Communication method and system using millimeter waves

Abstract

To provide a communication method using millimeter waves. The communication method is performed by a communication system that stores a zone table and a polling table. The zone table includes a plurality of zone data sets corresponding to a plurality of communication zones. The communication method includes, for each of the communication zones, setting a transmission configuration associated with the communication zone based on the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, the transmission configuration including a transmission angle and a transmission gain, transmitting a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zone according to the plurality of transmission configurations associated with the communication zone based on the zone table, each delayed beacon frame indicating a predetermined delay time according to the polling table, and, for one of the polled communication zones, entering a PCF mode and performing data transmission with an accessible terminal device in the one of the communication zones.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication method and a communication system, and more particularly to a communication method using millimeter waves and a communication system that executes the method. [Background technology]

[0002] Wi-Fi networks are typically connected by using omnidirectional antennas to broadcast a signal over a wide area. However, using omnidirectional antennas for long-distance communication can result in signal attenuation and poor connection quality. As a result, data transfer rates must be reduced to maintain connectivity.

[0003] Millimeter waves are an important tool in 5G communications technology and offer significant advantages. Their wide spectrum allows for high-speed, high-capacity data transmission, effectively meeting growing data demands even in densely populated environments. Furthermore, millimeter waves enable low-latency communications, essential in situations requiring high immediacy. More importantly, millimeter wave antenna arrays can generate directional beams, providing higher gain and effectively compensating for signal attenuation over long distances.

[0004] However, replacing omnidirectional antennas in Wi-Fi networks with millimeter-wave antenna arrays improves signal attenuation over long distances, but results in line-of-sight (LoS) communications. In other words, when a millimeter-wave antenna array generates a narrow beam, the communication angle becomes narrower, while when a millimeter-wave antenna array generates a wide beam, the communication angle becomes wider but the communication distance becomes shorter. Therefore, using a millimeter-wave antenna array for omnidirectional transmission and reception can result in problems such as signal attenuation and loss, reduced communication speeds, and connection interruptions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Patent No. I572092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication method and a communication system that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for communicating using millimeter waves is performed by a communication system. The communication system includes a storage medium storing a zone table and a polling table, an antenna array, and a controller. The zone table includes a plurality of zone data sets corresponding to a plurality of communication zones, each of the zone data sets indicating accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone and the signal strengths of each accessible terminal device that may be in the corresponding communication zone. The communication method includes the steps of: A) for each communication zone, the controller setting a transmission configuration associated with the communication zone of the antenna array based on signal strengths of accessible terminal devices indicated in a zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, the transmission configuration including a transmission angle and a transmission gain; B) the controller controlling the antenna array to respectively transmit multiple delayed beacon frames to the communication zone according to multiple transmission configurations associated with the communication zone based on a zone table, each delayed beacon frame indicating a delay time preset according to a polling table; and C) for one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller entering a PCF (Point Coordination Function) mode and performing data transmission with accessible terminal devices in the one of the communication zones.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a millimeter-wave communication system includes a storage medium, an antenna array, and a controller. The storage medium stores a zone table and a polling table. The zone table includes a plurality of zone data sets corresponding to a plurality of communication zones, each of which indicates accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone and signal strengths of the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone. The controller sets, for each communication zone, a transmission configuration of the antenna array associated with the communication zone based on the signal strengths of the accessible terminal devices indicated in the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, the transmission configuration including a transmission angle and a transmission gain. The controller controls the antenna array to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zone according to the plurality of transmission configurations associated with the communication zone based on the zone table, each of the delayed beacon frames indicating a preset delay time according to the polling table. For one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller is configured to enter a Point Coordination Function (PCF) mode and perform data transmission with accessible terminal devices in the one of the communication zones. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the controller sets the transmission configuration of the antenna array associated with a communication zone based on the signal strength of accessible terminal devices in the communication zone, and the beams transmitted by the antenna array can have a longer transmission distance or a wider transmission angle as needed, thereby achieving more efficient data transmission compared to data transmission using omnidirectional beams.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a zone scan procedure of the communication method. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a data transmission procedure of the communication method. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple beams radiated by an antenna array to multiple communication zones, respectively. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a zone table of the communication system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or similar elements that may have similar characteristics.

