration described above, as well as the configuration of delimiters, MAC headers, etc., are examples, and other configurations can be used. For example, the arrangement order of the Available Channel Map can be changed, other parameters can be added or deleted, and so on.

[0172] (Example of parameters available for channel information)

[0173] Next, we will refer to Figures 13 to 20 Parameter configuration that describes available channel information.

[0174] Here, some variations are shown as parameter configurations for available channel information, but for the information to be used in these parameters, for example, the following methods can be used.

[0175] In other words, after the communication device 10 on the transmitting side and the communication device 10 on the receiving side negotiate in advance, the communication device 10 on the transmitting side can be configured as follows: as a predetermined format, the available channel information is added to the delimiter, MAC header, preamble signal or intermediate code signal, and the obtained data is sent to the communication device 10 on the receiving side.

[0176] Here, available channel information is described in bitmap format as a value of "0" when the frequency channel is available and a value of "1" when the frequency channel is unavailable. However, the values ​​can be reversed, i.e., a value of "1" if the frequency channel is available and a value of "0" if the frequency channel is unavailable.

[0177] (First example)

[0178] Figure 13 The configuration for determining the possibility of using the eight predetermined channels, shown as Channels 1 to 8, is illustrated.

[0179] exist Figure 13 In this process, bit 0 is assigned to frequency channel 1, and bit 1 is assigned to frequency channel 2. Similarly, bits 2 through 7 are assigned to frequency channels 3 through 8, respectively. Therefore, the availability of a frequency channel can be determined for each corresponding frequency channel based on the bit values ​​corresponding to the eight predetermined channels.

[0180] (Second example)

[0181] Figure 14 A configuration is shown that determines the likelihood of using a frequency channel represented in the vertical direction of the base channel based on the base channel used to transmit data frames.

[0182] exist Figure 14 In this process, bit 0 is assigned to the third lower channel (LowerChannel-3), bit 1 is assigned to the second lower channel (Lower Channel-2), and bit 2 is assigned to the first lower channel (Lower Channel-1). Additionally, bit 3 is assigned to the first upper channel (Upper Channel+1), bit 4 is assigned to the second upper channel (Upper Channel+2), and bit 5 is assigned to the third upper channel (Upper Channel+3).

[0183] Therefore, the availability of a frequency channel can be determined for each corresponding frequency channel based on the bit values ​​corresponding to the upper three channels and lower three channels of the basic channel. Note that since the basic channel itself is the frequency channel used by the communication device 10 to transmit data frames, the basic channel can be omitted and removed from... Figure 14 The example is excluded.

[0184] (Third example)

[0185] Figure 15 The configuration is shown as an example of using available channel information to determine the possibility of using a frequency channel, including the basic channel.

[0186] exist Figure 15 In this process, bit 0 is assigned to the basic channel, bit 1 is assigned to the first channel above the basic channel (Upper Channel+1), bit 2 is assigned to the first channel below the basic channel (Lower Channel-1), bit 3 is assigned to the second channel above the basic channel (Upper Channel+2), and bit 4 is assigned to the second channel below the basic channel (Lower Channel-2).

[0187] Therefore, the availability of a frequency channel can be determined for each corresponding frequency channel based on the bit values ​​corresponding to the two upper channels and the two lower channels of the basic channel.

[0188] Notice, Figure 15 The number of channels shown above and below is an example, and if more information about the channels above or below is needed, information about the availability of more frequency channels can be provided by alternately adding information about the available channels.

[0189] (Fourth example)

[0190] Figure 16 An example of a simpler configuration is shown where the available channel information is configured as 4 bits.

[0191] exist Figure 16 In this process, bit 0 is assigned to the second channel below the basic channel (Lower Channel-2), bit 1 is assigned to the first channel below the basic channel (Lower Channel-1), bit 2 is assigned to the first channel above the basic channel (Upper Channel+1), and bit 3 is assigned to the second channel above the basic channel (Upper Channel+2).

[0192] Therefore, the availability of a frequency channel can be determined for each corresponding frequency channel based on the bit values ​​corresponding to the two channels above and the two channels below the basic channel. Note that the basic channel itself is also excluded here.

[0193] (Fifth Example)

[0194] Figure 17 An example is shown where available channel information is configured for each secondary channel.

[0195] exist Figure 17In this code, the primary channel is omitted. Bit 0 is assigned to the secondary channel with a bandwidth of 20MHz, bit 1 is assigned to the secondary channel with a bandwidth of 40MHz, bit 2 is assigned to the secondary channel with a bandwidth of 80MHz, and bit 3 is assigned to the secondary channel with a bandwidth of 160MHz.

[0196] Therefore, the availability of a frequency channel can be determined for each corresponding frequency channel based on the bit value corresponding to the secondary channel.

[0197] Here, Figure 18 An example configuration of the primary channel (P) and secondary channel (S) is shown.

[0198] exist Figure 18 For example, in addition to using only the main channel (P) with a bandwidth of 20MHz, the bandwidth can also be set to 40MHz (20MHz+20MHz) by using the main channel (P) and a secondary channel (S) with a bandwidth of 20MHz to the right of the main channel (P).

[0199] Additionally, by using the secondary channel (S) on the left with a bandwidth of 40MHz, the bandwidth can be set to 80MHz (40MHz+20MHz+20MHz). Furthermore, by using the secondary channel (S) on the right with a bandwidth of 80MHz, the bandwidth can be set to 160MHz (40MHz+20MHz+20MHz+80MHz).

[0200] (Sixth Example)

[0201] Figure 19 Another example is shown where available channel information is represented in bitmap format.

[0202] exist Figure 19 In this 32-bit bitmap, each bit is represented by a number from 0 to 31. Here, the first bit 0 is represented as channel 36, the next bit 1 is represented as channel 40, ..., the last bit 31 is represented as channel 160, and the available frequency channels are assigned to each bit.

