Wireless communication device and method

Abstract

To improve communication quality. [Solution] The AP MLD performs allocation control to allocate the transmitted data to A-MPDU1 transmitted on link1 and A-MPDU2 transmitted on link2 based on the identifier of the transmitted data; transmission control to control the transmission of A-MPDU1 on link1 and the transmission of A-MPDU2 on link2; and reception control to control the reception of BA1 on link1, which includes reception success / failure information indicating the success or failure of reception for at least a portion of A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2, and the reception of BA2 on link2, which includes reception success / failure information for at least a portion of A-MPDU2 and A-MPDU1. This technology can be applied to wireless communication systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to a wireless communication device and method, and particularly to a wireless communication device and method capable of improving communication quality.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for meeting high transmission speed requirements such as 8K transmission and XR (Extended Reality), there is wireless communication (Multi-Link Operation: MLO) using multiple links. Also, in an unlicensed band, it is necessary to perform Listen Before Talk to check whether the band is being used before transmission. For this reason, there is a possibility that the transmission timings in multiple links may be different.

[0003] Generally, the data receiving side notifies the transmission side of the success or failure of data reception by transmitting a data delivery confirmation signal. On the other hand, the data transmission side may fail to receive the delivery confirmation signal itself and perform unnecessary retransmission of data.

[0004] In contrast, in communication using multiple links, reception success / failure information indicating the success or failure of data reception for each link is shared between the links, and a delivery confirmation signal including the shared reception success / failure information is transmitted. Thereby, it is possible to give redundancy to the delivery confirmation signal and reduce the above-mentioned unnecessary data retransmission.

[0005] However, when the transmission timings are different between multiple links, or when a delay occurs when sharing reception success / failure information between the links, at the time of transmitting the delivery confirmation signal, the sharing of other reception success / failure information has not been completed, and the redundancy of the delivery confirmation signal cannot be ensured.

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes a method for improving the success rate of transmission by setting an appropriate transmission rate for the delivery confirmation signal. However, in bands subject to strong interference, the success rate does not increase even if the transmission rate is set appropriately, and the sharing of reception success / failure information in communications using multiple bands is not considered.

[0007] Non-patent document 1 describes a method for communication using multiple links, where data reception success / failure information for each link is shared between links, and each link notifies the other links of the sharing of reception success / failure information. However, it only notifies information that has been shared, and does not describe how to handle cases where the sharing of other reception success / failure information has not been completed. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-352711 [Non-patent literature]

[0009] [Non-Patent Document 1] Abhishek Patil, George Cherian, Duncan Ho, Alfred Asterjadhi, “MLO: Acknowledgement Procedure”, [online], January 6, 2020, IEEE, [Retrieved July 31, 2020], Internet,<URL:https: / / mentor.ieee.org / 802.11 / documents> [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] As described above, when transmission timing differs between multiple links, or when delays occur in sharing reception success / failure information between links, it is difficult to ensure redundancy of the delivery confirmation signal.

[0011] This technology was developed in light of these circumstances and aims to improve communication quality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The first aspect of this technology is a wireless communication device which includes a communication control unit which performs allocation control to allocate the transmitted data to first data transmitted on a first link and second data transmitted on a second link based on an identifier of the transmitted data; transmission control to control the transmission of the first data on the first link and the transmission of the second data on the second link; and reception control to control the reception on the first link of a first response which includes reception success / failure information indicating whether reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data has been successful and the reception on the second link of a second response which includes the reception success / failure information relating to at least a portion of the second data and the first data.

[0013] The wireless communication device of the second aspect of this technology includes a communication control unit that performs reception control to control the reception of first data assigned to the first link based on an identifier of transmitted data on the first link, and the reception of second data assigned to the second link based on the identifier on the second link, and transmission control to control the transmission of a first response on the first link that includes reception success / failure information indicating whether or not the reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data was successful, and transmission of a second response on the second link that includes the reception success / failure information relating to the second data and at least a portion of the first data.

[0014] In the first aspect of this technology, allocation control is performed to allocate the transmitted data to a first data transmitted over a first link and a second data transmitted over a second link, based on an identifier of the transmitted data; transmission control is performed to control the transmission of the first data over the first link and the transmission of the second data over the second link; and reception control is performed to control the reception over the first link of a first response including reception success / failure information indicating whether the reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data was successful and the reception over the second link of a second response including the reception success / failure information regarding the second data and at least a portion of the first data.

[0015] In the second aspect of this technology, reception control is performed to control the reception of first data assigned to the first link based on an identifier of the transmitted data on the first link, and the reception of second data assigned to the second link based on the identifier on the second link, and transmission control is performed to control the transmission of a first response on the first link, which includes reception success / failure information indicating whether the reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data was successful or not, and transmission of a second response on the second link, which includes the reception success / failure information regarding the second data and at least a portion of the first data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a communication system using this technology. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a wireless communication device. [Figure 3] This figure shows the first sequence of wireless communication according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the second sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the third sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows the fourth sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the fifth sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart for explaining the sequence selection process. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the sequence of wireless communication in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a computer.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present technology will be described. The description will be made in the following order. 0. Configuration Examples of Systems and Devices 1. First Embodiment (When Decoding in Subframe Units is Possible) 2. Second Embodiment (When Decoding in Subframe Units is Impossible) 3. Others

[0018] <0. Configuration Examples of Systems and Devices> <Configuration Example of a Communication System> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0019] The communication system in FIG. 1 is composed of an AP MLD (Multi-link Device) and a Non-AP MLD.

[0020] The AP MLD is a communication device equivalent to a base station corresponding to Multi-link Operation (MLO). The Non-AP MLD is a communication device equivalent to a terminal corresponding to MLO. The Non-AP MLD is connected to the AP MLD. In FIG. 1, the solid and dashed lines connecting the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD indicate that they are connected by different links. When there is no need to distinguish between the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD, they are simply referred to as MLDs.

[0021] In this specification, "link" refers to a wireless transmission path that enables data transmission between two communication devices.

[0022] Each link is selected from multiple independent wireless transmission paths, for example, divided by frequency band. For instance, channels selected from multiple channels within one of the frequency bands such as the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, and 920MHz bands are used.

[0023] The two links used in the communication system shown in Figure 1 may be two channels selected from the same frequency band, or two channels selected from different frequency bands. Furthermore, the number of links used between the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD is not limited to two; communication may be conducted using three or more links.

[0024] <Example of wireless communication device configuration> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a wireless communication device.

[0025] The communication device 11 shown in Figure 2 is a wireless communication device that operates as an AP MLD or Non-AP MLD.

[0026] The communication device 11 consists of a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, and antennas 41-1 and 41-2. Antennas 41-1 and 41-2 are collectively referred to as antenna 41 unless otherwise specified.

[0027] The communication unit 31 transmits and receives data. The communication unit 31 is configured to include amplification units 51-1 and 51-2, wireless interface units 52-1 and 52-2, and signal processing units 53-1 and 53-2. The communication unit 31 is also configured to include a data processing unit 54, a communication control unit 55, and a communication storage unit 56.

