Communication device, communication method, and program

Abstract

To make it possible to suitably communicate a MAC frame when performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE802.11 standard.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device includes communication means for communicating an IEEE802.11 compliant MAC frame. The MAC frame includes a Type field indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame and a Subtype field indicating that the MAC frame includes a Control Frame Extension field. When a value that indicates the existence of a predetermined field, which allows setting of a value indicating a type of the control frame and is different either from the Subtype field or the Control Frame Extension field, is set in the Control Frame Extension field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame transmitted and received by wireless communication.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the increase in the amount of data communicated between communication devices, the development of communication technologies such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) has been promoted. As the main communication standards for wireless LAN, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard series is known. The IEEE 802.11 standard series includes standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. For example, in IEEE 802.11ax, technologies for improving communication efficiency in situations where OFDMA technology and wireless communication devices are congested (see Patent Document 1) are standardized, and a high peak throughput of up to 9.6 gigabits per second (Gbps) is achieved. Note that OFDMA is an abbreviation for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, which means orthogonal frequency division multiple access. In addition, an efficient communication technology using a control frame called a trigger frame for multi-user Uplink communication is adopted. The AP (access point) transmits a trigger frame to the STA (station) to control the uplink communication from the STA to the AP.

[0003] In addition, a task group for a successor standard called IEEE 802.11be has been established aiming at further improving throughput, frequency utilization efficiency, and communication latency. In the IEEE 802.11be standard, for example, Multi-Link communication in which one AP establishes a plurality of links with one STA via different frequency channels and communicates is being considered. In addition, as a technology for improving throughput, new technologies such as expanding the maximum frequency bandwidth of radio waves to 320 MHz are being studied.

[0004] Furthermore, with the development of wireless LAN communication technology, various functional MAC (Medium Access Control) frame formats are newly defined. A wireless LAN MAC frame consists of multiple fields. One of these fields is the Frame Control field, which contains information to identify the type of MAC frame. More specifically, the type of MAC frame can be identified by the combination of information in the Type subfield and the Subtype subfield contained in the Frame Control field. MAC frames are further divided into four types: management frames, control frames, data frames, and extension frames, which can be identified by the value of the Type subfield. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-50133 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] As mentioned above, MAC frames for wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard can be identified by their type based on the information contained in the Frame Control field.

[0007] As wireless LAN communication technology develops, various types of frames are being defined. In particular, MAC frames of the type called control frames already have more types defined than can be identified by the 4 bits of information allocated to the Subtype subfield. To accommodate this, a Control Frame Extension subfield is provided, to which a separate 4 bits are allocated from the Subtype subfield. When using the Control Frame Extension subfield, its presence is indicated by setting a specific value in the Subtype subfield.

[0008] However, the number of control frame types is likely to increase in the future. But once the maximum number of types that can be identified by the existing Subtype and Control Frame Extension subfields is reached, it will no longer be possible to define new control frame types.

[0009] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to enable the optimal communication of MAC frames when performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the wireless communication device of the present invention comprises a transmission means for transmitting an IEEE 802.11 compliant MAC frame, wherein the MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, the Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field when the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field when the Subtype field is set to a value indicating the existence of a Control Frame Extension field, and the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field when the Control Frame Extension field is set to a value indicating the existence of a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, and which is different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field.Furthermore, the wireless communication device of the present invention includes a transmission means for transmitting a MAC frame compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, wherein the MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, the Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field when the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field when the Subtype field is set to a value indicating the existence of a Control Frame Extension field, and the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field when the Subtype field is set to a value indicating the type of control frame, and the value indicating the existence of a field different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field.

[0011] Furthermore, the wireless communication device of the present invention includes receiving means for receiving MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, wherein the MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, the Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field when the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field when the Subtype field is set to a value indicating the existence of a Control Frame Extension field, and the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field when the Control Frame Extension field is set to a value indicating the type of control frame, and the value indicating the existence of a field different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field.

[0012] Furthermore, the wireless communication device of the present invention includes receiving means for receiving MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, wherein the MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, the Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field when the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field when the Subtype field is set to a value indicating the existence of a Control Frame Extension field, and the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field when the Subtype field is set to a value indicating the type of control frame, and the value indicating the existence of a field different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, MAC frames can be suitably communicated in a wireless communication device compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the hardware configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] The frame format used in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the values ​​that can be set in the Subtype subfield in the first embodiment. [Figure 6]Figure showing the values that can be set in the Control Frame Extension subfield in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Frame format used in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Frame format used in the third embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure showing the values that can be set in the Subtype subfield in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] Frame format used in the fourth embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network in the present embodiment. The communication device 101 is an AP (access point) having a role of constructing the wireless network 100, and the communication devices 102 to 104 are STAs (stations) participating in the wireless network 100. The communication device 101 can communicate with the communication devices 102 to 104.

