Communication control device, communication control method, and program

Abstract

To make it possible to improve the reliability of notifications regarding reception results in communication using a plurality of bands.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device performs control to transmit an MBO BA setup signal including setting information related to a setting of a notification method of a reception result used in communication of two or more bands, using one of the two or more bands, and to transmit a data signal including data, using the two or more bands. The present technique can be applied to wireless communication systems.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to a wireless communication device, and more particularly to a wireless communication device that can improve the reliability of notifications regarding reception results in communication using a plurality of bands.

Background Art

[0002] The demand for wireless communication with high transmission speed and high communication quality is increasing. In order to achieve a high transmission speed, for example, it is known to perform communication using a plurality of frequency bands (hereinafter, also simply referred to as bands).

[0003] In wireless communication, a plurality of bands are allocated as unlicensed bands for which it is necessary to perform Listen Before Talk to check whether the band is being used before transmission. Wireless communication that realizes a high transmission speed using these plurality of bands is expected in the future. Patent Document 1 proposes a communication method that simultaneously uses a plurality of bands assuming a wireless LAN.

[0004] On the other hand, as a method for realizing high communication quality, retransmission of transmission data that has failed in communication is known. Patent Document 2 shows a method of improving the transmission success probability by setting an appropriate transmission rate in order to transmit reception results within the acquired TXOP (Transmission Opportunity).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When retransmission is performed, information regarding data that has been received but for which demodulation has failed is notified from the receiving side to the transmitting side, and the data to be retransmitted is determined by the transmitting side.

[0007] However, in communication using a plurality of bands, it is not efficient to notify the reception result of data transmitted in each band in each band. Also, when the propagation characteristics of a certain band are poor, there is a risk that even if the reception result is notified in the band with poor propagation characteristics, it cannot be correctly notified to the transmitting side.

[0008] The present technology has been made in view of such a situation, and in communication using a plurality of bands, it is possible to improve the reliability of notification regarding the reception result.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] A wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present technology includes a transmission control unit that transmits a Setup signal including setting information regarding a method for notifying reception results used for communication in two or more bands using any one of the two or more bands, and controls the transmission of a Data signal including data using the two or more bands.

[0010] A wireless communication device according to another aspect of the present technology includes a receiving unit that receives setting information regarding a method for notifying reception results regarding communication in two or more bands, and a transmitting unit that transmits a reception result for data transmitted using the two or more bands based on the setting information.

[0011] In one aspect of the present technology, a Setup signal including setting information regarding a method for notifying reception results used for communication in two or more bands is transmitted using any one of the two or more bands, and a Data signal including data is controlled to be transmitted using the two or more bands.

[0012] In another aspect of the present technology, setting information regarding the setting of a notification method for reception results related to communication in two or more bands is received, and the reception results for data transmitted using the two or more bands are transmitted based on the setting information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

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Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present technology will be described. The description will be given in the following order. 1. System configuration 2. Communication sequence 3. Device configuration 4. Processing flow 5. Data configuration 6. Hardware configuration 7. Others

[0015] <1. System configuration> <Configuration example of a wireless communication system> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0016] The wireless communication system in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting a base station AP to a terminal STA through wireless communication.

[0017] The base station AP is composed of a wireless communication device 11. The terminal STA is composed of a wireless communication device 12. Hereinafter, the base station AP will be simply referred to as AP, and the terminal STA will be simply referred to as STA. Note that the wireless communication devices 11 and 12 will be described later.

[0018] The AP transmits an MBO BA Setup (Multi Band Operation Block Ack Setup) signal, which is a setup signal related to the setting of the notification method of reception results used for communication in two or more frequency bands (hereinafter referred to as bands), to the STA. The MBO BA Setup signal includes setting information related to the communication and retransmission between the AP and the STA. The MBO BA Setup signal is controlled to be transmitted using any one of two or more bands.

[0019] The AP receives a Response signal transmitted from the STA, determines the communication and retransmission methods between the AP and the STA, and divides a Data signal including data addressed to the STA into a plurality of bands and transmits it to the STA.

[0020] The STA receives the MBO BA Setup signal transmitted from the AP and transmits a Response signal, which is a response signal to the MBO BA Setup signal, to the AP.

[0021] The STA receives the Data signal transmitted from the AP, demodulates it to obtain the data addressed to itself. Then, the STA transmits an MBO BA signal, which is a reception result signal, to the AP. At this time, the MBO BA signal is controlled to be transmitted in one or more bands determined by the transmission and reception of the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal.

[0022] As described above, in the wireless communication system of FIG. 1, an MBO BA Setup signal (Setup signal) including setting information regarding the setting of the reception result notification method used for communication in two or more bands is transmitted using any one of the two or more bands, and the Data signal including data is controlled to be transmitted using two or more bands.

[0023] Thereby, without wasting frequency resources, information regarding the reception results of communication using multiple bands can be efficiently shared between the AP and the STA.

[0024] <2. Communication Sequence> <Example of Operation Sequence (Example of Transmitting MBO BA Signal in a Certain Band)> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the operation sequence of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present technology.

[0025] In FIG. 2, the operation sequence in the case of transmitting an MBO BA signal in a certain band is shown. Also, in FIG. 2, an example in which the AP, which is the wireless communication device 11, and the STA, which is the wireless communication device 12, communicate using three bands is shown.

