Communication devices, control methods and programs

Abstract

The HR TB PPDU containing U-SIG, which, when using a 640MHz bandwidth, includes a Spatial Reuse 1 subfield showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the initial 320MHz subband, and a Spatial Reuse 2 subfield showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 320MHz subband.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device for communicating data via wireless communication. Prior Art

[0002] The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) defines WLAN communication standards, including the IEEE 802.11 series. WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. The IEEE 802.11 series includes IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that the IEEE 802.11ax standard utilizes OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) for wireless communications. The IEEE 802.11ax standard utilizes OFDMA for wireless communications, achieving high peak throughput. Furthermore, the IEEE 802.11ax standard incorporates features such as spatial reuse, which allows simultaneous communications while monitoring the propagation conditions of other wireless communications without impacting other communications. Furthermore, the IEEE 802.11be standard, the successor to the IEEE 802.11ax standard, expands the radio bandwidth to 320 MHz to achieve increased throughput, and the spatial reuse feature is also expanded to 320 MHz.

[0004] In order to further increase the transmission capacity, the IEEE is reviewing the expansion of radio bandwidth beyond 320MHz. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Document]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-50133 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, up to the IEEE 802.11be standard, the maximum bandwidth of radio waves was set at 320 MHz. Therefore, when using a bandwidth exceeding 320 MHz, such as 640 MHz, for communication, there is no suitable frame structure for communicating information related to spatial multiplexing.

[0008] The present invention aims to create a communication device that can communicate using a wider bandwidth and can appropriately communicate information related to spatial multiplexing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A communication device having means for transmitting a trigger-based HR TB (Trigger-Based) PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit), wherein the HR TB PPDU comprises: L-STF (Legacy-Short Training Field); L-LTF (Legacy-Long Training Field) following the aforementioned L-STF; L-SIG (Legacy-Signal) following the aforementioned L-LTF; U-SIG (Universal Signal) is the field following the aforementioned L-SIG and includes the Spatial Reuse 1 subfield and the Spatial Reuse 2 subfield. When the communication device uses a 640 MHz bandwidth, the spatial multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 320 MHz subband, and the spatial multiplexing 2 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 320 MHz subband. HR-STF (High Reliability-Short Training Field) following the aforementioned HR-SIG; and HR-LTF (High Reliability-Long Training Field) follows the aforementioned HR-STF. [Effects of the invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a communication device that can communicate using a wider bandwidth can appropriately communicate information related to spatial multiplexing. Simple diagram description

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the communication device 103 . FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a PHY frame structure of a HR TB PPDU sent by the communication device 103 . FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the meaning of the correspondence between the values ​​of the subfields of spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 of the U-SIG. FIG5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields and subbands of U-SIG-1 according to the used bandwidth. [Figure 6] is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a trigger frame. Implementation Method

[0012] The drawings are included in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to this embodiment. BSS 101 is a network managed by communication device 102, which is an access point (AP). Communication device 103 is a station (STA) participating in BSS 101. BSS 106 is a network managed by communication device 104, which is an AP. Communication device 105 participates in BSS 106. BSS stands for Basic Service Set.

[0015] Furthermore, each communication device is configured to perform wireless communications in accordance with a successor standard to the IEEE 802.11be standard, which targets a maximum transmission speed of 46.08 Gbps and exceeds 90 Gbps to 100 Gbps. This successor standard to 802.11be proposes support for highly reliable and low-latency communications as new goals. Based on the above, in this embodiment, the successor standard to IEEE 802.11be, which targets a maximum transmission speed exceeding 90 Gbps to 100 Gbps, is tentatively referred to as IEEE 802.11HR (High Reliability).

[0016] The name IEEE 802.11HR was chosen for convenience based on the goals and key features of the successor standard and may be renamed once the standard is finalized. However, it should be noted that this specification and patent claims are essentially applicable to all successor standards that are successors to the 802.11be standard and support wireless communications. IEEE stands for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Furthermore, each communication device can communicate in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. Furthermore, each communication device can communicate using bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 480 MHz, 560 MHz, and 640 MHz.

