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

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and a wireless communication device. A wireless communication device according to the present disclosure comprises a base station having a multilink function and a terminal having a multilink function, and is configured such that the base station and the terminal communicate via a plurality of links. The base station comprises an Upper MAC that receives a packet generated in a higher-level layer, and a Lower MAC present in each link, and is configured so as to execute: processing for using at least one out of the links as a priority link including a Lower MAC for which a maximum queuing size is set; processing for, when the priority of the packet is low and the priority link reaches the maximum queuing size, using links other than the priority link as candidates for a packet assignment destination link; processing for determining the packet assignment destination link by predetermined processing; processing for transmitting the packet from the Upper MAC to the Lower MAC of the assignment destination link; and processing for transmitting the packet which the Lower MAC has to the terminal via the link.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and a wireless communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless LAN base stations and terminals use CSMA / CA to access channels and transmit data.

[0003] The wireless LAN communication standard IEEE 802.11be is equipped with a multi-link function that allows multiple frequency bands to be used simultaneously. By using the multi-link function, multiple links using multiple frequency bands can be formed simultaneously between a base station and a terminal. This allows different data to be transmitted simultaneously over multiple frequency bands, improving throughput and delay characteristics.

[0004] When transmitting data, packets generated in the upper layer are first passed to the Upper MAC (Media Access Controller). The Upper MAC passes the packet to the Lower MAC, which exists for each link. When the Lower MAC acquires the right to transmit a frame, the packet that has come to the front of the queue in order of its holdings is passed to the PHY (Physical) layer, which is the physical layer, and then transmitted. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] IEEE802.11 2020 IEEE Standard for Information Technology-Telecommunications and Information Exchange between SystemsLocal and Metropolitan Area Networks-Specific Requirements [Non-patent document 2] IEEE802.11be D2.0 Draft Standard for Information technology- Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks- Specific requirements Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when performing high-volume communications, there are cases where the Lower MACs of all links used by the multi-link function already have multiple packets being transmitted. In this case, suppose a high-priority packet, which is a transmission packet for an application that requires low latency, is generated. This high-priority packet cannot be immediately handed over to the PHY for transmission, regardless of which link is used. In other words, there is a problem of queuing delays.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication system that can reduce queuing delay of high-priority packets.

[0008] A second object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication method that can reduce queuing delay of high-priority packets.

[0009] A third object of the present disclosure is to provide a wireless communication device that can reduce queuing delay of high-priority packets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication system comprising a base station having a multi-link function and a terminal having a multi-link function, and configured so that the base station and the terminal communicate via multiple links, wherein the base station comprises an Upper MAC that receives packets generated in a higher layer and a Lower MAC that exists for each link, and is preferably configured to perform the following processes: using at least one of the links as a priority link including a Lower MAC having a set maximum queuing size; when the priority of the packet is low and the priority link has reached its maximum queuing size, designating links other than the priority link as candidates for a link to which the packet is to be allocated; determining a link to which the packet is to be allocated by a predetermined process; transmitting the packet from the Upper MAC to the Lower MAC of the destination link; and transmitting the packet held by the Lower MAC to the terminal via the link.

[0011] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication method performed by a wireless communication system including a base station having a multi-link function and a terminal having a multi-link function, and configured so that the base station and the terminal communicate via multiple links, wherein the base station includes an Upper MAC that receives packets generated in a higher layer and a Lower MAC that exists for each link, and the wireless communication method preferably includes the steps of: using at least one of the Lower MACs as a priority link including the Lower MAC with a maximum queuing size set; when the priority of the packet is low and the priority link has reached the maximum queuing size, designating a link other than the priority link as a candidate link to which the packet is to be allocated; determining the link to which the packet is to be allocated by a predetermined process; transmitting the packet from the Upper MAC to the Lower MAC of the destination link; and transmitting the packet held by the Lower MAC to the terminal via the link.

