Access point, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

The access point includes: a control circuit that generates parameters related to uplink transmit power control based on information received from other access points related to transmit power control; and a transmit circuit that transmits control signals containing the parameters.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application filed on March 16, 2021, with application number 202180037944.4, entitled "Access Point, Terminal and Communication Method", and filed by Panasonic Intellectual Property Inc. (USA). Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to access points, terminals, and communication methods. Background Technology

[0003] As a successor to the IEEE 802.11 standard, namely IEEE 802.11ax (hereinafter referred to as "11ax"), the technical specifications for IEEE 802.11be (hereinafter referred to as "11be") are being planned.

[0004] In 11be, multi-AP (MAP) coordination (also known as "coordinated communication") was studied in the downlink and uplink, which coordinates and transmits and receives data between multiple access points (also referred to as "base stations", hereinafter referred to as "APs") and multiple terminals (hereinafter referred to as "STAs"). (For example, see Non-Patent Literature 1, Non-Patent Literature 2 or Non-Patent Literature 3).

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Non-patent literature

[0007] Non-patent literature 1: IEEE 802.11-19 / 1903r0, Uplink Coordinated Multi-AP

[0008] Non-patent literature 2: IEEE 802.11-20 / 0056r0, Preparations for Coordinated OFDMA

[0009] Non-patent document 3: IEEE 802.11-20 / 0617r0, Multi-AP Operation - Basic Definition

[0010] Non-patent document 4: IEEE P802.11ax / D6.0, November 2019

[0011] Non-patent document 5: IEEE 802.11-19 / 1582r2, Coordinated AP Time / Frequency Sharing in a Transmit Opportunity in 11be

[0012] Non-patent document 6: IEEE 802.11-19 / 1961r1, Multi-AP Group Establishment, 2020-01-02

[0013] Non-patent document 7: IEEE 802.11-19 / 1972r1, Operation of Virtual BSS for Multi-AP Coordination, 2019-11-05 Summary of the Invention

[0014] However, methods for controlling transmission power in wireless communications such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) have not been sufficiently studied.

[0015] The non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein help to provide access points, terminals, and communication methods that can flexibly control the uplink transmission power of each terminal.

[0016] An access point according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes: a control circuit that generates parameters related to uplink transmit power control based on transmit power control information received from other access points; and a transmit circuit that transmits a control signal containing the parameters.

[0017] It should be noted that these general or specific methods can be implemented by systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs or recording media, or by any combination of systems, devices, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs and recording media.

[0018] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the uplink transmission power of each terminal can be flexibly controlled.

[0019] Further advantages and effects of one embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated by the description and drawings. These advantages and / or effects are provided by the various embodiments and the features described in the description and drawings, but not necessarily all of them need to be provided in order to obtain one or more of the same features. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a coordinated communication process.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of a Common Info field.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of a User Info field.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a target received signal strength indicator (RSSI).

[0024] Figure 5 This is a diagram representing an example of a trigger type.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of uplink multi-AP coordination.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a coordinated AP (CAP) transmission (Tx) phase.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the structure and resource allocation of a wireless communication system.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a block diagram representing a structural example of a portion of AP.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a block diagram representing a structural example of a part of STA.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a block diagram representing a structural example of AP.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a block diagram representing a structural example of STA.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a sequence diagram representing an example of uplink coordination communication processing.

[0033] Figure 14 This is a diagram representing an example of resource allocation.

[0034] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the public information field and user information field in Example 1.

[0035] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information field in Example 1.

[0036] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the public information field and user information field in Example 2.

[0037] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the public information field and user information field in Example 2.

[0038] Figure 19 This is a diagram representing an example of the public information field for switching method 1.

[0039] Figure 20 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trigger type for switching method 4.

[0040] Figure 21 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trigger type for switching method 5.

[0041] Figure 22 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trigger type for switching method 6.

[0042] Figure 23 This is a diagram representing an example of the Trigger Dependent Common Info for switching method 6.

[0043] Figure 24 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the public information field and user information field in Example 3.

[0044] Figure 25 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the public information field and user information field in Example 3.

[0045] Figure 26 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information field in Example 4.

[0046] Figure 27 This is a diagram showing an example of the format for representing the target RSSI.

[0047] Figure 28 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of a trigger frame.

[0048] Figure 29 This is a diagram representing a structural example of a trigger frame.

[0049] Figure 30 This is a diagram representing an example of resource allocation.

[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0051] 100 AP

[0052] 101 Setting Department

[0053] 102 Control signal generation unit for STA

[0054] 103 Control signal generation unit for AP

[0055] 104, 205 Signal Generation Unit

[0056] 105, 201 Wireless Transceiver Unit

[0057] 106, 202 Receive signal demodulation / decoding unit

[0058] 200 STA

[0059] 203 Transmitting Power Calculation Department

[0060] 204 Response Signal Generation Unit. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] (Implementation Method 1)

[0063] [MAP Coordination]

[0064] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of actions coordinated by MAP.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the study investigates the control of the following three steps in MAP coordination, for example, when coordinating communication begins (see, for example, non-patent literature 3).

[0066] The first step is, for example, deciding which APs (or ranges) will be coordinated and controlled (e.g., also referred to as "multi-AP setup" or "MAP selection"). In this step, for example, APs can be selected to transmit and coordinate information related to the capabilities of each AP or the number of STAs they accommodate.

[0067] The second step is, for example, the step of transmitting information related to the data transmitted and received using coordinated communication between APs (e.g., transmission method or modulation and coding scheme (MCS) etc.) (or, interval) (e.g., also known as "multi-AP coordination").

[0068] The third step, for example, is the process of coordinating communication between the AP and STA, or the transmission and reception of data (or intervals) (e.g., also known as "multi-AP transmission").

[0069] For example, 11ax supports multi-user (MU) transmission in the uplink (UL). UL MU transmission includes, for example, MU-MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) and OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access). In UL MU transmission, for example, an AP can send a signal (e.g., also called a "trigger frame") to multiple STAs it accommodates as a trigger for uplink signals. A terminal can, for example, send an uplink signal (e.g., also called an "uplink response signal") to the AP based on the trigger frame. It should be noted that the uplink response signal is also referred to as a "Trigger-based Physical Layer Convergence Procedure Protocol Data Unit (TB PPDU)".

[0070] When sending an uplink response signal, uplink transmit power control can be applied to the STA, for example. For instance, it can be used... Figure 2 The set value of the "AP Transmit Power (AP TX Power)" field, which is related to the transmit power of the AP in the downlink (DL), is included in the common information field within the trigger frame shown. Figure 3 The user information field in the trigger frame shown contains the setting value of the "UL target RSSI" field related to the target RSSI (e.g., target received signal strength) of the AP in the uplink (UL: Uplink). The uplink transmit power (e.g., denoted as "Tx") is calculated according to the following equations (1) and (2). pwr STA (For example, see Non-Patent Literature 3).

[0071] It should be noted that the public information field may contain information common to multiple STAs (e.g., also referred to as "general information" or "STA general information"). Additionally, the user information field may contain information specific to each STA (e.g., referred to as "user information," "STA specific information," or "user specific information").

[0072] [Formula 1]

[0073]

[0074] [Equation 2]

[0075]

[0076] In equations (1) and (2), PL DL Tx represents the path loss in the downlink. pwr AP This indicates the setting value of the AP TX power field, DL RSSI The Target represents the received strength (e.g., RSSI) of the downlink signal estimated (or measured) by the STA. RSSI This indicates the setting value of the UL target RSSI field.

[0077] As should be noted, the target RSSI (e.g., Target RSSI) can be applied. RSSI ) Setting, for example Figure 4 The value shown.

[0078] Additionally, for trigger frames, for example, such as Figure 5 As shown, multiple categories can be specified (e.g., referred to as "trigger types"). For example, depending on the value of the trigger type, the content notified by the "trigger dependent public information" field contained in the public information field and the "trigger dependent user information" field contained in the user information field can be different (e.g., see Non-Patent Document 4).

[0079] In 11be, in the case of coordinating communication for uplink response signals, for example, Figure 6 As shown, multiple APs (e.g., AP-1 and AP-2) can send trigger frames with the same content at the same time (e.g., denoted as "UL MUTrigger"). The STA that is requested to send an uplink response signal can send an uplink response signal (e.g., denoted as "High Efficiency (HE) TB PPDU") after receiving the trigger frame (e.g., see Non-Patent Document 1). It should be noted that... Figure 6 As shown, trigger frames include, for example, trigger frames for communication between APs (e.g., also known as "multi-AP trigger frames (MAP trigger frames)" or "M-AP Triggers"), and trigger frames for communication between APs and STAs (e.g., UL MUTrigger).

[0080] 11ax uplink transmit power control is performed, for example, based on a setting value "AP TX power" (in other words, the downlink transmit power of an AP) contained in the common information field of the trigger frame. However, in MAP coordination, for example, multiple APs may receive uplink response signals, so if it is based on a single setting value as in 11ax, the accuracy of uplink transmit power control for each AP will be reduced.

[0081] For example, when the downlink transmit power of multiple APs performing coordinated communication is different, as shown in Equation (1), if a set value (AP TX power) related to the downlink transmit power is used, the estimation accuracy of the path loss between the AP and STA estimated from the downlink signals from each AP may be reduced.

[0082] Furthermore, compared to cellular communication, wireless LANs such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) are expected to have irregular AP configurations or significant performance variations among APs. Therefore, it is anticipated that the transmit power of each AP will differ more frequently than in cellular communication. Consequently, when performing uplink MAP coordination processing in wireless communication within a wireless LAN, the aforementioned uplink transmit power control, similar to that in 11ax, could easily lead to reduced accuracy in transmit power control.

[0083] Therefore, in one embodiment of this disclosure, a method is described, for example, to improve the accuracy of transmission power control of uplink signals (e.g., uplink response signals) in uplink MAP coordination processing.

[0084] It should be noted that, for example, the period during which information is exchanged between APs before the AP sends the MAP trigger will be referred to as the "Negotiation phase". Additionally, the period during which data is sent from the AP to the STA after the negotiation phase will be referred to as the "Multi-AP transmission phase". It should be noted that the negotiation phase may be, for example, the multi-AP coordination period of Non-Patent Document 3, or a period that includes both multi-AP setup and multi-AP coordination. Furthermore, the negotiation phase may also include, for example, the period during which control information such as beacons is transmitted between APs. Furthermore, for example, as described in Non-Patent Document 5 (e.g., Figure 7 The negotiation phase may also include intervals (Schedule Allocation) that indicate the allocation of resources (frequency or time (TXOP: transmission opportunity)) for each AP.

[0085] Furthermore, in the following description, the set of APs performing MAP coordination processing (e.g., coordinated communication) is referred to as an "AP group". An AP group can be, for example, a static multi-AP group or a dynamic multi-AP group (e.g., see Non-Patent Document 6), or a Virtual Basic Service Set (VBSS) (e.g., see Non-Patent Document 7). Additionally, within an AP group, the AP controlling the coordination of multiple APs can be referred to as a "sharing AP" (or, a "coordinator AP" or "first AP"). Furthermore, an AP controlled by a shared AP in the multi-AP coordination can be referred to as a "shared AP" (or, a "coordinated AP" or "second AP"). Within an AP group, a shared AP can initiate transmission, for example, using Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA).

[0086] [Structure of a wireless communication system]

[0087] The wireless communication system of this embodiment may include, for example, multiple AP100s and multiple STA200s.

