Communication device, communication method, and program

Abstract

When a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth greater than 320 MHz is transmitted, the communication apparatus transmits the UHR MU PPDU, which includes a RU allot-1 subfield, a RU allot-2 subfield, and a RU allot-3 subfield, after the U-SIG. Further, in a case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth of 320 MHz is transmitted, the communication apparatus transmits, after the U-SIG, a UHR MU PPDU that includes the RU allot-1 subfield and the RU allot-2 subfield but does not include the RU allot-3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control technology for a wireless local area network (LAN). Background Art

[0002] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard is known as a communication standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs). As the current IEEE 802.11be standard in the IEEE 801.11 standard series is under development, a maximum frequency bandwidth of 320 MHz is considered as a measure for achieving a higher throughput than the throughput of the IEEE 802.11ax standard. There are four frequency bandwidths that have been conventionally used for wireless LANs, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism for wirelessly communicating with a plurality of terminals by using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technique in communications conforming to the IEEE 801.11 series of standards.

[0004] Citation List

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] PTL1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-050133 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] Many standards have been developed in the past, and new standards are expected to be developed in the future. In order to increase communication throughput, new standards are expected to use bandwidths exceeding 320 MHz considered in the 802.11be standard.

[0009] However, conventional wireless LAN standards do not define a mechanism for notifying a partner device of communications utilizing a frequency bandwidth exceeding 320 MHz. When performing multi-user communications, some of the bandwidth to be used (resource units or RUs) needs to be allocated to the partner device. However, the 802.11be standard and earlier standards define the maximum bandwidth of usable radio waves as 320 MHz. For communications in a frequency bandwidth exceeding 320 Mhz, there is no suitable method for allocating appropriate RUs to a partner device in the relevant bandwidth, or there is no suitable frame configuration for notifying the partner device of the allocation status.

[0010] The present invention has been implemented in view of at least one of the above problems. According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention is intended to enable a communication device capable of performing communication by using a bandwidth exceeding 320 MHz to transmit RU allocation information through an appropriate frame configuration.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication device includes: a transmitting unit configured to send an ultra-high reliability (UHR) multi-user (MU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including a legacy signal field (L-SIG) and a universal signal field (U-SIG), wherein, in a case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth exceeding 320Mhz is sent, the transmitting unit sends the UHR MU PPDU including an RU allocation-1 subfield, an RU allocation-2 subfield, and an RU allocation-3 subfield after the U-SIG, and wherein, in a case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth of 320Mhz is sent, the transmitting unit sends the UHR MU PPDU including an RU allocation-1 subfield and an RU allocation-2 subfield but not including an RU allocation-3 subfield after the U-SIG.

[0013] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, a communication device capable of performing communication by using a bandwidth greater than 320 MHz can transmit RU allocation information through an appropriate frame configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 An example of a network configuration of a wireless communication system is illustrated.

[0016] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 An example of the hardware configuration of the communication device is illustrated.

[0017] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 An example of a physical (PHY) frame structure of an ultra-high reliability physical layer protocol data unit (UHR PPDU) is illustrated.

[0018] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 An example of the correspondence between a resource unit (RU) allocation pattern and a RU allocation subfield is illustrated.

[0019] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 An example of the correspondence between the RU allocation mode and the RU allocation subfield is illustrated.

[0020] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 An example of a multiple resource unit (MRU) allocation mode and a combination of RUs is illustrated.

[0021] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7An example of the MRU allocation mode and RUs is illustrated.

[0022] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 An example of the MRU allocation mode and RUs is illustrated.

[0023] [ Fig. 9 ] Fig. 9 An example of the MRU allocation mode and RUs is illustrated.

[0024] [ Fig.10 ] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram illustrating content channels.

[0025] [ Fig.11 ] Fig.11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of the communication device 101 .

[0026] [ Fig.12 ] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following exemplary embodiments do not limit the present invention to the scope of the appended claims. Although multiple features are described in the exemplary embodiments, not all of the multiple features are indispensable to the present invention, and multiple features can be combined arbitrarily. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components, and their repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0028] <First Exemplary Embodiment>

[0029] Figure 1 An example configuration of a wireless communication network in a wireless communication system according to a first exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The wireless communication network includes an access point (AP) and three different stations (STA). AP 101 and STAs 102 to 104 are examples of communication devices. AP 101 and STAs 102 to 104 are collectively referred to as communication devices 101 to 104.

[0030] The AP 101 and STAs 102 to 104 compliant with IEEE802.11be are configured to perform wireless communications compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard and earlier standards. IEEE is an abbreviation for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The IEEE802.11be standard is also known as the Extremely High Throughput (EHT) standard based on the name of the Task Group (TG) responsible for standard development. According to this exemplary embodiment, IEEE802.11ax developed before 802.11be is referred to as the 6th generation standard or IEEE802.11GEN6 (or simply GEN6) that complies with Wi-Fi6 as an interoperability certification program supported by the relevant standards. Similarly, the IEEE802.11be standard is referred to as the 7th generation standard or IEEE802.11GEN7 (or simply GEN7) that complies with Wi-Fi7 (tentative name) as an applicable certification program.