[0026] Here, the AP and the STA are communicating using the first band, the second band, and the third band. In FIG. 2, the sequences of the first band, the second band, and the third band of the AP are respectively shown as AP@Band1, AP@Band2, and AP@Band3. The sequences of the first band, the second band, and the third band of the STA are respectively shown as STA@Band1, STA@Band2, and STA@Band3.

[0027] At time t1, the AP transmits an MBO BA Setup signal to the STA. As described above, the MBO BA Setup signal includes setting information regarding the communication and retransmission between the AP and the STA.

[0028] The setting information may include information regarding the band in which the AP transmits data or the band in which the STA notifies the reception result. The information regarding the band may be information indicating a specific frequency and bandwidth, or may be information regarding an identifier that specifies a specific frequency and bandwidth. The information regarding the band may be information indicating that it is the same as the band in which the MBO BA Setup signal was transmitted.

[0029] The setting information may include information regarding each identifier indicating the number, size, and type of data transmitted and received by the AP and the STA, and information regarding an identifier indicating the order.

[0030] The setting information may include information regarding the data amount that the AP and the STA can hold. The setting information may include information regarding the maximum number of retransmissions of the data transmitted and received by the AP and the STA, and the time until the held data is discarded.

[0031] The setting information may include at least one of information regarding the method by which the STA notifies the reception result and information regarding the transmission timing of the notification of the reception result.

[0032] In FIG. 2, the STA receives the MBO BA Setup signal transmitted from the AP and transmits a Response signal to the AP for the MBO BA Setup signal at time t2.

[0033] The Response signal may include information regarding whether to perform communication and retransmission based on the configuration information included in the MBO BA Setup signal. The Response signal may include configuration information regarding communication and retransmission different from the configuration information included in the MBO BA Setup signal.

[0034] In FIG. 2, the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal are transmitted in the first band, but may be transmitted in the second band or the third band, or may be transmitted in two or more of the first to third bands.

[0035] Note that the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal may be transmitted and received when establishing the connection between the AP and the STA.

[0036] The AP receives the Response signal transmitted from the STA and determines the communication and retransmission methods between the AP and the STA. At time t3, the AP transmits a Data signal including data addressed to the STA to the STA.

[0037] In FIG. 2, an example in which data as shown below is transmitted in each band is shown. In the first band, a Data signal including data with identifiers #1, #2, and #3 indicating the order of the data is transmitted. In the second band, a Data signal including data with identifiers #4, #5, and #6 indicating the order of the data is transmitted, and in the third band, a Data signal including data with identifiers #7, #8, and #9 indicating the order of the data is transmitted.

[0038] Note that the identifier indicating the order of the data transmitted in each band may be determined before the transmission of the Data signal, or may be determined by the transmission and reception of the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal.

[0039] The Data signal may be transmitted after a certain period of time from the Response signal, or may be transmitted after the expiration of the SIFS (Short Inter Frame Space) defined in IEEE802.11. The Data signal is transmitted using two or more bands. The band may include band information determined by the transmission and reception of the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal.

[0040] The Data signal may include information indicating that it is transmitted using two or more bands. The Data signal may be transmitted simultaneously using two or more bands, or may be transmitted in order from the bands that become available for transmission.

[0041] The Data signal may include information indicating that it corresponds to the notification method of the reception result determined by the transmission and reception of the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal. Among the Data signals, the Data signal transmitted in the band where the STA notifies the reception result may include information indicating that it is transmitted in that band.

[0042] The Data signal may include information regarding an identifier indicating the order of a plurality of data included in the Data signal. The Data signal may include information regarding an identifier indicating the order of the data included in the Data signal transmitted in each band and information regarding each band.

[0043] The Data signal may include information regarding each identifier indicating the number, size, and type of the data included in the Data signal.

[0044] In FIG. 2, the STA receives the Data signal transmitted from the AP in the first to third bands and demodulates it to obtain the data addressed to the STA.

[0045] After acquiring the data, the STA transmits the MBO BA signal to the AP at time t4. At this time, the MBO BA signal is transmitted in the bandwidth determined by the transmission and reception of the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal. In FIG. 2, an example in which the MBO BA signal is transmitted using the first bandwidth is shown.

[0046] The MBO BA signal may include information regarding notification that the signal is a signal including reception results for communication using a plurality of bandwidths. The MBO BA signal may include information regarding an identifier indicating the order of data transmitted in each bandwidth, and may include a plurality of reception results in a bitmap format for the data.

[0047] The MBO BA signal may include information indicating for which data transmitted in which bandwidth the reception result is. The MBO BA signal may include information indicating successful reception of all data in a certain bandwidth or data in all bandwidths.

[0048] The MBO BA signal may include information regarding an identifier indicating the type of data corresponding to the reception result. The MBO BA signal may include information indicating for which data transmitted in which bandwidth the identifier regarding the type of data corresponding to the reception result corresponds.

[0049] In FIG. 2, the AP receives the MBO BA signal transmitted from the STA in the first bandwidth and ends the communication process.

[0050] Through the above sequence, information regarding the reception results of communication using a plurality of bandwidths can be efficiently shared between the AP and the STA without wasting frequency resources.

[0051] <Another example of the operation sequence (example of transmitting the MBO BA signal in multiple bandwidths)> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when transmitting the MBO BA signal in multiple bandwidths.