[0012] A third aspect of the present disclosure is preferably a wireless communication device that includes an Upper MAC that receives packets generated in a higher layer and a Lower MAC that exists for each link, and that has the following functions: use at least one of the Lower MACs as a priority link including the Lower MAC with a maximum queuing size set; when the priority of the packet is low and the priority link has reached its maximum queuing size, designate a link other than the priority link as a candidate link to which the packet is to be allocated; determine the link to which the packet is to be allocated by a predetermined process; transmit the packet from the Upper MAC to the Lower MAC of the destination link; and transmit the packet held by the Lower MAC via the link. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the first, second and third aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce queuing delay of high priority packets. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system without a multi-link function. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system having a multi-link function. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a multi-link setup procedure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a packet categorization process. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a packet processing method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of a base station according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing a device configuration of a terminal according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]10 is a table illustrating an example of data held by a priority link management unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiment 1 [Conventional wireless communication system] Before describing the first embodiment, a conventionally used multi-link will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system without a multi-link function. That is, a wireless communication system 500 transmits multiple types of packets using a single link.

[0016] The wireless communication system 500 includes a base station 2. The base station 2 transmits a high-priority packet 4 generated in an upper layer to a MAC unit 12. The MAC unit 12 includes a queue 8. The queue 8 holds received packets in an ordered manner so that the packets can be transmitted in the order in which they were received. When a frame transmission right is acquired, the order of the packets held in the queue 8 is checked and the packets are transmitted in order starting from the front packet. When the wireless communication system used is Wi-Fi (registered trademark), the base station corresponds to an access point.

[0017] Because the base station 2 does not have a multi-link function, it has only one queue 8. Therefore, even if a high-priority packet 4 occurs, if the queue 8 already contains multiple packets 6, the high-priority packet 4 is ordered so that it becomes the last of the packets held by the queue 8.

[0018] The MAC unit 12 transmits the packets to the PHY 10. More specifically, the packet that has arrived at the front of the queue 8 is transmitted to the PHY 10. That is, the high-priority packet 4 transmitted to the PHY 10 is transmitted to the terminal 16 after all packets 6 held in the queue 8 up to that point have been transmitted. Note that the base station 2 does not have a multi-link function and therefore has only one PHY 10.

[0019] As described above, in the wireless communication system 500 using only one link, even if a high priority packet 4 occurs, no processing is performed to give priority to the packet.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system with a multi-link function. Here, a wireless communication system 600 that forms three links by utilizing the multi-link function will be described.

[0021] The wireless communication system 600 includes a base station 2. The base station 2 transmits a high priority packet 4 generated in an upper layer to a MAC unit 12. The MAC unit 12 includes an upper MAC 18 and lower MACs 20a, 20b, and 20c that exist for each link.

[0022] The MAC unit 12 first receives the high priority packet 4 at the Upper MAC 18. The Upper MAC 18 distributes the high priority packet 4 to one of the Lower MACs 20a, 20b, and 20c. More specifically, the high priority packet 4 is ordered so that it becomes the last of the packets held in the queue of the Lower MAC to which it was distributed. This distribution is performed based on a predetermined process. Here, it is assumed that the process is to distribute the packet to the queue with the shortest waiting time out of the queues 8a, 8b, and 8c that each of the Lower MACs 20a, 20b, and 20c has. Note that the waiting time in this case varies depending on the number or size of packets 6 held in each queue.

[0023] The MAC unit 12 transmits the packets to the PHY unit 14. This PHY unit 14 includes PHYs 10a, 10b, and 10c. More specifically, among the packets, the packets that arrive at the front of the queues 8a, 8b, and 8c are transmitted to the PHYs 10a, 10b, and 10c, respectively. That is, the high-priority packet 4 is transmitted to the terminal 16 after all the packets 6 held in the assigned queues have been transmitted.

[0024] As described above, the high-priority packet 4 is assigned to the queue that minimizes the waiting time, which increases the likelihood that the packet will be transmitted to the PHY with a shorter waiting time than in the wireless communication system 500 that uses only one link.

