Base station and terminal

Abstract

The base station (10) of the embodiment includes a first and a second wireless signal processing section (130, 140), and a link management section (120). The first wireless signal processing section is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals using a first channel. The second wireless signal processing section is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals using a second channel different from the first channel. The link management section creates a multi-link with a terminal using the first and the second wireless signal processing sections. The link management section sets the multi-link to a first state or a second state. In the first state, a first link using the first wireless signal processing section and a second link using the second wireless signal processing section are each in an active mode in which communication is possible. In the second state, the first link is in an active mode or an intermittent operation mode in which operation is intermittently performed, and the second link is in an operation suspension mode in which power consumption is lower than in the intermittent operation mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments relate to a base station and a terminal. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a wireless system connecting between a base station and a terminal in a wireless manner, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is known.

[0003] Non-Patent Literature 1: IEEE Std 802.11-2016, "9.3.3.3 Beacon frame format"

[0004] and "11.1 Synchronization", 7 December 2016 SUMMARY

[0005] A problem of the present application is to suppress power consumption of a wireless terminal.

[0006] A base station of an embodiment includes a first wireless signal processing section, a second wireless signal processing section, and a link management section. The first wireless signal processing section is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a wireless signal using a first channel. The second wireless signal processing section is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving a wireless signal using a second channel different from the first channel. The link management section creates a multi-link with a terminal using the first wireless signal processing section and the second wireless signal processing section. The link management section sets the multi-link to a first state or a second state. In the first state, a first link using the first wireless signal processing section and a second link using the second wireless signal processing section are each in an active mode in which communication is possible. In the second state, the first link is in an active mode or an intermittent operation mode in which operation is intermittently performed, and the second link is in an operation suspension mode in which power consumption is lower than in the intermittent operation mode.

[0007] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A base station of an embodiment can suppress power consumption of a wireless terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of an overall structure of a wireless system to which embodiments relate.

[0010] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a frequency band used in wireless communication of a wireless system to which embodiments relate.

[0011] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a format of a wireless frame of a wireless system to which embodiments relate.

[0012] Figure 4is a block diagram showing one example of a structure of a base station that the wireless system according to the embodiment has.

[0013] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing one example of a function of a base station that the wireless system according to the embodiment has.

[0014] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing one example of a structure of a terminal that the wireless system according to the embodiment has.

[0015] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing one example of a function of a terminal that the wireless system according to the embodiment has.

[0016] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing one example of detailed functions of a link management section of a base station that the wireless system according to the embodiment has.

[0017] Figure 9 is a table showing one example of link management information of the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing one example of multi-link processing of the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 11 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of an output method of a beacon signal of a base station that the wireless system according to the embodiment has.

[0020] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a beacon signal including multi-link capability information of the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing one example of a data transmission method in a multi-link of the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 14 is a table showing one example of a change in link management information in a multi-link power saving of the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing one example of an action of a base station in a multi-link of the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 16 is a conceptual diagram showing one example of a beacon signal including a PVB (Partial Virtual Bitmap) of the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 17This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a terminal included in the wireless system according to the embodiment during multi-link power saving.

[0026] Figure 18 This is a flowchart showing an example of a multi-link power save start operation in the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 19 This is a flowchart showing an example of a termination operation of the multi-link power save in the wireless system according to the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 20 This is a flowchart showing an example of a communication method during multi-link power saving in a wireless system according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 21 This is a flowchart showing an example of a communication method during multi-link power saving in a wireless system according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 22 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a beacon signal including PVB (Partial Virtual Bitmap) in the wireless system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following describes a wireless system 1 according to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrate devices and methods for embodying the technical concepts of the present invention. The drawings are schematic or conceptual. Dimensions and ratios in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions. The technical concepts of the present invention are not determined by the shape, structure, or arrangement of the components. In the following description, components with substantially the same functions and structures are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0032] <1> Configuration of wireless system 1

[0033] <1-1> Overall structure of wireless system 1

[0034] Figure 1 An example of the configuration of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless system 1 includes, for example, a base station 10 , a terminal 20 , and a server 30 .

[0035] The base station 10 is connected to the network NW and used as an access point of a wireless LAN. For example, the base station 10 is able to distribute data received from the network NW to the terminal 20 in a wireless manner. In addition, the base station 10 is able to connect to the terminal 20 with one bandwidth or a plurality of bandwidths. In the present specification, a wireless connection with a plurality of bandwidths between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 is referred to as "multi-link". The communication between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 is based on, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0036] The terminal 20 is, for example, a wireless terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, or the like. The terminal 20 is able to transmit and receive data between a server 30 on the network NW via the base station 10 connected in a wireless manner. In addition, the terminal 20 can be another electronic instrument such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or the like. The terminal 20 is only required to be an instrument that is able to communicate with the base station 10 at least and is able to perform the actions described later.

[0037] The server 30 is able to hold various information, for example, content data targeted for the terminal 20. The server 30 is configured to be connected to the network NW in a wired manner, for example, and is able to communicate with the base station 10 via the network NW. In addition, the server 30 is only required to be able to communicate with the base station 10 at least. That is, the communication between the base station 10 and the server 30 can be in a wired manner or in a wireless manner.

[0038] In the wireless system 1 related to the embodiments, the data communication between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 is based on the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model. In the OSI reference model, the communication function is divided into seven layers (Layer 1: physical layer, Layer 2: data link layer, Layer 3: network layer, Layer 4: transport layer, Layer 5: session layer, Layer 6: presentation layer, and Layer 7: application layer).

[0039] The data link layer includes, for example, an LLC (Logical Link Control) layer and a MAC (Media Access Control) layer. The LLC layer is, for example, to attach a DSAP (Destination Service Access Point) data header, a SSAP (Source Service Access Point) data header, or the like to the data input from an upper application to form an LLC packet. The MAC layer is, for example, to attach a MAC data header to the LLC packet to form a MAC frame.

[0040] (Regarding the frequency band used in wireless communication)

[0041] Figure 2 An example of the frequency band used in the wireless communication of the wireless system 1 related to the embodiments is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the frequency band used in the wireless communication of the wireless system 1 related to the embodiments is divided into a plurality of frequency bands. The frequency band used in the wireless communication of the wireless system 1 related to the embodiments is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1. Figure 2As shown, in the wireless communication, for example, a 2.4 GHz band, a 5 GHz band, a 6 GHz band are used. Also, each of the bands contains a plurality of channels. In this example, the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band contain at least three channels CH1, CH2, and CH3, respectively. The communication using each channel CH is implemented by the STA function described later.

[0042] Further, the wireless system 1 can use a frequency band other than the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band in the wireless communication. As long as at least one channel CH is set for each frequency band. The channel CH of the same frequency band can be used for multi-link, or the channel CH of different frequency bands can be used.

[0043] (Format of Wireless Frame)

[0044] Figure 3 A specific example of a format of a wireless frame used for communication between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 in the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown. As shown, the wireless frame contains, for example, a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an Address1 field, an Address2 field, an Address3 field, a Sequence Control field, other control information fields, a Frame Body field, and a FCS (Frame Check Sequence) field. Figure 3

[0045] The Frame Control field ~ the other control information fields correspond to, for example, a MAC data header contained in a MAC frame. The Frame Body field corresponds to, for example, a MAC payload contained in a MAC frame. The FCS field stores an error detection symbol of the MAC data header and the Frame Body field, and is used for determination of the presence or absence of an error of the wireless frame.

