Wireless communication control apparatus and wireless communication control method

Abstract

The present technology pertains to a wireless communication control device and a wireless communication control party that enable transmission in a wireless communication control device using a large number of transmission antennas when there is a wireless communication control device that controls communication for the same wireless terminal device in addition to a wireless communication control device that is not connected to a large number of transmission antennas and a method. The wireless communication unit includes a communication control unit that controls communication for the console device and controls transmission of the video information to the station device in cooperation with another wireless communication unit that controls communication for the console device. This technology can be applied, for example, to a wireless communication system or the like provided with: a console device including a communication control unit that controls communication with an AP device via a fronthaul link and another communication control unit that controls communication with a station device via a P2P link; and another station device that performs communication with the AP device via the fronthaul link.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present technology relates to a wireless communication control device and a wireless communication control method, and relates to a wireless communication control device and a wireless communication control method that enable performing transmission in a wireless communication control device using a large number of transmission antennas when there is a wireless communication control device that controls communication for the same wireless terminal device in addition to a wireless communication control device that is not connected to a large number of transmission antennas. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, expectations for next-generation applications using extended reality (XR) technology such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are increasing. It is currently assumed that a use case of such next-generation applications is a wired connection between a console device that generates video information and a head-mounted display (HMD) that displays the video.

[0003] However, in recent years, wireless kit products that do not require a wire connecting a console device and an HMD have been commercialized, and it is predicted that a trend toward a complete wireless connection between a console device and an HMD will accelerate in the future.

[0004] A console device generally includes a chip of a wireless local area network (LAN), and acts as a wireless terminal device that acquires information from an access point device installed by a user. Therefore, if a wireless terminal device other than the console device is connected to the access point device, wireless communication between the console device and the HMD competes with wireless communication between the access point device and the wireless terminal device. This can prevent some frequency bands from being used in wireless communication between the console device and the HMD.

[0005] However, since it is necessary to transmit video information having a large amount of data with low latency between the console device and the HMD, it is necessary to use a high-capacity transmission of a wide area channel. As a result, the following problems arise: throughput between the console device and the HMD decreases, or transmission delay increases due to waiting for transmission.

[0006] In this regard, a technology is needed that can maintain sufficient transmission quality even if an access point device and a console device simultaneously perform transmission in the same frequency resource.

[0007] An example of such a technology includes a coordinated beamforming (Co-BF) technology. If the Co-BF technology is used, the access point device and the console device each form a beam, and suppresses reception power observed by a transmission destination of the other (forms NULL), to thereby reduce interference. This allows the access point device and the console device to be able to maintain sufficient transmission quality even if they simultaneously perform transmission in the same frequency resource.

[0008] It should be noted that the formation of NULL in the Co-BF technique requires a large number of transmission antennas. However, in a console device or a wireless terminal device such as a wireless kit product, it can be difficult to install a large number of transmission antennas due to limitations in the device configuration.

[0009] On the other hand, there is a technology called Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio in which an antenna or an amplifier of one of two station devices belonging to the same Multi-Link Device (MLD) is used by the other station device (see Non-Patent Literature 1, for example). This technology enables simultaneous execution of multi-link operation and MIMO transmission with a simple configuration.

[0010] List of Citations

[0011] Non-Patent Literature

[0012] Non-Patent Literature 1: “Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio Operation”, IEEE 802.11-20 / 0562r7 SUMMARY

[0013] Technical Problem

[0014] There has not been designed a technology of performing transmission in a wireless communication control device using a large number of transmission antennas when there exists a wireless communication control device that controls communication for the same wireless terminal device in addition to a wireless communication control device that is not connected to a large number of transmission antennas.

[0015] The present technology is proposed in view of the circumstances as described above, and enables performing transmission in a wireless communication control device using a large number of transmission antennas when there exists a wireless communication control device that controls communication for the same wireless terminal device in addition to a wireless communication control device that is not connected to a large number of transmission antennas.

[0016] Solution to Problem

[0017] The wireless communication control device according to one aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication control device including a communication control section that controls communication for a first wireless terminal device and controls transmission of first data to a second wireless terminal device in cooperation with another wireless communication control device that controls communication for the first wireless terminal device.

[0018] The wireless communication control method according to one aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication control method for a wireless communication control apparatus, the method including a communication control step of controlling communication for a first wireless terminal device and controlling transmission of first data to a second wireless terminal device in cooperation with another wireless communication control apparatus that controls communication for the first wireless terminal device.

[0019] In one aspect of the present technology, when controlling communication for a first wireless terminal device, transmission of first data to a second wireless terminal device is controlled in cooperation with another wireless communication control apparatus that controls communication for the first wireless terminal device.

[0020] The wireless communication control apparatus can be a stand-alone apparatus, or can be a module incorporated in another apparatus.

[0021] Note that the wireless communication control apparatus according to one aspect of the present technology can be realized by causing a computer to execute a program.

[0022] Further, in order to realize the wireless communication control apparatus according to the first and second aspects of the present technology, the program executed by a computer can be provided by being transmitted via a transmission medium or recorded on a recording medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system to which the present technology is applied.

[0024] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an AP device.

[0025] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a console device.

[0026] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a station device.

[0027] Figure 5 is a diagram for describing an effect of a wireless communication system.

[0028] Figure 6 is another diagram for describing an effect of a wireless communication system.

[0029] Figure 7 is a flowchart for describing a wireless communication process.

[0030] Figure 8 is a flowchart for describing a setup process.

[0031] Figure 9 is a diagram for describing a first example of a detection process.

[0032] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a second example for describing a detection process.

[0033] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure of an SSDC setup report.

[0034] Figure 12 is a flowchart for describing a first example of a sounding process.

[0035] Figure 13 is a flowchart for describing a second example of a sounding process.

[0036] Figure 14 is a flowchart for describing a coordinated transmission process.

[0037] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure of a coordination request.

[0038] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure of a coordination response.

[0039] Figure 17 is a diagram for describing a first example of an SSDC preparation process.

[0040] Figure 18 is a diagram for describing a second example of an SSDC preparation process.

[0041] Figure 19 is a diagram for describing a third example of an SSDC preparation process.

[0042] Figure 20 is a diagram for describing a fourth example of an SSDC preparation process.

[0043] Figure 21 is a diagram for describing a fifth example of an SSDC preparation process.

[0044] Figure 22 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Embodiments (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) for implementing the present technology will be described below. Note that the description will be given in the following order.

[0046] 1. One embodiment (wireless communication system)

[0047] 2. Computer

[0048] <1. One embodiment>

[0049] Figure 1is a diagram showing a configuration example of one embodiment of a wireless communication system to which the present technology is applied.

[0050] Figure 1 The wireless communication system 10 includes a single access point (AP) device 11, a single console device 12, and two station devices 13 and 14.

[0051] The AP device 11 is a wireless terminal device that functions as a base station and performs wireless communication with the console device 12 and the station device 14. The console device 12 is a wireless terminal device that performs wireless communication with the AP device 11 and the station device 13.

[0052] The station device 13 is a display device such as an HMD. The station device 13 is a wireless terminal device that functions as a slave device and performs wireless communication with the console device 12. The station device 13 receives video information from the console device 12 and displays a video based on the video information.

[0053] The station device 14 is a wireless terminal device that functions as a slave device and performs wireless communication with the AP device 11. The station device 14 downloads or uploads data via the AP device 11, for example.

[0054] Note that, hereinafter, a link indicated by a solid arrow shown in Figure 1 indicates a link that connects the AP device 11 and the console device 12 and a link that connects the AP device 11 (third wireless terminal device) and the station device 14 (fourth wireless terminal device) to perform wireless communication, and each of the links is called a Fronthaul link (second link). Figure 1 A link indicated by a dashed arrow shown in

[0055] In the wireless communication system 10 configured as described above, the AP device 11 and the console device 12 perform transmission in the same channel at the same time by using the Co-BF technology. Hereinafter, such transmission will be called coordinated transmission.

[0056] Note that the configuration of the wireless communication system 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 1 as long as there are a plurality of wireless terminal devices that establish a connection and there is a wireless terminal device that functions as a peripheral terminal device for each of the plurality of wireless terminal devices. The positional relationship between the wireless terminal devices in the wireless communication system 10 is not particularly limited.

[0057] <Configuration example of AP device>

[0058] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the AP device 11 shown in Figure 1 .

[0059] The AP device 11 includes four antennas 30-1 to 30-4, a wireless communication section 31, a control section 32, a storage section 33, and a wide area network (WAN) communication section 34.

[0060] The wireless communication section 31 performs wireless communication with the console device 12 and the station device 14 connected to the wireless communication section 31 via a front-haul link. Specifically, the wireless communication section 31 includes a communication control section 41, a communication storage section 42, a data processing section 43, a signal processing section 44, a wireless interface section 45, and amplification sections 46-1 to 46-4.

[0061] The communication control section 41 controls the operation of each section of the wireless communication section 31 and the exchange of information between the sections, to control wireless communication with the console device 12 and the station device 14. For example, the communication control section 41 supplies data packets supplied from the control section 32 to the communication storage section 42 as transmission packets, and causes the communication storage section 42 to store these data packets. The communication control section 41 supplies reception packets supplied from the data processing section 43 to the communication storage section 42, and causes the communication storage section 42 to store these packets. The communication control section 41 also generates control information and management information to be notified to the console device 12 and the station device 14, and supplies the control information and management information to the data processing section 43.

[0062] The communication storage section 42 stores information to be used in the communication control section 41. The communication storage section 42 stores transmission packets supplied from the communication control section 41 in a built-in transmission buffer. The communication storage section 42 stores reception packets supplied from the communication control section 41 in a built-in reception buffer.