[0031] AP 101 and STAs 102 to 104 are configured to perform wireless communications in accordance with a successor standard of the IEEE 802.11be standard that is intended for a maximum transmission rate of 46.08 Gbps - that is, a successor standard that is intended for a maximum transmission rate of more than 90 Gbps to 100 Gbps. The successor standard of IEEE 802.11be is referred to as the 8th generation standard or IEEE 802.11GEN8 (or simply GEN8) that complies with Wi-Fi 8 (tentative name) as an applicable certification program. The related successor standard is also referred to as a communication standard that complies with Wi-Fi 8.

[0032] As a new goal to be achieved, GEN8, which is a successor standard to IEEE802.11be, aims to support high-reliability communication and low-latency communication. The Ultra High Reliability (UHR) SG has been established as a study group (SG) to prepare for the development of related successor standards. This exemplary embodiment uses the abbreviated name "UHR" as the name for identifying a communication standard that complies with the above-mentioned successor standard.

[0033] The name UHR is conveniently provided in consideration of the objectives to be achieved by the successor standard and the characteristic features of the related standards. Therefore, when the standard is established, the name may be changed to another name. Note that the scope of this specification and the appended claims is substantially applicable to all successor standards of 802.11be, i.e., successor standards that can support wireless communications using a bandwidth exceeding 320Mhz.

[0034] According to the present exemplary embodiment, unless a specific device is specified, a communication device that provides an access point function is referred to as an "AP STA" or simply "AP" without a reference number. A station (terminal) connected to an access point is referred to as a "non-AP STA" or simply "STA". Non-AP is an abbreviation for non-access point.

[0035] An access point (eg, AP 101) supporting the communication standard compliant with GEN8 (Wi-Fi8) is referred to as a “UHR AP STA.” A station (terminal) supporting the communication standard compliant with GEN8 (Wi-Fi8) may be referred to as a “non-AP UHR STA.”

[0036] Although Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication network including one AP and three STAs is illustrated, but the wireless communication network may include more or less communication devices. For example, when communication is performed between STAs, there may be no AP. Figure 1 , circle 101 indicates the network coverage formed by AP 102. This coverage may include a larger or smaller range.

[0037] The communication devices 101 to 104 can perform communication in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and 7 GHz frequency bands. The communication devices 101 to 104 can operate in 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 480 MHz, and 640 MHz channel widths. However, at least one of the STAs 102 to 104 can operate only in 320 MHz or 480 MHz or lower channel widths.

[0038] The communication devices 101 to 104 may perform multi-user (MU) communication based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technology. The communication devices 101 to 104 may also perform MU communication based on multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) technology. In addition, the communication devices 101 to 104 may perform MU communication based on both OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies.

[0039] More specifically, AP 101 and multiple STAs among STAs 102 to 104 can perform simultaneous communication through one channel (including a channel with a combined channel width of 40 MHz or higher). In OFDMA technology, one channel is divided into multiple sub-channels called resource units (RUs), and each resource unit is allocated to a different STA (or an STA group including multiple STAs). Then, the AP and multiple STAs communicate with each other simultaneously through one channel by using the allocated RUs, thereby achieving multiple access. In MU-MIMO technology, which is a spatial multiplexing method, multiple spatial streams are formed by using multiple antennas, and each spatial stream is allocated to a different STA. The AP and multiple STAs communicate with each other simultaneously through one channel.

[0040] The communication devices 101 to 104 comply with the IEEE 802.11be standard (Wi-Fi 7 standard) and the GEN 8 standard as a successor standard, and may also comply with the IEEE 801.11 standard earlier than the IEEE 802.11be standard. More specifically, the communication devices 101 to 104 may comply with at least one of the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / standards.

[0041] In addition to the IEEE 801.11 standard series, the communication devices 101 to 104 may also comply with other communication standards, such as Near Field Communication (NFC), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and Multi-Band OFDM Alliance (MBOA). 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 Universal Serial Bus (USB), wireless 1394, and WiNET. The communication devices 101 to 104 may also comply with wired communication standards such as wired LAN.

[0042] Specific examples of the AP 101 include a wireless LAN router and a personal computer (PC), but are not limited thereto. The AP 101 may be an information processing device such as a wireless chip capable of performing wireless frame communication compliant with the UHR.

[0043] Specific examples of STAs 102 to 104 include cameras, tablets, smartphones, PCs, portable phones, video cameras, headsets, and smart glasses, but are not limited thereto. STAs 102 to 104 may be information processing devices such as wireless chips capable of performing wireless frame communications compliant with UHR.

[0044] Although Figure 1 The wireless network in FIG. 1 includes one AP and three different STAs, but the number of APs and STAs is not limited thereto. For example, the wireless network may also include other STAs. In this case, the number of channels and the channel width of the link to be established are not important.

[0045] (Device Configuration)

[0046] The following will refer to Figure 2 The hardware configurations of the communication devices 101 to 104 are described. Figure 2 An example of a hardware configuration of a communication device (AP and STA) is illustrated. As an example of a hardware configuration, each communication device 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. The communication device may have multiple antennas.

[0047] The storage unit 201 including at least one memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM) stores computer programs for performing various operations (described below) and stores various information such as 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 the memory (ROM and RAM), the storage unit 201 may also include a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, and other storage media. The storage unit 201 may also include a plurality of memories.

[0048] The control unit 202 includes at least one processor including a central processing unit (CPU) and a micro processing unit (MPU), and controls the entire communication device by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 201 .

