Apparatus and method for reusing resources in extended bandwidth

Abstract

A processing circuit for processing a wireless signal received through at least one antenna may include at least one segment deparser for generating at least one data stream from segments corresponding to different frequency bands, at least one realranger for realranging the at least one data stream, and a stream deparser for generating a bit stream based on the at least one data stream or the realranged at least one data stream according to a receiving mode defined based on the bandwidth used for transmitting the wireless signal and MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The technical concept of the present disclosure relates to wireless communication, and specifically to an apparatus and method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth. Background Technology

[0002] As an example of wireless communication, WLAN (wireless local area network) is a technology that connects two or more devices using a wireless signal transmission method, and WLAN technology can be based on the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard. The 802.11 standard has evolved into 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax, and can support transmission speeds of up to 1 Gbyte / s based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) technology.

[0003] In 802.11ac, data can be transmitted simultaneously to multiple users through the Multi-User Multi-Input Multi-Output (MU-MIMO) technique. In 802.11ax, referred to as High Efficiency (HE), multiple access is implemented by applying not only MU-MIMO but also Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technology to divide and provide available subcarriers to users. Through this, WLAN systems equipped with 802.11ax can effectively support communication in dense areas and outdoors.

[0004] 802.11be, referred to as EHT (extremely high throughput), aims to implement support for the 6 GHz unlicensed frequency band, utilize bandwidth of up to 320 MHz per channel, introduce HARQ (hybrid automatic repeat and request), and support for up to 16x16 MIMO. Through this, next-generation WLAN systems are expected to effectively support low latency and ultra-high-speed transmission, similar to NR (new radio), a 5G technology. The problem to be solved

[0005] The technical concept of the present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for reusing resources to process signals received in an extended bandwidth. means of solving the problem

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the technical concept of the present disclosure, a processing circuit for processing a wireless signal received through at least one antenna may include at least one segment deparser for generating at least one data stream from segments corresponding to different frequency bands, at least one realranger for realranging the at least one data stream, and a stream deparser for generating a bit stream based on the at least one data stream or the realranged at least one data stream according to a receiving mode defined based on the bandwidth used for transmitting the wireless signal and MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output).

[0007] According to one aspect of the technical concept of the present disclosure, a method for processing a wireless signal received through at least one antenna may include the steps of generating at least one data stream from segments corresponding to each of different frequency bands, rearranging the at least one data stream, and generating a bit stream based on the at least one data stream or the rearranged at least one data stream according to a receiving mode defined based on the bandwidth used for transmitting the wireless signal and MIMO.

[0008] A wireless communication device according to one aspect of the technical concept of the present disclosure may include at least one antenna, a transceiver connected to the at least one antenna, and a processing circuit that generates at least one data stream related to at least one spatial stream from a signal received through the at least one antenna and the transceiver, and decodes bit streams generated from the data stream, wherein the processing circuit may, in a first receiving mode, rearrange the at least one data stream and generate a bit stream based on the rearranged at least one data stream, and in a second receiving mode, generate a bit stream based on the at least one data stream. Effects of the invention

[0009] According to the apparatus and method of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, resources for processing a received signal can be reused in an extended bandwidth, and accordingly, reduced area and power can be achieved in a wireless communication device.

[0010] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the description below. That is, unintended effects resulting from the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a transmission interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a receiving interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 6a, FIGS. 6b, and FIGS. 6c are drawings illustrating examples of operations in which a bit stream is generated from a data stream according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of generating a bit stream from a data stream according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing the operation of a receiving interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a drawing showing examples of a device for wireless communication according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a wireless communication system (10) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a wireless local area network (WLAN) system as an example of a wireless communication system (10).

[0013] The terms used herein are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text. As used herein, "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.

[0014] In addition, in describing the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, the primary focus will be on wireless communication systems based on OFDM or OFDMA, particularly the IEEE 802.11 standard; however, the main content of the present disclosure can be applied with slight modifications without significantly departing from the scope of the present disclosure to other communication systems having similar technical backgrounds and channel types (e.g., cellular communication systems such as LTE (long term evolution), LTE-A (LTE-advanced), NR (new radio), WiBro (wireless broadband), and GSM (global system for mobile communication), or short-range communication systems such as Bluetooth and NFC (near field communication)). This will be possible at the judgment of a person skilled in the technical field of the present disclosure.

[0015] In the various embodiments of the present disclosure described below, a hardware-based approach is described as an example. However, since the various embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques using both hardware and software, the various embodiments of the present disclosure do not exclude a software-based approach.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless communication system (10) may include first and second access points (AP1, AP2), a first station (STA1), a second station (STA2), a third station (STA3), and a fourth station (STA4). The first and second access points (AP1, AP2) may be connected to a network (13) including the Internet, an IP (internet protocol) network, or any other network. The first access point (AP1) may provide access to the network (13) to the first station (STA1), the second station (STA2), the third station (STA3), and the fourth station (STA4) within a first coverage area (11), and the second access point (AP2) may also provide access to the network (13) to the third and fourth stations (STA3, STA4) within a second coverage area (12). In some embodiments, the first and second access points (AP1, AP2) can communicate with at least one of the first station (STA1), second station (STA2), third station (STA3) and fourth station (STA4) based on WiFi (wireless fidelity) or any other WLAN connection technology.