[0203] Here, Figure 20 An example of the arrangement of frequency channels available in a wireless LAN system is shown. Figure 20 In the example, channels 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, and 64 are arranged in 20MHz increments based on their center frequencies, starting from the lower frequencies. At the higher frequencies, channels 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, and 144 are arranged in 20MHz increments.

[0204] In other words, Figure 19 and Figure 20 In this system, frequency channel numbers correspond to each other, and the availability of a frequency channel can be specified for each frequency channel assigned in 20MHz units. For example, in the available channel information, among the available frequency channels represented by bits 0 to 31, the bit corresponding to the available frequency channel can be set to "1", and the other bits can be set to "0".

[0205] As described above, the available channel information describes the channel information related to the frequency channel in bitmap format, etc., and it is possible to determine whether the frequency channel is an available frequency channel for each corresponding frequency channel.

[0206] Note that the parameter configuration of the available channel information described above is an example, and, for example, the variations shown here can be rearranged and configured.

[0207] In addition, in the above configuration, the available channel information is represented in bitmap format. However, this technology is not limited to this format, and other formats can be used as available frequency channel information, as long as the availability of frequency channels can be specified.

[0208] in addition, Figure 20 The frequency channel arrangement shown is an example, and since the legally available frequency bands differ in each country, there are cases where each of these available frequency channels has a different range. Here, for example, a frequency bandwidth narrower than 20 MHz can be used. Specifically, for example, the frequency bandwidth can correspond to units of resource units specified by IEEE 802.11ax.

[0209] (Example of communication device configuration)

[0210] Figure 21 This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication device (wireless communication device) to which this technology is applied. Figure 21 The communication device 10 shown is configured as a wireless network. Figure 1 The communication device 10Tx on the transmitting side or the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side in the )

[0211] exist Figure 21 In the communication device 10, there are Internet connection module 11, information input module 12, device control unit 13, information output module 14 and wireless communication module 15.

[0212] The Internet connection module 11 includes, for example, a circuit having the function of connecting to the Internet network via a service provider from a fiber optic network or other communication lines as a base station (access point), peripheral circuitry of the circuit, a microcontroller, a semiconductor memory, and so on.

[0213] The Internet connection module 11 performs various processes related to Internet connection under control from the device control unit 13. For example, the Internet connection module 11 is configured to perform functions such as a communication modem for connecting to the Internet network when the communication device 10 is used as a base station.

[0214] The information input module 12 includes, for example, input devices such as buttons, keyboards, and touch panels. The information input module 12 has the function of inputting instruction information corresponding to instructions from the user into the device control unit 13.

[0215] The device control unit 13 includes, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, etc. The device control unit 13 controls each unit (module) to enable the communication device 10 to operate as a base station or terminal station.

[0216] The device control unit 13 performs various processes on information supplied from the Internet connection module 11, the information input module 12, or the wireless communication module 15. Additionally, the device control unit 13 supplies information obtained as a result of its own processing to the Internet connection module 11, the information output module 14, or the wireless communication module 15.

[0217] For example, when transmitting data, the device control unit 13 supplies the transmission data passed from the application at the upper layer of the protocol to the wireless communication module 15, or when receiving data, it passes the reception data supplied from the wireless communication module 15 to the application at the upper layer of the protocol.

[0218] The information output module 14 includes an output device, which may include, for example, a display element such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or a light-emitting diode (LED) display.

[0219] The information output module 14 has the function of displaying necessary information to the user based on information supplied from the device control unit 13. Here, the information processed by the information output module 14 includes, for example, the operating status of the communication device 10, information obtained via the Internet, etc.

[0220] The wireless communication module 15 includes, for example, a wireless chip, peripheral circuitry, a microcontroller, and a semiconductor memory. The wireless communication module 15 performs various processes related to wireless communication according to control from the device control unit 13. (See later...) Figure 22 The configuration details of the wireless communication module 15 are described.

[0221] Note that this description uses a wireless communication module equipped with a wireless communication chip, peripheral circuits, etc., as an example. However, this technology can be applied not only to wireless communication modules but also to components such as wireless communication chips and wireless communication LSIs. Furthermore, an antenna is optional in wireless communication modules.

[0222] In addition, Figure 21 In the communication device 10, the device control unit 13 and the wireless communication module 15 are essential components, but including the Internet connection module 11, the information input module 12 and the information output module 14 as components is optional.

[0223] In other words, each communication device 10 operating as a base station or terminal station may include only the necessary modules, and unnecessary parts may be simplified or eliminated. More specifically, for example, the Internet connection module 11 may be incorporated only into the base station, and the information input module 12 and the information output module 14 may be incorporated only into the terminal station.

[0224] (Example of wireless communication module configuration)

[0225] Figure 22 It is shown Figure 21 A block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the wireless communication module 15.

[0226] In the wireless communication module 15, for the communication device (wireless communication module) corresponding to the current method, the interface 101, the transmit buffer 102, the network management unit 103, the transmit frame construction unit 104, the receive data construction unit 105, and the receive buffer 106 are configured as a common part between the communication device on the transmitting side and the communication device on the receiving side.

[0227] Furthermore, as a feature configuration corresponding to the new method, the wireless communication module 15 includes a co-broadcast channel management unit 107, an available channel information generation unit 108, and an available channel information processing unit 109, and includes a processor, etc., that primarily designates available frequency channels. Using this feature configuration, available channel information can be described in delimiters, etc.

[0228] Furthermore, in the wireless communication module 15, the transmit power control unit 110, the basic channel transmit processing unit 111, the simulcast transmit processing unit 112, the frequency channel control unit 113, the basic channel receive processing unit 114, the simulcast receive processing unit 115, and the detection threshold control unit 116 are configured to transmit and receive signals at predetermined time intervals.

[0229] Interface 101 may include, for example, input and output interface circuits. Interface 101 is used to communicate with device control unit 13 ( Figure 21It is an interface for exchanging data and has the function of exchanging information input to the interface and information output from the interface in a predetermined signal format.

