Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication method and a communication device, wherein the communication method may include: allocating frequency tones of a resource unit (RU) as a distributed tone RU (dRU) over an allocated bandwidth; and using the distributed tone RU for communication in a 6 GHz low power indoor (LPI) system. By implementing an embodiment of the present invention, the distributed tone RU can be used for communication in the 6 GHz low power indoor (LPI) system.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to distributed-tone resource unit (dRU) operation in a 6 GHz low-power indoor (LPI) system. [Background Technology]

[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims listed below and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s current regulations for wireless communications in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, for 2 MHz transmissions, the Power Spectral Density (PSD) limit for equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is capped at 20 dBm, and the transmit (Tx) power limit is capped at 30 dBm. Under reasonable Tx power assumptions, FCC requirements do not limit Tx power for narrow-bandwidth transmissions. On the other hand, FCC requirements for 6 GHz low-power indoor (LPI) applications are far more stringent than the PSD requirements for the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. For example, the EIRP limit for access points (APs) in the 6 GHz LPI band is 5 dBm / MHz, while the EIRP limit for APs in the 5 GHz band is 17 dBm / MHz. Similarly, the EIRP limit for non-APs in the 6 GHz LPI band is -1 dBm / MHz, while the EIRP limit for APs in the 5 GHz band is 11 dBm / MHz. Therefore, distributed tone RUs (interchangeably referred to herein as "dRUs," "interleaved tone RUs," and "iRUs") can be a spectrally efficient solution to improve transmit power and coverage in the 6 GHz LPI band. Design methods have been proposed to increase Tx power and improve coverage in 6 GHz LPI systems. However, since the implementation details of distributed tone RU operation are undefined, a solution for distributed tone RU operation in 6 GHz LPI systems is needed. [Summary of the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a communication method and a communication device, which can use distributed tone RU to communicate in a 6GHz low power indoor (LPI) system.

[0005] The present invention provides a communication method, which may include: allocating frequency tones of a resource unit (RU) as a distributed tone RU (dRU) on an allocated bandwidth; and using the distributed tone RU to communicate in a 6GHz low power indoor (LPI) system.

[0006] A communication device provided by the present invention may include: a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations including: allocating frequency tones of a resource unit (RU) as a distributed tone RU (dRU) on an allocated bandwidth; and using the distributed tone RU to communicate in a 6GHz low power indoor (LPI) system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1 is a diagram of an example network environment in which various solutions and approaches according to the present invention may be implemented.

[0008] Figure 2 is a diagram of an example scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 is a diagram of an example scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 is a diagram of an example scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 is a diagram of an example scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 is a diagram of an example scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an example communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an example process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Specific implementation method]

[0015] Certain terms are used throughout the specification and claims to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. This specification and claims do not distinguish components based on differences in name, but rather on differences in their functionality. Throughout the specification and claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended and should be interpreted as meaning "including, but not limited to." "Substantially" or "approximately" means that within an acceptable range of error, a person skilled in the art can solve the technical problem and achieve the desired technical effect. Furthermore, the terms "coupled" and "coupled" encompass any direct or indirect electrical connection. Therefore, if a first device is described as coupled to a second device, this means that the first device can be directly electrically connected to the second device or indirectly electrically connected to the second device via other devices or connections. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention and is intended to illustrate the spirit of the invention rather than to limit its scope, which shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0016] The following description is intended to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention. These descriptions are intended to illustrate the general principles of the present invention and should not be used to limit the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention should be determined based on the claims of the present invention.

[0017] Overview

[0018] Embodiments according to the present invention relate to various technologies, methods, schemes, and / or solutions related to distributed tone RU (dRU) operation in 6 GHz LPI systems. According to the present invention, multiple possible solutions may be implemented individually or in combination. That is, although these possible solutions may be described separately below, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one or more combinations.

