Communication control device and communication control method

Abstract

The present technology pertains to a communication device and a communication method which make it possible to preferably transmit data on a specific attribute more suitably. Provided is a communication device comprising a control unit which estimates a transmission capacity for transmitting the data on a specific attribute repeatedly by a prescribed amount of information for each prescribed transmission interval, and performs control for determining a prescribed transmission capacity to be transmitted according to an elapsed time of the prescribed transmission interval, and transmitting the data on the specific attribute, when a transmission opportunity is acquired by a random access control with another communication device. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an apparatus that constitutes a wireless LAN system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This technology is communication control device , and Communication Control Method In particular, it is possible to transmit data with specific attributes more appropriately and preferentially. communication control device , and Communication Control Method Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system, a network is constructed and operated among multiple communication devices, and therefore an access control method has been adopted in which any communication device can transmit data after a predetermined random transmission waiting time has elapsed.

[0003] Furthermore, when transmitting data for real-time applications, shorter latency is required, and therefore it is necessary to give priority to transmission of such data over other data. Known techniques for giving priority to transmission of such data include those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses a configuration in which a scheduling means assigns new information about the priority calculated by scheduling to the data, and a transmission control means sets the transmission waiting time based on the information about the new priority assigned to the data stored in the transmission queue.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that extracts attribute information from multiple packets received via multiple communication protocols, determines a priority common to multiple communication protocols for the multiple packets based on the configuration of the extracted attribute information, and processes the packets based on the determined priority. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-188451 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-021992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in an environment where random access control delays occur, such as in a wireless LAN system, data that requires shorter latency may not be sent as a priority when it is transmitted as priority data. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can more appropriately transmit data with specific attributes as a priority.

[0008] The present technology has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and makes it possible to transmit data with specific attributes more appropriately and preferentially. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A communication device according to one aspect of the present technology is a communication device that includes a control unit that estimates a transmission capacity for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of information of data of a specific attribute at a predetermined transmission interval, and when a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, determines the predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted in accordance with the elapsed time of the predetermined transmission interval, and controls the transmission of the data of the specific attribute.

[0010] A communication method according to one aspect of the present technology is a communication method in which a communication device estimates a transmission capacity for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of data of a specific attribute at a predetermined transmission interval, and when a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, the communication device determines the predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted in accordance with the elapsed time of the predetermined transmission interval, and controls the transmission of the data of the specific attribute.

[0011] In a communication device and a communication method according to one aspect of the present technology, a transmission capacity for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of information of data of a specific attribute at a predetermined transmission interval is estimated, and when a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, the predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted is determined according to the elapsed time of the predetermined transmission interval, and the data of the specific attribute is transmitted.

[0012] A communication device according to one aspect of the present technology is a communication device that is equipped with a control unit that identifies a data sending communication device and a data receiving communication device and exchanges communication parameters to set up reception of data of a specific attribute, and controls the periodic reception of data of the specific attribute at a predetermined transmission capacity at each predetermined transmission interval.

[0013] A communication method according to one aspect of the present technology is a communication method in which a communication device identifies a data sending communication device and a data receiving communication device and exchanges communication parameters to set up reception of data of a specific attribute, and controls periodic reception of the data of the specific attribute at a specified transmission capacity at each specified transmission interval.

[0014] In a communication device and a communication method according to one aspect of the present technology, reception of data of a specific attribute is set by identifying a data sending communication device and a data receiving communication device and exchanging communication parameters, and data of the specific attribute of a specific transmission capacity is periodically received at a specified transmission interval.

[0015] 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. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication network using a wireless communication system to which the present technology is applied. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of frequency bands and frequency channel allocations used in a wireless communication system to which the present technology is applied. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a frequency channel of a predetermined bandwidth is divided and used. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 illustrates a configuration using a transmission buffer for data requiring low latency by real-time applications. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of transmission when data of a real-time application is preferentially transmitted. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example in which data of a real-time application is preferentially transmitted. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for identifying the data amount of a real-time application. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a process for estimating a transmission capacity. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for estimating a transmission capacity based on a utilization bandwidth. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of transmission parameter settings. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data when an access control delay occurs. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of calculation of transmission capacity when forward error correction (FEC) technology is applied. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of calculation of transmission capacity when ACK return and retransmission control technology are applied. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of real-time application communication. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the sequence of real-time application communication. [Figure 16] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device to which the present technology is applied. [Figure 17] 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication module of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command configuration related to the setup of a real-time application. [Figure 19]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of application parameters. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information element that notifies the setting of a real-time application. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame structure of real-time application data. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow for setting and canceling a real-time application. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow for setting and canceling a real-time application. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a transmitting communication device. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a transmitting communication device. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiving communication device. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a receiving communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] <1. Embodiments of the present technology>

[0018] Conventionally, wireless LAN systems have been operated by constructing a network among multiple communication devices, and have adopted an access control method in which any communication device can transmit data after a predetermined random transmission waiting time has elapsed.

[0019] Alternatively, in order to prevent congestion during transmission over a communication channel, a method has been devised in which a wideband channel is reserved in advance and any channel is used to transmit data with a short transmission wait time.

[0020] On the other hand, in public communication systems standardized by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), management of communication resources is entrusted to specific communication carriers, so it is possible to transmit desired data without delay within a specified delay time determined by the carrier.

[0021] These communications are based on a system in which frequency resources are allocated to communication terminals by base stations, so once these frequency resources are allocated, it is easy to provide a mechanism for transmitting data without delay from a specific communication device.

[0022] In other words, in public communication systems, frequency resources are available in abundance, so a common technique is to reserve a control communication channel in advance and use this control channel to set up channels related to data transmission.

[0023] In wireless LAN systems that use the IEEE802.11 wireless communication protocol, even when transmitting data for real-time applications, it is required to use the transmission path fairly with other wireless communication devices, as defined in the conventional wireless communication protocol.

[0024] In particular, the IEEE802.11 standard discloses a technique for setting a transmission waiting time based on the access category (AC) of data to be transmitted using enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) control.

[0025] Therefore, as a next-generation technology of IEEE802.11, a technology has been disclosed that stores data requiring low latency in a dedicated transmission buffer and transmits it with priority over other data.

[0026] As mentioned above, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a scheduling means assigns new information about the priority calculated by scheduling to the data, and a transmission control means sets the transmission waiting time based on the information about the new priority assigned to the data stored in the transmission queue.

[0027] As mentioned above, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for extracting attribute information from multiple packets received via multiple communication protocols, determining a priority common to multiple communication protocols for the multiple packets based on the configuration of the extracted attribute information, and processing the packets based on the determined priority.

[0028] According to the technology disclosed in IEEE 802.11-19 / 1851r1, when transmitting using multiple links, a link load is specified for each link, and only low latency data is transmitted on a link with a high link load (Link #2), and both low latency data and other data are transmitted on a link with a low link load (Link #1).

[0029] In the case of a wireless LAN system, if there are many communication devices waiting to transmit in the vicinity of the device, there are cases where the device is unable to transmit even after a random transmission waiting time has elapsed because another communication device is still transmitting.

[0030] This makes it difficult to quickly transmit data that requires high reliability and that must be transmitted within a predetermined delay time.

[0031] In particular, when a password needs to be entered due to time constraints, such data that requires high reliability needs to be transmitted within as short a time as possible.

[0032] Furthermore, in a wireless LAN system, in order to ensure fair data transmission from other communication devices, once data transmission has finished, a predetermined transmission waiting time must be reset before data can be transmitted again. This causes a problem in that resetting the transmission waiting time causes delays that never converge.

[0033] Furthermore, in the case of a wireless LAN system, data is transmitted if no data transmission is taking place around the transmitting communication device, but if communication is taking place around the receiving communication device, there is a problem in that the data cannot be decoded correctly.

[0034] On the other hand, in public communication systems, it is easy to provide a mechanism for transmitting data without delay from a specific communication device, but in order to implement such communication, it is necessary to be incorporated into a network provided by a specific communication carrier and to pay a specified usage fee, which is costly.

[0035] Furthermore, in recent years, due to the explosive demand for data communications, the utilization of frequency resources that were once abundant has increased, making it difficult to secure channels for data communications.

[0036] In conventional wireless LAN systems, the priority of data transmission was determined by the access category of the data being transmitted, and transmission control was therefore carried out based on this mechanism even for data that required short latency for real-time applications.

[0037] Therefore, if data sent by a real-time application is sent in the presence of data with a higher priority in another access category, the transmission of that data will be given priority, and there is a possibility that the desired latency requirement will not be met.

[0038] Even among technical proposals that could solve these problems, there is a problem in that data that requires low latency is stored in a dedicated transmission buffer and transmitted with priority over other data, but because only the data stored in that buffer is set to a short transmission wait time, there is no opportunity to transmit data other than that data.

[0039] Furthermore, if the data is not stored in the transmission buffer, it is not sent with priority, and when receiving data to be used in a real-time application, there is a problem that the data cannot be received at the desired timing unless the data is sent with priority by the sending communication device.

