Sharing access point, shared access point, and terminal

Abstract

In a sharing access point according to an embodiment of the present invention, a management unit allocates, to a plurality of terminals grouped into a plurality of terminal groups, a transmission period in which only a single target terminal group transmits data via a shared access point serving as a common connection destination of wireless connections of the plurality of terminals, the allocation being carried out for each terminal group in a state in which one or more shared access points serve as the common connection destination.

Description

Sharing access points, shared access points and terminals

[0001] Embodiments relate to a sharing access point, a shared access point, and a terminal.

[0002] A wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is known as a system that wirelessly connects an access point (AP) and a terminal. In a wireless LAN, an association process is performed to establish a wireless connection between the terminal and the AP.

[0003] In addition, IEEE802.11be, which is being formulated as a successor standard to IEEE802.11ax, enables a terminal to establish multiple links with an AP and to transmit data (transmit and receive data) with the AP via each of the multiple links. In addition, in a terminal that performs wireless communication via multiple links, by wirelessly connecting the multiple links from the terminal to different APs, one terminal can be wirelessly connected to multiple APs.

[0004] When there are multiple terminals communicating via multiple links in an environment where multiple APs are used, a situation may arise in which one or more APs become common connection destinations for the wireless connections of the multiple terminals. In a situation in which one or more APs become common connection destinations for the multiple terminals, it is necessary to suppress a decrease in throughput and an increase in data transmission time.

[0005] IEEE802.11be D3.0, “35.3 Multi-link operation”, p479-p586, January 2023

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a sharing access point, a shared access point, and a terminal that appropriately suppresses degradation of throughput, etc., when one or more APs are common connection destinations for wireless connections of multiple terminals.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sharing access point includes a management unit, and in a state where one or more shared access points are common connection destinations for wireless connections of multiple terminals, the management unit assigns, for each terminal group, a transmission period for data transmission between multiple terminals grouped into multiple terminal groups and the shared access point that is the common connection destination for only a single target terminal group.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shared access point, a shared access point, and a terminal that appropriately suppresses degradation of throughput, etc., when one or more APs are common connection destinations for wireless connections of multiple terminals.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a sharing AP according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a shared AP according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a sharing AP according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a shared AP according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of allocation of transmission periods to a plurality of terminals in a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the communication system according to an embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same functions and configurations will be given the same reference numerals.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a sharing access point (AP) 10, shared APs 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, and terminals 30-1 and 30-2. The sharing AP 10 is connected to a network 40.

[0012] The sharing AP 10 is, for example, an access point (AP) of a wireless LAN. The sharing AP 10 is configured to perform wired or wireless communication with a server (not shown) on the network 40. The sharing AP 10 is configured to perform wired or wireless communication with each of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3.

[0013] Each of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 is, for example, a wireless LAN access point (AP). The shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 are installed in locations physically separated from one another, and have different communication areas. In the example of FIG. 1 , the communication area of ​​each of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 at least partially overlaps with the communication areas of the other shared APs. Each of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 is configured to wirelessly communicate with each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2. Each of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 communicates with each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 in accordance with, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard. The shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 have the same configuration. In the following description, the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 may be referred to as the shared AP 20 unless otherwise specified.

[0014] Each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 is a wireless terminal such as a smartphone or a PC (Personal Computer). In the example of FIG. 1, each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 is located within a communication area where it can communicate with all of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3. That is, the multiple APs 20-1 to 20-3 are common connection destinations for the wireless connections of the multiple terminals 30-1 and 30-2. Each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 is configured to communicate with a server on the network 40 by communicating with the sharing AP 10 via at least one of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3. That is, each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 is connected to the sharing AP 10 via at least one of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3. The connection method between each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 and the sharing AP 10 as described above is also referred to as a "multi-AP connection method." The terminals 30-1 and 30-2 have the same configuration. In the following, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the terminals 30-1 and 30-2, they may be referred to as terminal 30.

[0015] Each of the terminals 30 is a wireless terminal that performs wireless communication using multiple channels (links). Each of the terminals 30 corresponds to a non-AP MLD and includes multiple affiliated STAs (stations). In the example of FIG. 1, each of the terminals 30 includes three affiliated STAs. Terminal 30-1 is also referred to as non-AP MLD1 and includes three affiliated STAs: A-STA1-1, A-STA1-2, and A-STA1-3. Terminal 30-2 is also referred to as non-AP MLD2 and includes three affiliated STAs: A-STA2-1, A-STA2-2, and A-STA2-3.

[0016] Each of the terminals 30 (non-AP MLDs) is a multi-link device (MLD) on the terminal 30 side that manages the status of links established by each of the affiliated STAs under its control. Each of the terminals 30 also performs processing to establish a connection with the sharing AP 10 in the multi-AP connection method.

[0017] In a multi-AP connection method in which three shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 are provided as in the example of Figure 1, the sharing AP 10 can establish a connection (transmission path) via the shared AP 20-1, a connection (transmission path) via the shared AP 20-2, and a connection (transmission path) via the shared AP 20-3 with each of the terminals 30 (non-AP MLD). That is, each of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 is a candidate destination for data exchange between the sharing AP 10 and each of the terminals 30. Then, each of A-STA1-1 to A-STA1-3 of the terminal 30-1 and A-STA2-1 to A-STA2-3 of the terminal 30-2 exchanges data with the sharing AP 10 via one of the candidate shared APs 20-1 to 20-3.

[0018] 1, in the data exchange between the sharing AP 10 and the terminal 30-1 (non-AP MLD1), the link established between A-STA1-1 and the shared AP 20-1, the link established between A-STA1-2 and the shared AP 20-2, and the link established between A-STA1-3 and the shared AP 20-3 are used. In addition, in the data exchange between the sharing AP 10 and the terminal 30-2 (non-AP MLD2), the link established between A-STA2-1 and the shared AP 20-1, the link established between A-STA2-2 and the shared AP 20-2, and the link established between A-STA2-3 and the shared AP 20-3 are used. Therefore, each of the terminals 30 is wirelessly connected to multiple shared APs 20 by multiple affiliated STAs. In the following description, the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 are also referred to as access points that "belong" to the sharing AP 10 in the multi-AP connection method.

