Communication device, method for controlling communication device, and program

Abstract

The present invention has a transmission unit that transmits a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in a millimeter wave band, the PPDU comprising: a training field containing a signal for synchronizing reception timing in the millimeter wave band; a channel estimation field containing a signal for channel estimation in a millimeter wave band; a channel bandwidth field containing channel bandwidth information; and a channel bandwidth data field indicated by channel bandwidth information included in the channel bandwidth field, and a channel bandwidth field indicating a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz as channel bandwidth information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device configured to perform wireless communication, a method for controlling the communication device, and a program. Background Art

[0002] The IEEE 802.11 series of standards are known as wireless LAN communication standards developed by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Wireless LAN is an abbreviation for wireless local area network. The IEEE 802.11 series of standards include the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ad / ax / ay / be standards. The IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be standards are standards targeting the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, or the 6 GHz band (i.e., the microwave band). On the other hand, the IEEE 802.11ad / ay standards are standards targeting the millimeter wave bands above the 45 GHz band (including the 60 GHz band).

[0003] Patent document 1 discusses the IEEE 802.11ax standard that specifies the use of OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) to perform wireless communications. The IEEE 802.11ax standard achieves highly efficient throughput by performing wireless communications using OFDMA. The IEEE 802.11be standard, which is the next standard after the IEEE 802.11ax standard, expands the channel bandwidth to 320MHz to achieve higher throughput.

[0004] IEEE is studying a standard temporarily named Ultra High Reliability (UHR) via the physical layer (PHY) to follow the IEEE 802.11be standard. Therefore, in the following, the standard that follows the IEEE 802.11be standard will be temporarily referred to as the IEEE802.11UHR standard. Regarding the IEEE 802.11UHR standard, in addition to the microwave band, research on combining the millimeter wave band has been conducted. For the microwave band, it has been studied to extend the channel bandwidth to 480MHz or 640MHz to further improve the throughput. For the millimeter wave band, it has been studied to extend the channel bandwidth that only supports 2.16GHz, 4.32GHz, 6.48GHz or 8.64GHz in the IEEE 802.11ad / ay standard to additionally support bandwidths below 2.16GHz. This helps to increase the number of simultaneous multi-user connections to the wireless medium, reduce power consumption, and simplify hardware or software.

[0005] Citation List

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] PTL 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-50133 Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] However, the IEEE 802.11 series of standards does not define any method for notifying a communication partner device of a channel bandwidth of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) having a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz in the millimeter wave band. Therefore, communication using a PPDU having a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz in the millimeter wave band is not possible.

[0010] Problem Solution

[0011] The above problem is solved by a wireless communication device, which includes: a sending unit, which is configured to send a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in a millimeter wave band, wherein the PPDU includes: a training field, which includes a signal for synchronization of receiving timing in the millimeter wave band; a channel estimation field, which includes a signal for channel estimation in the millimeter wave band; a channel bandwidth field, which includes channel bandwidth information; and a data field for the channel bandwidth indicated by the channel bandwidth information included in the channel bandwidth field, and wherein the channel bandwidth field as the channel bandwidth information indicates a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz.

[0012] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0013] The present invention is intended to provide notification that communication is to be performed using a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz in the millimeter wave band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] [ Figure 1 ] is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a network according to the present invention.

[0015] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a communication device according to the present invention.

[0016] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a communication device according to the present invention.

[0017] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a communication device related to PPDU transmission.

[0018] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a field configuration of a PPDU.

[0019] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a communication device related to PPDU reception. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following exemplary embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the shown configurations.

[0021] (Configuration of wireless communication system)

[0022] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a configuration of a wireless network to which communication devices 101 and 102 according to the present invention belong.

