Wireless communication device and wireless communication method

Abstract

To provide a technique to resume the SBP procedure after an SBP session is disconnected.SOLUTION: An SBP initiator includes a control unit 110 and a communication unit 120. The control unit 110 and the communication unit 120 are configured to establish an SBP session by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing the SBP session with an SBP responder. If the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit 110 and the communication unit 120 are configured to re-establish the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP responder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] Within the IEEE 802.11 working group on wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, a new task group for IEEE 802.11bf has been established, which is developing standards for WLAN sensing.

[0003] WLAN sensing is a technology that estimates the presence and location of humans based on the signal propagation characteristics between the antennas of devices that communicate via WLAN. WLAN sensing is mainly implemented by a wireless communication system that includes an access point (AP) and a station (STA).

[0004] Several methods have been defined for WLAN sensing. One of these methods is the Sensing by Proxy (SBP) procedure. In WLAN sensing, roles for performing WLAN sensing are defined, such as a sensing initiator that starts sensing, and a sensing responder that responds to requests from the sensing initiator. In the SBP procedure, a certain STA plays the role of the SBP initiator, and an AP plays the role of the SBP responder.

[0005] In the SBP procedure, an SBP session is established between a STA as an SBP initiator and an AP as an SBP responder. When the SBP session is established, the AP, as a sensing initiator, performs a sensing procedure with other STAs as sensing responders, and finally transmits an SBP report to the STA as the SBP initiator. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Rui Du, Member, IEEE, Hailiang Xie, Graduate Student Member, IEEE, Mengshi Hu, Narengerile, Yan Xin, Stephen McCann, Senior Member, IEEE, Michael Montemurro, Tony Xiao Han, Senior Member, IEEE, and Jie Xu, Senior Member, IEEE, 'An Overview on IEEE 802.11bf: WLAN Sensing', [online], July 11, 2022, [Retrieved March 20, 2023], Internet<URL:https: / / arxiv.org / pdf / 2207.04859> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] After an SBP session is established, if a communication failure occurs between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder before the SBP initiator receives the SBP report, the SBP session will be disconnected. In this state, the SBP initiator cannot receive the SBP report. In the current IEEE 802.11bf, there is no provision for resuming the SBP procedure after the SBP session is disconnected.

[0008] The present invention provides a technique for resuming an SBP procedure after an SBP session is disconnected in an SBP procedure for performing WLAN sensing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an SBP (Sensing by Proxy) initiator (10a), the SBP initiator including a control unit (110) and a communication unit (120), the control unit and the communication unit are configured to establish an SBP session with an SBP responder (20) by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session, and when the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit and the communication unit are configured to re-establish the SBP session with the SBP responder by exchanging a second wireless frame for establishing an SBP session.

[0010] The present invention also provides an SBP (Sensing by Proxy) responder (20), which includes a control unit (210) and a communication unit (220), and the control unit and the communication unit are configured to establish an SBP session with an SBP initiator (10a) by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session, and when the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit and the communication unit are configured to re-establish the SBP session with the SBP initiator by exchanging a second wireless frame for establishing an SBP session.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the SBP procedure can be resumed between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder after the SBP session is disconnected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system. [Diagram 2]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the wireless communication system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing yet another example configuration of the wireless communication system. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an STA. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an STA. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an AP. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an AP. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an SBP procedure according to the prior art. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates a sensing procedure according to the prior art. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for re-establishing an SBP session according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a process for re-establishing an SBP session according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for re-establishing an SBP session according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a process for re-establishing an SBP session according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0014] Each embodiment described below is merely one example of a configuration that can realize the present invention. Each of the following embodiments can be appropriately modified or changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions. Not all of the combinations of elements included in each of the following embodiments are necessarily essential to realize the present invention, and some of the elements can be omitted as appropriate. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in each of the following embodiments. As long as there is no mutual contradiction, a configuration that combines multiple configurations described in the following embodiments can also be adopted.

[0015] In the embodiment described below, an SBP initiator and an SBP responder establish an SBP session. The SBP session is established by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing an SBP session between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder. If the SBP session is subsequently disconnected, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder establish the SBP session again. The SBP session is established by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing an SBP session between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder. In this way, if the SBP session is disconnected, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder resume the SBP procedure.

[0016] 1. Wireless communication systems As shown in Fig. 1, a wireless communication system S according to this embodiment includes two or more stations (STAs) 10a, 10b, and 10n, and at least one access point (AP) 20. The wireless communication system S is configured to execute a WLAN sensing procedure employing an SBP procedure in accordance with IEEE802.11bf. Hereinafter, when there is no distinction between the STAs 10a, 10b, and 10n, they are collectively referred to as STA10. The STAs 10 and APs 20 may both be referred to as wireless communication devices or "nodes."

[0017] The STA10 is a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with the AP20 according to the IEEE802.11 standard. Any of the STA10 requests the AP20 to start an SBP procedure for executing a WLAN sensing procedure. Hereinafter, a wireless communication device or node that requests to start an SPB procedure is referred to as an "SBP initiator," an "SBP initiator node," or a "wireless communication device that functions as an SBP initiator." In this embodiment, the STA10a plays the role of the SBP initiator.

[0018] In response to a request to perform a WLAN sensing procedure, any of the STA10 performs a WLAN sensing procedure with the AP 20. Hereinafter, a wireless communication device or node that performs WLAN sensing in response to a request to perform WLAN sensing is referred to as a "sensing responder," a "sensing responder node," or a "wireless communication device functioning as a sensing responder." In this embodiment, STA10b and STA10n play the role of sensing responders.

[0019] The AP20 is a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with the STA10 within its radio wave coverage area. The AP20 has a base station function for connecting the STA10 to a network. In general, the STA10 may also play the role of the AP20, and the AP20 may also play the role of the STA10. In this embodiment, however, a wireless communication device or node that does not have a base station function is referred to as a STA, and a wireless communication device or node that has a base station function is referred to as an AP.

[0020] In the IEEE802.11 standard, a network configuration including the AP 20 and the STA 10 is called an infrastructure mode. In the infrastructure mode, a network configuration including the AP and the STA 10 that communicates with the AP 20 is called a basic service set (BSS). The AP 20 may communicate with other APs 20 that belong to other BSSs.

[0021] In response to a request from the SBP initiator, the AP20 establishes an SBP session with the SBP initiator. The SBP session is established by exchanging wireless frames with the SBP initiator. Hereinafter, a wireless communication device or node that establishes an SBP session with the SBP initiator in response to a request from the SBP initiator is referred to as an "SBP responder," an "SBP responder node," or a "wireless communication device functioning as an SBP responder." In this embodiment, the AP20 plays the role of the SBP responder.

[0022] In addition, the AP20 requests the sensing responder to execute the WLAN sensing procedure in response to a request from the SBP initiator. Hereinafter, a wireless communication device or node that requests the sensing responder to execute the WLAN sensing procedure is referred to as a "sensing initiator," a "sensing initiator node," or a "wireless communication device functioning as a sensing initiator." In this embodiment, the AP20 plays the role of a sensing initiator as well as an SBP responder.