[0019] The sharing AP 10, the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3, and the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 have wireless communication functions based on, for example, the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model. In the OSI reference model, wireless communication functions are divided into seven layers (Layer 1: Physical Layer, Layer 2: Data Link Layer, Layer 3: Network Layer, Layer 4: Transport Layer, Layer 5: Session Layer, Layer 6: Presentation Layer, and Layer 7: Application Layer). The data link layer includes a Logical Link Control (LLC) sublayer and a Media Access Control (MAC) sublayer.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a sharing AP according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 shows an example in which the sharing AP 10 communicates wirelessly with each of the shared APs 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the sharing AP 10 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read-only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a wireless communication module 14, and a wired communication module 15.

[0021] The CPU 11 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the sharing AP 10. The ROM 12 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The ROM 12 stores programs and data for controlling the sharing AP 10. The RAM 13 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 13 is used as a work area for the CPU 11. The wireless communication module 14 is a circuit used to send and receive data via wireless signals. The wireless communication module 14 is connected to an antenna. The wired communication module 15 is a circuit used to send and receive data via wired signals. The wireless communication module 14 can be connected (wirelessly connected) to the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3. The wired communication module 15 can be connected to a network 40.

[0022] When the sharing AP 10 communicates with each of the shared APs 20 via a wired connection, the sharing AP 10 is not provided with a wireless communication module 14. In this case, the wired communication module 15 can be connected to the network 40 and can also be connected (wired) to the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a shared AP according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 shows an example of wireless communication between the shared AP 20 and the sharing AP 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the shared AP 20 includes, for example, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and a wireless communication module 24.

[0024] The CPU 21 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the shared AP 20. The ROM 22 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The ROM 22 stores programs and data for controlling the shared AP 20. The RAM 23 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 23 is used as a work area for the CPU 21. The wireless communication module 24 is a circuit used for sending and receiving data via wireless signals. The wireless communication module 24 is connected to an antenna. The wireless communication module 24 can be connected (wirelessly connected) to the sharing AP 10 and the terminals 30-1 and 30-2.

[0025] When the shared AP 20 communicates with the sharing AP 10 via a wired connection, the shared AP 20 is further provided with a wired communication module (not shown). In this case, the wireless communication module 24 can be connected to the terminals 30-1 and 30-2, and the wired communication module can be connected (wired) to the sharing AP 10.

[0026] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 30 includes, for example, a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a wireless communication module 34, a display 35, and a storage 36.

[0027] The CPU 31 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the terminal 30. The ROM 32 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The ROM 32 stores programs and data for controlling the terminal 30. The RAM 33 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 33 is used as a work area for the CPU 31. The wireless communication module 34 is a circuit used to send and receive data via wireless signals. The wireless communication module 34 is connected to an antenna. The display 35 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display 35 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) corresponding to application software, etc. The storage 36 is a non-volatile storage device. The storage 36 stores system software, etc. of the terminal 30.

[0028] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a sharing AP according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the sharing AP 10 functions as a computer including an LLC processing unit 110, a management unit 120, a frame processing unit 130, and a transceiver unit 140. The LLC processing unit 110 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to the LLC sublayer of layer 2 and layers 3 to 7. The management unit 120 and frame processing unit 130 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of layer 2. Furthermore, when the sharing AP 10 wirelessly communicates with each of the shared APs 20, the transceiver unit 140 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to layer 1.

[0029] The LLC processing unit 110, which also functions as a data processing unit, generates LLC packets by, for example, adding a Destination Service Access Point (DSAP) header, a Source Service Access Point (SSAP) header, etc. to data received from the network 40. The LLC processing unit 110 then inputs the generated LLC packets to the frame processing unit 130. The LLC processing unit 110 also extracts data from the LLC packets input from the frame processing unit 130. The LLC processing unit 110 then transmits the extracted data to the network 40.

[0030] The management unit 120 controls the establishment of a connection (logical wireless connection) between the sharing AP 10 and each of the terminals 30 (non-AP MLD) in the multi-AP connection method. In the multi-AP connection method, data is exchanged between the sharing AP 10 and each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2, with each of the multiple affiliated STAs in each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 being wirelessly connected to one of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3. The management unit 120 controls the establishment of a wireless connection between each of the multiple affiliated STAs and the corresponding shared AP 20 for each of the terminals 30. The wireless connection (link) between each of the affiliated STAs and the corresponding shared AP 20 is established, for example, by an association process.

[0031] The management unit 120 also stores multi-AP management information 121 and terminal management information 122. The multi-AP management information 121 includes information about the access points used in the multi-AP connection method (i.e., the sharing AP 10 and the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3). The information about the access points used in the multi-AP connection method includes, for example, an identifier, a frequency band, and operation parameters.

[0032] The identifier is, for example, the identifier of the corresponding AP. The identifier may include the MAC address of the corresponding AP. The frequency band includes information indicating the frequency band used by the corresponding AP in the multi-AP connection method. Examples of applicable frequency bands include the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, the 45 GHz band, and the 60 GHz band. Each frequency band may include multiple channels. In this case, the multi-AP management information 121 may include channel information instead of or in addition to frequency band information.

[0033] The operational parameters include, for example, CWmin, CWmax, arbitration interframe space (AIFS), and transmission opportunity (TXOP) limit. CWmin and CWmax indicate the minimum and maximum values ​​of the contention window, respectively. The contention window is a parameter used to calculate backoff, which is a transmission waiting time for collision avoidance. AIFS is a fixed transmission waiting time set for each access category of traffic. The access categories of traffic include, for example, "VO (Voice)", "VI (Video)", "BE (Best Effort)", "BK (Background)", and "LL (Low Latency)". TXOP limit indicates the upper limit of the channel occupation period TXOP.

[0034] The terminal management information 122 stores information about terminals 30 (e.g., terminals 30-1 and 30-2) connected to the sharing AP 10 using the multi-AP connection method. Specifically, the terminal management information 122 includes an identifier for the terminal 30 (non-AP MLD), and the identifiers of the affiliated STA of the terminal 30 and the shared AP 20 via which the connection with the terminal 30 is established. The identifier for the terminal 30 (non-AP MLD) may include the MAC address of the non-AP MLD. Furthermore, the identifier for the affiliated STA via which the connection with the terminal 30 is established may include the MAC address of the affiliated STA, and the identifier for the shared AP 20 via which the connection with the terminal 30 is established may include the MAC address of the shared AP 20.

[0035] Data from the LLC processing unit 110 is input to the frame processing unit 130 as an LLC packet. When the sharing AP 10 communicates wirelessly with each of the shared APs 20, the frame processing unit 130 generates a MAC frame by adding a MAC header to the LLC packet input from the LLC processing unit 110. The frame processing unit 130 then outputs the generated MAC frame to the transceiver unit 140. When the sharing AP 10 communicates wirelessly with each of the shared APs 20, the frame processing unit 130 extracts the LLC packet from the MAC frame input from the transceiver unit 140. The frame processing unit 130 then outputs the extracted LLC packet to the LLC processing unit 110. In the following description, a MAC frame containing data is also referred to as a "data frame."