[0023] The present invention is applicable to communication devices 101 and 102. Communication devices 101 and 102 are configured to perform wireless communication according to the next standard that follows the IEEE 802.11be standard with a maximum transmission speed of 46.08 Gbps as a target and a maximum transmission speed of 90 Gbps to 100 Gbps or higher. The next standard that follows 802.11be sets support for high-reliability communication and low-latency communication as a new goal to be achieved. Based on the above description, this embodiment temporarily refers to the next standard that follows IEEE 802.11be and targets a maximum transmission speed of 90 Gbps to 100 Gbps or higher as IEEE 802.11UHR (Ultra High Reliability). It should be noted that the name "IEEE 802.11UHR" is conveniently provided based on the goals to be achieved by the next standard and the key features of the standard, and can be replaced with another name when the standard is finalized. It should be noted that the present description and the appended claims are applicable to all next standards which are substantially standards that follow the 802.11be standard and can support wireless communications.

[0024] The communication device 101 is a UHR AP (Ultra High Reliability Access Point, hereinafter referred to as AP) compliant with the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. The communication device 102 is a non-AP UHR STA (hereinafter referred to as STA) compliant with the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. The communication device 101 and the communication device 102 can perform wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. IEEE is an abbreviation of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0025] The communication devices 101 and 102 can communicate in a microwave band (including 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands) or a millimeter wave band above 45 GHz (including a 60 GHz band). In the present embodiment, the millimeter wave band refers to a band above 45 GHz. The communication devices 101 and 102 can operate in a microwave band using a channel bandwidth of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 480 MHz, or 640 MHz. In addition, the communication devices 101 and 102 can operate in a millimeter wave band using a channel bandwidth of 2.16 GHz, 4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz, or 8.64 GHz. In addition, the communication devices 101 and 102 can operate in a millimeter wave band using a channel bandwidth of 2.16 / n[GHz] (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) or 20×m[MHz] (m is a natural number). Regardless of the above description, the communication devices 101 and 102 may be configured to operate in the millimeter wave band using only a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz.

[0026] Although the communication devices 101 and 102 are described as supporting the IEEE 802.11UHR standard, in addition to the IEEE 802.11UHR standard, the communication devices 101 and 102 may also support IEEE 802.11 standards prior to the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. Specifically, the communication devices 101 and 102 may support at least one of the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be standards.

[0027] In addition to the IEEE 802.11 standard series, other communication standards can also be supported, such as NFC, UWB, ZigBee and MBOA.

[0028] UWB is an abbreviation for Ultra Wideband, and MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi-Band OFDM Alliance. NFC is an abbreviation for Near Field Communication. UWB includes Wireless USB, Wireless 1394, and WiNET. Communication standards for wired communication such as wired LAN may also be supported.

[0029] Specific examples of the communication device 101 include, but are not limited to, a wireless LAN router and a personal computer (PC). The communication device 101 may be an information processing device capable of performing wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11UHR standard, such as a wireless chip. In addition, specific examples of the communication device 102 include, but are not limited to, a camera, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a PC, a mobile phone, a camcorder, and a headset. In addition, the communication device 102 may be an information processing device capable of performing wireless communication according to the IEEE 802.11UHR standard, such as a wireless chip. Although Figure 1 A wireless network including one AP and one STA is illustrated, but the number of APs and the number of STAs are not limited to one. For example, a plurality of STAs may be included.

[0030] (AP and STA configuration)

[0031] Figure 2 An example of a hardware configuration of the communication device 101 according to the present embodiment is illustrated. The communication device 101 includes a storage unit 201, a control unit 202, a function unit 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 205, a communication unit 206, and an antenna 207. It should be noted that a plurality of antennas may be provided.

[0032] The storage unit 201 includes one or more memories, such as ROM and RAM, and stores various types of information, such as computer programs for performing various types of operations described below and communication parameters for wireless communication. ROM is an abbreviation for read-only memory, and RAM is an abbreviation for random access memory. In addition to memories such as ROM and RAM, storage media such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or a DVD can also be used as the storage unit 201. In addition, the storage unit 201 may include a plurality of memories.