[0028] Furthermore, unless otherwise necessary, the amplification units 51-1 and 51-2, the wireless interface units 52-1 and 52-2, and the signal processing units 53-1 and 53-2 are collectively referred to as amplification unit 51, wireless interface unit 52, and signal processing unit 53, respectively.

[0029] During transmission, the amplification unit 51 amplifies the analog signal supplied from the wireless interface unit 52 to a predetermined power level and outputs the amplified analog signal to the antenna 41. During reception, the amplification unit 51 amplifies the analog signal supplied from the antenna 41 to a predetermined power level and outputs the amplified analog signal to the wireless interface unit 52.

[0030] The amplification unit 51 may have some of its functions incorporated into the wireless interface unit 52. Alternatively, some of the functions of the amplification unit 51 may be components outside the communication unit 31.

[0031] During transmission, the wireless interface unit 52 converts the transmitted symbol stream from the signal processing unit 53 into an analog signal, filters it, upconverts it to the carrier frequency, and performs phase control, and outputs the analog signal after phase control to the amplification unit 51.

[0032] When receiving an analog signal, the wireless interface unit 52 performs phase control, down-conversion, and inverse filtering on the analog signal supplied from the amplification unit 51, and outputs the resulting received symbol stream to the signal processing unit 53.

[0033] The signal processing unit 53, when necessary during transmission, performs signal processing on the data symbol stream supplied from the data processing unit 54 for spatial separation, and outputs one or more transmission symbol streams obtained as a result of the signal processing to each wireless interface unit 52.

[0034] The signal processing unit 53 performs signal processing on the received symbol stream supplied from each wireless interface unit 52 upon reception, performs spatial separation of the stream as necessary, and outputs the resulting data symbol stream to the data processing unit 54.

[0035] The data processing unit 54 consists of individual data processing units 61-1 and 61-2, and a common data processing unit 62. When there is no need to distinguish between the individual data processing units 61-1 and 61-2, they are collectively referred to as the individual data processing unit 61.

[0036] The individual data processing unit 61 performs channel access operations based on carrier sense, adds a MAC (Media Access Control) header and error detection code to the data to be transmitted, and performs multiple data unit concatenation processing during transmission.

[0037] The individual data processing unit 61, upon reception, performs uncoupling of the MAC header of the received data unit, analysis and error detection, and a retransmission request operation.

[0038] The common data processing unit 62 performs sequence management of the data held in the communication storage unit 56 and the control information and management information received from the communication control unit 55 during transmission. The common data processing unit 62 also performs encryption processing of the control information and management information to generate data units, and then allocates the generated data units to the individual data processing units 61-1 and 61-2.

[0039] The common data processing unit 62 performs data unit decoding and reordering processing upon reception.

[0040] Furthermore, the operation of the individual data processing unit 61 and the common data processing unit 62 is not limited to the operations described above; for example, one may perform the operation of the other.

[0041] The communication control unit 55 controls the operation of each part of the communication unit 31 and the transmission of information between each part. The communication control unit 55 also controls the transfer of control information and management information to be notified to other communication devices to the individual data processing unit 61 and the common data processing unit 62.

[0042] In this technology, the communication control unit 55 controls each part of the communication unit 31 so that in Multi-link operation (MLO), data reception success / failure information spanning multiple links is included in BlockAck (hereinafter referred to as BA). Reception success / failure information is information indicating the success or failure of reception that is shared within the MLD. BA is a delivery confirmation signal transmitted from Non-AP MLD to AP MLD. For example, the control of each part of the communication unit 31 includes data allocation control to each link, data transmission control using each link, and data reception control using each link.

[0043] The communication storage unit 56 holds information used by the communication control unit 55. The communication storage unit 56 also holds data to be transmitted and data received.

[0044] The control unit 32 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The control unit 32 executes programs stored in the ROM, etc., and controls the communication unit 31 and the communication control unit 55. The control unit 32 may also perform some of the operations of the communication control unit 55. Furthermore, the communication control unit 55 and the control unit 32 may be configured as a single block.

[0045] The memory unit 33 holds information used by the communication unit 31 and the control unit 32. The memory unit 33 may also perform some of the operations of the communication memory unit 56. The memory unit 33 and the communication memory unit 56 may be configured as a single block.

[0046] For example, the antenna 41, amplifier 51, wireless interface unit 52, signal processing unit 53, and individual data processing unit 61 each form a set, each having the same sub-number. Each set becomes a component of the communication device 11 and performs wireless communication over its respective link. A storage unit 33 may also be included in each set.

[0047] Each pair can be, for example, one AP or STA. An AP is equivalent to a base station and is a block that performs wireless communication using its respective links. An STA is equivalent to a terminal and is a block that performs wireless communication using its respective links.

[0048] A link is a wireless transmission path that enables data transmission between two or more communication devices 11, and each link used by each pair may have a different frequency band. In addition, the signal processing unit 53 and the individual data processing unit 61 may each form one pair with the same sub-number, and two or more of these pairs may be connected to one wireless interface unit 52.

[0049] The antenna 41, the amplifier 51, and the wireless interface 52 each form one set with the same sub-number, and the communication device 11 may consist of not just two, but three or more sets. Furthermore, the communication unit 31 is implemented by one or more LSIs.

[0050] The individual data processing unit 61 is also called the Lower MAC. The common data processing unit 62 is also called the Upper MAC or Higher MAC. The combination of the individual data processing unit 61 and the common data processing unit 62 is also called the AP entity or Non-AP entity. The communication control unit 55 is also called the MLD management entity.

[0051] <1. First Embodiment (When subframe-level decoding is possible)> As a first embodiment, we will describe an example in which an A-MPDU terminal performs decoding for each A-MPDU subframe (hereinafter also simply referred to as data).

[0052] The following sections will first describe the sequences in which the AP MLD collects information from the Non-AP MLD and surrounding terminals, and uses this information to ensure redundancy of the delivery acknowledgment signal. Finally, a specific example of selecting the optimal sequence from these will be described.

[0053] <Example of a first sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment> Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a first sequence describing a series of operations of wireless communication according to the first embodiment.

[0054] Figure 3 shows the sequence of events when data that cannot be shared within the MLD (Multi-Level Distribution) in time is transmitted via other links.

[0055] AP1 is a block that performs wireless communication on the first link (link1) within the AP MLD, and AP2 is a block that performs wireless communication on the second link (link2) within the AP MLD. STA1 is a block that performs wireless communication on the first link (link1) within the Non-AP MLD, and STA2 is a block that performs wireless communication on the second link (link2) within the Non-AP MLD.

[0056] In Figure 3, rectangles represent frames that are actually transmitted, and parallelograms represent random waiting times due to backoff, etc. Solid arrows represent frame exchange within the AP-STA link, and dashed arrows represent information exchange within each MLD (Non-AP MLD in Figure 3). The horizontal axis represents time. In particular, in Figure 3, time tA1 represents the time when STA2 generates BA2, which is a delivery acknowledgment signal. Time tB1 represents the time when STA2 receives reception success / failure information for data #9 from STA1.

[0057] AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs exchange information such as whether or not they can share reception success / failure information within each MLD during connection, information about the delay time when sharing information within each MLD, and information about the A-MPDU decoding method.