[0052] Regarding the MBO BA Setup signal, Response signal, and Data signal in FIG. 3, it is assumed that they are configured in the same manner as the MBO BA Setup signal, Response signal, and Data signal in FIG. 2 described above.

[0053] At time t11, the AP transmits the MBO BA Setup signal to the STA.

[0054] The STA receives the MBO BA Setup signal transmitted from the AP and transmits a Response signal for the MBO BA Setup signal to the AP at time t12.

[0055] The AP receives the Response signal transmitted from the STA and determines the communication and retransmission methods between the AP and the STA. At time t13, the AP transmits a Data signal including data addressed to the STA to the STA.

[0056] The STA receives the Data signal transmitted from the AP in the first to third bands and demodulates it to obtain the data addressed to the STA.

[0057] After acquiring the data, the STA transmits the MBO BA signal to the AP at time t14. At this time, the MBO BA signal is transmitted in all the bands where the Data signal was transmitted.

[0058] The AP receives the MBO BA signal transmitted from the STA in the first to third bands and ends the communication process.

[0059] In the case of FIG. 3, the MBO BA signal may include the same information including the reception result for the Data signal transmitted in all bands.

[0060] The MBO BA signal may include information containing the reception results for the Data signal transmitted in the band where the MBO BA signal was transmitted and the Data signal transmitted in other bands. For example, the MBO BA signal transmitted in the first band may include the reception results for the Data signals transmitted in the first band, the second band, and the third band. Also, the MBO BA signals transmitted in the second band and the third band may each include the reception results for the Data signals transmitted in the second band and the third band, respectively.

[0061] Through the above sequence, redundancy can be added to the information regarding the reception results, and it becomes possible to share the information regarding the reception results between the AP and the STA with high reliability.

[0062] <Another example of the operation sequence (example of transmitting the MBO BA signal in a band with good propagation characteristics)> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when transmitting the MBO BA signal in a band with good propagation characteristics.

[0063] Regarding the MBO BA Setup signal, Response signal, and Data signal in FIG. 4, they are assumed to be configured in the same way as the MBO BA Setup signal, Response signal, and Data signal in FIG. 2 described above, respectively.

[0064] The AP transmits the MBO BA Setup signal to the STA at time t21.

[0065] The STA receives the MBO BA Setup signal transmitted from the AP and transmits a Response signal for the MBO BA Setup signal to the AP at time t22.

[0066] The AP receives the Response signal transmitted from the STA and determines the communication and retransmission methods between the AP and the STA. The AP transmits a Data signal containing data addressed to the STA to the STA at time t23.

[0067] The STA receives the Data signal transmitted from the AP in the first to third bands, demodulates it, and acquires the data addressed to the STA. At this time, the STA determines whether the propagation characteristics are low for all bands.

[0068] The determination of the propagation characteristics may be made based on the received power of the Data signal transmitted in the band, the signal interference noise power consumption. The determination of the propagation characteristics may be made based on the ratio of the success or failure of demodulating the data included in the Data signal. The determination of the propagation characteristics may be made based on the magnitude relationship between the ratio of the success or failure of demodulating the data included in the Data signal and a preset threshold value.

[0069] The determination of the propagation characteristics may be made based on whether the Data signal is detected in the band where the Data signal is assumed to be transmitted, from the information on the transmission band of the Data signal determined by transmitting and receiving the MBO BA Setup signal and the Response signal. Alternatively, the determination of the propagation characteristics may be made based on whether the Data signal is detected in the band where the Data signal is assumed to be transmitted, from the information on the transmission band of the Data signal included in the Data signal received in another band.

[0070] At time t24, the STA transmits the MBO BA signal in bands other than the band determined to have low propagation characteristics. The STA may store and transmit the reception result in the band determined to have low propagation characteristics in the MBO BA signal transmitted in another band.

[0071] In FIG. 4, an example is shown in which the STA determines that the propagation characteristics of the second band are low, transmits the MBO BA signal in the first and third bands, and does not transmit in the second band. At least one of the MBO BA signals transmitted in the first band or the third band includes the reception result of the Data signal in the second band.

[0072] The AP receives the MBO BA signal transmitted from the STA in the first and third bands and ends the communication process.

[0073] According to the above sequence, it is possible to avoid transmitting information regarding reception results in a band with poor propagation characteristics, and to share information regarding reception results between the AP and the STA with high reliability. Also, the AP can know the band with poor propagation characteristics, and can transmit data that needs to be retransmitted in a band with good propagation characteristics.

[0074] <Another example of the operation sequence (example of transmitting the same Data signal in multiple bands)> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence when transmitting the same Data signal in multiple bands.

[0075] Regarding the MBO BA Setup signal, Response signal, and MBO BA signal in FIG. 5, they shall be configured in the same manner as the MBO BA Setup signal, Response signal, and MBO BA signal in FIG. 2 described above, respectively.

[0076] The AP transmits an MBO BA Setup signal to the STA at time t31.

[0077] The STA receives the MBO BA Setup signal transmitted from the AP, and transmits a Response signal for the MBO BA Setup signal to the AP at time t32.

[0078] The AP receives the Response signal transmitted from the STA, and determines the communication and retransmission methods between the AP and the STA. The AP transmits a Data signal including data addressed to the STA to the STA at time t33.

