Transmission or reception method and apparatus on a channel for a wide bandwidth in a wireless LAN system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transmitting or receiving on a channel for a wide bandwidth in a wireless LAN system are disclosed. In a wireless LAN system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a first station (STA) may include generating a PPDU within a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band, and transmitting the PPDU on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than the bandwidth. Here, the PPDU includes one or more fields including allocation information for one or more resource units (RUs) on the predetermined channel, the predetermined channel is set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth, and a position where the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth may be set based on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting or receiving on a channel for a wide bandwidth in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system.

Background Art

[0002] New technologies for improving the transmission rate, increasing the bandwidth, improving the reliability, reducing errors, reducing latency, etc. have been introduced for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Among the WLAN technologies, the standards of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 series can be referred to as Wi-Fi. For example, the technologies recently introduced to the WLAN include enhancements for Very High-Throughput (VHT) of the 802.11ac standard, enhancements for High Efficiency (HE) of the IEEE 802.11ax standard, etc.

[0003] In order to provide a more improved wireless communication environment, improvement technologies for Extremely High Throughput (EHT) are being discussed. For example, technologies for increased bandwidth, efficient utilization of multiple bands, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) that supports increased spatial streams, and technologies for multi-access point (AP) adjustment are being studied. In particular, various technologies for supporting traffic with low latency or real-time characteristics are being studied. In addition, new technologies for supporting ultra high reliability (UHR), including improvement or extension of EHT technology, are being discussed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide a method and an apparatus for performing transmission or reception on a channel for a wide bandwidth in a wireless LAN system.

[0005] A further technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide a method and an apparatus for defining a channel that can be defined by applying preamble puncturing to a wide bandwidth in a wireless LAN system and a resource unit (RU) or a multiple RU (MRU) considering transmission in the channel.

[0006] The technical problem to be achieved in the present disclosure is not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A method performed by a first station (STA) in a wireless LAN system according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include generating a PPDU (physical layer protocol data unit) within a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band, and transmitting the PPDU on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than the bandwidth. Here, the PPDU includes one or more fields including allocation information for one or more resource units (RUs) on the predetermined channel, the predetermined channel is set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth, and a position where the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth may be based on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

[0008] In a wireless LAN system according to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a method performed by a second station (STA) may include receiving a PPDU (physical layer protocol data unit) on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band, and processing the PPDU based on allocation information for one or more resource units (RUs) on the predetermined channel included in one or more fields of the PPDU. Here, the predetermined channel is set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth, and a position where the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth may be based on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a method and an apparatus for performing transmission or reception on a channel for a wide bandwidth in a wireless LAN system.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a method and an apparatus for defining a channel that can be defined by applying preamble puncturing to a wide bandwidth in a wireless LAN system and a resource unit (RU) or a multiple RU (MRU) considering transmission on the channel.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve throughput and efficiency by supporting a wide bandwidth in a wireless LAN system.

[0012] The effects obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The accompanying drawings, included as part of the detailed description to assist in understanding the present disclosure, provide examples of embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, explain the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0014]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description disclosed below together with the accompanying drawings is for explaining exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and is not for showing the only embodiments in which the present disclosure can be implemented. The following detailed description includes specific details in order to provide a complete understanding of the present disclosure. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be implemented without such specific details.

[0016] In some cases, in order to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, well-known structures and devices may be omitted, or they may be shown in the form of block diagrams centered on the core functions of each structure and device.

[0017] In the present disclosure, when a certain component is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, this may include not only a direct connection relationship but also an indirect connection relationship in which there are further other components between them. Also, in the present disclosure, the terms "including" or "having" identify the presence of the recited features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0018] In the present disclosure, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another and are not used to limit the components. Unless otherwise specifically mentioned, they do not limit the order or importance between the components. Therefore, within the scope of the present disclosure, the first component in one embodiment can also be referred to as the second component in another embodiment, and similarly, the second component in one embodiment can also be referred to as the first component in another embodiment.

[0019] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. As used in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and / or" used in this disclosure may refer to one of the related listed items or include any and all possible combinations of two or more of them. Also, in this disclosure, " / " between words has the same meaning as "and / or" unless otherwise specified.

[0020] The examples of this disclosure may be applied to various wireless communication systems. For example, the examples of this disclosure may be applied to a wireless LAN system. For example, the examples of this disclosure may be applied to an IEEE 802.11a / g / n / ac / ax standard-based wireless LAN. Note that the examples of this disclosure may be applied to a newly proposed IEEE 802.11bn (or, UHR) standard-based wireless LAN. Furthermore, the examples of this disclosure may also be applied to a next-generation standard-based wireless LAN after IEEE 802.11bn. Also, the examples of this disclosure may be applied to a cellular wireless communication system. For example, it may be applied to a cellular wireless communication system based on the technologies of the LTE (Long Term Evolution) series and the 5G NR (New Radio) series of the 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standard.

[0021] Hereinafter, the technical features to which the examples of this disclosure can be applied will be described.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram illustrating a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0023] The first device 100 and the second device 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be referred to by various terms such as a terminal, a wireless device, a WTRU (Wireless Transmit Receive Unit), a UE (User Equipment), an MS (Mobile Station), a UT (user terminal), an MSS (Mobile Subscriber Station), an MSS (Mobile Subscriber Unit), an SS (Subscriber Station), an AMS (Advanced Mobile Station), a WT (Wireless terminal), or simply a user. Also, the first device 100 and the second device 200 may be referred to by various terms such as an access point (AP), a BS (Base Station), a fixed station, a Node B, a BTS (base transceiver system), a network, an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system, an RSU (road side unit), a repeater, a router, a relay, a gateway, etc.

[0024] The devices 100 and 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 may also be referred to as a station (STA). For example, the devices 100 and 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be referred to by various terms such as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a transmitting STA, a receiving STA, etc. For example, the STAs 110 and 200 may serve as an AP (access point) or a non-AP. That is, in the present disclosure, the STAs 110 and 200 may have the functions of an AP and / or a non-AP. When the STAs 110 and 200 have the AP function, they may simply be called an AP, and when the STAs 110 and 200 have the non-AP function, they may simply be called an STA. Also, in the present disclosure, an AP may be denoted as an AP STA.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the first device 100 and the second device 200 can transmit and receive wireless signals using various wireless LAN technologies (e.g., IEEE 802.11 series). The first device 100 and the second device 200 may include interfaces for a medium access control (MAC) layer and a physical layer (PHY) that comply with the provisions of the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0026] In addition, the first device 100 and the second device 200 can further support various communication standards other than wireless LAN technologies (e.g., 3GPP LTE series, 5G NR series standards, etc.). Also, the devices of the present disclosure may be implemented by various devices such as mobile phones, vehicles, personal computers, AR (Augmented Reality) equipment, VR (Virtual Reality) equipment, etc. Further, the STAs in this specification can support various communication services such as voice calls, video calls, data communication, autonomous driving, MTC (Machine-Type Communication), M2M (Machine-to-Machine), D2D (Device-to-Device), IoT (Internet-of-Things), etc.

[0027] The first device 100 includes one or more processors 102 and one or more memories 104, and may further include one or more transceivers 106 and / or one or more antennas 108. The processor 102 controls the memory 104 and / or the transceiver 106, and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation flowcharts in the present disclosure. For example, after processing the information in the memory 104 to generate a first information / signal, the processor 102 can transmit a wireless signal including the first information / signal via the transceiver 106. Also, after receiving a wireless signal including a second information / signal via the transceiver 106, the processor 102 can store the information obtained from the signal processing of the second information / signal in the memory 104. The memory 104 may be connected to the processor 102 and can store various information related to the operation of the processor 102. For example, the memory 104 can store software code including instructions for executing part or all of the processes controlled by the processor 102 or for executing the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequences in the present disclosure. Here, the processor 102 and the memory 104 may be part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement wireless LAN technology (e.g., the IEEE 802.11 series). The transceiver 106 may be connected to the processor 102 and can transmit and / or receive wireless signals via one or more antennas 108. The transceiver 106 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transceiver 106 may be used in the same sense as an RF (Radio Frequency) unit. In the present disclosure, the device can also mean a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0028] The second device 200 includes one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204, and may further include one or more transceivers 206 and / or one or more antennas 208. The processor 202 may control the memory 204 and / or the transceiver 206 and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, after processing the information in the memory 204 to generate third information / signals, the processor 202 may transmit a wireless signal including the third information / signals via the transceiver 206. Also, after receiving a wireless signal including fourth information / signals via the transceiver 206, the processor 202 may store the information obtained from the signal processing of the fourth information / signals in the memory 204. The memory 204 may be connected to the processor 202 and may store various information related to the operation of the processor 202. For example, the memory 204 may execute part or all of the processes controlled by the processor 202 or store software code including instruction words for executing the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in the present disclosure. Here, the processor 202 and the memory 204 may be part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement wireless LAN technology (e.g., the IEEE 802.11 series). The transceiver 206 may be connected to the processor 202 and may transmit and / or receive wireless signals via one or more antennas 208. The transceiver 206 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transceiver 206 may be used in the same sense as an RF unit. In the present disclosure, the device may also mean a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0029] Hereinafter, the hardware elements of devices 100 and 200 will be described in more detail. Although not limited thereto, one or more protocol layers may be implemented by one or more processors 102 and 202. For example, one or more processors 102 and 202 can implement one or more layers (e.g., functional layers such as PHY and MAC). One or more processors 102 and 202 can generate one or more PDUs (Protocol Data Units) and / or one or more SDUs (Service Data Units) according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams in the present disclosure. One or more processors 102 and 202 can generate messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams in the present disclosure. One or more processors 102 and 202 can generate a signal (e.g., a baseband signal) including a PDU, an SDU, a message, control information, data, or information according to the functions, procedures, proposals, and / or methods in the present disclosure and provide it to one or more transceivers 106 and 206. One or more processors 102 and 202 can receive a signal (e.g., a baseband signal) from one or more transceivers 106 and 206 and obtain a PDU, an SDU, a message, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams in the present disclosure.