[0013] As used herein, the terms "couple" or "connect" mean a direct connection between two or more electrical devices / apparatus / facilities by means of a conductive material (e.g., electrical wires) or an indirect connection between two electrical devices / apparatus / facilities by means of one or more other devices / apparatus / facilities or wireless communication.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system 1 for performing a millimeter wave communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The communication system 1 includes a storage medium 11, an antenna array 12, and a controller 13 electrically connected to the storage medium 11 and the antenna array 12. In this embodiment, the communication system 1 may be a wireless access point (WAP) configured to communicate with at least one terminal device 3 (e.g., a station (STA)). The storage medium 11 may be implemented using a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory. The antenna array 12 is a millimeter wave antenna array configured to transmit multiple beams, each directed toward a specific zone, as shown in FIG. 5. More specifically, the beams can be considered as multiple independent channels, each corresponding to one of the specific zones (e.g., communication zones). That is, the antenna array 12 can simultaneously serve multiple communication zones using the beams. The controller 13 includes a transmission server 131 and a detector 132 and may be implemented using a microcontroller. The controller 13 includes a transmission server 131 and a detector 132 and may be implemented using a microcontroller.

[0015] The storage medium 11 stores a zone table 60 as shown in FIG. 6 and a polling table (not shown). The zone table 60 may be preset or may be generated by the controller 13. Each zone table 60 is associated with a plurality of communication zones. Specifically, the controller 13 controls the antenna array 12 to transmit a plurality of beams in a plurality of directions corresponding to the respective communication zones. Each of the beams is transmitted at the minimum transmission angle and the maximum transmission gain of the antenna array 12. The controller 13 then records the signal strength of each accessible terminal device 3 that may be in the communication zone.

[0016] 6 , the zone table 60 includes a plurality of zone data sets (e.g., eight zone data sets) corresponding to a plurality of communication zones (e.g., eight communication zones Z1, Z2, ..., Z8), and a plurality of group data sets (e.g., four group data sets) corresponding to a plurality of zone groups (e.g., four zone groups G1, G2, G3, G4) obtained by grouping the communication zones. Each of the zone data sets includes a zone code (e.g., Z1, Z2, ..., Z8) indicating the corresponding communication zone and indicates accessible terminal devices 3 that may be in the corresponding communication zone (e.g., terminal device A and terminal device B are in communication zone Z1). In other words, each of the zone data sets may include one or more device data pieces corresponding to accessible terminal devices 3 in the corresponding communication zone (i.e., when one or more accessible terminal devices 3 exist in the corresponding communication zone), or may not include any device data pieces (i.e., when no accessible terminal devices 3 exist in the communication zone). Each of the device data pieces includes a device name or device code indicating the corresponding accessible terminal device 3, a signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal device 3 in the corresponding communication zone, and an error rate of the accessible terminal device 3 in the corresponding communication zone.

[0017] The signal strength may be represented by a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and in this embodiment, the signal strength is classified into four levels: "good," "average," "poor," and "lost." In one embodiment, if the RSSI value is greater than -50 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and less than or equal to -30 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "good." If the RSSI value is greater than -75 dBm and less than or equal to -50 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "average." If the RSSI value is greater than -95 dBm and less than or equal to -75 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "poor." If the RSSI value is less than or equal to -95 dBm, the signal strength is evaluated as "lost." The error rate is, for example, a bit error rate (BER).

[0018] Each group data set indicates at least one communication zone in the corresponding zone group and at least one accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zone in the corresponding zone group. Specifically, in one embodiment, each group data set includes device data pieces corresponding to accessible terminal devices 3 in the communication zone in the corresponding zone group. In one embodiment, when the controller 13 generates the zone table 60, the controller 13 defines zone groups into which communication zones are grouped based on the RSSI values ​​of each accessible terminal device 3 in each communication zone indicated in the zone table 60. Specifically, the controller 13 groups communication zones having accessible terminal devices 3 whose signal strength is greater than a predetermined value (e.g., accessible terminal devices 3 whose signal strength is rated as "good" and "fair") into a zone group based on the device data pieces in the zone data set of the zone table 60. If the signal strength in adjacent communication zones for the same accessible terminal device 3 is greater than a predetermined value, the adjacent communication zones are grouped into one zone group. Note that a zone group may include only one communication zone.

