Communication device, control method for the same, and program

Abstract

To make it possible to notify information on communication compliant with the IEEE802.11be standard in the Wi-Fi Aware standard.SOLUTION: A communication device communicates a Wi-Fi Aware compliant frame including information that indicates that the communication device corresponds to the IEEE 802.11be standard and that it is capable of making use of a frequency bandwidth in excess of 160 MHz.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communication technology of a communication device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, wireless LAN systems compliant with IEEE802.11 have been widely used. Along with this, technologies for easily discovering nearby wireless LAN applications and information with low power consumption have been proposed. As a communication standard for discovering a communication device and services provided by the communication device with low power consumption, Wi-Fi Aware has been defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Patent Document 1 describes NAN (Neighbor Awareness Networking) defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance as a standard for discovering a communication device and services provided by the communication device with low power consumption. Here, Wi-Fi Aware and the NAN standard refer to the same thing.

[0003] On the other hand, the wireless LAN (Local Area Network) technology has been standardized by IEEE802.11, which is a standardization organization for wireless LAN technology. The standards for wireless LAN technology include IEEE802.11 / a / b / g / n / ac / ax, etc. Here, IEEE is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Currently, the standardization of the IEEE802.11be standard is being carried out in IEEE802.11. In the IEEE802.11be standard, communication using a frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz is being considered.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, existing Wi-Fi Aware standards do not define a mechanism for notifying users that communication will comply with the IEEE 802.11be standard or that communication will occur at a frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to enable the Wi-Fi Aware standard to notify information regarding communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the communication device according to the present invention is a communication device compliant with Wi-Fi Aware, comprising communication means for communicating Wi-Fi Aware compliant frames, and the frames communicated by the communication means include first information indicating that the communication device is compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard.

[0008] Furthermore, the communication device according to the present invention is a communication device compliant with Wi-Fi Aware, characterized in that it includes communication means for communicating Wi-Fi Aware compliant frames, and the frames communicated by the communication means include first information indicating that the communication device can utilize a frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the Wi-Fi Aware standard will be able to notify information regarding communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] An example of a wireless communication system configuration is shown. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the NAN101. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of NAN101. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the frame format of the Extended SDF (Service Discovery Frame) in this embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the detailed information included in the Operation Mode field in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the frame format of the Extended SDF (Service Discovery Frame) in this embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows detailed information about the Extended Operation Mode field in this embodiment. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the frame format of the Extended SDF (Service Discovery Frame) in this embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows the detailed information included in the Operation Mode field in this embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows detailed information about the Extended Operating Bandwidth field in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, each communication device is assumed to be a communication device having wireless LAN communication functionality compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard series, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, each communication device described below is assumed to be a NAN device capable of discovering other communication devices and the services they provide using NAN as defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance, but is not limited thereto. In other words, although technical terms corresponding to a given standard are used in the following descriptions, the following discussions can also be applied to other standards of the same type.

[0012] This section explains Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN). In NAN, service information is communicated during a period called the Discovery Window (hereinafter referred to as DW). Service information includes, as will be explained later, Subscribe messages, which are signals for discovering services, and Publish messages, which are signals for notifying that a service is being provided. The DW is a channel-specific time during which multiple devices running NAN can converge. A group of communication devices that share the DW schedule is called a NAN cluster.

[0013] Each communication device belonging to a NAN cluster operates in one of three roles: Master, Non-Master Sync, or Non-Master Non-Sync. A communication device operating as a Master transmits a NAN Synchronization Beacon (hereinafter referred to as Sync Beacon), which is a beacon used to identify and synchronize each communication device's data warehouse (DW). A communication device operating as a Master also transmits a NAN Discovery Beacon, which is a signal used to make communication devices not belonging to the NAN cluster recognize that NAN cluster. The NAN Discovery Beacon is transmitted even outside the DW period, for example, every 100 TUs (Time Units, 1 TU is 1024 microseconds). In each NAN cluster, at least one communication device operates as a Master.