[0079] In FIG. 5, examples of data transmitted in each band are shown as follows. In the first band, a Data signal including data with identifiers #1, #2, and #3 indicating the order of data is transmitted. In the second band, a Data signal including data with identifiers #1, #2, and #3 indicating the order of data is transmitted, and in the third band, a Data signal including data with identifiers #4, #5, and #6 indicating the order of data is transmitted.

[0080] That is, the AP is transmitting the same data in the first band and the second band. The explanations for other Data signals are the same as those in the example of FIG. 2 described above.

[0081] The STA receives the Data signal transmitted from the AP in the first to third bands and demodulates it to obtain the data addressed to the STA. At this time, the STA determines whether the propagation characteristics are low for all bands, similar to the example of FIG. 4.

[0082] At time t34, the STA transmits an MBO BA signal in bands other than the band determined to have low propagation characteristics (for example, the first band and the third band). The STA may store and transmit the reception result in the band determined to have low propagation characteristics in the MBO BA signal transmitted in other bands.

[0083] The AP receives the MBO BA signal transmitted from the STA in the first band and the third band and ends the communication process.

[0084] Through the above sequence, it is possible to efficiently share information regarding the reception result between the AP and the STA without wasting frequency resources.

[0085] In any of the above examples, for an STA that transmits the reception result for the same data using two or more bands, the reception results included in the two or more MBO BA signals have the same content.

[0086] When the reception results included in two or more MBO BA signals transmitted from the STA are different, the AP determines a single reception result. The determination of the reception result may be made by giving priority to the reception result included in the MBO BA signal received in a specific band.

[0087] The determination of the reception result may be performed by prioritizing the numerically dominant reception result among the multiple reception results included in the multiple MBO BA signals. For example, if the reception result for Data#1 is successful demodulation in the MBO BA signals received in the first and second bands and failed demodulation in the MBO BA signal received in the third band, it is determined as a successful demodulation.

[0088] The determination of the reception result may be a successful demodulation if one or more of the multiple reception results included in the multiple MBO BA signals are successful demodulation. For example, if the reception result for Data#1 is successful demodulation in the MBO BA signals received in the first and second bands and failed demodulation in the MBO BA signal received in the third band, it is determined as a successful demodulation.

[0089] The determination of the reception result may be a failed demodulation if one or more of the multiple reception results included in the multiple MBO BA signals are failed demodulation. For example, if the reception result for Data#1 is successful demodulation in the MBO BA signals received in the first and second bands and failed demodulation in the MBO BA signal received in the third band, it is determined as a failed demodulation.

[0090] <3. Configuration Example of the Device> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless communication device 11.

[0091] The wireless communication device 11 shown in FIG. 6 is a device that operates as an AP.

[0092] The wireless communication device 11 is composed of a control unit 31, a power supply unit 32, and communication units 33-1 to 33-3. In the example of FIG. 6, three communication units 33-1 to 33-3 are included. The communication units 33-1 to 33-3 may be realized as an LSI.

[0093] The communication units 33-1 to 33-3 each perform data transmission and reception. The communication units 33-1 to 33-3 each include a data processing unit 51, a radio control unit 52, a modulation / demodulation unit 53, a signal processing unit 54, a channel estimation unit 55, radio interface (I / F) units 56-1 to 56-N, amplifier units 57-1 to 57-N, and antennas 58-1 to 58-N.

[0094] The radio I / F units 56-1 to 56-N, the amplifier units 57-1 to 57-N, and the antennas 58-1 to 58-N are grouped in sets where each set has the same branch number, and one or more sets may be components. Note that the functions of the amplifier units 57-1 to 57-N may be incorporated into the radio I / F units 56-1 to 56-N.

[0095] Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish, the communication units 33-1 to 33-3 are referred to as the communication unit 33 as appropriate. Also, when there is no need to distinguish, the radio I / F units 56-1 to 56-N, the amplifier units 57-1 to 57-N, and the antennas 58-1 to 58-N are referred to as the radio I / F unit 56, the amplifier unit 57, and the antenna 58 as appropriate.

[0096] The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 31 executes programs stored in the ROM or the like and controls the power supply unit 32 and the radio control unit 52.

[0097] The power supply unit 32 is composed of a battery power supply or a fixed power supply and supplies power to the entire wireless communication device 11.

[0098] During transmission, the data processing unit 51 generates packets for wireless transmission using the data supplied from the upper layer. The data processing unit 51 performs processes such as adding a header for media access control (MAC (Media Access Control)) and adding an error detection code to the generated packets, and outputs the processed data to the modulation / demodulation unit 53.

[0099] When receiving data, the data processing unit 51 analyzes the MAC header, detects packet errors, performs reordering processing, etc. on the data supplied from the demodulation and decoding unit 53, and outputs the processed data to its upper layer.

[0100] The radio control unit 52 transfers information between each part of the wireless communication device 11 and controls each part in the communication unit 33. The radio control unit 52 consists of a transmission control unit 61 and a reception control unit 62.

[0101] When transmitting, the transmission control unit 61 performs parameter setting in the demodulation and decoding unit 53 and the signal processing unit 54, packet scheduling in the data processing unit 51, parameter setting of the wireless I / F unit 56, and transmission power control as required. When receiving, the reception control unit 62 performs parameter setting in the demodulation and decoding unit 53 and the signal processing unit 54, and parameter setting of the wireless I / F unit 56 as required.