[0023] As described above, the wireless communication system S according to the present embodiment adopts a network configuration in infrastructure mode, but is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication system S may adopt a network configuration consisting of only STA10 without including AP20. In the IEEE802.11 standard, a network configuration consisting of only STA10 is called an ad-hoc mode. In the infrastructure mode, a network configuration consisting of only STA10 is called an independent BSS (IBSS: Independent Basic Service Set).

[0024] When the wireless communication system S employs a network configuration in an ad-hoc mode, for example, the STA 10a shown in Fig. 2 may act as an SBP initiator. The STA 10b may act as an SBP responder and a sensing initiator. Furthermore, the STAs 10c and 10n may act as sensing responders.

[0025] In addition to the above, for example, the wireless communication system S may adopt a network configuration including only the AP 20, without including the STA 10, as shown in Fig. 3. In the IEEE802.11 standard, a network configuration including only the AP 20 is called a Wireless Distribution System (WDS).

[0026] When the wireless communication system S adopts a WDS network configuration, for example, the AP 20a shown in FIG. 3 may serve as an SBP initiator. The AP 20b may serve as an SBP responder and a sensing initiator. Furthermore, the APs 20b and 20n may serve as sensing responders. The AP 20b may have the functions of both the STA 10 and the AP 20.

[0027] In the above description, the SBP initiator is a node separate from the sensing responder, but this is not necessarily the case. The SBP initiator may be the same node as the sensing responder. In this case, when the STA10a shown in FIG. 1 functions as both the SBP initiator and the sensing responder, it requests the AP20 as the SBP responder to start an SBP session, and performs a sensing procedure with the AP20 in response to a request from the AP20 as the sensing initiator.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the STA10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 4, the STA10 includes, as hardware elements, a processor 101, a memory 102, an input / output interface 103, a transceiver 104, and an antenna 105. The above elements provided in the STA10 are connected to each other by an internal bus. Note that the STA10 may include hardware elements other than the elements shown in Figure 4.

[0029] The processor 101 is a computing element that implements various functions of the STA 10. The processor 101 may be a system-on-a-chip (SoC) including elements such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a memory controller.

[0030] The memory 102 includes storage media such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card). The memory 102 is an element that temporarily or permanently stores programs and data used to execute various processes in the STA 10. The programs include one or more instructions for the operation of the STA 10. The processor 101 implements the functions of the STA 10 by expanding the programs stored in the memory 102 into the memory 102 and / or a system memory (not shown) and executing them.

[0031] The input / output interface 103 is an interface that accepts operations on the STA 10 and supplies the operations to the processor 101, and also presents various information to the user. The input / output interface 103 may include, for example, a touch panel.

[0032] The transceiver 104 includes a transmitter and a receiver (not shown), and is a circuit that executes various signal processing for implementing wireless communication, including a baseband processor and an RF circuit. The transceiver 104 exchanges wireless signals with the AP 20 via the antenna 105.

[0033] 5, the STA 10 has, as functional blocks, a control unit 110 and a communication unit 120. The communication unit 120 includes a transmission unit 121 and a reception unit 122.

[0034] The control unit 110 includes a processor 101 and a memory 102. In other words, the control unit 110 is implemented by the processor 101 and the memory 102. The control unit 110 executes various control processes in the STA 10. For example, the control unit 110 controls wireless communication with the AP 20 via the communication unit 120. The control unit 110 operates to execute various processes in the STA 10 of this embodiment.

[0035] The communication unit 120 includes the transceiver 104 and the antenna 105. In other words, the communication unit 120 is implemented by the transceiver 104 and the antenna 105. The communication unit 120 wirelessly communicates with the AP 20 by exchanging wireless signals with the AP 20.

[0036] Next, the configuration of the AP 20 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. As shown in Figure 6, the AP 20 has, as hardware elements, a processor 201, a memory 202, a network transceiver 203, a wireless transceiver 204, and an antenna 205. The above elements provided in the AP 20 are connected to each other by an internal bus. Note that the AP 20 may have hardware elements other than the elements shown in Figure 6.

[0037] The processor 201 is a computing element that implements various functions of the AP 20. The processor 201 may be a CPU, and may further include other processors such as a GPU.

[0038] The memory 202 includes storage media such as a read only memory (ROM), a RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). The memory 202 is an element that temporarily or permanently stores programs and data used to execute various processes in the AP 20. The programs include one or more instructions for the operation of the AP 20. The processor 201 implements the functions of the AP 20 by expanding the programs stored in the memory 202 into the memory 202 and / or a system memory (not shown) and executing them.

[0039] The network transceiver 203 exchanges signals with other APs 20. The other APs 20 are, for example, APs 20 that are outside the coverage area of ​​the AP 20, that is, APs 20 that belong to other BSSs.

[0040] The wireless transceiver 204 includes a transmitter and a receiver (not shown), and is a circuit that executes various signal processing for implementing wireless communication, including a baseband processor and an RF circuit. The wireless transceiver 204 exchanges wireless signals with the STA 10 via the antenna 205.

[0041] 7, the AP 20 has, as functional blocks, a control unit 210, a communication unit 220, and a network communication unit 230. The communication unit 220 includes a transmission unit 221 and a reception unit 222.

[0042] The control unit 210 includes a processor 201 and a memory 202. In other words, the control unit 210 is implemented by the processor 201 and the memory 202. The control unit 210 executes various control processes in the AP 20. For example, the control unit 210 controls wireless communication with the STA 10 via the communication unit 220. Also, for example, the control unit 210 controls communication with other nodes (for example, nodes such as other APs 20) via the network communication unit 230. The control unit 210 operates to execute various processes in the AP 20 of this embodiment.

[0043] The communication unit 220 includes the wireless transceiver 204 and the antenna 205. In other words, the communication unit 220 is implemented by the wireless transceiver 204 and the antenna 205. The communication unit 220 wirelessly communicates with the STA10 by exchanging wireless signals with the STA10.

[0044] The network communication unit 230 includes the network transceiver 203. In other words, the network communication unit 230 is implemented by the network transceiver 203. The network transceiver 203 exchanges signals with the network (and thus with the other nodes described above).

[0045] 2.SBP Procedure Next, the SBP procedure according to the prior art will be described with reference to Fig. 8. IEEE802.11bf specifies a trigger-based (TB) sensing measurement instance as another method of the WLAN sensing procedure. In the TB sensing measurement instance, a request from a sensing initiator triggers the initiation of the sensing procedure. That is, in response to a request from the sensing initiator, the sensing procedure is performed between the sensing initiator and the sensing responder.

[0046] In the SBP procedure, the SBP responder also acts as a sensing initiator, and the SBP initiator requests the SBP responder to start a sensing procedure on behalf of the sensing initiator. In response to the request from the SBP initiator, an SBP session is established between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder. When the SBP session is established, in response to the request from the sensing initiator, a sensing procedure is performed between the sensing initiator and the sensing responder using a TB sensing measurement instance.

[0047] In the description of Fig. 8, it is assumed that the STA 10a described in Fig. 1 serves as an SBP initiator. Also, it is assumed that the AP 20 described in Fig. 1 serves as an SBP responder and a sensing initiator. Furthermore, it is assumed that the STA 10b described in Fig. 1 serves as a sensing responder. Note that there may be multiple sensing responders for one sensing initiator, and in this case, the sensing initiator executes a sensing procedure with each sensing responder.

