Access points, stations, and wireless communication methods

Abstract

Disclosed are an access point (AP), a station (STA), and a wireless communication method. The wireless communication method includes an AP transmitting a multi-user ready-to-transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame to a plurality of STAs, where the MU-RTS trigger frame indicates whether a CTS frame response is to be transmitted by each of the plurality of STAs on a primary 20 MHz channel (P20), a primary 40 MHz channel (P40), a primary 80 MHz channel (P80), a primary 160 MHz channel (P160), or a 320 MHz channel, and puncturing at least one 20 MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320 MHz channel. This solves problems in the prior art, improves transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, and provides an MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process to protect TXOPs in an effective manner, achieving extremely high throughput, providing good communication performance, and / or providing high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication systems, and more particularly, to an access point (AP), a station (STA), and a wireless communication method that can provide good communication performance and / or high reliability.

Background Art

[0002] Communication systems such as wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messages, broadcasts, etc. These communication systems may be multi-connection systems that can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, power). A wireless network such as Wi-Fi (a wireless local area network (WLAN) network such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11) can include an access point (AP) that can communicate with one or more stations (STA) or mobile devices. With a WLAN, a user can use a mobile terminal (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook computer, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a smartphone, etc.) to wirelessly access the Internet based on radio frequency technology at home, in the office, or in a specific service area. The AP can be connected to a network such as the Internet and enable a mobile device to communicate through the network (or communicate with other devices connected to the AP). A wireless device can communicate bi-directionally with a network device. For example, in a WLAN, a STA can communicate with an associated AP via a downlink and an uplink. The downlink can refer to a communication link from the AP to the STA, and the uplink can refer to a communication link from the STA to the AP.

[0003] Recently, more access points (APs) have been deployed to support WLAN-enabled devices such as smartphones. While the use of WLAN devices supporting the IEEE 802.11ax High Efficiency (HE) WLAN standard is increasing and offers higher performance than older IEEE 802.11 g / n / ac devices, WLAN users are increasingly using large-capacity content such as high-definition video, necessitating support for higher-performance WLAN systems. While older WLAN systems aimed to increase bandwidth and improve peak transmission speeds, actual users did not perceive such a rapid increase in performance.

[0004] IEEE 802.11 ax HEWLAN supports bandwidth (BW) up to 160 MHz and supports preamble puncturing transmitted over orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). To achieve significant throughput improvements over IEEE 802.11 ax HEWLAN, IEEE 802.11be's extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN extends the maximum BW support from 160 MHz to 320 MHz and extends preamble puncturing support from OFDMA transmission only to both OFDMA and non-OFDMA transmissions. Furthermore, HE STA and EHT STA are expected to reside in the same EHT Basic Service Set (BSS).

[0005] IEEE 802.11 ax HEWLAN allows APs to initiate a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and protect TXOP frame exchanges in the multi-user ready-to-send (MU-RTS) triggered / clear-to-send (CTS) frame exchange process. However, an effective method for performing TXOP protection using the MU-RTS triggered / CTS frame exchange process in IEEE 802.11 be EHT WLANs is unclear.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for access points (APs), stations (STAs), and wireless communication methods that can solve the problems of the prior art, improve transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, provide a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process to effectively protect TXOPs, achieve extremely high throughput, provide good communication performance, and / or provide high reliability. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide access points (APs), stations (STAs), and wireless communication methods that can solve problems in the prior art, improve transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, provide a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process for effectively protecting TXOPs, achieve extremely high throughput, provide good communication performance, and / or provide high reliability.

[0008] A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method comprising an access point (AP) transmitting a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame to a plurality of stations (STAs), wherein the MU-RTS trigger frame indicates whether a CTS frame response is to be transmitted by each of the plurality of STAs on a primary 20 MHz channel (P20), a primary 40 MHz channel (P40), a primary 80 MHz channel (P80), a primary 160 MHz channel (P160), or a 320 MHz channel, and puncturing at least one 20 MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320 MHz channel.

[0009] A second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method comprising a station among a plurality of stations (STAs) receiving a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame from an access point (AP), the MU-RTS trigger frame indicating whether a CTS frame response is to be transmitted by one of the STAs on a primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel, and puncturing at least one 20MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel.

[0010] A third embodiment of the present disclosure provides an access point (AP) comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor connected to the memory and the transceiver. The processor is configured to control the transceiver to transmit a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame to a plurality of stations (STAs), the MU-RTS trigger frame indicating whether a CTS frame response is to be transmitted by each of the plurality of STAs on a primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel, and to puncture at least one 20MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel.

[0011] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure provides a station (STA) comprising memory, a transceiver, and a processor connected to the memory and the transceiver. The processor is configured to control the transceiver to receive a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame from an access point (AP), the MU-RTS trigger frame indicating whether a CTS frame response is to be transmitted by the transceiver on a primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel, and to puncture at least one 20MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-temporary machine-readable storage medium which stores instructions that cause a computer to perform the above method when executed by the computer.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure includes a processor that provides a chip and is configured to call and execute a computer program stored in memory so that a device on which the chip is installed performs the methods described above.

[0014] A seventh aspect of this disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium in which a computer program causing a computer to perform the above method is stored.

[0015] An eighth aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program product that includes a computer program that causes a computer to perform the above method.

[0016] A ninth aspect of this disclosure provides a computer program that causes a computer to perform the above method. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] To better illustrate the embodiments of this disclosure or related technologies, the following drawings illustrating the embodiments are briefly described. It is clear that these drawings represent only a few embodiments of this disclosure, and that those skilled in the art will be able to derive other drawings without assumption based on these. [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a wireless communication system in another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a wireless communication system in another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of one or more stations (STAs) and access points (APs) communicating in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method performed by an AP in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method performed by the STA in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) / CTS / downlink (DL) extremely high throughput (EHT) MU physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) / acknowledgment in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A] This is a schematic diagram of the trigger frame format in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] This is a schematic diagram of the common information field format of the MU-RTS trigger frame in the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] This is a schematic diagram of the user information field format of the MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the resource unit (RU) allocation subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in the MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]FIG. 0 is a schematic diagram of an example of a MU-RTS trigger frame that requests a CTS frame response at P80 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of four permitted 484 + 242 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 80 MHz EHT PPDU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of four permitted 996 + 484 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 160 MHz EHT PPDU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of eight permitted 996 + 484 + 242 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 160 MHz EHT PPDU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of twelve permitted 2x996 + 484 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 320 MHz EHT PPDU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of four permitted 3x996 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 320 MHz EHT PPDU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of eight permitted 3x996 + 484 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 320 MHz EHT PPDU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an RU allocation subfield and lower / upper 160 MHz segment subfields for indicating one 484 + 242 tone multi-resource unit (MRU) in a MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an RU allocation subfield and lower / upper 160 MHz segment subfields for indicating one 996 + 484 tone MRU in a MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19-1] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an RU allocation subfield and lower / upper 160 MHz segment subfields for indicating one 996 + 484 + 242 tone MRU in a MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 19-2]This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield for representing one 996+484+242 tone MRU in an MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20-1] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield for representing one 2x996+484 tone MRU in the MU-RTS trigger frame of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20-2] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield for representing one 2x996+484 tone MRU in the MU-RTS trigger frame of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 20-3] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield for representing one 2x996+484 tone MRU in the MU-RTS trigger frame of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield for representing one 3x996 tone MRU in the MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22-1] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields representing one 3x996+484 tone MRU in the MU-RTS trigger frame of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22-2] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields representing one 3x996+484 tone MRU in the MU-RTS trigger frame of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 22-3] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields representing one 3x996+484 tone MRU in the MU-RTS trigger frame of an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 23]This is a schematic diagram of another example of a MU-RTS trigger frame that requests a CTS frame response at P80 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 24] This is a block diagram of a system for wireless communication in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 25A] This is a schematic diagram of the frame of the EHT operating element in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 25B] This is a schematic diagram of the format of the EHT operation information field of the EHT operation element in the embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] This is a schematic diagram of another example of a MU-RTS trigger frame that requests a CTS frame response at P80 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The technical details, structural features, objectives achieved, and effects of the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Specifically, the terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not used to limit the disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system may be an example of a wireless local area network (WLAN) 100 (also called a Wi-Fi network) (next-generation, next-generation big thing (NBT), ultra-high throughput (UHT), or EHT Wi-Fi network) configured according to various aspects of the present disclosure. As described herein, the terms next-generation, NBT, UHT, and EHT can be considered synonymous and can all correspond to Wi-Fi networks that support large amounts of spatiotemporal streams. The WLAN 100 may include an AP 10 and a number of associated STAs 20 that can represent devices such as mobile stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebooks, tablets, laptops, display devices (televisions, computer monitors, etc.), and printers. The AP 10 and associated stations 20 may represent a basic service set (BSS) or an extended service set (ESS). Various STAs 20 in the network can communicate with each other via the AP 10. The coverage area 110 of AP10 is not shown, but it is shown in a way that it can represent the basic service area (BSA) of WLAN 100. An extension network station (not shown) associated with WLAN 100 can connect to a wired or wireless distributed system in which multiple AP10s can connect to the ESS.

