Access point, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

An access point according to the present invention comprises: a control circuit that determines one control signal including information relating to a plurality of time resources used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals; and a transmission circuit that transmits the control signal.

Description

Access point, terminal, and communication method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an access point, a terminal, and a communication method.

[0002] The technical specifications for IEEE 802.11be (hereinafter referred to as "11be") are currently being developed as the successor to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, IEEE 802.11ax (hereinafter referred to as "11ax"). 11ax is also known as "High Efficiency (HE)," and 11be is also known as "Extremely High Throughput (EHT)." The Ultra High Reliability (UHR) Study Group (SG) is also currently discussing the required specifications for the successor to 11be (hereinafter referred to as "UHR").

[0003] IEEE 802.11-22 / 1923r1, Enhanced Trigger-Based Uplink TransmissionIEEE 802.11-22 / 1393r0, Latency Reduction Scheme for UHRIEEE P802.11be / D3.0

[0004] However, there has been insufficient research into how to control signal transmission in wireless communication such as wireless local area networks (LANs).

[0005] Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure contribute to providing an access point, a terminal, and a communication method that can improve the efficiency of transmission control in wireless communication.

[0006] An access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that determines a control signal including information on a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals, and a transmission circuit that transmits the control signal.

[0007] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, it is possible to improve the efficiency of transmission control in wireless communication.

[0009] Further advantages and benefits of one embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or benefits may be provided by some embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of them may be provided to obtain one or more identical features.

[0010] Diagram showing an example of a Trigger frame Diagram showing an example of a Common Info field Diagram showing an example of a User Info field Diagram showing an example of the configuration of a Special User Info field Diagram showing an example of an Association ID (AID) 12 subfield Diagram showing an example of Uplink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)-based Random Access (UORA) Diagram showing an example of a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU) Access Point (AP) 1. Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of a Time Resource Point (AP)Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of a terminalDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of the configuration of a plurality of time resourcesBlock diagram showing an example of the configuration of an APBlock diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminalDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resourcesDiagram showing an example of a signaling method of time resources Figure showing an example of the RSSI setting. Figure showing an example of a time resource signaling method. Figure showing an example of the Start Timing subfield setting. Figure showing an example of the Length subfield setting.FIG. 1 shows an example of Timing and Length settings. FIG. 2 shows an example of a method for notifying dedicated resources. FIG. 3 shows an example of a method for notifying dedicated resources. FIG. 4 shows an example of a method for notifying dedicated resources. FIG. 5 shows an example of a PPDU format. FIG. 6 shows an example of a PPDU format. FIG. 7 shows an example of a PPDU format. FIG. 8 shows an example of a PPDU format. FIG. 9 shows an example of an available resource. Block diagram showing an example of a terminal configuration. FIG. 10 shows an example of a method for determining available resources. FIG. 11 shows an example of a method for controlling an OFDMA random access backoff (OBO) counter. FIG. 12 shows an example of a method for controlling an OBO counter.

[0011] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In UHR, in order to reduce the overhead caused by transmitting a trigger frame when instructing the transmission of an uplink response signal using a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a "trigger frame (TF)"), a method has been proposed in which a single trigger frame is used to instruct the transmission of multiple uplink response signals (see, for example, non-patent document 1).

[0013] Furthermore, in UHR, the application of A-PPDU (Aggregated-PHY protocol data unit) in the time domain is being considered to further reduce latency (low latency) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). Furthermore, in UHR, it has been proposed to support aperiodic, unpredictable, dynamically changing traffic requiring low latency (also called, for example, event-based low latency traffic) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3).

[0014] Hereinafter, traffic requiring low latency will be referred to as "LL (Low Latency) Traffic." Note that traffic requiring latency may also be called, for example, low latency traffic or latency-sensitive traffic, or may be traffic set to an information type (e.g., Traffic Identifier (TID)) that is treated as low latency traffic.

[0015] No consideration has been given to the setting of multiple time resources (e.g., transmission timing or transmission time length) when instructing the transmission of multiple uplink response signals using one trigger frame, and to the method of signaling the multiple time resources.

[0016] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for setting multiple time resources and a signaling method when instructing the transmission of multiple uplink response signals using one trigger frame will be described.

[0017] For example, in a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, an access point (AP, also referred to as an "AP STA" or "base station") uses a trigger frame to instruct a terminal (STA, also referred to as a "non-AP STA") to transmit multiple uplink response signals with different time resources (e.g., different time timings).

