Wireless communication system and method with timing synchronization mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides a wireless communication system with a timing synchronization mechanism. A transmission behavior of a corresponding communication packet is performed between the response site device and the initiating site device. The initiating site device calculates initiating site initial data processing time of a data field of a communication packet processed by an initiating site physical layer according to the transmission behavior, and the response site device calculates response site initial data processing time of a data field of a communication packet processed by a response site physical layer of the response site device according to the transmission behavior. The response station device transmits the response station initial data processing time to the initiating station device, so that the initiating station device corrects the initiating station built-in time sequence according to the time difference between the initiating station initial data processing time and the response station initial data processing time, and the initiating station built-in time sequence is synchronized with the response station built-in time sequence.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communication technology, and in particular to a wireless communication system and method with a timing synchronization mechanism. Background Art

[0002] WiFi is the mainstream communication protocol in modern wireless network technology. Indoor positioning is one of the applications of WiFi technology, which can obtain high-precision positioning results based on the fine timing measurement (FTM) protocol of 802.11. In this protocol, the device to be positioned needs to switch to the corresponding channel at the agreed time for ranging communication. However, different devices may have timing decoupling due to different clock sources. There must be a synchronization mechanism between devices to maintain the same timing and perform ranging communication at the correct time point to achieve the purpose of positioning. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the problems in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system and method with a timing synchronization mechanism to improve the prior art.

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system with a timing synchronization mechanism, comprising: an initial station device and a response station device. The initial station device operates according to the initiating station built-in timing. The response station device operates according to the response station built-in timing, and is configured to perform transmission behavior of corresponding communication packets with the initiating station device. The initiating station device calculates the initial data processing time of the initiating station physical layer of the initiating station device for processing the data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior, and the response station device calculates the response station initial data processing time of the response station physical layer of the response station device for processing the data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior. The response station device transmits the response station initial data processing time to the initiating station device, so that the initiating station device corrects the initiating station built-in timing according to the time difference between the initiating station initial data processing time and the response station initial data processing time, so as to synchronize with the response station built-in timing.

[0005] The present invention also includes a wireless communication method with a timing synchronization mechanism, which is applied in a wireless communication system, including: an initiating site device that operates according to the initiating site built-in timing and an initiating site device that operates according to the initiating site built-in timing perform corresponding communication packet transmission behavior; the initiating site device calculates the initiating site initial data processing time of the initiating site physical layer of the initiating site device processing the data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior; the responding site device calculates the responding site initial data processing time of the responding site physical layer of the responding site device processing the data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior; the responding site device transmits the responding site initial data processing time to the initiating site device; and the initiating site device corrects the initiating site built-in timing according to the time difference between the initiating site initial data processing time and the responding site initial data processing time to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The features, implementation and effects of this case are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0007] Figure 1 A module diagram of a wireless communication system with a timing synchronization mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0008] Figure 2A A schematic diagram showing a transmission behavior of an initiating station device in one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0009] Figure 2B A schematic diagram showing a transmission behavior of a responding station device in one embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0010] Figure 3A A timing diagram showing a station initiator performing ranging communication according to the IEEE 802.11mc protocol in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 3B A timing diagram showing a response station device performing ranging communication according to the IEEE 802.11mc protocol in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 4 A timing diagram showing the ranging communication performed by the initiating station device and the responding station device according to the IEEE802.11az protocol in one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0013] Figure 5 A flow chart of a wireless communication method with a timing synchronization mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0014] Description of reference numerals:

[0015] 100: wireless communication system 110: initiating station device 120: responding station device

[0016] 500: Wireless communication method S510-S550: Step ACK1: First confirmation signal

[0017] ACK2: second confirmation signal CB1: first communication behavior CB2: second communication behavior

[0018] CTS: Clear to Send signal DA: Data field EXT: Extension segment

[0019] FTMR: Measurement Request Signal L-LTF: Long Training Field L-SIG: Legacy Signal Field

[0020] T1: first time point T2: second time point L-STF: short training field

[0021] FTM: Field of Measurement Signal HETS: High-Efficiency Training Symbol

[0022] PHYI, PHYR: Physical layer LMR: Location measurement report signal

[0023] RPL: measurement polling signal MACI, MACR: media access control layer

[0024] SIG-A: Signal A field MPDU: Media Access Control Layer Protocol Data Unit

[0025] RSD: measurement detection signal NDP1: first no data packet signal

[0026] IPT1: First processing time length NDP2: Second no data packet signal

[0027] IPT2: Second processing time length PSDU: Physical layer service data unit