[0017] Communication devices 102-105 implement OFDMA communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11HR standard, enabling multi-user (MU) communication that multiplexes signals from multiple users. OFDMA stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. In OFDMA communication, a portion of the divided frequency band (RU) is allocated to each STA in a non-overlapping manner, with each STA's carriers being orthogonalized. This allows the AP to communicate with multiple STAs simultaneously.

[0018] Furthermore, communication devices 102-105 can implement MU communication using MU MIMO (Multi-User Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output) communication. In this case, communication device 102 has multiple antennas and allocates one or more antennas to each of the other communication devices, enabling simultaneous communication with multiple STAs. Communication device 102 adjusts its antennas to prevent interference with the radio waves transmitted by each of communication devices 103-105, enabling simultaneous transmission of radio waves to multiple STAs.

[0019] Furthermore, communication devices 102-105 have a spatial multiplexing function, which allows simultaneous communication while monitoring the propagation conditions of other wireless communications without disrupting communications. Spatial multiplexing includes two types: OBSS PD (Packet Detect)-based and PSR (Parameterized Spatial Reuse)-based. OBSS stands for Overlapping Basic Service Set. In the OBSS PD-based method, a communication device controls the carrier sense threshold for received packets by varying the carrier sense threshold based on whether the packet originates from the BSS to which the device belongs or from another BSS (OBSS) to which the device does not belong. Specifically, the communication device controls the carrier sense threshold by raising the carrier sense threshold for packets originating from another BSS to which the device belongs. This allows communication to continue even when packets originating from another BSS to which the device belongs, which has been subject to communication suppression, are being transmitted. Furthermore, with PSR-based communication, a communication device transmits at a power level that does not affect reception in other BSSs to which it belongs. Furthermore, PSR-based communication can only be performed with permission from the other BSS to which it belongs. This allows a communication device to transmit data even while the AP in the other BSS is receiving data.

[0020] Furthermore, while communication devices 102-105 are configured to support the IEEE 802.11HR standard, they may also support legacy standards prior to the IEEE 802.11HR standard. Specifically, communication devices 102-105 may also support at least one of the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be standards. Furthermore, in addition to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, ZigBee, and MBOA may also be supported. UWB stands for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA stands for Multi-Band OFDM Alliance. NFC stands for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, and WiNET. Furthermore, communication standards for wired communication, such as wired LAN, may also be supported.

[0021] Specific examples of communication devices 102 and 104 include wireless LAN routers and PCs, but are not limited to these. Furthermore, communication devices 102 and 104 may also be information processing devices such as wireless chipsets capable of performing wireless communications in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 HR standard. Furthermore, specific examples of communication devices 103 and 105 include cameras, tablets, smartphones, PCs, mobile phones, video cameras, and projectors, but are not limited to these. Furthermore, communication devices 103 and 105 may also be information processing devices such as wireless chipsets capable of performing wireless communications in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 HR standard. Furthermore, while each BSS in Figure 1 is a network consisting of one AP and one STA, the number of APs and STAs is not limited to this. Furthermore, information processing devices such as wireless chipsets have antennas for transmitting the generated signals.

[0022] 2 shows the hardware structure of the communication device 103 of the present invention. The communication device 103 includes a memory unit 201, a control unit 202, a function unit 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 205, a communication unit 206, and an antenna 207.

[0023] Memory unit 201, comprised of memory devices such as ROM and RAM, stores various information, including computer programs used to perform the various operations described below and communication parameters for wireless communications. ROM stands for Read-Only Memory, and RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Besides ROM and RAM, memory unit 201 can also use storage media such as floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and DVDs. Furthermore, memory unit 201 may include multiple memory devices.

