Communication control apparatus and communication control method

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a communication control apparatus and a communication control method that perform control to achieve efficient communication by suppressing self-interference when communicating with a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses using a plurality of links. [Solution] A communication control apparatus according to the present disclosure is provided with a control unit that: controls a switching process in which, for a third wireless communication apparatus connected to a first wireless communication apparatus via a first link and a second link, a connection destination of one of the first link and the second link from the third wireless communication apparatus is switched to a second communication apparatus; and controls, in the switching process, a setting related to communication that is communication to be performed between the second wireless communication apparatus and the third wireless communication apparatus via the one link after the switching of the connection destination and communication to be performed between the first wireless communication apparatus and the third wireless communication apparatus via the other link. The setting related to communication is a setting for causing communication to be performed so as to suppress occurrence of inter-link interference between the one link and the other link within the third wireless communication apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to communication control devices and communication control methods. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread use of Wi-Fi, a large number of access points (APs, base stations) have been installed, with the expectation of improving throughput, latency, reliability, and other aspects through AP coordination operations that enable these APs to cooperate. For example, there are operations such as multiple servicing, where, when a STA (station, terminal) roams between multiple APs or exists in an area where the coverage of multiple APs overlaps, in order to improve communication reliability, the STA temporarily or continuously connects to and communicates with multiple APs performing coordination operations via different links (frequency channels).

[0003] Conventionally, there exists a technique to improve throughput by having a STA connect to an AP via multiple links. In this case, for example, if simultaneous transmission and reception occur across multiple links due to insufficient antenna isolation within the STA, causing self-interference within the STA, the AP controls the timing of transmission and reception to prevent simultaneous transmission and reception across multiple links. STAs requiring this control are also called Non-Simultaneous Tx Rx (NSTR) STAs. However, when a STA is connected to multiple physically different APs via separate links, it is difficult to control the timing of transmission and reception for the STA between APs to prevent simultaneous transmission and reception. Furthermore, in NSTR STAs, the problem of self-interference between links exists.

[0004] The publicly available contribution papers (23 / 0322r0 and 23 / 0324r1) defined in IEEE 802.11 UHR SG / TGbn propose an architecture for performing roaming through AP coordinated operations, information to be shared between APs (the data itself, data sequence numbers and packet numbers, Ack information, etc.), and the functions that each AP should have (TID mapping, duplicate detection, data retention memory, etc.). However, they do not consider NSTR STAs and do not propose information on implementing control over STAs to prevent self-interference between links in the STA. Therefore, this technique cannot solve the problem of self-interference between links in the STA when performing multiple services.

[0005] Reference List

[0006] Non-patent literature

[0007] Non-patent document 1: IEEE 802.11 UHR SG / TGbn 23 / 0322r0

[0008] Non-patent document 2: IEEE 802.11 UHR SG / TGbn 23 / 0324r1 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The problem to be solved by the present invention

[0010] This disclosure provides a communication control device and a communication control method that control communication to perform efficient communication while suppressing self-interference when communicating with multiple wireless communication devices through multiple links.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] The communication control device according to this disclosure includes a control unit configured to control a process that switches the connection destination of a link of a third wireless communication device connected to a first wireless communication device via a first link and a second link to a second wireless communication device. The control unit is also configured to control, during the switching process, communication-related settings regarding communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices via the first link after the connection destination switch, and communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices via another link. These communication-related settings are configured to enable communication execution to suppress inter-link interference between the first and second links within the third wireless communication device. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration example of an AP MLD used in this disclosure for wireless communication devices.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a non-AP MLD for a wireless communication device in this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the basic sequence in this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame sequence regarding the configuration of multiple services according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a sequence in stage 3 when communication parameters that can be used as STR operations are set.

[0019] Figure 7AThis is a diagram illustrating an example of the frequency relationships of each link in Case 1.

[0020] Figure 7B This is a diagram illustrating an example of the frequency relationships of each link in Case 2.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the sequence in phase 3 when the setting makes RTS transmission mandatory.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the sequence in Phase 3 when the adaptive delay confirmation strategy is set.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an example of the frame format for the first signal.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer hardware configuration that performs a series of processes in this disclosure via a program.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a smartphone that applies the technology disclosed herein.

[0026] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device to which the technology of this disclosure is applied.

[0027] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP that applies the techniques disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The main components of this disclosure will be described below, but components or functions not shown or described may also exist. The following description does not exclude components or functions not shown or described.

[0029] [System Configuration]

[0030] Figure 1 An example configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The communication system includes an access point multilink device (AP MLD) 100_1 (hereinafter, AP_MLD1), an AP MLD 100_2 (hereinafter, AP MLD2), and a non-AP MLD 200.

[0031] Arc C1, centered on AP MLD1, indicates the range of the Basic Service Set (BSS) formed by AP MLD1, and also indicates the range that can communicate with AP MLD1. Similarly, arc C2, centered on AP MLD2, indicates the range of the BSS formed by AP MLD2, and also indicates the range that can communicate with AP MLD2.

[0032] As shown by the dashed line B1 on the left, the non-AP MLD 200 initially exists in area A1, which can only communicate with AP MLD1, and is connected to and communicates with AP MLD1 via multiple links (e.g., link 1 and link 2). These links correspond to the wireless propagation paths that perform the communication. Subsequently, the non-AP MLD 200 moves (roams) to area A3, which can communicate with both AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, performs a handover process to switch the connection destination of one link to AP MLD2, and after the handover, communicates with AP MLD2 via one link and with AP MLD1 via another link (multi-service operation). Furthermore, subsequently, as shown by the dashed line B2 on the right, the non-AP MLD 200 moves to area A2, which can communicate with AP MLD2, also switches the connection destination of another link to AP MLD2, and communicates with AP MLD2 via multiple links.

[0033] The non-AP MLD 200 has moved from area A1 through area A3 to area A2, but it can remain in area A3 and continue multi-service operations. Furthermore, in area A3, the non-AP MLD 200 is already communicating with both AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, but it can communicate with only one of AP MLD1 and AP MLD2.

[0034] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the non-AP MLD 200 is a non-simultaneous Tx Rx (NSTR) terminal (wireless communication device). That is, if the non-AP MLD 200 simultaneously performs transmission and reception on multiple links, self-interference (inter-link interference within the device) will occur, and communication efficiency will decrease. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the non-AP MLD 200 switches one of the multiple links with AP MLD1 to AP MLD2 and communicates with AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 respectively through different links (in the case of performing multi-service operation), communication settings for multi-service operation are performed during the link switching process to prevent STR (simultaneous transmission and reception on multiple links) operations. For example, as a communication setting, communication parameters regarding the request-to-transmit (RTS) transmission or acknowledgment policy are set. Alternatively, communication settings are performed such that operations as STR can be performed, i.e., even if self-interference occurs within the device, the self-interference remains within an acceptable range. For example, as a communication setting, communication parameters regarding frequency, MCS, and transmission power are set.

[0035] During multi-service operation following link switching, non-AP MLD 200, AP MLD1, and AP MLD2 communicate according to the communication settings (communication parameters) configured in this manner. As a result, even during multi-service operation, the NSTR non-AP MLD 200 can communicate while suppressing internal self-interference or preventing it from occurring. In this way, this embodiment implements multi-service that enables communication even during multi-service operation of the NSTR non-AP MLD 200 while suppressing internal self-interference. This multi-service implementation in this embodiment is referred to as multi-service according to this embodiment or multi-service in the NSTR.

[0036] This multi-service capability according to this embodiment enables the non-AP MLD 200 to suppress internal self-interference and perform efficient communication, even when the non-AP MLD 200 performs multi-service operations using multiple AP MLDs and multiple links during roaming.

[0037] It should be noted that AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 may be able to communicate directly via wired or wireless means, or they may not be able to communicate directly. When direct communication is possible, AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 can perform coordination operations during handover processing and can directly exchange information regarding communication settings (e.g., communication parameters) required for multi-service according to this embodiment. When direct communication is not possible between AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, information regarding communication settings (e.g., communication parameters) required for multi-service according to this embodiment needs to be exchanged only via a non-APMLD 200. The following description will assume that direct communication between AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 is impossible or not possible.

[0038] [AP MLD Configuration]

[0039] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the AP MLD 100, which serves as a wireless communication device in this disclosure. Figure 1 APMLD1 and AP MLD2 each have Figure 2 The configuration shown is illustrated. As an example, AP MLD1 corresponds to a first wireless communication device communicating with a device other than AP MLD 200, and AP MLD2 corresponds to a second wireless communication device communicating with a device other than AP MLD 200. It is important to note that it is assumed that neither AP MLD1 nor AP MLD2 are NSTR terminals. That is, even if transmission and reception are performed simultaneously on multiple links, AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 can communicate without causing internal self-interference.

[0040] AP MLD 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, a control unit 130, and a storage unit 140. The wireless communication unit 110 includes a communication control unit 111, a communication storage unit 112, a common data processing unit 113, AP1, and AP2. The wireless communication unit 110 can be implemented using one or more LSIs.

[0041] AP1 and AP2 each perform processing for each link. For example, AP1 performs processing for link 1, and AP2 performs processing for link 2. AP1 corresponds to a first transmit / receive unit that transmits and receives signals with respect to link 1, and AP2 corresponds to a second transmit / receive unit that transmits and receives signals with respect to link 2. AP1 and AP2 each include a separate data processing unit 121, a signal processing unit 122, a wireless interface unit 123, one or more amplification units 124, and one or more antennas 150. A set of the separate data processing unit 121, signal processing unit 122, wireless interface unit 123, amplification unit 124, and antennas 150 constitutes an AP, and two or more APs are constituent elements of a wireless communication device.

[0042] The communication control unit 111 controls the operation of each unit and the information transmission between units. Furthermore, the communication control unit 111 controls the transmission of control and management information to be notified to another wireless communication device to the common data processing unit 113, AP1, and AP2. The communication control unit 111 is also referred to as an MLD management entity, a single mobile domain entity, or a roaming entity.