[0018] In UHR, different resources in the frequency domain are called "Resource Unit (RU)." Hereinafter, different resources in the time domain are called "Resource Block (RB)." Note that the time resource is not limited to RB, and may be called by other names. Furthermore, different resources in the frequency domain and the time domain may be called RB or by other names.

[0019] In addition, as an example, a method for indicating time resources (RBs) of multiple uplink response signals using one trigger frame will be described below by improving the control signals of 11ax and 11be.

[0020] The control signals of 11ax and 11be will be described below.

[0021] In 11ax and 11be, the AP transmits a trigger frame to the terminal to instruct the terminal to transmit an uplink response signal. The trigger frame includes a control signal including terminal-wide information and terminal-specific information, as shown below, and instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink response signal.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a Trigger frame. As shown in Fig. 1, the Trigger frame includes a field ("Common Info field") that includes information common to multiple terminals that are frequency-multiplexed (e.g., also referred to as terminal common information), and a field called a User Info List. The User Info List may include one or more fields ("User Info field") that include information individual (or unique) to multiple terminals (e.g., also referred to as terminal individual information).

[0023] In addition, in 11be, for example, the Trigger frame may include a field (for example, a "Special User Info field") that includes information for terminals that support 11be (EHT).

[0024] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of terminal common information (Common Info field) considered in 11be (e.g., EHT) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of terminal individual information (User Info field) considered in 11be (EHT) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a Special User Info field (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3).

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the "AID12 subfield" of B0 to B11 in the User Info field specifies information (e.g., Association ID (AID)) that identifies the terminal to which resources are allocated. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the value of the AID12 subfield and the notification content. As shown in FIG. 5, when specifying a terminal to which resources are allocated, a value of AID12=1 to 2007 is set. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when instructing the selection of resources (e.g., RA-RU) based on random access (RA) without specifying a specific terminal, a value of AID12=0 or 2045 is set (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3).

[0026] Note that random access is also called, for example, Uplink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)-based Random Access (UORA).

[0027] 6 shows a conceptual diagram of the UORA procedure (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). In UORA, the initial value of a backoff counter (e.g., called an OFDMA random access backoff (OBO) counter) is randomly determined from a value specified by the OFDMA contention window (OCW), and the OBO counter is decremented according to the number of RUs specified for random access. When the OBO counter becomes 0, the terminal randomly selects one RU from the RUs for random access (e.g., RA-RU) specified by the trigger frame, and transmits a response signal.

[0028] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the "RU Allocation subfield" of B12 to B19 in the User Info field specifies the location of the RU used for the uplink response signal.

[0029] In addition, the "Trigger Dependent Common Info subfield" in the Common Info field of Figure 2 and the "Trigger Dependent User Info subfield" in the User Info field of Figure 3 and the Special User Info field of Figure 4 are subfields that notify different information depending on (or depending on) the "Trigger Type" that indicates the type of Trigger frame notified in the "Trigger Type subfield" of B0 to B3 of the Common Info field shown in Figure 2.

[0030] When the terminal is instructed by the Trigger frame to transmit an uplink response signal (e.g., PPDU, also called an uplink data signal), the terminal transmits the uplink response signal using a Trigger based (TB)-PPDU format as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows an example format of an uplink response signal (e.g., TB-PPDU). Note that in Fig. 7, the fields from the Legacy-short Training field (L-STF) to the Universal SIGNAL field (U-SIG) may also be called a "Preamble." Furthermore, the fields from L-STF to EHT-LTF may also be called a Preamble.

[0031] In a non-limiting example of the present disclosure, an AP uses one Trigger frame to instruct a terminal to transmit multiple uplink response signals with different time timings (e.g., multiple time resources), thereby enabling the transmission of multiple uplink response signals with little overhead.

[0032] (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, for example, a method and a signaling method will be described in which an AP uses one trigger frame to control transmission of multiple response signals (e.g., multiple time resources) with different time timings to a terminal. Note that control of notifying multiple time resources using one trigger frame, or control in which a terminal recognizes information notified by the trigger frame and selects one or multiple time resources from the multiple time resources, is referred to as "multiple time resource allocation control."