[0028] ITT1: First transmission time length RL-SIG: Repeated legacy signal field

[0029] ITT2: Second transmission time length RNA: Ranging no data packet announcement signal

[0030] PPDU: Packet Protocol Data Unit TI: Initial data processing time of the initiating station

[0031] HE_SIG: High-efficiency signal field TR: Response station initial data processing time DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] One object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system and method with a timing synchronization mechanism, so that when the transmission behavior of the corresponding communication packet is carried out, the initiating site device and the responding site device each calculate the initial data processing time of the physical layer processing the data field of the communication packet, and the initiating site device corrects the initiating site built-in timing according to the time difference between the above two initial data processing times to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 . Figure 1 The module diagram of a wireless communication system 100 with a timing synchronization mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In one embodiment, each device in the wireless communication system 100 communicates based on the WiFi communication protocol. The wireless communication system 100 includes: an initiating site device 110 and a responding site device 120.

[0034] The initiating site device 110 is a non-access point device, such as but not limited to a mobile phone or other communication devices. The initiating site device 110 can operate according to the initiating site built-in timing of the internal clock. The responding site device 120 is an access point device, such as but not limited to a base station. The responding site device 120 can operate according to the responding site built-in timing of the internal clock.

[0035] The initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120 may respectively maintain timing and operate according to corresponding counters (not shown in the figure) according to, for example but not limited to, a timing synchronization function (TSF), wherein the accuracy of the counter corresponding to the timing synchronization function is, for example but not limited to, microsecond (μs) level.

[0036] Since the initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120 use different oscillators to generate clocks, even if they have been synchronized before, the initiating site internal timing and the responding site internal timing will gradually decouple over time and must be synchronized again.

[0037] In one application scenario, ranging communication can be performed between the responding site device 120 and the initiating site device 110. The ranging communication can be performed according to, for example, but not limited to, a fine timing measurement (FTM) protocol, and a corresponding counter (not shown in the figure) is used to calculate the distance between the two parties by recording the signal transmission time between the two parties, wherein the accuracy of the counter corresponding to the fine timing measurement protocol is, for example, but not limited to, picosecond (ps) level to nanosecond (ns) level.

[0038] In one embodiment, the responding site device 120 needs to switch to the channel corresponding to the initiating site device 110 at the agreed time to perform ranging communication with the initiating site device 110. Although ranging communication records the signal transmission time according to a fine timing measurement protocol with high accuracy, the initiating site device 110 calculates the agreed time according to the timing synchronization function. Therefore, the above-mentioned timing decoupling problem will make the initiating site device 110 unable to switch to the channel of the responding site device 120 at the agreed time when the timing of both parties is not synchronized, and thus unable to perform ranging communication.

[0039] The responding site device 120 can transmit corresponding communication packets with the initiating site device 110. The responding site device 120 and the initiating site device 110 can perform timing synchronization through the transmission between the responding site device 120 and the initiating site device 110. The following will describe the synchronization mechanism achieved through the transmission between the responding site device 120 and the initiating site device 110.

[0040] First, the initiating site device 110 calculates the initiating site initial data processing time of the initiating site physical layer of the initiating site device 110 processing the data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior. The responding site device 120 calculates the responding site initial data processing time of the responding site physical layer of the responding site device 120 processing the data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior.

[0041] In one embodiment, the transmission behavior is performed by the initiating site device 110 transmitting the communication packet to the responding site device 120. Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B , describing the transmission behavior performed by the responding site device 120 and the initiating site device 110, and the calculation method of the initiating site initial data processing time and the responding site initial data processing time.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 2A . Figure 2A A schematic diagram showing a transmission behavior of the initiating site device 110 in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2A The behaviors of the media access control layer MACI and the physical layer PHYI of the initiating station device 110 are shown.

[0043] like Figure 2AAs shown, the media access control layer MACI transmits the media access control layer protocol data unit (MAC protocol data unit) MPDU to be transmitted to the physical layer PHYI to become a physical layer service data unit (PLCP service data unit) PSDU. The legacy signal field (legacy signal field) L-SIG and the signal A field SIG-A can be optionally set before the physical layer service data unit PSDU.