[0058] First, AP1 performs a backoff, etc., to acquire transmission rights at time t01 and begins transmitting data (A-MPDU1) to STA1. A-MPDU1 consists of data #01 to data #09.

[0059] Specifically, AP1 transmits data #01 at time t01, data #02 at time t02, data #03 at time t03, data #04 at time t04, and data #05 at time t05. Furthermore, AP1 transmits data #06 at time t06, data #07 at time t07, data #08 at time t08, and data #09 at time t09.

[0060] STA1 completes the reception of data #1 at time t02, data #2 at time t03, data #3 at time t04, data #4 at time t05, and data #5 at time t06. Furthermore, STA1 completes the reception of data #6 at time t07, data #7 at time t08, and data #8 at time t09.

[0061] At time t10, STA1 completes the reception of data #09, which is the last data of A-MPDU1. At time t11, STA1 begins transmitting BA1, a delivery confirmation signal, to AP1. BA1 contains information indicating whether data #1 through #9 of A-MPDU1 were received successfully. Transmission of BA1 is completed at time t14.

[0062] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within each MLD, STA1, upon receiving data #1 at time t02, shares the reception success / failure information for data #1 with STA2. Due to the delay time during information sharing within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #1 after time 03 and before time t04. The reception success / failure information for data #2 through data #7 is omitted, but it is shared with STA2 with a delay due to the same delay time as the reception success / failure information for data #1. This is also the case in subsequent diagrams.

[0063] At time t09, once STA1 has completed receiving data #8, it shares the success / failure information of data #8 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information of data #8 immediately after time t11.

[0064] When STA1 completes receiving data #9 at time t10, it shares the success / failure information of data #9 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information of data #9 at time tB1, which is between times t13 and t14.

[0065] On the other hand, after AP1 starts transmitting data, AP2 performs actions such as backoff, and at time t02, acquires the right to transmit and starts transmitting data to STA2 (A-MPDU2). In this case, if nine data points are sent to STA2 from time t02, the time tB1, when STA2 completes receiving the reception success / failure information for data #9, is the only time that does not coincide with time tA1, when STA2 starts generating BA2. In other words, the reception success / failure information for data #9 cannot be included in the BA2 generated by STA2.

[0066] Therefore, AP MLD is configured to send AP2 by time tA1, including data (data #9) in A-MPDU2 that STA2 cannot share with STA1 regarding reception success or failure information.

[0067] In other words, AP MLD sets the subframes in A-MPDU1 to be included in A-MPDU2 based on information about the delay time when sharing information within the destination Non-AP MLD, the transmission start time of AP1, and the remaining backoff time of AP2. In this case, the subframe in A-MPDU1 (e.g., data #9) is placed in an earlier position in the transmission order than the subframes originally included in A-MPDU2 (e.g., data #10 through data #17). AP MLD may also set the number of subframes in A-MPDU1 to be included in A-MPDU2 based on the size of the frames in the transmission queue.

[0068] By configuring the system as described above, AP2 will begin transmitting A-MPDU2 at time t02, consisting of data #9 through data #17, including data #9, which is a subframe within A-MPDU1.

[0069] Specifically, AP2 sends data #09 at time t02, data #10 at time t03, data #11 at time t04, data #12 at time t05, and data #13 at time t06. Furthermore, AP2 sends data #14 at time t07, data #15 at time t08, data #16 at time t09, and data #17 at time t10.

[0070] STA2 completes the reception of data #9 at time t03, data #10 at time t04, data #11 at time t05, data #12 at time t06, and data #13 at time t07. Additionally, STA2 completes the reception of data #14 at time t08, data #15 at time t09, and data #16 at time t10.

[0071] At time t12, STA2 completes the reception of data #17, the last data of A-MPDU2, and begins generating BA2. At time t13, STA2 begins transmitting BA2 to AP2. BA2 contains information indicating whether STA2 received data #9 through #17 of A-MPDU2. Transmission of BA2 is completed at time t15.

[0072] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA2, upon receiving data #9 at time t03, shares the reception success / failure information for data #9 with STA1. Due to the delay time during information sharing within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #9 just before time t05. The reception success / failure information for data #10 through #13 is omitted, but it is shared with AP1 with a delay due to the same delay time as the reception success / failure information for data #9. This is also the case in subsequent diagrams.

[0073] At time t08, once STA2 has completed receiving data #14, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #14 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #14 just before time t10.

[0074] At time t09, when STA2 has completed receiving data #15, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #15 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #15 immediately after time t11, when STA1 begins transmitting BA1. The reception success / failure information for data #16 and data #17 is omitted, but similar to the reception success / failure information for data #15, it is shared with AP1 later than the transmission time of BA1, time t11, due to the delay time. This is also the case in the following diagrams.

[0075] In other words, BA1 transmitted from STA1 does not include reception success / failure information for data #15 through #17 of A-MPDU2, but it does include reception success / failure information for data #9 through #14 of A-MPDU2.

[0076] In Figure 3, an example of sending one data item (data #9) via two links is shown. However, if there is insufficient time to receive data reception success / failure information, multiple data items (for example, data #8 and data #9) may be sent via two links.

[0077] As described above, in the first sequence, the latter half of the data from the previously transmitted link is sent as the beginning of the data from the link to be transmitted later, thus ensuring BA redundancy for all data within A-MPDU1.

[0078] This ensures that even communication devices with implementations that take a long time to process can reliably transmit BAs.

[0079] <Example of a second sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment> Figure 4 shows a second sequence illustrating a series of operations of wireless communication according to the first embodiment.

[0080] Note that in Figure 4, the parts corresponding to Figure 3 are basically the same, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0081] Furthermore, in Figure 4, time tA2 specifically represents the time when STA1 begins generating BA1, and time tB2 represents the time when STA2 begins generating BA2.

[0082] Figure 4 shows the sequence for allocating data for which reception success / failure information can be shared in time to low-latency, high-reliability data.

[0083] Traffic Identifier (TID) data, which is low-latency, high-reliability data, is data that has a high demand for at least one of the following: low latency and high reliability.

[0084] TID data, for example, has priorities TID1 to TID3, where TID1 has the highest priority for low-latency, high-reliability requirements, and TID3 has the lowest priority for low-latency, high-reliability requirements.

[0085] The method by which AP MLD transmits data from multiple TIDs within a single A-MPDU is called Multi-TID A-MPDU. In the case of Multi-TID A-MPDU, AP MLD changes the order of the data within the A-MPDU according to the priority of the TIDs. That is, when AP1 and AP2 transmit A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2, AP MLD aggregates (concatenates) the data in order from the highest priority TID to the lowest priority TID, and configures A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 so that the data with the highest priority TID is transmitted first.

[0086] This allows for redundant BA messages from the STA to be sent for data with a high TID priority.

[0087] In Figure 4, the data is allocated alternately to A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 in order of priority, starting with TID1 data 1, and then aggregated. As a result, A-MPDU1 consists of TID1 data #1, TID1 data #2, TID1 data #4, TID1 data #6, TID1 data #8, TID2 data #2, TID2 data #4, TID2 data #6, and TID3 data #2. A-MPDU2 consists of TID1 data #3, TID1 data #5, TID1 data #7, TID2 data #1, TID2 data #3, TID2 data #5, TID3 data #1, TID3 data #3, and TID3 data #4.