[0033] [Configuration of Wireless Communication System] The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment may include, for example, an AP 100 and a terminal 200. In the wireless communication system, for example, two or more terminals 200 may exist. Furthermore, the multiple terminals 200 may support (or support) different functions, such as a terminal that supports standards up to 11be and a terminal that supports standards up to 11be and UHR.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion of an AP 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the AP 100 illustrated in FIG. 8, a control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) determines a control signal (e.g., a trigger frame) including information regarding a plurality of time resources (e.g., RBs) to be used for transmitting a plurality of uplink response signals. A transmission unit (e.g., corresponding to the transmission circuit) transmits the control signal. The AP 100 may also include a reception unit (not shown). The reception unit (e.g., corresponding to the reception circuit) receives the uplink response signals.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a portion of a terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the terminal 200 illustrated in FIG. 9 , a receiver (e.g., corresponding to a receiver circuit) receives a control signal (e.g., a trigger frame) including information regarding multiple time resources (e.g., RBs) used for transmitting multiple uplink response signals. A controller (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) controls the transmission of the uplink response signals based on the control signal. Note that the terminal 200 may also include a transmitter (not shown). The transmitter (e.g., corresponding to the transmitter circuit) transmits the uplink response signals.

[0036] For example, the AP 100 transmits a control signal (Trigger frame) including terminal-common information and terminal-specific information instructing an uplink response signal to the terminal 200. The Trigger frame may include control information instructing multiple uplink responses using different time resources. For example, the AP 100 determines one Trigger frame including information regarding multiple time resources to be used for transmitting each of the multiple uplink response signals, and transmits the Trigger frame to the terminal 200.

[0037] The terminal 200 receives, for example, one trigger frame including information on a plurality of time resources used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals, and controls the transmission of the uplink response signals based on the trigger frame. For example, the terminal 200 transmits a response signal to the AP 100 in one or a plurality of time resources (RBs) based on the instruction in the received trigger frame.

[0038] The timing for transmitting a response signal (for example, a PPDU) and the transmission time length of the PPDU (for example, also referred to as "LENGTH") may use any of the configurations or methods described below.

[0039] Furthermore, the terminal 200 generates a response signal (PPDU) having a transmission time length determined based on any of the configurations or methods described below, and transmits the response signal at the transmission timing of each time resource (RB).

[0040] In addition, the response signal (PPDU) transmitted by terminal 200 in each time resource (RB) may be a TB-PPDU, a Multi User (MU)-PPDU, a Null Data Packet (NDP), a PPDU that does not include a legacy preamble (e.g., L-STF, Legacy - long Training field (L-LTF), L-SIG, Repeated L-SIG (RL-SIG)), etc.

[0041] Also, examples of a method for indicating the number of time resources (RBs) (also referred to as the number of transmissions or the number of divisions) and which terminal 200 each RB is allocated to will be described later.

[0042] The following describes examples of PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length indicated by the Trigger frame (Configuration Examples 1 to 7). Note that in the following configuration examples, as an example of resources notified by the Trigger frame, a case where the number of RUs is two (RU0 and RU1) and the number of time resources (number of RBs) is two (RB0 and RB1) will be described.

[0043] [Configuration Example 1] FIG. 10 shows a configuration example (for example, a setting example of RU and RB) of the PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length instructed by the Trigger frame (TF) in configuration example 1.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 10, after the Short Inter Frame Space (SIFS) time length of the resource in which the Trigger frame is transmitted, multiple time resources (for example, RB0 and RB1) are configured as continuous time resources.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 10, the time length of each of the multiple time resources (or the length of the TB-PPDU transmitted in each time resource) is the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield of the Common Info field of the Trigger frame.

[0046] According to the configuration example 1, by configuring consecutive time resources, it is possible to improve resource utilization efficiency compared to a case where time intervals are provided between each time resource.

[0047] [Configuration Example 2] FIG. 11 shows a configuration example (for example, a setting example of RU and RB) of the PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length instructed by the Trigger frame (TF) in configuration example 2.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 11, after the SIFS time length of the resource in which the Trigger frame is transmitted, multiple time resources (e.g., RB0 and RB1) are configured at specified time intervals (e.g., SIFS, IFS shorter than SIFS, or IFS longer than SIFS) apart.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 11, the time length of each of the multiple time resources (or the length of the TB-PPDU transmitted in each time resource) is the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield of the Common Info field of the Trigger frame.

[0050] According to configuration example 2, by providing a specified time interval between each time resource, terminal 200 can perform carrier sensing before transmitting a response signal using the subsequent time resource (RB1 in the example of FIG. 11 ). If terminal 200 determines through carrier sensing that another terminal is using the resource, terminal 200 can suppress interference with the other terminal by stopping transmission using RB1. Furthermore, when terminal 200 transmits response signals consecutively using RB0 and RB1, processing time for generating a transmission signal for RB1 can be secured.