[0020] In some embodiments, an STA20 may be located at the intersection of multiple coverage areas 110 and may be associated with multiple AP10s. A set of STA20s associated with a single AP10 may be called a BSS. An ESS is a set of connected BSSs. A distribution system (not shown) can be used to connect to AP10s within an ESS. In some cases, the coverage area 110 of an AP10 may be divided into multiple sectors (also not shown). A WLAN 100 may include different types of AP10s (e.g., a city network, a home network, etc.) and have varying and overlapping coverage areas 110. Two STA20s may also communicate directly via a direct wireless link 125, regardless of whether the two STA20s are in the same coverage area 110. Examples of direct wireless links 120 may include Wi-Fi direct connections, Wi-Fi tunnel direct link configuration (TDLS) links, and other group connections. STA20 and AP10 can communicate according to the IEEE 802.11 physical layer and media access control (MAC) layer WLAN radio and baseband protocols, including, but not limited to, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, 802.11ax, 802.11ay, etc. In some other embodiments, peer-to-peer or ad-hoc networks can be implemented within WLAN 100.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of a wireless communication system in another embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 200 is an example of a next-generation or EHT Wi-Fi system and includes AP10-a, STA20-a and STA20-b, and an overlay area 110-a, which are examples of components described with respect to Figure 1. AP10-a can transmit a trigger frame 210 containing a resource unit (RU) allocation table instruction 215 to STA20 over the downlink 205.

[0022] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system 200 may be a next-generation Wi-Fi system (e.g., an EHT system). In some embodiments, the wireless communication system 200 may also support multiple communication systems. For example, the wireless communication system 200 may support EHT communication and HE communication. In some embodiments, STA20-a and STA20-b may be different types of STAs. For example, STA20-a may be an example of an EHT STA, and STA20-b may be an example of an HE STA. STA20-b can be called a conventional STA.

[0023] In some cases, EHT communication can support a larger bandwidth than conventional communication. For example, EHT communication can operate with an available bandwidth of 320 MHz, while conventional communication can operate with an available bandwidth of 160 MHz. Furthermore, EHT communication can support higher modulation than conventional communication. For example, EHT communication can support 4K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), while conventional communication can support 1024 QAM. EHT communication can support more spatial streams (e.g., space-time streams) than conventional systems. In a non-limiting illustrative example, EHT communication can support 16 spatial streams, while conventional communication can support 8 spatial streams. In some cases, EHT communication can operate on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz channels in the unlicensed spectrum.

[0024] In some embodiments, AP10-a can transmit the trigger frame 210 to one or more STA20s (e.g., STA20-a and STA20-b). In some embodiments, the trigger frame can request uplink transmission from an STA20. However, the trigger frame 210 may be received by both an EHT STA20-a and an HE STA20-b. The trigger frame 210 can be configured to request uplink transmission only from the HE STA20-b. In some embodiments, the trigger frame 210 can be configured to request uplink transmission from an EHT STA20-a. In some other embodiments, the trigger frame 210 can be configured to request uplink transmission from one or more EHT STA20-a and one or more HE STA20-b.

[0025] Figure 3 shows an example of a wireless communication system in another embodiment of the present disclosure. Wireless communication system 300 is an example of a post-EHT Wi-Fi system and may include AP10-b. AP10-b may be an example of a post-EHT AP10. Wireless communication system 300 is an example of the components described with respect to Figures 5 and 6 and may include HE STA20-c, EHT STA20-d, and post-EHT STA20-e, as well as coverage area 110-b. AP10-b can transmit a trigger frame 310 containing an RU allocation table display 315 to STA20 over downlink 305. In some embodiments, STA20 may be referred to as a client.

[0026] In some embodiments, the EHT AP10 can service both the HE STA20 and the EHT STA20. The EHT AP10 can send trigger frames that trigger responses from the HE STA20 only, from the EHT STA20 only, or from both the HE STA20 and the EHT STA20. The STA20 scheduled to the trigger frame can respond based on the triggered PPDU. In some embodiments, the EHT AP10 can trigger the HE STA20 (but not the EHT STA20) by sending an HE trigger frame format. In some embodiments, the EHT AP10 can trigger the EHT STA20 (but not the EHT STA20) by sending an HE trigger frame format, or by an HE trigger frame format that includes some field or bit assignment adjustments. In some embodiments, the EHT AP10 can trigger both the EHT STA20 and the HE STA20 by sending an HE trigger frame format that includes some field or bit assignment adjustments.

[0027] The trigger frame 310 can request a response from one or more EHT STA20s, or from one or more HE STA20s, or both. In some embodiments, the STA20s may transmit unsolicited uplink transmissions without responding to the trigger frame 310. In some embodiments, the trigger frame 310 can request an uplink orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission, or an OFDMA with multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) transmission.

[0028] Figure 4 shows one or more stations (STAs) 20 and access points (APs) 10 for communication in a wireless communication system 700 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 shows that the wireless communication system 700 includes an access point (AP) 10 and one or more stations (STAs) 20. The AP 10 may include a memory 12, a transceiver 13, and a processor 11 connected to the memory 12 and the transceiver 13. One or more STAs 20 may include a memory 22, a transceiver 23, and a processor 21 connected to the memory 22 and the transceiver 23. The processor 11 or 21 may be configured to implement the proposed functions, processes, and / or methods described herein. The wireless interface protocol layer may be implemented in the processor 11 or 21. The memory 12 or 22 is operably coupled to the processor 11 or 21 for operating the processor 11 or 21 and can store various information. The transceiver 13 or 23 is operably coupled to the processor 11 or 21, and the transceiver 13 or 23 transmits and / or receives wireless signals.