[0019] In the example illustrated in FIG. 6 , the signal strength of terminal device A is “normal” and “good” in adjacent communication zones Z1 and Z2, respectively, while the signal strength of terminal device B is “good” in communication zone Z1 and “normal” in communication zone Z2. Therefore, communication zones Z1 and Z2 are grouped as zone group G1. Zone group G1 includes communication zones Z1 and Z2, terminal device A, and terminal device B. The group data set corresponding to zone group G1 includes a device data piece corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z1, a device data piece corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z1, a device data piece corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z2, and a device data piece corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z2. Thus, antenna array 12 is configured by controller 13 to, for example, set modulation to MCS10, antenna power to 20 dBm, and antenna angle to 10 degrees, so that both of two terminal devices 3 included in zone group G1 can be served. Furthermore, since the signal strength of terminal device F has data only in communication zone Z3 and is "normal" in communication zone Z3, communication zone Z3 is grouped into zone group G3. Zone group G3 includes communication zone G3 and terminal device F. The group data set corresponding to zone group G3 includes a device data piece corresponding to terminal device F in communication zone Z3.

[0020] 1, 2 and 6, a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which includes steps 21 to 25.

[0021] In step 21, for each communication zone, the controller 13 determines whether there are any terminal devices 3 accessible to the communication zone based on the zone table 60. Specifically, if the controller 13 determines that there are no terminal devices 3 accessible to the communication zone or that there are only accessible terminal devices 3 rated as "disconnected" or "bad," the controller 13 identifies the communication zone as an inactive zone (e.g., communication zone Z8). If the controller 13 determines that there are accessible terminal devices 3 rated as "good" or "fair," the controller 13 identifies the communication zone as an active zone (e.g., communication zones Z1-Z7).

[0022] In step 22, for each communication zone identified as an inactive zone in step 21, the controller 13 performs a zone scan procedure to search for unregistered terminal devices. An unregistered terminal device is a terminal device 3 that has not yet established a connection with the communication system 1 (i.e., has not been registered by the communication system 1). Once the zone scan procedure has been completed for all communication zones identified as inactive zones, the process proceeds to step 24.

[0023] 3, the zone scan procedure performed for each communication zone identified as an inactive zone includes sub-steps 221 to 223. In sub-step 221, the transmission server 131 of the controller 13 controls the antenna array 12 to transmit a scan beacon frame to the communication zone that is an inactive zone according to an initial transmission configuration. In this embodiment, the initial transmission configuration includes a transmission angle that is the minimum transmission angle of the antenna array 12 and a transmission gain that is the maximum transmission gain of the antenna array.

[0024] In substep 222, the detector 132 of the controller 13 determines via the antenna array 12 whether a registration request has been received from an unregistered terminal device, the registration request being transmitted in response to a scan beacon frame and including a device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device.

[0025] Specifically, the detector 132 of the controller 13 determines whether a registration request is received within a predetermined time from the time the scan beacon frame is transmitted. The predetermined time may be, for example, three times the target beacon transmission time (TBTT). In one example, the TBTT is 102 milliseconds, so three times the TBTT is 306 milliseconds, but the present invention is not limited to this. More specifically, the scan beacon frame includes system information related to the communication system 1, and the antenna array 12 is configured to transmit the scan beacon frame to the communication zone. When an unregistered terminal device in the communication zone receives the scan beacon frame, the unregistered terminal device decodes the scan beacon frame to obtain the decoded information (including the system information). If the unregistered terminal device determines based on the decoded information that the communication system 1 is in a connectable list pre-stored in the unregistered terminal device, the unregistered terminal device transmits a registration request to the communication system 1 to request establishment of a connection with the communication system 1. This allows the detector 132 to determine, through the scan beacon frame transmitted by the antenna array, whether an unregistered terminal device in a communication zone determined to be an inactive zone is attempting to establish a connection with the communication system 1.

[0026] In substep 223, in response to receiving the registration request, detector 132 accepts the registration request and updates zone table 60 by adding the device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal included in the registration request to the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone. That is, the unregistered terminal becomes an accessible terminal 3 in the communication zone, and the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone now includes the device data piece of this new accessible terminal 3. Furthermore, detector 132 also adds the device data piece of this new accessible terminal 3 to the polling table.

[0027] In addition, the zone scan procedure may also be performed when a special situation occurs, such as when the connection with the accessible terminal device 3 becomes unstable due to "rain attenuation." This allows the zone scan procedure to be performed more frequently, ensuring the stability of data transmission even on rainy days.

[0028] In step 23, for each communication zone identified as an active zone in step 21, the controller 13 executes a data transmission procedure based on the zone table 60 and the polling table to perform data transmission with accessible terminal devices 3 in the communication zone identified as the active zone. The polling table indicates the beacon interval, the polling order of the communication zones identified as active zones (e.g., communication zones Z1-Z7), the zone data sets corresponding to the communication zones identified as active zones, etc. In the following, as an example, communication zones Z1 to Z7 are identified as active zones.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, step 23 includes sub-steps 231 to 235.