[0040] Conversely, if only data transmitted by a real-time application is given priority, there is an unfairness in that data cannot be transmitted according to the priorities based on the conventional access categories.

[0041] Furthermore, when audio data, video data, and control information of a real-time application are mixed, if transmission is performed based on the conventional EDCA control priority, the data will be transmitted in the order of audio data, video data, and control information. Even if the application issues a transmission request at the same time, the transmission order will be rearranged on the wireless LAN transmission path, which is a problem.

[0042] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, a transmission waiting time is set uniformly for data based on information about the new priority set by the priority analysis processing unit, which causes a problem in that the data set with the highest priority is always transmitted first.

[0043] The technology described in Patent Document 2 above has the problem that received data is transferred to higher layers based on the priority determined by the common priority determination unit, and therefore the priority once determined cannot be changed.

[0044] In the technology disclosed in IEEE 802.11-19 / 1851r1, the link load is specified for each link, so there remains the problem that only low latency data can be transmitted on the link with a high link load (Link #2), and no other data can be transmitted.

[0045] Therefore, in this technology, when a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, a predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted is determined according to the elapsed time of a predetermined transmission interval, and data with specific attributes, such as data for a real-time application, is transmitted, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem.

[0046] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0047] (Network configuration) 1 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication network using a wireless communication system to which the present technology is applied. Here, the configuration of a wireless LAN system is shown as an example of the wireless communication system.

[0048] In Figure 1, the communication devices 10 that make up the wireless LAN system 1-1 are shown as white circles in the figure, and the solid arrows A1 and A2 in the figure indicate that when communication terminals STA10-1 and STA10-2 are connected to access point AP10, each communication device 10 is capable of communication.

[0049] Near this wireless LAN system 1-1, an access point AP20 and a communication terminal STA20, shown as shaded circles in the figure, form another wireless LAN system 1-2, and the solid arrow B1 in the figure indicates that each communication device 20 is capable of communication.

[0050] In addition, near the wireless LAN system 1-1, an access point AP30 and a communication terminal STA30, shown as shaded circles in the figure, form another wireless LAN system 1-3, and the solid arrow D1 in the figure indicates that each communication device 30 is capable of communication.

[0051] Access point AP10 is located in a position where it can receive signals from access point AP20 and communication terminal STA20, and from access point AP30 and communication terminal STA30, as indicated by dashed arrows C2 and C3 and dashed arrows E2 and E3 in the figure.

[0052] Communication terminal STA10-1 is located in a position where it can receive signals from access points AP20 and AP30, as indicated by dashed arrows C1 and E1 in the figure. Communication terminal STA10-2 is located in a position where it can receive signals from communication terminals STA20 and STA30, as indicated by dashed arrows C4 and E4 in the figure.

[0053] In this way, due to the existence of wireless LAN systems 1-2 and 1-3, access point AP10, communication terminal STA10-1, and communication terminal STA10-2 that make up wireless LAN system 1-1 need to implement fair access between these communication devices.

[0054] In the following description, a communication device that transmits data is referred to as a transmitting communication device, and a communication device that receives data is referred to as a receiving communication device. For example, in a wireless LAN system 1-1, data transmitted from a transmitting communication device 10Tx such as an access point AP10 is received by a receiving communication device 10Rx such as a communication terminal STA10-1.

[0055] (Example of frequency band and channel allocation) FIG. 2 shows an example of frequency bands and frequency channel allocations used in a wireless communication system to which this technology is applied.

[0056] In the 2.4 GHz band, when applied to a 20 MHz bandwidth OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) wireless signal of the IEEE802.11g standard, frequencies for at least two channels are set (the "2.4 GHz band" in the top row (first row) of the figure).

[0057] In the 5 GHz band, multiple frequency channels can be secured for use with 20 MHz bandwidth OFDM wireless signals for standards such as IEEE802.11a ("5 GHz band A, B, C" in the first and second rows of the figure).

[0058] Here, operation in the 5 GHz band is subject to conditions set by the legal systems of each country that determine the available frequency band, transmission power, and whether transmission is possible.

[0059] The first and second rows of Figure 2 show channel numbers such as 32, 36, 40, etc., but in Japan, eight channels from 36 to 64 and 11 channels from 100 to 140 are available for use.

[0060] In other countries and regions other than Japan, channels 32, 68, 96, and 144 are also available, and in even higher frequency bands, channels 149 to 173 are also available.

[0061] Currently, the 6GHz band is being standardized as a usable frequency band (the third and fourth rows of the diagram show "6GHz band A, B, C, D"). The 6GHz band can be used in a variety of ways, including 25 channels in the Unii-5 band of 6GHz band A, 5 channels in the Unii-6 band of 6GHz band B, 17 channels in the Unii-7 band of 6GHz band C, and 12 channels in the Unii-8 band of 6GHz band D.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which frequency channels of a predetermined bandwidth are divided and used by combining bands that are freely available, avoiding the use of bands that are subject to usage restrictions.

[0063] Figure 3 shows an example in which the freely available bands are 80 MHz bandwidth secured over four channels in the Unii-6 band of 6 GHz band B as the first link (Link #1), and 240 MHz bandwidth secured over 12 channels in the Unii-8 band of 6 GHz band D as the second link (Link #2).By combining these multiple bandwidth links, a total of 16 channels are used to secure a bandwidth of 320 MHz.

[0064] In this type of frequency channel usage configuration, different systems may be operating in the vicinity of the first link (Link #1) and the second link (Link #2), and access control is implemented separately for each.

[0065] For example, in FIG. 1, when wireless LAN system 1-1 communicates using multiple links (multi-links), including a first link and a second link, when wireless LAN system 1-2 uses the first link or when wireless LAN system 1-3 uses the second link, fair access control must be implemented separately for each of these links.

[0066] (Buffer configuration) Figure 4 shows a configuration using a send buffer for data requiring low latency by real-time applications.

[0067] 4, in the communication device 10, a transmission buffer 103 is configured for each access category in order to perform predetermined EDCA control defined in the IEEE 802.11 system. By classifying data using these access categories, data is stored in the appropriate buffer according to the type of data, and transmission control is performed according to the priority of the data.

[0068] In conventional EDCA control, data is classified into four access categories: AC_VO (Voice), AC_VI (Video), AC_BE (Best effort), and AC_BG (Background).

[0069] AC_VO represents a type that corresponds to data that requires low latency and guaranteed bandwidth, such as audio data. AC_VI represents a type that corresponds to data that requires guaranteed bandwidth, such as video data. AC_BE represents a type that corresponds to normal data (best effort data). AC_BG represents a type that corresponds to large amounts of data (background data) that are not time-constrained.

[0070] In FIG. 4, in the transmission buffer 103, audio data is stored in an AC_VO buffer 103-2 corresponding to AC_VO, video data is stored in an AC_VI buffer 103-3 corresponding to AC_VI, best effort data is stored in an AC_BE buffer 103-4 corresponding to AC_BE, and background data is stored in an AC_BG buffer 103-5 corresponding to AC_BG.

[0071] The packets are transmitted when the transmission waiting time and back-off time specified for each access category have elapsed, and the priority order is AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, and AC_BG.

[0072] Furthermore, in addition to the conventional EDCA-controlled transmission buffer 103, low latency data is stored in a dedicated buffer.

[0073] In other words, low-latency data, which is required to be transmitted with short latency, is given priority over other data, so it can be transmitted with a shorter transmission wait time than, for example, conventional AC_VO voice data.

[0074] 4, an RTA buffer 103-1 that stores data of a real time application (RTA) (hereinafter also referred to as RTA data) is added to the transmission buffer 103. The RTA data is an example of low-latency data.

[0075] As a result, when the communication device 10 acquires a transmission right due to a transmission opportunity, the communication device 10 takes out data from each buffer based on the priority of the data and transmits it.

[0076] (Example of data transmission) FIG. 5 shows an example of transmission in which data of a real-time application is transmitted with priority.

[0077] The upper part of Fig. 5 shows the data flow in the first link (Link #1), and the lower part of Fig. 5 shows the data flow in the second link (Link #2). Note that the direction of time in Fig. 5 is from left to right in the figure.

[0078] That is, in the above-described multi-link configuration, when data transmission is carried out using the first link and the second link, the data is transmitted sequentially in the order of RTA, AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, and AC_BG according to the priority of the data stored in the transmission buffer 103.

[0079] Furthermore, since other wireless LAN systems and other wireless communication systems are operating on each link, there may be a period (BUSY) during which transmission is not possible due to transmissions from these other systems.

[0080] As a result, in the first link, as shown by the boxes labeled RTA, AC_VO, AC_VI, and AC_BE in the figure, after a predetermined short waiting time has elapsed, the RTA data from the RTA buffer 103-1, the audio data from the AC_VO buffer 103-2, the video data from the AC_VI buffer 103-3, and the best-effort data from the AC_BE buffer 103-4 are transmitted in that order.