[0024] The control unit 202 is composed of one or more processors, such as a CPU or MPU, and executes the computer program stored in the memory unit 201 to control the entire communication device 103. Alternatively, the control unit 202 can be configured to control the entire communication device 103 through the collaboration of the computer program stored in the memory unit 201 and the OS (Operating System). Furthermore, the control unit 202 generates data and signals to be sent during communication with other communication devices. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, and MPU stands for Micro Processing Unit. Alternatively, the control unit 202 can include multiple processors, such as multi-core processors, to control the entire communication device 103 through these multiple processors.

[0025] Furthermore, the control unit 202 controls the functional unit 203 to execute predetermined processes such as wireless communication, imaging, printing, and projection. The functional unit 203 is hardware for the communication device 103 to execute predetermined processes.

[0026] The input unit 204 accepts various user operations. The output unit 205 provides various outputs to the user via the monitoring screen and speakers. Output using the output unit 205 can also be displayed on the monitoring screen, outputted via the speakers, or outputted via vibration. Alternatively, the input unit 204 and output unit 205 can be implemented as a single module, similar to a touch panel. Furthermore, the input unit 204 and output unit 205 can be integrated with the communication device 103 or have different forms.

[0027] Communication unit 206 controls wireless communications in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 HR standard. Furthermore, communication unit 206 can control wireless communications in accordance with other IEEE 802.11 standards, as well as wired communications such as wired LANs, in addition to the IEEE 802.11 HR standard. Communication unit 206 controls antenna 207 to transmit and receive wireless signals generated by control unit 202 for wireless communications. Furthermore, if communication device 103 supports standards such as NFC and Bluetooth in addition to the IEEE 802.11 HR standard, it can also control wireless communications in accordance with these standards. Furthermore, if communication device 103 can perform wireless communications in accordance with multiple communication standards, it can be configured with separate communication units 206 and antennas 207 supporting each of the individual communication standards. Communication device 103 communicates data, such as video data, document data, and video data, with communication device 102 via communication unit 206. In addition, the antenna 207 can be constructed in a different shape from the communication unit 206, or can be constructed into a module together with the communication unit 206.

[0028] In addition, the communication devices 102, 104 and 105 may all have the same hardware configuration as the communication device 103.

[0029] Next, PSR-based SR is explained using Figure 1.

[0030] Communication device 102 communicates with communication device 103 participating in BSS 101 using a trigger frame (TF) that is a control signal that initiates the transmission of an uplink signal (e.g., an OFDMA signal). Furthermore, if the UL Spatial Reuse field in the Common Info Field of a TF transmitted by communication device 102 contains a value from 1 to 14, the PPDU containing that TF is called a PSRR PPDU. PSRR PPDU stands for Parameterized Spatial Reuse Reception (PSRR) Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). Furthermore, communication device 102 generates and transmits a PSRR PPDU that includes information related to spatial multiplexing in the transmitted TF, thereby notifying surrounding devices of this information.

[0031] Communication device 103 transmits a HR TB PPDU in response to the received TF. Communication device 103 can include information related to spatial multiplexing in the transmitted HR TB PPDU, thereby notifying surrounding devices of this information. Details of the HR TB PPDU will be described later.

[0032] In PSR-based SR, a communication device determines the upper limit of its own signal transmission power based on spatial multiplexing information received from devices in different BSSs. Then, if transmission is possible, it transmits signals while devices in other networks are transmitting uplink signals, thereby reusing radio resources.

[0033] For example, communication device 104 typically cannot transmit its own signal if it detects that another BSS is currently performing uplink communication. However, communication device 104 in this embodiment utilizes spatial multiplexing technology. Therefore, it can selectively transmit its own signal while another BSS is performing uplink communication. This allows for the reuse of wireless resources and improves communication efficiency.

[0034] FIG6 shows an example of the configuration of a TF with which the communication device 102 communicates in this embodiment.