[0014] A communication device operating as Non-Master Sync transmits NAN Sync Beacons but does not transmit NAN Discovery Beacons. A communication device operating as Non-Master Non-Sync transmits neither NAN Sync Beacons nor NAN Discovery Beacons.

[0015] Communication devices participating in the NAN cluster synchronize according to the NAN Sync Beacon at a predetermined period for each DW period, and communicate service information during the DW period. Specifically, each communication device communicates with each other a Subscribe message, which is a signal for discovering a service during the DW period, and a Publish message, which is a signal for notifying that a service is being provided. Further, each communication device can exchange Follow-up messages for exchanging additional information regarding the service during the DW period. Incidentally, messages such as Publish, Subscribe, and Follow-up are collectively referred to as Service Discovery Frame (SDF). Each communication device can advertise or detect a service by exchanging SDFs.

[0016] Generally, after discovering / detecting a service, a NAN device may perform communication related to an application for actually executing the service. In this case, the NAN device may establish PostNAN for communication related to the application, rather than NAN. PostNAN is a network different from the NAN cluster. PostNAN includes, for example, an infrastructure network, an IBSS (Infra Basic Service Set), Wi-Fi Direct, and the like. The NAN device can establish PostNAN and perform communication by the application during a period other than the DW period.

[0017] In addition, the NAN device can establish a one-to-one connection with other NAN devices of NAN and communicate regarding an application without forming a network different from an NAN cluster such as PostNAN. The communication regarding the application compliant with the NAN standard is referred to as NDP (NAN Data Path). The NAN device can execute NDP during a period that does not overlap with the DW period within the NAN cluster. In this case, before executing NDP one-to-one, the NAN device can execute negotiation regarding the timing (period) of executing NDP one-to-one with the NAN device of the communication partner device.

[0018] A configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 1. The wireless communication system of the present embodiment includes NAN101 to NAN103, which are communication devices (NAN devices) each compliant with the NAN standard, and NAN101 to 103 participate in the NAN cluster 104. In the present embodiment, the NAN devices (NAN101 to 103) participating in the NAN cluster 104 construct a network using frequency channel 6 (6ch) in the 2.4 GHz band. Here, the NAN cluster 104 is an NAN cluster in which the length of the DW period is 16 TUs, and the time interval from the start timing of the DW period to the start timing of the next DW period is 512 TUs. Further, the DW period is a period having 16 DW periods from DW0 to DW15 as one cycle, and the DW period 16 DW periods after DWn (n is an integer from 0 to 15) is also DWn. That is, DW16 corresponds to the next DW0. It is assumed that NAN101 to NAN103 participating in the NAN cluster 104 can always receive a radio signal at least in DW0.

[0019] NAN101 is a communication device capable of performing the processes described below. NAN101 is assumed to be participating in NAN cluster 104 as a Non-Master Non-Sync device. NAN102 is a communication device participating in NAN cluster 104 as a Master device. NAN102 receives radio signals during all DW periods and also transmits NAN Sync Beacons during all DW periods. NAN103 is a communication device participating in NAN cluster 104 as a Non-Master non-Sync device.

[0020] NAN devices 101, 102, and 103, participating in NAN cluster 104, can perform wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11be standard. Furthermore, NAN devices 101, 102, and 103 can communicate in the 2.4 Hz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands. The frequency band used by each communication device is not limited to these; for example, the 60 GHz band may also be used. Additionally, NAN devices 101, 102, and 103 can communicate using bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 320 MHz. The bandwidth used by each communication device is not limited to these; for example, bandwidths such as 240 MHz or 4 MHz may also be used.

[0021] Furthermore, while NAN devices 101, 102, and 103 are stated to be compatible with the IEEE 802.11be standard, they may also be compatible with legacy standards that precede the IEEE 802.11be standard. Specifically, NAN devices 101, 102, and 103 may be compatible with at least one of the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax standards. Alternatively, they may be compatible with a standard that succeeds IEEE 802.11be.