[0088] AP1 performs a backoff, etc., and at time t21, acquires the right to transmit, starts transmitting data to STA1 (A-MPDU1), and completes the transmission at time t30. Each data in A-MPDU1 is transmitted between time t21 and time t29 in the aggregated data order (from left to right in Figure 4).

[0089] At time t30, STA1 completes receiving data #2 of TID3, which is the last data of A-MPDU1. At time tA2, STA1 generates BA1 and begins transmitting BA1 to AP1 at time t31. Transmission of BA1 is completed at time t34.

[0090] Meanwhile, after AP1 begins transmitting data, AP2 performs actions such as backoff, acquires the right to transmit at time t22, and begins transmitting data to STA2 (A-MPDU2), completing the transmission at time t32. Each data point of A-MPDU2 is transmitted in aggregated order between time t22 and time t30.

[0091] At time t32, STA2 completes receiving data #4 of TID3, which is the last data of A-MPDU2. At time tB2, STA2 generates BA2 and begins transmitting BA2 to AP2 at time t33. Transmission of BA2 is completed at time t35.

[0092] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA1, upon completing the reception of TID1's data #1 at time t22, shares the reception success / failure information for TID1's data #1 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for TID1's data #1 after time t23 and before time t24.

[0093] At time t29, when STA1 has finished receiving data #6 from TID2, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #6 from TID2 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #6 from TID2 immediately after time t31, which is before time tB2 when BA2 is generated.

[0094] When STA1 completes receiving data #2 of TID3 at time t30, it shares the success / failure information of receiving data #2 of TID3 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information of receiving data #2 of TID3 between time t33 and time t34, which is after time tB2 when STA2 generates BA2.

[0095] In other words, BA2 transmitted from STA2 includes information on whether or not data #1 of TID1 through data #6 of TID2 were received.

[0096] Similarly, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA2, upon completing the reception of TID1's data #3 at time t23, shares the reception success / failure information for TID1's data #3 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for TID1's data #3 just before time t25.

[0097] At time t28, when STA2 has finished receiving data #5 from TID2, it shares the success / failure information of receiving data #5 from TID2 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the success / failure information of receiving data #5 from TID2 just before time t30, which is before time tB2 when STA1 generates BA1.

[0098] At time t29, when STA2 has finished receiving data #1 of TID3, it shares the success / failure information of receiving data #1 of TID3 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the success / failure information of receiving data #1 of TID3 after time t31, which is after time tA2 when STA1 begins generating BA1.

[0099] In other words, BA1 transmitted from STA1 does not include reception success / failure information for TID3 data #1 and beyond, but it does include reception success / failure information for TID1 data #3 through TID2 data #5.

[0100] As described above, by time tA2, when STA1 begins generating BA for A-MPDU1, STA2 can share reception success / failure information for all TID1 and TID2 data within A-MPDU2 with STA1. Furthermore, by time tB2, when STA2 begins generating BA for A-MPDU2, STA1 can share reception success / failure information for all TID1 and TID2 data within A-MPDU1 with STA2.

[0101] In this case, for example, TID data may have different access categories. Access categories are classified into 1. Voice, 2. Video, 3. Best Effort, and 4. Background, with 1 having a higher priority and 4 having a lower priority. If access categories differ between TIDs, the traffic of the highest priority access category may be aggregated first. Therefore, reception success / failure information for all data of TID1 and TID2 is included in BA1 and BA2. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the data of TID1 and TID2.

[0102] As described above, in the second sequence, delay requests or high-priority data are placed before the A-MPDU and transmitted, allowing ACKs for delay requests or high-priority data to be transmitted across multiple links. This improves ACK redundancy, thereby reducing unnecessary retransmissions due to ACK failures that could cause delays.

[0103] <Example of a third sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment> Figure 5 shows a third sequence illustrating a series of operations of wireless communication according to the first embodiment.

[0104] In Figure 5, the parts corresponding to Figure 3 are essentially the same, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0105] Furthermore, in Figure 5, time tA3 is the time when STA1 completes sharing the reception success / failure information for all data in A-MPDU1 with STA2.

[0106] Figure 5 shows the sequence for delaying the data transmission end time to allow sufficient time for sharing of reception success / failure information between links. In Figure 5, the data transmission start is waited for in order to delay the data transmission end time.

[0107] In other words, after AP1 transmits A-MPDU1, when AP2 acquires the right to transmit and transmits A-MPDU2, if it is expected that the generation of BA2 in STA2 will occur earlier than the aforementioned time tA3, AP2 will wait to transmit A-MPDU2. Then, AP2 will start transmitting A-MPDU2 at a time when the generation of BA2 in STA2 will occur later than time tA3.

[0108] To explain in more detail, in Figure 5, AP1 acquires the right to transmit at time t41 and starts transmitting data (A-MPDU1) to STA1, completing the transmission at time t50. A-MPDU1 consists of data #1 through data #9. Each data in A-MPDU1 is transmitted in data order (from left to right in Figure 5) from time t41 to time t49.

[0109] At time t50, STA1 completes receiving data #9, which is the last data of A-MPDU1. At time t51, STA1 begins transmitting BA1 to AP1. Transmission of BA1 is completed at time t53.

[0110] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA1, upon completing the reception of data #1 at time t42, shares the reception success / failure information for data #1 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #1 before time t44.

[0111] At time t49, when STA1 has finished receiving data #8, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #8 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #8 immediately after time t51.

[0112] When STA1 completes receiving data #9 at time t50, it shares the success / failure information of data #9 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information of data #9 at time tA3, between times t52 and t53.

[0113] Meanwhile, after AP1 begins transmitting data, AP2 acquires the right to transmit at time t42 and attempts to begin transmitting data to STA2 (A-MPDU2). A-MPDU2 consists of data #10 through data #18.

[0114] In this case, if AP2 anticipates that STA2 will generate BA2 earlier than the aforementioned time tA3, AP2 will wait to transmit A-MPDU2. Then, AP2 will start transmitting A-MPDU2 at time t43, which is later than time tA3 when STA2 generates BA2.

[0115] Each A-MPDU2 data is transmitted between time t43 and time t52, in the order of the data (from left to right in Figure 5).

[0116] At time t53, STA2 completes receiving data #18, the last data of A-MPDU2. At time t54, STA2 begins transmitting BA2 to AP2. At this time, prior to time t53 (time tA3), STA2 has already shared the reception success / failure information for data #9 with STA1, so this information is included in BA2. The transmission of BA2 is completed at time t55.

[0117] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA2, upon completing the reception of data #10 at time t44, shares the reception success / failure information for data #10 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #10 before time t46.

[0118] At time t49, when STA2 completes receiving data #15, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #15 with STA1. Due to the delay in information sharing within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #15 immediately after time t51. Therefore, BA1 does not contain the reception success / failure information for data #15.

