Wireless communication device and method

Abstract

To make it possible to suppress an increase in transmission standby time.SOLUTION: A wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands is controlled to transmit a control signal in a second frequency band in which transmission is possible, the control signal being for wireless communication in a first frequency band. In addition, a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands is controlled to receive the control signal in the second frequency band in which reception is possible, the control signal being for wireless communication in the first frequency band. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to wireless communication devices, electronic devices, wireless communication methods, programs, and the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device and method, and more particularly to a wireless communication device and method that can suppress an increase in transmission standby time. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the applications of wireless communication have become more diverse as the performance of wireless communication terminal devices has improved and increased. In particular, instantaneous high-definition video transmission requires wireless transmission with high instantaneous peak rates. As a means to achieve this, broadband transmission (multi-band transmission) that bundles multiple different frequency bands has been considered.

[0003] In multi-band transmission, it is necessary to communicate using multiple different frequency bands simultaneously to meet the required communication rate. When multi-band transmission is performed using a random access method such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network), it is assumed that the transmission right for multi-band transmission is acquired by each frequency band after an independent and random waiting time (backoff) has elapsed.

[0004] However, if the backoff of some frequency bands is relatively long, there is a risk that the waiting time until the transmission right for multi-band transmission is acquired will increase. Also, there is a risk that the transmission right for such a frequency band with a long backoff will be acquired by another wireless communication terminal device. As a result, there is a risk that the opportunity to acquire the transmission right for multi-band transmission in the random access method will decrease.

[0005] Therefore, in order for a transmitting terminal device to acquire the transmission right for multi-band transmission, a method has been devised in which the transmitting terminal device senses past communication traffic and predicts the availability of frequency bands immediately afterwards, thereby determining the frequency bands to be used in multi-band transmission (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-170621 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, this method has implementation constraints due to the need to synchronize the backoffs of different frequency bands within the transmitting terminal device, and the fact that the accuracy of predicting available frequency band information depends on communication traffic trends, making it difficult to implement.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and aims to suppress an increase in transmission standby time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication device including a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands, and a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to transmit a control signal in a second frequency band that is in a transmittable state, the control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information related to the wireless communication, wherein the wireless communication unit receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal in at least one of the plurality of frequency bands, and the response signal includes information related to the frequency band in which the wireless communication is performed.

[0010] A wireless communication method according to one aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication method for controlling a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands, and causing the wireless communication unit to transmit a control signal in a second frequency band that is in a transmittable state, the control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information related to the wireless communication, wherein the wireless communication unit receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal in at least one of the plurality of frequency bands, and the response signal includes information related to the frequency band in which the wireless communication is performed.

[0011] A wireless communication device according to another aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication device including a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands, and a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to receive, in a receivable second frequency band, a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information regarding a duration of the wireless communication.

[0012] A wireless communication method according to another aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication method that controls a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands, and causes a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information regarding a duration of the wireless communication to be received in a second frequency band that is in a receivable state.

[0013] In a wireless communication device, method, and program according to one aspect of the present technology, a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in multiple frequency bands is controlled, and a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information related to the wireless communication is transmitted in a second frequency band that is in a transmittable state. The wireless communication unit receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal in at least one of the multiple frequency bands. The response signal includes information related to the frequency band in which the wireless communication is performed.

[0014] In a wireless communication device, method, and program according to another aspect of the present technology, a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands is controlled, and a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information regarding the duration of the wireless communication is received in a second frequency band that is in a receivable state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of a wireless communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of a base station. [Figure 3] 10 is a timing chart showing an example of how transmission rights are acquired independently for each frequency band. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a multiband transmission process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of a capability frame. [Figure 6] 10 is a timing chart showing an example of how multi-band transmission is performed. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of an MB Req frame. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of an MB Poll frame. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of MB configuration processing performed by a terminal device. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of MB configuration processing performed by a base station. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow of the multiband transmission process. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a capability frame. [Figure 13] 10 is a timing chart showing another example of how multiband transmission is performed. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of an MB Req-I frame. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of an MB Info frame. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow of MB configuration processing performed by a terminal device. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow of MB configuration processing performed by a base station. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example configuration of a base station. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the main configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described in the following order. 1. First embodiment (determination of frequency band by base station) 2. Second embodiment (Determination of frequency band by terminal device) 3. Notes

[0017] <1. First embodiment> <Multi-band transmission> In recent years, the applications of wireless communication have become more diverse as the performance of wireless communication terminal devices has improved and increased. In particular, instantaneous high-definition video transmission requires wireless transmission with high instantaneous peak rates. As a means to achieve this, broadband transmission (multi-band transmission) that bundles multiple different frequency bands has been considered.

[0018] In multi-band transmission, it is necessary to communicate using multiple different frequency bands simultaneously to meet the required communication rate. When multi-band transmission is performed using a random access method such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network), it is assumed that the transmission right for multi-band transmission is acquired by each frequency band after an independent and random waiting time (backoff) has elapsed.

[0019] However, if the backoff of some frequency bands is relatively long, there is a risk that the waiting time until the transmission right for multi-band transmission is acquired will increase. Also, there is a risk that the transmission right for such a frequency band with a long backoff will be acquired by another wireless communication terminal device. As a result, there is a risk that the opportunity to acquire the transmission right for multi-band transmission in the random access method will decrease.

[0020] Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a method has been devised in which a transmitting terminal device senses past communication traffic and predicts the availability of frequency bands immediately afterward, thereby determining the frequency bands to be used in multiband transmission, in order for the transmitting terminal device to acquire the transmission right for multiband transmission.

[0021] However, this method has implementation constraints due to the need to synchronize the backoffs of different frequency bands within the transmitting terminal device, and the fact that the accuracy of predicting available frequency band information depends on communication traffic trends, making it difficult to implement.

[0022] <Sending control signals> Therefore, a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands is controlled to transmit a control signal for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band in a second frequency band that is in a transmittable state. For example, a wireless communication device includes a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands and a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to transmit a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band in the second frequency band that is in a transmittable state. Also, for example, a program causes a computer to function as a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands and transmits a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band in the second frequency band that is in a transmittable state.

[0023] By doing so, it is possible to attempt to acquire a transmission right for a frequency band with a long backoff by using a transmittable frequency band. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission standby time even in a frequency band with a long backoff. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in opportunities to acquire a transmission right for multi-band transmission in a random access scheme (typically, to increase opportunities to acquire a transmission right for multi-band transmission).

[0024] <Receiving control signals> Also, a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands is controlled to receive a control signal for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band in a receivable second frequency band. For example, a wireless communication device may include a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands and a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to receive a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band in a receivable second frequency band. Also, for example, a program may cause a computer to function as a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands to receive a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band in a receivable second frequency band.

[0025] By doing so, it is possible to grant transmission rights for frequency bands with long backoffs using available frequency bands. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in transmission standby time even in frequency bands with long backoffs. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in opportunities to acquire transmission rights for multiband transmission in the random access method (typically, to increase opportunities to acquire transmission rights for multiband transmission).

[0026] <Wireless communication system> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a main configuration of one aspect of a wireless communication system to which the present technology is applied. The wireless communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a system that performs wireless communication and is capable of performing wireless communication using multiple different frequency bands (also referred to as multi-band transmission). As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 100 includes a base station (also referred to as AP) 101 and a terminal device (also referred to as STA) 102. In the following, the present technology will be described using an example in which one base station 101 and one terminal device 102 are shown, but the number of base stations 101 and the number of terminal devices 102 constituting the wireless communication system 100 are arbitrary, and may be multiple or different from each other. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured with one base station 101 and three terminal devices 102. Alternatively, for example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured with two base stations 101 and five terminal devices 102.

[0027] A base station (AP) 101 and a terminal device (STA) 102 can communicate with each other wirelessly (transmitting and receiving information via this wireless communication). In this case, the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 can perform multi-band transmission using multiple different frequency bands (for example, Band 1 and Band 2).

[0028] <Base station configuration> Next, the configuration of each device will be described. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of base station 101. As shown in Fig. 2, base station 101 has control unit 121, power supply unit 122, communication unit 123, and communication unit 124.

[0029] Control unit 121 controls power supply unit 122, and (wireless control unit 131 of) communication unit 123 and communication unit 124. Note that control unit 121 may execute at least a part of the operation of wireless control unit 131 instead of wireless control unit 131.

[0030] The control unit 121 may have any configuration. For example, the control unit 121 may be configured with a logic circuit that realizes the above-described processing. Alternatively, the control unit 121 may have, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and may execute a program using these to realize the above-described processing. Of course, the control unit 121 may have both of these configurations, and may realize part of the above-described processing by a logic circuit and the other processing by executing a program.