[0063] The data processing section 43 performs sequence management of transmission packets, control information, and management information supplied from the communication control section 41. The data processing section 43 performs encoding and modulation and the like on the transmission packets, control information, and management information, adds a medium access control (MAC) header and an error detection code thereto, and generates MAC frames (PSDUs (PLCP (Physical Layer Convergence Protocol) Service Data Units)). The data processing section 43 performs processing of coupling a plurality of generated MAC frames and the like, and supplies the resulting MAC frames to the signal processing section 44.

[0064] The data processing section 43 performs decoupling of a MAC header, analysis such as demodulation and decoding, error detection, and retransmission request on MAC frames supplied from the signal processing section 44. The data processing section 43 supplies data packets obtained as a result of analyzing the MAC frames to the communication control section 41 as reception packets.

[0065] The signal processing section 44 performs encoding, interleaving, modulation, and the like on the MAC frame supplied from the data processing section 43, adds a physical header, and generates a symbol stream. The signal processing section 44 supplies the symbol stream to the wireless interface section 45.

[0066] The signal processing section 44 analyzes the physical header supplied from the wireless interface section 45, and performs demodulation, deinterleaving, decoding, and the like on the symbol stream, and generates a MAC frame. At this time, the signal processing section 44 estimates a complex channel characteristic as necessary and performs spatial separation processing. The signal processing section 44 supplies the generated MAC frame to the data processing section 43.

[0067] The wireless interface section 45 performs digital-to-analog signal conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and phase control on the symbol stream supplied from the signal processing section 44, to generate a transmission signal. The wireless interface section 45 supplies the transmission signal to at least one of the amplification sections 46-1 to 46-4.

[0068] The wireless interface section 45 performs down-conversion, filtering, and analog-to-digital signal conversion on the reception signal supplied from at least one of the amplification sections 46-1 to 46-4, to generate a symbol stream. The wireless interface section 45 supplies the symbol stream to the signal processing section 44.

[0069] The amplification sections 46-1 to 46-4 are connected to the antennas 30-1 to 30-4, respectively. Note that if it is not necessary to distinguish the amplification sections 46-1 to 46-4, they will be collectively referred to as the amplification section 46 hereinafter. The antennas 30-1 to 30-4 are also collectively referred to as the antennas 30.

[0070] The amplification section 46 amplifies the transmission signal supplied from the wireless interface section 45, and transmits the resulting signal from the antenna 30 connected to the amplification section 46. The amplification section 46 amplifies the reception signal that is a signal received by the antenna 30 connected to the amplification section 46, and supplies the resulting signal to the wireless interface section 45. Some of the constituent elements of the amplification section 46 can be provided outside the amplification section 46. For example, some of the constituent elements of the amplification section 46 can be included in the wireless interface section 45.

[0071] Note that in the example of Figure 2 The AP device 11 includes four sets of the amplification sections 46 and the antennas 30, and implements 4 x 4 MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), but the number of sets is not limited to four. As the number of sets of the amplification sections 46 and the antennas 30 increases, a higher-dimensional MIMO becomes possible.

[0072] In the example of Figure 2 The number of sets of the data processing section 43, the signal processing section 44, and the wireless interface section 45 included in the AP device 11 is one, but the number of sets can be more than one. The AP device 11 can perform wireless communication in parallel via multiple links or multiple channels by providing a plurality of these sets.

[0073] The wireless communication section 31 can include a single integrated circuit (IC) or a plurality of ICs. For example, if the wireless communication section 31 includes a plurality of ICs, the wireless interface section 45 and the other sections are formed by separate ICs.

[0074] The control section 32 controls the entire AP device 11. For example, the control section 32 controls the WAN communication section 34 to receive a data packet, and supplies the data packet to the storage section 33 to store it therein. The control section 32 reads a data packet from the storage section 33, and supplies the data packet to the communication control section 41. The control section 32 reads a reception packet from the communication storage section 42 via the communication control section 41, and supplies the reception packet to the storage section 33 to store it therein. The control section 32 reads a reception packet, and supplies the reception packet to the WAN communication section 34 to transmit it.

[0075] The control section 32 can perform a part of the control by the communication control section 41 instead of the communication control section 41. For example, the control section 32 can exchange a data packet directly with the data processing section 43. The communication control section 41 and the control section 32 can be integrated into a single section.

[0076] The storage section 33 stores information to be used in the wireless communication section 31 and the control section 32. For example, the storage section 33 stores a data packet received from the WAN communication section 34. The storage section 33 can perform a part of the actions of the communication storage section 42 instead of the communication storage section 42. The storage section 33 and the communication storage section 42 can be integrated into a single section. The storage section 33 can exchange a data packet directly with the communication storage section 42 and the data processing section 43.

[0077] The WAN communication section 34 decodes a data packet received via a WAN (backhaul), and supplies the resultant data packet to the control section 32. The format of the data packet supplied to the control section 32 can be a format in which an Internet Protocol (IP) header is reserved (access point mode) or a format in which the IP header is removed (router mode). If the format of the data packet supplied to the control section 32 is the format in which the IP header is removed, the WAN communication section 34 removes the IP header after decoding it. The WAN communication section 34 transmits a reception packet supplied from the control section 32 via the WAN.

[0078] <Configuration example of console device>

[0079] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the console device 12 shown in Figure 1

[0080] Figure 3 ​The console device 12 includes four antennas 60-1 to 60-4, two wireless communication units 61 and 62, a control unit 63, a storage unit 64, and a video generation unit 65.

[0081] Wireless communication unit 61 (wireless communication control device) performs wireless communication with AP device 11 connected to wireless communication unit 61 via a fronthaul link. Wireless communication unit 61 also cooperates with wireless communication unit 62 to perform wireless communication with station device 13 (second wireless terminal device) connected to wireless communication unit 62 via a P2P link.

[0082] Specifically, the wireless communication unit 61 includes a communication control unit 71, a communication storage unit 72, a data processing unit 73 (modulation unit), a signal processing unit 74 (modulation unit), a wireless interface unit 75, and amplifier units 76-1 and 76-2. Amplifier units 76-1 and 76-2 are connected to antennas 60-1 and 60-2, respectively.

[0083] Besides the communication partner being AP device 11 and cooperating with wireless communication unit 62 to transmit to station device 13, the processing of each part of wireless communication unit 61 and... Figure 2 The processing of each part of the wireless communication unit 31 is similar, so its description will be omitted.

[0084] The wireless communication unit 62 (wireless communication control device) performs wireless communication with the station device 13 connected to the wireless communication unit 62 via a P2P link. The wireless communication unit 62 also cooperates with the wireless communication unit 61 to perform transmissions to the station device 13. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 62 includes a communication control unit 81, a communication storage unit 82, a data processing unit 83 (modulation unit), a signal processing unit 84 (modulation unit), a wireless interface unit 85, and amplifier units 86-1 and 86-2. Amplifier units 86-1 and 86-2 are connected to antennas 60-3 and 60-4, respectively.

[0085] Except that the communication partner is station device 13 and it cooperates with wireless communication unit 61 to perform transmission to station device 13, the processing of each part of wireless communication unit 62 is similar to that of each part of wireless communication unit 31, so its description will be omitted.

[0086] Note that in Figure 3 In the example shown, the wireless communication unit 62 is located inside the console device 12, but it can be located outside the console device 12. In this case, the console device 12 and the wireless communication unit 62 are connected via cables such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) and High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (registered trademark).

[0087] The control section 63 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and controls the entire console apparatus 12. For example, the control section 63 acquires, via the communication control section 71, data packets received from the AP apparatus 11 and stored in the communication storage section 72 as reception packets, and supplies the data packets to the storage section 64 to store them therein. The control section 63 acquires, via the communication control section 81, data packets received from the station apparatus 13 and stored in the communication storage section 82 as reception packets, and supplies the data packets to the storage section 64 to store them therein.

[0088] The control section 63 analyzes the reception packets stored in the storage section 64 and gives an instruction on video processing to the video generation section 65. The control section 63 supplies, as transmission packets, data packets of video information supplied from the video generation section 65 in response to the instruction to the storage section 64 to store them therein. The control section 63 reads these transmission packets and supplies them to the communication control sections 71 and 81 for controlling communication of the console apparatus 12 (the first wireless terminal apparatus), and causes the communication control sections 71 and 81 to transmit these packets to the station apparatus 13 in cooperation with each other.

[0089] Note that the control section 63 can directly exchange transmission packets and reception packets with the data processing sections 73 and 83.

[0090] The storage section 64 stores reception packets supplied from the control section 63. The storage section 64 stores transmission packets supplied from the control section 63. Note that if direct memory access (DMA) is enabled in the console apparatus 12, the storage section 64 can directly exchange transmission packets and reception packets with the communication storage section 72, the data processing section 73, the communication storage section 82, the data processing section 83, and the like.

[0091] The video generation section 65 includes, for example, a graphics processing unit (GPU). The video generation section 65 performs video processing such as rendering processing or compression processing based on an instruction from the control section 63, generates video information to be transmitted to the station apparatus 13, and supplies it to the control section 63. Note that in the present embodiment, the information transmitted from the console apparatus 12 to the station apparatus 13 is video information, but it can be information other than video information.

[0092] In the following description, if it is not particularly necessary to distinguish the antennas 60-1 to 60-4, they will be collectively referred to as the antennas 60.

[0093] <Configuration example of station apparatus>

[0094] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the station apparatus 13 shown in Figure 1 FIG. 13.

[0095] The station device 13 includes a wireless communication section 101, a control section 102, a storage section 103, a display section 104, and an input section 105.