[0029] The processor 11 or 21 may include an ASIC, other chipsets, logic circuits, and / or data processing devices. The memory 12 or 22 may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, memory cards, storage media, and / or other storage devices. The transceiver 13 or 23 may include baseband circuits for processing radio frequency signals. If the embodiment is implemented in software, the techniques described herein may be implemented in modules (e.g., processes, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described herein. The modules may be stored in memory 12 or 22 and executed by processor 11 or 21. The memory 12 or 22 may be implemented within processor 11 or 21, or outside of processor 11 or 21, in which case processor 11 or 21 may be communicated together in various ways known in the art.

[0030] In some embodiments, the processor 11 is configured to control the transceiver 13 to send a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame to a plurality of stations (STAs) 20, where the MU-RTS trigger frame punctures at least one 20MHz channel on the P160 or 320MHz channel, depending on whether the CTS frame response is transmitted by each of the plurality of STAs on the primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel. This can solve problems in the prior art, improve transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, provide a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process for effective TXOP protection, achieve extremely high throughput, provide good communication performance, and / or high reliability.

[0031] In some embodiments, the processor 21 is configured to control the transceiver 23 to receive a Multi-User Ready Transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame from the access point (AP) 10, where the MU-RTS trigger frame indicates whether the CTS frame response will be transmitted by the transceiver 23 on a primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel, and punctures at least one 20MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel. This can solve problems in the prior art, improve transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, provide a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process for effective TXOP protection, achieve extremely high throughput, provide good communication performance, and / or high reliability.

[0032] Figure 5 shows a wireless communication method 800 performed by an AP in an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 800 includes block 802, in which an access point (AP) transmits a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame to a plurality of stations (STAs), where the MU-RTS trigger frame indicates whether a CTS frame response will be transmitted by each of the plurality of STAs on a primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel, and punctures at least one 20MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel. This can solve problems in the prior art, improve transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, provide a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process for effective TXOP protection, achieve extremely high throughput, provide good communication performance, and / or provide high reliability.

[0033] Figure 6 shows a wireless communication method 900 performed by STAs in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the method 900 includes block 902, in which one of a plurality of stations (STAs) receives a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame from an access point (AP), where the MU-RTS trigger frame indicates whether a CTS frame response will be transmitted by one of the STAs on a primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel, and punctures at least one 20MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel. This can solve problems in the prior art, improve transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, provide a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process for effective TXOP protection, achieve extremely high throughput, provide good communication performance, and / or provide high reliability.

[0034] In some embodiments, the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel that punctures the at least one 20MHz channel includes one 484+242 voice multi-resource unit (MRU), one 996+484 voice MRU, one 996+484+242 voice MRU, one 2x996+484 voice MRU, one 3x996 voice MRU, or one 3x996+484 voice MRU. In some embodiments, the one 484+242 tone MRU is generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-major 20MHz channel from P80, the one 996+484 tone MRU is generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-major 40MHz channel from P160, the one 996+484+242 tone MRU is generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-major 20MHz channel from P160, the one 2x996+484 tone MRU is generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-major 40MHz channel from any consecutive 240MHz portion of a 320MHz channel, the one 3x996 tone MRU is generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-major 80MHz channel from a 320MHz channel, or the one 3x996+484 tone MRU is generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-major 40MHz channel from a 320MHz channel. In some embodiments, each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame includes a subfield and an RU assignment subfield, and further, the subfield and the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame indicate RU assignment information. In some embodiments, each subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame includes a lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield.

[0035] In some embodiments, if the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel that punctures the at least one 20MHz channel includes one 484+242 tone MRU, one 996+484 tone MRU, or one 996+484+242 tone MRU, then the subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is set to the first value. In some embodiments, where the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel that punctures the at least one 20MHz channel includes one 2x996+484 tone MRU, one 3x996 tone MRU, or one 3x996+484 tone RU, and the lowest frequency 160MHz channel of the 320MHz channel punctures the at least one 20MHz channel, then the subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is set to the first value. In some embodiments, the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel that punctures the at least one 20MHz channel includes the one 2x996+484 tone MRU, the one 3x996 tone MRU, or the one 3x996+484 tone RU, and when the 320MHz channel punctures the at least one 20MHz channel from the second lowest frequency 160MHz channel, the subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is set to a second value.

[0036] In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame punctures a non-primary 20MHz channel from P80, and if P80 is an 80MHz channel or the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, the first bit is set to 0. The system is configured to represent the one 484+242 tone MRU by puncturing a non-primary 20MHz channel from P80, such that a first bit is set to 1 if P80 is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, another bit is set to 90 if the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, another bit is set to 91 if the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, another bit is set to 92 if the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the third lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, and another bit is set to 93 if the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80.

[0037] In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is configured to indicate one 996+484 tone MRU according to at least one of the following: a first bit is set to 0 when puncturing a non-primary 40MHz channel from the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160; a first bit is set to 1 when puncturing a non-primary 40MHz channel from the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160; another bit is set to 94 when the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of the P160; and another bit is set to 95 when the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of the P160.

[0038] In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is configured such that the first bit is set to 0 when puncturing a non-primary 20MHz channel from the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, the first bit is set to 1 when puncturing a non-primary 20MHz channel from the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, the other bits are set to 96 when the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 20MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of the P160, and the non-primary 20 The configuration is set to represent the one 996+484+242 tone MRU according to at least one of the following: if the MHz channel is the second lowest frequency 20MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of the P160, the other bits are set to 97; if the non-principal 20MHz channel to be punctured is the third lowest frequency 20MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of the P160, the other bits are set to 98; and if the non-principal 20MHz channel to be punctured is the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of the P160, the other bits are set to 99.

[0039] In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is such that the first bit is set to 0 if the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; the first bit is set to 1 if the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; the other bits are set to 100 if the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the lower consecutive 240MHz portion of a 320MHz channel; and the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured The system is configured to represent the one 2x996+484 tone MRU according to at least one of the following: if the channel is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the low consecutive 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, the other bits are set to 101; if the non-principal 40MHz channel to be punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the high consecutive 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, the other bits are set to 102; and if the non-principal 40MHz channel to be punctured is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the high consecutive 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, the other bits are set to 103.

[0040] In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is configured to indicate the one 3x996 tone MRU such that a first bit is set to 0 if the non-primary 80MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 80MHz channel among any 160MHz channels, a first bit is set to 1 and the other bits are set to 104 if the non-primary 80MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel among any 160MHz channels.

[0041] In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame is configured to indicate the one 3x996+484 tone MRU according to at least one of the following: the first bit is set to 0 if the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; the first bit is set to 1 if the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; the other bit is set to 105 if the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel; and the other bit is set to 106 if the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel.

[0042] In some embodiments, the MU-RTS trigger frame and / or the CTS frame response operate in an extremely high-throughput (EHT) wireless local area network (WLAN) or post-EHT WLAN.

[0043] Table 1 shows some of the abbreviations and initial abbreviations for some of the embodiments of this disclosure. [Table 1] Figure 7 shows an example of Multi-User Ready Transmit (MU-RTS) / CTS / Downlink (DL) Extremely High Throughput (EHT) MU Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) / Acknowledgment in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 shows that in some embodiments, in an IEEE 802.11 be EHT WLAN, the MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process enables the AP to initiate TXOP and protect TXOP frame exchange. Figure 7 shows an example in an IEEE 802.11 be EHT WLAN where MU-RTS trigger frames are exchanged and CTS frame responses are synchronized to protect EHT MU PPDUs and acknowledgments.

[0044] Figure 8A shows the trigger frame format in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 8A shows that in some embodiments, a MU-RTS trigger frame is used to request synchronous CTS frame transmission from multiple HE STAs and / or EHT STAs. The MU-RTS trigger frame is one of several types of trigger frames. The trigger frame format includes a common information field and a user information list field containing one or more user information fields, as shown in Figure 8A. The format of the common information field and the user information field depends on the type of trigger frame.

