Communication methods and systems using millimeter waves

Abstract

This provides a communication method using millimeter waves. [Solution] The communication method is performed by a communication system that stores a zone table and a polling table. The zone table includes a plurality of zone data sets, each corresponding to a plurality of communication zones. For each communication zone, the communication method sets a transmission configuration related to the communication zone based on the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, the transmission configuration includes a transmission angle and a transmission gain, and based on the zone table, sends a plurality of delayed beacon frames to each communication zone according to the plurality of transmission configurations related to the communication zone, each of which indicates a predetermined delay time according to the polling table, enters PCF mode for one of the polled communication zones, and performs data transmission with an accessible terminal device in that communication zone.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication method and a communication system, and particularly to a communication method using millimeter waves and a communication system for executing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Wi-Fi networks are usually connected by broadcasting signals over a wide area using an omnidirectional antenna. However, when an omnidirectional antenna is used for long-distance communication, the signal may attenuate and the connection quality may deteriorate. As a result, it is necessary to reduce the data transfer rate to maintain the connection.

[0003] Millimeter waves are an important tool in 5G communication technology and offer significant advantages. Due to their wide spectrum, millimeter waves can provide high-speed and high-capacity data transmission and can effectively meet the increasing data demand even in a high-density communication environment. Furthermore, millimeter waves enable low-latency communication, which is essential in situations where high immediacy is required. More importantly, a millimeter-wave antenna array can generate a directional beam, providing a higher gain and effectively compensating for signal attenuation due to long-distance communication.

[0004] However, in a Wi-Fi network, if an omnidirectional antenna that can transmit and receive signals uniformly in all directions is replaced with a millimeter-wave antenna array, signal attenuation due to long-distance communication is improved, but line-of-sight (LoS) communication occurs. That is, when the millimeter-wave antenna array generates a narrow-angle beam, the communication angle becomes narrow, and when the millimeter-wave antenna array generates a wide-angle beam, the communication angle becomes wide while the communication distance becomes short. Therefore, when transmitting and receiving in all directions using a millimeter-wave antenna array, problems such as signal attenuation, loss, reduction in communication speed, and disconnection of the connection may occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Patent No. I572092 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a communication method and a communication system that can mitigate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication method using millimeter waves is performed by a communication system. The communication system includes a storage medium for storing a zone table and a polling table, an antenna array, and a controller. The zone table includes a plurality of zone data sets, each corresponding to a plurality of communication zones. Each zone data set indicates an accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone, and the signal strength of each of the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone. The communication method includes: A) For each communication zone, the controller sets a transmit configuration of an antenna array associated with the communication zone based on the signal strength of an accessible terminal device shown in a zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone, wherein the transmit configuration includes a transmit angle and a transmit gain; B) The controller controls the antenna array to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to each communication zone according to a plurality of transmit configurations associated with the communication zone based on a zone table, wherein each delayed beacon frame indicates a preset delay time according to a polling table; and C) For one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller enters PCF (Point Coordination Function) mode and performs data transmission with an accessible terminal device in that communication zone.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication system using millimeter waves includes a storage medium, an antenna array, and a controller. The storage medium stores a zone table and a polling table. The zone table includes a plurality of zone data sets, each corresponding to a plurality of communication zones. Each zone data set indicates an accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone and the signal strength of each of the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone. For each communication zone, the controller sets a transmit configuration of the antenna array related to the communication zone based on the signal strength of the accessible terminal device shown in the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, the transmit configuration including a transmit angle and a transmit gain, and controls the antenna array to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zone according to a plurality of transmit configurations related to the communication zone based on the zone table, each of the delayed beacon frames indicating a preset delay time according to a polling table, and for one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller is configured to enter a PCF (Point Coordination Function) mode and perform data transmission with an accessible terminal device in that communication zone. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the controller sets the transmission configuration of the antenna array related to the communication zone based on the signal strength of accessible terminal devices in the communication zone. The beam transmitted by the antenna array can have a longer transmission distance or a wider transmission angle as needed, thereby enabling more efficient data transmission compared to data transmission using an omnidirectional beam.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1]This figure shows a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing a communication method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the zone scan procedure for the communication method. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the data transmission procedure for a communication method. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing multiple beams radiated by an antenna array into multiple communication zones. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the zone table for the communication system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that, where appropriate, reference numerals or their terminology may be repeated between drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements that may have similar characteristics.