[0088] For example, in this embodiment, AP100 may use a trigger frame to notify STA200 of information related to the transmit power of the AP, which takes into account the coordinated communication control of each STA200. "Notification" may also be replaced with "transmission" or "instruction".

[0089] Information related to the transmit power of an AP may include, for example, information relating to the downlink transmit power of AP100 that communicates with multiple AP100s and multiple STA200s that are communication control objects. For example, for STA200s that do not perform coordinated communication, information related to the transmit power of the AP100 connected to that STA200 (e.g., referred to as the "associated AP") may be provided.

[0090] Additionally, for example, STA200 performing coordinated communication can be notified of information related to the transmission power of AP100 corresponding to the coordinated communication control. For instance, if the coordinated communication control method (also referred to as "coordinated communication mode") is diversity reception, STA200 performing coordinated communication can be notified of information related to the transmission power of one AP100 that is scheduled to receive uplink signals. Furthermore, if the coordinated communication mode is joint reception, STA200 performing coordinated communication can be notified of information related to the combined value of the transmission power of multiple AP100s scheduled to receive uplink signals.

[0091] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of the wireless communication system according to this embodiment. Figure 8 For example, this illustrates a scenario where AP1 and AP2 control communication with STA1, STA2, and STA3. Additionally, as... Figure 8 As shown, STA1 and STA3 do not perform coordinated communication, while STA2 performs coordinated communication (e.g., joint reception). Figure 8 In the case of the resource allocation shown, for example, in the trigger frame, STA1 is notified of information related to the transmission power of AP1, STA2 is notified of information related to the value obtained by combining the transmission power of AP1 and the transmission power of AP2, and STA3 is notified of information related to the transmission power of AP2.

[0092] As should be noted, examples of notifications in the trigger frame to each STA200 regarding information related to the transmit power (e.g., downlink transmit power) of AP100 will be described later.

[0093] By using trigger frames to notify information related to the transmit power of AP100 as described above, each STA200 can perform transmit power control corresponding to the uplink signal transmission method (e.g., the presence or absence of coordination communication). Thus, for example, uplink throughput can be improved by increasing the accuracy of uplink signal transmit power control in MAP coordination processing.

[0094] The following describes a structural example of AP100 and STA200 in this embodiment.

[0095] Figure 9 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of AP100, an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9In the AP100 shown, the control unit (e.g., equivalent to a control circuit) generates parameters related to uplink transmit power control for multiple uplink links in uplink communication control (e.g., multi-AP control) based on communication between base stations, and the transmission unit (e.g., equivalent to a transmission circuit) transmits control signals (e.g., trigger frames) containing the parameters.

[0096] Figure 10 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of a STA200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 In the STA200 shown, the receiving unit (e.g., equivalent to a receiving circuit) receives a control signal containing parameters related to uplink transmission power control for multiple uplinks in uplink communication control (e.g., multi-AP control) based on inter-base station communication. The control unit (e.g., equivalent to a control circuit) controls the uplink transmission power based on the parameters.

[0097] [Structure example of AP100]

[0098] Figure 11 This is a block diagram representing a structural example of AP100. Figure 11 The AP100 shown may include, for example, a setting unit 101, a control signal generation unit 102 for a STA, a control signal generation unit 103 for an AP, a transmission signal generation unit 104, a wireless transceiver unit 105, and a receive signal demodulation / decoding unit 106.

[0099] For example, Figure 9 The control unit shown can correspond to Figure 11 The processing units related to the generation of transmitted signals include (for example, setting unit 101, control signal generation unit 102 for STA, control signal generation unit 103 for AP, transmitted signal generation unit 104, and received signal demodulation / decoding unit 106, etc.). Additionally... Figure 9 The wireless transmitter shown can, for example, correspond to Figure 11 The wireless transceiver unit 105 shown is shown.

[0100] Alternatively, for example, the setting unit 101, the control signal generation unit 102 for STA and the control signal generation unit 103 for AP may be included in the access control unit (e.g., the medium access control (MAC) processing unit), and the transmission signal generation unit 104 and the reception signal demodulation / decoding unit 106 may be included in the baseband (BB) processing unit.

[0101] The setting unit 101 can, for example, set control information for the STA 200. For example, the setting unit 101 can set resource allocation information for each STA 200, and scheduling information such as MCS. Furthermore, the setting unit 101 can, for example, determine parameters related to uplink transmit power control (hereinafter referred to as "uplink transmit power control parameters"), such as AP TX power or target RSSI, based on information input from the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 106 (e.g., control information notified during the negotiation phase via communication between AP groups). The setting unit 101 can, for example, output control information including the uplink transmit power control parameters to the control signal generation unit 102 for the STA.

[0102] Furthermore, the setting unit 101 may, for example, determine the transmission power control parameters that are communicated during the negotiation phase using communication between AP groups based on scheduling information. The setting unit 101 may, for example, output control information containing the determined transmission power control parameters to the control signal generation unit 103 for the AP.

[0103] It should be noted that during the negotiation phase, the scheduler may not have yet completed the final resource allocation. Therefore, the transmit power control parameters notified by each AP100 during the negotiation phase may be parameters related to the candidate transmit powers applicable to the AP100, for example, depending on the capabilities or coverage of each AP100. The setting unit 101 may also output parameters related to the candidate transmit powers applicable to the AP100 to the control signal generation unit 103 for the AP.

[0104] For example, each AP100 notifies the transmit power control parameters based on its capabilities or coverage, thereby allowing the shared APs to identify the transmit power of each AP100 before final resource allocation in the scheduler. Furthermore, the transmit power control parameters may include, for example, the transmit power capability of each AP100. This transmit power capability may include, for example, the range of transmit power that each AP100 can output (e.g., the maximum, minimum, and step size of the AP100's transmit power). Additionally, the transmit power control parameters may include, for example, the transmit power capability of the STA200 housed by each AP100.

[0105] A shared AP can, for example, reset the transmission power of each AP100 based on transmission power control parameters notified by each AP100 within the AP group. For instance, the shared AP can reset the transmission power of each AP100 based on the transmission power capabilities of either AP100 or STA200. The method for resetting the transmission power can also be, for example, to unify the transmission power of multiple AP100s within the AP group, provided the difference in transmission power capabilities among the AP100s is within a threshold. The unified transmission power can also be set, for example, to the transmission power of one AP among the transmission powers exchanged between AP100s (e.g., the maximum or minimum transmission power within the AP group). Alternatively, the unified transmission power can also be set, for example, to the average or total transmission power of multiple AP100s within the AP group. By unifying the transmission power, the shared AP, for example, can avoid notifying each AP100 of the reset transmission power, only needing to notify the existing TX AP power, thus reducing signaling overhead.

[0106] Additionally, information related to transmit power capabilities could be, for example, control information such as the "Uplink Multi-User Power Capabilities Element (UL MU Power Capabilities element)" applied in 11ax. Furthermore, the transmit power control parameters notified between AP100s could include, for example, OMIs (Operating Mode Indicators) notifying the applicable bandwidth or number of spatial streams (SS). Additionally, the transmit power control parameters notified between AP100s could include, for example, path loss. For instance, a shared AP could determine whether to apply coordination communication based on the path loss notified by each AP100.

[0107] Additionally, the transmit power control parameters notified between AP100 may include, for example, spatial reuse (parameterized spatial reuse (PSR)) planned to be notified to STA200 in the common information field of the trigger frame. The shared AP may, for example, set the transmit power of each AP100 and the target RSSI of STA200 based on the PSR notified by each AP100. For example, when applying uplink coordination communication, the shared AP may reset the target RSSI in each AP100 during the negotiation phase, taking into account the combined gain. It should be noted that examples of methods for resetting the target RSSI when applying uplink coordination communication will be described later.

[0108] exist Figure 11In this configuration, the control signal generation unit 102 for STAs can generate control signals (e.g., trigger frames) for STAs 200. For example, the control signal generation unit 102 for STAs can generate control signals based on control information input from the setting unit 101 (e.g., resource allocation results for each STA 200, or transmit power control parameters such as AP Tx power and target RSSI) and information input from the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 106.

[0109] In the control signals used for STA200, in addition to time and frequency resource information (e.g., resource unit (RU) allocation information for uplink coordination communication, TXOP, LENGTH, etc.), at least one of the following may be included: transmit power control parameters (e.g., transmit power of AP100 or target RSSI, etc.), information related to the generation of trigger frames (e.g., UL MCS, guard interval (GI), long training field (LTF) mode), trigger type of notification control signal category, and terminal identification information (e.g., association ID (AID)).

[0110] Additionally, in this embodiment, for example, the control signal for STA200 may include information related to the downlink transmission power of each STA200 based on the coordinated communication mode of AP100 applied to STA200.

[0111] For example, the control signal generation unit 102 for STA outputs the generated control signal to the transmission signal generation unit 104.

[0112] As should be noted, examples of the format of control signals used for STA200 during uplink coordination communication will be described later.

[0113] Additionally, there may be situations where at least some of the multiple STA200s that were instructed by the trigger frame to send uplink response signals do not perform uplink coordination communication. Therefore, when the format of the control signals used for STA200s during uplink coordination communication is applied, the signaling overhead may increase. For example, if the multiple STA200s that were instructed by the trigger frame to send uplink response signals do not each perform uplink coordination communication, the transmit power control parameters of the control method considering coordination communication may not be notified. Therefore, the AP100 may, for example, determine whether to apply the format of the control signals used for STA200s during uplink coordination communication when generating the control signal (in other words, the format of the control signal can be switched). Examples of methods for switching the control signal format will be described later.

[0114] The control signal generation unit 103 for the AP can generate control signals (e.g., trigger frames) for the AP 100. For example, the control signal generation unit 103 for the AP can generate control signals based on control information (e.g., transmit power control parameters) input from the setting unit 101 and information input from the receive signal demodulation / decoding unit 106.

[0115] The control signals used for AP100 may include, for example, at least one of the following, in addition to time and frequency resource information (e.g., RU allocation information, TXOP, LENGTH, etc. for uplink coordination communication), transmit power control parameters (e.g., transmit power of AP100 or target RSSI, etc.) and information related to the generation of control signals (e.g., trigger frames) used for STA200 (e.g., UL MCS, GI, LTF mode). Furthermore, the control signals used for AP100 may include, for example, at least one of the transmit power capability of each AP100 (e.g., the range of transmit power that each AP100 can output (e.g., maximum, minimum, step size of transmit power)) and the transmit power capability of each AP100 for the STA200 it accommodates.

[0116] For example, the control signal generation unit 103 for the AP outputs the generated control signal to the transmission signal generation unit 104.

[0117] The transmit signal generation unit 104 encodes and modulates control signals or data input from the control signal generation unit 102 for the STA or the control signal generation unit 103 for the AP, as well as ACK (Acknowledgment) / Block-ACK (Block Acknowledgment). The transmit signal generation unit 104 may, for example, add pilot signals for frequency or timing synchronization at the receiving side (e.g., other AP100 or STA200), channel estimation signals (e.g., LTF or Extremely High Throughput (EHT)-LTF), etc., to the modulated signal, and generate a radio frame (transmit signal). The transmit signal generation unit 104 outputs the generated transmit signal to the radio transceiver unit 105.

[0118] The wireless transceiver unit 105 performs wireless transmission processing on the transmission signal input from the transmission signal generation unit, such as D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion and up-conversion to the carrier frequency, and transmits the processed signal via an antenna.