[0036] When sharing AP 10 communicates with each of shared APs 20 via wired communication, frame processing unit 130 outputs the LLC packet input from LLC processing unit 110 to transceiver unit 140. Frame processing unit 130 also outputs the LLC packet input from transceiver unit 140 to LLC processing unit 110.

[0037] Furthermore, management information is input to the frame processing unit 130 from the management unit 120, and the frame processing unit 130 outputs the management information from the management unit 120 to the transceiver unit 140. The management information includes notification information that is sent to either the shared AP 20 or the terminal 30, and control information related to control of the operation of either the shared AP 20 or the terminal 30. The management information may also include the multi-AP management information 121 and terminal management information 122 described above. When the sharing AP 10 communicates wirelessly with each of the shared APs 20, the frame processing unit 130 generates a management frame, which is a MAC frame that includes the management information from the management unit 120, and outputs the generated management frame to the transceiver unit 140.

[0038] Furthermore, data and management information are input to the frame processing unit 130 from the transmitting / receiving unit 140. The management information input from the transmitting / receiving unit 140 includes notification information and the like notified from either the shared AP 20 or the terminal 30. When data is input from the transmitting / receiving unit 140 as a data frame or LLC packet, the frame processing unit 130 outputs the input data to the LLC processing unit 110. When management information is input from the transmitting / receiving unit 140, the frame processing unit 130 outputs the input notification information and the like to the management unit 120. When the sharing AP 10 communicates wirelessly with each of the shared APs 20, a management frame, which is a MAC frame including management information, is input from the transmitting / receiving unit 140 to the frame processing unit 130, and the frame processing unit 130 outputs the management information included in the management frame from the transmitting / receiving unit 140 to the management unit 120.

[0039] The transceiver 140 transmits and receives data, management information, and the like to and from each of the shared APs 20 to which it belongs via wireless or wired communication. When the sharing AP 10 communicates wirelessly with each of the shared APs 20, the transceiver 140 includes one or more wireless signal processing units. Each of the wireless signal processing units of the transceiver 140 generates a wireless frame by adding a preamble or the like to the MAC frame (data frame, management frame, etc.) input from the frame processing unit 130, and converts the generated wireless frame into a wireless signal. Each of the wireless signal processing units then transmits (radiates) the converted wireless signal via an antenna. The conversion process from the wireless frame to the wireless signal includes, for example, convolutional coding, interleaving, subcarrier modulation, inverse fast Fourier transform, OFDM modulation, and frequency conversion.

[0040] Each of the radio signal processing units of the transceiver 140 converts a radio signal received from one of the shared APs 20 via an antenna into a radio frame. The conversion process from the radio signal to the radio frame includes, for example, frequency conversion, OFDM demodulation, fast Fourier transform, subcarrier demodulation, deinterleaving, and Viterbi decoding. Each of the radio signal processing units extracts a MAC frame from the converted radio frame and outputs the extracted MAC frame to the frame processing unit 130.

[0041] In one example, the same number of wireless signal processing units as the number of shared APs 20 to which the transmitter / receiver 140 belongs are provided in the transmitter / receiver 140, and one corresponding wireless signal processing unit is provided for each of the multiple shared APs. Data and the like are input from the frame processing unit 130 to the wireless signal processing unit corresponding to the shared AP 20 that is the destination. Note that when multiple wireless signal processing units are provided in the transmitter / receiver 140 as in the example described above, the multiple wireless signal processing units are configured to transmit and receive wireless signals using different frequency bands or channels.

[0042] When the sharing AP 10 communicates with each of the shared APs 20 via a wired network, the transmitting / receiving unit 140 is connected to each of the shared APs 20 to which the sharing AP 10 belongs via a wired network, and transmits and receives data, management information, and the like via the wired network to and from each of the shared APs 20. In this case, the transmitting / receiving unit 140 is configured from a network interface for the wired network.

[0043] The management unit 120 cooperates with the shared AP 20 and the terminal 30 (non-AP MLD) to which it belongs, to perform allocation (mapping) of traffic transmitted and received between the sharing AP 10 and the terminal 30. As a result, traffic such as data transmitted from the sharing AP 10 is allocated to the shared AP 20 to which it belongs. The management unit 120 instructs the frame processing unit 130 on the destination of the traffic based on the traffic allocation result. Then, the frame processing unit 130 causes the transceiver unit 140 to transmit the traffic to the shared AP 20 corresponding to the instruction from the management unit 120. Note that the management unit 120 may allocate traffic based on a traffic identifier (TID) associated with an access category.

[0044] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a shared AP according to an embodiment. The shared AP 20 functions as a computer including a management unit 210, a frame processing unit 220, a transmission / reception unit 230, and a wireless signal processing unit 240. The management unit 210 and the frame processing unit 220 are functional blocks that perform processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of the second layer. The wireless signal processing unit 240 is a functional block that performs processing corresponding to the first layer. Furthermore, when the sharing AP 10 communicates wirelessly with each of the shared APs 20, the transmission / reception unit 230 is a functional block that performs processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of the second layer. When the sharing AP 10 communicates wired with each of the shared APs 20, the transmission / reception unit 230 is a functional block that performs processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of the second layer.

[0045] The transceiver 230 transmits and receives data, management information, and the like to and from the sharing AP 10 via wireless communication or wired communication. When the shared AP 20 communicates wirelessly with the sharing AP 10, the transceiver 230 includes a wireless signal processing unit. The wireless signal processing unit of the transceiver 230 generates a wireless frame by adding a preamble or the like to the MAC frame (data frame, management frame, etc.) input from the frame processing unit 220. The wireless signal processing unit of the transceiver 230 then converts the generated wireless frame into a wireless signal and transmits (radiates) the converted wireless signal to the sharing AP 10 via an antenna. The conversion process from the wireless frame to the wireless signal is performed as described above.

[0046] The wireless signal processing unit of the transceiver 230 converts the wireless signal received from the sharing AP 10 via the antenna into a wireless frame. The conversion process from the wireless signal to the wireless frame is performed as described above. The wireless signal processing unit extracts a MAC frame from the converted wireless frame and outputs the extracted MAC frame to the frame processing unit 220.