[0046] The Frame Control field indicates various control information, for example, contains a Type value, a Subtype value, a To DS (To Distribution System) value, and a From DS value. The Type value indicates a frame type of the wireless frame. For example, the Type value "00" indicates that the wireless frame is a management frame. The Type value "01" indicates that the wireless frame is a control frame. The Type value "10" indicates that the wireless frame is a data frame.

[0047] ​The contents of the wireless frame vary depending on the combination of the Type value and the Subtype value. For example, "00 / 1000 (Type value / Subtype value)" indicates that the wireless frame is a beacon signal. The meanings of the To DS value and the From DS value differ depending on their combination. For example, "00 (To DS / From DS)" indicates data between terminals within the same IBSS (Independent Basic Service Set). "10" indicates that a data frame flows from the outside to the DS (Distribution System). "01" indicates that a data frame flows to the outside of the DS. "11" is used in the case of constructing a mesh network.

[0048] The Duration field indicates a predetermined period of use of the wireless line. The plurality of Address fields indicate a BSSID, a transmission source address, a target address, an address of a transmitter terminal, an address of a receiver terminal, and the like. The Sequence Control field indicates a sequence number of the MAC frame and a fragment number for a fragment. The other control information field contains, for example, traffic class (TID) information. The TID information can be inserted at other positions within the wireless frame. The Frame Body field contains information corresponding to the class of the frame. For example, in the case corresponding to a data frame, the Frame Body field stores data.

[0049] <1-2> Configuration of base station 10

[0050] Figure 4 An example of the configuration of the base station 10 possessed by the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the base station 10 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a wireless communication section 14, and a wired communication section 15. Figure 4

[0051] The CPU 11 is a line capable of executing various programs, and controls the operation of the entire base station 10. The ROM 12 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and stores programs, control data, and the like for controlling the base station 10. The RAM 13 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory, and is used as a work area of the CPU 11. The wireless communication section 14 is a line used in the transmission and reception of data based on wireless signals, and is connected to an antenna. In addition, the wireless communication section 14 contains, for example, a plurality of communication sections corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands, respectively. The wired communication section 15 is a line used in the transmission and reception of data based on wired signals, and is connected to a network NW.

[0052] ​Figure 5 Fig. 1 shows a functional configuration of a base station 10 involved in the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the base station 10 has, for example, a data processing section 110, a link management section 120, and radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150. The processing of the data processing section 110, the link management section 120, and the radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 is implemented by, for example, a CPU 11 and a radio communication component 14. Figure 5

[0053] The data processing section 110 is capable of performing the processing of the LLC layer and the processing of the upper layer (Layers 3 to 7) with respect to the input data. For example, the data processing section 110 outputs the data input from a server 30 via a network NW to the link management section 120. In addition, the data processing section 110 transmits the data input from the link management section 120 to the server 30 via the network NW.

[0054] The link management section 120 performs, for example, a part of the processing of the MAC layer with respect to the input data. In addition, the link management section 120 manages the link with the terminal 20 based on the notification from the radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150. The link management section 120 contains link management information 121. The link management information 121 is stored in, for example, a RAM 13, and contains the information of the terminal 20 wirelessly connected to the base station 10. In addition, the link management section 120 contains an association processing section 122 and an authentication processing section 123. The association processing section 122 performs the protocol related to the association in the case where the connection request of the terminal 20 is received via any one of the radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150. The authentication processing section 123 performs the protocol related to the authentication following the connection request.

[0055] The radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 respectively perform the transmission and reception of the data between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 by radio communication. For example, the radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 respectively attach a preamble, a PHY data header, and the like to the data input from the link management section 120 to make a radio frame. Also, the radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 respectively convert the radio frame into a radio signal and distribute the radio signal via an antenna of the base station 10. In addition, the radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 respectively convert the radio signal received via the antenna of the base station 10 into a radio frame. Also, the radio signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 respectively output the data contained in the radio frame to the link management section 120.

[0056] ​In this way, wireless signal processing units 130, 140, and 150 can each perform, for example, a portion of MAC layer processing and Layer 1 processing for input data or wireless signals. For example, wireless signal processing unit 130 processes wireless signals in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Wireless signal processing unit 140 processes wireless signals in the 5 GHz frequency band. Wireless signal processing unit 150 processes wireless signals in the 6 GHz frequency band. Wireless signal processing units 130, 140, and 150 may or may not share the antenna of base station 10.

[0057] <1-3> Configuration of Terminal 20

[0058] Figure 6 FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the terminal 20 included in the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 As shown, the terminal 20 includes, for example, a CPU 21 , a ROM 22 , a RAM 23 , a wireless communication module 24 , a display 25 , and a storage 26 .

[0059] CPU 21 is a circuit capable of executing various programs and controls the operation of the entire terminal 20. ROM 22 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that stores programs, control data, etc. for controlling the terminal 20. RAM 23 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory and is used as a working area for CPU 21. The wireless communication component 24 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data based on wireless signals and is connected to the antenna. In addition, the wireless communication component 24 includes, for example, a plurality of communication components corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands. The display 25 displays, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) corresponding to the application software. The display 25 can have a function as an input interface of the terminal 20. The storage 26 is a non-volatile storage device that stores, for example, the system software of the terminal 20. In addition, the terminal 20 may not have a display. For example, the display 25 can be omitted in an IoT terminal.

[0060] Figure 7 FIG. 1 shows an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20 included in the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 7 As shown, terminal 20 includes, for example, a data processing unit 210, a link management unit 220, wireless signal processing units 230, 240, and 250, and an application execution unit 260. The processing of data processing unit 210, link management unit 220, and wireless signal processing units 230, 240, and 250 is implemented by, for example, CPU 21 and wireless communication module 24.

[0061] The data processing section 210 can perform processing of the LLC layer and processing of upper layers (Layers 3 to 7) on input data. For example, the data processing section 210 outputs data input from the application execution section 260 to the link management section 220. In addition, the data processing section 210 outputs data input from the link management section 220 to the application execution section 260.

[0062] The link management section 220 can perform, for example, a part of processing of the MAC layer on input data. In addition, the link management section 220 manages a link with the base station 10 based on a notification from the radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250. The link management section 220 includes link management information 221. The link management information 221 is stored in, for example, the RAM 23, and includes information of the base station 10 with which the terminal 20 is wirelessly connected. In addition, the link management section 220 includes an association processing section 222 and an authentication processing section 223. The association processing section 222 performs a protocol related to association in a case where a connection request of the base station 10 is received via any one of the radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250. The authentication processing section 223 performs a protocol related to authentication after the connection request.

[0063] The radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 each perform transmission and reception of data between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 by wireless communication. For example, the radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 each add a preamble, a PHY data header, and the like to data input from the link management section 220 to produce a radio frame. Then, the radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 each convert the radio frame into a radio signal and distribute the radio signal via an antenna of the terminal 20. In addition, the radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 each convert a radio signal received via the antenna of the terminal 20 into a radio frame. Then, the radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 each output data included in the radio frame to the link management section 220.

[0064] In this way, the radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 each can perform, for example, a part of processing of the MAC layer and processing of Layer 1 on input data or a radio signal. For example, the radio signal processing section 230 processes a radio signal of a 2.4-GHz band. The radio signal processing section 240 processes a radio signal of a 5-GHz band. The radio signal processing section 250 processes a radio signal of a 6-GHz band. The radio signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 can or can not share the antenna of the terminal 20.