[0119] AP100 may operate as follows when receiving uplink signals (e.g., uplink response signals (TB-PPDU)) and feedback information, or control signals between AP groups, sent from STA200.

[0120] The wireless signal received via the antenna is input to the wireless transceiver unit 105. The wireless transceiver unit 105 performs wireless reception processing on the received wireless signal, such as down-converting the carrier frequency, and outputs the wirelessly received signal to the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 106.

[0121] The received signal demodulation / decoding unit 106 can, for example, perform autocorrelation processing on the signal input from the wireless transceiver unit 105 to extract the received wireless frames. Furthermore, the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 106 can, for example, decode and demodulate the uplink response signal (e.g., TB-PPDU) and feedback information from the STA 200, or the control signals between AP groups, contained in the extracted wireless frames. The received signal demodulation / decoding unit 106 can, for example, output feedback information and control signals between AP groups to the setting unit 101, the control signal generation unit 102 for the STA, and the control signal generation unit 103 for the AP.

[0122] [Structure example of STA200]

[0123] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating a structural example of the STA200 in this embodiment. Figure 12 The STA200 shown may include, for example, a wireless transceiver unit 201, a received signal demodulation / decoding unit 202, a transmit power calculation unit 203, a response signal generation unit 204, and a transmit signal generation unit 205.

[0124] For example, Figure 10 The control unit shown can correspond to Figure 12 The processing units related to the generation of the transmitted signal include (e.g., the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 202, the transmitted power calculation unit 203, the response signal generation unit 204, and the transmitted signal generation unit 205). Additionally... Figure 10 The wireless receiver shown can, for example, correspond to Figure 12 The wireless transceiver unit 201 shown is shown.

[0125] Alternatively, for example, the transmit power calculation unit 203 and the response signal generation unit 204 may be included in the access control unit, and the receive signal demodulation / decoding unit 202 and the transmit signal generation unit 205 may be included in the baseband processing unit.

[0126] The wireless transceiver unit 201 receives signals transmitted from the AP100 via an antenna, performs wireless reception processing on the received signals such as down-conversion and A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion, and outputs the processed signal to the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 202. Alternatively, the wireless transceiver unit 201 can perform wireless transmission processing on signals input from the transmission signal generation unit 205, such as D / A conversion and up-conversion to a carrier frequency. Furthermore, the wireless transceiver unit 201 can transmit the processed signal via an antenna based on the transmission power indicated by the transmission power calculation unit 203.

[0127] The received signal demodulation / decoding unit 202 can, for example, perform autocorrelation processing or other processing on the signal input from the wireless transceiver unit 201 to extract the received wireless frames. The received signal demodulation / decoding unit 202 can, for example, demodulate and decode control signals (e.g., trigger frames) contained within the extracted wireless frames, and output transmit power control parameters such as APTX power or target RSSI to the transmit power calculation unit 203. Furthermore, the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 202 can, for example, output time and frequency resource information (e.g., RU allocation information, TXOP, LENGTH, etc.) or control parameters such as MCS to the transmit signal generation unit 205.

[0128] As can be seen, the receiving signal demodulation / decoding unit 202 may, for example, determine whether to apply the control signal format used for STA200 during uplink coordination communication based on the control signal format switching control method described later.

[0129] The transmit power calculation unit 203 can, for example, calculate the transmit power of an uplink signal (e.g., an uplink response signal). For example, the transmit power calculation unit 203 can calculate the transmit power of the uplink response signal based on transmit power control parameters (e.g., AP TX power and target RSSI) input from the received signal demodulation / decoding unit 202, and the path loss estimated based on the downlink signal (not shown). The transmit power calculation unit 203 can, for example, output information related to the calculated transmit power to the radio transceiver unit 201. It should be noted that examples of the uplink transmit power calculation method in the transmit power calculation unit 203 will be described later. "Calculate" can also be replaced with "determine". For example, the transmit power can be determined based on information in tabular form.

[0130] The response signal generation unit 204 may generate an uplink response signal, for example, and output the generated uplink response signal to the transmission signal generation unit 205. The uplink response signal may include, for example, the ID of STA200 and the transmission information of STA200 (e.g., data, transmission buffer status notification, or downlink data (DL Data) request, etc.).

[0131] The transmit signal generation unit 205 encodes and modulates the uplink response signal input from the response signal generation unit 204 based, for example, control parameters (e.g., MCS) input from the receive signal demodulation / decoding unit 202. The transmit signal generation unit 205 may, for example, add control signals (preambles) such as pilot signals for frequency synchronization or timing synchronization at the receiving side (e.g., AP100), and channel estimation signals to the modulated signal, and generate a radio frame (transmit signal). The transmit signal generation unit 205 outputs the generated transmit signal to the radio transceiver unit 201, for example.

[0132] [Examples of AP and STA actions]

[0133] Next, an example of the operation of AP100 and STA200 in this embodiment will be described.

[0134] Figure 13 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of AP100 and STA200 in this embodiment.

[0135] exist Figure 13 As an example, the operation of two AP100s (e.g., AP1 and AP2) and two STA200s (e.g., STA1 and STA2) is explained. Additionally, in... Figure 13 In the example, AP1 is a shared AP, and AP2 is a shared AP.

[0136] exist Figure 13 During the negotiation phase, AP1 and AP2 may notify time and frequency resource information (e.g., RU allocation information, TXOP, LENGTH, etc. for uplink coordination communication), transmit power control parameters (e.g., transmit power of each AP100, target RSSI, etc.), or information related to the generation of trigger frames (e.g., UL MCS, GI, or LTF mode).

[0137] The transmit power control parameters during the negotiation phase may include, for example, the transmit power capability of each AP100 (e.g., the range of transmit power that each AP100 can output (e.g., maximum, minimum, and step size of transmit power)). Additionally, the transmit power control parameters may include, for example, the transmit power capability of the STA200s accommodated by each AP100. AP100 may, for example, perform coordinated control and scheduling taking into account the transmit power capabilities of each AP100 and STA200.

[0138] Additionally, during the negotiation phase, for example, the following situation may occur: after the sharing AP collects the transmit power control parameters (e.g., transmit power capability) of each shared AP, the transmit power control parameters (e.g., AP100's transmit power, target RSSI, capability) notified by other AP100 are not within the specified range (e.g., X ≥ transmit power control parameter ≥ Y). In this case, the sharing AP may also exclude such AP100 from the APs (e.g., AP group) that are conducting coordination communication.

[0139] It should be noted that, for example, range-related setting values ​​X and Y can be set based on the shared AP's transmit power, target RSSI, and capability. For example, when the transmit power control parameter is the transmit power of AP100, it can also be set as X = (shared AP transmit power) + α, Y = (shared AP transmit power) - α. α can be any value, such as an integer or a real number.

[0140] For example, the greater the difference in transmit power, target RSSI, or capability among AP100s within an AP group, the more complex the control of coordinated communication becomes. Therefore, coordinated communication can be easily controlled by excluding APs with large differences in transmit power control parameter values ​​from those APs that are coordinating communication with the shared AP (e.g., AP100 that is not in the category of X ≥ transmit power control parameter ≥ Y).

[0141] It should be noted that, for example, a MAP trigger can also be used to notify part of the above information.

[0142] like Figure 13 As shown, if the negotiation phase ends, the shared AP (e.g., AP1) can send a multi-AP trigger frame to each AP100 (e.g., AP2) that is coordinating the communication.

[0143] For example, after a predetermined time (e.g., a Short Inter Frame Space (SIFS)) has elapsed since the initiation and transmission of multiple AP trigger frames, AP100 (e.g., AP1 and AP2) within the AP group can simultaneously transmit trigger frames (e.g., trigger frames for TB-PPDU) to trigger uplink communication of STA200 (e.g., STA1 and STA2). It should be noted that the information contained in the PPDU including the trigger frame can, for example, be the same information across all AP100s. For example, multiple AP100s transmit the same (general) information in the trigger frame, thereby enabling STA200 to suppress interference and receive signals from each AP100.

[0144] It should be noted that, for example, in a PPDU containing a trigger frame, values ​​such as cyclic shift set by antenna or stream can be set to values ​​different according to AP100. Additionally, a portion of the preamble contained in the PPDU can be replaced according to AP100. Furthermore, the frequency resources of the EHT-LTF can also differ according to AP100. Moreover, the preamble is, for example, a signal in units of sub-channels (e.g., 20MHz band), and even when the data is a signal in a frequency band that is part of the preamble, the preamble can still be a signal in the frequency band of the sub-channel (e.g., 20MHz band).

[0145] For example, such as Figure 13 As shown, after receiving a trigger frame, STA200 (e.g., STA1 and STA2) can check whether the AID field in the user information field of the trigger frame contains an AID destined for that STA200 or an AID for random access (e.g., 2045). For example, if it contains an AID destined for that STA200 or an AID for random access, STA200 can perform uplink transmit power control and generate an uplink response signal (e.g., TB-PPDU) based on the values ​​indicated by the common information field and the user information field. Then, STA200 can, for example, send an uplink response signal to AP100 based on the determined transmit power.

[0146] It should be noted that when the AID of STA200 is specifically designated by the associated AP, the APs 100 coordinating may, for example, avoid assigning duplicate AIDs among APs 100 to STA200. In other words, the APs 100 coordinating may assign different AIDs among APs 100 to STA200. Thus, for example, it is possible to determine the STA200 that coordinates communication within the AP group. Alternatively, it is also possible to specify an AID allocation range for each AP 100, and have each AP 100 assign AIDs to the associated STA200 within the specified range.

[0147] Additionally, each AP100 can, for example, notify the coordinating AP100 of the AID allocation range. After receiving the AID allocation range notification, each AP100 can specify an allocation range that does not overlap with the notified allocation range. This suppresses the overlap of AID allocation ranges among AP100s. It should be noted that beacons can also be used to notify each AP100 of the AID allocation range.

[0148] like Figure 13As shown, each AP100 can, for example, receive an uplink response signal (e.g., a TB PPDU) and send information (e.g., ACK or Block-ACK) to STA200 regarding whether the uplink response signal has been successfully received (or decoded). In the case of coordinated communication, for example, the AP100 that received the response signal can send an ACK to STA200. For example, in the case of diversity reception, the ACK can be sent by one of the AP100s that received the uplink response signal during coordinated communication. Furthermore, for example, in the case of joint reception, the ACK can be sent by multiple AP100s that received the response signal. By having each AP100 that received the response signal send an ACK individually, joint transmission of the ACK is possible, thereby improving the ACK reception performance in STA200.

[0149] It should be noted that when using joint reception, the following structure can also be adopted: the sharing AP sends an ACK, while the shared AP does not send an ACK. By sending an ACK and the shared AP not sending an ACK, ACK information can be avoided between AP100.

[0150] Furthermore, for example, and not limited to the case where the AP100 sends an ACK after SIFS from receiving the uplink response signal, it can also send an ACK after a certain period of time (called a "delayed ACK"). For example, the ACK response method can also be changed according to the coordination communication method. For example, in the case of joint reception, the delayed ACK can also be applied considering the reception synthesis processing time.