[0049] The control unit 202 can control the entire communication device through cooperation between the computer program stored in the storage unit 201 and the operating system (OS). Therefore, the storage unit 201 and the control unit 202 configure a so-called computer. The control unit 202 also generates data and signals (radio frames) to be sent in communication with other communication devices. CPU is an abbreviation for central processing unit, and MPU is an abbreviation for microprocessing unit. The control unit 202 may also include a plurality of processors such as a multi-core processor that controls the entire AP 101 in a cooperative manner. The control unit 202 may be configured to perform a part of the processing by using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0050] The control unit 202 also controls the function unit 203 to perform wireless communication, imaging, printing, projection, and other predetermined processing. The function unit 203 is a hardware component used by the communication device to perform predetermined processing.

[0051] For example, if the communication device is a camera such as a digital still camera, the functional unit 203 is used as an imaging unit for capturing images of the surroundings via a camera unit (not shown) in the communication device. For example, if the communication device is a printer, the functional unit 203 is used as a printing unit for performing a printing process on a sheet such as paper. For example, if the communication device is a projector or smart glasses, the functional unit 203 is used as a projection unit for performing an image or video projection process on a projection surface. If the communication device is smart glasses, the projection surface is the retina of the end user. The data processed by the functional unit 203 includes data stored in the storage unit 201 and data received from communication devices such as other APs and STAs via the communication unit 206 (described below). In addition, communication devices such as AP 101 can also provide network storage functions such as network attached storage (NAS). Related functions are provided to other communication devices as web services such as network storage services. For example, other communication devices upload files to the relevant storage and download files to the relevant storage by connecting to the network storage service provided by the AP 101 using protocols such as Server Message Block (SMB), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV). Upload and download communications are also implemented between devices through wireless frame communications compliant with UHR.

[0052] The input unit 204 receives various operations from the user. The output unit 205 outputs various types of data to the user via the monitor screen and the speaker. The output of the output unit 205 may include a display on the monitor screen, an audio output to the speaker, and a vibration output. The input unit 204 and the output unit 205 may be implemented as a single module like a touch panel. Each of the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 may be integrated or separated from each communication device.

[0053] The communication unit 206 controls wireless frame communication conforming to UHR. In addition to wireless frame communication conforming to UHR, the communication unit 206 can also control wireless frame communication conforming to other IEEE801.11 series standards and control wired communication such as wired LAN. The communication unit 206 controls the antenna 207 to send and receive signals such as wireless frames for wireless communication generated by the control unit 202.

[0054] If the communication device complies with NFC or If the communication device can perform wireless communication in accordance with the above-mentioned multiple different communication standards, the communication device may include a communication unit and an antenna that conforms to the different communication standards. The communication device transmits image data, document data, and video data with other communication devices via the communication unit 206. The antenna 207 may be configured as a unit separate from the communication unit 206, or integrated with the communication unit 206 as a module.

[0055] Antenna 207 is capable of performing communication in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and 7 GHz frequency bands. AP 101 may be provided with one or more antennas, or different antennas may be provided for different frequency bands. If AP 101 is provided with multiple antennas, AP 101 may include communication units 206 corresponding to different antennas. According to this exemplary embodiment, at least AP 101 and any STA are provided with a set of two or more antennas for performing multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication. Although Figure 2 One antenna 207 is illustrated, but the communication device may include, for example, two or more (two or more groups of) antennas suitable for different frequency bands.

[0056] A configuration example of a radio frame compliant with UHR will be described below. Figure 3 An example of a UHR multi-user (MU) PPDU for multi-user communication transmitted by the communication device 101 is illustrated. PPDU is an abbreviation of a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit.

[0057] The radio frame UHR MU PPDU is a PPDU used by a communication device to perform multi-user communication (MU communication). This frame includes L-STF 301, L-LTF 302, L-SIG 303, RL-SIG 304, U-SIG 305, UHR-SIG 306, UHR-STF 307, and UHR-LTF 308 from the top. UHR-LTF 308 is followed by data 309 and packet extension 310. STF is an abbreviation for short training field, LTF is an abbreviation for long training field, and SIG is an abbreviation for signal. L- is an abbreviation for legacy, and L-SIG is an abbreviation for legacy signal field. L-STF is an abbreviation for legacy short training field. L-SIG is also called non-HT signal field. L-STF is also called non-HT STF. L-LTF is also called non-HT LTF. RL-SIG is an abbreviation for repeated legacy signal. RL-SIG is also called repeated non-HT signal. HT is an abbreviation for high throughput.

[0058] like Figure 3As shown in FIG, the top of the PPDU includes L-STF 301, L-LTF 302, and L-SIG 303, which are used to ensure backward compatibility with the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ax standards. The L-LTF is placed immediately after the L-STF, and the L-SIG is placed immediately after the L-LTF. The RL-SIG (Repeat L-SIG, RL-SIG) 304 is placed immediately after the L-SIG. With the RL-SIG 304, the content of the L-SIG is repeatedly transmitted. The RL-SIG allows the receiver to identify that the PPDU complies with the IEEE802.11ax standard and subsequent standards.

[0059] L-STF 301 is used for PHY frame signal detection, automatic gain control (AGC) and timing detection. L-LTF is used to synchronize frequency and time with high precision and obtain propagation channel information (channel state information (CSI)). L-SIG is used to send control information including information about data transmission rate and PHY frame length. Devices compliant with the IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ax / be standards and devices compliant with the GEN8 standard, which is a successor standard to the IEEE802.11be standard, can decode the above fields.