[0017] An access point may be referred to as a router, gateway, etc., and a station may be referred to as a mobile station, subscriber station, terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, user equipment, user, etc. A station may be a portable device such as a mobile phone, laptop computer, wearable device, etc., or a stationary device such as a desktop computer, smart TV, etc. In this specification, an access point may be referred to as a first device, and a station may be referred to as a second device or a third device. Examples of access points and stations will be described later with reference to FIG. 11.

[0018] An access point may allocate at least one resource unit (RU) to at least one station. The access point may transmit data through the allocated at least one resource unit, and at least one station may receive data through the allocated at least one resource unit. In 802.11ax (hereinafter HE), an access point may allocate only a single resource unit to at least one station, whereas in 802.11be (hereinafter EHT) or next-generation IEEE 802.11 standards (hereinafter EHT+), an access point may allocate a multi-resource unit (MRU) containing two or more resource units to at least one station. For example, a first access point (AP1) may allocate a multi-resource unit to at least one of a first station (STA1), a second station (STA2), a third station (STA3), and a fourth station (STA4), and transmit data through the allocated multi-resource unit.

[0019] Access points and stations can communicate with each other over extended bandwidth (or channel bandwidth). For example, 802.11n (hereinafter HT) can support a channel bandwidth of up to 40 MHz, while 802.11ac (hereinafter VHT) and HE can support a channel bandwidth of up to 160 MHz (including 80+80 MHz), and EHT can support a channel bandwidth of up to 320 MHz. Additionally, access points and stations can communicate with each other based on increased modulation orders. For example, HT can support up to 64-QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation), while VHT can support up to 256-QAM, HE can support up to 1024-QAM, and EHT can support up to 4096-QAM. Additionally, access points and stations can communicate with each other based on MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output) with increased spatial streams. For example, HT can support SU (single user)-MIMO with up to 4 spatial streams, but VHT can support SU-MIMO with up to 8 spatial streams as well as MU (multi-user)-MIMO, and HE can support MU-MIMO with up to 8 spatial streams. Accordingly, devices for processing wireless signals received through antennas at access points and / or stations can have high complexity, and consequently, the area and power consumption by hardware may increase.

[0020] As described below with reference to the drawings, an apparatus for processing radio signals received through an antenna at an access point and / or station may include resources that are reused in an extended bandwidth. Accordingly, despite the extended bandwidth, increased modulation order, and spatial streams, the increase in the area and power consumption of the apparatus may be limited, and the efficiency of the access point and / or station may be increased. In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference primarily to an example of processing radio signals received with a channel bandwidth of 160 MHz, but it should be noted that exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to processing radio signals received with a channel bandwidth wider than 160 MHz. Additionally, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference primarily to an example of processing radio signals received through two spatial streams, but it should be noted that exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to processing radio signals received through more than two spatial streams.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication system (20) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the block diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates a first wireless communication device (21) and a second wireless communication device (22) communicating with each other in the wireless communication system (20). Each of the first wireless communication device (21) and the second wireless communication device (22) of FIG. 2 may be any device communicating in the wireless communication system (20) and may be referred to as a device for wireless communication. In some embodiments, each of the first wireless communication device (21) and the second wireless communication device (22) may be an access point or station of a WLAN system.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the first wireless communication device (21) may include an antenna (21_2), a transceiver (21_4), and a processing circuit (21_6). In some embodiments, the antenna (21_2), the transceiver (21_4), and the processing circuit (21_6) may be included in a single package or in different packages. The second wireless communication device (22) may also include an antenna (22_2), a transceiver (22_4), and a processing circuit (22_6). Redundant descriptions of the first wireless communication device (21) and the second wireless communication device (22) will be omitted below.

[0023] The antenna (21_2) may receive a signal from the second wireless communication device (22) and provide it to the transceiver (21_4), and may also transmit the signal provided from the transceiver (21_4) to the second wireless communication device (22). In some embodiments, the antenna (21_2) may include a plurality of antennas for MIMO. Also, in some embodiments, the antenna (21_2) may include a phased array for beamforming.

[0024] The transceiver (21_4) can process a signal received from the second wireless communication device (22) through the antenna (21_2) and provide the processed signal to the processing circuit (21_6). Additionally, the transceiver (21_4) can process a signal provided from the processing circuit (21_6) and output the processed signal through the antenna (21_2). In some embodiments, the transceiver (21_4) may include analog circuits such as a low noise amplifier, a mixer, a filter, a power amplifier, an oscillator, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver (21_4) can process a signal received from the antenna (21_2) and / or a signal received from the processing circuit (21_6) based on the control of the processing circuit (21_6).

[0025] In some embodiments, the transceiver (21_4) may provide a plurality of transmit chains and / or a plurality of receive chains. For example, if the antenna (21_2) is composed of a plurality of antennas, the transceiver (21_4) may provide a plurality of transmit chains and / or a plurality of receive chains corresponding to each of the plurality of antennas.