[0065] The application execution section 260 executes an application capable of using data input from the data processing section 210. For example, the application execution section 260 can display information of the application on the display 25. In addition, the application execution section 260 can execute an action based on an operation of the input interface.

[0066] With respect to the wireless system 1 related to the above-described embodiment, the wireless signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 of the base station 10 are respectively configured to be connectable with the wireless signal processing sections 230, 240, and 250 of the terminal 20. That is, the wireless signal processing section 130 and the wireless signal processing section 230 are connectable by wireless connection using a 2.4 GHz band. The wireless signal processing section 140 and the wireless signal processing section 240 are connectable by wireless connection using a 5 GHz band. The wireless signal processing section 150 and the wireless signal processing section 250 are connectable by wireless connection using a 6 GHz band. In the present specification, each of the wireless signal processing sections can be referred to as "STA function". That is, the wireless system 1 related to the embodiment has a plurality of STA functions.

[0067] <1-4> With respect to the link management section 120

[0068] Figure 8 Details of the channel access function of the link management section 120 of the base station 10 which the wireless system 1 related to the embodiment has will be described. In addition, the function of the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 is, for example, the same as that of the link management section 120 of the base station 10, and thus the description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 1, the link management section 120 includes, for example, a data classification section 124, transmission queues 125A, 125B, 125C, 125D, and 125E, CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) execution sections 126A, 126B, 126C, 126D, and 126E, and a data collision management section 127. Figure 8

[0069] The data classification section 124 classifies data input from the data processing section 110. As a category of the data, for example, "LL (Low Latency)", "VO (Voice)", "VI (Video)", "BE (Best Effort)", and "BK (Background)" are set. The LL is applied to data requiring low latency. Therefore, it is preferable to preferentially process the data of the LL compared with any data of the VO, VI, BE, and BK.

[0070] ​Further, the data classification section 124 inputs the classified data to any one of the transmission queues 125A, 125B, 125C, 125D, and 125E. Specifically, the data of the LL is input to the transmission queue 125A. The data of the VO is input to the transmission queue 125B. The data of the VI is input to the transmission queue 125C. The data of the BE is input to the transmission queue 125D. The data of the BK is input to the transmission queue 125E. Further, the input data of each category is accumulated in any one of the corresponding transmission queues 125A to 125E.

[0071] The CSMA / CA execution sections 126A, 126B, 126C, 126D, and 126E respectively confirm whether or not transmission of a wireless signal based on other terminals or the like is not performed in CSMA / CA by carrier sense, and wait for transmission for a prescribed time or the like according to an access parameter set in advance. Further, the CSMA / CA execution sections 126A, 126B, 126C, 126D, and 126E respectively take out data from the transmission queues 125A, 125B, 125C, 125D, and 125E, and output the taken-out data to at least any one of the wireless signal processing sections 130, 140, and 150 via the data collision management section 127. Then, a wireless signal including the data is transmitted by the wireless signal processing section (STA function) that has obtained a transmission right by CSMA / CA.

[0072] The CSMA / CA execution section 126A performs CSMA / CA with respect to the data of the LL held by the transmission queue 125A. The CSMA / CA execution section 126B performs CSMA / CA with respect to the data of the VO held by the transmission queue 125B. The CSMA / CA execution section 126C performs CSMA / CA with respect to the data of the VI held by the transmission queue 125C. The CSMA / CA execution section 126D performs CSMA / CA with respect to the data of the BE held by the transmission queue 125D. The CSMA / CA execution section 126D performs CSMA / CA with respect to the data of the BK held by the transmission queue 125E.

[0073] In addition, access parameters are allocated in a manner that prioritizes the transmission of wireless signals in the order of LL, VO, VI, BE, and BK, for example. Access parameters include, for example, CWmin, CWmax, AIFS, and TXOPLimit. CWmin and CWmax respectively represent the minimum and maximum values ​​of the contention window (Contention Window), which is the waiting transmission time for avoiding conflicts. AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space) represents a fixed waiting transmission time set for each access category for conflict avoidance control with a priority control function. TXOPLimit represents the upper limit of the TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) corresponding to the channel occupancy time. For example, the shorter CWmin and CWmax, the easier it is for the transmission queue 125 to obtain the transmission right. The smaller the AIFS, the higher the priority of the transmission queue 125. The larger the value of TXOPLimit, the more data is sent with the transmission right at one time.

[0074] When multiple CSMA / CA execution units 126 obtain transmission rights using the same STA function, the data conflict management unit 127 prevents data collisions. Specifically, the data conflict management unit 127 adjusts the transmission timing of data of different categories that have obtained transmission rights using the same STA function, sending data from the higher-priority category to the STA function. For example, the STA function that obtained transmission rights through CSMA / CA in the LL transmit queue 125A may be the same as the STA function that obtained transmission rights through CSMA / CA in any of the other transmit queues 125B to 125E. In this case, the data conflict management unit 127 prioritizes the data stored in transmit queue 125A and sends it to the STA function. Similarly, data is transmitted in the order of priority set by category in the other transmit queues 125. This prevents collisions between data assigned to the same STA function.

[0075] In the embodiment, the way in which the channel access function is installed in the link management section is described, but the channel access function can also be installed in each STA function. In the case where the channel access function is installed in the link management section, each STA function detects the state (idle / busy) of the wireless channel of the corresponding link, and the link management section determines whether or not data can be transmitted (which link to use for transmission, etc.). On the other hand, in the case where the channel access function is installed in each STA function, each STA function can transmit data by independently performing carrier sensing. In this case, channel access in the case where multiple links are used simultaneously can be performed by making the access parameters common through interaction between the multiple STA functions, or can be performed by making the access parameters common using the link management section. The base station 10 and the terminal 20 can use multiple links simultaneously by transmitting data based on common access parameters between the multiple STA functions.

[0076] <1-5> Link management information 121

[0077] Figure 9 An example of the link management information 121 of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown. Furthermore, the link management information 221 of the terminal 20 has similar information to the link management information 121 of the base station 10, so the description is omitted. As shown in the table, the link management information 121 includes, for example, the STA function, the frequency band, the channel ID, the link target ID, the multi-link, and the TID. Figure 9

[0078] In this example, "STA1" corresponds to the STA function, i.e., the wireless signal processing section 150 or 250, which uses the frequency band of 6 GHz. "STA2" corresponds to the STA function, i.e., the wireless signal processing section 140 or 240, which uses the frequency band of 5 GHz. "STA3" corresponds to the STA function, i.e., the wireless signal processing section 130 or 230, which uses the frequency band of 2.4 GHz. Hereinafter, STA1, STA2, and STA3 are also referred to as link #1, link #2, and link #3, respectively.

[0079] The channel ID corresponds to the identifier of the channel used in the set frequency band. The link target ID corresponds to the identifier of the terminal 20 in the link management information 121, and corresponds to the identifier of the base station 10 in the link management information 221. In this example, a multi-link using STA1, STA2, and STA3 is created. In the case where a multi-link is created, the link management section 120 and 220 transmits data input from the upper layer using the link of at least one STA function associated with the multi-link.

[0080] ​The base station 10 sets one of the plurality of STA functions as an anchor link. In this example, STA1 is set as the anchor link. The anchor link is set by the link management section 120 of the base station 10. The anchor link transmits and receives control information associated with the operation of the multi-link in addition to the transmission and reception of allocated data. Furthermore, the combination of the links constituting the multi-link can be different between the plurality of terminals 20 each of which has created a multi-link with the base station 10.

