Wireless communication system, wireless communication method, and wireless base station device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system suitable for achieving high-speed communication using a multilink function, and the purpose of the present invention is to achieve efficient communication by performing channel sensing without causing unfairness among wireless terminals. The wireless communication system comprises: a plurality of wireless terminals (12) each having a plurality of wireless interfaces corresponding to a plurality of channels with different frequency bands; and a wireless base station device (10) that establishes wireless communication with the wireless terminals. The wireless terminal (12) performs channel sensing, and transmits sensing information including an identifier of the sensed channel, the result of sensing the channel, and an identifier of the wireless terminal. The wireless base station device (10) calculates and stores the number of sensed channels, which is the number of channels sensed by the wireless terminal, for each wireless terminal, the number of sensed channels being calculated on the basis of the sensing information, and allocates a reward corresponding to the number of sensed channels to each of the plurality of wireless terminals.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and a wireless base station device, and more particularly to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and a wireless base station device that are suitable for achieving high-speed communication using a multi-link function. [Background technology]

[0002] Improving wireless capacity is important to handle the increasing mobile traffic. In recent years, the use of the 6 GHz band has been considered for the next-generation wireless LAN standard IEEE 802.11be. As described in Non-Patent Document 1 below, the IEEE 802.11be standard employs a multi-link function that uses a multi-link device (MLD).

[0003] In MLD, a single housing is equipped with wireless interfaces that support multiple wireless frequency bands. With the multi-link function, these multiple wireless interfaces are linked and coordinated to establish multiple links, which are transmission paths. This makes it possible to achieve high-speed and highly reliable communications. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Current Status and Directions of IEEE 802.11be, the Future Wi-Fi 7”, EVGENY KHOROV, ILYA LEVITSKY, AND IAN F. AKYILDIZ, IEEE Access, vol.8, 2020, pp.88664-88688, publication May 8, 2020. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a communication system that includes MLD, if a congested channel is selected, the communication performance of all wireless terminals using that channel will decrease. For this reason, in a communication system that includes MLD, it is effective to sense the degree of congestion of each channel and select a channel that is not congested to use for communication.

[0006] It is possible that the wireless base station device AP itself performs channel sensing, as in the case of DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) introduced in 5 GHz wireless LAN. However, if the AP itself performs sensing, all wireless terminals under the control of the AP will be unable to communicate during the sensing, and the frequency usage efficiency will decrease.

[0007] It is possible to fairly distribute the channel sensing load among multiple wireless terminals under the control of an AP. However, there are cases where wireless terminals with high specifications and those with low specifications are mixed under an AP. If the sensing load is fairly distributed in such an environment, the load on the wireless terminals with low specifications will be relatively large, and the communication quality of those terminals may deteriorate significantly.

[0008] On the other hand, if a high-spec wireless terminal were to bear a heavy sensing load, a low-spec wireless terminal would be relatively favored. This situation is not desirable in terms of ensuring fairness among wireless terminals, and it also becomes a factor that hinders the switch from low-spec devices to high-spec devices.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its first objective to provide a wireless communication system that performs channel sensing without inviting unfairness among wireless terminals, thereby realizing efficient communication using a multi-link function. A second object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication method for implementing channel sensing without inviting unfairness among wireless terminals, thereby realizing efficient communication using a multi-link function. Furthermore, a third object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless base station device for implementing channel sensing without inviting unfairness among wireless terminals, thereby realizing efficient communication using a multi-link function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless terminals, each of which has a plurality of wireless interfaces corresponding to a plurality of channels in different frequency bands, and a wireless base station device that establishes wireless communication between the wireless terminals, The wireless terminal, a sensing unit for performing sensing of the channel; a sensing information transmission unit that transmits sensing information including an identifier of a channel on which sensing has been performed, a sensing result of the channel, and an identifier of the wireless terminal; The wireless base station device, a sensing information receiving unit that receives the sensing information; a sensing channel number storage unit that calculates and stores a sensing channel number, which is the number of channels sensed by the wireless terminal, for each wireless terminal based on the sensing information; It is preferable that the system is configured to further include an allocation unit that allocates a reward according to the number of sensing channels to each of the plurality of wireless terminals.