[0051] [Configuration Example 3] FIG. 12 shows a configuration example (for example, a setting example of RU and RB) of the PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length instructed by the Trigger frame (TF) in Configuration Example 3.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 12, after the SIFS time length of the resource in which the Trigger frame is transmitted, multiple time resources (e.g., RB0 and RB1) are configured with a specified time (e.g., SIFS × 2) and a time interval equivalent to the transmission time of an ACK / BA. As shown in Fig. 12, an ACK or a BA is placed between the multiple time resources notified by the Trigger frame.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 12, the time length of each of the multiple time resources (or the length of the TB-PPDU transmitted in each time resource) is the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield of the Common Info field of the Trigger frame.

[0054] According to the configuration example 3, by providing the ACK / BA resource between multiple time resources, it is possible to transmit the ACK / BA in a short time without waiting for multiple time resources to pass, and thus it is possible to perform retransmission control in a short time.

[0055] [Configuration Example 4] FIG. 13 shows a configuration example (for example, a setting example of RU and RB) of the PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length instructed by the Trigger frame (TF) in Configuration Example 4.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 13, after the SIFS time length of the resource in which the Trigger frame is transmitted, multiple time resources (for example, RB0 and RB1) are configured with continuous time.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 13, the time length of each of the multiple time resources (or the length of the TB-PPDU transmitted in each time resource) is the time length obtained by dividing the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield of the Common Info field of the Trigger frame by the number of time resources (two in Fig. 13). In other words, as shown in Fig. 13, the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield indicates the total time length of the multiple time resources.

[0058] According to the configuration example 4, similarly to the configuration example 1, by configuring consecutive time resources, it is possible to improve resource utilization efficiency compared to the case where time intervals are provided between each time resource.

[0059] [Configuration Example 5] FIG. 14 shows a configuration example (for example, a setting example of RU and RB) of the PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length instructed by the Trigger frame (TF) in configuration example 5.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 14, after the SIFS time length of the resource in which the Trigger frame is transmitted, multiple time resources (for example, RB0 and RB1) are configured at predetermined time intervals (for example, SIFS) apart.

[0061] As shown in Figure 14, the time length of each of the multiple time resources (or the length of the TB-PPDU transmitted in each time resource) is the time length obtained by subtracting a predetermined time (e.g., SIFS) x (number of time resources - 1) from the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield of the Common Info field of the Trigger frame, and dividing the result by the number of time resources (two in Figure 14).

[0062] According to Configuration Example 5, similarly to Configuration Example 2, by providing a specified time interval between each time resource, terminal 200 can perform carrier sensing before transmitting a response signal using the subsequent time resource (RB1 in the example of FIG. 14 ). If terminal 200 determines through carrier sensing that another terminal is using the resource, terminal 200 can suppress interference with the other terminal by stopping transmission using RB1. Furthermore, when terminal 200 transmits response signals consecutively using RB0 and RB1, processing time for generating a transmission signal for RB1 can be secured.

[0063] [Configuration Example 6] FIG. 15 shows a configuration example (for example, a setting example of RU and RB) of the PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length instructed by the Trigger frame (TF) in configuration example 6.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 15, after the SIFS time length of the resource in which the Trigger frame is transmitted, multiple time resources (e.g., RB0 and RB1) are configured with a specified time (e.g., SIFS × 2) and a time interval equivalent to the transmission time of an ACK / BA. As shown in Fig. 15, an ACK or a BA is placed between the multiple time resources notified by the Trigger frame.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 15 , the time length of each of the multiple time resources (or the length of the TB-PPDU transmitted in each time resource) is the time length obtained by subtracting a predetermined time (e.g., SIFS) × (number of time resources − 1) + ACK / BA length × (number of time resources − 1) from the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield of the Common Info field of the Trigger frame, and dividing the result by the number of time resources (two in FIG. 15 ).

[0066] According to Configuration Example 6, similarly to Configuration Example 3, by providing an ACK / BA resource between multiple time resources, it becomes possible to transmit an ACK / BA in a short time without waiting for multiple time resources to elapse, thereby enabling retransmission control to be performed in a short time.

[0067] [Configuration Example 7] FIG. 16 shows a configuration example (for example, a setting example of RU and RB) of the PPDU transmission timing and PPDU length instructed by the Trigger frame (TF) in configuration example 7.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 16, after the SIFS time length of the resource in which the Trigger frame is transmitted, multiple time resources (for example, RB0 and RB1) are configured to partially overlap each other.

[0069] For example, in Fig. 16, the time length of the first time resource (RB0) is the time length notified by the UL Length Subfield of the Common Info field of the Trigger frame, and the time length of the latter time resource (RB1) is the time length obtained by dividing the UL LENGTH by the number of multiple time resources (UL Length / 2 in Fig. 16). As shown in Fig. 16, when the start positions (or start positions) of the multiple time resources are taken as the reference (e.g., 0), RB0 and RB1 overlap in the range from UL Length / 2 to the UL Length among the multiple time resources.