[0035] A TF is a control signal that instructs other devices in the network formed by the device transmitting the TF to transmit signals to the device transmitting the TF. The Common Info field of this TF includes a UL Spatial Reuse subfield. Furthermore, the UL Spatial Reuse subfield includes a Spatial Reuse 1 subfield, a Spatial Reuse 2 subfield, a Spatial Reuse 3 subfield, and a Spatial Reuse 4 subfield, which contain information related to spatial reuse. Furthermore, the Spatial Reuse 1, 2, 3, and 4 subfields are each 4 bits long.

[0036] In this way, the communication device 102 can use the respective sub-fields of spatial reuse 1, 2, 3, and 4 to notify other communication devices of information related to spatial reuse.

[0037] FIG4 shows information corresponding to the values ​​of the subfields of spatial multiplexing 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0038] If the subfield value is 0, it indicates PSR_DISALLOW, which means that PSR-based spatial multiplexing is prohibited. Furthermore, if the subfield value is 15, it indicates PSR_AND_NON_SRG_OBSS_PD_PROHIBITED, which means that both PSR-based and OBSS PD-based spatial multiplexing are prohibited. Furthermore, if the subfield value is 1 to 14, the upper limit of the transmit power is determined based on the PSR value indicated in the subfield for devices that implement PSR-based spatial multiplexing.

[0039] This TF also includes the Special User Information field shown in Figure 6. The Special User Information field refers to the user information field whose AID12 subfield contains the value 2007. The Special User Information field includes the HR Spatial Reuse 1 subfield and the HR Spatial Reuse 2 subfield. The HR Spatial Reuse 1 and 2 subfields each consist of 4 bits and can contain information related to spatial reuse. Figure 4 also shows the information corresponding to the individual values ​​of the HR Spatial Reuse 1 and 2 subfields.

[0040] Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields correspond to subbands of the bandwidth used for communication between communication devices 102 and 103. For example, if communication devices 102 and 103 use an 80 MHz bandwidth for communication, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields correspond to 40 MHz subbands, respectively.

[0041] The relationship between the HR spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 sub-fields and the sub-bands is the same as the relationship between the spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 sub-fields and the sub-bands shown in FIG5 .

[0042] For example, when using a 20 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 20 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield has the same value as the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield.

[0043] When using a 40 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield displays information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 20 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield displays information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 20 MHz subband. When the 2.4 GHz band is used, the same value as in the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield is obtained.

[0044] When using an 80 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 40 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 40 MHz subband.

[0045] When using a 160 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 80 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 80 MHz subband.

[0046] When using a 320 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 160 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 160 MHz subband.

[0047] When using a 480 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 240 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 240 MHz subband.

[0048] When using a 560 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 280 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 280 MHz subband.

[0049] When using a 640 MHz bandwidth, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 320 MHz subband. Furthermore, the HR Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 320 MHz subband.

[0050] In this way, the communication device 102 can use the respective subfields of HR spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 to notify other communication devices of information related to spatial multiplexing.

[0051] As described above, when transmitting a PSRR PPDU, communication device 102, acting as an AP, can enter values ​​from 1 to 14 in the Spatial Multiplexing 1-4 fields of the TF and the Spatial Multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields of the HR. These values, as shown in FIG4 , represent the PSR values. Furthermore, communication device 102 obtains the PSR value based on the transmit power of the transmitted PSRR PPDU, the expected receive power of the received TB PPDU, and the expected packet error rate of the TB PPDU. Based on the obtained PSR value and FIG4 , the communication device selects the values ​​from 1 to 14 included in the Spatial Multiplexing 1-4 fields of the transmitted TF and the Spatial Multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields of the HR.

[0052] Next, communication device 103, having received the TF from communication device 102, transmits a HR TB PPDU. The HR TB PPDU is a signal sent by communication device 103 participating in the network formed by communication device 102 after receiving a trigger frame sent by communication device 102, which is an AP. The HR TB PPDU is used when sent in response to a trigger frame.

[0053] FIG3 illustrates an example of the PHY frame structure of a HR TB PPDU communicated by communication device 103 in this embodiment. TB stands for Trigger-Based. PPDU stands for Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit.