[0033] The control unit 202 includes one or more processors, such as a CPU and / or an MPU, and controls the overall operation of the communication device 101 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 201. The control unit 202 can control the overall operation of the communication device 101 through the cooperation of the computer program stored in the storage unit 201 and the OS (operating system). In addition, the control unit 202 generates data and signals (radio frames) transmitted by communicating with other communication devices. CPU is an abbreviation for a central processing unit, and MPU is an abbreviation for a microprocessing unit. The control unit 202 may include multiple processors, such as a multi-core processor, and the multiple processors may control the overall operation of the communication device 101.

[0034] In addition, the control unit 202 controls the function unit 203 and executes predetermined processing such as wireless communication, imaging, printing, and projection. The function unit 203 is hardware used by the communication device 101 to execute predetermined processing.

[0035] The input unit 204 receives various types of operations from the user. The output unit 205 provides various types of outputs to the user through a monitor screen and / or a speaker. The output from the output unit 205 can be a display on the monitor screen, an audio output through a speaker, or a vibration output. The input unit 204 and the output unit 205 can be implemented by a single module such as a touch screen. In addition, each of the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 can be integrated with the communication device 101 or separated from the communication device 101.

[0036] The communication unit 206 controls wireless communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. In addition, in addition to the IEEE802.11UHR standard, the communication unit 206 can also control wireless communication conforming to other IEEE 802.11 series standards and / or wired communication (such as a wired LAN). The communication unit 206 controls the antenna 207 and performs transmission and reception of signals for wireless communication generated by the control unit 202.

[0037] In the case where the communication device 101 complies with the NFC standard and / or the Bluetooth standard in addition to the IEEE 802.11UHR standard, control of wireless communications that comply with these communication standards can also be performed. In addition, in the case where the communication device 101 is capable of performing wireless communications that comply with multiple communication standards, the communication device 101 can include a communication unit and an antenna for the corresponding communication standard, respectively. The communication device 101 transmits data such as image data, document data, and video data with the communication device 102 via the communication unit 206. The antenna 207 can be configured separately from the communication unit 206, or integrated with the communication unit 206 into a single module.

[0038] Antenna 207 is an antenna capable of performing communication in microwave bands (including 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands) and millimeter wave bands above 45 GHz (including 60 GHz bands). Communication device 101 may include one or more antennas. In addition, different antennas may be included for each frequency band. In the case where communication device 101 includes multiple antennas, communication device 101 may include communication units 206 for the corresponding antennas.

[0039] The communication device 102 has a hardware configuration similar to that of the communication device 101 .

[0040] Figure 31 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the communication device 101 according to the present embodiment. The communication device 102 also has a similar configuration. The communication device 101 herein includes a wireless LAN control unit 301. The number of wireless LAN control units is not limited to one, and may be more than one. The communication device 101 also includes a frame processing unit 302, a UI control unit 304, a storage unit 305, and a wireless antenna 306.

[0041] The wireless LAN control unit 301 includes an antenna and a circuit for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from other wireless LAN devices, and also includes a program for controlling them. The wireless LAN control unit 301 performs wireless LAN communication control based on the IEEE 802.11 standard series using the frame generated by the frame processing unit 302.

[0042] The frame processing unit 302 processes the wireless control frame transmitted or received by the wireless LAN control unit 301. The content of the wireless control generated and analyzed by the frame processing unit 302 can be limited based on the setting stored in the storage unit 305. In addition, the change can be performed based on the user setting via the UI control unit 304. Information about the generated frame is transmitted to the wireless LAN control unit 301 and then transmitted to the communication partner. Information about the frame received by the wireless LAN control unit 301 is transferred to the frame processing unit 302 and analyzed.

[0043] The UI control unit 304 includes hardware related to the user interface (such as a touch screen or buttons) for receiving operations performed on the communication device 102 by a user (not shown) of the communication device 101, and a program for controlling them. The UI control unit 304 also has a function for presenting information to the user (such as display of an image or audio output).

