Method and apparatus for handling inactive channel information in wireless LAN system

Abstract

The disclosure relates to handling inactive channel information in a wireless local area network (LAN) system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a station (STA) in a wireless LAN system comprises the steps of: receiving a measurement instruction for an inactive channel measurement of a relay channel between a relay STA and an STA; receiving a signal for channel measurement of the relay channel from the relay STA; performing an inactive channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement instruction and the signal for channel measurement; and transmitting inactive channel information including a result of the inactive channel measurement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure relates to handling of disabled channel information in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Next generation Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11be and / or higher) aims to support ultra-high reliability in signaling to STAs, and various techniques are being considered to support high throughput, low latency, and extended range. For example, in order to extend reliable transmission and / or coverage / communication range for various STAs (e.g., IOT devices), relay operation can be considered in which an AP transmits / receives a signal to / from one or more non-AP STAs via an intermediate relay device. There is a need for a technique for efficiently performing such relay operation. SUMMARY

[0003] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for handling of disabled channel information in a WLAN system.

[0005] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0006] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method performed by a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system includes receiving a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and the STA, receiving a signal for a channel measurement of the relay channel from the relay STA, performing the disabled channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for the channel measurement, and transmitting disabled channel information including a result of the disabled channel measurement.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method performed by an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system includes transmitting a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay station (STA) and the STA, receiving disabled channel information including a result of the disabled channel measurement, allocating resources for data communication between the relay STA and the STA on the relay channel based on the disabled channel information, and transmitting information for the allocated resources.

[0008] In various embodiments, an apparatus implementing the above-described methods is provided.

[0009] ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0010] The disclosure can have various advantageous effects.

[0011] For example, during relay transmission, the AP can allocate resource units (RUs) suitable for relay transmission by using information for available channels and / or disabled channels between the relay STA and the non-AP STA. Then, relay transmission can be performed based on the allocated RUs, thereby improving efficiency and throughput of the relay transmission.

[0012] The advantageous effects obtainable by the specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the advantageous effects listed above. For example, there are various technical effects that can be understood and / or derived by those skilled in the art from the present disclosure. Therefore, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects explicitly described herein, and can also include various effects that can be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 An example of a transmitting apparatus and / or a receiving apparatus of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0015] Figure 3 A general link setup procedure is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 4 An example of a multi-link (ML) is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 5 A modified example of a transmitting apparatus and / or a receiving apparatus of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 6 An example of a physical protocol data unit or physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted / received by a STA of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0019] Figure 7 A layout of a resource unit (RU) used for a 20 MHz PPDU is illustrated.

[0020] Figure 8 A layout of a resource unit (RU) used for a 40 MHz PPDU is illustrated.

[0021] Figure 9 A layout of a resource unit (RU) used for an 80 MHz PPDU is illustrated.

[0022] Figure 10 An operation related to UL-MU is illustrated.

[0023] Figure 11 An example of channels used / supported / defined within a 2.4 GHz band is illustrated.

[0024] Figure 12An example of channels used / supported / defined within the 5GHz band is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 13 An example of channels used / supported / defined within the 6GHz band is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 14 A trigger frame format is illustrated.

[0027] Figure 15a and Figure 15b A public information field format is shown.

[0028] Figure 16a and Figure 16b A user information field format is shown.

[0029] Figure 17 An example in which preamble puncturing is applied is illustrated.

[0030] Figure 18 An example of a channel sounding procedure is illustrated.

[0031] Figure 19 An example of relay transmission / operation is illustrated.

[0032] Figure 20 An example of a method performed by a STA for handling disabled channel information according to embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0033] Figure 21 An example of a method performed by an AP for handling disabled channel information according to embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0034] Figure 22 A first example of a procedure for measuring available sub-channels on a relay channel according to embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0035] Figure 23 A second example of a procedure for measuring available sub-channels on a relay channel according to embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0036] Figure 24 A third example of a procedure for measuring available sub-channels in a relay channel according to embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In the present disclosure, “A or B” can mean “A only,” “B only,” or “both A and B.” In other words, in the present disclosure, “A or B” can be interpreted as “A and / or B.” For example, in the present disclosure, “A, B, or C” can mean “A only,” “B only,” “C only,” or “any combination of A, B, and C.”

[0038] The slash ( / ) or comma used in the present disclosure can mean "and / or". For example, "A / B" can mean "A and / or B". Thus, "A / B" can mean "only A", "only B", or "both A and B". For example, "A, B, C" can mean "A, B, or C".

[0039] In the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" can mean "only A", "only B", or "both A and B". Also, in the present disclosure, the expression "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of A and / or B" can be interpreted as "at least one of A and B".

[0040] Also, the parentheses used in the present disclosure can mean "for example". Specifically, when indicated as "control information (UHR signal field)", it can mean that the "UHR signal field" is suggested as an example of the "control information". In other words, the "control information" of the present disclosure is not limited to the "UHR signal field", and the "UHR signal field" can be suggested as an example of the "control information". Also, when indicated as "control information (i.e., UHR signal field)", it can also mean that the "UHR signal field" is suggested as an example of the "control information".

[0041] Further, "a / an" as used in the present disclosure can mean "at least one" or "one or more". Further, a term ending in "(s)" can mean "at least one" or "one or more".

[0042] Further, the expression "based on" or "on the basis of" or "according to" as used in the present disclosure means "based at least in part on", rather than "based only on".

[0043] The technical features described separately in one drawing of the present disclosure can be implemented separately, or can be implemented simultaneously.

[0044] The following examples of the disclosure can be applied to various wireless communication systems. For example, the following examples of the disclosure can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. For example, the disclosure can be applied to IEEE 802.11a / g / n / ac / ax / be / bn standards. In addition, examples of the disclosure can also be applied to an enhanced ultra-high reliability (UHR) standard or a next-generation wireless LAN standard of IEEE 802.11bn. In addition, examples of the disclosure can also be applied to a new WLAN standard enhanced from the EHT standard or the IEEE 802.11be standard. In addition, examples of the disclosure can be applied to a mobile communication system. For example, it can be applied to a long-term evolution (LTE)-based mobile communication system depending on a third generation partnership project (3GPP) standard and based on the evolution of LTE. In addition, examples of the disclosure can be applied to a communication system based on the 5G NR standard of the 3GPP standard.

[0045] Hereinafter, in order to describe technical features of the disclosure, various technical features applicable to the disclosure will be described.

[0046] Figure 1 Examples of a transmitting apparatus and / or a receiving apparatus of the disclosure are illustrated.

[0047] In Figure 1 In examples of the disclosure, various technical features described below can be performed. Figure 1 Refers to at least one station (STA). For example, the STA 110 and 120 of the disclosure can also be referred to as various terms such as a mobile terminal, a wireless device, a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile subscriber unit, or simply a user. The STA 110 and 120 of the disclosure can also be referred to as various terms such as a network, a base station, a node B, an access point (AP), a transponder, a router, a repeater, etc. The STA 110 and 120 of the disclosure can also be referred to as various names such as a receiving apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving STA, a transmitting STA, a receiving device, a transmitting device, etc.

[0048] For example, the STA 110 and 120 can act as an AP or a non-AP. That is, the STA 110 and 120 of the disclosure can act as an AP and / or a non-AP. In the disclosure, the AP can be indicated as an AP STA.

[0049] In addition to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the STAs 110 and 120 of the present disclosure can support various communication standards together. For example, a communication standard based on a 3GPP standard (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR standard), etc. can be supported. In addition, the STAs of the present disclosure can be implemented as various devices such as a mobile phone, a vehicle, a personal computer, etc. In addition, the STAs of the present disclosure can support communication for various communication services such as a voice call, a video call, data communication, and self-driving (autonomous driving), etc.

[0050] The STAs 110 and 120 of the present disclosure can include a medium access control (MAC) conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard and a physical layer interface for a radio medium.

[0051] The STAs 110 and 120 will be described below with reference to the subgraph (a) of FIG. Figure 1

[0052] The first STA 110 can include a processor 111, a memory 112, and a transceiver 113. The illustrated processor, memory, and transceiver can be implemented as separate chips, or at least two blocks / functions can be implemented through a single chip.

[0053] The transceiver 113 of the first STA performs signal transmission / reception operations. Specifically, IEEE 802.11 packets (e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be, etc.) can be transmitted / received.

[0054] For example, the first STA 110 can perform operations expected by an AP. For example, the processor 111 of the AP can receive a signal through the transceiver 113, process a reception (RX) signal, generate a transmission (TX) signal, and provide control for signal transmission. The memory 112 of the AP can store a signal (e.g., RX signal) received through the transceiver 113, and can store a signal (e.g., TX signal) to be transmitted through the transceiver.

[0055] For example, the second STA 120 can perform operations expected by a non-AP STA. For example, the transceiver 123 of the non-AP performs signal transmission / reception operations. Specifically, IEEE 802.11 packets (e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be packets, etc.) can be transmitted / received.

[0056] ​For example, the processor 121 of the non-AP STA can receive a signal through the transceiver 123, process an RX signal, generate a TX signal, and provide control for signal transmission. The memory 122 of the non-AP STA can store a signal (e.g., an RX signal) received through the transceiver 123, and can store a signal (e.g., a TX signal) to be transmitted through the transceiver.

[0057] For example, the operations of the device indicated as the AP in the disclosure described below can be performed in the first STA 110 or the second STA 120. For example, if the first STA 110 is the AP, the operations of the device indicated as the AP can be controlled by the processor 111 of the first STA 110, and the related signal can be transmitted or received through the transceiver 113 controlled by the processor 111 of the first STA 110. In addition, the control information related to the operation of the AP or the TX / RX signal of the AP can be stored in the memory 112 of the first STA 110. In addition, if the second STA 120 is the AP, the operations of the device indicated as the AP can be controlled by the processor 121 of the second STA 120, and the related signal can be transmitted or received through the transceiver 123 controlled by the processor 121 of the second STA 120. In addition, the control information related to the operation of the AP or the TX / RX signal of the AP can be stored in the memory 122 of the second STA 120.

[0058] For example, the operations of the device indicated as the non-AP (or user STA) in the disclosure described below can be performed in the first STA 110 or the second STA 120. For example, if the second STA 120 is the non-AP, the operations of the device indicated as the non-AP can be controlled by the processor 121 of the second STA 120, and the related signal can be transmitted or received through the transceiver 123 controlled by the processor 121 of the second STA 120. In addition, the control information related to the operation of the non-AP or the TX / RX signal of the non-AP can be stored in the memory 122 of the second STA 120. For example, if the first STA 110 is the non-AP, the operations of the device indicated as the non-AP can be controlled by the processor 111 of the first STA 110, and the related signal can be transmitted or received through the transceiver 113 controlled by the processor 111 of the first STA 110. In addition, the control information related to the operation of the non-AP or the TX / RX signal of the non-AP can be stored in the memory 112 of the first STA 110.

[0059] In the disclosure described below, devices referred to as (transmitting / receiving) STAs, first STAs, second STAs, STA1, STA2, APs, first APs, second APs, AP1, AP2, (transmitting / receiving) terminals, (transmitting / receiving) devices, (transmitting / receiving) apparatuses, networks, etc. can imply STAs 110 and 120 of Figure 1 . For example, devices indicated as (but not specifically labeled) (transmitting / receiving) STAs, first STAs, second STAs, STA1, STA2, APs, first APs, second APs, AP1, AP2, (transmitting / receiving) terminals, (transmitting / receiving) devices, (transmitting / receiving) apparatuses, networks, etc. can imply STAs 110 and 120 of Figure 1 . For example, in the following examples, operations of various STAs to transmit / receive signals (e.g., PPDUs) can be performed in transceivers 113 and 123 of Figure 1 . Also, in the following examples, operations of various STAs to generate TX / RX signals or to perform data processing and calculations in advance for TX / RX signals can be performed in processors 111 and 121 of Figure 1 . For example, examples of operations to generate TX / RX signals or to perform data processing and calculations in advance can include: 1) operations to determine / obtain / configure / calculate / decode / encode bit information of subfields (SIG, STF, LTF, data) included in a PPDU; 2) operations to determine / configure / obtain time resources or frequency resources (e.g., subcarrier resources) for subfields (SIG, STF, LTF, data) included in a PPDU, etc.; 3) operations to determine / configure / obtain specific sequences (e.g., pilot sequences, STF / LTF sequences, additional sequences applied to SIG) for subfields (SIG, STF, LTF, data) included in a PPDU, etc.; 4) power control operations and / or power saving operations applied to STAs; and 5) operations related to determination / obtaining / configuring / decoding / encoding of ACK signals, etc. Also, in the following examples, various information (e.g., information related to fields / subfields / control fields / parameters / power, etc.) used by various STAs to determine / obtain / configure / calculate / decode / decode TX / RX signals can be stored in memories 112 and 122 of Figure 1 .