[0025] In this way, by using the multi-link function to simultaneously transmit different data over multiple frequency bands, throughput and delay characteristics can be improved. However, there are cases where the Lower MACs of all links used with the multi-link function already have multiple packets to transmit. In this case, the generated high-priority packet cannot be immediately passed to the PHY for transmission, regardless of which link is used. In other words, a problem occurs in which queuing delays occur. The present disclosure solves this problem.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the multi-link setup procedure. Priority link management units 64 and 74, which will be described later, perform the process shown in Fig. 3 to set up wireless communication via specific links. This allows the wireless communication system to establish multi-link communication.

[0027] 4 shows a process for categorizing packets. A wireless communication system transmits multiple types of packets. This shows a process for identifying the multiple types of packets by traffic in the STA unit (described later).

[0028] Packets with a MAC header added at a higher layer are input to one of queues 22, 24, 26, and 28. The destination queue is determined by the TID (Traffic Indicator) included in the MAC header. For example, when WME (Wireless Multimedia Extensions) assigns priorities, queue 22 can be identified as the VO category related to voice, queue 24 as the VI category related to video, queue 26 as the BE category related to best effort, and queue 28 as the BK category related to background.

[0029] Packets input to each queue are input to CSMA / CA units 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40. Each CSMA / CA unit accesses the channel using its own access parameters and performs CSMA / CA. The unique access parameters include, for example, Cwmax, Cwmin, AIFS, and TXOPlimit. When each CSMA / CA unit obtains the transmission right, it acquires a MAC frame from its queue and outputs it to the internal collision resolution unit 42.

[0030] The CSMA / CA units 32, 34, 36 and 38 process data that arrives at the front of the queues 22, 24, 26 and 28. The CSMA / CA unit 40 processes low-delay data.

[0031] When multiple CSMA / CA units simultaneously acquire the transmission right, the internal conflict resolution unit 42 selects and outputs the one with the highest priority.

[0032] [Wireless communication system of the present disclosure] 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system according to the first embodiment differs from conventional systems in that a maximum queuing size is set in the Lower MAC of at least one link used in the multi-link function. Hereinafter, this at least one link will be referred to as a priority link. Hereinafter, a wireless communication system 100 that forms three links by utilizing the multi-link function will be described.

[0033] The wireless communication system 100 transmits packets in the same procedure as the wireless communication system 600. However, the wireless communication system 100 differs from the wireless communication system 600 in that it has a priority link and in the method of allocating packets. Note that, here, the link including the Lower MAC 20a is defined as the priority link.

[0034] 6 is a flowchart showing a packet processing method according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, in step 100, the Upper MAC 18 receives a packet from an upper layer.

[0035] Next, in step 102, it is confirmed whether the priority of the received packet is high. The priority is determined by the MLD unit 59 of the base station, which will be described later. This determination may be made using the TID. For example, a method can be considered in which a packet assigned a pre-specified TID or a TID indicating a higher priority than that TID is determined to be a "high priority packet." If the priority is high, the process proceeds to step 104. If the priority is not high, the process proceeds to step 106.

[0036] In step 104, a transmission link is selected from all links used in the wireless communication system. In the case of the wireless communication system 100, a destination link is selected from all links including the Lower MACs 20a, 20b, and 20c. This selection is performed based on a predetermined process.

[0037] In step 106, it is confirmed whether the queue size of the priority link has reached its upper limit. In the case of the wireless communication system 100, it is confirmed whether the link including the Lower MAC 20a has reached its maximum queuing size. If the maximum queuing size has not been reached, the process proceeds to step 104. If the maximum queuing size has been reached, the process proceeds to step 108.

[0038] In step 108, a transmission link is selected from the links excluding the priority link. In the case of the wireless communication system 100, the link including the Lower MAC 20a, which is the priority link, is excluded. In other words, the destination link is selected from the links including the Lower MACs 20b and 20c. This selection is performed based on a predetermined process.