[0030] One or more processors 102, 202 can be referred to as a controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, or microcomputer. The one or more processors 102, 202 may be embodied by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. As an example, one or more ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), one or more DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), one or more DSPDs (Digital Signal Processing Devices), one or more PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), or one or more FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) may be included in the one or more processors 102, 202. The descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in this disclosure may be embodied using firmware or software, and the firmware or software may be embodied to include modules, procedures, functions, etc. The firmware or software configured to execute the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in this disclosure may be included in the one or more processors 102, 202, stored in the one or more memories 104, 204, and driven by the one or more processors 102, 202. The descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in this disclosure may be embodied by firmware or software in the form of code, instruction words, and / or a set of instruction words.

[0031] One or more memories 104, 204 may be coupled to one or more processors 102, 202 and can store various forms of data, signals, messages, information, programs, codes, instructions, and / or commands. The one or more memories 104, 204 may be constituted by ROM, RAM, EPROM, flash memory, hard drive, register, cache memory, computer-readable storage medium, and / or combinations thereof. The one or more memories 104, 204 may be located inside and / or outside the one or more processors 102, 202. Also, the one or more memories 104, 204 may be coupled to the one or more processors 102, 202 by various techniques such as wired or wireless connection.

[0032] One or more transceivers 106, 206 can transmit user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc. mentioned in the methods and / or operation sequence diagrams of the present disclosure to one or more other devices. One or more transceivers 106, 206 can receive user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc. mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in the present disclosure from one or more other devices. For example, one or more transceivers 106, 206 may be connected to one or more processors 102, 202 and can transmit and receive radio signals. For example, one or more processors 102, 202 can control one or more transceivers 106, 206 to transmit user data, control information, or radio signals to one or more other devices. Also, one or more processors 102, 202 can control one or more transceivers 106, 206 to receive user data, control information, or radio signals from one or more other devices. Also, one or more transceivers 106, 206 may be connected to one or more antennas 108, 208, and one or more transceivers 106, 206 may be configured to transmit and receive user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc. mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in the present disclosure via one or more antennas 108, 208. In the present disclosure, one or more antennas may be a plurality of physical antennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports). One or more transceivers 106, 206 may convert received radio signals / channels, etc. from RF band signals to baseband signals in order to process received user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc. using one or more processors 102, 202. One or more transceivers 106, 206 may convert user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc. processed using one or more processors 102, 202 from baseband signals to RF band signals. For that purpose, one or more transceivers 106, 206 may include (analog) oscillators and / or filters.

[0033] For example, either one of STA100 and 200 can perform the intended operation of the AP, and the other one of STA100 and 200 can perform the intended operation of a non-AP STA. For example, the transceivers 106 and 206 in FIG. 1 can perform the transmission and reception operations of signals (e.g., packets or PPDUs (Physical layer Protocol Data Units) conforming to IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be / bn, etc.). Also, in the present disclosure, operations in which various STAs generate transmission and reception signals or perform data processing and calculations in advance for the transmission and reception signals may be performed by the processors 102 and 202 in FIG. 1. For example, an example of an operation of generating a transmission and reception signal or performing data processing and calculations in advance for the transmission and reception signal is 1) an operation of determining / acquiring / configuring / calculating / decoding / encoding bit information of fields (SIG (signal), STF (short training field), LTF (long training field), Data, etc.) included in the PPDU, 2) an operation of determining / configuring / acquiring time resources and frequency resources (e.g., subcarrier resources) used for fields (SIG, STF, LTF, Data, etc.) included in the PPDU, 3) an operation of determining / configuring / acquiring a specific sequence (e.g., pilot sequence, STF / LTF sequence, extra sequence applied to SIG) used for fields (SIG, STF, LTF, Data, etc.) included in the PPDU, 4) a power control operation and / or a power saving operation applied to the STA, 5) operations related to determining / acquiring / configuring / calculating / decoding / encoding an ACK signal, etc. Further, in the following example, various information (e.g., information related to fields / sub-fields / control fields / parameters / power, etc.) used by various STAs for determining / acquiring / configuring / calculating / decoding / encoding transmission and reception signals may be stored in the memories 104 and 204 in FIG. 1.

[0034] Hereinafter, the downlink (DL) means a link for communication from the AP STA to the non-AP STA, and downlink PPDU / packets / signals, etc. may be transmitted and received through the downlink. In downlink communication, the transmitter may be part of the AP STA and the receiver may be part of the non-AP STA. The uplink (UL) means a link for communication from the non-AP STA to the AP STA, and uplink PPDU / packets / signals, etc. may be transmitted and received through the uplink. In uplink communication, the transmitter may be part of the non-AP STA and the receiver may be part of the AP STA.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary structure of a wireless LAN system to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0036] The structure of the wireless LAN system may be composed of a plurality of components. A wireless LAN that supports STA mobility transparent to the upper layer may be provided by the interaction of the plurality of components. A BSS (Basic Service Set) corresponds to the basic building block of the wireless LAN. In FIG. 2, an example is shown where there are two BSSs (BSS1 and BSS2), and each BSS includes two STAs (STA1 and STA2 are included in BSS1, and STA3 and STA4 are included in BSS2). In FIG. 2, the ellipse representing the BSS may be understood to represent the coverage area in which the STAs included in the BSS maintain communication. This area can be referred to as the BSA (Basic Service Area). When a STA moves outside the BSA, it can no longer communicate directly with other STAs within the BSA.

[0037] If the DS shown in FIG. 2 is not considered, the most basic type of BSS in a wireless LAN is an Independent BSS (IBSS). For example, an IBSS can have the smallest form consisting of only two STAs. For example, assuming that other components are omitted, BSS1 composed of only STA1 and STA2, or BSS2 composed of only STA3 and STA4 can each correspond to a typical example of an IBSS. Such a configuration is possible when STAs can communicate directly without an AP. Also, such a form of wireless LAN is not pre-planned and configured, but can be configured when a LAN is needed, and this can also be referred to as an ad-hoc network. Since an IBSS does not include an AP, there is no centralized management entity that performs management functions centrally. That is, in an IBSS, STAs are managed in a distributed manner. In an IBSS, all STAs may be composed of mobile STAs, connection to a distributed system (DS) is not allowed, and it forms a self-contained network.

[0038] Due to STAs joining or leaving, or STAs entering or leaving the BSS area, the membership of STAs in the BSS may be dynamically changed. In order to become a member of a BSS, an STA can join the BSS using a synchronization process. In order to access all services of the BSS-based structure, an STA needs to be associated with the BSS. Such an association may be set dynamically and may include the use of a Distribution System Service (DSS).

[0039] In a wireless LAN, the direct STA-to-STA distance may be limited by the PHY performance. In some cases, such distance limitations are sufficient, but in some cases, communication between STAs at a greater distance may be required. A distributed system (DS) may be configured to support extended coverage.

[0040] DS means the structure in which BSSs are interconnected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a BSS may exist as a component of an extended form of a network composed of a plurality of BSSs. DS is a logical concept and may be specified by the characteristics of the distributed system medium (DSM). In this regard, the wireless medium (Wireless Medium, WM) and DSM may be logically separated. Each logical medium is used for different purposes and is used by different components. These media are not limited to being the same or different. In this way, the flexibility of the wireless LAN structure (DS structure or other network structures) can be explained in that a plurality of media are logically different from each other. That is, the wireless LAN structure may be implemented in various ways, and the wireless LAN structure may be specifically determined independently by the physical characteristics of each implementation example.

[0041] DS can support mobile devices by providing seamless integration of a plurality of BSSs and providing the logical services necessary for handling addresses to destinations. Further, DS may further include a component called a portal that acts as a bridge for connecting a wireless LAN and other networks (e.g., IEEE 802.X).

[0042] AP means an entity that enables access to the DS through the WM for the associated non-AP STA and also has the functionality of the STA. Data movement between the BSS and the DS can be performed via the AP. For example, STA2 and STA3 shown in FIG. 2 provide the function of enabling the associated non-AP STAs (STA1 and STA4) to access the DS while having the functionality of the STA. Also, since all APs basically correspond to STAs, all APs are addressable entities. The address used by the AP for communication on the WM and the address used by the AP for communication on the DSM do not necessarily have to be the same. A BSS composed of an AP and one or more STAs can be referred to as an infrastructure BSS.

[0043] Data transmitted from one of the STAs associated with the AP to the STA address of the AP is always received at the uncontrolled port and may be processed by the IEEE 802.1X port access entity. Also, when the controlled port is authenticated, the transmitted data (or frame) can be transmitted to the DS.

[0044] An Extended Service Set (ESS) for providing a wider coverage may be set in the structure of the DS described above.

[0045] An ESS means a network composed of a DS and BSSs, having an arbitrary size and complexity. An ESS can correspond to a set of BSSs connected to one DS. However, an ESS does not include a DS. The ESS network is characterized in that it appears as an IBSS at the LLC (Logical Link Control) layer. STAs included in an ESS can communicate with each other, and a mobile STA can transparently move from one BSS to another (within the same ESS) to the LLC. APs included in one ESS may have the same SSID (service set identification). The SSID is distinguished from the BSSID, which is the identifier of a BSS.

[0046] In a wireless LAN system, without making any assumptions about the relative physical positions of BSSs, any of the following forms are possible. BSSs may partially overlap, which is a commonly used form to provide continuous coverage. Also, BSSs do not have to be physically connected, and logically there is no limit to the distance between BSSs. Also, BSSs may be physically located at the same position, which may be used to provide redundancy. Also, one (or one or more) IBSS or ESS networks may physically exist in the same space as one (or one or more) ESS networks. This may correspond to the ESS network form in cases where an ad hoc network operates at the location where an ESS network exists, where wireless networks physically overlap by different organizations, or where two or more different access and security policies are required at the same location.