[0013] In this specification, the terms “coupling” or “connection” mean that multiple electrical devices / equipment / facilities are directly connected by a conductive material (e.g., wire), or that two electrical devices / equipment / facilities are indirectly connected by one or more other devices / equipment / facilities or by wireless communication.

[0014] Referring to Figure 1, a communication system 1 is shown that performs a communication method using millimeter waves according to one embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1 includes a storage medium 11, an antenna array 12, and a controller 13 electrically connected to the storage medium 11 and the antenna array 12. In this embodiment, the communication system 1 may also be a radio access point (WAP) configured to communicate with at least one terminal device 3 (e.g., a station (STA)). The storage medium 11 can be implemented using random access memory (RAM) or flash memory. The antenna array 12 is a millimeter-wave antenna array configured to transmit multiple beams directed to multiple specific zones, as shown in Figure 5. More specifically, the beams can be thought of as multiple independent channels, each corresponding to one of the specific zones (e.g., communication zones). That is, the antenna array 12 can use the beams to serve multiple communication zones simultaneously. The controller 13 comprises a transmission server 131 and a detector 132 and can be implemented using a microcontroller.

[0015] The storage medium 11 stores a zone table 60 as shown in Figure 6 and a polling table (not shown). The zone table 60 may be pre-configured or generated by the controller 13. Each zone table 60 is associated with multiple communication zones. Specifically, the controller 13 controls the antenna array 12 to transmit multiple beams in multiple directions corresponding to each communication zone. Each of the aforementioned beams is transmitted at the minimum transmission angle and the maximum transmission gain of the antenna array 12. The controller 13 then records the signal strength of each accessible terminal device 3 that may be present in the communication zone.

[0016] In the example illustrated in Figure 6, the zone table 60 includes multiple zone datasets (e.g., eight zone datasets) corresponding to multiple communication zones (e.g., eight communication zones Z1, Z2, ..., Z8), and multiple group datasets (e.g., four group datasets) corresponding to multiple zone groups that group communication zones (e.g., four zone groups G1, G2, G3, G4). Each zone dataset includes a zone code (e.g., Z1, Z2, ..., Z8) indicating the corresponding communication zone and indicates an accessible terminal device 3 that may be in the corresponding communication zone (e.g., terminal devices A and B are in communication zone Z1). In other words, each zone dataset may include one or more device data pieces corresponding to an accessible terminal device 3 in the corresponding communication zone (i.e., one or more accessible terminal devices 3 exist in the corresponding communication zone), or it may not include any device data pieces (i.e., no accessible terminal devices 3 exist in the communication zone). Each device data piece includes a device name or device code indicating the corresponding accessible terminal device 3, the signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal device 3 in the corresponding communication zone, and the error rate of the accessible terminal device 3 in the corresponding communication zone.

[0017] Signal strength may also be represented by a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and in this embodiment, signal strength is classified into four levels: "Good," "Average," "Poor," and "Cutout." In one embodiment, if the RSSI value is greater than -50 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and less than or equal to -30 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "Good"; if the RSSI value is greater than -75 dBm and less than or equal to -50 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "Average"; if the RSSI value is greater than -95 dBm and less than or equal to -75 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "Poor"; and if the RSSI value is less than or equal to -95 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "Cutout." The error rate is, for example, the code error rate (BER).

[0018] Each group dataset indicates at least one communication zone in the corresponding zone group and at least one accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zones in the corresponding zone group. Specifically, in one embodiment, each group dataset includes a piece of device data corresponding to the accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zone in the corresponding zone group. In one embodiment, when the controller 13 generates the zone table 60, the controller 13 defines a zone group obtained by grouping communication zones based on the RSSI value of each accessible terminal device 3 in each communication zone shown in the zone table 60. Specifically, the controller 13 groups, as a zone group, a communication zone having an accessible terminal device 3 with a signal strength greater than a predetermined value (for example, an accessible terminal device 3 evaluated as having a "good" or "normal" signal strength) among the communication zones based on the piece of device data in the zone dataset of the zone table 60. When the signal strength in adjacent communication zones for the same accessible terminal device 3 is greater than the predetermined value, the aforementioned adjacent communication zones are grouped as one zone group. Note that the zone group may include only one communication zone.