[0031] The power supply unit 122 has a battery power supply or a fixed power supply, and supplies power to each unit in the base station 101. For example, the power supply unit 122 supplies power to each unit in the base station 101 so that the control unit 121 and the radio control unit 131 can execute processing to which the present technology is applied.

[0032] The communication units 123 and 124 each perform processing related to wireless communication. The communication units 123 and 124 can perform wireless communication in different frequency bands. The communication units 123 and 124 can also control each other and exchange information. The communication units 123 and 124 may be realized as LSI (Large Scale Integration).

[0033] The communication unit 123 has a radio control unit 131, a data processing unit 132, a modulation / demodulation unit 133, a signal processing unit 134, a channel estimation unit 135, radio interface units 136-1 to 136-N, amplifier units 137-1 to 137-N, and antennas 138-1 to 138-N (N is an arbitrary natural number). Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the radio interface units 136-1 to 136-N, they will be referred to as radio interface units 136. Furthermore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the amplifier units 137-1 to 137-N, they will be referred to as amplifier units 137. Furthermore, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the antennas 138-1 to 138-N, they will be referred to as antennas 138. The wireless interface unit 136, the amplifier unit 137, and the antenna 138 are grouped together, and one group is provided for each channel that the communication unit 123 supports.

[0034] The wireless control unit 131 can exchange information with each processing unit in the communication unit 123. The wireless control unit 131 can also set parameters used in the modulation / demodulation unit 133 and the signal processing unit 134. The wireless control unit 131 can also control the scheduling of packet processing performed in the data processing unit 132. The wireless control unit 131 can also set parameters used in each wireless interface unit 136. The wireless control unit 131 can also set parameters used in each amplifier unit 137 and each antenna 138, and can also control transmission power.

[0035] When data is input from a higher layer and is to be transmitted, the data processing unit 132 generates a packet for wireless transmission from the data and performs processing such as adding a header for media access control (MAC) and adding an error detection code. The data processing unit 132 also supplies the processed data to the modulation / demodulation unit 133. Conversely, when data is received from the modulation / demodulation unit 133, the data processing unit 132 analyzes the MAC header, detects packet errors, performs reordering processing, and supplies the processed data to its own protocol higher layer.

[0036] During transmission, modem unit 133 performs encoding, interleaving, and modulation on input data from data processing unit 132 based on an encoding method and a modulation method set by, for example, radio control unit 131, etc., to generate a data symbol stream and supplies this to signal processing unit 134. During reception, modem unit 133 performs processing on the input from signal processing unit 134 that is the opposite of that performed during transmission (reverse processing), and supplies the processing result to data processing unit 132 or radio control unit 131.

[0037] During transmission, signal processing unit 134 performs signal processing for spatial separation on input from modem unit 133 as needed, and supplies the obtained one or more transmission symbol streams to radio interface unit 136 for each channel. During reception, signal processing unit 134 performs signal processing on reception symbol streams input from radio interface unit 136 for each channel, performs spatial decomposition of the stream as needed, and supplies the processing result to modem unit 133.

[0038] The channel estimation unit 135 calculates complex channel gain information of the propagation path from the preamble portion and the training signal portion of the input signal from the radio interface unit 136 for each channel. The channel estimation unit 135 supplies the calculated complex channel gain information to the modulation / demodulation unit 133 and the signal processing unit 134 via the radio control unit 131. For example, the modulation / demodulation unit 133 performs demodulation processing using the complex channel gain information. The signal processing unit 134 performs spatial processing using the complex channel gain information.

[0039] During transmission, the radio interface unit 136 converts the input from the signal processing unit 134 into an analog signal, performs signal processing such as filtering, up-conversion to a carrier frequency, and phase control on the analog signal, and supplies the processed analog signal to the corresponding antenna 138 or amplifier unit 137. During reception, the radio interface unit 136 performs processing opposite to that during transmission (reverse processing) on ​​the input from the corresponding antenna 138 or amplifier unit 137, and supplies the processed data to the signal processing unit 134 and the channel estimation unit 135.

[0040] During transmission, amplifier unit 137 amplifies an analog signal input from corresponding wireless interface unit 136 to a predetermined power level. Furthermore, amplifier unit 137 transmits the amplified analog signal via corresponding antenna 138. During reception, amplifier unit 137 amplifies an analog signal received via corresponding antenna 138 to a predetermined power level. Amplifier unit 137 supplies the amplified analog signal to corresponding wireless interface unit 136.

[0041] The communication unit 123 may include a processing unit other than the above-described processing units. Furthermore, some of the above-described processing units may be omitted. Furthermore, the wireless interface unit 136, the amplifier unit 137, and the antenna 138 may be a set, and one or more of these sets may be components of the communication unit 123. The number of wireless interface units 136, the amplifier units 137, and the antennas 138 may be the same or different. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the amplifier unit 137 may be included in the wireless interface unit 136. For example, at least a portion of at least one of the functions of the amplifier unit 137 during transmission and the functions of the amplifier unit 137 during reception may be included in the wireless interface unit 136. Furthermore, at least a portion of at least one of the functions of the amplifier unit 137 during transmission and the functions of the amplifier unit 137 during reception may be a component external to the communication unit 123.

[0042] The communication unit 124 has the same configuration as the communication unit 123 and performs the same processing. That is, like the communication unit 123, the communication unit 124 also has a radio control unit 131, a data processing unit 132, a modulation / demodulation unit 133, a signal processing unit 134, a channel estimation unit 135, a radio interface unit 136, an amplifier unit 137, and an antenna 138 (N is an arbitrary natural number). Each processing unit from the radio control unit 131 to the antenna 138 of the communication unit 124 performs processing similar to that of the communication unit 123 described above.

[0043] The communication unit 123 and the communication unit 124 may be independent components, or some of the components may be shared. For example, the wireless control unit 131 may be shared between the communication unit 123 and the communication unit 124. The data processing unit 132 may also be shared. The modulation / demodulation unit 133 may also be shared.

[0044] As described above, the communication units 123 and 124 can perform wireless communication in different frequency bands. Therefore, the base station 101 can perform communication in multiple frequency bands, for example, using the communication units 123 and 124. In other words, the base station 101 can perform multi-band transmission.

[0045] The number of communication units included in the base station 101 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, three or more. That is, the base station 101 may include communication units other than the communication units 123 and 124.

[0046] In the following, as an example, the description will be made assuming that the communication unit 123 performs wireless communication in a first frequency band (Band 1) and the communication unit 124 performs wireless communication in a second frequency band (Band 2).

[0047] <Configuration of terminal device> The main configuration of the terminal device 102 is similar to that of the base station 101 (FIG. 2). Therefore, the description of FIG.

[0048] <Data transmission flow> Conventionally, in communications using multiple frequency bands, session establishment (acquisition of transmission rights) has been performed independently for each frequency band, as shown in the example of Fig. 3. The timing chart shown in Fig. 3 shows, in the top row, an example of data transmission by the base station (AP) 101 in a first frequency band (Band 1). The timing chart also shows, in the second row from the top, an example of data transmission by the base station (AP) 101 in a second frequency band (Band 2). The timing chart also shows, in the third row from the top, an example of data transmission by the terminal device (STA) 102 in the first frequency band (Band 1). The timing chart also shows, in the fourth row from the top, an example of data transmission by the terminal device (STA) 102 in the second frequency band (Band 2).

[0049] Due to interference power and the presence of communications between the access point (AP) 101 and other wireless communication devices in Band 1, there is a period during which the terminal device (STA) 102 determines that communications in Band 1 are impossible (busy). After the end of the busy period, the terminal device (STA) 102 attempts to acquire the right to transmit after a predetermined frame transmission interval (AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space)) and a backoff, which is a random waiting time. However, if communication fails due to high traffic density or the like, the terminal device 102 sets a long backoff based on a random number. If another wireless communication device interrupts the transmission to the access point (AP) 101 during this backoff period, the terminal device (STA) 102 will transition back to the busy state. Therefore, the terminal device (STA) 102 may have difficulty acquiring an opportunity to communicate with the access point (AP) 101 in Band 1.

[0050] On the other hand, if interference power or communication between the base station (AP) 101 and other wireless communication devices is not observed in Band2, the terminal device (STA) 102 is likely to obtain an opportunity to communicate with the base station (AP) 101 in Band2.

[0051] In the conventional method of obtaining transmission rights independently for each frequency band as in the example of Fig. 3, multi-band transmission using two frequency bands can be performed only after the terminal device (STA) 102 has completed a long backoff period in Band 1, which may result in very few opportunities to perform multi-band transmission, which may reduce the efficiency of data transmission.

[0052] Therefore, the transmittable Band 2 is used to acquire the right to transmit in the other frequency bands, Band 1 (and Band 2).

