Communication control device and communication control method

Abstract

To allow communication to be performed using an empty channel according to the usage status of a plurality of frequency channels.SOLUTION: A communication device includes a control unit that performs control to generate channel information about frequency channels that can transmit data and bandwidth information about the bandwidth of a frequency used for data transmission, transmit a request signal including the generated channel information and bandwidth information to another communication device using a frequency channel selected from the frequency channels that can transmit, and transmit data to the other communication device using the frequency channel selected as a frequency channel that can be received by the other communication device. The present technique can be applied to, for example, a wireless LAN system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This technology is Communication control device and communication control method In particular, it is possible to perform communication on an available channel depending on the usage status of a plurality of frequency channels. Communication control device and communication control method Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional wireless LAN (Local Area Network) systems are designed to comply with the IEEE802.11a and IEEE802.11g standards, which use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), as communication methods. These standards are based on a frequency bandwidth of 20 MHz, which is defined as one frequency channel.

[0003] However, due to the need to increase communication speeds, the successor standard, IEEE802.11n, adopted a technology that transmits data simultaneously on two adjacent frequency channels.

[0004] Furthermore, to accommodate higher speeds, the IEEE802.11ac standard adopts channel bonding technology that combines and utilizes more frequency channels, and discloses technology that allows simultaneous use of up to eight channels and a frequency bandwidth of 160 MHz.

[0005] As such, it is expected that demand for higher speeds will continue to increase in the future, and it is anticipated that communications will be carried out using even more frequency channels.

[0006] Furthermore, in a wireless LAN system, a known technology relating to communication using multiple frequency channels is, for example, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for selecting one frequency channel that can be used for both transmission and reception in a receiver from multiple frequency channels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-533671 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Incidentally, when communicating using multiple frequency channels, it is expected that communication will be carried out on an available channel depending on the usage status of the multiple frequency channels. However, a method for selecting such an available channel to communicate has not been established, and there has been a demand for the establishment of such a method.

[0009] The present technology has been made in view of such circumstances, and makes it possible to carry out communication on an available channel depending on the usage status of a plurality of frequency channels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of this technology communication control device teeth, a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit to transmit a second signal including bandwidth information related to the bandwidth of the frequency used for transmitting the data to another communication device by using a frequency channel that can be used for transmitting the first signal; receives a third signal transmitted from the other communication device based on one or more frequency channels selected by the other communication device from among the frequency channels that can be used for transmitting the first signal and that correspond to the bandwidth information; and transmits the first signal to the other communication device based on the third signal. .

[0011] One aspect of this technology The communication control method is , A communication control method in which a communication control device transmits a second signal including bandwidth information regarding the bandwidth of the frequency used to transmit the data to another communication device, using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal, and the other communication device receives a third signal transmitted from the other communication device based on one or more frequency channels selected from the frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal and corresponding to the bandwidth information, and controls a wireless communication unit to transmit the first signal to the other communication device based on the third signal. .

[0012] One aspect of this technology Communication control device and communication control method teeth, A second signal including bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth of a frequency to be used for transmitting the data is transmitted to another communication device using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal including the data; a third signal transmitted from the other communication device based on one or more frequency channels selected by the other communication device from among the frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal and corresponding to the bandwidth information is received; and the first signal is transmitted to the other communication device based on the third signal. .

[0013] One aspect of this technology communication control device teeth, a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit to receive a second signal including bandwidth information on a bandwidth of a frequency used to transmit the data, using a frequency channel that is available for transmitting a first signal including data and that is transmitted from another communication device; selects one or more frequency channels that correspond to a bandwidth of a frequency used to transmit the first signal from among frequency channels that are available for transmitting the first signal, based on the bandwidth information included in the received second signal; transmits a third signal to the other communication device based on the one or more selected frequency channels; and receives the first signal transmitted from the other communication device based on the third signal. .

[0014] One aspect of this technology Communication Control Method teeth, communication control device but, A communication control method comprising: receiving a second signal including bandwidth information on a frequency bandwidth used to transmit a first signal including data, the second signal being transmitted from another communication device, using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal; selecting one or more frequency channels corresponding to the frequency bandwidth used to transmit the first signal, from among the frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal, based on the bandwidth information included in the received second signal; transmitting a third signal to the other communication device based on the one or more selected frequency channels; and controlling a wireless communication unit to receive the first signal transmitted from the other communication device based on the third signal. .

[0015] One aspect of this technology Communication control device and communication control method In this case, A second signal including bandwidth information regarding a frequency bandwidth used for transmitting a first signal including data is received using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal from another communication device, one or more frequency channels corresponding to the frequency bandwidth used for transmitting the first signal are selected from the frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal based on the bandwidth information included in the received second signal, a third signal is transmitted to the other communication device based on the one or more selected frequency channels, and the first signal is received, which is transmitted from the other communication device based on the third signal. .

[0018] It should be noted that the communication device according to one aspect of the present technology may be an independent device or an internal block constituting a single device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to one aspect of the present technology, communication can be performed using an available channel depending on the usage status of a plurality of frequency channels.

[0020] The effects described here are not necessarily limited to those described herein, and may be any of the effects described in this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a wireless network. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of access control in a wireless network according to a current method. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of access control in a wireless network according to a new method. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of frequency channels available in a wireless LAN system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-channel access control procedure according to the new method. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a data frame. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a multi-channel RTS frame to which the present technology is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of parameters of channel information in a bitmap format of a map. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of parameters of bandwidth information. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a CTS frame. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a multi-channel BAR frame to which the present technology is applied. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the configuration of a Block Ack frame. [Figure 13] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device to which the present technology is applied. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication module. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a communication device on the data transmitting side. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a communication device on the data transmitting side. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a communication device on the data receiving side. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a communication device on the data receiving side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in the following order.

[0023] 1. Embodiments of the present technology 2. Variations

[0024] <1. Embodiments of the present technology>

[0025] As mentioned earlier, conventional wireless LAN systems have been able to achieve higher communication speeds by, for example, using technology to send data simultaneously on two adjacent frequency channels, or by using channel bonding technology that allows up to eight channels with a frequency bandwidth of 160 MHz to be used simultaneously. However, as demand for even higher speeds is expected to continue to grow, it is anticipated that communications will be carried out using even more frequency channels.

[0026] In these wireless LAN systems, the conventional communication method using multi-channels (multiple frequency channels) is configured such that when a predetermined access control is performed on the primary channel to enable access to the transmission path, if no other secondary channels are in use, communication can be carried out using the secondary channels in addition to the primary channel.

[0027] For example, the configuration disclosed in the following document A discloses a technology in which, when an access point (AP) performs multi-user transmission to multiple terminals, channel information previously assigned to each terminal is transmitted as an RTS (Request to Send) frame (multi-user RTS) on the primary channel, and data is transmitted upon receipt of a CTS (Clear to Send) frame from each terminal.

[0028] Document A: International Publication No. 2016 / 143718

[0029] In addition, as an access control method in conventional wireless LAN systems, a technology is widely used that grasps the usage status of a transmission path by carrier detection and enables transmission when the transmission path has not been used for a predetermined period of time.

[0030] Furthermore, to ensure reliable signal reception at the receiving communication device, an access control procedure using virtual carrier detection is also defined, in which RTS and CTS frames are exchanged prior to data transmission and a network allocation vector (NAV) is set in surrounding communication devices.

[0031] However, when transmitting data using multiple frequency channels, there is a problem in that, due to the existence of conventional wireless LAN systems, it is necessary to grasp the usage status of each frequency channel with a 20 MHz bandwidth.

[0032] In particular, there has been a problem in that if a receiving communication device is in the vicinity of the communication device itself due to the setting of the network allocation vector (NAV), the communication device cannot transmit even if it does not detect a signal.

[0033] In the conventional setting of the network allocation vector (NAV), the network allocation vector (NAV) is set for the duration of the duration described in both the RTS frame and the CTS frame. Therefore, even if the communication device that sent the RTS frame did not detect the use of the transmission path, if the communication device that sent the CTS frame detected a signal or if the network allocation vector (NAV) was set by a signal from an adjacent basic service set (BSS), the CTS frame could not be returned (reply), and data could not be sent or received.

[0034] Furthermore, when an RTS frame is sent from the source communication device, a network allocation vector (NAV) is set in the surrounding area, which means that other communication devices cannot transmit for the duration of the Duration, even though no data is being sent or received.

[0035] In the configuration for allocating frequency channels in a multi-user RTS disclosed in the above-mentioned document A, the data transmission channel is allocated to each terminal in advance by the access point, and unless the network allocation vector (NAV) from the communication device of the overlapping basic service set (BSS) is set on the terminal side, the multi-user RTS cannot respond to the CTS frame, and furthermore, cannot transmit data, resulting in the problem that the frequency channel cannot be used effectively.

[0036] Furthermore, when requesting the return (reply) of an ACK (Acknowledgement) frame after completing data transmission, if a communication device in another overlapping network is receiving data, there is a problem that sending the ACK frame will collide with that reception.

[0037] This technology solves the above-mentioned problems and proposes a communication method (new method) for communicating using available channels depending on the usage status of multiple frequency channels.