[0081] The "TID" in the link management information 121 indicates the association of the STA function with the TID information. Each STA function transmits and receives data corresponding to the allocated TID information. For example, TIDs #1 to #4 correspond to any one of LL, VO, VI, BE, and BK, respectively. One STA function can be associated with one kind of traffic, i.e., one TID information, or a plurality of STA functions can be associated with one kind of traffic. In this example, TID #1 is allocated to both STA1 and STA2. TID #2 is allocated to STA1. TID #3 is allocated to STA2. TID #4 is allocated to STA3.

[0082] At the time of the establishment of the multi-link between the base station 10 and the terminal 20, the communication flow corresponding to the association of such traffic with the STA function is set in advance. For example, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 decides the association of the traffic with the STA function and issues a request to the link management section 120 of the base station 10. Also, the base station 10 determines the association of the traffic with the STA function in response to the request.

[0083] Furthermore, the traffic is set to be equalized among the plurality of links constituting the multi-link, for example. This is not limited thereto, and the traffic of the same kind (priority / non-priority, etc.) as each other can be concentrated in one link constituting the multi-link. In addition, as the association of the STA function with the traffic, for example, voice is associated with the 2.4 GHz band and video is associated with 5G. In this way, it is preferable to allocate the frequency for transmission and reception in accordance with the kind of information to be processed and the data capacity.

[0084] <2> Operation of the wireless system 1

[0085] Next, one example of various operations associated with the multi-link of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In the following description, the STA1, STA2, and STA3 of the base station 10 are also referred to as "access points AP" for the sake of simplicity of the description. The STA1, STA2, and STA3 of the terminal 20 transmit wireless signals to the access points AP respectively corresponding to the STA1, STA2, and STA3 of the base station 10. In the case where the STA1, STA2, and STA3 are described separately, they indicate the STA functions of the terminal 20.

[0086] <2-1> Multi-link processing

[0087] Figure 10 Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of a multi-link process of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, in the multi-link process, the processes of steps S10 to S16 are executed, for example, in this order. Hereinafter, the processes of steps S10 to S16 will be described with an example in which a multi-link using three STA functions is formed. Figure 10

[0088] In the process of step S10, the terminal 20 transmits a probe request to the base station 10. The probe request is a signal for confirming whether or not there is a signal of the base station 10 around the terminal 20. The Frame Control field of the probe request contains "00 / 0100 (Type value / Subtype value)," for example. If the base station 10 receives the probe request, the process of step Sll is executed.

[0089] In the process of step Sll, the base station 10 transmits a probe response to the terminal 20. The probe response is a signal used in a response of the base station 10 to the probe request from the terminal 20. The Frame Control field of the probe response contains "00 / 0101 (Type value / Subtype value)," for example. If the terminal 20 receives the probe response, the process of step S12 is executed.

[0090] In the process of step S12, the terminal 20 transmits a multi-link association request to the base station 10 via at least one STA function. The multi-link association request is a signal for requesting the creation of a multi-link to the base station 10. The multi-link association request is generated by the link management section 220 of the terminal 20, for example. The Frame Control field of the multi-link association request contains "00 / xxxx (Type value / Subtype value (xxxx is a prescribed value))," for example. If the link management section 120 of the base station 10 receives the multi-link association request, the process of step S13 is executed.

[0091] In the process of step S13, the link management section 120 of the base station 10 executes a multi-link association process using one STA function. Specifically, first, an association process of a first STA function is executed between the base station 10 and the terminal 20. Also, if a wireless connection (link) is created in the first STA function, the link management section 120 of the base station 10 executes an association process of a second STA function and an association process of a third STA function using the first STA function in which the link is created. That is, the association process of the STA function in which the link is not created is executed using the STA function in which the link is created. If the association processes of at least two STA functions are completed, the base station 10 creates a multi-link, and the process of step S14 is executed.

[0092] ​In the processing of step S14, the link management section 120 of the base station 10 updates the link management information 121. Also, in this example, the processing of step S14 is executed after two links are created, but the link management information 121 can be updated each time the link state is updated, and can also be updated when multiple links are created. If multiple links are created and the link management information is updated, the base station 10 executes the processing of step S15.

[0093] In the processing of step S15, the base station 10 transmits a multi-link creation response to the terminal 20. The multi-link creation response is a signal used in the response of the base station 10 to the multi-link request from the terminal 20. The FrameControl field of the multi-link association request contains "00 / 0001 (Type value / Subtype value)", for example. The link management section 220 of the terminal 20 recognizes that the multiple links with the base station 10 are created based on the reception of the multi-link creation response. If the terminal 20 receives the multi-link creation response, the processing of step S16 is executed.

[0094] In the processing of step S16, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 updates the link management information 221. That is, the terminal 20 records in the link management information 221 that the multiple links with the base station 10 have been created. Thus, the multi-link processing of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is completed, and data communication using multiple links can be realized between the base station 10 and the terminal 20.

[0095] Also, the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment can create multiple links when a link is created in the first STA function. In this case, the terminal 20 receives a beacon signal related to multiple links from the base station 10 before the multi-link association request of step S12. Hereinafter, the case where the terminal 20 receives the beacon signal related to multiple links from the base station 10 before the multi-link association request of step S12 will be described. Figure 11 and Figure 12 The present operation will be described.

[0096] Figure 11 An example of the output method of the beacon signal of the base station 10 possessed by the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. In this example, link #1 of the links #1 to #3 is set as an anchor link. As shown in FIG. 8, the base station 10 intermittently transmits a beacon signal using the link #1 set as the anchor link. On the other hand, the transmission of the beacon signal based on the links #2 and #3 not set as the anchor link is omitted. The beacon signal can be transmitted using the links not set as the anchor link, as long as the beacon signal is transmitted using at least the anchor link. Figure 11

[0097] A specific example of the beacon signal of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment including the multi-link capability information will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the beacon signal of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment includes a multi-link capability information field. The multi-link capability information field contains information indicating whether the base station 10 is capable of creating multiple links. The multi-link capability information field can contain information indicating whether the base station 10 is capable of creating multiple links using the first STA function and the second STA function. Figure 12 Figure 12 ​As shown, the beacon signal includes, for example, multi-link capability information, operation information of link #1, operation information of link #2, and operation information of link #3. The above information is generated by the link management unit 120 of the base station 10.

[0098] The multilink capability information indicates whether the base station 10 can implement multilink. For example, if the multilink capability information is "0," multilink cannot be implemented. If the multilink capability information is "1," multilink can be implemented. Link operation information (operation parameters) indicates parameters used for data transmission, etc., for links that can be used in multilink. For example, the operation information for link #1 indicates EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access) access parameters used for transmission control of that link.

[0099] If the terminal 20 receives the Figure 12 The beacon signal described above is used to confirm multilink capability information and the operation information of each link that is subject to multilink. Furthermore, when requesting multilink association, the link management unit 220 of the terminal 20 notifies the link management unit 120 of the base station 10 of information such as the links that are subject to multilink. This allows the link management unit 120 of the base station 10 to collectively associate the multiple links specified by the link management unit 220 of the terminal 20, thereby establishing multilink with the terminal 20.