[0044] The storage unit 305 is a storage device that may include a ROM and a RAM that store programs and data for operating the communication device 101 .

[0045] The following will refer to Figure 4 The operations of the communication devices 101 and 102 related to the transmission of the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in the millimeter wave band according to the present embodiment are described. This operation is initiated when the communication device 101 and the communication device 102 are connected, that is, when the communication device 102 joins the basic service set (BSS) formed by the communication device 101.

[0046] The communication device 102 participates in the BSS based on the instruction input by the user. Before participating in the BSS, when the communication device 102 receives a beacon frame transmitted by the AP, the communication device 102 transmits an association request frame to the AP to request participation in the BSS and receives an association response frame as a response frame to the association request frame, so that the communication device 102 participates in the BSS.

[0047] Before transmitting and receiving the association request / response frame, the communication device 102 may transmit a probe request frame to discover an AP and receive a probe response frame as a response frame to the probe request frame.

[0048] The main component responsible for the operation of the communication devices 101 and 102 is the control unit 202 in terms of hardware and the frame processing unit 302 in terms of functionality. The operation of the communication device 101 will be described below. The same applies to the operation of the communication device 102 unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0049] In step S400, the communication device 101 determines whether there is data to be transmitted. In a case where the communication device 101 determines that there is data to be transmitted, the process proceeds to step S401.

[0050] In step S401, the communication device 101 determines the channel bandwidth of the PPDU containing the data to be sent. The options of the channel bandwidth include 2.16 GHz, 4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz and 8.64 GHz. The options of the channel bandwidth also include a channel bandwidth expressed as 2.16 / n [GHz] (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2). Examples include 1.08 GHz, 540 MHz, 270 MHz, 135 MHz, 67.5 MHz, 33.75 MHz and 16.875 MHz. In addition, the options of the channel bandwidth may also include a channel bandwidth expressed as 20×m [MHz] (m is a natural number). Examples include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 480 MHz, 640 MHz and 1.28 GHz. The channel bandwidth is determined based on the capabilities supported by the communication devices 101 and 102, the current operating channel bandwidth, the channel usage status, the amount of data transmitted, power consumption, etc., to achieve the highest possible throughput between data transmission / reception devices or in the entire BSS, or the lowest power consumption of the communication device 101 or the communication device 102. After the communication device determines the channel bandwidth, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0051] In step S402, the communication device 101 generates a PPDU including a channel bandwidth field, which includes channel bandwidth information. The channel bandwidth field refers to the scrambler initialization field, the compressed BW field, or the BW field described below. The PPDU generated in step S402 refers to a control mode PPDU, an SC mode PPDU, or an OFDM mode PPDU. The control mode PPDU refers to a PPDU for sending information (such as a control frame) requiring high reliability. The SC mode PPDU refers to a PPDU sent using a single carrier modulation method. The OFDM mode PPDU refers to a PPDU sent using an OFDM modulation method.

[0052] Figure 5 An example of PPDU field configuration is illustrated. L-STF 500 and L-CEF 501 are L-STF field and L-CEF field defined in IEEE 802.11ay standard, respectively. L-STF 500 is a training field containing a signal for synchronizing reception timing. L-CEF 501 is a channel estimation field containing a signal to be used for channel estimation.

[0053] The L-header 502 is a header field containing information for demodulation or interpretation of subsequent fields. The L-header 502 contains channel bandwidth information indicating the channel bandwidth. In the case of a control mode PPDU, the channel bandwidth information is contained in a scrambler initialization field in the L-header field. The scrambler initialization field is a field consisting of 4 bits. In the case of an EDMG SC mode PPDU or an EDMG OFDM mode PPDU mode, the channel bandwidth information is contained in the least significant 5 bits of the length field in the L-header field. The least significant 5 bits of the length field are also called a compressed BW field.