[0038] That is, in a communication method (new method) to which the present technology is applied, a communication device (e.g., a base station) that transmits data generates a request signal (e.g., a request frame such as an MCH_RTS frame) that includes information on a transmittable frequency channel selected from available frequency channels (hereinafter referred to as channel information) and information on the bandwidth of the frequency used for data transmission (number of frequency channels) (hereinafter referred to as bandwidth information), and transmits the generated request signal to a communication device (e.g., a terminal station) that receives data.

[0039] On the other hand, the communication device (e.g., a terminal station) that receives the data receives a request signal (e.g., an MCH_RTS frame) transmitted from the communication device (e.g., a base station) that transmits the data, selects a receivable frequency channel from among the transmittable frequency channels based on the channel information and bandwidth information contained in the received request signal, and transmits a response signal (e.g., a response frame such as a CTS frame) to the communication device (e.g., a base station) using the selected receivable frequency channel.

[0040] Then, the communication device (e.g., a base station) that is the data transmitter receives a response signal (e.g., a CTS frame) transmitted from the receiving communication device (e.g., a terminal station), and transmits data (e.g., a data frame) to the receiving communication device (e.g., a terminal station) using a frequency channel selected as a frequency channel that can be received by the receiving communication device (e.g., a terminal station).

[0041] In this case, by transmitting a CTS frame, which is used in the current method, as a response frame (response signal), the surrounding communication devices are notified of the reception use, and by setting a network allocation vector (NAV) corresponding to the reception duration, it is possible to reliably receive data on that channel.

[0042] Furthermore, in a communication method (new method) to which the present technology is applied, a communication device (e.g., a base station) that is a data transmitting side transmits data (e.g., data frames) to a communication device (e.g., a terminal station) that is a receiving side using a first frequency channel (e.g., frequency channels f3 and f4). Meanwhile, the communication device (e.g., a terminal station) that is a data receiving side receives data (e.g., data frames) transmitted from the communication device (e.g., a base station) that is a transmitting side using the first frequency channel (e.g., frequency channels f3 and f4).

[0043] Next, the communication device (e.g., a base station) that is the data transmitter generates a request signal (e.g., a request frame such as a BAR frame) that is a signal for requesting confirmation (e.g., an ACK frame) of normal reception of the data (e.g., a data frame), and includes information (channel information) regarding a transmittable frequency channel selected from the available frequency channels (e.g., a frequency channel on which the receiving communication device (e.g., a terminal station) can transmit a confirmation signal (e.g., an ACK frame)), and transmits the generated request signal (e.g., a BAR frame) using a second frequency channel (e.g., a frequency channel f1 that is different from frequency channels f3 and f4).

[0044] On the other hand, the communication device (e.g., a terminal station) on the data receiving side receives a request signal (e.g., a BAR frame) transmitted from the communication device (e.g., a base station) on the transmitting side using a second frequency channel (e.g., frequency channel f1), and if the data (e.g., a data frame) is received successfully, selects a frequency channel from among the frequency channels available for transmission based on the channel information contained in the received request signal, and transmits an acknowledgement signal (e.g., an ACK frame) to the communication device (e.g., a base station) on the transmitting side using the selected frequency channel.

[0045] Here, the request frame (request signal) is a BAR (Block Ack Request) frame, and the response frame is an ACK frame used in the current method, making it possible to reliably return an ACK frame.

[0046] The following describes in detail the communication method (new method) to which this technology is applied.

[0047] (Example of wireless network configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless network.

[0048] 1, the wireless network of a basic service set BSS is made up of a base station AP10, a terminal station STA11, and a terminal station STA12. Furthermore, the wireless network of an adjacent overlapping basic service set OBSS is made up of a base station AP20, a terminal station STA21, and a terminal station STA22.

[0049] In Figure 1, terminal station STA12 of basic service set BSS and terminal station STA21 of basic service set OBSS are located in positions where they can receive each other's signals (dotted arrow A1 in the figure), and the signal transmission by these terminal stations STA causes interference with the reception by the other terminal station STA.

[0050] (Example of current access control) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of wireless network access control according to the current method, assuming the wireless network configuration shown in FIG.

[0051] Figure 2 shows the access control sequences exchanged between base station AP10 and terminal station STA12 in the basic service set BSS, and between terminal station STA21 and base station AP20 in the basic service set OBSS, and is configured so that radio waves from adjacent terminal stations STA reach each other.

[0052] That is, this shows a sequence in which an RTS frame and a CTS frame are exchanged prior to data transmission on the same frequency channel, data communication is performed using data frames, and then an ACK frame is returned.

[0053] Specifically, an RTS frame is transmitted from base station AP10 of basic service set BSS and base station AP20 of basic service set OBSS (S1, S11), and terminal station STA12 and terminal station STA21 respond to this RTS frame with a CTS frame (S2, S12).

[0054] Then, data communication is carried out between base station AP10 and terminal station STA12, and between base station AP20 and terminal station STA21 (S3, S13), respectively. However, if there is a difference in data transmission time, the timing of returning the ACK frame will differ, and therefore the return of the ACK frame from terminal station STA21 occurs while terminal station STA12 is receiving data (S14).

[0055] This causes a signal collision, and the terminal station STA12 is unable to receive data from the base station AP10.

[0056] (Example of access control using this technology) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of wireless network access control according to the new method, assuming the wireless network configuration shown in FIG.

[0057] As in Figure 2, Figure 3 shows the access control sequences exchanged between base station AP10 of the basic service set BSS and terminal station STA12, and between terminal station STA21 of the basic service set OBSS and base station AP20, and is configured so that radio waves from adjacent terminal stations STA reach each other.

[0058] Here, the MCH_RTS frame is transmitted from the base station AP10 of the basic service set BSS and the base station AP20 of the basic service set OBSS on the same frequency channel (f1) (S21, S31).

[0059] Upon receiving this MCH_RTS frame, the terminal stations STA12 and STA21 each select an available frequency channel and respond with a CTS frame. At this time, the terminal station STA12 returns a CTS frame using frequency channel (f3) (S22), while the terminal station STA21 returns a CTS frame using frequency channel (f2) (S32).

[0060] As a result, base station AP10 and base station AP20 receive the CTS frame on different frequency channels (f3, f2). Then, base station AP10 transmits a data frame using frequency channel (f3) (S23), while base station AP20 transmits a data frame using frequency channel (f2) (S33). Note that here too, there is a difference in data transmission time.

[0061] Thereafter, when the time arrives for the terminal station STA21 to return an ACK frame to the base station AP20, the ACK frames can be exchanged without affecting reception at the terminal station STA12, since different frequency channels (f3, f2) are used here.

[0062] That is, the base station AP20 transmits an MCH_BAR frame to the terminal station STA21 using a predetermined frequency channel (f1) (S34). At this time, the terminal station STA21 detects the CTS frame on frequency channel (f3), so it selects the other frequency channel (f2) and returns an ACK frame using the selected frequency channel (f2) (S35). At this time, a data frame is being transmitted from the base station AP10 to the terminal station STA12 (S23), but because the frequency channel (f3) is being used to transmit the data frame, no signal collision occurs.

[0063] In this way, in the access control of a wireless network using this technology, a request frame (e.g., an MCH_RTS frame or an MCH_BAR frame) sent from a base station AP includes at least channel information regarding available frequency channels, and a response frame (e.g., a CTS frame or an ACK frame) sent from a terminal station STA is returned on the frequency channel to be used, thereby preventing interference with other terminal stations STA in the overlapping network.

[0064] 3, thereafter, an MCH_BAR frame is transmitted from base station AP10 to terminal station STA12 using a predetermined frequency channel (f1) (S24), and terminal station STA12 selects a frequency channel (f3) other than frequency channel (f2) and returns an ACK frame using the selected frequency channel (f3) (S25). At this time, a data frame is transmitted from base station AP20 to terminal station STA21 (S36), but because frequency channel (f2) is used to transmit the data frame, no signal collision occurs.

[0065] (Example of frequency channel allocation) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of frequency channels available in a wireless LAN system.

[0066] Figure 4 shows the channel allocation for the currently available 5 GHz band. As shown in Figure 4A, i.e., the top row, channels 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, and 64 are allocated in 20 MHz increments from the lowest frequency according to the center frequency. At higher frequencies, channels 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, and 144 are allocated in 20 MHz increments.

[0067] Note that the ranges of these available frequency channels may differ from country to country, since the available frequency bands legally regulated in each country are different.

[0068] FIG. 4B (second row) shows a configuration in which frequency channels are used in 40 MHz increments, with channels 38, 46, 54, and 62 being allocated at low frequencies and channels 102, 110, 118, 126, 134, and 142 being allocated at high frequencies according to the center frequency.

[0069] C (third row) of FIG. 4 shows a configuration in which frequency channels are used in 80 MHz units, with channels 42 and 58 being allocated at low frequencies and channels 106, 122, and 138 being allocated at high frequencies according to the center frequency.

[0070] D (fourth row) of FIG. 4 shows a configuration in which frequency channels are used in 160 MHz units, with channel 50 being allocated at low frequencies and channel 114 being allocated at high frequencies according to the center frequency.

[0071] In addition, Figure 4E (fifth row) and Figure 4F (sixth row) show configurations in which even more frequency channels are bundled together and used, showing the case in which all channels at the high frequency of 240 MHz are used, and the case in which 320 MHz channels are used across both low and high frequencies, respectively.

[0072] (Example of access control procedure of this technology) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-channel access control procedure according to the new method.