[0043] Furthermore, during roaming of the non-AP MLD 200, the communication control unit 111 controls the handover process when the non-AP MLD 200 switches any one or two or more links among multiple links. As an example, two links exist, and one of these links is switched. For instance, the communication control unit 111 controls the handover process when the non-AP MLD 200 switches the connection destination of one of the first and second links connecting the non-AP MLD 200 and AP MLD1 to AP MLD2. In this handover process, the communication control unit 111 controls the execution of settings (communication parameter settings) regarding communication performed with the non-AP MLD 200 to suppress self-interference in the non-AP MLD 200 after the link switch (during multi-service operation) in the case where the non-AP MLD 200 communicates with AP MLD2 through one link and with AP MLD1 through another link.

[0044] Specifically, during the handover process, the communication control unit 111 controls the execution of pre-set parameters (settings for suppressing internal self-interference) for performing multi-service operations after link handover. For example, in post-link handover operations, the communication control unit 111 controls the settings of parameters regarding the frequency, MCS, and transmit power of links 1 and 2 used in the non-AP MLD 200, enabling the non-AP MLD 200 to operate as a STR (allowing simultaneous transmission and reception on multiple links). Alternatively, in post-link handover operations, the communication control unit 111 controls the settings of parameters regarding RTS transmission, Ack policy, etc., for links 1 and 2, preventing STR operations (simultaneous transmission and reception on multiple links) from occurring in the non-AP MLD 200. In post-link handover operations (multi-service operations), the communication control unit 111 can suppress self-interference in the non-AP MLD 200 by controlling communication with the non-AP MLD 200 based on these configured parameters (communication settings).

[0045] The communication storage unit 112 stores information used by the communication control unit 111. Furthermore, the communication storage unit 112 stores data to be sent to non-AP MLDs and data received from non-AP MLDs.

[0046] During transmission, the common data processing unit 113 performs sequence management and encryption processing on the data stored in the communication storage unit 112 and the control and management information received from the communication control unit 111, and distributes the processed data to each individual data processing unit 121. During reception, the common data processing unit 113 performs data decoding and reordering processing. The common data processing unit 113 is also referred to as the MLD upper-layer MAC or MLD entity.

[0047] During transmission, each individual data processing unit 121 performs carrier sense-based channel access operations, generates data units by adding a Media Access Control (MAC) header and error detection codes to the data to be transmitted, and performs concatenation processing of multiple data units. During reception, each individual data processing unit 121 performs deconcatenation processing based on the MAC header of the received data units, analysis and error detection, and retransmission request operations. It should be noted that the operations of the common data processing unit and the individual data processing units are not limited to the above, and for example, one of the common data processing unit and the individual data processing unit can perform the operations of the other. The individual data processing unit 121 is also referred to as the MLD lower-layer MAC.

[0048] During transmission, each signal processing unit 122 performs encoding, interleaving, modulation, etc., on the data units, adds a physical header, and generates a symbol stream. At this time, each signal processing unit 122 can perform spatial separation processing for Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO). However, each signal processing unit 122 can apply an arbitrary delay (hereinafter, Cyclic Shift Delay (CSD)) to each antenna 150 without performing spatial separation processing. During reception, each signal processing unit 122 analyzes the physical header, performs demodulation, deinterleaving, decoding, etc., on the symbol stream, and generates data units. Furthermore, each signal processing unit 122 performs estimation of complex channel characteristics and spatial separation processing as needed.

[0049] The collection of individual data processing units 121 and signal processing units 122 in each AP is also referred to as an AP entity.

[0050] During transmission, each wireless interface unit 123 performs digital-to-analog signal conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and phase control on the symbol stream, and generates a transmitted signal. During reception, the wireless interface unit 123 performs down-conversion, filtering, and analog-to-digital signal conversion on the received signal, and generates a symbol stream.

[0051] Each AP's amplification unit 124 amplifies the signal input from the wireless interface unit 123 or the antenna 150. A portion of the amplification unit 124 may be a component other than the wireless communication unit 110. Furthermore, a portion of the amplification unit 124 may be incorporated into the wireless interface unit 123.

[0052] Control unit 130 controls wireless communication unit 110 and communication control unit 111. Alternatively, control unit 130 may perform a portion of the operation of communication control unit 111. Furthermore, communication control unit 111 and control unit 130 may be configured as a single block. As an example, the control unit of the communication control device according to this disclosure corresponds to communication control unit 111, or to at least one of wireless communication unit 110 or communication control unit 111. The communication control device according to this disclosure may include other elements, such as at least one of AP1 or AP2.

[0053] Storage unit 140 stores information used by control unit 130 and wireless communication unit 110. Additionally, storage unit 140 may alternatively perform a portion of the operation of communication storage unit 112. Storage unit 140 and communication storage unit 112 can be configured as a block. Each AP may include a storage unit. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the frequencies (or bands) of the links used by the various APs may be different, but the possibility of the frequencies (or bands) being the same is not excluded.

[0054] A collection can be formed by a separate data processing unit 121 and a signal processing unit 122, and multiple collections can be connected to a single wireless interface unit 123. That is, a single wireless interface unit 123 can be shared by multiple access points (APs). Furthermore, a collection can be formed by a wireless interface unit 123, an amplification unit 124, and an antenna 150, and multiple collections can be connected to a single signal processing unit 122. That is, a single signal processing unit 122 can be shared by multiple APs. In this case, the separate data processing unit 121 can be one unit or multiple units.

[0055] The communication control device controlling the AP MLD 100 of this disclosure may be implemented in hardware by one or more integrated circuits including at least one of control unit 130 or communication control unit 111, or in software by causing a processor executing a program that implements the functions of at least one of control unit 130 or communication control unit 111. The communication control device in AP MLD 100 includes a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit 110 communicating with a non-AP MLD 200, and this control unit corresponds to at least one of control unit 130 or communication control unit 111.

[0056] [Configuration of non-AP MLD]

[0057] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a non-AP MLD 200, which is a wireless communication device in this disclosure. Figure 1 The non-AP MLD 200 in the middle has Figure 3 The configuration shown is illustrated. As an example, the non-AP MLD 200 corresponds to a third wireless communication device that communicates with AP MLD1 and APMLD2. The non-AP MLD is also known as a STA MLD.

[0058] The non-AP MLD 200 includes a wireless communication unit 210, a control unit 230, and a storage unit 240. The wireless communication unit 210 includes a communication control unit 211, a communication storage unit 212, a common data processing unit 213, STA1, and STA2. The wireless communication unit 210 can be implemented by one or more LSIs.

[0059] STA1 and STA2 each perform processing for each link. For example, STA1 performs processing for link 1, and STA2 performs processing for link 2. STA1 corresponds to a first transmit / receive unit that transmits and receives signals with respect to link 1, and STA2 corresponds to a second transmit / receive unit that transmits and receives signals with respect to link 2. STA1 and STA2 each include a separate data processing unit 221, a signal processing unit 222, a wireless interface unit 223, one or more amplification units 224, and one or more antennas 250. A set of the separate data processing unit 221, signal processing unit 222, wireless interface unit 223, amplification unit 224, and antenna 250 constitutes an STA, and two or more STAs are constituent elements of a wireless communication device.

[0060] The communication control unit 211 controls the operation of each unit and the information transmission between units. Furthermore, the communication control unit 211 controls the transmission of control and management information to be notified to another wireless communication device to the common data processing unit 213, STA1, and STA2. The communication control unit 211 is also referred to as an MLD management entity, a single mobile domain entity, or a roaming entity.

[0061] During roaming outside of AP MLD 200, the communication control unit 211 controls the handover process when switching any one or two or more links among multiple links of the non-AP MLD 200. As an example, there are two links, and one of these links is switched. For instance, the communication control unit 211 controls the handover process when the connection destination of one of the first and second links connected to AP MLD1 is switched to AP MLD2. In this handover process, the communication control unit 211 controls the execution of settings (communication parameter settings) regarding communication performed with AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, so as to suppress self-interference in the wireless communication unit 210 in the case where the wireless communication unit 210 communicates with AP MLD2 through one link and with AP MLD1 through the other link after the link switch (during multi-service operation). More specifically, self-interference in the wireless communication unit 210 refers to interference occurring between the first transmit / receive unit (STA1) transmitting and receiving signals regarding link 1 and the second transmit / receive unit (STA2) transmitting and receiving signals regarding link 2 when simultaneously performing transmission on one link and reception on another.

[0062] Specifically, during the handover process, the communication control unit 211 controls the execution of preset settings (settings for suppressing internal self-interference) for performing multi-service operations after link handover. For example, in the operation after link handover, control is executed to set parameters regarding the frequency, MCS, and transmit power of links 1 and 2 used for communication between non-AP MLD 200 and AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, so that non-AP MLD 200 can operate as STR (allowing simultaneous transmission and reception on multiple links). Alternatively, in the operation after link handover, control is executed to set parameters regarding RTS transmission, Ack policy, etc., of links 1 and 2 used for communication between wireless communication unit 210 and AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, so that operation as STR (simultaneous transmission and reception on multiple links) does not occur in wireless communication unit 210. In the operation after link switching (multi-service operation), the communication control unit 211 controls the communication with AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 based on these setting parameters (communication settings) so that no operation as STR occurs, or even if an operation as STR occurs, the inter-link interference is kept within the allowable range, thereby suppressing the occurrence of self-interference.

[0063] The communication storage unit 212 stores information used by the communication control unit 211. Furthermore, the communication storage unit 212 stores data to be sent to the AP MLD and data received from the AP MLD1.

[0064] During transmission, the common data processing unit 213 performs sequence management and encryption processing on the data stored in the communication storage unit 212, the control information and management information received from the communication control unit 211, and distributes the processed data to each individual data processing unit 221. During reception, the common data processing unit 213 performs data decoding and reordering processing. The common data processing unit 213 is also referred to as the MLD upper-layer MAC or MLD entity.

[0065] During transmission, each individual data processing unit 221 performs carrier-sensing-based channel access operations, generates data units by adding a Media Access Control (MAC) header and error detection codes to the data to be transmitted, and performs concatenation processing of multiple data units. During reception, each individual data processing unit 221 performs deconcatenation processing of the MAC header of the received data units, analysis and error detection, and retransmission request operations. It should be noted that the operations of the common data processing unit and the individual data processing units are not limited to the above operations, and for example, one of the common data processing unit and the individual data processing unit can perform the operations of the other. The individual data processing unit 221 is also referred to as the MLD lower-layer MAC.