[0019] It is worth noting that, in the present invention, a 26-tone regular RU can be interchangeably expressed as RU26, a 52-tone regular RU can be interchangeably expressed as RU52, a 106-tone regular RU can be interchangeably expressed as RU106, a 242-tone regular RU can be interchangeably expressed as RU242, etc. In addition, an aggregate (26+52) tone regular MRU can be interchangeably expressed as MRU78, an aggregate (26+106) tone regular MRU can be interchangeably expressed as MRU132, etc. Furthermore, in the present invention, a 26-tone distributed-tone RU may be interchangeably represented as dRU26, a 52-tone distributed-tone RU may be interchangeably represented as dRU52, a 106-tone distributed-tone RU may be interchangeably represented as dRU106, a 242-tone distributed-tone RU may be interchangeably represented as dRU242, and so on. Furthermore, an aggregated (26+52)-tone distributed-tone MRU may be interchangeably represented as dMRU78, an aggregated (26+106)-tone distributed-tone MRU may be interchangeably represented as dMRU132, and so on. Since the above examples are merely illustrative and not an exhaustive list of all possibilities, the same applies to regular RUs, distributed-tone RUs, MRUs, and distributed-tone MRUs of different sizes (or different numbers of tones). It is also worth noting that in the present invention, 20MHz bandwidth can be interchangeably expressed as BW20, 40MHz bandwidth can be interchangeably expressed as BW40, 80MHz bandwidth can be interchangeably expressed as BW80, 160MHz bandwidth can be interchangeably expressed as BW160, 240MHz bandwidth can be interchangeably expressed as BW240, and 320MHz bandwidth can be interchangeably expressed as BW320.

[0020] Figure 1 Illustrated is an example network environment 100 in which various solutions and approaches according to the present invention may be implemented. Figures 2 to 8 FIGURE 1 illustrates an example of implementation of various proposed solutions in a network environment 100 according to the present invention. Figures 1 to 8 The following descriptions of various proposed approaches are provided.

[0021] refer to Figure 1, a network environment 100 may include a communication entity 110 and a communication entity 120 that are in wireless communication (e.g., in a WLAN according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards). For example, the communication entity 110 may be a first STA (interchangeably denoted herein as "STA1") and the communication entity 120 may be a second STA (interchangeably denoted herein as "STA2"), wherein each of the first STA and the second STA may function as an access point (AP) STA or a non-AP STA. As described herein, under various proposed schemes according to the present invention, the communication entity 110 and the communication entity 120 may be configured to perform wireless communication in a 6 GHz LPI system using distributed tone RU operation.

[0022] Under the first proposed scheme according to the present invention, a given distributed tone RU (dRU) can be spread over the entire distribution bandwidth for 6 GHz LPI operation. Figure 2 An example scenario 200 under the proposed scheme is illustrated. Figure 2 Under the proposed scheme, all STAs can be scheduled or allocated a single DRU located on the same or the entire allocated bandwidth. The DRUs of each STA (e.g., STA1 and STA2) can be scheduled with different RU sizes and indices. The allocated bandwidth (or allocation window) can be 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and / or larger. Alternatively, the allocated bandwidth (or allocation window) can be limited to a specific bandwidth (e.g., up to 80 MHz, up to 160 MHz, or up to 320 MHz).

[0023] Under the second proposal according to the present invention, dRU operation may be implemented on each frequency sub-block or segment for 6 GHz LPI operation. Figure 3 An example scenario 300 under the proposed scheme is illustrated. Under the proposed scheme, dRU tone allocation can be performed per frequency sub-block (e.g., per 20 MHz, per 40 MHz, or per 80 MHz frequency segment). Under the proposed scheme, tone allocation cannot cross the boundary between any two adjacent frequency sub-blocks. In the case where a user or STA is scheduled with one dRU, such a dRU can be scheduled within one frequency sub-block and not more than one frequency sub-block. The size of the allocated bandwidth can be the same or different for each STA in a given Basic Service Set (BSS) for 6 GHz LPI operation. Figure 3 Part (A) shows an example of a dRU in each 80 MHz sub-block of a 160 MHz operating bandwidth. Figure 3Part (B) shows a scenario in which the dRU operates in an 80 MHz operating bandwidth or an 80 MHz frequency sub-block, in which a frequency sub-block (e.g., 20 MHz) of the 80 MHz operating bandwidth or the 80 MHz frequency sub-block is punctured, and multiple dRUs are allocated in other non-punctured frequency sub-blocks (e.g., 20 MHz and 40 MHz frequency sub-blocks).