[0054] This frame, starting from the preamble, consists of L-STF 301, L-LTF 302, L-SIG 303, RL-SIG 304, U-SIG 305, HR-STF 306, and HR-LTF 307. Furthermore, the HR-LTF 307 is followed by a data field 308 and a packet extension 309. The order of the fields in the HR TB PPDU is not limited to this. STF stands for Short Training Field, LTF stands for Long Training Field, and SIG stands for Signal. L- stands for Legacy, for example, L-STF stands for Legacy Short Training Field. Similarly, HR stands for High Reliability, for example, HR-STF stands for High Reliability Short Training Field. In addition, RL-SIG is the abbreviation of Repeated Legacy Signal; U-SIG is the abbreviation of Universal Signal.

[0055] L-STF301, L-LTF302, and L-SIG303 are backward-compatible with the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be standards, which were developed prior to the IEEE 802.11HR standard. In other words, L-STF301, L-LTF302, and L-SIG303 are legacy fields that can be decoded by communication devices supporting IEEE 802.11 standards prior to IEEE 802.11be.

[0056] The L-STF301 is used for wireless packet signal detection, automatic gain control (AGC), and timing detection. The L-LTF302 is used for high-precision frequency synchronization and acquisition of channel state information (CSI). The L-SIG303 is used to transmit control information including data transmission rate and packet length. The RL-SIG is used to identify standards later than IEEE 802.11ac. The RL-SIG304 can be omitted.

[0057] HR-STF 306 and HR-LTF 307 are fields that can be decoded by communication devices that support the IEEE 802.11 HR standard.

[0058] In addition, L-STF301, L-LTF302, L-SIG303, RL-SIG304, U-SIG305, HR-STF306 and HR-LTF307 are collectively referred to as the PHY preamble.

[0059] U-SIG305 is divided into two fields: U-SIG-1 and U-SIG-2.

[0060] The U-SIG-1 field consists of the subfields shown in Table 1.

[0061]

[0062] The U-SIG-2 field consists of the subfields shown in Table 2.

[0063]

[0064] The communication device 103 uses the respective subfields of spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 to display information related to spatial multiplexing.

[0065] FIG4 shows the meaning of the values ​​corresponding to the sub-fields of spatial multiplexing 1 and 2.

[0066] If the subfield value is 0, it indicates PSR_DISALLOW, which means that PSR-based spatial multiplexing is prohibited. Furthermore, if the subfield value is 15, it indicates PSR_AND_NON_SRG_OBSS_PD_PROHIBITED, which means that both PSR-based and OBSS PD-based spatial multiplexing are prohibited. Furthermore, if the subfield value is 1 to 14, the upper limit of the transmit power is determined based on the PSR value indicated in the subfield for devices that implement PSR-based spatial multiplexing.

[0067] Furthermore, the spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields correspond to subbands of the bandwidth used for communication between communication device 102 and communication device 103. For example, if communication between communication device 102 and communication device 103 uses an 80 MHz bandwidth, the spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields correspond to 40 MHz subbands, respectively.

[0068] FIG5 shows the relationship between the spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 sub-fields and the sub-bands according to the used bandwidth.

[0069] When using a 20 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield indicates information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 20 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield has the same value as the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield.

[0070] When using a 40 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield displays information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 20 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield displays information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 20 MHz subband. When the 2.4 GHz band is being used, the same values ​​as in the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield are obtained.

[0071] When using an 80 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 40 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 40 MHz subband.

[0072] When using a 160 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 80 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 80 MHz subband.

[0073] When using a 320 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 160 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 160 MHz subband.

[0074] When using a 480 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 240 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 240 MHz subband.

[0075] When using a 560 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 280 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 280 MHz subband.

[0076] When using a 640 MHz bandwidth, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 320 MHz subband. Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 2 subfield shows information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 320 MHz subband.