[0019] In the example illustrated in Figure 6, the signal strength of terminal device A is "normal" and "good" in the adjacent communication zones Z1 and Z2, respectively, while the signal strength of terminal device B is "good" in communication zone Z1 and "normal" in communication zone Z2. Therefore, communication zones Z1 and Z2 are grouped as zone group G1. Zone group G1 includes communication zones Z1 and Z2, and terminal devices A and B. The group dataset corresponding to zone group G1 includes a device data piece corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z1, a device data piece corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z1, a device data piece corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z2, and a device data piece corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z2. Thus, the antenna array 12 can be configured by the controller 13, for example, with the modulation set to MCS 10, the antenna power set to 20 dBm, and the antenna angle set to 10 degrees, to serve both of the two terminal devices 3 included in zone group G1. Furthermore, since the signal strength of terminal device F is only available as data in communication zone Z3, and is "normal" in communication zone Z3, communication zone Z3 is grouped as zone group G3. Zone group G3 includes communication zone G3 and terminal device F. The group dataset corresponding to zone group G3 includes device data pieces corresponding to terminal device F in communication zone Z3.

[0020] Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 6, a communication method according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown, the communication method comprising steps 21 to 25.

[0021] In step 21, for each communication zone, the controller 13 determines whether there is a terminal device 3 accessible to the communication zone based on the zone table 60. Specifically, when it is determined that there is no terminal device 3 accessible to the communication zone, or there is only an accessible terminal device 3 evaluated as "disconnected" or "bad", the controller 13 identifies the communication zone as an inactive zone (for example, communication zone Z8). When it is determined that there is an accessible terminal device 3 evaluated as "good" or "normal" in the communication zone, the communication zone is identified as an active zone (for example, communication zones Z1 - Z7).

[0022] In step 22, for each communication zone identified as an inactive zone in step 21, the controller 13 executes a zone scan procedure to search for unregistered terminal devices. An unregistered terminal device is a terminal device 3 that has not yet established a connection with the communication system 1 (that is, has not been registered by the communication system 1). When the zone scan procedures for all communication zones identified as inactive zones are completed, proceed to step 24.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 3, the zone scan procedure executed for each communication zone identified as an inactive zone includes sub - steps 221 to 223. In sub - step 221, the transmission server 131 of the controller 13 controls the antenna array 12 to transmit a scan beacon frame to the communication zone, which is an inactive zone, according to the initial transmission configuration. In this embodiment, the initial transmission configuration includes a transmission angle, which is the minimum transmission angle of the antenna array 12, and a transmission gain, which is the maximum transmission gain of the antenna array.

[0024] In sub - step 222, the detector 132 of the controller 13 determines whether, via the antenna array 12, it has received a registration request from an unregistered terminal device that is transmitted in response to the scan beacon frame and includes a piece of device data corresponding to the unregistered terminal device.

[0025] Specifically, the detector 132 of the controller 13 determines whether a registration request has been received within a predetermined time from the time the scan beacon frame is transmitted. The predetermined time may be, for example, three times the TBTT (target beacon transmission time). In one example, since the TBTT is 102 milliseconds, three times the TBTT is 306 milliseconds, but the present invention is not limited thereto. More specifically, the scan beacon frame includes system information related to the communication system 1, and the antenna array 12 is configured to transmit the scan beacon frame to the communication zone. When an unregistered terminal device in the communication zone receives the scan beacon frame, the unregistered terminal device decodes the scan beacon frame to obtain decoded information (including system information), and if it determines based on the decoded information that the communication system 1 is on a list of connectable devices pre-stored in the unregistered terminal device, the unregistered terminal device sends a registration request to the communication system 1 to request the establishment of a connection with the communication system 1. This allows the detector 132 to determine, through the scan beacon frame transmitted by the antenna array, whether an unregistered terminal device in a communication zone determined to be an inactive zone is attempting to establish a connection with the communication system 1.

[0026] In substep 223, upon receiving a registration request, the detector 132 accepts the registration request and updates the zone table 60 by adding the device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device included in the registration request to the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone. That is, the unregistered terminal device becomes an accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zone, and the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone now includes the device data piece for this new accessible terminal device 3. Furthermore, the detector 132 also adds the device data piece for this new accessible terminal device 3 to the polling table.

[0027] Furthermore, the zone scan procedure may also be performed in special circumstances, such as when the connection to the accessible terminal device 3 becomes unstable due to "rain attenuation." This will allow the zone scan procedure to be performed more frequently, ensuring the stability of data transmission even on rainy days.