[0053] <Multi-band transmission processing flow> In order to perform multiband transmission, the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 of the wireless communication system 100 perform multiband transmission processing. An example of the overall flow of this multiband transmission processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 4, the multi-band transmission process is made up of four phases: Capability Exchange (step S101), Association (step S102), MB (Multi-Band) Configuration (step S103), and Data Transmitting (step S104). Note that the order in which the phases are executed is not limited to the example in Fig. 4. For example, Capability Exchange may be executed after Association.

[0055] In step S101, the access point (AP) 101 and the station (STA) 102 exchange information about the functions they can perform (also called capability information) in a capability exchange. By exchanging capability information, the access point 101 and the station 102 notify each other whether they can perform MB configuration.

[0056] In the association step S102, the access point (AP) 101 and the station (STA) 102 complete the connection process between the access point 101 and the station 102.

[0057] In MB configuration in step S103, the access point (AP) 101 and the station (STA) 102 determine in which frequency band and frequency bandwidth multiband transmission will be performed before data transmission.

[0058] In data transmission in step S104, the access point (AP) 101 and the station (STA) 102 perform multiband transmission in the frequency band and frequency bandwidth determined in the MB configuration (step S103).

[0059] In the MB configuration of step S103 of the multiband transmission processing described above, the terminal device 102 transmits an MB Request (also referred to as MB Req), which is a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band, in a transmittable second frequency band, and the base station 101 receives the MB Request (step S111). In this embodiment, the base station (AP) 101 primarily determines the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used during multiband transmission (step S112). After determining the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used during multiband transmission based on the MB Request, the base station 101 transmits an MB Polling (also referred to as MB Poll), which is a response signal to the MB Request, to the terminal device 102, and the terminal device 102 receives the MB Polling (step S113). By exchanging this MB Polling, the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths determined by the base station 101 are notified to the terminal device 102. Therefore, the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 can perform multi-band transmission using the determined frequency band and frequency bandwidth in data transmission (step S104).

[0060] <Capability Frame> In capability exchange (step S101), the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 exchange capability information with each other. An example of the main configuration of a frame of this capability information (also referred to as a capability frame) is shown in FIG.

[0061] 5, the capability frame 201 includes, for example, multi-band operation (MBO) capabilities 211 that indicate capabilities related to multi-band transmission. The MBO capabilities 211 include, for example, a flag 221 and an A-bandwidth 222.

[0062] Flag 221 stores flag information indicating whether or not the wireless communication device (e.g., base station 101 or terminal device 102) that transmitted the capability frame 201 is capable of performing MB configuration. If Flag 221 indicates that MB configuration is capable of being performed, Flag 221 may further include information related to other information in MBO Capabilities 211. For example, Flag 221 may include information indicating how many bits A-Bandwidth 222 is expressed in.

[0063] A-Bandwidth 222 includes information indicating the frequency band and frequency bandwidth (i.e., information on candidate frequency bands and frequency bandwidths) that can be used during multiband transmission by the wireless communication device (e.g., the base station 101 or the terminal device 102) that transmitted the capability frame 201. Note that if Flag 221 includes information indicating that MB configuration cannot be performed, A-Bandwidth 222 may be omitted.

[0064] <MBコンフィグレーション> Next, the sequence of MB configuration (step S103) will be described. Fig. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of MB configuration when multiband transmission is performed.

[0065] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device (STA) 102 transmits an MB Request (MB Req) in the second frequency band (Band2) when backoff has ended in the second frequency band (Band2), the terminal device is in a transmittable state where it has acquired the right to transmit, and the first frequency band (Band1) is in an idle state where it is neither transmitting data nor is busy.

[0066] The MB Req is a control signal (a control signal requesting wireless communication in another frequency band) for wireless communication in the first frequency band and the second frequency band in a transmittable state in which the MB Req is transmitted by the station STA 102 in data transmission. For example, the MB Req is transmitted to perform transmission in the first frequency band in an idle state.

[0067] For example, the MB Req is transmitted to perform multiband transmission (synchronized transmission in at least two or more frequency bands from multiple frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band) (to request the performance of multiband transmission). This MB Req includes, for example, information requesting notification of frequency bands and frequency bandwidths available for multiband transmission. This MB Req may also include information indicating the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths preferentially used by the terminal device (STA) 102. This MB Req may also include information regarding the period during which the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 communicate using at least one frequency band, and the period during which a third device that receives this MB Req will suppress transmission. The terminal device 102 transmits this MB Req to the base station 101 using Band 2, which is available for transmission. Multiband transmission is data transmission performed using multiple frequency bands, as described above.

[0068] Upon receiving this MB Req, the base station 101 transmits MB Polling (MB Poll) as a response signal in Band 1 and Band 2. This MB Poll includes, for example, information indicating the frequency band and frequency bandwidth that the terminal device (STA) 102 will use in multiband transmission during data transmission. This MB Poll may also include information regarding the period during which the base station 101 and terminal device 102 will communicate in at least one frequency band, and the period during which a third device that received this MB Req will suppress transmission. Note that the information regarding the period may be recalculated from information regarding the period notified in the MB Req.

[0069] Note that this MB Poll can be transmitted in any frequency band. For example, the base station 101 may transmit the MB Poll in all frequency bands available for transmission by itself, or in a portion thereof. Also, for example, the base station 101 may transmit the MB Poll in all frequency bands available for reception by the terminal device 102, which the base station 101 has become aware of by exchanging capability information, or in a portion thereof. Furthermore, for example, the base station 101 may transmit the MB Poll in all frequency bands available for use in multiband transmission by the terminal device 102 indicated by the MB Req, or in a portion thereof. Also, for example, the base station 101 may transmit the MB Poll in all frequency bands preferentially used by the terminal device 102 indicated by the MB Req, or in a portion thereof. Furthermore, for example, the base station 101 may transmit the MB Poll in all frequency bands used preferentially by the terminal device 102 indicated by the MB Req, or in a portion thereof.

[0070] That is, base station 101 may transmit the MB Poll in a single frequency band, or in multiple frequency bands. By base station 101 transmitting the MB Poll in multiple frequency bands, terminal device 102 can more reliably receive the MB Poll transmitted by base station 101.

[0071] In data transmission, the terminal device 102 and the base station 101 perform multiband transmission using the frequency band and frequency bandwidth specified by this MB Poll, that is, the frequency band and frequency bandwidth determined by the base station 101.

[0072] However, if the MB Poll indicates that multiband transmission is not possible, the terminal device 102 and the base station 101 may perform wireless communication in a single frequency band without performing multiband transmission.

[0073] 6, the terminal device (STA) 102 is shown as transmitting an MB request using Band 2, but this is not limiting, and the terminal device 102 can also transmit an MB request using Band 1. For example, if the terminal device 102 is able to acquire the transmission right in Band 1 before Band 2, the terminal device 102 may transmit the MB request using Band 1. Also, if the terminal device 102 is able to acquire the transmission right in both Band 1 and Band 2 simultaneously, the terminal device 102 may transmit the MB request using both Band 1 and Band 2, or the transmission of the MB request (i.e., MB configuration) may be omitted (data transmission may be performed without MB configuration).

[0074] In the example of FIG. 6, the case where two frequency bands, Band1 and Band2, are used for multiband transmission has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more frequency bands may be used for this multiband transmission.

[0075] <MB Reqフレーム> Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned MB Req frame will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the main configuration of an MB Req frame. As shown in Fig. 7, an MB Req frame 301 includes, for example, Frame Control 311, Duration / ID 312, RA 313, TA 314, and MB Control 315.

[0076] Frame Control 311 includes information indicating that the frame is an MB Request. Frame Control 311 may also include information indicating that MBO Control 315 is present in the frame. In other words, MBO Control 315 can be omitted. Frame Control 311 may also include information indicating the length of MBO Control 315.

[0077] Duration / ID 312 includes information indicating the length of the frame. RA 313 includes information indicating that the frame is intended to be received by the access point (AP) 101. This information includes, for example, a media access control (MAC) address indicating the access point (AP) 101. TA 314 includes information indicating that the frame was transmitted by the station (STA) 102. This information includes, for example, a MAC address indicating the station (STA) 102.

[0078] The MBO Control 315 is control information related to multiband transmission. This MBO Control 315 can include information indicating candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths used in multiband transmission and their priorities. For example, this MBO Control 315 includes a Multi Band List 321 and a Priority Order 322.

[0079] The multi-band list 321 includes information indicating frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that can be used for multi-band transmission by the terminal device (STA) 102 (i.e., candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multi-band transmission). Note that the multi-band list 321 may also include information indicating frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device (STA) 102 preferentially uses for multi-band transmission.

[0080] Priority Order 322 includes information regarding the priority of the candidate frequency bands / frequency bandwidths shown in Multi Band List 321. For example, Priority Order 322 may include information indicating the priority of the candidate frequency bands / frequency bandwidths shown in Multi Band List 321 that are used by the terminal device (STA) 102 for multiband transmission in data transmission.