[0047] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining a link setup process to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0048] In order for a STA to set up a link with a network and transmit and receive data, first, it must discover the network, perform authentication, establish an association, and carry out authentication procedures for security purposes. The link setup process can be referred to as the session start process and the session setup process. Also, the processes of discovery, authentication, association, and security setup in the link setup process can be collectively referred to as the association process.

[0049] In step S310, the STA can perform a network discovery operation. The network discovery operation may include the scanning operation of the STA. That is, in order for the STA to access the network, it must search for available networks. The STA must identify compatible networks before participating in the wireless network, and the process of identifying the networks existing in a specific area is called scanning.

[0050] Scanning methods include active scanning and passive scanning. In FIG. 3, a network discovery operation including an active scanning process is exemplarily shown. In active scanning, the STA performing the scanning transmits a probe request frame and waits for a response thereto in order to search for what APs exist in the vicinity while moving channels. The responder transmits a probe response frame as a response to the probe request frame to the STA that transmitted the probe request frame. Here, the responder may be the STA that last transmitted a beacon frame in the BSS of the channel being scanned. Since the AP transmits a beacon frame in the BSS, the AP becomes the responder, and in the IBSS, since the STAs within the IBSS transmit beacon frames alternately, the responder is not constant. For example, the STA that transmits a probe request frame on channel 1 and receives a probe response frame on channel 1 saves the BSS-related information included in the received probe response frame, moves to the next channel (e.g., channel 2), and can perform scanning in the same way (i.e., transmit and receive probe requests / responses on channel 2).

[0051] Although not shown in FIG. 3, the scanning operation may be performed in a passive scanning method. In passive scanning, the STA that performs scanning waits for beacon frames while moving channels. A beacon frame is one of the management frames defined in IEEE 802.11, which notifies the existence of a wireless network and is periodically transmitted so that a STA performing scanning can search for a wireless network and participate in the wireless network. In a BSS, the AP plays the role of periodically transmitting beacon frames, and in an IBSS, the STAs within the IBSS transmit beacon frames alternately. When the STA performing scanning receives a beacon frame, it stores the information regarding the BSS included in the beacon frame and records the beacon frame information on each channel while moving to other channels. The STA that has received a beacon frame can store the BSS-related information included in the received beacon frame and move to the next channel to perform scanning on the next channel in the same way. Comparing active scanning and passive scanning, active scanning has the advantage that the delay and power consumption are smaller than those of passive scanning.

[0052] After the STA discovers the network, the authentication process may be performed in step S320. Such an authentication process can be called the first authentication process in order to clearly distinguish it from the security setup operation in step S340 described later.

[0053] The authentication process includes a process in which the STA transmits an authentication request frame to the AP and, in response, the AP transmits an authentication response frame to the STA. The authentication frame used for authentication request / response corresponds to a management frame.

[0054] The authentication frame may include information regarding the authentication algorithm number, authentication transaction sequence number, status code, challenge text, RSN (Robust Security Network), Finite Cyclic Group, etc. This corresponds to an example of some of the information that may be included in the authentication request / response frame, and may be replaced by other information or may further include additional information.

[0055] The STA can send an authentication request frame to the AP. The AP can determine whether to allow authentication for the STA based on the information included in the received authentication request frame. The AP can provide the result of the authentication process to the STA using an authentication response frame.

[0056] After the STA is successfully authenticated, the association process may be performed at stage S330. The association process includes the process in which the STA sends an association request frame to the AP and, in response, the AP sends an association response frame to the STA.

[0057] For example, the association request frame may include information regarding various capabilities, beacon listen interval, SSID (service set identifier), supported rates, supported channels, RSN, mobility domain, supported operating classes, TIM (Traffic Indication Map) broadcast request, information regarding interworking service capabilities, and the like. For example, the association response frame may include information regarding various capabilities, status code, AID (Association ID), supported rates, EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access) parameter set, RCPI (Received Channel Power Indicator), RSNI (Received Signal to Noise Indicator), mobility domain, timeout interval (e.g., association comeback time), overlapping BSS scan parameters, TIM broadcast response, QoS (Quality of Service) map, and the like. This corresponds to an example of some of the information that may be included in the association request / response frame, and may be replaced by other information or may further include additional information.

[0058] After the STA is successfully associated with the network, a security setup process may be performed in step S340. The security setup process in step S340 may also be referred to as an authentication process using RSNA (Robust Security Network Association) request / response. The authentication process in step S320 may be referred to as the first authentication process, and the security setup process in step S340 may simply be referred to as the authentication process.

[0059] The security setup process in stage S340 may include a process of setting up a private key using, for example, a 4-way handshake using EAPOL (Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN) frames. Further, the security setup process may be performed by a security method not defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a backoff process to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0061] In a wireless LAN system, the basic access mechanism of MAC (Medium Access Control) is the CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) mechanism. The CSMA / CA mechanism, also called the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) of IEEE 802.11 MAC, basically adopts the "listen before talk" access mechanism. According to such a type of access mechanism, the AP and / or STA can perform a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) to sense the wireless channel or medium (e.g., DIFS (DCF Inter-Frame Space)) for a predetermined time interval before starting transmission. As a result of the sensing, if the medium is determined to be in an idle status, frame transmission can be started through the medium. On the other hand, if the medium is sensed as being in an occupied or busy state, the AP and / or STA do not start their own transmission and can set a delay period for medium access (e.g., a random backoff period) and wait, and then attempt frame transmission. By applying the random backoff period, it is expected that multiple STAs will attempt frame transmission after waiting for different times from each other, so collisions can be minimized.

[0062] In addition, the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol provides HCF (Hybrid Coordination Function). HCF is based on the above-mentioned DCF and PCF (Point Coordination Function). PCF refers to a polling-based synchronous access method, in which all receiving APs and / or STAs periodically poll so that they can receive data frames. In addition, HCF has EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access) and HCCA (HCF Controlled Channel Access). EDCA is an access method in which the provider makes the access method for providing data frames to multiple users be contention-based, and HCCA is to use a non-contention-based channel access method using a polling mechanism. In addition, HCF includes a medium access mechanism for improving the QoS (Quality of Service) of a wireless LAN, and QoS data can be transmitted in either the Contention Period (CP) or the Contention Free Period (CFP).

[0063] Referring to FIG. 4, the operation based on the random backoff period will be described. When the occupied / busy state medium is changed to the idle state, multiple STAs can attempt to transmit data (or frames). As a solution to minimize collisions, each STA can select a random backoff count and attempt transmission after waiting for the corresponding slot time. The random backoff count has a pseudo-random integer value and can be determined to be any one of the values in the range of 0 to CW. Here, CW is the contention window parameter value. The CW parameter is given an initial value of CWmin, but can take a value twice as large in the case of a transmission failure (for example, when an ACK for the transmitted frame cannot be received). When the CW parameter value reaches CWmax, data transmission can be attempted while maintaining the CWmax value until successful data transmission, and when successful data transmission occurs, it is reset to the CWmin value. The CW, CWmin, and CWmax values are preferably set to 2 n -1 (n = 0, 1, 2,...).

[0064] When the random backoff process starts, the STA continues to monitor the medium while counting down the backoff slots by the determined backoff count value. When the medium is monitored as the occupied state, the countdown stops and waits, and when the medium becomes the idle state, the remaining countdown resumes.

[0065] In the example of FIG. 4, when a packet to be transmitted arrives at the MAC of STA3, STA3 can confirm that the medium has been idle for only the DIFS period and immediately transmit the frame. The remaining STAs monitor that the medium is in the occupied / busy state and wait. During this time, data to be transmitted may occur at each of STA1, STA2, and STA5. Each STA can perform a countdown of the backoff slots according to the randomly selected backoff count value it has chosen after waiting for only the DIFS period when the medium is monitored to be in the idle state. Assume that STA2 selects the minimum backoff count value and STA1 selects the maximum backoff count value. That is, an example is shown where the remaining backoff time of STA5 is shorter than the remaining backoff time of STA1 when STA2 finishes the backoff count and starts frame transmission. STA1 and STA5 stop counting down and wait for a while while STA2 occupies the medium. When STA2's occupation ends and the medium becomes idle again, STA1 and STA5 wait for only the DIFS period and then resume the stopped backoff count. That is, after counting down the remaining backoff slots for only the remaining backoff time, frame transmission can be started. Since the remaining backoff time of STA5 is shorter than that of STA1, STA5 starts frame transmission. Data to be transmitted may also occur at STA4 while STA2 occupies the medium. From the perspective of STA4, when the medium becomes idle, after waiting for only the DIFS period, it can perform a countdown according to the randomly selected backoff count value it has chosen and start frame transmission. The example of FIG. 4 shows a case where the remaining backoff time of STA5 accidentally coincides with the random backoff count value of STA4. In this case, a collision may occur between STA4 and STA5. If a collision occurs, neither STA4 nor STA5 can receive an ACK, and the data transmission will fail. In this case, STA4 and STA5 can select a random backoff count value after doubling the CW value and perform a countdown.STA1 waits while the medium is occupied due to the transmissions from STA4 and STA5. However, when the medium becomes idle, after waiting for only DIFS, if the remaining backoff time elapses, it can start transmitting the frame.

[0066] As shown in the example of FIG. 4, a data frame is a frame used for transmitting data to be forwarded to the upper layer, and may be transmitted after a backoff that occurs after DIFS has elapsed since the medium became idle. Further, a management frame is a frame used for exchanging management information that is not forwarded to the upper layer, and is transmitted after a backoff that occurs after the elapse of an IFS such as DIFS or PIFS (Point coordination function IFS). As subtypes of management frames, there are Beacon, Association request / response, re-Association request / response, probe request / response, authentication request / response, etc. A control frame is a frame used for controlling access to the medium. As subtypes of control frames, there are RTS (Request-To-Send), CTS (Clear-To-Send), ACK (Acknowledgment), PS-Poll (Power Save-Poll), BlockAck, BlockACKReq, NDP null data packet announcement, Trigger, etc. A control frame is transmitted after a backoff that occurs after DIFS has elapsed when it is not a response frame to a previous frame, and is transmitted without a backoff after SIFS (short IFS) has elapsed when it is a response frame to a previous frame. The type and subtype of a frame may be identified by the type field and subtype field within the frame control (FC) field.