[0028] In step 23, for each communication zone identified as an active zone in step 21, the controller 13 executes a data transmission procedure based on the zone table 60 and the polling table, and performs data transmission with the accessible terminal device 3 located in the communication zone identified as an active zone. The polling table shows the beacon interval, the polling order of the communication zones identified as active zones (e.g., communication zones Z1-Z7), and the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zones identified as active zones. In the following example, communication zones Z1 to Z7 are identified as active zones.

[0029] Referring to Figure 4, step 23 includes substeps 231 to 235.

[0030] In substep 231, for each communication zone identified as an active zone, the transmission server 131 of the controller 13 sets the transmission configuration associated with that communication zone based on the zone table 60. The transmission configuration is set based on the signal strength of the accessible terminal devices 3 shown in the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone. The transmission configuration includes the transmission angle, transmission gain, data transmission rate, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) settings, etc.

[0031] In one embodiment, a signal strength is considered strong if the RSSI value is greater than -30 dBm, normal if the RSSI value is greater than -50 dBm and less than or equal to -30 dBm, and weak if the RSSI value is less than or equal to -50 dBm. In one example, when the signal strength is strong, the transmission angle is set large (e.g., 60 degrees) and the transmission gain is set small (e.g., 41 dBm), thereby allowing the beam transmitted from the antenna array 12 to cover a wider area. On the other hand, when the signal strength is weak, the transmission angle is set small (e.g., 12.5 degrees) and the transmission gain is set large (e.g., 48 dBm), thereby maintaining the connection with the accessible terminal device 3. In one embodiment, the transmission server 131 uses multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) wireless communication technology.

[0032] In substep 232, the transmission server 131 controls the antenna array 12 to send multiple delayed beacon frames to the communication zones identified as active zones, according to the transmission configuration associated with those zones, based on the zone table 60. As a result, accessible terminal devices 3 in each of the communication zones identified as active zones receive the corresponding delayed beacon frames. Generally, each delayed beacon frame indicates the preset delay time (i.e., beacon interval) of the corresponding communication zone, according to the polling table. The preset delay times of the delayed beacon frames are different from each other. For example, the preset delay time shown in the delayed beacon frame sent to communication zone Z1 is set to 1 ms, the preset delay time shown in the delayed beacon frame sent to communication zone Z2 is set to 2 ms, and so on, by analogy, for other communication zones that appear later in the sequence. That is, according to the polling order shown in the polling table, the later in the polling order of a communication zone, the longer the corresponding preset delay time is set. As a result, accessible terminal devices 3 that have not yet been polled do not emit signals and do not cause interference to accessible terminal devices 3 that are in a polled communication zone.

[0033] For one of the communication zones identified as a polled active zone, the controller 13 performs a data transmission procedure including substeps 233 to 235.

[0034] In substep 233, the transmission server 131 determines, based on the zone table 60, whether the accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zone requires data transmission. If it determines that the accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zone requires data transmission, the process proceeds to substep 234; otherwise, it proceeds to substep 235.

[0035] Specifically, the transmission server 131 sequentially sends queries to accessible terminal devices 3 in the communication zone, based on the device data pieces included in the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone, asking whether they require data transmission. If an accessible terminal device 3 that receives the query responds that it requires data transmission, the transmission server 131 executes substep 234 described below, then returns to substep 233 and sends a query to the next accessible terminal device 3. If an accessible terminal device 3 that receives the query responds that it does not require data transmission, the transmission server 131 sends a query to the next accessible terminal device 3. If substep 234 is executed because the last accessible terminal device 3 that received the query responded that it does not require data transmission or responded that it does require data transmission, the flow proceeds to substep 235.

[0036] In substep 234, the transmission server 131 performs data transmission with the accessible terminal device 3 based on the zone table 60.

[0037] In one embodiment, the transmission server 131 enters PCF (Point Coordination Function) mode and coordinates communication within the communication zone to achieve data transmission. Generally speaking, the communication system 1 adjusts a preset delay time indicated in the delayed beacon frame according to the number of communication zones identified as active zones. Furthermore, by adjusting the duration of the PCF mode, terminal devices 3 in communication zones identified as active zones can be made to complete data transmission sequentially within a specified time.

[0038] In this embodiment, if the signal strength of terminal devices 3 in adjacent zone groups is "good" or "average," the transmission server 131 can configure the antenna array 12 to communicate with the accessible terminal devices 3 in each zone group using the same bandwidth (e.g., High Throughput 20 MHz (HT20), HT40, HT80, or HT160) and the same MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) (e.g., one of MCS0 to MCS11) for each zone group. In other words, the transmission configuration of the antenna array 12 associated with communication zones in the same zone group is configured identically.