[0230] Interface 101 writes the transmission data input from device control unit 13 to transmission buffer 102. Additionally, interface 101 supplies information input from device control unit 13 to network management unit 103, or outputs information supplied from network management unit 103 to device control unit 13.

[0231] The transmit buffer 102 includes, for example, a semiconductor storage device such as a buffer memory. The transmit buffer 102 temporarily stores transmit data written via the interface 101.

[0232] The network management unit 103 manages the address information, etc., of the communication device 10 in the wireless network. Furthermore, the network management unit 103 is configured to connect to the Internet network when the communication device 10 operates as a base station.

[0233] The transmission frame construction unit 104 has the function of reading the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer 102 and constructing the transmission data into a data frame for transmission via wireless communication, and, for example, constructing a plurality of MPDUs stored in the transmission buffer 102 and supplying A-MPDU frames to the basic channel transmission processing unit 111.

[0234] The receive data construction unit 105 has the functions of removing predetermined header information from the received data frame (e.g., an A-MPDU frame), extracting the MPDU, and extracting only the required data portion. The data portion extracted by the receive data construction unit 105 is written to the receive buffer 106.

[0235] The receive buffer 106 includes, for example, a semiconductor storage device such as a buffer memory. The receive buffer 106 is a buffer for temporarily storing the extracted portion based on the sequence until all data has been collected, and is configured to store data until the timing for outputting the received data to the device control unit 13 (e.g., a connected application device) is reached.

[0236] Then, when the timing for outputting the received data is reached, the received data stored in the receive buffer 106 is read appropriately and output to the device control unit 13 via the interface 101.

[0237] The simulcast channel management unit 107 has the function of centrally managing the control of sending and receiving information using multiple frequency channels simultaneously through the new method, and has a grasp of the available frequency channels each time.

[0238] The available channel information generation unit 108 has the function of constructing information such as available channel information required by a communication control protocol. For example, the transmitting side communication device 10Tx is configured to construct information included in the delimiter of a data frame, and the receiving side communication device 10Rx is configured to construct information included in a control frame such as a SACK frame.

[0239] The available channel information processing unit 109 has the function of receiving control information required by the communication control protocol. For example, the transmitting side communication device 10Tx is configured to analyze information included in control frames such as SACK frames, and the receiving side communication device 10Rx is configured to analyze information included in delimiters of data frames.

[0240] The transmit power control unit 110 has the function of controlling the transmit power so that the signal does not reach an unnecessary radio wave range when transmitting a predetermined frame. Here, the transmit power control unit 110 has the function of controlling and adjusting the minimum necessary transmit power and transmitting data so that the signal reaches the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side with the expected received electric field strength. Here, for example, the transmit power can be adjusted for each frame to be transmitted.

[0241] The basic channel transmission processing unit 111 has the following functions: adding a predetermined preamble signal to information such as a data frame to be wirelessly transmitted in a predetermined frequency channel, converting the result into a baseband signal of a predetermined format, and processing the result into an analog signal.

[0242] The simulcast transmission processing unit 112 has the following function: according to the control from the simulcast channel management unit 107, it transmits data frames or control frames such as SACK frames on the frequency channel used to perform simulcast.

[0243] Note that the simulcast transmission processing unit 112 may include hardware similar to the basic channel transmission processing unit 111 described above, and may include, for example, the minimum necessary circuitry for preparing frames such as SACK frames or retransmitted data frames, and may also include the same circuitry in parallel, depending on the number of frequency channels to be used.

[0244] The frequency channel control unit 113 has the function of setting the frequency channel for data and control information (including frames of such data and control information) to be transmitted and received on the basic channel and the simulcast channel. For example, the frequency channel control unit 113 is configured to switch and control the frequency channel used for transmitting and receiving data frames or SACK frames.

[0245] The basic channel receiving processing unit 114 has the following functions: upon detecting a predetermined preamble signal, it separates the individual streams and performs receiving processing to receive a header or data portion added after the preamble signal.

[0246] The simulcast receiving processing unit 115 has the following function: receiving data frames or control frames such as SACK frames on the frequency channel used to perform simulcast, according to the control from the simulcast channel management unit 107.

[0247] Note that the simulcast receiving processing unit 115 may include hardware similar to the basic channel receiving processing unit 114 described above, and may include, for example, circuitry for performing carrier detection, circuitry for acquiring header parameters, etc., and may also include the same circuitry in parallel, depending on the number of frequency channels used for simultaneous detection.

[0248] The detection threshold control unit 116 has the following functions: when the transmit power control unit 110 performs transmit power control, it sets a signal detection level that can detect signals from the communication device 10 within its range, and controls the signal to be detected with the minimum necessary detection threshold. Furthermore, the detection threshold control unit 116 is configured to detect signals at a predetermined detection level or a higher detection level if a currently used frequency channel exists.

[0249] The antenna control unit 117 is configured by connecting multiple antenna elements. The antenna control unit 117 performs control to transmit signals as spatial multiplexed streams (wireless transmission) and to receive signals transmitted as spatial multiplexed streams (wireless reception).

[0250] Note that in Figure 22 In the diagram, the arrows between each block represent the flow of data (signals) and control, and each block works in conjunction with other blocks connected by arrows to achieve its own function.

[0251] In other words, for example, in order to achieve centralized management of the control over the transmission and reception of information by using multiple frequency channels simultaneously, the simulcast channel management unit 107 cooperates with each of the network management unit 103, the available channel information generation unit 108, the available channel information processing unit 109, the transmit power control unit 110, the simulcast transmission processing unit 112, the frequency channel control unit 113, the simulcast reception processing unit 115, and the detection threshold control unit 116.

[0252] In addition, Figure 22In the wireless communication module 15, each unit can be divided into three blocks, such as the data input and output unit 151 for transmitting and receiving data, the control unit 152, and the wireless signal transmission and reception unit 153, as shown in the dashed box. However, it can be divided into other numbers (e.g., four or more) of blocks.