[0151] Figure 14 For example, it means in Figure 8 The diagram illustrates an example of a wireless communication system architecture where STA1 is allocated a 20MHz bandwidth, STA2 is allocated a 20MHz bandwidth, and STA3 is allocated a 40MHz bandwidth (in other words, resources). Figure 14 For example, when sending a trigger frame, AP1 and AP2 can send the same (general) information to STA1, STA2, and STA3 in an 80MHz band. STA1, STA2, and STA3 can also send uplink response signals (e.g., TB PPDU) in the band indicated by the trigger frame. Alternatively, AP1 and AP2 can send ACKs (or BAs) for each STA in the band where uplink response signals from STA1, STA2, and STA3 have been sent respectively.

[0152] [Method for selecting the target RSSI when applying uplink coordination communication]

[0153] Next, an example of the method for selecting the target RSSI (e.g., uplink target RSSI) for each STA200 when applying uplink coordination communication in this embodiment will be described.

[0154] <Selection Method 1>

[0155] In selection method 1, for example, AP100 can select the largest target RSSI among the target RSSIs of each STA200 set by each AP100 that is coordinating the communication.

[0156] As an example, to illustrate for Figure 8 The example shown is the selection of the target RSSI for STA2. For example, if the target RSSI set by AP1 for STA2 is RSSI#1, and the target RSSI set by AP2 for STA2 is RSSI#2, then the value of max(RSSI#1, RSSI#2) can be selected as the target RSSI for STA2.

[0157] By selecting the largest target RSSI as the target RSSI of STA200, the highest receiving level among the receiving levels of the uplink response signal based on the target RSSI set for each STA200 can be set, thus increasing the probability that AP100 can successfully receive the uplink response signal.

[0158] <Selection Method 2>

[0159] In selection method 2, for example, AP100 can select the smallest target RSSI among the target RSSIs of each STA200 set by each AP100 that is coordinating the communication.

[0160] As an example, to illustrate for Figure 8 The example shown illustrates the selection of the target RSSI for STA2. For instance, if the target RSSI set by AP1 for STA2 is RSSI#1, and the target RSSI set by AP2 for STA2 is RSSI#2, then the value of min(RSSI#1, RSSI#2) can be selected as the target RSSI for STA2.

[0161] By selecting the minimum target RSSI as the target RSSI of STA200, interference caused by the uplink response signal transmitted from STA200 to the response signals of other STAs can be reduced (e.g., adjacent-channel interference (ACI)). Therefore, the probability of AP100 successfully receiving the response signals of other STAs can be increased.

[0162] <Selection Method 3>

[0163] In method 3, for example, AP100 can select the average value of the target RSSI of each STA200 set by each AP100 that is coordinating the communication.

[0164] By selecting the average value as the target RSSI of STA200, the reception performance of the uplink response signal in AP100 can be maintained, and ACI caused by the uplink response signal transmitted from STA200 to other STAs can be suppressed.

[0165] Alternatively, AP100 can calculate an average value by weighting the target RSSIs assigned to STA200 separately. For example, the weighting factor for the target RSSI of the shared AP can be increased, while the weighting factor for the target RSSI of the shared AP can be decreased.

[0166] The above explains selection methods 1 to 3. It should be noted that the method for selecting the target RSSI for each STA200 when applying uplink coordination communication is not limited to selection methods 1 to 3 described above. For example, the target RSSI for a STA200 can also be set based on any one or more target RSSIs set by each AP100 for a certain STA200.

[0167] [Trigger frame format used for uplink coordination communication and method for calculating uplink transmit power]

[0168] Hereinafter, examples of the trigger frame format for uplink coordination communication and the method for calculating (determining) uplink transmission power in STA200 in this embodiment will be described.

[0169] In this embodiment, for example, a trigger frame can be used to set information related to the transmit power of the AP100 (in other words, transmit power control parameters) at each STA200. For example, the transmit power control parameters may include information related to downlink transmit power, which is determined for each of the plurality of STAs 200 according to the category of uplink communication control (e.g., multi-AP control) based on communication between APs 100. For example, the multi-AP control category for each STA 200 may include cases of coordinated uplink communication control and cases of coordinated uplink communication control. Furthermore, the coordinated uplink communication control cases may include, for example, joint transmission and diversity reception.

[0170] <Example 1>

[0171] Figure 15This is a diagram illustrating an example of the common information field and user information field of the trigger frame in Example 1. It should be noted that the common information field and user information field of the trigger frame may also contain information related to... Figure 15 The fields shown are different from the fields shown. Alternatively, they may not be included. Figure 15 A portion of the fields shown.

[0172] exist Figure 15 The public information field shown may include, for example, a setting value (e.g., also called a “baseline value”) of the transmission power of the AP100 used by multiple STA200s that are the transmission objects of the trigger frame when calculating the uplink transmission power, namely the “AP TX power”. For example, the transmission power of the shared AP, the average transmission power of AP100s belonging to the AP group that are conducting coordinated communication (e.g., also called “average transmission power”), and any one of the transmission power of AP100s belonging to the AP group (e.g., the maximum or minimum value) may be set as the “AP TX power”.

[0173] In addition, Figure 15 The user information field shown may include, for example, an offset value for "AP TX Power" (e.g., "AP TX Poweroffset") that is common to multiple STA200 fields contained in the public information field.

[0174] For example, if the AP TX power setting is the shared AP's transmit power or the average transmit power of the AP group, the value of "AP TX power offset" may be negative. Therefore, for example, if the "AP TX power offset" field is 4 bits, an offset value of -8 [dB] to +7 [dB] can be set.

[0175] AP100 can determine the AP TX power offset based on a coordinated communication mode (e.g., diversity reception or joint reception). For example, when a coordinated communication mode is selected, joint reception can be applied among multiple AP100s with a path loss of less than X dB between STA200 and AP100. On the other hand, diversity reception can be applied among multiple AP100s with a path loss greater than X dB, for example, using the AP100 with the lowest path loss.

[0176] For example, by using the transmit power synthesized among multiple AP100s participating in the joint reception, the STA200 can calculate the downlink path loss.

[0177] As an example, for Figure 8 The structure of the wireless communication system shown will be explained.

[0178] For example, the transmit power (TxPow) of the shared AP (AP1) can be set. AP1 [dBm]) is the setting value for "APTX Power" in the public information field.

[0179] Alternatively, for example, 0 [dB] can be set as the setting value for the "AP TX power offset" in the user information field for STA1. In other words, the value obtained by subtracting the AP TX power (in this case, the AP1's transmission power) from the AP1's transmission power can be set as the setting value for the "AP TX power offset" for STA1.

[0180] Alternatively, for example, considering the joint reception of AP1 and AP2, the value obtained by subtracting the AP TX power (here, the transmission power of AP1) from the combined power of the transmission power of AP1 and AP2 as shown in Equation (3) can be set as the setting value of "AP TX power offset" for the user information field of STA2.

[0181] [Formula 3]

[0182]

[0183] Alternatively, for example, the value obtained by subtracting the AP TX power (here, the AP1's transmission power) from the AP2's transmission power as shown in formula (4) can be used as the setting value for the "AP TX power offset" in the user information field of STA3.

[0184] [Formula 4]

[0185]

[0186] The STA200 can, for example, base its response on the "AP TX power" (e.g., denoted as "Tx") field in the common information field within the trigger frame. Pow Ap The user information field includes the "AP Tx power offset" (e.g., denoted as "Tx"). PowOffset Ap The uplink transmission power (e.g., denoted as "Tx") is calculated based on the following formulas (5) and (6). Pow STA ”).

[0187] [Formula 5]

[0188]

[0189] [Formula 6]

[0190]

[0191] Thus, for example in Figure 8In this process, the uplink transmission power of STA1 is set based on the transmission power of AP1, the uplink transmission power of ST2 is set based on the combined value of the transmission powers of AP1 and AP2, and the uplink transmission power of STA3 is set based on the transmission power of AP2.

[0192] Thus, in Example 1, AP100, for example, uses a trigger frame to notify STA200 of information related to the transmit power considering the coordinated communication mode for each STA200 (in other words, the transmit power of AP100 considering the MAP coordination process for each STA200). Furthermore, STA200 can, for example, identify the transmit power of AP100 considering the coordinated communication mode based on the received trigger frame. For example, even when the transmit powers of multiple AP100s differ, AP100 can still use the trigger frame to notify of information related to the transmit power of AP100 corresponding to the uplink transmission method (e.g., coordinated communication mode) for each STA200. Therefore, even when applying the coordinated communication mode, each STA200 can, for example, improve the estimation accuracy of downlink path loss and correctly calculate (determine) the uplink transmit power, thereby improving uplink throughput.

[0193] It should be noted that when applying one of the switching methods described later in "Trigger format switching methods 4 to 6", the "AP TX power offset" of the user information field used in the uplink coordination communication mode can also be, for example, as follows: Figure 16 The configuration shown is in the Trigger DependentUser Info field.

[0194] <Example 2>

[0195] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the common information field and user information field of the trigger frame in Example 2. It should be noted that the common information field and user information field of the trigger frame may also contain information related to... Figure 17 The fields shown are different from the fields shown. Alternatively, they may not be included. Figure 17 A portion of the fields shown.

[0196] exist Figure 17 The common information fields shown (e.g., AP TX power field) may include, for example, a set of transmit power (e.g., APTxPower#1 to AP TxPower#N) that takes into account the coordinated communication mode (e.g., diversity reception or joint reception) of each STA200.

[0197] For example, for Figure 8The example structure of the wireless communication system shown may include, in the common information field, a set of the transmit power of AP1, the transmit power of AP2, and the combined transmit power of AP1 and AP2 considering joint reception (e.g., expressed as "transmit power of AP#1 + AP#2").

[0198] It should be noted that, for example, the set number N of the AP100's transmit power can be determined by one of the following methods.

[0199] For example, the set number N can also be a fixed value. For instance, the value of the set number N can be pre-specified (or defined) in the specifications. A fixed value could be based on, for example, the maximum number of AP100s intended for coordinated communication, or the maximum number of AP100s considering a combination of AP100s in joint reception. By setting the set number N to a fixed value, the generation of trigger frames in the AP100 and the determination of trigger frames in the STA200 can be simplified.

[0200] Alternatively, the value of the set number N can also be a value notified (in other words, set) to the STA200 by the AP100. The value of the set number N can be notified, for example, by beacons or control information during the negotiation phase. For instance, the AP100 can notify the set number N by considering coordinated communications within the AP group, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0201] In addition, Figure 17 The user information field shown may, for example, contain an index indicating which value in the transmit power set contained in the public information field the STA200 uses (e.g., the AP TX power index). In other words, the user information field may contain an index associated with information related to multiple downlink transmit powers set in the public information field.

[0202] For example, for Figure 8 The illustrated example of a wireless communication system structure illustrates the following scenario: the transmit power of AP1 is set in AP TxPower#1 of the common information field, the transmit power of AP2 is set in AP TxPower#2, and the transmit power of AP#1 + AP#2 is set in APTxPower#3. In this case, index #1 can be set for the user information field used by STA1, index #3 can be set for the user information field used by STA2, and index #2 can be set for the user information field used by STA3.

[0203] The STA200 can, for example, base its AP TX power set on the common information field within the trigger frame (e.g., denoted as "Tx"). Pow Ap(n), n = 1, 2, ..., N)”), and the set value of the AP Tx power index (e.g., denoted as “i”) in the user information field, calculate the uplink transmission power (e.g., denoted as “Tx”) according to the following formulas (7) and (8). Pow STA ”).

[0204] [Formula 7]

[0205]

[0206] [Formula 8]

[0207]

[0208] Thus, for example in Figure 8 In this process, the uplink transmission power of STA1 is set based on the transmission power of AP1, the uplink transmission power of ST2 is set based on the combined value of the transmission powers of AP1 and AP2, and the uplink transmission power of STA3 is set based on the transmission power of AP2.