[0044] The physical layer PHYI further encodes and scrambles the traditional signal field L-SIG, the signal A field Sig-A and the physical layer service data unit PSDU to become a packet protocol data unit PPDU as the communication packet actually transmitted.

[0045] In one embodiment, the packet protocol data unit PPDU includes a header, a data field DA, and an extension segment EXT in sequence. The header may include, for example, but not limited to, a short training field L-STF, a long training field L-LTF, a legacy signal field L-SIG, a repeated legacy signal field RL-SIG, a high efficiency signal field HE-SIG, and a high efficiency training symbols field HETS. The extension segment EXT may include a packet extension field and / or a signal extension field (not shown in the figure). It should be noted that the above-mentioned packet structure is only an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0046] During the transmission of the communication packet, the initiating site device 110 records the first time point T1 when the initiating site physical layer PHYI is notified by the initiating site media access control layer MACI to transmit the communication packet.

[0047] The initiating station media access control layer MACI further calculates a first transmission time length ITT1 from when the initiating station physical layer PHYI is notified to transmit packets to when the initiating station physical layer PHYI actually starts to transmit packets.

[0048] Next, the initiating site physical layer PHYI processes the communication packet (i.e., packet protocol data unit PPDU), and the initiating site media access control layer MACI calculates the first processing time length IPT1 required to process the content between the packet header starting point and the data starting point of the data field DA of the communication packet.

[0049] The initiating station physical layer PHYI adds the first time point T1 to the first transmission time length ITT1 and the first processing time length IPT1 to calculate the initiating station initial data processing time TI, which can be represented by the operation formula TI=T1+IPT1+ITT1.

[0050] In one embodiment, the time parameter related to the initiating site physical layer PHYI may be fed back by the initiating site physical layer PHYI to the initiating site media access control layer MACI, so that the initiating site media access control layer MACI performs calculation based on the time parameter.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 2B . Figure 2B A schematic diagram showing the transmission behavior of the response site device 120 in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2B The behaviors of the media access control layer MACR and the physical layer PHYR of the responding station device 120 are shown.

[0052] like Figure 2B As shown, the physical layer PHYR receives the packet protocol data unit PPDU, and its structure can be the same as Figure 2A The same as shown, no further description is given here. The physical layer PHYR decodes and descrambles the packet protocol data unit PPDU to generate the traditional signal field L-SIG, the signal A field SIG-A and the physical layer service data unit PSDU, and transmits them to the media access control layer MACR. The media access control layer MACR then removes the traditional signal field L-SIG and the signal A field SIG-A, and processes the physical layer service data unit PSDU to generate the media access control layer protocol data unit MPDU.

[0053] During the communication packet reception process, the responding station device 120 records the second time point T2 when the responding station physical layer PHYR notifies the responding station media access control layer MACR of the communication packet reception through the responding station media access control layer MACR.

[0054] The responding station physical layer PHYR then processes the communication packet (i.e., packet protocol data unit PPDU), and the responding station media access control layer MACR calculates the second processing time length IPT2 required to process the content between the packet header starting point and the data starting point of the data field DA of the communication packet.

[0055] The responding station MACR then calculates a second transmission time length ITT2 from when the responding station PHYR starts to receive packets to when the initiating station PHYR notifies the responding station MACR to receive packets.

[0056] The responding station media access control layer MACR subtracts the second transmission time length ITT2 from the second time point T2 and adds the second processing time length IPT2 to calculate the responding station initial data processing time TR, which can be represented by the operation formula TR=T2-ITT2+IPT2.

[0057] In one embodiment, the time parameters related to the initiating site physical layer PHYR may be fed back by the initiating site physical layer PHYR to the initiating site media access control layer MACR, so that the initiating site media access control layer MACR performs calculations based on the time parameters.

[0058] After completing the calculation of the initiating site initial data processing time TI and the responding site initial data processing time TR, the responding site device 120 transmits the responding site initial data processing time TR to the initiating site device 110, so that the initiating site device 110 corrects the initiating site built-in timing according to the time difference (TR-TI) between the initiating site initial data processing time TI and the responding site initial data processing time TR, so as to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing.

[0059] More specifically, after the initiating site device 110 adds (TR-TI) to the initiating site built-in timing, it can be synchronized with the responding site built-in timing.