[0045] Figure 8B shows the format of the common information field of the MU-RTS trigger frame in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 8B shows that in some embodiments, the extended trigger frame flag subfield is set to a first value (e.g., 0) to indicate a trigger frame conforming to the IEEE 802.11 ax specification, and the extended trigger frame flag subfield is set to a second value (e.g., 1) to indicate an extended trigger frame conforming to the IEEE 802.11 be specification. When the extended trigger frame flag subfield is set to the first value (e.g., 0), the ULBW extended subdomain is reserved, and the ULBW subfield indicates the bandwidth of the PPDU carrying the MU-RTS trigger frame, which is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 / 80+80 MHz. If the Extended Trigger Frame Flag subfield is set to a second value (e.g., 1), the ULBW subfield, along with the ULBW Extended subfield, indicates the bandwidth of the PPDU carrying the MU-RTS trigger frame, which is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

[0046] Figure 8C shows the format of the user information field in a MU-RTS trigger frame in an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, Figure 8C shows the HE format by setting the HE / EHT format subfield to a first value (e.g., 0) and the EHT format by setting the HE / EHT format subfield to a second value (e.g., 1). The value of the HE / EHT format subfield in the user information field determines how the other subfields in the user information field are interpreted. When the HE / EHT format subfield in the user information field is set to a first value (e.g., 0), the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is reserved, and the RU assignment subfield indicates whether the CTS frame response is transmitted on the primary 20MHz channel (P20), primary 40MHz channel (P40), primary 80MHz channel (P80), or 160 / 80+80MHz channel by the STA indicated by the AID 12 subfield. If the HE / EHT format subfield in the user information field is set to a second value (e.g., 1), the RU, along with the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield, indicates how to transmit the CTS frame response with the STA shown in the AID 12 subfield.

[0047] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a CTS frame transmitted in response to a MU-RTS trigger frame is carried within a non-HT or non-HT overlapping PPDU and transmitted on a 20MHz channel indicated in the RU allocation subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield of the user information field of the MU-RTS trigger frame. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in each 20MHz channel occupied by a PPDU containing a MU-RTS trigger frame, the transmitter of the MU-RTS trigger frame transmits a CTS frame response that occupies the 20MHz channel by requesting at least one STA. The transmitter of the MU-RTS trigger frame cannot transmit a CTS frame response on a 20MHz channel occupied by a PPDU that does not contain a MU-RTS trigger frame by requesting a non-APSTA. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, when a third-party STA receives a MU-RTS trigger frame from an AP or a CTS frame from an STA, the STA can update its NAV based on the value of the duration field of the MU-RTS trigger frame or CTS frame, and if its NAV indicates that the channel is busy, it can avoid accessing the channel.

[0048] Examples Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the Resource Unit (RU) allocation subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in the MU-RTS trigger frame in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, when the HE / EHT format subfield of the user information field is set to a second value (e.g., 1), the RU allocation subfield, along with the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield, indicates whether the STA indicated by the AID 12 subfield transmits a CTS frame response on the main 20MHz channel (P20), main 40MHz channel (P40), main 80MHz channel (P80), main 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel. The configuration of the RU allocation subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is shown in Figure 9. When the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a first value (e.g., 0), it indicates P20, P40, P80, or P160. On the other hand, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield, when set to a second value (e.g., 1), indicates a 320MHz channel. The RU assignment subfield indicates P20 as follows: if P20 is the only 20MHz channel, part of the only 40MHz channel, or part of the only 80MHz channel or the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160 (P80), the first bit B0 is set to 0; if P20 is part of P80 and that P80 is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, B0 is set to 1. If P20 is the only 20MHz channel, or the only 40MHz channel, or the lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, the other bits B7-B1 (B7, B6, B5, B4, B3, B2, B1) are set to 61. If P20 is the only 40MHz channel or the second lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, B7-B1 are set to 62. If P20 is the third lowest frequency 20MHz channel in P80, B7-B1 are set to 63. If P20 is the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channel in P80, B7-B1 are set to 64. The RU assignment subfield is 8 bits.The first bit points to B0 and is the LSB (least significant bit). The other ratios point to B1 through B7 (or B7 through B1).

[0049] The RU assignment subfield indicates P40 as follows: If P40 is the only 40MHz channel, or the only 80MHz channel, or part of P80 which is the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, then B0 is set to 0; if P40 is part of P80 and P80 is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, then B0 is set to 1. If P40 is the only 40MHz channel or the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of P80, then B7-B1 are set to 65. If P40 is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel of P80, then B7-B1 are set to 66.

[0050] The RU assignment subfield indicates P80 as follows: B0 is set to 0 if P80 is the only 80MHz channel or the lowest frequency 80MHz channel in P160; B0 is set to 1 if P80 is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel in P160; B7-B1 are set to 67. Also, B0 of the RU assignment subfield is set to 1, and B7-B1 of the RU assignment subfield are set to 68 to indicate P160. B0 of the RU assignment subfield is set to 1, and B7-B1 of the RU assignment subfield are set to 69 to indicate a 320MHz channel. STA ignores B0 of the RU assignment subfield that indicates 320MHz and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields.

[0051] According to the above embodiment, the configuration of the RU allocation subfields indicating P20, P40, P80, and P160 is compatible with the configuration of the RU allocation subfields indicating P20, P40, P80, and 160 / 80+80MHz channels in the IEEE 802.11 ax specification, minimizing the complexity of implementation.

[0052] Figure 10 shows an example in an embodiment of the present disclosure in which a TXOP exchanges a MU-RTS trigger frame and synchronizes a CTS frame response on P80. In this example, the MU-RTS trigger frame is transmitted in a non-HT duplicate PPDU on P80. Furthermore, the user information field of the addressed STA1 has the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield set to 0, and the first bit B0 and the other bits B7-B1 of the RU assignment subfield set to 0 and 64, respectively, while the user information field of the addressed STA2 has the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield set to 0, and B0 and B7-B1 of the RU assignment subfield set to 0 and 67, respectively. That is, the MU-RTS trigger frame requests that STA2 transmit a CTS frame response in a non-HT PPDU on P20, which is the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, and the MU-RTS trigger frame requests that STA2 transmit a CTS frame response in a non-HT duplicate PPDU on P80. In this example, even if the transmission after MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange in TXOP occupies a portion of the P80's BW (e.g., one 484+242 tone MRU), the MU-RTS trigger frame must still require at least one of STA1 and STA2 to transmit the CTS frame response in a non-HT overlapping PPDU on P80, which could lead to TXOP overprotection.

[0053] Examples In another embodiment, if the HE / EHT format subfield of the user information field is set to a second value (e.g., 1), the RU assignment subfield, along with the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield, further indicates whether the CTS is transmitted on a P80, P160, or 320MHz channel, puncturing at least one 20MHz channel, as indicated by the STA in the AID12 subfield. Here, P80, P160, or 320MHz channel puncturing at least one 20MHz channel is one 484+242 tone MRU generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-primary 20MHz channel from P80, one 996+484 tone MRU generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-primary 40MHz channel from P160, one 996+484+242 tone MRU generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-primary 20MHz channel from P160, one 2x996+484 tone MRU generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-primary 40MHz channel from any consecutive 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, one 3x996 tone MRU generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-primary 80MHz channel from the 320MHz channel, or one 3x996+484 tone MRU generated by puncturing an arbitrary non-primary 40MHz channel from the 320MHz channel.