[0081] It should be noted that the Multi Band List 321 and the Priority Order 322 do not necessarily have to be stored in the order shown in Fig. 7. For example, if information indicating a plurality of frequency bands / frequency bandwidths can be stored in the Multi Band List 321, information indicating the priority order may be stored immediately after the information indicating each frequency band / frequency bandwidth.

[0082] <MB Pollフレーム> Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned MB Poll frame will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the main configuration of an MB Poll frame. As shown in Fig. 8, an MB Poll frame 351 includes, for example, Frame Control 361, Duration / ID 362, RA 363, TA 364, and MBO Band 365.

[0083] Frame Control 361, Duration / ID 362, RA 363, and TA 364 are the same as Frame Control 311, Duration / ID 312, RA 313, and TA 314 of the MB Req frame, respectively.

[0084] For example, Frame Control 361 includes information indicating that the frame is an MB Poll. Note that Frame Control 361 may also include information indicating that MBO Band 365 exists within the frame. Also, Frame Control 361 may also include information indicating the length of MBO Band 365.

[0085] Duration / ID 362 includes information indicating the length of the frame. RA 363 includes information indicating that the frame is intended to be received by station (STA) 102. This information includes, for example, a MAC address indicating station (STA) 102. TA 364 includes information indicating that the frame was transmitted by access point (AP) 101. This information includes, for example, a MAC address indicating access point (AP) 101.

[0086] The MBO Band 365 includes information indicating the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used for multiband transmission in data transmission, which is determined by the base station 101. Note that if multiband transmission is not possible, the MBO Band 365 may include information indicating that multiband transmission is not possible.

[0087] <MB configuration process for terminal device> In MB configuration (step S103), the terminal device (STA) 102 executes MB configuration processing to perform the above-mentioned processing. An example of the flow of the MB configuration processing by the terminal device 102 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0088] When the MB configuration process starts, in step S201, the control unit 121 of the terminal device 102 refers to the capability information of the base station (AP) 101 acquired in the capability exchange phase (step S101) and determines whether Flag 221 of MBO Capabilities 211 in the capability frame 201 indicates that MB configuration is possible.

[0089] If the flag 221 contains information indicating that the base station 101 is capable of performing MB configuration, and it is determined that the base station 101 is capable of performing MB configuration, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0090] In step S202, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there is a frequency band for which backoff has ended. If it is determined that there is no frequency band for which backoff has ended, the process proceeds to step S203.

[0091] In step S203, the control unit 121 waits until the backoff ends. When the process of step S203 ends, the process proceeds to step S204. Also, if it is determined in step S202 that there is a frequency band for which the backoff has ended, the process of step S203 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S204.

[0092] In step S204, the control unit 121 determines whether or not multiple frequency bands among the frequency bands in which the terminal device 102 can perform multiband transmission are in an idle state. An idle state is a state (idle) in which the terminal device 102 is neither in a data transmission state nor in a busy state. For example, a state in which no data transmission is taking place between a busy state and a data transmission state is also referred to as an idle state. In other words, when backoff ends in any frequency band, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there are any other frequency bands in an idle state.

[0093] The method for determining whether or not the device is in an idle state is arbitrary. For example, if none of the following three conditions ((1) to (3)) is met, the device may be determined to be in an idle state.

[0094] (1) A radio signal from the radio communication system 100 is detected with a power equal to or greater than a first threshold. (2) Not only in the wireless communication system 100, but in any other system, a wireless signal is detected with power equal to or greater than the second threshold. (3) During a certain period up to the time when the base station 101 receives the MB Request, the radio signal of the radio communication system 100 is detected with power equal to or greater than the third threshold. (Note that this "certain period" includes one or more periods of the radio signal. The "third threshold" may also be defined for each frequency band and frequency bandwidth.)

[0095] If it is determined that multiple frequency bands are in the idle state, that is, when backoff ends in one of the frequency bands, there is another frequency band that is in the idle state, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0096] In step S205, the control unit 121 controls the communication unit 123 or 124 to acquire the transmission right in the frequency band for which backoff has completed (Band 2 in the example of FIG. 6), and to transmit an MB Request for multiband transmission to the base station 101 using that frequency band (Band 2 in the example of FIG. 6). That is, the control unit 121 causes the second frequency band, which is in a transmittable state, to transmit a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band.

[0097] As a response signal to the MB Request transmitted in this manner, MB Polling is transmitted from base station 101. Communication unit 123, communication unit 124, or both, receives this MB Polling. In step S206, control unit 121 determines whether communication unit 123, communication unit 124, or both, has received MB Polling from base station 101 in any frequency band.

[0098] If it is determined that MB Polling has not been received in any frequency band, the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, control unit 121 determines whether or not to request a retransmission of MB Polling. If it is determined that a retransmission request should be made, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, control unit 121 controls communication unit 123 or 124, or both, to request base station 101 to retransmit MB Polling. When the process of step S208 ends, the process returns to step S206, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If MB Polling is not received, this retransmission request is repeated a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time.

[0099] If it is determined in step S206 that MB Polling has been received in any frequency band, the process proceeds to step S209.

[0100] In step S209, the control unit 121 refers to the MB Polling received by the communication unit 123, the communication unit 124, or both, and sets the frequency band / frequency bandwidth indicated in the MB Poll frame 351's MBO Band 365 (the frequency band / frequency bandwidth determined by the base station 101) as the frequency band / frequency bandwidth to be used for multiband transmission.

[0101] As described above, once the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multi-band transmission have been set, the MB configuration process ends and the process moves to the data transmission phase, in which multi-band transmission is performed.

[0102] If the received MB Polling indicates that multiband transmission is not possible, the process of step S210, which will be described later, may be executed instead of the process of step S209 described above.

[0103] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S201 that Flag 221 contains information indicating that base station 101 cannot perform MB configuration and that base station 101 cannot perform MB configuration, processing proceeds to step S210. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S204 that multiple frequency bands are not idle and multiband transmission is not possible, processing proceeds to step S210. Furthermore, if it is determined in step S207 that an MB Polling retransmission request has been repeated a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time and that no further MB Polling retransmission requests will be made, processing proceeds to step S210.

[0104] That is, in these cases, the control unit 121 gives up on multi-band transmission and performs data transmission using a single frequency band available for data transmission (also referred to as single-band transmission). That is, in step S210, the control unit 121 controls the communication unit 123 or 124 to set the frequency band / frequency bandwidth for which backoff has completed as the frequency band / frequency bandwidth to be used for data transmission (single-band transmission). That is, in this case, the control unit 121 acquires the right to transmit independently for each frequency band.

[0105] When the process of step S210 is completed, the MB configuration process ends and the process moves to the data transmission phase, in which single-band transmission is performed.

[0106] In the above, it has been described that the control unit 121 performs the MB configuration processing, but this is not limited to this. Any one of the wireless control units 131 may perform the MB configuration processing, multiple wireless control units 131 may work together to perform the MB configuration processing, or the control unit 121 and the wireless control unit 131 may work together to perform the MB configuration processing.

[0107] <Base station MB configuration processing> In MB configuration (step S103), the base station (AP) 101 performs the above-mentioned MB configuration processing in response to the MB configuration processing by the above-mentioned terminal device (STA) 102. An example of the flow of this MB configuration processing by the base station 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0108] When the MB configuration process starts, in step S251, the control unit 121 of the base station 101 controls the communication unit 123 or 124 to receive an MB request transmitted from the terminal device 102 in any of the receivable frequency bands.

[0109] In step S252, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there is an idle frequency band among the frequency bands other than the frequency band in which the MB Request was received. The method for determining whether or not there is an idle state is arbitrary. For example, if none of the above three conditions ((1) to (3)) is met in the <MB configuration process of the terminal device>, it may be determined to be in the idle state. If it is determined that there is an idle frequency band, the process proceeds to step S253.

[0110] In step S253, the control unit 121 determines the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission, and stores information indicating the determined frequency bands and frequency bandwidths in the MB BO Band 365 of the MB Poll frame 351. That is, the control unit 121 determines the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that can be used for multiband transmission by itself from among the frequency bands and frequency bandwidth candidates indicated in the received MB Request (frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that can be used by the terminal device 102 for multiband transmission), as the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission.

[0111] If there are multiple frequency bands / frequency bandwidths available for multiband transmission by the base station 101 and the terminal device 102, the control unit 121 may determine the frequency band / frequency bandwidth to be used for multiband transmission from among them, for example, based on the priority indicated in the MB Request. Once the MB Polling is generated as described above, the process proceeds to step S255.