[0100] Furthermore, when the beacon signal is transmitted using only the anchor link, the beacon signal may not include a field indicating the anchor link. On the other hand, when the beacon signal is transmitted using both the anchor link and other links, the beacon signal may include a field indicating the anchor link and a field indicating the other links. Furthermore, the base station 10 may append the information contained in the beacon signal to the probe response. In this case, the link management unit 220 of the terminal 20 may transmit a multilink association request specifying the link to be used to the base station 10 without receiving the beacon signal. Furthermore, the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may perform an authentication procedure when establishing the multilink.

[0101] <2-2> Data Transmission in Multi-Link Mode

[0102] Figure 13 FIG. 1 shows an example of a data transmission method in a multi-link state of the base station 10 of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 13 As shown, if the base station 10 obtains data from the upper layer, it executes the processing of steps S20 to S22 in order. The processing of steps S20 to S22 will be described below.

[0103] In the processing of step S20, the link management section 120 acquires TID information corresponding to the data. In other words, the link management section 120, for example, refers to control information such as a data header added to the data acquired from the upper layer, so that the data is associated with the TID.

[0104] In the processing of step S21, the link management section 120 acquires the STA function corresponding to the confirmed TID information. At this time, the link management section 120 refers to the link management information 121 to confirm the association of the TID information and the STA function. Further, the number of STA functions acquired by the link management section 120 in the processing of step S21 can be one or a plurality of.

[0105] In the processing of step S22, the link management section 120 outputs the data to the acquired STA function. In a case where one STA function is associated with the output data (traffic), the data is transmitted serially using the one STA function. On the other hand, in a case where a plurality of STA functions are associated with the traffic, the data is transmitted in parallel using the plurality of STA functions.

[0106] Further, in a case where one kind of traffic is transmitted in parallel, allocation and rearrangement of data are performed between the link management section 120 of the base station 10 and the link management section 220 of the terminal 20. The allocation of data is performed by the link management section of the transmission side, and the rearrangement of data is performed by the link management section of the reception side. For example, the link management section of the transmission side adds a flag indicating a multi-link and an identification number to a radio frame. The link management section of the reception side performs the rearrangement of data based on the added flag and identification number.

[0107] In addition, in the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment, in a case where a plurality of data is received from the upper layer, the link management section can perform aggregation by combining the received plurality of data. The aggregation of the multi-link can be used as a selection function of the presence or absence that can be performed by the user.

[0108] <2-3> Multi-link power saving

[0109] In the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment, a plurality of operation modes is prepared for each STA function. As the operation mode of the STA function, for example, an active mode, an intermittent operation mode, and an operation suspension mode can be cited. The active mode corresponds to a state in which the terminal 20 is capable of transmitting and receiving a wireless signal at any time by causing the STA function to maintain an Awake state. The intermittent operation mode corresponds to a state in which the terminal 20 intermittently performs operation by causing the STA function to repeatedly form an Awake state and a Doze state. The operation suspension mode corresponds to a state in which the terminal 20 is incapable of performing transmission and reception of a wireless signal by causing the STA function to maintain a Doze state.

[0110] Further, in the present specification, the "Awake state" corresponds to a state in which a wireless signal can be transmitted and received. The "Doze state" corresponds to a state in which a wireless signal cannot be transmitted and received. In the "Doze state", the supply of power to the power supply of the line related to the STA function is appropriately cut off. Thus, the power consumption of the STA function decreases in the order of the active mode, the intermittent operation mode, and the operation suspension mode. Further, the base station 10 or the terminal 20 can be used in communication, but there can also be a link (Disabled link) that is not included in the link group of the multi-link therebetween. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the link in the active mode or the intermittent operation mode, that is, the link in which communication can be performed, is referred to as the "STA function (link) in the Awake state". The link in the operation suspension mode, that is, the link in the power saving state in which communication cannot be performed, is referred to as the "STA function (link) in the Doze state".

[0111] In the multi-link of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment, the anchor link is set to, for example, either of the active mode and the intermittent operation mode. On the other hand, the link other than the anchor link is set to any one of the active mode, the intermittent operation mode, and the operation suspension mode. For example, the terminal 20 can perform operation with power saving by setting the link other than the anchor link to the operation suspension mode in the multi-link.

[0112] Hereinafter, the state of the multi-link in which the anchor link is set to the intermittent operation mode and the link other than the anchor link is set to the operation suspension mode is referred to as "multi-link power saving". Further, in the multi-link power saving, when the link other than the anchor link also receives the beacon signal on the basis of the anchor link, the link is set to the active mode or the intermittent operation mode.

[0113] Figure 14 One example of the change in the link management information 121 in the application of the multi-link power saving in the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown. Figure 14 The upper and lower tables of FIG. 10 respectively correspond to the case where the multi-link power saving is not applied and the case where the multi-link power saving is applied. As shown in the upper table of FIG. 10, the STA function of each of STA1, STA2, and STA3 is set to the active mode in the case where the multi-link power saving is not applied. Figure 14 As shown in the lower table of FIG. 10, the STA function of each of STA1, STA2, and STA3 is set to the operation suspension mode in the case where the multi-link power saving is applied. The other parameters of the link management information 121 in the case where the multi-link power saving is applied in the present example are the same as those of the link management information 121 shown in FIG. 9.

[0114] As shown in the upper table of FIG. 10, the STA function of each of STA1, STA2, and STA3 is set to the active mode in the case where the multi-link power saving is not applied. The other parameters of the link management information 121 in the case where the multi-link power saving is not applied in the present example are the same as those of the link management information 121 shown in FIG. 9. Figure 14 As shown in the lower table of FIG. 10, the STA function of each of STA1, STA2, and STA3 is set to the operation suspension mode in the case where the multi-link power saving is applied. The other parameters of the link management information 121 in the case where the multi-link power saving is applied in the present example are the same as those of the link management information 121 shown in FIG. 9. Figure 9

[0115] As shown in the lower table of FIG. 10, the STA function of each of STA1, STA2, and STA3 is set to the operation suspension mode in the case where the multi-link power saving is applied. The other parameters of the link management information 121 in the case where the multi-link power saving is applied in the present example are the same as those of the link management information 121 shown in FIG. 9. Figure 14 ​As shown below, when multi-link power saving is applied, for example, the operation modes of STA1, STA2, and STA3 are set to intermittent operation mode, operation pause mode, and operation pause mode, respectively. Other parameters of the link management information 121 when multi-link power saving is applied are the same as when multi-link power saving is not applied.

[0116] Multi-link power saving is enabled / disabled using the Doze transition notification signal (disable) and the Awake transition request signal (enable). For example, after multi-link is configured, if terminal 20 sends a Doze transition notification signal to base station 10, terminal 20 is configured for multi-link power saving. If base station 10 sends an Awake transition request signal to terminal 20 while multi-link power saving is configured, multi-link power saving is disabled for terminal 20.

[0117] In addition, the Awake change request signal and the Doze change notification signal can be sent from either the base station 10 or the terminal 20. The sending of the Awake change request signal is performed using the anchor link or other activated link. The sending of the Doze change notification signal is performed using the anchor link or the stopped link (the link that is converted to the action dormant mode). In addition, multi-link power saving can be applied when multiple links are created. Regarding multi-link power saving, it is sufficient as long as power is saved at least compared to the case where multi-link power saving is not applied. For example, in multi-link power saving, the anchor link can be set to active mode and the other links can be set to action dormant mode.