[0209] Thus, in Example 2, AP100, for example, uses a trigger frame to notify STA200 of information related to the transmit power considering the coordinated communication mode for each STA200 (in other words, the transmit power of AP100 considering the MAP coordination process for each STA200). Furthermore, STA200 can, for example, identify the transmit power of AP100 considering the coordinated communication mode based on the received trigger frame. For example, even when the transmit powers of multiple AP100s differ, AP100 can still use the trigger frame to notify of information related to the transmit power of AP100 corresponding to the uplink transmission method (e.g., coordinated communication mode) for each STA200. Therefore, even when applying the coordinated communication mode, each STA200 can, for example, improve the estimation accuracy of downlink path loss and correctly calculate (determine) the uplink transmit power, thereby improving uplink throughput.

[0210] Here, the transmit power control parameters for each STA200 contained in the user information field are the same as in Example 1 (e.g., Figure 15 Compared to an offset value like that in Example 2, the number of bits for an index value like that is likely to be less. Furthermore, in general, in wireless communication systems, the number of STA200s is more likely to be greater than the number of AP100s. Therefore, in Example 2, for example, the more STA200s are set (in other words, triggered) by a trigger frame, the more the increase in the user information field size can be suppressed compared to Example 1, thus further reducing signaling overhead.

[0211] It should be noted that when applying one of the switching methods described later in "Trigger Format Switching Method 4 to Trigger Format Switching Method 6", the "AP TX Power#2 to AP TXPower#N" of the common information field used in the uplink coordination communication mode can also be, for example, as follows: Figure 18 The configuration shown is in the Trigger DependentCommon Info field. For example, it can also be configured in... Figure 18 The AP TX Power field shown is configured with AP TX Power#1. Similarly, the "AP TX Power Index" in the user information field applied during uplink coordination communication mode can also be configured as follows. Figure 18 The configuration shown is used to trigger the dependent user information field.

[0212] The above illustrates the trigger frame format used for uplink coordination communication and an example of how uplink transmit power is calculated in STA200.

[0213] [Trigger Frame Format Switching Method]

[0214] Next, the method for switching between the format of the control signals when uplink coordination communication is applied (trigger frame format) and the format of the control signals when uplink coordination communication is not applied (in other words, the format notification method for STA200) will be explained. It should be noted that the format switching can also be changed to "format selection" or "format determination or setting".

[0215] For example, when at least one of a plurality of STA200s that are indicated by a trigger frame to perform uplink coordination communication, the format of the control signals used when performing uplink coordination communication can be applied.

[0216] On the other hand, for example, if multiple STA200s (e.g., all STA200s) that are indicated by the trigger frame for the uplink response signal do not perform uplink coordination communication, the format of the control signal when uplink coordination communication is not applied can be used.

[0217] For example, AP100 and STA200 can switch the trigger frame format based on one of the switching methods 1 to 6 described below. For instance, AP100 and STA200 can determine the trigger frame format when uplink coordination communication control (e.g., uplink communication control after coordination between AP100s) is applied, and the trigger frame format when uplink coordination communication control is not performed, based on information related to the coordination of multi-AP control (e.g., flag information or trigger type described later). Therefore, when multiple STA200s that have indicated uplink response signals by the trigger frame do not perform uplink coordination communication, signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0218] <Switching Method 1>

[0219] In handover method 1, AP100 can notify STA200 of control information containing the following flag information, which indicates whether uplink coordination communication is to be performed.

[0220] For example, such as Figure 19 As shown, the public information field may contain information indicating whether uplink coordination communication is applied (e.g., "uplink multi AP flag (UL multi AP flag)").

[0221] For example, when the uplink multi-AP flag is 1, the control signal format used for STA200 during uplink coordination communication can be applied, as in Example 1 or Example 2. On the other hand, when the uplink multi-AP flag is 0, the control signal format used for STA200 during uplink coordination communication may not be applied. For example, when the uplink multi-AP flag is 0, the same control signal format as 11ax can also be applied.

[0222] For example, after receiving a trigger frame, the STA200 can determine which format to apply to the trigger frame (control signal) based on the uplink multi-AP flag in the common information field.

[0223] <Switching Method 2>

[0224] In handover method 2, for example, AP100 may indicate, in the signal field (e.g., the same uplink multi-AP flag as in handover method 1) within the preamble of the downlink PPDU containing the trigger frame, information indicating whether to apply control signals for STA200 during uplink coordination communication (e.g., the same uplink multi-AP flag as in handover method 1).

[0225] <Switching Method 3>

[0226] In handover method 3, for example, AP100 may notify STA200 of information in the beacon or control information that the control signal used for STA200 when applying uplink coordination communication is in the format of (e.g., the same uplink multi-AP flag as in handover method 1).

[0227] <Switching Method 4>

[0228] In switching method 4, for example, AP100 can indicate the format of the control signal to STA200 based on the "trigger type" contained in the common information field of the trigger frame.

[0229] In switching method 4, for example, a multi-AP application mode can be set for at least one of the modes such as Basic and Beamforming Report Poll (BFRP) based on the Trigger Type subfield value.

[0230] Figure 20 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trigger type for switching method 4. Figure 20 For example, this illustrates the relationship between the trigger type (e.g., trigger frame variant) and the value associated with the trigger type (trigger type subfield value) that is notified to the STA200 by the AP100 using the trigger frame (e.g., a public information field).

[0231] exist Figure 20 In the example shown, for a trigger type subfield value of 8, the combination of basic and multi-AP application modes is set as the trigger type. It should be noted that... Figure 20 The trigger type setting shown is an example, and it can also be used to notify different trigger frame categories and multi-AP application modes.

[0232] When the trigger type corresponds to the category of uplink coordination communication (e.g., multi-AP application mode), AP100 and STA200 can set the trigger frame format when applying uplink coordination communication.

[0233] According to switching method 4, no new fields or formats need to be added to control the switching of signal formats, thus suppressing the increase in specification changes.

[0234] <Switching Method 5>

[0235] In switching method 5, for example, AP100 can indicate the format of the control signal to STA200 based on the "trigger type" contained in the common information field of the trigger frame.

[0236] Figure 21 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trigger type for switching method 5.

[0237] like Figure 21 As shown, AP100 can, for example, use a field that is different from the trigger type subfield value (e.g., multi-AP operation flag (e.g., 1 bit)) to inform STA200 whether it is a trigger format for uplink coordination communication.

[0238] <Switching Method 6>

[0239] In switching method 6, for example, AP100 can indicate the format of the control signal to STA200 based on the "trigger type" contained in the common information field of the trigger frame.

[0240] Figure 22 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trigger type for switching method 6. Figure 22 For example, this illustrates the relationship between the trigger type (e.g., a trigger frame variant) and the value associated with the trigger type (trigger type subfield value) that is notified to the STA200 by the AP100 using the trigger frame (e.g., a public information field).

[0241] like Figure 22 As shown, uplink coordination communication (multi-AP) can be performed using "trigger type" such as notification. Figure 22 In the example shown, when the trigger type subfield value is 8, an uplink coordination communication can be notified.

[0242] Additionally, when using trigger type notifications for uplink coordination communication (e.g., when the trigger type subfield value = 8), the type of the trigger frame (e.g., basic or BFRP, etc.) can be, for example, as follows: Figure 23 As shown, notification is provided by a field different from the trigger type (e.g., trigger information (Trigger Info) that triggers depend on a public information field). For example, the trigger format category notified by the trigger information may also be different from... Figure 5 The content shown (e.g., the trigger type of 11ax) is the same.

[0243] For example, when the trigger type corresponds to the category of uplink coordination communication (e.g., multi-AP application mode), AP100 and STA200 can set the trigger frame format when applying uplink coordination communication.

[0244] The above explains how to switch the trigger frame format.

[0245] Thus, in this embodiment, AP100 uses a trigger frame to notify STA200 of parameters related to uplink transmit power control during uplink coordination communication (e.g., parameters related to the transmit power of AP100 in each STA200). Additionally, STA200 controls the transmit power of the uplink response signal, for example, based on the uplink transmit power control parameters contained in the received trigger frame.

[0246] Therefore, each STA200 can calculate the transmission power of the uplink response signal based on the transmission power control parameters (transmission power of AP100) of each STA200 contained in the trigger frame. Thus, even when the transmission powers of multiple AP100s within an AP group are different, each STA200 can improve the estimation accuracy of downlink path loss and the accuracy of uplink response signal transmission power control, thereby improving uplink throughput.

[0247] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the uplink transmission power can be flexibly set (controlled) at STA200 in multi-AP coordination.

[0248] (Implementation Method 2)

[0249] In Embodiment 1, for example, a method was described in which the transmit power of AP100, taking into account coordinated communication control, is notified to each STA in a trigger frame. In this embodiment, a method is described in which information related to the transmit power of each AP100 within the AP group (e.g., the downlink transmit power of each AP100 associated with multi-AP control) is notified to STA200 in a trigger frame.

[0250] The structure of AP100 and STA200 in this embodiment can be the same as that in Embodiment 1.

[0251] Hereinafter, examples of the trigger frame format for uplink coordination communication and the method for calculating uplink transmission power in this embodiment will be described. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the trigger frame format can also be switched in the same way as in Embodiment 1 (for example, one of the switching methods 1 to 6).

[0252] <Example 3>

[0253] Figure 24 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the common information field and user information field of the trigger frame in Example 3. It should be noted that the common information field and user information field of the trigger frame may also contain information related to... Figure 24 The fields shown are different from the fields shown. Alternatively, they may not be included. Figure 24 A portion of the fields shown.

[0254] exist Figure 24 The public information fields shown (e.g., AP TX power field) may include, for example, the transmit power of each AP100 within the AP group (e.g., AP TX Power#1 to AP TX Power#N).

[0255] It should be noted that N can be a fixed value, for example, similar to Example 2 of Implementation 1, or it can be notified to STA200 by AP100 via beacon or control information. Additionally, if the number of AP100s in the AP group is less than N, there may be unused areas in the AP TX power field.

[0256] For example, for Figure 8 The example structure of the wireless communication system shown can be configured in the public information field, where the transmit power of AP1 is set as AP TX Power#1 and the transmit power of AP2 is set as AP TX Power#2.

[0257] In addition, Figure 24 The user information field shown may, for example, contain an "AP TX power index" with the same number of bits (N) as the number of transmit powers (N) for each AP100 set in the public information field. Each bit of the AP TX power index (e.g., AP TX Power index#n, n = 1, 2, ..., N) may correspond to AP TX Power#1 to AP TX Power#N set in the public information field, respectively. In other words, the N bits of the AP TX power index may be bitmap information corresponding to AP TXPower#1 to AP TX Power#N, respectively.

[0258] For example, when all bits of the AP TX power index (e.g., AP TX Power index#n, n = 1, 2, ..., N) are 1, the STA200 can calculate the uplink transmission power using the AP TX power set in the corresponding common information field. Alternatively, when multiple bits of the AP TX power index are 1, the STA200 can synthesize the values ​​of multiple AP TX powers corresponding to these multiple bits to calculate the uplink transmission power. For example, in joint reception, multiple AP TX power indices corresponding to multiple AP100 receiving uplink response signals from the STA200 can be set to 1.