[0024] Under the third proposal according to the present invention, for 6 GHz LPI operation, dRUs can coexist with regular RUs (or localized RUs). Figure 4 An example scenario 400 under the proposed scheme is illustrated. Figure 4 Under the proposed scheme, there may be a mixed operation mode of distributed tone RUs and centralized / regular RUs on different (and non-overlapping) frequency sub-blocks or segments (e.g., each 80 MHz frequency segment of a 160 MHz or 320 MHz operating bandwidth). Since IEEE 802.11be supports Aggregate Physical-layer Protocol Data Units (A-PPDUs), under the proposed scheme, each 80 MHz frequency sub-block or segment can transmit an independent IEEE 802.11be PPDU or a different generation of PPDUs (e.g., a PPDU compliant with the IEEE 802.11ax specification and a PPDU compliant with the IEEE 802.11be specification). In addition, since the distance of each user or STA to the AP may be different, farther STAs may need to increase their transmission power through dRUs, while closer STAs (or STAs scheduled using larger RUs or STAs scheduled using Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO)) may only need to use regular RUs for transmission. Therefore, under the proposed scheme, dRU operation can coexist with regular RUs (e.g., RUs specified under IEEE 802.11be or IEEE 802.11ax) on different (and non-overlapping) frequency sub-blocks or segments (e.g., 80 MHz frequency sub-blocks or frequency sub-blocks of different sizes). This hybrid mode can also allow dRUs in one 6 GHz frequency resource sub-block or segment to be used for LPI and regular RUs in another 6 GHz frequency band to be used for automatic frequency control (AFC).

[0025] Under the fourth proposal according to the present invention, for some STAs, the dRUs may be distributed over part of the bandwidth, and for some other STAs, the dRUs may be distributed over the entire bandwidth for 6 GHz LPI operation. Figure 5The figure illustrates an example scenario 500 under the proposed scheme. Because IEEE 802.11be can support different applications, some devices on the 6 GHz LPI may prefer to use smaller RUs to transmit data for applications with lower data rates over a narrow bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz), while other devices may need to use larger RUs to transmit data over a wider bandwidth. Therefore, under the proposed scheme, for some STAs, one or more DRUs may be distributed over a portion (but not all) of the operating bandwidth, while for some other STAs, one or more DRUs may be distributed over the entire operating bandwidth.

[0026] Under the fifth proposal according to the present invention, the DRU may be implemented with frequency resource duplication for 6 GHz LPI operation. Figure 6 An example scenario 600 under the proposed scheme is illustrated. Under the proposed scheme, coverage enhancement for 6 GHz LPI can be achieved by spreading the tones over a larger bandwidth to increase the transmit power or by repeating the transmission and performing Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC) at the receiver. For multiple RUs of a certain size spread over a sufficiently large bandwidth, the dispersion gain may saturate. For example, dRU26 can achieve the full dispersion gain by spreading the tones over BW40 (or RU484), but dRU26 will not further increase the transmit power by allocating RU26 over a wider bandwidth (e.g., greater than BW40), while dRU52 can achieve the full dispersion gain over BW80 (or RU996), and so on. In addition, for obtaining dRUs on a per-frequency sub-block basis, frequency resource duplication can be implemented together with the dRUs to further improve coverage. Figure 6 Part (A) shows an example of implementing dRU and resource duplication based on each 80 MHz frequency sub-block for BW160. Figure 6 Part (B) of FIG. 5 shows an example of implementing dRU and resource duplication for one user and implementing dRU for another user over the entire allocated bandwidth.

[0027] Illustrative Implementation

[0028] Figure 7An example system 700 is shown having at least an example apparatus 710 and an example apparatus 720 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each of apparatus 710 and apparatus 720 can perform various functions to implement the schemes, techniques, processes, and methods described herein related to distributed tone RU operation in a 6 GHz LPI system, including the schemes described above in connection with various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods, and the processes described below. For example, apparatus 710 can be an example implementation of communication entity 110, and apparatus 720 can be an example implementation of communication entity 120.

[0029] Each of device 710 and device 720 may be part of an electronic device, which may be a STA or AP, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of device 710 and device 720 may be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing device such as a tablet, laptop, or notebook. Each of device 710 and device 720 may also be part of a machine-type device, which may be an Internet of Things device, such as a fixed or stationary device, a home device, a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of device 710 and device 720 may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. When implemented in or as a network device, device 710 and / or device 720 may be implemented in a network node, such as an AP in a WLAN.