[0060] It should be noted that although the initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120 actually need time to transmit the communication packets, the signal transmission at the speed of light or close to the speed of light at the microsecond level makes the time of transmitting the communication packets close to zero. The time difference between the signal transmission of the initiating site device 110 and the signal reception of the responding site device 120 can be ignored and regarded as being performed simultaneously, and the timing can be synchronized by the above method to achieve a synchronization mechanism between the initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120.

[0061] In one embodiment, the responding station device 120 and the initiating station device 110 communicate (e.g., packet transmission and packet reception) according to the IEEE 802.11mc protocol, so as to perform a transmission behavior of transmitting a communication packet from the initiating station device 110 to the responding station device 120. In addition, the above-mentioned synchronization mechanism can be completed by the ranging communication between the initiating station device 110 and the responding station device 120.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B . Figure 3A FIG. 1 is a timing diagram showing the initiating station device 110 performing ranging communication according to the IEEE 802.11mc protocol in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3BFIG. 1 is a timing diagram showing the ranging communication performed by the responding station device 120 according to the IEEE 802.11mc protocol in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B In both, there is a horizontal axis indicating the direction of time. Figure 3A In FIG. 1 , the upper horizontal axis is the signal transmitted by the initiating site device 110, and the lower horizontal axis is the signal received by the initiating site device 110. Figure 3B In FIG. 5 , the upper part of the horizontal axis represents the signal transmitted by the response site device 120 , and the lower part of the horizontal axis represents the signal received by the response site device 120 .

[0064] The ranging communication based on IEEE 802.11mc protocol includes Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B The first communication behavior CB1 and the second communication behavior CB2 are shown in FIG. The following first describes the ranging communication between the initiating station device 110 and the responding station device 120, and then further describes how the synchronization mechanism is completed during the ranging communication.

[0065] Corresponding to the first communication behavior CB1, the initiating site device 110 Figure 3A As shown, the measurement request signal FTMR is transmitted, and the responding station device 120 is as follows: Figure 3B The received measurement request signal FTMR is shown.

[0066] In response to the reception of the measurement request signal FTMR in the first communication behavior CB1, the responding station device 120 will Figure 3B The initiating site device 110 then sends a first confirmation signal ACK1. Figure 3A As shown, a first confirmation signal ACK1 is received.

[0067] Next, corresponding to the second communication behavior CB2, the responding station device 120 Figure 3B As shown, the measurement signal FTM is transmitted, and the initiating station device 110 Figure 3A The received measurement signal FTM is shown.

[0068] In response to the reception of the measurement signal FTM in the second communication behavior CB2, the initiating station device 110 will Figure 3A The responding station device 120 then sends a second confirmation signal ACK2. Figure 3B The second confirmation signal ACK2 is received.

[0069] The responding site device 120 may record a first departure time point (time of departure; TOD) of transmitting the measurement signal FTM, and the initiating site device 110 may record a first arrival time point (time of arrival; TOA) of receiving the measurement signal FTM. The initiating site device 110 may then record a second departure time point of transmitting the second confirmation signal ACK2, and the responding site device 120 may record a second arrival time point of receiving the second confirmation signal ACK2.

[0070] The responding site device 120 may further transmit the recorded first departure time point and second arrival time point to the initiating site device 110, and the initiating site device 110 calculates the distance between the initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120 according to the first departure time point, the first arrival time point, the second departure time point, and the second arrival time point to complete the distance measurement. In different embodiments, the initiating site device 110 may calculate the distance according to a suitable calculation method, which will not be described in detail herein.

[0071] It should be noted that the first departure time point, the first arrival time point, the second departure time point and the second arrival time point can all be recorded by the responding site device 120 and the initiating site device 110 according to a counter corresponding to the fine timing measurement protocol.

[0072] Therefore, in the above-mentioned ranging communication, the initiating station device 110 and the responding station device 120 are configured to perform packet transmission and packet reception of the communication packet of the measurement request signal FTMR in the first communication behavior CB1 in the ranging communication, so as to calculate the initiating station initial data processing time TI and the responding station initial data processing time TR respectively. The recording and calculation of the relevant time point and time length can be recorded according to the counter of the corresponding timing synchronization function (TSF) under the fine timing measurement protocol.

[0073] Furthermore, the initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120 are configured such that in the second communication behavior CB2 in the ranging communication, the responding site device 120 transmits the responding site initial data processing time TR to the initiating site device 110 .