[0070] In addition, in configuration example 7, the TB-PPDU transmitted in RB0 and the UHR-LTF of the TB-PPDU transmitted in RB1 are not orthogonal, which may result in a decrease in spatial multiplexing channel estimation accuracy. Therefore, in configuration example 7, as shown in FIG. 17 , terminal 200 transmitting a response signal in any of a plurality of time resources may transmit a preamble including a UHR-LTF at a timing after SIFS of the trigger frame (e.g., the first time resource). That is, a preamble for an uplink response signal transmitted in each of a plurality of time resources (e.g., RB0 and RB1) may be allocated to the first time resource (e.g., RB0) of the plurality of time resources, but may not be allocated to the time resource in which each uplink response signal is allocated.

[0071] Furthermore, terminal 200 transmitting a response signal over RB0 may transmit a mid-amble at the same timing as terminal 200 transmitting a response signal over RB1 transmits a UHR-LTF. Note that a configuration in which UHR-LTF is transmitted as a mid-amble may also be used. Furthermore, terminal 200 may perform carrier sensing before transmitting a response signal over RB1, and transmit over RB1 when other terminals are not transmitting over RB0 (for example, the channel is in an idle state), and may not transmit over RB1 when other terminals are transmitting over RB0 (for example, the channel is in a busy state).

[0072] In this way, when some of the time resources overlap, aligning the transmission timing of some of the UHR-LTFs transmitted in each time resource enables channel estimation that takes spatial multiplexing into account, and improved channel estimation accuracy can improve throughput.

[0073] Note that UHR-LTF is a symbol similar to EHT-LTF, and may be called EHT-LTF in the 11be (EHT) standard and UHR-LTF in the UHR standard.

[0074] Configuration examples 1 to 7 have been described above.

[0075] [Notes on configuration examples 1 to 7] When multiple resources with different time timings are notified, which of configurations 1 to 7 AP 100 will use to instruct the transmission of a response signal may be specified in the specifications, or the configuration to be used may be notified to terminal 200 by a management frame or a trigger frame, and the configuration to be used may be switched.

[0076] Although the above configuration examples 1 to 7 have been described with respect to examples in which the number of time resources is the same in all frequency resources (or RUs), the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a method may be used in which multiple time resources are configured in random access resources (e.g., resources indicated by the User Info field of AID12=0 or 2045) and multiple time resources are not configured in other resources.

[0077] For example, as shown in Figure 18, in the RA-RU, multiple time resources (e.g., RB0 and RB1) may be configured as in Configuration Example 1, and the time length of each time resource may be set to the UL Length, while in an RU other than the RA-RU, a single time resource may be configured, and the time length of the time resource may be set to the UL Length x the number of time resources. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 19, in the RA-RU, multiple time resources (e.g., RB0 and RB1) may be configured as in Configuration Example 4, and the time length of each time resource may be set to the time length obtained by dividing the UL Length by the number of time resources, while in an RU other than the RA-RU, a single time resource may be configured, and the time length of the time resource may be set to the UL Length. Note that, although examples in which Configuration Examples 1 and 4 are applied have been described with reference to Figures 18 and 19, the configuration of multiple time resources is not limited thereto, and any of Configuration Examples 2 to 3 and 5 to 7 may also be applied.

[0078] Also, for example, the number of time resources (or the number of transmissions) may be set individually for each RU. In this case, the time resource length may be the shortest time resource length, the longest time resource length, or the time length of another time resource.

[0079] Furthermore, if the number of time resources (or the number of transmissions) differs for each RU, the number of time resources may differ for RU sizes that are multiples of 20 MHz. For example, since preambles are transmitted in 20 MHz units, setting the number of time resources in 20 MHz units can reduce interference caused by preambles on other bands. Note that the unit for setting the number of time resources (or the unit for transmitting preambles) is not limited to 20 MHz, and other bandwidths may be used.

[0080] Furthermore, in configuration examples such as configuration examples 2, 3, 5, and 6 in which a specified time interval is taken before transmitting an RB and / or before transmitting an ACK / BA, when terminal 200 and / or other terminals have high-priority transmission data (e.g., data requiring low-latency transmission), transmission at intervals shorter than the specified time interval (in other words, interrupting before RB1: called preemption) may be permitted. For example, AP 100 may transmit information (e.g., a subfield) indicating whether or not preemption is permitted, by including it in a Trigger Frame.