[0081] Similarly, in the second link, as shown by the boxes labeled RTA, AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, and AC_BG in the figure, after a predetermined short waiting time has elapsed, RTA data, audio data, video data, best effort data, and background data are transmitted in sequence.

[0082] In such a configuration, if there is data other than the data of the real-time application, the transmission of this data must be carried out fairly, which creates the problem that the data of the real-time application is not transmitted easily.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows a modified example in which data of a real-time application is sent with priority.

[0084] Here, in the above-mentioned multi-link configuration, the first link (Link #1) and the second link (Link #2) are used, and in the first link at the top, after a predetermined short waiting time has elapsed, RTA data (RTA), audio data (AC_VO), video data (AC_VI), and best effort data (AC_BE) are transmitted in sequence.

[0085] On the other hand, the second link in the lower row is configured to transmit RTA data (RTA) at a predetermined time interval. In this case, since only RTA data is transmitted on the second link, other data cannot be transmitted if RTA data is not present, which results in a problem of reduced utilization efficiency of the transmission path.

[0086] In FIG. 6, "NAV" indicates that a period (NAV: Network Allocation Vector) is set during which data transmission via the first link or the second link is not possible due to data transmission via another wireless communication system.

[0087] (Transmission of RTA data) FIG. 7 shows the flow of the process for identifying the data amount of a real-time application.

[0088] In FIG. 7, it is assumed that data of a specific application is received by the transmitting communication device 10Tx, such as when the arrival of data of a real-time application is not predetermined by the application.

[0089] That is, the data of a real-time application (RTA Data) is output from the application and arrives at an arbitrary reception interval (Interval), and there is a high possibility that the timing is periodic. For example, in Fig. 7, the first arrival timing (RTA Output Timing #1), the second arrival timing (RTA Output Timing #2), and the third arrival timing (RTA Output Timing #3) of the RTA data are at an arbitrary reception interval (Interval).

[0090] In addition, the data of the real-time application may be composed of data such as video data (R Video), audio data (R Audio), and control information data (R Control), and all or some of this data is configured to arrive within a specified perimeter.

[0091] (Transmission capacity overview) FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing for estimating the transmission capacity (Capacity: Available Transmit Capacity).

[0092] 8 shows a configuration in which, when the RTA data arriving at each reception interval (Interval) includes, for example, video data (R Video), audio data (R Audio), and control information data (R Control), a small margin is added to the amount of information to calculate the transmission capacity (Capacity). In other words, the transmittable capacity can be calculated by adding a margin according to the transmission rate between communication devices to the amount of information per unit time of data such as video data.

[0093] FIG. 9 shows an example of a configuration for estimating transmission capacity based on the available bandwidth.

[0094] FIG. 9 shows a configuration for calculating the transmission capacity calculated in FIG. 8 described above, by applying it to the frequency bandwidth to be used, and calculating the time available for transmission in one transmission period.

[0095] The top row shows a configuration when multiple links (frequency bands) are used as a multi-link, and the transmission capacity is calculated by adding up the bandwidths of all the links. For example, if the bandwidth is 320 MHz, the duration of the multi-link transmission capacity is calculated.

[0096] The middle section shows the configuration when only the first link (frequency band) is used, and the transmission capacity of the combined band of the first link is calculated. For example, if the bandwidth of the first link is 240 MHz, the duration of the transmission capacity of the first link is calculated.

[0097] The lower row shows the configuration when only the second link (frequency band) is used, and the transmission capacity of the combined bandwidth of the second link is calculated. For example, if the bandwidth of the second link is 80 MHz, the duration of the transmission capacity of the second link is calculated.

[0098] (Parameter settings) FIG. 10 shows an example of the settings of transmission parameters used for data transmission.

[0099] In Figure 10, the transmitting communication device 10Tx adds the delay time required for input processing and the delay time required for access control each time to the maximum allowable delay time (Maximum Latency) for the application, which is represented on the time axis from left to right in the figure, and is configured to transmit data within the range of the transmission capacity duration (Duration) when using the link shown in Figure 9 above.

[0100] In addition, the receiving communication device 10Rx needs time for output processing, so it is desirable to calculate this time and actually transmit data between the shortest and longest transmission capacity durations. Furthermore, here, this series of processes on the transmitting and receiving sides is considered to occur at regular transmission intervals (Interval).

[0101] In other words, when a transmission opportunity is obtained during one transmission interval, a certain amount of data is transmitted for a period up to the duration of the transmission capacity, and the remaining time can be used for communicating other data.

[0102] For convenience of explanation, the access control delay shown in Figure 10 is shown as a fixed value, but in reality, it can be seen that the impact is small even if a delay of up to the allowable delay time occurs depending on the status of obtaining transmission opportunities through random access control.

[0103] Furthermore, if transmission becomes possible after exceeding this allowable delay time, the next transmission interval (Interval) will arrive, so the amount of information that is the sum of the transmission capacity (Capacity) to be transmitted in the current transmission interval (Interval) and the next transmission capacity (Capacity) is transmitted at the timing when one transmission opportunity is obtained.

[0104] (Example of access control) FIG. 11 shows an example of data transmission when an access control delay occurs.

[0105] Figure 11 shows a case in which, in an environment where a transmitting communication device 10Tx (Transmit Device), another communication device (Other Device), and a receiving communication device 10Rx (Receive Device) exist, when data transmission using the present technology is performed from the transmitting communication device 10Tx to the receiving communication device 10Rx, the transmission path is used by the data transmission from the other communication device and becomes busy.

[0106] First, when a predetermined transmission interval (Interval) arrives and a transmission opportunity is acquired in accordance with predetermined access control, data of a predetermined transmission capacity (Capacity) is transmitted from the transmitting communication device 10Tx to the receiving communication device 10Rx ("Data" in the figure).

[0107] After the data transmission is completed, data transmission from the other communication device ("Other Data" in the figure) is performed, and this is carried out over the next transmission interval (Interval). In this case, even if the next transmission interval (Interval) arrives, the transmitting communication device 10Tx is configured to carry out data transmission for the transmission interval (Interval) with a delay after the data transmission from the other communication device is completed ("Data" after "Busy" in the figure).

[0108] Further, after that, data transmission from another communication device ("Other Data" in the figure) is performed, and the transmitting communication device 10Tx indicates that the remaining time of the transmission interval (Interval) due to the end of the data transmission from the other communication device is shorter than the time required to transmit data at the transmission capacity (arrow indicated by "Transmission Capacity" in the figure).

[0109] At this time, since the data transmission up to the current transmission capacity (Capacity) of the transmitting communication device 10Tx takes place over the next transmission interval (Interval), the data up to the transmission capacity (Capacity) of the next transmission interval (Interval) is added and transmitted together.

[0110] In other words, by using access control at a predetermined transmission interval (Interval), the transmission capacity (Capacity) of data to be transmitted can be changed depending on the timing at which a transmission opportunity is obtained, thereby obtaining a method for repeatedly transmitting data of a desired transmission capacity (Capacity) at a predetermined transmission interval (Interval) without waiting longer than necessary to obtain a transmission opportunity.

[0111] As a result, the transmitting communication device 10Tx is configured to transmit data (RTA data, etc.) of a specific application such as a real-time application in accordance with a predetermined access control procedure, coexisting with data transmission from other communication devices, without causing unnecessary delays.

[0112] FIG. 12 shows an example of calculation of transmission capacity when applying forward error correction (FEC) technology.

[0113] FIG. 12 shows an example of calculating the transmission capacity per transmission by applying forward error correction (FEC) technology to data for a real-time application.

[0114] In other words, the transmitting communication device 10Tx can estimate the minimum required transmission opportunity (TXOP: Transmission Opportunity) based on the total amount of data to which forward error correction (FEC) information has been added, such as video data (R Video), audio data (R Audio), and control information data (R Control) following the header section (Head) that notifies predetermined parameters, and use this as the transmission capacity.

[0115] FIG. 13 shows an example of calculation of transmission capacity when ACK return and retransmission control technology is applied according to the state of the transmission path.

[0116] FIG. 13 shows an example of calculating the transmission capacity for one transmission by applying the technique of returning an ACK after data transmission and retransmitting undelivered data to the data of a real-time application.

[0117] First, in the transmitting communication device 10Tx, video data (R Video), audio data (R Audio), and control information data (R Control) are aggregated into a header (Head) section that notifies predetermined parameters, and then transmitted.

[0118] After transmitting this data, the transmitting communication device 10Tx is configured to receive an acknowledgement (ACK) from the receiving communication device, and if it is necessary to retransmit, for example, about half of the video data (R Video), the transmitting communication device 10Tx is configured to retransmit the undelivered data.

[0119] That is, in the transmitting communication device 10Tx, the ACK return and retransmission data are estimated in an optimized manner, and the time required for one data transmission to be completely executed is estimated as one transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0120] (Example of a sequence) FIG. 14 shows an example of a sequence of real-time application communication.

[0121] 14 shows an example in which a transmitting communication device 10Tx (Transmit Device) sets various transmission parameters when an application is started by a source application, etc. In this example, the process of setting communication parameters of a real-time application is performed by the source application on the transmitting side.