[0011] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication method using a plurality of wireless terminals, each of which has a plurality of wireless interfaces corresponding to a plurality of channels in different frequency bands, and a wireless base station device that establishes wireless communication between the wireless terminals, the method comprising: said wireless terminal performing sensing of said channel; A step of transmitting sensing information including an identifier of a channel on which sensing was performed, a sensing result of the channel, and an identifier of the wireless terminal, by the wireless terminal; a step of receiving the sensing information by the wireless base station device; a step of the wireless base station device calculating and storing a number of sensing channels, which is the number of channels sensed by the wireless terminal, for each wireless terminal based on the sensing information; It is desirable for the method to further include a step in which the wireless base station device assigns a reward according to the number of sensing channels to each of the plurality of wireless terminals.

[0012] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a radio base station device that establishes radio communication with a plurality of radio terminals, each of which has a plurality of radio interfaces corresponding to a plurality of channels in different frequency bands, comprising: a sensing information receiving unit that receives sensing information transmitted by the wireless terminal including an identifier of a channel on which sensing has been performed, a sensing result of the channel, and an identifier of the wireless terminal; a sensing channel number storage unit that calculates and stores a sensing channel number, which is the number of channels sensed by the wireless terminal, for each wireless terminal based on the sensing information; an allocation unit that allocates a reward according to the number of sensing channels to each of the plurality of wireless terminals; It is preferable that the sensor is configured to include the following: Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the first to third aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to perform channel sensing without causing unfairness between wireless terminals, thereby realizing efficient communication using a multi-link function. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of a wireless base station apparatus AP included in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]1 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of a wireless terminal STA included in a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of a main part of a process performed by a wireless terminal STA in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the number of sensing channels and allocated resources realized in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a main part of a process performed by a wireless base station apparatus AP in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of a wireless base station apparatus AP included in a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of a wireless terminal STA included in a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of a main part of a process performed by a wireless base station apparatus AP in a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of a main part of a process performed by a wireless terminal STA in a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Embodiment 1 [Configuration of the first embodiment] Fig. 1 shows an overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment includes a wireless base station device (AP) 10. AP 10 is a device that functions as a base station of a wireless LAN, and is configured to be able to communicate with higher-level devices via a network (not shown).

[0016] A plurality of wireless terminals (STAs) 12-1 to 12-3 are arranged under the control of AP 10. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between individual STAs, the subscripts of the reference symbols will be omitted and they will be referred to as "STAs 12." In FIG. 1, three STAs 12 exist under the control of AP 10, but the number of STAs 12 is not limited to this, and the number may be fewer or greater.

[0017] The AP 10 and the STA 12 can communicate with each other via wireless transmission links. Both the AP 10 and the STA 12 have a function as a multi-link device (MLD). More specifically, both the AP 10 and the STA 12 are equipped with multiple wireless interfaces corresponding to multiple frequency bands set in, for example, the 6 GHz band. The AP 10 and the STA 12 can establish multiple transmission links between them by coordinating or coordinating their wireless interfaces. This allows the AP 10 and the STA 12 to realize high-speed and highly reliable communication by the multi-link function.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of AP 10. AP 10 has an arithmetic processing unit and a memory in addition to dedicated hardware. A program executed by the arithmetic processing unit is stored in the memory. The functions of each block shown in Fig. 2 are realized by the arithmetic processing unit proceeding with processing according to the program.

[0019] 2, the AP 10 includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is a part that controls the functions of each block described below in order to realize the various functions of the AP 10.

[0020] The AP10 has a sensing information receiving unit 22. In this embodiment, as described later, the STA12 performs sensing for each of a plurality of channels scheduled to be used for wireless communication. For example, it is expected that about 90 channels will be prepared in the 6 GHz band. In this embodiment, the plurality of STA12 under the control of the AP10 are made to share the degree of congestion of each channel and sense the channel, and provide the results to the AP10. The sensing information receiving unit 22 has a function of receiving the sensing results transmitted from the STA12 and storing the results as sensing information.

[0021] The AP 10 includes a sensing channel number storage unit 24. The sensing information includes an identifier of the STA 12 that issued the information and an identifier of the sensed channel. The sensing channel number storage unit 24 has a function of recognizing which STA 12 sensed which channel based on the information, and recording the number of channels that were sensed for each STA 12.

[0022] The AP 10 further includes a resource allocation unit 26. The multiple STAs 12 share limited communication resources to establish communication with the AP 10. For example, the above-mentioned channels themselves and the occupancy time of each channel correspond to the communication resources. The resource allocation unit 26 has a function of determining resource allocation for each of the multiple STAs 12 and instructing each of the STAs 12 of the result of the determination.