[0047] When the shared AP 20 communicates with the sharing AP 10 via a wired network, the transmitting / receiving unit 230 is connected to the sharing AP 10 via a wired network, and transmits and receives data, management information, etc. to and from the sharing AP 10 via the wired network. In this case, the transmitting / receiving unit 230 is configured from a network interface for the wired network.

[0048] When the shared AP 20 communicates with the sharing AP 10 via a wired connection, the frame processing unit 220 generates a MAC frame including data or management information received by the transceiver unit 230 from the sharing AP 10. For example, the frame processing unit 220 adds a MAC header to an LLC packet received from the sharing AP 10 to generate a MAC frame (data frame). When the shared AP 20 communicates with the sharing AP 10 via a wired connection, if a data frame that will become a MAC frame is input from the wireless signal processing unit 240, the frame processing unit 220 extracts an LLC packet from the input data frame and outputs the extracted LLC packet to the transceiver unit 230. The frame processing unit 220 also outputs management information from the management unit 210 to the transceiver unit 230. The transceiver unit 230 then transmits the LLC packet, management information, and the like to the sharing AP 10 via wired communication.

[0049] The wireless signal processing unit 240 can transmit and receive data, management information, and the like to and from the wirelessly connected terminals 30 via wireless communication. Therefore, the wireless signal processing unit 240 of the shared AP 20 can establish a wireless connection with each terminal 30 via one or more of the multiple links from that terminal 30. The wireless signal processing unit 240 generates a wireless frame by adding a preamble, etc. to the MAC frame (data frame, management frame, etc.) input from the frame processing unit 220. The wireless signal processing unit 240 then converts the generated wireless frame into a wireless signal and transmits (radiates) the converted wireless signal to the corresponding terminal 30 via an antenna. The conversion process from the wireless frame to the wireless signal is performed as described above.

[0050] The radio signal processing unit 240 also converts radio signals received from the terminal 30 via the antenna into radio frames. The conversion process from radio signals to radio frames is performed as described above. The radio signal processing unit 240 extracts MAC frames from the converted radio frames and outputs the extracted MAC frames to the frame processing unit 220.

[0051] When the shared AP 20 communicates wirelessly with the sharing AP 10, it is preferable that the wireless signal processing unit of the transceiver 230 be configured to transmit and receive signals using a frequency band or channel different from that of the wireless signal processing unit 240. When the shared AP 20 communicates wirelessly with the sharing AP 10, the transceiver 230 including the wireless signal processing unit does not need to be provided. In this case, the shared AP 20 communicates wirelessly with the sharing AP 10 via the wireless signal processing unit 240.

[0052] Frame processing unit 220 outputs a data frame, which is a MAC frame, to wireless signal processing unit 240. When management information is input from either transceiver unit 230 or wireless signal processing unit 240, frame processing unit 220 outputs the input management information to management unit 210. Furthermore, when management information to be notified to sharing AP 10 is input from management unit 210, frame processing unit 220 outputs the input management information to transceiver unit 230. When management information to be notified to terminal 30 is input from management unit 210, frame processing unit 220 generates a beacon frame as a management frame from the input management information. Frame processing unit 220 then outputs the generated beacon frame to wireless signal processing unit 240. Then, a wireless signal converted from the beacon frame is transmitted from wireless signal processing unit 240, whereby the management information included in the beacon is notified to terminal 30.

[0053] The management information notified by the shared AP 20 using a beacon includes information about the sharing AP 10, information about the shared AP 20 of the own station, and information about the shared AP 20 of another station that belongs to the sharing AP 10. Furthermore, the shared AP 20 may receive the above-mentioned multi-AP management information 121, terminal management information 122, etc. from the sharing AP 10, and the management unit 210 may notify the multi-AP management information 121, terminal management information 122, etc. using a beacon.

[0054] Furthermore, the management unit 210 stores link management information 211, which is connection management information, as management information related to the wireless connection of the terminal 30 in the multi-AP connection method. The link management information 211 includes an identifier of the terminal 30 wirelessly connected to the shared AP 20 of the local station. For the terminal 30 wirelessly connected to the shared AP 20 of the local station, the link management information 211 indicates an identifier of an affiliated STA wirelessly connected to the shared AP 20 of the local station. The identifier of the terminal 30 may include the MAC address of the terminal 30, and the identifier of the affiliated STA may include the identifier of the affiliated STA.

[0055] The transmitting / receiving unit 230 also receives instructions from the sharing AP 10 regarding transmission of traffic (data) between the sharing AP 10 and the terminal 30 wirelessly connected to the local station. The management unit 210 controls data transmission (transmission and reception of data) between the sharing AP 10 and the terminal 30 wirelessly connected to the shared AP 20 of the local station in accordance with the instructions from the sharing AP 10.

[0056] 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. The terminal 30 functions as a computer including an application execution unit 300, an LLC processing unit 310, a management unit 320, a frame processing unit 330, and radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360. The application execution unit 300 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to layer 7. The LLC processing unit 310 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to the LLC sublayer of layer 2 and layers 3 to 6. The management unit 320 and frame processing unit 330 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of layer 2. The radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of layer 2 and layer 1.

[0057] The application execution unit 300 executes an application based on data input from the LLC processing unit 310. The application execution unit 300 also inputs data to the LLC processing unit 310. For example, the application execution unit 300 can display application information on the display 35. The application execution unit 300 can also operate based on operations on an input interface.

[0058] The LLC processing unit 310, which also functions as a data processing unit, generates LLC packets by adding DSAP headers, SSAP headers, etc. to data input from the application execution unit 300. The LLC processing unit 310 then outputs the generated LLC packets to the frame processing unit 330. The LLC processing unit 310 also extracts data from the LLC packets input from the frame processing unit 330. The LLC processing unit 310 then outputs the extracted data to the application execution unit 300.

[0059] The management unit 320 controls the connection (logical wireless connection) between the sharing AP 10 and its own terminal 30 (non-AP MLD) in the multi-AP connection method. In the terminal 30, the management unit 320 acquires management information included in the beacon by receiving a beacon from the shared AP 20 to which the terminal 30 is wirelessly connected. In one example, the management unit 320 acquires the multi-AP management information 121 and terminal management information 122, etc., by receiving a beacon from the shared AP 20 in the terminal 30. The management unit 320 manages the management information included in the beacon. Then, the management unit 320 controls the wireless connection between each of the multiple affiliated STAs and the shared AP 20 to which it is connected, based on the management information.