[0054] For example, the relationship between the channel bandwidths indicated by the value in the scrambler initialization field of the control mode PPDU is configured as follows. The relationship may be configured to express the channel bandwidth as 2.16 / n [GHz], where n is the value in the scrambler initialization field. In addition, the relationship may be configured to express the channel bandwidth as 20×m [MHz], where m is the value in the scrambler initialization field. In addition, the relationship may be configured such that a value of 0 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 20 MHz, a value of 1 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 40 MHz, a value of 2 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 80 MHz, a value of 3 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 160 MHz, a value of 4 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 320 MHz, a value of 5 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 480 MHz, a value of 6 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 640 MHz, and a value of 7 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 1.28 GHz.

[0055] The channel bandwidth indicated by the value in the scrambler initialization field is not limited to being less than 2.16 GHz. For example, a channel bandwidth greater than or equal to 2.16 GHz may be indicated based on a field other than the scrambler initialization field. In this case, the relationship may be configured such that a value of 0 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 2.16 GHz, a value of 1 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 2 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 6.48 GHz, a value of 3 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 4 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 5 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 6 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, and a value of 7 in the scrambler initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz. channel bandwidth, a value of 8 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 9 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 10 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 6.48 GHz, a value of 11 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 12 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 13 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 14 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, and a value of 15 in the Scrambler Initialization field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz.

[0056] In addition, for example, the relationship between the channel bandwidths indicated by the values ​​in the compressed BW field of the SC mode PPDU or the OFDM mode PPDU is configured as follows. In the case where the value in the compressed BW field is defined as 19+m and the value in the field is 21 or more, the relationship can be configured to express the channel bandwidth as 2.16 / m [GHz]. In addition, in the case where the value in the compressed BW field is defined as 20+m and the value in the field is 21 or more, the relationship can be configured to express the channel bandwidth as 20×m [MHz]. In addition, the relationship can be configured such that a value of 21 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 20 MHz, a value of 22 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 40 MHz, a value of 23 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 80 MHz, a value of 24 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 160 MHz, a value of 25 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 320 MHz, a value of 26 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 480 MHz, a value of 27 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 640 MHz, and a value of 28 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 1.28 GHz.

[0057] The channel bandwidth indicated by the value in the compressed BW field is not limited to being less than 2.16 GHz. For example, a channel bandwidth greater than or equal to 2.16 GHz may be indicated based on a field other than the compressed BW field. In this case, the relationship may be configured such that a value of 0 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 2.16 GHz, a value of 1 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 2 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 3 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 6.48 GHz, a value of 4 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 6.48 GHz, a value of 5 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 6.48 GHz, a value of 6 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 7 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 8 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 9 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, and a value of 1 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz. 0 indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 11 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 12 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 13 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 14 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 4.32 GHz, a value of 15 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 16 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 17 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 18 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, a value of 19 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.64 GHz, and a value of 20 in the compressed BW field indicates a channel bandwidth of 8.62 GHz.

[0058] It should be noted that the scrambler initialization field and the compressed BW field are configured to indicate at least a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz, and the number of bits in each field and the correspondence between the value specified in the field and the channel bandwidth are not limited to the above example. The L-header 502 can be configured to include information included in the L-header field defined in the IEEE 802.11ay standard.

[0059] UHR-Header-A 503 is a header field containing information for demodulating or interpreting subsequent fields in the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. This field corresponds to the EDMG-Header-A field in the IEEE 802.11ay standard. This field contains a field indicating the length of the physical layer service data unit (PSDU) and a channel bandwidth field indicating channel bandwidth information. These fields correspond to the PSDU length field and the BW field in the IEEE 802.11ay standard, respectively. Therefore, the channel bandwidth field in UHR-Header-A 503 will be referred to as the BW field hereinafter. UHR-Header-A 503 may also include an MCS field indicating the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used in the data field. This field corresponds to the EDMG MCS field in the IEEE 802.11ay standard.