[0253] Here, the data input and output unit 151 includes an interface 101, a transmit buffer 102, a network management unit 103, a transmit frame construction unit 104, a receive data construction unit 105, and a receive buffer 106, and mainly performs processing and control related to the input transmit data or the output receive data.

[0254] Additionally, control unit 152 includes a simulcast channel management unit 107, an available channel information generation unit 108, and an available channel information processing unit 109, and primarily performs processing and control related to frame transmission and reception. Note that control unit 152 may include other blocks, such as a simulcast transmission processing unit 112, a frequency channel control unit 113, and a simulcast reception processing unit 115.

[0255] In addition, the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit 153 includes a transmit power control unit 110, a basic channel transmit processing unit 111, a simulcast transmit processing unit 112, a frequency channel control unit 113, a basic channel receive processing unit 114, a simulcast receive processing unit 115, and a detection threshold control unit 116, and mainly performs processing and control related to signals such as transmit signals and receive signals.

[0256] In the wireless communication module 15 configured as described above, in particular, the control unit 152, which includes a simulcast channel management unit 107, an available channel information generation unit 108, an available channel information processing unit 109, a simulcast transmission processing unit 112, a frequency channel control unit 113, and a simulcast reception processing unit 115, performs, for example, the following processing.

[0257] In other words, in the communication device 10Tx (wireless communication module 15) on the transmitting side, the control unit 152 performs the following control: using the available frequency channel to transmit data frames (e.g., A-MPDU frames) to the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side, and transmitting available channel information (e.g., information related to the available frequency channels for transmitting and receiving frames) related to the available frequency channels for the frames. Figures 13 to 17 and Figure 19 Add the Available Channel Map in the data frame (e.g., Figure 5 or Figure 6 delimiter, Figure 7 MAC header, Figure 8 Information elements Figure 10 Preamble signal and Figure 11 (in the intermediate code signal).

[0258] Additionally, in the receiving-side communication device 10Rx (wireless communication module 15), the control unit 152 performs the following control: using the available frequency channel to receive data frames (e.g., A-MPDU frames) transmitted from the transmitting-side communication device 10Tx, based on the data frame (e.g., Figure 5 or Figure 6 delimiter, Figure 7 MAC header, Figure 8 Information elements Figure 10 Preamble signal and Figure 11 The available channel information (e.g., in the intermediate code signal) included in the signal is also present. Figures 13 to 17 and Figure 19 The Available Channel Map specifies the frequency channels available for transmitting and receiving frames, and uses the specified available frequency channels to send acknowledgment signals (e.g., to confirm receipt of data frames) to confirm that data frames have been received. Figure 12 The SACK frame is sent to the communication device 10Tx on the sending side.

[0259] (Operations on the data sending side)

[0260] First, refer to Figure 23 and Figure 24 The operation of the communication device 10Tx (wireless communication module 15) on the data frame sending side is described using a flowchart. Note that here, the example is taken where the available channel information is described in the delimiter of the A-MPDU frame.

[0261] In the wireless communication module 15, a basic channel for transmitting data frames is set up (S101). By setting up the baseband, it is assumed that the connection with the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side is ensured by following a predetermined authentication process.

[0262] Here, in the wireless communication module 15, when transmitting a data frame, when transmitting an A-MPDU frame as an aggregated MPDU (S102), it is determined whether simulcast reception is supported (S103).

[0263] If the determination process in step S103 determines that simulcast reception is supported, the process proceeds to step S104. Then, the simulcast channel management unit 107 sets the simulcast reception channel as a frequency channel for simulcast reception (S104). When the process in step S104 is completed, the processes in steps S105 to S110 are executed.

[0264] In the available channel information generation unit 108, when constructing an A-MPDU frame, information related to the state of the co-broadcast channel (i.e., available channel information) as a frequency channel used in co-broadcast is generated and described, for example, in a delimiter (S105).

[0265] Then, in the wireless communication module 15, an A-MPDU frame (S106) containing a delimiter describing the available channel information is transmitted in units of MPDU.

[0266] At this point, in the co-cast reception channels configured for it, co-cast channel reception processing is performed on each frequency channel (S107) until the boundary of the MPDU is reached ("No" in S108). Note that this will be referred to later. Figure 27 The flowchart describes the details of the simulcast channel reception processing.

[0267] Then, if it is determined that the boundary of the MPDU has been reached ("Yes" in S108), the status of the co-cast channel is obtained in the co-cast channel management unit 107, and it is determined whether the end of the A-MPDU has been reached (S110).

[0268] The process returns to step S105, and steps S105 to S110 are repeated until it is determined in the determination process of step S110 that the end of the A-MPDU has been reached. Therefore, available channel information including information related to the available frequency channels up to the last time is continuously described in the delimiter (S105), and A-MPDU frames including the delimiter are sent in units of MPDUs (S106).

[0269] Then, if it is determined that the end of the A-MPDU has been reached ("Yes" in S110), the process proceeds to step S111, and the processing of steps S111 and S112 is performed.

[0270] In other words, the wireless communication module 15 acquires the latest available frequency channels (S111), and in the case of multiple available frequency channels, sets up waiting to receive block ACK frames for all of these frequency channels (S112).

[0271] Note that if the determination process in step S103 determines that simulcast reception is not supported, steps S104 to S111 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S112. In this case, similar to the current method, A-MPDU frames are sent only on the basic channel, and the setting for waiting for the receive block ACK frame is performed only for that frequency channel (S112).

[0272] Subsequently, in the wireless communication module 15, it is determined whether an ACK frame has been received from the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side (S113). Note that here, if simultaneous broadcast reception is supported, a SACK frame can be received as an ACK frame, and subsequent ACK frames include SACK frames.

[0273] If it is determined in step S113 that an ACK frame has been received, the frequency channel on which the ACK frame has been received is stored as ACK receive channel information (S114).

[0274] Additionally, in the wireless communication module 15, it is determined whether there is any undelivered data in the receiving communication device 10Rx (S115). If it is determined in the determination process of step S115 that there is no undelivered data, since all data has been received by the receiving communication device 10Rx, the transmission of a series of data frames ends.