[0066] During transmission, each signal processing unit 222 performs encoding, interleaving, modulation, etc., on the data units, adds a physical header, and generates a symbol stream. At this time, each signal processing unit 222 can perform spatial separation processing for Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO). However, each signal processing unit 222 can apply an arbitrary delay (hereinafter, Cyclic Shift Delay (CSD)) to each antenna 250 without performing spatial separation processing. During reception, each signal processing unit 222 analyzes the physical header, performs demodulation, deinterleaving, decoding, etc., on the symbol stream, and generates data units. Furthermore, each signal processing unit 222 performs estimation of complex channel characteristics and spatial separation processing as needed.

[0067] The collection of individual data processing units 221 and signal processing units 222 in each STA is also referred to as an STA entity.

[0068] During transmission, each wireless interface unit 223 performs digital-to-analog signal conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and phase control on the symbol stream, and generates a transmitted signal. During reception, the wireless interface unit 223 performs down-conversion, filtering, and analog-to-digital signal conversion on the received signal, and generates a symbol stream.

[0069] Each STA's amplification unit 224 amplifies the signal input from the wireless interface unit 223 or the antenna 250. A portion of the amplification unit 224 may be a component other than the wireless communication unit 210. Furthermore, a portion of the amplification unit 224 may be incorporated into the wireless interface unit 223.

[0070] Control unit 230 controls wireless communication unit 210 and communication control unit 211. Alternatively, control unit 230 may perform a portion of the operation of communication control unit 211. Furthermore, communication control unit 211 and control unit 230 may be configured as a single block. As an example, the control unit of the communication control device according to this disclosure corresponds to communication control unit 211, or to at least one of wireless communication unit 210 or communication control unit 211. The communication control device according to this disclosure may include other elements, such as at least one of STA1 or STA2.

[0071] Storage unit 240 stores information used by control unit 230 and wireless communication unit 210. Additionally, storage unit 240 may alternatively perform a portion of the operation of communication storage unit 212. Storage unit 240 and communication storage unit 212 can be configured as a block. Each STA may include a storage unit. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the frequencies (or bands) of the links used by each STA may be different, but the possibility of the frequencies (or bands) being the same is not excluded.

[0072] A cluster can be formed by a separate data processing unit 221 and a signal processing unit 222, and multiple clusters can be connected to a single wireless interface unit 223. That is, a single wireless interface unit 223 can be shared by multiple STAs. Furthermore, a cluster can be formed by the wireless interface unit 223, an amplification unit 224, and an antenna 250, and multiple clusters can be connected to a single signal processing unit 222. That is, the signal processing unit 222 can be shared by multiple STAs. In this case, the separate data processing unit 221 can be one unit or multiple units.

[0073] The communication control device controlling the non-AP MLD 200 of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware by one or more integrated circuits including at least one of control unit 230 or communication control unit 211, or in software by causing a processor executing a program that implements the function of at least one of control unit 230 or communication control unit 211. The communication control device in the non-AP MLD 200 includes a control unit for controlling a wireless communication unit 210 that communicates with AP MLD 100 (AP MLD1 and AP MLD2), and this control unit corresponds to at least one of control unit 230 or communication control unit 211.

[0074] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As described in the description, the communication control device of this disclosure can be implemented as a control unit controlling AP MLD 100 or non-AP MLD 200; however, as another configuration, the communication control device can be configured as a single, independent device separate from AP MLD 100 and non-AP MLD 200. In this case, while communicating with at least one or all of AP MLD 100 and non-AP MLD 200 via wired or wireless means, the communication control device, through its control unit, performs control of the process of switching any one or two or more links of a plurality of links of non-AP MLD 200. For example, the control unit of the communication control device controls the process of switching the connection destination of one of the first and second links of non-AP MLD 200 connected to AP MLD 1 via the first and second links to AP MLD 2. In this switching process, the control unit of the communication control device controls the execution of communication settings (setting or exchanging communication parameters) for communication during multi-service operation of non-AP MLD 200 after the switch. After the link switch, the control unit of the communication control device controls communication according to the communication settings (communication parameters) set in this manner.

[0075] [The sequence in this embodiment]

[0076] Figure 4A basic sequence example is shown in this embodiment. The sequence has four stages (stage 1 to stage 4). Before the sequence begins, AP MLD1 and non-AP MLD 200 can perform a capability check indicating that AP MLD1 and non-AP MLD 200 support the functions according to this embodiment.

[0077] exist Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the operation of AP MLD1, AP MLD2, and non-AP MLD 200 for each link. "APMLD1@Link1" indicates link 1 of AP MLD1, and "AP MLD1@Link2" indicates link 2 of AP MLD1. Similarly, "APMLD2@Link1" indicates link 1 of AP MLD2, "AP MLD2@Link2" indicates link 2 of AP MLD2, "Non-AP MLD@Link1" indicates link 1 of non-AP MLD 200, and "Non-AP MLD@Link2" indicates link 2 of non-AP MLD 200.

[0078] Link 1 of each of AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and non-AP MLD is on the same frequency channel, and Link 2 of each of AP MLD1, AP MLD2 and non-AP MLD is on the same frequency channel.

[0079] In Phase 1, the non-AP MLD 200 is within range of AP MLD1, connected to AP MLD1 via both Link 1 and Link 2, and is communicating. The vertical dashed lines in the diagram schematically represent connections or communication.

[0080] In Phase 2, the non-AP MLD 200 switches the connection of a link (here, link 2) from AP MLD1 to AP MLD2. During this link switching process, communication parameters set for the operation (multi-service) performed in Phase 3 are processed. The specific frame sequence here will be described later.

[0081] In Phase 3, the non-AP MLD 200 exists within range capable of communicating with both AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, and is connected to and communicates with AP MLD1 via one link (here, link 1), and connected to and communicates with AP MLD2 via another link (here, link 2). The operation at this point is based on the communication parameters determined in Phase 2, and the non-AP MLD 200 performs communication with self-interference suppression as a multi-service operation.

[0082] In phase 4, the non-AP MLD 200 is within range of AP MLD2 and switches the connection of a link (e.g., link 1) from AP MLD1 to AP MLD2. Thereafter, the non-AP MLD 200 connects to AP MLD2 via both link 1 and link 2 and performs communication.

[0083] The above sequence describes a scenario where the non-AP MLD 200 initially exists within a communication range that can only communicate with AP MLD1, then moves to a range where the communication ranges of AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 overlap, and then the non-AP MLD moves to a communication range that can only communicate with AP MLD2. At this point, in phase 3, the non-AP MLD 200 operates in Transient Multiple Serving, in which the non-AP MLD 200 connects to and communicates with multiple physically different AP MLDs via temporarily different links.

[0084] On the other hand, as another example of a sequence, the non-AP MLD 200 can remain within the overlapping communication ranges of AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 and continue to perform multi-service operations. That is, although in Figure 4 The sequence contains four phases, but sequences that include only some of these four phases are also possible, such as a sequence from phase 1 to phase 3 or a sequence from phase 2 to phase 3. In this case, in phase 3, the non-AP MLD 200 operates in non-transient multi-service mode, in which the non-AP MLD 200 continues to stably connect to and communicate with multiple physically different AP MLDs through different links.

[0085] The multiple services according to this embodiment can be either transient multiple services or non-transient multiple services.

[0086] Figure 5 An example frame sequence regarding the setup of multiple services according to this embodiment is shown. Phases 1 to 3 shown in the figure correspond to... Figure 4 Phases 1 to 3.

[0087] First, in Phase 1, a non-APMLD 200 that is already connected to and communicating with AP MLD1 via Link 1 and Link 2 determines to switch the connection of one link (e.g., Link 2) from AP MLD1 to AP MLD2.

[0088] This determination can be made, for example, based on at least one of the received signal strength indicators (e.g., Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)) from AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, the physical location information of non-AP MLD 200, or the magnitude of interference power from the surrounding environment (e.g., noise signal or external interference signal).

[0089] The non-AP MLD 200, which has determined that the link connection to be switched, sends a first signal (association request with MS element) (S101) to the AP MLD2, which is the destination of the switch, on the link to be switched (link 2 in this example). The first signal may include at least one or all of the following information items.

[0090] Information regarding the execution of requests for multiple services according to this embodiment.

[0091] • Information about the original connection destination AP MLD (AP MLD1 in this example) (MAC address, etc.)

[0092] • Information about the destination link of the original connection (link ID, frequency, bandwidth, etc.)

[0093] • Information regarding operations during multi-service periods (frequency, MCS, transmit power, RTS, Ack policy)

[0094] • Traffic type allocation (TID to link mapping)

[0095] Furthermore, the transmission of a first signal containing the aforementioned information can be performed by storing the element storing the aforementioned information in an association request frame or reassociation request frame defined in IEEE 802.11.

[0096] Furthermore, the content of the information to be included in the first signal can be determined based on the capabilities of the non-AP MLD 200, the capabilities of AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, and the noise or external interference signals at the frequency of the link to be switched.

[0097] AP MLD2, which has received the first signal from non-AP MLD 200, sends a second signal (an associated response with an MS element) to the non-AP MLD on link 2, which is the switching destination (S102). The second signal may include at least one or all of the following information items.

[0098] Information regarding whether multiple services according to this embodiment can be executed.

[0099] • Information regarding operations during multi-service periods (frequency, MCS, transmit power, RTS, Ack policy)

[0100] • Traffic type allocation (TID to link mapping)

[0101] Furthermore, the transmission of a second signal including the aforementioned information can be performed by storing the element containing the aforementioned information in an associated response frame or a reassociated response frame defined in IEEE 802.11.

[0102] Furthermore, the information to be included in the second signal can be determined based on the capabilities of the non-AP MLD, the capabilities of AP MLD1 and AP MLD2, and the noise or interference signals on the frequency of link 2, which serves as the switching destination.

[0103] The non-AP MLD 200, which has already received the second signal from AP MLD2, sends a third signal (association request with MS element) to AP MLD1 on link 1 (S103). The third signal may include at least one or all of the following information items.

[0104] Information regarding the execution of requests for multiple services according to this embodiment.

[0105] • Information about the newly connected AP MLD (AP MLD2 in this example) (MAC address, etc.)

[0106] Information about the new link (the link to be switched to) (link ID, frequency, bandwidth, etc.)