[0102] In particular, the transmission control unit 61 transmits an MBO BA Setup signal including setting information regarding the setting of the notification method of reception results used for communication in two or more bands, and controls each part to transmit a Data signal using two or more bands. The reception control unit 62 controls each part to receive a response signal for the MBO BA Setup signal and an MBO BA signal for the Data signal.

[0103] Note that at least some of the operations of the radio control unit 52 may be performed by the control unit 31 instead of the radio control unit 52. Also, the control unit 31 and the radio control unit 52 may be configured as one block.

[0104] When transmitting, the demodulation and decoding unit 53 performs encoding, interleaving, and modulation on the data supplied from the data processing unit 51 based on the encoding method and modulation method set by the control unit 31, and generates a data symbol stream. The demodulation and decoding unit 53 outputs the generated data symbol stream to the signal processing unit 54.

[0105] At the time of reception, the modulation / demodulation unit 53 outputs the data obtained by performing demodulation, deinterleaving, and decoding on the data symbol stream supplied from the signal processing unit 54 to the data processing unit 51 or the radio control unit 52.

[0106] At the time of transmission, the signal processing unit 54 performs signal processing for spatial separation on the data symbol stream supplied from the modulation / demodulation unit 53 as necessary, and outputs one or more transmission symbol streams obtained as a result of the signal processing to the respective radio I / F units 56.

[0107] At the time of reception, the signal processing unit 54 performs signal processing on the reception symbol streams supplied from the respective radio I / F units 56, performs spatial separation of the streams as necessary, and outputs the data symbol stream obtained as a result of the spatial separation to the modulation / demodulation unit 53.

[0108] The channel estimation unit 55 calculates complex channel gain information of the propagation path from the preamble part and the training signal part among the reception symbol streams supplied from the respective radio I / F units 56. The complex channel gain information is supplied to the modulation / demodulation unit 53 and the signal processing unit 54 via the radio control unit 52, and is used for the demodulation process in the modulation / demodulation unit 53 and the spatial separation process in the signal processing unit 54.

[0109] At the time of transmission, the radio I / F unit 56 converts the transmission symbol stream from the signal processing unit 54 into an analog signal, performs filtering, up-conversion to the carrier frequency, and phase control, and outputs the analog signal after the phase control to the amplifier unit 57.

[0110] At the time of reception, the radio I / F unit 56 performs phase control, down-conversion, and inverse filtering on the analog signal supplied from the amplifier unit 57, and outputs the reception symbol stream obtained as a result of the conversion into a digital signal to the signal processing unit 54 and the channel estimation unit 55.

[0111] During transmission, the amplifier unit 57 amplifies the analog signal supplied from the wireless I / F unit 56 to a predetermined power level and outputs the amplified analog signal to the antenna 58. During reception, the amplifier unit 57 amplifies the analog signal supplied from the antenna 58 to a predetermined power level and outputs the amplified analog signal to the wireless I / F unit 56.

[0112] At least a part of at least one of the functions during transmission and reception of the amplifier unit 57 may be included in the wireless I / F unit 56. At least a part of at least one of the functions of the amplifier unit 57 may be a component outside the communication unit 33.

[0113] Note that since the configuration of the wireless communication device 12 operating as an STA is basically the same as that of the wireless communication device 11, hereinafter, the configuration of the wireless communication device 11 is used in the description of the wireless communication device 12.

[0114] In this case, the reception control unit 62 receives the MBO BA Setup signal, which is setting information regarding the setting of the notification method of the reception result used for communication in two or more bands, and controls each unit to receive the Data signal transmitted using two or more bands. The transmission control unit 61 controls each unit to transmit a Response signal with respect to the MBO BA Setup signal and the MBO BA signal, which is the reception result of data, based on the setting information.

[0115] <4. Flow of processing> <Processing of the wireless communication device 11 (AP)> FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the communication processing of the wireless communication device 11 operating as an AP.

[0116] In step S11, the transmission control unit 61 of the wireless communication device 11 controls each unit of the communication unit 33 and transmits the MBO BA Setup signal to the wireless communication device 12.

[0117] Upon receiving the MBO BA Setup signal, the wireless communication device 12 transmits a Response signal for the MBO BA Setup signal to the wireless communication device 11 (step S32 in FIG. 8 described later).

[0118] In step S12, the reception control unit 62 controls each part of the communication unit 33 to receive the Response signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 12.

[0119] In step S13, based on the Response signal, the transmission control unit 61 determines the communication and retransmission methods of the wireless communication device 11 and the wireless communication device 12, controls each part of the communication unit 33, and transmits the Data signal to the wireless communication device 12 using two or more bands.

[0120] Upon receiving the Data signal, the wireless communication device 12 transmits an MBO BA signal for the Data signal to the wireless communication device 11 (step S42 in FIG. 8 described later).

[0121] In step S14, the reception control unit 62 controls each part of the communication unit 33 to receive the MBO BA signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 12.

[0122] The MBO BA signal may be transmitted in a single band as described above with reference to FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, or may be transmitted in a plurality of bands as described above with reference to FIG. 4 or FIG. 5.

[0123] In step S15, the reception control unit 62 determines whether there are different reception results for the same data.