[0039] In one example illustrated in Figure 5, the antenna array 12 generates four beams with different bandwidths and MCSs, each serving one of four zone groups. While this configuration may sacrifice signal strength for each beam by generating four independent directional beams, it simplifies operation and increases the overall network traffic of the communication system 1, as it can serve four zone groups simultaneously. This reduces the time required to poll communication zones, allowing the polling process to be completed more efficiently. Briefly illustrating with another example, an 8x8 antenna array can be considered as two 8x4 antenna arrays, where the 8x4 antenna arrays can transmit beams in different directions (for example, one beam to the left and the other to the right), allowing the two beams to serve two communication zones simultaneously. Furthermore, increasing the number of beams reduces the transmit power. If necessary, in other examples, an 8x8 antenna array may be considered as four 4x4 antenna arrays.

[0040] In substep 235, the transmission server 131 enters DCF (Distributed Coordination Function) mode for a predetermined duration. In DCF mode, in one embodiment, all accessible terminal devices 3 in one of the communication zones identified as polled active zones can send data transmission requests to the transmission server 131 to compete for data transmission priority. In another embodiment, a zone scan procedure may be performed to find unregistered terminal devices in any of the communication zones identified as inactive zones, and the flow proceeds to step 24. When performing a zone scan procedure, the transmission server 131 adjusts the direction the antenna array 12 is facing (i.e., towards another communication zone) and controls the antenna array 12 to send scan beacon frames to the other communication zone according to a transmission configuration with a smaller transmission angle and greater transmission gain. Because the time required to perform the zone scan procedure is short, the transmission server 131 can complete the zone scan procedure during DCF mode. When a registration request is received from an unregistered terminal device 3, the transmission server 131 accepts the registration request and updates the zone table 60, as described above. When DCF mode ends, the flow proceeds to step 24.

[0041] In this embodiment, the transmission server 131 uses media access control (MAC) extension technology to optimize data transmission and reception. Specifically, the transmission server 131 employs TXOP (Transmission Opportunity), HCCA (Hybrid Coordination Function Controlled Channel Access) under PCF mode, and EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access) under DCF mode.

[0042] For example, the zone table 60 includes zone datasets (e.g., a first zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z1, a second zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z2, etc.). Each zone dataset may or may not include device data pieces. Based on the zone datasets, the controller 13 determines whether each communication zone is an active or inactive zone. For each communication zone identified as an inactive zone, the controller 13 performs a zone scan procedure based on the corresponding zone dataset. For each communication zone identified as an active zone, the controller 13 performs a data transmission procedure based on the corresponding zone dataset.

[0043] Because the zone table 60 was updated in substep 223 or 235, in step 24, the detector 132 regroups the communication zones and updates the zone groups based on the updated zone table 60. Each of the updated zone groups contains at least one communication zone.

[0044] In this embodiment, step 24 is performed after the zone scan procedure or data transmission procedure has been performed for all communication zones. In other embodiments, step 24 may be performed after the zone scan procedure or data transmission procedure has been performed for each communication zone, and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0045] Step 25 updates the group dataset in zone table 60 based on the updated zone groups.

[0046] In this embodiment, the controller 13 performs a zone optimization task to regroup communication zones based on the signal strength (i.e., RSSI value) of the accessible terminal devices 3 shown in the zone table 60. More specifically, in step 24, communication zones having the same accessible terminal devices 3 are grouped together as the same zone group. Furthermore, in any zone group, the difference in signal strength between different accessible terminal devices 3 in the communication zones within that zone group is less than a threshold (e.g., 5 dBm). However, the threshold is not limited to this embodiment.