[0081] Furthermore, a legacy terminal (e.g., a terminal supporting standards up to 11be) or a UHR terminal (e.g., a terminal supporting UHR) that does not support multiple-time resource allocation control does not recognize the existence of multiple resources even when multiple time resources are notified in a trigger frame. These terminals are capable of transmitting a TB-PPDU with a single UL Length. Therefore, for example, when multiple time resources are notified in a trigger frame, a legacy terminal or a UHR terminal that does not support multiple-time resource allocation control may transmit a single response signal using the time resources of the notified UL Length. For example, in the case of configuration example 1 (FIG. 10), the terminal transmits a TB-PPDU using RB0. Furthermore, for example, in the case of configuration example 4 (FIG. 13), one TB-PPDU is transmitted using the time resources of RB0 and RB1. Note that a UHR terminal may notify AP 100 of whether multiple-time resource allocation control is possible (whether it is supported) by including this information in its capability information.

[0082] [Configuration Example of AP 100] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the AP 100.

[0083] The AP 100 transmits control information (for example, a trigger frame) including terminal common information and terminal individual information to the terminal 200. The trigger frame may include, for example, control information indicating a plurality of time resources.

[0084] The AP 100 shown in FIG. 20 may include, for example, a time resource control unit 101, a scheduling unit 102, a terminal common information generation unit 103, a terminal individual information generation unit 104, a TF generation unit 105, an error correction coding unit 106, a modulation unit 107, a preamble generation unit 108, a PPDU generation unit 109, a radio transmission / reception unit 110, a separation unit 111, a preamble reception unit 112, a demodulation unit 113, and an error correction decoding unit 114.

[0085] In addition, at least one of the time resource control unit 101, scheduling unit 102, terminal common information generation unit 103, terminal individual information generation unit 104, TF generation unit 105, error correction coding unit 106, modulation unit 107, preamble generation unit 108, PPDU generation unit 109, separation unit 111, preamble reception unit 112, demodulation unit 113 and error correction decoding unit 114 shown in Figure 20 may be included in the control unit shown in Figure 8, and the radio transmission / reception unit 110 shown in Figure 20 may be included in the transmission unit shown in Figure 8.

[0086] In FIG. 20 , the time resource control unit 101 controls, for example, settings related to time resources. For example, the time resource control unit 101 may determine time resources common to all RUs, time resources for each RA-RU (e.g., resources for random access) and RU (e.g., resources not for random access), or settings (or configurations) related to time resources for each RU. The settings related to time resources may include, for example, the transmission timing, the number of time resources, and the PPDU length, and any of the above-described configuration examples 1 to 7 may be applied. For example, the number of time resources may be determined based on at least one of the allowable traffic delay amount held by each terminal 200, the number of terminals connected (associated) with the AP 100, and the buffer size of each terminal 200. The time resource control unit 101 outputs information related to the determined time resources to the scheduling unit 102, the terminal common information generation unit 103, and the terminal individual information generation unit 104.

[0087] The scheduling unit 102 may, for example, perform scheduling for the terminal 200. For example, the scheduling unit 102 may allocate frequency resources and time resources to the terminal 200 based on information input from the time resource control unit 101. Furthermore, for example, the scheduling unit 102 may determine scheduling information for uplink signals for one or more terminals including the terminal 200 based on reception quality information, a transmission buffer state, terminal capability information, and the like, which are fed back from the terminal 200. Furthermore, the scheduling unit 102 may allocate multiple time resources to the same terminal 200. Furthermore, when random access is applied, the scheduling unit 102 determines scheduling information for random access.

[0088] The scheduling information may include transmission parameters such as radio resources (e.g., including at least one of a transmission band, a time resource, and a signal length) to be allocated to terminal 200 and information on a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) to be applied to an uplink signal. Note that the transmission band to be allocated to terminal 200 may be set to at least a part of the transmission band of a downlink PPDU including a Trigger frame.

[0089] Scheduling section 102 outputs the determined scheduling information for terminal 200 to terminal common information generation section 103, terminal individual information generation section 104, error correction coding section 106, modulation section 107, and preamble generation section .

[0090] The terminal common information generation unit 103 may generate, for example, control information included in a Common Info field (e.g., FIG. 2 ) that is common to multiple terminals including the terminal 200, and control information included in a Special User Info field (e.g., FIG. 4 ) that is common to multiple terminals of a predetermined PHY version. For example, the terminal common information generation unit 103 may generate control information related to time resources in accordance with information (or instructions) input from the time resource control unit 101 or the scheduling unit 102. Examples of control information related to time resources will be described later. The terminal common information generation unit 103 outputs the generated control information (e.g., information related to the Common Info field and the Special User Info field) to the TF generation unit 105.