[0122] When an application that distributes specific content is launched in the source application, the communication parameters of the real-time application are acquired (Application Parameter Setup), and a series of request commands for real-time application communication (Application Parameter) are sent to the transmitting communication device 10Tx (S12).

[0123] When the transmitting communication device 10Tx operates as an access point, for example, it transmits a predetermined beacon signal at a predetermined transmission timing (S11), and in this case, the configuration includes an information element indicating that a real-time application has not been set.

[0124] The transmitting communication device 10Tx, which receives this request command (Application Parameter) from the source application, sets an identifier to identify the real-time application data (RTA data), identifies the receiving communication device 10Rx (Receive Device), and sends a request command (RTA Request) (S13).

[0125] When the receiving communication device 10Rx receives this request command (RTA Request), it sends a start command (Application Start) to the destination application (Destination Application) (S14), and also returns the start command (RTA Start) containing parameters such as the buffer capacity and processing capability of the receiving communication device 10Rx (S15).

[0126] Upon receiving this start command (RTA Start), the transmitting communication device 10Tx calculates the above-mentioned transmission interval (Interval) and transmission capacity (Capacity) as transmission parameters for the real-time application based on the information described in the start command (RTA Start), and further reserves dedicated buffer space (e.g., RTA buffer 103-1) as necessary (Set Real Time Operation).

[0127] When calculating the transmission interval (Interval), the predetermined transmission interval is determined by estimating a predetermined time interval from when the transmitting communication device 10Tx receives the RTA data from the real-time application. Also, when calculating the transmission capacity (Capacity), if a transmission opportunity is acquired in any of the available bandwidths, the predetermined transmission capacity may be determined according to the bandwidth available at that time.

[0128] Additionally, when the transmitting communication device 10Tx operates as an access point, for example, it may be configured to construct an information element indicating that these RTA parameters have been set and transmit a beacon signal at a predetermined transmission timing (S16). By transmitting a beacon signal including this information element to other communication devices present in the vicinity, it is possible to notify these RTA parameters.

[0129] Then, when content data arrives from the source application at a predetermined period, the transmitting communication device 10Tx stores the data in a dedicated buffer as needed and transmits it as RTA data of a predetermined transmission capacity at a predetermined transmission interval (S17, S18).

[0130] Here, the receiving communication device 10Rx receives the transmitted RTA data (data with an identifier set), stores it in a dedicated buffer (for example, the RTA receiving buffer 115-1), and outputs this content data to the destination application (S19).

[0131] In this way, if the received data is RTA data, it is stored in a dedicated buffer that gives priority to outputting RTA data, and is output to the destination application according to the RTA data output format. At this time, the RTA data is output to the destination application within the maximum allowable delay time.

[0132] Furthermore, the receiving communication device 10Rx outputs the RTA data to the destination application and returns ACK information as necessary (S20). If the RTA data cannot be correctly decoded, NACK information requesting retransmission is returned. Here, since the RTA data needs to be output to the destination application before the maximum allowable delay time has elapsed, ACK information or NACK information is constructed based on the maximum allowable delay time.

[0133] Furthermore, when the transmitting communication device 10Tx receives these acknowledgement (ACK / NACK) information, if NACK information is returned, it may retransmit the data as necessary based on the allowable delay time of this technology, and if it is ACK information, the transmission of RTA data at this transmission interval will end.

[0134] The system is configured so that transmission of other communication devices and other data is carried out until the next transmission interval arrives, and when the next transmission interval arrives, this series of RTA data transmissions is repeated (S21 to S24, S25 to S28, S29 to S32).

[0135] On the other hand, if the sender application determines that these specific applications have ended, a real-time application release command (Application End) is sent to the transmitting communication device 10Tx to reset the RTA transmission (S33).

[0136] When the transmitting communication device 10Tx receives this notification, it releases (cancels) the identifier that identifies the real-time application data (RTA data), cancels the setting of the dedicated buffer space, and sends a release command (RTA Release) to the receiving communication device 10Rx (S34).

[0137] In addition, when the transmitting communication device 10Tx operates as an access point, for example, it may be configured to cancel the settings of the existing RTA information elements and transmit a beacon signal at a predetermined transmission timing to indicate that these RTA parameters have been released (S36).

[0138] Furthermore, in the receiving communication device 10Rx that has received the release command (RTA Release), an end command (Application End) is delivered to the destination application (S35), and the application is notified that a series of communications has ended. Note that, in the receiving communication device 10Rx as well, when the release command (RTA Release) is received, the identifier that identifies the RTA data may be released (released), and the setting of the dedicated buffer space may be released.

[0139] FIG. 15 shows another example of a sequence of real-time application communication.

[0140] 15 shows an example in which, when a destination application (Destination Application) starts an application, a transmitting device (Transmit Device) 10Tx is identified and the transmitting device 10Tx sets various transmission parameters. In this example, a process of setting communication parameters of a real-time application is first performed by the receiving destination application.

[0141] When an application that delivers specific content is launched in the destination application, the communication parameters of the real-time application are acquired (Application Parameter Setup), and a series of request commands (Application Parameter) of the real-time application are sent to the receiving communication device 10Rx (Receive Device) (S52).

[0142] When the transmitter communication device 10Tx operates as an access point, for example, it transmits a predetermined beacon signal at a predetermined transmission timing (S51).

[0143] The receiving communication device 10Rx, which receives this request command (Application Parameter) from the destination application, identifies the transmitting communication device 10Tx, sets an identifier to identify the real-time application data (RTA data), and sends a request command (RTA Request) including parameters for the buffer capacity and processing capability of the receiving communication device 10Rx to the transmitting communication device 10Tx (S53).

[0144] Upon receiving this request command (RTA Request), the transmitting communication device 10Tx sends a start command (Application Start) to the source application (S54), and also calculates the above-mentioned transmission interval and transmission capacity as transmission parameters for the real-time application, and further reserves dedicated buffer space (for example, RTA buffer 103-1) as necessary (Set Real Time Operation).

[0145] Additionally, when the transmitting communication device 10Tx operates as an access point, for example, it may be configured to construct an information element indicating that these RTA parameters have been set and transmit a beacon signal at a predetermined transmission timing (S56). By transmitting a beacon signal including this information element to other communication devices in the vicinity, it is possible to notify these RTA parameters.

[0146] When content data arrives from the sender application at a predetermined cycle, the sender communication device 10Tx stores the data in a dedicated buffer as needed and transmits the data as RTA data of a predetermined transmission capacity at a predetermined transmission interval. The operation of transmitting the RTA data here is the same as that shown in Fig. 14 above, and therefore details will be omitted (S57 to S60, S61 to S64, S65 to S68, S69 to S72).

[0147] On the other hand, if the destination application determines that these applications have ended, a real-time application open command (Application End) is sent to the receiving communication device 10Rx to reset the RTA transmission (S73).

[0148] When the receiving communication device 10Rx receives this notification, it releases the identifier that identifies the real-time application data (RTA data) and transmits a release command (RTA Release) to the transmitting communication device 10Tx (S74).

[0149] Upon receiving this release command (RTA Release), the transmitting communication device 10Tx cancels the setting of the dedicated buffer space and sends an end command (Application End) to the sending application (S75), notifying it that the series of communications has ended.

[0150] In addition, when the transmitting communication device 10Tx operates as an access point, for example, it may be configured to cancel the settings of the existing RTA information element and transmit a beacon signal at a predetermined transmission timing to indicate that these RTA parameters have been released (S76).

[0151] (Configuration of communication device) FIG. 16 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device to which the present technology is applied.

[0152] The communication device 10 shown in FIG. 16 is an access point AP10 or a communication terminal STA10 in the wireless LAN system 1-1 (FIG. 1), that is, a wireless communication device configured as a transmitting communication device 10Tx or a receiving communication device 10Rx.

[0153] 16, the communication device 10 includes a network connection module 11, an information input module 12, a device control module 13, an information output module 14, and a wireless communication module 15.

[0154] The network connection module 11 is composed of, for example, a circuit having the function of connecting as an access point AP10 from an optical fiber network or other communication line to the Internet network via a service provider, its peripheral circuits, a microcontroller, semiconductor memory, etc.

[0155] The network connection module 11 performs various processes related to Internet connection under control of the device control module 13. For example, when the communication device 10 operates as an access point AP10, the network connection module 11 is configured to implement functions such as a communication modem for connecting to the Internet network.

[0156] 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 module 13.

[0157] The device control module 13 is configured by, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a semiconductor memory, etc. The device control module 13 controls each unit (module) to make the communication device 10 operate as an access point AP10 or a communication terminal STA10.

[0158] The device control module 13 performs various processes on information supplied from the network connection module 11, the information input module 12, or the wireless communication module 15. In addition, the device control module 13 supplies information obtained as a result of its own processing to the network connection module 11, the information output module 14, or the wireless communication module 15.

[0159] For example, when transmitting data, the device control module 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.

[0160] The information output module 14 is configured from output devices including, for example, display elements such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, and speakers that output voice and music.