[0067] A QoS (Quality of Service) STA can transmit a frame after a backoff that occurs after the expiration of AIFS (Arbitration IFS) for the access category (AC) to which the frame belongs, i.e., AIFS[i] (where i is a value determined by the AC). Here, the frames for which AIFS[i] can be used can be data frames, management frames, or control frames that are not response frames.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a CSMA / CA-based frame transmission operation to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0069] As described above, the CSMA / CA mechanism includes virtual carrier sensing in addition to physical carrier sensing in which the STA directly senses the medium. Virtual carrier sensing is for complementing problems that may occur in medium access, such as the hidden node problem. For virtual carrier sensing, the MAC of the STA can use the NAV (Network Allocation Vector). The NAV is a value that indicates to other STAs the time remaining until the medium becomes available for use by the STA that is currently using the medium or has the right to use it. Therefore, the value set as the NAV corresponds to the period during which the medium use is planned by the STA that transmits the frame, and the STA that receives the NAV value is prohibited from accessing the medium during that period. For example, the NAV may be set based on the value of the "duration" field in the MAC header of the frame.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 5, assume that STA1 is about to transmit data to STA2, and STA3 is in a position where it can overhear some or all of the frames transmitted and received between STA1 and STA2.

[0071] In order to reduce the possibility of transmission collisions among multiple STAs in the CSMA / CA-based frame transmission operation, a mechanism using RTS / CTS frames may be applied. In the example of FIG. 5, while the transmission of STA1 is being performed, as a result of the carrier sensing of STA3, it may be determined that the medium is idle. That is, STA1 may correspond to a hidden node for STA3. Or, in the example of FIG. 5, while the transmission of STA2 is being performed, as a result of the carrier sensing of STA3, it may be determined that the medium is idle. That is, STA2 may correspond to a hidden node for STA3. Before data transmission and reception between STA1 and STA2, by exchanging RTS / CTS frames, STAs outside the transmission range of either STA1 or STA2, or STAs outside the carrier sensing range for transmissions from STA1 or STA3, can be prevented from attempting to occupy the channel during the data transmission and reception between STA1 and STA2.

[0072] Specifically, STA1 can use carrier sensing to determine whether the channel is in use. In terms of physical carrier sensing, STA1 can determine the channel occupancy idle state based on the magnitude of the energy detected from the channel or the signal correlation. Also, in terms of virtual carrier sensing, STA1 can use the NAV (network allocation vector) timer to determine the occupancy state of the channel.

[0073] When the channel is idle at DIFS, STA1 can transmit an RTS frame to STA2 after performing a backoff. When STA2 receives the RTS frame, it can transmit a CTS frame, which is a response to the RTS frame, to STA1 after SIFS.

[0074] Although STA3 cannot overhear the CTS frame from STA2, if it can overhear the RTS frame from STA1, STA3 can use the duration information included in the RTS frame to set the NAV timer for the subsequent consecutive frame transmission period (e.g., SIFS + CTS frame + SIFS + data frame + SIFS + ACK frame). Or, although STA3 cannot overhear the RTS frame from STA1, if it can overhear the CTS frame from STA2, STA3 can use the duration information included in the CTS frame to set the NAV timer for the subsequent consecutive frame transmission period (e.g., SIFS + data frame + SIFS + ACK frame). That is, when STA3 can overhear one or more of the RTS or CTS frames from at least one of STA1 or STA2, it can set the NAV based on this. If STA3 receives a new frame before the NAV timer expires, it can update the NAV timer using the duration information included in the new frame. STA3 does not attempt channel access until the NAV timer expires.

[0075] When STA1 receives a CTS frame from STA2, it can transmit a data frame to STA2 after SIFS from the time when the reception of the CTS frame is completed. When STA2 successfully receives the data frame, it can transmit an ACK frame, which is a response to the data frame, to STA1 after SIFS. When the NAV timer of STA3 expires, it can use carrier sensing to determine whether the channel is in use. If STA3 determines that the channel is not used by other terminals during the period from the expiration of the NAV timer to DIFS, it can attempt channel access after the contention window (CW) by random backoff has passed.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a frame structure used in a wireless LAN system to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0077] By an instruction or primitive (meaning a set of an instruction or parameters) from the MAC layer, the PHY layer can prepare an MPDU (MAC PDU) to be transmitted. For example, when receiving an instruction requesting the start of transmission from the MAC layer, the PHY layer switches to the transmission mode and can configure and transmit information (e.g., data) provided from the MAC layer in the form of a frame. Also, in the PHY layer, when detecting a valid preamble of a received frame, the PHY layer monitors the preamble header and sends an instruction notifying the start of reception in the PHY layer to the MAC layer.

[0078] In this way, information transmission / reception in a wireless LAN system is performed in the form of a frame, and for this purpose, a Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) frame format is defined.

[0079] A basic PPDU may include a Short Training Field (STF), a Long Training Field (LTF), a SIGNAL (SIG) field, and a Data field. The most basic (e.g., non-HT (High Throughput) shown in FIG. 7) PPDU format may be composed of only a Legacy-STF (L-STF), a Legacy-LTF (L-LTF), a Legacy-SIG (L-SIG) field, and a Data field. Also, depending on the type of PPDU format (e.g., HT-mixed format PPDU, HT-greenfield format PPDU, Very High Throughput (VHT) PPDU, etc.), additional (or other types of) RL-SIG, U-SIG, non-legacy SIG fields, non-legacy STF, non-legacy LTF (i.e., xx-SIG, xx-STF, xx-LTF (e.g., xx is HT, VHT, HE, EHT, etc.)) may be included between the L-SIG field and the Data field. More specific matters will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0080] The STF is a signal for signal detection, Automatic Gain Control (AGC), diversity selection, precise time synchronization, etc., and the LTF is a signal for channel estimation, frequency error estimation, etc. It can be said that the STF and the LTF are signals for synchronization and channel estimation of the OFDM physical layer.

[0081] The SIG field may contain various information related to PPDU transmission and reception. For example, the L-SIG field may be composed of 24 bits, and the L-SIG field may include a 4-bit Rate field, a 1-bit Reserved bit, a 12-bit Length field, a 1-bit Parity field, and a 6-bit Tail field. The RATE field may contain information regarding the modulation and coding rate of data. For example, the 12-bit Length field may contain information regarding the length or time duration of the PPDU. For example, the value of the 12-bit Length field may be determined based on the type of PPDU. For example, for non-HT, HT, VHT, or EHT PPDUs, the value of the Length field may be determined to be a multiple of 3. For example, for HE PPDUs, the value of the Length field may be determined to be a multiple of 3 + 1 or a multiple of 3 + 2.

[0082] The data field may include a SERVICE field, a PSDU (Physical layer Service Data Unit), PPDU TAIL bits, and, if necessary, padding bits. Some bits of the SERVICE field may be used for synchronization of the descrambler at the receiving end. The PSDU corresponds to the MAC PDU defined at the MAC layer and may include data generated / used at the upper layer. The PPDU TAIL bits may be used to return the encoder to the 0 state. The padding bits may be used to align the length of the data field to a predetermined unit.

[0083] The MAC PDU is defined by various MAC frame formats, and the basic MAC frame is composed of a MAC header, a frame body, and an FCS (Frame Check Sequence). The MAC frame is composed of MAC PDUs and may be transmitted / received by the PSDU in the data part of the PPDU format.

[0084] The MAC header includes a Frame Control field, a Duration / ID field, an Address field, etc. The Frame Control field may include control information necessary for frame transmission / reception. The Duration / ID field may be set to the time for transmitting the frame, etc. The address subfield can indicate the receiver address, transmitter address, destination address, and source address of the frame, and some address subfields may be omitted. It includes Sequence Control, QoS Control, and HT Control subfields, and the specific content of each subfield of the MAC header can be referred to in the IEEE 802.11 standard document.

[0085] The Null Data PPDU (NDP) format means a PPDU format that does not include a data field. That is, NDP means a frame format that includes PPDU preambles (i.e., L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG fields, and, if present, further non-legacy SIG, non-legacy STF, non-legacy LTF) in the general PPDU format and does not include the remaining part (i.e., the data field).

[0086] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a PPDU defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0087] In standards such as IEEE 802.11a / g / n / ac / ax, various forms of PPDUs are used. The basic PPDU format (IEEE 802.11a / g) includes L-LTF, L-STF, L-SIG, and Data fields. The basic PPDU format can also be referred to as the non-HT PPDU format (FIG. 7(a)).

[0088] The HT PPDU format (IEEE 802.11n) further includes HT-SIG, HT-STF, and HT-LFT(s) fields in the basic PPDU format. The HT PPDU format shown in Figure 7(b) can be referred to as the HT-mixed format. An HT-greenfield format PPDU may be further defined, which corresponds to a format composed of HT-GF-STF, HT-LTF1, HT-SIG, one or more HT-LTFs, and a Data field without including L-STF, L-LTF, and L-SIG (not shown).

[0089] An example of the VHT PPDU format (IEEE 802.11ac) further includes VHT SIG-A, VHT-STF, VHT-LTF, and VHT-SIG-B fields in the basic PPDU format (Figure 7(c)).