[0026] The processing circuit (21_6) can extract information transmitted by the second wireless communication device (22) by processing a signal received from the transceiver (21_4). For example, the processing circuit (21_6) can extract information by demodulating and / or decoding the signal received from the transceiver (21_4). Additionally, it can generate a signal containing information to be transmitted to the second wireless communication device (22) and provide it to the transceiver (21_4). For example, the processing circuit (21_6) can provide the transceiver (21_4) with a signal generated by encoding and / or modulating data to be transmitted to the second wireless communication device (22). In some embodiments, the processing circuit (21_6) may include a programmable component such as a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), etc., a reconfigurable component such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and a component that provides fixed functions such as an intellectual property (IP) core, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuit (21_6) may include a memory that stores data and / or a series of instructions, or may access said memory.

[0027] In some embodiments, the processing circuit (21_6) may include resources that are reused in the extended bandwidth. For example, as described below with reference to FIG. 4, the processing circuit (21_6) may use resources designed to process a signal received in a bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz) to process a signal received in an extended bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz). Accordingly, dedicated resources for processing a signal received in an extended bandwidth may be omitted from the processing circuit (21_6), and consequently, the area and power consumption of the processing circuit (21_6) may be reduced.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a transmission interface (30) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the transmission interface (30) may be included in the processing circuit (21_6 or 22_6) of FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transmission interface (30) may include an encoder (31), a stream parser (32), a first segment parser (33), a second segment parser (34), a first mapper (35), and a second mapper (36).

[0029] The encoder (31) can generate a codeword (CW) by encoding a data unit (DU). For example, the encoder (31) can encode the data unit (DU) based on any encoding method such as BCC (binary convolution code), LDPC (low-density parity-check), turbo code, etc., and provide the codeword (CW) to the stream parser (32). In some embodiments, a Post-FEC (forward error correction) PHY padding block may be inserted between the encoder (31) and the stream parser (32).

[0030] The stream parser (32) can receive a codeword (CW) from the encoder (31) and can generate a first spatial stream (SS0) and a second spatial stream (SS1) from the codeword (CW). For example, the stream parser (32) can generate the first spatial stream (SS0) and the second spatial stream (SS1) based on [Equation 1] below.

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

[0036] In [Equation 1], s can be the number of bits parsed by one antenna per round, and N BPSCS can be the number of encoded bits per subcarrier per spatial stream, and i SS can be an index of a spatial stream, and N SS can be the number of spatial streams, and N CBPS can be the number of bits coded per symbol, and N CBPSS can be the number of coded bits per symbol per space stream.

[0037] The first segment parser (33) and the second segment parser (34) can generate a plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of different bands, respectively, from a spatial stream. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first segment parser (33) can generate two first segments (SG00, SG01) from a first spatial stream (SS0), and the second segment parser (34) can generate two second segments (SG10, SG11) from a second spatial stream (SS1). In some embodiments, the two first segments (SG00, SG01) and the two second segments (SG10, SG11) can each correspond to different bands having a width of 80 MHz. In this specification, a segment may be referred to as a frequency subblock, a frequency segment, etc. In some embodiments, the first segment parser (33) and the second segment parser (34) can each generate segments based on the following [Equation 2].

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

[0042]

[0043] In [Mathematical Formula 2], x m is N CBPSS It can be bit m of a bit number block, l can be the index of a frequency subblock, and y k,l It can be bit k of frequency subblock l.

[0044] The first mapper (35) and the second mapper (36) may include a constellation mapper and a tone mapper. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first mapper (35) may include two constellation mappers and two tone mappers for two first segments (SG00, SG01). Additionally, the second mapper (36) may include two constellation mappers and two tone mappers for two second segments (SG10, SG11). The constellation mapper may map the bits of the segments to constellation points according to a selected modulation scheme. The higher the modulation order, the more bits may be mapped at once. The tone mapper may map the constellation points to separated subcarriers. In some embodiments, the processing circuit (21_6 or 22_6) of FIG. 2 may include a receiving interface (e.g., 40 of FIG. 4) that performs the operations performed by the transmitting interface (30) in reverse.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a receiving interface (40) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the receiving interface (40) may be included in the processing circuit (21_6 or 22_6) of FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the receiving interface (40) may include a spatial demapper (41), a first tone demapper (42), a second tone demapper (43), a first segment deparser (44), a second segment deparser (45), a first reorderer (46), a second reorderer (47), a first multiplexer (48), a second multiplexer (49), a first concatenator (50), a second concatenator (51), a third multiplexer (52), a stream deparser (53), a codeword loader (54), and a decoder (55).

[0046] The spatial demapper (41) can generate a first spatial stream (SS0) and a second spatial stream (SS1) from the received chains. In some embodiments, the first spatial stream (SS0) and the second spatial stream (SS1) may include a log likelihood ratio (LLR) corresponding to the probability that the received bit will be 0 (or 1). For example, the data subcarrier of an OFDM symbol may have a number of bits corresponding to the maximum constellation points, and accordingly, in an HE supporting up to 1024-QAM, if the number of LLR bits corresponding to one bit is 5 bits, the data subcarrier in one spatial stream may have up to 50 bits. It is noted that in this specification, the number of LLR bits is assumed to be 5 bits, but the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a first spatial stream (SS0) may be provided to a first tone demapper (42), and a second spatial stream (SS1) may be provided to a second tone demapper (43). In some embodiments, the spatial demapper (41) may detect MIMO in signals received through receiving chains.