[0073] For ease of explanation, Figure 5 shows a procedure for implementing multi-channel access control using four frequency channels f1 to f4, but the number of frequency channels is just an example, and access control may be implemented using three or fewer or five or more frequency channels.

[0074] In A of FIG. 5, that is, the first row in the drawing, the vertical axis represents frequency channel (f) and the horizontal axis represents time (t) as the operation of the base station AP10.

[0075] 5A, when the base station AP10 determines at time t11 that frequency channels f1 to f4 that are not in use in the surrounding area are available for its own transmission, it transmits an MCH_RTS frame ("MCH_RTS" in FIG. 5A) including channel information and bandwidth information to the destination (receiving side) terminal station STA12 using the predetermined frequency channel f1. For example, this MCH_RTS frame describes frequency channels f1 to f4 as channel information and two channels (e.g., 40 MHz) as bandwidth information.

[0076] Furthermore, at time t12, the base station AP10 waits for reception of a response frame (CTS frame) to the MCH_RTS frame as a request frame on frequency channels f1 to f4 that it has determined to be available for its own transmission, and in this example, receives a CTS frame ("Rx" in FIG. 5A, which corresponds to "CTS" in FIG. 5B) from the destination terminal station STA12 on frequency channels f3 and f4. As a result, between time t13 and time t14, the base station AP10 transmits a data frame ("Data" in FIG. 5A) to the terminal station STA12 using frequency channels f3 and f4.

[0077] Furthermore, at time t15, if the base station AP10 determines that the frequency channels f1 to f4 that are not being used in the surrounding area can be used for its own transmission, it transmits an MCH_BAR frame ("MCH_BAR" in A of FIG. 5) including channel information to the terminal station STA12 that was the destination of the data frame, using the predetermined frequency channel f1. For example, this MCH_BAR frame describes the frequency channels f1 to f4 as the channel information.

[0078] However, the frequency channels (f3, f4) used when transmitting data frames and the frequency channel (f1) used when transmitting MCH_BAR frames are different frequency channels.

[0079] Then, at time t16, the base station AP10 waits for reception of a response frame (ACK frame) to the MCH_BAR frame as a request frame on frequency channels f1 to f4 that it has determined to be available for its own transmission, and in this example, receives an ACK frame ("Rx" in A of Figure 5, corresponding to "ACK" in B of Figure 5) from the destination terminal station STA12 on frequency channel f3.

[0080] In Fig. 5B (second row), the vertical axis represents frequency channel (f) and the horizontal axis represents time (t) as the operation of the terminal station STA12. Note that the horizontal axis of Fig. 5B (second row) also corresponds to the time series of the horizontal axis of Fig. 5A (first row), and times t22 to t27 in Fig. 5B correspond to times t11 to t16 in Fig. 5A, respectively.

[0081] In B of Figure 5, when terminal station STA12 receives a CTS frame ("Rx" in B of Figure 5, corresponding to "CTS" in C of Figure 5) from terminal station STA21 present in the vicinity on frequency channel f2 at time t21, it sets a network allocation vector ("BUSY / NAV" in B of Figure 5) for frequency channel f2 until the duration of subsequent data reception.

[0082] Furthermore, at time t22, the terminal station STA12 receives an MCH_RTS frame ("Rx" in FIG. 5B, which corresponds to "MCH_RTS" in FIG. 5A) addressed to itself from the base station AP10 on a predetermined frequency channel f1. For example, this MCH_RTS frame describes frequency channels f1 to f4 as channel information and two channels (e.g., 40 MHz) as bandwidth information.

[0083] Of the frequency channels f1 to f4 listed in the channel information included in the MCH_RTS frame, the terminal station STA12 selects two frequency channels f3 and f4 (e.g., 20 MHz × 2 = 40 MHz) excluding frequency channel f2, as the frequency channels to be used, since a network allocation vector (NAV) is set for frequency channel f2. Here, by selecting multiple channels (multi-channels) instead of a single channel, it is possible to shorten, for example, the reception time (transmission time) of a data frame.

[0084] Then, at time t23, the terminal station STA12 uses the selected frequency channels f3 and f4 to transmit a CTS frame ("CTS" in FIG. 5B) to the base station AP10. As a result, between time t24 and time t25, the terminal station STA12 receives a data frame ("Rx" in FIG. 5B corresponding to "Data" in FIG. 5A) from the base station AP10 using frequency channels f3 and f4.

[0085] Furthermore, at time t26 after receiving the data frame, the terminal station STA12 waits for reception on frequency channels f1 to f4 that the base station AP10 had previously designated as available, and in this example, receives an MCH_BAR frame ("Rx" in FIG. 5B corresponding to "MCH_BAR" in FIG. 5A) from the base station AP10 on the predetermined frequency channel f1. For example, this MCH_BAR frame contains frequency channels f1 to f4 as channel information.

[0086] Here again, since the network allocation vector (NAV) is set for frequency channel f2, or since it is the timing when an ACK frame from terminal station STA21 is being received, terminal station STA12 selects frequency channel f3 from frequency channels f1 to f4, excluding frequency channel f2. Then, at time t27, terminal station STA12 transmits an ACK frame ("ACK" in FIG. 5B) to base station AP10 using the selected frequency channel f3.

[0087] In Fig. 5C (third row), the vertical axis represents frequency channel (f) and the horizontal axis represents time (t) as the operation of terminal station STA21. Note that the horizontal axis of Fig. 5C (third row) also corresponds to the time series of the horizontal axis of Fig. 5B (second row), with time t32 in Fig. 5C corresponding to time t21 in Fig. 5B, and time t34 in Fig. 5C corresponding to time t23 in Fig. 5B.

[0088] 5C, at time t31, terminal station STA21 receives an MCH_RTS frame ("Rx" in FIG. 5C corresponding to "MCH_RTS" in FIG. 5D) addressed to itself from base station AP20 on a predetermined frequency channel f1. For example, this MCH_RTS frame describes frequency channels f1 to f4 as channel information, and one channel (e.g., 20 MHz) as bandwidth information.

[0089] Here, the terminal station STA21 selects one channel (for example, 20 MHz) of frequency channel f2 because there is no frequency channel in use in the vicinity among frequency channels f1 to f4 described in the channel information included in the MCH_RTS frame.

[0090] Then, at time t32, the terminal station STA21 uses the selected frequency channel f2 to transmit a CTS frame ("CTS" in FIG. 5C) to the base station AP20. As a result, between time t33 and time t35, the terminal station STA21 receives a data frame ("Rx" in FIG. 5C corresponding to "Data" in FIG. 5D) from the base station AP20 using frequency channel f2.

[0091] However, here, the terminal station STA21 waits for reception on frequency channels f1 to f4 that the base station AP20 has designated as available for use, and in this example, when it receives a CTS frame ("Rx" in C of FIG. 5, corresponding to "CTS" in B of FIG. 5) from the terminal station STA12 present in the vicinity on frequency channels f3 and f4 at time t34, it sets a network allocation vector ("BUSY / NAV" in C of FIG. 5) for frequency channels f3 and f4 until the duration of subsequent data reception.

[0092] Then, at time t36 after receiving the data frame, the base station AP20 waits for reception on frequency channels f1 to f4 that it had previously designated as available, and in this example, receives an MCH_BAR frame from the base station AP20 on the specified frequency channel f1 ("Rx" in FIG. 5C corresponding to "MCH_BAR" in FIG. 5D). For example, this MCH_BAR frame contains frequency channels f1 to f4 as channel information.

[0093] Here, since the network allocation vector (NAV) is set for frequency channels f3 and f4, the terminal station STA21 selects frequency channel f2 from frequency channels f1 to f4, excluding frequency channels f3 and f4. Then, at time t37, the terminal station STA21 transmits an ACK frame ("ACK" in FIG. 5C) to the base station AP20 using the selected frequency channel f2.

[0094] In Fig. 5D (fourth row), the vertical axis represents frequency channel (f) and the horizontal axis represents time (t) as the operation of base station AP20. Note that the horizontal axis of Fig. 5D also corresponds to the time series of the horizontal axis of Fig. 5C (third row), and times t41 to t46 in Fig. 5D correspond to times t31 to t37 (excluding time t34) in Fig. 5C, respectively.

[0095] 5D, when the base station AP20 determines at time t41 that frequency channels f1 to f4 that are not in use in the surrounding area are available for its own transmission, it transmits an MCH_RTS frame ("MCH_RTS" in FIG. 5D) including channel information and bandwidth information to the destination (receiving side) terminal station STA21 using the predetermined frequency channel f1. For example, this MCH_RTS frame describes frequency channels f1 to f4 as channel information and one channel (e.g., 20 MHz) as bandwidth information.

[0096] Furthermore, at time t42, the base station AP20 waits for reception of a CTS frame in response to the MCH_RTS frame on frequency channels f1 to f4 that it has determined to be available for its own transmission, and in this example receives a CTS frame ("Rx" in FIG. 5D corresponding to "CTS" in FIG. 5C) from the destination terminal station STA21 on frequency channel f2. As a result, between time t43 and time t44, the base station AP20 transmits a data frame ("Data" in FIG. 5D) to the terminal station STA21 using frequency channel f2.

[0097] Furthermore, at time t45, if the base station AP20 determines that the frequency channels f1 to f4 that are not being used in the surrounding area can be used for its own transmission, it transmits an MCH_BAR frame ("MCH_BAR" in FIG. 5D) including channel information to the terminal station STA21 that was the destination of the data frame, using the predetermined frequency channel f1. For example, this MCH_BAR frame describes the frequency channels f1 to f4 as the channel information.