[0074] In one embodiment, the packet structure of the measurement signal FTM transmitted by the responding station device 120 in the second communication behavior CB2 can be known from the specification document of the fine timing measurement protocol of IEEE 802.11mc, and includes a synchronization information field. The synchronization information field is, for example, but not limited to, a timing synchronization function synchronization information (TSF sync information) field. The responding station device 120 writes the responding station initial data processing time TR into the timing synchronization function synchronization information field, and the initiating station device 110 parses this field when receiving the packet of the measurement signal FTM to retrieve the responding station initial data processing time TR.

[0075] Therefore, through ranging communication based on the IEEE 802.11mc protocol, the initiating station device 110 can correct the initiating station built-in timing according to the time difference (TR-TI) between the initiating station initial data processing time TI and the responding station initial data processing time TR to synchronize with the responding station built-in timing.

[0076] The above-mentioned embodiment is described by taking the transmission behavior of the initiating site device 110 transmitting the communication packet to the responding site device 120 as an example.

[0077] However, in another embodiment, the transmission behavior is performed by the responding site device 120 sending the communication packet to the initiating site device 110 .

[0078] In this case, the response site device 120 will respond Figure 2A In more detail, the response site device 120 records the first time point T1, calculates the first transmission time length ITT1, and calculates the first processing time length IPT1, so as to further add the first time point T1 to the first transmission time length ITT1 and the first processing time length IPT1 to calculate the response site initial data processing time TR, which can be represented by the operation formula TR=T1+IPT1+ITT1.

[0079] On the other hand, the initiating site device 110 will correspond to Figure 2B In more detail, the initiating site device 110 records the second time point T2, calculates the second transmission time length ITT2, and calculates the second processing time length IPT2, so as to further calculate the initiating site initial data processing time TI by subtracting the second transmission time length ITT2 from the second time point T2 and adding the second processing time length IPT2, and can be represented by the operation formula TI=T2-ITT2+IPT2.

[0080] The details of processing the above time information, such as the protocol layer and its corresponding operation, can be referred to above and will not be repeated here.

[0081] After the calculation of the initiating site initial data processing time TI and the responding site initial data processing time TR is completed, the responding site device 120 transmits the responding site initial data processing time TR to the initiating site device 110, so that the initiating site device 110 corrects the initiating site built-in timing according to the time difference (TR-TI) between the initiating site initial data processing time TI and the responding site initial data processing time TR, so as to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing. In more detail, the initiating site device 110 will add (TR-TI) to the initiating site built-in timing, and then synchronize with the responding site built-in timing.

[0082] In one embodiment, the responding station device 120 and the initiating station device 110 communicate (e.g., packet transmission and packet reception) according to the IEEE 802.11az protocol to perform a transmission behavior of transmitting a communication packet from the responding station device 120 to the initiating station device 110. In addition, the above-mentioned synchronization mechanism can be completed through the ranging communication between the initiating station device 110 and the responding station device 120.

[0083] Please refer to Figure 4 . Figure 4 The timing diagram shows the ranging communication performed by the initiating station device 110 and the responding station device 120 according to the IEEE 802.11az protocol in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 The horizontal axis represents the time direction, and the signal transmission performed by the initiating site device 110 is represented by a black module and a white font, and the signal transmission performed by the responding site device 120 is represented by a white module and a black font.

[0084] Ranging communication based on the IEEE 802.11az standard includes Figure 4 The first communication behavior CB1 and the second communication behavior CB2 shown in FIG are used for synchronization. The following first describes the ranging communication between the initiating station device 110 and the responding station device 120, and then further describes how the synchronization mechanism is completed during the ranging communication.

[0085] Corresponding to the first communication behavior CB1, the responding station device 120 Figure 4 The measurement polling signal RPL is initially transmitted, and the initiating station device 110 receives the measurement polling signal RPL.

[0086] In response to the reception of the measurement polling signal RPL in the first communication behavior CB1, the initiating station device 110 performs the following steps: Figure 4The clear to send signal CTS is transmitted and received by the responding station device 120. The transmission and reception of the measurement polling signal RPL and the clear to send signal CTS correspond to the polling phase of the ranging communication.

[0087] Next, the response site device 120 Figure 4 The transmitting station 110 transmits a ranging sounding signal RSD, and the transmitting station 110 receives the ranging sounding signal RSD. In response to the receiving of the ranging sounding signal RSD, the transmitting station 110 transmits a first null data packet signal NDP1, and the responding station 120 receives the first null data packet signal NDP1.