[0060] Figure 1 The aforementioned devices / STAs of subfigure (a) can be modified as shown in subfigure (b) of Figure 1 . Hereinafter, the STAs 110 and 120 of the present disclosure will be described based on subfigure (b). Figure 1

[0061] For example, Figure 1 ​The transceivers 113 and 123 shown in the sub-diagram (b) can perform the same functions as the aforementioned transceivers shown in the sub-diagram (a). For example, Figure 1 The transceivers 113 and 123 shown in the sub-diagram (b) can perform the same functions as the aforementioned transceivers shown in the sub-diagram (a). For example, Figure 1 The processing chips 114 and 124 shown in the sub-diagram (b) can include the processors 111 and 121 and the memories 112 and 122. Figure 1 The processors 111 and 121 and the memories 112 and 122 shown in the sub-diagram (b) can perform the same functions as the aforementioned processors 111 and 121 and the memories 112 and 122 shown in the sub-diagram (a). Figure 1 The processors 111 and 121 and the memories 112 and 122 shown in the sub-diagram (b) can perform the same functions as the aforementioned processors 111 and 121 and the memories 112 and 122 shown in the sub-diagram (a).

[0062] The mobile terminal, the wireless device, the wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), the user equipment (UE), the mobile station (MS), the mobile subscriber unit, the user, the user STA, the network, the base station, the node-B, the access point (AP), the repeater, the router, the relay, the receiving unit, the transmitting unit, the receiving STA, the transmitting STA, the receiving device, the transmitting device, the receiving means, and / or the transmitting means described below can mean Figure 1 The STAs 110 and 120 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b), or can mean Figure 1 The processing chips 114 and 124 illustrated in the sub-diagram (b). That is, the technical features of the present disclosure can be executed in the STAs 110 and 120 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b), or can be executed only in the Figure 1 The processing chips 114 and 124 illustrated in the sub-diagram (b). That is, the technical features of the present disclosure can be executed in the STAs 110 and 120 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b), or can be executed only in the Figure 1 The transceivers 113 and 123 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b). For example, the technical feature of the transmitting STA transmitting the control signal can be understood as transmitting the control signal by the Figure 1 The transceivers 113 and 123 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b). For example, the technical feature of the transmitting STA transmitting the control signal can be understood as transmitting the control signal by the Figure 1 The processors 111 and 121 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b). For example, the technical feature of the transmitting STA transmitting the control signal can be understood as generating the control signal in the Figure 1 The processors 111 and 121 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b). For example, the technical feature of the transmitting STA transmitting the control signal can be understood as generating the control signal in the Figure 1 The processing chips 114 and 124 illustrated in the sub-diagram (b). That is, the technical features of the present disclosure can be executed in the STAs 110 and 120 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b), or can be executed only in the

[0063] For example, the technical feature of the receiving STA receiving the control signal can be understood as receiving the control signal by the Figure 1 The transceivers 113 and 123 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b). For example, the technical feature of the transmitting STA transmitting the control signal can be understood as transmitting the control signal by the Figure 1 The processors 111 and 121 illustrated in the sub-diagram (a) / (b). For example, the technical feature of the transmitting STA transmitting the control signal can be understood as generating the control signal in the Figure 2the technical features of the control signal received in the transceiver 113 and 123 shown in the sub graph (a) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the technical features of the control signal received by the receiving STA can be understood as being obtained by Figure 2 the processing chip 114 and 124 shown in the sub graph (b) of FIG. 1. Figure 2 the technical features of the control signal received in the transceiver 113 and 123 shown in the sub graph (b) of FIG. 1.

[0064] Referring to the sub graph (b) of FIG. 1, the software codes 115 and 125 can be included in the memories 112 and 122. The software codes 115 and 125 can include instructions for controlling the operations of the processors 111 and 121. The software codes 115 and 125 can be included as various programming languages. Figure 2

[0065] Figure 2 The processors 111 and 121 or the processing chips 114 and 124 of FIG. 1 can include an application processor (AP). For example, the processors 111 and 121 or the processing chips 114 and 124 of FIG. 1 can include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a modulator and demodulator (modem). For example, the processors 111 and 121 or the processing chips 114 and 124 of FIG. 1 can be a SNAPDRAGON™ series processor manufactured by Qualcomm®, an EXYNOS™ series processor manufactured by Samsung®, an A series processor manufactured by Apple®, a HELIO™ series processor manufactured by MediaTek®, an ATOM™ series processor manufactured by Intel®, or a processor enhanced from these processors. Figure 2 Figure 3

[0066] In the present disclosure, uplink can mean a link for communication from a non-AP STA to an AP STA, and an uplink PPDU / packet / signal, etc. can be transmitted through the uplink. In addition, in the present disclosure, downlink can mean a link for communication from an AP STA to a non-AP STA, and a downlink PPDU / packet / signal, etc. can be transmitted through the downlink.

[0067] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0068] Figure 3 The upper of FIG. 1 illustrates a structure of an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 infrastructure basic service set (BSS).​​​

[0069] refer to Figure 4 The upper part of the wireless LAN system may include one or more infrastructure BSS 200 and 205 (hereinafter referred to as BSS). BSS 200 and 205, as a set of APs and STAs (e.g., access point (AP) 225 and station (STA1) 200-1) that have successfully synchronized to communicate with each other, are not concepts indicating a specific area. BSS 205 may include one or more STAs 205-1 and 205-2 that can join an AP 230.

[0070] A BSS may include at least one STA, an AP that provides distributed services, and a distributed system (DS) 210 that connects multiple APs.

[0071] Distributed system 210 can implement an Extended Service Set (ESS) 240 that is expanded by connecting multiple BSSs 200 and 205. ESS 240 can be used as a term to refer to a network configured by connecting one or more APs 225 or 230 via distributed system 210. APs included in an ESS 240 can have the same Service Set Identifier (SSID).

[0072] Portal 220 can be used as a bridge to connect a wireless LAN network (IEEE 802.11) to another network (e.g., 802.X).

[0073] exist Figure 4 The BSS shown at the top allows for networking between APs 225 and 230, as well as between APs 225 and 230 and STAs 200-1, 205-1, and 205-2. However, it also allows for networking between STAs to perform communication even without APs 225 and 230. Networks that enable communication between STAs by configuring networks even without APs 225 and 230 are defined as self-organizing networks or Independent Basic Service Sets (IBSS).

[0074] Figure 4 The lower part of the diagram is a concept diagram, illustrating IBSS.

[0075] refer to Figure 4IBSS is a BSS operating in an ad hoc mode. Since the IBSS does not include an access point (AP), a centralized management entity performing a management function at the center does not exist. That is, in the IBSS, the STAs 250-1, 250-2, 250-3, 255-4, and 255-5 are managed in a distributed manner. In the IBSS, all of the STAs 250-1, 250-2, 250-3, 255-4, and 255-5 can be composed of mobile STAs, and access to a DS is not allowed to constitute a self-contained network.

[0076] Figure 4 A general link setup procedure is illustrated. In S310, the STA can perform a network discovery operation.

[0077] The network discovery operation can include a scanning operation of the STA. That is, to access a network, the STA needs to discover a network participating in the network. The STA needs to identify a compatible network before joining a wireless network, and a process of identifying a network existing in a specific area is called scanning. The scanning method includes active scanning and passive scanning.

[0078] Figure 4 A network discovery operation including an active scanning process is illustrated. In active scanning, the STA performing scanning transmits a probe request frame and waits for a response to the probe request frame in order to identify which AP exists around while moving to a channel. A responder transmits a probe response frame as a response to the probe request frame to the STA having transmitted the probe request frame. Here, the responder can be an STA transmitting a last beacon frame in a BSS of a channel being scanned. In the BSS, since an AP transmits a beacon frame, the AP is the responder. In the IBSS, since STAs in the IBSS take turns in transmitting a beacon frame, the responder is not fixed. For example, when the STA transmits a probe request frame via channel 1 and receives a probe response frame via channel 1, the STA can store BSS-related information included in the received probe response frame, can move to a next channel (e.g., channel 2), and can perform scanning by the same method (e.g., transmitting a probe request via channel 2 and receiving a probe response).

[0079] Although Figure 4The scanning can be performed by a passive scanning method, which is not shown. In passive scanning, the STA performing the scanning can wait for a beacon frame while moving to the channel. The beacon frame is one of the management frames in IEEE 802.11, and is periodically transmitted to indicate the presence of a wireless network and enable the STA performing the scanning to find the wireless network and join the wireless network. In a BSS, the AP is used to periodically transmit the beacon frame. In an IBSS, the STAs in the IBSS take turns transmitting the beacon frame. Upon receiving the beacon frame, the STA performing the scanning stores information about the BSS included in the beacon frame and records the beacon frame information in the respective channel while moving to another channel. The STA receiving the beacon frame can store the BSS-related information included in the received beacon frame, can move to the next channel, and can perform the scanning in the next channel by the same method.

[0080] After discovering the network, the STA can perform an authentication process in S320. The authentication process can be referred to as a first authentication process to clearly distinguish from a security setup operation in S340 later. The authentication process in S320 can include a process in which the STA transmits an authentication request frame to the AP and the AP transmits an authentication response frame to the STA in response. The authentication frame for authentication request / response is a management frame.

[0081] The authentication frame can include information about an authentication algorithm number, an authentication transaction sequence number, a status code, a challenge text, a robust security network (RSN), and a limited cycle group.

[0082] The STA can transmit the authentication request frame to the AP. The AP can determine whether to allow the authentication of the STA based on the information included in the received authentication request frame. The AP can provide the result of the authentication process to the STA via the authentication response frame.

[0083] When the STA is successfully authenticated, the STA can perform an association process in S330. The association process includes a process in which the STA transmits an association request frame to the AP and the AP transmits an association response frame to the STA in response. For example, the association request frame can include information about various capabilities, a beacon listen interval, a service set identifier (SSID), a supported rate, a supported channel, an RSN, a mobility domain, a supported operating class, a traffic indication map (TIM) broadcast request, and an interworking service capability. For example, the association response frame can include information about various capabilities, a status code, an association ID (AID), a supported rate, an enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameter set, a received channel power indicator (RCPI), a received signal to noise indicator (RSNI), a mobility domain, a super interval (association recovery time), an overlapping BSS scan parameter, a TIM broadcast response, and a QoS map.

[0084] In S340, the STA can perform a security setup process. The security setup process in S340 can include a process of establishing a private key through a four-way handshake (e.g., through an Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) frame).

[0085] Figure 4 An example of a multi-link (ML) is illustrated.

[0086] As Figure 4 illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of multi-link devices (MLDs) can perform communication via a remote link. The MLDs can be classified into an AP MLD including a plurality of AP STAs and a non-AP MLD including a plurality of non-AP STAs. That is, the AP MLD can include affiliated APs (i.e., AP STAs), and the non-AP MLD can include affiliated STAs (i.e., non-AP STAs or user STAs).