[0098] However, the frequency channel (f2) used when transmitting a data frame and the frequency channel (f1) used when transmitting an MCH_BAR frame are different frequency channels.

[0099] Then, at time t46, the base station AP20 waits to receive an ACK frame for the MCH_BAR frame on frequency channels f1 to f4 that it has determined to be available for its own transmission, and in this example, receives an ACK frame from the destination terminal station STA21 on frequency channel f2 ("Rx" in Figure 5D corresponding to "ACK" in Figure 5C).

[0100] As described above, in the multi-channel access control according to the present technology, when a base station AP transmits a data frame to a terminal station STA, the base station AP transmits an MCH_RTS frame including channel information and bandwidth information, thereby enabling transmission and reception of the data frame using an available channel (f3, f4, f2, etc.) depending on the usage status of multiple frequency channels (f1 to f4, etc.).Furthermore, when the base station AP receives an ACK frame from the terminal station STA, the base station AP transmits an MCH_BAR frame including channel information, thereby enabling transmission and reception of the ACK frame using an available channel (f3, f2, etc.) depending on the usage status of multiple frequency channels (f1 to f4, etc.).

[0101] (Example of data frame configuration) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data frame.

[0102] The frame configuration shown in FIG. 6 is called an MPDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit), and is transmitted following a preamble signal of the PHY layer.

[0103] In FIG. 6, the data frame includes Frame Control, Duration, Address 1 to Address 4, Sequence Control, QoS Control, HT Control, Frame Body, and FCS.

[0104] Frame Control describes frame control information and the type of frame. Duration describes the duration of the frame. Address 1 to Address 4 describe address information that identifies the sender and receiver.

[0105] Sequence Control describes sequence number information for controlling the sequence of frames. QoS Control describes parameters for QoS control of frames. HT Control describes parameters for high throughput control.

[0106] This information is added to the data that is actually transmitted as a MAC header. In a data frame, the data portion that is actually transmitted is configured as a Frame Body, and an FCS (Frame Check Sequence) is added to the end for error detection.

[0107] (Example of MCH_RTS frame configuration) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a multi-channel RTS frame (MCH_RTS frame) to which the present technology is applied.

[0108] In FIG. 7, the MCH_RTS frame includes Frame Control, Duration, Transmit Address, Receive Address, Available Channel Map, Requirement Bandwidth, and FCS.

[0109] That is, in addition to the Duration, which describes the duration of transmission, the Transmit Address (TA), which describes the sending address, the Receive Address (RA), which describes the receiving address, and the FCS at the end of the frame, the MCH_RTS frame now includes the Available Channel Map and Requirement Bandwidth (parameters).

[0110] The Available Channel Map describes channel information about available frequency channels selected from available frequency channels, that is, frequency channels through which a transmitting communication device (e.g., a base station AP) can transmit data (e.g., data frames). For example, Fig. 8 shows an example of the Available Channel Map expressed in bitmap format.

[0111] In Fig. 8, each bit of the 32-bit bitmap is represented by a number from 0 to 31. Here, the first bit 0 represents channel 36, the next bit 1 represents channel 40, ..., and the last bit 31 represents channel 160, and an available frequency channel is assigned to each bit. For example, in the Available Channel Map, of the available frequency channels represented by bits 0 to 31, bits corresponding to transmittable frequency channels can be set to "1", and other bits can be set to "0".

[0112] Here, the channel information is expressed in a bitmap format, but this format is not limited to this, and other formats may be adopted as the channel information as long as they allow the channel number to be specified.

[0113] Requirement Bandwidth describes bandwidth information related to the frequency bandwidth (number of frequency channels) used for data transmission. For example, Figure 9 shows an example in which the frequency bandwidth to be used is represented as Requirement Bandwidth in association with a numerical value.

[0114] In Figure 9, by associating a numerical value with the bandwidth of the frequency used for data transmission, for example, the numerical value 0 is a 20 MHz bandwidth, the numerical value 1 is a 40 MHz bandwidth, ... the bandwidth increases as the numerical value increases, and the numerical value 15 can be specified as a bandwidth (number of channels) using a 320 MHz bandwidth. Note that if frequency channels are allocated in 20 MHz increments, for example, a bandwidth of 20 MHz corresponds to a number of channels of 1, and a bandwidth of 40 MHz corresponds to a number of channels of 2.

[0115] (Example of CTS frame configuration) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a CTS frame.

[0116] In FIG. 10, the CTS frame includes Frame Control, Duration, Receive Address, and FCS.

[0117] That is, the CTS frame, like the current CTS frame, is composed of a Duration field that describes the transmission duration, a Receive Address (RA) that describes the receiving address, and an FCS field at the end of the frame. In this way, by maintaining the same structure as the current CTS frame, compatibility with the current wireless LAN system can be maintained.

[0118] (Example of MCH_BAR frame configuration) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a multi-channel BAR frame (MCH_BAR frame) to which the present technology is applied.

[0119] In FIG. 11, the MCH_BAR frame includes Frame Control, Duration, Transmit Address, Receive Address, Available Channel Map, BA Control, BA Information, and FCS.

[0120] That is, in addition to the current BAR frame's included fields, such as Duration, which describes the duration of transmission, Transmit Address (TA), which describes the sending address, Receive Address (RA), which describes the receiving address, BA Control, which describes control information for Block Ack, BA Information, which describes information about the required Block Ack, and FCS at the end of the frame, the MCH_BAR frame also includes a new Available Channel Map (parameter).

[0121] The Available Channel Map describes channel information related to transmittable frequency channels selected from available frequency channels, i.e., frequency channels on which a receiving communication device (e.g., a terminal station STA) can transmit a confirmation signal (e.g., an ACK frame), such as the bitmap information shown in Fig. 8. In other words, the channel information can be said to be frequency channels on which a transmitting communication device (e.g., a base station AP) can transmit a request signal (e.g., an MCH_BAR frame).

[0122] In addition, since the information in the returned ACK frame (ACK information) is short information (information with a small amount of data) unlike data, the Requirement Bandwidth parameter can be omitted in the MCH_BAR frame compared to the configuration of the MCH_RTS frame.

[0123] (Example of Block Ack frame configuration) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a Block Ack frame.

[0124] In FIG. 12, the Block Ack frame includes Frame Control, Duration, Transmit Address, Receive Address, BA Control, BA Information, and FCS.

[0125] That is, like the current Block Ack frame, the Block Ack frame is composed of Duration, which describes the duration of transmission, Transmit Address (TA), which describes the sending address, Receive Address (RA), which describes the receiving address, BA Control, which describes control information for the Block Ack, BA Information, which describes information related to the Block Ack that is required, and FCS at the end of the frame. In this way, by maintaining the same configuration as the current Block Ack frame, it is possible to maintain compatibility with the current wireless LAN system.

[0126] (Example of communication device configuration) Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device (wireless communication device) to which the present technology is applied. The communication device 10 shown in Fig. 13 is configured as a base station AP or a terminal station STA in the wireless network (Fig. 1).

[0127] 13, the communication device 10 includes an internet connection module 11, an information input module 12, a device control unit 13, an information output module 14, and a wireless communication module 15.

[0128] The internet connection module 11 is configured to include, for example, a circuit having a function for connecting to the internet network as a base station AP from an optical fiber network or other communication line via a service provider, its peripheral circuits, a microcontroller, a semiconductor memory, etc. The internet connection module 11 performs processing related to internet connection under the control of the device control unit 13. For example, when the communication device 10 operates as a base station AP, the internet connection module 11 is configured to implement functions such as a communication modem for connecting to the internet network.

[0129] The information input module 12 is configured with input devices such as push buttons, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. The information input module 12 has a function of inputting instruction information corresponding to an instruction from a user to the device control unit 13.

[0130] The device control unit 13 is configured by, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, etc. The device control unit 13 controls each unit (module) to operate the communication device 10 as a base station AP or a terminal station STA.

[0131] The device control unit 13 processes information supplied from the internet connection module 11, the information input module 12, or the wireless communication module 15. The device control unit 13 also supplies information obtained as a result of its own processing to the internet connection module 11, the information output module 14, or the wireless communication module 15.

[0132] For example, when transmitting data, the device control unit 13 supplies the transmission data passed from an application or the like in a higher layer of the protocol to the wireless communication module 15, and when receiving data, passes the received data supplied from the wireless communication module 15 to an application or the like in a higher layer of the protocol.

[0133] The information output module 14 is configured by an output device including a display element such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or an LED (light emitting diode) display.

[0134] The information output module 14 has a function of displaying necessary information to the user based on information supplied from the device control unit 13. Here, the information processed by the information output module 14 includes, for example, the operating status of the communication device 10 and information obtained via the Internet network.

[0135] The wireless communication module 15 is configured by, for example, a wireless chip, peripheral circuits, a microcontroller, a semiconductor memory, etc. The wireless communication module 15 performs processing related to wireless communication under the control of the device control unit 13. The configuration of the wireless communication module 15 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

[0136] Although a wireless communication module equipped with a wireless communication chip and peripheral circuits will be described as an example here, the present technology is not limited to wireless communication modules and can be applied to, for example, wireless communication chips, wireless communication LSIs, etc. Furthermore, whether or not an antenna is included in a wireless communication module is optional.