[0088] Corresponding to the second communication behavior CB2 , the responding station device 120 further transmits a ranging-no-data packet announcement signal RNA, and the initiating station device 110 receives the ranging-no-data packet announcement signal RNA.

[0089] The responding site device 120 continues to transmit a second no-data packet signal NDP2 , and the initiating site device 110 receives the second no-data packet signal NDP2 .

[0090] The transmission and reception of the measurement sounding signal RSD, the first no-data packet signal NDP1, the ranging no-data packet announcement signal RNA and the second no-data packet signal NDP2 correspond to the measurement sounding phase of the ranging communication.

[0091] During the measurement detection period, the initiating site device 110 may record the first departure time point of the first no-data packet signal NDP1, and the responding site device 120 may record the first arrival time point of the first no-data packet signal NDP1. The responding site device 120 then records the second departure time point of the second no-data packet signal NDP2, and the initiating site device 110 may record the second arrival time point of the second no-data packet signal NDP2.

[0092] The responding station device 120 may further transmit the recorded second departure time point and first arrival time point to the initiating station device 110 via a location measurement report signal LMR. The transmission and reception of the location measurement report signal LMR corresponds to a reporting phase of ranging communication.

[0093] The initiating site device 110 may calculate the distance between the initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120 according to the first departure time point, the first arrival time point, the second departure time point, and the second arrival time point to complete the distance measurement. In different embodiments, the initiating site device 110 may calculate the distance according to a suitable calculation method, which will not be described in detail herein.

[0094] It should be noted that the first departure time point, the first arrival time point, the second departure time point and the second arrival time point can all be recorded by the responding site device 120 and the initiating site device 110 according to a counter corresponding to the fine timing measurement protocol.

[0095] In the above-mentioned ranging communication, the initiating station device 110 and the responding station device 120 are configured to measure the packet transmission and packet reception of the communication packet of the polling signal RPL in the first communication behavior CB1 in the ranging communication to calculate the initiating station initial data processing time TI and the responding station initial data processing time TR. The recording and calculation of the relevant time point and time length can be recorded according to the counter of the corresponding timing synchronization function under the fine timing measurement protocol.

[0096] Furthermore, the initiating site device 110 and the responding site device 120 are configured such that in the second communication behavior CB2 in the ranging communication, the responding site device 120 transmits the responding site initial data processing time TR to the initiating site device 110 .

[0097] In one embodiment, the packet structure of the ranging no-data packet announcement signal RNA transmitted by the responding station device 120 in the second communication behavior CB2 can be known from the specification document of the fine timing measurement protocol of IEEE 802.11az, and includes a synchronization information field. The synchronization information field is, for example, but not limited to, a partial timing synchronization function (partial TSF) field. The responding station device 120 writes the responding station communication time TR into the partial timing synchronization function field, and the initiating station device 110 parses this field when receiving the packet of the ranging no-data packet announcement signal RNA to retrieve the responding station initial data processing time TR.

[0098] Therefore, through ranging communication based on the IEEE 802.11az protocol, the initiating station device 110 can correct the initiating station built-in timing according to the time difference (TR-TI) between the initiating station initial data processing time TI and the responding station initial data processing time TR to synchronize with the responding station built-in timing.

[0099] It should be noted that the above-mentioned ranging communication is only an example. In other embodiments, the initiating station device and the responding station device may also use other methods to perform ranging communication to achieve timing synchronization.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first communication behavior corresponds to the initial signal of the ranging communication, and the second communication behavior corresponds to the actual ranging signal of the ranging communication. However, under the premise that the required information can be exchanged, the first communication behavior and the second communication behavior by which the initiating site device and the responding site device are synchronized can correspond to other behaviors in the ranging communication, and are not limited to the above embodiment.

[0101] Furthermore, the initiating site device and the responding site device may also use communications other than ranging communication to exchange information to achieve a timing synchronization mechanism.

[0102] In addition, for ease of explanation, Figure 1 Only one initiating station device and one responding station device are shown in FIG. Actually, the wireless communication system may include multiple initiating station devices and multiple responding station devices, and the above synchronization mechanism may be applied for synchronization.