[0161] The information output module 14 has a function of displaying necessary information to the user based on information supplied from the device control module 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.

[0162] 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 various processes related to wireless communication under the control of the device control module 13. The configuration of the wireless communication module 15 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 17.

[0163] 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.

[0164] In addition, in the communication device 10 of Figure 16, the equipment control module 13 and the wireless communication module 15 are required components, but it is optional whether or not to include the network connection module 11, the information input module 12, and the information output module 14 as components other than these.

[0165] In other words, each communication device 10 operating as an access point AP10 or a communication terminal STA10 can be configured with only the necessary modules, and unnecessary parts can be simplified or not incorporated.

[0166] More specifically, for example, the network connection module 11 can be incorporated only in the access point AP10, and the information input module 12 and the information output module 14 can be incorporated only in the communication terminal STA10.

[0167] FIG. 17 shows an example of the configuration of the wireless communication module 15 of FIG.

[0168] The wireless communication module 15 is connected to other modules and includes an interface 101 for exchanging various information and data, an RTA data determination unit 102 for determining the attributes of the transmitted data from the access category, and a transmission buffer 103 for temporarily storing the transmitted data for each category.

[0169] The transmission buffer 103 is a group of buffers consisting of an RTA buffer 103-1 that stores RTA data for real-time applications, an AC_VO buffer 103-2 that stores audio data, an AC_VI buffer 103-3 that stores video data, an AC_BE buffer 103-4 that stores best-effort data, and an AC_BG buffer 103-5 that stores background data.

[0170] This configuration includes an RTA operation management unit 104 that controls transmission and reception operations for real-time applications, which is a characteristic configuration of the present technology, a transmission control unit 105 that dequeues the order of transmission data, a timing control unit 106 that controls transmission timing, a transmission frame construction unit 107 that constructs data frames to be transmitted, an access control unit 108 that controls the transmission and reception of data, and transmission processing units 109-1 and 109-2 that perform transmission operations on each link.

[0171] The transmission processing unit 109-1 performs a transmission operation related to the first link (Link #1). The transmission processing unit 109-2 performs a transmission operation related to the second link (Link #2). In addition, an antenna control unit 110 is provided which transmits a transmission signal from an antenna group 111 to another communication device 10 and controls reception of a transmission signal transmitted from another communication device 10 via the antenna group 111. Note that the antenna control unit 110 and the antenna group 111 may not be included in the wireless communication module 15.

[0172] Meanwhile, the wireless communication module 15 is configured to include reception processing units 112-1 and 112-2 that perform reception operations for each link, treating signals received by an antenna as predetermined signals. The reception processing unit 111-1 performs reception operations for the first link (Link #1). The reception processing unit 111-2 performs reception operations for the second link (Link #2).

[0173] It also includes a received frame extraction unit 113 that extracts a predetermined data frame from the received signal, a data analysis unit 114 that analyzes the data contained in the received data frame, and a receive buffer 115 that temporarily stores the received data.

[0174] The receive buffer 115 is a buffer group consisting of a receive buffer 115-2 that stores data excluding RTA data, and an RTA receive buffer 115-1 that serves as a dedicated buffer space for storing RTA data for real-time applications.

[0175] Furthermore, it is configured to include an output data construction unit 116 that constructs data in the output format to be delivered to a specified application, and is ultimately configured to pass the data via interface 101 to an application of the connected device, etc.

[0176] In the configuration shown in Figure 17, the arrows between each block represent the flow of data (signals) and control, and each block operates in cooperation with other blocks connected by arrows to realize its own function.

[0177] That is, for example, the RTA operation management unit 104 operates in cooperation with each of the interface 101, the transmission control unit 105, the timing control unit 106, and the receiving buffer 115 to realize a function related to controlling the transmission of RTA data for real-time applications, which is a characteristic function of the present technology.

[0178] Furthermore, for example, the access control unit 108 operates in cooperation with the timing control unit 106, the transmission frame construction unit 107, the transmission processing units 109-1 and 109-2, the antenna control unit 110, and the reception processing units 112-1 and 112-2 to realize a function related to the control of data transmission and reception, which is a characteristic function of the present technology.

[0179] In the wireless communication module 15 configured as above, the RTA operation management unit 104 and the access control unit 108 in particular control the operation of each unit, thereby performing the following processing, for example.

[0180] That is, in the wireless communication module 15 of the communication device 10 (transmitting communication device 10Tx), the RTA operation management unit 104, the access control unit 108, etc. estimate the transmission capacity (Capacity) for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of information of data of a specific attribute (e.g., RTA data) at a predetermined transmission interval (Interval), and when a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device (receiving communication device 10Rx), the predetermined transmission capacity (Capacity) to be transmitted is determined according to the elapsed time of the predetermined transmission interval (Interval), and control is performed to transmit the data of the specific attribute (e.g., RTA data).

[0181] Furthermore, in the wireless communication module 15 of the communication device 10 (receiving communication device 10Rx), the RTA operation management unit 104, the access control unit 108, etc. identify the data transmitting communication device (transmitting communication device 10Tx) and the receiving communication device (receiving communication device 10Rx) and exchange communication parameters to set up reception of data with a specific attribute (e.g., RTA data), and control is performed to periodically receive data with a specific attribute (e.g., RTA data) that has a specified transmission capacity (Capacity) at specified transmission intervals (Interval).

[0182] (Command structure) FIG. 18 shows an example of the configuration of a command related to the setup of a real-time application.

[0183] These commands are used to notify parameter information as request command (RTA Request), start command (RTA Start), release command (RTA Release), and end command (RTA End).

[0184] Since these commands are transmitted via wireless communication, the example configuration shown in Figure 18 is based on a frame format used in wireless LAN systems, but it is not limited to this configuration.

[0185] This frame is configured with predetermined header information, including Frame Control, which indicates the frame type, Duration, which indicates the duration, Transmit Address, which indicates the address of the sender, and Receive Address, which indicates the address of the receiver. Furthermore, this frame includes a Real Time Application Parameter Set, which is necessary for implementing control using this technology, and is configured with a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) added to the end.

[0186] This real-time application parameter set consists of information such as Type, which indicates the command format, Source Address, which indicates the source address of the sender, Destination Address, which indicates the destination address of the recipient, RTA ID, which indicates the RTA identifier, Group ID, which indicates the group, Application, which indicates the type of application, Delay, which indicates the allowable delay time, Buffer Size, which indicates the buffer size, Band-Width, which indicates information about the bandwidth to be used, Traffic Rate, which indicates the transmission rate expected for the traffic, Max Latency, which indicates the maximum delay time, and Delayed Output, which indicates the data output when a delay occurs.

[0187] Note that these pieces of information are configured so that the necessary parts are described in each command and transmitted from the transmitting side, and the receiving side uses the information. Also, the example of the configuration of the real-time application parameter set shown in Fig. 18 is just one example, and for example, as long as information such as information on the maximum allowable delay of data, information on buffer capacity, information on bandwidth used, and information on the data output format as shown in Fig. 18 is included as parameters, other parameters (for example, parameters corresponding to the information shown in Fig. 19) may also be included.

[0188] (Configuring application parameters) FIG. 19 shows an example of the configuration of application parameters.

[0189] The application parameters are parameters exchanged between the application device and the communication device 10. The application device is a device in which a specific application such as a real-time application is installed.

[0190] 19 shows a configuration conforming to the frame format used in wireless LAN systems, with the following header information described: Frame Control indicating the frame type, Duration indicating the duration, Transmit Address indicating the address of the sender, and Receive Address indicating the address of the receiver, but these may be added or deleted as necessary. The parameters actually exchanged are described as an application parameter set (Application Parameter Information), and an FCS is also added.

[0191] This parameter is structured so that parameters according to each application are written in the Type, which indicates notification of application parameters (Application Parameter), application start (Application Start), or application end (Application End), the Source Address, which indicates the address of the sender, and the Destination Address, which indicates the address of the destination.

[0192] The parameters according to this application include, for example, in the case of video information, Application Type, which indicates the application format, Frame Size, which indicates the frame size of the data, Frame Rate, which indicates the frame rate, Max Latency, which indicates the maximum delay time, Buffer Size, which indicates the buffer size, Output Type, which indicates the format in which data is output, Output Delay, which indicates the output delay time, and RTA Attribute, which indicates the attributes of the real-time application.

[0193] In the present technology, the communication device 10 that transmits and receives real-time applications is configured to refer to these parameters and calculate the transmission interval and transmission capacity of the RTA data transmitted by wireless communication.

[0194] In other words, the communication device 10 calculates the maximum allowable delay time from information such as the Application Type indicating the application format, the Output Type indicating the data output format, and the Output Delay indicating the output delay time, and then takes into account the input processing delay time and the output processing delay time shown in Figure 10 to determine the transmission interval (Interval) and transmission capacity (Capacity) from information such as the Frame Size indicating the frame size and the Frame Rate indicating the frame rate.