[0137] Furthermore, in the communication device 10 of FIG. 13, the equipment control unit 13 and the wireless communication module 15 are essential components, but it is optional whether or not to include the Internet connection module 11, the information input module 12, and the information output module 14 as components other than these.

[0138] That is, each communication device 10 operating as a base station AP or a terminal station STA can be configured with only the necessary modules, and unnecessary parts can be simplified or not incorporated. More specifically, for example, the Internet connection module 11 can be incorporated only in the base station AP, and the information input module 12 and the information output module 14 can be incorporated only in the terminal station STA.

[0139] (Example of wireless communication module configuration) FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication module 15 of FIG.

[0140] In Figure 14, the wireless communication module 15 is composed of an interface 101, a transmission buffer 102, a network management unit 103, a transmission frame construction unit 104, a multi-channel management unit 105, a management information generation unit 106, a control frame transmission processing unit 107, a transmission power control unit 108, a wireless transmission processing unit 109, an antenna control unit 110, a wireless reception processing unit 111, a detection threshold control unit 112, a control frame reception processing unit 113, a management information processing unit 114, a reception data construction unit 115, and a reception buffer 116.

[0141] The interface 101 is configured, for example, by an input / output interface circuit, etc. The interface 101 is an interface for exchanging data with the device control unit 13 (FIG. 13), and has a function for exchanging information input thereto and information output therefrom in a predetermined signal format.

[0142] The interface 101 writes transmission data input from the device control unit 13 into a transmission buffer 102. The interface 101 also supplies information input from the device control unit 13 to the network management unit 103, or outputs information supplied from the network management unit 103 to the device control unit 13.

[0143] The transmission buffer 102 is configured by a semiconductor memory device such as a buffer memory, etc. The transmission buffer 102 temporarily stores the transmission data written via the interface 101.

[0144] The network management unit 103 manages address information and the like of the communication device 10 in the wireless network. In addition, the network management unit 103 is configured to connect the communication device 10 to the Internet when the communication device 10 operates as a base station AP.

[0145] The transmission frame construction unit 104 reads out the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer 102, constructs it as a data frame to be transmitted by wireless communication, and supplies it to the wireless transmission processing unit 109. The transmission frame construction unit 104 also supplies transmission frame information related to the transmission frame to the management information generation unit 106.

[0146] The multi-channel management unit 105 has a multi-channel management function for managing the usage status of each of multiple frequency channels. The multi-channel management unit 105 also has a function for monitoring the status of available frequency channels described in a request frame (request signal) or a response frame (response signal), and for immediately grasping available channels.

[0147] The multi-channel management unit 105 processes information supplied from the network management unit 103, the detection threshold control unit 112, the control frame reception processing unit 113, or the management information processing unit 114. Furthermore, the multi-channel management unit 105 supplies information (multi-channel management information) obtained as a result of its own processing to the network management unit 103, the management information generation unit 106, the control frame transmission processing unit 107, the transmission power control unit 108, the antenna control unit 110, or the detection threshold control unit 112.

[0148] The management information generating unit 106 is supplied with transmission frame information from the transmission frame constructing unit 104 and multi-channel management information from the multi-channel managing unit 105. The management information generating unit 106 generates management information based on the transmission frame information and the multi-channel management information, and supplies the management information to the control frame transmission processing unit 107 and the radio transmission processing unit 109.

[0149] This management information includes, for example, header information of frames actually transmitted by wireless communication and various parameters. For example, various parameters (such as available channel map and requirement bandwidth) of multi-control frames such as MCH_RTS frame and MCH_BAR frame are also generated here and supplied to the control frame transmission processor 107.

[0150] The control frame transmission processing unit 107 is supplied with multi-channel management information from the multi-channel management unit 105, management information from the management information generation unit 106, and control frame reception information from the control frame reception processing unit 113. Based on the multi-channel management information, management information, and control frame reception information, the control frame transmission processing unit 107 controls the wireless transmission processing unit 109 to perform processing for transmitting a control frame (including a multi-control frame).

[0151] In this transmission process, in addition to the current processing for transmitting control frames such as CTS frames and ACK frames, a function has been added to centrally control the processing for transmitting multi-control frames such as MCH_RTS frames and MCH_BAR frames.

[0152] The transmission power control unit 108 controls the transmission power of the wireless transmission processing unit 109 so that the signal does not reach an unnecessary radio wave reach range when transmitting a predetermined frame. Here, based on the multi-channel management information from the multi-channel management unit 105, the transmission power control unit 108 has a function of controlling the transmission of data by adjusting the minimum necessary transmission power so that the signal reaches the receiving side with the intended reception field strength.

[0153] The wireless transmission processing unit 109 converts frames to be transmitted by wireless communication into baseband signals and processes them as analog signals, and supplies the transmission signals obtained as a result of this processing to the antenna control unit 110 .

[0154] Here, when transmitting a data frame, wireless transmission processing unit 109 is supplied with a data frame (a frame for transmitting transmission data) from transmission frame construction unit 104 and management information (header information of the data frame) from management information generation unit 106. Wireless transmission processing unit 109 includes the header information in the data frame, and generates a transmission signal corresponding to the data frame under control of transmission power control unit 108.

[0155] Furthermore, when transmitting a control frame (including a multi-control frame), management information is supplied to the radio transmission processing unit 109 from the management information generation unit 106. This management information includes various parameters of the control frame and the multi-control frame. In accordance with the control of the control frame transmission processing unit 107 and the transmission power control unit 108, the radio transmission processing unit 109 generates a transmission signal corresponding to the control frame (such as a CTS frame or an ACK frame) or the multi-control frame (such as an MCH_RTS frame or an MCH_BAR frame) obtained from the management information.

[0156] The antenna control unit 110 is configured by connecting a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna control unit 110 controls the transmission of a transmission signal supplied from the radio transmission processing unit 109 via the antenna elements by radio communication. The antenna control unit 110 also receives a radio signal transmitted by radio communication via the antenna elements, and supplies the received signal to the radio reception processing unit 111 and the detection threshold control unit 112.

[0157] The radio reception processing unit 111, under the control of the detection threshold control unit 112, performs processing to receive the header information and data portion added thereafter when it detects a predetermined preamble signal from the received signal supplied from the antenna control unit 110.

[0158] Here, when a data frame is received, wireless reception processing section 111 supplies the header information of the data frame to management information processing section 114, and supplies the data frame to received data construction section 115. Furthermore, when a control frame (including a multi-control frame) is received, wireless reception processing section 111 supplies the control frame (including a multi-control frame) to control frame reception processing section 113 and management information processing section 114.

[0159] The detection threshold control unit 112 sets a signal detection level that allows detection of a radio signal from a base station AP or a terminal station STA (communication device 10) within the range when transmission power control is performed by the transmission power control unit 108. Here, when applying spatial reuse technology, a function is provided to control so that a signal is detected at the minimum detection threshold required.

[0160] The control frame reception processing unit 113 is supplied with control frames (including multi-control frames) from the wireless reception processing unit 111. The control frame reception processing unit 113 performs processing to receive the control frames (including multi-control frames) supplied from the wireless reception processing unit 111, and supplies control frame reception information obtained as a result of this processing to the multi-channel management unit 105, the control frame transmission processing unit 107, the detection threshold control unit 112, and the management information processing unit 114.

[0161] In addition to the current processing when control frames such as CTS frames and ACK frames are received, this receiving processing adds a function to centrally control the processing when multi-control frames such as MCH_RTS frames and MCH_BAR frames are received.

[0162] Management information processing unit 114 is supplied with header information and control frames (including multi-control frames) from wireless reception processing unit 111, and control frame reception information from control frame reception processing unit 113. Based on the header information, control frames, and control frame reception information, management information processing unit 114 analyzes management information including header information and the like of a frame that has actually been transmitted wirelessly, and if management information processing unit 114 itself is specified in the reception address information, extracts parameters described in the frame.

[0163] For example, various parameters (for example, Available Channel Map and Requirement Bandwidth) of multi-control frames such as MCH_RTS frames and MCH_BAR frames are also extracted here and supplied to the multi-channel management unit 105. In addition, the management information processing unit 114 supplies information such as header information obtained by analyzing the management information to the received data construction unit 115.

[0164] Based on information such as header information supplied from the management information processing unit 114, the received data construction unit 115 removes predetermined header information from the data frame from the wireless receiving processing unit 111, extracts only the required data portion, and writes it to the receiving buffer 116 as received data.

[0165] The receive buffer 116 is configured by a semiconductor memory device such as a buffer memory, for example. The receive buffer 116 temporarily stores the receive data written by the receive data constructing unit 115. The receive data stored in the receive buffer 116 is read out as needed and output to the device control unit 13 via the interface 101.

[0166] In the wireless communication module 15 configured as described above, processing related to multi-control frames such as MCH_RTS frames containing channel information and bandwidth information and MCH_BAR frames containing channel information is performed particularly by the multi-channel management unit 105, management information generation unit 106, control frame transmission processing unit 107, control frame reception processing unit 113, and management information processing unit 114.

[0167] In FIG. 14, the components constituting the wireless communication module 15 can be divided into three blocks, for example, as shown in the dotted line frame: a transmission / reception data input / output unit 151, a control unit 152, and a front-end unit 153.