[0016] Each of the communication devices 101 to 104 can perform wireless communication compliant with the IEEE802.11 standard. Note that IEEE is an abbreviation for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Also, the IEEE802.11 standard includes IEEE802.11 series standards such as IEEE8A / b / g / n / ac / ax / be standards.

[0017] The communication devices 101 to 104 may be any communication devices compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard. That is, any communication device having the function of transmitting or receiving a MAC frame whose Protocol Version sub-field in the Frame Control field is 0 may be used. In addition to the IEEE 802.11 standard, it may also be compatible with other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, ZigBee, MBOA, etc. Note that UWB is an abbreviation for Ultra Wide Band, MBOA is an abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance, and NFC is an abbreviation for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WiNET, etc. Also, it may be compatible with the communication standards of wired communication such as wired LAN.

[0018] Specific examples of the communication devices 101 to 104 include, but are not limited to, wireless LAN routers and personal computers (PCs). Also, the communication devices 101 to 104 may be information processing devices such as wireless chips that can execute wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard. Specific examples of the communication devices 101 to 104 include, but are not limited to, IoT devices such as cameras, printers, tablets, smartphones, mobile phones, video cameras, and smart home appliances. Also, although the wireless network in FIG. 1 is composed of one AP and three STAs, the number of APs and STAs is not limited to this.

[0019] (Configuration of AP and STA) FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device 101 which is an AP in this embodiment. Note that the communication devices 102 to 104 which are STAs can also have the same configuration. The communication device 101 includes a storage unit 201, a control unit 202, a functional unit 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 205, a communication unit 206, and an antenna 207.

[0020] The storage unit 201 is composed of memory such as ROM and RAM, and stores various information such as computer programs for performing various operations described later, and communication parameters for wireless communication. Here, ROM stands for Read Only Memory, and RAM stands for Random Access Memory. In addition to memory such as ROM and RAM, the storage unit 201 may also use storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and DVDs. Furthermore, the storage unit 201 may have multiple memories or the like.

[0021] The control unit 202 is composed of one or more processors, such as a CPU and an MPU, and controls the entire communication device 104 by executing a computer program stored in the memory unit 201. Here, CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, and MPU stands for Micro Processing Unit. The control unit 202 may also control the entire communication device 101 in cooperation with the computer program stored in the memory unit 201 and the OS (Operating System). The control unit 202 also generates data and signals to be transmitted in communication with other communication devices. The control unit 202 may also be equipped with multiple processors, such as a multi-core processor, and control the entire communication device 101 with multiple processors. The control unit 202 also controls each piece of hardware to perform predetermined processes such as wireless communication, imaging, printing, and projection.

[0022] The functional unit 203 is hardware that enables the communication device 101 to perform predetermined processes. For example, it performs predetermined processes such as imaging, printing, and projection based on the control of the control unit 202.

[0023] The input unit 204 receives various operations from the user. The output unit 205 outputs various information to the user via a monitor screen or speaker. Here, the output from the output unit 205 may be a display on the monitor screen, audio output via a speaker, vibration output, etc. Furthermore, both the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 may be implemented in a single module, such as a touch panel. In addition, the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 do not need to be integrated with the communication device 101, and input and output may be performed by terminals other than the communication device 101.

[0024] The communication unit 206 controls wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. In addition to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the communication unit 206 may also control wireless communication in accordance with other IEEE 802.11 series standards, or control wired communication such as wired LAN. The communication unit 206 controls the antenna 207 to transmit and receive wireless signals for wireless communication generated by the control unit 202.

[0025] Furthermore, if the communication device 101 supports NFC, Bluetooth, and other standards in addition to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the communication unit 206 may control wireless communication compliant with these communication standards. Also, if the communication device 101 can perform wireless communication compliant with multiple communication standards, it may be configured to have separate communication units 206 and antennas 207 corresponding to each communication standard. The communication device 101 communicates data such as image data, document data, and video data with communication devices 102 to 104 via the communication unit 206.