[0259] The STA200 can, for example, base its response on the AP TX power (e.g., denoted as "Tx") in the common information field within the trigger frame. Pow Ap(n)(n=1、2、...、N)”), and the set value of the AP Tx power index (e.g., denoted as “i”) in the user information field, the uplink transmission power (e.g., denoted as “Tx”) is calculated according to the following equations (9), (10) and (11). Pow STA ”).

[0260] [Formula 9]

[0261]

[0262] [Formula 10]

[0263]

[0264] [Equation 11]

[0265]

[0266] As shown in equations (9) and (10), the transmit power Tx of STA200 is, for example, based on the value of AP Tx Power index(i) being set to 1 for AP100. Pow Ap (i) The sum of the values ​​Tx Pow Ap Estimate path loss PL DL .

[0267] For example, for Figure 8 The illustrated example of a wireless communication system structure illustrates the following: the transmit power of AP1 is set as AP TxPower#1, the transmit power of AP2 is set as AP TxPower#2, and N is 2 bits. In this case, for example, "10" can be set as the AP TX power index of the user information field of STA1, "11" can be set as the AP TX power index of the user information field of STA2, and "01" can be set as the AP TX power index of the user information field of STA3.

[0268] Thus, for example in Figure 8 In the above calculation, STA1 calculates the uplink transmission power based on the transmission power of AP1, ST2 calculates the uplink transmission power based on the combined value of the transmission powers of AP1 and AP2, and STA3 calculates the uplink transmission power based on the transmission power of AP2.

[0269] Thus, in Example 3, for example, a trigger frame is used to set (in other words, notify) the transmit power of each AP100 within the AP group. STA200, for example, can identify the transmit power of AP100 considering the coordinated communication mode based on the received trigger frame. For example, even when the transmit powers of multiple AP100s differ, STA200 can use the trigger frame to identify (or select) information related to the transmit power of AP100 corresponding to the uplink transmission method (e.g., coordinated communication mode) of each STA200. Therefore, even when applying the coordinated communication mode, each STA200 can, for example, improve the estimation accuracy of downlink path loss and correctly calculate (determine) the uplink transmit power, thereby improving uplink throughput.

[0270] It should be noted that when applying one of the switching methods described in Implementation Method 1, namely "Trigger Format Switching Method 4 to Trigger Format Switching Method 6", the "AP TXPower#2 to AP TXPower#N" of the common information field used in the uplink coordination communication mode can also be, for example, as follows: Figure 25 The configuration shown is used to trigger the dependency public information field. For example, it can also be used in... Figure 25 The AP TX Power field shown is configured with AP TX Power#1. Similarly, the "AP TX Power Index" in the user information field applied during uplink coordination communication mode is as follows. Figure 25 As shown, it can also be configured to trigger dependent user information fields.

[0271] <Example 4>

[0272] In Example 4, similar to Example 3, the common information field of the trigger frame may contain the transmit power of each AP100 in the AP group (e.g., AP TX Power#1 to AP TX Power#N).

[0273] On the other hand, in Example 4, for example, the user information field of the trigger frame may not indicate information related to the transmit power of the AP100 used to calculate the uplink transmit power (e.g., the "AP TX power index" in Example 3). For example, as Figure 26 As shown, the user information field can also be in the same format as 11ax.

[0274] For example, the STA200 can select the transmission power used to calculate the uplink transmission power from the transmission power of multiple AP100s notified in the common information field of the trigger frame.

[0275] For example, STA200 can estimate the path loss in communication with each AP100 and calculate the uplink transmission power of each transmission destination (AP100) based on the transmission power of each AP100 notified by the common information field and the estimated path loss.

[0276] Here, in order to estimate the path loss between each AP100, the EHT-LTFs among the AP100s in the AP group can be orthogonal. For example, methods such as using different frequency resources or different coding (e.g., orthogonal codes) can be applied as a way to make the EHT-LTFs orthogonal.

[0277] Alternatively, the STA200 may estimate the path loss with each AP100 without using orthogonal EHT-LTF. For example, it is conceivable that there are many cases where the path loss difference between AP100s performing coordinated communication is small (e.g., the path loss difference is below a threshold). Therefore, the STA200 may, for example, assume that there is no difference between the path losses corresponding to the multiple AP100 respectively (e.g., below a threshold) and estimate the path loss based on non-orthogonal EHT-LTF as the path loss of each AP100.

[0278] The STA200 can determine the final uplink transmission power based on the uplink transmission power calculated by the transmission destination (AP100), for example, by using one of the following selection methods.

[0279] (1) The STA200 can, for example, select the minimum uplink transmit power among the calculated uplink transmit powers. By selecting the minimum uplink transmit power, the power consumption of the STA200 can be suppressed.

[0280] (2) The STA200 can, for example, select the maximum uplink transmit power from the calculated uplink transmit power. By selecting the maximum uplink transmit power, the reception quality of the uplink response signal can be improved, and the uplink throughput can be increased.

[0281] (3) For example, the STA200 can set the average value of the calculated uplink transmit power of the transmit destination (AP100) as the uplink transmit power. Thus, for example, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the STA200 and improve the reception quality of the uplink response signal.

[0282] It should be noted that the method for selecting uplink transmit power is not limited to these methods. For example, the average value obtained by weighting the calculated uplink transmit power of the transmission destination (AP100) can be set as the uplink transmit power.

[0283] Thus, in Example 4, for example, a trigger frame is used to set (in other words, notify) the transmit power of each AP100 within the AP group. STA200, for example, can identify the transmit power of AP100 considering the coordinated communication mode based on the received trigger frame. For example, even when the transmit powers of multiple AP100s differ, STA200 can use the trigger frame to identify (or select) information related to the transmit power of AP100 corresponding to the uplink transmission method (e.g., coordinated communication mode) of each STA200. Therefore, even when applying the coordinated communication mode, each STA200 can, for example, improve the estimation accuracy of downlink path loss and correctly calculate (determine) the uplink transmit power, thereby improving uplink throughput.

[0284] Additionally, in Example 4, for example, STA200 can dynamically switch the AP100 as the transmission destination (e.g., diversity reception), thus improving the reception quality of the uplink response signal or reducing power consumption.

[0285] Thus, in this embodiment, AP100 uses a trigger frame to notify STA200 of parameters related to uplink transmit power control taking into account uplink coordination communication (e.g., parameters related to uplink transmit power control for multiple STA200s respectively). Furthermore, STA200 controls the transmit power of the uplink response signal, for example, based on the transmit power control-related parameters contained in the received trigger frame.

[0286] Therefore, each STA200 can calculate the transmission power of the uplink response signal based on the transmission power control parameters (transmission power of AP100) of each AP100 contained in the trigger frame. Thus, even when the transmission powers of multiple AP100s within an AP group are different, each STA200 can improve the estimation accuracy of downlink path loss, thereby improving the accuracy of uplink response signal transmission power control and uplink throughput.

[0287] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the uplink transmission power of each STA200 can be flexibly set (controlled) in multi-AP coordination.

[0288] (Implementation Method 3)

[0289] In Embodiments 1 and 2, a notification method related to the transmit power of the AP for uplink coordination communication was described. In this embodiment, a notification method related to the target RSSI (e.g., target received signal strength) of the uplink is described.

[0290] The structure of AP100 and STA200 in this embodiment can be the same as that in Embodiment 1. For example, the operation of the control signal generation unit 102 for STA in AP100 is different from that in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2. Therefore, the operation example will be described below.

[0291] The control signal generation unit 102 for STAs can generate control signals for STAs based, for example, on the resource allocation results for each STA 200, the transmit power control parameters (e.g., AP TX power or target RSSI) input from the setting unit 101, or the information input from the receive signal demodulation / decoding unit 106.

[0292] In the control signals used for STA200, for example, in addition to including time and frequency resource information (e.g., RU allocation information, TXOP, LENGTH, etc. for uplink coordination communication), at least one of the following may be included: transmit power control parameters (e.g., transmit power of AP100 or target RSSI, etc.), information related to the generation of trigger frames (e.g., UL MCS, GI, LTF mode), trigger type of notification control signal category, and terminal identification information (e.g., AID).

[0293] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, by adjusting the target RSSI, the dynamic range of the target RSSI may become larger compared to the case where uplink coordination communication is not applied. Therefore, in this embodiment, when uplink coordination communication is applied, the format of the target RSSI field can be changed compared to the case where uplink coordination communication is not applied (examples are described later).

[0294] For example, the control signal generation unit 102 for STA outputs the generated control signal to the transmission signal generation unit 104.

[0295] [Methods for adjusting the target RSSI]

[0296] The following describes an example of the method for adjusting the target RSSI in this embodiment.

[0297] For example, AP100 can adjust the "Target RSSI" in the user information field based on the "AP TX Power" set in the common information field of the trigger frame, the transmission power of each AP100 in the AP group, and the coordination communication mode applied to each STA200.

[0298] For example, AP100 can adjust the target RSSI according to the following formula (12).

[0299] [Equation 12]

[0300]

[0301] In equation (12), Target RSSI_adj (u) represents the adjusted target RSSI[dBm] for STA#u, Target RSSI (u) represents the target RSSI [dBm] before adjustment for STA#u. The target RSSI before adjustment can be, for example, a target RSSI set using the same method as in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0302] Additionally, in equation (12), Tx Pow Ap This indicates the AP TX power [dBm] set in the public information field, Tx Pow Ap(u) This indicates the transmit power [dBm] of at least one AP100 that receives the uplink response signal sent from STA#u.

[0303] For example, the transmit power of the shared AP can be set as Tx. Pow Ap It should be noted that Tx Pow Ap The value is not limited to the transmission power of the shared AP. It can be the average transmission power of the AP group that is coordinating communication, or the transmission power of a specific AP100 within the AP group (e.g., the maximum or minimum transmission power).

[0304] Additionally, for example, the transmit power of the associated AP can be set as the Tx for a STA200 that does not perform uplink coordination communication. Pow Ap(u) On the other hand, for example, the transmit power of AP100, which receives the uplink response signal, can be set as the Tx for STA200, whose coordination communication mode is diversity reception. Pow Ap(u) Additionally, for example, the total transmit power of multiple AP100s receiving uplink response signals can be set as the Tx for STA200 in coordinated communication mode with joint reception. Pow Ap(u) .

[0305] As shown in equation (12), the adjusted target RSSI (Target RSSI_adj (u)) For example, it reflects the transmit power of one or more AP100s that are conducting coordinated communication. Therefore, STA200 can calculate, for example, the uplink transmit power corresponding to the coordinated communication mode set by STA200 based on the target RSSI notified by the trigger frame.

[0306] [Format of the target RSSI field]

[0307] This section provides an example illustrating the format of the target RSSI field.

[0308] For example, even when the dynamic range of the target RSSI increases due to the adjustment of the target RSSI, the following format can be applied, which can use the user information field of the trigger frame to notify the desired target RSSI.

[0309] For example, as described below, by setting (or changing) the format of the target RSSI field, AP100 can notify STA200 of the desired target RSSI, thereby improving the accuracy of uplink transmit power control in STA200.

[0310] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the trigger frame format can be switched in the same way as in Implementation 1 (for example, one of the switching methods 1 to 6).

[0311] <Target RSSI Format 1>

[0312] For example, the number of bits corresponding to the set value of the target RSSI can be increased in the target RSSI field. For example, in 11ax, the number of bits in the target RSSI field is 7 bits. In this embodiment, for example, considering the increase in the dynamic range of the target RSSI caused by uplink coordination communication, the number of bits in the target RSSI field can be set to a number greater than 7 bits (e.g., 8 bits).