[0091] The terminal individual information generation unit 104 may generate, for example, control information to be included in a User Info field (e.g., FIG. 3 ) individual to the terminal 200. For example, the terminal individual information generation unit 104 may generate information about a User Info field individual to the terminal 200 based on a specified format, based on the scheduling information input from the scheduling unit 102, and may generate information about a User Info List including a User Info field for each of the multiple terminals 200. Furthermore, the terminal individual information generation unit 104 may generate control information related to time resources, for example, in accordance with information (or instructions) input from the time resource control unit 101. Examples of control information related to time resources will be described later. The terminal individual information generation unit 104 outputs the generated control information (e.g., information related to the User Info List) to the TF generation unit 105.

[0092] The TF generation unit 105 may generate a Trigger frame including control information input from the terminal common information generation unit 103 (e.g., information in the Common Info field and Special User Info field) and control information input from the terminal individual information generation unit 104 (e.g., information in a User Info List including at least one User Info field) based on the format shown in Fig. 1, for example. The Trigger frame may include, in addition to the Common Info field and the User Info List, at least one of a MAC header, padding, and a frame check sequence (FCS). The TF generation unit 105 outputs the generated Trigger frame to the error correction coding unit 106, for example.

[0093] The error correction coding unit 106 performs error correction coding on the trigger frame input from the TF generation unit 105. Furthermore, for example, when the trigger frame and data are simultaneously transmitted, the error correction coding unit 106 performs error correction coding on a data signal obtained by combining the trigger frame and the data in Medium Access Control (MAC). The error correction coding unit 106 outputs the coded signal to the modulation unit 107. Note that the coding rate for the data signal in the error correction coding unit 106 may be determined based on, for example, scheduling information input from the scheduling unit 102.

[0094] The modulation unit 107 modulates, for example, the signal input from the error correction coding unit 106 and outputs the modulated signal to the PPDU generation unit 109. Note that the modulation method applied in the modulation unit 107 may be determined based on, for example, the scheduling information input from the scheduling unit 102.

[0095] In addition, if the modulated signal is an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) signal, AP100 may form the OFDM signal by mapping the modulated signal to a predetermined frequency resource, performing IDFT (Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform) processing, and adding a cyclic prefix (CP).

[0096] Preamble generation section 108 generates a preamble to be added to data addressed to terminal 200 based on the scheduling information from scheduling section 102. The preamble includes, for example, information used by terminal 200 to receive and decode the data. Preamble generation section 108 outputs the generated preamble signal to PPDU generation section 109.

[0097] The PPDU generation unit 109 generates a single PPDU signal by time-multiplexing (e.g., multiplexing the preamble signal from the preamble generation unit 108 and the modulated signal from the modulation unit 107 in the order of preamble signal, modulated signal (OFDM signal)), and outputs the PPDU signal to the radio transmission / reception unit 110.

[0098] The radio transmission / reception unit 110 performs radio transmission processing such as D / A conversion and up-conversion to a carrier frequency on the PPDU signal input from the PPDU generation unit 109, and transmits the signal after radio transmission processing via an antenna.

[0099] In addition, the radio transmission / reception unit 110 receives a signal, for example, via an antenna, performs radio reception processing on the received signal, such as down-conversion to baseband and A / D conversion, and outputs the signal after radio reception processing to the separation unit 111.

[0100] For example, the separator 111 separates a signal (PPDU) input from the radio transmitter / receiver 110 into a preamble signal and a data signal, outputs the preamble signal to the preamble receiver 112 , and outputs the data signal to the demodulator 113 .

[0101] The preamble receiving unit 112 demodulates and decodes the preamble signal from the separating unit 111, and if the signal is addressed to the AP 100, instructs the demodulating unit 113 and the error correction decoding unit 114 to decode the data, and outputs control information (e.g., MCS, etc.) to be used for decoding to the demodulating unit 113 and the error correction decoding unit 114.

[0102] The demodulation unit 113 performs demodulation processing on the received data input from the separation unit 111 and outputs the demodulated signal to the error correction decoding unit 114. Note that the modulation scheme applied in the demodulation unit 113 may be determined based on the control information input from the preamble receiving unit 112, for example.

[0103] Furthermore, when the signal input to the demodulation unit 113 is an OFDM signal, the AP 100 may perform CP removal processing and DFT processing on the OFDM signal.