[0275] If it is determined in the determination process of step S115 that there is undelivered data, the process proceeds to step S116, and the processing of steps S116 and S117 is executed.

[0276] In other words, in the wireless communication module 15, the undelivered data (i.e., data that needs to be retransmitted) in the receiving communication device 10Rx is specified based on the specified information included in the ACK frame (S116). In addition, in the co-broadcast channel management unit 107, a frequency channel for retransmission is specified from the available frequency channels as the channel for retransmission (S117).

[0277] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S113 that an ACK frame has not yet been received, the process proceeds to step S118. Then, in the wireless communication module 15, the retransmission of all data is set (S118).

[0278] When the processing in step S117 or S118 is completed, the process proceeds to step S119. Here, when retransmitting data, it is determined whether a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) has been set as its own co-broadcast channel in the frequency channel used for retransmission (S119).

[0279] Note that in the determination process of step S119, in addition to the NAV setting, whether it is in a busy state can also be included in the determination conditions.

[0280] If it is determined in step S119 that NAV has not been set, the process proceeds to step S120, and the processes of steps S120 and S121 are executed.

[0281] In other words, in the co-broadcast channel management unit 107, the frequency channel without NAV set in the channel used for retransmission is used as the retransmission channel (S120). In addition, in the wireless communication module 15, a retransmission data frame for retransmission to the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side is set by constructing specified retransmission data or all data (S121).

[0282] When the processing in step S121 ends, or when it is determined in the determination process of step S119 that NAV is set, the processing proceeds to step S122.

[0283] Here, since the configuration enables the reception of ACK frames to be performed on all frequency channels that can be co-broadcast, the determination process in step S122 determines whether the processing on all frequency channels has ended.

[0284] If, in the determination process of step S122, it is determined that the processing on all frequency channels has not yet ended, the processing returns to step S113, repeats the processing of steps S113 to S122, and performs a series of processes corresponding to the reception of ACK frames for each ACK receiving channel.

[0285] Note that, for ease of explanation, the process of performing a series of processes corresponding to the reception of an ACK frame for each ACK receive channel has been described here, but the series of processes in each ACK receive channel can be performed in parallel.

[0286] Then, when the retransmission timing is reached ("Yes" in S123), the wireless communication module 15 sends a retransmission data frame (S124). Note that here, after sending the retransmission data frame, the process returns from step S124 to step S102 and repeats a series of processes.

[0287] The operation of the communication device 10Tx on the data frame sending side has been described above.

[0288] (Operations on the data receiving side)

[0289] Next, we will refer to Figure 25 and Figure 26 The flowchart describes the operation of the communication device 10Rx (wireless communication module 15) on the data frame receiving side. Note that here, the example is given where the available channel information is described in the delimiter of the A-MPDU frame.

[0290] In the wireless communication module 15, a waiting setting (S201) is performed for the basic channel used to transmit data frames. By setting this waiting setting for the baseband, it is assumed that the connection with the communication device 10Tx on the receiving side is secured by following a predetermined authentication process.

[0291] Here, if the predetermined preamble signal has been detected in the wireless communication module 15 ("Yes" in S202), the processing steps S203 to S211 are executed.

[0292] In other words, if the data frame is an A-MPDU frame, and if the predetermined delimiter has been obtained (S203) and the delimiter has been received normally according to the CRC at the end of the delimiter ("Yes" in S204), then the available channel information processing unit 109 can obtain the available channel information included in the delimiter, that is, information related to the state of the co-broadcast channel (S205).

[0293] Additionally, at this time, co-cast channel reception processing is performed in each co-cast channel (S206), and MPDU reception processing is performed until the MPDU length is reached (S207). Note that this will be referred to later. Figure 27 The flowchart describes the details of the simulcast channel reception processing.

[0294] Then, in the wireless communication module 15, if the MPDU has been received normally ("Yes" in S208), the received MPDU data is stored in the receive buffer 106 (S209), and the MPDU is stored as received (S210). Note that if it is determined in the determination process of step S208 that the MPDU cannot be received normally, the processing of steps S209 and S210 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S211.

[0295] Additionally, in the wireless communication module 15, it is determined whether the end of the A-MPDU frame has been reached (S211), and the processing steps S203 to S211 are repeated until the end of the A-MPDU frame is reached. That is, here, the acquisition of delimiter information and the reception of MPDU are repeated until the end of the A-MPDU frame is reached.

[0296] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S211 that the end of the A-MPDU frame has been reached, the process proceeds to step S212, and the processes of steps S212 and S213 are executed.

[0297] In other words, when the end of the A-MPDU frame is reached, the wireless communication module 15 obtains the latest received MPDU information (MPDU reception information) (S212) and constructs a block ACK frame based on the MPDU reception information (S213).

[0298] Here, in the wireless communication module 15, it is determined whether there is co-broadcast in the ACK frame, that is, whether the SACK frame is set (S214).

[0299] If it is determined that co-broadcasting exists in the determination process of step S214, the process proceeds to step S215, and the processes of steps S215 to S219 are executed.

[0300] In other words, the available channel information processing unit 109 acquires information related to the status of the co-broadcast channel available in the communication device 10Tx on the transmitting side as the latest available channel information included in the delimiter (S215). Additionally, the co-broadcast channel management unit 107 acquires information related to the status of the co-broadcast channel available in the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side (S216).

[0301] Therefore, if the co-cast channels available on the transmitting side are compared with the co-cast channels available on the receiving side and the frequency channel is a channel on which ACK frames can be transmitted ("Yes" in S217), the frequency channel can be set as the co-cast channel for block ACK frames (S218).

[0302] Note that here, since it can be configured to perform the ACK frame transmission operation on all frequency channels that can be co-broadcasted, the determination process in step S219 determines whether the processing on all frequency channels has ended.