[0060] The PPDU includes a U-SIG 305 placed immediately after the RL-SIG 304. The Universal Signal Field (U-SIG) is a field for transmitting control information of each standard commonly used in the IEEE802.11be (GEN7) standard and subsequent standards. The U-SIG includes a bandwidth subfield indicating a bandwidth at which the PPDU is transmitted and a UHR-SIG MCS indicating an MCS of the UHR-SIG. The U-SIG includes control information such as a UHR-SIG Symbol Number subfield indicating the number of symbols of the UHR-SIG.

[0061] For example, the bandwidth subfield is formed of 3 bits. The communication device 101 stores a value corresponding to the bandwidth subjected to PPDU transmission in the relevant subfield. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the communication device 101 stores any one of the values ​​corresponding to 20Mhz, 40Mhz, 80Mhz, 160Mhz, 320Mhz-1, 320Mhz-2, 480Mhz, and 640Mhz. It is also possible to specify a value corresponding to a bandwidth overlapping a frequency band such as 480Mhz-1 and 480Mhz-2. In this case, the relevant subfield includes 4 bits or more.

[0062] The ultra-high reliability signal field (UHR-SIG) is placed immediately after the U-SIG. The UHR-SIG field includes control information that is not suitable for the U-SIG and control information to be notified to each user when multi-user transmission is performed. The UHR-SIG 406 is modulated using the MCS specified in the UHR-SIG MCS field in the U-SIG. After the UHR-SIG 306, the UHR-STF 306 as the STF for UHR and the UHR-LTF 607 as the LTF for UHR are placed. The UHR-LTF is information used for MIMO estimation and beamforming estimation. Multiple UHR-LTFs can be placed based on the number of MIMO antennas and the need for beamforming.

[0063] The UHR-SIG 306 , UHR-STF 307 , and UHR-LTF 308 fields included in the PPDU may be decoded by a communication device supporting UHR-based radio frame communication.

[0064] L-STF 301, L-LTF 302, L-SIG 303, RL-SIG 304, U-SIG 305, UHR-SIG 306, UHR-STF 307, and UHR-LTF 308 are collectively referred to as a PHY preamble.

[0065] The UHR-SIG 306 closely related to multi-user transmission will be described in more detail below. The UHR-SIG 306 includes two different fields: a common field and a user field. The user field includes control information for each user. The common field includes the subfields shown in Table 1 below.

[0066] [Table 1]

[0067]

[0068]

[0069] The common fields include the U-SIG Overflow subfield and the Multiple RU Allocation subfield.

[0070] The U-SIG overflow subfield stores control information that has not been stored in the U-SIG for use by IEEE802.11be and subsequent standards.

[0071] The RU Allocation subfield will be described below. Depending on the bandwidth to be used for communication, this subfield includes two different subfields, the RU Allocation-1 subfield and the RU Allocation-2 subfield.

[0072] The RU Allocation-1 subfield includes N x 9 bits, and the RU Allocation-2 subfield includes M x 9 bits. Both fields indicate RU allocation information.

[0073] Whether to place the RU Allocation-2 subfield and what the size of each RU allocation is may vary depending on the bandwidth used by the communication device 101 to send the UHR MU PPDU.

[0074] For example, when the RU Allocation-1 subfield indicates RU allocation for using a 20 MHz bandwidth, the relevant subfield includes 9 bits (N=1). The relevant 9-bit field indicates RU allocation in a 20 MHz bandwidth.

[0075] The 9-bit size is an example of a predetermined bit size required to represent an RU allocation in a 20Mhz bandwidth. The 9-bit size is also referred to as a predetermined number of bits. Although according to the present exemplary embodiment, the predetermined number of bits is 9, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. The values ​​of the multipliers N and M of the predetermined number of bits are determined by the transmission bandwidth of the UHR MU PPDU to be sent. Since the 9-bit size indicates an RU allocation for a 20Mhz bandwidth, the values ​​of N and M increase with the increased transmission bandwidth. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the sizes of RU Allocation-1 and RU Allocation-2 may vary according to the values ​​of N and M, and the communication device notifies the partner device of the RU allocation when using a bandwidth of 20Mhz or higher based on the concept "content channel" (described below).

[0076] This exemplary embodiment assumes the transmission of UHR-compliant radio frames using bandwidths up to 640 MHz.For bandwidths of 160 MHz or higher, the RU Allocation-2 subfield is also used to indicate RU allocation.

[0077] The values ​​of N and M are determined by the bandwidth to be used, and are set to values ​​corresponding to the bandwidth to be used for data communication. The correspondence between N and M and each bandwidth (20MHz band, 40MHz band, 80MHz band, 160MHz band, 320MHz band, 480MHz band, and 640MHz band) is shown in Table 1.

[0078] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The figure shows an example of the correspondence between the RU allocation mode and the RU allocation subfield. The RU allocation subfield includes at least 26 subcarriers. For example, a 20 MHz frequency band can be divided into 9 different RUs each including 26 subcarriers. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in , if the RU allocation subfield includes a bit stream "000000000", the bit stream indicates that the 20MHz bandwidth is divided into 9 different RUs each including 26 subcarriers. If the RU allocation subfield includes a bit stream "000000001", the bit stream indicates that the 20MHz bandwidth is divided into 7 different RUs each including 26 subcarriers and one RU including 52 subcarriers.