[0195] Note that the example of the configuration shown in Fig. 19 is merely an example, and these parameters may be estimated using other parameters, etc. For example, as parameters according to the application, other parameters may be included as long as they include information such as information on the maximum allowable delay of data, information on buffer capacity, and information on the data output format as shown in Fig. 19.

[0196] (Information Element Structure) FIG. 20 shows an example of the structure of an information element that notifies the setting of a real-time application.

[0197] This information element can be included in a beacon frame or the like and notified to inform other surrounding communication devices that data transmission related to a real-time application is being carried out, as well as parameters such as the transmission interval, transmission capacity, and duration.

[0198] The information element is configured to include various parameters such as Element ID, which indicates the element identifier, Length, which indicates the information length, Type, which indicates the format, Maximum Latency, which indicates the maximum allowable delay time, Average Latency, which indicates the average delay time, Available Channel, which indicates the available channel, Transmit Capacity, which indicates the transmission capacity, Transmit Interval, which indicates the transmission interval, and Maximum Duration, which indicates the maximum duration.

[0199] In addition, in order to allow multiple RTA IDs to be set, the Num of RTA IDs indicating the number of RTA IDs and the RTA ID as the identifier of the RTA are respectively described.

[0200] (Frame composition) FIG. 21 shows an example of a frame structure of real-time application data.

[0201] This data frame configuration is used to make it easier to store data in a buffer (e.g., RTA receive buffer 115-1) that is prioritized in the receiving communication device 10Rx by storing an identifier or flag in the header portion of the data to identify the data as real-time application data (RTA data).

[0202] For example, the configuration shown in Fig. 21 shows a configuration in which a flag for identifying an RTA ID or RTA data is prepared in the SIG-A field of a PLCP (Physical Layer Convergence Protocol) header. Furthermore, in the configuration shown in Fig. 21, a flag (ASAP) indicating that the data of the MPDU should be processed promptly may be set by utilizing an empty bit of a delimiter (DM) added before an MPDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit) constituting a PPDU (PLCP Protocol Data Unit).

[0203] (RTA setting / cancellation) Next, the flow of processing for setting and canceling a real-time application will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0204] In step S101, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether an application that executes RTA communication has been started and whether RTA communication has been started. If it is determined that an application that executes RTA communication has been started ("YES" in S101), the process proceeds to step S102. In step S102, the RTA operation management unit 104 acquires parameters of the started application (for example, the parameters shown in FIG. 19).

[0205] In step S103, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether the own device is the transmitting communication device 10Tx, and if it is determined that the own device is the transmitting communication device 10Tx ("YES" in S103), the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the RTA operation management unit 104 identifies the receiving communication device 10Rx and transmits an RTA Request command.

[0206] In step S105, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether an RTA Start command has been received from the receiving communication device 10Rx, and if it is determined that an RTA Start command has been received ("YES" in S105), processing proceeds to step S106, and the RTA operation management unit 104 executes the processing of steps S106 and S107.

[0207] That is, if it is the transmitting communication device 10Tx ("YES" in S103) and an RTA Start command (for example, parameter information included in the command shown in FIG. 18) is received from the receiving communication device 10Rx, the operation time of the real-time application is calculated (S106), and these RTA parameters are set (S107). Note that if the RTA Start command is not received by a predetermined time ("NO" in S105), the parameters may be reset and the RTA Request command may be retransmitted.

[0208] In step S108, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether the RTA data transmitting communication device 10Tx is present, and if it is determined that the RTA data transmitting communication device 10Tx is present ("YES" in S108), the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the RTA operation management unit 104 sets an RTA ID identifier and a dedicated transmission buffer 103 (RTA buffer 103-1) as necessary.

[0209] In step S110, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether the own device is operating as an access point, and if it is determined that the own device is operating as an access point ("YES" in S110), the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the RTA operation management unit 104 sets an RTA IE in which these parameters are written, adds it to a beacon frame, and transmits it.

[0210] When the process of step S111 is completed, or when it is determined in the determination process of step S110 that the device is not operating as an access point, the process returns to step S101, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

[0211] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S101 that RTA communication has not been activated, the process proceeds to step S112 in FIG.

[0212] In step S112, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether an RTA Request command has been received from the receiving communication device 10Rx, and if it is determined that an RTA Request command has been received ("YES" in S112), processing proceeds to step S113, and the RTA operation management unit 104 executes the processing of steps S113 and S114.

[0213] That is, even if the RTA communication has not been started ("NO" in S101), when the transmitting communication device 10Tx receives an RTA Request command from the receiving communication device 10Rx ("YES" in S112), if the RTA setting is possible by referring to the request parameters ("YES" in S113), the parameters of the corresponding application (for example, the parameters shown in FIG. 19) are acquired (S114). Then, the process proceeds to step S106 in FIG. 22 described above, where the RTA parameters are set.

[0214] Also, if it is determined in the determination process of step S103 that the own device is the receiving-side communication device 10Rx ("NO" in S103), the process proceeds to step S115 in Fig. 23. In step S115, the RTA operation management unit 104 identifies the transmitting-side communication device 10Tx and transmits an RTA Request command.

[0215] Next, in step S116, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether an RTA Start command has been received from the transmitting communication device 10Tx, and if it is determined that an RTA Start command has been received ("YES" in S116), the process proceeds to step S117, and the processes from step S117 onwards are executed by the RTA operation management unit 104. Note that if it is determined that an RTA Start command has not been received until a predetermined time has elapsed ("NO" in S116), the parameters may be reset and the RTA Request command may be retransmitted.

[0216] Also, if the judgment process of step S112 determines that an RTA Request command has not been received ("NO" in S112), or if the judgment process of step S113 determines that RTA setting is not possible ("NO" in S113), the process proceeds to step S117.

[0217] That is, when the application executing the RTA communication is terminated to terminate the RTA communication ("YES" in S117) and the own device is the transmitting communication device 10Tx ("YES" in S118), the set RTA ID identifier and the dedicated transmission buffer 103 (RTA buffer 103-1) are released as necessary (S119). Also, when the own device is operating as an access point ("YES" in S120), an RTA IE stating that these parameters have been released is set, and the RTA IE is added to a beacon frame and transmitted (S121).

[0218] On the other hand, if the device itself is the receiving communication device 10Rx ("NO" in S118), an RTA Release command is transmitted to the transmitting communication device 10Tx (S122). Also, if it is determined in the determination process of step S117 that the RTA communication is not to be terminated ("NO" in S117) and an RTA Release command is received ("YES" in S123), it means that an RTA Release command has been received from the receiving communication device 10Rx, so the process proceeds to step S119, where the parameters of the RTA communication are released.

[0219] When any one of steps S121, S122, or S123 in FIG. 23 is completed, the process returns to step S101 in FIG. 22, and the above-described process is repeated.

[0220] The above has explained the process flow for setting and canceling a real-time application.

[0221] (Sender behavior) Next, the operation of the transmitting communication device 10Tx will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0222] In step S201, the RTA operation management unit 104 acquires the transmission parameters of the real-time application, and sets the arrival time of the timing corresponding to the interval according to the transmission interval set as the acquired transmission parameters (S202).

[0223] In step S203, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether the set transmission interval has arrived, and if it is determined that the transmission interval has arrived ("YES" in S203), the process proceeds to step S204.

[0224] In step S204, the transmission control unit 105 determines whether RTA data is stored in a predetermined transmission buffer 103 (RTA buffer 103-1), and if it is determined that RTA data is stored ("YES" in S204), the process proceeds to step S205 in Fig. 25. In step S205, the access control unit 108 determines whether the wireless transmission path is available, and the processes of steps S206 to S213 are executed depending on the determination result.

[0225] That is, for example, if communication using the entire bandwidth using multiple links is possible ("YES" in S206), the transmission capacity duration for the entire bandwidth is acquired (S207). On the other hand, if communication using only the bandwidth of some of the links is possible ("YES" in S208), the transmission capacity duration for those portions of the bandwidth is acquired (S209), and the transmission latency for the other links is acquired (S210), and based on the acquired information, the transmission capacity for only the available links is calculated (S211).

[0226] Then, data on the transmission capacity of the entire band or a part of the band is acquired (S212), and the elapsed time in the current transmission interval is acquired (S213).

[0227] When the process of step S213 ends, the process proceeds to step S214. In step S215, the RTA operation management unit 104 determines whether the transmission of the transmission capacity will be completed within the allowable transmission time based on the elapsed time in the acquired current transmission interval, and the transmission control unit 105, the access control unit 108, etc. execute the processes of steps S215 to S217 according to the determination result.

[0228] That is, if the transmission of the transmission capacity is completed within the allowable transmission time ("YES" in S214), the RTA data is transmitted (S217). On the other hand, if the transmission of the transmission capacity is not completed within the allowable transmission time ("NO" in S214), and if there is data to be transmitted in the next transmission interval ("YES" in S215), the RTA data of the next transmission capacity is acquired (S216), and the RTA data is transmitted (S217).