[0118] (Operation of the Base Station 10 During Multi-Link Power Saving)

[0119] Figure 15 FIG. 1 shows an example of multi-link operation of the base station 10 included in the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 15 As shown, if buffered data exists, the link management unit 120 of the base station 10 checks the status of the multi-link (step S30). The buffered data is data received by the base station 10 via the network NW, for example, data accumulated in the transmission queue 125. Furthermore, the link management unit 120 of the base station 10 checks whether the link associated with the buffered data is in intermittent operation mode or in operation pause mode (step S31).

[0120] In a case where the link associated with the buffered data is in the intermittent operation mode or the operation suspension mode (YES in step S31), the link management section 120 of the base station 10 transmits a beacon signal including a PVB (Partial Virtual Bitmap) for each TID to the terminal 20 (step S32). The production of the beacon signal can be performed by the link management section 120, or can be performed by the STA function of the anchor link. In a case where the link associated with the buffered data is not in the intermittent operation mode or the operation suspension mode (NO in step S31), the link management section 120 of the base station 10 transmits data to the target terminal 20 (step S33).

[0121] Figure 16 A specific example of a beacon signal including a PVB of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 16 the beacon signal includes, for example, a terminal identifier and PVBs of a plurality of TIDs.

[0122] The terminal identifier includes, for example, an association identifier AID between the base station 10 and the terminal 20. The PVBs of the plurality of TIDs include, for example, a PVB of TID #1, a PVB of TID #2, a PVB of TID #3, and a PVB of TID #4. For example, in a case where the PVB of TID #1 is "0", it indicates that there is no traffic of TID #1 accumulated. In a case where the PVB of TID #1 is "1", it indicates that there is traffic of TID #1 accumulated. Further, the combination of the bit assigned to the PVB and the presence or absence of the accumulation of the traffic can be arbitrarily changed. In addition, the number of the PVBs of the plurality of TIDs included in the beacon signal can be changed based on the number of the TIDs set.

[0123] (Action of the terminal 20 at the time of multi-link power saving)

[0124] Figure 17 An example of the action of the terminal 20 of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment at the time of multi-link power saving is shown. As shown in Figure 17 at the time of multi-link power saving, the anchor link of the terminal 20 in the intermittent operation mode receives a beacon signal (step S40). Further, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 confirms the AID and the PVBs of the respective TIDs included in the beacon signal to confirm whether there is buffered data of the own station address (step S41).

[0125] In the case where the cached data of the own station address is not present (NO in step S41), the terminal 20 ends the present operation. In the case where the cached data of the own station address is present (YES in step S41), the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 confirms whether the link associated with the cached data is in the Awake state, that is, whether it is in the active mode or the intermittent operation mode (step S42).

[0126] In the case where the link associated with the cached data is in the Awake state (YES in step S42), the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 requests the base station 10 for transmission of data (step S43). In the case where the link associated with the cached data is not in the Awake state (NO in step S42), the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 first wakes up the link associated with the cached data, that is, changes it from the Doze state to the Awake state. Then, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 requests the base station 10 for transmission of data (step S43).

[0127] The terminal 20 performs the operation explained above every time the anchor link receives the beacon signal. In the case where the cached data of the link address to be woken up is not present, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 changes the link to the Doze state again. Further, the timing at which the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 changes the woken-up link to the Doze state can be set to an arbitrary timing. For example, the timing at which the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 changes the woken-up link to the Doze state can be the timing at which the cached data of the link address is not present, or the timing at which a predetermined time has passed after the cached data of the link address is not present.

[0128] (Detailed example of start operation of multi-link power saving)

[0129] Figure 18 One example of a flow of the start operation of the multi-link power saving of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown. As shown in FIG. 10, at the start of the present operation, the STAl, the STA2, and the STA3 are in the active state, respectively. The access point AP transmits a beacon signal to the STAl of the terminal 20, that is, the anchor link (step S50). The beacon signal contains, for example, information that the traffics of the STAl, the STA2, and the STA3 are empty, respectively. Figure 18

[0130] ​The STA 1 of the terminal 20 transmits a wireless signal notifying the start of the multi-link power saving to the access point AP, for example, in accordance with the case where the traffic is empty (step S51). The data frame of the wireless signal notifying the start of the multi-link power saving contains, for example, a PM (Power Management) bit in which "1" is stored. The access point AP receiving the signal in which "PM=1" transmits a wireless signal (Data ACK) notifying the terminal 20 of the reception of the signal to the STA 1 of the terminal 20 (step S52).

[0131] If the STA 1 of the terminal 20 receives the Data ACK for the data frame containing "PM=1" transmitted, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 causes the STA 1 (anchor link) to shift to the intermittent operation mode (Awake state) and causes the STA 2 and the STA 3 to shift to the operation doze mode (Doze state) (step S53). Thus, the total power consumption of the STAs 1, 2, and 3 constituting the multi-link is lower than before the multi-link power saving. In addition, in the process of step S53, of the plurality of STA functions constituting the multi-link, at least one STA function set to the Doze state is present.

[0132] After the Data ACK for the reception of "PM=1" is transmitted, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal containing the PVB to the STA 1 (anchor link) of the terminal 20 (step S54). At this time, the STA 1 in the Awake state can receive the beacon signal. On the other hand, the STA 2 and the STA 3 in the Doze state do not receive the beacon signal and remain in a state of lower power consumption than the STA 1.

[0133] As described above, the terminal 20 of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment shifts to the multi-link power saving in accordance with the state of the traffic and can suppress the power consumption of the multi-link. Further, the base station 10 intermittently transmits a beacon signal containing the PVB for notifying the buffer state of data to the anchor link in the Awake state based on the case where the terminal 20 shifts to the multi-link power saving. Details of the communication method between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 in the multi-link power saving are described later.

[0134] (Specific example of the end operation of the multi-link power saving)

[0135] Figure 19 One example of the flow of the end operation of the multi-link power saving of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the STA 1 of the terminal 20 transmits a wireless signal notifying the end of the multi-link power saving to the access point AP (step S71). The wireless signal notifying the end of the multi-link power saving contains, for example, a PM (Power Management) bit in which "0" is stored. The access point AP receiving the signal in which "PM=0" transmits a wireless signal (Data ACK) notifying the terminal 20 of the reception of the signal to the STA 1 of the terminal 20 (step S72). Figure 19As shown, at the start of this operation, STA1 is in the Awake state, and STA2 and STA3 are in the Doze state. The access point AP sends a beacon signal to STA1 of terminal 20, i.e., the anchor link (step S60). This beacon signal includes, for example, information requesting terminal 20 to terminate multi-link power saving.

[0136] Upon receiving the beacon signal, STA1 of terminal 20 transmits a wireless signal to access point AP notifying the termination of multi-link power saving (step S61). The data frame of the wireless signal notifying the termination of multi-link power saving includes, for example, a PM bit storing "0." Upon receiving the "PM = 0" signal, access point AP transmits a wireless signal (Data ACK) to STA1 of terminal 20 notifying terminal 20 of the receipt of the signal (step S62).

[0137] When STA1 of terminal 20 receives a Data ACK for a data frame containing "PM=0," the link management unit 220 of terminal 20 causes STA1 to transition from intermittent operation mode (Awake state) to active mode, and causes STA2 and STA3 to transition from dormant mode (Doze state) to active mode (step S53). This allows STA1, STA2, and STA3, which constitute the multilink, to each be able to receive wireless signals from base station 10.

[0138] After transmitting Data ACK in response to receiving "PM=0", the access point AP transmits a beacon signal to STA1 (anchor link) of the terminal 20 (step S54). This beacon signal includes various information elements necessary for communication.