[0047] The first tone demapper (42) may include a lower tone demapper (42_1) and an upper tone demapper (42_2), and may generate first segments (SG00, SG01) from a first spatial stream (SS0) by performing the operation of the tone mapper included in the transmission interface (30) of FIG. 3 in reverse. For example, the lower tone demapper (42_1) and the upper tone demapper (42_2) may generate the first segments (SG00, SG01) by reordering the input. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower tone demapper (42_1) may generate a first segment (SG00) corresponding to a lower band (e.g., lower 80 MHz), and the upper tone demapper (42_2) may generate a first segment (SG01) corresponding to an upper band (e.g., upper 80 MHz). The second tone demapper (43) may also include a lower tone demapper (43_1) and an upper tone demapper (43_2), and may generate second segments (SG10) from the second spatial stream (SS1).

[0048] The first segment deparser (44) can receive the first segments (SG00, SG01) from the first tone demapper (42) and can generate a first data stream (DS0) from the first segments (SG00, SG01) by performing the operation of the first segment parser (33) of FIG. 3 in reverse. As described above, the data subcarrier in each of the first segments (SG00, SG01) can have up to 50 bits, and accordingly, the first data stream (DS0) can have up to 100 bits. The second segment deparser (45) can receive the second segments (SG10, SG11) from the second tone demapper (43) and can generate a second data stream (DS1) from the second segments (SG10, SG11) by performing the operation of the second segment parser (34) of FIG. 3 in reverse. As described above, in each of the second segments (SG10, SG11), the data subcarrier may have up to 50 bits, and accordingly, the second data stream (DS1) may have up to 100 bits. In some embodiments, when a wireless signal is received with an extended bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz), the first segment deparser (44) and the second segment deparser (45) may be enabled, and the first data stream (DS0) and the second data stream (DS1) may be used.

[0049] The second connecting unit (51) can generate a second output (OUT1) by connecting a first segment (SG00) generated by a sub-tone demapper (42_1) included in the first tone demapper (42) and a second segment (SG10) generated by a sub-tone demapper (43_1) included in the second tone demapper (43). In some embodiments, when a wireless signal is received at a bandwidth less than the extended bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz), the second connecting unit (51) may be enabled and the second output (OUT1) may be used. As described above, the data subcarrier in each of the first segment (SG00) and the second segment (SG10) may have up to 50 bits, and accordingly, the first input (INT1) may have up to 100 bits.

[0050] The first reorderer (46) can receive the first data stream (DS0) and can generate a reordered first data stream (DS0') by reordering the first data stream (DS0). Additionally, the second reorderer (47) can receive the second data stream (DS1) and can generate a reordered second data stream (DS1') by reordering the second data stream (DS1). The stream deparser (53) described below can be designed to process wireless signals received with a limited bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz), and in order to reuse the stream deparser (53) to process wireless signals received with an extended bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz), the first reorderer (46) and the second reorderer (47) can generate a reordered first data stream (DS0') and a reordered second data stream (DS1'). In some embodiments, when a radio signal based on MIMO is received with an extended bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz), the first reorderer (46) and the second reorderer (47) may be enabled, and the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the reordered second data stream (DS1') may be used.

[0051] The first multiplexer (48) may provide either the first data stream (DS0) or the reordered first data stream (DS0') to the first junction (50). In some embodiments, the first multiplexer (48) may provide the reordered first data stream (DS0') to the first junction (50) when MIMO is detected, while providing the first data stream (DS0) to the first junction (50) when MIMO is not detected. For example, the first multiplexer (48) may receive a control signal from a spatial demapper (41) that detects MIMO. Additionally, the second multiplexer (49) may provide either the second data stream (DS1) or the reordered second data stream (DS1') to the first junction (50). In some embodiments, the second multiplexer (49) may provide a reordered second data stream (DS1') to the first junction (50) when MIMO is detected, while providing the second data stream (DS1) to the first junction (50) when MIMO is not detected. For example, the second multiplexer (49) may receive a control signal from a spatial demapper (41) that detects MIMO.

[0052] The first junction unit (50) can generate a first output (OUT0) by junctioning the output of the first multiplexer (48) and the output of the second multiplexer (49). In some embodiments, when a wireless signal is received with an extended bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz), the first junction unit (50) may be enabled and the output of the first multiplexer (48) and the output of the second multiplexer (49) may be junctioned differently depending on whether MIMO is detected. For example, the first junction unit (50) may receive a control signal from a spatial demapper (41) that detects MIMO.

[0053] The third multiplexer (52) may provide one of the first output (OUT0) of the first junction (50) and the second output (OUT1) of the second junction (51) to the stream deparser (53) as an input (IN). For example, the third multiplexer (52) may provide the first output (OUT0) to the stream deparser (53) when a wireless signal is received with an extended bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz), while providing the second output (OUT1) to the stream deparser (53) when a wireless signal is received with a bandwidth less than the extended bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz or 80 MHz). In some embodiments, the processing circuit including the receiving interface (40) may include a controller, and the controller may control the third multiplexer (52) based on the bandwidth of the received wireless signal.