[0168] Here, the transmission / reception data input / output unit 151 is composed of an interface 101, a transmission buffer 102, a network management unit 103, a transmission frame construction unit 104, a reception data construction unit 115, and a reception buffer 116, and mainly processes and controls input transmission data and output reception data. The control unit 152 is composed of a multi-channel management unit 105, a management information generation unit 106, a control frame transmission processing unit 107, a control frame reception processing unit 113, and a management information processing unit 114, and mainly processes and controls frames such as control frames and multi-control frames. The front-end unit 153 is composed of a transmission power control unit 108, a radio transmission processing unit 109, an antenna control unit 110, a radio reception processing unit 111, and a detection threshold control unit 112, and mainly processes and controls signals such as transmission signals and reception signals.

[0169] (Data sender operation) First, the operation of the communication device 10 (wireless communication module 15) on the data transmitting side, such as the base station AP10 or AP20 in FIG. 5, will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

[0170] In the wireless communication module 15, it is determined whether or not transmission data has been received via the interface 101 (S101), and if it is determined that transmission data has been received ("YES" in S101), the received transmission data is stored in the transmission buffer 102 (S102), and the processing from step S103 onwards is executed.

[0171] That is, the multi-channel management unit 105 sets the number of frequency channels (bandwidth) required for transmitting the transmission data from the amount of transmission data stored in the transmission buffer 102 (S103). At this time, the multi-channel management unit 105 also sets a predetermined access waiting time and a random waiting time, the priority of which is set according to the category of the transmission data (S104).

[0172] Next, the multi-channel management unit 105 grasps the usage status of the transmission paths of all frequency channels available for transmission (S105), and determines whether transmission of the transmission data is possible (S106). Here, the processes of steps S105 and S106 are repeated, and when it is determined that transmission of the transmission data is possible ("YES" in S106), the process proceeds to step S107.

[0173] The management information generation unit 106 acquires channel information relating to the frequency channels available for transmitting the transmission data (or a data frame including the transmission data) at the timing when the transmission of the transmission data is possible, and bandwidth information relating to the bandwidth of the frequency used for transmitting the transmission data, and writes these in the MCH_RTS frame (Available Channel Map, Requirement Bandwidth) (S107). At this time, the control frame transmission processing unit 107 sets one frequency channel from the channel information written in the MCH_RTS frame (Available Channel Map) as the transmission channel (S108).

[0174] Here, the frequency channel designated as the primary channel may be set as the transmission channel. Then, the wireless transmission processing unit 109 transmits the MCH_RTS frame using the transmission channel set in the process of step S108 (S109).

[0175] Next, the control frame reception processor 113 sets the multiple frequency channels (multi-channels as candidate reception channels) entered as channel information in the process of step S107 to wait for reception of a CTS frame (S110).

[0176] Then, the wireless communication module 15 determines whether a CTS frame has been received from the receiving communication device 10 (e.g., a terminal station STA) on the multiple frequency channels (receiving candidate channels) set in the processing of step S110 (S111), and if it is determined that a CTS frame has been received ("YES" in S111), the multi-channel management unit 105 sets the target receiving candidate channel as a receivable channel on which the receiving communication device 10 can receive data frames (S112).

[0177] Also, here, it is determined at approximately the same time whether information about all frequency channels (receivable channels) on which a CTS frame has been received has been acquired (S113), and if it is determined that information about all frequency channels has not been acquired ("NO" in S113), the processing of steps S111 to S113 is repeated. In this way, by repeating the processing of steps S111 to S113 in parallel, information about all frequency channels (receivable channels) on which a CTS frame has been received is acquired.

[0178] As a result, the multi-channel management unit 105 acquires the number of frequency channels (bandwidth) that can be received by the communication device 10 (for example, the terminal station STA) on the receiving side, which is obtained by repeating the processes of steps S111 to S113 (S114).

[0179] Then, the multi-channel management unit 105 compares the number of frequency channels (bandwidth) required for transmitting the transmission data (including data frames) by the transmitting communication device 10 (e.g., base station AP) set in the processing of step S103 with the number of frequency channels (bandwidth) capable of receiving the transmission data (including data frames) by the receiving communication device 10 (e.g., terminal station STA) obtained in the processing of step S114, and determines whether it is possible to set more than the requested number of frequency channels (bandwidth) (more than the requested number) (S115).

[0180] If it is determined that more than the requested number can be set ("YES" in S115), the multi-channel management unit 105 sets one or more frequency channels that are set to more than the requested number as receivable channels for the destination (receiving communication device 10) (S116). Also, the control frame transmission processing unit 107 sets the receivable channels for the destination set in the process of step S116 as transmission channels for the transmission data (S117).

[0181] The wireless transmission processing unit 109 transmits a data frame including transmission data using the transmission channel set in the process of step S117 (S118). Note that, in this case, even during transmission of the data frame, the wireless transmission processing unit 109 may be configured to receive data frames and CTS frames from other communication devices 10 in order to sequentially grasp the usage status of all frequency channels that it has designated as transmittable (S119).

[0182] Furthermore, the wireless communication module 15 determines whether it is necessary to receive an ACK frame (S120), and if it is determined that it is necessary to receive an ACK frame ("YES" in S120), the processes from step S121 onwards are executed.

[0183] That is, the management information generating unit 106 acquires channel information relating to frequency channels on which the receiving communication device 10 (e.g., terminal station STA) can transmit the ACK frame at the timing when it is necessary to receive the ACK frame, and describes the information in (the Available Channel Map of) the MCH_BAR frame (S121). At this time, the control frame transmission processing unit 107 sets one frequency channel from the channel information described in (the Available Channel Map of) the MCH_BAR frame as the transmission channel (S122).

[0184] Here, the frequency channel designated as the primary channel may be set as the transmission channel. Then, the wireless transmission processing unit 109 transmits the MCH_BAR frame using the transmission channel set in the process of step S122 (S123).

[0185] Alternatively, the transmission channel (first frequency channel) used when transmitting the data frame (S118) and the transmission channel (second frequency channel) used when transmitting the MCH_BAR frame (S123) may be different frequency channels.

[0186] Next, the control frame reception processor 113 sets the multiple frequency channels (multi-channels as candidate reception channels) entered as channel information in the process of step S121 to wait for reception of an ACK frame (S124).

[0187] Then, in the wireless communication module 15, it is determined whether an ACK frame has been received on any of the multiple frequency channels (candidate receiving channels) set in the processing of step S124 (S125), and if it is determined that an ACK frame has been received ("YES" in S125), the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer 102, the reception of which has been confirmed by the ACK frame, is deleted (S126).

[0188] If it is determined in the determination process of step S120 that reception of an ACK frame is unnecessary ("NO" in S120), the processes related to the ACK frame (S121 to S125) are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S126, where the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer 102 is deleted (S126). When the process of step S126 ends, the process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 and 16 ends.

[0189] Furthermore, if it is determined in the determination process of step S115 that the number of frequency channels (bandwidth) required for transmitting the transmission data is not available ("NO" in S115), or if it is determined in the determination process of step S125 that there is transmission data whose receipt has not been confirmed by an ACK frame ("NO" in S125), the process returns to step S103, and the number of frequency channels (bandwidth) required for transmission is selected again. Furthermore, if it is determined in the determination process of step S101 that the transmission data has not been received ("NO" in S101), the process is terminated without any further processing being performed.

[0190] The operation of the data transmitting communication device has been described above.

[0191] (Data receiving side operation) Next, the operation of the communication device 10 (wireless communication module 15 thereof) on the data receiving side, such as the terminal station STA12 or the terminal station STA21 in FIG. 5, will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

[0192] The wireless communication module 15 determines whether the communication device 10 (the wireless communication module 15) itself is multi-channel compatible (S201). If it is determined in the determination process of step S201 that the communication device 10 is multi-channel compatible and that the user wishes to set up communication using multi-channels ("YES" in S201), the wireless communication module 15 is set to wait for reception on multi-channels (S202), and the processes from step S203 onwards are executed.

[0193] That is, when an MCH_RTS frame is received by the wireless reception processing unit 111 ("YES" in S203), the control frame reception processing unit 113 checks whether the MCH_RTS frame is addressed to itself (a request addressed to itself as the recipient) (S204).

[0194] Then, when an MCH_RTS frame addressed to itself is received ("YES" in S204), the control frame receiving processing unit 113 acquires the channel information described in the MCH_RTS frame (in its Available Channel Map) addressed to itself (S205), and determines the usage status of the transmission paths of all frequency channels through which the transmitting communication device 10 (e.g., base station AP) can transmit transmission data (including data frames) (S206).

[0195] The control frame reception processor 113 also acquires bandwidth information written in the MCH_RTS frame (Requirement Bandwidth) addressed to itself (S207). Then, the multi-channel manager 105 determines whether or not there is a frequency channel that can receive data from itself as the receiving destination among the available frequency channels based on the channel information and bandwidth information (S208).

[0196] Here, if there is a frequency channel available for receiving data from itself as the destination ("YES" in S208), the control frame transmission processing unit 107 sets that frequency channel as the available channel (S209) and sets the duration of data transmission as duration information (S210). As a result, the wireless transmission processing unit 109 transmits the CTS frame using the available channel set in the process of step S209 (S211).

[0197] Furthermore, the control frame reception processing unit 113 sets the receivable channel set in the process of step S209 to wait for reception of a data frame (S212). In this way, the receivable channel selected from the transmittable frequency channels is both a receiving channel for receiving a data frame and a transmitting channel for transmitting a CTS frame.