[0054] In some embodiments, the large-size MRUs defined for non-OFDMA format downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions are as follows: 484+242 tone MRU, 996+484 tone MRU, 996+484+242 tone MRU, 2x996+484 tone MRU, 3x996 tone MRU, and 3x996+484 tone MRU. Figure 11 shows four permitted 484+242 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 80MHz EHT PPDU in embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 11 shows that in some embodiments, a 484+242 tone MRU is permitted in a non-OFDMA 80MHz EHT PPDU. A 484+242 tone MRU is obtained by puncturing one of the four 242 tone RUs in the 80MHz EHT PPDU. Figure 12 shows four authorized 996+484 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 160 MHz EHT PPDU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12 shows that in some embodiments, a 996+484 tone MRU is authorized in a non-OFDMA 160 MHz EHT PPDU. The 996+484 tone MRU is obtained by puncturing one of the four 484 tone RUs in the 160 MHz EHT PPDU. Figure 13 shows eight authorized 996+484+242 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 160 MHz EHT PPDU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 13 shows that in some embodiments, a 996+484+242 tone MRU is authorized in a non-OFDMA 160 MHz EHT PPDU. The 996+484+242 tone MRU is obtained by puncturing one of the eight 242 tone RUs in the 160 MHz EHT PPDU. Figure 14 shows twelve authorized 2x996+484 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 320MHz EHT PPDU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 14 shows that in some embodiments, 2x996+484 tone MRUs are authorized in a non-OFDMA 320MHz EHT PPDU. The 2x996+484 tone MRUs are obtained by puncturing one of six 484 tone RUs in a 240MHz transmission defined as an 80MHz punctured 320MHz EHT PPDU.Figure 15 shows four authorized 3x996 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 320MHz EHT PPDU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 15 shows that in some embodiments, 3x996 tone MRUs are authorized in a non-OFDMA 320MHz EHT PPDU. 3x996 tone MRUs are obtained by puncturing one of the four 996 tone RUs in the 320MHz EHT PPDU. Figure 16 shows eight authorized 3x996+484 tone MRUs in a non-OFDMA 320MHz EHT PPDU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 16 shows that in some embodiments, 3x996+484 tone MRUs are authorized in a non-OFDMA 320MHz EHT PPDU. 3x996+484 tone MRUs are obtained by puncturing one of the eight 484 tone RUs in the 320MHz EHT PPDU.

[0055] In some embodiments, P80, where at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, comprises one 484+242 voice multi-resource unit (MRU). In some embodiments, P80, where at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, is one 484+242 voice MRU generated by puncturing any non-principal 20MHz channel from P80. In some embodiments, P160, where at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, comprises one 996+484 voice MRU or one 996+484+242 voice MRU. In some embodiments, P160, where at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, is one 996+484 tone MRU generated by puncturing any non-principal 40MHz channel from P160, or one 996+484+242 tone MRU generated by puncturing any non-principal 20MHz channel from P160. In some embodiments, 320MHz channel, where at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, includes one 2x996+484 tone MRU, one 3x996 tone MRU, or one 3x996+484 tone MRU. In some embodiments, the 320MHz channel, where at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, is one 2x996+484 tone MRU generated by puncturing any non-principal 40MHz channel from any consecutive 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, one 3x996 tone MRU generated by puncturing any non-principal 80MHz channel from the 320MHz channel, or one 3x996+484 tone MRU generated by puncturing any non-principal 40MHz channel from the 320MHz channel.

[0056] In one embodiment, where P80, P160, or 320MHz channels, in which at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, is one 484+242 tone MRU, one 996+484 tone MRU, or one 996+484+242 tone MRU, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a first value (e.g., 0). In one embodiment, where P80, in which at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, is one 484+242 tone MRU, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a first value (e.g., 0). Where P160, in which at least one 20MHz channel is punctured, is one 996+484 tone MRU, or one 996+484+242 tone MRU, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a first value (e.g., 0). In the embodiment, where the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel from which at least one 20MHz channel is punctured is one 2x996+484 tone MRU, one 3x996 tone MRU, or one 3x996+484 tone RU, and when at least one 20MHz channel is punctured from the lowest frequency 160MHz channel of the 320MHz channel, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to 0. Where the P80, P160, or 320MHz channel from which at least one 20MHz channel is punctured is one 2x996+484 tone MRU, one 3x996 tone MRU, or one 3x996+484 tone RU, and when at least one 20MHz channel is punctured from the second lowest frequency 160MHz channel of the 320MHz channel, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to 1.In one example, where a 320MHz channel from which at least one 20MHz channel is punctured is one 2x996+484 tone MRU, one 3x996 tone MRU, or one 3x996+484 tone RU, and if at least one 20MHz channel is punctured from the lowest frequency 160MHz channel of the 320MHz channel, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to 0, where a 320MHz channel from which at least one 20MHz channel is punctured is one 2x996+484 tone MRU, one 3x996 tone MRU, or one 3x996+484 tone RU, and if at least one 20MHz channel is punctured from the second lowest frequency 160MHz channel of the 320MHz channel, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to 1. In some embodiments, the first and second values ​​are different. In some embodiments, the first value is either 0 or 1, and the second value is the other of 0 or 1.

[0057] Figure 17 shows the configuration of the RU allocation subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in a MU-RTS trigger frame to represent a single 484+242 tone multi-resource unit (MRU) in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 17 shows that in some embodiments, the RU allocation subfield represents a 484+242 tone MRU as follows: If a non-primary 20MHz channel is punctured from P80 and P80 is the only 80MHz channel or the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, the first bit B0 is set to 0. If a non-primary 20MHz channel is punctured from P80 and P80 is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, B0 is set to 1. If the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, the other bits B7-B1 are set to 90. If the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, B7-B1 is set to 91. If the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the third lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, B7-B1 is set to 92. If the non-primary 20MHz channel being punctured is the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80, B7-B1 is set to 93. In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield shows 484+242 tone MRUs as follows, and if a non-primary 20MHz channel is punctured from P80 and P80 is the only 80MHz channel or the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, the first bit B0 is set to 1. If a non-primary 20MHz channel is punctured from P80 and P80 is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, B0 is set to 0. The values ​​of the first bit B0 and the other bits B1-B7 are examples, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first bit B0 may be 0 or 1. In some embodiments, the other bits B1-B7 (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7) may have values ​​different from the exemplary values ​​above, and the values ​​of B1-B7 are between 90 and 255.The RU assignment subfield is 8 bits long. The first bit points to B0, which is the least significant bit (LSB). The other bits point to B1 through B7 (B7 through B1).

[0058] Figure 18 shows the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in a MU-RTS trigger frame to represent one 996+484 tone MRU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 18 shows that in some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents a 996+484 tone MRU as follows: When puncturing a non-major 40MHz channel from the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, B0 is set to 0. When puncturing a non-major 40MHz channel from the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, B0 is set to 1. When the non-major 40MHz channel to be punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel of the P160, B7-B1 are set to 94. When the non-major 40MHz channel to be punctured is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel of the P160, B7-B1 are set to 95. In some embodiments, the RU allocation subfield represents 996+484 tone MRUs, and when puncturing the non-primary 40MHz channels from the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, B0 is set to 1. When puncturing the non-primary 40MHz channels from the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, B0 is set to 0. The values ​​of the first bit B0 and the other bits B1-B7 are examples and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first bit B0 may be 0 or 1. In some embodiments, B1-B7 (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7) have values ​​different from the exemplary values ​​above, and the values ​​of B1-B7 are between 90 and 255.