[0103] The wireless communication system of the present invention can enable the initiating site device and the responding site device to each calculate the initial data processing time of the physical layer for processing the data field of the communication packet when the transmission behavior of the corresponding communication packet is in progress, and enable the initiating site device to correct the initiating site built-in timing according to the time difference between the two initial data processing times to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 5 . Figure 5 A flow chart of a wireless communication method 500 with a timing synchronization mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0105] In addition to the aforementioned apparatus, the present invention further discloses a wireless communication method 500, which is applied to, for example, but not limited to Figure 1 In the wireless communication system 100 of FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the wireless communication method 500 is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the following steps are included.

[0106] In step S510 , the responding site device 120 operating according to the responding site built-in timing and the initiating site device 110 operating according to the initiating site built-in timing perform transmission of corresponding communication packets.

[0107] In step S520 , the initiator site device 110 calculates an initiator site initial data processing time TI for the initiator site physical layer PHYI of the initiator site device 110 to process the data field DA of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior.

[0108] In step S530 , the responding site device 120 calculates a responding site initial data processing time TR for the responding site physical layer PHYR of the responding site device 120 to process the data field DA of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior.

[0109] In step S540 , the responding site device 120 transmits the responding site initial data processing time TR to the initiating site device 110 .

[0110] In step S550, the initiating site device 110 corrects the initiating site built-in timing according to the time difference (TR-TI) between the initiating site initial data processing time TI and the responding site initial data processing time TR to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing.

[0111] It should be noted that the above implementation is only an example. In other embodiments, those skilled in the art with ordinary knowledge in the art can make changes and modifications without violating the spirit of the present invention.

[0112] In summary, the wireless communication system and method with a timing synchronization mechanism in the present invention can enable the initiating site device and the responding site device to each calculate the initial data processing time of the physical layer for processing the data field of the communication packet when the transmission behavior of the corresponding communication packet is in progress, and enable the initiating site device to correct the initiating site built-in timing according to the time difference between the two initial data processing times to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing.

[0113] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. A technician with ordinary knowledge in the technical field can change the technical features of the present invention based on the explicit or implicit contents of the present invention. These changes may fall within the scope of patent protection required by the present invention. In other words, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be based on the definition of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system with a timing synchronization mechanism, characterized in that: include: An initiating site device operates according to an initiating site built-in timing; as well as a responding site device, operating according to a responding site built-in timing, and configured to perform a transmission behavior corresponding to a communication packet with the initiating site device; The initiating site device calculates an initiating site initial data processing time for an initiating site physical layer of the initiating site device to process a data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior, and the responding site device calculates a responding site initial data processing time for a responding site physical layer of the responding site device to process the data field of the communication packet according to the transmission behavior; The response site device transmits the response site initial data processing time to the initiating site device, so that the initiating site device corrects the initiating site built-in timing according to a time difference between the initiating site initial data processing time and the response site initial data processing time to synchronize with the response site built-in timing.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission behavior is that the initiating site device transmits the communication packet to the responding site device; The initiating site device is configured to: An initiator site media access control layer of the initiator site device records a first time point when the initiator site physical layer is notified by the initiator site media access control layer to transmit a packet of the communication packet; The initiating site media access control layer calculates a first transmission time length from when the initiating site physical layer is notified to transmit the packet to when the initiating site physical layer actually starts to transmit the packet; The initiating site physical layer processes the communication packet, and the initiating site media access control layer calculates a first processing time length required to process a content between a packet header starting point of the communication packet and a data starting point of the data field; as well as The initiating site media access control layer adds the first transmission time length and the first processing time length to the first time point to calculate the initiating site initial data processing time; as well as The response site device is configured to: A responding site media access control layer of the responding site device records a second time point when the responding site physical layer notifies the responding site media access control layer to receive a packet of the communication packet; The response site physical layer processes the communication packet, and the response site media access control layer calculates a second processing time length required for processing the content between a packet header starting point and a data starting point of the data field of the communication packet; The responding station media access control layer calculates a second transmission time length from the time when the responding station physical layer starts to receive the packet to the time when the initiating station physical layer notifies the responding station media access control layer to receive the packet; as well as The responding station media access control layer subtracts the second transmission time length plus the second processing time length from the second time point to calculate the responding station initial data processing time.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The responding station device and the initiating station device perform the packet transmission and the packet reception according to the IEEE 802.11mc protocol.