[0022] (NAN101 configuration) Figure 2 shows the hardware configuration of the NAN101 in this embodiment. As an example of its hardware configuration, the NAN101 includes a storage unit 201, a control unit 202, a function unit 203, an input unit 204, a display unit 205, a communication unit 206, and an antenna 207.

[0023] The memory unit 201 is composed of one or more ROMs (Read Only Memory) and / or RAMs (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 201 stores various information such as programs for performing various operations described later, and communication parameters for wireless communication. In addition to memory such as ROM and RAM, the memory unit 201 may also use storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and DVDs.

[0024] The control unit 202 is composed of one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units) or MPUs (Micro Processing Units). The control unit 202 controls the entire NAN101 by executing a program stored in the memory unit 201. Alternatively, the control unit 202 may control the entire NAN101 in cooperation with the program stored in the memory unit 201 and the OS (Operating System).

[0025] Furthermore, the control unit 202 controls the functional unit 203 to perform predetermined processes such as imaging, printing, and projection. The functional unit 203 is the hardware that enables the NAN101 to perform predetermined processes. For example, when the NAN101 functions as a camera, the functional unit 203 is the imaging unit and performs imaging. Also, for example, when the NAN101 functions as a printer, the functional unit 203 is the printing unit and performs printing. Also, for example, when the NAN101 functions as a projector, the functional unit 203 is the projection unit and performs projection. The data processed by the functional unit 203 may be data stored in the storage unit 201, or data communicated with other NAN devices via the communication unit 206, which will be described later.

[0026] The input unit 204 receives various operations from the user. The display unit 205 displays various information to the user. Alternatively, both the input unit 204 and the display unit 205 may be implemented in a single module, similar to a touch panel.

[0027] The communication unit 206 controls wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard series and also controls IP communication. The communication unit 206 also controls the antenna 207 to transmit and receive wireless signals for wireless communication. NAN101 communicates content such as image data, document data, and video data with other communication devices via the communication unit 206. Under control by the control unit 202, during the DW period when no wireless signals are transmitted or received, the communication unit 206 may enter a DOZE state without receiving power.

[0028] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of NAN101. NAN101 has, for example, a wireless LAN control unit 301, a frame processing unit 302, a NAN control unit 303, and a UI control unit 304.

[0029] The wireless LAN control unit 301 performs control for sending and receiving wireless signals with other wireless LAN devices such as NAN devices. For example, the wireless LAN control unit 301 performs wireless LAN communication control in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard series.

[0030] The frame processing unit 302 analyzes the frames received by the wireless LAN control unit 301 and performs processing to create frames according to the instructions of the NAN control unit 303.

[0031] The NAN control unit 303 performs control in accordance with the NAN standard. For example, the NAN control unit 303 performs communication control in accordance with the NAN standard via the communication unit 206 (Figure 2).

[0032] The UI control unit 304 controls the display of various information to the output unit 205 (Figure 2), manages operations performed on the input unit 204 by the user of device 101, and transmits necessary signals to other functional units.

[0033] <Embodiment 1> In this embodiment, the Operation Mode field 403 remains 1 byte, and an example is shown indicating that the NAN device supports EHT and that a 320 MHz frequency bandwidth is available.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the frame format of an extended Service Discovery Frame compliant with the NAN standard.

[0035] The Extended Service Discovery Frame has a Category field, an Action field, an OUI field, an OUI Type field, and a NAN Attributes field 401. The NAN Attributes field 401 also contains at least one Attribute.

[0036] In this embodiment, the NAN Attributes field 401 includes at least the Device Capability Attribute field 402.

[0037] The Device Capability Attribute field 402 is an attribute that indicates the capabilities of the NAN device, and includes, for example, information on the frequency bands that the NAN device can use and the version information of the IEEE 802.11 series.