[0139] As described above, the base station 10 of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment can switch STA functions in a multilink configured in intermittent operation mode or inactive mode to active mode, thereby enabling the multiple STA functions comprising the multilink to communicate. Furthermore, the above description illustrates the termination of multilink power saving based on a beacon signal from the base station 10, but this is not limiting. For example, the link management unit 220 of the terminal 20 can notify the link management unit 120 of the base station 10 of the termination of multilink power saving based on user operations or application control.

[0140] (Specific Example of Operation in Multi-link Power Saving)

[0141] Figure 20 and Figure 21 An example of the flow of operations in multi-link power saving of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment is shown. Figure 20 This corresponds to the operation performed when the access point AP receives data of TID#2. Figure 21corresponding to the case where the access point AP receives data of TID #3. In this example, the TIDs allocated to each link are the same as those using the Figure 14 the link management information 121 explained above.

[0142] First, the operation of the access point AP when receiving data of TID #2 allocated to STA 1 (anchor link) in the multi-link power saving will be explained. As shown in Fig. 7, if the access point AP receives data of TID #2 from the network NW, the data is accumulated in the transmission queue 125 of the link management section 120, for example. Then, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal including a PVB indicating that the buffer status of data of TID #2 is "1" to STA 1 (step S70). Figure 20 First, the operation of the access point AP when receiving data of TID #2 allocated to STA 1 (anchor link) in the multi-link power saving will be explained. As shown in Fig. 7, if the access point AP receives data of TID #2 from the network NW, the data is accumulated in the transmission queue 125 of the link management section 120, for example. Then, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal including a PVB indicating that the buffer status of data of TID #2 is "1" to STA 1 (step S70). Figure 21

[0143] Further, the beacon signal received by STA 1 of the terminal 20 is transferred to the link management section 220. Then, the link management section 220 confirms the presence or absence of buffered data of each TID with reference to the beacon signal. Here, the link management section 220 confirms whether data of TID #2 is buffered and whether STA 1 associated with data of TID #2 is in the Awake state. The link management section 220 transmits a PS-Poll (Power Save-Poll) frame requesting transmission of data to the access point AP via STA 1 based on the result of the confirmation (step S71).

[0144] If the access point AP receives the PS-Poll frame from STA 1 of the terminal 20, it transmits a Data ACK including data of TID #2 to STA 1 of the terminal 20 (step S72). Thus, STA 1 of the terminal 20 can receive data facing the own station accumulated in the access point AP.

[0145] If the transmission of data of TID #2 is completed and the accumulation of data of TID #2 in the transmission queue 125 is eliminated, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal including a PVB indicating that the buffer status of data of TID #2 is "0" to STA 1 of the terminal 20 (step S73). That is, the access point AP notifies the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 via STA 1 that the transmission of data of TID #2 has been completed.

[0146] Next, the operation of the access point AP when receiving data of TID #3 allocated to STA 2 in the multi-link power saving will be explained. As shown in Fig. 8, if the access point AP receives data of TID #3 from the network NW, the data is accumulated in the transmission queue 125 of the link management section 120, for example. Then, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal including a PVB indicating that the buffer status of data of TID #3 is "1" to STA 2 (step S80). Figure 21 Next, the operation of the access point AP when receiving data of TID #3 allocated to STA 2 in the multi-link power saving will be explained. As shown in Fig. 8, if the access point AP receives data of TID #3 from the network NW, the data is accumulated in the transmission queue 125 of the link management section 120, for example. Then, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal including a PVB indicating that the buffer status of data of TID #3 is "1" to STA 2 (step S80). Figure 21 ​As shown, when the access point AP receives data with TID #3 from the network NW, it accumulates the data in the transmission queue 125 of the link management unit 120. Then, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal including a PVB indicating that the buffer status of the data with TID #3 is "1" to STA1 (step S80).

[0147] The beacon signal received by STA1 of terminal 20 is then transmitted to the link management unit 220. The link management unit 220 then checks the presence of cached data for each TID by referring to the beacon signal. Here, the link management unit 220 checks whether data for TID#3 is cached and whether STA2, associated with the data for TID#3, is in the Doze state. Based on this confirmation, the link management unit 220 wakes up STA2, transitioning it from the Doze state to the Awake state (step S81).

[0148] The link management unit 220 then transmits a PS-Poll (Power Save-Poll) frame requesting the transmission of data with TID #3 to the access point AP via STA2 (step S82). Upon receiving the PS-Poll frame from STA2 of terminal 20, the access point AP transmits a Data ACK including the data with TID #3 to STA2 of terminal 20 (step S83). This allows STA2 of terminal 20 to receive data destined for its own station, which is stored at the access point AP.

[0149] Once the transmission of the data with TID #3 is complete and the data with TID #3 is no longer accumulated in the transmission queue 125, the access point AP transmits a beacon signal including a PVB indicating that the buffer status of the data with TID #3 is "0" to STA1 of terminal 20 (step S84). Specifically, the access point AP notifies the link management unit 220 of terminal 20 via STA1 that the transmission of the data with TID #3 has been completed. This beacon signal can be received by STA2.

[0150] Then, the link management unit 220 causes STA2 to transition from the Awake state to the Doze state based on the received beacon signal (step S85). That is, in multi-link power saving, the links other than the anchor link among the multiple links constituting the multi-link are set to the Doze state again when data transmission is completed.

[0151] As described above, the base station 10 of the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment can transmit data to the terminal 20 using multi-link power saving. Furthermore, while the above description describes a case where the base station 10 receives data for the TID assigned to STA2 during multi-link power saving, the present invention is not limited to this. STA3, like STA2, can also wake up from the Doze state and receive data.

[0152] In addition, although an example is shown in which data is transmitted for each STA function, data can also be transmitted separately and in parallel for a plurality of STA functions that constitute a multi-link. For example, in a case where the buffer status of each of STA1 and STA2 is "1", the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 can instruct the transmission of a PS-Poll frame to the access point AP for each of STA1 and STA2. In a case where a plurality of links of TIDs and Doze states are associated, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 can wake up the plurality of links. That is, the link management section 220 of the terminal 20 can wake up the links of the Doze state and receive data in accordance with the buffer status of the data, regardless of the number of links that constitute the multi-link.

[0153] In addition, in a case where a plurality of links of TIDs and Doze states are associated, the access point AP can also wake up a part of the links. Therefore, the access point AP specifies the links to be woken up on the basis of the AID, TID, and notifies the buffer information of the data. Figure 22 An example of a beacon signal transmitted from the access point AP in this example is shown. As shown in FIG. 8, with respect to the PVB of the TID associated with a plurality of links, the presence or absence of buffered data can be notified for each link associated with the TID. For example, the PVB of TID #1 can include the PVB of link #1 associated with TID #1 and the PVB of link #2 associated with TID #1. Figure 22

[0154] <3>Effects of Embodiments

[0155] According to the wireless system 1 related to the embodiments described above, the power consumption of the terminal 20 at the time of a multi-link can be suppressed. Details of the effects of the wireless system 1 related to the embodiments will be described below.

[0156] A base station and a terminal using a wireless LAN sometimes have a plurality of STA functions provided for each bandwidth used, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz. In such a wireless system, for example, one of the plurality of STA functions is selected and a wireless connection is created, and data communication between the base station and the terminal is performed. At this time, in the wireless system, for an unselected STA function, even if there is a base station corresponding to the bandwidth of the STA function, the STA function becomes an unused state.