[0229] When the processing of step S217 is completed, or when it is determined in the determination processing of step S215 that there is no data to be transmitted ("NO" in S215), the processing returns to step S202 in FIG. 24, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

[0230] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S203 that the transmission interval has not arrived ("NO" in S203), or if it is determined in the determination process of step S204 that no RTA data exists ("NO" in S204), the process proceeds to step S218 in Fig. 24. In step S218, the transmission control unit 105 determines whether data of the conventional access category (audio data, etc.), that is, predetermined data, is stored in the transmission buffer 103, and depending on the determination result, the processes of steps S219 to S221 are executed by the transmission control unit 105, the access control unit 108, etc.

[0231] That is, if data of the access category is stored ("YES" in S218), the data of the access category is transmitted (S220) after the transmission waiting time defined for that access category has elapsed ("YES" in S219). If the RTA communication setting is no longer present ("YES" in S221), the series of RTA data transmission processes is terminated. Note that if the RTA communication setting remains present ("NO" in S221), the process returns to step S202, and the RTA data transmission process continues.

[0232] The flow of processing in the operation of the transmitting communication device 10Tx has been described above.

[0233] (Receiving side operation) Next, the operation of the receiver communication device 10Rx will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0234] In step S301, the data analysis unit 114 acquires received data obtained under the control of the access control unit 108, etc., and performs a process of determining whether the acquired received data is data addressed to itself (S302), and a process of determining whether the received data addressed to itself is RTA data (S303).

[0235] In the judgment process of steps S302 and S303, if the received data is data addressed to the device itself ("YES" in S302) and is RTA data ("YES" in S303), the process proceeds to step S304, and the processes of steps S304 to S312 are executed by the RTA operation management unit 104, data analysis unit 114, access control unit 108, etc.

[0236] That is, the parameters of the set real-time application (RTA) are referenced (S304), and if the data arrives within the allowable delay time ("YES" in S305), receipt confirmation (ACK / NACK) information is constructed (S306). Then, if all data for one transmission capacity has been collected ("YES" in S307), the RTA data is output to the application after the output time for that data arrives ("YES" in S308) (S309).

[0237] On the other hand, if the allowable delay time has elapsed ("NO" in S305) and the output of delayed RTA data is supported ("YES" in S310), delayed ACK information is constructed (S311), and the RTA data is output to the application (S309). On the other hand, if the output of delayed RTA data is not supported ("NO" in S310), delayed NACK information is constructed, and the RTA data is discarded without being output.

[0238] When the processing of step S309 or S312 ends, the processing proceeds to step S313 in Fig. 27. In step S313, the data analysis unit 114 determines whether or not it is necessary to return receipt confirmation (ACK / NACK) information, and if it is determined that it is necessary to return receipt confirmation (ACK / NACK) information (YES in S313), the processing proceeds to step S314. In step S314, the access control unit 108 or the like transmits receipt confirmation (ACK / NACK) information.

[0239] Furthermore, if the judgment process of step S303 in Figure 26 described above determines that the data is not RTA data, i.e., that it is, for example, normal data ("NO" in S303), the process proceeds to step S315 in Figure 27, and the processes of steps S315 and S316 are executed by the RTA operation management unit 104, data analysis unit 114, access control unit 108, etc.

[0240] That is, the data is output as normal data, not RTA data (S315), and ACK information is constructed (S316). Then, the processes of steps S313 and S314 in Fig. 27 described above are executed, and if a reply is required ("YES" in S313), ACK information is transmitted (S314).

[0241] When the process of step S314 ends, the process proceeds to step S317. In step S317, the data analysis unit 114 determines whether there is data to be retransmitted, and if there is no data to be retransmitted ("YES" in S317), the series of reception processes ends. Note that if there is data to be retransmitted ("NO" in S317), the process returns to step S301 in Figure 26, and the data reception process continues.

[0242] The above has described the flow of processing in the operation of the receiver communication device 10Rx.

[0243] <2. Modifications>

[0244] (Examples of other configurations) As described above, the transmitting communication device 10Tx can be configured as, for example, an access point AP10 (base station), and the receiving communication device 10Rx can be configured as, for example, a communication terminal STA10 (terminal station). However, the transmitting communication device 10Tx or the receiving communication device 10Rx may be configured as part of a device (component) that configures the access point AP10 or the communication terminal STA10 (for example, a wireless communication module, a wireless chip, or the like).

[0245] Furthermore, for example, the receiving communication device 10Rx configured as the communication terminal STA10 can be configured as an electronic device having wireless communication functions, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, game device, mobile phone, personal computer, digital camera, television receiver, wearable terminal, speaker device, etc.

[0246] Furthermore, the communication terminal STA10 may be a device that is only capable of transmitting data, such as a controller that transmits command data in response to user operations, or a device that is only capable of receiving data, such as a display device that receives and displays video data.

[0247] (multiple links) In the above explanation, an example was given in which two links, a first link (Link #1) and a second link (Link #2), were used as multiple links to realize a multi-link, but control can also be implemented in the same way when three or more links are used, such as when a third link (Link #3) is further included.

[0248] As described above, this technology proposes a priority transmission control method that can transmit a fixed amount of information at a predetermined cycle in order to minimize the effect of delays even in wireless communication methods that cause random access control delays, such as wireless LAN systems, so that user-specified content running on specific applications such as real-time applications can be output with short delay times.

[0249] That is, in an environment where random access control delays occur, such as in a wireless LAN system, a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method are proposed that transmit data of a predetermined transmission capacity with priority so that transmission opportunities are obtained at a predetermined transmission interval, so that data operating in a specific application can be output with a short delay time.In other words, in order to minimize the effects of delays, a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method are proposed that transmit a fixed amount of information data at a predetermined interval with priority.

[0250] In addition, if transmission cannot be performed within a predetermined transmission interval, the next predetermined data will be transmitted together, and an identifier indicating that this data group will be output with a short delay is set.Furthermore, an allowable delay time is determined, and if data transmission cannot be started within that allowable delay time, a control method is proposed in which the transmission capacity is temporarily increased and the data to be transmitted at the next transmission interval is transmitted.

[0251] Here, the data to be transmitted with priority may be content data designated in advance by the user, data for a specific application, a predetermined data type, data directed from a specific communication device to a specific communication device within a specific time period, or data for a group of these communication devices. An identifier (flag) is set to indicate that any of these data groups will be output with a short delay time, and access control is implemented so that transmission opportunities are given priority at a predetermined cycle.

[0252] Furthermore, in order to allow prioritized transmission to coexist with other communications, the frequency of prioritized transmission is controlled, and in order to avoid unnecessary transmissions, a single transmission capacity and a transmission interval, which is the interval between prioritized transmissions, are set. If data transmission occurs within that transmission interval, no data transmission is performed until the next transmission interval arrives, and the transmission interval is used for transmission by other communications devices, so that the transmission path is not occupied more than necessary.

[0253] That is, a predetermined transmission interval is determined in advance, and if data transmission is performed within that transmission interval, data transmission is not performed until the next transmission interval arrives, and the transmission path is used for transmission by other communication devices, thereby providing a communication control method that does not occupy the transmission path more than necessary.

[0254] Regarding the parameters for implementing transmission control with priority, specifically, we propose a transmission control method in which the amount of information to be transmitted at one time is calculated as the transmission capacity according to link bandwidth information, based on information on the maximum delay time allowed for outputting content of a specific application, information on the reception cycle for delivering content data information, information on the buffer capacity of the receiving communication device, and the delay status of access control of the transmission path, and this is then transmitted within the allowable delay time.

[0255] In addition, if the output of the content is not clearly specified, the receiving status of the data to be transmitted by the transmitting communication device may be monitored, and the maximum allowable delay time may be estimated when data addressed to a specific communication device is transmitted periodically.

[0256] In addition, data containing these identifiers may be stored in a dedicated transmission buffer, and by controlling transmission from the transmitting communication device to the receiving communication device on a priority basis based on transmission parameters, real-time communication desired by a specific application may be realized.

[0257] In addition, when data transmission is performed depending on the priority based on transmission control by the conventional method, this data transmission is performed at a timing not desired by the real-time application by this technology, and communication is performed based on the transmission parameters at a timing desired by the real-time application by this technology. Then, when this communication is completed or data no longer arrives, these set identifiers and dedicated transmission buffer settings are released.

[0258] With the present technology, by having the above-described configuration, it is possible to transmit data with a specific attribute with priority, and further, for example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0259] In other words, by providing a communication control method that prioritizes the transmission of a fixed amount of information data at a predetermined cycle, even in a wireless LAN system where random access control delays occur, transmission opportunities can be obtained preferentially at a predetermined cycle, thereby minimizing the impact of delays due to access control.

[0260] Also, by determining a predetermined transmission interval in advance and allowing data transmission within that transmission interval to be used for transmission by other communication devices without performing data transmission until the next transmission interval arrives, a method is obtained in which the transmission line is not occupied more than necessary and is used fairly with other data.

[0261] Furthermore, by determining an allowable delay time, if data transmission cannot be started within that allowable delay time, delays in access control can be reduced by temporarily increasing the transmission capacity and transmitting the data to be transmitted in the next transmission interval.