[0087] A multi-link can include a first link and a second link, and different channel / subchannel / frequency resources can be allocated to the first link and the second link. The first multi-link and the second multi-link can be identified by a link ID of 4 bits (or other n bits). The first link and the second link can be configured in the same 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz band. Alternatively, the first link and the second link can be configured in different bands.

[0088] Figure 1 The AP MLD of FIG. 1 includes three affiliated APs. In Figure 2 the example of FIG. 1, AP1 can operate in the 2.4 GHz band, AP2 can operate in the 5 GHz band, and AP3 can operate in the 6 GHz band. In Figure 4 the example of FIG. 1, a first link in which AP1 and non-AP1 operate can be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 2.4 GHz band. In addition, in Figure 1 the example of FIG. 1, a second link in which AP2 and non-AP2 operate can be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 5 GHz band. In addition, in Figure 2 the example of FIG. 1, a third link in which AP3 and non-AP3 operate can be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 6 GHz band.

[0089] In Figure 4 the example of FIG. 1, AP1 can initiate a multi-link setup procedure (ML setup procedure) by transmitting an association request frame to non-AP STA1. In Figure 5 the example of FIG. 1, non-AP STA1 can transmit an association response frame in response to the association request frame. Figure 1 to Figure 4 Each AP (e.g., AP1 / 2 / 3) illustrated in FIG. 1 can be associated with Figure 5 and / or Figure 5the AP illustrated in FIG. 1 are the same, and Figure 1 Each non-AP (e.g., non-AP 1 / 2 / 3) illustrated in FIG. 1 can be the same as Figure 5 and / or Figure 5 the STA (i.e., user STA or non-AP STA) illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0090] The specific features of the present disclosure are not limited to Figure 1 the specific features of the AP. That is, the number of links can be defined in various ways, and the plurality of links can be defined in various ways in at least one band.

[0091] Figure 5 A modified example of the transmitting device and / or the receiving device of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0092] Figure 1 The device (e.g., AP STA, non-AP STA) illustrated in FIG. 1 can be modified as Figure 5 illustrated in FIG. 1. Figure 1 The transceiver 530 of the AP can be the same as Figure 5 the transceiver 113, 123 of the STA. Figure 1 The transceiver 530 of the AP can include a receiver and a transmitter.

[0093] Figure 5 The processor 510 of the AP can be the same as Figure 5 the processor 111, 121 of the STA. Alternatively, Figure 6 The processor 510 of the AP can be the same as Figure 6 the processing chip 114, 124 of the STA.

[0094] Figure 6 The memory 150 of the AP can be the same as Figure 6 the memory 112, 122 of the STA. Alternatively, Figure 6 The memory 150 of the AP can be an independent external memory different from Figure 6 the memory 112, 122 of the STA.

[0095] Referring to Figure 6 , the power management module 511 manages power for the processor 510 and / or the transceiver 530. The battery 512 supplies power to the power management module 511. The display 513 outputs a result processed by the processor 510. The keypad 514 receives an input to be used by the processor 510. The keypad 514 can be displayed on the display 513. The SIM card 515 can be an integrated circuit used for secure storage of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and its associated key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers in mobile devices such as mobile phones and computers.

[0096] Referring to Figure 6The speaker (540) can output sound-related results of the processing by the processor 510. The microphone (541) can receive sound-related inputs to be used by the processor 510.

[0097] Figure 6 An example of a physical protocol data unit or physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted / received by a STA of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0098] The STA (e.g., AP STA, non-AP STA, AP MLD, non-AP MLD) of the disclosure can transmit and / or receive a PPDU of Figure 6 The PPDU described in the disclosure can have a structure of, for example, Figure 6 In addition, the PPDU described in the disclosure can be called by various names such as a transmission PPDU, a reception PPDU, a first type or an Nth type PPDU, etc. The PPDU described in the disclosure can be used in a WLAN system defined according to IEEE 802.11bn and / or a next-generation WLAN system that improves IEEE 802.11bn.

[0099] Figure 6 The PPDU in Figure 6 Examples in Figure 6 If examples of Figure 6 If the PPDU of Figure 6 In the UHR-SIG in Figure 6 In other words, a STA that has received a trigger frame for uplink MU (UL-MU) communication can transmit a PPDU having a UHR-SIG omitted in examples of

[0100] In Figure 7 In

[0101] Figure 7Each block illustrated in the middle can be referred to as a field / subfield / signal, etc. The names of these fields / subfields / signals can be Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), Legacy Long Training Field (L-LTF), Legacy Signal (L-SIG), Repeated L-SIG (RL-SIG), Universal Signal (U-SIG), UHR Signal (UHR-SIG), etc., as illustrated in Figure 7 in the middle.

[0102] Figure 7 The subcarrier spacing of the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG, and UHR-SIG fields of the PPDU of

[0103] In the PPDU of Figure 7 , the L-LTF and L-STF can be the same as those in the legacy fields (e.g., non-HT LTF and non-HT STF defined in the legacy WLAN standard).

[0104] Figure 7The L-SIG field 6 of the PPDU can include, for example, 24 bits of bit information. For example, the 24 bits of information can include a 4-bit rate field, a 1-bit reserved bit, a 12-bit length field, a 1-bit parity bit, and 6-bit tail bits. For example, the 12-bit length field can include information related to the length or time duration of the PPDU. For example, the 12-bit length field can be determined based on the type of the PPDU. For example, when the PPDU is a non-high throughput (HT), high throughput (HT), very high throughput (VHT) PPDU, an extremely high throughput (EHT) PPDU, or a UHR PPDU, the value of the length field can be determined as a multiple of 3. For example, when the PPDU is a HE PPDU, the value of the length field can be determined as "multiple of 3" + 1 or "multiple of 3" + 2. In other words, for non-HT, HT, VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, or UHR PPDU, the value of the length field can be determined as a multiple of 3, and for high efficiency (HE) PPDU, the value of the length field can be determined as "multiple of 3" + 1 or "multiple of 3" + 2. In other words, the LENGTH field in the UHR PPDU is set to a value that satisfies the following condition: when LENGTH is divided by 3, the remainder is zero.

[0105] For example, the (non-AP and AP) STA can apply BCC encoding based on a 1 / 2 coding rate to the 24 bits of information of the L-SIG field. Thereafter, the transmitting STA can obtain 48 bits of BCC encoded bits. BPSK modulation can be applied to the 48 bits of encoded bits, thereby generating 48 BPSK symbols. The transmitting STA can map the 48 BPSK symbols to positions other than the pilot subcarriers {subcarrier indices -21, -7, +7, +21} and the DC subcarrier {subcarrier index 0}. Accordingly, the 48 BPSK symbols can be mapped to subcarrier indices -26 to -22, -20 to -8, -6 to -1, +1 to +6, +8 to +20, and +22 to +26. The transmitting STA can additionally map signals of {-1, -1, -1, 1} to subcarrier indices {-28, -27, +27, +28}. The foregoing signals can be used for channel estimation in the frequency domain corresponding to {-28, -27, +27, +28}.

[0106] For example, the (non-AP and AP) STAs can generate the RL-SIG in the same way as the L-SIG. BPSK modulation can be applied to the RL-SIG. The (non-AP and AP) STAs can learn that the RX PPDU is a HE PPDU, an EHT PPDU, or a UHR PPDU based on the presence of the RL-SIG. In other words, if the RL-SIG is present, the receiving (non-AP and AP) STAs can learn that the received PPDU is one of a HE PPDU, an EHT PPDU, and a UHR PPDU. In other words, if the RL-SIG is not present, the receiving (non-AP and AP) STAs can learn that the received PPDU is one of a non-HT PPDU, a HT PPDU, and a VHT PPDU. In other words, the RL-SIG field is a repetition of the L-SIG field and is used to distinguish a UHR PPDU from a non-HT PPDU, a HT PPDU, and a VHT PPDU.

[0107] A Universal SIG (U-SIG) can be inserted after the RL-SIG of Figure 8 The U-SIG can be referred to in various terms such as a first SIG field, a first SIG, a first type SIG, a control signal, a control signal field, a first (type) control signal, a common control field, a common control signal, and the like.

[0108] The U-SIG can include N bits of information and can include information to identify a type of the EHT PPDU. For example, the U-SIG can be configured based on two symbols (e.g., two consecutive OFDM symbols). Each symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol) for the U-SIG can have a duration of 4 μs. Each symbol of the U-SIG can be used to transmit 26 bits of information. For example, each symbol of the U-SIG can be transmitted / received based on 52 data tones and 4 pilot tones.

[0109] A bits of information (e.g., 52 uncoded bits) can be transmitted through, for example, the U-SIG. A first symbol of the U-SIG can transmit information of a first X bits of the A bits of information (e.g., 26 uncoded bits), and a second symbol of the U-SIG can transmit information of a remaining Y bits of the A bits of information (e.g., 26 uncoded bits). For example, a transmitting STA can obtain the 26 uncoded bits included in each U-SIG symbol. The transmitting STA can perform convolutional encoding (i.e., BCC encoding) based on a rate of R = 1 / 2 to generate 52 coded bits, and can perform interleaving on the 52 coded bits. The transmitting STA can perform BPSK modulation on the interleaved 52 coded bits to generate 52 BPSK symbols to be allocated to each U-SIG symbol. One U-SIG symbol can be transmitted based on 65 tones (subcarriers) from subcarrier index -28 to subcarrier index +28, except for the DC index 0. The 52 BPSK symbols generated by the transmitting STA can be transmitted based on the remaining tones (subcarriers) except for the pilot tones, i.e., tones -21, -7, +7, +21.

[0110] For example, the A bits of information (e.g., 52 uncoded bits) generated by the U-SIG can include a CRC field (e.g., a field having a length of 4 bits) and a tail field (e.g., a field having a length of 6 bits). The CRC field and the tail field can be transmitted through the second symbol of the U-SIG. The CRC field can be generated based on the 26 bits allocated to the first symbol of the U-SIG and the remaining 16 bits of the second symbol except for the CRC / tail field, and can be generated based on a conventional CRC calculation algorithm. In addition, the tail field can be used to terminate a trellis of a convolutional decoder, and can be set to, for example, "000000."

[0111] The A bits of information (e.g., 52 uncoded bits) transmitted by the U-SIG (or the U-SIG field) can be divided into version-independent bits and version-dependent bits. For example, the version-independent bits can have a fixed or variable size. For example, the version-independent bits can be allocated only to the first symbol of the U-SIG, or the version-independent bits can be allocated to both the first symbol and the second symbol of the U-SIG. For example, the version-independent bits and the version-dependent bits can be referred to in various terms such as first control bits, second control bits, etc.

[0112] For example, the version-independent bits of the U-SIG can include a 3-bit PHY version identifier. For example, the 3-bit PHY version identifier can include information related to the PHY version of the TX / RX PPDU. For example, a first value (e.g., 000 value) of the 3-bit PHY version identifier can indicate that the TX / RX PPDU is an EHT PPDU. Also, a second value (e.g., 001 value) of the 3-bit PHY version identifier can indicate that the TX / RX PPDU is a UHR PPDU.

[0113] In other words, when the (AP / non-AP) STA transmits the EHT PPDU, the 3-bit PHY version identifier can be set to the first value, and when the (AP / non-AP) STA transmits the UHR PPDU, the 3-bit PHY version identifier can be set to the second value. In other words, the receiving (AP / non-AP) STA can determine that the received PPDU is the EHT PPDU based on the PHY version identifier having the first value, and can determine that the received PPDU is the UHR PPDU based on the PHY version identifier having the second value.

[0114] For example, the version-independent bits of the U-SIG can include a 1-bit UL / DL flag field. A first value of the 1-bit UL / DL flag field is related to UL communication, and a second value of the UL / DL flag field is related to DL communication.

[0115] For example, the version-independent bits of the U-SIG can include information related to a transmission opportunity (TXOP) length and information related to a BSS color ID.