[0030] In sub-step 231, for each communication zone identified as an active zone, the transmission server 131 of the controller 13 sets a transmission configuration associated with that communication zone based on the zone table 60. The transmission configuration is set based on the signal strength of accessible terminal devices 3 indicated in the zone data set corresponding to that communication zone. The transmission configuration includes a transmission angle, a transmission gain, a data transmission rate, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) setting, etc.

[0031] In one embodiment, if the RSSI value is greater than -30 dBm, the signal strength is considered strong; if the RSSI value is greater than -50 dBm but less than or equal to -30 dBm, the signal strength is considered normal; and if the RSSI value is less than or equal to -50 dBm, the signal strength is considered weak. In one example, if the signal strength is strong, the transmission angle is set large (e.g., 60 degrees) and the transmission gain is set small (e.g., 41 dBm), thereby allowing the beam transmitted from the antenna array 12 to cover a wider range. On the other hand, if the signal strength is weak, the transmission angle is set small (e.g., 12.5 degrees) and the transmission gain is set large (e.g., 48 dBm), thereby maintaining connection with accessible terminal devices 3. In one embodiment, the transmission server 131 uses multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) wireless communication technology.

[0032] In sub-step 232, the transmission server 131 controls the antenna array 12 to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zones identified as active zones according to the transmission configuration associated with the communication zones identified as active zones based on the zone table 60. As a result, accessible terminal devices 3 in each of the communication zones identified as active zones receive the corresponding delayed beacon frames. Typically, each delayed beacon frame indicates a preset delay time (i.e., beacon interval) for the corresponding communication zone according to the polling table. The preset delay times of the delayed beacon frames are different from each other. In one example, the preset delay time indicated in the delayed beacon frame transmitted to communication zone Z1 is set to 1 ms, and the preset delay time indicated in the delayed beacon frame transmitted to communication zone Z2 is set to 2 ms. This also applies to other communication zones that follow the polling order. That is, the later the communication zone is in the polling order according to the polling order indicated in the polling table, the longer the corresponding preset delay time is set. This ensures that accessible terminals 3 that have not yet been polled do not emit signals and cause interference to accessible terminals 3 in the polled communication zone.

[0033] For one of the communication zones identified as the polled active zone, the controller 13 performs a data transmission procedure comprising sub-steps 233 to 235 .

[0034] In sub-step 233, the transmission server 131 determines whether or not an accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zone requires data transmission based on the zone table 60. If it determines that an accessible terminal device 3 in the communication zone requires data transmission, it proceeds to sub-step 234;

[0035] Specifically, the transmission server 131 sequentially transmits queries to accessible terminal devices 3 in the communication zone, asking whether they require data transmission, based on the device data pieces included in the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone. If the accessible terminal device 3 that received the query responds that it requires data transmission, the transmission server 131 executes sub-step 234 described below, and then returns to sub-step 233 to transmit the query to the next accessible terminal device 3. If the accessible terminal device 3 that received the query responds that it does not require data transmission, the transmission server 131 transmits the query to the next accessible terminal device 3. If sub-step 234 is executed because the accessible terminal device 3 that last received the query responded that it does not require data transmission or because the accessible terminal device 3 that last received the query responded that it does require data transmission, the flow proceeds to sub-step 235.

[0036] In sub-step 234 , the transmission server 131 executes data transmission with the accessible terminal device 3 based on the zone table 60 .

[0037] In one embodiment, the transmission server 131 enters a Point Coordination Function (PCF) mode to coordinate communications within the communication zone to achieve data transmission. Generally speaking, the communication system 1 adjusts the preset delay time indicated in the delay beacon frame according to the number of communication zones identified as active zones. Furthermore, by adjusting the duration of the PCF mode, the terminal devices 3 in the communication zones identified as active zones can complete data transmission in order within a specified time.

[0038] In this embodiment, if the signal strengths of the terminal devices 3 in the same zone group where the communication zones are adjacent to each other are all "good" or "average," the transmission server 131 can configure the antenna array 12 to communicate with the accessible terminal devices 3 in the zone group using the same bandwidth (e.g., High Throughput 20 MHz (HT20), HT40, HT80, or HT160) and the same MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) (e.g., one of MCS0 to MCS11) for each zone group. That is, the transmission configurations of the antenna arrays 12 associated with the communication zones in the same zone group are set to be the same.