[0112] Also, if it is determined in step S252 that there is no idle frequency band among the other frequency bands, the process proceeds to step S254. In step S254, the control unit 121 decides to transmit data in the frequency band in which the MB Request was received, and stores this information in the MBO Band 365 of the MB Poll frame 351. In other words, the control unit 121 decides not to perform multiband transmission, and stores information indicating that data transmission will be performed in the frequency band in which the MB Request was received (or information indicating that multiband transmission is not possible) in the MBO Band 365 of the MB Poll frame 351. Once the MB Polling has been generated in this way, the process proceeds to step S255.

[0113] In step S255, the control unit 121 controls the communication unit 123 or 124, or both, to transmit the MB Polling generated in step S253 or step S254 as a response signal to the MB Request to the terminal device 102. As described above with reference to Fig. 6, this MB Polling can be transmitted in any frequency band.

[0114] When MB Polling is transmitted in this manner, MB configuration processing ends and the process moves to the data transmission phase. In this case, multi-band transmission or single-band transmission is performed in data transmission. For example, if MB Polling is generated by the processing of step S253, multi-band transmission is performed in data transmission. Also, if MB Polling is generated by the processing of step S254, single-band transmission is performed in data transmission.

[0115] <Effects> As described above, the terminal device 102 capable of performing multiband transmission notifies the base station 101 by an MB Request that it will transmit in two or more frequency bands using the band for which it was able to acquire the transmission right first. This allows the base station 101 to determine the frequency band to be used for multiband transmission based on the MB Request and notify the terminal device 102 of this as an MB Polling. Therefore, based on the MB Polling transmitted from the base station 101, the terminal device 102 can immediately transition a frequency band that is in an idle state (standby state) to a state where it can transmit. This allows the terminal device 102 to suppress an increase in transmission standby time due to multiband transmission.

[0116] Also, by shortening the transmission standby time in this way, the terminal device 102 can suppress a decrease in opportunities to acquire the transmission right for multiband transmission in the random access method. Furthermore, by transmitting an MB Request using a frequency band for which the transmission right has already been acquired, the terminal device 102 can suppress the occurrence of collisions due to the transmission of this MB Request. Furthermore, by transmitting an MB Poll, the terminal device 102 can suppress the occurrence of collisions due to other communications when receiving data even if the back-off time is shortened. Therefore, in the entire wireless communication system 100, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the utilization efficiency of frequency bands due to wireless communication (more typically, to improve utilization efficiency).

[0117] Note that base station 101 can transmit the same MB Polling in multiple frequency bands to obtain a diversity effect in those frequency bands, thereby suppressing a reduction in the probability that terminal device 102 will receive that MB Polling (more typically, improving that probability).

[0118] <2. Second Embodiment> <Determination of frequency band by terminal device> In the first embodiment, it has been described that the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used during multi-band transmission are primarily determined by the base station (AP) 101, but this is not limited thereto, and the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used during multi-band transmission may also be primarily determined by the terminal device (STA) 102.

[0119] An example of the overall flow of the multiband transmission process in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 11. In this case as well, the multiband transmission process is made up of four phases: Capability Exchange (step S101), Association (step S102), MB (Multi Band) Configuration (step S103), and Data Transmitting (step S104).

[0120] However, in the case of this embodiment, in the MB configuration in step S103, the terminal device 102 takes the lead in determining the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used during multiband transmission.

[0121] For example, the terminal device 102 uses a frequency band that is available for transmission to transmit MB Request-I (also referred to as MB Req-I), which is a control signal for performing wireless communication in another frequency band, and the base station 101 receives the MB Request-I (step S301). In the case of this embodiment, the base station 101 then transmits MB Announcement (also referred to as MB Info) as a response signal to the MB Request-I, and the terminal device 102 receives the MB Announcement (step S302). This MB Announcement includes information indicating candidate frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that can be used during multiband transmission.

[0122] The terminal device 102 determines the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used during multiband transmission based on the MB Announcement (step S303). That is, the terminal device 102 selects the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used during multiband transmission from among the candidates included in the MB Announcement.

[0123] In data transmission (step S104), the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 perform multiband transmission using the frequency band and frequency bandwidth determined in this way.

[0124] <Capability Frame> FIG. 12 shows an example of the main configuration of a frame of capability information exchanged between the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 in the capability exchange (step S101) in this embodiment.

[0125] In this embodiment, the capability frame 401 includes, for example, MBO (Multi Band Operation) Capabilities 411 that indicate performance related to multi-band transmission. The MBO Capabilities 411 includes, for example, Flag-I 421 and A-Bandwidth 422.

[0126] Similar to Flag 221, Flag-I421 stores flag information indicating whether or not the wireless communication device (e.g., the base station 101 or the terminal device 102) that transmitted the capability frame 401 is capable of performing MB configuration. If Flag-I421 indicates that MB configuration is capable of being performed, Flag-I421 may further include information related to other information in MBO Capabilities 411. For example, Flag-I421 may include information indicating how many bits A-Bandwidth 422 is expressed in.

[0127] Similar to A-Bandwidth 222, A-Bandwidth 422 includes information indicating the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths (i.e., information on candidate frequency bands and frequency bandwidths) that can be used during multiband transmission by the wireless communication device (e.g., the base station 101 or the terminal device 102) that transmitted the capability frame 401. Note that if Flag-I 421 includes information indicating that MB configuration cannot be performed, A-Bandwidth 422 may be omitted.

[0128] <MBコンフィグレーション> Next, the sequence of MB configuration (step S103) will be described. Fig. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of MB configuration when multiband transmission is performed in the case of this embodiment.

[0129] In the example shown in FIG. 13, as in the first embodiment, the terminal device (STA) 102 transmits MB Request-I (MB Req-I) in Band2 when backoff in the second frequency band (Band2) has ended, the terminal device (STA) 102 is able to acquire the transmission right, and the first frequency band (Band1) is in an idle state (i.e., not in a data transmission state or a busy state).

[0130] MB Req-I is a control signal (a control signal requesting wireless communication in another frequency band) for station 102 to perform wireless communication in another frequency band other than the frequency band in a transmittable state in which MB Req-I is transmitted during data transmission. For example, MB Req-I is transmitted to perform transmission in another frequency band that is in an idle state.

[0131] For example, MB Req-I is transmitted to perform (request the performance of) multiband transmission (synchronized transmission in multiple frequency bands). In other words, MB Req-I is a control signal requesting the terminal device 102 to transmit MB Info, which is its response signal.

[0132] Note that this MB Req-I may include reference information for narrowing the range of information notified by MB Info. For example, it may include information indicating a range (or more candidates) of frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission. For example, MB Req-I may include information indicating frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device 102 can use for multiband transmission. Furthermore, it may include information (information indicating priority) indicating frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device 102 preferentially uses. In addition, this MB Req-I may include information regarding a period during which the base station 101 and terminal device 102 communicate using at least one frequency band, and a period during which a third device that receives this MB Req-I suppresses transmission.

[0133] Upon receiving this MB Req-I, the base station 101 transmits an MB Announcement (MB Info) to the terminal device 102 in Band 1 and Band 2 as a response signal. This MB Info includes, for example, information indicating the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the base station 101 has determined to be available for multiband transmission in data transmission at the time of receiving MB Req-I. This MB Info may also include information regarding the period during which the base station 101 and terminal device 102 communicate in at least one frequency band, and the period during which a third device that has received this MB Req will suppress transmission. Note that the information regarding the period may be information recalculated from information regarding the period notified in MB Req-I.

[0134] That is, upon receiving MB Req-I, the base station 101, for example, sets candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission, generates MB Info including information indicating the set candidates, and transmits it to the terminal device 102. At this time, the base station 101 may select frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the base station 101 can use for multiband transmission from information included in MB Req-I (e.g., frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device 102 can use for multiband transmission) and set them as candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission. In this way, the base station 101 can set frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that are usable by both the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 as candidates. Also, for example, the base station 101 may set the above-mentioned candidates based on information included in MB Req-I that indicates frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device 102 preferentially uses. In this way, the base station 101 can set the above-mentioned candidates taking into account the priority of frequency bands and frequency bandwidths.

[0135] Note that this MB Info can be transmitted in any frequency band. For example, the base station 101 may transmit MB Info in all frequency bands in which it can transmit or in a portion thereof. Furthermore, for example, the base station 101 may transmit MB Info in all frequency bands in which the terminal device 102, which has become known by exchanging capability information, can receive, or in a portion thereof. Furthermore, for example, the base station 101 may transmit MB Info in all frequency bands, or in a portion thereof, that the terminal device 102, which is indicated by MB Req-I, can use for multiband transmission. Furthermore, for example, the base station 101 may transmit MB Info in all frequency bands, or in a portion thereof, that the terminal device 102, which is indicated by MB Req-I, preferentially uses. Furthermore, for example, the base station 101 may transmit MB Info in all candidate frequency bands, or in a portion thereof, that the terminal device 102 preferentially uses.