[0313] In other words, the bit size corresponding to the target RSSI information can differ between the case where uplink coordination communication control is performed (e.g., uplink communication control after coordination between AP100s) and the case where uplink coordination communication control is not performed.

[0314] Alternatively, for example, it can also be used Figure 4 A portion of the reserved area set in the target RSSI field (e.g., a table) of 11ax is added as an increase in bits corresponding to the target RSSI setting. In this case, the number of bits in the target RSSI field may not be increased.

[0315] <Target RSSI Format 2>

[0316] Figure 27 This represents an example of a target RSSI field (e.g., a table). Figure 20 For example, this represents the relationship between the target RSSI value (or, a candidate value, such as the range of -155dBm to 25dBm) and the index value (such as a value between 0 and 127) that is notified to the STA200 by the AP100 using a trigger frame (such as a user information field).

[0317] like Figure 27As shown, for example, it can be done by... Figure 4 The set values ​​shown expand the range of settable target RSSI by increasing the step size (e.g., increasing the maximum value and decreasing the minimum value). For example, in 11ax, the target RSSI step size is 1 dB steps. Figure 27 In this context, the target RSSI step size is 2 dB steps.

[0318] In other words, the difference (in other words, the step size) between the two indices associated with the candidate value of the target RSSI can be different when uplink coordination communication control is performed (e.g., uplink communication control after coordination between AP100) and when uplink coordination communication control is not performed.

[0319] It should be noted that Figure 27 For example, the range of either the maximum or minimum value can be expanded, and the step size can be different from 2dB (e.g., 1.5dB).

[0320] Additionally, regarding whether to apply "Target RSSI Format 2," the STA200 can, for example, switch based on the setting value of the "AID12" field in the user information field. For example, if it is indicated that an additional AID is ensured for coordination communication (e.g., AID for coordination communication), the STA200 can apply a target RSSI table with an increased RSSI step size (e.g., ...). Figure 27 In cases where the AID used for indicating and coordinating communication is different from the AID used for other purposes, a target RSSI table with a step size of 1 dB can be used (e.g., Figure 4 In other words, the STA200 can, for example, change the step size or range (maximum or minimum value) of the target RSSI based on the AID indicated by the trigger frame.

[0321] It should be noted that the AID used for coordination communication can be, for example, one of the AIDs reserved in 11ax from 2047 to 4094, or it can be an AID indicated by a beacon or control information.

[0322] The above provides an example illustrating the format of the target RSSI field.

[0323] In this embodiment, for example, by utilizing a target RSSI notification method that takes into account uplink coordination communication control, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, the accuracy of uplink transmit power control in uplink coordination communication can be improved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, for example, only the target RSSI notification method needs to be changed relative to the control signal notification method in 11ax; therefore, specification changes can be suppressed.

[0324] (Implementation Method 4)

[0325] The structure of AP100 and STA200 in this embodiment can be the same as that in Embodiment 1.

[0326] In Embodiments 1 to 3, a method was described in which multiple APs 100 control the uplink transmission power used for uplink coordination communication in a single trigger frame. In this embodiment, a method is described in which each AP 100 generates its own trigger frame (in other words, trigger frames per AP 100) and uses multiple trigger frames to control the uplink transmission power used for uplink coordination communication.

[0327] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the operation of the control signal generation unit 102 for STA in AP100 is different from that in other embodiments. Therefore, the operation example will be described below.

[0328] The control signal generation unit 102 for STAs can generate control signals for STAs based, for example, on the resource allocation results for each STA 200, the transmit power control parameters (e.g., AP TX power or target RSSI) input from the setting unit 101, or the information input from the receive signal demodulation / decoding unit 106.

[0329] In the control signals used for STA200, for example, in addition to including time and frequency resource information (e.g., RU allocation information, TXOP, LENGTH, etc. for uplink coordination communication), at least one of the following may be included: transmit power control parameters (e.g., transmit power of AP100 or target RSSI, etc.), information related to the generation of trigger frames (e.g., UL MCS, GI, LTF mode), trigger type of notification control signal category, and terminal identification information (e.g., AID).

[0330] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control signal generation unit 102 for STA can, for example, specifically generate trigger frames corresponding to the number of APs within the AP group. In other words, the control signal generation unit 102 for STA can, for example, generate trigger frames on a per-AP100 basis within the AP group. An example of the structure of the trigger frame will be described later.

[0331] For example, the control signal generation unit 102 for STA outputs multiple control signals generated to the transmission signal generation unit 104.

[0332] [Example of a trigger frame structure]

[0333] The following describes an example of the structure of the trigger frame in this embodiment.

[0334] <Structure Example 1>

[0335] In example 1, for instance, the user information field of the trigger frame corresponding to each AP100 may contain information related to the STA200 that receives the uplink response signal as the corresponding AP100 (in other words, the STA200 that sets the corresponding AP100 as the destination).

[0336] Additionally, in example 1, when applying joint reception, the same AID can be set for the trigger frames of multiple AP100s that receive uplink responses.

[0337] For example, for Figure 8 The structure of the wireless communication system shown is illustrated. Figure 28 This is a diagram illustrating the structure example of the trigger frame in structure example 1. For example... Figure 28 As shown, trigger frames can be generated according to AP100 (e.g., AP1 and AP2). In Figure 8 In the example, the trigger frame for AP1 can include user information fields for both STA1 and STA2. Additionally, in Figure 8 In the example, the trigger frame used for AP2 can contain user information fields for both STA2 and STA3.

[0338] For example, the STA200 can decode multiple trigger frames in the received downlink PPDU (e.g., EHT PPDU or MU PPDU) and perform uplink transmit power control based on the target RSSI set in the user information field containing the AID sent to the STA200 and the AP TX power contained in the common information field of the trigger frame containing the AID sent to the STA200.

[0339] For example, in Figure 28 In the example, STA1 can calculate the uplink transmission power based on the target RSSI set in the user information field for STA1 contained in the trigger frame for AP1, and the AP TX power set in the common information field of the trigger frame for AP1. Similarly, STA3 can calculate the uplink transmission power based on the target RSSI set in the user information field for STA3 contained in the trigger frame for AP2, and the AP TX power set in the common information field of the trigger frame for AP2.

[0340] Additionally, for example in Figure 28 In the example, STA2 can calculate the uplink transmission power based on the target RSSI set in the user information field for STA2 contained in the trigger frames for AP1 and AP2, and the AP TX power set in the common information field for the trigger frames for AP1 and AP2.

[0341] It should be noted that the same AID is included in multiple trigger frames (e.g., Figure 28 In the case of the AID of STA2 shown, the STA200 corresponding to that AID can, for example, calculate the uplink transmission power by adding up the AP TX power of each trigger frame as the AP's transmission power.

[0342] In addition, when the same AID is contained in multiple trigger frames, the STA200 corresponding to that AID can, for example, select the average, maximum, or minimum target RSSI when the target RSSI set in each user information field is different.

[0343] According to Structural Example 1, STA200 can, for example, identify the transmit power of each AP100, perform uplink transmit power control taking into account the coordinated communication mode, and improve uplink throughput.

[0344] <Structure Example 2>

[0345] The notification method for the transmit power control parameters during joint transmission in Structural Example 2 is different from that in Structural Example 1.

[0346] For example, in Structure Example 2, information indicating whether a coordinated communication mode (e.g., joint transmission) is applied can be set in the user information field (e.g., the "multi-AP mode" field). Additionally, in Structure Example 2, multiple AIDs (e.g., the same AID) may not be notified in separate trigger frames corresponding to multiple APs 100. For example, the user information fields corresponding to multiple AIDs can be set in one of the trigger frames corresponding to multiple APs 100.

[0347] For example, for Figure 8 The structure of the wireless communication system shown is illustrated. Figure 29 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the trigger frame in structure example 2. For example... Figure 29 As shown, trigger frames can be generated according to AP100 (e.g., AP1 and AP2). In Figure 8 In the example, the trigger frame for AP1 can include user information fields for both STA1 and STA2. Additionally, in Figure 8 In the example, the trigger frame used for AP2 can contain the user information fields for each of STA3.

[0348] For example, when the multi-AP mode field in the user information field of the STA200 indicates joint reception, the STA200 can calculate the uplink transmission power by adding the AP TX powers of multiple trigger frames contained in the PPDU as the AP's transmission power. On the other hand, when the multi-AP mode field in the user information field of the STA200 indicates a different mode than joint transmission (e.g., no coordinated communication, or diversity reception), the STA200 can calculate the uplink transmission power based on the AP TX power set in the common information field of the trigger frame containing the STA200's AID in the user information field.

[0349] exist Figure 29 In the example, the multi-AP mode field for STA1 indicates a different mode than joint transmission. Therefore, STA1 can calculate the uplink transmission power based on the AP TX power set in the common information field of the trigger frame for AP1, which includes the user information field for STA1. Similarly, in Figure 29 In the example, the multi-AP mode field for STA3 indicates a different mode than joint transmission. Therefore, STA3 can calculate the uplink transmission power based on the AP TX power set in the common information field of the trigger frame for AP2, which includes the user information field for STA3.

[0350] In addition, Figure 29 In the example, the multi-AP mode field used for STA2 indicates joint transmission. Therefore, STA2 can calculate the uplink transmission power based on the sum of the AP TX power values ​​set in the common information fields of the trigger frames for multiple APs (AP1 and AP2).

[0351] According to Structural Example 2, STA200 can identify the transmit power of each AP100, perform uplink transmit power control considering the coordinated communication mode, and improve uplink throughput. Furthermore, in Structural Example 2, user information fields corresponding to the same AID are not set in multiple trigger frames; therefore, for example, the more STA200s performing joint reception, the greater the reduction in signaling overhead compared to Example 1.

[0352] (Implementation Method 5)

[0353] The structure of AP100 and STA200 in this embodiment can be the same as that in Embodiment 1.

[0354] Embodiment 4 describes a structure in which multiple APs 100 transmit each AP 100 by including multiple trigger frames of each AP 100 in a single downlink PPDU. In this embodiment, for example, the multiple APs 100 each allocate downlink PPDUs containing trigger frames corresponding to each AP 100 to different frequency resources for transmission.

[0355] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the operation of the control signal generation unit 102 for STA of AP100 is different from that in other embodiments. Therefore, the operation example will be described below.

[0356] The control signal generation unit 102 for STAs can generate control signals for STAs based, for example, on the resource allocation results for each STA 200, the transmit power control parameters (e.g., AP TX power or target RSSI) input from the setting unit 101, or the information input from the receive signal demodulation / decoding unit 106.

[0357] In the control signals used for STA200, for example, in addition to including time and frequency resource information (e.g., RU allocation information, TXOP, LENGTH, etc. for uplink coordination communication), at least one of the following may be included: transmit power control parameters (e.g., transmit power of AP100 or target RSSI, etc.), information related to the generation of trigger frames (e.g., UL MCS, GI, LTF mode), trigger type of notification control signal category, and terminal identification information (e.g., AID).

[0358] In addition, in this embodiment, the control signal generation unit 102 for STA generates, for example, control signals for STA200 associated with each AP100.

[0359] [Resource Allocation Method]

[0360] The following are examples illustrating resource allocation methods for control signals.

[0361] Each AP100 within an AP group can, for example, allocate downlink PPDUs containing trigger frames to different frequency resources.