[0107] • Information regarding operations during multi-service periods (frequency, MCS, transmit power, RTS, Ack policy)

[0108] • Information regarding traffic type allocation (TID to link mapping)

[0109] Furthermore, the transmission of a third signal containing the aforementioned information can be performed by storing the element storing the aforementioned information in an association request frame or reassociation request frame defined in IEEE 802.11.

[0110] Furthermore, the information to be included in the third signal can be determined based on the information included in the first signal and the information included in the second signal.

[0111] AP MLD1, which has already received the third signal from non-AP MLD 200, sends a fourth signal (associative response with MS element) to the non-AP MLD on link 1 (S104). The fourth signal may include at least one or all of the following information items.

[0112] Information regarding whether multiple services according to this embodiment can be executed.

[0113] • Information regarding operations during multi-service periods (frequency, MCS, transmit power, RTS, Ack policy)

[0114] Furthermore, the transmission of a fourth signal containing the aforementioned information can be performed by storing the element storing the aforementioned information in an associated response frame or a reassociated response frame defined in IEEE 802.11.

[0115] The information to be included in the fourth signal can be determined based on the information included in the third signal. Furthermore, the fourth signal may include information with content different from the information stored in the third signal.

[0116] If the fourth signal sent from AP MLD1 includes information different from the information included in the third signal, non-AP MLD 200 and AP MLD2 can exchange the first and second signals again. In this case, settings regarding the service according to this embodiment can be made between non-AP MLD 200 and AP MLD2 based on the information included in the fourth signal.

[0117] It should be noted that, Figure 5 In the sequence example, the third and fourth signals are sent and received on link 1, but the third and fourth signals can also be sent and received on link 2.

[0118] Through the above sequence, non-AP MLD 200, AP MLD1, and AP MLD2 completed the setup of multiple services according to this embodiment.

[0119] Note that the frame format of the first to fourth signals described above will be described later.

[0120] [Operation Example 1]

[0121] In the above-described stage 2 regarding the multi-service setup according to this embodiment, an operational example will be described that enables the non-AP MLD200 to be used as a communication parameter for STR operations in stage 3.

[0122] First, an example sequence for stage 3 will be described with the communication parameters set to enable STR operations.

[0123] Figure 6 An example sequence of phase 3 is shown with the communication parameters set to enable STR operations.

[0124] Non-AP MLD 200, AP MLD1, and AP MLD2 have already completed the setup for multiple services according to this embodiment in Phase 2, such as... Figure 5As shown in the sequence example. That is to say, the non-AP MLD 200 has completed the setup of the new AP MLD and the new link.

[0125] exist Figure 6 In stage 3 shown, AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 acquire transmission rights on link 1 and link 2 respectively based on Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA), and transmit data signals to non-AP MLD200 on link 1 and link 2 respectively (S201 and S203). Furthermore, the non-AP MLD200, having received the data signal, transmits a delivery acknowledgment signal (Block Ack) on link 1 and link 2 respectively based on the reception result (S202 and S204).

[0126] More specifically, in Figure 6 In the example, AP MLD1 first acquires the right to transmit on link 1 and transmits a data signal to non-AP MLD 200 on link 1 (S201). Subsequently, AP MLD2 acquires the right to transmit on another link (link 2 in this example) and transmits a data signal to non-AP MLD 200 on link 2 (S203). When non-AP MLD 200 finishes receiving a data signal from AP MLD1 on link 1, non-AP MLD 200 sends a delivery acknowledgment signal to AP MLD1 on link 1 (S202). That is, non-AP MLD 200 sends a delivery acknowledgment signal to AP MLD1 on link 1 while non-AP MLD 200 is in the process of receiving a data signal from AP MLD 2 on link 2. In other words, in non-AP MLD 200, the time period of sending the delivery acknowledgment signal on link 1 and the time period of receiving a data signal from AP MLD2 on link 2 at least partially overlap.

[0127] In this way, although transmission and reception occur simultaneously on two links in the non-AP MLD 200, the communication parameters for the non-AP MLD 200 in the above-described multi-service configuration according to this embodiment are set to enable STR operation, and therefore self-interference is suppressed to an acceptable range, or does not occur. That is, the non-AP MLD 200 can simultaneously perform transmission on link 1 and reception on link 2, or perform reception on link 1 and transmission on link 2.

[0128] exist Figure 6 In the example, AP MLD 1 first acquires the right to transmit on link 1, but AP MLD 1 can first acquire the right to transmit on link 2, and then AP MLD 2 can acquire the right to transmit on link 1. In this case, similar processing as described above is also performed. Furthermore, in... Figure 6 In the example, AP MLD 1 acquires the right to transmit first, but AP MLD 2 can acquire the right to transmit first. In this case, similar processing as described above is also performed.

[0129] This will be described as an example of a non-AP MLD 200 setting that enables communication parameters for STR operations.

[0130] (Scenario 1) The operating frequency (communication parameters) of each link is changed to a frequency at which self-interference does not occur.

[0131] For example, the link through which a non-AP MLD 200 connects to and communicates with AP MLD 1 (e.g., link 1) and the link through which a non-AP MLD 200 connects to and communicates with AP MLD 2 (e.g., link 2) are configured as frequency channels, which are separated to minimize out-of-band leakage. The frequency channels can be configured as separate frequency channels within the 5 GHz or 6 GHz band, or the frequency channels can be configured in different frequency bands (such as the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands). In this way, the frequencies of the individual links only need to be separated by at least one frequency. In the presence of many available frequency channels, this allows the operating frequencies of the individual links to be set to frequencies where self-interference does not occur while suppressing the impact on other communication characteristics.

[0132] Figure 7A The diagram illustrates an example of the frequency relationships between the links in Case 1. In this example, frequency channel 1 is configured for link 1, and frequency channel 3 is configured for link 2. Another frequency channel 2 exists between frequency channels 1 and 3, and frequency channels 1 and 3 are sufficiently separated in frequency.

[0133] (Scenario 2) A portion of the bandwidth of a different frequency channel is set as the operating frequency (communication parameter) for each link, and the bandwidth is narrower than the bandwidth of the frequency channel used in normal communication (Phase 1, etc.).

[0134] Figure 7BThe diagram illustrates an example of the frequency relationships between the links in Case 2. For link 1, the lower (lower) side of the frequency band of frequency channel 1 is used. For link 2, the higher (upper) side of the frequency band of frequency channel 2 is used. This allows the frequencies to be separated by at least one frequency. That is, the frequencies can be separated more than in the case where frequency channels 1 and 2 are directly used for links 1 and 2. Therefore, self-interference can be suppressed even when it occurs when adjacent frequency channels 1 and 2 are used directly across the entire frequency band. In this case, self-interference can be suppressed at the cost of degraded communication characteristics such as throughput when the available frequency channels are limited.

[0135] exist Figure 7B In the example, the bandwidth including the lower end portion of frequency channel 1 is allocated for link 1, and the frequency band including the upper end portion of frequency channel 2 is allocated for link 2. However, the bandwidth including the lower end portion and the frequency band including the upper end portion do not necessarily need to be allocated. For example, it is sufficient to perform the allocation by allocating a frequency band portion for link 1 at a location away from the upper end portion of frequency channel 1 and a frequency band portion for link 2 at a location away from the lower end portion of frequency channel 2, to a degree that suppresses self-interference.

[0136] (Case 3) The communication parameters of AP MLD 1 and AP MLD 2 are set to a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) or transmit power that will not cause reception problems even if self-interference occurs.

[0137] For example, the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used for signals transmitted from AP MLD 1 and AP MLD 2 to non-AP MLD 200 is set to a scheme with a low-level regime (e.g., low modulation order). For example, a modulation and coding scheme lower than that used for signals transmitted by AP MLD 1 and AP MLD 2 in phase 2 or phase 1 is set. Even if self-interference occurs in non-AP MLD 200, when the modulation and coding scheme used for the received signal is a low-level regime scheme that can be demodulated even with a reduced SINR, the self-interference remains within an acceptable range, and the signal can be demodulated correctly. For example, even if non-AP MLD 200 sends a delivery acknowledgment signal to AP MLD 1 on one link while non-AP MLD 200 receives a data signal from AP MLD 2 on another link and self-interference occurs, the data signal transmitted from AP MLD 2 can still be demodulated correctly.

[0138] (Case 4) The communication parameters of the non-AP MLD 200 are set to reduce the transmission power of the delivery acknowledgment signals sent from the non-AP MLD 200 to AP MLD 1 and AP MLD 2.

[0139] By reducing the transmission power of the delivery acknowledgment signal sent from the non-AP MLD 200, even if self-interference occurs in the non-AP MLD 200, the decrease in the SINR of the signal received by the non-AP MLD 200 is suppressed, thus allowing the non-AP MLD 200 to demodulate the signal correctly. For example, even if the non-AP MLD 200 is sending a delivery acknowledgment signal to AP MLD 1 on one link while simultaneously receiving a data signal from AP MLD 2 on another link and self-interference occurs, the decrease in the SINR of the received signal is suppressed, and therefore the received signal can be demodulated correctly.

[0140] Cases 3 and 4 enable the non-AP MLD 200 to operate as STR even when the available frequency channels are limited and the frequencies of the two links cannot be sufficiently separated.

[0141] [Operation Example 2]

[0142] In the multi-service settings according to this embodiment in stage 2 above, an example of an operation will be described in stage 3 that prevents communication parameters from occurring as STR operations in non-AP MLD 200 (i.e., causing non-AP MLD 200 to perform NSTR operations).

[0143] As a communication parameter that will not cause STR operations to occur, the setting will force RTS sending.

[0144] Figure 8 The illustration shows an example sequence of phase 3 with settings made mandatory for RTS transmission. Non-APMLD 200, AP MLD 1, and AP MLD 2 have already completed the multi-service settings according to this embodiment in phase 2, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown in the sequence example. That is, the non-AP MLD 200 has already completed the setup for the new AP MLD and the new link.

[0145] In Phase 3, either AP MLD 1 or AP MLD 2 acquires transmission rights based on CSMA / CA. In this example, AP MLD 1 first acquires transmission rights on Link 1. If AP MLD 1 is signaling data transmission to a non-AP MLD on Link 1, AP MLD 1 first sends a Request to Transmit (RTS) signal (S301). The RTS signal is a frame or signal requesting permission to transmit.