[0038] The Device Capability Attribute field 402 has the following fields: Attribute ID field, Length field, Map ID field, Committed DW Info field, Supported Bands field, and Operation Mode field.

[0039] The Operation Mode field 403 is represented by 1 byte from b0 to b7. Figure 5 shows the details of the Operation Mode field 403 shown in Figure 4.

[0040] If b0 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports VHT. If b0 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device supports HT only. Here, VHT refers to the IEEE 802.11ac standard, and HT refers to the IEEE 802.11n standard. Furthermore, if b4 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports HE, and if b4 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device does not support HE. Here, HE refers to the IEEE 802.11ax standard. In addition, if b5 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports EHT, and if b5 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device does not support EHT. Here, EHT refers to the IEEE 802.11be standard.

[0041] Furthermore, NAN devices that support VHT, HE, and EHT can perform data communication using a 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b1 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize an 80+80MHz frequency bandwidth. If b1 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize an 80+80MHz frequency bandwidth. If b2 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize a 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b2 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize a 160MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0042] Furthermore, the IEEE 802.11be standard allows communication over a 320 MHz frequency bandwidth. The IEEE 802.11be standard defines the 320 MHz frequency bandwidth with center frequencies of channels 31, 95, and 159 as the 320-1 MHz frequency bandwidth. Additionally, the 320 MHz frequency bandwidth with center frequencies of channels 63, 127, and 191 is defined as the 320-2 MHz bandwidth. If b6 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 320-1 MHz frequency bandwidth. If b6 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 320-1 MHz frequency bandwidth. If b7 in the Operation Mode field 403 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 320-2 MHz frequency bandwidth. Furthermore, if 0 is stored in b7 in the Operation Mode field 403, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 320-2MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the Operation Mode field of the Device Capability Attribute field can be used to indicate that the NAN device supports EHT. Furthermore, the Operation Mode field can be used to indicate that the NAN device supports a 320MHz frequency bandwidth. Being able to indicate whether the NAN device can utilize EHT and a 320MHz frequency bandwidth makes it possible, for example, to perform EHT-compliant communication in Post-NAN communication after discovering a service via Wi-Fi Aware.

[0044] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, the Operation Mode field remained 1 byte, and fields indicating that the NAN device supports EHT and a 320 MHz frequency bandwidth were shown. In this embodiment, an example is shown of an Extended Operation Mode field, which is an extension of the Operation Mode field shown in Embodiment 1, indicating that the NAN device supports EHT and a 320 MHz frequency bandwidth. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, it was indicated whether the NAN device could utilize 320-1 MHz and 320-2 MHz frequency bandwidths as the 320 MHz bandwidth. In this embodiment, in addition to 320-1 MHz and 320-2 MHz frequency bandwidths, it is possible to indicate whether a 160 + 160 MHz frequency bandwidth is available.

[0045] Figure 6 shows the frame format of an extended Service Discovery Frame compliant with the NAN standard.

[0046] The Extended Service Discovery Frame has a Category field, an Action field, an OUI field, an OUI Type field, and a NAN Attributes field 401. The NAN Attributes field 401 also contains at least one Attribute. In this embodiment, the NAN Attributes field 401 includes an Extended Device Capability Attribute field 601.

[0047] The Extended Device Capability Attribute field indicates the capabilities of the NAN device and includes information such as the version of the IEEE 802.11 series and the frequency band on which the NAN device is available.

[0048] The Extended Device Capability Attribute field 601 has the following fields: Attribute ID field, Length field, Map ID field, Committed DW Info field, Supported Bands field, and Extended Operation Mode field.

[0049] The Extended Operation Mode field 602 is represented by 2 bytes from b0 to b15. Figure 7 shows details of the Extended Operation Mode field 602 shown in Figure 6.

[0050] If b0 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports VHT. If b0 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device supports HT only. Furthermore, if b4 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports HE. If b4 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device does not support HE.