[0023] The AP 10 includes a communication interface for establishing wired communication with a higher-level device, and a communication interface for establishing wireless communication with the STA 12. These are not shown in the figure for the sake of convenience.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the STA 12. Like the AP 10, the STA 12 also has a processing unit and a memory in addition to dedicated hardware. The functions of each block shown in Fig. 3 are realized by the processing unit proceeding with processing according to a program stored in the memory.

[0025] 3, the STA 12 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 is a part that controls the functions of each block described below in order to realize the various functions of the STA 12.

[0026] The STA12 has a sensing information interception unit 32 and a sensing information storage unit 34. In this embodiment, as described above, the STA12 performs sensing for each of the channels used for wireless communication. Each of the STA12 transmits the sensing result by broadcasting. The sensing information interception unit 32 is a block for intercepting sensing information transmitted from other STA12. The sensing information storage unit 34 is a block for recording the intercepted sensing information. Due to the functions of these blocks, the sensing result performed by one STA12 is shared by all the other STA12.

[0027] The STA 12 also has a sensing unit 36. The sensing unit 36 ​​recognizes channels on which sensing has not been performed based on the information stored in the sensing information storage unit 34, and performs sensing on one of the channels. Specifically, the sensing is performed by monitoring one channel and measuring the proportion of time that a wireless signal is flowing on that channel, that is, the airtime occupancy rate.

[0028] The STA 12 includes a sensing information transmission unit 38. The sensing information transmission unit 38 has a function of transmitting the sensing information by the above-mentioned broadcast method. The sensing information includes an identifier of the STA 12 transmitting the information, an identifier of the monitored channel, and the airtime occupancy rate measured on the channel.

[0029] Although the STA 12 also has a communication interface, as in the case of the AP 10, it is omitted from the illustration for the sake of convenience.

[0030] [Processing flow in the first embodiment] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing executed by the STA 12 to sense a channel in this embodiment. The routine shown in Fig. 4 is repeatedly executed in all the STAs 12 subordinate to the AP 10. The repetition period is determined according to the specifications of each of the STAs 12. As a result, the STAs 12 with high specifications usually repeat the routine shown in Fig. 4 at a shorter period than the STAs 12 with low specifications.

[0031] 4, first, it is determined whether or not sensing information transmitted from another STA 12 has been intercepted (step 100). If interception of the sensing information has not been confirmed, step 102 is skipped and the process of step 104 is then executed.

[0032] On the other hand, if the interception of the sensing information is confirmed, the intercepted sensing information is stored in the sensing information storage unit 34 (step 102). As described above, the sensing information includes the identifier of the sensed channel, the airtime occupancy rate indicating the degree of congestion of the channel, and the like. In this step 102, at least the channel identifier among the information is stored in the sensing information storage unit 34.

[0033] After the above process is completed, a channel to be sensed is selected, and the congestion level of the channel is sensed (step 104). First, channels whose identifiers are not stored in the sensing information storage unit 34 are extracted. Next, a target channel is determined from the extracted channels according to a predetermined rule, for example, an ascending or descending rule based on frequency. Then, the target channel is monitored for a specified time period, and the airtime occupancy rate of the channel is sensed.

[0034] When the sensing of the target channel is completed, the result is transmitted by a broadcast method (step 106). At this time, the identifier of the channel on which the sensing was performed is stored in the sensing information storage unit 34, as in the case of step 102 above. Therefore, in all the STAs 12, the identifiers of the channels on which the sensing was performed in any of the STAs 12 are cumulatively stored in the sensing information storage unit 34.

[0035] According to the above process, each STA 12 can determine the channel to be sensed, excluding the channels already sensed by other STAs 12 and the channels already sensed by itself. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid redundant and unnecessary sensing.

[0036] The identifiers stored in the sensing information storage unit 34 may be erased after a certain period of time has passed. In this case, the channel on which sensing has been performed is returned to a channel on which sensing has not been performed after a certain period of time, and becomes the target of sensing again. This makes it possible to prevent old sensing information from remaining.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows the relationship between the number of channels on which each of the three STAs under the control of AP 10 performed sensing and the communication resources allocated to each STA by AP 10. Specifically, Fig. 5 shows that STAs 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 performed sensing on 10, 20, and 30 channels, respectively. These values ​​differ due to differences in the specifications of each of STAs 12-1 to 12-3, differences in the time that each of them was able to allocate to channel sensing, etc.