[0054] The stream deparser (53) can receive an input (IN) from the third multiplexer (52) and can generate a bit stream (BS) from the input (IN) by performing the operation of the stream deparser (32) of FIG. 3 in reverse. For example, if MIMO is detected, the stream deparser (53) can generate a bit stream (BS) from the input (IN) by performing the operation based on [Equation 1] in reverse. On the other hand, if MIMO is not detected, the stream deparser (53) can generate a bit stream (BS) by bypassing the input (IN). As described above, the stream deparser (53) can be designed to process wireless signals received with a limited bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz), and accordingly, if wireless signals are received with an extended bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz), the stream deparser (53) can sequentially process signals corresponding to the limited bandwidth.

[0055] The codeword loader (54) can receive a bit stream (BS) from the stream deparser (53) and can generate codeword data (CD) from the bit stream (BS). The codeword data (CD) may have a number of bits corresponding to the product of the number of bits of the codeword (e.g., 648 bits, 1296 bits, or 1944 bits) and the number of LLR bits (e.g., 648x5 bits, 1296x5 bits, or 1944x5 bits). The codeword loader (54) can temporarily store the bit stream (BS) and output the collected bit streams as codeword data (CD).

[0056] The decoder (55) can receive codeword data (CD) from the codeword loader (54) and can generate data (DA) by decoding the codeword data (CD) based on a decoding method corresponding to the encoding method used in the transmission interface.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth may include a plurality of steps (S110 to S220). In some embodiments, the method of FIG. 5 may be performed by the receiving interface (40) of FIG. 4. Hereinafter, FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, a spatial stream may be generated in step S110. For example, a spatial demapper (41) may generate a first spatial stream (SS0) and a second spatial stream (SS1) from signals received through receiving chains. In step 120, segments may be generated. For example, a first tone demapper (42) may generate first segments (SG00, SG01) from the first spatial stream (SS0), and a second tone demapper (43) may generate second segments (SG10, SG11) from the second spatial stream (SS1).

[0059] In step S130, it can be determined whether a wireless signal has been received with an extended bandwidth. For example, a processing circuit included in the access point can determine whether the uplink bandwidth allocated to the station is an extended bandwidth. Additionally, a processing circuit included in the station can determine whether the identified bandwidth is an extended bandwidth by demodulating and decoding the wireless signal received from the access point. As illustrated in FIG. 5, if an extended bandwidth is identified, step S160 may be subsequently performed, whereas if an extended bandwidth is not identified, step S140 may be subsequently performed.

[0060] In step S140, a data stream may be generated. For example, the first segment deparser (44) may generate a first data stream (DS0) from first segments (SG00, SG01) related to the first spatial stream (SS0). Additionally, the second segment deparser (45) may generate a second data stream (DS1) from second segments (SG10, SG11) related to the second spatial stream (SS1).

[0061] In step S150, whether MIMO is detected can be determined. For example, the spatial demapper (41) can detect MIMO based on signals received through receiving chains and can generate a signal indicating the result of MIMO detection. As illustrated in FIG. 5, if MIMO is detected in the extended bandwidth, step S160 may be subsequently performed, whereas if MIMO is not detected in the extended bandwidth, step S210 may be subsequently performed. In this specification, the mode of receiving a wireless signal based on MIMO in the extended bandwidth may be referred to as the first receiving mode, and the mode of receiving a wireless signal based on SISO (single-input and single-output) in the extended bandwidth may be referred to as the fourth receiving mode. Accordingly, in the first receiving mode, steps S160, S170, S200, and S210 may be performed following step S150, while in the fourth receiving mode, step S210 may be performed following step S150.

[0062] In step S160, the data stream may be reordered. For example, in the first receiving mode, the first reorderer (46) may generate a reordered first data stream (DS0') from the first data stream (DS0), and the second reorderer (47) may generate a reordered second data stream (DS1') from the second data stream (DS1). An example of the operation of reordering the data stream will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0063] In step S170, data streams can be concatenated. For example, in the first receiving mode, the first concatenator (50) can generate a first output (OUT0) by concatenating the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the reordered second data stream (DS1'). An example of the operation of the first concatenator (50) will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0064] In step S180, whether MIMO is detected can be determined. For example, the spatial demapper (41) can detect MIMO based on signals received through receiving chains and can generate a signal indicating the result of MIMO detection. As illustrated in FIG. 5, if MIMO is detected, step S190 can be subsequently performed, while if MIMO is not detected, step S210 can be subsequently performed. In this specification, a mode of receiving a wireless signal based on MIMO with a bandwidth less than the extended bandwidth may be referred to as a second receiving mode, and a mode of receiving a wireless signal based on SISO with a bandwidth less than the extended bandwidth may be referred to as a third receiving mode. Accordingly, in the second receiving mode, steps S190, S200, and S210 can be performed subsequently to step S180, while in the third receiving mode, step S210 can be performed subsequently to step S180.