[0119] When STA2 receives data #16, the last data from A-MPDU2, at time t50, it shares information about the success or failure of receiving data #16 with STA2. Due to the delay in information sharing within MLD, STA2 receives the information about the success or failure of receiving data #16 between time t52 and time t53. Therefore, BA1 does not contain the information about the success or failure of receiving data #16.

[0120] In this way, reception success / failure information for all data in A-MPDU1 can be included in BA2. At this time, BA1 will contain reception success / failure information for data #10 to data #14 in A-MPDU2.

[0121] Furthermore, if, for example, there are many surrounding terminals and it is anticipated that waiting after acquiring transmission rights would likely result in other terminals starting transmissions first and causing the transmission rights to be lost, then instead of waiting to transmit, the A-MPDU2 frame length may be increased. This allows the generation of BA2 in STA2 to be controlled to occur after time tA3.

[0122] The frame length of A-MPDU2 can be increased, for example, by reducing the transmission rate or by applying padding.

[0123] As described above, in the third sequence, the data of the link to be transmitted later is delayed, so that BA for data that follows the previously transmitted data can be transmitted more reliably.

[0124] <Example of a fourth sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment> Figure 6 shows a fourth sequence illustrating a series of operations of wireless communication in the first embodiment.

[0125] Note that the parts of Figure 6 that correspond to Figure 3 are basically the same, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0126] Furthermore, in Figure 6, in particular, time tA4 is the time when STA2 receives A-MPDU2, SIFS has elapsed, and BA2 begins to be transmitted, and time tB4 is the time when STA1 has finished sharing the reception success / failure information for all data in A-MPDU1 with STA2.

[0127] Figure 6 shows the sequence for delaying the start of BA transmission to allow timely sharing of reception success / failure information between links.

[0128] In other words, if, after AP1 transmits A-MPDU1, AP2 acquires the right to transmit and transmits A-MPDU2, and it is expected that STA1 has not yet completed sharing all reception success / failure information regarding the data in A-MPDU1 with STA2 at the aforementioned time tA4, AP MLD will delay the start of BA2 transmission by AP2 until time tB4.

[0129] Information instructing the delay in the start of transmission of BA2 to STA2 is recorded in A-MDPU2. For example, new control information for multi-link operation may be defined in the A-Control field within HT Control, and specified therein. The information instructing the delay in the start of transmission may also include the delay time (time tB4 - time tA4).

[0130] To explain in more detail, in Figure 6, AP1 acquires the right to transmit at time t61 by performing actions such as backoff, and begins transmitting data (A-MPDU1) to STA1, completing the transmission at time t70. A-MPDU1 consists of data #1 through data #9. Each data in A-MPDU1 is transmitted in data order (from left to right in Figure 6) from time t61 to time t69.

[0131] At time t70, STA1 completes receiving data #9, which is the last data of A-MPDU1, and at time t71, it begins transmitting BA1 to AP1.

[0132] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA1, upon completing the reception of data #1 at time t62, shares the reception success / failure information for data #1 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #1 before time t64.

[0133] At time t69, once STA1 has completed receiving data #8, it shares the success / failure information for data #8 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information for data #8 immediately after time t71.

[0134] When STA1 completes receiving data #9 at time t70, it shares the success / failure information of data #9 with STA2. Due to the delay in information sharing within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information of data #9 between times t73 and t74.

[0135] Meanwhile, after AP1 begins transmitting data, AP2 performs actions such as backoff, and at time t62, acquires the right to transmit and begins transmitting data to STA2 (A-MPDU2). A-MPDU2 consists of data #10 through data #18.

[0136] In this case, if AP MLD anticipates that the sharing of reception success / failure information for the last data #9 will not be completed by time tA4, which is after SIFS has elapsed since the time when it has finished sending the nine data to STA2, it will delay the transmission of BA2 by STA2 until time tB4.

[0137] Each A-MPDU2 data is transmitted between time t62 and time t70, in the order of the data (from left to right in Figure 6).

[0138] At time t72, STA2 completes receiving data #18, which is the last data of A-MPDU2. Between times t73 and t74, after sharing information about the success or failure of receiving data #9 is completed, STA2 begins transmitting BA2 to AP2 at time t75, which is time tB4.

[0139] By doing so, BA1 and BA2 can include reception success / failure information for all data in A-MPDU1.

[0140] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA2, upon completing the reception of data #1 at time t63, shares the reception success / failure information for data #1 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #1 before time t65.

[0141] At time t68, once STA2 has completed receiving data #15, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #15 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #15 before time t70.

[0142] At time t69, when STA2 has finished receiving data #16, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #16 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #16 at a time immediately following time t71.

[0143] Therefore, BA1 transmitted at time t71 includes information on whether data #10 through data #15 were received, but not information on whether data #16 was received.

[0144] As described above, in the fourth sequence, the start time of BA transmission on one link is delayed until the time when the receipt of the final data on the other link can be confirmed, thereby ensuring reliable transmission of BA on the other link.

[0145] <Example of a fifth sequence of wireless communication in the first embodiment> Figure 7 shows a fifth sequence illustrating a series of operations of wireless communication in the first embodiment.

[0146] In Figure 7, the parts corresponding to Figures 3 through 6 are essentially the same, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0147] Furthermore, in Figure 7, time tA5 is the time when STA2 completes receiving A-MPDU2.

[0148] Figure 7 shows the sequence in which multiple BA messages are sent when there is insufficient time to share reception success / failure information between links.

[0149] In other words, if there is not enough time to share reception success / failure information between links, instead of delaying the transmission of the BA as shown in Figure 6, the BA may be transmitted multiple times as shown in Figure 7, so that the reception success / failure information can be shared between links.

[0150] In this case, the second BA transmission can include reception success / failure information that was not shared during the initial BA generation, making it possible to transmit a BA that includes reception success / failure information for all data in A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2.

[0151] To explain the case in Figure 7 in detail, AP1 acquires the right to transmit at time t81 and starts transmitting data (A-MPDU1) to STA1, completing the transmission at time t90. A-MPDU1 consists of data #1 to data #9. Each data in A-MPDU1 is transmitted in data order (from left to right in Figure 7) from time t81 to time t89.

[0152] At time t90, STA1 completes receiving data #9, which is the last data of A-MPDU1. At time t91, STA1 begins transmitting BA1-1 to AP1, and completes the transmission of BA1-1 at time t94. STA1 also begins transmitting BA1-2 to AP1 at time t96, and completes the transmission of BA1-2 at time t98.

[0153] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA1, upon completing the reception of data #1 at time t82, shares the reception success / failure information for data #1 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #1 before time t84. The reception success / failure information for data #2 through data #7 is omitted, but is shared with a delay similar to the reception success / failure information for data #1.

[0154] At time t89, once STA1 has finished receiving data #8, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #8 with STA2. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #8 immediately after time t91.

[0155] When STA1 completes receiving data #9 at time t90, it shares the success / failure information of data #9 with STA2. Due to the delay in information sharing within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information of data #9 between times t93 and t94.

[0156] Meanwhile, after AP1 begins transmitting data, AP2 acquires the right to transmit at time t82 and begins transmitting data to STA2 (A-MPDU2). A-MPDU2 consists of data #10 through data #18. Each data in A-MPDU2 is transmitted in data order (from left to right in Figure 7) between time t82 and time t90.