[0038] 5 also shows that AP10 has assigned a bandwidth of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz to STA12-1, 12-2, and 12-3, respectively. In other words, AP10 assigns communication resources as a reward for performing channel sensing, and assigns the most communication resources to STA12-3, which has performed sensing the most times, and the least communication resources to STA12-1, which has performed sensing the least times. With this type of assignment, the unfairness between terminals caused by the burden of channel sensing can be eliminated by the reward in the form of communication resources.

[0039] 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the AP 10 in this embodiment to realize the above-mentioned functions. The routine shown in FIG. 6 is started every time sensing information is broadcast from any of the STAs 12.

[0040] 6, first, the broadcasted sensing information is stored in the AP 10 (step 110). By accumulating the sensing information, the AP 10 grasps how congested a frequency band is and how many times each STA 12 has performed channel sensing.

[0041] Next, the AP 10 allocates communication resources to each of the STAs 12 subordinate thereto according to the number of sensing channels (step 112). Specifically, the AP 10 performs processing to allocate more communication resources to the STAs 12 with a larger number of sensing channels, and less communication resources to the STAs 12 with a smaller number of sensing channels. The amount of resources can be achieved by varying the frequency bandwidth, as described with reference to FIG. 5. Alternatively, the amount of resources may be achieved by varying the occupancy time of the bandwidth.

[0042] As described above, in the wireless communication system of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to perform channel sensing in the AP 10. Therefore, according to this system, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which all STAs 12 under the control of the AP 10 become unable to communicate due to the implementation of channel sensing.

[0043] In addition, in the system of this embodiment, multiple STAs 12 perform channel sensing with a load according to their respective specifications, etc. Therefore, STAs 12 with low specifications do not bear a relatively heavy load, and it is possible to prevent the communication quality of such STAs 12 from deteriorating significantly.

[0044] Furthermore, in the system of this embodiment, as a reward for channel sensing, communication resources commensurate with the load are given to each STA 12. This eliminates unfairness among the STAs 12 and also prevents the incentive to switch from a low-spec device to a high-spec device from being hindered.

[0045] Embodiment 2 [Features of the second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10 together with Figure 1. The wireless communication system of the present embodiment can be realized by the configuration shown in Figure 1, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0046] Fig. 7 is a block diagram for functionally explaining the configuration of AP 10 used in this embodiment. In Fig. 7, elements that are the same as or correspond to elements shown in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted or simplified. As in the first embodiment, AP 10 includes a processing unit and a memory, and each element shown in Fig. 7 is realized by the processing unit proceeding with processing according to a program stored in the memory.

[0047] 7, the AP 10 used in this embodiment includes a sensing range calculation unit 40. When the AP 10 wants to know the mixed state of a specific channel, the sensing range calculation unit 40 has a function of setting the channel as a sensing range. For example, a channel for which the acquired sensing information is old and the information is to be updated, or a channel for which no sensing information has been acquired in a band to be assigned to the STA 12, etc. are set as the sensing range.

[0048] The sensing range set by the sensing range calculation unit 40 is provided to the sensing range transmission unit 42. More specifically, identifiers of channels included in the sensing range are provided to the sensing range transmission unit 42. Then, the sensing range transmission unit 42 transmits the identifiers of the channels that make up the sensing range to all STAs 12 under the AP 12 by a broadcast method.

[0049] Fig. 8 is a block diagram for functionally explaining the configuration of the STA12 used in this embodiment. In Fig. 8, elements that are the same as or correspond to those shown in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted or simplified. As in the first embodiment, the functions of each block of the STA12 are also realized by the arithmetic processing unit proceeding with processing according to a program stored in a memory.

[0050] 8, the STA 12 used in this embodiment includes a sensing range receiving unit 50. The sensing range receiving unit 50 has a function of receiving the sensing range transmitted from the AP 10. The sensing range received by the sensing range receiving unit 50 is stored in a sensing range storage unit 52.

[0051] That is, in the STA 12 of this embodiment, the identifier of the channel for which the AP 10 requests sensing is stored in the sensing range storage unit 52. Then, similar to the first embodiment, the identifier of the channel sensed by the STA 12 itself or another STA 12 is stored in the sensing information storage unit 34.

[0052] In this embodiment, if an identifier is included in the sensing range storage unit 52, the sensing unit 36 ​​of the STA 12 performs sensing of a channel corresponding to the identifier. If an identifier is not included in the sensing range storage unit 52, the sensing unit 36 ​​performs sensing of a channel whose identifier is not stored in the sensing information storage unit 34. As a result, in this embodiment, sensing requested by the AP 10 is preferentially performed, and overlapping sensing of a channel that has already been sensed is effectively avoided as in the first embodiment.