[0124] If there are a plurality of reception results and there are different reception results for the same data, it is determined as NO in step S15, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the reception control unit 62 determines a single reception result from among the different reception results. Thereafter, the communication process of the wireless communication device 11 ends.

[0125] On the one hand, if it is a single reception result, or there are multiple reception results but there are no different reception results for the same data, it is determined as YES in step S15, the process of step S16 is skipped, and the communication process of the wireless communication device 11 ends.

[0126] <Processing of Wireless Communication Device 12 (STA)> Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining the communication process of the wireless communication device 12 operating as an STA.

[0127] The wireless communication device 11 transmits an MBO BA Setup signal to the wireless communication device 12 (step S11 in FIG. 7).

[0128] In step S31, the reception control unit 62 of the wireless communication device 12 controls each part of the communication unit 33 to receive the MBO BA Setup signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 11.

[0129] In step S32, the transmission control unit 61 controls each part of the communication unit 33 to transmit a Response signal for the MBO BA Setup signal to the wireless communication device 11.

[0130] The wireless communication device 11 that has received the Response signal transmits a Data signal to the wireless communication device 12 using two or more bands (step S13 in FIG. 7).

[0131] In step S33, the reception control unit 62 controls each part of the communication unit 33 to receive the Data signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 11.

[0132] In step S34, the transmission control unit 61 determines whether to transmit the MBO BA signal in a single band based on the Data signal.

[0133] If it is determined in step S34 to transmit the MBO BA signal in a single band, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the transmission control unit 61 decides to transmit the MBO BA signal in a single band.

[0134] If it is determined in step S34 that the MBO BA signal is not transmitted in a single band, the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the transmission control unit 61 determines to transmit the MBO BA signal in a plurality of bands.

[0135] After steps S35 and S36, the process proceeds to step S37.

[0136] In step S37, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the transmission control unit 61 determines whether there is a band with poor propagation characteristics based on the propagation characteristics of each band at the time of receiving the Data signal. If it is determined in step S37 that there is a band with poor propagation characteristics, the process proceeds to step S38.

[0137] In step S38, the transmission control unit 61 determines to transmit the MBO BA signal in a band other than the band with poor propagation characteristics. Then, the process proceeds to step S39.

[0138] If it is determined in step S37 that there is no band with poor propagation characteristics, step S38 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S39.

[0139] In step S39, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the transmission control unit 61 determines whether the MBO BA signal includes the reception result for the Data signal transmitted in another band.

[0140] If it is determined in step S39 that the MBO BA signal includes the reception result for the Data signal transmitted in another band, the process proceeds to step S40.

[0141] In step S40, the transmission control unit 61 determines to transmit the MBO BA signal including the reception result for the Data signal transmitted in two or more bands.

[0142] If it is determined in step S39 that the received result for the Data signal transmitted in another band is not included in the MBO BA signal, the process proceeds to step S41.

[0143] In step S41, the transmission control unit 61 determines to transmit an MBO BA signal including the received result for the Data signal transmitted in a single band.

[0144] After step S40 or S41, the process proceeds to step S42.

[0145] In step S42, the transmission control unit 61 transmits the MBO BA signal according to the method determined by the above processing. Thereafter, the communication processing of the wireless communication device 12 ends.

[0146] By performing the transmission and reception control as described above, in communication using a plurality of bands, the reliability of the notification regarding the received result can be improved.

[0147] <5. Data Configuration> <Example of the Format Configuration of the Frame in which the MBO BA Signal is Stored> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the format configuration of the frame in which the MBO BA signal is stored.

[0148] The frame in FIG. 9 is composed of fields of Frame Control, Duration, RA, TA, BA Control, BA Information, and FCS. This frame is included in an MPDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit), which is a data unit in the MAC layer.

[0149] The Frame Control field contains information regarding the type of the frame. The Duration field contains information regarding the length of the frame. The RA field contains information regarding the destination address of the frame. The TA field contains information regarding the source address of the frame.

[0150] The fields of BA Control are composed of the fields of BA Ack Policy, BA Type, Reserve, and TID_INFO.

[0151] The field of BA Ack Policy contains information regarding the transmission timing of reception results. The field of BA Type contains information indicating that the frame includes reception results for data transmitted using multiple bands. The field of Reserve contains reserved bits. The field of TID_INFO contains information regarding the number of types of data transmitted.

[0152] The field of BA Information is composed of the fields of MBO Info, Block Ack Starting Sequence Control, and Block Ack Bitmap. The fields of Block Ack Starting Sequence Control and Block Ack Bitmap are repeated for the number of bands.

[0153] The field of MBO Info is composed of the fields of Band Info, Copy Indication, All Ack, TID (Traffic ID) encode, and TID.

[0154] The field of Band Info contains information regarding the band in which the data for which reception results are notified in the frame was transmitted. For example, it has bits corresponding to each of the first band, the second band, and the third band, and by setting those bits, it is indicated which band's transmitted data the reception results include.

[0155] The field of Copy Indication contains information indicating that an MBO BA signal storing the same content as the frame storing the frame is transmitted in a band different from the band in which the MBO BA signal storing the frame is transmitted.

[0156] All Ack's field contains information indicating that all reception results are successful demodulation.

[0157] TID encode's field contains information indicating which subsequent TID corresponds to the reception result of data transmitted in which band.