[0060] In addition to the channel bandwidth information, the BW field may also contain channel information indicating a channel through which a field or a data field after the UHR-Header-A 503 is transmitted, or a sub-channel as a unit obtained by dividing the channel. The channel bandwidth information and the channel information may be contained in separate fields, respectively, or may be encoded and contained in one field. An example of encoding and configuring in one field is a configuration using a bitmap in which each bit of the BW field corresponds to a bit representing a channel with a minimum channel bandwidth. For example, in the case where the BW field is configured with 16 bits from b15 to b0 (b15 is the most significant bit and b0 is the least significant bit) and the minimum channel bandwidth is 540 MHz, b0 corresponds to a channel with a channel bandwidth of 540 MHz at the lowest frequency, and b15 corresponds to a channel with a channel bandwidth of 540 MHz at the highest frequency. In the case where a bit has a value of 0, it indicates that the field or the data field after the UHR-Header-A 503 is not transmitted through the channel corresponding to the bit. In the case where the bit has a value of 1, it indicates that the field or data field after UHR-Header-A 503 is transmitted through the channel corresponding to the bit. For example, in the case where only b0 has a value of 1, it indicates that the corresponding field is transmitted using only the channel at the lowest frequency within the channel bandwidth of 540 MHz. In the case where only b0 and b1 have a value of 1, it indicates that the corresponding field is transmitted using the channel at the lowest frequency within the channel bandwidth of 540 MHz×2=1.08 GHz and another channel 540 MHz higher than the channel at the lowest frequency. In the case where all bits are 1, it indicates that the corresponding field is transmitted within the channel bandwidth of 540 MHz×16=8.64 GHz. The configuration of the above-mentioned BW field is not a limitation. Each bit of the BW field can correspond to a different channel, and depending on whether each bit has a value of 0 or 1, the field or data field after UHR-Header-A 503 can be transmitted using only the channel corresponding to the bit with a value of 1.

[0061] UHR-STF 504 and UHR-CEF 505 are respectively used for the training field and channel estimation field of the following fields of the IEEE 802.11UHR standard, the training field contains a signal for synchronizing the reception timing, and the channel estimation field contains a signal for performing channel estimation. The above fields correspond to the EDMG-STF and EDMG-CEF fields defined in IEEE 802.11ay, respectively. The above fields may not exist. For example, in the case where the PPDU corresponds to the control mode PPDU defined in the IEEE 802.11ay standard and is used to send data requiring high reliability (such as control data), these fields may not exist.

[0062] UHR-Header-B 506 exists when the PPDU is a MU PPDU, which is a PPDU for multiple users (multi-user, MU). UHR-Header-B 506 is a header field containing information specific to each STA, which is used by each user (ie, each STA) to demodulate or interpret the data field. This field corresponds to the EDMG-Header-B field in the IEEE 802.11ay standard.

[0063] Data 507 is a data field. Data 507 includes data transmitted from communication device 101 to communication device 102. When communication device 102 transmits data to communication device 101, the data is included in data 507.

[0064] TRN 508 is a beamforming training field containing a signal used for beamforming. This field corresponds to the TRN field in the IEEE 802.11ay standard. This field can be omitted appropriately.

[0065] In this embodiment, L-STF 500 and L-CEF 501 are compatible with IEEE 802.11ay standard. In addition, L-header 502 can also be configured to be compatible. In this case, a field having a channel bandwidth specified by the channel bandwidth field is set after the field containing the channel bandwidth field.