[0136] That is, the base station 101 may transmit MB Info in a single frequency band, or in multiple frequency bands. By the base station 101 transmitting MB Info in multiple frequency bands, the terminal device 102 can more reliably receive the MB Info transmitted by the base station 101.

[0137] Upon receiving the MB Info, the terminal device 102 determines the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission based on the information included in the MB Info. For example, the terminal device 102 selects the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission from among the candidates specified by the MB Info.

[0138] In data transmission, the terminal device 102 and the base station 101 perform multiband transmission using the frequency band and frequency bandwidth determined by the terminal device 102.

[0139] However, if MB Info indicates that multiband transmission is not possible, the terminal device 102 and the base station 101 may perform wireless communication in a single frequency band without performing multiband transmission.

[0140] In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the terminal device 102 can also transmit MB Request-I using Band 1. For example, if the transmission right is acquired in Band 1 before Band 2, the terminal device 102 may transmit MB Request-I using Band 1. Also, if the transmission right is acquired in both Band 1 and Band 2 at the same time, the terminal device 102 may transmit MB Request-I using both Band 1 and Band 2, or the transmission of MB Request-I (i.e., MB configuration) may be omitted (data transmission may be performed without MB configuration).

[0141] Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, three or more frequency bands may be used for this multiband transmission.

[0142] <MB Req-Iフレーム> Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned MB Req-I frame will be described. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the main configuration of an MB Req-I frame. As shown in Fig. 14, an MB Req-I frame 501 includes, for example, Frame Control 511, Duration / ID 512, RA 513, TA 514, and MB Control 515, just like the MB Req frame 301.

[0143] Frame Control 511 includes information indicating that the frame is MB Request-I. Note that Frame Control 511 may also include information related to MBO Control 515. For example, Frame Control 511 may include information indicating the presence or absence of MBO Control 515. In other words, MBO Control 515 can be omitted. Frame Control 511 may also include information indicating the length of MBO Control 515.

[0144] Duration / ID512 to TA514 are basically the same as Duration / ID312 to TA314, respectively.

[0145] For example, Duration / ID 512 includes information indicating the length of the frame. RA 513 includes information indicating that the frame is intended to be received by the access point (AP) 101. This information includes, for example, a MAC address indicating the access point 101. TA 514 includes information indicating that the frame was transmitted by the station (STA) 102. This information includes, for example, a MAC address indicating the station 102.

[0146] The MBO Control 515 includes information for limiting candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths during multiband transmission notified by the MB Info. For example, the MBO Control 515 may include information indicating candidates (or a range of possible values) for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths used in multiband transmission. For example, the information indicating the candidates may include information indicating frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device 102 can use for multiband transmission. Furthermore, for example, the MBO Control 515 may include information indicating frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device 102 preferentially uses (information indicating the priority of each candidate).

[0147] For example, this MBO Control 515 includes a Multi Band List 521 and a Priority Order 522. The Multi Band List 521 includes information indicating frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that may be notified by MB Info. In other words, the Multi Band List 521 may include information indicating candidates (or a range of possible values) for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for the above-described multiband transmission.

[0148] Priority Order 522 includes information regarding the priority of candidates for frequency bands / frequency bandwidths used in the above-described multiband transmission, which are shown in Multi Band List 521. For example, Priority Order 522 may include information indicating the priority of each candidate shown in Multi Band List 521.

[0149] It should be noted that the Multi Band List 521 and the Priority Order 522 do not necessarily have to be stored in the order shown in Fig. 14. For example, if information indicating a plurality of frequency bands / frequency bandwidths can be stored in the Multi Band List 521, information indicating the priority order may be stored immediately after the information indicating each frequency band / frequency bandwidth.

[0150] <MB Infoフレーム> Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned MB Info frame will be described. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the main configuration of an MB Info frame. As shown in Fig. 15, an MB Info frame 551 includes, for example, Frame Control 561, Duration / ID 562, RA 563, TA 564, and MB Band Info 565, similar to the MB Poll frame 351.

[0151] Frame Control 561, Duration / ID 562, RA 563, and TA 564 are similar to Frame Control 511, Duration / ID 512, RA 513, and TA 514 of MB Req-I frame 501, respectively.

[0152] For example, Frame Control 561 includes information indicating that the frame is MB Info. Note that Frame Control 561 may also include information related to MBO Band Info 565. For example, Frame Control 561 may include information indicating that MBO Band Info 565 exists in the frame. Furthermore, Frame Control 561 may also include information indicating the length of MBO Band Info 565.

[0153] Duration / ID 562 includes information indicating the length of the frame. RA 563 includes information indicating that the frame is intended to be received by terminal equipment (STA) 102. This information includes, for example, a MAC address indicating the terminal equipment 102. TA 564 includes information indicating that the frame was transmitted by access point (AP) 101. This information includes, for example, a MAC address indicating the access point 101.

[0154] The MBO Band Info 565 may include information indicating candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission in data transmission, which is set by the base station 101. For example, the MBO Band Info 565 may include candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multiband transmission selected from information included in the MB Req-I (for example, frequency bands and frequency bandwidths that the terminal device 102 can use for multiband transmission). Furthermore, for example, the MBO Band Info 565 may include information regarding the priority of each candidate. Note that if multiband transmission is not possible, the MBO Band Info 565 may include information indicating that multiband transmission is not possible.

[0155] <MB configuration process for terminal device> An example of the flow of MB configuration processing by the terminal device 102 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 16. In the present embodiment as well, the control unit 121 of the terminal device 102 performs MB configuration processing in a flow basically similar to that in the first embodiment (Fig. 9).

[0156] When the MB configuration process starts, in step S401, the control unit 121 of the terminal device 102 refers to the capability information of the base station (AP) 101 acquired in the capability exchange phase (step S101), and determines whether Flag-I421 of the MBO Capabilities 411 in the capability frame 401 indicates that the MB configuration of this embodiment is possible.

[0157] If Flag-I 421 contains information indicating that the base station 101 is capable of performing MB configuration, and it is determined that the base station 101 is capable of performing MB configuration, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0158] In step S402, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there is a frequency band for which backoff has ended. If it is determined that there is no frequency band for which backoff has ended, the process proceeds to step S403.

[0159] In step S403, the control unit 121 waits until the backoff ends. When the process of step S403 ends, the process proceeds to step S404. Also, if it is determined in step S402 that there is a frequency band for which the backoff has ended, the process of step S403 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S404.

[0160] In step S404, the control unit 121 determines whether or not multiple frequency bands are in an idle state among the frequency bands in which the terminal device 102 can perform multiband transmission. In other words, when backoff ends in any frequency band, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there are any other frequency bands in an idle state.

[0161] In this embodiment, too, the method of determining whether or not the vehicle is in an idle state in step S404 is arbitrary. For example, if none of the following three conditions ((1) to (3)) is met, the vehicle may be determined to be in an idle state.

[0162] (1) A radio signal from the radio communication system 100 is detected with a power equal to or greater than a first threshold. (2) Not only in the wireless communication system 100, but in any other system, a wireless signal is detected with power equal to or greater than the second threshold. (3) During a certain period up to the time when the base station 101 receives MB Request-I, the radio signal of the radio communication system 100 is detected with power equal to or greater than the third threshold. (Note that this "certain period" includes one or more periods of the radio signal. The "third threshold" may also be defined for each frequency band and frequency bandwidth.)

[0163] If it is determined in step S404 that multiple frequency bands are in the idle state, that is, when backoff ends in any frequency band, there is another frequency band that is in the idle state, the process proceeds to step S405.

[0164] In step S405, control unit 121 controls communication unit 123 or 124 to acquire the right to transmit in the frequency band for which backoff has ended (Band 2 in the example of FIG. 13), and to transmit MB Request-I for performing multiband transmission using that frequency band (Band 2 in the example of FIG. 13) to base station 101. In other words, control unit 121 causes control signals to be transmitted in the frequency band in a transmittable state, for performing wireless communication in other frequency bands.

[0165] As a response signal to the MB Req-I transmitted in this manner, MB Announcement (MB Info) is transmitted from base station 101. Communication unit 123, communication unit 124, or both, receives this MB Info. In step S406, control unit 121 determines whether communication unit 123, communication unit 124, or both, have received MB Info from base station 101 in any frequency band.

[0166] If it is determined that MB Info has not been received in any frequency band, the process proceeds to step S407. In step S407, control unit 121 determines whether or not to make a retransmission request for MB Info. If it is determined that a retransmission request should be made, the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, control unit 121 controls communication unit 123, communication unit 124, or both, to request base station 101 to retransmit MB Info. When the process of step S408 ends, the process returns to step S406, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If MB Info is not received, this retransmission request is repeated a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time.

[0167] If it is determined in step S406 that MB Info has been received in any of the frequency bands, the process proceeds to step S409.