[0157] At time t92, STA2 completes receiving data #18, which is the last data of A-MPDU2. At time t93, STA2 begins transmitting BA2-1 to AP2, and at time t96, it completes the transmission of BA2-1. Subsequently, at time t97, STA2 begins transmitting BA2-2 to AP2, and at time t99, it completes the transmission of BA2-2.

[0158] As described above, STA2 transmits BA2-1 at time t93, so the reception success / failure information for data #1 through data #8 can be included in BA2-1. Also, STA2 transmits BA2-2 at time t97, so the reception success / failure information for data #9 can be included in BA2-2.

[0159] Furthermore, as part of information sharing within the MLD, STA2, upon completing the reception of data #10 at time t83, shares the reception success / failure information for data #10 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #10 before time t85.

[0160] At time t88, when STA2 has finished receiving data #15, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #15 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #15 before time t90.

[0161] At time t89, when STA2 has finished receiving data #16, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #16 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA1 receives the reception success / failure information for data #16 immediately after time t91.

[0162] When STA2 completes receiving data #17 at time t90, it shares the success / failure information of data #17 with STA1. Due to the delay in information sharing within the MLD, STA2 receives the success / failure information of data #17 between times t93 and t94.

[0163] At time t92, when STA2 has finished receiving data #18, it shares the reception success / failure information for data #18 with STA1. Due to the delay time when sharing information within the MLD, STA2 receives the reception success / failure information for data #18 at time t95.

[0164] As mentioned above, STA1 transmits BA1-2 at time t91, so the reception success / failure information for data #10 through data #15 can be included in BA1-1. Also, STA1 transmits BA1-2 at time t96, so the reception success / failure information for data #16 through data #18 can be included in BA1-2.

[0165] As described above, in Figure 7, reception success / failure information for data #16 to data #18, which is not included in BA1-1, can be included in BA1-2 and transmitted.

[0166] Furthermore, information regarding the number of BA transmissions and the time intervals between each BA may be included in the A-MPDU, or it may be exchanged in advance when the BA session is established. Also, as described above in Figure 7, instead of transmitting BAs multiple times, the required SINR may be reduced and the probability of successful reception may be improved by lowering the BA transmission rate.

[0167] Furthermore, while the BA currently uses a bitmap to record reception success / failure information for each subframe, reception success / failure information could also be recorded at a smaller unit, such as per OFDM symbol, rather than per subframe. This allows, for example, at time t92 in Figure 7, STA2 to not share reception success / failure information for the entire data #9, but to record and transmit reception success / failure information for some symbols of data #9 in BA2-1.

[0168] As described above, in the fifth sequence, after receiving the final data from the other link, multiple BAs are sent, ensuring that data from both links is reliably transmitted.

[0169] <How to select each sequence> Each of the sequences described above may be performed when the Non-AP MLD transmits a BA containing reception success / failure information for the A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 data via either link1 or link2 only.

[0170] The AP MLD selects the aforementioned sequence from information collected from Non-AP MLDs and surrounding terminals, as well as its own information, to ensure redundancy of Block ACKs.

[0171] AP MLD may determine which sequence to use based on the state of its internal buffer.

[0172] If AP1 has sent A-MPDU1 and there is still space in AP2's transmit buffer, AP MLD saves a portion of the subframes within A-MPDU1 so that AP2 can transmit it, as shown in the first sequence described above (see Figure 3). Then, when AP2 acquires the right to transmit, AP MLD generates A-MPDU2, including a portion of the subframes within A-MPDU1, so that the BA sent from STA2 contains information about all the data in A-MPDU1, and transmits it from AP2.

[0173] Additionally, AP MLD may determine which sequence to use based on the traffic conditions.

[0174] For example, if the average access delay time is below a first threshold, AP MLD may control the transmission of A-MPDU2 after AP2 acquires transmission rights, as shown in the third sequence described above (see Figure 5), by waiting for a certain period of time before transmitting. Alternatively, if there are multiple traffics requiring low latency and high reliability, AP MLD may aggregate subframes to A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 in order of increasing low latency and high reliability requirements, as shown in the second sequence described above (see Figure 4), and transmit them.

[0175] The AP MLD may determine which sequence to use based on capability information regarding the ACK transmission operation of the Non-AP MLD.

[0176] For example, if Non-AP MLD is responsible for the delay in the BA's transmission start time, AP MLD will send A-MPDU2 from AP2 with the transmission delay time of BA2 included in A-MPDU2, as shown in the fourth sequence described above (see Figure 6), so that BA2 transmitted by STA2 includes reception success / failure information for all data in A-MPDU1.

[0177] Furthermore, if the Non-AP MLD supports multiple transmissions of the BA, the AP MLD will send the number of transmissions and transmission intervals of BA2 to the A-MPDU2 for reference by STA2, as shown in Figure 7 and the fifth sequence described above.

[0178] <Sequence selection process> Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence selection process by which AP MLD selects the sequence described above.

[0179] In step S11, the communication control unit 55 of the communication device 11 in Figure 2 controls each part to receive information sharing delay information between links from the Non-AP MLD.

[0180] After AP1 acquires the right to transmit, in step S12, the communication control unit 55 controls each part so that AP1 transmits A-MPDU1.

[0181] The transmit buffer within AP2 stores the subframes that are scheduled to be transmitted using A-MPDU-2.

[0182] In step S13, the communication control unit 55 determines whether it is still possible to save a frame in the transmission buffer within AP2. The transmission buffer within AP2 is provided, for example, in the communication storage unit 56.

[0183] If it is determined in step S13 that it is still possible to save the frame in the transmission buffer within AP2, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0184] In step S14, the communication control unit 55 saves the latter half of the subframe of A-MPDU1 to the transmit buffer in AP2.

[0185] In step S15, the communication control unit 55 controls each part to cause AP2 to transmit A-MPDU2, which includes the latter half of the subframe of A-MPDU1 (first sequence in Figure 3).

[0186] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that it is not possible to save the frame in the transmission buffer within AP2, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0187] In step S16, the communication control unit 55 determines whether the average access delay time is less than or equal to a first threshold as one of the traffic conditions. If it is determined in step S16 that the average access delay time is less than or equal to the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0188] In step S17, the communication control unit 55 determines whether the Non-AP MLD supports continuous transmission of BA based on capability information regarding the ACK transmission operation of the Non-AP MLD. If it is determined in step S17 that the Non-AP MLD supports continuous transmission of BA, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0189] In step S18, the communication control unit 55 controls each part to send an A-MPDU2 containing the number of transmissions and transmission intervals of the BA from AP2 (the fifth sequence in Figure 7).

[0190] If it is determined in step S17 that the Non-AP MLD does not support continuous transmission of BA, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0191] In step S19, the communication control unit 55 controls each component to transmit the A-MPDU2 with a reduced transmission rate from AP2 (third sequence in Figure 5).