[0066] L-STF 500 and L-CEF 501 and L-header 502 may be incompatible with IEEE 802.11ay and may be newly defined in the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. In this case, each field may be named differently from IEEE 802.11ay. In addition, the channel bandwidth of these fields may be any predetermined channel bandwidth. For example, the channel bandwidth may be the minimum channel bandwidth among the options for the channel bandwidth. In addition, L-header 502 may include a channel bandwidth field newly defined in the IEEE 802.11UHR standard. This field may be a field such as a BW field. In addition, UHR-header-A 503, UHR-STF 504, UHR-CEF 505, and UHR-header-B may not exist. In addition, TRN 508 may also be newly defined in the IEEE 802.11UHR standard or a subsequent IEEE 802.11 standard. In the case where all fields are newly defined in the IEEE 802.11UHR standard as described above, the preamble overhead is reduced. In addition, a narrow channel bandwidth can be applied starting from the initial field of the PPDU, thereby further contributing to an increase in the number of simultaneous multi-user connections to the wireless medium, a reduction in power consumption, and simplification of hardware or software, which are all advantageous effects of the present invention.

[0067] After the communication device 101 generates the PPDU, the process proceeds to step S403.

[0068] In step S403, the communication device 101 transmits the generated PPDU. Then, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0069] In step S404, the communication device 101 determines whether to terminate the connection with the communication device 102 based on the instruction input by the user. In the case where the communication device 101 determines to terminate the connection, the connection is terminated, and the above-mentioned operations related to PPDU transmission are terminated. On the other hand, in the case where the communication device 101 determines to continue the connection, the processing returns to step S400, and the operations related to PPDU transmission are continued. In the case of the communication device 102, whether to terminate the connection with the communication device 101 is determined based on the instruction input by the user. In the case where the communication device 102 determines to terminate the connection, the connection with the communication device 101 is terminated, and the above-mentioned operations related to PPDU transmission are terminated. On the other hand, in the case where the communication device 102 determines to continue the connection with the communication device 101, the processing returns to step S400, and the operations related to PPDU transmission are continued.

[0070] The following will refer to Figure 6The operation of the communication devices 101 and 102 related to PPDU reception in the millimeter wave band according to the present embodiment is described. This operation is initiated when the communication device 101 and the communication device 102 are connected, that is, when the communication device 102 participates in the BSS formed by the communication device 101.

[0071] The communication device 102 joins the BSS based on the instruction input by the user. Before participating in the BSS, in response to receiving a beacon frame sent by the AP, the communication device 102 sends an association request frame to the AP to request participation in the BSS and receives an association response frame as a response frame to the association request frame, whereby the communication device 102 participates in the BSS.

[0072] Before exchanging association request / response frames, the communication device 102 may transmit a probe request frame to discover an AP and receive a probe response frame as a response frame to the probe request frame.

[0073] The main components responsible for the operation of the communication devices 101 and 102 are the control unit 202 in terms of hardware and the frame processing unit 302 in terms of functionality.

[0074] The following will describe the operation of the communication device 101. The same applies to the operation of the communication device 102 unless otherwise specified.

[0075] In step S600, the communication device 101 determines whether a new PPDU has been received. In the case where the communication device 101 determines that a new PPDU has been received, the process proceeds to step S601. In step S601, the communication device 101 identifies the channel bandwidth of the received PPDU. The communication device 101 identifies the channel bandwidth of the PPDU based on the value in the above-mentioned field in the description of step S402. After the communication device 101 identifies the channel bandwidth of the PPDU, the process proceeds to step S602.

[0076] In step S602, the communication device 101 demodulates the data 507, i.e., the data field, according to the channel bandwidth. UHR-Header-A 503 and UHR-Header-B 506, i.e., the header field, may also be demodulated according to the channel bandwidth. In this case, in the case of using a single carrier (SC) to modulate the field to be demodulated, the communication device 101 performs despreading processing according to the channel bandwidth. In the case of using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulated field, a fast Fourier transform process is performed using a subcarrier configuration based on the channel bandwidth. After the communication device 101 demodulates the data field, the process proceeds to step S603.