[0047] In one embodiment, if the signal strength of an accessible terminal device 3 in one of the zone groups is attenuated (for example, the signal strength drops to -50 dBm or less), the controller 13 removes the attenuated accessible terminal device 3 (hereinafter referred to as the "attenuated terminal device") from the zone group and adds a new zone group that includes the attenuated terminal device. In this way, the controller 13 can maintain communication with the attenuated terminal device using other bandwidth and MCS. Furthermore, if the power of one of several adjacent accessible terminal devices 3 is too high and affects the other accessible terminal devices 3 or the communication system 1, the controller 13 may send a notice to the accessible terminal device 3 with excessive power (for example, greater than -30 dBm) to notify it to reduce its power in order to facilitate grouping.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 6, the zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z1 includes device data piece 1A corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z1 and device data piece 1B corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z1, where device data piece 1A indicates a signal strength (e.g., RSSI value) of -51 dBm, and device data piece 1B indicates a signal strength of -48 dBm. The zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z2 includes device data piece 2A corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z2 and device data piece 2B corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z2, where device data piece 2A indicates a signal strength of -49 dBm, and device data piece 2B indicates a signal strength of -52 dBm. The zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z3 includes device data piece 3B corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z3, and device data piece 3F corresponding to terminal device F in communication zone Z3, where device data piece 3B indicates a signal strength of -76 dBm, and device data piece 3F indicates a signal strength of -66 dBm. The zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z4 includes device data piece 4C corresponding to terminal device C in communication zone Z4, device data piece 4D corresponding to terminal device D in communication zone Z4, and device data piece 4E corresponding to terminal device E in communication zone Z4, where device data piece 4C indicates a signal strength of -51 dBm, device data piece 4D indicates a signal strength of -52 dBm, and device data piece 4E indicates a signal strength of -48 dBm. The zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z5 includes a device data piece 5C corresponding to terminal device C in communication zone Z5, a device data piece 5D corresponding to terminal device D in communication zone Z5, and a device data piece 5E corresponding to terminal device E in communication zone Z5, wherein device data piece 5C indicates a signal strength of -49 dBm, device data piece 5D indicates a signal strength of -52 dBm, and device data piece 5E indicates a signal strength of -49 dBm.The zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z6 includes device data piece 6C corresponding to terminal device C in communication zone Z6, device data piece 6D corresponding to terminal device D in communication zone Z6, and device data piece 6E corresponding to terminal device E in communication zone Z6, where device data piece 6C indicates a signal strength of -52 dBm, device data piece 6D indicates a signal strength of -48 dBm, and device data piece 6E indicates a signal strength of -51 dBm. The zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z7 includes device data piece 7G corresponding to terminal device G in communication zone Z7, and device data piece 7H corresponding to terminal device H in communication zone Z7, where device data piece 7G indicates a signal strength of -70 dBm, and device data piece 7H indicates a signal strength of -96 dBm. The zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z8 includes a device data piece 8G corresponding to terminal device G in communication zone Z8 and a device data piece 8H corresponding to terminal device H in communication zone Z8, wherein device data piece 8G indicates a signal strength of -80 dBm, and device data piece 8H indicates a signal strength of -97 dBm.

[0049] Since both the zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z1 and the zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z2 contain device data pieces corresponding to terminal device A and terminal device B, and the difference in signal strength between different accessible terminal devices 3 (e.g., signal strength shown in device data pieces 1B and device data pieces 2A) is less than a threshold (e.g., 5 dBm), communication zones Z1 and Z2 are grouped as a zone group. Similarly, communication zones Z4, Z5, and Z6 are grouped as a zone group. As with the zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z3, the device data pieces corresponding to terminal device B and terminal device F are not included in any of the zone datasets corresponding to any of the communication zones, so communication zone Z3 itself is grouped as a zone group. Both the zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z7 and the zone dataset corresponding to communication zone Z8 contain device data pieces corresponding to terminal device G and terminal device H, but because the difference in signal strength of different accessible terminal devices 3 (e.g., signal strength shown in device data pieces 7G and 8G) is greater than or equal to a threshold, communication zone Z7 itself is grouped as a zone group.

[0050] In summary, according to the present invention, the controller 13 determines whether each communication zone is an active or inactive zone, performs a zone scan procedure for communication zones identified as inactive, and performs a data transmission procedure for communication zones identified as active. The controller 13 further sets the relevant transmission configuration for each communication zone based on whether a zone scan procedure has been performed or based on the signal strength of accessible terminal devices 3 in that communication zone. In this way, the beam transmitted by the antenna array 12 can have a longer transmission distance or a wider transmission angle as needed, thereby enabling more efficient data transmission compared to data transmission using an omnidirectional beam. Furthermore, if there are no more accessible terminal devices 3 requiring data transmission in a communication zone identified as an active zone, the controller 13 may perform a zone scan procedure for other communication zones identified as inactive. Furthermore, the controller 13 may configure the antenna array 12 to communicate with accessible terminal devices 3 in the same zone group using the same bandwidth and MCS based on the group dataset. This allows communication with accessible terminal devices 3 close to the antenna array 12 to use MU-MIMO, which has a relatively large communication capacity, while ensuring the stability of communication with accessible terminal devices 3 far from the antenna array 12.