[0146] Subsequently, when AP MLD 1 receives a clear transmission (CTS) signal (signaling permission) or a frame clearing signal from non-AP MLD 200 on link 1 (S302), AP MLD 1 transmits a data signal to non-AP MLD 200 on link 1 (S304). When non-AP MLD 200 receives the data signal, non-AP MLD 200 transmits a delivery acknowledgment signal (Block Ack) to AP MLD 1 on link 1 (S304).

[0147] On the other hand, AP MLD 2 also acquired the right to transmit on link 2 later than AP MLD 1, and transmitted the RTS signal on link 2 (S303). Non-AP MLD 200 correctly received the RTS signal from AP MLD 2 on link 2, but non-AP MLD 200 did not transmit the CTS signal. This is because the timing of the CTS signal transmission overlaps at least partially with the timing of the data signal received from AP MLD 1, resulting in self-interference. Since AP MLD 2 has not yet received the Clear Transmit (CTS) signal from non-AP MLD 200, AP MLD 2 does not transmit data signals to non-AP MLD 200.

[0148] Note that in this sequence example, the non-AP MLD200 does not transmit a CTS signal. However, a CTS signal can be transmitted if the timing of the CTS signal transmission does not overlap with the timing of the data signal reception. In this case, for example, the timing of the CTS signal transmission can coincide with the timing of the delivery acknowledgment signal transmission (i.e., they can be simultaneous).

[0149] In this way, in this sequence example, AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 are controlled so that the RTS signal is always sent before the data signal. For example, this control can be performed by setting a threshold for the length of subsequent data, which is used as a criterion for determining whether to send the RTS signal, to 0. This ensures that the RTS signal is always sent before the data signal.

[0150] Next, an example of setting up a delayed acknowledgment policy for communication parameters that will not cause an operation as STR (i.e., cause a non-AP MLD200 to operate as NSTR) will be described.

[0151] Figure 9 The diagram illustrates an example of the phase 3 sequence when an adaptive delayed acknowledgment strategy is configured. For example... Figure 5As shown in the sequence example, non-AP MLD200, AP MLD1, and AP MLD2 have already completed the setup of various services according to this embodiment in phase 2. That is, non-AP MLD200 has completed the setup of the AP MLD for the new connection and the link for the new connection.

[0152] In phase 3, AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 acquire transmission rights based on CSMA / CA and send data signals to non-AP MLD200 (S401 and S402). In this example, AP MLD1 first acquires transmission rights on link 1 and sends data signals, and then AP MLD2 acquires transmission rights on link 2 and sends data signals.

[0153] At this point, AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 set a policy in the Ack policy indicator subfield of the QoS control field in the MAC header of the data signal that a delivery acknowledgment signal (Block Ack) is not required to be sent immediately after the Short Interframe Space (SIFS). Alternatively, AP MLD1 or AP MLD2 can set a policy that instructs the non-AP MLD200 to send a delivery acknowledgment signal after receiving a delivery acknowledgment request signal from AP MLD1 and AP MLD2. For example, Bit 0 can be set to 1, and Bit 1 can be set to 1. These policies correspond to communication parameters that control the timing of the delivery acknowledgment signal transmission.

[0154] The non-AP MLD200, having sequentially received data signals from AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 on Link 1 and Link 2 respectively, saves the reception results of each data signal. Subsequently, the non-AP MLD200 acquires transmission rights on Link 1 or Link 2 based on CSMA / CA, and sends a delivery confirmation signal (S403 and S404) to AP MLD1 or AP MLD2 on Link 1 or Link 2. Alternatively, the non-AP MLD200 can receive a delivery confirmation request signal from AP MLD1 or AP MLD2 and can send a delivery confirmation signal in response.

[0155] [Format Example]

[0156] Figure 10 The diagram illustrates an example of the frame format for the first signal. The frame formats for the second through fourth signals can also be the same. Figure 10 The frame formats of the signals are at least partially the same, as long as the necessary information can be stored. In the following text, it is assumed that the frame formats of the second to fourth signals are the same as those of the first signal.

[0157] This frame format can use the association request frame, association response frame, reassociation request frame, or reassociation response frame as defined in IEEE 802.11. Figure 10 The frame format has the following fields.

[0158] Frame control: Information about the settings for this frame.

[0159] Duration: Information about the length of this frame.

[0160] Addresses 1-3: Information regarding the source and destination addresses

[0161] Sequence control: Information about the sequence number of a frame.

[0162] HT Control: Information regarding the control of frame transmission and reception.

[0163] Frame body: The main body of the signal, which includes multiple elements.

[0164] FCS: Information about error detection

[0165] The frame body includes a multi-service element according to this embodiment. The frame body may include one or more other elements as well as the multi-service element.

[0166] The multi-service element includes the following subfields.

[0167] Element ID and Element ID Extension: Information about the type of the element

[0168] Length: Information about the length of the element

[0169] Multi-service information: Information regarding the settings of multiple services according to this embodiment.

[0170] The multi-service information includes the following subfields.

[0171] • NSTR Multi-service capability: Information regarding support for multiple services according to this embodiment. For example, support is indicated by 1, and non-support is indicated by 0. This subfield may be mandatory in the first and third signals, and optional in the second and third signals, for example.

[0172] • Transient Multiservices: Information indicating whether multiple services are temporary (transient) or stable (non-transient). For example, transient is indicated by 1, and non-transient by 0. Additionally, in the case of temporary multiservices, information about the time period for which the multiservices are performed can be included. This subfield may be optional, for example.

[0173] • Original / New AP MLD: Indicates whether the subsequent AP MLD address and AP MLD link information pertains to the AP MLD before or after the connection switch. For example, the AP MLD before the switch is indicated by 1, and the AP MLD after the switch is indicated by 0. This subfield may be optional, for example.

[0174] The first signal indicates the AP MLD before the handover, and the third signal indicates the AP MLD after the handover. The second and fourth signals indicate the transmitter itself, or the same content as the immediately preceding received signal.

[0175] • AP MLD Address: Information about the identifier of the AP MLD before or after the connection switch. For example, the identifier is indicated by the MAC address of the AP MLD. This subfield may be optional, for example.

[0176] • AP MLD Link Information: Information about the link connected to the AP MLD before or after the connection switch. This information may be indicated by the center frequency, frequency band, identifier indicating the frequency channel, or an identifier assigned by the AP MLD (an ID assigned during MLO establishment and also known as the link ID). This subfield may be, for example, mandatory.

[0177] • Multi-service operation: Information regarding the operation of multiple services according to this embodiment. This subfield may be mandatory, for example, and in this case, includes at least one of the following (a) to (e) information.

[0178] (a) Information regarding frequency settings. This information may be indicated by the center frequency, frequency band, or an identifier indicating the frequency channel. Additionally, in the case of the first signal, the minimum frequency separation to be provided between links may be indicated.

[0179] (b) Information about the MCS used for data signals.

[0180] (c) Information regarding the transmission power used to deliver the acknowledgment signal.

[0181] (d) Information about the settings that make RTS sending mandatory.

[0182] (e) Information about the confirmation strategy to be adapted.

[0183] The above AP MLD link information and multi-service operation correspond to examples of communication parameters associated with non-AP MLD communication during multi-service operation according to this embodiment.

[0184] As described above, according to this embodiment, during roaming, a non-AP MLD requests AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 to perform multi-service operations according to this embodiment. During multi-service operations, the frequency, MCS, and transmission power are controlled to allow STR operations, or RTS transmission and acknowledgment policies are controlled to prevent STR operations. This prevents self-interference between links when the NSTR non-AP MLD performs multi-service operations. Furthermore, communication failures and transmission right acquisition failures caused by self-interference of NSTR STAs can be suppressed, and throughput, latency, and reliability can be improved. Moreover, this embodiment can also be implemented in environments where communication between AP MLDs is not possible via wired or wireless means.

[0185] <Computer Configuration Example>

[0186] The aforementioned series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. In the case where the processes are executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer or general-purpose personal computer integrated into dedicated hardware.

[0187] Figure 11 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer hardware configuration that performs the above series of processes through a program.

[0188] The central processing unit (CPU) 801, read-only memory (ROM) 802 and random access memory (RAM) 803 are interconnected via bus 804.

[0189] The input / output interface 805 is further connected to the bus 804. An input unit 806, including a keyboard, mouse, etc., and an output unit 807, including a display, speaker, etc., are connected to the input / output interface 805. Information about the present technology (e.g., information about the AP MLD as a switching destination and the link as a switching destination) can be output from or displayed on the output unit 807. From the input unit 806, information about the present technology (e.g., information about the AP MLD as a switching destination and the link as a switching destination) can be input, and confirmation or response to the information output or displayed on the output unit 807 can be input. Furthermore, a storage unit 808, including a hard disk, non-volatile memory, etc., a communication unit 809, including a network interface, etc., and a driver 810 that drives the removable medium 811 are connected to the input / output interface 805.

[0190] In the computer configured as described above, the aforementioned series of processes are performed, for example, by the CPU 801 loading a program stored in the storage unit 808 into the RAM 803 via the input / output interface 805 and the bus 804, and executing the program. For example, the CPU 801 can execute programs related to the present technology. Figures 4 to 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 The corresponding processing program executed in the sequence.

[0191] The program executed by CPU 801 is recorded, for example, in removable medium 811 or provided via wired or wireless transmission media such as a local area network, the Internet or digital broadcasting, and is installed in storage unit 808.

[0192] It should be noted that a program executed by a computer may be a program that performs processing in the order described in this specification, or it may be a program that performs processing in parallel or when necessary (such as when a program is invoked).

[0193] <Application Example>

[0194] This technology can be applied to a variety of products. For example, wireless communication devices 100 and 200 can be implemented as mobile terminals, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, laptop PCs, portable gaming consoles, or digital cameras; fixed terminals, such as television receivers, projectors, printers, digital scanners, or network storage; or in-vehicle terminals, such as car navigation systems or driving recorder devices. Furthermore, wireless communication devices 100 and 200 can be implemented as machine-to-machine (M2M) communication terminals, such as smart meters, vending machines, remote monitoring devices, or point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or as Internet of Things (IoT) terminals. Additionally, wireless communication devices 100 and 200 can be wireless communication modules (e.g., integrated circuit modules configured with a single die) installed on these terminals.