[0026] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of the communication device 101, which is an AP, in this embodiment. Note that the communication devices 102-104, which are STAs, can have a similar configuration. Here, AP101 is equipped with one wireless LAN control unit 301, but the number of wireless LAN control units is not limited to one; there may be two or more. AP101 further includes a frame generation unit 302, a frame analysis unit 303, a channel allocation unit 304, a UI control unit 305 and a storage unit 306, and a wireless antenna 307.

[0027] The wireless LAN control unit 301 comprises an antenna and circuit for sending and receiving wireless signals with other wireless LAN devices, and a program for controlling them. The wireless LAN control unit 301 performs wireless LAN communication control based on the control frame generated by the frame generation unit 302 in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard series.

[0028] The frame generation unit 302 generates wireless communication frames (frames) to be transmitted by the wireless LAN control unit 301. The content of the frames generated by the frame generation unit 302 may be constrained by settings stored in the storage unit 306. It may also be changed by user settings from the UI control unit 305.

[0029] The frame analysis unit 303 interprets the frame received by the wireless LAN control unit 301 and reflects its contents back into the wireless LAN control unit 301.

[0030] The channel allocation unit 304 controls the appropriate allocation of a channel for communication between the AP and STA when instructing communication with a communication partner or with an STA. According to the channel allocation determined here, for example, AP101 and STA102 communicate on the channel allocated by the channel allocation unit or a subchannel defined within it.

[0031] The UI control unit 305 includes hardware related to a user interface, such as a touch panel or buttons, for receiving operations on the AP by a user (not shown) of the AP, and a program to control them. The UI control unit 305 may also have functions for presenting information to the user, such as displaying characters, images, symbols, or outputting audio.

[0032] The memory unit 306 is a storage device that may consist of ROM and RAM, etc., for storing the program and data on which the AP operates.

[0033] <Example 1> The first embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 4. In this embodiment, an NDPA (Null Data Packet Announcement) frame is used as an example of the type of control frame, but the present invention is not limited to this. An NDPA frame is a control frame that the AP sends to the STA in advance to notify it that it will send an NDP (Null Data Packet).

[0034] Figure 4 shows the frame format of an NDPA frame, which is an example of a control frame in this embodiment.

[0035] The NDPA frame in this embodiment consists of a Frame Control field 401, a Duration / ID field 402, an RA field 403, a TA field 404, a Control Frame Extension2 field 405, a Sounding Dialog Token field 406, an STA info field 407, and an FCS (Frame Check Sequence) field 408.

[0036] The Frame Control field 401 consists of the Protocol Version subfield 409, Type subfield 410, Subtype subfield 411, Control Frame Extension subfield 412, Power Management subfield 413, More Data subfield 414, Protected Frame subfield 415, and +HTC / Order subfield 416.

[0037] Furthermore, the frame format in this embodiment is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the MAC frame is configured to include at least a Frame Control field 401 and a Control Frame Extension2 field 405. Additionally, it is sufficient that the Frame Control field 401 is configured to include at least a Type subfield 410, a Subtype subfield 411, and a Control Frame Extension subfield 412.

[0038] The Type subfield 410 is allocated 2 bits. A value of 0 (00) in the Type subfield indicates a management frame, 1 (01) indicates a control frame, and 2 (10) indicates a data frame. A value of 3 (11) in the Type subfield indicates an extension frame.

[0039] The Subtype subfield 411 is allocated 4 bits. In this embodiment, when the type of the MAC frame is a control frame (i.e., the value of the Type subfield is 1), the possible values ​​that can be set in the Subtype subfield 411 are defined as shown in Figure 5.

[0040] When the value of the Subtype subfield 411 is set to 6 (0110), it indicates that the Control Frame Extension subfield 412 exists immediately after the Subtype subfield 411. If the Control Frame Extension subfield 412 exists, the type of control frame is identified by the information in the Control Frame Extension subfield 412. The Control Frame Extension subfield 412 is allocated 4 bits and can identify up to 16 different types of control frames (Figure 6).

[0041] In this embodiment, the value of the Control Frame Extension subfield 412 is set to 11 (1011). In this case, it is indicated that the Control Frame Extension 2 field 405 is located after the Control Frame Extension subfield 412. Note that the value of the Control Frame Extension subfield indicating the presence of the Control Frame Extension 2 field 405 may be other than 11 (1011). For example, it may be 0 (0000), 1 (0001), 12 (1100), 13 (1101), 14 (1110), or 15 (1111).