[0048] The SBP procedure is performed by exchanging wireless frames between the STA 10a, the STA 10b, and the AP 20. The wireless frames may be referred to as wireless signals. The wireless frames include MAC frames exchanged on a Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The MAC frames are defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0049] The IEEE 802.11 standard defines three types of wireless frames: management frames, control frames, and data frames. Management frames are used to perform authentication and association, etc., used in the SBP procedure. Control frames are used to transmit acknowledgement (ACK) frames, etc. Data frames are used to transmit user data.

[0050] In the SBP procedure, a management frame is used. The management frame includes fields such as a frame control field, a destination address, a source address, and a BSSID. The frame control field includes a type field and a subtype field. The type field is set to a value indicating one of the above-mentioned management frame, control frame, and data frame. The subtype field is set to a value indicating a subtype of a wireless frame, such as an authentication frame and an association request frame, which will be described later.

[0051] An identifier for identifying a node to which the wireless frame is to be transmitted, that is, a device ID, is set in the destination address. The device ID includes a MAC address. An identifier for identifying a node to which the wireless frame is to be transmitted, that is, a device ID, is set in the source address. The device ID includes a MAC address. An ID for identifying a BSS is set in the BSSID, and is usually set to the MAC address of the AP 20 belonging to the target BSS.

[0052] In step S801, the control unit 110 in the SBP initiator generates an SBP request frame, and the transmission unit 121 of the communication unit 120 transmits the SBP request frame to the SBP responder. The SBP request frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an SBP request frame in the subtype field. The SBP request frame may be called an SBP request signal.

[0053] Next, the control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates an SBP response frame, and the transmission unit 221 of the communication unit 220 transmits the SBP response frame to the SBP initiator (step S802). The SBP response frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an SBP response frame in the subtype field. The SBP response frame may be referred to as an SBP response signal.

[0054] Next, the control unit 110 in the SBP initiator generates an authentication frame, and the transmission unit 121 transmits the authentication frame to the SBP responder (step S803). The authentication frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an authentication frame in the subtype field. The authentication frame may be called an authentication signal. The SBP responder similarly transmits an authentication frame to the SBP initiator as described above (step S804). Both authentications are performed by the processes of steps S803 and S804.

[0055] Next, the control unit 110 in the SBP initiator generates an association request frame, and the transmission unit 121 transmits the association request frame to the SBP responder (step S805). The association request frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an association request frame in the subtype field. The association request frame may be referred to as an association request signal.

[0056] Next, the control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates an association response frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the association response frame to the SBP initiator (step S806). The association response frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an association response frame in the subtype field. The association response frame may be referred to as an association response signal. The association is established by the processes of steps S805 and S806. When the association is established, an association ID (AID) that identifies the association is assigned. The AID is set in the association response frame.

[0057] An SBP session is established between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder through the processes in steps S801 to S806. In this state, a sensing procedure is executed between the sensing initiator and the sensing responder (step S807).

[0058] The wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processing of steps S801 to S806, such as the above-mentioned association request frame, are wireless frames for establishing an SBP session. Therefore, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processing of steps S801 to S806 are called "first wireless frames for establishing an SBP session."

[0059] Next, the sensing procedure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9. In the sensing procedure employing the SBP procedure, the sensing procedure is executed by the TB sensing measurement instance. In step S901, the control unit 210 in the sensing initiator generates a sensing polling trigger frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the sensing polling trigger frame to the sensing responder. The sensing polling trigger frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating a sensing polling trigger frame in the subtype field. The sensing polling trigger frame may be referred to as a sensing polling trigger signal.

[0060] The sensing polling trigger frame is a wireless frame for inquiring of the STA10, i.e., the sensing responder, whether or not it can participate in the TB sensing measurement instance. The process of step S901 is called a polling phase. The sensing responder that can participate participates in the TB sensing measurement instance by responding to the sensing polling trigger frame.

[0061] Next, the control unit 210 in the sensing initiator generates an NDPA (NDP: Null Data Packet Announcement) frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the NDPA frame to the sensing responder (step S902). The NDPA frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an NDPA frame in the subtype field. The NDPA frame may be referred to as an NDPA signal. The NPDA frame may be referred to as a measurement frame or a measurement signal.

[0062] The NDPA frame is a radio frame for making the sensing responder perform measurements. The process of step S902 is called the NDAP sounding phase. When the sensing responder receives the NDPA frame, it measures channel state information (CSI). In the NDAP sounding phase, the AP 20, i.e., the sensing initiator, becomes the sensing transmitter, and the STA 10b, i.e., the sensing responder, becomes the sensing receiver.

[0063] Next, the control unit 210 in the sensing initiator generates a sensing sounding trigger frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the sensing sounding trigger frame to the sensing responder (step S903). The sensing sounding trigger frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating a sensing sounding trigger frame in the subtype field. The sensing sounding trigger frame may be referred to as a sensing sounding trigger signal.

[0064] Next, the control unit 110 in the sensing responder generates an NDPA frame, and the transmission unit 121 transmits the NDPA frame to the sensing initiator (step S904). The NDPA frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an NDPA frame in the subtype field.

[0065] The sensing sounding trigger frame is a wireless frame for the sensing initiator to request the sensing responder to transmit an NDAP frame. The processes of steps S903 and S904 are processes in which the sensing initiator performs measurement, and are referred to as a trigger frame (TF) sounding phase. When the sensing responder receives the sensing sounding trigger frame, it transmits an NDAP frame to the sensing initiator. When the sensing initiator receives the NDAP frame, it measures the CSI. In the TF sounding phase, the STA10b, i.e., the sensing responder, becomes the sensing transmitter, and the AP20, i.e., the sensing initiator, becomes the sensing receiver.

[0066] Next, the control unit 110 in the sensing responder generates a report frame, and the transmission unit 121 transmits the report frame to the sensing initiator (step S905). The report frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating a report frame in the subtype field. The report frame also includes measurement report information indicating the measurement result of the CSI.

[0067] The process of step S905 is a process in which the sensing responder reports the result of the CSI measurement, and is called the reporting phase. When the sensing responder measures the CSI, it transmits a report frame to the sensing initiator. In the reporting phase, the AP 20, i.e., the sensing initiator, becomes the sensing transmitter, and the STA 10b, i.e., the sensing responder, becomes the sensing receiver.

[0068] In the sensing procedure with the TB sensing measurement instance, the process shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and either the NPDA sounding phase or the TF sounding phase may not be executed. For example, if the TF sounding phase is not executed, only the STA10b, i.e., the sensing responder, measures the CSI. For example, in the sensing procedure with the TB sensing measurement instance, each phase shown in Table 1 may be executed in the order shown in Table 1. [Table 1]

[0069] In the above-mentioned sensing procedure, a measurement setup ID for identifying a measurement setup with different operation attributes and a measurement instance ID for identifying a measurement instance are assigned.