[0198] In addition, the process of setting the receivable channels returns to step S208, and the processing of steps S208 to S213 is repeated until all frequency channels that the data transmitting communication device 10 (wireless communication module 15 thereof), such as the base station AP10 in Figure 5, has determined to be transmittable ('YES' in S213).

[0199] This allows the receiving communication device 10 (e.g., terminal station STA) to select a frequency channel on which it can receive the transmission data (including data frames) from among the frequency channels on which it can transmit the transmission data (including data frames) at the transmitting communication device 10 (e.g., base station AP), thereby making it possible to secure the frequency bandwidth used for transmitting data frames (making it possible to secure the number of frequency channels required for transmitting data frames).

[0200] Thereafter, the wireless communication module 15 repeats the processing of steps S208 to S213 to determine whether or not a data frame has been received on the set receivable channel (S214), and if it is determined that a data frame has been received ("YES" in S214), it further determines whether or not the received data stored in the data frame has been received normally (S215).

[0201] If the wireless communication module 15 determines that the received data has been received normally ("YES" in S215), it stores the received data in the receive buffer 116 (S216) and constructs a sequence number or the like as ACK information (S217). The wireless communication module 15 also determines whether all the received data has been collected (S218), and if all the received data has been collected ("YES" in S218), it outputs the received data stored in the receive buffer 116 to an application in an upper layer of the protocol via the interface 101 (S219).

[0202] When the process of step S219 ends, the process proceeds to step S220. Note that the process also proceeds to step S220 when it is determined that a data frame has not been received ("NO" in S214), when it is determined that the received data has not been received normally ("NO" in S215), or when it is determined that all the received data has not been received ("NO" in S218).

[0203] Here, for example, if the bandwidth of the frequency used to transmit the data frame cannot be secured, that is, if the communication device 10 (base station AP) on the data transmitting side determines that it is not possible to set more than the requested number of frequency channels (bandwidth) (more than the requested number) using the receivable channels set in response to receiving the CTS frame ("NO" at S115 in Figure 16), the data frame is not transmitted (S118 in Figure 16 is not executed), and the communication device 10 (terminal station STA) on the data receiving side determines that the data frame has not been received ("NO" at S214).

[0204] The wireless communication module 15 determines whether or not it is necessary to return an ACK frame (S220), and if it is determined that it is necessary to return an ACK frame ("YES" in S220), it further determines whether or not it supports multi-channels (S221). If it is determined that it supports multi-channels ("YES" in S221), the multi-channel management unit 105 grasps the usage status of the transmission paths of all transmittable frequency channels (S222).

[0205] Furthermore, the wireless communication module 15 determines whether or not an MCH_BAR frame has been received (S233). If it is determined that an MCH_BAR frame has been received ("YES" in S233), the control frame reception processing unit 113 acquires channel information relating to frequency channels, which are described in (the Available Channel Map of) the MCH_BAR frame, and through which the receiving communication device 10 can transmit an ACK frame (for example, a terminal station STA) (S224).

[0206] At this time, the transmission channel (first frequency channel) used when receiving the data frame (S214) and the transmission channel (second frequency channel) used when receiving the MCH_BAR frame (S223) may be different frequency channels, and reception is performed on all channels.

[0207] Furthermore, the control frame transmission processing unit 107 sets at least one channel frequency in the channel information acquired in the process of step S224 as a transmission channel (S225), and the wireless transmission processing unit 109 then transmits an ACK frame using the transmission channel set in the process of step S225 (S226).

[0208] If it is determined in the determination process of step S221 that the device itself does not support multi-channel ("NO" in S221), the processes of steps S222 to S225 are skipped, and the ACK frame is transmitted on a single transmission channel (S226). Also, if it is determined in the determination process of step S220 that transmission of an ACK frame is unnecessary ("NO" in S220), the processes of steps S221 to S226 are skipped, and the ACK frame is not transmitted. Also, when the process of step S226 ends, the process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18 ends.

[0209] Furthermore, if the judgment process of step S203 determines that an MCH_RTS frame has not been received ("NO" in S203), if the judgment process of step S204 determines that the MCH_RTS frame is addressed to another communication device 10 ("NO" in S204), or if the judgment process of step S208 determines that there is no receivable frequency channel ("NO" in S208), the process proceeds to step S214, and the data frame reception operation is performed.

[0210] The operation of the communication device on the data receiving side has been described above.

[0211] As described above, in a communication method (new method) to which the present technology is applied, in a wireless LAN system that transmits and receives data using multiple frequency channels configured as one channel with a 20 MHz bandwidth, a request frame (MCH_RTS frame) including information (channel information) on channel resources available to a transmitting communication device 10 (e.g., a base station AP) and information (bandwidth information) on the amount of channels in the 20 MHz bandwidth is transmitted. Meanwhile, a receiving communication device 10 (e.g., a terminal station STA) selects at least one or more available channel resources based on the information in the request frame and returns a response frame (CTS frame) using the selected frequency channel.

[0212] As a result, in a wireless LAN system, when a communication device 10 (e.g., a base station AP) that transmits data and a communication device 10 (e.g., a terminal station STA) that receives data communicate with each other, they can communicate using an available channel depending on the usage status of multiple frequency channels. That is, they can communicate using overlapping frequency channels that are not used in adjacent basic service sets (BSSs). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when frequency channels are used in units of 240 MHz or 320 MHz, the wide bandwidth makes it highly likely that the frequency channels will overlap with other frequency channels. However, with a communication method (new method) to which the present technology is applied, an available channel can be selected depending on the usage status of multiple frequency channels, thereby avoiding overlapping frequency bands.

[0213] Furthermore, communication can be performed using an optimal frequency channel depending on the transmission path usage status of the data transmitting communication device 10 (e.g., base station AP) as well as the transmission path usage status of the data receiving communication device 10 (e.g., terminal station STA). As a result, even if a frequency channel is used in a wireless LAN system of the current system, access control can be performed while maintaining compatibility with communication devices (legacy terminals) that support the current system.

[0214] Furthermore, in a wireless LAN system, after transmitting data, the communication device 10 (e.g., a base station AP) on the transmitting side transmits a request frame (MCH_BAR frame) including information (channel information) on available channel resources, so that the communication device 10 (e.g., a terminal station STA) on the data receiving side can select a frequency channel on which it can return an ACK frame when returning an ACK frame after receiving the data. This allows the communication device 10 on the data receiving side to return the ACK frame on a frequency channel where other communications are unlikely to be taking place, thereby ensuring that the ACK frame is returned reliably.

[0215] Here, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that allows a receiver to select only one frequency channel that can be used for both transmission and reception from among multiple frequency channels, but it is assumed that a frequency channel that can be used for transmission and reception is selected taking into consideration the reception of a data frame and the subsequent transmission (return) of an ACK frame. In contrast, the present technology is configured to select an available frequency channel each time an ACK frame is transmitted (returned) after receiving a data frame using an MCH_BAR frame, so that a frequency channel that can only be used for receiving data frames can also be selected. As a result, the configuration of the present technology increases the number of available frequency channels, including frequency channels that cannot be selected in the configuration of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 (frequency channels that can only be used for receiving data frames), thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the transmission path.

[0216] Furthermore, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for measuring power density to detect that a channel is occupied due to interference from another device and determining the ID of the occupied channel, but when a network allocation vector (NAV) is set using virtual carrier detection, the channel is not recognized as an occupied channel, and there is a risk of collisions occurring when using such a channel. In contrast, this technology is configured to recognize frequency channels for which a network allocation vector (NAV) is set and select frequency channels excluding the set frequency channels, thereby making it possible to avoid such collisions.

[0217] Note that the above-mentioned document A discloses a configuration in which channel information previously assigned to each terminal is transmitted as an RTS frame (multi-user RTS) on the primary channel, and data is transmitted upon receipt of a CTS frame from each terminal, but if the data transmission channel is previously assigned to each terminal and a network allocation vector (NAV) is set, a response by a CTS frame cannot be made, and data transmission is also not possible. In contrast, this technology is configured to select an available frequency channel each time a CTS frame is transmitted (responded to), using an MCH_RTS frame, thereby avoiding such a situation in which data transmission is not possible.

[0218] Furthermore, the following document B discloses a configuration in which a requested channel bandwidth is written in an RTS frame and a field for approving the requested channel bandwidth is included in a CTS frame, and although the RTS frame is transmitted with a bandwidth corresponding to the number of requested channels and the CTS frame is transmitted with a bandwidth corresponding to the number of response channels, they have the same center frequency.In contrast, this technology is configured to select an available frequency channel each time a CTS frame is transmitted (responded) using an MCH_RTS frame, making it possible to select an available channel depending on the usage status of multiple frequency channels.

[0219] Document B: JP 2014-195266 A

[0220] <2. Modifications>

[0221] (Examples of other configurations) In the above description, the communication device 10 is described as being configured as a base station AP or a terminal station STA, but a communication device to which the present technology is applied may be configured as a part of a device that configures the base station AP or the terminal station STA (for example, a wireless communication module, a wireless chip, etc.), in addition to being configured as a base station AP or a terminal station STA.

[0222] Furthermore, the terminal station STA can be configured as an electronic device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, mobile phone, personal computer, digital camera, game console, television receiver, wearable terminal, or speaker device.