[0116] For example, if the UHR PPDU is classified into various types (e.g., a type related to SU transmission (performed based on UL or DL), a type related to DL transmission, a type related to NDP transmission, a type related to DL non-MU-MIMO, a type related to DL MU-MIMO, a type related to multi-AP operation, a type related to coordinated beamforming (CBF), spatial reuse (SR), a type related to coordinated OFDMA (C-OFDMA), a type related to coordinated TDMA (CTDMA)), information (e.g., 2-bit or 3-bit information) about the type of the UHR PPDU can be included in the version-dependent bits of the U-SIG.

[0117] For example, the U-SIG can include: 1) a bandwidth field including information related to a bandwidth; 2) a field including information related to an MCS applied to the UHR-SIG; 3) an indication field including information on whether a dual carrier modulation (DCM) scheme is applied to the UHR-SIG; 4) a field including information related to a number of symbols used for the UHR-SIG; 5) a field including information on whether the UHR-SIG is generated across a full band; 6) a field including information related to a type of UHR-LTF / STF; and 7) information related to a field indicating a UHR-LTF length and a CP length.

[0118] Preamble puncturing can be applied to a PPDU of Figure 7 Preamble puncturing means that puncturing is applied to a portion of a full band (e.g., a secondary 20 MHz band). For example, when an 80 MHz PPDU is transmitted, a STA can apply puncturing to a secondary 20 MHz band from among 80 MHz bands, and can transmit the PPDU through only a primary 20 MHz band and a secondary 40 MHz band.

[0119] For example, a pattern of preamble puncturing can be pre-configured. For example, when a first puncturing pattern is applied, puncturing can be applied only to a secondary 20 MHz band within an 80 MHz band. For example, when a second puncturing pattern is applied, puncturing can be applied only to any one of two secondary 20 MHz bands included in a secondary 40 MHz band within an 80 MHz band. For example, when a third puncturing pattern is applied, puncturing can be applied only to a secondary 20 MHz band included in a primary 80 MHz band within a 160 MHz band (or an 80+80 MHz band). For example, when a fourth puncturing pattern is applied, puncturing can be applied to at least one 20 MHz channel not belonging to a primary 40 MHz band in the presence of the primary 40 MHz band included in an 80 MHz band within a 160 MHz band (or an 80+80 MHz band).

[0120] Information related to preamble puncturing applied to a PPDU can be included in a U-SIG and / or a UHR-SIG. For example, a first field of the U-SIG can include information related to a contiguous bandwidth, and a second field of the U-SIG can include information related to preamble puncturing applied to the PPDU.

[0121] For example, based on the following method, the U-SIG and the UHR-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing. The U-SIG can be separately configured in units of 80MHz when the bandwidth of the PPDU exceeds 80MHz. For example, when the bandwidth of the PPDU is 160MHz, the PPDU can include a first U-SIG for a first 80MHz band and a second U-SIG for a second 80MHz band. In this case, a first field of the first U-SIG can include information related to the 160MHz bandwidth, and a second field of the first U-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing applied to the first 80MHz band (i.e., information related to the preamble puncturing pattern). Also, a first field of the second U-SIG can include information related to the 160MHz bandwidth, and a second field of the second U-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing applied to the second 80MHz band (i.e., information related to the preamble puncturing pattern). Meanwhile, the UHR-SIG continuous to the first U-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing applied to the second 80MHz band (i.e., information related to the preamble puncturing pattern), and the UHR-SIG continuous to the second U-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing applied to the first 80MHz band (i.e., information related to the preamble puncturing pattern).

[0122] Additionally or alternatively, based on the following method, the U-SIG and the UHR-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing. The U-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing for all bands (i.e., information related to the preamble puncturing pattern). That is, the UHR-SIG can not include information related to the preamble puncturing, and only the U-SIG can include information related to the preamble puncturing (i.e., information related to the preamble puncturing pattern).

[0123] The U-SIG can be configured in units of 20MHz. For example, when an 80MHz PPDU is configured, the U-SIG can be duplicated. That is, four identical U-SIGs can be included in the 80MHz PPDU. The PPDU exceeding the 80MHz bandwidth can include different U-SIGs.

[0124] Figure 8 The UHR-SIG field of the PPDU can include control information for the receiving STA. The UHR-SIG field can be transmitted through at least one symbol, and one symbol can have a length of 4us. Information related to the number of symbols used for the UHR-SIG can be included in the U-SIG field.

[0125] The UHR-SIG provides additional signals for the U-SIG field to enable the STA to interpret / decode the UHR PPDU. The UHR-SIG field can include U-SIG overflow bits that are commonly applied to all users. In addition, the UHR-SIG field includes resource allocation information so that the STA can find resources used in the fields including the data field / UHR-STF / UHR-LTF (i.e., UHR modulation field of the UHR PPDU).

[0126] Figure 8 The frequency resources of the UHR-LTF, UHR-STF, and data field illustrated in FIG. 1 can be determined based on an RU (Resource Unit) defined by a plurality of subcarriers / tone. That is, the UHR-LTF, UHR-STF, and data field of the present disclosure can be transmitted / received through an RU (Resource Unit) defined by a plurality of subcarriers / tone.

[0127] Figure 7 The layout of the resource unit (RU) used for the 20MHz PPDU is illustrated. That is, the UHR-LTF, UHR-STF, and / or data field included in the 20MHz PPDU can be transmitted / received through at least one of various RUs defined in FIG. 1. Figure 9

[0128] As illustrated in the uppermost part of FIG. 1, 26-units (i.e., units corresponding to 26 tones) can be arranged. 6 tones can be used for a guard band in the leftmost band of the 20MHz band, and 5 tones can be used for a guard band in the rightmost band of the 20MHz band. In addition, 7 DC tones can be inserted in the center band (i.e., DC band), and 26-units corresponding to 13 tones on each of the left and right sides of the DC band can be arranged. 26-units, 52-units, and 106-units can be allocated to other bands. Each unit can be allocated to a receiving STA (i.e., user). Figure 10

[0129] The layout of the RU in FIG. 1 can not only be used for multi-user (MU), but also for single user (SU), in which case one 242-unit can be used, and three DC tones are inserted, as illustrated in the lowermost part of FIG. 1. Figure 10 Figure 11

[0130] Although Figure 11 ​​​Various sizes of RUs, i.e., 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, and 242-RU, are proposed, but the specific size of the RU can be extended or increased. Thus, the present embodiment is not limited to the specific size of each RU (i.e., the number of corresponding tones). In the present disclosure, N-RU can be expressed as N-tone RU, etc. For example, 26-RU can be expressed as 26-tone RU.

[0131] Figure 12 A resource unit (RU) layout used for a 40MHz PPDU is illustrated.

[0132] Similar to the case where RUs having various sizes are used Figure 12 In the example of Figure 13 , 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, 242-RU, 484-RU, etc. can be used. In addition, 5 DC tones can be inserted in the center frequency, 12 tones can be used for the guard band in the leftmost band of the 40MHz band, and 11 tones can be used for the guard band in the rightmost band of the 40MHz band.

[0133] As illustrated in Figure 13 , when the layout of the RU is used for a single user, 484-RU can be used. The specific number of RUs can be similarly changed. Figure 13 Similarly, the specific number of RUs can be changed.

[0134] Figure 13 A layout of a resource unit (RU) used for an 80MHz PPDU is illustrated. The layout of the resource unit (RU) used in the present disclosure can vary. For example, the layout of the resource unit (RU) used in the 80MHz band can vary.

[0135] Figure 13 An operation related to UL-MU is illustrated. As illustrated, a transmitting STA (e.g., an AP) can obtain a TXOP 1025 by contention-performing channel access (i.e., backoff operation) and transmit a trigger frame 1030. That is, the transmitting STA (e.g., the AP) can transmit a PPDU including the trigger frame 1030. When the PPDU including the trigger frame is received, a trigger-based (TB) PPDU is transmitted after a SIFS delay.

[0136] The TB PPDUs 1041 and 1042 can be simultaneously transmitted and from a plurality of STAs (e.g., user STAs) whose AIDs are indicated in the trigger frame 1030. An ACK frame 1050 for the TB PPDUs can be implemented in various forms. For example, the ACK frame 1050 for the TB PPDUs can be implemented in the form of a block ACK (BA).

[0137] In Figure 13In some aspects, the transmission of the trigger frame 1030, the TB PPDUs 1041, 1042, and / or the ACK frame 1050 can be performed within the TXOP 1025.

[0138] Figure 14 An example of channels used / supported / defined within the 2.4 GHz band is illustrated.

[0139] The 2.4 GHz band can also be referred to by other names, such as the “first band.” Furthermore, the 2.4 GHz band can refer to a frequency range in which channels having a center frequency adjacent to 2.4 GHz are used / supported / defined (e.g., channels having a center frequency between 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz).

[0140] The 2.4 GHz band can include multiple 20 MHz channels. Each 20 MHz within the 2.4 GHz band can have a channel index (e.g., indices 1-14). For example, a 20 MHz channel assigned channel index 1 can have a center frequency of 2.412 GHz, a 20 MHz channel assigned channel index 2 can have a center frequency of 2.417 GHz, and a 20 MHz channel assigned channel index N can have a center frequency of (2.407 + 0.005*N) GHz. Channel indices can be referred to by various names, such as channel numbers. The specific values of channel indices and center frequencies can vary.

[0141] Figure 14 An example of four channels within the 2.4 GHz band is illustrated. The illustrated first frequency region 1110 through fourth frequency region 1140 can each include one channel. For example, the first frequency region 1110 can include channel 1 (a 20 MHz channel with index 1). In this case, the center frequency of channel 1 can be set to 2412 MHz. The second frequency region 1120 can include channel 6. The center frequency of channel 6 can be set to 2437 MHz. The third frequency region 1130 can include channel 11. The center frequency of channel 11 can be set to 2462 MHz. The fourth frequency region 1140 can include channel 14. The center frequency of channel 14 can be set to 2484 MHz.

[0142] Figure 15a An example of channels used / supported / defined within the 5 GHz band is illustrated.

[0143] The 5 GHz band can be referred to by other names, such as the “second band” or the “band.” The 5 GHz band can refer to a frequency range in which channels having a center frequency of 5 GHz or more but less than 6 GHz (or less than 5.9 GHz) are used / supported / defined. Alternatively, the 5 GHz band can include multiple channels between 4.5 GHz and 5.5 GHz.Figure 15a The specific values shown in the middle can vary.

[0144] The multiple channels within the 5 GHz band include Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII)-1, UNII-2, UNII-3, and ISM. UNII-1 can be referred to as UNII Low. UNII-2 can include the frequency ranges referred to as UNII Mid and UNII-2 Extended. UNII-3 can be referred to as UNII-Upper.

[0145] Multiple channels can be configured within the 5 GHz band, and the bandwidth of each channel can vary, such as 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz. For example, the 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency range within UNII-1 and UNII-2 can be divided into eight 20 MHz channels. The 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency range can be divided into four channels across a 40 MHz band. The 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency range can be divided into two channels across an 80 MHz band. Alternatively, the 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency range can be divided into one channel across a 160 MHz band.

[0146] Figure 15b An example of channels that are used, supported, and defined within the 6 GHz band is illustrated.

[0147] The 6 GHz band can also be referred to by other names, such as the Third Band. The 6 GHz band can refer to a frequency range in which channels with center frequencies above 5.9 GHz are used, supported, and defined. Figure 15b The specific numbers shown in the middle can vary.

[0148] For example, Figure 15a A 20 MHz channel in the 5.9 GHz band can be defined starting at 5.940 GHz. In particular, Figure 15b The left-most channel among the 20 MHz channels in the 5.9 GHz band can have an index of 1 (or channel index, channel number, etc.) and can be assigned a center frequency of 5.945 GHz. That is, the center frequency of the index N channel can be determined as (5.940 + 0.005*N) GHz.