[0059] Figure 19 shows the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in a MU-RTS trigger frame to represent one 996+484+242 tone MRU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 19 shows that in some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents a 996+484+242 tone MRU as follows: When puncturing a non-major 20MHz channel from the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, B0 is set to 0. When puncturing a non-major 20MHz channel from the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of the P160, B0 is set to 1. When the non-major 20MHz channel to be punctured is the lowest frequency 20MHz channel of any 80MHz channel of the P160, B7-B1 are set to 96. If the non-primary 20MHz channel to be punctured is the second lowest frequency 20MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of P160, B7-B1 is set to 97. If the non-primary 20MHz channel to be punctured is the third lowest frequency 20MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of P160, B7-B1 is set to 98. If the non-primary 20MHz channel to be punctured is the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channel among any 80MHz channels of P160, B7-B1 is set to 99. In some embodiments, the RU allocation subfield shows 996+484+242 tone MRUs as follows, and if the non-primary 20MHz channel is punctured from the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, B0 is set to 1. If the non-primary 20MHz channel is punctured from the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of P160, B0 is set to 0. The values ​​of the first bit B0 and the other bits B1-B7 are examples only and are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first bit B0 may be 0 or 1. In some embodiments, B1-B7 (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7) may have values ​​different from the exemplary values ​​above, and the values ​​of B1-B7 are between 90 and 255.

[0060] Figure 20 shows the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in a MU-RTS trigger frame to represent one 2x996+484 tone MRU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 20 shows that in some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents 2x996+484 tone MRU as follows: B0 is set to 0 if the non-principal 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; B0 is set to 1 if the non-principal 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; B7-B1 are set to 100 if the non-principal 40MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the lower consecutive 240MHz portion of a 320MHz channel. If the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the lower continuous 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, B7-B1 is set to 101. If the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the higher continuous 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, B7-B1 is set to 102. If the non-primary 40MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel in the higher continuous 240MHz portion of the 320MHz channel, B7-B1 is set to 103. In one example, 2 x 996 + 484 sound MRUs are obtained by puncturing any one of the five non-primary 40MHz channels transmitted at 240MHz in a 320MHz EHT PPDU, where 80MHz is punctured.In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents 2 x 996 + 484 tone MRUs, and B0 is set to 1 if the non-primary 40 MHz channel being punctured is part of the lowest frequency 80 MHz channel of any 160 MHz channel; B0 is set to 0 if the non-primary 40 MHz channel being punctured is part of the second lowest frequency 80 MHz channel of any 160 MHz channel. The values ​​of the first bit B0 and the other bits B1-B7 are examples and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first bit B0 may be 0 or 1. In some embodiments, B1-B7 (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7) have values ​​different from the exemplary values ​​above, and the values ​​of B1-B7 are between 90 and 255.

[0061] Figure 21 shows the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in the MU-RTS trigger frame to represent one 3x996 tone MRU in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 21 shows that in some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents a 3x996 tone MRU as follows: B0 of the RU assignment subfield is set to 0 if the non-principal 80MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 80MHz channel among any 160MHz channels; B0 is set to 1 if the non-principal 80MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel among any 160MHz channels; B7-B1 are set to 104. In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents 3x996 tone MRUs as follows, and if the non-primary 80MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 80MHz channel among any 160MHz channels, then B0 of the RU assignment subfield is set to 1, and if the non-primary 80MHz channel being punctured is the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel among any 160MHz channels, then B0 is set to 0. The values ​​of the first bit B0 and the other bits B1-B7 are examples and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first bit B0 may be 0 or 1. In some embodiments, B1-B7 (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7) have values ​​different from the exemplary values ​​above, and the values ​​of B1-B7 are between 90 and 255.

[0062] Figure 22 shows the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in a MU-RTS trigger frame to represent one 3x996+484 tone MRU in embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 22 shows that in some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents 3x996+484 tone MRU as follows: B0 is set to 0 if the non-major 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; B0 is set to 1 if the non-major 40MHz channel being punctured is part of the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel; B7-B1 are set to 105 if the non-major 40MHz channel being punctured is the lowest frequency 40MHz channel of any 80MHz channel of any 320MHz channel. If the non-primary 40MHz channel to be punctured is the second lowest frequency 40MHz channel among the 80MHz channels of any 320MHz channel, then B7-B1 are set to 106. In some embodiments, the RU assignment subfield represents 3x996+484 tone MRUs, and if the non-primary 40MHz channel to be punctured is part of the lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel, then B0 is set to 1, and if the non-primary 40MHz channel to be punctured is part of the second lowest frequency 80MHz channel of any 160MHz channel, then B0 is set to 0. The values ​​of the first bit B0 and the other bits B1-B7 are examples and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first bit B0 may be 0 or 1. In some embodiments, B1-B7 (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7) have values ​​different from the exemplary values ​​above, and the values ​​of B1-B7 are between 90 and 255.

[0063] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a MU-RTS trigger frame requesting a CTS frame response on P80 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 23 shows that in some embodiments, the MU-RTS trigger frame is transmitted in a non-HT overlapping PPDU in a 484+242 tone MRU including P20 and a second 40MHz channel (S40), where P20 is the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channel on P80. Furthermore, the user information field of the addressed STA1 has the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield set to 0, and the RU assignment subfields B0 and B7-B1 set to 0 and 64, respectively. The user information field of the addressed STA2 has the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield set to 0, and the RU assignment subfields B0 and B7-B1 set to 0 and 92, respectively. In other words, the MU-RTS trigger frame requires STA1 to transmit a CTS frame response on a non-HT PPDU on P20, and STA2 to transmit a CTS frame response on a non-HT overlap on a 484+242 tone MRU including P20 and S40. Therefore, if the transmission after the MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange occupies the 484+242 tone MRU including P20 and S40, TXOP overprotection can be avoided.

[0064] Examples In yet another embodiment, the configuration of the RU assignment subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in the MU-RTS trigger frame is the same as that shown in Figure 9. In other words, the RU assignment subfield and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield in the STA's user information field indicate whether the STA transmits a CTS frame response on the P20, P40, P80, P160, or 320MHz channel. However, how the STA transmits its CTS frame response depends not only on the RU assignment information shown in the corresponding user information subfield in the MU-RTS trigger frame and the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield, but also on the channel puncturing mode shown in the information element recently received by the STA. The information element indicating the channel puncturing mode may be an EHT operation element that can be included in a management frame such as a beacon frame, probe response frame, related response frame, or rerelated response frame.

[0065] Figure 25A shows the format of an EHT operation element in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The EHT operation element may include an EHT operation information field. Figure 25B shows the format of the EHT operation information field of an EHT operation element in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The EHT operation information field may include a channel width subfield, a channel center frequency field 0 (CCFS0) subfield, a channel center frequency field 1 (CCFS1) subfield, and a puncturing channel indicator subfield. The channel width subfield indicates the EHT BSS (Basic Service Set) bandwidth of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz. For a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz BSS bandwidth, the CCFS0 subfield indicates the channel center frequency index of the 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz channel on which the EHT BSS operates. For a 160MHz BSS bandwidth, the CCFS0 subfield indicates the channel center frequency index of the 80MHz channel segment containing the main channel, and the CCFS1 subfield represents the channel center frequency index of the 160MHz channel running EHT BSS. For a 320MHz BSS bandwidth, the CCFS0 subfield indicates the channel center frequency index of the 160MHz channel segment containing the main channel, and the CCFS1 subfield represents the channel center frequency index of the 320MHz channel running EHT BSS.