[0096] The wireless communication section 101 performs wireless communication with the console device 12 via a P2P link. Specifically, the wireless communication section 101 includes a communication control section 111, a communication storage section 112, a data processing section 113, a signal processing section 114, a wireless interface section 115, and amplification sections 116-1 and 116-2. The amplification sections 116-1 and 116-2 are connected to the antennas 100-1 and 100-2, respectively. The processing of the sections of the wireless communication section 101 is similar to that of the wireless communication section 31 of the console device 12 except that the communication partner is the console device 12. Figure 2 The processing of the sections of the wireless communication section 31 of the console device 12 is similar to that of the wireless communication section 101 of the station device 13, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] The control section 102 controls the entire station device 13. For example, the control section 102 receives instruction information indicating a user's instruction on video processing from the input section 105, and supplies data packets of the instruction information as transmission packets to the storage section 103 to store them therein. The control section 102 reads the transmission packets from the storage section 103, and supplies them to the communication control section 111.

[0098] The control section 102 reads the reception packets from the communication storage section 112 via the communication control section 111, and supplies them to the storage section 103 to store them therein. The control section 102 reads the reception packets from the storage section 103, and decompresses, analyzes, and the like the reception packets, and supplies the resulting video information to the display section 104 to display it.

[0099] The control section 102 can perform a part of the control by the communication control section 111 instead of the communication control section 111. For example, the control section 102 can directly exchange transmission packets and reception packets with the data processing section 113. The communication control section 111 and the control section 102 can be integrated into a single section.

[0100] The storage section 103 stores information to be used in the wireless communication section 101 and the control section 102. For example, the storage section 103 stores the transmission packets supplied from the control section 102. The storage section 103 stores the reception packets supplied from the control section 102. The storage section 103 can perform a part of the actions of the communication storage section 112 instead of the communication storage section 42. The storage section 103 and the communication storage section 112 can be integrated into a single section. The storage section 103 can directly exchange transmission packets and reception packets with the communication storage section 112 and the data processing section 113.

[0101] The display section 104 includes, for example, a display. The display section 104 performs display based on the video information supplied from the control section 102. Note that the display section 104 can perform a part of the actions of the display section 44 instead of the display section 44. Figure 3The video generation section 65 executes a part of the processing of the video generation section 65. In this case, for example, the video generation section 65 generates information that is a basis for rendering processing as video information, and the display section 104 executes rendering processing based on the video information.

[0102] The input section 105 accepts an instruction from a user regarding video processing, and supplies instruction information indicating the instruction to the control section 102.

[0103] In the following description, if it is not particularly necessary to distinguish between the antennas 100-1 and 100-2, they will be collectively referred to as the antennas 100.

[0104] Note that the station device 14 differs from the station device 13 in that the communication partner is the AP device 11, and the contents of the reception packet and the transmission packet and the instruction information match the functions of the station device 14. In other respects, the configuration of the station device 14 is similar to that of the station device 13. Therefore, the illustration and the description of the configuration of the station device 14 will be omitted.

[0105] For example, the reception packet in the station device 14 is a data packet of download data, the transmission packet is a data packet of upload data, and the instruction information is information indicating an instruction regarding download or upload of data.

[0106] <Effects of the wireless communication system>

[0107] Figure 5 And Figure 6 is a diagram for describing the effects of the wireless communication system 10 shown in Figure 1

[0108] Note that in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the two antennas provided to the station device 14 are the antennas 131-1 and 131-2. In the following description, if it is not particularly necessary to distinguish between the antennas 131-1 and 131-2, they will be collectively referred to as the antennas 131.

[0109] In the wireless communication system 10, there are two links having different characteristics, that is, a fronthaul link and a P2P link. Wireless communication between the console device 12 and the station device 13 via the P2P link generally needs to transmit video information having a large amount of information with low latency, and thus many frequency resources are required.

[0110] On the other hand, if the station device 14 is executing an application such as a video content or a first person shooting (FPS) game, it is also necessary to transmit a large amount of download data with low latency in wireless communication between the AP device 11 and the station device 14 via the fronthaul link. Therefore, a large amount of frequency resources is required in this case.

[0111] ​However, in the wireless communication system 10, the front-haul link and the P2P link are used in the same channel. In this case, the front-haul link and the P2P link each perform time-division transmission according to a Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) protocol, which makes it difficult to perform high-capacity, low-latency transmission.

[0112] In this regard, in the wireless communication system 10, a Co-BF technique in Multi-AP Coordination is used as a technique that allows the front-haul link and the P2P link to simultaneously perform transmission in the same channel.

[0113] Specifically, in the wireless communication system 10, as shown in Figure 5 the AP device 11 transmits data to the station device 14 and also forms a NULL (beam) to the station device 13 that is a transmission destination of the console device 12. Meanwhile, the console device 12 transmits a data packet to the station device 13 and also forms a NULL to the station device 14. This allows the AP device 11 and the console device 12 to simultaneously perform transmission in the same channel.

[0114] Compared with other coordinated Tx techniques such as Coordinated Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Coordinated Spatial Reuse (SR), the Co-BF technique can be expected to provide a higher transmission capacity improvement effect. The Co-BF technique does not need to perform data sharing or transmission weight sharing between the wireless terminal devices of the transmission sources as in the case of Joint Tx techniques.

[0115] Incidentally, since the AP device 11 includes four antennas 30-1 to 30-4, it can form a beam having strong directivity. Therefore, the AP device 11 can transmit data to the station device 14 and also form a NULL to the station device 13.

[0116] On the other hand, in the console device 12, the number of antennas 60 connected to the wireless communication section 62 of the station device 13 is two, which is the same as the number of antennas 100 (130) of the station device 13 (14). Therefore, it is difficult to form a beam having strong directivity using only the antennas 60 of the wireless communication section 62. Therefore, the wireless communication section 62 cooperates with another wireless communication section 61 that controls communication of the console device 12 to perform wireless communication with the station device 13. This allows the four antennas 60 connected to the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 to be used for wireless communication with the station device 13. Therefore, the console device 12 can form a beam having strong directivity. As a result, the console device 12 can transmit data to the station device 13 and also form a NULL to the station device 14.

[0117] In contrast, as shown in Figure 6If the wireless communication section 62 does not perform wireless communication with the station device 13 in cooperation with the wireless communication section 61, only the antenna 60 of the wireless communication section 62 is used to perform wireless communication with the station device 13, as shown. Therefore, the console device 12 is difficult to transmit data to the station device 13 and also forms NULL to the station device 14. As a result, the wireless communication between the console device 12 and the station device 13 interferes with the wireless communication between the AP device 11 and the station device 14.

[0118] As described above, in the wireless communication system 10, the wireless communication section 61 and the wireless communication section 62 cooperate to perform wireless communication with the station device 13. Therefore, the console device 12, which does not include many antennas as antennas for wireless communication with the station device 13, can transmit data to the station device 13 and also form NULL to the station device 14. Since it is generally difficult to secure a large area as a mounting area for the antenna 60 and the wireless communication section 62, it is useful to need less antenna 60 connected to the wireless communication section 62.

[0119] Note that if the wireless communication system 10 can secure many frequency resources and allocate different frequency resources to the fronthaul link and the P2P link, the fronthaul link and the P2P link can perform high-capacity, low-latency wireless communication without interfering with each other. However, if the use of some frequency bands is restricted by many other wireless terminal devices or other wireless communication systems existing around, it is difficult to allocate different frequency resources to the fronthaul link and the P2P link.

[0120] The beam formed by the AP device 11 to the station device 13 and the beam formed by the console device 12 to the station device 14 do not necessarily have to be NULL beams, as long as the beam reduces interference power.

[0121] <Description of Wireless Communication Processing>

[0122] Figure 7 is a flowchart for describing wireless communication processing in which the AP device 11 and the console device 12 in the wireless communication system 10 perform coordinated transmission.

[0123] In Figure 7 Step S11, the wireless communication system 10 performs a setting process. Details of the setting process will be described below with reference to Figure 8

[0124] In step S12, the wireless communication system 10 performs a probe process.

[0125] ​In IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11-2016 and IEEE 802.11ax, a basic sounding process between an AP device and a station device is standardized. The sounding process required for generating a transmission weight for wireless communication using a Co-BF technique and a joint Tx technique is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-047547. In the wireless communication system 10, a sounding process similar to the sounding process described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-047547 is performed. Details of the sounding process in step S12 will be described below with reference to Figure 12 and Figure 13 Details of the sounding process in step S12 will be described below with reference to

[0126] In step S13, the wireless communication system 10 performs a coordinated transmission process. The coordinated transmission process is performed when the AP device 11 or the wireless communication section 62 obtains a transmission right. Details of the coordinated transmission process will be described below with reference to Figure 14 Details of the coordinated transmission process will be described below with reference to

[0127] <Description of Setting Process>

[0128] Figure 8 is a flowchart of the setting process of step S11 for describing Figure 7

[0129] In step S31 of Figure 8 , the AP device 11 and the station device 14 perform a front link setting process to set a front link. Specifically, the AP device 11 transmits a beacon, and the station device 14 detects the AP device 11 by receiving the beacon. Then, the AP device 11 and the station device 14 perform a simple authentication process by exchanging an authentication request and an authentication response, and perform a connection process by exchanging an association request and an association response. After the connection process is completed, the AP device 11 and the station device 14 perform IEEE 802.1x authentication or encryption key generation using a 4-way handshake, and the like.

[0130] Note that the AP device 11 does not need to transmit a beacon by itself, and the station device 14 can transmit a probe request to the AP device 11, and the AP device 11 can transmit a probe response in response to the probe request. In this case, the station device 14 detects the AP device 11 by receiving the probe response from the AP device 11.