[0362] Figure 30 This is a diagram illustrating a resource allocation example for a PPDU containing a trigger frame (e.g., an EHT PPDU or a MU PPDU). As should be noted, Figure 30 The example shown represents Figure 8 Resource allocation in the case of the wireless communication system structure example shown.

[0363] For example, in Figure 30In this configuration, AP1 can allocate a downlink PPDU containing a trigger frame to a 40MHz channel containing the main channel for AP1 (P20 for AP1) and transmit it. Similarly, AP2 can allocate a downlink PPDU containing a trigger frame to a 40MHz channel containing the main channel for AP2 (P20 for AP2) and transmit it. Thus, STA200 can receive trigger frames from AP1 and trigger frames from AP2, for example, in different frequency resources.

[0364] It should be noted that the structure of the trigger frame during coordinated communication can be the same as, for example, one of the structures in Structural Examples 1 and 2 of Embodiment 4. For example, in the case of applying Structural Example 1, a user information field containing the AID of the STA 200 used for joint reception can be included in the trigger frame from each AP 100. In addition, in the case of applying Structural Example 2, a "Multi-AP Mode" field can be configured in the user information field of the trigger frame from each AP 100.

[0365] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, as described in Example 4 of Embodiment 2, the STA200 may also determine the transmission power of the AP100 used to calculate the transmission power based on the transmission power of the multiple AP100s notified by multiple trigger frames. For example, in this embodiment, as... Figure 30 As shown, the downlink PPDU containing the trigger frames of each AP100 is transmitted by different frequency resources. Therefore, STA200 can improve the signal estimation accuracy of the downlink from each AP100 and improve the path loss estimation accuracy of each AP100.

[0366] According to this embodiment, the STA200 can, for example, distinguish the transmission power of each AP100, perform uplink transmission power control that takes into account the coordinated communication mode, and improve uplink throughput.

[0367] As can be seen, embodiments 4 and 5 can also be combined. For example, multiple trigger frames for AP100 can be included in a downlink PPDU transmitted by a portion of the frequency resources, and a single trigger frame for AP100 can be included in a downlink PPDU transmitted by other frequency resources.

[0368] The above describes various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0369] (Other implementation methods)

[0370] In the above embodiments, as an example, a structural example based on the 11ax control signal format was described, but the format of an embodiment of this disclosure is not limited to the 11ax format.

[0371] Furthermore, the formats shown in the above embodiments are examples, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, some of the fields and subfields contained in the formats shown in the above embodiments may be omitted, fields and subfields that notify other information may be added, and the order of the fields and subfields may be changed. In addition, terms such as "field" and "subfield" may be interchanged.

[0372] Furthermore, the names of the information and fields shown in the above embodiments are examples, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0373] Furthermore, although uplink communication has been described in the above embodiments, this disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to downlink communication.

[0374] Furthermore, although the embodiments described above illustrate a case where the wireless communication system includes multiple STA200s, the wireless communication system may also include only one STA200. For example, a trigger frame may be used to notify control information for the uplink signal of a single STA200.

[0375] In addition, expressions such as "...part" in the above embodiments can also be replaced with other expressions such as "...circuitry", "...device", "...unit" or "...module".

[0376] This disclosure can be implemented in software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. The functional blocks used in the above embodiments are implemented partially or entirely as LSIs (Large Scale Integrations), and the processes described in the above embodiments can also be controlled partially or entirely by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. An LSI can be composed of individual chips, or it can be composed of a single chip containing some or all of the functional blocks. An LSI can also include data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, an LSI can also be called an "IC (Integrated Circuit)," a "System LSI," a "Super LSI," or an "Ultra LSI." The method of integrated circuit implementation is not limited to LSIs; it can also be implemented using dedicated circuits, general-purpose processors, or special-purpose processors. Furthermore, FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) that can be programmed after LSI fabrication, or reconfigurable processors that can reconfigure the connections or settings of the circuit blocks within an LSI, can also be used. This invention can also be implemented for digital or analog processing. Furthermore, if advancements in semiconductor technology or the emergence of other derivative technologies lead to integrated circuit technologies that can replace LSIs, these technologies could also be used to integrate functional blocks. There are also possibilities for applications such as biotechnology.

[0377] This invention can be implemented in all kinds of devices, apparatuses, and systems with communication capabilities (collectively referred to as "communication devices"). A communication device may also include a wireless transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The wireless transceiver may also include a receiving unit and a transmitting unit, or perform the functions of these units. The wireless transceiver (transmitting unit, receiving unit) may also include an RF (Radio Frequency) module and one or more antennas. The RF module may also include an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, or similar devices. Non-limiting examples of communication devices include: telephones (mobile phones, smartphones, etc.), tablet computers, personal computers (PCs) (laptops, desktops, laptops, etc.), cameras (digital cameras, digital camcorders, etc.), digital players (digital audio / video players, etc.), wearable devices (wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices, etc.), game consoles, e-book readers, remote health / telemedicine (remote healthcare / medical prescription) devices, vehicles or transportation vehicles with communication capabilities (cars, airplanes, ships, etc.), and combinations of the various devices described above.

[0378] Communication devices are not limited to portable or movable devices, but also include all kinds of devices, equipment, and systems that cannot be carried or fixed. Examples include: smart home devices (home appliances, lighting equipment, smart meters or meters, control panels, etc.), vending machines, and all other "things" that can exist on the IoT (Internet of Things) network.

[0379] In addition to data communication via cellular systems, wireless LAN (Local Area Network) systems, and communication satellite systems, communication also includes data communication via a combination of these systems.

[0380] In addition, the communication device also includes devices such as controllers or sensors that are connected or linked to the communication equipment performing the communication functions described in this invention. For example, it includes controllers or sensors that generate control signals or data signals used by the communication equipment performing the communication functions of the communication device.

[0381] In addition, communication devices include infrastructure equipment that communicates with or controls the various devices described above (not limited to these). Examples include base stations, access points, and all other devices, equipment, and systems.

[0382] An access point according to one embodiment of this disclosure includes: a control circuit that generates parameters related to uplink transmit power control based on transmit power control information received from other access points; and a transmit circuit that transmits a control signal containing the parameters.

[0383] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the parameter includes information related to the downlink transmit power, which is a transmit power determined for each of a plurality of terminals corresponding to the category of uplink communication control.

[0384] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control signal includes general information and terminal-specific information. The general information includes information common to the plurality of terminals, and the terminal-specific information is information specific to each of the plurality of terminals. The general information includes a value common to the plurality of terminals related to the transmit power of the downlink, and the terminal-specific information includes an offset value relative to the general value.

[0385] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control signal includes general information and terminal-specific information. The general information includes information common to the plurality of terminals, and the terminal-specific information is information specific to each of the plurality of terminals. The general information includes a plurality of downlink transmission power related information, and the terminal-specific information includes an index associated with the plurality of downlink transmission power related information.

[0386] In one embodiment of this disclosure, information is included regarding the downlink transmit power of each access point in relation to uplink communication control.

[0387] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the parameter includes information related to the target received signal strength, which is the target received signal strength of the access point in uplink communication control. The bit size corresponding to the information related to the target received signal strength differs between the case where coordinated uplink communication control is performed between the access point and the other access points, and between the case where coordinated uplink communication control is not performed between the access point and the other access points.

[0388] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the parameter includes an index associated with candidate values ​​of a target received signal strength, which is the target received signal strength of the access point in uplink communication control. The difference between the target received signal strength associated with the first index and the second index is different between the case where coordinated uplink communication control is performed between the access point and the other access points, and the case where coordinated uplink communication control is not performed between the access point and the other access points.

[0389] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control circuit determines the format of the control signal to a first format when coordinated uplink communication control is performed between the base stations, and determines the format of the control signal to a second format when coordinated uplink communication control is not performed between the base stations, based on information related to the coordination of the uplink communication control.

[0390] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the information related to the coordination of uplink communication control includes flag information indicating whether the coordination is to be performed.

[0391] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the marking information is included in one of general information containing information common to multiple terminals, a signal field within a data unit containing the control signal, and a beacon.

[0392] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the information related to the coordination of uplink communication control includes information related to the category of the control signal, wherein the control circuit sets the first format when the category of the control signal is a category corresponding to the coordination.

[0393] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control circuit generates the control signal according to the access point.

[0394] One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a terminal comprising: a receiving circuit for receiving a control signal comprising parameters, the parameters being parameters related to uplink transmit power control generated based on transmit power control information received from other access points; and a control circuit for controlling the transmit power of the uplink based on the parameters.

[0395] In a communication method according to one embodiment of this disclosure, an access point performs the following steps: generating parameters related to uplink transmission power control based on information related to transmission power control received from other access points; and transmitting a control signal containing the parameters.

[0396] In a communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the terminal performs the following steps: receiving a control signal containing parameters, the parameters being parameters related to uplink transmission power control generated based on information related to transmission power control received from other access points; and controlling the transmission power of the uplink based on the parameters.

[0397] The entire contents of the specification, drawings and abstract of the specification contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-090745, filed on May 25, 2020, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0398] Industrial applicability

[0399] One embodiment of this disclosure is useful for wireless communication systems.

Claims

1. An access point, characterized in that, include: The receiving unit receives control information related to transmit power control from other access points; as well as The circuit determines values ​​related to the transmission power based on the control information. The control information includes the minimum value of the transmission power.

2. The access point as described in claim 1, wherein, The control information is sent in the trigger frame.

3. The access point as described in claim 1, wherein, The control information is sent during the negotiation phase before the coordinated transmission is carried out.

4. The access point as described in claim 1, wherein, The value related to the transmission power is sent to the other access points.

5. The access point as described in claim 3, wherein, It also includes a sending unit that sends a multi-access point trigger frame (MAP trigger frame) to the other access points after the negotiation phase between the access point and the other access points.

6. The access point as described in claim 5, wherein, The MAP trigger frame includes a value related to the transmit power.

7. The access point as described in claim 1, wherein, The first physical layer convergence process protocol data unit, or first PPDU, is transmitted from other access points based on a value related to the transmit power.

8. The access point as described in claim 5, wherein, The MAP trigger frame instructs the other access points to send the first PPDU after a short inter-frame interval, i.e., SIFS.

9. The access point as described in claim 7, wherein, It also includes a transmitting unit, which transmits a second PPDU simultaneously with the first PPDU after the SIFS.

10. The access point as described in claim 9, wherein, The second PPDU with a trigger frame includes information related to transmit power control of the uplink trigger-based physical layer aggregation process protocol data unit, i.e., the uplink TB PPDU; as well as The trigger frame indicates the transmission of the uplink TB PPDU.

11. A communication method performed by an access point, characterized in that, include: Receive control information related to transmit power control from other access points; as well as The value related to the transmission power is determined based on the control information. The control information includes the minimum value of the transmission power.

12. The communication method as described in claim 11, wherein, The control information is sent in the trigger frame.

13. The communication method as described in claim 11, wherein, The control information is sent during the negotiation phase before the coordinated transmission is carried out.

14. The communication method as described in claim 11, wherein, The value related to the transmission power is sent to the other access points.

15. The communication method as described in claim 11, wherein, The first physical layer convergence process protocol data unit, or first PPDU, is transmitted from other access points based on a value related to the transmit power.

16. An integrated circuit, comprising: The receiving circuit receives control information related to transmit power control from other access points; as well as The decision circuit determines a value related to the transmission power based on the control information. The control information includes the minimum value of the transmission power.

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