[0149] Thus, Figure 16aThe indices (or channel numbers) of the 20MHz channels of the 80MHz channel can be 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77, 81, 85, 89, 93, 97, 101, 105, 109, 113, 117, 121, 125, 129, 133, 137, 141, 145, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165, 169, 173, 177, 181, 185, 189, 193. They can be 197, 201, 205, 209, 213, 217, 221, 225, 229, 233. Further, according to the (5.940 + 0.005*N) GHz rule mentioned above, Figure 16b The indices of the 40MHz channels in the 80+80MHz channel can be 3, 11, 19, 27, 35, 43, 51, 59, 67, 75, 83, 91, 99, 107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155, 163, 171, 179, 187, 195, 203, 211, 219, 227.

[0150] Figure 16a A trigger frame format is illustrated. The trigger frame format can also be referred to as the structure of the trigger frame.

[0151] Referring to Figure 16b , the trigger frame can include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a common information field, a user information list field, a padding field, and / or a frame check sequence (FCS) field. Optionally, the trigger frame can further include a specific user information field between the common information field and the user information list field. The user information list field can include one or more user information fields. The frame control field, the duration field, the RA field, and the TA field can constitute a MAC header.

[0152] The common information field can include a HE variant common information field and / or an EHT variant common information field. The user information field can also include a HE variant user information field and / or an EHT variant user information field.

[0153] Figure 17 A HE variant common information field format is illustrated. The HE variant common information field format can also be referred to as the structure of the HE variant common information field.

[0154] Referring to Figure 17 , the HE variant common information field can include various subfields. For example, the HE variant common information field can include a trigger type subfield (B0-B3, 4 bits), a reserved subfield (B63, 1 bit), and / or a trigger-related common information subfield (variable bit size).

[0155] Figure 17 A HE variant common information field format is illustrated. The HE variant common information field format can also be referred to as a structure of the HE variant common information field.

[0156] Referring to Figure 18 , the HE variant common information field can include various subfields. For example, the HE variant common information field can include a trigger type subfield (B0-B3, 4 bits), a reserved subfield (B63, 1 bit), and / or a trigger related common information subfield (variable bit size).

[0157] In Figure 18 and Figure 4 , the trigger type subfield value of the HE / EHT variant common information field can indicate a trigger frame variant, as shown in :

[0158]

Table 1

[0159]

[0160] Figure 19 A HE variant user information field format is illustrated. Figure 19 A EHT variant user information field format is illustrated. The HE / EHT variant user information field format can also be referred to as a structure of the HE / EHT variant user information field. Referring to Figure 20 and Figure 20 , the HE / EHT variant user information field can include various subfields. In the following, a description of preamble puncturing will be given.

[0161] Preamble puncturing refers to a transmission of a PPDU in which there is no signal on at least one 20 MHz channel / subchannel within the PPDU bandwidth. Preamble puncturing can be caused by a situation in which a 20 MHz channel / subchannel within the PPDU bandwidth cannot be used, such as when the channel / subchannel is indicated as busy by a channel idle assessment (CCA), and / or when a bit is set in the disabled subchannel bitmap subfield (of an EHT operation element).

[0162] Figure 21 An example in which preamble puncturing is applied is illustrated.

[0163] Referring to Figure 21In the entire 80MHz band, a portion of the 20MHz band 1710 can be busy and / or interfered by other signals. If no preamble puncturing is applied, only a contiguous 40MHz band 1720 consisting of two 20MHz channels can be used, or a single 20MHz band 1730 can be used, because the available channels must all be contiguous and in an idle state (i.e., no interference and / or no congestion). That is, without applying preamble puncturing, the 40MHz band 1720 and the 20MHz band 1730 cannot be used together.

[0164] In contrast, when preamble puncturing is applied, a PPDU having no signal in the 20MHz band 1710 can be transmitted over the entire 80MHz band. In this case, the 40MHz band 1720 and the 20MHz band 1730 can be effectively used together. A transmitting STA can generate a PPDU for the entire 80MHz band, but puncture the signal corresponding to the 20MHz band 1710, thereby transmitting a PPDU having no signal on the 20MHz band 1710 over the entire 80MHz band. The 20MHz band 1710 can be referred to as a preamble puncturing channel and / or a puncturing channel. The transmitting STA can also transmit preamble puncturing information (e.g., puncturing channel information) indicating the puncturing channel to a receiving STA. The receiving STA can receive the PPDU over the entire 80MHz band using a single radio frequency (RF) chain, but can refrain from decoding the signal corresponding to the 20MHz band 1710 indicated by the puncturing information, and can decode the signals corresponding to the remaining 40MHz band 1720 and the 20MHz band 1730. Thus, when preamble puncturing is applied, a PPDU mapped to non-contiguous channels / subchannels can be transmitted to the receiving STA, and the receiving STA can decode the PPDU using only a single RF chain.

[0165] In Figure 22 , the 20MHz band 1710 that is busy and / or interfered by other signals can be referred to as a "disabled channel", and the remaining 40MHz band 1720 and the 20MHz band 1730 can be referred to as "available channels". Preamble puncturing can be applied not only to the disabled channel but also to the available channel, and a channel to which preamble puncturing is applied can be referred to as a "puncturing channel".

[0166] Preamble puncturing can exist in a MU PPDU transmitted in a DL or UL direction, and in a TB PPDU transmitted by a non-AP STA in the UL direction. In the case of a MU PPDU, preamble puncturing information can be included in the MU PPDU. For example, in an EHT MU PPDU, information for preamble puncturing can be included in a U-SIG and an EHT-SIG field.

[0167] The preamble puncturing resolution can be 20MHz when OFDMA transmissions are used for bandwidths greater than 40MHz and non-OFDMA transmissions are used for 80MHz or 160MHz PPDU bandwidths. In this case, puncturing can not be allowed for channels / subchannels smaller than 242-tone RUs. For MU PPDUs with non-OFDMA transmissions with 320MHz PPDU bandwidth, the preamble puncturing resolution can be 40MHz. That is, in non-OFDMA transmissions, puncturing can not be allowed for channels / subchannels smaller than 484-tone RUs within the 320MHz PPDU bandwidth.

[0168] Preamble puncturing can not be applied to the primary 20MHz channel / subchannel of the MU PPDU.

[0169] The AP can add a disable subchannel bitmap subfield to the management frame (EHT Operating Element included in the management frame). When the AP punctures a channel / subchannel for the BSS, the AP shall set the disable subchannel bitmap present subfield to 1 and shall include the disable subchannel bitmap subfield (in the EHT Operating Element). Otherwise (i.e., when no channel / subchannel is punctured), the AP shall set the disable subchannel bitmap present subfield to 0 and shall not include the disable subchannel bitmap subfield (in the EHT Operating Element). The puncturing pattern indicated by the disable subchannel bitmap subfield shall be one of the non-OFDMA puncturing patterns defined according to the puncturing channel information field of the U-SIG for the MU PPDU using non-OFDMA transmissions. The AP can set each bit of the disable subchannel bitmap subfield according to the following constraints:

[0170] - The result of the puncturing pattern shall correspond to one of the puncturing patterns defined according to the channel information field.

[0171] - The bits corresponding to the 20MHz channels / subchannels outside the BSS bandwidth shall be set to 1.

[0172] - The bits corresponding to the primary 20MHz channel / subchannel shall be set to 0.

[0173] The disable subchannel bitmap subfield can be a 16-bit bitmap. In the 16-bit bitmap, the least significant bit can correspond to the 20MHz channel / subchannel within the BSS bandwidth with the lowest frequency among the set of all 20MHz channels / subchannels within the BSS bandwidth. Each consecutive bit in the bitmap can correspond to the next higher frequency 20MHz channel / subchannel. The bits within the BSS bandwidth can be set to 1 to indicate that the corresponding 20MHz channel / subchannel is punctured and to 0 to indicate that it is not punctured. The bits outside the BSS bandwidth can be reserved.

[0174] The following describes channel sounding, taking channel measurement as an example.

[0175] Figure 22 An example of a channel sounding procedure is illustrated.

[0176] Reference Figure 22 Channel sounding is initiated by a first STA, referred to as a beamformer. Channel sounding can be performed between the beamformer and a second STA, referred to as a beamformee. For DL channel measurement, the beamformer can be an AP STA and the beamformee can be a non-AP STA. For UL channel measurement, the beamformer can be a non-AP STA and the beamformee can be an AP STA.

[0177] In step S1801, the beamformer can initiate channel sounding by sending a null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame to the beamformee, which is used to control the channel and identify the beamformee. The number of beamformees can be one or more. If the number of beamformees is N, NPDA can include N STA information fields. Each STA information field is associated with a corresponding beamformee and can include information for the corresponding beamformee (e.g., information identifying the beamformee). At least one beamformee performs a response to the NDPA frame. STAs other than the beamformee can defer channel access until the sounding sequence (i.e., the consecutive frame exchange for sounding) is completed.

[0178] In step S1803, after the NDPA frame is sent, the beamformer can send a null data packet (NDP) frame. The NDP is defined based on a VHT / HE / EHT / UHR PPDU. For example, the NDP can be a PPDU in which a data field corresponding to a payload signal (or MAC data) is omitted from the VHT / HE / EHT / UHR PPDU. Because the NDP includes multiple OFDM training fields, a beamformee that receives the NDP can calculate a channel response. In addition, the NDP can be used to calculate a steering matrix (e.g., a Q matrix) related to beamforming. In some cases, multiple NDPs can be configured for multiple beamformees. As illustrated, there can be an interframe space of a short interframe space (SIFS) between the NDPA frame and the NDP frame. That is, the NDP frame can be sent after SIFS has elapsed since the NDPA frame is sent.

[0179] In step S1805, the beamformed receiver can compute a feedback matrix / channel quality indicator (CQI) based on the received NDP. In other words, the beamformed receiver can perform channel measurement based on the received NDP and obtain channel information (e.g., feedback matrix / CQI) including the result of the channel measurement. The feedback matrix, expressed by various names such as V matrix, enables the beamforming generator to compute a steering matrix. The beamformed receiver transmits a feedback / report signal including the channel information to the beamforming generator. The beamforming generator can compute a steering matrix based on the feedback / report signal, e.g., for pointing the communication to the beamformed receiver. The channel information and / or the feedback / report signal can include a compressed beamformed signal, as shown.

[0180] If there is only one beamformed receiver, the beamformed receiver can transmit the feedback / report signal to the beamforming generator after SIFS has elapsed since receiving the NDP.

[0181] When there are multiple beamformed receivers, they can transmit the feedback / report signal sequentially. The beamformed receiver associated with the first STA information field among the STA information fields can transmit the feedback / report signal to the beamforming generator after SIFS has elapsed since receiving the NDP, without receiving a separate polling frame. In contrast, the remaining beamformed receivers can transmit the feedback / report signal to the beamforming generator after SIFS has elapsed since receiving a polling frame (e.g., BFRP frame) transmitted by the beamforming generator. Here, the polling frame can be transmitted after SIFS has elapsed since transmitting / receiving the feedback / report signal.

[0182] When there are multiple beamformed receivers, the multiple beamformed receivers can transmit the feedback / report signal simultaneously via the RUs allocated by a trigger frame. For example, the trigger frame can be a beamforming report poll (BFRP) trigger frame. The BFRP trigger frame can include information for identifying the beamformed receivers (e.g., AID / 12 LSBs), and information of frequency resources (i.e., RUs) for each beamformed receiver to transmit the feedback / report signal. The beamformed receivers identified by the BFRP trigger frame can transmit the feedback / report signal based on the corresponding RU resources (simultaneously / together). The BFRP trigger frame can be transmitted after SIFS has elapsed since transmitting / receiving the NDP. The feedback / report signals of the multiple beamformed receivers can be transmitted after SIFS has elapsed since transmitting / receiving the BFRP trigger frame.