[0131] In step S32, the AP device 11 and the wireless communication section 61 perform a front link setting process similar to the front link setting process of step S31.

[0132] ​In step S33, the wireless communication unit 62 performs P2P link setting processing to set up a P2P link with the station device 13. The P2P link setting processing differs from the fronthaul link setting processing in step S31 in that the AP device 11 is replaced by the wireless communication unit 62, and the station device 14 is replaced by the station device 13; other aspects are likely similar to the fronthaul link setting processing. First, the wireless communication unit 62 and the station device 13 can each perform fronthaul link setting processing with the AP device 11. Then, the wireless communication unit 62 and the station device 13 can perform P2P link setting processing under the guidance of the AP device 11.

[0133] The processes from steps S31 to S33 can be executed simultaneously or at different times.

[0134] In step S34, wireless communication unit 61 and wireless communication unit 62 perform detection processing (same device STA detection) to detect each other as another wireless communication unit controlling communication for console device 12. The following will refer to... Figure 9 and Figure 10 Describe the details of the detection and processing.

[0135] In step S35, wireless communication units 61 and 62 perform SSDC (Same Device Coordination, STA) setting processing to exchange SSDC parameters as parameters for SSDC processing. SSDC processing is a process in which wireless communication units 61 and 62, which perform communication for console device 12, cooperate to perform transmission to station device 13. This SSDC processing is similar to joint Tx processing, which performs transmission using joint Tx technology; however, the difference between joint Tx processing and SSDC processing is that joint Tx processing is performed within a single wireless communication unit.

[0136] The SSDC parameters include at least the capability information, connection information, and authentication information of station devices 13 and 14. During the SSDC configuration process, DMA settings for enabling storage unit 64 can be performed on station devices 13 and 14. The exchange of SSDC parameters can be performed via the bus within the control console device 12 or wirelessly.

[0137] In step S36, the wireless communication unit 61 sends an SSDC setting report to the AP device 11, and the AP device 11 receives the SSDC setting report. The AP device 11 determines the transmission parameters during the coordinated transmission period based on the SSDC setting report. The following will refer to... Figure 11 Describes the frame structure of the SSDC setup report.

[0138] In step S37, the AP device 11 sends an ACK signal to the wireless communication unit 61, and the wireless communication unit 61 receives the ACK signal. Then, the setup process ends.

[0139] Note that, Figure 8 The processing of each step of the process of FIG. 34 does not necessarily have to be performed continuously, or the order of the processing can be changed. For example, the detection processing of step S34 and the SSDC setting processing of step S35 can be performed before the P2P link setting processing of step S33 is performed. The SSDC setting processing of step S35 can be performed at the timing at which the application starts or the amount of traffic to be transmitted to the station device 13 or 14 changes after the processing of steps S31 to S33 is performed. The setting for coordinated transmission between the AP device 11 and the wireless communication section 62 can be performed before the SSDC setting processing of step S35 is performed.

[0140] <First Example of Detection Processing>

[0141] Figure 9 is a view for describing Figure 8 a first example of the detection processing of step S34 of

[0142] In the detection processing of Figure 9 , the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 exchange connection-related information via the control section 63 to detect each other as another wireless communication section that controls the communication of the console device 12.

[0143] Specifically, the communication control section 71 of the wireless communication section 61 supplies AP device authentication connection information as connection-related information in the wireless communication section 61 to the control section 63. The AP device authentication connection information includes information related to the authentication processing included in the authentication request received from the AP device 11 in the front haul link setting processing of step S32 of Figure 8 , information related to the connection processing included in the association request, and other information.

[0144] The control section 63 supplies the AP device authentication connection information to the wireless communication section 62. The communication control section 81 of the wireless communication section 62 acquires the AP device authentication connection information supplied from the control section 63 to detect the wireless communication section 61 as another wireless communication section that controls the communication of the console device 12. In other words, the communication control section 81 detects the wireless communication section 61 as a collaboration partner in the SSDC processing.

[0145] The communication control section 81 supplies station device authentication connection information as connection-related information in the wireless communication section 62 to the control section 63. The station device authentication connection information includes information related to the authentication processing and the connection processing received from the station device 13 in the P2P link setting processing of step S33 of Figure 8 , and other information.

[0146] The control section 63 supplies the station device authentication connection information to the wireless communication section 61. The communication control section 71 of the wireless communication section 61 acquires the station device authentication connection information supplied from the control section 63 to detect the wireless communication section 62 as another wireless communication section that controls communication for the console device 12. In other words, the communication control section 71 detects the wireless communication section 62 as a cooperative partner in the SSDC process.

[0147] Note that the AP device authentication connection information and the station device authentication connection information can have a frame structure defined by IEEE 802.11, or can have other frame structures. The control section 63 can store the acquired AP device authentication connection information and the station device authentication connection information in the storage section 64. In this case, the control section 63 reads the AP device authentication connection information stored in the storage section 64 to supply it to the wireless communication section 62, and reads the station device authentication connection information to supply it to the wireless communication section 61.

[0148] <Second Example of Detection Process>

[0149] Figure 10 is a diagram for describing Figure 8 a second example of the detection process of step S34.

[0150] In the detection process of Figure 10 the wireless communication section 61 wirelessly transmits random number information to be shared with the wireless communication section 62 so that the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 detect each other as another wireless communication section that controls communication for the console device 12.

[0151] Specifically, the control section 63 notifies the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 of the random number information (seed value), and causes the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 to share the random number information. The wireless communication section 61 wirelessly transmits the random number information on a beacon signal. The wireless communication section 62 receives the beacon signal. If the random number information transmitted on the beacon signal is the same as the random number notified by the control section 63, the communication control section 81 of the wireless communication section 62 detects the wireless communication section 61 as another wireless communication section that controls communication for the console device 12.

[0152] Then, the wireless communication section 62 wirelessly transmits the station device authentication connection information to the wireless communication section 61. The communication control section 71 of the wireless communication section 61 receives the station device authentication connection information, and thereby detects the wireless communication section 62 as another wireless communication section that controls communication for the console device 12. Then, the wireless communication section 61 wirelessly transmits the AP device authentication connection information to the wireless communication section 61, and the wireless communication section 62 receives the AP device authentication connection information.

[0153] In the detection process of Figure 10In the example of FIG. 6, the wireless communication section 61 wirelessly transmits the beacon signal to the wireless communication section 62, but the wireless communication section 62 can transmit the beacon signal to the wireless communication section 61. In this case, after the AP device authentication connection information is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication section 61, the station device authentication connection information is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication section 62.

[0154] As described above, in the detection processing of Figure 9 , wireless communication between the wireless communication section 61 and the wireless communication section 62 is not required to be performed, so that the detection processing of Figure 9 can be implemented with low communication cost.

[0155] In contrast, in the detection processing of Figure 10 , the control section 63 only needs to notify the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 of the random number information, so that the detection processing is easy to implement. In the detection processing of Figure 10 , even if the wireless communication section 62 is located outside the console device 12, the station device authentication connection information can be easily supplied to the wireless communication section 61.

[0156] In the console device 12, one of the detection processing of Figure 9 and the detection processing of Figure 10 may be implemented, or both of the detection processing can be implemented and selectively executed. The detection processing to be implemented in the console device 12 can be selected by, for example, a developer of the console device 12. This allows the developer of the console device 12 to flexibly implement the detection processing in consideration of the difficulty of implementation and improvement of characteristics. If the detection processing of Figure 9 and the detection processing of Figure 10 are selectively executed, the selection can be made by a user, or can be made based on a congestion state of a transmission path or the like.

[0157] <Example of frame structure of SSDC setup report>

[0158] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure of an SSDC setup report.

[0159] In the example of Figure 11 , the SSDC setup report has a frame structure of an action frame specified in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0160] In the SSDC setup report of Figure 11 , fields of Frame Control, Duration, RA, TA, Frame Body, and FCS (Frame Check Sequence) are sequentially set.

[0161] In the frame control, information indicating that the SSDC setup report is set as a type of frame is stored. In the duration, information indicating a transmission period of radio waves for transmitting the SSDC setup report is stored. In the RA, the address of the AP device 11 is stored as the address of the wireless terminal device that receives the SSDC setup report. In the TA, the address of the wireless communication section 61 is stored as the address of the wireless terminal device that transmits the SSDC setup report.

[0162] In the frame body, fields of the category, the SSDC enable flag, the SDC link STA information, the SSDC setup status, and the like are set in this order.

[0163] In the SSDC enable flag, information indicating whether or not the SSDC processing can be performed is stored. In the SSDC link information, information related to the wireless communication section 62 that performs the SSDC processing with the wireless communication section 61 is stored. The information includes identification information (STA AID) of the wireless communication section 62, operation channel information (primary channel), a modulation method (MCS), encryption key information, capability information, and the like. In the SSDC setup status, information related to the SSDC processing is stored. The information includes, for example, information indicating whether or not information can be exchanged between the wireless communication section 62 and the control console device 12. In the FCS, information on an error correction code is stored.

[0164] Note that the SSDC setup report only needs to include the SSDC enable flag, the SSDC link information, and the SSDC setup status. The data structure of the SSDC setup report is not limited to the frame structure of the Figure 11 . For example, the SSDC setup report can have a frame structure of a MAC frame other than the action frame, or can have a data structure of a transmission control protocol (TCP) / Internet protocol (IP) packet (frame).

[0165] <First Example of Probe Processing>

[0166] Figure 12 is a flowchart of the first example of the probe processing for describing Figure 7 Step S12.