[0051] NAN devices that support VHT, HE, and EHT can perform data communication using a 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b1 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize an 80+80MHz frequency bandwidth. If b1 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize an 80+80MHz frequency bandwidth. Furthermore, if b2 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize a 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b2 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize a 160MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0052] Furthermore, if b5 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports EHT, and if b5 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device does not support EHT. Additionally, if b6 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 320-1MHz frequency bandwidth. If b6 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 320-1MHz frequency bandwidth. Also, if b7 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 320-2MHz frequency bandwidth. If b6 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 320-2MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0053] Furthermore, if b8 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 160MHz + 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b6 in the Extended Operation Mode field 602 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 160MHz + 160MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0054] According to this embodiment, the newly defined Extended Operation Mode field makes it possible to indicate whether the NAN device supports EHT and whether the 320MHz frequency bandwidth is available. Furthermore, since the Extended Operation Mode field is defined with 2 bytes, it becomes possible to indicate whether the NAN device can utilize the 160+160MHz frequency bandwidth in addition to the 320-1MHz / 320-2MHz frequency bandwidth. If it is possible to indicate whether the NAN device can utilize EHT and the 320MHz frequency bandwidth, for example, it becomes possible to perform EHT-compliant communication in Post-NAN communication after discovering the service by Wi-Fi Aware.

[0055] <Embodiment 3> In Embodiment 2, an example was shown in the newly defined Extended Operation Mode field to indicate that the NAN device supports EHT and a 320MHz frequency bandwidth. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the Device Capability Attribute and Extended Operating Bandwidth Attribute indicate whether or not the NAN device supports EHT and a 320MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0056] Figure 8 shows the frame format of an extended Service Discovery Frame compliant with the NAN standard.

[0057] The Extended Service Discovery Frame has the following: a Category field, an Action field, an OUI field, an OUI Type field, and a NAN Attributes field 401. The NAN Attributes field 401 contains at least one Attribute.

[0058] In this embodiment, the NAN Attributes field 401 includes the Device Capability Attribute field 402 and the Extended Operating Bandwidth Attribute field 802.

[0059] The Device Capability Attribute field 402 and the Extended Operating Bandwidth Attribute field store the following information: they indicate the capabilities of the NAN device, including, for example, the version information and frequency band information of the IEEE 802.11 series that the NAN device can use.

[0060] In this embodiment, the Device Capability Attribute field 402 includes information indicating whether the NAN device supports EHT. Additionally, the Extended Operating Bandwidth Attribute field 802 includes information on the 320 MHz frequency bandwidth available to the NAN device.

[0061] The Device Capability Attribute field 402 has the following: Attribute ID field, Length field, Map ID field, Committed DW Info field, Supported Bands field, and Operation Mode field 801.

[0062] The Operation Mode field 801 contains the information shown in Figure 9, which will be described later, and the Operation Mode field 801 is represented by 1 byte from b0 to b7.

[0063] Figure 9 shows the details of the Operation Mode field 801 in this embodiment. The Operation Mode field 801 in this embodiment includes information on whether the NAN device supports EHT and whether the NAN device supports 80+80MHz bandwidth and 160MHz bandwidth.

[0064] If b0 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports VHT. If b0 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device supports HT only. Furthermore, if b4 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports HE, and if b4 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device does not support HE. In addition, if b5 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device supports EHT, and if b5 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device does not support EHT.

[0065] NAN devices that support VHT, HE, and EHT can perform data communication using a 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b1 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 80+80MHz frequency bandwidth. If b1 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 80+80MHz frequency bandwidth. Furthermore, if b2 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b2 in the Operation Mode field 801 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 160MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0066] The Extended Operating Bandwidth Attribute field 802 includes the Attribute ID field, the Length field, and the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803.

[0067] Figure 10 shows the details of the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803. The Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803 is represented by 1 byte and contains information about the 320 MHz frequency bandwidth available to the NAN device.