[0039] In one example illustrated in FIG. 5 , antenna array 12 generates four beams with different bandwidths and MCSs to serve four zone groups, respectively. While generating four independent directional beams may sacrifice signal strength for each beam, this configuration allows communication system 1 to simultaneously serve four zone groups, simplifying operation and increasing overall network traffic of communication system 1. This reduces the time required to poll communication zones and allows the polling process to be completed more efficiently. Briefly, in another example, an 8×8 antenna array can be viewed as two 8×4 antenna arrays, where the 8×4 antenna arrays can transmit beams in different directions (e.g., one beam to the left and the other beam to the right), allowing the two beams to simultaneously serve two communication zones. Furthermore, increasing the number of beams reduces transmission power. If desired, in other examples, the 8×8 antenna array can be viewed as four 4×4 antenna arrays.

[0040] In sub-step 235, the transmission server 131 enters a Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) mode for a preset duration. In the DCF mode, in one embodiment, all accessible terminals 3 in one of the communication zones identified as the polled active zone can send data transmission requests to the transmission server 131 to compete for data transmission priority. In another embodiment, a zone scan procedure may be performed to search for unregistered terminals in any of the communication zones identified as inactive zones, and the flow proceeds to step 24. When performing the zone scan procedure, the transmission server 131 adjusts the direction in which the antenna array 12 faces (i.e., toward the other communication zone) and controls the antenna array 12 to transmit a scan beacon frame to the other communication zone according to a transmission configuration with a smaller transmission angle and a larger transmission gain. Because the time required to perform the zone scan procedure is short, the transmission server 131 can complete the zone scan procedure while in the DCF mode. If a registration request is received from an unregistered terminal device 3, the transmission server 131 accepts the registration request and updates the zone table 60, as described above. When the DCF mode is terminated, the flow proceeds to step 24.

[0041] In this embodiment, the transmission server 131 uses media access control (MAC) extension technology to optimize data transmission and reception. Specifically, the transmission server 131 employs TXOP (Transmission Opportunity), HCCA (Hybrid Coordination Function Controlled Channel Access) under PCF mode, and EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access) under DCF mode.

[0042] As an example, the zone table 60 includes zone data sets (e.g., a first zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z1, a second zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z2, etc.). Each of the zone data sets may or may not include a device data piece. The controller 13 determines whether each of the communication zones is an active zone or an inactive zone based on the zone data sets. For each communication zone identified as an inactive zone, the controller 13 performs a zone scanning procedure based on the corresponding zone data set. For each communication zone identified as an active zone, the controller 13 performs a data transmission procedure based on the corresponding zone data set.

[0043] Since the zone table 60 was updated in sub-step 223 or 235, in step 24 the detector 132 regroups the communication zones and updates the zone groups based on the updated zone table 60. Each of the updated zone groups includes at least one communication zone.

[0044] In this embodiment, step 24 is performed after the zone scan procedure or data transmission procedure has been performed for all communication zones. In other embodiments, step 24 may be performed after the zone scan procedure or data transmission procedure has been performed for each communication zone, and is not limited to this embodiment.

[0045] Step 25 updates the group data set in the zone table 60 based on the updated zone group.

[0046] In this embodiment, the controller 13 executes a zone optimization task to regroup communication zones based on the signal strengths (i.e., RSSI values) of the accessible terminal devices 3 shown in the zone table 60. More specifically, in step 24, communication zones having the same accessible terminal device 3 are grouped into the same zone group. Also, in any zone group, the difference in signal strength between different accessible terminal devices 3 in the communication zones in the zone group is less than a threshold value (e.g., 5 dBm). However, the threshold value is not limited to this embodiment.

[0047] In one embodiment, when the signal strength of an accessible terminal device 3 in one of the zone groups is attenuated (e.g., the signal strength drops below -50 dBm), the controller 13 removes the accessible terminal device 3 with attenuated signal strength (hereinafter referred to as "attenuated terminal device") from the zone group and adds a new zone group including the attenuated terminal device. In this way, the controller 13 can maintain communication with the attenuated terminal device using another bandwidth and MCS. Furthermore, if the power of one of multiple adjacent accessible terminal devices 3 is too high and affects other accessible terminal devices 3 or the communication system 1, the controller 13 may send a notification to the accessible terminal device 3 with excess power (e.g., greater than -30 dBm) to reduce its power in order to promote grouping.