[0195] On the other hand, for example, wireless communication devices 100 and 200 can be implemented as wireless LAN APs (wireless base stations) with or without router functionality. Furthermore, wireless communication devices 100 and 200 can be implemented as mobile wireless LAN routers. Additionally, wireless communication devices 100 and 200 can be base stations and femtocells in cellular communication schemes. Furthermore, wireless communication devices 100 and 200 can be wireless communication modules (e.g., integrated circuit modules configured with a single die) mounted on these devices.

[0196] <Configuration Example of a Smart Phone>

[0197] Figure 12This is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a smartphone 900 to which this technology is applied. Figure 12 This is described as a configuration example for a smartphone 900, but it is not limited to this, and can also be a configuration example for various devices and functions mentioned above.

[0198] The smartphone 900 includes a processor 901, a memory 902, a storage device 903, an external connection interface 904, a camera 906, a sensor 907, a microphone 908, an input device 909, and a display device 910. Furthermore, the smartphone 900 includes a speaker 911, a wireless communication interface 913, an antenna switch 914, an antenna 915, a bus 917, a battery 918, and an auxiliary controller 919. It should be noted that the smartphone 900 may include all of the above components, or may include only a portion of the above components.

[0199] The processor 901 can be, for example, a CPU or a system-on-a-chip (SoC), and controls the functions of the application layer and other layers of the smartphone 900.

[0200] The memory 902 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 901.

[0201] Storage device 903 includes storage media such as semiconductor memory or hard disk.

[0202] External connection interface 904 is an interface for connecting external devices such as memory cards or Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices to the smartphone 900.

[0203] The camera 906 includes an image sensor such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and generates captured images.

[0204] Sensor 907 includes a group of sensors such as positioning sensors, gyroscope sensors, geomagnetic sensors, and accelerometers.

[0205] Microphone 908 converts the sound input to smartphone 900 into an audio signal.

[0206] Input device 909 includes, for example, a touch sensor, keypad, keyboard, button, or switch that detects touch on the screen of display device 910, and accepts operation or information input from the user.

[0207] The display device 910 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or a quantum dot (QD) display, and displays the output image of the smartphone 900.

[0208] Speaker 911 converts the audio signal output from smartphone 900 into sound.

[0209] The wireless communication interface 913 supports one or more wireless LAN standards, such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, and 11bn, and performs wireless communication.

[0210] In infrastructure mode, the wireless communication interface 913 communicates with another device via the access point (AP) of the wireless LAN. Furthermore, in direct communication modes such as ad hoc mode or Wi-Fi Direct, the wireless communication interface 913 communicates directly with another device.

[0211] It should be noted that in Wi-Fi Direct, unlike in self-organizing mode, one of the two terminals operates as an access point (AP), but communication is performed directly between the terminals.

[0212] The wireless communication interface 913 typically includes a baseband processor, radio frequency (RF) circuitry, a power amplifier, etc. The wireless communication interface 913 can be a single-chip module that integrates a memory storing the communication control program, a processor executing the program, and associated circuitry.

[0213] In addition to wireless LAN solutions, the wireless communication interface 913 can also support other types of wireless communication solutions, such as short-range wireless communication solutions like Bluetooth, near-field wireless communication solutions like NFC, or 3GPP cellular communication solutions like 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. The wireless communication interface 913 can be a single-chip module supporting multiple wireless communication solutions, or it can be a combination of modules supporting a portion of wireless communication solutions.

[0214] Antenna switch 914 switches the connection destination of antenna 915 among multiple circuits included in wireless communication interface 913 (e.g., circuits for different wireless communication schemes or transmitting system circuits and receiving system circuits).

[0215] Antenna 915 has a single antenna element or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used to transmit and receive wireless signals through wireless communication interface 913.

[0216] It should be noted that smartphones with the 900 number are not limited to... Figure 12 Examples can be provided, and multiple antennas can be included (e.g., an antenna for wireless LAN, an antenna for near-field wireless communication schemes, and an antenna for cellular communication schemes). In this case, the antenna switch 914 can be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

[0217] Bus 917 interconnects processor 901, memory 902, storage device 903, external connection interface 904, camera 906, sensor 907, microphone 908, input device 909, display device 910, speaker 911, wireless communication interface 913 and auxiliary controller 919.

[0218] Battery 918 supplies power partially via the power line indicated by the dashed line in the diagram. Figure 12 The various blocks of the smartphone 900 shown are powered. The auxiliary controller 919 operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone 900, for example, in sleep mode. Furthermore, the battery 918 can be charged via an external connection interface 904. Additionally, the battery 918 may have the capability to read information about remaining battery power, accumulated power-on time, or accumulated power supply, and the processor 901, wireless communication interface 913, or auxiliary controller 919 may control one of the functions of the above embodiments based on the information read from the battery 918.

[0219] exist Figure 12 In the smartphone 900 shown, for example, Figure 2 The communication control unit 111 or control unit 130, or Figure 3 The communication control unit 211 or control unit 230 can be implemented in the wireless communication interface 913. For example, the wireless communication interface 913 can perform operations related to... Figures 4 to 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 The processes executed in the sequence correspond to the handlers. Furthermore, at least some of these functions can be implemented in the processor 901 or the auxiliary controller 919.

[0220] Note that the smartphone 900 can operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by performing AP functions at the application level through the processor 901. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 913 can also have wireless AP functionality. Additionally, the processor 901 or the wireless communication interface 913 can have network sharing (tethering) capabilities using wireless LAN and cellular communication schemes.

[0221] Furthermore, the smartphone 900 may include a biometric authentication unit (fingerprint authentication, palm geometry authentication, voice authentication, vein authentication, facial authentication, iris authentication, and retinal authentication). In this case, it implements... Figure 2 The communication control unit 111 or control unit 130, or Figure 3 The wireless communication interface 913 of the communication control unit 211 or control unit 230 is configured to receive power from at least one of the same batteries 918 as the display device 910, speaker 911 or biometric authentication unit.

[0222] Furthermore, in the smartphone 900, information is displayed from at least one of the display devices 910 or the speaker 911 based on communication with an external device via the wireless communication interface 913. At this time, information about the technology (e.g., information about the AP MLD as the switching destination and the link as the switching destination) can be output from at least one of the display devices 910 or the speaker 911. Additionally, the input device 909 can input confirmation or response to the information output from at least one of the display devices 910 or the speaker 911.

[0223] <Configuration example of vehicle-mounted device>

[0224] Figure 13 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an on-board device 920 to which this technology is applied. Figure 13 The configuration example described is for the vehicle-mounted device 920, but it is not limited to this and can also be a configuration example for the various devices and functions mentioned above.

[0225] The vehicle-mounted device 920 includes a processor 921, a memory 922, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module 924, a sensor 925, a data interface 926, a content player 927, and a storage medium interface 928. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted device 920 includes an input device 929, a display device 930, a speaker 931, a wireless communication interface 933, an antenna switch 934, an antenna 935, and a battery 938. Note that the vehicle-mounted device 920 may include all of the above components, or may include some of the above components.

[0226] The processor 921 may be, for example, a CPU or a SoC, and controls the navigation and other functions of the in-vehicle device 920. Furthermore, the processor 921 may also control the vehicle's driving systems, such as brakes, accelerators, or steering, based on information obtained through communication based on this technology.

[0227] The memory 922 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 921.

[0228] The GNSS module 924 measures the position (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the vehicle-mounted device 920 by using GNSS signals received from GNSS satellites.

[0229] Sensor 925 includes, for example, a set of sensors such as a gyroscope sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a millimeter-wave radar, a camera (such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor), and a barometric pressure sensor.

[0230] Data interface 926 is connected to vehicle network 941 via, for example, a terminal (not shown) and acquires data generated on the vehicle side, such as vehicle data.

[0231] Content player 927 reproduces content stored in storage media (such as CD or DVD) stored in storage media insertion interface 928 and content received via wireless communication interface 933.

[0232] Input device 929 includes, for example, a touch sensor, button, or switch that detects touch on the screen of display device 930 and accepts operation or information input from a user. For example, input device 929 can input confirmation or response to information output from at least one of display device 930 or speaker 931.

[0233] Display device 930 has a screen such as an LCD, OLED display or QD display, and displays images associated with navigation functions or reproduced content, as well as information about the technology, such as the AP MLD as a switching destination and the link as a switching destination.

[0234] The speaker 931 outputs sound associated with the navigation function, sound of reproduced content, or information about the technology, such as the AP MLD as a destination switch and the link as a destination switch.

[0235] Note that in the in-vehicle device 920, the navigation function and the content player 927 are optional. The navigation function and the content player 927 can be omitted from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

[0236] The wireless communication interface 933 supports one or more wireless LAN standards, such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, and 11bn, and performs wireless communication.

[0237] In infrastructure mode, the wireless communication interface 933 communicates with another device via the access point (AP) of the wireless LAN. Furthermore, in direct communication modes such as adhoc mode or Wi-Fi Direct, the wireless communication interface 933 communicates directly with another device.

[0238] Note that in Wi-Fi Direct, unlike adhoc mode, one of the two terminals acts as an access point (AP), but communication between the terminals is performed directly.

[0239] The wireless communication interface 933 typically includes a baseband processor, RF circuitry, and a power amplifier. The wireless communication interface 933 can be a single-chip module that integrates a memory storing the communication control program and a processor or associated circuitry that executes the program.

[0240] In addition to wireless LAN solutions, the wireless communication interface 933 can also support other types of wireless communication solutions, such as short-range wireless communication solutions like Bluetooth, near-field wireless communication solutions like NFC, or 3GPP cellular communication solutions like 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. The wireless communication interface 933 can be a single-chip module supporting multiple wireless communication solutions, or it can be a combination of modules supporting a portion of wireless communication solutions.

[0241] Antenna switch 934 switches the connection destination of antenna 935 among multiple circuits included in wireless communication interface 933 (e.g., circuits for different wireless communication schemes or transmitting system circuits and receiving system circuits).

[0242] Antenna 935 has a single antenna element or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals via wireless communication interface 933.

[0243] Note that the vehicle-mounted device 920 is not limited to... Figure 13 Examples of this configuration include multiple antennas (e.g., an antenna for a wireless LAN, an antenna for a near-field wireless communication scheme, and an antenna for a cellular communication scheme). In this case, the antenna switch 934 can be omitted from the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 920.