[0065] In step S190, data streams can be concatenated. For example, in the second receiving mode, the second concatenator (51) can generate a second output (OUT1) by concatenating a first segment (SG00) generated by a lower tone demapper (42_1) included in the first tone demapper (42) and a second segment (SG10) generated by a lower tone demapper (43_1) included in the second tone demapper (43).

[0066] In step S200, a bit stream may be generated. For example, in the first receiving mode, the stream deparser (53) may generate a bit stream (BS) from a first output (OUT0) provided by the first concatenator (50). Additionally, in the second receiving mode, the stream deparser (53) may generate a bit stream (BS) from a second output (OUT1) provided by the second concatenator (51).

[0067] In step S210, codeword data can be generated. For example, the codeword loader (54) can receive a bit stream (BS) generated from an input (IN) by a stream deparser (53) in a first receiving mode and a second receiving mode, while in a third receiving mode and a fourth receiving mode, the input (IN) can bypass the stream deparser (53) and receive the same bit stream (BS) as the input (IN). The codeword loader (54) can generate codeword data by collecting the bit stream (BS).

[0068] In step S22, codeword data can be decoded. For example, the decoder (55) can generate data (DA) by decoding codeword data (CD).

[0069] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c are drawings illustrating examples of operations in which a bit stream is generated from a data stream according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 6a illustrates an example of the operation of the stream deparser (53) of FIG. 4 when a radio signal modulated based on 64-QAM is received in a second receiving mode, FIG. 6b illustrates an example of the operation of the stream deparser (53) of FIG. 4 when a radio signal modulated based on 256-QAM is received in a second receiving mode, and FIG. 6c illustrates an example of the operation of the stream deparser (53) of FIG. 4 when a radio signal modulated based on 1024-QAM is received in a second receiving mode. Hereinafter, FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6a, when a radio signal modulated based on 64-QAM is received in the second receiving mode, the data subcarrier in the first segment (SG00) corresponding to the lower band associated with the first spatial stream (SS0) may have 30 bits, and the data subcarrier in the second segment (SG10) corresponding to the lower band associated with the second spatial stream (SS1) may have 30 bits. The second concatenator (51) can generate a second output (OUT1) of 100 bits by concatenating the 30 bits of the first segment (SG00) and the 30 bits of the second segment (SG10) as shown in FIG. 6a. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6a, the stream deparser (53) can generate a 100-bit bit stream (BS) containing 60 valid bits.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 6b, when a radio signal modulated based on 256-QAM is received in the second receiving mode, the data subcarrier in the first segment (SG00) corresponding to the lower band associated with the first spatial stream (SS0) may have 40 bits, and the data subcarrier in the second segment (SG10) corresponding to the lower band associated with the second spatial stream (SS1) may have 40 bits. The second concatenator (51) can generate a second output (OUT1) of 100 bits by concatenating the 40 bits of the first segment (SG00) and the 40 bits of the second segment (SG10) as shown in FIG. 6b. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6b, the stream deparser (53) can generate a 100-bit bit stream (BS) containing 80 valid bits.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 6c, when a radio signal modulated based on 1024-QAM is received in the second receiving mode, the data subcarrier in the first segment (SG00) corresponding to the lower band associated with the first spatial stream (SS0) may have 50 bits, and the data subcarrier in the second segment (SG10) corresponding to the lower band associated with the second spatial stream (SS1) may have 50 bits. The second concatenator (51) can generate a second output (OUT1) of 100 bits by concatenating the 50 bits of the first segment (SG00) and the 50 bits of the second segment (SG10) as shown in FIG. 6c. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6c, the stream deparser (53) can generate a valid 100-bit bit stream (BS).

[0073] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of generating a bit stream from a data stream according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the operation of the receiving interface (40) of FIG. 4 when a radio signal modulated based on 64-QAM is received in a first receiving mode. It will be understood that the receiving interface (40) may operate similarly to that shown in FIG. 7 even at modulation orders different from 64-QAM. Hereinafter, FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 7, when a radio signal modulated based on 64-QAM is received in a first receiving mode, the data subcarrier in the first segments (SG00, SG01) associated with the first spatial stream (SS0) may have 30 bits, and the data subcarrier in the second segments (SG10, SG11) associated with the second spatial stream (SS1) may have 30 bits. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first segment deparser (44) can generate a first data stream (DS0) having a length of 100 bits including 60 valid bits from the first segments (SG00, SG01), and the second segment deparser (45) can generate a second data stream (DS1) having a length of 100 bits including 60 valid bits from the second segments (SG10, SG11).

[0075] The first reordering unit (46) can generate a reordered first data stream (DS0') by shifting the upper half of the valid bits of the first data stream (DS0). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first reordering unit (46) can shift the upper 30 bits of the 60 valid bits of the first data stream (DS0) to be aligned with the upper 50 bits of the 100 bits. Additionally, the second reordering unit (47) can generate a reordered second data stream (DS1') by shifting the upper half of the valid bits of the second data stream (DS1). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the second reordering unit (47) can shift the upper 30 bits of the 60 valid bits of the second data stream (DS1) to be aligned with the upper 50 bits of the 100 bits.