[0048] 6, the zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z1 includes device data piece 1A corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z1 and device data piece 1B corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z1, where device data piece 1A indicates a signal strength (e.g., RSSI value) of −51 dBm and device data piece 1B indicates a signal strength of −48 dBm. The zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z2 includes device data piece 2A corresponding to terminal device A in communication zone Z2 and device data piece 2B corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z2, where device data piece 2A indicates a signal strength of −49 dBm and device data piece 2B indicates a signal strength of −52 dBm. The zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z3 includes device data piece 3B corresponding to terminal device B in communication zone Z3 and device data piece 3F corresponding to terminal device F in communication zone Z3, where device data piece 3B indicates a signal strength of −76 dBm and device data piece 3F indicates a signal strength of −66 dBm. The zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z4 includes device data piece 4C corresponding to terminal device C in communication zone Z4, device data piece 4D corresponding to terminal device D in communication zone Z4, and device data piece 4E corresponding to terminal device E in communication zone Z4, where device data piece 4C indicates a signal strength of −51 dBm, device data piece 4D indicates a signal strength of −52 dBm, and device data piece 4E indicates a signal strength of −48 dBm. The zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z5 includes device data piece 5C corresponding to terminal device C in communication zone Z5, device data piece 5D corresponding to terminal device D in communication zone Z5, and device data piece 5E corresponding to terminal device E in communication zone Z5, where device data piece 5C indicates a signal strength of -49 dBm, device data piece 5D indicates a signal strength of -52 dBm, and device data piece 5E indicates a signal strength of -49 dBm.The zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z6 includes device data piece 6C corresponding to terminal device C in communication zone Z6, device data piece 6D corresponding to terminal device D in communication zone Z6, and device data piece 6E corresponding to terminal device E in communication zone Z6, where device data piece 6C indicates a signal strength of −52 dBm, device data piece 6D indicates a signal strength of −48 dBm, and device data piece 6E indicates a signal strength of −51 dBm. The zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z7 includes device data piece 7G corresponding to terminal device G in communication zone Z7 and device data piece 7H corresponding to terminal device H in communication zone Z7, where device data piece 7G indicates a signal strength of −70 dBm, and device data piece 7H indicates a signal strength of −96 dBm. The zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z8 includes device data piece 8G corresponding to terminal device G in communication zone Z8 and device data piece 8H corresponding to terminal device H in communication zone Z8, where device data piece 8G indicates a signal strength of -80 dBm and device data piece 8H indicates a signal strength of -97 dBm.

[0049] Both the zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z1 and the zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z2 include device data pieces corresponding to terminal device A and terminal device B, and the difference in signal strength (e.g., the signal strengths shown in device data pieces 1B and 2A) of different accessible terminal devices 3 is less than a threshold value (e.g., 5 dBm), so communication zone Z1 and communication zone Z2 are grouped into a zone group. Similarly, communication zones Z4, Z5, and Z6 are grouped into a zone group. Like the zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z3, the device data pieces corresponding to terminal device B and terminal device F are not included in the zone data sets corresponding to either communication zone, so communication zone Z3 itself is grouped into a zone group. Although both the zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z7 and the zone data set corresponding to communication zone Z8 contain a device data piece corresponding to terminal device G and a device data piece corresponding to terminal device H, the difference in signal strength of different accessible terminal devices 3 (e.g., the signal strength shown in device data pieces 7G and 8G) is greater than or equal to a threshold, so communication zone Z7 itself is grouped as a zone group.

[0050] In summary, according to the present invention, the controller 13 determines whether each communication zone is an active zone or an inactive zone, performs a zone scan procedure for the communication zones identified as inactive zones, and performs a data transmission procedure for the communication zones identified as active zones. The controller 13 further sets an associated transmission configuration for each communication zone based on whether the zone scan procedure has been performed or the signal strength of accessible terminal devices 3 in the communication zone. In this manner, the beam transmitted by the antenna array 12 can have a longer transmission distance or a wider transmission angle as needed, thereby achieving more efficient data transmission compared to data transmission using an omnidirectional beam. Furthermore, when there are no accessible terminal devices 3 requiring data transmission in a communication zone identified as an active zone, the controller 13 may perform a zone scan procedure for other communication zones identified as inactive zones. The controller 13 may also configure the antenna array 12 based on the group data set to communicate with accessible terminal devices 3 in the same zone group using the same bandwidth and MCS, thereby enabling communication with accessible terminal devices 3 close to the antenna array 12 to use MU-MIMO, which has a relatively large communication capacity, while ensuring stability of communication with accessible terminal devices 3 far from the antenna array 12.