[0262] By setting and managing identifiers (flags) for data to be sent with priority, any group of data can be output with a short delay according to the user's needs, such as content data specified in advance by the user, data for a specific application, content data defined by specified attributes, data directed from a specific communication device to a specific communication device within a specific time period, or data directed to a group of these communication devices.

[0263] Furthermore, by storing data containing these identifiers in a dedicated transmission buffer, it can be distinguished from other data and controlled to be sent preferentially from the sending communication device to the receiving communication device based on specified transmission parameters.

[0264] Furthermore, when data transmission is performed based on priorities based on transmission control using the conventional EDCA method, this data transmission can be performed at a time not desired by a real-time application to which this technology is applied, and communication can be performed based on the transmission parameters at a time desired by the real-time application.

[0265] Furthermore, when the communication of data for these specific applications is completed or when there is no more data, the set identifiers and dedicated transmission buffer settings are released, thereby providing a wireless communication method that performs priority transmission when necessary.

[0266] (Computer Configuration) The processing of each step in the above-described flowchart can be executed by hardware or software. When a series of processes is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in the computer of each device.

[0267] In this specification, the processing performed by a computer according to a program does not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowchart. In other words, the processing performed by a computer according to a program also includes processing that is executed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or processing by objects).

[0268] The program may be processed by one computer (processor), or may be distributed among multiple computers. Furthermore, the program may be transferred to a remote computer and executed there.

[0269] Furthermore, in this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all the components are contained in the same housing.

[0270] 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.

[0271] Each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device or shared among multiple devices. Furthermore, if one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or shared among multiple devices.

[0272] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0273] The present technology can be configured as follows.

[0274] (1) Estimate a transmission capacity for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of data of a specific attribute at a predetermined transmission interval; When a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, a predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted is determined according to the elapsed time of a predetermined transmission interval, and data of the specific attribute is transmitted. Equipped with a control unit that controls Communication equipment. (2) The control unit stops transmission of the data of the specific attribute until a predetermined transmission interval has elapsed after transmitting data of a predetermined transmission volume. The communication device according to (1) above. (3) When the end time of data transmission of a predetermined transmission capacity exceeds the end time of a predetermined transmission interval at the timing when the transmission opportunity is acquired, the control unit adds a transmission capacity to be transmitted in the next transmission interval and transmits the data of the specific attribute. The communication device according to (1) or (2). (4) The control unit identifies a data transmitting communication device and a data receiving communication device and exchanges communication parameters to set a predetermined transmission interval and a predetermined transmission capacity. The communication device according to any one of (1) to (3). (5) The control unit transmits a request for the communication parameters to a data receiving communication device, the request including information on the maximum allowable delay of the data, information on the buffer capacity, information on the bandwidth used, and information on the output format of the data. The communication device according to (4) above. (6) The control unit Set an identifier to identify data of a specific attribute, The set identifier is added to the data of the specific attribute transmitted at a predetermined transmission interval. The communication device according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) further comprising a buffer for storing data of a particular attribute designated by a user; When the control unit acquires the transmission opportunity, the control unit transmits the data of the specific attribute stored in the buffer. The communication device according to any one of (1) to (6). (8) The control unit determines the predetermined transmission interval by estimating the predetermined time interval from the time when the data transmitting communication device receives data with a specific attribute from the application. The communication device according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) The control unit determines a predetermined transmission capacity by estimating a predetermined amount of information that can be transmitted in a predetermined transmission interval based on information regarding a maximum allowable delay of data, information regarding a buffer capacity of a receiving communication device, and information regarding a bandwidth used. The communication device according to any one of (1) to (8). (10) When the control unit acquires the transmission opportunity in any of the available bandwidths, the control unit determines a predetermined transmission capacity according to the bandwidth available at that time. The communication device according to (9) above. (11) The control unit cancels the setting of the identifier when transmission of the data of the specific attribute is completed. The communication device according to (6) above. (12) The communication device Estimate a transmission capacity for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of data of a specific attribute at a predetermined transmission interval; When a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, a predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted is determined according to the elapsed time of a predetermined transmission interval, and the transmission of the data of the specific attribute is controlled. Communication method. (13) By identifying the data transmitting communication device and the data receiving communication device and exchanging communication parameters, reception of data with a specific attribute is set; At each predetermined transmission interval, data of the specific attribute is periodically received, the data amounting to a predetermined transmission capacity. Equipped with a control unit that controls Communication equipment. (14) The control unit transmits a notification of the communication parameters, including information on a maximum allowable delay of data, information on a buffer capacity, information on a bandwidth used, and information on an output format of data. The communication device according to (13) above. (15) The control unit Recognizing data having a specific identifier set thereto among the received data as data having the specific attribute; The data of the specific attribute is stored in a buffer that outputs the data with priority. The communication device according to (14) above. (16) The control unit outputs the received data of the specific attribute to an application before the maximum allowable delay time has elapsed. The communication device according to (14) above. (17) When the control unit receives data in which the specific identifier is set, the control unit outputs the data of the specific attribute to an application based on an output format of the data of the specific attribute. The communication device according to (15) above. (18) When transmission of the data of the specific attribute is completed, the control unit cancels the setting of the identifier and the setting of the buffer. The communication device according to (17) above. (19) The control unit constructs and transmits information regarding normal reception or retransmission of data based on the maximum allowable delay time. The communication device according to any one of (13) to (18). (20) The communication device By identifying the data transmitting communication device and the data receiving communication device and exchanging communication parameters, reception of data with a specific attribute is set; Controlling periodic reception of data of the specific attribute at a predetermined transmission volume at each predetermined transmission interval. Communication method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0275] 1-1 Wireless LAN system, 10 Communication device, 11 Network connection module, 12 Information input module, 13 Device control module, 14 Information output module, 15 Wireless communication module, 101 Interface, 102 RTA data judgment unit, 103 Transmission buffer, 103-1 RTA buffer, 103-2 AC_VO buffer, 103-3 AC_VI buffer, 103-4 AC_BE buffer, 103-5 AC_BG buffer, 104 RTA operation management unit, 105 Transmission control unit, 106 Timing control unit, 107 Transmission frame construction unit, 108 Access control unit, 109-1, 109-2 Transmission processing unit, 110 Antenna control unit, 111 Antenna group, 112-1, 112-2 Reception processing unit, 113 Received frame extraction unit, 114 Data analysis unit 115 receive buffer, 115-1 RTA receive buffer, 115-2 receive buffer, 116 output data construction unit

Claims

1. Estimate a transmission capacity for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of data of a specific attribute at a predetermined transmission interval; When a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, a predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted is determined according to an elapsed time, which is the time obtained by subtracting the remaining time of the predetermined transmission interval from the predetermined transmission interval, and the data of the specific attribute is transmitted. Equipped with a control unit that controls Communications control device.

2. The control unit stops transmission of the data of the specific attribute until the predetermined transmission interval comes after transmitting the data corresponding to the predetermined transmission volume. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

3. When the end time of the data transmission of the predetermined transmission capacity exceeds the end time of the predetermined transmission interval at the timing when the transmission opportunity is acquired, the control unit adds a transmission capacity to be transmitted in the next transmission interval and transmits the data of the specific attribute. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

4. The control unit specifies a data transmitting communication device and a data receiving communication device and exchanges communication parameters to set the predetermined transmission interval and the predetermined transmission capacity. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

5. The control unit transmits a request for the communication parameters to a data receiving communication device, the request including information on the maximum allowable delay of the data, information on the buffer capacity, information on the bandwidth used, and information on the output format of the data. The communication control device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit Set an identifier to identify data of a specific attribute, The set identifier is added to the data of the specific attribute to be transmitted at the predetermined transmission interval. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

7. further comprising a buffer for storing data of a particular attribute designated by a user; When the control unit acquires the transmission opportunity, the control unit transmits the data of the specific attribute stored in the buffer. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

8. The control unit determines the predetermined transmission interval by estimating a predetermined time interval from the time when the data transmitting communication device receives data with a specific attribute from an application. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

9. The control unit determines the predetermined transmission capacity by estimating a predetermined amount of information that can be transmitted in the predetermined transmission interval based on information regarding a maximum allowable delay of data, information regarding a buffer capacity of a receiving communication device, and information regarding a bandwidth used. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

10. When the control unit acquires the transmission opportunity in any of the available bandwidths, the control unit determines the predetermined transmission capacity according to the bandwidth available at that time. The communication control device according to claim 9.

11. The control unit cancels the setting of the identifier when transmission of the data of the specific attribute is completed. The communication control device according to claim 6.

12. A communication control device comprising: Estimate a transmission capacity for repeatedly transmitting a predetermined amount of data of a specific attribute at a predetermined transmission interval; When a transmission opportunity is acquired through random access control with another communication device, a predetermined transmission capacity to be transmitted is determined according to an elapsed time, which is the time obtained by subtracting the remaining time of the predetermined transmission interval from the predetermined transmission interval, and transmission of the data of the specific attribute is controlled. Communication control method.

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