[0079] In the case where the RU allocation includes 242 or more subcarriers that comply with MU-MIMO communication, the bit stream of the RU allocation indicates the number of multiplexed STAs. For example, the description y2y1y0 (each of y0, y1, and y2 is 0 or 1) indicates that 2^2×y2+2^1×y1+y0+1 STAs are multiplexed with the allocated RU. In the case where the RU combination is represented by using a multi-resource unit (MRU) as a group of multiple RUs, the combination of the MRU index and RU of the relevant MRU type is applied. Figures 6 to 9 An example of a combination of an MRU index and an RU for each MRU type is illustrated. Assuming the use of a bandwidth of up to 640 MHz, the present exemplary embodiment represents a RU combination corresponding to a new RU allocation, an MRU type, an MRU index, and an MRU index. When determining an MRU to be used for transmission by a STA in uplink MU communication, the MRU index is determined by a value of the RU allocation field and a value included in a user field of a trigger frame indicating uplink communication. When determining an MRU to be used for reception by a STA in downlink MU communication, the MRU index is determined by a value of the RU allocation field of a UHR MU PPDU and a value included in a user field of a UHR-SIG. Reference will be made to Fig.11 Transmission control of UHR MU PPDU is described. The communication device 101 determines whether to transmit the UHR MU PPDU based on the amount of data to be transmitted with other communication devices, the capabilities of the other communication devices, and the number of communication devices to communicate.

[0080] When the communication device 101 determines to send a UHR MU PPDU, the communication device 101 executes Fig.11 The processing in the flowchart shown in . Fig.11 Each of the processes of the flowchart shown in is implemented when the processor of the control unit 202 executes the computer program stored in the storage unit 201. Some of the processes such as transmission and modulation are implemented when the processor of the control unit 202 operates in cooperation with the communication unit 206 and the ASIC, DSP or FPGA of the control unit 202.

[0081] In step S1101, the control unit 202 of the communication device determines a transmission bandwidth subject to UHR MU PPDU transmission based on the amount of data to be transmitted with other communication devices, the capabilities of other communication devices, and the number of communication devices to be communicated. When the control unit 202 of the communication device completes the process for determining the transmission bandwidth, the process proceeds to step S1102.

[0082] In step S1102, in cooperation with the communication unit 206, the control unit 202 of the communication device generates a UHR MU PPDU including an RU allocation subfield corresponding to the transmission bandwidth, and transmits the UHR MU PPDU to the outside via the antenna. The processing will be described in more detail below. The communication device 101 determines the size of the RU to be allocated to other communication devices in the transmission bandwidth determined in step S1101. This determination is made to allow the transmission bandwidth to be allocated to the other communication devices. Figures 4 to 9 The indexes shown in the table represent the combinations. Figures 4 to 9 The communication device 101 configures at least one RU allocation subfield to implement an index corresponding to a combination of RUs allocated to each of the communication devices. This process enables information about RU allocation applicable to bandwidths up to 640 MHz to be stored in the RU allocation subfield.

[0083] The communication device 101 appropriately configures other values ​​of the UHR-SIG based on the communication condition and the communication setting to generate the UHR-SIG. The communication device 101 also appropriately configures the U-SIG, L-SIG, and other fields based on the communication condition and the communication setting to generate the UHR MU PPDU, and transmits the generated UHR MU PPDU using the transmission bandwidth determined in step S1001. In this case, the communication device 101 includes data (MAC frame) of other communication devices multiplexed in the frequency domain in the data field of the UHR MU PPDU.

[0084] Reception control will be described below: An example case where the communication device 101 (AP 101) includes data of the STAs 102 to 104 in a UHR MU PPDU of a 20 MHz transmission bandwidth and transmits the UHR MU PPDU.

[0085] STAs 102 to 104 decode the U-SIG 305 and UHR-SIG 306 fields included in the UHR MU PPDU received from the AP 101. Since the bandwidth of the UHR MU PPDU in the above example is 20 MHz, the RU allocation-1 subfield in the common field consists of 9 bits. STAs 102 to 104 interpret the data from the AP 101 according to the RU allocation indicated by the RU allocation-1 subfield and the control information of each STA included in the user field. If the data includes data indicating a trigger frame for uplink transmission, each STA starts communication when a short interframe space (SIFS) has passed since the reception of the trigger frame. More specifically, each STA sends a radio frame called a UHR TB PPDU to the AP 101, which has data stored in the frequency domain corresponding to the RU allocated by the trigger frame. TB PPDU is an abbreviation for trigger-based PPDU.

[0086] The following will refer to Fig.10 Describe the content channel of UHR-SIG. When using a bandwidth exceeding 20 MHz, the communication device 101 notifies the communication partner of the RU allocation status by transmitting UHR-SIG with different contents using a mechanism called a content channel.

[0087] Fig.10 An example configuration of a content channel in a communication using a 640 MHz transmission bandwidth is illustrated. The RU Allocation subfield indicates an RU allocation with 242 subcarriers per 9 bits. A 20-MHz subband is equivalent to an RU with 242 subcarriers. More specifically, the RU Allocation subfield indicates an RU allocation with a 20-MHz subband per 9 bits.

[0088] In communications using the 640 MHz band, AP 101 divides the bandwidth into 20-MHz sub-bands and allocates RUs to each sub-band. Although the 640 MHz band can be divided into 32 20-MHz sub-bands, the RU allocation subfields of all sub-bands are not included in one UHR-SIG field. Fig.10 As shown in , the AP 101 generates and transmits a first UHR-SIG field having RU allocation information for odd-numbered sub-bands in frequency order, and generates and transmits a second UHR-SIG field having RU allocation information for even-numbered sub-bands.