[0070] Returning to the description of FIG. 8, when the sensing procedure is executed, the control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates an SBP report frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the SBP report frame to the SBP initiator (step S808). The SBP report frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field, and setting a value indicating an SBP report frame in the subtype field. The SBP report frame also includes measurement report information indicating a measurement result of the CSI. The measurement report information includes a measurement result from the sensing responder, and includes a measurement result from the sensing initiator when the TF sounding phase is executed. The SBP report frame may be referred to as an SBP report signal.

[0071] When the process of step S801 starts, both the SBP initiator and the SBP responder start measuring the timer. If the process of step S808 does not end before the timer expires, that is, if the SBP initiator cannot receive the SBP report frame, the SBP procedure becomes an error.

[0072] 3. First embodiment Next, a first embodiment will be described. As described above, if the SBP session is disconnected before the SBP initiator receives the SBP report frame after the SBP session is established, the SBP initiator cannot receive the SBP report frame. In the current IEEE802.11bf, there is no provision for resuming the SBP procedure after the SBP session is disconnected.

[0073] In this embodiment, after an SBP session is established, if the SBP session is disconnected, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder re-establish or restore the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session. Hereinafter, re-establishing a session and restoring a session may be used interchangeably.

[0074] The SBP procedure has been described with reference to Fig. 8. In this embodiment, both the SBP initiator and the SBP responder store information indicating that the process has been executed as history information each time the process in Fig. 8 is executed. For example, when the SBP initiator receives an association response frame from the SBP responder, the control unit 110 stores an indication indicating that the association has been established and / or an AID as history information in the memory 102 or a storage device not shown. Similarly, when the SBP responder receives an SBP request frame from the SBP initiator, the control unit 210 stores an indication indicating that the SBP request frame has been received as history information in the memory 202 or a storage device not shown.

[0075] As described above, when the sensing procedure is executed, the above-mentioned measurement setup ID and measurement instance ID are assigned. In this embodiment, both the SBP initiator and the SBP responder store the measurement setup ID and measurement instance ID as history information. The measurement setup ID and measurement instance ID are assigned to the sensing initiator, but in this embodiment, the AP 20 plays the role of the SBP responder together with the sensing initiator. Therefore, when the measurement setup ID and measurement instance ID are assigned, the SBP responder may notify the SBP initiator of these IDs.

[0076] In this embodiment, each time the sensing initiator and the sensing responder execute each process in Fig. 9, the sensing initiator and the sensing responder store information indicating that the process has been executed as history information. For example, when the sensing initiator receives a report frame from the sensing responder, the control unit 210 stores, in the memory 202 or a storage device not shown, an indication indicating that the report frame has been received and / or the measurement report information included in the report frame as history information. Similarly, when the sensing responder receives a sensing sounding trigger frame from the sensing initiator, the control unit 110 stores, in the memory 102 or a storage device not shown, an indication indicating that the sensing sounding trigger frame has been received as history information.

[0077] 3.1.SBP Initiator Trigger Based Procedure With reference to Fig. 10, a process of re-establishing an SBP session based on an SBP initiator trigger will be described when an SBP session is disconnected after it is established. In the description of Fig. 10, it is assumed that an SBP session is disconnected after it is established. In this state, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder re-establish an SBP session by a trigger from the SBP initiator.

[0078] Disconnection of an SBP session includes, for example, a case where either the SBP initiator or the SBP responder cannot detect a beacon signal on the physical layer and the session is disconnected. Since the timer described above functions on the MAC layer, in such a case, the SBP initiator may recognize the session disconnection without the timer expiring. Disconnection of an SBP session also includes, for example, a case where either the SBP initiator or the SBP responder cannot receive a radio frame and the timer expires and the session is disconnected. Disconnection of an SBP session also includes, for example, a case where either the SBP initiator or the SBP responder transmits a termination frame, a deauthentication frame, or a disassociation frame and the session is disconnected. A node that receives any of the termination frame, the deauthentication frame, and the disassociation frame disconnects or releases the SBP session.

[0079] In any of the above cases, the SBP initiator detects that the SBP session has been disconnected, and in response, starts the process shown in Fig. 10. In the explanation of Fig. 10, it is assumed that the STA 10a described in Fig. 1 plays the role of the SBP initiator. It is also assumed that the AP 20 described in Fig. 1 plays the role of the SBP responder and the sensing initiator. It is also assumed that the STA 10b described in Fig. 1 plays the role of the sensing responder.

[0080] In step S1001, the control unit 110 in the SBP initiator checks whether or not it supports the restart process of the SBP procedure in this embodiment. Information indicating whether or not the restart process of the SBP procedure is supported is stored in a storage device (not shown) of the SBP initiator. If it is determined in the process of step S1001 that the SBP initiator does not support the restart process of the SBP procedure, the SBP procedure is restarted by executing the process shown in Fig. 8, that is, the SBP procedure in the conventional technology.

[0081] In step S1001, it is determined whether to execute the process of restarting the SBP procedure according to the present embodiment based on the information indicating whether the restart process of the SBP procedure is supported. That is, it is determined whether the SBP initiator and the SBP responder exchange second radio frames for establishing an SBP session based on the information indicating whether the restart process of the SBP procedure is supported.

[0082] Next, the control unit 110 checks whether there is a history of the SBP procedure, that is, whether the first wireless frame has been exchanged with the SBP responder, based on the history information (step S1002). As described above, the SBP initiator stores the history information every time it executes each process of the SBP procedure. In the process of step S1002, for example, if the history information includes an indication that an association has been established, this means that the SBP initiator has already executed the SBP procedure and established the association. In the process of step S1002, if it is determined that the SBP procedure has not been executed, the SBP procedure is resumed by executing the process shown in FIG. 8, that is, the SBP procedure in the conventional technology.

[0083] In step S1002, it is determined whether to execute a process to resume the SBP procedure according to the present embodiment based on the history information. That is, it is determined whether the SBP initiator and the SBP responder exchange second radio frames for establishing an SBP session based on the history information.

[0084] Next, the control unit 110 resets the timer (step S1003). In this process, for example, if the SBP initiator recognizes the disconnection of the SBP session before the timer expires, the timer may be reset by extending the expiration time. In this case, for example, if the expiration time of the timer is 30 seconds, it is reset to 45 seconds. Alternatively, the timer may be reset by setting the measurement value to the initial value. That is, the timer may start measuring again.

[0085] In the process of step S1003, the timer is reset not only in the SBP initiator but also in the SBP responder. For example, in response to the control unit 110 resetting the timer, the transmission unit 121 may transmit a radio frame instructing the SBP responder to reset the timer, that is, a timer reset frame. If the expiration time of the timer is extended in the timer resetting, the expiration time value may be set in the timer reset frame to indicate the extended expiration time to the SBP responder. A subsequent association request frame may play the role of the timer reset frame described above.

[0086] In addition, in the process of step S1003, for example, if an event that disconnects an SBP session occurs n times within a predetermined period, the communication environment is determined to be poor, and the value set in the timer may be increased. For example, when the expiration time of the timer is 30 seconds and the timer measurement is to be restarted, the expiration time may be reset to 45 seconds and the timer measurement may be started.

[0087] Note that the timing of executing the process of resetting the timer shown in Fig. 10 is merely an example. The timer may be reset at any timing after the SBP session is disconnected and before the SBP session is re-established.