[0030] In some embodiments, each of the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex instruction set computing (CISC) processors. In the various schemes described above, each of the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720 may be implemented in or as a STA or an AP. Each of the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720 may include Figure 7 At least some of the components shown in FIG7 , for example, include processor 712 and processor 722, respectively. Each of apparatus 710 and apparatus 720 may also include one or more other components not related to the solution proposed by the present invention (e.g., internal power supply, display device and / or user interface device), and therefore, for the sake of simplicity and brevity, such components of apparatus 710 and apparatus 720 are not shown in FIG7 . Figure 7 It is shown in the figure and will not be described below.

[0031] In one aspect, each of processor 712 and processor 722 can be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more RISC processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, even though the singular term "processor" is used herein to refer to processor 712 and processor 722, each of processor 712 and processor 722 may include multiple processors in some embodiments and a single processor in other implementations. On the other hand, each of processor 712 and processor 722 can be implemented in the form of hardware (and optionally, firmware) including electronic components, such as but not limited to one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and / or one or more varactors, which are configured and arranged to achieve the specific purposes of the present invention. In other words, in at least some embodiments, each of processor 712 and processor 722 is a special-purpose machine specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks, including those tasks related to distributed tone RU operations in a 6 GHz LPI system. For example, each of processor 712 and processor 722 may be configured with hardware components or circuitry to implement one, some, or all of the examples described and illustrated herein.

[0032] In some embodiments, the apparatus 710 may further include a transceiver 716 coupled to the processor 712. The transceiver 716 may be capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some embodiments, the apparatus 720 may further include a transceiver 726 coupled to the processor 722. The transceiver 726 may include a transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data.

[0033] In some embodiments, the device 710 may further include a memory 714 coupled to the processor 712 and accessible by the processor 712, and storing data therein. In some embodiments, the device 720 may further include a memory 724 coupled to the processor 722 and accessible by the processor 722, and storing data therein. Each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 may include a type of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and / or zero-capacitance RAM (Z-memory). Alternatively or additionally, each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 may include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively or additionally, each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 may include a type of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), and / or phase change memory.

[0034] Each of apparatus 710 and apparatus 720 may be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various proposed schemes according to the present invention. For illustrative purposes and not limitation, a description of the capabilities of apparatus 710 as communication entity 110 and apparatus 720 as communication entity 120 is provided below. It is worth noting that while the example implementations described below are provided in the context of a WLAN, the present invention may also be implemented in other types of networks. Therefore, while the following description of the example implementations relates to a scenario in which apparatus 710 functions as a transmitting device and apparatus 720 functions as a receiving device, the present invention is equally applicable to another scenario in which apparatus 710 functions as a receiving device and apparatus 720 functions as a transmitting device.

[0035] According to the proposed scheme related to distributed tone RU operation in a 6 GHz LPI system according to the present invention, the processor 712 of the device 710 can allocate multiple frequency tones of the RU as a dRU over the allocated bandwidth. In addition, the processor 712 can communicate with the device 720 in the 6 GHz LPI system via the transceiver 716 using the dRU.

[0036] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, the processor 712 may allocate the frequency tones of the RU across the entire allocated bandwidth. In some embodiments, the allocated bandwidth may include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz bandwidth. Alternatively or additionally, the allocated bandwidth may include bandwidths up to 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

[0037] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a distributed RU, the processor 712 may allocate the frequency tones of the RU within each frequency sub-block. In some embodiments, the frequency sub-blocks may include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz frequency sub-blocks. Furthermore, a distributed tone RU may not cross a boundary between two adjacent frequency sub-blocks.

[0038] In some embodiments, when assigning frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, the processor 712 may assign the frequency tones of the RU such that the distributed tone RU is on a first frequency sub-block. In this case, during communication, the processor 712 may use the distributed tone RU on the first frequency sub-block to communicate with a centralized RU on a second frequency sub-block different from the first frequency sub-block. In some embodiments, each of the first frequency sub-block and the second frequency sub-block may include an 80 MHz frequency sub-block. Alternatively or additionally, during communication, the processor 712 may communicate at an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 320 MHz.