[0192] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S16 that the average access delay time is not below the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0193] In step S20, the communication control unit 55, after acquiring the transmission right for AP2, waits for a predetermined time and then controls each part to transmit the A-MPDU2 from AP2 (third sequence in Figure 5). The predetermined time is the information sharing delay time of Non-AP MLD plus the difference between the time AP1 acquired the transmission right and the time AP2 acquired the transmission right.

[0194] After steps S15, S18 through S20, the sequence selection process shown in Figure 8 is completed.

[0195] <2. Second Embodiment (When subframe-level decoding is not possible)> As a second embodiment, we will describe an example in which the A-MPDU terminal is unable to decode each A-MPDU subframe.

[0196] <Example of wireless communication sequence in the second embodiment> Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a sequence of operations for wireless communication in the second embodiment.

[0197] Note that in Figure 9, the parts corresponding to any of Figures 3 through 7 are basically the same, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0198] Due to the implementation of its data processing and signal processing, Non-AP MLD may not be able to decode each A-MPDU subframe upon receiving an A-MPDU, as in the first embodiment, and may not be able to determine whether the reception was successful or not.

[0199] In this case, as shown in Figure 9, Non-AP MLD cannot share reception success / failure information for each subframe within A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 until all reception of A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 has been completed.

[0200] Therefore, if the AP MLD determines, through the exchange of capability information during connection, that the Non-AP MLD does not support decoding on an A-MPDU subframe basis, it controls the AP MLD to synchronize the transmission end times of A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 before transmission. This allows the Non-AP MLD to exchange reception success / failure information for each subframe, and to include reception success / failure information for all data within A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2 in BA1 and BA2.

[0201] To explain the case shown in Figure 9 in detail, AP1 acquires the right to transmit at time t101, starts transmitting data to STA1 (A-MPDU1), and completes the transmission at time t103. A-MPDU1 consists of data #1 to data #9.

[0202] At time t103, when STA1 has completed receiving data #9, which is the last data from A-MPDU1, it shares information about the success or failure of receiving data #1 through data #9 with STA2 as part of information sharing within the MLD.

[0203] Meanwhile, after AP1 begins transmitting data, AP2 acquires the right to transmit at time t102 and begins transmitting data to STA2 (A-MPDU2).

[0204] In this process, AP2 controls A-MPDU2 to consist of data #10 through data #17 in order to synchronize the transmission end times of A-MPDU1 and A-MPDU2.

[0205] At time t103, when STA2 has completed receiving data #17, which is the last data of A-MPDU2, it shares information about the success or failure of receiving data #10 through data #17 with STA1 as part of information sharing within the MLD.

[0206] As a result, at time t104, STA1 can start transmitting BA1 to AP1, which includes not only the reception success / failure information for data #1 to data #9, but also the reception success / failure information for data #10 to data #17. Similarly, at time t104, STA2 can start transmitting BA2 to AP2, which includes not only the reception success / failure information for data #10 to data #17, but also the reception success / failure information for data #1 to data #9.

[0207] At time t105, STA1 completes the transmission of BA1, and STA2 completes the transmission of BA2.

[0208] As described above, in the second embodiment, the A-MPDU frame is configured so that the transmission timing of the BA is synchronized across multiple links. As a result, the BA is transmitted simultaneously across multiple links, ensuring reliable verification of the BA.

[0209] <3. Others> <Effects of this technology> As described above, in this technology, communication takes place over a first link and over a second link. Then, allocation control is performed to allocate the transmission data between the first data and the second data, transmission control is performed to control the transmission of the first data over the first link and the transmission of the second data over the second link, and reception control is performed to control the reception over the first link of a first response that includes reception success / failure information indicating whether the first data and at least a portion of the second data have been received, and the reception over the second link of a second response that includes reception success / failure information regarding the second data and at least a portion of the first data.

[0210] This improves the redundancy of the building architecture (BA), thereby increasing the reliability of the BA and improving overall communication quality.

[0211] Furthermore, according to this technology, the allocation control of the transmission data, the transmission control of the first and second data, and the reception control of the first and second responses are performed in accordance with information obtained from surrounding devices (for example, traffic conditions).

[0212] This can improve the reliability of data transmission. This is particularly effective for data that requires low latency or high reliability.

[0213] In the above explanation, we described an example of sending data from an AP MLD to a Non-AP MLD, but the same process can be implemented when sending data from a Non-AP MLD to an AP MLD.

[0214] <Example of computer configuration> The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or by software. When the series of processes are executed by software, the programs that make up the software are installed from a program storage medium onto a computer that is built into dedicated hardware, or a general-purpose personal computer.

[0215] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the series of processes described above by a program.

[0216] The CPU 301, ROM 302, and RAM 303 are interconnected by a bus 304.

[0217] An input / output interface 305 is further connected to the bus 304. An input unit 306 consisting of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and an output unit 307 consisting of a display, speakers, etc. are connected to the input / output interface 305. In addition, a storage unit 308 consisting of a hard disk, non-volatile memory, etc., a communication unit 309 consisting of a network interface, etc., and a drive 310 that drives removable media 311 are connected to the input / output interface 305.

[0218] In a computer configured as described above, the CPU 301 performs the aforementioned series of processes by loading, for example, a program stored in the memory unit 308 into the RAM 303 via the input / output interface 305 and the bus 304 and executing it.

[0219] The program executed by the CPU 301 is recorded on removable media 311, for example, or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the internet, or digital broadcasting, and installed in the storage unit 308.

[0220] The programs executed by the computer may be programs that are processed chronologically in the order described herein, or they may be programs that are processed in parallel or at necessary times, such as when a call is made.

[0221] In this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (parts), etc.), regardless of whether all components are located in the same enclosure. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate enclosures and connected via a network, and a single device containing multiple modules within a single enclosure, are both considered systems.

[0222] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely illustrative and not limiting, and other effects may also occur.

[0223] The embodiments of this technology are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this technology.

[0224] For example, this technology can be configured as cloud computing, where a single function is shared and processed collaboratively by multiple devices via a network.

[0225] Furthermore, each step described in the flowchart above can be performed by a single device, or it can be divided and performed by multiple devices.

[0226] Furthermore, if a single step includes multiple processes, those processes can be executed by a single device or shared among multiple devices.