[0088] Next, the control unit 110 generates an association request frame, and the transmission unit 121 transmits the association request frame to the SBP responder (step S1004). The association request frame transmitted at this time includes a historical information element (IE). The historical IE is information indicating the history of the execution of the SBP procedure to resume the SBP procedure, that is, the history of the exchange of the first radio frame with the SBP responder. The historical IE may also be referred to as a resume IE, a reestablish IE, or a recovery IE.

[0089] The history IE may include the AID stored as the history information. By using the AID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP responder that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator. Instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the destination address and the source address set in the radio frame when the SBP session has been established. That is, the history IE may include the device ID of the SBP initiator and the device ID of the SBP responder when the SBP session has been established. The device ID includes a MAC address. These device IDs are also stored as history information when the SBP procedure is performed. Instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID stored as the history information. By using the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP responder that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator.

[0090] The association request frame transmitted in step S1004 is a wireless frame for requesting reassociation, and therefore may be a wireless frame of a subtype different from the association request frame described in Fig. 8. In this case, for example, a value indicating a reassociation request frame may be set in the above-mentioned subtype field.

[0091] Next, when the receiving unit 222 in the SBP responder receives the association request frame, the control unit 210 checks the history of the SBP procedure, that is, whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator, based on the history IE included in the association request frame (step S1005). As described above, since the history IE includes the AID of the already established SBP session, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator based on the AID. Furthermore, since the history IE includes the destination address and the destination address when the SBP procedure is executed, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator based on these addresses. Furthermore, since the history IE includes the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID assigned when the sensing procedure is executed, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator based on these IDs.

[0092] Next, the control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates an association response frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the association response frame to the SBP initiator (step S1006). The association response frame transmitted at this time includes a history IE. The history IE is information indicating a history of performing the SBP procedure to resume the SBP procedure, that is, a history of exchanging a first wireless frame with the SBP initiator. The history IE may also be referred to as a resume IE, a re-establishment IE, or a recovery IE.

[0093] The history IE may include the AID stored as the history information. By using the AID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP initiator that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder. Instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the destination address and the source address set in the radio frame when the SBP session has been established. That is, the history IE may include the device ID of the SBP initiator and the device ID of the SBP responder when the SBP session has been established. The device ID includes a MAC address. These device IDs are also stored as history information when the SBP procedure is performed. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID stored as the history information. By using the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP responder that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator.

[0094] The association response frame transmitted in step S1006 is a wireless frame for responding to the reassociation request, and therefore may be a wireless frame of a subtype different from the association response frame described in Fig. 8. In this case, for example, a value indicating the reassociation response frame may be set in the above-mentioned subtype field.

[0095] Next, when the receiving unit 122 in the SBP initiator receives the association response frame, the control unit 110 checks the history of the SBP procedure, that is, whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder, based on the history IE included in the association response frame (step S1007). As described above, since the history IE includes the AID of the already established SBP session, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder based on the AID. Furthermore, since the history IE includes the destination address and the destination address when the SBP procedure is executed, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder based on these addresses. Furthermore, since the history IE includes the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID assigned when the sensing procedure is executed, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder based on these IDs.

[0096] The SBP session is re-established by the processes of steps S1001 to S1007. The above-mentioned association request frame and association response frame, that is, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S1004 and S1006, are wireless frames for establishing an SBP session. Therefore, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S1004 and S1006 are referred to as "second wireless frames for establishing an SBP session."

[0097] Thereafter, the sensing procedure described with reference to Fig. 9 is executed between the sensing initiator and the sensing responder (step S1008). In this sensing procedure, the above-mentioned polling phase and the like are executed, but based on the history information, a phase that has already been executed may be omitted and the sensing procedure may be resumed from a phase that has not yet been executed.

[0098] Assuming that the sensing procedure is performed in the order shown in Fig. 9, for example, if the NDPA sounding phase has already been performed, the sensing initiator may resume the sensing procedure from the TF sounding phase. Also, the sensing initiator may instruct the sensing responder to resume the sensing procedure from the TF sounding phase. For example, if the history information held by the sensing initiator includes an indication that the sensing initiator has transmitted an NDPA frame to the sensing responder, it means that the NDPA sounding phase has already been performed.

[0099] Also, if the sensing procedure has already been executed and the sensing initiator has received a report frame from the sensing responder, the sensing procedure may be omitted in step S1008. In this case, the control unit 210 in the sensing initiator stores the measurement report information included in the report frame received from the sensing responder as history information.

[0100] That is, the control unit 210 in the sensing initiator generates a wireless frame instructing to resume the sensing procedure from a process that has not yet been executed based on the history information, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the wireless frame to the sensing responder.

[0101] Next, the control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates an SBP report frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the SBP report frame to the SBP initiator (step S1009). With this process, the SBP procedure after the restart is completed.

[0102] The process shown in Fig. 10 allows a disconnected SBP session to be re-established. In addition, by using a history IE such as AID, both the SBP initiator and the SBP responder can confirm the node with which the SBP session was established, and as a result, the authentication process can be omitted.

[0103] 3.2. SBP Responder Trigger-Based Procedure With reference to Fig. 11, a process of re-establishing an SBP session based on an SBP responder trigger will be described when an SBP session is disconnected after it is established. In the description of Fig. 11, it is assumed that an SBP session is disconnected after it is established. In this state, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder re-establish an SBP session by a trigger from the SBP responder.

[0104] In the SBP responder trigger-based procedure, the SBP responder detects that the SBP session has been disconnected, and in response to that, starts the process shown in Fig. 11. In the explanation of Fig. 11, it is assumed that the STA 10a described in Fig. 1 also plays the role of an SBP initiator. It is also assumed that the AP 20 described in Fig. 1 plays the role of an SBP responder and a sensing initiator. It is also assumed that the STA 10b described in Fig. 1 plays the role of a sensing responder.

[0105] The processes in steps S1101 and S1102 are similar to those in steps S1001 and S1002 shown in FIG. 10, but are executed by the AP 20, that is, the SBP responder.

[0106] Next, the control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates a wireless frame requesting to re-establish a session, that is, a session re-establishment request frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the session re-establishment request frame to the SBP initiator (step S1103). The session re-establishment request frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field and setting a value indicating a session re-establishment request frame in the sub-type field. The session re-establishment request frame may be called a session re-establishment request signal. The process of step S1103 is a process in which the SBP responder requests the SBP initiator to re-establish an SBP session.

[0107] Next, the control unit 210 resets the timer (step S1104). This process is the same as the process of step S1003 shown in FIG. 10. The control unit 110 in the SBP initiator also resets the timer. For example, the control unit 110 may reset the timer in response to receiving a session re-establishment request frame. In this case, the session re-establishment request frame plays the role of the timer reset frame described above.

[0108] Thereafter, the processes of steps S1105 to S1110 are executed. However, since these processes are similar to the processes of steps S1004 to S1009 shown in FIG. 10, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] The SBP session is re-established by the processes of steps S1101 to S1108. The radio frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S1103, S1105, and S1107, such as the session re-establishment request frame described above, are radio frames for establishing an SBP session. Therefore, these radio frames are also referred to as "second radio frames for establishing an SBP session."