[0090] An example of the HE PPDU format (IEEE 802.11ax) further includes RL-SIG (Repeated L-SIG), HE-SIG-A, HE-SIG-B, HE-STF, HE-LTF(s), and PE (Packet Extension) fields in the basic PPDU format (Figure 7(d)). Depending on the detailed illustration of the HE PPDU format, some fields may be excluded or their lengths may change. For example, the HE-SIG-B field is included in the HE PPDU format for multiple users (MU) and not included in the HE PPDU format for a single user (SU). Also, the HE trigger-based (TB) PPDU format does not include the HE-SIG-B field, and the length of the HE-STF field may change to 8 us. The HE ER (Extended Range) SU PPDU format does not include the HE-SIG-B field, and the length of the HE-SIG-A field may change to 16 us. For example, RL-SIG may be configured identically to L-SIG. The receiving STA can determine that the received PPDU is an HE PPDU or an EHT PPDU described later based on the presence of RL-SIG.

[0091] The EHT PPDU format may include the EHT MU (multi-user) of FIG. 7(e) and the EHT TB (trigger-based) PPDU of FIG. 7(f). The EHT PPDU format is similar to the HE PPDU format in that it includes an RL-SIG following the L-SIG, but may include a U (universal)-SIG, an EHT-SIG, an EHT-STF, and an EHT-LTF following the RL-SIG.

[0092] The EHT MU PPDU of FIG. 7(e) corresponds to a PPDU that carries one or more data (or PSDU) for one or more users. That is, the EHT MU PPDU may be used for either SU transmission or MU transmission. For example, the EHT MU PPDU may correspond to a PPDU for one receiving STA or multiple receiving STAs.

[0093] The EHT TB PPDU of FIG. 7(f) omits the EHT-SIG compared to the EHT MU PPDU. A STA that receives a trigger (e.g., a trigger frame or TRS (triggered response scheduling)) for UL MU transmission can perform UL transmission based on the EHT TB PPDU format.

[0094] The L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG (Universal SIGNAL), and EHT-SIG fields may be encoded and modulated so that legacy STAs can also attempt demodulation and decoding, and may be mapped based on a defined subcarrier frequency interval (e.g., 312.5 kHz). These may be referred to as pre-EHT modulated fields. Next, the EHT-STF, EHT-LTF, Data, and PE fields may be encoded and modulated so that they can be demodulated and decoded by an STA that has successfully decoded a non-legacy SIG (e.g., U-SIG and / or EHT-SIG) and obtained the information contained in the field, and may be mapped based on a defined subcarrier frequency interval (e.g., 78.125 kHz). These may be referred to as EHT modulated fields.

[0095] Similarly, in the HE PPDU format, the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, HE-SIG-A, and HE-SIG-B fields may be referred to as pre-HE modulated fields, and the HE-STF, HE-LTF, Data, and PE fields may be referred to as HE modulated fields. Also, in the VHT PPDU format, the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, and VHT-SIG-A fields may be referred to as pre-VHT modulated fields, and the VHT STF, VHT-LTF, VHT-SIG-B, and Data fields may be referred to as VHT modulated fields.

[0096] The U-SIG included in the EHT PPDU format of FIG. 7 may be configured based on, for example, 2 symbols (e.g., 2 consecutive OFDM symbols). Each symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol) for the U-SIG may have a duration of 4 us, and the U-SIG may have an overall duration of 8 us. Each symbol of the U-SIG may be used to transmit 26 bits of information. For example, each symbol of the U-SIG may be transmitted and received based on 52 data tones and 4 pilot tones.

[0097] The U-SIG may be configured in units of 20 MHz. For example, when an 80 MHz PPDU is configured, the same U-SIG may be replicated in units of 20 MHz. That is, the same four U-SIGs may be included in the 80 MHz PPDU. When the bandwidth exceeds 80 MHz, for example, for a 160 MHz PPDU, the U-SIG of the first 80 MHz unit and the U-SIG of the second 80 MHz unit may be different from each other.

[0098] In the U-SIG, for example, A uncoded bits may be transmitted. The first symbol of the U-SIG (for example, the U-SIG-1 symbol) may transmit the first X bits of the total A-bit information, and the second symbol of the U-SIG (for example, the U-SIG-2 symbol) may transmit the remaining Y bits of the total A-bit information. The A-bit information (for example, 52 uncoded bits) may include a CRC field (for example, a 4-bit long field) and a tail field (for example, a 6-bit long field). The tail field may be used to terminate the trellis of the convolutional decoder and may be set to 0, for example.

[0099] The A-bit information transmitted by the U-SIG can be distinguished into version-independent bits and version-dependent bits. For example, the U-SIG may be included in a new PPDU format not shown in FIG. 7 (for example, the UHR PPDU format). In the format of the U-SIG field included in the EHT PPDU format and the format of the U-SIG field included in the UHR PPDU format, the version-independent bits may be the same, and some or all of the version-dependent bits may be different.

[0100] For example, the size of the version-independent bits of U-SIG may be fixed or variable. The version-independent bits may be assigned only to U-SIG-1 symbols, or may be assigned to both U-SIG-1 symbols and U-SIG-2 symbols. The version-independent bits and the version-dependent bits may be referred to by various names such as the first control bit and the second control bit.

[0101] For example, the version-independent bits of U-SIG may include a 3-bit physical layer version identifier, and this information can indicate the PHY version (e.g., EHT, UHR, etc.) of the transmitted and received PPDU. The version-independent bits of U-SIG may include a 1-bit UL / DL flag field. The first value of the 1-bit UL / DL flag field is related to UL communication, and the second value of the UL / DL flag field is related to DL communication. The version-independent bits of U-SIG may include information regarding the length of the TXOP (transmission opportunity) and information regarding the BSS color ID.

[0102] For example, the version-dependent bits of U-SIG may include information that directly or indirectly indicates the type of PPDU (e.g., SU PPDU, MU PPDU, TB PPDU, etc.).

[0103] The information necessary for the transmission and reception of PPDU may be included in U-SIG. For example, U-SIG may further include information regarding the bandwidth, information regarding the MCS method applied to non-legacy SIG (e.g., EHT-SIG or UHR-SIG, etc.), information indicating whether a DCM (dual carrier modulation) method (e.g., reusing the same signal on two subcarriers) is applied to achieve an effect similar to frequency diversity for non-legacy SIG, information regarding the number of symbols used for non-legacy SIG, information regarding whether non-legacy SIG is generated over the entire bandwidth, etc.

[0104] Some of the information necessary for PPDU transmission and reception may be included in the U-SIG and / or non-legacy SIG (e.g., EHT-SIG or UHR-SIG, etc.). For example, information regarding the type of non-legacy LTF / STF (e.g., EHT-LTF / EHT-STF or UHR-LTF / UHR-STF, etc.), information regarding the length of the non-legacy LTF and the CP (cyclic prefix) length, information regarding the GI (guard interval) applied to the non-legacy LTF, information regarding preamble puncturing applicable to the PPDU, information regarding RU (resource unit) allocation, etc. may be included only in the U-SIG, may be included only in the non-legacy SIG, or may be indicated by a combination of the information included in the U-SIG and the information included in the non-legacy SIG.

[0105] Preamble puncturing can mean the transmission of a PPDU where there is no signal present in one or more frequency units in the bandwidth of the PPDU. For example, the size of the frequency unit (or the resolution of the preamble puncturing) may be defined as 20 MHz, 40 MHz, etc. For example, preamble puncturing may be applied to a PPDU bandwidth of a predetermined size or more.

[0106] In the example of FIG. 7, non-legacy SIGs such as HE-SIG-B and EHT-SIG may include control information for the receiving STA. The non-legacy SIG may be transmitted in at least one symbol, and one symbol may have a length of 4 us. Information regarding the number of symbols used for the EHT-SIG may be included in a previous SIG (e.g., HE-SIG-A, U-SIG, etc.).

[0107] Non-legacy SIGs such as HE-SIG-B and EHT-SIG may include a common field and a user-specific field. The common field and the user-specific field may be coded separately.

[0108] In some cases, the common field may be omitted. For example, the common field may be omitted in a compression mode where non-OFDMA (orthogonal frequency multiple access) is applied, and multiple STAs can receive a PPDU (e.g., the data field of the PPDU) in the same frequency band. In a non-compression mode where OFDMA is applied, multiple users can receive a PPDU (e.g., the data field of the PPDU) in individual frequency bands.

[0109] The number of user-specific fields may be determined based on the number of users. One user block field may include a maximum of two user fields. Each user field may be related to MU-MIMO allocation or non-MU-MIMO allocation.

[0110] The common field may include CRC bits and Tail bits. The length of the CRC bits may be determined to be 4 bits, and the length of the Tail bits may be determined to be 6 bits and may be set to 000000. The common field may include RU allocation information. The RU allocation information may include information about the location of the RUs allocated to multiple users (i.e., multiple receiving STAs).

[0111] An RU may include a plurality of subcarriers (or tones). The RU may be used when transmitting signals to a plurality of STAs based on the OFDMA technique. Also, the RU may be defined even when transmitting a signal to one STA. Resources may be allocated in units of RU for the non-legacy STF, non-legacy LTF, and Data field.

[0112] The RU of an applicable size may be defined by the PPDU bandwidth. The RU may be defined to be the same or different for the applied PPDU format (e.g., HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, etc.). For example, in the case of an 80 MHz PPDU, the RU arrangements of the HE PPDU and the EHT PPDU may be different from each other. The size of the applicable RU, the number of RUs, the RU position, the DC (direct current) subcarrier position and number, the null subcarrier position and number, the guard subcarrier position and number, etc. for each PPDU bandwidth can be referred to as a tone-plan. For example, the tone-plan for a wide bandwidth may be defined in the form of multiple repetitions of the tone-plan for a low bandwidth.