[0060] The management unit 320 also stores link management information 321, which is connection management information. The link management information 321 indicates the identifier of the shared AP 20 to which each of the affiliated STAs of the local terminal 30 is to be wirelessly connected. The identifier of the shared AP 20 may include the MAC address of the shared AP 20.

[0061] Frame processing unit 330 generates a MAC frame by adding a MAC header to the LLC packet input from LLC processing unit 310. Frame processing unit 330 then distributes the generated MAC frame to radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360. At this time, the MAC frame is output to one or more corresponding radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360. Frame processing unit 330 also extracts LLC packets or management information from the MAC frames input from each of radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360. Frame processing unit 330 then outputs the LLC packet to LLC processing unit 310 and outputs the management information to management unit 320.

[0062] 1, the affiliated STAs A-STA1-1, A-STA1-2, and A-STA1-3 each include radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360. In the terminal 30-2, the affiliated STAs A-STA2-1, A-STA2-2, and A-STA2-3 each include radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360. The radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360 have equivalent functional configurations.

[0063] Each of the radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360 generates a radio frame by adding a preamble or the like to the MAC frame input from the frame processing unit 330. Then, each of the radio signal processing units 340, 350, and 360 converts the generated radio frame into a radio signal and transmits (radiates) the converted radio signal via an antenna. The conversion process from the radio frame to the radio signal is performed as described above.

[0064] Each of the wireless signal processors 340, 350, and 360 converts a wireless signal received from the corresponding shared AP 20 via an antenna into a wireless frame. The conversion process from a wireless signal to a wireless frame is performed as described above. Each of the wireless signal processors 340, 350, and 360 extracts a MAC frame from the converted wireless frame and outputs the extracted MAC frame to the frame processor 330.

[0065] In the communication system 1 employing the multi-AP connection method described above, multiple terminals 30 may be present in an environment in which multiple shared APs 20 are used, and multiple terminals 30 may communicate wirelessly via multiple links. In this case, a situation may arise in which one or more shared APs 20 serve as common connection destinations for the wireless connections of the multiple terminals 30. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1 , the wireless connection destinations of multiple terminals 30-1 and 30-2 are shared APs 20-1 to 20-3, and the three shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 serve as common connection destinations for the multiple terminals 30. In this case, for each shared AP 20, multiple shared APs 20, including the shared AP itself, serve as common connection destinations for the wireless connections of the multiple terminals 30. Then, each terminal 30 is wirelessly connected to the multiple shared APs 20 as common connection destinations for the multiple terminals 30, including the shared AP itself, via the wireless signal processing units 340, 350, and 360.

[0066] The following describes the processing performed by the sharing AP 10, the shared AP 20, and the terminal 30 in a state where multiple shared APs 20 serve as common connection destinations shared by multiple terminals 30. The following describes, as an example, a state where three shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 serve as common connection destinations for multiple terminals 30, as shown in Fig. 1 etc. The following also describes a case where data is transmitted from the sharing AP 10 to the terminal 30 via one of the shared APs 20, i.e., a case where downlink data is transmitted.

[0067] In a state in which multiple shared APs 20 serve as common connection destinations for multiple terminals 30, the management unit 120 of the sharing AP 10, in cooperation with the management unit 210 of the shared AP 20, etc., allocates a transmission period to each of the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination. That is, a transmission period is set for each terminal 30 and for each non-AP MLD. In each transmission period, the terminal 30 to which the transmission period is allocated in real time is set as a single target terminal. Then, in each transmission period, data (traffic) is transmitted only to the single target terminal from the multiple shared APs 20 that serve as common connection destinations, and only the target terminal transmits data between the multiple shared APs 20 that serve as common connection destinations.

[0068] Furthermore, during each transmission period, terminals 30 other than the target terminal, i.e., terminals 30 other than the terminals 30 to which transmission periods are allocated in real time, do not transmit data between the multiple shared APs 20 that are commonly connected. Furthermore, the management unit 120 etc. allocates transmission periods to the multiple terminals 30 so that the transmission periods do not overlap in time among the multiple terminals 30. For this reason, a transmission period in which the multiple shared APs 20 that are commonly connected transmit data only to one terminal 30 is time-divided from a transmission period in which the multiple shared APs 20 transmit data only to another single terminal 30.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of allocation of transmission periods to multiple terminals in a communication system according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 8, a connection similar to the example of FIG. 1 is established between each of the terminals 30 and the sharing AP 10. Then, a transmission period T1 during which data is transmitted only from the multiple shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 to terminal 30-1 (non-AP MLD1), and a transmission period T2 during which data is transmitted only from the multiple shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 to terminal 30-2 (non-AP MLD2) are set. Then, the transmission period T1 is allocated to terminal 30-1, and the transmission period T2 is allocated to terminal 30-2.

[0070] During transmission period T1, terminal 30-1 is set as the single target terminal that transmits data to and from shared APs 20-1 to 20-3, and terminal 30-2, which is not the target terminal, does not transmit data to and from shared APs 20-1 to 20-3. Also, during transmission period T2, terminal 30-2 is set as the single target terminal that transmits data to and from shared APs 20-1 to 20-3, and terminal 30-1, which is not the target terminal, does not transmit data to and from shared APs 20-1 to 20-3.

[0071] 8, the transmission period T2 assigned to the terminal 30-2 starts at the end of the transmission period T1 assigned to the terminal 30-1, and the transmission periods T1 and T2 do not overlap in time. At the time of switching from the transmission period T1 to the transmission period T2, the transmission periods T1 and T2 are time-shared with each other.

[0072] 8 , when the transmission period T1 switches to the transmission period T2, the terminal 30 to which the transmission period is assigned switches from terminal 30-1 to terminal 30-2. Then, in each of the multiple shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 that are common connection destinations of the terminal 30, when the transmission period T1 switches to the transmission period T2, the destination of the data transmission switches from terminal 30-1 to terminal 30-2. Therefore, for each of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3, when the transmission period T1 switches to the transmission period T2, the period when the destination of the data transmission is terminal 30-1 is time-shared with the period when the destination of the data transmission is terminal 30-2.

[0073] By allocating a transmission period to each terminal 30 (one non-AP MLD) as described above, during each transmission period, data transmission between the target terminal to which the transmission period is allocated is synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20. That is, the periods for transmitting data to the target terminal are synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20 that are commonly connected. In the example of FIG. 8 , during transmission period T1, data transmission to terminal 30-1 is performed in synchronization among the multiple shared APs 20, and during transmission period T2, data transmission to terminal 30-2 is performed in synchronization among the multiple shared APs 20.