[0303] If, in the determination process of step S219, it is determined that the processing on all frequency channels has not yet ended, the processing returns to step S212, and the processing of steps S212 to S219 is repeated, and a series of processes corresponding to the transmission of ACK frames are performed for each co-broadcast channel.

[0304] Note that, for ease of explanation, the process of performing a series of processes corresponding to the transmission of ACK frames for each simulcast channel has been described here, but the series of processes in each simulcast channel can be performed in parallel.

[0305] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S214 that there is no co-cast, the process proceeds to step S220. In this case, the basic channel is set as the frequency channel for sending block ACK frames (S220).

[0306] When the processing of step S219 or S220 ends, the process proceeds to step S221. Then, if the retransmission timing is reached ("Yes" in S221), the wireless communication module 15 sends a block ACK frame (S222).

[0307] Note that here, if all MPDUs are received ("Yes" in S223), the series of data reception processes ends, while if there are unreceived MPDUs ("No" in S223), the process returns to step S202 and repeats the series of A-MPDU reception processes.

[0308] The operation of the communication device 10Rx on the data frame receiving side has been described above.

[0309] (Flowchart for receiving and processing simulcast channels)

[0310] Next, we will refer to Figure 27 The flowchart describes the process of receiving and processing the simulcast channel.

[0311] In other words, the simulcast channel reception processing is related to... Figure 23 The processing in step S107 and Figure 25 The processing of step S206 in the process corresponds to an embodiment of the processing, and can be performed for each frequency channel in which a simulcast reception operation is set. Figure 27 The configuration shown is for the subroutine processing.

[0312] First, the co-cast channel management unit 107 sets up the co-cast receiving channel (S301). Therefore, a series of signal detection operations are performed. Here, the detection level, which is determined to be the energy of the detected signal, is set as the received electric field strength (S302), and the detection level of the preamble signal is set (S303).

[0313] When these settings are executed, the process proceeds to step S304, and the processes of steps S302 to S309 are executed.

[0314] In other words, in the wireless communication module 15, if it is determined that the predetermined energy detection level is exceeded in the co-broadcast channel ("Yes" in S304), it is determined that the frequency channel is being used and the busy (BUSY) state is set to the frequency channel (S305).

[0315] Note that the wireless communication module 15 is configured to de-enable the busy state of a frequency channel when the frequency channel in a busy state drops below a predetermined energy detection level.

[0316] Furthermore, if a signal with a predetermined received electric field strength or higher is detected in any of the monitored frequency channels (co-broadcast channels), it is assumed that the frequency channel in which the signal was detected is in use.

[0317] At this time, the set value of the received electric field strength can be varied according to the characteristics of the detected signal. Here, for example, in the communication device 10Tx on the transmitting side, a lower set value can be set for the signal addressed to the communication device 10Tx on the transmitting side to make detection easier, while a higher set value can be set for the signal addressed to other adjacent communication devices to make detection more difficult.

[0318] In addition, if it is determined that a predetermined preamble signal is detected in the wireless communication module 15 ("Yes" in S306), the parameters of the header information added thereafter are obtained (S307), and the network allocation vector (NAV) in the frequency channel is set (S308).

[0319] In other words, here, if a predetermined preamble signal is detected in any of the monitored multiple frequency channels (simulcast channels), for example, the time on which the frequency channel on which the preamble signal has been detected is calculated based on the parameters described in the header information subsequently acquired, and it can be assumed that the frequency channel on which the preamble signal has been detected is in use until the calculated time has elapsed.

[0320] In the wireless communication module 15, a series of detection processes from steps S304 to S308 are repeated until it is determined that the boundary of the MPDU has been reached ("Yes" in S309).

[0321] Note that here, if it is determined in the determination process of step S304 that no energy has been detected ("No" in S304), or if it is determined in the determination process of step S306 that no preamble signal has been detected ("No" in S306), the subsequent processing is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S309.

[0322] Furthermore, the simulcast channel detection operation is configured to be performed on all channels of the set simulcast receive channels (S310), and for ease of explanation, the following configuration is described: if the processing on all channels has not yet been completed, the processing returns to step S302, and the subsequent processing is repeated. Here, this series of processes can be processed in parallel for each simulcast channel.

[0323] Moreover, the operation has the following configuration: when the processing of the co-broadcast channel detection operation has been completed on all frequency channels ("Yes" in S310), the signal detection status in the co-broadcast channel is known (S311).

[0324] When the processing in step S311 is completed, the process returns to... Figure 23 Step S107 or Figure 25 Step S206, and then perform subsequent processing.

[0325] The flow of simulcast channel reception processing has been described above. Note that, for ease of explanation, the scenario of performing a series of reception processes for each simulcast channel has been described here, but a series of reception processes in each simulcast channel can be performed in parallel.

[0326] As described above, in the communication method (new method) using this technology, the communication device 10Tx on the data frame transmitting side monitors frequency channels other than the data frame transmitting channel, and notifies the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side of available channel information by using delimiters of the data frames to be transmitted, etc.

[0327] On the other hand, the receiving communication device 10Rx selects at least one or more frequency channels available from the available frequency channels included in the available channel information and returns a block ACK frame. Additionally, the transmitting communication device 10Tx can transmit retransmitted data frames using the frequency channels on which block ACK frames have already been received.

[0328] As described above, in the new method, more reliable communication can be achieved by including available channel information related to the frequency channels available for acknowledging reception and retransmission in the data frames and SACK frames.

[0329] In other words, in the new method, the latest available channel information can be transmitted to the receiving side by using delimiters inserted at the boundaries of subframes (MPDUs) of the A-MPDU frame, and the available frequency channels can be notified upon receiving acknowledgments from the receiving side. Therefore, information can be exchanged with significantly improved reliability.

[0330] In addition, in the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side, if the A-MPDU frame cannot be correctly decoded from the middle due to interference, other available frequency channels can be obtained from the information of the previous delimiter, so that the block ACK frame can be returned on these other frequency channels at the return timing of the block ACK frame.