[0158] TID's field contains information regarding the identifier of the type of data for which the reception result is notified. For example, in the TID encode field, it indicates the number of types of data for which the reception result is notified in each of the first band, the second band, and the third band.

[0159] As a specific example, when it is shown that the TID encode field includes the types of data for which the reception results are notified as 4 in the first band, 2 in the second band, and 1 in the third band, the subsequent TID field is repeated 7 times. In this case, the TID field has the first 4 indicating information regarding the identifier of the type of data transmitted in the first band, the next 2 indicating information regarding the identifier of the type of data transmitted in the second band, and the last 1 indicating information regarding the identifier of the type of data transmitted in the third band.

[0160] Block Ack Starting Sequence Control's field contains information regarding the identifier indicating the order of the first data for which the reception result is notified.

[0161] Block Ack Bitmap's field contains information regarding the reception result for each data in bitmap format.

[0162] Note that the example of the frame format configuration shown in FIG. 9 is just an example, and the frame of the present technology may be configured in other formats.

[0163] <Format Configuration Example of Frame in Which <MBO BA Setup> Signal is Stored> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format configuration example of a frame in which an <MBO BA Setup> signal is stored.

[0164] The frame of FIG. 10 is composed of fields of BA Band Info, Number of Data, Buffer size, TID_INFO, Sequence Number Info, Retry Limit, Life Time, and BA Timing. This frame is also included in, for example, an MPDU which is a data unit in the MAC layer.

[0165] The BA Band Info includes information regarding the band in which the wireless communication device 11 transmits data or the band in which the wireless communication device 12 notifies the reception result.

[0166] The field of Number of Data includes information regarding the number of data transmitted and received by the wireless communication device 11 and the wireless communication device 12.

[0167] The field of Buffer Size includes information regarding the size of data transmitted and received by the wireless communication device 11 and the wireless communication device 12.

[0168] The field of TID_INFO includes information regarding the number and identifiers of types of data transmitted and received by the wireless communication device 11 and the wireless communication device 12.

[0169] The field of Sequence Number Info includes information regarding the identifiers indicating the order of data transmitted and received by the wireless communication device 11 and the wireless communication device 12.

[0170] The field of Retry Limit includes information regarding the upper limit number of retransmissions of data communicated by the wireless communication device 11 and the wireless communication device 12.

[0171] The Life Time field contains information regarding the time until the data communicated between the wireless communication device 11 and the wireless communication device 12 is discarded.

[0172] The BA Timing field contains information regarding the method by which the wireless communication device 12 notifies the reception result and the transmission timing of the notification.

[0173] Note that the format of the frame in which the Response signal is stored is also the same as the configuration of the frame in FIG. 10. Further, the format configuration of the frame storing the Response signal may include information indicating approval for each piece of information notified by the MBO BA Setup signal. Furthermore, the format configuration of the frame in which the Response signal is stored may include only information indicating non-approval for each piece of information notified by the MBO BA Setup signal.

[0174] <Example of Format Configuration Used for Data Signal> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a format configuration used for the Data signal.

[0175] The Data signal in FIG. 11 is composed of a physical header (Phy Header) arranged at the head and a physical payload (Phy Payload).

[0176] The Phy Header may include an L-STF (Legacy Short Training Field), an L-LTF (Legacy Long Training Field), and an L-SIG (Legacy Signal Field).

[0177] In the Phy Header of FIG. 11, a NEW-SIG, which is an area for storing communication information regarding communication using a plurality of bands and notification of the reception result thereof, is arranged after the L-SIG.

[0178] NEW-SIG includes, as fields containing communication information, each of the fields of MBO Indication, Band Info, and MBO BA Request.

[0179] The field of MBO Indication includes information indicating that Data signals transmitted using the format are transmitted using multiple bands.

[0180] The field of Band Info includes information regarding the band in which Data signals transmitted using the format are transmitted.

[0181] The field of MBO BA Request includes information indicating that the band in which Data signals transmitted using the format are transmitted is the band for transmitting the reception result for the data stored in the Data signal.

[0182] Note that the data included in the Data signal transmitted using the format is stored in the Phy Payload.

[0183] <6. Hardware Configuration> <Example of Computer Configuration> The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer in which the program is incorporated into dedicated hardware, or a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

[0184] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program.

[0185] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, and RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 are interconnected by a bus 304.

[0186] An input / output interface 305 is further connected to the bus 304. An input unit 306 composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and an output unit 307 composed of a display, a speaker, etc. are connected to the input / output interface 305. Also, a storage unit 308 composed of a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, etc., a communication unit 309 composed of a network interface, etc., and a drive 310 for driving a removable medium 311 are connected to the input / output interface 305.

[0187] In the computer configured as described above, for example, the CPU 301 loads a program stored in the storage unit 308 into the RAM 303 via the input / output interface 305 and the bus 304 and executes it, thereby performing the above-described series of processes.

[0188] The program executed by the CPU 301 is recorded, for example, on a removable medium 311, or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting, and installed in the storage unit 308.

[0189] Note that the program executed by the computer may be a program in which processing is performed in time series in the order described in this specification, or a program in which processing is performed in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made.

[0190] <7. Others> As described above, in the present technology, a Setup signal including setting information regarding the setting of a notification method for reception results used for communication in two or more bands is transmitted using any one of the two or more bands, and a Data signal including data is controlled to be transmitted using two or more bands.