[0039] In some embodiments, a DRU can be implemented in a scenario where one frequency sub-block (e.g., 20 MHz) within an 80 MHz operating bandwidth or an 80 MHz frequency sub-block is punctured and multiple DRUs are dispersed across other non-punctured frequency sub-blocks. The non-punctured frequency sub-blocks can include 20 MHz and 40 MHz frequency sub-blocks within the 80 MHz operating bandwidth or an 80 MHz frequency sub-block.

[0040] In some embodiments, when allocating the frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, the processor 712 may allocate the frequency tones of the RU over a portion of the operating bandwidth rather than the entire operating bandwidth. In this case, during communication, the processor 712 may communicate using the distributed tone RU over a portion of the operating bandwidth, while another STA may communicate over the entire operating bandwidth.

[0041] Alternatively, when allocating the frequency tones of the RU as a dRU, the processor 712 may allocate the frequency tones of the RU across the entire operating bandwidth. In this case, during communication, the processor 712 may communicate using the distributed tone RU across the entire operating bandwidth, while another STA communicates on a portion of the operating bandwidth but not the entire bandwidth.

[0042] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, the processor 712 may distribute the frequency tones of the RU across a first frequency sub-block. In this case, during communication, the processor 712 may use a repetition of the distributed tones RU on the first frequency sub-block and the distributed tones on a second frequency sub-block different from the first frequency sub-block. In some embodiments, each of the first frequency sub-block and the second frequency sub-block may include a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz frequency sub-block.

[0043] Illustrative Process

[0044] Figure 8 An example process 800 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Process 800 may represent one aspect of implementing the various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods described above. More specifically, process 800 may represent one aspect of the proposed concepts and schemes related to distributed tone RU operation in a 6 GHz LPI system in accordance with the present invention. Process 800 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as shown in one or more of blocks 810 and 820. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 800 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Furthermore, the blocks / subblocks of process 800 may be arranged as follows: Figure 8 800 may be performed in the order shown, or in a different order. In addition, one or more of the blocks / subblocks of process 800 may be performed repeatedly or iteratively. Process 800 may be implemented by or in apparatus 710 and apparatus 720, and any variants thereof. For illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope, process 800 is described below in the context of apparatus 710 as a communication entity 110 (e.g., a transmitting device (which may be a STA or AP)) of a wireless network (e.g., a WLAN) according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards and apparatus 720 as a communication entity 120 (e.g., a receiving device (which may be a STA or AP)) of a wireless network (e.g., a WLAN) according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards. Process 800 may begin at block 810.

[0045] At 810, process 800 can include processor 712 of device 710 allocating frequency tones of the RU as dRUs over the allocated bandwidth. Process 800 can proceed from 810 to 820.

[0046] At 820 , process 800 may include processor 712 communicating with device 720 in the 6 GHz LPI system using the dRU via transceiver 716 .

[0047] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, process 800 may include processor 712 allocating the frequency tones of the RU across the entire allocated bandwidth. In some embodiments, the allocated bandwidth may include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz bandwidth. Alternatively or additionally, the allocated bandwidth may include bandwidths up to 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

[0048] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a distributed RU, process 800 may include processor 712 allocating frequency tones of the RU on a per-frequency sub-block basis. In some embodiments, the frequency sub-blocks may include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz frequency sub-blocks. Furthermore, a distributed tone RU may not cross a boundary between two adjacent frequency sub-blocks.

[0049] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, process 800 may include processor 712 allocating frequency tones of the RU such that the distributed tone RU is on a first frequency sub-block. In this case, during communication, process 800 may include processor 712 communicating using the distributed tone RU on the first frequency sub-block with a centralized RU on a second frequency sub-block different from the first frequency sub-block. In some embodiments, each of the first frequency sub-block and the second frequency sub-block may include an 80 MHz frequency sub-block. Alternatively or additionally, during communication, process 800 may include processor 712 communicating at an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 320 MHz.

[0050] In some embodiments, a DRU can be implemented in a scenario where one frequency sub-block (e.g., 20 MHz) within an 80 MHz operating bandwidth or an 80 MHz frequency sub-block is punctured and multiple DRUs are dispersed across other non-punctured frequency sub-blocks. The non-punctured frequency sub-blocks can include 20 MHz and 40 MHz frequency sub-blocks within the 80 MHz operating bandwidth or an 80 MHz frequency sub-block.