[0113] RUs of various sizes may be defined such as 26-tone RU, 52-tone RU, 106-tone RU, 242-tone RU, 484-tone RU, 996-tone RU, 2×996-tone RU, 4×996-tone RU, etc. An MRU (multiple RU) is distinguished from a plurality of individual RUs and corresponds to a group of subcarriers composed of a plurality of RUs. For example, one MRU may be defined as 52 + 26 tones, 106 + 26 tones, 484 + 242 tones, 996 + 484 tones, 996 + 484 + 242 tones, 2×996 + 484 tones, 3×996 tones, or 3×996 + 484 tones. Also, the plurality of RUs constituting one MRU may or may not be continuous in the frequency domain.

[0114] The specific size of the RU may be reduced or expanded. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the specific size of each RU (i.e., the number of corresponding tones) is illustrative rather than restrictive. Also, in the present disclosure, within a predetermined bandwidth (e.g., 20, 40, 80, 160, 320 MHz,...), the number of RUs may vary depending on the size of the RU.

[0115] In the PPDU format of FIG. 7, the names of the respective fields are illustrative, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the names. Also, the examples of the present disclosure may be applied to new PPDU formats in which some fields are excluded and / or some fields are added based on the PPDU format illustrated in FIG. 7 in addition to the PPDU format illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0116] RU / MRU for PPDU transmission / reception on a channel to which preamble puncturing is applied for a wide bandwidth

[0117] In the above-described wireless LAN system, channels for a maximum bandwidth of 320 MHz are defined.

[0118] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of channels defined for a frequency band to which the present disclosure is applicable.

[0119] FIG. 8(a) illustrates the relative positions on the frequency domain for 59 channels with a bandwidth of 20 MHz, 29 channels with a bandwidth of 40 MHz, 14 channels with a bandwidth of 80 MHz, and 7 channels with a bandwidth of 160 MHz, which are defined on a total frequency spectrum of 1200 MHz in the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0120] Figure 8(b) illustrates the relative positions in the frequency domain for 25 channels with a bandwidth of 20 MHz, 12 channels with a bandwidth of 40 MHz, 6 channels with a bandwidth of 80 MHz, and 2 channels with a bandwidth of 160 MHz, which are defined on a total frequency spectrum of 500 MHz in the 5 GHz frequency band. When dynamic frequency selection (DFS) is not considered on the 5 GHz frequency band, channels may be defined on a spectrum of 180 MHz. For example, in Figure 8(b), the DFS channels are shown as non-hatched figures.

[0121] Figure 8(c) illustrates the relative positions in the domain for 3 channels with a bandwidth of 20 MHz and 1 channel with a bandwidth of 40 MHz, which are defined on a total frequency spectrum of 80 MHz in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. As shown in Figure 8(c), the 20 MHz channels may be defined as non-overlapping channels with the 40 MHz channel.

[0122] Figure 8(d) illustrates the relative positions in the frequency domain for 14 channels with a bandwidth of 80 MHz, 7 channels with a bandwidth of 160 MHz, and 3 channels with a bandwidth of 320 MHz at the first position (i.e., corresponding to 320-1) and the second position (i.e., corresponding to 320-2), which are associated with the positions of the UNII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) channels in the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0123] In the illustration of Figure 8(d), 1 channel with a bandwidth of 320 MHz may be formed by combining 2 consecutive 160 MHz channels, and the 320 MHz channels in the two forms / positions may be defined at overlapping positions with each other. For example, the 320-1 channel included in the UNII5 channel corresponds to the combination of the first and second 160 MHz channels, the 320-2 channel included in the UNII5 channel corresponds to the combination of the second and third 160 MHz channels, and the 320-1 channel and the 320-2 channel may be defined at positions where the second 160 MHz channel positions overlap.

[0124] As described above, in the existing 6 GHz frequency band, only channels up to 320 MHz bandwidth are defined. Further, in the wireless LAN system described above (for example, 802.11be), a PPDU transmission / reception method using a continuous 240 MHz channel by puncturing the lowest or highest 80 MHz channel at 320 MHz bandwidth is defined.

[0125] On the other hand, in the next-generation wireless LAN system, a definition for a bandwidth wider than 320 MHz is required. In this regard, channels and bandwidths such as 480 MHz / 560 MHz / 640 MHz may be defined in order to improve throughput and efficiency.

[0126] In the present disclosure, a wide bandwidth in a next-generation wireless LAN system and a preamble puncturing method related thereto are proposed with various examples. Further, in the present disclosure, a method of defining an RU / MRU pattern applicable to a specific channel within a wide bandwidth based on the preamble puncturing method described above is proposed with various examples.

[0127] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of transmitting a PPDU based on a channel defined for a wide bandwidth according to the present disclosure.

[0128] In step S910, the first STA can generate a PPDU within a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band.

[0129] For example, the predefined frequency band may correspond to the 6 GHz frequency band. The bandwidth may correspond to 640 MHz. As a specific example, it may correspond to a first 640 MHz (for example, 640-1 channel) located at a low frequency or a second 640 MHz (for example, 640-2 channel) located at a high frequency within the predefined frequency band.

[0130] The generation of the PPDU may include constructing each of the fields included in the PPDU based on any one of various predetermined PPDU formats. For example, the PPDU may include one or more fields including allocation information for one or more RUs on a predetermined channel described later. For example, the one or more fields including RU allocation information may be one or more SIG fields.

[0131] For example, the allocation information for one or more RUs on a predetermined channel can indicate a specific candidate within a set including a predetermined number of RUs or MRU candidates for the channel width of the predetermined channel. In the present disclosure, examples of RU / MRU candidates considering the case of using the entire channel width of a predetermined channel and / or the case where additional puncturing exists for the channel width will be described.

[0132] In step S920, the first STA can transmit a PPDU on a predetermined channel.

[0133] The channel width of the predetermined channel may correspond to a size smaller than the bandwidth described in step S910. For example, if the bandwidth corresponds to 640 MHz, the channel width may correspond to 560 MHz. In the present disclosure, specific examples of a method (for example, a preamble puncturing-based method) for configuring / forming a predetermined channel having a channel width smaller than the bandwidth will be described.

[0134] For example, the predetermined channel may be set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth. At this time, the position where the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth may be set / defined to be different depending on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within a predefined frequency band.

[0135] As a specific example, when the bandwidth is located at a low frequency within a predefined frequency band, a channel of a specific size may be punctured at the highest frequency portion of the bandwidth. On the other hand, when the bandwidth is located at a high frequency within a predefined frequency band, a channel of a specific size may be punctured at the lowest frequency portion of the bandwidth.

[0136] The method performed by the first STA illustrated in FIG. 9 may be performed by the first device 100 of FIG. 1. For example, one or more processors 102 of the first device 100 of FIG. 1 may be configured to generate a PPDU corresponding to a predetermined channel width and transmit the generated PPDU to one or more STAs 200 via one or more transceivers 106.

[0137] For example, considering preamble puncturing applicable to the PPDU within the bandwidth and RU allocation on a predetermined channel width to which preamble puncturing is applied, one or more processors 102 of the first device 100 may be configured to generate a PPDU including a U-SIG and / or a non-legacy SIG (e.g., UHR-SIG) for instructing information regarding preamble puncturing, information regarding RU allocation, etc. As an example, information such as information regarding the bandwidth, information regarding preamble puncturing, and information regarding RU allocation may be included only in the U-SIG, may be included only in the non-legacy SIG, or may be instructed by a combination of information included in the U-SIG and information included in the non-legacy SIG.

[0138] Note that one or more memories 104 of the first device 100 can store instructions for performing the method illustrated in the example of FIG. 9 or the examples described later when executed by one or more processors 102.

[0139] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method of receiving a PPDU based on a channel defined for a wide bandwidth according to the present disclosure.

[0140] In stage S1010, the second STA can receive a PPDU on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than the bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band. For example, the predetermined channel may be set by puncturing channels of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth. At this time, the positions where the channels of the specific size are punctured within the bandwidth may be set / defined to be different from each other depending on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

[0141] In stage S1020, the second STA can process the PPDU based on the allocation information for one or more RUs on the predetermined channel included in one or more fields of the PPDU. For example, the processing of the PPDU may include obtaining the information included in each of the fields of the received PPDU based on any one of various predefined PPDU formats.

[0142] In the example of FIG. 10, the manner of forming / composing a predetermined channel within the bandwidth and the features of the specific RU or MRU candidate indicated by the allocation information are as described in the example of FIG. 9, and the overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[0143] The method performed by the second STA described in the example of FIG. 10 may be performed by the second device 200 of FIG. 1. For example, one or more processors 202 of the second device 200 of FIG. 1 may be set to receive a PPDU from the first STA via one or more transceivers 206 on a predetermined channel width and process the PPDU based on the control information (e.g., RU allocation information) included in the received PPDU.

[0144] For example, when processing a PPDU, one or more processors 202 of the second device 200 may be configured to perform decoding on the U-SIG and / or non-legacy SIG (e.g., UHR-SIG) included in the PPDU to confirm the preamble puncturing applied to the PPDU within the bandwidth and the RU allocation on a predetermined channel width to which the preamble puncturing is applied. As an example, information regarding the bandwidth, information regarding the preamble puncturing, information regarding the RU allocation, etc. may be included only in the U-SIG, may be included only in the non-legacy SIG, or may be indicated by a combination of the information included in the U-SIG and the information included in the non-legacy SIG. Accordingly, one or more processors 202 of the second device 200 may confirm the size and position of the channel preamble punctured within the bandwidth and confirm the RU / MRU allocated to itself on the channel width to which the preamble puncturing is applied, based on the decoding of the U-SIG and / or non-legacy SIG (e.g., UHR-SIG) included in the PPDU.

[0145] Note that one or more memories 204 of the second device 200 can store instructions for performing the methods described in the example of FIG. 10 or the examples described later when executed by one or more processors 202.

[0146] The PPDUs described in the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10 may have an extended / modified PPDU format that includes one or more additional, modified, or excluded fields compared to the PPDU formats of FIGS. 6 or 7. Thereby, the generation of the PPDU and the processing of the PPDU may include various processes based on the extended / modified PPDU format described above and may be transmitted or received on a 480 MHz / 560 MHz channel.