[0331] Here, by using the available frequency channel at such a timing to return block ACK frames, the receive acknowledgment can be returned to the sending side more reliably.

[0332] In other words, compared to the current method which uses only one frequency channel to exchange block ACK frames, block ACK frames can be returned using frequency channels other than the frequency channels on which A-MPDU frames have been sent. Therefore, it is possible to reliably exchange information confirming receipt.

[0333] Furthermore, in the new method, the delimiter (information) of the A-MPDU frame can be used to sequentially notify the information available for transmission. Therefore, not only the status at the time of transmission of the A-MPDU frame can be notified, but also the status during the transmission of the A-MPDU frame can be notified.

[0334] Furthermore, even in situations where it is difficult to return ACK frames on a frequency channel due to interference from other systems that transmit and receive data (signals) using communication protocols other than those used in the wireless LAN system, other frequency channels can be used to reliably exchange ACK frames. Therefore, the communication protocol of the wireless LAN system can operate effectively even in environments where other systems coexist.

[0335] Furthermore, even when retransmitted data is sent on the transmitting side, a highly reliable communication method can be provided to deliver retransmitted data more reliably by performing retransmission using a frequency channel on which the exchange of block ACK frames has already been explicitly implemented. Moreover, by performing retransmission using multiple frequency channels available at that timing, undelivered data can be delivered to the receiving side more reliably.

[0336] By reliably returning block ACK frames as described above, retransmission of all data due to non-deliverable ACKs can be prevented, and only necessary data can be considered as retransmission. As a result, transmission path utilization efficiency can be greatly improved.

[0337] <2. Deformation>

[0338] (Examples of other configurations)

[0339] The communication device 10Tx on the transmitting side described above can be configured as a base station (access point), and the communication device 10Rx on the receiving side can be configured as a terminal station. However, the communication device 10Tx or the communication device 10Rx can be configured as part of a device included in the base station or the terminal station (e.g., a wireless communication module, a wireless chip, etc.).

[0340] Alternatively, for example, the communication device 10Rx configured as the receiving side of the terminal station can be configured as an electronic device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, mobile phone, personal computer, digital camera, game console, TV receiver, wearable terminal, or speaker device.

[0341] Note that here, it has been described that the transmitting side communication device 10Tx is a base station and the receiving side communication device 10Rx is a terminal station. However, by switching the transmitting and receiving sides, the base station can be the receiving side communication device 10Rx, and the terminal station can be the transmitting side communication device 10Tx.

[0342] In other words, the base station, as the communication device 10, can of course perform... Figure 23 and Figure 24 The flowchart shows the operations on the data frame sending side, but it can also be executed... Figure 25 and Figure 26 The flowchart illustrates the operations on the data frame receiving side. Similarly, the terminal station of communication device 10 can, of course, perform... Figure 25 and Figure 26 The flowchart shows the operations on the data frame receiving side, but it can also perform... Figure 23 and Figure 24 The flowchart illustrates the operations on the data frame sending side.

[0343] Note that the embodiments of this technology are not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this technology.

[0344] In addition, this technology can also be configured as follows. (1)

[0346] A communication device, comprising

[0347] The control unit performs control to...

[0348] Use available frequency channels to send data frames to other communication devices, and

[0349] Add available channel information related to the frequency channels available for the transmission and reception of the frame to the data frame. (2)

[0351] According to the communication device described in (1) above,

[0352] Wherein, the control unit

[0353] Monitor the usage status of frequency channels different from those used to transmit the data frames.

[0354] The available frequency channels are specified based on the monitoring results, and

[0355] The available channel information, which relates to the designated available frequency channels, is included in the data frame. (3)

[0357] According to the communication device described in (1) or (2) above,

[0358] The control unit controls the operation of waiting for an acknowledgment signal, which is a signal sent from the other communication device on an available frequency channel to confirm that the data frame has been received. (4)

[0360] According to the communication device described in (3) above,

[0361] The acknowledgment signal includes specified information related to the data that needs to be retransmitted, and

[0362] The control unit

[0363] The data is specified based on the specified information included in the confirmation signal, and

[0364] The data frame, which includes the specified data, is transmitted to the other communication device using one or more frequency channels on which the acknowledgment signal has been received. (5)

[0366] According to any one of (1) to (4) above, the communication device

[0367] The data frame is configured to be a frame that aggregates multiple subframes. (6)

[0369] According to the communication device described in (5) above,

[0370] The control unit includes the available channel information in the delimiter of the data frame. (7)

[0372] According to the communication device described in (5) or (6) above,

[0373] The control unit includes the available channel information in the header of the subframe. (8)

[0375] According to any one of (5) to (7) above, the communication device

[0376] The control unit includes the available channel information as management frames or action frames. (9)

[0378] According to any one of (5) to (8) above, the communication device

[0379] The control unit includes the available channel information in the preamble signal or the intermediate code signal. (10)

[0381] A communication method, comprising:

[0382] By communication device

[0383] Execution control, to

[0384] Use available frequency channels to send data frames to other communication devices, and

[0385] Add available channel information related to the frequency channels available for the transmission and reception of the frame to the data frame. (11)

[0387] A communication device, comprising

[0388] The control unit performs control to...

[0389] Use available frequency channels to receive data frames sent from other communication devices.

[0390] The available channel information included in the data frame is used to specify the frequency channel available for transmitting and receiving the frame, and

[0391] The designated available frequency channel is used to send an acknowledgment signal, confirming receipt of the data frame, to the other communication device. (12)

[0393] According to the communication device described in (11) above,

[0394] Wherein, the control unit

[0395] Monitor the usage status of frequency channels different from those used to receive the data frames.