[0076] The first connecting device (50) can connect the lower half of the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the lower half of the reordered second data stream (DS1'), and can connect the upper half of the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the upper half of the reordered second data stream (DS1'). Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first output (OUT0) generated by the first connecting device (50) may sequentially include 50 bits related to the first spatial stream (SS0) and corresponding to the lower band, 50 bits related to the second spatial stream (SS1) and corresponding to the lower band, 50 bits related to the first spatial stream (SS0) and corresponding to the upper band, and 50 bits related to the second spatial stream (SS1) and corresponding to the upper band. The first concatenation unit (50) can provide the lower 100 bits of the 200-bit first output (OUT0) to the stream deparser (53) as the first input, and then provide the upper 100 bits of the 200-bit first output (OUT0) to the stream deparser (53) as the second input.

[0077] The stream deparser (53) can sequentially process the first input and the second input provided from the first concatenator (50). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the stream deparser (53) can generate a first bit stream (BS0) of 100 bits containing 60 valid bits by processing a first input of 100 bits, and can generate a second bit stream (BS1) of 100 bits containing 60 valid bits by processing a second input of 100 bits. Accordingly, the stream deparser (53) designed to process the 100-bit bit stream can be reused in an extended bandwidth, and consequently, in the first receiving mode, an additional stream deparser designed to generate bit streams from the first data stream (DS0) of 100 bits and the second data stream (DS1) of 100 bits can be omitted from the processing circuit.

[0078] FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of a receiving interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the timing diagram of FIG. 8 illustrates signals generated at the receiving interface in a first receiving mode. In some embodiments, the receiving interface (40) of FIG. 4 may operate in synchronization with a clock. Hereinafter, FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 8, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, the lower half (OUT0[99:0]) and upper half (OUT0[199:100]) of the first output (OUT0) can be generated from the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the reordered second data stream (DS1'). Additionally, the lower half (OUT0[99:0]) and upper half (OUT0[199:100]) of the first output (OUT0) can be sequentially provided to the stream deparser (53) as inputs (IN). The LOAD of FIG. 8 is an active high signal and can be activated when the codeword loader (54) provides codeword data (CD) generated from the collected bit streams to the decoder (55). START in FIG. 8 is an active high signal that can be activated when the decoder (55) starts decoding, and DONE in FIG. 8 is an active high signal that can be activated when the decoder (55) completes decoding. As shown in FIG. 8, codeword data (CD) can be generated every first cycle (T1), and decoding of codeword data (CD) can be completed every second cycle (T2).

[0080] As described above with reference to FIG. 7, the stream deparser (53) can be time-shared in an extended bandwidth, and accordingly, the generation of codeword data (CD) may be delayed. However, as shown in FIG. 8, due to the time required for decoding by the decoder (55), the first period (T1) and the second period (T2) may be approximately the same, and accordingly, the generation of data (DA) may not be delayed despite the reuse of the stream deparser (53) in an extended bandwidth.

[0081] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the flowchart of FIG. 9 illustrates examples of steps S140, S160, and S170 of FIG. 5 in a first receiving mode. As described above with reference to FIG. 5, a data stream may be generated in step S140' of FIG. 9, a data stream may be rearranged in step S160' of FIG. 9, and data streams may be concatenated in step S170' of FIG. 9. In some embodiments, steps S140', S160', and S170' may be performed by the receiving interface (40) of FIG. 4. Hereinafter, FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 9, step S140' may include steps S141 and S142. In step S141, a first data stream (DS0) may be generated. For example, a first segment deparser (44) may generate the first data stream (DS0) from first segments (SG00, SG01) related to a first spatial stream (SS0). In step S142, a second data stream (DS1) may be generated. For example, a second segment deparser (45) may generate the second data stream (DS1) from second segments (SG10, SG11) related to a second spatial stream (SS1). In some embodiments, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, each of the first data stream (DS0) and the second data stream (DS1) may have a length of 100 bits and may include valid bits.

[0083] Step S160' may include steps S161 and S162. In step S161, the first data stream (DS0) may be rearranged. For example, the first rearranger (46) may generate a rearranged first data stream (DS0') by rearranging the first data stream (DS0). In step S162, the second data stream (DS1) may be rearranged. For example, the second rearranger (47) may generate a rearranged second data stream (DS1') by rearranging the second data stream (DS1). In some embodiments, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, the first rearranger (46) may shift some bits of the first data stream (DS0), and the second rearranger (47) may shift some bits of the second data stream (DS1).

[0084] In step S170', the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the reordered second data stream (DS1') can be concatenated. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, the first concatenator (50) can concatenate the lower half of the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the lower half of the reordered second data stream (DS1'), and can concatenate the upper half of the reordered first data stream (DS0') and the upper half of the reordered second data stream (DS1').

[0085] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for reusing resources in an extended bandwidth according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the flowchart of FIG. 10 illustrates examples of steps S120 and S190 of FIG. 5 in a second receiving mode. As described above with reference to FIG. 5, a segment may be created in step S120' of FIG. 10, and data streams may be concatenated in step S190' of FIG. 10. In some embodiments, steps 120' and S190' may be performed by the receiving interface (40) of FIG. 4. Hereinafter, FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 10, step S120' may include steps S121 and S122. In step S121, first segments may be generated. For example, a first tone demapper (42) may generate first segments (SG00, SG01) from a first spatial stream (SS0). In step S122, second segments may be generated. For example, a second tone demapper (43) may generate second segments (SG10, SG11) from a second spatial stream (SS1). In some embodiments, as described above with reference to FIG. 6a, 6b and 6c, each of the first segments (SG00, SG01) and the second segments (SG10, SG11) may have a length of 50 bits.