[0147] The examples of FIGS. 9 and 10 may correspond to a part of various examples of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, various examples of the present disclosure including the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10 will be described.

[0148] FIG. 11 illustrates a channel having a wide frequency according to the present disclosure.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 11, two formats of 480 MHz channels (e.g., 480-1 and 480-2) may be defined, and they may be allowed to overlap. Further, two formats of 560 MHz channels (e.g., 560-1 and 560-2) may be defined, and they may be concatenated without overlapping within the 6 GHz frequency band. Further, two formats of 640 MHz channels (e.g., 640-1 and 640-2) may be defined, and they may be allowed to overlap.

[0150] As described above, in the next-generation wireless LAN system, a method of defining a bandwidth such as 480 MHz / 560 MHz / 640 MHz may be considered.

[0151] For example, in the next-generation wireless LAN system, a 480 MHz bandwidth and a 640 MHz bandwidth may be defined, and the 560 MHz channel may be formed / configured by other methods. Another example is that only a 640 MHz bandwidth is defined in the next-generation wireless LAN system (the 480 MHz bandwidth is not defined), and only a specific 560 MHz transmission applying specific preamble puncturing to the 640 MHz bandwidth may be considered.

[0152] In connection with this, when considering the signaling overhead for indicating the bandwidth and the complexity in implementation, etc., it would be efficient to define only the 640 MHz bandwidth, and consider the remaining 480 MHz / 560 MHz channels, etc., as a situation where specific channels are preamble punctured with the 640 MHz bandwidth.

[0153] Therefore, in the present disclosure, a specific method of applying preamble puncturing to the defined 640 MHz bandwidth to form 480 MHz / 560 MHz channels for performing 480 MHz / 560 MHz channel-based transmission is proposed.

[0154] The proposed method in this disclosure may be considered for both non-OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) transmission and OFDMA transmission. Further, when applying the method described below in actual transmission, the primary 20 MHz channel (P20) does not have to be preamble punctured.

[0155] First, a method of applying preamble puncturing to a defined 640 MHz bandwidth to form / configure a 480 MHz channel will be described.

[0156] For example, two specific 80 MHz channels or one specific 160 MHz channel in a 640 MHz bandwidth may be preamble punctured to form a 480 MHz channel.

[0157] The 480 MHz channel does not have to be a continuous 480 MHz channel. Therefore, in this case, further definitions for specific preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. may not be necessary, and in this case, all preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. may be considered based on the 640 MHz bandwidth.

[0158] Taking another example, considering a continuous 480 MHz channel, preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. that are only applicable to this situation may be defined. For this purpose, one of the following two methods of preamble puncturing may be applied to the 640 MHz bandwidth to form a 480 MHz channel.

[0159] - Method 1. A method of puncturing the 160 MHz channel located at the lowest or highest frequency of the 640 MHz bandwidth

[0160] - Method of puncturing the 80 MHz channel located at the lowest frequency and the 80 MHz channel located at the highest frequency within the 2.640 MHz bandwidth

[0161] In the case of Method 1, the 480 MHz channel may be configured in a form where the 320 MHz channel and the 160 MHz channel are consecutive. In the case of Method 2, the 480 MHz channel may be configured in a form where the 80 MHz channel, the 160 MHz channel, the 160 MHz channel, and the 80 MHz channel are consecutive, or in a form where the 80 MHz channel, the 320 MHz channel, and the 80 MHz channel are consecutive.

[0162] When considering the ease of operation of the 480 MHz channel and / or the ease of definition for specific preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. applicable in such a situation, Method 1 may be relatively easier / more efficient.

[0163] In relation to the method of configuring the 480 MHz channel, the preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. applied to the 480 MHz channel may belong to the preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. in the 640 MHz bandwidth. In this regard, by defining preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. that are only applicable in the 480 MHz situation where a specific channel is punctured, the above-mentioned method can be differentiated from the case of the 640 MHz bandwidth.

[0164] Next, a method of applying preamble puncturing to the defined 640 MHz bandwidth to form / configure a 560 MHz channel will be described.

[0165] For example, one specific 80 MHz channel within the 640 MHz bandwidth may be preamble punctured to form a 560 MHz channel.

[0166] In the case of the 560 MHz channel, it does not have to be a continuous 560 MHz channel. Therefore, in this situation, further definitions for specific preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. may not be necessary, and in this case, all preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. may be considered based on the 640 MHz bandwidth.

[0167] As another example, considering a continuous 560 MHz channel, preamble puncturing, RU / MRU patterns, etc. that are only applicable to this situation may be defined. For this purpose, preamble puncturing that punctures the 80 MHz channel located at the lowest or highest frequency with respect to the 640 MHz bandwidth may be applied, and the 560 MHz channel may be configured.

[0168] As yet another example, the case where only two 640 MHz channels (i.e., the 640-1 channel and the 640-2 channel in FIG. 11) considering the two lowest 320-1 channel combinations and the two highest 320-2 channel combinations are defined in the 6 GHz frequency band may be considered.

[0169] In this case, the 560-1 channel located at a lower frequency may be configured by puncturing the 80 MHz channel located at the highest frequency with respect to the lower 640 MHz bandwidth (i.e., the 640-1 channel in FIG. 11). Also, the 560-2 channel located at a higher frequency may be configured by puncturing the 80 MHz channel located at the lowest frequency with respect to the higher 640 MHz bandwidth (i.e., the 640-2 channel in FIG. 11).

[0170] The two 560 MHz channels configured by the method in the above example do not overlap with each other and are easy to implement. In that the channels do not overlap with each other, there is a characteristic that interference between different 560 MHz channels does not occur, and efficiency can be improved in terms of channel operation.

[0171] In relation to the method of configuring a 560 MHz channel, the preamble puncturing, RU / MRU pattern, etc. applied to the 560 MHz channel may belong to those such as the preamble puncturing, RU / MRU pattern, etc. in the 640 MHz bandwidth. In this regard, by defining the preamble puncturing, RU / MRU pattern, etc. applicable only in the situation where a specific channel is punctured in the 560 MHz situation, the above-described method can be differentiated from the case of the 640 MHz bandwidth.

[0172] Hereinafter, in the present disclosure, the RU / MRU applicable to transmission in a 560 MHz channel configured based on the above-described preamble puncturing method will be specifically proposed with examples. Hereinafter, the examples may be classified according to whether a 480 MHz bandwidth is further defined in addition to the definition for the 640 MHz bandwidth in the wireless LAN system.

[0173] Example 1

[0174] This example relates to the RU / MRU applicable only to transmission in a 560 MHz channel in a situation where a 640 MHz bandwidth and a 480 MHz bandwidth are defined in the wireless LAN system.

[0175] As described above, the transmission on the 560 MHz channel may correspond to the transmission using a continuous 560 MHz channel in a situation where the lowest or highest 80 MHz channel in the 640 MHz bandwidth is punctured (i.e., preamble puncturing). The puncturing method may be considered for both non-OFDMA and OFDMA transmissions.

[0176] In this regard, the RU / MRU defined on the 560 MHz channel by the above-described puncturing method will be specifically described. When 480 MHz is defined as one bandwidth, the application of RU or MRU of 480 MHz or higher may be possible.

[0177] First, the specific RU / MRU candidates in the case where puncturing is applied considering a non-OFDMA situation may be as follows.

[0178] - A 7×996-tone RU or MRU considering the case of using the entire 560 MHz channel (i.e., when there is no additional channel puncturing for the 560 MHz channel)

[0179] - A 6×996 + 484-tone MRU considering the case where there is (an additional) one 40 MHz channel puncturing for the 560 MHz channel

[0180] - A 5×996 + 484 + 484-tone MRU considering the case where there are (an additional) two 40 MHz channel puncturings for the 560 MHz channel

[0181] - A 6×996-tone RU or MRU based on (an additional) one 80 MHz channel puncturing for the 560 MHz channel

[0182] In relation to the specific RU / MRU candidates described above, the entire set of candidates may be defined in the wireless LAN system, or only a part of them may be defined.

[0183] Next, even when puncturing is applied considering an OFDMA situation, the specific RU / MRU candidates described above may be applied. In this case, for channels within the 560 MHz channel other than the channels to which the RU or MRU is applied within the 560 MHz channel, one or more specific RUs or MRUs may be applied to the unpunctured channels.

[0184] In relation to this, not only in the non-OFDMA situation but also in the OFDMA situation, the 80 MHz channels other than the 560 MHz channel within the 640 MHz bandwidth may always be punctured.

[0185] Example 2

[0186] This embodiment relates to RU / MRUs applicable only to transmissions in a 560 MHz channel in a situation where only a 640 MHz bandwidth is defined and a 480 MHz bandwidth is not defined in a wireless LAN system.

[0187] As in the above-described Example 1, the transmission on the 560 MHz channel may correspond to the transmission using a continuous 560 MHz channel in a situation where the lowest or highest 80 MHz channel of the 640 MHz bandwidth is punctured (i.e., preamble puncturing). This puncturing method may be considered for both non-OFDMA and OFDMA transmissions.

[0188] In connection with this, the RU / MRUs defined on the 560 MHz channel by the above-described puncturing method will be specifically described. When 480 MHz is not defined as one bandwidth, RUs or MRUs of 320 MHz or more can be applied.

[0189] First, the specific RU / MRU candidates in the case where puncturing is applied considering the non-OFDMA situation may be as follows.