[0244] Battery 938 supplies power to the battery via the power line indicated by the dashed line in the diagram. Figure 13 The various blocks of the on-board unit 920 shown are powered. Furthermore, the battery 938 can store power supplied from the vehicle side. Additionally, the on-board unit 920 can use power supplied from the vehicle side via a voltage regulator or capacitor without installing a battery.

[0245] exist Figure 13 In the vehicle-mounted device 920 shown, for example, Figure 2 The communication control unit 111 or control unit 130, or Figure 3 The communication control unit 211 or control unit 230 can be implemented in the wireless communication interface 933. For example, the wireless communication interface 933 can perform operations related to... Figures 4 to 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 The corresponding handlers are executed in the sequence. Furthermore, at least some of these functions can be implemented in the processor 921.

[0246] In addition, the wireless communication interface 933 can be used as the above. Figure 2 The communication control unit 111 or control unit 130 or Figure 3The communication control unit 211 or control unit 230 operates and can provide wireless connectivity to a terminal owned by a user sitting in the vehicle. For example, the wireless communication interface 933 can enable the vehicle device 920 to connect to another peripheral device, and the vehicle device 920 can use CarPlay (registered trademark) or Android Auto (registered trademark). It should be noted that the wireless communication interface 933 can enable the vehicle device 920 to connect to another peripheral device via a short-range wireless communication scheme or a wireless LAN scheme using infrastructure mode or Wi-Fi Direct.

[0247] It should be noted that the vehicle-mounted device 920 can operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by executing AP functions at the application level through the processor 921. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 933 can also have wireless AP functionality. Additionally, the processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 can have network sharing capabilities using both wireless LAN and cellular communication schemes.

[0248] Furthermore, this technology can be implemented as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 940 including one or more blocks of the aforementioned in-vehicle device 920, an in-vehicle network 941, and a vehicle-side module 942. The vehicle-side module 942 can generate vehicle-side data such as vehicle speed information, engine speed information, information about the vehicle-side battery, or fault information, and can output the generated data to the in-vehicle network 941. The processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 can control one of the functions of the above embodiments based on the information obtained through the in-vehicle network 941.

[0249] <Wireless AP Configuration Example>

[0250] Figure 14 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP 950 that applies this technology. Figure 14 The configuration example described is for a wireless AP 950, but it is not limited to this and can also be a configuration example for the various devices and functions mentioned above.

[0251] The wireless AP 950 includes a controller 951, a memory 952, an input device 954, a display device 955, a network interface 957, a wireless communication interface 963, an antenna switch 964, and an antenna 965. It should be noted that the wireless AP 950 may include all of the above components, or may include only a portion of the above components.

[0252] The controller 951 may be, for example, a CPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), and operates various functions of the wireless AP 950 at the Internet Protocol (IP) layer and higher layers (e.g., access restriction, routing, encryption, firewall, and log management).

[0253] The memory 952 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs executed by the controller 951 as well as various types of control information (e.g., terminal lists, routing tables, encryption keys, security settings, and logs).

[0254] Input device 954 includes, for example, buttons and switches, and accepts operations from the user. For example, input device 954 can input confirmation or response to information output from display device 955.

[0255] Display device 955 includes, for example, LED lights and displays the operating status of wireless AP 950. Display device 955 can display information about the technology, such as information about the AP MLD used as a switching destination and information about the link used as a switching destination.

[0256] Network interface 957 is a wired communication interface used to connect wireless AP 950 to wired communication network 958. Network interface 957 may have multiple connection terminals. Network interface 957 can input and output wireless signals from wireless communication interface 963 as wired signals, and can input and output wired signals by operating in parallel with or independently of the input and output of wireless signals from wireless communication interface 963. Wired communication network 958 may be a local area network (LAN) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), or it may be a wide area network (WAN).

[0257] The wireless communication interface 963 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, and 11bn, and acts as an access point (AP) to provide wireless connectivity to nearby terminals. It's important to note that when the wireless AP 950 is installed on a base station or femtocell in a cellular communication scheme, the wireless communication interface 963 can also support other types of wireless communication schemes besides wireless LAN schemes, such as 3GPP cellular communication schemes like 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. The wireless communication interface 963 can be a single-chip module supporting multiple wireless communication schemes, or it can be a combination of modules supporting a portion of wireless communication schemes.

[0258] The wireless communication interface 963 typically includes a baseband processor, RF circuitry, power amplifier, etc.

[0259] The wireless communication interface 963 may be a single-chip module that integrates a memory storing a communication control program and a processor or associated circuitry that executes the program.

[0260] Antenna switch 964 switches the connection destination of antenna 965 among multiple circuits included in wireless communication interface 963 (e.g., circuits for different wireless communication schemes or transmitting system circuits and receiving system circuits).

[0261] Antenna 965 has a single antenna element or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals of wireless communication interface 963.

[0262] exist Figure 14 In the wireless AP 950 shown, for example, Figure 2 The communication control unit 111 or control unit 130 or Figure 3 The communication control unit 211 or control unit 230 can be implemented in the wireless communication interface 963. For example, corresponding to Figure 4 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The processing program can be executed in the wireless communication interface 963. Furthermore, at least some of these functions can be implemented in the controller 951.

[0263] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate one example for implementing the present technology, and the matters in the embodiments correspond to the matters defining the invention in the claims. Similarly, the matters defining the invention in the claims correspond to the matters in the embodiments of the present technology that are given the same names as the matters defining the invention. However, the present technology is not limited to the embodiments and can be implemented by making various modifications to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

[0264] Furthermore, the processing described in the above embodiments can be understood as a method having a series of processes, and can also be understood as a program for causing a computer to execute a series of processes or a recording medium for storing the program.

[0265] As recording media, for example, optical discs (CDs), mini disks (MDs), digital multifunction discs (DVDs), memory cards, Blu-ray discs, etc. can be used.

[0266] It is important to note that in this specification, "system" refers to a collection of multiple constituent elements (devices, modules (components), etc.), and it is not important whether all constituent elements are housed in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, as well as a single device housing multiple modules in one housing, are both systems.

[0267] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely illustrative and not limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0268] The embodiments of this technology are not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this technology.

[0269] For example, this technology can employ a cloud computing configuration in which a function is shared and processed collaboratively by multiple devices over a network.

[0270] Furthermore, each step described in the flowchart above can be performed by a single device, or by multiple devices in a shared manner.

[0271] Furthermore, in cases where a step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in a step can be performed by a single device, or can be performed by multiple devices in a shared manner.

[0272] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate one example for implementing this disclosure, and this disclosure can be implemented in various other forms. For example, various modifications, substitutions, omissions, or combinations thereof can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Forms involving such modifications, substitutions, omissions, etc., are included not only within the scope of this disclosure but also within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0273] Furthermore, the effects of this disclosure described in this specification are merely illustrative, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0274] It should be noted that this disclosure may also have the following configurations.

[0275] [Item 1] A communication control device, comprising a control unit, The control unit is configured to control a process that switches the connection destination of a link of a third wireless communication device connected to the first wireless communication device via a first link and a second link to the second wireless communication device, and The control unit is configured to control, during the handover process, communication-related settings regarding communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices via one link after the handover of the connection destination, and communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices via another link. The communication-related settings are configured to enable communication to suppress inter-link interference between the one link and the other link within the third wireless communication device.

[0276] [Item 2] The communication control device according to Item 1, wherein

[0277] The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the third wireless communication device and to send a first association request frame to the second wireless communication device for switching the connection destination, and the first association request frame includes information on communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices after the switching of the connection destination of the link.

[0278] [Item 3] The communication control device according to Item 1, wherein

[0279] The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the second wireless communication device, and upon receiving a first association request frame to switch the connection destination from the third wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, to control the sending of a first association response frame in response, and the first association response frame includes information about communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices after the connection destination is switched.

[0280] [Item 4] The communication control device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein

[0281] The communication-related settings are configured such that transmission on one link and reception on another link do not occur simultaneously, or that reception on one link and transmission on another link do not occur simultaneously.

[0282] [Item 5] The communication control device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein

[0283] The communication-related settings are configured such that inter-link interference occurring within the third wireless communication device remains within permissible limits, even when transmission on one link and reception on the other link occur simultaneously, or when reception on one link and transmission on the other link occur simultaneously.

[0284] [Item 6] The communication control device according to Item 4, wherein

[0285] The communication-related settings are configured to send a transmission permission request frame to the third wireless communication device requesting permission to send the data to be sent before the first or second wireless communication device sends data to the third wireless communication device.

[0286] [Item 7] The communication control device according to Item 6, wherein

[0287] The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the third wireless communication device, and is configured to control the non-transmission of a transmission permission response frame to the other wireless communication device when the wireless communication unit of the third wireless communication device is receiving a signal from one of the first and second wireless communication devices while receiving a transmission permission request frame from the other of the first and second wireless communication devices.

[0288] [Item 8] The communication control device according to item 4, 6 or 7, wherein

[0289] The communication-related settings pertain to the timing of sending acknowledgments of data received by the third wireless communication device from the first or second wireless communication device to the third wireless communication device.

[0290] [Item 9] The communication control device according to Item 5, wherein

[0291] The communication-related settings pertain to the transmission power of an acknowledgment signal sent from a third wireless communication device to a first or second wireless communication device for data received by the third wireless communication device from the first or second wireless communication device.

[0292] [Item 10] The communication control device according to item 5 or 9, wherein

[0293] The communication-related settings pertain to the modulation scheme of data transmitted from the first or second wireless communication device to the third wireless communication device.

[0294] [Item 11] The communication control device according to item 4, 6, 7 or 8, wherein

[0295] The communication-related settings pertain to the first frequency band allocated to the first link and the second frequency band allocated to the second link, and the first and second frequency bands are separated by at least a certain frequency.

[0296] [Item 12] The communication control device according to Item 11, wherein

[0297] The first frequency band is a portion of the frequency band of the first frequency channel, and the second frequency band is a portion of the frequency band of the second frequency channel. The first frequency channel is the frequency channel that is adjacent to the second frequency channel in the frequency domain. A portion of the frequency band of the first frequency channel is the portion of the frequency band of the first frequency channel that is furthest from the second frequency channel side, and A portion of the frequency band of the second frequency channel is the portion of the frequency band at the end of the second frequency channel that is furthest from the first frequency channel.