[0110] The above is a description of the process according to the first embodiment. According to this embodiment, when an SBP session established between an SBP initiator and an SBP responder is disconnected, the SBP session can be re-established to resume the SBP procedure.

[0111] The order of the processes shown in Figures 10 and 11 is merely an example, and the order of some of the processes may be changed. Also, not all of the processes shown in Figures 10 and 11 are essential, and some of the processes may be omitted. Furthermore, processes not shown in Figures 10 and 11 may be performed, and for example, authentication may be performed before transmitting an association request frame. In other words, authentication frames may be exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder before the process of step S1004 is performed.

[0112] 4. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the association process is executed to resume the SBP session, but in the second embodiment, the association process is omitted.

[0113] 4.1.SBP Initiator Trigger Based Procedure With reference to Fig. 12, a process of re-establishing an SBP session based on an SBP initiator trigger when an SBP session is disconnected after the SBP session is established will be described. In the description of Fig. 12, it is assumed that the STA 10a described in Fig. 1 serves as an SBP initiator. It is also assumed that the AP 20 described in Fig. 1 serves as an SBP responder and a sensing initiator. It is also assumed that the STA 10b described in Fig. 1 serves as a sensing responder.

[0114] Of the processes shown in FIG. 12, steps S1201 to S1203 and steps S1208 to S1209 are similar to steps S1001 to S1003 and steps S1008 to S1009 in FIG. 10, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] In step S1204, the control unit 110 in the SBP initiator generates a radio frame requesting to re-establish a session, that is, a session re-establishment request frame, and the transmission unit 121 transmits the session re-establishment request frame to the SBP responder. The session re-establishment request frame is generated by setting a value indicating a management frame in the above-mentioned type field and setting a value indicating a session re-establishment request frame in the subtype field. The session re-establishment request frame may be referred to as a session re-establishment request signal. The session re-establishment request frame includes a history IE. The history IE is information indicating a history of performing the SBP procedure to resume the SBP procedure, that is, a history of exchanging a first radio frame with the SBP responder.

[0116] The history IE may include the AID stored as the history information. By using the AID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP responder that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator. Instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the destination address and the source address set in the radio frame when the SBP session has been established. That is, the history IE may include the device ID of the SBP initiator and the device ID of the SBP responder when the SBP session has been established. The device ID includes a MAC address. These device IDs are also stored as history information when the SBP procedure is performed. Instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID stored as the history information. By using the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP responder that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator.

[0117] Next, when the receiving unit 222 in the SBP responder receives the session re-establishment request frame, the control unit 210 checks the history of the SBP procedure, that is, whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator, based on the history IE included in the session re-establishment request frame (step S1205). As described above, since the history IE includes the AID of the already established SBP session, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator based on the AID. Furthermore, since the history IE includes the destination address and the destination address when the SBP procedure is executed, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator based on these addresses. Furthermore, since the history IE includes the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID assigned when the sensing procedure is executed, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator based on these IDs.

[0118] Next, the control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates a wireless frame responding to the session re-establishment request, that is, a session re-establishment response frame, and the transmission unit 221 transmits the session re-establishment response frame to the SBP initiator (step S1206). The session re-establishment response frame transmitted at this time includes a history IE. The history IE is information indicating a history of the execution of the SBP procedure to resume the SBP procedure, that is, a history of the exchange of a first wireless frame with the SBP initiator.

[0119] The history IE may include the AID stored as the history information. By using the AID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP initiator that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder. Instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the destination address and the source address set in the radio frame when the SBP session has been established. That is, the history IE may include the device ID of the SBP initiator and the device ID of the SBP responder when the SBP session has been established. The device ID includes a MAC address. These device IDs are also stored as history information when the SBP procedure is performed. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the AID, the history IE may include the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID stored as the history information. By using the measurement setup ID and / or the measurement instance ID as the history IE, it is possible to indicate to the SBP initiator that an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder.

[0120] Next, when the receiving unit 122 in the SBP initiator receives the session re-establishment response frame, the control unit 110 checks the history of the SBP procedure, that is, whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder, based on the history IE included in the session re-establishment response frame (step S1207). As described above, since the history IE includes the AID of the already established SBP session, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder based on the AID. In addition, since the history IE includes the destination address and destination address when the SBP procedure was executed, it is possible to check whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder based on these addresses.

[0121] The process of steps S1201 to S1207 allows the disconnected SBP session to be re-established. In addition, by using a history IE such as AID, both the SBP initiator and the SBP responder can confirm the node that will be the counterpart when the SBP session is established, and as a result, the association process can be omitted.

[0122] The session re-establishment request frame and the session re-establishment response frame described above, that is, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S1204 and S1206, are wireless frames for establishing an SBP session. Therefore, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S1204 and S1206 are also referred to as "second wireless frames for establishing an SBP session."

[0123] 4.2. SBP Responder Trigger-Based Procedure With reference to Fig. 13, a process of re-establishing an SBP session based on an SBP responder trigger will be described when an SBP session is disconnected after it is established. In the description of Fig. 13, it is assumed that an SBP session is disconnected after it is established. In this state, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder re-establish an SBP session by a trigger from the SBP responder.

[0124] In the SBP responder trigger-based procedure, the SBP responder detects that the SBP session has been disconnected, and in response to that, starts the process shown in Fig. 13. In the explanation of Fig. 13, it is assumed that the STA 10a described in Fig. 1 plays the role of an SBP initiator. It is also assumed that the AP 20 described in Fig. 1 plays the role of an SBP responder and a sensing initiator. It is also assumed that the STA 10b described in Fig. 1 plays the role of a sensing responder.

[0125] Of the processes shown in FIG. 13, steps S1301 to S1303 and steps S1308 to S1309 are similar to steps S1101, S1102, S1104, and steps S1108 to S1109 in FIG. 11, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0126] In step S1304, control unit 210 in the SBP responder generates a session re-establishment request frame, and transmission unit 221 transmits the session re-establishment request frame to the SBP initiator. The session re-establishment request frame is similar to the session re-establishment request frame described in Fig. 12, and includes a history IE indicating similar information.

[0127] Next, when the receiving unit 122 in the SBP initiator receives the session re-establishment request frame, the control unit 110 checks the history of the SBP procedure, that is, whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP responder, based on the history IE included in the session re-establishment request frame (step S1305).

[0128] Next, the control unit 110 in the SBP initiator generates a session re-establishment response frame, and the transmission unit 121 transmits the session re-establishment response frame to the SBP responder (step S1306). The session re-establishment response frame is similar to the session re-establishment response frame described in FIG. 12, and includes a history IE indicating similar information.

[0129] Next, when the receiving unit 222 in the SBP responder receives the session re-establishment response frame, the control unit 210 checks the history of the SBP procedure, i.e., whether or not an SBP session has been established with the target SBP initiator, based on the history IE included in the session re-establishment response frame (step S1307).

[0130] The process of steps S1301 to S1307 allows the disconnected SBP session to be re-established. In addition, by using a history IE such as AID, both the SBP initiator and the SBP responder can confirm the node with which the SBP session was established, and as a result, the association process can be omitted.