[0167] Note that in the example of Figure 12 , it is assumed that the operation channels of the wireless communication sections 61 and 62, that is, the operation channels (primary channels) of the front link and the P2P link are different. This also applies to the case in Figure 13 below.

[0168] In Step S51 of Figure 12 , the AP device 11 transmits a probe request to the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 by using the OFDMA technique.

[0169] In step S61, the wireless communication section 61 receives the probe request transmitted in the process of step S51. In step S71, the wireless communication section 62 receives the probe request transmitted in the process of step S51.

[0170] In step S62, the wireless communication section 61 transmits a null data packet (NDP) announcement (NDP-A) in the operating channel. The NDP-A includes the identifiers of the station apparatuses 13 and 14 that want to estimate the channel matrix, the number of antennas 60, and the like as the probe-related information. In step S81, the station apparatus 14 receives the NDP-A transmitted in the process of step S62.

[0171] In step S72, the wireless communication section 62 transmits an NDP-A in the operating channel, which is the same as the NDP-A transmitted in the process of step S62. In step S91, the station apparatus 13 receives the NDP-A transmitted in the process of step S72.

[0172] In step S73, the wireless communication section 62 wirelessly transmits a probe trigger to the wireless communication section 61. In step S63, the wireless communication section 61 receives the probe trigger wirelessly transmitted in the process of step S73. As described above, the probe trigger is transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61 so that the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 can establish synchronization for the subsequent processes of steps S64 and S74.

[0173] Note that, in the example of Figure 12 , the probe trigger is transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61, but the probe trigger can be transmitted from the wireless communication section 61 to the wireless communication section 62.

[0174] In step S64, the wireless communication section 61 transmits an NDP as a known signal for training. Concurrently with the process of step S64, the wireless communication section 62 transmits an NDP in step S74.

[0175] In step S82, the station apparatus 14 receives the NDPs transmitted in the processes of steps S64 and S74 and estimates the channel matrix. In step S92, the station apparatus 13 receives the NDPs transmitted in the processes of steps S64 and S74 and estimates the channel matrix.

[0176] Note that, in the NDPs transmitted in the processes of steps S64 and S74, a different sequence is used as an orthogonal sequence multiplied to a long training field (LTF) portion of the back portion of the signal for each of the antennas 60 that transmits the NDP. This allows the station apparatus 13 (14) to separate the signals transmitted from the respective antennas 60 from the received signals. As a result, the station apparatus 13 (14) can estimate the channel matrix of each combination of the antennas 60 and the antennas 100 (131).

[0177] In step S65, the wireless communication section 61 transmits the BFRP trigger in the operation channel. The BFRP trigger contains information required for transmitting the BF report indicating the channel matrix of each of the combinations in the same operation channel using the OFDMA technique. In step S83, the station device 14 receives the BFRP trigger transmitted in the process of step S65.

[0178] In step S84, the station device 14 transmits the BF report indicating the estimated channel matrix of each of the combinations in the operation channel based on the BFRP trigger received in the process of step S83. In step S66, the wireless communication section 61 receives the BF report transmitted in the process of step S84 in the operation channel, and calculates the transmission weight during the coordinated transmission based on the BF report.

[0179] In steps S75 and S76 and S93 and S94, similar processes to those of steps S65 and S66 and S83 and S84 are performed between the wireless communication section 62 and the station device 13.

[0180] Note that if there is only one channel matrix to be estimated by the station device 13 (14), the BFRP trigger is not required. In other words, in this case, the processes of steps S65, S75, S83, and S93 are not performed. The BF report can not be the channel matrix itself, or can be information required for the wireless communication section 61 or 62 to generate the transmission weight for the coordinated transmission generated based on the channel matrix.

[0181] In step S67, the wireless communication section 61 transmits the BF report received in the process of step S66 to the wireless communication section 62. In step S77, the wireless communication section 62 receives the BF report transmitted in the process of step S67. Then, the sounding process ends.

[0182] Note that the processes of steps S67 and S77 can be performed wirelessly, but when it is performed via the bus within the console device 12, the overhead can be reduced.

[0183] As described above, in the sounding process of Figure 12 the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 both operate as a beamformer that collects the BF report. Therefore, the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 can collect the BF report in parallel. As a result, the collection time can be reduced.

[0184] Note that in the sounding process of Figure 12In the example of FIG. 6, the operating channels of the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 are different, but can be the same. In this case, in step S51, the AP device 11 transmits the probe request in each of the operating channels of the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 without using the OFDMA technology. The processes of steps S62 and S72 are performed simultaneously.

[0185] <Second Example of Probe Process>

[0186] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a second example of the probe process of step S12. Figure 7 In the probe process of

[0187] , the wireless communication section 61 does not operate as a beamformer that collects BF reports. Figure 13

[0188] Specifically, in step S151, the AP device 11 transmits the probe request to the wireless communication section 62. In step S161, the wireless communication section 62 receives the probe request transmitted in the process of step S151.

[0189] In step S162, the wireless communication section 62 transmits an NDP-A in the operating channels of the fronthaul link and the P2P link by using the OFDMA technology, the NDP-A being the same as the NDP-A transmitted in the process of step S62. In step S171, the station device 14 receives the NDP-A transmitted in the process of step S162. In step S181, the station device 13 receives the NDP-A transmitted in the process of step S162. Figure 12

[0190] In step S163, the wireless communication section 62 wirelessly transmits a probe trigger including information related to the probe process to the wireless communication section 61. In step S191, the wireless communication section 61 receives the probe trigger wirelessly transmitted in the process of step S163. As described above, the probe trigger is notified from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61 so that the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 can share information related to the probe and establish synchronization for the subsequent processes of steps S192 and S164.

[0191] The processes of steps S192, S164, S172, and S182 are similar to the processes of steps S64, S74, S82, and S92 of Figure 12 , and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0192] In step S165, the wireless communication section 62 transmits a BFRP trigger in the operating channels of the fronthaul link and the P2P link by using the OFDMA technology, the BFRP trigger being the same as the BFRP trigger transmitted in the process of step S64. Figure 12 ​​The BFRP trigger sent in step S65 is similar. In step S173, station device 14 receives the BFRP trigger sent in step S165. In step S183, station device 13 receives the BFRP trigger sent in step S165.

[0193] In step S174, as in Figure 13 As in step S84, station device 14 sends a BF report in the operation channel based on the BFRP trigger received in step S173. In step S184, as in step S94, station device 13 sends a BF report in the operation channel based on the BFRP trigger received in step S173.

[0194] In step S166, the wireless communication unit 61 receives the BF report sent in step S174 in the operation channel of the fronthaul link, and also receives the BF report sent in step S184 in the operation channel of the P2P link. The wireless communication unit 61 calculates the transmission weight during coordinated transmission based on these BF reports. Then, the probing process ends.

[0195] As mentioned above, in Figure 13 In the detection processing, only the wireless communication unit 62 operates as a beamformer that collects BF reports. Therefore, even if the wireless communication unit 61 does not have the function of operating as a beamformer, the detection processing can still be performed.

[0196] <Description of Coordinated Sending Processing>

[0197] Figure 14 It is used to describe Figure 7 The flowchart for step S13, the coordinated transmission process.

[0198] When AP device 11 obtains the right to transmit as the owner of a transmission opportunity (TXOP), Figure 14 The coordinated sending process begins.

[0199] In step S251, the AP device 11 sends a coordination request containing information required for coordinated transmission to the wireless communication unit 62. The following will refer to... Figure 15 The frame structure describing the coordination request is described. In step S261, the wireless communication unit 62 receives the coordination request sent in the processing of step S251.

[0200] In step S262, the wireless communication unit 62, in response to the coordination request received in step S261, sends a coordination response containing information required for coordinated transmission to the AP device 11. The following will refer to... Figure 16 Describe the frame structure of the coordinated response.

[0201] In step S252, the AP device 11 receives the coordination response transmitted in the process of step S262. The AP device 11 determines whether or not the coordinated transmission can be performed based on the coordination response. In Figure 14 In the example shown, the AP device 11 determines that the coordinated transmission can be performed. In this case, the AP device 11 determines the transmission parameters and the like during the coordinated transmission based on the coordination response.

[0202] In steps S271 and S263, the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 perform an SSDC preparation process for preparing the SSDC process to be performed between the wireless communication sections 62 and 61. The SSDC preparation process is a process in which the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 share the video information to be transmitted and the transmission parameter information (SSDC parameter information) related to the video information to be transmitted. Details of the SSDC process will be described later with reference to Figure 17 to Figure 21

[0203] Note that the AP device 11 waits for the coordinated transmission during the period of the SSDC preparation process. Information indicating the time required for the SSDC preparation process, i.e., the waiting time, is included in the coordination response. The AP device 11 can avoid performing all the transmissions, or can perform the transmission other than the coordinated transmission while waiting for the coordinated transmission.

[0204] After the waiting time ends, in step S253, the AP device 11 transmits a coordination trigger as a synchronization signal to the wireless communication sections 61 and 62. In step S272, the wireless communication section 61 receives the coordination trigger transmitted in the process of step S253. In step S264, the wireless communication section 62 receives the coordination trigger transmitted in the process of step S253. The coordination trigger synchronizes the time and the frequency of the AP device 11 and the wireless communication sections 61 and 62. Note that the coordination trigger can be transmitted from the wireless communication section 61 to the AP device 11 and the wireless communication section 62.

[0205] After the time synchronization and the frequency synchronization are performed, the AP device 11 and the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 perform the coordinated transmission.

[0206] Specifically, in step S273, the wireless communication section 61 performs the coordinated transmission based on the coordination trigger received in step S272. Specifically, the communication control section 71 cooperates with the wireless communication section 62 to transmit the video information to be transmitted (first data) to the station device 13, and also controls the sections to form NULL to the station device 14.