[0051] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, process 800 may include processor 712 allocating frequency tones of the RU over a portion of the operating bandwidth, but not the entirety of the operating bandwidth. In this case, in communication, process 800 may include processor 712 communicating using the distributed tone RU over a portion of the operating bandwidth, while another STA communicates over the entire operating bandwidth.

[0052] Alternatively, when allocating the frequency tones of the RU as a dRU, the process 800 may include the processor 712 distributing the frequency tones of the RU across the entire operating bandwidth. In this case, in communication, the process 800 may include the processor 712 communicating using the distributed tones RU across the entire operating bandwidth, while another STA communicates over a portion of the operating bandwidth but not the entire bandwidth.

[0053] In some embodiments, when allocating frequency tones of an RU as a dRU, process 800 may include processor 712 allocating frequency tones of the RU on a first frequency sub-block. In this case, during communication, process 800 may include processor 712 communicating using a repetition of distributed tones RU on the first frequency sub-block and distributed tones on a second frequency sub-block different from the first frequency sub-block. In some embodiments, each of the first frequency sub-block and the second frequency sub-block may include a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz frequency sub-block.

[0054] Although the present invention is disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: allocating frequency tones of the resource unit over the allocated bandwidth as distributed tone resource units; and Using the distributed tone resource unit for communication in a 6 GHz low-power indoor system; Wherein, allocating the frequency tone of the resource unit on the allocated bandwidth as a distributed tone resource unit includes: allocating the frequency tone of the resource unit so that the distributed tone resource unit is on a first frequency sub-block of the allocated bandwidth, and wherein the communication includes using the distributed tone resource unit on the first frequency sub-block to communicate with a centralized resource unit on a second frequency sub-block of the allocated bandwidth that is different from the first frequency sub-block.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The allocated bandwidth includes 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz bandwidth.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The allocated bandwidth includes bandwidths up to 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The allocating frequency tones of the resource unit as distributed tone resource units includes allocating frequency tones of the resource unit by frequency sub-block or frequency segment.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The frequency sub-blocks or frequency segments include 20 MHz, 40 MHz or 80 MHz frequency sub-blocks or segments.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The frequency tones of the allocated resource unit include, as a distributed tone resource unit, frequency tones of the resource unit allocated within an 80 MHz frequency sub-block, wherein one frequency sub-block of the 80 MHz frequency sub-block is punctured, and the frequency tones of the allocated resource unit include frequency tones of the resource unit allocated on unapertured 20 MHz and 40 MHz sub-blocks within the 80 MHz frequency sub-block.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein The distributed tone resource unit does not cross the boundary between two adjacent frequency sub-blocks.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein Each of the first frequency sub-block and the second frequency sub-block includes a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz frequency sub-block.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The communications include communicating at an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 320 MHz.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver configured to conduct wireless communication; and A processor, coupled to the transceiver, and configured to perform operations including: Allocating the frequency tones of the resource unit over the allocated bandwidth as distributed tone resource units; and Using the distributed tone resource unit for communication in a 6 GHz low-power indoor system; When allocating the frequency tone of the resource unit as the distributed tone resource unit on the allocated bandwidth, the processor is configured to: allocating frequency tones of the resource unit such that the distributed tone resource unit is over a first frequency sub-block of the allocated bandwidth; When the distributed tone resource unit is used for communication in a 6 GHz low-power indoor system, the processor is configured to: Communication is performed using the distributed tone resource units on the first frequency sub-block and the localized resource units on a second frequency sub-block of the allocated bandwidth different from the first frequency sub-block.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein The allocated bandwidth includes a 20 MHz, 40 MHz or 80 MHz bandwidth; or The allocated bandwidth includes bandwidths up to 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein When allocating the frequency tones of the resource unit as a distributed tone resource unit, the processor is configured to allocate the frequency tones of the resource unit by frequency sub-block, wherein the frequency sub-block includes a 20 MHz, 40 MHz or 80 MHz frequency sub-block, and wherein the distributed tone resource unit does not cross a boundary between two adjacent frequency sub-blocks.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein Each of the first frequency sub-block and the second frequency sub-block comprises a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz frequency sub-block, and wherein the communicating comprises communicating at an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 320 MHz.

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