[0298] [Item 13] The communication control device according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein

[0299] After the connection destination of the one link is switched, the control unit controls the third wireless communication device to connect and communicate with the first wireless communication device through the other link and to connect and communicate with the second wireless communication device through the one link, according to the communication-related settings.

[0300] [Item 14] The communication control device according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein

[0301] The third wireless communication device includes a first transmitting / receiving unit that performs transmission and reception with respect to a first link and a second transmitting / receiving unit that performs transmission and reception with respect to a second link.

[0302] The inter-link interference is signal interference that occurs between the first and second transmitting / receiving units when transmission performed by one of the first and second transmitting / receiving units and reception performed by the other transmitting / receiving unit are performed simultaneously.

[0303] [Item 15] The communication control device according to item 2 or any of items 4 to 13 depending on item 2, wherein

[0304] The control unit is configured to send a second association request to a first wireless communication device to switch the connection destination of the link to a second wireless communication device, and the second association request includes information on communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices after the connection destination switch.

[0305] [Item 16] The communication control device according to item 2 or any of items 4 to 15 depending on item 2, wherein

[0306] The control unit is configured to send a first association request frame on the one link.

[0307] [Item 17] The communication control device according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein

[0308] The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the first wireless communication device, and, upon receiving a second association request frame from the third wireless communication device for switching the connection destination, to control the sending of a second association response frame in response, wherein the second association response frame includes information regarding communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices after the connection destination is switched.

[0309] [Item 18] The communication control device according to item 2 or any of items 4 to 17 depending on item 2, wherein

[0310] The control unit is configured to determine the connection destination of the link to be switched based on the received power of the signal received from the first wireless communication device on the link, the location information of the third wireless communication device, or the noise signal or external interference signal on the link, and to control the switching process.

[0311] [Item 19] The communication control device according to item 2 or any of items 4 to 18 depending on item 2, wherein

[0312] The first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device are each base stations, and

[0313] The control unit is configured to detect when a third wireless communication device roams from the communication range of a first wireless communication device to the communication range of a second wireless communication device, determine the connection destination for switching the link, and control the switching process based on the determination of the connection destination.

[0314] [Item 20] A communication control method, comprising: The control process involves switching the connection destination of a link of a third wireless communication device connected to the first wireless communication device via a first link and a second link to the second wireless communication device; and The handover process controls communication-related settings regarding the communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices via one link after the handover of the connection destination, and the communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices via another link. The communication-related settings are configured to enable communication to suppress inter-link interference between the one link and the other link within the third wireless communication device.

[0315] List of reference numerals

[0316] 100 Wireless Communication Equipment (AP MLD)

[0317] 110 wireless communication unit

[0318] 111 Communication Control Unit

[0319] 112 communication storage units

[0320] 113 Public Data Processing Unit

[0321] 121 Individual Data Processing Unit

[0322] 122 Signal Processing Unit

[0323] 123 Wireless Interface Unit

[0324] 124 amplification units

[0325] 130 control unit

[0326] 140 storage units

[0327] 150 antenna

[0328] 200 wireless communication devices (non-AP MLD)

[0329] 210 Wireless Communication Unit

[0330] 211 Communication Control Unit

[0331] 212 communication storage units

[0332] 213 Public Data Processing Unit

[0333] 221 Individual Data Processing Unit

[0334] 222 Signal Processing Unit

[0335] 223 Wireless Interface Unit

[0336] 224 amplification units

[0337] 230 control unit

[0338] 240 storage units

[0339] 250 antenna

[0340] 804 bus

[0341] 805 Input / Output Interface

[0342] 806 Input Unit

[0343] 807 Output Unit

[0344] 808 memory cell

[0345] 809 Communication Unit

[0346] 810 drive

[0347] 811 Removable Media

[0348] 900 Smart Phone

[0349] 901 processor

[0350] 902 memory

[0351] 903 storage device

[0352] 904 External Connection Interface

[0353] 906 camera

[0354] 907 sensor

[0355] 908 microphone

[0356] 909 Input Device

[0357] 910 display device

[0358] 911 speaker

[0359] 913 wireless communication interface

[0360] 914 antenna switch

[0361] 915 antenna

[0362] 917 bus

[0363] 918 battery

[0364] 919 Auxiliary Controller

[0365] 920 vehicle-mounted device

[0366] 920 vehicle-mounted equipment

[0367] 921 processor

[0368] 922 memory

[0369] 924 GNSS module

[0370] 925 sensor

[0371] 926 Data Interface

[0372] 927 Content Player

[0373] 928 storage media interface

[0374] 929 Input Device

[0375] 930 display device

[0376] 931 loudspeakers

[0377] 933 wireless communication interface

[0378] 934 antenna switch

[0379] 935 antenna

[0380] 938 battery

[0381] 940 vehicle system (or vehicle)

[0382] 941 Vehicle Network

[0383] 942 vehicle-side module

[0384] 951 controller

[0385] 952 memory

[0386] 954 Input Device

[0387] 955 display device

[0388] 957 network interface

[0389] 958 Wired Communication Network

[0390] 963 wireless communication interface

[0391] 964 antenna switch

[0392] 965 antenna

Claims

1. A communication control device, comprising a control unit, The control unit is configured to control a process that switches the connection destination of a link of a third wireless communication device connected to the first wireless communication device via a first link and a second link to the second wireless communication device, and The control unit is configured to control, during the handover process, communication-related settings regarding communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices via one link after the handover of the connection destination, and communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices via another link. The communication-related settings are configured to enable communication to suppress inter-link interference between the one link and the other link within the third wireless communication device.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein... The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the third wireless communication device and to send a first association request frame to the second wireless communication device for switching the connection destination, and the first association request frame includes information on communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices after the switching of the connection destination of the link.

3. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein... The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the second wireless communication device, and upon receiving a first association request frame to switch the connection destination from the third wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, to control the sending of a first association response frame in response, and the first association response frame includes information about communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices after the connection destination is switched.

4. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein... The communication-related settings are configured such that transmission on one link and reception on another link do not occur simultaneously, or that reception on one link and transmission on another link do not occur simultaneously.

5. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein... The communication-related settings are configured such that inter-link interference occurring within the third wireless communication device remains within permissible limits, even when transmission on one link and reception on the other link occur simultaneously, or when reception on one link and transmission on the other link occur simultaneously.

6. The communication control device according to claim 4, wherein... The communication-related settings are configured to send a transmission permission request frame to the third wireless communication device requesting permission to send the data to be sent before the first or second wireless communication device sends data to the third wireless communication device.

7. The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the third wireless communication device, and is configured to control the non-transmission of a transmission permission response frame to the other wireless communication device when the wireless communication unit of the third wireless communication device is receiving a signal from one of the first and second wireless communication devices while receiving a transmission permission request frame from the other of the first and second wireless communication devices.

8. The communication control device according to claim 4, wherein The communication-related settings pertain to the timing of sending acknowledgments of data received by the third wireless communication device from the first or second wireless communication device to the third wireless communication device.

9. The communication control device according to claim 5, wherein The communication-related settings pertain to the transmission power of an acknowledgment signal sent from a third wireless communication device to a first or second wireless communication device for data received by the third wireless communication device from the first or second wireless communication device.

10. The communication control device according to claim 5, wherein The communication-related settings pertain to the modulation scheme of data transmitted from the first or second wireless communication device to the third wireless communication device.

11. The communication control device according to claim 4, wherein The communication-related settings pertain to the first frequency band allocated to the first link and the second frequency band allocated to the second link, and the first and second frequency bands are separated by at least a certain frequency.

12. The communication control device according to claim 11, wherein The first frequency band is a portion of the frequency band of the first frequency channel, and the second frequency band is a portion of the frequency band of the second frequency channel. The first frequency channel is the frequency channel that is adjacent to the second frequency channel in the frequency domain. A portion of the frequency band of the first frequency channel is the portion of the frequency band of the first frequency channel that is furthest from the second frequency channel side, and A portion of the frequency band of the second frequency channel is the portion of the frequency band at the end of the second frequency channel that is furthest from the first frequency channel.

13. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein... After the connection destination of the one link is switched, the control unit controls the third wireless communication device to connect and communicate with the first wireless communication device through the other link and to connect and communicate with the second wireless communication device through the one link, according to the communication-related settings.

14. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein The third wireless communication device includes a first transmitting / receiving unit that performs transmission and reception with respect to a first link and a second transmitting / receiving unit that performs transmission and reception with respect to a second link. The inter-link interference is signal interference that occurs between the first and second transmitting / receiving units when transmission performed by one of the first and second transmitting / receiving units and reception performed by the other transmitting / receiving unit are performed simultaneously.

15. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein... The control unit is configured to send a second association request to a first wireless communication device to switch the connection destination of the link to a second wireless communication device, and the second association request includes information on communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices after the connection destination switch.

16. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein The control unit is configured to send a first association request frame on the one link.

17. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein The control unit is configured to control the wireless communication unit of the first wireless communication device, and, upon receiving a second association request frame from the third wireless communication device for switching the connection destination, to control the sending of a second association response frame in response, wherein the second association response frame includes information regarding communication-related settings for communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices after the connection destination is switched.

18. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein The control unit is configured to determine the connection destination of the link to be switched based on the received power of the signal received from the first wireless communication device on the link, the location information of the third wireless communication device, or the noise signal or external interference signal on the link, and to control the switching process.

19. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein The first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device are each base stations, and The control unit is configured to detect when a third wireless communication device roams from the communication range of a first wireless communication device to the communication range of a second wireless communication device, determine the connection destination for switching the link, and control the switching process based on the determination of the connection destination.

20. A communication control method, comprising: The control process is as follows: the connection destination of a link of a third wireless communication device connected to the first wireless communication device via the first link and the second link is switched to the second wireless communication device. as well as The handover process controls communication-related settings regarding the communication to be performed between the second and third wireless communication devices via one link after the handover of the connection destination, and the communication to be performed between the first and third wireless communication devices via another link. The communication-related settings are configured to enable communication to suppress inter-link interference between the one link and the other link within the third wireless communication device.

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