[0039] Here, let us assume that the predetermined process for selecting the destination link is to assign the packet to the Lower MAC with the queue that has the shortest waiting time. The priority link has a maximum queuing size set. Therefore, especially when large-volume communication is being performed, the priority link is likely to have a shorter waiting time than other links. As a result, the high-priority packet 4 is likely to be assigned to the priority link.

[0040] If high priority packet 4 is allocated to the priority link, the queuing delay is reduced to a certain time or less because a maximum queuing size is set for the priority link. If high priority packet 4 is not allocated to the priority link, this means that the link to which the packet is allocated has a shorter waiting time than the priority link, so the queuing delay is also reduced to a certain time or less. In other words, in either case, the queuing delay can be reduced to a certain time or less.

[0041] As described above, in the first embodiment, the maximum queuing size is set for a specific link, and then the process shown in the flowchart in Fig. 6 is performed. That is, generated high-priority packets can be delivered to the PHY within a certain queuing time. This allows the queuing delay of high-priority packets to be reduced regardless of when they are generated.

[0042] [Detailed settings for the preferred link of this disclosure] The priority link may be determined based on the transmission delay time or PER (Packet Error Rate). For example, the transmission delay time or PER of each link may be acquired in advance within the wireless terminal or within a controller attached to the wireless terminal. Then, a method may be considered in which the link with the smallest transmission delay time or PER is selected.

[0043] The maximum queuing size may be set to a predetermined maximum number of packets that can be accommodated in the link. Alternatively, it may be set so that a certain queuing time is not exceeded based on statistics regarding communication between the base station and the terminal. Examples of statistics regarding communication between the base station and the terminal include the frame transmission status of the base station or statistics regarding communication with other terminals. A specific example of the frame transmission status of the base station is the value obtained by dividing the frame size transmitted within the terminal by the MCS value. Examples of statistics regarding communication with other terminals are the expected value of delay time calculated from the PER or channel usage rate of the link, or actually measured transmission throughput and delay time.

[0044] The above-mentioned priority link and maximum queuing size may be updated at regular intervals. For example, one possible method is to first select the link with the lowest channel usage rate at regular intervals, or to calculate the average queuing time of all links at regular intervals and multiply this by a certain constant to set the maximum queuing size.

[0045] By periodically changing the priority link, it is possible to avoid imbalances in the load traffic assigned to each link, and also to increase the probability that high-priority packets will be assigned to links with short delay times.

[0046] [Configuration of devices included in the wireless communication system of the present disclosure] 7 is a block diagram showing the device configuration of the base station according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, data transmission from the base station 2 to other terminals will be described.

[0047] The base station 2 includes an LLC unit 58. The LLC unit 58 is a sublayer that performs logical link control. The LLC unit 58 outputs input packets to an MLD unit 59.

[0048] The MLD unit 59 is a link management unit and includes a data processing unit 60. The data processing unit 60 processes data and outputs the results to a base station measurement unit 62 and a priority link management unit 64. The base station measurement unit 62 measures the elapsed time, the PER of each link, the packet transmission delay time, etc.

[0049] The priority link management unit 64 selects a priority link, manages queuing size, and selects a link for output. The priority link management unit 64 also performs the multi-link setup described in Fig. 3. The priority link management unit 64 outputs processed packets to the STA units 66a, 66b, and 66c.

[0050] The STA units 66a, 66b, and 66c are transmitting / receiving units that receive packets input from the priority link management unit 64. Then, they transmit MAC frames contained in the packets as wireless frames to other terminals. Note that data transmission and reception with other terminals is performed via antennas.

[0051] Next, a description will be given of data transmission from other terminals to the base station 2. The STA units 66a, 66b, and 66c output wireless frames received from other terminals to the priority link management unit 64.

[0052] The priority link management unit 64 processes the header and the like from the MAC frame included in the input wireless frame, and outputs the obtained data to the data processing unit 60. The data processing unit 60 outputs this data to the LLC unit 58.