[0074] During each transmission period, the management unit 210 of each shared AP 20 cooperates with the sharing AP 10 and other shared APs 20 to synchronize data transmission to the target terminal to which the transmission period is assigned in real time between the shared AP 20 and the other shared APs 20, i.e., between the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations. Then, the management unit 320 of each terminal 30 cooperates with the sharing AP 10 and the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations to synchronize data transmission to the shared AP 20 that is the target terminal during the transmission period assigned to the shared AP 20.

[0075] Furthermore, the management unit 120 of the sharing AP 10 cooperates with the shared APs 20 and the like to which it belongs, and switches the terminal 30 to which the transmission period is assigned, thereby synchronizing the timing at which the terminal 30 serving as the destination of data transmission is switched between the common connection destination and the multiple shared APs 20. That is, the timing at which the terminal 30 serving as the destination of data transmission is switched is synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20. In the example of FIG. 8 , when switching from transmission period T1 to transmission period T2, the destination of data transmission is switched from terminal 30-1 to terminal 30-2 in synchronization among the multiple shared APs 20.

[0076] The management unit 210 of each shared AP 20 cooperates with the sharing AP 10 and other shared APs 20 to switch the terminal 30 to which a transmission period is assigned, thereby synchronizing the timing at which the terminal 30 to be the destination of data transmission is switched between its own station and the other shared APs 20, i.e., among the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations. The management unit 320 of each terminal 30 cooperates with the sharing AP 10 and the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations to switch the terminal 30 to which a transmission period is assigned from its own station, thereby synchronizing the timing at which the terminal 30 to be the destination of data transmission is switched from its own station among the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations.

[0077] When determining the allocation of transmission periods to multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to a common connection destination, the management unit 120 of the sharing AP 10 cooperates with the management unit 210 of the shared AP 20, etc., to monitor the status of traffic to be transmitted to each terminal 30 and the status of the terminal 30 to which data (traffic) is to be transmitted. For example, the traffic status may be measured as the amount of traffic or the time required for transmission for each traffic to be transmitted. For example, the status of the terminal 30 may be measured as the transmission airtime, the number of frame transmissions, or the channel occupation time for each terminal 30 to which data is to be transmitted. Furthermore, the status of the terminal 30 may be detected based on the measured channel occupation time, etc., such as the amount of traffic waiting to be transmitted at the terminal 30 and the degree of traffic congestion at the terminal 30.

[0078] In one example, a control device is provided that bundles multiple sharing APs including the sharing AP 10, and the control device controls the traffic status of each of the multiple sharing APs including the sharing AP 10. In this case, the management unit 120 of the sharing AP 10 collects information about other sharing APs from the control device. The information about the other sharing APs includes the traffic status of other sharing APs and the status of data transmission between the other sharing APs and the terminal 30. The management unit 120 then detects the status of the terminal 30, such as the level of traffic congestion at the terminal 30, based on the information collected from the control device. In this example, the management unit 120 may notify the shared AP 20 to which it belongs of the information collected from the control device.

[0079] In this embodiment, the management unit 120 or the like performs the aforementioned monitoring of the traffic to be transmitted and the status of the terminals 30 or the like that are the transmission targets for a certain period of time. Then, the management unit 120 or the like determines the allocation of transmission periods to the multiple terminals 30 based on the traffic detected by the monitoring and the status of the terminals 30 or the like. In one example, the allocation of transmission periods to the terminals 30 is determined based on the channel occupation time of each terminal 30 that is the data transmission target. At this time, for example, the longer the channel occupation time of a terminal 30, the higher the priority in allocating the transmission period.

[0080] After determining the allocation of transmission periods to the multiple terminals 30, the management unit 120 notifies the shared AP 20 and the terminals 30 of allocation information for the determined transmission periods. Then, the management units 320 of the multiple terminals 30 and the management unit 210 of the shared AP 20 that serves as a common connection destination for the multiple terminals 30 cooperate with each other to control data transmission based on the allocation information for the determined transmission periods. As a result, during each transmission period, the multiple shared APs 20 that serve as common connection destinations transmit data only with the single target terminal to which the transmission period is assigned. During each transmission period, the multiple shared APs 20 may transmit data with the target terminal using a normal scheme or may transmit data using burst mode.

[0081] The management unit 120 of the sharing AP 10 manages the transmission periods for which allocation has been determined. In one example, the management unit 120 notifies the terminal 30, which is the target terminal to which the transmission period is assigned, of the start of the transmission period by transmitting a trigger at the start of each transmission period. The trigger also includes information regarding the end time of the started transmission period or the length of the started transmission period. Therefore, the terminal 30, which is the target terminal, obtains information regarding the end of the started transmission period by receiving the trigger. Therefore, in this example, the management unit 120 manages and controls the transmission periods assigned to the multiple terminals 30 by transmitting a trigger to the terminal 30, which is the target terminal, at the start of each transmission period. Alternatively, the management unit 120 may manage and control the transmission periods assigned to the multiple terminals 30 by transmitting an RTS / CTS signal to the terminal 30, which is the target terminal, instead of a trigger.

[0082] In another example, the management unit 120 preliminarily designates a period other than the transmission period as a NAV (Network Allocation Vector: transmission prohibition period) for each of the multiple terminals 30. Then, in each of the multiple terminals 30, the management unit 320 controls data transmission so that data transmission is not performed between the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations during the period designated as the NAV. Therefore, in this example, the management unit 120 manages and controls the transmission periods allocated to the multiple terminals 30 by preliminarily designating a period other than the transmission period as a transmission prohibition period for each of the multiple terminals 30.

[0083] In one example, the management unit 320 of each of the multiple terminals 30 puts itself into a sleep state during periods other than the assigned transmission period. In this case, the management unit 120 of the sharing AP 10 may notify each of the multiple terminals 30 of a command to go into a sleep state during periods other than the transmission period by causing the terminal to transmit a trigger or the like.

[0084] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the communication system according to the embodiment. The processing shown in the example of FIG. 9 is periodically performed in a state in which a plurality of shared APs 20 are common wireless connection destinations for a plurality of terminals 30. When the processing of the example of FIG. 9 starts, the management unit 120 of the sharing AP 10 cooperates with the management units 210 of the shared APs 20, etc., to monitor the status of traffic to be transmitted to each terminal 30, the status of the terminal 30 to which data is to be transmitted, etc. (S51). The monitoring of the traffic status and the status of the terminal 30, etc., is performed as described above.