[0191] As a result, without wasting resources, information regarding reception results of communication using multiple bands can be efficiently shared between the transmission side and the reception side.

[0192] Further, according to the present technology, by making the content regarding the reception results redundant, it can be shared with high reliability between the transmission side and the reception side.

[0193] According to the present technology, by avoiding transmission of information regarding reception results in a band with poor propagation characteristics, data that needs to be retransmitted can be retransmitted in a band with good propagation characteristics.

[0194] According to the present technology, reception results of data transmitted in multiple bands can be efficiently notified.

[0195] According to the present technology, affinity with an existing communication standard (IEEE802.11) can be maintained, adverse effects on existing terminals can be suppressed, and coexistence can be enabled.

[0196] Furthermore, according to the present technology, high communication quality can be achieved in communication using multiple bands, and improvement of peak rate, improvement of throughput, and improvement of reliability related to data transmission can be enabled.

[0197] Note that in this specification, a system means a collection of a plurality of components (devices, modules (parts), etc.), and it does not matter whether all the components are in the same housing. Therefore, a plurality of devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device in which a plurality of modules are housed in one housing are both systems.

[0198] Note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limited, and there may be other effects.

[0199] The embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology.

[0200] For example, the present technology can adopt a cloud computing configuration in which one function is shared and jointly processed by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0201] In addition, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0202] Furthermore, when a plurality of processes are included in one step, the plurality of processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0203] <Example of configuration combination> The present technology can also adopt the following configuration. (1) A transmission control unit that transmits a Setup signal including setting information related to setting a notification method for reception results used for communication in two or more bands using any one of the two or more bands, and controls the transmission of a Data signal including data using the two or more bands. A wireless communication device. (2) The setting information is first communication information related to communication and retransmission between a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to (1) above. (3) The first communication information is information related to the band in which the first wireless communication device transmits the Data signal. The wireless communication device according to (2) above. (4) The first communication information is information related to the band in which the second wireless communication device notifies the reception result. The wireless communication device according to (2) or (3) above. (5) The first communication information is information regarding the Data signal transmitted and received between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to any one of (2) to (4) above. (6) The first communication information is at least one of information regarding the maximum number of retransmissions of the Data signal transmitted and received between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, and information regarding the time until it is discarded. The wireless communication device according to any one of (2) to (5) above. (7) The first communication information is information regarding the method by which the second wireless communication device notifies the reception result and the transmission timing of the notification of the reception result. The wireless communication device according to any one of (2) to (6) above. (8) The Setup signal is transmitted in a first band among the two or more bands. The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (7) above. (9) The Data signal is transmitted including second communication information regarding communication using the two or more bands and the notification of the reception result. The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (8) above. (10) The second communication information is information indicating that the Data signal is transmitted using the two or more bands. The wireless communication device according to (9) above. (11) The second communication information is information regarding the band in which the Data signal is transmitted. The wireless communication device according to (9) or (10) above. (12) The second communication information is information indicating that a notification regarding the reception result is made in the band in which the Data signal is transmitted. The wireless communication device according to any one of (9) or (11) above. (13) A wireless communication device Transmit a Setup signal including setting information related to the setting of a notification method for reception results used for communication in two or more bands using any one of the two or more bands, and control the transmission of a Data signal including data using the two or more bands. Wireless communication method. (14) A receiving unit that receives setting information related to the setting of a notification method for reception results related to communication in two or more bands, A transmitting unit that transmits a reception result for data transmitted using the two or more bands based on the setting information A wireless communication device comprising: (15) The reception result for the data is transmitted as a BA signal including reception results related to communication in the two or more bands. The wireless communication device according to (14) above. (16) The BA signal includes information indicating that it is a reception result related to communication in the two or more bands. The wireless communication device according to (15) above. (17) The BA signal includes information related to the band in which the data for notifying the reception result related to communication in the two or more bands was transmitted. The wireless communication device according to (15) or (16) above. (18) The BA signal includes information indicating that the same reception result is notified in another band. The wireless communication device according to any one of (15) to (17) above. (19) The BA signal includes information related to the type of the data for the reception results transmitted in the two or more bands. The wireless communication device according to any one of (15) to (18) above. (20) The BA signal includes the reception result corresponding to the data transmitted in the two or more bands. The wireless communication device according to any one of (15) to (19) above. (21) The wireless communication device A receiving unit that receives setting information related to setting a notification method for reception results regarding communication in two or more bands, A wireless communication method for transmitting a reception result for data transmitted using the two or more bands based on the setting information. Wireless communication method.

Explanation of Signs

[0204] 11 Wireless communication device, 12 Wireless communication device, 31 Control unit, 32 Power supply unit, 31, 33-1 to 33-3 Communication unit, 51 Data processing unit, 52 Wireless control unit, 53 Modulation / demodulation unit, 54 Signal processing unit, 55 Channel estimation unit, 56, 56-1 to 56-N Wireless I / F unit, 57, 57-1 to 57-N Amplifier unit, 58-1 to 58-N Antenna, 61 Transmission control unit, 62 Reception control unit

Claims

【Claim 1】 A transmission control unit that transmits a Setup signal including setting information related to setting a notification method of reception results used for communication in two or more bands using any one of the two or more bands, and controls transmission of a Data signal including data using the two or more bands. A wireless communication device.

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