[0207] ​In parallel with the processing of step S273, in step S265, the wireless communication section 62 performs coordinated transmission based on the coordination trigger received in step S264. Specifically, the communication control section 81 cooperates with the wireless communication section 61 to transmit the video information to be transmitted to the station apparatus 13, and also controls the sections to form NULL to the station apparatus 14 to perform coordinated transmission.

[0208] In parallel with the processing of steps S273 and S265, in step S254, the AP apparatus 11 transmits the predetermined data (second data) to the station apparatus 14, and also forms NULL to the station apparatus 13 to perform coordinated transmission.

[0209] In step S291, the station apparatus 13 receives the video information transmitted in the processing of steps S273 and S265. In step S292, the station apparatus 13 transmits Ack (Block Ack) to the wireless communication section 62. In step S266, the wireless communication section 62 receives the ACK transmitted in the processing of step S292.

[0210] On the other hand, in step S281, the station apparatus 14 receives the predetermined data transmitted in the processing of step S254. In step S282, the station apparatus 14 transmits Ack to the AP apparatus 11. In step S255, the AP apparatus 11 receives the Ack transmitted in the processing of step S282. Then, the coordinated transmission processing ends.

[0211] Note that if the coordinated transmission processing is started when the wireless communication section 62 becomes the TXOP owner, the coordination request is transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the AP apparatus 11, and the coordination response is transmitted from the AP apparatus 11 to the wireless communication section 62.

[0212] In Figure 7 step S13, the coordinated transmission processing can be Figure 14 processing other than the coordinated transmission processing of Figure 14 For example, the AP apparatus 11 and the wireless communication section 62 can exchange RTS (Request To Send) and CTS (Clear To Send) before exchanging the coordination request and the coordination response. Immediately after obtaining the transmission right, only the TXOP owner can transmit data, and then the coordinated transmission processing of

[0213] <Example of frame structure of coordination request>

[0214] Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the frame structure of the coordination request transmitted from the AP apparatus 11 to the wireless communication section 62 in step S251 of Figure 14

[0215] In Figure 15 ​In the example of the coordination request, the frame structure of the trigger frame specified in IEEE 802.11ax is used.

[0216] In Figure 15 In the coordination request, the fields of the frame control, the duration, the RA, the TA, the common information, one or more user information, the padding, and the FCS are sequentially set. In the frame control, information indicating the trigger frame is stored as the type of the frame. In the duration, information indicating the transmission period of the radio wave for transmitting the trigger frame is stored. In the RA, the address of the wireless terminal device receiving the trigger frame is stored. In the TA, the address of the AP device 11 is stored as the address of the wireless terminal device transmitting the trigger frame.

[0217] In the common information, the fields of the trigger type, the trigger dependent common information, and the like are set. In the trigger type, information indicating the coordination request is stored as the type of the trigger frame. In the trigger dependent common information, information required for the coordinated transmission, such as the coordination type, the PSDU duration, and the STA ID, is stored. From the type of the trigger frame stored in the trigger type, the fact that the trigger dependent common information is included in the coordination request is identified.

[0218] The coordination type is, for example, a 2-bit field. In the coordination type, the coordination transmission method information indicating the candidate of the coordination transmission method is stored. For example, when the candidate of the coordination transmission method is a method using the Co-BF technique (hereinafter, referred to as a Co-BF method), the coordination transmission method information is 1, and when the candidate of the coordination transmission method is a method using the joint Tx technique (hereinafter, referred to as a joint Tx method), the coordination transmission method information is 2. When the candidate of the coordination transmission method is both the Co-BF method and the joint Tx method, the coordination transmission method information is 3.

[0219] Note that the coordination type can be a 4-bit field, and in the coordination type, in addition to the 2-bit coordination transmission method information, 2-bit AP device information related to the AP device performing the coordinated transmission by the Co-BF method can be stored. For example, when the AP device performing the coordinated transmission by the Co-BF method is an AP device that has obtained the transmission right, the AP device information is 0, and when the AP device is an AP device that has not obtained the transmission right, the AP information is 1. When the AP device performing the coordinated transmission by the Co-BF method is both the AP device that has obtained the transmission right and the AP device that has not obtained the transmission right, the AP device information is 2.

[0220] In the PSDU duration, information related to the transmission time of the data for the coordinated transmission is stored. In the STA ID, the identification information of one or more wireless communication sections of the destination of the coordinated transmission is stored. Note that if the number of the identification information stored in the STA ID is greater than one, a field storing the number of the STAs of that number can be provided.

[0221] In the user information, a field of a candidate STA ID, trigger dependent user information, and the like is set. In the trigger dependent user information, an SSDC allowed bit, which is flag information indicating whether or not SSDC processing is allowed, is stored. For example, if the AP device 11 performs transmission to the wireless communication section 61, the SSDC allowed bit of the coordination request transmitted from the AP device 11 to the wireless communication section 62 indicates that SSDC processing is not allowed.

[0222] Note that, when the coordination request is transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the AP device 11, as shown in Figure 15 , a field of SSDC information is set after the STA ID in the coordination request, and the SSDC allowed bit is not set. In the SSDC information, SSDC information related to SSDC processing is stored. The SSDC information contains, for example, a flag indicating that SSDC processing can be performed, a preparation time indicating a necessary time for SSDC preparation processing, and the like. The AP device 11 determines a waiting time for coordination transmission based on the preparation time.

[0223] The coordination request only needs to contain the coordination type, the PSDU duration, the STA ID, and the SSDC information or the SSDC allowed bit, and the data structure of the coordination request is not limited to the frame structure of Figure 15 . For example, the coordination request can have a frame structure of a MAC frame other than the trigger frame, or can include a data structure of a TCP / IP packet. In particular, the coordination request transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the AP device 11 does not need to have the data structure of the trigger frame.

[0224] <Example of frame structure of coordination response>

[0225] Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a frame structure of the coordination response transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the AP device 11 in step S262 of Figure 14

[0226] In the example of Figure 16 , the coordination response has a frame structure of an action frame specified in IEEE 802.11.

[0227] In the coordination response of Figure 16 , fields of a frame control, a duration, an RA, a TA, a frame body, and an FCS are sequentially set. In the frame body, fields of a category, a coordination flag, SSDC information, STA information, an FCS, and the like are sequentially set.

[0228] ​The coordination target flag is, for example, a 2-bit field. In the coordination target flag, a coordinated transmission enable / disable flag indicating whether or not coordinated transmission can be performed is stored. This coordinated transmission enable / disable flag is set for each coordinated transmission method, for example. For example, if coordinated transmission of the Co-BF method can be performed, 1 is stored in the coordination target flag, and if coordinated transmission of the Joint Tx method can be performed, 2 is stored in the coordination target flag. If coordinated transmission of both the Co-BF method and the Joint Tx method can be performed, 3 is stored in the coordination target flag, and if coordinated transmission of both methods cannot be performed, 0 is stored in the coordination target flag.

[0229] In the STA information, for example, an STA AID that is identification information of the wireless communication section, an MCS that indicates a modulation method, and the like are stored as information related to the wireless communication section of the coordinated transmission destination. One or a plurality of pieces of STA information can be set. If a plurality of pieces of STA information are set, a field of the number of STA information indicating the number of pieces of STA information can be set before the STA information.

[0230] Note that if a coordination response is transmitted from the AP device 11 to the wireless communication section 62, as shown in Figure 16 , an SSDC enable bit is set after the coordination target flag, and SSDC information is not set.

[0231] <First Example of SSDC Preparation Processing>

[0232] Figure 17 is a diagram for describing a first example of the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 14 .

[0233] Note that in the example of Figure 17 , DMA to the storage section 64 is enabled in the console device 12. This similarly applies to the Figure 18 to Figure 21 below.

[0234] In the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 17 , the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 acquire the unmodulated video information to be transmitted from the storage section 64 to share the unmodulated video information to be transmitted.

[0235] Specifically, first, the communication control section 81 of the wireless communication section 62 requests the storage section 64 to provide the unmodulated video information (pure data) to be transmitted. The storage section 64 supplies the stored unmodulated video information to be transmitted to the wireless communication section 62 in response to the request. Even after the video information is supplied to the wireless communication section 62, the storage section 64 retains the video information for a certain period of time. This retention period is indicated by the wireless communication section 62 and the control section 63, for example.

[0236] The communication control unit 81 acquires the unmodulated video information to be transmitted supplied from the storage unit 64, and shares the unmodulated video information to be transmitted with the wireless communication unit 61. The wireless communication unit 62 performs modulation, etc. on the unmodulated video information to be transmitted based on the modulation information related to modulation, and generates a symbol stream to be transmitted.

[0237] Next, the communication control unit 81 supplies transmission parameter information to the wireless communication unit 61 via the bus in the console device 12 to share the transmission parameter information with the wireless communication unit 61. The communication control unit 71 of the wireless communication unit 61 acquires the transmission parameter information supplied from the communication control unit 81 to share the transmission parameter information with the wireless communication unit 62.

[0238] The transmission parameter information includes the address information of the storage unit 64 that stores the video information to be transmitted, generation-related information, etc. The generation-related information is information necessary for the wireless communication unit 61 to generate the same symbol stream as the symbol stream to be transmitted generated in the wireless communication unit 62. Specifically, the generation-related information is a sequence number, encryption key information, a modulation method as modulation information, a coding method, a transmission weight, etc. The transmission weight is determined by the wireless communication unit 62 based on the BF report obtained in the detection process.