[0089] In the odd subchannel, AP 101 transmits the first UHR-SIG every 9 bits, and the first UHR-SIG indicates the RU allocation for each of the 1st subband, the 3rd subband, the 5th subband, the 7th subband, the 9th subband, the 11th subband, the 13th subband, the 15th subband, the 17th subband, the 19th subband, the 21st subband, the 23rd subband, the 25th subband, the 27th subband, the 29th subband and the 31st subband.

[0090] In addition to the UHR-SIG field indicating RU allocation of the odd 20-MHz sub-band, the AP 101 also transmits a second UHR-SIG field indicating RU allocation of the even 20-MHz sub-band. In the even sub-channel, the AP 101 transmits the second UHR-SIG field every 9 bits, and the second UHR-SIG field indicates RU allocation for each of the 2nd sub-band, the 4th sub-band, the 6th sub-band, the 8th sub-band, the 10th sub-band, the 12th sub-band, the 14th sub-band, the 16th sub-band, the 18th sub-band, the 20th sub-band, the 22nd sub-band, the 24th sub-band, the 26th sub-band, the 28th sub-band, the 30th sub-band, and the 33rd sub-band.

[0091] In summary, the first UHR-SIG field transmitted by using an odd sub-band functions as a first channel for transferring information contents indicating a first RU allocation state. The first UHR-SIG field transmitted by using an even sub-band functions as a second channel for transferring information contents indicating a second RU allocation state.

[0092] The STA can properly interpret the first UHR-SIG field and the second UHR-SIG field transmitted in each channel and obtain RU allocation information for 640Mhz.

[0093] In order to indicate the RU allocation of 16 sub-bands in this way, two RU allocation-1 subfields require 18 bits and 14 RU allocation-2 subfields require 126 bits, that is, a total of 144 bits are required. In communications using the 640MHz band, the AP 101 sends the first UHR-SIG field and the second UHR-SIG field including the RU allocation-1 and RU allocation-2 subfields formed by 144 bits to the STAs 102 to 104. A total of 288 bits of information enables notification of information about the RU allocation of the 640Mhz bandwidth. Depending on the modulation method and coding rate of the UHR-SIG field, the RU allocation-2 subfield can be divided into multiple different codewords.

[0094] The following will briefly describe the case of sending UHR MU PPDUs of other bandwidths. When sending a MUPPDU with a 40Mhz bandwidth, the communication device sends a first UHR-SIG field to the sub-band on the lower frequency side of the 40Mhz bandwidth, and the first UHR-SIG field includes an RU allocation-1 subfield indicating the RU allocation status in the relevant sub-band. This subfield is formed by 9 bits. The communication device also sends a second UHR-SIG field to an even sub-band or a second sub-band, i.e., a sub-band on the higher frequency side of the -40Mhz bandwidth, and the second UHR-SIG field includes an RU allocation-1 subfield indicating the RU allocation status in the relevant sub-band. This subfield is also formed by 9 bits.

[0095] Similarly, when other bandwidths of N=2 are used, the communication device generates and transmits a UHR-SIG-B field having RU allocation information for odd sub-bands, and generates and transmits a UHR-SIG-B field having RU allocation information for even sub-bands. The bandwidth of N=2 includes 80MHz band, 160MHz band, 160MHz band, 320MHz band, 480MHz band, and 640MHz band.

[0096] In this way, the AP 101 generates and transmits a UHR MU PPDU including the RU Allocation-1 subfield or both the RU Allocation-1 subfield and the RU Allocation-2 subfield based on the transmission bandwidth. This process enables the AP 101 to notify the STAs 102 to 104 of the RU allocation information.

[0097] The STAs 102 to 104 receive and interpret the UHR MU PPDU including the RU Allocation-1 subfield or including both the RU Allocation-1 subfield and the RU Allocation-2 subfield. This process enables each STA to acquire RU allocation information.

[0098] Each RU allocation subfield of the UHR-SIG is a field included in the UHR MU PPDU but not included in other types of PPDUs. For example, the RU allocation subfield is not included in the UHR Extended Range (ER) SU PPDU transmitted in a single user communication with an extended communication distance. The RU allocation subfield is also not included in the above-mentioned UHR TB PPDU.

[0099] The RU allocation indicated by the bit stream of the RU allocation subfield according to the present exemplary embodiment will be regarded as illustrative. The RU allocation indicated by the bit stream of the RU allocation subfield may be partially different from the RU allocation according to the present exemplary embodiment.

[0100] <Second Exemplary Embodiment>

[0101] The first exemplary embodiment has been described above centering on an example of storing RU allocation information in RU allocation-1 and RU allocation-2 in the UHR-SIG of the preamble before notification. The second exemplary embodiment will be described below centering on a mechanism for using RU allocation-3 and notifying RU allocation information in the preamble to facilitate interoperability with the IEEE802.11be standard.

[0102] The configuration of the communication system and various hardware configurations are similar to those of the communication system according to the first exemplary embodiment. Descriptions similar to those according to the first exemplary embodiment will be appropriately omitted.

[0103] Table 2 illustrates an example of a common field including three different RU allocation subfields according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0104] [Table 2]

[0105]

[0106]

[0107] The common field includes RU allocation-1 subfield, RU allocation-2 and RU allocation-3 subfield. These subfields indicating RU allocation information are formed by N×9, M×9 and L×9 bits, respectively. The correspondence between the multipliers (N, M and L) and the bandwidths (20MHz band, 40MHz band, 80MHz band, 160MHz band, 320MHz band, 480MHz band and 640MHz band) is illustrated in Table 2.