[0051] In the above description, numerous specific details have been given to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments for explanatory purposes. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments can be implemented without specific details. Furthermore, in descriptions of "one embodiment" or "one example" in this specification, it should be understood that all descriptions accompanied by ordinal numbers or other designations may be included in specific implementations of the invention having a particular aspect, structure, or feature. Moreover, in this specification, sometimes multiple variations are incorporated into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. This is for the purpose of streamlining this specification and to help understand the multifaceted nature of the invention, and one or more features or specific examples in one embodiment may, where appropriate, be implemented in conjunction with one or more features or specific examples in other embodiments of the invention.

[0052] Although embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and all modifications and equivalent configurations are included as various configurations that fall within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1. Communication System 11 Storage medium 12 Antenna Arrays 13 Controllers 131 Transmission Server 132 detectors 3 Terminal devices 60 Polling Table

Claims

1. A communication method using millimeter waves performed by a communication system, The communication system includes a storage medium for storing a zone table and a polling table, an antenna array, and a controller, wherein the zone table includes a plurality of zone datasets corresponding to a plurality of communication zones, each of which indicates an accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone and the signal strength of each of the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone, and the communication method is A) For each of the communication zones, the controller sets a transmit configuration of the antenna array associated with the communication zone based on the signal strength of the accessible terminal devices shown in the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone, wherein the transmit configuration includes a transmit angle and a transmit gain. B) The controller controls the antenna array to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zone according to a plurality of transmission configurations related to the communication zone, based on the zone table, wherein each of the delayed beacon frames indicates a predetermined delay time according to the polling table. C) With respect to one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller enters PCF (Point Coordination Function) mode and performs data transmission with the accessible terminal device located in that communication zone, Communication method.

2. Each of the zone datasets includes a device data piece corresponding to the accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone, each of the device data pieces includes the signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal device in the corresponding communication zone, and the communication method is D) The controller further includes the step of grouping the communication zones into zone groups the communication zones having accessible terminal devices whose signal strength is greater than a predetermined value based on the corresponding device data piece, wherein the communication zones in the zone group are spatially adjacent to each other. In step A), the transmission configuration of the antenna array associated with the communication zone in the zone group is set to be the same. The communication method according to claim 1.

3. E) The controller, for each of the communication zones, determines, based on the zone table, whether there are terminal devices that can access the communication zone, identifies the communication zone as an inactive zone if it determines that there are terminal devices that can access the communication zone, and identifies the communication zone as an active zone if it determines that there are terminal devices that can access the communication zone. F) With respect to the communication zone identified as the active zone, the communication system performs the steps of A), B), and C), G) For each of the communication zones identified as an inactive zone, the communication system further includes the step of performing a zone scan procedure to search for unregistered terminal devices not registered by the communication system, The communication method according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned zone scan procedure is: G1) The controller controls the antenna array and transmits scan beacon frames to the communication zone according to the initial transmission configuration, G2) The controller has a substep of determining whether it has received a registration request from an unregistered terminal device, which includes a device data piece transmitted in response to the scan beacon frame and which corresponds to the unregistered terminal device, G3) In response to receiving the registration request, the controller updates the zone table by adding the device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device included in the registration request to the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone, The communication method according to claim 3.

5. The initial transmission configuration includes a transmission angle which is the minimum transmission angle of the communication system, and a transmission gain which is the maximum transmission gain of the communication system. The communication method according to claim 4.

6. The zone table further includes a plurality of group datasets corresponding to a plurality of zone groups that group the communication zones, each of which group datasets indicates at least one of the communication zones in the corresponding zone group and at least one of the accessible terminal devices in the communication zone in the corresponding zone group, and the communication method, after step G), H) The controller updates the zone groups by grouping the communication zones based on the zone table updated in substep G3), wherein each of the updated zone groups includes at least one of the communication zones. I) The controller further includes the step of updating the group dataset in the zone table based on the updated zone group, The communication method according to claim 4.

7. Each of the zone datasets includes a device data piece corresponding to the accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone, each of the device data pieces includes the signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal device, and each of the group datasets includes a device data piece corresponding to the accessible terminal device in the communication zone that is in the corresponding zone group. For each of the aforementioned zone groups, the difference in signal strength between different accessible terminal devices in the communication zone within that zone group is less than a threshold. The communication method according to claim 6.