[0068] If b0 in the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 320-1MHz frequency bandwidth. If b0 in the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 320-1MHz frequency bandwidth. Additionally, if b1 in the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize the 320-2MHz frequency bandwidth. If b1 in the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize the 320-2MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0069] Furthermore, if b2 in the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803 is set to 1, it indicates that the NAN device can utilize a 160MHz + 160MHz frequency bandwidth. If b2 in the Extended Operating Bandwidth field 803 is set to 0, it indicates that the NAN device cannot utilize a 160MHz + 160MHz frequency bandwidth.

[0070] According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to indicate whether or not EHT or 320MHz frequency bandwidth is available to a NAN device using two attributes. If a NAN device can indicate whether or not EHT or 320MHz frequency bandwidth is available, for example, it becomes possible to perform EHT-compliant communication in Post-NAN communication after discovering a service by Wi-Fi Aware.

[0071] <Other Embodiments> In this embodiment, an extended SDF compliant with NAN is shown, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0072] For example, the Information Content of the NAN Action frame and the NAN Attributes of the NAN Information Elements may be assigned the information included in the NAN Attributes shown in this embodiment. Note that NAN Information Elements are elements assigned to NAN Sync Beacon and NAN Discovery Beacon.

[0073] Furthermore, the names of the fields / subfields and the positions and sizes of the bits are not limited to those listed in the table; similar information may be stored with different field / subfield names, in different orders, or with different sizes.

[0074] Furthermore, although the 320MHz frequency bandwidth is shown in two forms, a 320-1MHz frequency bandwidth and a 320-2MHz frequency bandwidth, a field indicating whether or not the 320MHz frequency bandwidth is available may also be provided.

[0075] Alternatively, a recording medium containing program code for software that implements the above-described functions may be supplied to a system or device, and the computer (CPU, MPU) of the system or device may read and execute the program code stored on the recording medium. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself will implement the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium containing that program code will constitute the above-described device.

[0076] For storing program code, storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs can be used.

[0077] Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized not only by the computer executing the program code it reads, but also by the operating system (OS) running on the computer performing some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of that program code. OS stands for Operating System.

[0078] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of that program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform some or all of the actual processing to realize the above-mentioned functions.

[0079] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 301 Wireless LAN Control Unit 302 Frame Processing Unit 303 NAN Control Unit 304 UI ​​Control Unit

Claims

1. A communication device that complies with Wi-Fi Aware A communication means for communicating frames conforming to Wi-Fi Aware; A communication device, wherein the frame communicated by the communication means includes first indication information indicating whether the communication device complies with the IEEE 802.11be standard.

2. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the frame communicated by the communication means includes second indication information indicating whether the communication device can utilize a specific frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz.

3. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the first indication information and the second indication information are included in a first Attribute of the frame.

4. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the first indication information is included in a first Attribute of the frame, and the second indication information is included in a second Attribute different from the first Attribute.

5. 5. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the first attribute is a Device Capability Attribute conforming to Wi-Fi Aware.

6. 6. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the specific frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz is a 320 MHz frequency bandwidth.

7. 6. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the specific frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz is a 320-1 MHz frequency bandwidth defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard series.

8. 6. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the specific frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz is a 320-2 MHz frequency bandwidth defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard series.

9. 9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a NAN Action frame defined in Wi-Fi Aware.

10. 9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a Service Discovery Frame (SDF) frame defined in Wi-Fi Aware.

11. 9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a NAN Synchronization Beacon defined in Wi-Fi Aware.

12. 9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is a NAN Discovery Beacon defined in Wi-Fi Aware.

13. A communication method in a communication device compliant with Wi-Fi Aware A communication step of communicating a frame conforming to Wi-Fi Aware; A communication method for a communication device, wherein the frame communicated in the communication step includes first indication information indicating whether the communication device complies with the IEEE 802.11be standard.

14. 14. The communication method according to claim 13, wherein the frame communicated by the communication step includes first indication information indicating whether the communication device is capable of using a specific frequency bandwidth exceeding 160 MHz.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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