[0190] - 7×996-tone RU or MRU considering the case of using the entire 560 MHz channel (i.e., when there is no additional channel puncturing for the 560 MHz channel)

[0191] - 6×996 + 484-tone MRU considering the case where there is (an additional) one 40 MHz channel puncturing for the 560 MHz channel

[0192] - 5×996 + 484 + 484-tone MRU considering the case where there are (an additional) two 40 MHz channel puncturings for the 560 MHz channel

[0193] - One (additional) 6x996-tone RU or MRU based on 80MHz channel puncturing for the 560MHz channel

[0194] - 5x996 + 484-tone MRU considering the case where there is one (additional) 40MHz channel puncturing and one 80MHz channel puncturing for the 560MHz channel

[0195] - 5x996-tone RU or MRU considering the case where there are two (additional) 80MHz channel puncturings or one 160MHz channel puncturing for the 560MHz channel

[0196] - 4x996 + 484-tone MRU considering the case where there is one (additional) 40MHz channel puncturing and one 160MHz channel puncturing for the 560MHz channel

[0197] - 4x996-tone RU or MRU based on one (additional) 80MHz channel puncturing and one 160MHz channel puncturing for the 560MHz channel

[0198] In relation to the specific RU / MRU candidates described above, the entire set of candidates may be defined in the wireless LAN system, or only a part of them may be defined.

[0199] Next, even when puncturing is applied considering the OFDMA situation, the specific RU / MRU candidates described above may be applied. In this case, for channels within the 560MHz channel that are not punctured among the channels other than the channel to which the RU or MRU is applied, one or more specific RUs or MRUs may be applied.

[0200] In connection with this, not only in non - OFDMA situations but also in OFDMA situations, the 80 - MHz channels other than the 560 - MHz channel within the 640 - MHz bandwidth may always be punctured.

[0201] In the above - mentioned case, the RU or MRU of 320 MHz or more and 480 MHz or less may be considered only for transmission within a specific continuous 480 - MHz channel.

[0202] Transmission on the 480 - MHz channel may correspond to transmission using a continuous 480 - MHz channel configured by puncturing (i.e., preamble puncturing) the lowest or highest 160 - MHz channel in the 640 - MHz bandwidth. As an alternative, transmission on the 480 - MHz channel may correspond to transmission using a continuous 480 - MHz channel configured by puncturing the lowest 80 - MHz channel and the highest 80 - MHz channel in the 640 - MHz bandwidth. This puncturing method may be considered for both non - OFDMA and OFDMA transmissions.

[0203] In connection with this, the RU / MRU defined on the 480 - MHz channel by the above - mentioned puncturing method will be specifically described.

[0204] First, the specific RU / MRU candidates in the case where puncturing is applied considering the non - OFDMA situation may be as follows.

[0205] - A 6×996 - tone RU or MRU considering the case of using the entire 480 - MHz channel (i.e., when there is no additional channel puncturing for the 480 - MHz channel)

[0206] - A 5×996 + 484 - tone MRU considering the case where there is (an additional) 1 - channel 40 - MHz channel puncturing for the 480 - MHz channel

[0207] - 5×996-tone RU or MRU considering the case where there is (an additional) one 80MHz channel puncturing for the 480MHz channel

[0208] - 4×996 + 484-tone MRU considering the case where there is (an additional) one 40MHz channel puncturing and one 80MHz channel puncturing for the 480MHz channel

[0209] - 4×996-tone RU or MRU considering the case where there are (an additional) two 80MHz channel puncturings or one 160MHz channel puncturing for the 480MHz channel

[0210] In relation to the specific RU / MRU candidates described above, the entire candidates may be defined in the wireless LAN system, or only a part of them may be defined.

[0211] Next, even when puncturing is applied considering the OFDMA situation, the specific RU / MRU candidates described above may be applied. In this case, for channels within the 480MHz channel other than the channel to which the RU or MRU is applied, one or more specific RUs or MRUs may be applied to channels that are not punctured.

[0212] In relation to this, not only in the non-OFDMA situation but also in the OFDMA situation, the 160MHz channel or two 80MHz channels other than the 480MHz channel within the 640MHz bandwidth may always be punctured.

[0213] In an existing wireless LAN system, preamble puncturing can be applied to a maximum bandwidth of 320 MHz to define an RU / MRU pattern. In this regard, although there is no defined limit on the puncturing position for a specific bandwidth in the existing wireless LAN system, the proposed method in the present disclosure has a new feature that the position to be preamble punctured is limited by the position of a specific bandwidth existing within the 6 GHz frequency band. Thereby, mutual interference that may occur between individual bandwidths (for example, two 640 MHz bandwidths) on the frequency band is reduced, and a new effect can be achieved in which throughput and efficiency are improved by supporting a wide bandwidth.

[0214] The embodiments described above are those in which the components and features of the present disclosure are combined in a predetermined form. Each component or feature should be considered as optional unless otherwise explicitly mentioned. Each component or feature may be implemented in a form that does not combine with other components or features. Also, it is possible to configure embodiments of the present disclosure by combining some components and / or features. The order of operations described in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be changed. Some components or features of one embodiment may be included in other embodiments, or may be replaced with corresponding components or features of other embodiments. It is obvious that claims having no explicit citation relationship in the claims can be combined to configure embodiments or can be included as new claims by amendment after filing.

[0215] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any way and should be considered as exemplary. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and any changes within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0216] The scope of the present disclosure includes software or machine-executable instructions (e.g., operating systems, applications, firmware, programs, etc.) that cause an apparatus or computer to perform operations according to the methods of various embodiments, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which such software or instructions are stored and executable on the apparatus or computer. Instructions available for programming a processing system to perform the features described in the present disclosure may be stored on / within a storage medium or computer-readable storage medium, and the features described in the present disclosure may be implemented using a computer program product including such a storage medium. The storage medium may include, but is not limited to, high-speed random access memory such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid-state memory devices, and may include non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. The memory may optionally include one or more storage devices located remotely from the processor. The memory or, alternatively, the non-volatile memory device within the memory includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The features described in the present disclosure may be stored on any one of the machine-readable media, control the hardware of the processing system, and be integrated into software and / or firmware that enables the processing system to interact with other mechanisms to utilize the results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Such software or firmware may include, but is not limited to, application code, device drivers, operating systems, and execution environments / containers.

Industrial Applicability

[0217] Although the method proposed in the present disclosure has been mainly described with an example applied to an IEEE 802.11-based system, it can be applied to various wireless LANs or wireless communication systems other than the IEEE 802.11-based system.

Claims

1. A method performed by a first station (STA) in a wireless LAN system, the method comprising: generating a PPDU (physical layer protocol data unit) within a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band; transmitting the PPDU on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than the bandwidth; wherein the PPDU includes one or more fields including allocation information for one or more resource units (RUs) on the predetermined channel; wherein the predetermined channel is set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth; wherein a position where the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth is based on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein based on the bandwidth being located at the low frequency, the channel of the specific size is punctured in the highest frequency portion of the bandwidth.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein based on the bandwidth being located at the high frequency, the channel of the specific size is punctured in the lowest frequency portion of the bandwidth.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bandwidth corresponds to a first 640 MHz located at a low frequency or a second 640 MHz located at a high frequency within the predefined frequency band.

5. The channel width of the predetermined channel corresponds to 560 MHz; The method according to claim 4, wherein the channel of the specific size corresponds to an 80 MHz channel.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the allocation information indicates a specific candidate within a set including a predefined number of multiple RU (MRU) candidates for the channel width of the predetermined channel.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes 7×996 tone RUs without additional channel puncturing for the channel width.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes a 6×996 + 484 - tone MRU based on one 40 - MHz channel puncturing for the channel width.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes a 5×996 + 484 + 484 - tone MRU based on two 40 - MHz channel puncturings for the channel width.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes a 6×996 - tone RU based on one 80 - MHz channel puncturing for the channel width.

11. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes a 5×996 + 484 - tone MRU based on one 40 - MHz channel puncturing and one 80 - MHz channel puncturing for the channel width.

12. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes a 5×996 - tone RU based on two 80 - MHz channel puncturings or one 160 - MHz channel puncturing for the channel width.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes a 4×996 + 484 - tone MRU based on one 40 - MHz channel puncturing and one 160 - MHz channel puncturing for the channel width.

14. The method according to claim 6, wherein the predefined number of MRU candidates includes a 4×996 - tone RU based on one 80 - MHz channel puncturing and one 160 - MHz channel puncturing for the channel width.

15. A first station (STA) device in a wireless LAN system, the device comprising: one or more transceivers; one or more processors coupled to the one or more transceivers, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: generate a PPDU (physical layer protocol data unit) within a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band; transmit the PPDU via the one or more transceivers on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than the bandwidth. The PPDU includes one or more fields including allocation information for one or more resource units (RUs) on the predetermined channel. The predetermined channel is set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth. An apparatus, wherein a position where the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth is based on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

16. A method performed by a second station (STA) in a wireless LAN system, the method comprising: receiving a PPDU (physical layer protocol data unit) on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band; processing the PPDU based on allocation information for one or more resource units (RUs) on the predetermined channel included in one or more fields of the PPDU. The predetermined channel is set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth. A method, wherein a position where the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth is based on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

17. A second station (STA) apparatus in a wireless LAN system, the apparatus comprising: one or more transceivers; one or more processors coupled to the one or more transceivers, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receive a PPDU (physical layer protocol data unit) via the one or more transceivers on a predetermined channel corresponding to a channel width smaller than a bandwidth located in a predefined frequency band; process the PPDU based on allocation information for one or more resource units (RUs) on the predetermined channel included in one or more fields of the PPDU. The predetermined channel is set by puncturing a channel of a specific size with respect to the bandwidth, and an apparatus, wherein a position at which the channel of the specific size is punctured within the bandwidth is based on whether the bandwidth is located at a high frequency or a low frequency within the predefined frequency band.

18. A processing unit configured to control a station (STA) in a wireless LAN system, the processing unit comprising: one or more processors; one or more computer memories operably coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 based on execution by the one or more processors. A processing unit comprising:

19. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing one or more instructions, wherein the one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors to control a station (STA) device in a wireless LAN system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A computer-readable medium.

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