[0223] In the above description, the base station AP is the communication device 10 that transmits data, and the terminal station STA is the communication device 10 that receives data, but the transmitting and receiving sides may be reversed, with the terminal station STA being the communication device 10 that receives data, and the base station AP being the communication device 10 that transmits data. In this case, the terminal station STA performs the data transmitting side operations shown in the flowcharts of Figures 15 and 16, and the base station AP performs the data receiving side operations shown in the flowcharts of Figures 17 and 18.

[0224] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present technology.

[0225] The present technology can also be configured as follows.

[0226] (1) generating channel information relating to a frequency channel on which data can be transmitted and bandwidth information relating to a frequency bandwidth used for transmitting the data; transmitting a request signal including the generated channel information and the bandwidth information to another communication device using a frequency channel selected from the transmittable frequency channels; The data is transmitted to the other communication device using a frequency channel selected as a frequency channel that can be received by the other communication device. Equipped with a control unit that controls Communication equipment. (2) The channel information includes frequency channels that can be selected by the other communication device. The communication device according to (1) above. (3) The channel information includes a frequency channel that allows selection of a bandwidth wider than the bandwidth of the frequency used for transmitting the data. The communication device according to (1) or (2). (4) The control unit receiving a response signal transmitted from the other communication device using a frequency channel that the other communication device can receive; A frequency channel to be used is selected from the receivable frequency channels based on the received response signal. Take control The communication device according to any one of (1) to (3). (5) the request signal is a RTS (Request to Send) frame that supports multiple channels, The response signal is a CTS (Clear to Send) frame. The communication device according to (4) above. (6) receiving, by using a frequency channel selected from the transmittable frequency channels, a request signal transmitted from another communication device, the request signal including channel information regarding a frequency channel on which the other communication device can transmit data and bandwidth information regarding a frequency bandwidth used for transmitting the data; selecting a receivable frequency channel from the transmittable frequency channels based on the channel information and the bandwidth information included in the received request signal; Transmitting a response signal to the other communication device using the selected receivable frequency channel. Equipped with a control unit that controls Communication equipment. (7) After transmitting the response signal, the control unit controls reception of the data transmitted from the other communication device using the selected receivable frequency channel. The communication device according to (6) above. (8) The channel information includes frequency channels that can be selected by the communication device. The communication device according to (6) or (7). (9) The channel information includes a frequency channel that allows selection of a bandwidth wider than the bandwidth of the frequency used for transmitting the data. The communication device according to (8). (10) the request signal is a multi-channel RTS frame, The response signal is a CTS frame The communication device according to any one of (6) to (9). (11) transmitting data to another communication device using the first frequency channel; generating a request signal for requesting confirmation of normal reception of the data, the request signal including channel information regarding a frequency channel on which the other communication device can transmit a confirmation signal; transmitting the generated request signal to the other communication device using a second frequency channel selected from the transmittable frequency channels; Equipped with a control unit that controls Communication equipment. (12) The second frequency channel is different from the first frequency channel. The communication device according to (11) above. (13) The control unit performs control to receive the confirmation signal transmitted from the other communication device using a frequency channel selected from the frequency channels available for transmission by the other communication device. The communication device according to (11) or (12). (14) The channel information includes frequency channels that can be selected by the other communication device. The communication device according to any one of (11) to (13). (15) The control unit performs control to receive the confirmation signal transmitted from the other communication device using the available frequency channel. The communication device according to any one of (11) to (14). (16) The request signal is a BAR (Block Ack Request) frame that supports multi-channel, and the confirmation signal is an ACK (Acknowledgement) frame. The communication device according to any one of (11) to (15). (17) receiving data transmitted from another communication device using a first frequency channel; receiving, by using a second frequency channel, a request signal transmitted from the other communication device for requesting confirmation of normal reception of the data, the request signal including channel information regarding a frequency channel on which the confirmation signal can be transmitted; If the data is received normally, a frequency channel is selected from the available frequency channels based on the channel information included in the received request signal; Transmitting the confirmation signal to the other communication device using the selected frequency channel. Equipped with a control unit that controls Communication equipment. (18) The second frequency channel is different from the first frequency channel. The communication device according to (17) above. (19) The channel information includes frequency channels that can be selected by the communication device. The communication device according to (17) or (18). (20) the request signal is a BAR frame compatible with multi-channels, The acknowledgement signal is an ACK frame The communication device according to any one of (17) to (19). [Explanation of symbols]

[0227] 10 communication device, 11 internet connection module, 12 information input module, 13 device control unit, 14 information output module, 15 wireless communication module, 101 interface, 102 transmission buffer, 103 network management unit, 104 transmission frame construction unit, 105 multi-channel management unit, 106 management information generation unit, 107 control frame transmission processing unit, 108 transmission power control unit, 109 wireless transmission processing unit, 110 antenna control unit, 111 wireless reception processing unit, 112 detection threshold control unit, 113 control frame reception processing unit, 114 management information processing unit, 115 reception data construction unit, 116 reception buffer, 151 transmission / reception data input / output unit, 152 control unit, 153 front end unit, AP base station, STA terminal station

Claims

1. transmitting a second signal including bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth of the frequency used for transmitting the data to another communication device, using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal including the data; receiving a third signal transmitted from the other communication device based on one or more frequency channels selected by the other communication device from among frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal, the frequency channels being in accordance with the bandwidth information; a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit to transmit the first signal to the other communication device based on the third signal; Communications control device.

2. The second signal includes information regarding the duration of transmission of the first signal. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

3. The second signal includes information for identifying the other communication device. The communication control device according to claim 2 .

4. The second signal indicates a plurality of frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal. The communication control device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The second signal includes first channel information indicating a plurality of frequency channels available for transmission of the first signal; Using the first channel information, indicate to the other communication device a plurality of frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal. The communication control device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to transmit a fourth signal to request the other communication device to confirm receipt of the first signal after the first signal is transmitted.

6. The communication control device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to receive a fifth signal transmitted from the other communication device in response to the fourth signal. The communication control device according to claim 6.

8. The fourth signal includes second channel information regarding a frequency channel available for the other communication device to transmit the fifth signal. The communication control device according to claim 7.

9. The fourth signal is transmitted using a frequency channel different from the frequency channel on which the first signal is transmitted. The communication control device according to claim 8.

10. The first channel information includes a frequency channel that can be selected by the other communication device. The communication control device according to claim 5 .

11. The first channel information includes a frequency channel that allows selection of a bandwidth wider than the bandwidth of a frequency used to transmit the first signal. The communication control device according to claim 10.

12. The second signal is a RTS (Request to Send) frame compatible with multi-channels, The third signal is a CTS (Clear to Send) frame. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

13. A communication control device comprising: transmitting a second signal including bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth of the frequency used for transmitting the data to another communication device, using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal including the data; receiving a third signal transmitted from the other communication device based on one or more frequency channels selected by the other communication device from among frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal, the frequency channels being in accordance with the bandwidth information; Controlling a wireless communication unit to transmit the first signal to the other communication device based on the third signal. Communication control method.

14. A method for receiving a second signal containing bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth of a frequency used to transmit a first signal containing data, the second signal being transmitted from another communication device, using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal containing the data; selecting one or more frequency channels corresponding to a bandwidth of a frequency used for transmitting the first signal from among frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal based on the bandwidth information included in the received second signal; transmitting a third signal to the other communication device based on the selected one or more frequency channels; a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit to receive the first signal transmitted from the other communication device based on the third signal; Communications control device.

15. The second signal includes information regarding the duration of transmission of the first signal. The communication control device according to claim 14.

16. The second signal includes information for identifying the other communication device. The communication control device according to claim 15.

17. The second signal indicates a plurality of frequency channels available for transmission of the first signal. The communication control device according to claim 15 or 16.

18. The second signal includes first channel information indicating a plurality of frequency channels available for transmission of the first signal; The first channel information is used to indicate a plurality of frequency channels available for transmission of the first signal from the other communication device. The communication control device according to claim 17.

19. The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to receive a fourth signal for requesting confirmation of reception of the first signal from the other communication device after the first signal is received. The communication control device according to claim 17 or 18.

20. The control unit controls the wireless communication unit to transmit a fifth signal to the other communication device in response to the fourth signal. The communication control device according to claim 19.

21. The fourth signal includes second channel information regarding a frequency channel available for transmitting the fifth signal to the other communication device. The communication control device according to claim 20.

22. The fourth signal is received using a frequency channel different from the frequency channel on which the first signal is received. The communication control device according to claim 21.

23. The first channel information includes a frequency channel selectable by the wireless communication unit. The communication control device according to claim 18.

24. The first channel information includes a frequency channel that allows selection of a bandwidth wider than the bandwidth of a frequency used to transmit the first signal. The communication control device according to claim 23.

25. The second signal is an RTS frame corresponding to multi-channel; The third signal is a CTS frame. The communication control device according to claim 14.

26. A communication control device comprising: receiving a second signal including bandwidth information regarding a bandwidth of a frequency used for transmitting a first signal including data, the second signal being transmitted from another communication device, using a frequency channel available for transmitting the first signal including the data; selecting one or more frequency channels corresponding to a bandwidth of a frequency used for transmitting the first signal from among frequency channels available for transmitting the first signal based on the bandwidth information included in the received second signal; transmitting a third signal to the other communication device based on the selected one or more frequency channels; Controlling the wireless communication unit to receive the first signal transmitted from the other communication device based on the third signal. Communication control method.

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