[0077] In this way, the communication device 103, which is a STA, generates and transmits the HR TB PPDU including information related to spatial multiplexing, thereby notifying other communication devices of the information related to spatial multiplexing.

[0078] In addition, the communication device 104, which is an AP, receives the HR TB PPDU including the spatial multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields from the communication device 103, thereby obtaining information related to the use of spatial multiplexing by the communication device 103.

[0079] Furthermore, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields are included in the HR TB PPDU and are not included in any other PPDU. Specifically, the Spatial Multiplexing 1 and 2 subfields are also not included in the HR MU PPDU communicated during MU communication.

[0080] In this embodiment, the PHY frame of the HR TB PPDU is considered to include legacy fields that can be decoded by communication devices supporting IEEE 802.11 standards prior to IEEE 802.11be, but this is not a limitation. Specifically, the PHY frame of the HR TB PPDU can also be configured without the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, or RL-SIG. In this case, the PHY frame of the HR TB PPDU can be composed of the preamble, HR-STF, HR-LTF, U-SIG, HR-LTF, data field, and packet extension. Furthermore, the HR-LTF following the U-SIG field can be omitted. For example, if communication device 103 is communicating in the 6 GHz band, communication devices supporting only standards prior to IEEE 802.11ax will not receive the signal. Therefore, communication can also be performed using an HR TB PPDU without the legacy fields.

[0081] In addition, the names, bit positions, and bit numbers of each field used in this embodiment are not limited to those described in this embodiment. The same information can be stored in the PHY frame with different field names, different positions, and different bit numbers.

[0082] Furthermore, the names of standards such as IEEE802.11HR, and the description of the string portion of the standard name that contains the same string as the standard name, such as HR-SIG, HR-STF, HR-LTF, HR-SIG MCS, and HR Spatial Reuse, are not limited to these. For example, HRL (High Reliability) is also possible. HRW (High Reliability Wireless) is also possible. VHT (Very High Reliability) is also possible. EHR (Extremely High Reliability) is also possible.

[0083] Alternatively, it could be UHR (Ultra High Reliability). Alternatively, it could be LL (Low Latency). Alternatively, it could be VLL (Very Low Latency). Alternatively, it could be ELL (Extremely Low Latency). Alternatively, it could be ULL (Ultra Low Latency). Alternatively, it could be HRLL (High Reliable and Low Latency). Alternatively, it could be URLL (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency). Alternatively, it could be URLLC (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications). Other names are also possible. For example, when using UHR, the field name is a string corresponding to the standard name, modeled after the standard's UHR-SIG, UHR-STF, UHR-LTF, UHR-SIG MCS, etc.

[0084] While the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, device, method, program, or recording medium (storage medium). Specifically, it can be applied to a system composed of multiple devices (e.g., a host computer, an interface device, a camera device, a network application, etc.), or it can be applied to an apparatus consisting of a single device.

[0085] The present invention may also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Furthermore, implementation may be achieved using a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0086] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the claims is provided to disclose the scope of the present invention.

[0087] In this case, those claiming priority based on Japanese Special Application No. 2022-107399 filed on July 1, 2022, incorporate by reference herein all the contents thereof.

[0088] 101:BSS 102: Communication device 103: Communication device 104: Communication device 105: Communication device 201: Memory Department 202: Control Department 203: Functional Department 204: Input unit 205: Output unit 206: Communications Department 207: Antenna

Claims

1. A communication apparatus comprising: a receiving means for receiving a trigger frame from another communication apparatus, the trigger frame including a special user information field, the special user information field including a spatial reuse 1 field showing information related to spatial reuse in a first 320MHz sub-band of a 640MHz bandwidth, and a spatial reuse 2 field showing information related to spatial reuse in a second 320MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 640MHz bandwidth; and a transmitting means for transmitting a TB (Trigger-Based) PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit) to the other communication apparatus in response to the trigger frame received by the receiving means, the TB PPDU including a U-SIG (Universal...) The U-SIG includes a Space Multiplexing 1 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 320MHz subband of the aforementioned 640MHz bandwidth, and a Space Multiplexing 2 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 320MHz subband of the aforementioned 640MHz bandwidth; the aforementioned TB PPDU includes: L-STF (Legacy-Short Training Field); L-LTF (Legacy-Long Training Field) following the aforementioned L-STF; L-SIG (Legacy-Signal) following the aforementioned L-LTF; the aforementioned U-SIG following the aforementioned L-SIG; a second STF (Short Training Field) immediately following the aforementioned U-SIG; and a second LTF (Long Training Field) following the aforementioned second STF.