[0131] The session re-establishment request frame and the session re-establishment response frame described above, that is, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S1304 and S1306, are wireless frames for establishing an SBP session. Therefore, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S1304 and S1306 are also referred to as "second wireless frames for establishing an SBP session."

[0132] The process according to the second embodiment has been described above. According to this embodiment, when an SBP session established between an SBP initiator and an SBP responder is disconnected, the SBP session can be re-established without performing an association process, thereby restarting the SBP procedure.

[0133] The order of the processes shown in Figures 12 and 13 is merely an example, and the order of some of the processes may be changed. Also, not all of the processes shown in Figures 12 and 13 are essential, and some of the processes may be omitted. Furthermore, processes not shown in Figures 12 and 13 may be executed, and for example, authentication may be executed after transmitting a session re-establishment response frame. In other words, authentication frames may be exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder after the process of step S1307 is executed.

[0134] 5. Other embodiments In order to resume the SBP procedure after the SBP session is disconnected, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder may resume the SBP procedure by executing the process shown in Fig. 8, i.e., the SBP procedure in the prior art. In this case, after the SBP session is disconnected, the radio frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the process of steps S801 to S806 in Fig. 8 are exchanged again between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder.

[0135] As described above, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S801 to S806 to initially establish an SBP session are referred to as “first wireless frames for establishing an SBP session.” In contrast, the wireless frames exchanged between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder in the processes of steps S801 to S806 to re-establish an SBP session after the SBP session has been disconnected are referred to as “second wireless frames for establishing an SBP session.”

[0136] Words, phrases, and other expressions used in the above embodiments are merely examples and may be replaced with substantially identical or similar expressions. In particular, since the technology according to the above embodiments relates to technical specifications, the expressions in the above embodiments may be replaced with substantially identical or similar expressions in technical specifications (e.g., technical specifications cited in this specification).

[0137] The information transmitted and received in the above embodiment may be exchanged by being included in the same or different message or the same or different element already described in the technical specifications, or may be exchanged by being included in a newly defined message or element. The information exchanged in the above embodiment may be exchanged using a layer and / or a different channel different from the above embodiment.

[0138] The means and / or functions provided by the devices described in the above embodiments can be provided by software recorded in a tangible memory device and a computer that executes the software, software alone, hardware alone, or a combination of these. For example, when any of the above devices is provided by an electronic circuit that is hardware, it can be provided by a digital circuit including a large number of logic circuits, or an analog circuit.

[0139] The device described in the above embodiment executes a program stored in a non-transitory tangible storage medium, and the program is executed to perform a method corresponding to the program.

[0140] 6. Notes Some or all of the above-mentioned embodiments and modified examples may be described as follows, but are not limited to the contents of the following appendices. In the following, a relationship is expressed in which an appendix that is subordinate to multiple appendices is subordinate to an appendix that is subordinate to multiple appendices. All of the subordinate relationships of appendices expressed below are included in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0141] (Appendix 1) A sensing by proxy (SBP) initiator (10a), the SBP initiator including a control unit (110) and a communication unit (120), the control unit and the communication unit are configured to establish an SBP session with an SBP responder (20) by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing an SBP session; When the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit and the communication unit are configured to re-establish the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP responder. SBP initiator.

[0142] (Appendix 2) The SBP initiator of claim 1, wherein the second radio frame includes information indicating that the first radio frame has been exchanged between the SBP responder and the SBP initiator.

[0143] (Appendix 3) The SBP initiator of claim 2, wherein the information includes an AID assigned when the SBP session was established by exchanging the first radio frame.

[0144] (Appendix 4) An SBP initiator as described in Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the information includes a device ID of a destination node and a device ID of a source node set in the first wireless frame.

[0145] (Appendix 5) 5. The SBP initiator of claim 4, wherein the device ID includes a MAC address.

[0146] (Appendix 6) The SBP responder executes a sensing procedure with the sensing responder (10b) as a sensing initiator; The SBP initiator according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 5, wherein the information includes a measurement setup ID assigned when the sensing procedure was performed.

[0147] (Appendix 7) The SBP responder executes a sensing procedure with the sensing responder (10b) as a sensing initiator; The SBP initiator according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 6, wherein the information includes a measurement instance ID assigned when the sensing procedure is performed.

[0148] (Appendix 8) The SBP initiator according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 7, wherein the control unit is further configured to confirm that the SBP session has been established with the SBP responder based on the information contained in the second radio frame received from the SBP responder.

[0149] (Appendix 9) The control unit and the communication unit transmitting a wireless frame to the SBP responder requesting association; receiving a radio frame from the SBP responder in response to the request; 9. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

[0150] (Appendix 10) The control unit and the communication unit receiving a wireless frame from the SBP responder requesting re-establishment of an SBP session; transmitting a wireless frame to the SBP responder requesting association; receiving a radio frame from the SBP responder in response to the request; 9. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

[0151] (Appendix 11) The control unit and the communication unit transmitting a radio frame to the SBP responder requesting that the SBP session be re-established; receiving a radio frame from the SBP responder in response to the request; 9. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

[0152] (Appendix 12) The control unit and the communication unit receiving a wireless frame from the SBP responder requesting re-establishment of an SBP session; transmitting a radio frame to the SBP responder in response to the request; 9. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

[0153] (Appendix 13) The control unit is Measure the timer, resetting the timer after the SBP session is disconnected; 13. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured as follows:

[0154] (Appendix 14) 14. The SBP initiator of claim 13, wherein the control unit is further configured to reset the timer by extending an expiration time of the timer.

[0155] (Appendix 15) 14. The SBP initiator of claim 13, wherein the control unit is further configured to reset the timer by restarting the timer.

[0156] (Appendix 16) The SBP initiator according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the control unit is further configured to determine whether or not to exchange the second radio frame based on information indicating that the first radio frame has been exchanged.

[0157] (Appendix 17) The SBP initiator according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the control unit is further configured to determine whether to exchange the second radio frame based on information indicating that the SBP initiator supports restarting an SBP procedure.

[0158] (Appendix 18) A SBP (Sensing by Proxy) responder (20), the SBP responder including a control unit (210) and a communication unit (220), the control unit and the communication unit are configured to establish an SBP session by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP initiator (10a); When the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit and the communication unit are configured to re-establish the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP initiator. SBP responder.

[0159] (Appendix 19) 19. The SBP responder of claim 18, wherein the second wireless frame includes information indicating that the first wireless frame has been exchanged with the SBP initiator.

[0160] (Appendix 20) 20. The SBP responder of claim 19, wherein the information includes an AID assigned when the SBP session was established by exchanging the first radio frame.

[0161] (Appendix 21) 30. The SBP responder of claim 19 or 29, wherein the information includes a device ID of a destination node and a device ID of a transmitting node set in the first wireless frame.

[0162] (Appendix 22) 22. The SBP responder of claim 21, wherein the device ID includes a MAC address.

[0163] (Appendix 23) the control unit and the communication unit are further configured to execute a sensing procedure with a sensing responder (10b) as a sensing initiator; 23. The SBP responder of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the information includes a measurement setup ID assigned when the sensing procedure was performed.