[0227] <Examples of configuration combinations> This technology can also be configured as follows: (1) A first communication unit that communicates via the first link, A second communication unit that communicates via the second link, A communication control unit that performs allocation control to allocate transmission data into first data and second data, transmission control to control the transmission of the first data on the first link and the transmission of the second data on the second link, and reception control to control the reception on the first link of a first response including reception success / failure information indicating the success or failure of reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data, and the reception on the second link of a second response including the reception success / failure information relating to the second data and at least a portion of the first data. A wireless communication device equipped with the following features. (2) The communication control unit performs allocation control to allocate a portion of the data that has been allocated to the first data to the second data. The wireless communication device described in (1) above. (3) The communication control unit performs allocation control such that the trailing portion of the first data and the beginning portion of the second data overlap. The wireless communication device described in (2) above. (4) The communication control unit performs allocation control to allocate the transmission data in order from the beginning of the first data and the second data, based on the priority of the transmission data. The wireless communication device described in (1) above. (5) The communication control unit performs transmission control to control the frame length of the second data such that the second response includes the reception success / failure information relating to at least one of the first data. The wireless communication device described in (1) above. (6) The communication control unit performs transmission control to wait for the start of transmission of the second data such that the second response includes the reception success / failure information relating to at least one of the first data. The wireless communication device described in (1) above. (7) The communication control unit includes transmission control information in the frame containing the first data to control the second response to include reception success / failure information relating to at least one of the first data. The second communication unit transmits the frame. The wireless communication device described in (1) above. (8) The transmission control information includes the transmission delay time of the second response. The wireless communication device described in (7) above. (9) The transmission control information includes the number of transmissions and the transmission interval of the second response. The wireless communication device described in (7) above. (10) At least one of the first communication unit or the second communication unit obtains information from another wireless communication device regarding the time required for the exchange of reception success / failure information between the first link and the second link. The communication control unit performs the allocation control of the transmission data, the transmission control of the first data and the second data, and the reception control of the first response and the second response, according to information regarding the time required for the exchange of the reception success / failure information. A wireless communication device as described in any of (1) to (9) above. (11) The communication control unit performs the allocation control of the transmission data, the transmission control of the first data and the second data, and the reception control of the first response and the second response, in accordance with the information acquired from surrounding devices. A wireless communication device as described in any of (1) to (10) above. (12) Wireless communication device, Communication is established via the first link. Communication is performed via the second link. The system performs allocation control to divide the transmission data into first data and second data, transmission control to control the transmission of the first data on the first link and the transmission of the second data on the second link, and reception control to control the reception on the first link of a first response including reception success / failure information indicating the success or failure of reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data, and the reception on the second link of a second response including the reception success / failure information relating to at least a portion of the second data and the first data. Wireless communication method. (13) A first communication unit that communicates via the first link, A second communication unit that communicates via the second link, A communication control unit that performs reception control to control the reception of first data on the first link and the reception of second data on the second link, and transmission control to control the transmission of a first response on the first link, which includes reception success / failure information indicating the success or failure of reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data, and the transmission of a second response on the second link, which includes the reception success / failure information relating to the second data and at least a portion of the first data. A wireless communication device equipped with the following features. (14) The communication control unit performs transmission control of the first response and the second response based on transmission control information relating to the transmission of the second response included in the second frame containing the second data from the other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device described in (13) above. (15) The transmission control information includes the transmission delay time of the second response. The communication control unit delays the transmission of the second response based on the transmission control information. The wireless communication device described in (14) above. (16) The transmission control information includes the number of transmissions and the transmission interval of the second response. The communication control unit controls the number of transmissions and the transmission interval of the second response based on the transmission control information. The wireless communication device described in (14) above. (17) At least one of the first communication unit and the second communication unit transmits to the other wireless communication device information regarding the time required for the exchange of reception success / failure information between the first link and the second link. The wireless communication device described in (14) above. (18) Wireless communication device, Communication is established via the first link. Communication is performed via the second link. The system performs reception control to control the reception of first data on the first link and the reception of second data on the second link, and transmission control to control the transmission of a first response on the first link, which includes reception success / failure information indicating whether the reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data was successful or not, and the transmission of a second response on the second link, which includes the reception success / failure information regarding the second data and at least a portion of the first data. Wireless communication method. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0228] 11 Wireless communication device, 31 Communication unit, 32 Control unit, 33 Storage unit, 41, 41-1, 41-2 Antenna, 51, 51-1, 51-2 Amplifier unit, 52, 52-1, 52-2 Wireless interface unit, 53, 53-1, 53-2 Signal processing unit, 53 Data processing unit, 55 Communication control unit, 56 Communication storage unit, 61, 61-1, 61-2 Individual data processing unit, 62 Common data processing unit

Claims

1. A communication control unit that performs allocation control to allocate the transmitted data to a first data transmitted on a first link and a second data transmitted on a second link based on the identifier of the transmitted data; transmission control to control the transmission of the first data on the first link and the transmission of the second data on the second link; and reception control to control the reception on the first link of a first response including reception success / failure information indicating the success or failure of reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data, and the reception on the second link of a second response including the reception success / failure information relating to at least a portion of the second data and the first data. A wireless communication device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned identifier is a TID (Traffic Identifier). The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

3. The communication control unit performs the allocation control of the transmission data, the transmission control of the first data and the second data, and the reception control of the first response and the second response, in accordance with the information acquired from surrounding devices. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

4. The communication control unit performs allocation control to allocate a portion of the data that has been allocated to the first data to the second data, based on the identifier. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

5. The communication control unit performs allocation control such that the trailing portion of the first data and the beginning portion of the second data overlap. The wireless communication device according to claim 4.

6. The communication control unit performs allocation control to allocate the transmission data in order from the beginning of the first data and the second data, based on the priority of the transmission data. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

7. The communication control unit performs transmission control to control the frame length of the second data such that the second response includes at least one reception success / failure information relating to the first data. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

8. The communication control unit performs transmission control to wait for the start of transmission of the second data such that the second response includes the reception success / failure information relating to at least one of the first data. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

9. A first communication unit that communicates via the first link, The second communication unit that communicates via the second link and To further enhance The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

10. The communication control unit includes transmission control information in a frame containing the second data to control the second response to include reception success / failure information relating to at least one of the first data, and performs control to transmit the frame. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

11. The transmission control information includes the transmission delay time of the second response. The wireless communication device according to claim 10.

12. The transmission control information includes the number of times the second response is transmitted and the transmission interval. The wireless communication device according to claim 10.

13. The wireless communication device obtains information from another wireless communication device regarding the time required for the exchange of reception success / failure information between the first link and the second link. The communication control unit performs the allocation control of the transmission data, the transmission control of the first data and the second data, and the reception control of the first response and the second response, according to the information regarding the time required for the exchange of the reception success / failure information. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

14. Wireless communication device, Based on the identifier of the transmitted data, the system performs allocation control to allocate the transmitted data to a first data transmitted on a first link and a second data transmitted on a second link; transmission control to control the transmission of the first data on the first link and the transmission of the second data on the second link; and reception control to control the reception on the first link of a first response including reception success / failure information indicating the success or failure of reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data, and the reception on the second link of a second response including the reception success / failure information relating to at least a portion of the second data and the first data. A wireless communication method that includes the following.

15. A communication control unit that controls reception control for receiving first data assigned to the first link based on an identifier of the transmitted data on the first link, and for receiving second data assigned to the second link based on the identifier on the second link, and for transmitting a first response on the first link that includes reception success / failure information indicating whether the first data and at least a portion of the second data have been received, and for transmitting a second response on the second link that includes the reception success / failure information relating to the second data and at least a portion of the first data. A wireless communication device equipped with the following features.

16. Wireless communication device, The system performs reception control to control the reception of first data assigned to the first link based on the identifier of the transmitted data on the first link, and the reception of second data assigned to the second link based on the identifier on the second link, and transmission control to control the transmission of a first response on the first link that includes reception success / failure information indicating whether or not the reception of at least a portion of the first data and the second data was successful, and transmission control to control the transmission of a second response on the second link that includes the reception success / failure information regarding the second data and at least a portion of the first data. A wireless communication method that includes the following.

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