[0168] In step S409, the control unit 121 refers to the MB Info received by the communication unit 123, the communication unit 124, or both, and determines the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used for multiband transmission in data transmission from among the frequency band and frequency bandwidth candidates (the frequency band and frequency bandwidth candidates to be used for multiband transmission set by the base station 101) indicated in the MB Info frame 551. That is, in the case of this embodiment, the frequency band and frequency bandwidth to be used for multiband transmission are determined by the terminal device 102.

[0169] As described above, once the frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used for multi-band transmission have been determined, the MB configuration process ends and the process moves to the data transmission phase, in which multi-band transmission is performed.

[0170] If the received MB Info indicates that multiband transmission is not possible, the process of step S410, which will be described later, may be executed instead of the process of step S409 described above.

[0171] Furthermore, if, in step S401, information indicating that the base station 101 cannot perform MB configuration is included in Flag-I 421 and it is determined that the base station 101 cannot perform MB configuration, the process proceeds to step S410. Also, if, in step S404, it is determined that multiple frequency bands are not idle and multiband transmission cannot be performed, the process proceeds to step S410. Also, in step S407, if it is determined that a retransmission request for MB Info has been repeated a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period of time and that no further retransmission requests for MB Info will be made, the process proceeds to step S410.

[0172] That is, in these cases, the control unit 121 gives up on multi-band transmission and performs data transmission (single-band transmission) using a single frequency band available for data transmission. That is, in step S410, the control unit 121 controls the communication unit 123 or 124 to determine the frequency band / frequency bandwidth for which backoff has completed as the frequency band / frequency bandwidth to be used for data transmission (single-band transmission). That is, in this case, the control unit 121 acquires the right to transmit independently for each frequency band.

[0173] When the process of step S410 is completed, the MB configuration process ends and the process moves to the data transmission phase, in which single-band transmission is performed.

[0174] As in the first embodiment, in this embodiment, any one of the wireless control units 131 may perform this MB configuration processing, or multiple wireless control units 131 may work together to perform the MB configuration processing, or the control unit 121 and the wireless control unit 131 may work together to perform the MB configuration processing.

[0175] <Base station MB configuration processing> In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the base station (AP) 101 performs MB configuration processing in MB configuration (step S103) in response to the MB configuration processing by the above-mentioned terminal device (STA) 102. An example of the flow of this MB configuration processing by the base station 101 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 17. In the present embodiment, the control unit 121 of the base station 101 also performs MB configuration processing in a flow that is basically the same as in the first embodiment (Fig. 10).

[0176] When the MB configuration process starts, in step S451, the control unit 121 of the base station 101 controls the communication unit 123 or the communication unit 124 to receive the MB Request-I transmitted from the terminal device 102 in any of the receivable frequency bands.

[0177] In step S452, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there is an idle frequency band among the frequency bands other than the frequency band in which the MB Request-I was received. The method for determining whether or not there is an idle state is arbitrary. For example, if none of the above three conditions ((1) to (3)) is met in the <MB configuration process of the terminal device>, it may be determined to be in the idle state. If it is determined that there is an idle frequency band, the process proceeds to step S453.

[0178] In step S453, the control unit 121 sets frequency bands and frequency bandwidths available for multiband transmission (i.e., candidates for frequency bands and frequency bandwidths to be used in multiband transmission), and stores information indicating the set candidates in MB Info Band Info 565 of the MB Info frame 551. Once the MB Info is generated in this way, the process proceeds to step S455.

[0179] If it is determined in step S452 that there is no idle frequency band among the other frequency bands, the process proceeds to step S454.

[0180] In step S454, control unit 121 stores information indicating that data transmission is possible in the frequency band in which MB Request-I is received (or information indicating that multi-band transmission is not possible) in MB Info Band Info 565 of MB Info frame 551. Once MB Info is generated in this way, the process proceeds to step S455.

[0181] In step S455, the control unit 121 controls the communication unit 123 or 124, or both, to transmit the MB Info generated in step S453 or step S454 to the terminal device 102 as a response signal to MB Request-I. As described above with reference to Fig. 13, this MB Info can be transmitted in any frequency band.

[0182] When MB Info is transmitted in this manner, MB configuration processing ends and the process moves to the data transmission phase. In this case, multi-band transmission or single-band transmission is performed in data transmission. For example, when MB Info is generated by the processing of step S453, multi-band transmission is performed in data transmission. Also, when MB Info is generated by the processing of step S454, single-band transmission is performed in data transmission.

[0183] <Effects> By performing the MB configuration process as described above, in this embodiment as in the first embodiment, the terminal device 102 can immediately transition a frequency band that is in an idle state (standby state) to a state where it can transmit, based on the MB Info transmitted from the base station 101. This allows the terminal device 102 to suppress an increase in transmission standby time due to multiband transmission.

[0184] Also, by shortening the transmission standby time in this manner, the terminal device 102 can suppress a decrease in opportunities to acquire the transmission right for multiband transmission in the random access scheme. Furthermore, by transmitting MB Request-I using a frequency band for which the transmission right has already been acquired, the terminal device 102 can suppress the occurrence of collisions due to the transmission of this MB Request-I. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the utilization efficiency of frequency bands by wireless communication (more typically, to improve utilization efficiency) in the entire wireless communication system 100. Furthermore, by transmitting MB Info, the terminal device 102 can suppress the occurrence of collisions due to other communications when receiving data even if the back-off time is shortened.

[0185] Note that the base station 101 transmits the same MB Info in multiple frequency bands, thereby achieving a diversity effect in those frequency bands. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the probability that the terminal device 102 receives the MB Info (more typically, to improve the probability).

[0186] <3. Notes> <Other Configurations of the Communication Device> The configurations of the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 are arbitrary and are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2. For example, there may be three or more communication units. In other words, multiband transmission may be performed using three or more frequency bands as candidates. Multiband transmission may be performed using three or more frequency bands.

[0187] 2, communication unit 123 and communication unit 124 may be independent components, but are not limited to this, and some components of communication unit 123 and communication unit 124 may be shared. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, one wireless control unit 131 may be shared by communication unit 123 and communication unit 124. In this case, wireless control unit 131 can exchange information with each processing unit in communication unit 123 and communication unit 124. Similarly, one data processing unit 132 may be shared by communication unit 123 and communication unit 124. Similarly, one modulation / demodulation unit 133 may be shared by communication unit 123 and communication unit 124.

[0188] Furthermore, the function of the amplifier unit 137 may be included in the wireless interface unit 136 corresponding to itself.

[0189] <Frequency band> In the above, the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 are described as supporting multiple frequency bands (capable of performing wireless communication in multiple frequency bands) and as supporting multiple channels in each frequency band, but this is not limiting, and the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 may be configured to support multiple frequency bands and a single channel in each frequency band. In other words, the communication units 123 and 124 of the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 may each be configured to support a single channel.

[0190] Furthermore, the "frequency bands" used in multiband transmission (synchronized transmission across multiple frequency bands) are not limited to the frequency bands (bands) described above in the first and second embodiments, but may be channels corresponding to each set of the wireless interface unit 136 through the antenna 138. In other words, the present technology can also be applied to synchronized transmission across multiple channels.

[0191] For example, the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 may be configured to support a single frequency band and multiple channels in that frequency band. That is, the base station 101 and the terminal device 102 may each include a single communication unit (communication unit 123 or communication unit 124) and perform multiband transmission using multiple channels via that single communication unit.

[0192] <Transmission on other bands> This technology can also be applied to things other than controlling multi-band transmission. For example, it is possible to use a transmittable frequency band (e.g., Band 2) to transmit and receive a control signal for wireless communication in another frequency band (e.g., Band 1), start wireless communication in the other frequency band (e.g., Band 1) based on the control signal, and terminate wireless communication in the frequency band (e.g., Band 2) in which the control signal was transmitted and received. This technology can also be applied to switching (updating) the frequency band to be used.

[0193] <Computer> The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the programs constituting the software are installed on a computer. Here, the term "computer" includes computers built into dedicated hardware, and general-purpose personal computers, etc., that can execute various functions by installing various programs.

[0194] FIG. 19 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.

[0195] In a computer 900 shown in FIG. 19, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903 are interconnected via a bus 904.

[0196] An input / output interface 910 is also connected to the bus 904. To the input / output interface 910, an input unit 911, an output unit 912, a storage unit 913, a communication unit 914, and a drive 915 are connected.

[0197] The input unit 911 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch panel, an input terminal, etc. The output unit 912 includes, for example, a display, a speaker, an output terminal, etc. The storage unit 913 includes, for example, a hard disk, a RAM disk, a non-volatile memory, etc. The communication unit 914 includes, for example, a network interface. The drive 915 drives removable media 921 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

[0198] In a computer configured as above, the CPU 901 performs the above-described series of processes by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage unit 913 into the RAM 903 via the input / output interface 910 and the bus 904 and executing the program. The RAM 903 also stores data necessary for the CPU 901 to execute various processes as appropriate.