[0183] Meanwhile, in the next generation wireless LAN system, signal transmission and reception using a relay (i.e., a relay operation) can be considered to ensure stable and / or reliable signal transmission regardless of the location of a STA within a BSS, increase signal transmission coverage, and / or eliminate signal inaccessibility. For the relay operation, a relay STA can be required. The relay STA refers to a device that receives a PPDU (e.g., the aforementioned HT / VHT / HE / EHT / UHR-PPDU) from a first STA (e.g., an AP STA) and relays the received PPDU to a second STA (e.g., a non-AP STA).

[0184] The relay function / operation / process performed by the relay STA in the disclosure can be implemented in various ways. For example, the relay STA can receive a first PPDU from a first STA and decode a portion of the received first PPDU. For example, the relay STA can decode a PHY preamble (e.g., L-SIG, U-SIG, EHT-SIG, etc.) included in the first PPDU and decode a portion of a MAC frame (e.g., a MAC header) included in a data field of the first PPDU. Through this, the relay STA can obtain a frame body of the MAC frame of the first PPDU and can relay the frame body of the MAC frame to a second STA without additional decoding of the obtained frame body of the MAC frame. That is, the relay STA can encode / generate / configure a second PPDU based on the body of the MAC frame for the second PPDU and transmit the second PPDU to the second STA. Accordingly, the first PPDU and the second PPDU can include the same payload or MAC frame body. For example, the PHY preamble and / or the MAC header of the first PPDU received by the relay STA can be the same as or different from the PHY preamble and / or the MAC header of the second PPDU transmitted by the relay STA. For example, the relay STA can not decode the MAC frame (i.e., the frame body) other than the MAC header of the first PPDU or can decode only a portion thereof.

[0185] The relay STA of the disclosure can be implemented in various ways.

[0186] First, the relay STA of the disclosure can be implemented in a way including a relay STA and a relay AP. That is, the relay STA can include a relay STA in communication with a root AP and a relay AP in communication with a non-AP. In this case, a higher BSS can be defined between the root AP and the relay STA, and a lower BSS can be defined between the relay AP and the non-AP. The relay function can be implemented between the relay STA and the relay AP inside the relay STA.

[0187] Second, the relay STA of the disclosure can be a terminal / device operating as a non-AP STA (i.e., a user STA). That is, the relay STA of the disclosure can belong to a BSS defined / configured by an AP STA without newly defining / configuring a lower BSS by itself. The AP STA can assign an ID (e.g., an AID) to the relay STA in the same manner as a conventional non-AP STA (i.e., a user STA). That is, the relay STA can be identified like a typical non-AP STA (i.e., a user STA) and can additionally support the above-described relay function / operation / process. That is, the relay STA can receive a first DL PPDU from the AP STA, obtain a MAC frame body of the first DL PPDU, and relay a second DL PPDU including the obtained MAC frame body to a neighboring non-AP STA. Also, the relay STA can receive a first UL PPDU from the neighboring non-AP station, obtain a MAC frame body of the first UL PPDU, and relay a second UL PPDU including the obtained MAC frame body to the AP station.

[0188] Third, the relay STA of the disclosure can be implemented based on multiple links. For example, the above-described relay function / operation / process can be performed based on multiple links, such as those described in the disclosure Figure 23 above. That is, a specific non-AP MLD can operate as a relay STA, and in this case, a first PPDU can be received via a first link included in the non-AP MLD. The relay STA can relay the first PPDU received via the first link to another STA via a second link. For example, the first link can operate as a DL link (or a UL link), and the second link can operate as a UL link (or a DL link).

[0189] To facilitate relay implementation and reduce operational complexity, the next-generation wireless LAN system can consider AP-controlled relay transmission / operation.

[0190] In this disclosure, an AP-controlled relay STA is referred to as an "AP-controlled relay STA," or simply as an ACRS. The ACRS performs relay transmission of data received from an AP within a BSS. The AP can control the ACRS to perform relay operation. That is, based on control information received from the AP, the ACRS can transmit a signal received from the AP to a terminal user / STA or transmit a signal received from a plurality of non-AP STAs to the AP.

[0191] For example, the ACRS can be a standalone relay device that performs only relay transmission. Alternatively, the ACRS can be a non-AP STA that supports relay operation.

[0192] In this disclosure, the operations performed by the ACRS can not only be performed by the ACRS, but also by various relay STAs (e.g., relay STAs not under the control of the AP).

[0193] Figure 23 An example of relay transmission / operation is illustrated.

[0194] Reference Figure 23 In the next generation wireless LAN system, a relay STA can transmit a signal to one or more non-AP STAs located at the edge of a BSS or an extended range or receive a signal from the non-AP STAs through a relay operation. The relay operation can be performed using two links (e.g., from the AP to the relay STA and from the relay STA to the non-AP STA (DL relay transmission), or from the non-AP STA to the relay STA and from the relay STA to the AP (UL relay transmission)). Because the two links have different channel conditions, channel information for the two links can be needed to effectively perform the relay operation using the two links. In addition, because the channel condition between the relay STA and the non-AP STA can be different from the channel condition between the AP and the relay STA, a usable channel can be used, which is different from the disabled subchannel information and / or the punctured channel information configured by the AP.

[0195] Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes a method and apparatus for utilizing information for a usable channel between a relay STA and a non-AP STA in order to effectively perform a relay operation. The present disclosure also proposes a procedure for estimating information for a usable channel and / or a punctured channel between a relay STA and a non-AP STA so that a relay transmission / operation is effectively performed and corresponding signaling.

[0196] In the present disclosure, a link between a relay STA and a non-AP STA can be referred to as a relay link / channel, but this is only exemplary and other expressions can also be used. In addition, a link between an AP and a relay STA can be referred to as an AP link / channel.

[0197] In the present disclosure, the terms "channel" and "subchannel" can be used interchangeably.

[0198] In the present disclosure, the terms "channel measurement" and "channel estimation" can be used interchangeably.

[0199] Figure 23 An example of a method performed by a STA for processing disabled channel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0200] Reference Figure 24 In step S2001, the STA can receive a measurement indication (e.g., a disabled channel measurement indication) indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and the STA.

[0201] In step S2003, the STA can receive a signal for channel measurement (e.g., NDP) of the relay channel from the relay STA.

[0202] In step S2005, the STA can perform a disabled channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for channel measurement.

[0203] In step S2007, the STA can transmit disabled channel information including a result of the disabled channel measurement.

[0204] According to various embodiments, the disabled channel measurement for the relay channel can include identifying whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel is a disabled channel or an available channel.

[0205] According to various embodiments, the one or more channels in the relay channel can include at least one of a punctured channel or a disabled channel on an access point (AP) channel between the relay STA and the AP.

[0206] According to various embodiments, the one or more channels in the relay channel can exclude a punctured channel or a disabled channel on an access point (AP) channel between the relay STA and the AP.

[0207] According to various embodiments, the STA can receive information (e.g., puncture information) indicating at least one of a punctured channel or a disabled channel on an AP channel.

[0208] According to various embodiments, the STA can receive information indicating a measurement of availability of at least one of a punctured channel or a disabled channel on an AP channel. In the disclosure, the measurement of availability for a channel can include checking / identifying which channels are available channels and which channels are disabled channels.

[0209] According to various embodiments, the measurement indication can include one bit indicating to perform the disabled channel measurement.

[0210] According to various embodiments, the STA can receive information indicating a channel size (e.g., subchannel resolution) for the disabled channel measurement. The disabled channel measurement can include identifying whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel having the channel size is a disabled channel or an available channel.

[0211] According to various embodiments, the disabled channel information can indicate whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel is a disabled channel or an available channel.

[0212] According to various embodiments, the disabling channel information can include a bitmap (e.g., disabling subchannel bitmap) indicating whether each of the one or more channels in the relay channel is a disabling channel or an available channel. Each bit of the bitmap can correspond to each of the one or more channels in the relay channel.

[0213] According to various embodiments, a bit set to 1 in the bitmap can indicate that the corresponding channel is a punctured channel or a disabling channel. A bit set to 0 in the bitmap can indicate that the corresponding channel is an available channel.

[0214] According to various embodiments, resources for data communication between a relay STA and a STA on the relay channel can be allocated based on the disabling channel information.

[0215] According to various embodiments, the disabling channel information for the relay channel can be different from the disabling channel information for an access point (AP) channel between the AP and the relay STA.

[0216] Figure 24 An example of a method performed by an AP for processing disabling channel information according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0217] Reference Figure 24 In step S2101, the AP can transmit a measurement indication indicating a disabling channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay station (STA) and a STA.

[0218] In step S2103, the AP can receive disabling channel information including a result of the disabling channel measurement.

[0219] In step S2105, the AP can allocate resources for data communication between the relay STA and the STA on the relay channel based on the disabling channel information.

[0220] In step S2107, the AP can transmit information for the allocated resources.

[0221] In the following, detailed embodiments for processing disabling channel information will be described.

[0222] Figure 22 to Figure 24 A first example of a procedure for measuring available subchannels on a relay channel according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0223] Reference Figure 1 In step S2201, the AP can transmit a request frame to a relay STA in order to request an estimation of information for available channels and / or channels used for a relay channel. Transmission and reception of signals for relay operation can require information for available channels and / or channels used for a relay channel. The request frame transmitted by the AP to the relay STA can include at least one of the following:

[0224] - BW: information for a bandwidth (BW) on which channel estimation is to be performed. The BW can indicate one of 20 / 40 / 80 / 160 / 320 MHz. For example, the BW can be equal to or greater than a bandwidth on which the AP transmits the request frame to the relay STA.

[0225] - Puncturing information: information indicating a punctured channel within a BSS (or on an AP link).

[0226] - Measurement indication for disabled subchannel (or disabled channel measurement indication / available channel measurement indication): indicates to perform measurement of available channels (or disabled channels) within a bandwidth (BW). That is, the measurement indication for disabled subchannel can indicate the relay STA to measure available / disabled channels within a BW of a relay channel. In the disclosure, the available channel measurement / disabled channel measurement includes checking / identifying which channels are available channels and which channels are disabled channels among channels within the BW of the relay channel bandwidth. For example, the available / disabled channel measurement can be performed on all subchannels within the BW regardless of whether the subchannels are punctured / disabled within a BSS (or on an AP link). Alternatively, the available / disabled channel measurement can not be performed on channels indicated as punctured by the puncturing information.

[0227] The measurement indication for disabled subchannel can consist of 1 bit. For example, when the measurement indication for disabled subchannel bit is set to 1, the indication can indicate available / disabled channel measurement for a relay link / channel. In another example, when the measurement indication bit is set to 1, the indication can indicate available / disabled channel measurement for all subchannels on the relay link / channel, including subchannels punctured / disabled within a BSS (or on an AP link). In this case, when the measurement indication for disabled subchannel bit is set to 0, the indication can indicate available / disabled channel measurement for subchannels on the relay link / channel excluding subchannels punctured / disabled within a BSS (or on an AP link).

[0228] - Resolution of subchannel: indicates a size of available subchannel. The value can indicate 20 MHz or 40 MHz. The resolution of subchannel can consist of 1 bit; for example, a value of 0 can indicate 20 MHz, and a value of 1 can indicate 40 MHz. For example, when the BW is 160 MHz or less, the bit of the resolution of subchannel can be set to 0, and when the BW is 320 MHz, the bit of the resolution of subchannel can be set to 1.

[0229] - Information for non-AP STAs to perform relay channel measurement: can include a list of non-AP STAs (non-AP STA information list). This information can include AID and / or MAC address of non-AP STAs that will measure available / disabled channels of relay channel under control of relay STA. For example, the non-AP STA information list can include information for number of non-AP STAs and AID / MAC address of each non-AP STA as shown in the following :

[0230] [Table 2]

[0231]

[0232] - Probe parameters: can include information for probe between relay STA and non-AP STAs. For example, the probe parameters can include all or part of probe parameters included in NDPA. In step S2203, the relay STA can transmit a response frame to the AP after receiving the request frame transmitted by the AP. The response frame can include a status code indicating whether the request frame is accepted. For example, the status code can be set to "success" to indicate that the request frame is accepted, or set to "reject" to indicate that the request frame is not accepted / rejected.