8. Step C) is C1) The controller performs a substep of determining, based on the zone table, whether the accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission, C2) When the controller determines that the accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission, the controller includes a substep of performing data transmission with the accessible terminal device based on the zone table, The communication method according to claim 3.

9. Step C) is C3) When it is determined that the accessible terminal device in the communication zone does not require data transmission, the communication system further includes a substep of performing the zone scan procedure for the communication zone identified as an inactive zone, which searches for unregistered terminal devices not registered by the communication system. The communication method according to claim 8.

10. A communication system using millimeter waves, including a storage medium, an antenna array, and a controller, The storage medium stores a zone table and a polling table, the zone table includes a plurality of zone datasets corresponding to a plurality of communication zones, each of which indicates an accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone and the signal strength of each of the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone. The aforementioned controller, For each of the aforementioned communication zones, a transmission configuration of the antenna array is set for the communication zone based on the signal strength of the accessible terminal device shown in the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone, the transmission configuration including a transmission angle and a transmission gain. The antenna array is controlled to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zone according to a plurality of transmission configurations associated with the communication zone based on the zone table, and each of the delayed beacon frames indicates a preset delay time according to the polling table. For one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller is configured to enter PCF (Point Coordination Function) mode and perform data transmission with the accessible terminal device located in that communication zone. Communication system.

11. Each of the zone datasets includes a device data piece corresponding to the accessible terminal device that may be located in the corresponding communication zone, and each of the device data pieces includes the signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal device located in the corresponding communication zone. The controller groups the communication zones that have accessible terminal devices whose signal strength is greater than a predetermined value based on the corresponding device data piece into zone groups, and the communication zones in the zone groups are further configured to be spatially adjacent to each other. The transmission configuration of the antenna array associated with the communication zone in the zone group is set to be the same. The communication system according to claim 10.

12. The aforementioned controller, For each of the aforementioned communication zones, based on the zone table, it is determined whether there are any terminal devices that can access the communication zone, and if it is determined that there are no terminal devices that can access the communication zone, the communication zone is identified as an inactive zone, and if it is determined that there are terminal devices that can access the communication zone, the communication zone is identified as an active zone. With respect to the communication zone identified as the active zone, the transmission configuration is set, the antenna array is controlled to transmit the beacon frame, and data transmission is performed with the accessible terminal device located in the communication zone. Each of the communication zones identified as an inactive zone is further configured to perform a zone scan procedure to search for unregistered terminal devices not registered by the communication system. The communication system according to claim 10.

13. The aforementioned zone scan procedure is: Controlling the antenna array to transmit scan beacon frames to the communication zone according to the initial transmission configuration, To determine whether a registration request has been received from an unregistered terminal device, which includes a device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device and is transmitted in response to the scan beacon frame. The process includes updating the zone table by adding the device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device included in the registration request to the zone dataset corresponding to the communication zone in response to the receipt of the registration request, The communication system according to claim 12.

14. The initial transmission configuration includes a transmission angle which is the minimum transmission angle of the communication system, and a transmission gain which is the maximum transmission gain of the communication system. The communication system according to claim 13.

15. The zone table further includes a plurality of group datasets, each corresponding to a plurality of zone groups that group the communication zones, each of which group datasets indicates at least one of the communication zones in the corresponding zone group and at least one of the accessible terminal devices in the communication zone in the corresponding zone group. The aforementioned controller, Based on the updated zone table, the communication zones are grouped and the zone groups are updated, each of the updated zone groups includes at least one of the communication zones. The system is further configured to update the group dataset of the zone table based on the updated zone group. The communication system according to claim 13.

16. Each of the zone datasets includes a device data piece corresponding to the accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone, each of the device data pieces includes the signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal device, and each of the group datasets includes a device data piece corresponding to the accessible terminal device in the communication zone that is in the corresponding zone group. For each of the aforementioned zone groups, the difference in signal strength between different accessible terminal devices in the communication zone within that zone group is less than a threshold. The communication system according to claim 15.

17. The aforementioned controller, Based on the aforementioned zone table, it is determined whether the accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission. When it is determined that an accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission, the system is further configured to perform data transmission with the accessible terminal device based on the zone table. The communication system according to claim 12.

18. The aforementioned controller, When it is determined that the accessible terminal device in the communication zone does not require data transmission, the system is further configured to perform the zone scan procedure to search for unregistered terminal devices that are not registered by the communication system in the communication zone identified as an inactive zone. The communication system according to claim 17.

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