[0053] [Processing flow in the second embodiment] Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the AP 10 in this embodiment. Note that in Fig. 9, steps that are the same as or correspond to steps shown in Fig. 6 are given the same reference numerals and overlapping explanations are omitted.

[0054] 9 is started by the AP 10 receiving sensing information from any of the STAs 12, as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, when the sensing information is stored in step 110, it is then determined whether or not the channel related to the sensing information falls within the sensing range specified by the AP 10 (step 120).

[0055] If it is determined that the channel related to the received information does not fall within the sensing range, the process of step 112 is executed to proceed with resource allocation in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0056] On the other hand, if the channel related to the received information is recognized as falling within the sensing range, the STA 12 that performed the sensing of that channel is assigned resources with additional reward (step 122). In other words, the STA 12 that performed the sensing is evaluated as having performed the sensing in response to the request of the AP 10, and the STA 12 that performed the sensing is assigned resources that are a certain percentage higher than the resources determined in step 112.

[0057] After the above process is completed, it is next determined whether or not there is a channel that requires sensing for the AP 10 (step 124). For example, it is determined whether or not there is a channel whose information has become outdated beyond a determination criterion, or whether or not there is a channel that is a candidate for allocation but for which sensing information has not been obtained. If it is determined that such a channel exists, it is determined that there is a channel that requires sensing.

[0058] If it is determined in step 124 that there is no channel requiring sensing, the current routine is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a channel requiring sensing, the range of that channel is transmitted to the subordinate STA 12 as the sensing range (step 126).

[0059] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing performed by the STA 12 in this embodiment. Note that in Fig. 10, steps that are the same as or correspond to steps shown in Fig. 4 are given the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations are omitted.

[0060] 10, the STA 12 in this embodiment determines whether or not it has received the sensing range following the processing of step 100 or step 102 (step 130). That is, it is determined whether or not the STA 12 has received the sensing range information transmitted by the AP 10 in response to a request to perform sensing.

[0061] If the sensing range has not been received, the process of step 104 is executed thereafter as in the case of embodiment 1. In this case, sensing is performed for channels whose identifiers are not stored in the sensing information storage unit 34, that is, for channels on which sensing by the STA 12 has not been performed.

[0062] On the other hand, if reception of the sensing range is recognized in step 130, first, the identifier of the channel corresponding to the sensing range is stored in the sensing range storage unit 52 (step 132). Then, sensing of the channel corresponding to the identifier stored in the sensing range storage unit 52 is performed (step 134).

[0063] After completing the above process, the STA 12 transmits the sensing result by broadcasting in step 106 .

[0064] According to the above process, when there is a range of channels that the AP 10 wants to preferentially sense, the AP 10 can widely transmit the request to all of the STAs 12 under its control. Then, the STAs 12 that have the function to respond to the request perform channel sensing in response to the request. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the AP 10 can be given excellent information collection capabilities. And, because the AP 10 has excellent information collection capabilities, the communication efficiency of the wireless communication system can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the above process, the STA 12 that has performed channel sensing in response to the sensing range issued by the AP 10 is given communication resources corresponding to the sum of the reward for the sensing load and the reward for responding to the request of the AP 10. According to such a rule, an incentive can be generated to give the STA 12 a function to respond to the request of the AP 10, and the efficiency of the wireless communication system can be promoted.

[0066] [Modifications of the first and second embodiments] Incidentally, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the field of wireless communication is limited to wireless LAN, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The technology of the present disclosure can be applied to wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless communication using licensed bands, in addition to wireless LAN.

[0067] In the above-described first and second embodiments, a reward for performing channel sensing or a reward for responding to a request from the AP 10 is provided by allocating communication resources. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and such rewards may be realized by other methods that provide an incentive to users, such as reducing the usage fee for wireless communication by the STA 12.

[0068] In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the STA 12 transmits sensing information every time it finishes sensing one channel, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the STA 12 may be made to perform sensing continuously for a certain period of time and transmit a plurality of sensing results obtained during that time together. Alternatively, the STA 12 may be made to perform sensing of a predetermined number of channels together and transmit the results together.