[0053] 8 is a block diagram showing the device configuration of a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, data transmission from terminal 16 to another terminal will be described.

[0054] The terminal 16 includes an LLC unit 68. The LLC unit 68 outputs the input packet to an MLD unit 69.

[0055] The MLD unit 69 includes a data processing unit 70. The data processing unit 70 processes packets and outputs the results to a terminal measurement unit 72 and a priority link management unit 74. The terminal measurement unit 72 measures the PER and the like of each link as necessary. The measurement results are notified to a base station measurement unit included in a base station within the wireless communication system. Note that the terminal measurement unit 72 may have the same functions as the base station measurement unit 62.

[0056] The priority link management unit 74 selects a priority link, manages queuing size, and selects a link to be output. For example, it selects a link to be used for communication with the base station 2 based on information notified from the priority link management unit 64 of the base station 2. Alternatively, it may have the same function as the priority link management unit 64 of the base station based on information acquired by the terminal measurement unit 72. Furthermore, the priority link management unit 74 outputs processed packets to the STA units 76a, 76b, and 76c.

[0057] The STA units 76a, 76b, and 76c receive packets input from the priority link management unit 74. Then, they transmit MAC frames contained in the packets as wireless frames to other terminals. Note that data transmission and reception with other terminals is performed via antennas.

[0058] Next, a description will be given of data transmission from other terminals to the terminal 16. The STA units 76a, 76b, and 76c output wireless frames received from other terminals to the priority link management unit 74.

[0059] The priority link management unit 74 processes the header and the like from the MAC frame included in the input wireless frame, and outputs the obtained data to the data processing unit 70. The data processing unit 70 outputs this data to the LLC unit 68.

[0060] 9 is a table illustrating an example of data stored in a priority link management unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The priority link management unit stores various data for each link in order to select a priority link. As an example, a data group for a base station equipped with three STA units is shown here.

[0061] In this example, STA1, 2, and 3 all support the multilink function. However, only STA1 and 2 are used for multilink transmission. Furthermore, since only STA2 has a maximum packet count set, it can be seen that the link including STA2 is the priority link.

[0062] The current number of packets in STA2 is 5, which is the maximum number of packets it has received. The current number of packets in STA1 is 8, which is more than STA2. Therefore, if the processing method shown in Figure 6 is used, the next packet that occurs will likely be assigned to STA2 if it is a high-priority packet.

[0063] The PER value is also stored here. It can be seen that the PER values ​​of STA1 and STA2 are different. It is also possible to set a priority link based on this PER value.

[0064] Embodiment 2 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of terminals are targets of wireless communication with one base station.

[0065] The wireless communication system 200 includes a base station 2. The base station 2 performs wireless communication with terminals 16a, 16b, and 16c. This configuration makes it possible to reduce queuing delays when high-priority packets occur, even in wireless communication that targets a wide area, such as when multiple terminals are involved.

[0066] Consider a case where the MCS value, the percentage of high-priority frames, or the PER value is referenced when selecting a priority link or determining the queuing size. In this case, attention may be paid to a specific terminal or to each of multiple terminals.

[0067] Embodiment 3 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system according to the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a controller that aggregates a plurality of base stations is installed.

[0068] The wireless communication system 300 includes a controller 46. The controller 46 is connected to base stations 2a and 2b. The base station 2a performs wireless communication with a terminal 16a. The base station 2b performs wireless communication with a terminal 16b. With this configuration, even in wireless communication covering a wide area such as multiple base stations, it is possible to reduce queuing delays when high-priority packets occur.

[0069] The controller 46 may estimate the transmission delay of high-priority frames between channels, or may specify the priority link or maximum queuing size of each base station, based on the congestion status or PER of the channels used by the base stations 2a and 2b.

[0070] Embodiment 4 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a preferred link is synchronized between a specific base station and a specific terminal.