[0108] The present exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in that the sizes of the RU Allocation-1 subfield and the RU Allocation-2 subfield are the same as those in the IEEE 802.11be standard which is a previous generation communication standard.

[0109] If the bandwidth of the UHR MU PPDU transmitted by the communication device 101 is lower than 40 MHz, the communication device 101 indicates RU allocation only by using RU Allocation-1 like the first exemplary embodiment. If the bandwidth of the UHR MU PPDU transmitted by the communication device 101 is equal to or higher than 160 MHz and equal to or lower than 320 MHz, the communication device 101 indicates RU allocation by using the RU Allocation-1 subfield and the RU Allocation-2 subfield.

[0110] If the bandwidth used exceeds 320 MHz, the communication device 101 indicates RU allocation by making RU allocation - 1, RU allocation - 2, and RU allocation - 3. For example, if the bandwidth is 640 MHz, the multipliers are N=2, M=6, and L=8.

[0111] According to the first exemplary embodiment, if the communication bandwidth is 640 MHz, the multipliers are N=2 and M=14. The value N+M according to the first exemplary embodiment is equal to the value N+M+L according to the second exemplary embodiment. More specifically, even when RU allocation is represented by RU allocation-1, RU allocation-2, and RU allocation-3, the total number of bits used to represent RU allocation is the same as the total number of bits according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0112] The correspondence between the allocation mode and the RU allocation subfield, and the Fig.10 The mechanism by which the first UHR-SIG and the second UHR-SIG notify the RU allocation information of 640 MHz described above may be similar to those according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0113] As described above, the present exemplary embodiment makes it possible to notify information about RU allocation in 480MHz and 640MHz bandwidths by using a method similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment. Depending on the modulation method and coding rate of the UHR-SIG, the RU Allocation-3 subfield may be divided into two different symbols before transmission. In addition, when the RU Allocation-3 subfield is divided into two different symbols before transmission, the name of the subfield may be changed to a different name. In this case, for example, the communication device 101 generates a first symbol including the RU Allocation-3 subfield for storing up to 54 bits (9 bits × 6) of information. Then, the communication device 101 generates a second symbol including the RU Allocation-4 subfield for storing up to 54 bits (9 bits × 6) of information.

[0114] <Modification>

[0115] The exemplary embodiments have been described above centering on a method for notifying RU allocation information having a larger bandwidth by increasing the size of the RU allocation subfield in the SIG field. However, using other methods makes it possible to notify RU allocation information having a larger bandwidth.

[0116] According to the above exemplary embodiment, the communication device 101 transmits the first UHR-SIG by using an odd subchannel and transmits the second UHR-SIG by using an even subchannel to perform data multiplexing in the frequency domain and notify the RU allocation information. This variant example notifies the RU allocation information by using four different channels so that the RU allocation information of 640Mhz can be notified without increasing the number of RU allocation subfields. The structure of the RU allocation field is similar to the structure of the RU allocation-1 field and the RU allocation-2 field according to the second exemplary embodiment. In other words, this variant example adopts a structure of the RU allocation field similar to the structure of the RU allocation field of the 802.11be standard.

[0117] The following will refer to Fig.12 Describe the specific method. Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment for notifying RU allocation information of 640 MHz using a preamble.

[0118] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the communication device 101 transmits a first UHR-SIG field indicating RU allocation of the 1st, 5th, 9th, 13th, 17th, 21st, 25th, and 29th 20-MHz sub-bands by using a first sub-channel configured with a 640Mhz bandwidth. The communication device 101 transmits a second UHR-SIG field indicating RU allocation of the 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 22nd, 26th, and 30th 20-MHz sub-bands by using a second sub-channel configured with a 640Mhz bandwidth. The communication device 101 transmits a third UHR-SIG field indicating RU allocation of the 3rd, 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 27th, and 31st 20-MHz sub-bands by using a third sub-channel configured with a 640Mhz bandwidth. The communication device 101 transmits the fourth UHR-SIG field indicating RU allocation of the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th, 28th, and 32nd 20-MHz sub-bands by using the fourth sub-channel configured with a 640Mhz bandwidth. The communication device 100 repeatedly transmits the fourth UHR-SIG field for the following four channels: Fig.12 The four different content channels 1201 shown in FIG. 1201 enable notification of RU allocation of 640 Mhz. Therefore, the communication device can also notify RU allocation of bandwidth exceeding 320 Mhz by increasing the number of content channels.

[0119] When sending a UHR MU PPDU with a 480Mhz bandwidth, a similar mechanism makes it possible to send the first UHR-SIG to the third UHR-SIG by using the first subchannel to the third subchannel. In either case, RU allocation information for up to eight 20-Mhz subchannels (RU allocation information for 160Mhz bandwidth) is stored in each UHR-SIG.

[0120] Although according to the above exemplary embodiment, the AP 101 is an AP in the network, the AP 101 may be a device that also operates as a STA. More specifically, the AP 101 may be a device that has both a capability as a UHR AP STA and a capability as a UHR non-AP STA. In this case, the AP 101 performs data communication with another communication device of the frame transmission source by using the RU indicated by the RU allocation subfield included in the UHR-SIG of the received UHR MU PPDU.