[0085] Then, the management unit 120 etc. determines the allocation of transmission periods to the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination based on the traffic detected by monitoring and the status of the terminals 30 etc. (S52). At this time, the allocation of transmission periods to the multiple terminals 30 is determined as described above. Then, the management unit 120 notifies the shared AP 20 and the terminals 30 of allocation information about the determined transmission periods (S53).

[0086] Then, the management units 320 of the multiple terminals 30 and the management unit 210 of the shared AP 20 that serves as a common connection destination for the multiple terminals 30 cooperate with each other to control data transmission based on the allocation information for the determined transmission period (S54). As a result, during each transmission period, the multiple shared APs 20 that serve as common connection destinations transmit data only with the single target terminal to which the transmission period is assigned. During each transmission period, data transmission between the target terminal to which the transmission period is assigned is synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20. Furthermore, the timing at which the terminal 30 that serves as the data transmission destination is switched is synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20.

[0087] In the above example, a case has been described in which data (downstream data) is transmitted from multiple shared APs 20 to a target terminal during each transmission period. However, data (upstream data) may also be transmitted from a target terminal to which a transmission period is assigned to multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations during each transmission period. Furthermore, data may be transmitted from multiple shared APs 20 to a target terminal and from the target terminal to multiple shared APs 20 during each transmission period. However, in either case, multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations for multiple terminals 30 transmit data only with a single target terminal to which a transmission period is assigned during each transmission period, and do not transmit data with terminals 30 other than the target terminal.

[0088] As described above, in this embodiment, in a state in which multiple shared APs 20 are common connection destinations for multiple terminals 30, a transmission period during which data is transmitted between only a single target terminal (a single target terminal group) and the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations is allocated to each of the multiple terminals 30 (each terminal group) that are wirelessly connected to the common connection destinations. Then, during each transmission period, data transmission between the target terminal (target terminal group) that is allocated the transmission period is synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations.

[0089] By controlling data transmission as described above, the timing of data transmission (data exchange) among each of the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to a common connection destination is prevented from varying depending on the shared AP 20 that is the common connection destination. Therefore, a decrease in throughput is prevented and an increase in data transmission time is prevented in data transmission between the sharing AP 10 and each of the terminals 30. Furthermore, during each transmission period, the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations transmit data only with the target terminal to which the transmission period is assigned, effectively preventing uplink data transmitted from each terminal 30 from colliding with uplink data from other terminals 30.

[0090] In this embodiment, by switching the terminal 30 to which the transmission period is assigned, the timing at which the terminal 30 serving as the destination of data transmission is switched is synchronized among the multiple shared APs serving as common connection destinations. This more effectively prevents the timing of data transmission (data exchange) from differing for each shared AP 20 serving as the common connection destination among the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination.

[0091] In one example of the embodiment, at the start of each transmission period, a trigger is transmitted to the terminal 30 that is the target terminal, or a period other than the transmission period is designated in advance as a NAV (transmission prohibited period) in each of the multiple terminals 30. As a result, each of the multiple terminals 30 transmits data with the shared AP 20 that is the common connection destination in a state corresponding to the allocation of the transmission period to the multiple terminals 30.

[0092] In one embodiment, each of the multiple terminals 30 enters a sleep state during periods other than the transmission period. In this embodiment, as described above, each of the multiple terminals 30 transmits data between the multiple shared APs 20 that are its common connection destinations only during the assigned transmission period, and does not transmit data between the multiple terminals 30 and the shared AP 20 during periods other than the transmission period. Therefore, even if each of the multiple terminals 30 enters a sleep state during periods other than the transmission period, the multiple terminals 30 appropriately transmit data between the multiple shared APs 20 that are its common connection destinations. Furthermore, by entering a sleep state during periods other than the transmission period, power consumption in each of the multiple terminals 30 is reduced.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the case where three affiliated STAs are provided in each of the terminals 30 has been mainly described, but it is sufficient that each of the terminals 30 is configured to be provided with a plurality of affiliated STAs. That is, each of the terminals 30 may be configured with two affiliated STAs, or four or more affiliated STAs.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 are common connection destinations for the wireless connections of the multiple terminals 30 has been mainly described. However, even in a case where only two of the shared APs 20-1 to 20-3 are common connection destinations for the multiple terminals 30, such as when only the shared APs 20-1 and 20-2 are common connection destinations for the multiple terminals 30, similar to the above-described embodiment, a transmission period can be assigned for each terminal 30 (for each terminal group) for data transmission between the multiple terminals 30 that are common connection destinations and only a single target terminal (a single target terminal group) for the multiple terminals 30 that are wirelessly connected to the common connection destination. Then, during each transmission period, data transmission between the target terminals to which the transmission period has been assigned is synchronized by the multiple shared APs 20 that are common connection destinations.

[0095] Furthermore, even when four or more shared APs 20 belong to a sharing AP 10 and the four or more shared APs 20 are common connection destinations for multiple terminals 30, the allocation of transmission periods and data transmission during each transmission period are performed in the same manner as in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0096] Furthermore, even when only one shared AP 20 is a common connection destination for multiple terminals 30, such as when only the shared AP 20-1 is a common connection destination for the wireless connections of multiple terminals 30, transmission periods can be assigned to the multiple terminals 30 that are wirelessly connected to the common connection destination, similar to the above-described embodiment, etc. In this case, similar to the above-described embodiment, a transmission period for transmitting data between the multiple terminals 30 and the shared AP 20 that is a common connection destination for only a single target terminal (a single target terminal group) is assigned to each terminal 30. By assigning transmission periods as described above, a decrease in throughput is suppressed and an increase in data transmission time is suppressed in data transmission between the sharing AP 10 and each of the terminals 30.

[0097] In another modified example, a plurality of terminals 30 wirelessly connected to a common connection destination are grouped into a plurality of terminal groups. One or more terminals 30 belong to each of the plurality of terminal groups. In this modified example, a transmission period is assigned to each of the plurality of terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination. Then, during each transmission period, only a single target terminal group transmits data to the shared AP 20 that is the common connection destination, and terminal groups other than the target terminal group are unable to transmit data to the shared AP 20 that is the common connection destination.

[0098] In this modification, when multiple shared APs 20 exist as common connection destinations for multiple terminals 30, data transmission between target terminal groups to which the transmission periods are assigned during each transmission period is synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20 that serve as common connection destinations. Also, when multiple shared APs 20 exist as common connection destinations for multiple terminals 30, by switching the terminal group to which the transmission period is assigned, the timing at which the terminal 30 that serves as the destination of data transmission is switched is synchronized among the multiple shared APs 20 that serve as common connection destinations. This modification also achieves the same functions and effects as the above-described embodiment, etc.