2. The communication device as described in claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned transmission means includes an antenna for transmitting the aforementioned TB PPDU.

3. The communication device as described in claim 1, wherein, In the case of transmitting a PPDU that is different from the aforementioned TB PPDU, the aforementioned PPDU is transmitted without the aforementioned space multiplexing 1 and the aforementioned space multiplexing 2.

4. The communication device as described in claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned transmission method transmits the aforementioned TB PPDU according to the IEEE 802.11 EHT standard.

5. The communication device as described in claim 1, wherein, When the aforementioned receiving means receives a trigger frame from the aforementioned other communication device, and the trigger frame contains a special user information field, and the special user information field contains a space multiplexing 1 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 160MHz sub-band of the 320MHz bandwidth, and a space multiplexing 2 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 160MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 320MHz bandwidth, the aforementioned transmitting means, in response, transmits a TB PPDU to the aforementioned other communication device. The TB PPDU contains a U-SIG, and the U-SIG contains a space multiplexing 1 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 160MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 320MHz bandwidth, and a space multiplexing 2 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 160MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 320MHz bandwidth.

6. The communication device as described in claim 1, wherein, When the aforementioned receiving means receives a trigger frame from the aforementioned other communication device, and the trigger frame contains a special user information field, and the special user information field contains a space multiplexing 1 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 240MHz sub-band of the 480MHz bandwidth, and a space multiplexing 2 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 240MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 480MHz bandwidth, the aforementioned transmitting means, in response, transmits a TB PPDU to the aforementioned other communication device. The TB PPDU contains a U-SIG, and the U-SIG contains a space multiplexing 1 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 240MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 480MHz bandwidth, and a space multiplexing 2 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 240MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 480MHz bandwidth.

7. The communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The aforementioned transmission method includes the aforementioned trigger frame in a PSRR (Parameterized Spatial Reuse Reception) PPDU for transmission.

8. The communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, It further has a second transmission method for transmitting a TB PPDU that does not contain the aforementioned L-STF, L-LTF, and L-SIG.

9. A control method for a communication device, comprising: a receiving procedure that receives a trigger frame from another communication device, the trigger frame including a special user information field, the special user information field including a spatial reuse 1 field showing information related to spatial reuse in a first 320MHz sub-band of a 640MHz bandwidth, and a spatial reuse 2 field showing information related to spatial reuse in a second 320MHz sub-band of the aforementioned 640MHz bandwidth; and a transmitting procedure that, in response to the trigger frame received by the receiving means, transmits a TB (Trigger-Based) PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit) to the other communication device, the TB PPDU including a U-SIG (Universal...) The U-SIG includes a Space Multiplexing 1 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the first 320MHz subband of the aforementioned 640MHz bandwidth, and a Space Multiplexing 2 field showing information related to spatial multiplexing in the second 320MHz subband of the aforementioned 640MHz bandwidth; the aforementioned TB PPDU includes: L-STF (Legacy-Short Training Field); L-LTF (Legacy-Long Training Field) following the aforementioned L-STF; L-SIG (Legacy-Signal) following the aforementioned L-LTF; the aforementioned U-SIG following the aforementioned L-SIG; a second STF (Short Training Field) immediately following the aforementioned U-SIG; and an LTF (Long Training Field) following the aforementioned second STF.

10. A program for causing a computer to function as a means of a communication device as described in any of claims 1 to 8.

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