[0069] In the above-described second embodiment, the AP 10 transmits the channels requiring sensing as the sensing range to the STA 12. Then, the STA 12 stores the range in the sensing range storage unit 52 and performs sensing preferentially on the channels stored there. However, the method of transmitting the sensing range is not limited to this. For example, the AP 10 may determine that a channel on which sensing has just been performed or a channel not scheduled to be assigned to the STA 12 is a channel not requiring sensing, and transmit the range not requiring sensing to the STA 12. In this case, the STA 12 deletes the identifier corresponding to the range not requiring sensing from the sensing range storage unit 52. As a result, the AP 10 can preferentially proceed with sensing of the channel on which it wishes to perform sensing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10 Wireless base station equipment (AP) 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12 Wireless terminal (STA) 20, 30 Control unit 22 Sensing information receiving unit 24 Sensing channel number memory section 26 Resource Allocation Department 32 Sensing Information Interception Department 34 Sensing information storage unit 36 Sensing section 38 Sensing information transmission unit 40 Sensing range calculation unit 42 Sensing range transmitter 50 Sensing range receiver 52 Sensing range memory unit

Claims

1. A wireless communication system including a plurality of wireless terminals, each of which has a plurality of wireless interfaces corresponding to a plurality of channels of different frequency bands, and a wireless base station device that establishes wireless communication between the wireless terminals, The wireless terminal, a sensing unit for performing sensing of the channel; a sensing information transmission unit that transmits sensing information including an identifier of a channel on which sensing has been performed, a sensing result of the channel, and an identifier of the wireless terminal; The wireless base station device, a sensing information receiving unit that receives the sensing information; a sensing channel number storage unit that calculates and stores a sensing channel number, which is the number of channels sensed by the wireless terminal, for each wireless terminal based on the sensing information; an allocation unit that allocates a reward according to the number of sensing channels to each of the plurality of wireless terminals.

2. the sensing information transmission unit is configured to transmit, from the sensing information, at least an identifier of a channel on which sensing has been performed by a broadcast method; The wireless terminal is further configured to include a sensing information interception unit that intercepts information of the identifier broadcast from another wireless terminal, The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensing unit is configured to select a channel to be subjected to sensing from among channels excluding a channel on which the sensing unit has performed sensing and a channel corresponding to the intercepted identifier.

3. 3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the reward is a communication resource having an amount determined according to the number of sensing channels.

4. The wireless base station device, a sensing range calculation unit that calculates sensing range information that specifies a range in which sensing is performed; a sensing range transmission unit that transmits the sensing range information to the wireless terminal, The wireless terminal is further configured to include a sensing range receiving unit that receives the sensing range information, The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensing unit is configured to select a channel to be subjected to sensing from within the sensing range when the sensing range information specifies a sensing implementation range.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 4, wherein the allocation unit is configured to allocate an additional reward to the wireless terminal that provided the sensing information when the identifier of the channel included in the sensing information falls within the implementation range.

6. The sensing range information includes information specifying a channel on which sensing does not need to be performed, The wireless communication system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sensing unit is configured to exclude a channel for which sensing does not need to be performed from channels to be subject to sensing when the sensing range information specifies the channel.

7. A wireless communication method using a plurality of wireless terminals, each of which has a plurality of wireless interfaces corresponding to a plurality of channels in different frequency bands, and a wireless base station device that establishes wireless communication between the wireless terminals, the method comprising the steps of: said wireless terminal performing sensing of said channel; A step of transmitting sensing information including an identifier of a channel on which sensing was performed, a sensing result of the channel, and an identifier of the wireless terminal, by the wireless terminal; a step of receiving the sensing information by the wireless base station device; a step of the wireless base station device calculating and storing a number of sensing channels, which is the number of channels sensed by the wireless terminal, for each wireless terminal based on the sensing information; a step of the wireless base station device allocating a reward according to the number of sensing channels to each of the plurality of wireless terminals; A wireless communication method comprising:

8. A wireless base station device that establishes wireless communication with a plurality of wireless terminals, each of which has a plurality of wireless interfaces corresponding to a plurality of channels in different frequency bands, comprising: a sensing information receiving unit that receives sensing information transmitted by the wireless terminal including an identifier of a channel on which sensing has been performed, a sensing result of the channel, and an identifier of the wireless terminal; a sensing channel number storage unit that calculates and stores a sensing channel number, which is the number of channels sensed by the wireless terminal, for each wireless terminal based on the sensing information; an allocation unit that allocates a reward according to the number of sensing channels to each of the plurality of wireless terminals; A wireless base station device configured to include:

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