[0099] In a modified example in which a transmission period is assigned to each terminal group, each of the plurality of grouped terminal groups has only one terminal 30, so that a transmission period is assigned to each terminal 30, as in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the plurality of terminals 30 wirelessly connected to a common connection destination are grouped in a state in which the imbalance in traffic volume among the plurality of terminal groups is minimized as much as possible. In one example, the terminals 30 with high traffic volume and the terminals 30 with low traffic volume are grouped in a state in which they belong to the same terminal group.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, each of the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination corresponds to a non-AP MLD that establishes a wireless connection via multiple links. However, the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination may also include a terminal 30 that establishes a wireless connection via only one link. That is, the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination may also include a non-MLD STA, which is a terminal 30 equipped with only one affiliated STA. A terminal 30 that is a non-MLD STA can establish a wireless connection only with one shared AP 20. Even when the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination include a non-MLD STA, a transmission period is assigned to each of the multiple terminals 30 wirelessly connected to the common connection destination for each terminal group. During each transmission period, only a single target terminal group transmits data to the shared AP 20 that is the common connection destination, and terminal groups other than the target terminal group are unable to transmit data to the shared AP 20 that is the common connection destination.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the functions of the sharing AP and the shared AP are completely separate, but in some variations, the sharing AP may also have the functions of a shared AP. For example, in a communication system 1 similar to that shown in FIG. 1, the sharing AP 10 may perform the processing of the shared AP 20-1 in addition to the processing described above. In this case, the sharing AP 10 has, as its functional configuration, an LLC processing unit 110, a management unit 120, a frame processing unit 130, and a transceiver unit 140, as well as a management unit 210, a frame processing unit 220, and a radio signal processing unit 240.

[0102] In a sharing AP 10 having shared AP functionality, the transmitter / receiver 140 transmits and receives data, management information, and the like to and from each of the shared APs 20-2 and 20-3, which are the shared APs 20 to which it belongs, via wireless or wired communication. In the sharing AP 10, the wireless signal processor 240 can transmit and receive data, management information, and the like to and from each of the terminals 30-1 and 30-2 via wireless communication. Data, management information, and the like are also exchanged between the frame processor 130 included in the functionality of the sharing AP 10 and the frame processor 220 included in the functionality of the shared AP. Even when a sharing AP 10 having shared AP functionality is provided, the same processing as in the above-described embodiment is performed by the sharing AP 10, the shared APs 20 belonging to the sharing AP 10, and the terminals 30.

[0103] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and the like, the connection between the sharing AP 10 and the terminal 30 goes through one shared AP, but in a modified example, the connection between the sharing AP 10 and the terminal 30 may go through two or more shared APs. That is, the processing of the above-described embodiment and the like can also be applied to a multi-AP connection method with a multi-stage configuration in which two or more shared APs are interposed between the sharing AP and the terminal.

[0104] The processes of the above-described embodiments and the like can be stored as a program that can be executed by a processor, which is a computer. Furthermore, the program that executes the above-described processes can be stored and distributed in a storage medium of an external storage device, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. The processor can then read the program stored in the storage medium of the external storage device, and its operation can be controlled by the read program, thereby executing the processes of the embodiments and the like.

[0105] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0106] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Communication system 10...Sharing AP 11, 21, 31...CPU 12, 22, 32...ROM 13, 23, 33...RAM 14, 24, 34...Wireless communication module 15...Wired communication module 20, 20-1, 20-2, 20-3...Shared AP 30, 30-1, 30-2...Terminal 35...Display 36...Storage 40...Network 110, 310...LLC processing unit 120, 210, 320...Management unit 121...Multi-AP management information 122...Terminal management information 130, 220, 330...Frame processing unit 140, 230...Transmission / reception unit 211, 321...Link management information 240, 340, 350, 360...Wireless signal processing unit 300...Application execution unit

Claims

1. A sharing access point comprising a management unit that, in a state where one or more shared access points serve as a common connection destination for the wireless connections of multiple terminals, allocates a transmission period for each terminal group to transmit data between a single target terminal group and the shared access point that serves as the common connection destination for multiple terminals, for each of the multiple terminals that have been grouped into multiple terminal groups.

2. The sharing access point according to claim 1, wherein, when there are multiple shared access points as common connection destinations for the multiple terminals, the management unit synchronizes the data transmission between the target terminal group to which the transmission period is allocated at the multiple shared access points that serve as common connection destinations during each of the transmission periods.

3. The sharing access point according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the management unit, when there are multiple shared access points as common connection destinations for the multiple terminals, switches the terminal group to which the transmission period is assigned, thereby synchronizing the timing of the switching of the terminal that will be the data transmission partner among the multiple shared access points that are common connection destinations.

4. A shared access point comprising a management unit that, in a state where one or more shared access points belonging to a sharing access point including its own station serve as a common connection destination for the wireless connections of multiple terminals, allocates a transmission period for each terminal group to transmit data between a single target terminal group and the shared access point that serves as the common connection destination for all of the multiple terminals, which are grouped into multiple terminal groups.

5. The shared access point according to claim 4, wherein, when there are multiple shared access points including itself as common connection destinations for the multiple terminals, the management unit synchronizes the data transmission between the target terminal group to which the transmission period is allocated at the multiple shared access points that serve as common connection destinations during each of the transmission periods.

6. The shared access point according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the management unit, when there are multiple shared access points including itself as the common connection destination for the multiple terminals, switches the terminal group to which the transmission period is allocated, thereby synchronizing the timing of the switching of the terminal that will be the data transmission partner among the multiple shared access points that will be the common connection destination.

7. Wireless signal processing unit, In a state where multiple terminals, including the station itself, are wirelessly connected by the wireless signal processing unit to one or more shared access points belonging to the shared access point as a common connection destination, a management unit allocates a transmission period to the terminal group to which the station itself belongs, during which only a single target terminal group among the multiple terminals, which are grouped into multiple terminal groups, transmits data to the shared access point that serves as the common connection destination. A terminal equipped with the following.

8. The terminal according to claim 7, wherein, when there are multiple shared access points that serve as common connection destinations for the multiple terminals including itself, the management unit synchronizes the data transmission between itself and the target terminal group with the multiple shared access points that serve as common connection destinations during the transmission period assigned to the terminal group to which it belongs.