[0199] The program executed by the computer can be applied by recording it on removable media 921 such as package media, for example. In this case, the program can be installed in storage unit 913 via input / output interface 910 by inserting removable media 921 into drive 915.

[0200] This program can also be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, digital satellite broadcasting, etc. In this case, the program can be received by the communication unit 914 and installed in the storage unit 913.

[0201] Alternatively, this program can be installed in advance in the ROM 902 or the storage unit 913 .

[0202] <Applicable targets of this technology> The present technology can be applied to any configuration. For example, the present technology can be implemented as a part of an apparatus, such as a processor (e.g., a wireless communication processor) as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), a module using multiple processors (e.g., a wireless communication module), a unit using multiple modules (e.g., a wireless communication unit), or a set in which other functions are added to a unit (e.g., a wireless communication set).

[0203] Furthermore, for example, the present technology can also be applied to a network system configured with multiple devices. For example, the present technology may be implemented as cloud computing in which multiple devices share and collaborate on processing via a network. For example, the present technology may be implemented in a cloud service that provides services to any terminal, such as a computer, a portable information processing terminal, or an IoT (Internet of Things) device.

[0204] In this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all the components are contained in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housed in a single housing with multiple modules, are both systems.

[0205] <Fields and applications where this technology can be applied> Systems, devices, processing units, etc. to which the present technology is applied can be used in any field, such as transportation, medical care, crime prevention, agriculture, livestock farming, mining, beauty, factories, home appliances, weather, and nature monitoring. In addition, the applications thereof are also arbitrary.

[0206] <Other> The embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

[0207] For example, a configuration described as one device (or processing unit) may be divided and configured as multiple devices (or processing units). Conversely, configurations described above as multiple devices (or processing units) may be combined and configured as one device (or processing unit). Of course, configurations other than those described above may be added to the configuration of each device (or each processing unit). Furthermore, as long as the configuration and operation of the entire system are substantially the same, part of the configuration of one device (or processing unit) may be included in the configuration of another device (or other processing unit).

[0208] Furthermore, for example, the above-described program may be executed in any device, as long as the device has the necessary functions (functional blocks, etc.) and can obtain the necessary information.

[0209] Also, for example, each step of a single flowchart may be executed by one device, or may be shared and executed by multiple devices. Furthermore, when one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes may be executed by one device, or may be shared and executed by multiple devices. In other words, multiple processes included in one step can be executed as multiple step processes. Conversely, processes described as multiple steps can be executed collectively as one step.

[0210] For example, the steps of a program executed by a computer may be executed in chronological order in the order described herein, or may be executed in parallel or individually at the required timing, such as when a call is made. In other words, as long as no contradiction occurs, the steps may be executed in an order different from the order described above. Furthermore, the steps of this program may be executed in parallel with the processing of another program, or may be executed in combination with the processing of another program.

[0211] Furthermore, for example, multiple technologies related to the present technology can be implemented independently and independently, as long as no contradiction occurs. Of course, any multiple technologies can also be implemented in combination. For example, part or all of the present technology described in any embodiment can be implemented in combination with part or all of the present technology described in another embodiment. Furthermore, part or all of any of the above-described present technologies can be implemented in combination with other technologies not described above.

[0212] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands; a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to transmit a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band in a second frequency band that is in a transmittable state; A wireless communication device comprising: (2) The control signal is a control signal for performing synchronous transmission in at least two or more frequency bands selected from a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band. (1) A wireless communication device. (3) The control unit transmits a control signal for transmitting in the first frequency band in an idle state. A wireless communication device according to (1) or (2). (4) The control unit determines whether or not the first frequency band is in an idle state, and when it is determined that the first frequency band is in an idle state, transmits the control signal in the second frequency band. (3) A wireless communication device according to the present invention. (5) The control signal includes information indicating candidates for frequency bands for performing the wireless communication. A wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (4). (6) The control signal further includes information regarding the priority of the candidate. (5) A wireless communication device according to (5). (7) The control signal includes information regarding a period during which the wireless communication is performed. A wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (6). (8) The wireless communication unit receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal in at least one frequency band among a plurality of frequency bands. A wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) The wireless communication unit receives the response signal in a plurality of frequency bands. (8) A wireless communication device according to (8). (10) The response signal includes information regarding a period during which the wireless communication is performed. A wireless communication device according to (8) or (9). (11) The response signal includes information indicating a frequency band for the wireless communication. A wireless communication device according to any one of (8) to (10). (12) The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to perform wireless communication in a frequency band designated by the control signal received by the wireless communication unit. (11) A wireless communication device according to (11). (13) The response signal includes information indicating candidates for frequency bands for performing the wireless communication. A wireless communication device according to any one of (8) to (12). (14) The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to select a frequency band to use from the candidates indicated by the control signal received by the wireless communication unit, and perform wireless communication in the selected frequency band. (13) A wireless communication device according to (13). (15) The control unit controls the wireless communication unit and exchanges capability information. A wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (14). (16) The capability information includes information on whether the control signal and a response signal corresponding to the control signal can be transmitted or received. (15) A wireless communication device according to (15). (17) The capability information includes information about a frequency band in which the wireless communication unit can communicate wirelessly. The wireless communication device according to (15) or (16). (18) Controlling a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands, and causing the wireless communication unit to transmit a control signal for wireless communication in a first frequency band in a second frequency band that is in a transmittable state. Wireless communication method.

[0213] (19) A wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands; a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to receive a control signal for performing wireless communication in the first frequency band in a receivable second frequency band; Wireless communication device. (20) Controlling a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands, and causing the wireless communication unit to receive a control signal for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band in a second frequency band that is in a receivable state. Wireless communication method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0214] 100 Wireless communication system, 101 Base station, 102 Terminal device, 121 Control unit, 122 Power supply unit, 123 Communication unit, 124 Communication unit, 131 Radio control unit, 132 Data processing unit, 133 Modulation / demodulation unit, 134 Signal processing unit, 135 Channel estimation unit, 136 Wireless interface unit, 137 Amplifier unit, 138 Antenna, 201 Capability frame, 211 MBO Capabilities, 221 Flag, 222 A-Bandwidth, 301 MB Req frame, 315 MBO Control, 321 Multi-Band List, 322 Priority Order, 351 MB Poll frame, 365 MBO Band, 401 Capability frame, 411 MBO Capabilities, 421 Flag-I, 422 A-Bandwidth, 501 MB Req-I Frame, 515 MBO Control, 521 Multi Band List, 522 Priority Order, 551 MB Info Frame, 565 MBO Band Info

Claims

1. a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands; a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to transmit, in a transmittable second frequency band, a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information regarding the wireless communication; A wireless communication device comprising: the wireless communication unit receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal in at least one frequency band among a plurality of frequency bands; The response signal includes information about a frequency band in which the wireless communication is performed. Wireless communication device.

2. The information regarding the wireless communication includes information regarding a period during which the wireless communication is performed. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

3. The control signal is a control signal for performing synchronous transmission in at least two or more frequency bands selected from a plurality of frequency bands including the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

4. The wireless communication unit receives the response signal in a plurality of frequency bands. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

5. The response signal includes information regarding a period during which the wireless communication is performed. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

6. The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to perform wireless communication in a frequency band designated by the control signal received by the wireless communication unit. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

7. The control unit controls the wireless communication unit, and exchanges information regarding whether the control signal and a response signal corresponding to the control signal can be transmitted and received, and information regarding a frequency band in which the wireless communication unit can perform wireless communication. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

8. The control unit transmits a control signal for transmitting in the first frequency band in an idle state. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

9. The control unit determines whether the first frequency band is in an idle state, and when it is determined that the first frequency band is in an idle state, causes the control signal to be transmitted in the second frequency band. The wireless communication device according to claim 8 .

10. The response signal includes information indicating candidates for frequency bands for performing the wireless communication. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

11. The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to select a frequency band to use from the candidates indicated by the control signal received by the wireless communication unit, and to perform wireless communication in the selected frequency band. The wireless communication device of claim 10.

12. 1. A wireless communication method for controlling a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands, and causing the unit to transmit, in a transmittable second frequency band, a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information related to the wireless communication, the wireless communication unit receives a response signal corresponding to the control signal in at least one frequency band among a plurality of frequency bands; The response signal includes information about a frequency band in which the wireless communication is performed. Wireless communication method.

13. a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands; a control unit that controls the wireless communication unit to receive, in a receivable second frequency band, a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information regarding a period of the wireless communication; A wireless communication device comprising:

14. A wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication in a plurality of frequency bands is controlled to receive a control signal including information for performing wireless communication in a first frequency band and information regarding a period of the wireless communication in a second frequency band that is in a receivable state. Wireless communication method.

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