[0396] The available frequency channels are specified based on the monitoring results, and

[0397] The available channel information related to the designated available frequency channel is included in the confirmation signal. (13)

[0399] According to the communication device described in (11) or (12) above,

[0400] The acknowledgment signal includes specified information related to the data that needs to be retransmitted, and

[0401] The control unit controls the operation of waiting for data frames, which include data transmitted from the other communication device on an available frequency channel. (14)

[0403] According to the communication device described in (13) above,

[0404] The control unit uses one or more frequency channels on which the data frame has been received to send an acknowledgment signal to the other communication device to confirm receipt of the data frame. (15)

[0406] The communication device according to any one of (11) to (14) above,

[0407] The data frame is configured to be a frame that aggregates multiple subframes. (16)

[0409] According to the communication device described in (15) above,

[0410] The control unit acquires the available channel information included in the delimiter of the data frame. (17)

[0412] According to the communication device described in (15) or (16) above,

[0413] The control unit acquires the available channel information included in the header of the subframe. (18)

[0415] The communication device according to any one of (15) to (17) above,

[0416] The control unit acquires the available channel information, which is included in management frames or action frames. (19)

[0418] According to any one of (15) to (18) above, the communication device

[0419] The control unit acquires the available channel information included in the preamble signal or intermediate code signal. (20)

[0421] A communication method, comprising:

[0422] By communication device,

[0423] Execution control, to

[0424] Use available frequency channels to receive data frames sent from other communication devices.

[0425] The available channel information included in the data frame is used to specify the frequency channel available for transmitting and receiving the frame, and

[0426] The designated available frequency channel is used to send an acknowledgment signal, confirming receipt of the data frame, to the other communication device.

[0427] List of labels

[0428] 10, 10Tx, 10Rx: Communication device; 11: Internet connection module; 12: Information input module; 13: Device control unit; 14: Information output module; 15: Wireless communication module; 101: Interface; 102: Transmit buffer; 103: Network management unit; 104: Transmit frame construction unit; 105: Receive data construction unit; 106: Receive buffer; 107: Simultaneous broadcast channel management unit; 108: Available channel information generation unit; 109: Available channel information processing unit; 110: Transmit power control unit; 111: Basic channel transmission processing unit; 112: Simultaneous broadcast transmission processing unit; 113: Frequency channel control unit; 114: Basic channel reception processing unit; 115: Simultaneous broadcast reception processing unit; 116: Detection threshold control unit; 117: Antenna control unit; 151: Transmit and receive data input and output unit; 152: Control unit; 153: Wireless signal transmission and reception unit.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising a control unit, the control unit performing control to... Data frames, which are in the form of A-MPDU frames including MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs), are transmitted to other communication devices using available frequency channels. MPDU delimiters are added between the data frames, each delimiter including available channel information related to the frequency channels available for transmission and reception of the frame. The delimiter is sent between MPDUs at different times. In response to the transmission of an A-MPDU frame, the control unit transmits a co-cast block ACK (SACK) frame using one or more available frequency channels, and If the data in the A-MPDU frame is not received by the other communication device, the control unit uses one or more available frequency channels that have already sent the SACK frame to retransmit the data.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit Monitor the usage status of frequency channels different from those used to transmit the data frames. The available frequency channels are specified based on the monitoring results, and The available channel information, which relates to the designated available frequency channels, is included in the data frame.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, in, The control unit controls the operation of waiting for an acknowledgment signal, which is a signal sent from the other communication device on an available frequency channel to acknowledge receipt of the data frame.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, in, The confirmation signal includes specified information related to the data that needs to be retransmitted, and The control unit The data is specified based on the specified information included in the confirmation signal, and The data frame, including the specified data, is transmitted to the other communication device using one or more available frequency channels on which the acknowledgment signal has been received.

5. A communication method, comprising: Control is performed by the communication device. The available frequency channel is used to transmit data frames to other communication devices, wherein the data frames are in the form of A-MPDU frames including MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs). MPDU delimiters are added between the data frames, each delimiter including available channel information related to the frequency channels available for transmission and reception of the frame. The delimiter is sent between MPDUs at different times. The communication method further includes: In response to the transmission of an A-MPDU frame, the communication device transmits a co-cast block ACK (SACK) frame using one or more available frequency channels, and If the data in the A-MPDU frame is not received by the other communication device, the communication device may retransmit the data using one or more available frequency channels that have already sent the SACK frame.

6. A communication device, comprising a control unit, the control unit performing control to... The available frequency channel is used to receive data frames transmitted from other communication devices, wherein the data frames are in the form of A-MPDU frames including MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs). The data frames are appended with delimiters between MPDUs, each delimiter including available channel information related to the frequency channels available for transmission and reception of the frame, and the delimiters are transmitted between MPDUs at different times. In response to the reception of an A-MPDU frame, the control unit uses one or more available frequency channels to receive a co-cast block ACK (SACK) frame, and In response to not receiving data within the A-MPDU frame, the control unit requests the other communication device to retransmit the data using the one or more available frequency channels that have already sent the SACK frame.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, in, The control unit Monitor the usage status of frequency channels that are different from those used to receive the data frames. The available frequency channels are specified based on the monitoring results, and Available channel information related to the designated available frequency channels is included in the acknowledgment signal used to confirm receipt of the data frame.

8. The communication device according to claim 7, in, The confirmation signal includes specified information related to the data that needs to be retransmitted, and The control unit controls the operation of waiting for data frames, which include data transmitted from the other communication device on an available frequency channel.

9. The communication device according to claim 8, in, The control unit uses one or more available frequency channels on which the data frame has been received to send an acknowledgment signal to the other communication device to confirm receipt of the data frame.

10. A communication method, comprising: Control is performed by the communication device. The available frequency channel is used to receive data frames transmitted from other communication devices, wherein the data frames are in the form of A-MPDU frames including MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs). The data frames are appended with delimiters between MPDUs, each delimiter including available channel information related to the frequency channels available for transmission and reception of the frame, and the delimiters are transmitted between MPDUs at different times. The communication method further includes: In response to the reception of an A-MPDU frame, the communication device uses one or more available frequency channels to receive a co-cast block ACK (SACK) frame. In response to the failure to receive data within the A-MPDU frame, the communication device requests the other communication device to retransmit the data using the one or more available frequency channels that have already transmitted the SACK frame.

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