[0157] ​On the other hand, the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment flexibly uses the plurality of STA functions of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 to create a multi-link between the base station 10 and the terminal 20. The data communication based on the multi-link can use a plurality of bandwidths at the same time, and can flexibly use the functions of the wireless LAN device. As a result, the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment can realize efficient communication, and can increase the communication speed. On the other hand, the base station 10 and the terminal 20 each use a plurality of STA functions, and thus the power consumption of the multi-link is higher than that of a single link.

[0158] Therefore, the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment sets the multi-link to multi-link power saving in a case where the traffic is small, or the like. In the multi-link power saving, for example, at least one of the plurality of STA functions constituting the multi-link is set to an awake state, and the other STA functions are set to a doze state. The STA function in the awake state can receive, for example, a beacon signal of the base station 10. In addition, the STA function in the doze state is stopped, for example, in the same manner as in the disable state. Therefore, the power consumption of the STA function in the doze state is lower than that of the STA function in the awake state.

[0159] Furthermore, in the multi-link power saving, the STA function in the awake state receives a beacon signal including information corresponding to the plurality of STA functions constituting the multi-link. For example, in a case where data for the STA function in the doze state is input from the network NW to the base station 10, the base station 10 notifies the terminal 20 that data is accumulated via the STA function (link) in the awake state. Therefore, the STA function of the terminal 20 transmits the notification to the link management unit 220, and the link management unit 220 wakes up the STA function in the doze state. Thus, the awakened STA function transmits a PS-Poll frame and can acquire data from the base station 10.

[0160] As described above, the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment flexibly uses the multi-link power saving and can suppress the power consumption of the terminal 20. Furthermore, the link management unit 220 of the terminal 20 can appropriately wake up the STA function in the doze state based on the beacon signal received by the STA function in the awake state at the time of the multi-link power saving. Thus, data communication between the base station 10 and the terminal 20 can be realized at the time of the multi-link power saving. As a result, the wireless system 1 according to the embodiment can suppress the delay at the time of the multi-link power saving.

[0161] <4>Others

[0162] In the above embodiment, when a link cannot be maintained due to movement of the terminal 20, etc., each STA function can be notified to the corresponding link management unit. In addition, the link management unit 220 of the terminal 20 can change the state of the multi-link with the link management unit 120 of the base station 10 based on the notification from the STA function. Specifically, for example, the link management unit 220 of the terminal 20 and the link management unit 120 of the base station 10 can appropriately change the STA function used in the multi-link. When the state of the multi-link is changed, the link management units 120 and 220 update the link management information 121 and 221 respectively. In addition, the link management units 120 and 220 can update the association between traffic and STA functions according to the increase or decrease in the number of links.

[0163] The structure of the wireless system 1 involved in the embodiment is only an example, and other structures are also possible. For example, the example shows a case where the base station 10 and the terminal 20 each have three STA functions (wireless signal processing units), but it is not limited to this. It is sufficient as long as the base station 10 has at least two wireless signal processing units. Similarly, it is sufficient as long as the terminal 20 has at least two wireless signal processing units. In addition, the number of channels that each STA function can process can be appropriately set according to the frequency band used. The wireless communication components 14 and 24 can each use multiple communication components to handle wireless communications in multiple frequency bands, or use one communication component to handle wireless communications in multiple frequency bands.

[0164] The functional configurations of the base station 10 and terminal 20 of the wireless system 1 described in the embodiments are merely examples. The functional configurations of the base station 10 and terminal 20 can be named or grouped differently as long as they can perform the operations described in the embodiments. For example, in the base station 10, the data processing unit 110 and the link management unit 120 can be collectively referred to as the data processing unit. Similarly, in the terminal 20, the data processing unit 210 and the link management unit 220 can be collectively referred to as the data processing unit.

[0165] Furthermore, in the wireless system 1 according to the embodiments, the CPUs included in the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be other circuits. For example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) may be used instead of a CPU. Furthermore, the processes described in each embodiment may be implemented by dedicated hardware. The wireless system 1 according to each embodiment may include a mixture of processes executed by software and processes executed by hardware, or may include only one of the two.

[0166] In each embodiment, the flowchart for the explanation of the action is just one example. Each action explained in the embodiment can be replaced with the order of processing within the possible range, and other processing can be added. In addition, the format of the radio frame explained in the above embodiment is just one example. As long as the wireless system 1 can execute the actions explained in each embodiment, other formats of radio frames can be used.

[0167] Furthermore, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist thereof during implementation. In addition, each embodiment can be appropriately combined and implemented, in which case the effects of the combination can be obtained. Also, various inventions are included in the above-described embodiments, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations of a plurality of technical features disclosed. For example, even if several technical features are deleted from all the technical features shown in the embodiments, the problem can be solved, and in the case where the effects can be obtained, a structure in which the technical features are deleted can also be extracted as an invention.

[0168] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0169] 1 … wireless system

[0170] 10 … base station

[0171] 20 … terminal

[0172] 30 … server

[0173] 11, 21 … CPU

[0174] 12, 22 … ROM

[0175] 13, 23 … RAM

[0176] 14, 24 … wireless communication component

[0177] 15 … wired communication component

[0178] 25 … display

[0179] 26 … storage

[0180] 110, 210 … data processing section

[0181] 120, 220 … link management section

[0182] 121, 221 … link management information

[0183] 122, 222 … association processing section

[0184] 123, 223 … authentication processing section

[0185] 124 … data classification section

[0186] 125... transmission queue

[0187] 126... CSMA / CA execution section

[0188] 127... data collision management section

[0189] 130, 140, 150, 230, 240, 250... wireless signal processing section

Claims

1. A base station, wherein: The base station has: a first wireless signal processing unit configured to transmit and receive wireless signals using a first channel; and a second wireless signal processing unit configured to transmit and receive wireless signals using a second channel different from the first channel; Data transmitted by at least one of the first wireless signal processing unit or the second wireless signal processing unit is associated with at least one of the first wireless signal processing unit or the second wireless signal processing unit based on a flow type of the data; When the first link using the first wireless signal processing unit is in an intermittent operation mode in which actions are intermittently performed, and when received data is associated with the second link using the second wireless signal processing unit, the base station transmits a beacon signal including information specifying a link from which the first wireless signal processing unit should obtain the received data.

2. The base station according to claim 1, wherein The beacon signal includes information indicating whether data allocated to the first link among the received data is accumulated, and information indicating whether data allocated to the second link among the received data is accumulated.

3. A terminal, wherein: The terminal has: a first wireless signal processing unit configured to transmit and receive wireless signals using a first channel; and a second wireless signal processing unit configured to transmit and receive wireless signals using a second channel different from the first channel; Data received by at least one of the first wireless signal processing unit or the second wireless signal processing unit is associated with at least one of the first wireless signal processing unit or the second wireless signal processing unit based on a flow type of the data; When the first link using the first wireless signal processing unit is in an intermittent operation mode in which actions are intermittently performed, and when data obtained from the network by the base station is associated with the second link using the second wireless signal processing unit, the terminal receives a beacon signal including information specifying the link from which the first wireless signal processing unit should obtain the data. The terminal according to claim 3 , wherein: The beacon signal includes information indicating whether data allocated to the first link among the received data is accumulated, and information indicating whether data allocated to the second link among the received data is accumulated.

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