[0087] In step S190', the first segment and the second segment corresponding to the lower band may be joined. For example, the second joining device (51) may join the first segment (SG00) corresponding to the lower band among the first segments (SG00, SG01) and the second segment (SG10) corresponding to the lower band among the second segments (SG10, SG11). In some embodiments, the second joining device (51) may generate a second output (OUT1) of 100 bits, as described above with reference to FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c.

[0088] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating examples of devices for wireless communication according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 11 illustrates an Internet of Things (IoT) network system comprising a household appliance (111), a home appliance (112), an entertainment device (113), and an access point (115).

[0089] In some embodiments, the device for wireless communication of FIG. 11 may include resources that are reused in an extended bandwidth. For example, a home appliance (111), a home appliance (112), an entertainment device (113) and / or an access point (115) may include a stream deparser that is reused in an extended bandwidth, and thus an additional stream deparser for the extended bandwidth may be omitted. The home appliance (111), the home appliance (112), the entertainment device (113) and / or the access point (115) may include a processing circuit having reduced area and power consumption, and thus may have high efficiency, and consequently the efficiency of the IoT network system may be increased.

[0090] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present disclosure should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A processing circuit configured to process a wireless signal received through at least one antenna, comprising: at least one segment deparser configured to generate at least one data stream from segments corresponding to different frequency bands; at least one realranger configured to realrange the at least one data stream; and a stream deparser configured to generate a bit stream based on the at least one data stream or the realranged at least one data stream according to a receiving mode defined based on the bandwidth used for transmission of the wireless signal and MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), wherein the at least one realranger is configured to shift at least a portion of the upper bits among the valid bits of the at least one data stream. Claim 2 A processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reordering unit is configured to shift the upper half of the valid bits of the at least one data stream. Claim 3 A processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one segment deparser comprises: a first segment deparser configured to generate a first data stream from first segments; and a second segment deparser configured to generate a second data stream from second segments, and the at least one reorderer comprises: a first reorderer configured to reorder the first data stream; and a second reorderer configured to reorder the second data stream, and the processing circuit further comprises a first concatenator configured to concatenate the reordered first data stream and the reordered second data stream, and the stream deparser is configured to generate the bit stream from the output of the first concatenator in a first receiving mode. Claim 4 A processing circuit according to claim 3, wherein the first connecting device is configured to generate a first input by connecting the lower half of the reordered first data stream and the lower half of the reordered second data stream, and to generate a second input by connecting the upper half of the reordered first data stream and the upper half of the reordered second data stream, and the stream deparser is configured to sequentially receive the first input and the second input in the first receiving mode. Claim 5 A processing circuit according to claim 1, further comprising: a spatial demapper configured to generate spatial streams from receive chains; and at least one tone demapper configured to generate segments by reordering the spatial streams. Claim 6 The processing circuit according to claim 5, wherein the at least one tone demapper comprises: a first tone demapper configured to generate first segments related to a first spatial stream; and a second tone demapper configured to generate second segments related to a second spatial stream, and the processing circuit further comprises a second junction configured to receive a first segment corresponding to a lower band among the first segments, receive a second segment corresponding to a lower band among the second segments, and concatenate the received first segment and the received second segment, and the stream deparser is configured to generate the bit stream from the output of the second junction in a second receiving mode. Claim 7 A processing circuit according to claim 6, further comprising a codeword loader configured to provide codeword data generated from the bit stream to a decoder, wherein the stream deparser is configured to receive the first segment in a third receiving mode and provide the first segment to the codeword loader, wherein in the third receiving mode, the bandwidth is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz, and the MIMO is disabled. Claim 8 A processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein the stream deparser is configured to generate the bit stream based on the at least one data stream in a fourth receiving mode, and in the fourth receiving mode, the bandwidth is 160 MHz or 80 MHz + 80 MHz, and the MIMO is disabled. Claim 9 A method for processing a wireless signal received through at least one antenna, comprising: generating at least one data stream from segments corresponding to each of different frequency bands; rearranging the at least one data stream; and generating a bit stream based on the at least one data stream or the rearranged at least one data stream according to a receiving mode defined based on the bandwidth used for transmitting the wireless signal and MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output), wherein the step of rearranging the at least one data stream includes shifting at least a portion of the upper bits among the valid bits of the at least one data stream. Claim 10 A wireless communication device comprising: at least one antenna; a transceiver connected to the at least one antenna; and a processing circuit configured to generate at least one data stream related to at least one spatial stream from a signal received through the at least one antenna and the transceiver, and to decode bit streams generated from the data stream, wherein the processing circuit is configured to rearrange the at least one data stream and generate a bit stream based on the rearranged at least one data stream in a first receiving mode, and to generate a bit stream based on the at least one data stream in a second receiving mode.

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