[0042] Thus, a Control Frame Extension 2 field 405, to which 4 bits are allocated separately from the Control Frame Extension subfield 412, is used. This increases the number of identifiable control frames to a maximum of 16. Note that the bit length of the Control Frame Extension subfield 412 does not have to be 4.

[0043] <Example 2> Example 1 describes the case where the Control Frame Extension2 field 405 is specified by setting a specific value in the Control Frame Extension subfield 412.

[0044] This embodiment differs from Embodiment 1 in that the Control Frame Extension 2 subfield is provided within the Frame Control field 401.

[0045] The following description of this embodiment will be made using Figure 7. The NDPA frame of this embodiment consists of a Frame Control field 701, a Duration / ID field 702, an RA field 703, a TA field 704, a Common Info field 705, an STA Info field 706, and an FCS field 707.

[0046] The Frame Control field 701 consists of the Protocol Version subfield 708, the Type subfield 709, the Subtype subfield 710, the Control Frame Extension subfield 711, and the Control Frame Extension2 subfield 712.

[0047] The Common Info field 705 consists of the Power Management subfield 713, the More Data subfield 714, the Protected Frame subfield 715, and the Sounding Dialog Token subfield 716. Note that the subfields constituting the Common Info field only need to contain the information indicated by each subfield within the frame; the frame configuration is not limited to this. Furthermore, the frame format in this embodiment is not limited; the MAC frame only needs to be configured to include at least the Frame Control field 701. Additionally, the Frame Control field 701 needs to be configured to include at least the Type subfield 709, the Subtype subfield 710, the Control Frame Extension subfield 711, and the Control Frame Extension2 field 712.

[0048] The values ​​that can be set in the Type subfield 709, Subtype subfield 710, and Control Frame Extension subfield 711 within the Frame Control field 701 are the same as in Example 1. The respective values ​​are 1 (01), 6 (0110), and 11 (1011).

[0049] In this embodiment, the Control Frame Extension2 subfield 712 is represented by a maximum of 4 bits and can identify up to 16 different control frames.

[0050] In this embodiment, some of the subfields that were included in the Frame Control field 701 in Embodiment 1 have been moved to the Common Info field 705. However, the bit length of the Control Frame Extension 2 subfield 712 may be 3 bits or less. In that case, some of the subfields shown in the Common Info field 705 may be included in the Frame Control field 701. That is, the subfields included in the Frame Control field 701 should be determined so that the bit length of the Frame Control field 701 becomes 16 bits.

[0051] <Example 3> This embodiment differs from the previously described embodiments in that it indicates the presence of the Control Frame Extension2 field in the Subtype subfield.

[0052] The following description of this embodiment will be made using Figure 8. The fields 801 to 808 that constitute the frame in this embodiment are the same as the fields 401 to 408 in Embodiment 1, with only the configuration of the subfields included in the Frame Control field 801 being different.

[0053] In this embodiment, the Frame Control field 801 consists of the Protocol Version subfield 809, Type subfield 810, Subtype subfield 811, To DS subfield 812, From DS subfield 813, More Fragments subfield 814, Retry subfield 815, Power Management subfield 816, More Data subfield 817, Protected Frame subfield 818, and +HTC / Order subfield 819.

[0054] In this embodiment, the value of the Subtype subfield is defined as shown in Figure 9, instead of Figure 5. That is, when the value of the Subtype subfield is set to 15 (1111), it indicates that the Control Frame Extension2 field 805 exists. Note that the value of the Subtype subfield 811 may be 0 (0000) or 1 (0001) in addition to 15 (1111), and any value other than 6 (0110), which indicates the existence of the Control Frame Extension subfield as explained in Embodiment 1, is acceptable.

[0055] In this embodiment, the bit length of the Control Frame Extension2 field 805 is assumed to be 4, but other bit lengths may be assigned. For example, 2 bits can identify 4 types of control frames, and 3 bits can identify 8 types of control frames.

[0056] <Example 4> Example 2 describes an example in which the Control Frame Extension2 subfield is included in the Frame Control field.

[0057] Furthermore, Example 3 describes an example in which the presence of the Control Frame Extension2 field is indicated in the Subtype subfield.

[0058] This embodiment is consistent with Embodiment 2 in that the Control Frame Extension 2 subfield is included in the Frame Control field. However, it differs from Embodiment 2 in that the Control Frame Extension 2 subfield is specified in the Subtype subfield. It also differs from Embodiment 3 in that the Control Frame Extension 2 subfield is included in the Frame Control field. However, it is consistent with Embodiment 3 in that the Control Frame Extension 2 subfield is specified in the Subtype subfield.