[0071] The wireless communication system 400 includes a base station 2 and a terminal 16. The base station 2 and the terminal 16 are configured so that their priority links are synchronized. That is, the wireless communication system 400 shows a configuration in which the priority links of the wireless communication system 100 are synchronized.

[0072] An example of a method for synchronizing the priority link is for the base station 2 to notify the terminal 16 of the selected priority link and the maximum queuing size. Another example is for the base station 2 and the terminal 16 to each change the link number of the priority link every time a set time has elapsed. In this case, it is necessary to match conditions such as the link number, the priority link selection start time, and the priority link setting period between the base station 2 and the terminal 16 in advance.

[0073] In addition, in a wireless communication system configured using a controller that aggregates multiple base stations or upper MACs, a method of synchronizing priority links using the controller can be exemplified. In this case, a method can be considered in which information on priority links and maximum queuing sizes is notified from the controller to each base station, and from each base station to each terminal. Another method can be considered in which information on priority links and maximum queuing sizes is notified from the controller to both each base station and each terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 2, 2a, 2b base station 6 packets 8, 8a, 8b, 8c queues 16, 16a, 16b, 16c terminals 46 Controller 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 wireless communication systems

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising a base station having a multi-link function and a terminal having a multi-link function, the base station and the terminal being configured to communicate with each other via a plurality of links, The base station an Upper MAC that receives packets generated in an upper layer; a Lower MAC present for each of the links; a process of using at least one of the links as a priority link including the Lower MAC to which a maximum queuing size is set; a process of selecting a link other than the priority link as a candidate for a destination link for the packet when the priority of the packet is low and the priority link has reached a maximum queuing size; A process of determining a destination link for the packet by a predetermined process; A process of transmitting the packet from the Upper MAC to the Lower MAC of the destination link; A process of transmitting a packet held by the Lower MAC to the terminal via the link; 1. A wireless communication system configured to perform

2. The predetermined processing is This is a process of selecting the link with the shortest waiting time from the candidates for the destination link.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1.

3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the preferred link is determined based on a transmission delay time or a PER.

4. The maximum queuing size is The number is determined based on a predetermined maximum number of packets that can be accommodated in the preferred link or statistics regarding communication between the base station and the terminal.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1.

5. The priority link and the maximum queuing size are updated at regular intervals.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1.

6. the terminal includes a plurality of terminals; The base station performs wireless communication with the plurality of terminals.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1.

7. the base station includes a plurality of base stations; a controller for controlling the plurality of base stations; The controller specifies the priority link or the maximum queuing size.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1.

8. The preferred link provided by the terminal is synchronized with the base station.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1.

9. A wireless communication method performed by a wireless communication system comprising a base station having a multi-link function and a terminal having a multi-link function, the base station and the terminal being configured to communicate via a plurality of links, The base station an Upper MAC that receives packets generated in an upper layer; A Lower MAC exists for each of the links; using at least one of the Lower MACs as a priority link including the Lower MAC with a maximum queuing size set; a step of selecting a link other than the priority link as a candidate for a link to which the packet is to be allocated when the priority of the packet is low and the priority link has reached a maximum queuing size; a step of determining a destination link for the packet by a predetermined process; a step of transmitting the packet from the Upper MAC to the Lower MAC of the destination link; transmitting the packet held by the Lower MAC to the terminal via the link; A wireless communication method comprising:

10. an Upper MAC that receives packets generated in an upper layer; Lower MAC for each link Equipped with a function of using at least one of the Lower MACs as a priority link including the Lower MAC to which a maximum queuing size is set; a function of selecting a link other than the priority link as a candidate for a link to which the packet is to be allocated when the priority of the packet is low and the priority link has reached a maximum queuing size; a function of determining a destination link for the packet through a predetermined process; a function of transmitting the packet from the Upper MAC to the Lower MAC of the destination link; A function of transmitting packets held by the Lower MAC via the link; A wireless communication device comprising:

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