[0051] In the above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, in the description of "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" herein, all references to an ordinal number or other designation should be understood to include specific aspects, structures, and features of the present invention. Furthermore, although multiple variations may be incorporated into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof, this is for the purpose of streamlining the description and for the purpose of understanding the multifaceted aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, one or more features or specific embodiments of one embodiment may, where appropriate, be combined with one or more features or specific embodiments of other embodiments in the practice of the present invention.

[0052] Although the embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these and encompasses all modifications and equivalent configurations as various configurations falling within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Communication Systems 11 Storage medium 12 Antenna Array 13 Controller 131 Transmission Server 132 detector 3 Terminal Devices 60 Polling Table

Claims

1. A method of communication using millimeter waves performed by a communication system, comprising: The communication system includes a storage medium storing a zone table and a polling table, an antenna array, and a controller, the zone table including a plurality of zone data sets corresponding to a plurality of communication zones, each of the zone data sets indicating accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone and signal strengths of the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone, and the communication method includes: A) for each of the communication zones, the controller sets a transmission configuration of the antenna array associated with the communication zone based on the signal strengths of the accessible terminals indicated in the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, the transmission configuration including a transmission angle and a transmission gain; B) the controller controls the antenna array to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zones according to a plurality of transmission configurations associated with the communication zones based on the zone table, each of the delayed beacon frames indicating a preset delay time according to the polling table; C) for one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller enters a Point Coordination Function (PCF) mode and performs data transmission with the accessible terminal device in the one of the communication zones; Communication method.

2. Each of the zone data sets includes device data pieces corresponding to the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone, and each of the device data pieces includes the signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal device in the corresponding communication zone, and the communication method includes: D) the controller further includes a step of grouping, into a zone group, the communication zones having the accessible terminal devices whose signal strengths are greater than a predetermined value based on the corresponding device data pieces, the communication zones in the zone group being spatially adjacent to each other; In step A), the transmission configurations of the antenna arrays associated with the communication zones in the zone group are set to be identical. The communication method according to claim 1 .

3. E) the controller determines, for each of the communication zones, based on the zone table, whether there is a terminal device that can access the communication zone, and if it determines that there is no terminal device that can access the communication zone, identifies the communication zone as an inactive zone, and if it determines that there is a terminal device that can access the communication zone, identifies the communication zone as an active zone; F) for the communication zone identified as the active zone, the communication system performs steps A), B), and C); G) for each of the communication zones identified as inactive zones, the communication system performs a zone scan procedure to search for unregistered terminal devices that are not registered by the communication system. The communication method according to claim 1 .

4. The zone scan procedure comprises: G1) the controller controls the antenna array to transmit a scan beacon frame to the communication zone according to an initial transmission configuration; G2) a substep of determining whether the controller receives a registration request from an unregistered terminal device, the registration request being transmitted in response to the scan beacon frame and including a device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device; G3) in response to receiving the registration request, the controller updates the zone table by adding the device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device included in the registration request to the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, The communication method according to claim 3 .

5. the initial transmit configuration includes a transmit angle that is a minimum transmit angle of the communication system and a transmit gain that is a maximum transmit gain of the communication system. The communication method according to claim 4.

6. The zone table further includes a plurality of group data sets corresponding to a plurality of zone groups into which the communication zones are grouped, each of the group data sets indicating at least one of the communication zones in the corresponding zone group and at least one of the accessible terminal devices in the communication zone in the corresponding zone group, and the communication method, after step G), further includes: H) the controller groups the communication zones based on the zone table updated in sub-step G3) and updates the zone groups, each of the updated zone groups including at least one of the communication zones; I) the controller further includes a step of updating the group data set of the zone table based on the updated zone group; The communication method according to claim 4.

7. Each of the zone data sets includes device data pieces corresponding to the accessible terminals that may be in the corresponding communication zone, each of the device data pieces including the signal strengths of the corresponding accessible terminals, and each of the group data sets includes the device data pieces corresponding to the accessible terminals that may be in the communication zones that are in the corresponding zone groups; For each of the zone groups, the difference in signal strength of different accessible terminal devices in the communication zones in the zone group is less than a threshold value. The communication method according to claim 6.

8. Step C) is C1) the controller determines whether the accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission based on the zone table; C2) when it is determined that the accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission, the controller executes data transmission with the accessible terminal device based on the zone table; The communication method according to claim 3 .