[0066] The puncturing channel indicator subfield indicates the channel puncturing mode, and the puncturing channel indicates that the size of the subfield depends on the configuration of the channel width subfield. If the channel width subfield is set to indicate a 20MHz or 40MHz EHT BSS bandwidth, the puncturing channel indicator subfield is not present in the EHT operation information field. If the channel width subfield is set to indicate an 80MHz or 160MHz EHT BSS bandwidth, the puncturing channel indicator subfield contains an 8-bit bitmap. The 8-bit bitmap indicates which 20MHz channels of the 80MHz or 160MHz BSS operation channels are punctured, where B0 is suitable for the lowest frequency 20MHz channel and B7 is suitable for the highest frequency 20MHz channel. For each bit B0-B7, a value of 0 means that the corresponding 20MHz channel is punctured, otherwise a value of 1 is used. For the 80MHz EHT BSS bandwidth, each bit B4-B7 is reserved or set to 0. If the channel width subfield is set to indicate the 320MHz EHT BSS bandwidth, the puncturing channel indicator subfield contains a 16-bit bitmap. The 16-bit bitmap indicates which 20MHz channel of the 320MHz EHT BSS operating channels will be punctured, with B0 suitable for the lowest frequency 20MHz channel and B15 suitable for the highest frequency 20MHz channel. For each bit of B0-B15, a value of 0 means that the corresponding 20MHz channel is punctured, and a value of 1 is used otherwise.

[0067] Figure 26 shows an example in yet another embodiment of the present disclosure in which the MU-RTS trigger frame is exchanged and the CTS frame response is synchronized at P80 in a TXOP. In this example, the MU-RTS trigger frame is transmitted in a non-HT overlapping PPDU of 484+242 tone MRUs, including P20 and S40, which are the fourth lowest frequency 20MHz channels of P80. Furthermore, the user information field of the addressed STA1 has the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield set to 0, and the first bit B0 and the other bits B7-B1 of the RU assignment subfield set to 0 and 64, respectively, while the user information field of the addressed STA2 has the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield set to 0, and B0 and B7-B1 of the RU assignment subfield set to 0 and 67, respectively. In other words, the MU-RTS trigger frame requests that STA1 transmit the CTS frame response on a non-HT PPDU on P20 (which is the 20MHz channel of the fourth lowest frequency among P80) and on a non-HT duplicate PPDU on P80. Meanwhile, the EHT operation element recently received by STA2 indicates that the third lowest frequency MHz channel among P80 is punctured. After considering the RU allocation information in the MU-RTS trigger frame and the channel puncturing mode in the EHT operation element, STA2 transmits the CTS frame response on a non-HT duplicate PPDU on the 484+242 tone MRU including P20 and S40. Thus, if the transmission after the MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange occupies the 484+242 tone MRU including P20 and S40, TXOP overprotection can be avoided.

[0068] Furthermore, post-EHT WLAN may be a next-generation WLAN following EHT WLAN. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, HE STA, EHT STA, and post-EHT STA can coexist in post-EHT BSS. The MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process can be used for TXOP protection in post-EHT WLAN, similar to IEEE 802.11 be EHT WLAN.

[0069] As described above, the above embodiment proposes an access point (AP), station (STA), and wireless communication method that solves the problems of the prior art, improves transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection, provides a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process for protecting TXOPs in an effective way, achieves extremely high throughput, provides good communication performance, and / or high reliability. The MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process can be effectively used for TXOP protection in IEEE 802.11 be EHT WLANs. In the above embodiment, the AP transmits a MU-RTS trigger frame to multiple STAs, indicating whether the CTS frame response is transmitted by each of the multiple STAs on a primary 80MHz channel (P80), primary 160MHz channel (P160), or 320MHz channel, where at least one 20MHz channel is punctured.

[0070] The commercial benefits of some embodiments are as follows: 1. Solving prior art problems. 2. Improving transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection. 3. Providing a MU-RTS trigger / CTS frame exchange process to protect TXOP in an effective manner. 4. Achieving extremely high throughput (EHT). 5. Providing good communication performance. 6. Providing high reliability. 7. Some embodiments of this disclosure will be used by chipset vendors, communication system development vendors, automotive manufacturers including automobiles, trains, trucks, buses, bicycles, motorcycles, helmets, etc., drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) manufacturers, smartphone manufacturers, communication equipment for public safety applications, and AR / VR device manufacturers for applications such as games, conferences / workshops, and education. Some embodiments of this disclosure are combinations of "technologies / processes" that can be adopted in communication specifications and / or communication standards such as IEEE specifications and / or standards for creating terminal products. Some embodiments of this disclosure propose technical mechanisms.

[0071] Figure 24 is a block diagram of an exemplary system 700 for wireless communication in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in a system using any suitable configuration of hardware and / or software. Figure 24 shows that the system 700 includes at least a radio frequency (RF) circuit 710, a baseband circuit 720, an application circuit 730, a memory / storage 740, a display 750, a camera 760, a sensor 770, and an input / output (I / O) interface 780, all coupled together as shown in the figure. The application circuit 730 may include, but is not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor may include any combination of a general-purpose processor and dedicated processors such as a graphics processor, an application processor, etc. The processor may be coupled to memory / storage to execute instructions stored in memory / storage so that various applications and / or operating systems can run on the system.

[0072] The baseband circuit 720 may include, but is not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor may include a baseband processor. The baseband circuit may handle a variety of radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuit. Radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation, coding, decoding, and radio frequency shifting. In some embodiments, the baseband circuit may provide one or more radio technologies for communication compatibility. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuit may support communication with Advanced General-Purpose Terrestrial Radio Access Networks (EUTRAN) and / or other Radio City Networks (WMAN), Radio Local Area Networks (WLAN), and Radio Personal Area Networks (WPAN). Embodiments in which the baseband circuit is configured to support radio communication by one or more radio protocols may be called multimode baseband circuits.

[0073] In various embodiments, the baseband circuit 720 may include circuits that operate with signals that are not strictly considered to be in the baseband frequency range. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuit may include circuits that operate with signals that have an intermediate frequency between the baseband frequency and the radio frequency range. The RF circuit 710 can enable communication with a wireless network using modulated electromagnetic radiation over a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuit may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc., to facilitate communication with the wireless network. In various embodiments, the RF circuit 710 may include circuits that operate with signals that are not strictly considered to be in the radio frequency range. For example, in some embodiments, the RF circuit may include circuits that operate with signals that have an intermediate frequency between the baseband frequency and the radio frequency range.

[0074] In various embodiments, the above-described transmitting circuit, control circuit, or receiving circuit relating to the AP or STA may be embodied in all or in part in one or more of the RF circuit, baseband circuit, and / or application circuit. As used herein, “circuit” means a dedicated integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuit, processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and / or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) running one or more software or firmware programs, coupled logic circuits, and / or other suitable hardware components providing such functionality, or a combination of a dedicated integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuit, processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and / or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) running one or more software or firmware programs, coupled logic circuits, and / or other suitable hardware components providing such functionality. In some embodiments, electronic device circuits can be implemented within one or more software or firmware modules, or functions associated with the circuit can be implemented via one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, some or all of the baseband circuit, application circuit, and / or memory / storage components can be implemented in common on the on-chip system (SOC). The memory / storage 740 can be used to load and store data and / or instructions such as the system. The memory / storage for one embodiment may include a combination of any suitable volatile memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM)) and / or non-volatile memory such as flash memory.