[0121] In addition, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the PHY frame of the UHR MU PPDU includes a legacy field that can be decoded by a communication device conforming to the IEEE801.11 series standard earlier than the IEEE802.11be standard, but the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. More specifically, the PHY frame of the UHR MU PPDU may not include L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, and RL-SIG. In this case, the PHY frame of the UHR MU PPDU includes UHR-STF, UHR-LTF, U-SIG, UHR-SIG, UHR-LTF, data field, and data packet extension from the top.

[0122] Each field name, bit position, and number of bits according to the present exemplary embodiment are not limited to those described in the present exemplary embodiment. Similar information may be stored in a PHY frame with different field names, different positions, and different number of bits.

[0123] <Other Exemplary Embodiments>

[0124] Although the present invention has been described above based on exemplary embodiments, the present invention can be implemented, for example, as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a recording medium (storage medium). More specifically, the present exemplary embodiment is also applicable to a system including multiple devices (e.g., a host computer, an interface device, an imaging device, and a Web application) or an apparatus including one device.

[0125] The present invention may also be implemented when a program for implementing at least one of the functions according to the above exemplary embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or storage medium and at least one processor in a computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. The present invention may also be implemented by a circuit (such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for implementing at least one function.

[0126] (Other Exemplary Embodiments)

[0127] The present invention may also be implemented when a program for implementing at least one of the functions according to the above exemplary embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or storage medium and at least one processor in a computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. The present invention may also be implemented by a circuit (such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for implementing at least one function.

[0128] The present invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments, and can be modified and altered in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the following claims are attached to disclose the scope of the present invention.

[0129] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-125626 filed on August 5, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: A transmitting unit configured to transmit an ultra high reliability (UHR) multi-user (MU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including a legacy signal field (L-SIG) and a universal signal field (U-SIG), Wherein, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth exceeding 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including a RU allocation-1 subfield, a RU allocation-2 subfield, and a RU allocation-3 subfield after the U-SIG, and In which, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth of 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including the RU Allocation-1 subfield and the RU Allocation-2 subfield but not including the RU Allocation-3 subfield after the U-SIG.

2. A communication device, comprising: A transmitting unit configured to transmit a UHR multi-user (MU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including a legacy signal field (L-SIG) and a universal signal field (U-SIG), Wherein, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth of 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including an RU allocation-1 subfield and an RU allocation-2 subfield including a predetermined number of bits after the U-SIG, and Wherein, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth exceeding 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including an RU Allocation-1 subfield and an RU Allocation-2 subfield including a number of bits at least greater than the predetermined number of bits after the U-SIG. 3 . The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitting unit comprises an antenna to be used for transmitting the UHR MUPPDU.

4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the RU allocation-1 subfield included after the U-SIG is included in a common field of an ultra-high reliability signal field (UHR-SIG) which is a codeword after the U-SIG.

5. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication device is an access point.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, The RU Allocation-1 subfield includes the number of predetermined bits required to indicate the RU allocation in the subband multiplied by N. where the multiplier N is 1 for 20 MHz and 40 MHz bandwidths, and 2 for 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 480 MHz, and 640 MHz bandwidths, wherein the RU Allocation-2 subfield includes the predetermined number of bits multiplied by M, where the multiplier M is 2 for 160 MHz bandwidth and 6 for 320 MHz bandwidth, and Where the RU Allocation-3 subfield is 4 for 480 MHz bandwidth and 8 for 640 MHz bandwidth.

7. The communication device according to claim 2, The RU Allocation-1 subfield includes the number of predetermined bits required to indicate the RU allocation in the subband multiplied by N. where the multiplier N is 1 for 20 MHz and 40 MHz bandwidths, and 2 for 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 480 MHz, and 640 MHz bandwidths, wherein the RU Allocation-2 subfield includes the predetermined number of bits multiplied by M, and Where the multiplier M is 2 for 160 MHz bandwidth, 6 for 320 MHz bandwidth, 10 for 480 MHz bandwidth, and 14 for 640 MHz bandwidth.

8. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: In the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth exceeding 40 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits a UHR MU PPDU including first RU allocation information in a UHR-SIG transmitted in a first sub-band for transmitting the UHR MU PPDU and including second RU allocation information different from the first RU allocation information in a UHR-SIG to be simultaneously transmitted in a second sub-band.

9. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the communication device has a network storage function.

10. A method for controlling a communication device, the method comprising: Sending an ultra-high reliability (UHR) multi-user (MU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including a legacy signal field (L-SIG) and a universal signal field (U-SIG), Wherein, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth exceeding 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including a RU allocation-1 subfield, a RU allocation-2 subfield, and a RU allocation-3 subfield after the U-SIG, and In which, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth of 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including the RU Allocation-1 subfield and the RU Allocation-2 subfield but not including the RU Allocation-3 subfield after the U-SIG.

11. A method for controlling a communication device, the method comprising: Sending a UHR multi-user (MU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) including a legacy signal field (L-SIG) and a universal signal field (U-SIG), Wherein, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth of 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including an RU allocation-1 subfield and an RU allocation-2 subfield including a predetermined number of bits after the U-SIG, and Wherein, in the case where a UHR MU PPDU having a bandwidth exceeding 320 MHz is transmitted, the transmitting unit transmits the UHR MU PPDU including an RU Allocation-1 subfield and an RU Allocation-2 subfield including a number of bits at least greater than the predetermined number of bits after the U-SIG. 12 . A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a communication device according to claim 10 or 11 .

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