[0164] (Appendix 24) the control unit and the communication unit are further configured to execute a sensing procedure with a sensing responder (10b) as a sensing initiator; 24. The SBP responder of claim 19, wherein the information includes a measurement instance ID assigned when the sensing procedure is performed.

[0165] (Appendix 25) The SBP responder according to any one of Supplementary Notes 19 to 24, wherein the control unit is further configured to confirm that the SBP session has been established with the SBP initiator based on the information contained in the second radio frame received from the SBP initiator.

[0166] (Appendix 26) The control unit and the communication unit receiving a wireless frame requesting association from the SBP initiator; transmitting a radio frame to the SBP initiator in response to the request; 26. The SBP responder of claim 18, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by

[0167] (Appendix 27) The control unit and the communication unit sending a radio frame to the SBP initiator requesting that the SBP session be re-established; receiving a wireless frame requesting association from the SBP initiator; transmitting a radio frame to the SBP initiator in response to the request; 26. The SBP responder of claim 18, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by

[0168] (Appendix 28) The control unit and the communication unit receiving a wireless frame from the SBP initiator requesting to re-establish an SBP session; transmitting a radio frame to the SBP initiator in response to the request; 26. The SBP responder of claim 18, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by

[0169] (Appendix 29) The control unit and the communication unit sending a radio frame to the SBP initiator requesting that the SBP session be re-established; receiving a radio frame from the SBP initiator in response to the request; 26. The SBP responder of claim 18, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by

[0170] (Appendix 30) The control unit is Measure the timer, resetting the timer after the SBP session is disconnected; 30. The SBP responder of any one of claims 18 to 29, further configured as follows:

[0171] (Appendix 31) 31. The SBP responder of claim 30, wherein the controller is further configured to reset the timer by extending an expiration time of the timer.

[0172] (Appendix 32) 21. The SBP responder of claim 20, wherein the controller is further configured to reset the timer by restarting the timer.

[0173] (Appendix 33) 33. The SBP responder of claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether to exchange the second radio frame based on information indicating that the first radio frame has been exchanged.

[0174] (Appendix 34) 34. The SBP responder of claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether to exchange the second radio frame based on information indicating that the SBP initiator supports restarting an SBP procedure.

[0175] (Appendix 35) The SBP responder described in Supplementary Note 23 or 24, wherein after the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit and communication unit are further configured to transmit a radio frame to instruct the sensing responder to resume the sensing procedure from a process that has not yet been executed, based on information indicating that the sensing procedure has been executed.

[0176] (Appendix 36) A method performed by an SBP (Sensing by Proxy) initiator (10a), comprising: Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP responder (20); If the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP responder; A method comprising:

[0177] (Appendix 37) A method performed by a SBP (Sensing by Proxy) responder (20), comprising: Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP initiator (10a); When the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP initiator; A method comprising:

[0178] (Appendix 38) When executed, the processor (101) in the SBP (Sensing by Proxy) initiator (10a) Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP responder (20); If the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP responder; A program to execute.

[0179] (Appendix 39) When executed, the processor (201) in the SBP (Sensing by Proxy) responder (20) Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP initiator (10a); When the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP initiator; A program to execute.

[0180] (Appendix 40) When executed, the processor (101) in the SBP (Sensing by Proxy) initiator (10a) Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP responder (20); If the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP responder; A computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium storing a program for executing the above.

[0181] (Appendix 41) When executed, the processor (201) in the SBP (Sensing by Proxy) responder (20) Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first wireless frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP initiator (10a); When the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP initiator; A computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium storing a program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 10 STA, 101 processor, 102 memory, 104 transceiver, 110 control unit, 120 communication unit, 20 AP, 201 processor, 202 memory, 204 wireless transceiver, 210 control unit, 220 communication unit

Claims

1. A sensing by proxy (SBP) initiator (10a), the SBP initiator including a control unit (110) and a communication unit (120), The control unit and the communication unit are configured to establish an SBP session with an SBP responder (20) by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing an SBP session; When the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit and the communication unit are configured to re-establish the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP responder. SBP initiator.

2. 2. The SBP initiator according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless frame includes information indicating that the first wireless frame has been exchanged with the SBP responder.

3. The SBP initiator of claim 2 , wherein the information includes an AID assigned when the SBP session was established by exchanging the first radio frame.

4. The SBP initiator according to claim 2 , wherein the information includes a device ID of a destination node and a device ID of a source node set in the first wireless frame.

5. The SBP initiator of claim 4 , wherein the device ID includes a MAC address.

6. The SBP responder executes a sensing procedure with the sensing responder (10b) as a sensing initiator; The SBP initiator of claim 2 , wherein the information includes a measurement setup ID that was assigned when the sensing procedure was performed.

7. The SBP responder executes a sensing procedure with the sensing responder (10b) as a sensing initiator; The SBP initiator of claim 2 , wherein the information includes a measurement instance ID assigned when the sensing procedure was performed.

8. The SBP initiator according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit is further configured to confirm that the SBP session has been established with the SBP responder based on the information contained in the second radio frame received from the SBP responder.

9. The control unit and the communication unit sending a wireless frame to the SBP responder requesting association; receiving a radio frame from the SBP responder in response to the request; 2. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

10. The control unit and the communication unit receiving a wireless frame from the SBP responder requesting re-establishment of an SBP session; sending a wireless frame to the SBP responder requesting association; receiving a radio frame from the SBP responder in response to the request; 2. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

11. The control unit and the communication unit sending a radio frame to the SBP responder requesting that the SBP session be re-established; receiving a radio frame from the SBP responder in response to the request; 2. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

12. The control unit and the communication unit receiving a wireless frame from the SBP responder requesting re-establishment of an SBP session; transmitting a radio frame to the SBP responder in response to the request; 2. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to exchange the second radio frame by:

13. The control unit is Measure the timer, resetting the timer after the SBP session is disconnected; 2. The SBP initiator of claim 1, further configured to:

14. The SBP initiator of claim 13 , wherein the control unit is further configured to reset the timer by extending an expiration time of the timer.

15. The SBP initiator of claim 13 , wherein the control unit is further configured to reset the timer by restarting the timer.

16. 2. The SBP initiator according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to determine whether or not to exchange the second radio frame based on information indicating that the first radio frame has been exchanged.

17. 2. The SBP initiator of claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to determine whether to replace the second radio frame based on information indicating that the SBP initiator supports restarting an SBP procedure.

18. A SBP (Sensing by Proxy) responder (20), comprising a control unit (210) and a communication unit (220), The control unit and the communication unit are configured to establish an SBP session by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing an SBP session with an SBP initiator (10a); When the SBP session is disconnected, the control unit and the communication unit are configured to re-establish the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP initiator. SBP responder.

19. A method performed by a Sensing by Proxy (SBP) initiator (10a), comprising: Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing the SBP session with an SBP responder (20); When the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP responder; A method comprising:

20. A method performed by a Sensing by Proxy (SBP) responder (20), comprising: Establishing an SBP session by exchanging a first radio frame for establishing the SBP session with an SBP initiator (10a); When the SBP session is disconnected, re-establishing the SBP session by exchanging a second radio frame for establishing the SBP session with the SBP initiator; A method comprising:

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