[0075] In various embodiments, the I / O interface 780 may include one or more user interfaces designed to allow a user to interact with the system, and / or peripheral component interfaces designed to allow peripheral components to interact with the system. The user interface may include, but is not limited to, a physical keyboard or keypad, a touchpad, a speaker, a microphone, etc. The peripheral component interface may include, but is not limited to, a non-volatile memory port, a general-purpose serial bus (USB) port, an audio jack, and a power interface. In various embodiments, the sensor 770 may include one or more sensing devices for determining environmental conditions and / or location information related to the system. In some embodiments, the sensor may include, but is not limited to, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, and a positioning unit. The positioning unit may be part of, or interact with, a baseband circuit and / or RF circuit for communicating with components of a positioning network (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites).

[0076] In various embodiments, the display 750 may include displays such as liquid crystal displays or touchscreen displays. In various embodiments, the system 700 may be a mobile computing device such as a notebook computer, tablet computer, netbook, smartphone, or AR / VR glasses, but is not limited to these. In various embodiments, the system may have more or fewer components and / or a different architecture. Where appropriate, the methods described herein may be implemented as computer programs. Computer programs may be stored in storage media such as non-temporary storage media.

[0077] Those skilled in the art will understand that each part, algorithm, and step described and disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure is implemented using electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is performed in hardware or software depends on the application conditions and the design requirements of the technology. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement a function for each specific application, but such implementations shall not exceed the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the operating procedures of the systems, devices, and units in the embodiments described above are essentially the same and can therefore be referenced. For illustrative and simplified purposes, these operating procedures are not described in detail.

[0078] It should be understood that the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in other ways. The embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The division of each cell is based only on logical function, and other divisions may exist in implementation. Multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system. Some features may be omitted or skipped. On the other hand, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication coupling described or discussed operates through ports, devices, or units that communicate indirectly, electrically or mechanically, in other forms. Units that are isolated components for illustrative purposes may or may not be physically isolated. The units used for description may be physical units or distributed across one or more network units. Some or all units may be used depending on the purpose of the embodiment. Furthermore, each functional unit in each embodiment may be integrated into one processing unit, may be physically independent, or may be integrated into one processing unit by two or more units.

[0079] When a software function unit is implemented, used as a product, and sold, it may be stored on a readable storage medium within a computer. Based on this understanding, the proposed technical ideas presented in this disclosure can be implemented basically or partially in the form of a software product, or parts of a technical idea beneficial to the prior art can be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product within a computer is stored on a storage medium containing a number of commands for a computing device (e.g., a personal computer, server, network device) to perform all or some of the steps disclosed in this embodiment. The storage medium includes U disks, removable hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), floppy disks, or other media capable of storing program code.

[0080] While this disclosure is described in relation to the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and is intended to cover a variety of configurations that can be made without departing from the broadest interpretation of the appended claims.

Claims

1. This includes an access point (AP) transmitting a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame to multiple stations (STAs), The MU-RTS trigger frame indicates whether the CTS (clear-to-send) frame response is transmitted by each of the plurality of STAs on the main 20 MHz channel (P20), main 40 MHz channel (P40), main 80 MHz channel (P80), main 160 MHz channel (P160), or 320 MHz channel, and punctures at least one 20 MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320 MHz channel. Each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame includes a subfield and an RU assignment subfield, and the subfield and the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame indicate RU assignment information. The subfields of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame include lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields. A wireless communication method characterized by the following:

2. When the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a first value, it indicates P20, P40, P80, or P160, and when the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a second value, it indicates a 320MHz channel. The first value is either 0 or 1, and the second value is the other of 0 or 1. The wireless communication method according to feature 1.

3. The first value is 0, and the second value is 1. The wireless communication method according to feature 2.

4. B0 of the RU assignment subfield is set to 1, and B7-B1 of the RU assignment subfield are set to 69 to indicate a 320MHz channel. The wireless communication method according to feature 1.

5. If the HE / EHT format subfield of the user information field is set to the second value, the RU assignment subfield, together with the lower / upper 160 MHz segment subfield, indicates how the CTS frame response will be transmitted on the P80, P160, or 320 MHz channel with the STA shown in the AID 12 subfield, and punctures at least one 20 MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320 MHz channel. The wireless communication method according to feature 1.

6. The second value is 1. The wireless communication method according to feature 5.

7. The P80, P160, or 320MHz channel that punctures at least one 20MHz channel is a 484+242 tone multi-resource unit (MRU), the 484+242 tone MRU is generated by puncturing any non-primary 20MHz channel from P80, the 996+484 tone MRU is generated by puncturing any non-primary 40MHz channel from P160, and the 996+484+242 tone MRU is generated by puncturing any non-primary 2 One 2x996+484 tone MRU is generated by puncturing a 0MHz channel, one 2x996+484 tone MRU is generated by puncturing any non-major 40MHz channel from any consecutive 240MHz portion of a 320MHz channel, one 3x996 tone MRU is generated by puncturing any non-major 80MHz channel from a 320MHz channel, or one 3x996+484 tone MRU is generated by puncturing any non-major 40MHz channel from a 320MHz channel. The wireless communication method according to feature 5.

8. The access point (AP) receives the CTS frame response. The CTS frame response depends on the RU assignment information indicated in the RU assignment subfield, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields of the user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame, and the channel puncturing mode indicated in the information element most recently received by the STA. The wireless communication method according to feature 5.

9. The information element indicating the channel puncturing mode is an EHT operation element, The EHT operation element includes an EHT operation information field. The wireless communication method according to feature 8.

10. The EHT operation information field includes a channel width subfield, a channel center frequency field 0 (CCFS0) subfield, a channel center frequency field 1 (CCFS1) subfield, and a puncturing channel indicator subfield. The wireless communication method according to feature 9.

11. In the user information field of the addressed STA2, the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields are set to 0, and the RU assignment subfields B0 and B7-B1 are set to 0 and 67, respectively. The wireless communication method according to feature 1.

12. The EHT control element received by STA2 indicates that the third lowest frequency 20MHz channel of P80 is punctured. The above method further, The AP includes receiving a CTS frame response from STA2 in a non-HT overlap PPDU on a 484+242 tone MRU including P20 and S40. The wireless communication method according to feature 11.

13. The system includes a configuration in which one of several stations (STAs) receives a multi-user ready transmit (MU-RTS) trigger frame from an access point (AP), The MU-RTS trigger frame indicates whether the CTS frame response is transmitted by one of the plurality of STAs on a primary 20 MHz channel (P20), primary 40 MHz channel (P40), primary 80 MHz channel (P80), primary 160 MHz channel (P160), or 320 MHz channel, and punctures at least one 20 MHz channel on the P80, P160, or 320 MHz channel. Each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame includes a subfield and an RU assignment subfield, and the subfield and the RU assignment subfield of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame indicate RU assignment information. The subfields of each user information field in the MU-RTS trigger frame include lower / upper 160MHz segment subfields. A wireless communication method characterized by the following:

14. When the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a first value, it indicates P20, P40, P80, or P160, and when the lower / upper 160MHz segment subfield is set to a second value, it indicates a 320MHz channel. The first value is either 0 or 1, and the second value is the other of 0 or 1. The wireless communication method according to feature 13.

15. The first value is 0, and the second value is 1. The wireless communication method according to feature 14.

16. An access point (AP) comprising memory, a transceiver, and a processor connected to the memory and the transceiver, The processor is configured to perform the wireless communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 12. An access point characterized by the following features.

17. A station (STA) comprising memory, a transceiver, and a processor connected to the memory and the transceiver, The processor is configured to perform the wireless communication method described in any one of claims 13 to 15. A station characterized by the following features.

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