[0239] Next, the communication control unit 71 requests the storage unit 64 to provide the unmodulated video information to be transmitted based on the address information in the transmission parameter information. In response to this request, the storage unit 64 supplies the stored unmodulated video information to be transmitted to the wireless communication unit 61. The communication control unit 71 acquires the unmodulated video information to be transmitted supplied from the storage unit 64 to share the unmodulated video information to be transmitted with the wireless communication unit 62. The wireless communication unit 61 performs modulation similar to the modulation performed by the wireless communication unit 62 on the unmodulated video information to be transmitted based on the generation-related information in the transmission parameter information, and generates a symbol stream to be transmitted. Therefore. Therefore, the symbol streams to be transmitted generated in the wireless communication units 61 and 62 are the same.

[0240] Note that in the Figure 17 example, DMA is enabled, so the wireless communication units 61 and 62 directly access the storage unit 64, but the wireless communication units 61 and 62 can also access the storage unit 64 via the control unit 63. The transmission parameter information can also be transmitted from the wireless communication unit 62 to the wireless communication unit 61 via the control unit 63. This similarly applies to the following Figure 20 .

[0241] <Second Example of SSDC Preparation Process>

[0242] Figure 18 is a diagram for describing Figure 14 the second example of the SSDC preparation process.

[0243] Figure 18 The SSDC preparation process of Figure 17 differs from the SSDC preparation process of Figure 17 in that the transmission parameter information is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication unit 62 to the wireless communication unit 61 and is otherwise the same as

[0244] In Figure 18 the SSDC preparation process of

[0245] <The third example of SSDC preparation process>

[0246] Figure 19 is a diagram for describing Figure 14 the third example of the SSDC preparation process of

[0247] In Figure 19 the SSDC preparation process of the wireless communication unit 62 supplies video information (modulated data) that has undergone processing such as modulation to the wireless communication unit 61, so that the wireless communication units 61 and 62 share the processed video information to be transmitted.

[0248] Specifically, first, similar to Figure 17 the SSDC preparation process of

[0249] The communication control unit 71 of the wireless communication unit 62 obtains the unmodulated video information to be transmitted from the storage unit 64. The wireless communication unit 62 performs processing such as modulation on the unmodulated video information and generates a symbol stream to be transmitted. In addition, the communication control unit 81 supplies the processed video information to the wireless communication unit 61 via the bus inside the console device 12 to share it with the wireless communication unit 61, and also supplies the transmission parameter information to the wireless communication unit 61.

[0250] The communication control section 71 of the wireless communication section 61 acquires the processed video information to be transmitted from the communication control section 81 via the bus within the console device 12 to share it with the wireless communication section 62, and also acquires the transmission parameter information. The wireless communication section 61 generates the same symbol stream as the symbol stream to be transmitted generated by the wireless communication section 62 from the processed video information to be transmitted based on the transmission parameter information as the symbol stream to be transmitted.

[0251] Note that, in the example of Figure 19 the wireless communication section 62 directly accesses the storage section 64, but the wireless communication section 62 can also access the storage section 64 via the control section 63. The transmission parameter information can also be transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61 via the control section 63.

[0252] In the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 19 the processed video information to be transmitted is supplied from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61. Therefore, even if the data processing section 73 and the signal processing section 74 fail to perform processing in a similar manner to the data processing section 83 and the signal processing section 84, the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 can perform SSDC processing to transmit the same symbol stream.

[0253] For example, even if it is not possible to perform the encoding in the data processing section 83 in the data processing section 73, or the wireless communication section 61 does not have a function to operate as a beamformer and cannot calculate the transmission weight, it is possible to perform SSDC processing.

[0254] Note that the processed video information contains a large amount of information, so in the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 19 it is difficult to wirelessly transmit the processed video information to be transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61.

[0255] <Fourth Example of SSDC Preparation Processing>

[0256] Figure 20 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 14

[0257] In the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 20 the wireless communication section 61 acquires the processed video information from the wireless communication section 62 via the storage section 64 so that the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 share the processed video information to be transmitted.

[0258] Specifically, first, as in Figure 19 ​The SSDC preparation processing of the wireless communication section 62 is similar to that of the wireless communication section 61. The wireless communication section 62 acquires the unmodulated video information to be transmitted from the storage section 64, and performs processing such as modulation on the video information to generate a symbol stream to be transmitted. The communication control section 81 of the wireless communication section 62 supplies the processed video information to the storage section 64, and causes the storage section 64 to store the processed video information to share it with the wireless communication section 61.

[0259] Next, the communication control section 81 supplies the transmission parameter information to the wireless communication section 61 via the bus within the console device 12. The communication control section 71 of the wireless communication section 61 requests the storage section 64 to provide the processed video information to be transmitted based on the address information contained in the transmission parameter information. The storage section 64 supplies the stored processed video information to be transmitted to the wireless communication section 61 in response to the request. The communication control section 81 acquires the video information to share the processed video information to be transmitted with the wireless communication section 61. The wireless communication section 61 generates the same symbol stream as the symbol stream generated by the wireless communication section 62 from the processed video information to be transmitted based on the transmission parameter information as the symbol stream to be transmitted.

[0260] <SSDC Preparation Processing of the Fifth Example>

[0261] Figure 21 is a diagram for describing Figure 14 the SSDC preparation processing of the fifth example.

[0262] Figure 21 The SSDC preparation processing of the wireless communication section 62 is similar to that of the wireless communication section 61. The wireless communication section 62 acquires the unmodulated video information to be transmitted from the storage section 64, and performs processing such as modulation on the video information to generate a symbol stream to be transmitted. The communication control section 81 of the wireless communication section 62 supplies the processed video information to the storage section 64, and causes the storage section 64 to store the processed video information to share it with the wireless communication section 61. Figure 20 Figure 20

[0263] In the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 21 , the transmission parameter information is shared by wireless communication, and the processed video information to be transmitted is shared via the storage section 64, so this is appropriate when the wireless communication section 62 is located outside the console device 12.

[0264] As described above, in the SSDC preparation processing of Figure 20 and Figure 21 , the processed video information to be transmitted can be supplied from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61 via the storage section 64. Therefore, even if the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 fail to perform communication via the bus within the console device 12, the processed video information to be transmitted can be shared. Note that the SSDC preparation processing of the fifth example is different from the SSDC preparation processing of the fourth example in that the transmission parameter information is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless communication section 62 to the wireless communication section 61, and is the same as the SSDC preparation processing of the first example in other respects. Figure 19 ​​SSDC preparation processing, the processed video information to be transmitted is stored in the storage section 64, so the capacity of the storage section 64 is occupied. In comparison with the SSDC preparation processing of the AP device 11, the amount of processing between the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 and the storage section 64 increases. Figure 19 In comparison with the SSDC preparation processing of the AP device 11, the amount of processing between the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 and the storage section 64 increases.

[0265] Note that, in the SSDC preparation processing of the AP device 11, the request for video information provided by the wireless communication section 62 to the storage section 64 and the acquisition of video information from the storage section 64 can be performed before the SSDC preparation processing. The wireless communication section 62 does not necessarily have to request video information from the storage section 64. Figure 17 to Figure 21

[0266] For example, in steps S271 and S263 of the SSDC preparation processing, the implementer of the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 can select which processing in the SSDC preparation processing is to be performed by the wireless communication sections 61 and 62. This allows the implementer of the wireless communication sections 61 and 62 to flexibly implement the SSDC preparation processing, taking into account both the difficulty of implementation and the improvement of characteristics. Figure 14 Figure 17 to 21 As described above, the wireless communication section 61 (62) includes a communication control section 71 (81) for controlling communication for the console device 12. The communication control section 71 (81) cooperates with the other wireless communication section 62 (61) for controlling communication for the console device 12 to thereby control transmission of video information to the station device 13. Therefore, when there is the wireless communication section 61 for controlling communication for the same console device 12 in addition to the wireless communication section 62 not connected to the four antennas 60, it is possible to perform transmission in the wireless communication section 62 using the four antennas 60. This allows the console device 12 to form a beam having strong directivity.

[0267] As a result, the console device 12 can transmit video information to the station device 13 and also form NULL to the station device 14. In other words, the console device 12 can reduce interference given to the station device 14 without reducing reception power of the station device 13. Therefore, the AP device 11 and the console device 12 can perform coordinated transmission. As a result, in the wireless communication system 10, effects such as improvement of throughput and reduction of transmission delay due to reduction of transmission latency are obtained.

[0268] Note that, in a case other than the case where the AP device 11 and the console device 12 perform coordinated transmission, the SSDC processing can also be performed. For example, in a case where the number of streams during MIMO transmission to the station device 13 is increased, or in a case other than the case where coordinated transmission requiring an increase in the number of antennas to form a high-directivity beam, the SSDC processing can be performed.

[0269] Note that, in a case other than the case where the AP device 11 and the console device 12 perform coordinated transmission, the SSDC processing can also be performed. For example, in a case where the number of streams during MIMO transmission to the station device 13 is increased, or in a case other than the case where coordinated transmission requiring an increase in the number of antennas to form a high-directivity beam, the SSDC processing can be performed. ​​

[0270] <2. Computer>

[0271] At least a part of the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, or can be executed by software. If the series of processes is executed by software, a program configuring the software is installed on a computer. Here, the computer includes a computer included in a dedicated hardware, and a general-purpose personal computer that can perform various functions by installing various programs therein, for example.

[0272] Figure 22 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a computer that executes at least a part of the series of processes by a program.

[0273] In the computer, a central processing unit (CPU) 901, a read only memory (ROM) 902, and a random access memory (RAM) 903 are connected to each other through a bus 904.