[0059] The following description of this embodiment will be made using Figure 10. In this embodiment, the Frame Control field 1001 consists of the Protocol Version subfield 1008, the Type subfield 1009, the Subtype subfield 1010, and the Control Frame Extension2 subfield 1011.

[0060] In this embodiment, the value of the Subtype subfield is 15 (1111), indicating that the Control Frame Extension2 subfield 1011 follows immediately after it. Note that the value of the Subtype subfield can also be 0 (0000) or 1 (0001), and it is sufficient to indicate the presence of the Control Frame Extension2 subfield 1011 with a value other than 6 (0110).

[0061] In this embodiment, 8 bits are assigned to the Control Frame Extension2 subfield 1011, allowing for the identification of up to 256 types of control frames. Note that if the bit length is 7 bits or less, some of the subfields included in the Common info field 1005 may be included in the Frame Control field 1001. The subfields included in the Frame Control field 1001 should be determined such that the bit length of the Frame Control field 1001 becomes 16 bits.

[0062] <Other Embodiments> The name of the Control Frame Extension2 field 405 mentioned above is not limited to this; any other name is acceptable as long as it can be distinguished from the Control Frame Extension subfield 412. Also, although the above explanation distinguished between fields and the subfields contained within them, these can also be collectively referred to as a field. For example, the Type subfield can be called the Type field. Similarly, the Subtype subfield can be called the Subtype field. Furthermore, the Control Frame Extension subfield can be called the Control Frame Extension field.

[0063] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized when the communication devices 101 to 104 are configured to have an imaging function. When the communication devices 101 to 104 are configured to have an imaging function, the communication devices 101 to 104 may communicate the image data generated by the imaging function via the communication unit 206. In this case, the communication devices 101 to 104 can communicate the image data generated by the imaging function using the MAC frame of the present invention via the communication unit 206.

[0064] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized when the communication devices 101 to 104 are configured to have a printing function. When the communication devices 101 to 104 are configured to have a printing function, the communication devices 101 to 104 may communicate image data to be used for printing via the communication unit 206. In this case, the communication devices 101 to 104 can communicate image data to be used for printing using the MAC frame of the present invention via the communication unit 206. Then, the communication devices 101 to 104 can perform printing using the printing function with respect to the received image data.

[0065] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100 Networks 101 AP 102, 103, 104 STA 201 Storage section 202 Control Unit 203 Functional Section 204 Input section 205 Output section 206 Communications Department 207 Wireless Antenna

Claims

1. It is equipped with a transmission means for transmitting MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication device characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Control Frame Extension field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

2. It is equipped with a transmission means for transmitting MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication device characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from either the Subtype field or the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

3. It is equipped with receiving means for receiving MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication device characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Control Frame Extension field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

4. It is equipped with receiving means for receiving MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication device characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from either the Subtype field or the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

5. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the predetermined field is located behind the Frame Control field.

6. The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the predetermined field is included in the Frame Control field.

7. A connection means for connecting to an access point that makes up a network, The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising communication means for communicating with the access point based on the MAC frame.

8. Methods for constructing a network, The wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising communication means for communicating with stations participating in the network based on the MAC frame.

9. Further equipped with printing means, The wireless communication device according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication means communicates image data used for printing by the printing means.

10. Further equipped with imaging means, The wireless communication device according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication means transmits image data generated by the imaging means.

11. It includes a transmission process that transmits MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication method characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Control Frame Extension field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

12. It includes a transmission process that transmits MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication method characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from either the Subtype field or the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

13. It includes a receiving process for receiving MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication method characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from both the Subtype field and the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Control Frame Extension field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

14. It includes a receiving process for receiving MAC frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard, The MAC frame includes a Frame Control field, The Frame Control field includes a Type field indicating the type of the MAC frame, If the Type field is set to a value indicating that the type of the MAC frame is a control frame, the Frame Control field further includes a Subtype field. If a value indicating the existence of the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the Frame Control field further includes the Control Frame Extension field. A wireless communication method characterized in that a predetermined field on which a value indicating the type of control frame can be set, wherein when a value indicating the existence of a field different from either the Subtype field or the Control Frame Extension field is set in the Subtype field, the MAC frame further includes the predetermined field.

15. A program for causing a computer to operate as one of the means of a wireless communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images