[0233] After transmitting the response frame, the relay STA can perform channel measurement on a channel (i.e., relay channel) between the relay STA and non-AP STAs as identified by the request frame. For example, to check available channels on the relay channel with non-AP STAs, the relay STA can perform separate processing with each non-AP STA to measure available channels of the relay channel of each non-AP STA as shown in Figure 13 In this case, available channel measurement needs to be performed for each non-AP STA.

[0234] In step S2205, the relay STA can transmit NDPA to non-AP STA1. The NDPA can include an indication (e.g., disabled channel measurement indication) indicating to perform disabled channel measurement. The disabled channel measurement indication can consist of 1 bit, and can be set to 1 to indicate to perform disabled channel measurement. In addition, the NDPA can include a subfield indicating information for subchannel resolution and / or size to perform disabled channel measurement. The subchannel resolution or size can be set based on information indicated in the request frame received from the AP.

[0235] In step S2207, after receiving the NDPA from the relay STA, the non-AP STA1 can receive the NDP transmitted by the relay STA and identify the information (e.g., available channel information / disabled channel information) on the available / disabled channels within the BW of the relay channel. In the present disclosure, the available / disabled channel information can include a disabled subchannel bitmap.

[0236] In step S2209, the non-AP STA1 can feed back the information for the disabled / available channels within the BW of the relay channel as identified based on the received NDP to the relay STA. The information for the disabled / available channels can include a disabled subchannel / available subchannel bitmap (e.g., a disabled subchannel bitmap). The bitmap can be configured in 20MHz units, e.g., a bit corresponding to a 20MHz channel or a disabled subchannel outside the BW can be set to 1. Alternatively, if the information for the subchannel resolution has been received through the NDPA, the bitmap can be configured according to the indicated subchannel resolution.

[0237] After receiving the feedback including the information for the disabled / available channels of the corresponding relay channel from the non-AP STA1, the relay STA can perform the same procedure (e.g., NDPA transmission / NDP transmission / feedback reception) on other non-AP STAs to obtain the disabled channel information for each receiving relay channel.

[0238] When the relay STA has completed the disabled / available channel measurement for all non-AP STAs included in the STA list (e.g., non-AP STA information list) included in the request frame received from the AP, the relay STA can feed back the disabled / available channel information for each non-AP STA to the AP. The disabled channel information fed back by the relay STA can include a pair of each STA ID and the corresponding disabled channel information for the relay channel.

[0239] In another example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the AP can transmit a request frame for available channel measurement to the relay STA and the non-AP STA. Figure 1

[0240] Figure 13 FIG. 2D illustrates a second example of a procedure for measuring available subchannels on a relay channel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0241] Referring to FIG. 2D, Figure 1 In step S2301, the AP can transmit a request frame to the relay STA and the non-AP STA. The request frame can include information for the relay STA and the non-AP STA, and can further include at least one of the following:

[0242] ​- BW: information for a bandwidth (BW) for which channel estimation is to be performed. The BW can indicate one of 20 / 40 / 80 / 160 / 320 MHz. For example, the BW can be equal to or greater than the BW on which the AP transmits the request frame to the relay STA.

[0243] - RU allocation: information for allocating an RU for the relay STA and the non-AP STA that have received the request frame to transmit a response frame.

[0244] - Resolution of subchannel: This field indicates the size of the available subchannel. The resolution can indicate 20 MHz or 40 MHz. The resolution of the subchannel can be configured with 1 bit. For example, when the bit is set to 0, it indicates 20 MHz, and when set to 1, it indicates 40 MHz. For example, when the bandwidth (BW) is equal to or less than 160 MHz, the bit of the resolution of the subchannel can be set to 0, and when the BW is 320 MHz, it can be set to 1.

[0245] - Puncture information: This field indicates information for a punctured channel within the BSS.

[0246] - User list field (or user information list field): The user list field can include a list or combination of user fields (or user information fields). The user field for a specific non-AP STA can be identified by an AID included in the user field, and the AID can include a STA ID and / or a MAC address.

[0247] For example, the user field can include a request for disabling / enabling channel measurement and / or an instruction (e.g., disabling channel measurement indication) for channel measurement from the relay STA to the non-AP station. The disabling channel measurement indication can indicate enabling / disabling channel measurement on a channel (e.g., a relay channel) between the relay STA and the non-AP STA. The disabling channel measurement indication can be configured with 1 bit. For example, the bit of the disabling channel measurement indication can be set to 1 to indicate that enabling / disabling channel measurement is to be performed. When the disabling channel measurement indication bit is set to 0, the non-AP station can not perform enabling / disabling channel measurement.

[0248] For example, the disabling channel measurement indication can not be included in the user field, but included in the common information field of the request frame. In this case, the disabling channel measurement indication can be commonly applied to all non-AP STAs.

[0249] - Operation mode indication: The operation mode indication can indicate an operation mode (e.g., TX mode or RX mode) of each STA during the relay channel measurement (e.g., measuring available / disabled channels on the relay channel). The operation mode indication can consist of 1 bit. For example, the operation mode indication bit can be set to 1 to indicate TX mode and can be set to 0 to indicate RX mode.

[0250] For example, the operation mode can indicate whether the STA acts as a transmitting or receiving role for the NDP during the relay channel measurement or estimation. For example, in the user field corresponding to the relay STA, the operation mode indication bit can be set to 1 to indicate the transmission of the NDP, while in the user field corresponding to the non-AP STA, the operation mode indication bit can be set to 0 to indicate the reception of the NDP.

[0251] - Measurement parameters: The measurement parameters can include information for measuring the channel state. For example, the measurement parameters can be the same as the sounding parameters included in the (EHT) NDPA, or can include a combination of one or more sounding parameters.

[0252] In step S2303, the non-AP STA and the relay STA can send a response frame to the AP. The response frame can include a status code indicating whether the request frame is accepted. For example, the status code can be set to “success” to indicate the acceptance of the request frame, or can be set to “reject” to indicate the non-acceptance or rejection of the request frame.

[0253] In step S2305, after receiving the response frame, the AP can send a trigger frame or an announcement frame to the relay STA and the non-AP STA to indicate the initiation or execution of the relay channel measurement (e.g., measurement of available / disabled channels on the relay channel). For example, the trigger frame or the announcement frame can include information indicating the disabled channel measurement and / or the resolution of the subchannel.

[0254] In step S2307, after receiving the trigger frame, the relay STA can send an NDP, and the non-AP STA can prepare to receive the NDP sent by the relay STA (e.g., by listening or monitoring). The NDP sent by the relay STA can be based on at least one of the EHT NDP format or the HE NDP format.

[0255] In step S2309, after transmitting / receiving the NDP and after a time interval corresponding to SIFS elapses, the AP can transmit a feedback request frame or a trigger frame to the non-AP STA to request measurement results (e.g., disabled channel information) for the relay channel. The feedback request frame / trigger frame can include RU allocation information for each non-AP STA to report feedback (e.g., disabled channel information). The feedback request frame / trigger frame can also include information indicating an operation mode (e.g., TX mode / RX mode) of the relay STA and the non-AP STA in performing the relay channel measurement (e.g., measurement of available / disabled channels on the relay channel).

[0256] In step S2311, upon receiving the frame soliciting feedback report (e.g., feedback request frame or trigger frame), the non-AP STA can transmit a feedback frame including relay channel information measured by the non-AP STA to the AP. The feedback frame / relay channel information transmitted by the non-AP STA can include information of disabled channels within the bandwidth for the relay channel. In this case, the disabled channel information can include a bitmap based on a subchannel unit.

[0257] In step S2313, upon receiving the feedback frame from the non-AP STA, the AP can transmit an ACK frame to the non-AP STA.

[0258] According to Figure 1 The procedure illustrated in FIG. 2 can be performed with a plurality of non-AP STAs together for measurement of disabled / available channels in the relay channel (e.g., disabled channel measurement / available channel measurement). Thus, processing time can be reduced compared to a case where the disabled / available channel measurement is performed separately with each non-AP STA.

[0259] In another example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a trigger frame can be used to indicate measurement (e.g., available channel / disabled channel measurement) of the relay channel without exchanging a request frame and a response frame. Figure 13

[0260] Figure 1 A third example of a procedure for measuring available subchannels in a relay channel according to an embodiment of the disclosure is illustrated.

[0261] Referring to Figure 13 In step S2401, the AP can transmit a trigger frame for initiating relay channel measurement (e.g., available channel / disabled channel measurement for the relay channel) to the relay STA and the non-AP STA. The trigger frame transmitted by the AP can include information of the relay STA and the non-AP STA to perform the relay channel measurement.

[0262] ​For example, the user field (or user info field) of the trigger frame can include information for the STAs (relay STA / non-AP STA). In addition, the user field / info for the STAs can include information indicating the operation mode of the STAs (e.g., operation mode indication). The operation mode can include TX mode / RX mode, and the operation mode indication can indicate the operation mode of the STAs. The operation mode indication can consist of one bit. For example, the operation mode indication bit can be set to "1" to indicate TX mode, and set to "0" to indicate RX mode. The TX mode can indicate NDP transmission, and the RX mode can indicate NDP reception. For example, in the case of DL channel measurement, the relay STA can be set to TX mode, and the non-AP STA can be set to RX mode.

[0263] For example, the trigger frame can include an indication to disable channel measurement, which indicates which channels in the relay channel are available or disabled. In addition, the trigger frame can further include information for identifying the subchannel resolution of the available / disabled channels.

[0264] The trigger frame for relay channel measurement / estimation can be defined as a new variant. For example, if the trigger type subfield of the trigger frame indicates the relay trigger frame as a variant, the trigger frame can be considered as a relay trigger frame.

[0265] In step S2403, after receiving the trigger frame, the relay STA can transmit the NDP, and the non-AP STA can prepare (e.g., listen / monitor) to receive the NDP transmitted by the relay STA.

[0266] In step S2405, after the transmission / reception of the NDP and the lapse of the SIFS duration, the AP can transmit a feedback request frame or a trigger frame to the non-AP STAs to request measurement results (e.g., disabled channel information) on the relay channel. The feedback request frame / trigger frame can include RU allocation information for each non-AP STA to report feedback (e.g., disabled channel information).

[0267] In step S2407, upon receiving the frame soliciting feedback report (e.g., feedback request frame / trigger frame), the non-AP STA can transmit a feedback frame including relay channel information measured by the non-AP STA to the AP. The feedback frame / relay channel information transmitted by the non-AP STA can include disabled channel information within the bandwidth of the relay channel. In this case, the disabled channel information can include a bitmap based on subchannel resolution.

[0268] In step S2409, after receiving the feedback frame from the non-AP STA, the AP can transmit an ACK frame to the non-AP STA.

[0269] In some embodiments, the disabled channel measurement / available channel measurement for the relay channel can be performed through the sounding procedure for the relay link / channel. In this case, the overall procedure can be simplified because a separate procedure for the disabled / available channel measurement for the relay channel does not need to be performed.

[0270] To perform the disabled (sub)channel measurement / available channel measurement while the sounding procedure for the relay channel is ongoing, a sounding NDPA / trigger frame can be transmitted to the relay STA and / or the non-AP STA, which includes Figure 1 At least one of the contents of the request frame / NDPA / trigger frame / feedback request frame described above.

[0271] Based on the disabled channel measurement parameters (e.g., disabled channel measurement indication / subchannel resolution) included in the sounding NDPA / trigger frame, the non-AP STA can perform the measurement of the disabled subchannels (i.e., the disabled / available channel measurement) during the channel estimation and obtain the disabled (sub)channel information. The non-AP STA can transmit the disabled channel information / channel information obtained through the relay channel measurement to the AP (via the relay STA).