[0274] Further, an input / output interface 905 is connected to the bus 904. An input section 906, an output section 907, a storage section 908, a communication section 909, and a drive 910 are connected to the input / output interface 905.

[0275] The input section 906 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like. The output section 907 includes a display, a speaker, and the like. The storage section 908 includes a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The communication section 909 includes a network interface and the like. The drive 910 drives a removable medium 911 such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

[0276] In the computer configured as described above, the series of processes described above is executed by the CPU 901, for example, a program stored in the storage section 908 is loaded to the RAM 903 via the input / output interface 905 and the bus 904, and the program is executed.

[0277] For example, a program to be executed by the computer (CPU 901) can be provided, for example, by being recorded on the removable medium 911 as a package medium. The program can also be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or a digital satellite broadcast.

[0278] In the computer, the program can be installed on the storage section 908 via the input / output interface 905 by installing the removable medium 911 to the drive 910. The program can also be received by the communication section 909 via a wired or wireless transmission medium, and installed on the storage section 908. Other programs can be pre-installed on the ROM 902 or the storage section 908.

[0279] Note that a program to be executed by a computer can be a program in which processing is performed in time series according to the order described herein, or can be a program in which processing is performed in parallel or at necessary timing (such as at the time of an invocation).

[0280] Embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

[0281] For example, the present technology can have a configuration of cloud computing in which a single function is shared and cooperatively processed by a plurality of devices through a network.

[0282] Further, the steps described in the flowcharts described above can be executed by one device, or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0283] Further, in a case where one step includes a plurality of processing steps, the plurality of processing steps in one step can be executed by one device, or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0284] Note that the effects described herein are merely exemplary and are not limited, and any other effects can be produced.

[0285] The present technology can have the following configurations.

[0286] (1) A wireless communication control apparatus comprising:

[0287] a communication control section that controls communication for a first wireless terminal apparatus, and controls transmission of first data to a second wireless terminal apparatus in cooperation with another wireless communication control apparatus that controls communication for the first wireless terminal apparatus.

[0288] (2) The wireless communication control apparatus according to (1), wherein

[0289] the communication control section is configured to detect the other wireless communication control apparatus.

[0290] (3) The wireless communication control apparatus according to (2), wherein

[0291] the communication control section is configured to acquire information related to a connection in the other wireless communication control apparatus to detect the other wireless communication control apparatus.

[0292] (4) The wireless communication control apparatus according to (2), wherein

[0293] the communication control section is configured to receive random number information shared with the other wireless communication control apparatus from the other wireless communication control apparatus to detect the other wireless communication control apparatus.

[0294] (5) The wireless communication control apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein

[0295] The communication control section is configured to control transmission of information related to another wireless communication control apparatus to the third wireless terminal device connected to the communication control section.

[0296] (6) The wireless communication control apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein

[0297] The communication control section is configured to control transmission of information related to transmission performed in cooperation with another wireless communication control apparatus to the third wireless terminal device connected to the communication control section.

[0298] (7) The wireless communication control apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein

[0299] The communication control section is configured to share the first data with another wireless communication control apparatus.

[0300] (8) The wireless communication control apparatus according to (7), wherein

[0301] The communication control section is configured to acquire the unmodulated first data stored in the storage section to share the unmodulated first data with another wireless communication control apparatus.

[0302] (9) The wireless communication control apparatus according to (8), further comprising:

[0303] a modulation section that modulates the unmodulated first data based on modulation information related to modulation of the first data, the modulation information being to be shared with another wireless communication control apparatus, wherein

[0304] The communication control section is configured to control transmission of the first data modulated by the modulation section.

[0305] (10) The wireless communication control apparatus according to (7), further comprising:

[0306] a modulation section that modulates the first data, wherein

[0307] The communication control section is configured to supply the first data modulated by the modulation section to another wireless communication control apparatus to share the modulated first data with another wireless communication control apparatus, and to control transmission of the modulated first data to the second wireless terminal device.

[0308] (11) The wireless communication control apparatus according to (10), wherein

[0309] The communication control section is configured to supply the modulated first data to another wireless communication control apparatus via the storage section to share the modulated first data with another wireless communication control apparatus.

[0310] (12) The wireless communication control device according to (7), wherein

[0311] The communication control section is configured to acquire the first data modulated in the other wireless communication control device from the other wireless communication control device, to share the modulated first data with the other wireless communication control device, and to control transmission of the modulated first data to the second wireless terminal device.

[0312] (13) The wireless communication control device according to (12), wherein

[0313] The communication control section is configured to acquire the first data modulated in the other wireless communication control device from the other wireless communication control device via the storage section, to share the modulated first data with the other wireless communication control device.

[0314] (14) The wireless communication control device according to any one of (1) to (4) and (7) to (13), wherein

[0315] One of the wireless communication control device and the other wireless communication control device is configured to be connected to the second wireless terminal device via the first link, and

[0316] The other of the wireless communication control device and the other wireless communication control device is configured to be connected to the third wireless terminal device via the second link.

[0317] (15) The wireless communication control device according to (14), wherein

[0318] The communication control section is configured to control transmission of the first data to the second wireless terminal device and formation of NULL to the fourth wireless terminal device connected to the third wireless terminal device via the second link in cooperation with the other wireless communication control device.

[0319] (16) The wireless communication control device according to (15), wherein

[0320] The third wireless terminal device is configured to transmit second data to the fourth wireless terminal device and also form NULL to the second wireless terminal device at the same time as the transmission of the first data and the formation of NULL controlled by the communication control section.

[0321] (17) The wireless communication control device according to (16), wherein

[0322] The communication control section is configured to transmit information to the third wireless terminal device in cooperation with the other wireless communication control device, the information indicating a time used for preparation of the transmission of the first data and the formation of NULL.

[0323] (18) A wireless communication control method for a wireless communication control apparatus, the method comprising:

[0324] a communication control step of controlling communication for a first wireless terminal device and controlling transmission of first data to a second wireless terminal device in cooperation with another wireless communication control apparatus controlling communication for the first wireless terminal device.

[0325] List of reference numerals

[0326] 11 AP device

[0327] 12 console device

[0328] 13, 14 station device

[0329] 61, 62 wireless communication section

[0330] 64 storage section

[0331] 71 communication control section

[0332] 73 data processing section

[0333] 74 signal processing section

[0334] 81 communication control section

[0335] 83 data processing section

[0336] 84 signal processing section

Claims

1. A wireless communication control apparatus comprising: a communication control section that controls communication for a first wireless terminal device and controls transmission of first data to a second wireless terminal device in cooperation with another wireless communication control apparatus that controls communication for the first wireless terminal device.

2. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control section is configured to detect the other wireless communication control apparatus.

3. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication control section is configured to acquire information related to connection in the other wireless communication control apparatus to detect the other wireless communication control apparatus.

4. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication control section is configured to receive random number information shared with the other wireless communication control apparatus from the other wireless communication control apparatus to detect the other wireless communication control apparatus.

5. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control section is configured to control transmission of information related to the other wireless communication control apparatus to a third wireless terminal device connected to the communication control section.

6. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control section is configured to control transmission of information related to transmission performed in cooperation with the other wireless communication control apparatus to a third wireless terminal device connected to the communication control section.

7. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control section is configured to share the first data with the other wireless communication control apparatus.

8. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the communication control section is configured to acquire unmodulated first data stored in a storage section to share the unmodulated first data with the other wireless communication control apparatus.

9. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a modulation section that modulates the unmodulated first data based on modulation information related to modulation of the first data, the modulation information to be shared with the other wireless communication control apparatus, wherein the communication control section is configured to control transmission of the first data modulated by the modulation section.

10. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a modulation section that modulates the first data, wherein the communication control section is configured to supply the first data modulated by the modulation section to the other wireless communication control apparatus to share the modulated first data with the other wireless communication control apparatus and control transmission of the modulated first data to the second wireless terminal device.

11. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the communication control section is configured to supply the modulated first data to the other wireless communication control apparatus via a storage section to share the modulated first data with the other wireless communication control apparatus.

12. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein The communication control section is configured to acquire the first data modulated in the other wireless communication control apparatus from the other wireless communication control apparatus, to share the modulated first data with the other wireless communication control apparatus, and to control transmission of the modulated first data to the second wireless terminal device.

13. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 12, wherein The communication control section is configured to acquire the first data modulated in the other wireless communication control apparatus from the other wireless communication control apparatus via the storage section, to share the modulated first data with the other wireless communication control apparatus.

14. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein One of the wireless communication control apparatus and the other wireless communication control apparatus is configured to be connected to the second wireless terminal device via a first link, and The other of the wireless communication control apparatus and the other wireless communication control apparatus is configured to be connected to the third wireless terminal device via a second link.

15. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 14, wherein The communication control section is configured to control transmission of the first data to the second wireless terminal device and formation of NULL to a fourth wireless terminal device connected to the third wireless terminal device via the second link in cooperation with the other wireless communication control apparatus.

16. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein The third wireless terminal device is configured to transmit second data to the fourth wireless terminal device and also to form NULL to the second wireless terminal device at the same time as the transmission of the first data and the formation of NULL controlled by the communication control section.

17. The wireless communication control apparatus according to claim 16, wherein The communication control section is configured to transmit information indicating a time used for preparation of the transmission of the first data and the formation of NULL to the third wireless terminal device in cooperation with the other wireless communication control apparatus.

18. A wireless communication control method of a wireless communication control apparatus, the method comprising: a communication control step of controlling communication for a first wireless terminal device and controlling transmission of first data to a second wireless terminal device in cooperation with another wireless communication control apparatus controlling communication for the first wireless terminal device.

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