9. Step C) is C3) when it is determined that the accessible terminals in the communication zone do not require data transmission, the communication system further includes a sub-step of executing the zone scan procedure for the communication zone identified as the inactive zone to search for unregistered terminals that are not registered by the communication system; The communication method according to claim 8.

10. A millimeter wave communication system including a storage medium, an antenna array, and a controller, The storage medium stores a zone table and a polling table, the zone table including a plurality of zone data sets corresponding to a plurality of communication zones, each of the zone data sets indicating accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone and signal strengths of the accessible terminal devices that may be in the corresponding communication zone; The controller for each of the communication zones, setting a transmission configuration of the antenna array associated with the communication zone based on the signal strengths of the accessible terminals indicated in the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone, the transmission configuration including a transmission angle and a transmission gain; controlling the antenna array to transmit a plurality of delayed beacon frames to the communication zones according to a plurality of the transmission configurations associated with the communication zones based on the zone table, each of the delayed beacon frames indicating a preset delay time according to the polling table; For one of the communication zones polled by the controller, the controller is configured to enter a Point Coordination Function (PCF) mode and perform data transmission with the accessible terminal device in the one of the communication zones; Communication system.

11. each of the zone data sets includes device data pieces corresponding to the accessible terminals that may be in the corresponding communication zone, and each of the device data pieces includes the signal strength of the corresponding accessible terminal in the corresponding communication zone; The controller is further configured to group, into a zone group, the communication zones having the accessible terminal devices whose signal strengths are greater than a predetermined value based on the corresponding device data pieces, and the communication zones in the zone group are spatially adjacent to each other; the transmission configurations of the antenna arrays associated with the communication zones in the zone group are set to be identical; The communication system of claim 10.

12. The controller For each of the communication zones, it is determined based on the zone table whether there is a terminal device that can access the communication zone, and if it is determined that there is no terminal device that can access the communication zone, it identifies the communication zone as an inactive zone, and if it is determined that there is a terminal device that can access the communication zone, it identifies the communication zone as an active zone; For the communication zones identified as the active zones, setting the transmission configuration and controlling the antenna array to transmit the beacon frames and perform data transmission with the accessible terminal devices in the communication zones; and further configured to perform, for each of the communication zones identified as inactive zones, a zone scanning procedure for searching for unregistered terminal devices that are not registered by the communication system. The communication system of claim 10.

13. The zone scan procedure comprises: controlling the antenna array to transmit a scan beacon frame into the communication zone according to an initial transmission configuration; determining whether a registration request is received from an unregistered terminal device, the registration request being transmitted in response to the scan beacon frame and including a device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device; In response to receiving the registration request, updating the zone table by adding the device data piece corresponding to the unregistered terminal device included in the registration request to the zone data set corresponding to the communication zone.

13. The communication system of claim 12.

14. the initial transmit configuration includes a transmit angle that is a minimum transmit angle of the communication system and a transmit gain that is a maximum transmit gain of the communication system.

14. The communication system of claim 13.

15. The zone table further includes a plurality of group data sets corresponding to a plurality of zone groups into which the communication zones are grouped, each of the group data sets indicating at least one of the communication zones in the corresponding zone group and at least one of the accessible terminal devices in the communication zone in the corresponding zone group; The controller grouping the communication zones based on the updated zone table to update the zone groups, each of the updated zone groups including at least one of the communication zones; and further configured to update the group data set of the zone table based on the updated zone group.

14. The communication system of claim 13.

16. Each of the zone data sets includes device data pieces corresponding to the accessible terminals that may be in the corresponding communication zone, each of the device data pieces including the signal strengths of the corresponding accessible terminals, and each of the group data sets includes the device data pieces corresponding to the accessible terminals that may be in the communication zones that are in the corresponding zone groups; For each of the zone groups, the difference in signal strength of different accessible terminal devices in the communication zones in the zone group is less than a threshold value.

16. The communication system of claim 15.

17. The controller Determine whether the accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission based on the zone table; and when it is determined that the accessible terminal device in the communication zone requires data transmission, performing data transmission with the accessible terminal device based on the zone table.

13. The communication system of claim 12.

18. The controller and when it is determined that the accessible terminals in the communication zone do not require data transmission, the zone scanning procedure is further configured to search for unregistered terminals that are not registered by the communication system for the communication zone identified as the inactive zone.

18. The communication system of claim 17.

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