[0077] In step S603, the communication device 101 determines whether to terminate the connection with the communication device 102 based on the instruction input by the user. In the case where the communication device 101 determines to terminate the connection, the connection is terminated, and the above-mentioned operations related to PPDU transmission are terminated. On the other hand, in the case where the communication device 101 determines to continue the connection, the processing returns to step S600, and the operations related to PPDU reception are continued. In the case of the communication device 102, it is determined whether to terminate the connection with the communication device 101 based on the instruction input by the user. In the case where the communication device 102 determines to terminate the connection, the connection with the communication device 101 is terminated, and the above-mentioned operations related to PPDU reception are terminated. On the other hand, in the case where the communication device 102 determines to continue the connection with the communication device 101, the processing returns to step S600, and the operations related to PPDU reception are continued.

[0078] A storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the above functions can be supplied to the system or device, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or device can read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself realizes the functions of the above embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the above device.

[0079] As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD, or the like can be used.

[0080] Furthermore, the above functions can be realized not only by executing the program code read by the computer, but also by causing the OS running on the computer to perform part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. OS is an abbreviation for operating system.

[0081] In addition, the program code read out from the storage medium is written into a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a memory provided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer. The CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit can perform part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code to realize the above functions.

[0082] The present invention can also be implemented by the following process, wherein a program for implementing one or more functions of the above exemplary embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0083] The disclosure of each of the above-described exemplary embodiments also includes the following configurations.

[0084] The present invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are attached to disclose the scope of the present invention.

[0085] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-125087, filed on August 4, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in a millimeter wave frequency band, The PPDU includes: a training field, the training field containing a signal for synchronization of reception timing in a millimeter wave frequency band; a channel estimation field, the channel estimation field containing a signal for channel estimation in a millimeter wave frequency band; A channel bandwidth field, wherein the channel bandwidth field includes channel bandwidth information; as well as a data field for the channel bandwidth indicated by the channel bandwidth information contained in the channel bandwidth field, and The channel bandwidth information indicates a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz.

2. A wireless communication device, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in a millimeter wave frequency band, The PPDU includes: a training field, the training field containing a signal for synchronization of reception timing in a millimeter wave frequency band; a channel estimation field, the channel estimation field containing a signal for channel estimation in a millimeter wave frequency band; A channel bandwidth field, wherein the channel bandwidth field includes channel bandwidth information; as well as a data field for the channel bandwidth indicated by the channel bandwidth information contained in the channel bandwidth field, and The channel bandwidth information indicates a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the PPDU, the data field is set after an earlier channel bandwidth field, The channel bandwidth field is set after the channel estimation field, and The channel estimation field is disposed after the training field.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 3, wherein the PPDU further comprises a header field comprising information to be used for demodulation of the data field and the channel estimation field. 5 . The wireless communication device of claim 4 , wherein the PPDU comprises a beamforming training field after the data field, the beamforming training field comprising a signal for beamforming training in a millimeter wave frequency band.

6. A method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising: Sending physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) in the millimeter wave band, The PPDU includes: a training field, the training field containing a signal for synchronization of reception timing in a millimeter wave frequency band; a channel estimation field, the channel estimation field containing a signal for channel estimation in a millimeter wave frequency band; A channel bandwidth field, wherein the channel bandwidth field includes channel bandwidth information; as well as a data field for the channel bandwidth indicated by the channel bandwidth information contained in the channel bandwidth field, and The channel bandwidth information indicates a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz.

7. A method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising: receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in a millimeter wave frequency band, The PPDU includes: a training field, the training field containing a signal for synchronization of reception timing in a millimeter wave frequency band; a channel estimation field, the channel estimation field containing a signal for channel estimation in a millimeter wave frequency band; A channel bandwidth field, wherein the channel bandwidth field includes channel bandwidth information; as well as a data field for the channel bandwidth indicated by the channel bandwidth information contained in the channel bandwidth field, and The channel bandwidth information indicates a channel bandwidth less than 2.16 GHz.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

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