[0272] In various embodiments, the AP, which has obtained information about the disabled subchannels (e.g., disabled channel information / available channel information) measured by the non-AP STA through the relay channel measurement procedure of the present disclosure, can perform RU allocation (RA) for the relay STA to transmit a signal to the non-AP STA based on the information about the disabled subchannels. Then, the AP can transmit RA information corresponding to the RU allocation result to the relay STA and / or the non-AP STA.

[0273] The RA information can be generated based on the disabled (sub)channel information / preamble puncturing information for the relay channel, which is different from the disabled (sub)channel information / preamble puncturing information announced by the AP within the BSS. That is, the disabled (sub)channel information / preamble puncturing information used by the AP to transmit a signal to the relay STA can be different from the disabled (sub)channel information / preamble puncturing information used by the relay STA to transmit a signal to the non-AP STA.

[0274] For example, the (sub)channels of the punctured channels configured by the AP within the BSS for signal transmission can correspond to the available channels in the relay channels used for relay transmission. Conversely, the channels available within the BSS can be configured as the disabled (sub)channels in the relay channels.

[0275] In another example, during resource allocation (RA) for relay transmission, the AP can consider both the disabled / punctured (sub)channels in the BSS and the disabled / punctured (sub)channels in the relay channels and can avoid allocating resources corresponding to such channels.

[0276] The technical features of this disclosure described above can be applied to various devices and methods. For example, the technical features of this disclosure described above can be used by... Figure 1 and / or Figure 13 The device execution / support. For example, the technical features of this disclosure described above can be applied only to... Figure 1 and / or Figure 13 Part of it. For example, the technical features of the present disclosure described above can be based on Figure 1 The processing chips 114 and 124 are used to implement this, or based on... Figure 1 Implemented by processors 111, 121 and memories 112, 122, or based on ​ The processor 610 and memory 620 are implemented.

[0277] For example, ​ The processor 111, the processing chip 114 and / or ​ The processor 610 can be configured to execute instructions stored in memories 112, 620 to implement the method performed by the STA in this disclosure. The method includes: receiving a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between relay STAs; receiving a signal from the relay STA for channel measurement of the relay channel; performing a disabled channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for channel measurement; and transmitting disabled channel information including the result of the disabled channel measurement.

[0278] For example, ​ The processor 121 and / or processing chip 124 in the present disclosure can be configured to execute instructions stored in memory 122 to implement the method performed by the AP in this disclosure. The method includes: transmitting a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between relay STAs; receiving disabled channel information including the results of the disabled channel measurement; allocating resources on the relay channel for data communication between relay STAs based on the disabled channel information; and transmitting information for the allocated resources.

[0279] The technical features of this disclosure can be implemented based on a computer-readable medium (CRM) (e.g., a non-transitory CRM). For example, the CRM in this disclosure may include at least one CRM having program code stored thereon that implements instructions executable by at least one processor.

[0280] For example, CRM can be ​ Memory 112 in ​ The CRM may store memory 620 and / or separate external memory / storage medium / disk. The CRM can store instructions based on those generated by the processor (e.g., ...). ​the processor 111, the processing chip 114, and / or ​ The processor 610 in the AP) performs a method implemented in the disclosure by the STA. The method includes receiving a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and a STA, receiving a signal for a channel measurement of the relay channel from the relay STA, performing the disabled channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for the channel measurement, and transmitting disabled channel information including a result of the disabled channel measurement.

[0281] For example, the CRM can be ​ The CRM can store instructions that, based on execution by the processor (e.g., the processor 121, the processing chip 124, and / or ​ The processor 121 in the AP) performs a method implemented in the disclosure by the AP. The method includes transmitting a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and a STA, receiving disabled channel information including a result of the disabled channel measurement, allocating resources for data communication between the relay STA and the STA on the relay channel based on the disabled channel information, and transmitting information for the allocated resources.

[0282] The foregoing technical features of the disclosure are applicable to various applications or business models. For example, the foregoing technical features can be applied to wireless communication of a device supporting artificial intelligence (AI).

[0283] Artificial intelligence refers to a research field related to artificial intelligence or a method for creating artificial intelligence, and machine learning refers to a research field related to a method of defining and solving various problems in the field of artificial intelligence. Machine learning is also defined as an algorithm that improves operational performance through stable operational experience.

[0284] An artificial neural network (ANN) is a model used in machine learning, and can refer to a model that collectively solves a problem, including artificial neurons (nodes) that form a network by combining synapses. The artificial neural network can be defined by a connection pattern between neurons of different layers, a learning process of updating model parameters, and an activation function that generates an output value.

[0285] The artificial neural network can include an input layer, an output layer, and optionally one or more hidden layers. Each layer includes one or more neurons, and the artificial neural network can include synapses connecting the neurons. In the artificial neural network, each neuron can output a function value of an activation function of an input signal input through a synapse, a weight, and a bias.

[0286] Model parameters refer to parameters determined through learning, and include weights of synaptic connections and biases of neurons. Hyperparameters refer to parameters to be set before learning in a machine learning algorithm, and include a learning rate, a number of iterations, a minimum batch size, and an initialization function.

[0287] Learning an artificial neural network can aim to determine model parameters for minimizing a loss function. The loss function can be used as an index for determining optimal model parameters in the process of learning an artificial neural network.

[0288] Machine learning can be divided into supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

[0289] Supervised learning refers to a method of training an artificial neural network using labels given to training data, in which the labels can indicate correct answers (or result values) that the artificial neural network needs to infer when the training data is input to the artificial neural network. Unsupervised learning can refer to a method of training an artificial neural network without labels given to training data. Reinforcement learning can refer to a training method for training an agent defined in an environment to select an action or a sequence of actions to maximize cumulative rewards in each state.

[0290] Machine learning implemented using a deep neural network (DNN) including a plurality of hidden layers among artificial neural networks is referred to as deep learning, and deep learning is a part of machine learning. Hereinafter, machine learning is explained to include deep learning.

[0291] The foregoing technical features can be applied to wireless communication of a robot.

[0292] A robot can refer to a machine that automatically processes or operates a given task using its own ability. In particular, a robot having a function of recognizing an environment and autonomously making a judgment to perform an operation can be referred to as an intelligent robot.

[0293] Depending on a use or a field, a robot can be classified into an industrial, medical, home, military robot, etc. A robot can include an actuator or a driver including a motor to perform various physical operations such as moving a robot joint. In addition, a movable robot can include a wheel, a brake, a propeller, etc. in a driver to travel on the ground or fly in the air through the driver.

[0294] The foregoing technical features can be applied to a device supporting extended reality.

[0295] Extended reality is collectively referred to as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). VR technology is computer graphics technology that provides only real-world objects and backgrounds in CG images, AR technology is computer graphics technology that provides virtual CG images on real object images, and MR technology is computer graphics technology that provides virtual objects mixed and combined with the real world.

[0296] MR technology is similar to AR technology in that real objects and virtual objects can be displayed together. However, in AR technology, virtual objects are used as a supplement to real objects, whereas in MR technology, virtual objects and real objects are used as equal states.

[0297] XR technology can be applied to a head-mounted display (HMD), a head-up display (HUD), a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a television, a digital signage, etc. A device to which XR technology is applied can be referred to as an XR device.

[0298] The present disclosure can have various advantageous effects.

[0299] For example, during relay transmission, the AP can allocate a resource unit (RU) suitable for relay transmission by using information for available channels and / or disabled channels between a relay STA and a non-AP STA. Then, relay transmission can be performed based on the allocated RU, thereby improving the efficiency and throughput of relay transmission.

[0300] The advantageous effects that can be obtained by the specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the advantageous effects listed above. For example, there can be various technical effects that can be understood and / or derived by those skilled in the art from the present disclosure. Therefore, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects explicitly described herein, but can include various effects that can be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0301] The claims in the present disclosure can be combined in various ways. For example, the technical features in the method claims of the present disclosure can be combined to be implemented or performed in an apparatus, and the technical features in the apparatus claims can be combined to be implemented or performed in a method. Furthermore, the technical features in the method claims and the apparatus claims can be combined to be implemented or performed in an apparatus, and the technical features in the method claims and the apparatus claims can be combined to be implemented or performed in a method.

Claims

1. A method performed by a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, comprising: receiving a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and the STA; receiving, from the relay STA, a signal for a channel measurement of the relay channel; performing the disabled channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for the channel measurement; and transmitting disabled channel information including a result of the disabled channel measurement. the disabled channel measurement for the relay channel includes identifying whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel is a disabled channel or an available channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the one or more channels in the relay channel include at least one of a punctured channel or a disabled channel on an access point (AP) channel between the relay STA and an AP.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, the one or more channels in the relay channel exclude a punctured channel or a disabled channel on an access point (AP) channel between the relay STA and an AP.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, receiving information indicating an availability measurement for at least one of a punctured channel or a disabled channel on the AP channel.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: the measurement indication includes one bit indicating to perform the disabled channel measurement.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, receiving information indicating a channel size for the disabled channel measurement, 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the disabled channel measurement includes identifying whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel having the channel size is a disabled channel or an available channel. the disabled channel information indicates whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel is a disabled channel or an available channel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, the disabled channel information includes a bitmap indicating whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel is a disabled channel or an available channel, and 9. The method of claim 1, wherein, wherein each bit of the bitmap corresponds to each of the one or more channels in the relay channel. a bit set to one in the bitmap indicates that a corresponding channel is a punctured channel or a disabled channel, and 10. The method of claim 9, wherein, wherein a bit set to zero in the bitmap indicates that a corresponding channel is an available channel. allocating resources on the relay channel for data communication between the relay STA and the STA based on the disabled channel information.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, the disabled channel information for the relay channel is different from disabled channel information for an access point (AP) channel between an AP and the relay STA.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein, 13. A station (STA) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and at least one processor operably coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the memory stores instructions that, based on execution by the at least one processor, perform operations including: receiving a measurement indication indicating a disabled channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and the STA; receiving, from the relay STA, a signal for a channel measurement of the relay channel; performing the disabled channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for the channel measurement; and ​ ​ transmitting disabling channel information including results of the disabling channel measurement.

14. An apparatus configured to operate in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions based on execution of which by the at least one processor performs operations comprising: receiving a measurement indication indicating a disabling channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and the STA; receiving a signal for a channel measurement of the relay channel from the relay STA; performing the disabling channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for the channel measurement; and transmitting disabling channel information including results of the disabling channel measurement.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) having program code stored thereon implementing instructions based on execution of which by at least one processor performs operations comprising: receiving a measurement indication indicating a disabling channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay STA and the STA; receiving a signal for a channel measurement of the relay channel from the relay STA; performing the disabling channel measurement for the relay channel based on the measurement indication and the signal for the channel measurement; and transmitting disabling channel information including results of the disabling channel measurement.

16. A method performed by an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, comprising: transmitting a measurement indication indicating a disabling channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay station (STA) and the STA; receiving disabling channel information including results of the disabling channel measurement; allocating resources on the relay channel for data communication between the relay STA and the STA based on the disabling channel information; and transmitting information for the allocated resources.

17. An access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, comprising: a transceiver; a memory; and at least one processor operatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the memory stores instructions based on execution of which by the at least one processor performs operations comprising: transmitting a measurement indication indicating a disabling channel measurement for a relay channel between a relay station (STA) and the STA; receiving disabling channel information including results of the disabling channel measurement; allocating resources on the relay channel for data communication between the relay STA and the STA based on the disabling channel information; and transmitting information for the allocated resources. the disabling channel information includes a bitmap indicating whether each of one or more channels in the relay channel is a disabling channel or an available channel, and wherein each bit of the bitmap corresponds to each of the one or more channels in the relay channel.

18. The AP of claim 17, wherein, ​ ​ 19. The AP of claim 18, wherein, a bit set to 1 in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding channel is a punctured channel or a disabled channel, and wherein a bit set to 0 in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding channel is an available channel.

20. The AP of claim 17, wherein, The disabled channel information for the relay channel is different from the disabled channel information for the AP channels between the AP and the relay STA.

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