4. The wireless communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The initiating station device and the responding station device are configured to perform the packet transmission and the packet reception in a first communication behavior in a ranging communication, and the responding station device transmits the responding station initial data processing time to the initiating station device in a second communication behavior after the first communication behavior in the ranging communication; The ranging communication is sequentially initiated by the initiating site device transmitting a measurement request signal and the responding site device receiving the measurement request signal, the responding site device transmitting a first confirmation signal and the initiating site device receiving the confirmation signal, the responding site device transmitting a measurement signal and the initiating site device receiving the measurement signal, and the initiating site device transmitting a second confirmation signal and the responding site device receiving the second confirmation signal; as well as The first communication behavior is used to transmit the measurement request signal, and the second communication behavior is used to transmit the measurement signal.

5. The wireless communication system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ranging communication is performed according to a fine timing measurement protocol, and the initial data processing time of the initiating station and the initial data processing time of the responding station are recorded according to a timing synchronization function.

6. The wireless communication system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The responding station device transmits the responding station initial data processing time to the initiating station device in a synchronization information field of a packet transmitted in the second communication behavior.

7. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission behavior is that the responding site device transmits the communication packet to the initiating site device; The response site device is configured to: A responding site media access control layer of the responding site device records a first time point when the responding site physical layer is notified by the responding site media access control layer to transmit a packet of the communication packet; The media access control layer of the responding station calculates a first transmission time length between when the physical layer of the responding station is notified to transmit the packet and when the physical layer of the responding station actually starts to transmit the packet; The response site physical layer processes the communication packet, and the response site media access control layer calculates a first processing time length required to process a content between a packet header starting point and a data starting point of the data field of the communication packet; as well as The media access control layer of the responding station adds the first transmission time length and the first processing time length to the first time point to calculate the initial data processing time of the responding station; as well as The initiating site device is configured to: An initiating site media access control layer of the initiating site device records a second time point when the initiating site physical layer notifies the initiating site media access control layer to receive a packet; The initiating site physical layer processes the communication packet, and the initiating site media access control layer calculates a second processing time length required for processing the content between a packet header starting point and a data starting point of the data field of the communication packet; The initiating site media access control layer calculates a second transmission time length from when the initiating site physical layer starts to receive the packet to when the initiating site physical layer notifies the initiating site media access control layer to receive the packet; as well as The initiating site media access control layer subtracts the second transmission time length plus the second processing time length from the second time point to calculate the initiating site initial data processing time.

8. The wireless communication system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The responding station device and the initiating station device perform the packet transmission and the packet reception according to the IEEE 802.11az standard.

9. The wireless communication system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The initiating station device and the responding station device are configured to perform the packet transmission and the packet reception in a first communication behavior in a ranging communication, and the responding station device transmits the responding station initial data processing time to the initiating station device in a second communication behavior after the first communication behavior in the ranging communication; The ranging communication is sequentially initiated by the responding station device transmitting a measurement polling signal and the initiating station device receiving the measurement polling signal, the initiating station device transmitting a permission to transmit signal and the responding station device receiving the permission to transmit signal, the responding station device transmitting a measurement detection signal and the initiating station device receiving the measurement detection signal, the initiating station device transmitting a first no-data packet and the responding station device receiving the first no-data packet, the responding station device transmitting a ranging no-data packet announcement signal and the initiating station device receiving the ranging no-data packet announcement signal, the responding station device transmitting a second no-data packet signal and the initiating station device receiving the no-data packet signal, and the responding station device transmitting a position measurement report signal and the initiating station device receiving the position measurement report signal; as well as The first communication behavior is used to transmit the measurement polling signal, and the second communication behavior is used to transmit the ranging no-data packet announcement signal.

10. A wireless communication method with a timing synchronization mechanism, applied in a wireless communication system, characterized in that: include: A transmission behavior corresponding to a communication packet is performed by an initiator site device operating according to an initiator site built-in timing and an initiator site device operating according to an initiator site built-in timing; The initiating site device calculates, according to the transmission behavior, an initiating site initial data processing time of an initiating site physical layer of the initiating site device processing a data field of the communication packet; The response site device calculates, according to the transmission behavior, a response site initial data processing time of a response site physical layer of the response site device for processing the data field of the communication packet; The responding site device transmits the responding site initial data processing time to the initiating site device; as well as The initiating site device corrects the initiating site built-in timing according to a time difference between the initiating site initial data processing time and the responding site initial data processing time to synchronize with the responding site built-in timing.

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