[0104] The error correction decoding unit 114, for example, decodes the demodulated signal input from the demodulation unit 113 and outputs the decoded signal as a received data signal. Note that the coding rate applied in the error correction decoding unit 114 may be determined based on, for example, control information input from the preamble receiving unit 112. The received data signal may include, for example, an ACK response (e.g., Block Ack (BA)) from the terminal 200 or LL traffic from the terminal 200.

[0105] [Configuration Example of Terminal 200] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal 200. As shown in FIG.

[0106] The terminal 200 shown in FIG. 21 may include, for example, a radio transceiver 201, a separator 202, a preamble receiver 203, a demodulator 204, an error correction decoder 205, a time resource determiner 206, a transmission timing controller 207, a data generator 208, an error correction encoder 209, a modulator 210, a preamble generator 211, and a PPDU generator 212.

[0107] In addition, at least one of the separation unit 202, preamble receiving unit 203, demodulation unit 204, error correction decoding unit 205, time resource determination unit 206, transmission timing control unit 207, data generation unit 208, error correction coding unit 209, modulation unit 210, preamble generation unit 211, and PPDU generation unit 212 shown in Figure 21 may be included in the control unit shown in Figure 9, and the radio transmission / reception unit 201 shown in Figure 21 may be included in the receiving unit shown in Figure 9.

[0108] In FIG. 21 , a radio transmission / reception section 201 receives a signal via an antenna, performs radio reception processing such as down-conversion and A / D conversion on the received signal, and outputs the signal after radio reception processing to a demultiplexing section 202 .

[0109] Furthermore, the wireless transceiver 201 performs wireless transmission processing such as up-conversion and D / A conversion on the signal input from the PPDU generator 212, and transmits the signal after wireless transmission processing from the antenna. Note that the wireless transceiver 201 controls the transmission timing of each PPDU signal based on information regarding the transmission positions (or transmission timing) of multiple time resources input from the transmission timing control unit 207. The wireless transceiver 201 also performs carrier sensing based on, for example, an instruction from a trigger frame, and if the carrier sensing result for a predetermined time is idle, transmits the signal generated in the PPDU generator 212 to the AP 100 from the antenna.

[0110] The separator 202 separates, for example, a signal (PPDU) input from the radio transmitter / receiver 201 into a preamble signal and a data signal, outputs the preamble signal to the preamble receiver 203 , and outputs the data signal to the demodulator 204 .

[0111] The preamble receiving unit 203 demodulates and decodes the preamble signal from the separating unit 202, and if the signal is addressed to the terminal 200, it instructs the demodulating unit 204 and the error correction decoding unit 205 to decode the data, and outputs control information (e.g., MCS) to be used for decoding to the demodulating unit 204 and the error correction decoding unit 205.

[0112] The demodulation unit 204 performs demodulation processing on the received data input from the separation unit 202, for example, and outputs the demodulated signal to the error correction decoding unit 205. Note that the modulation scheme applied in the demodulation unit 204 may be determined based on control information (e.g., scheduling information) input from the preamble receiving unit 203, for example.

[0113] Furthermore, when the signal input to demodulation section 204 is an OFDM signal, terminal 200 may perform CP removal processing and DFT processing on the OFDM signal.

[0114] The error correction decoding unit 205, for example, decodes the demodulated signal input from the demodulation unit 204, and when the decoded signal includes a trigger frame, outputs control information included in the trigger frame to the time resource determination unit 206, the transmission timing control unit 207, the data generation unit 208, and the preamble generation unit 211. Note that the coding rate applied in the error correction decoding unit 205 may be determined based on control information (for example, scheduling information) input from the preamble reception unit 203, for example.

[0115] The time resource determination unit 206 determines a time resource available for transmission by the terminal 200, based on control information included in the Trigger frame input from the error correction decoding unit 205. For example, the time resource determination unit 206 may select a time resource to which the AID of the terminal 200 is specified. Alternatively, in the case of a random access resource, the time resource determination unit 206 may perform OBO control and select a random access resource when the OBO counter becomes 0. For example, if data transmission is available based on the determination result, the time resource determination unit 206 outputs information regarding whether transmission is possible to the data generation unit 208. Furthermore, the time resource determination unit 206 outputs information regarding the determined time resource to the transmission timing control unit 207.

[0116] The transmission timing control unit 207 controls the transmission timing (e.g., transmission position) of a transmission signal from the terminal 200. For example, the transmission timing control unit 207 determines the position (e.g., transmission position) of one or more time resources based on information (e.g., time resources available for transmission by the terminal 200) input from the time resource determination unit 206, and outputs information related to the transmission position (or transmission timing) of the time resource to the radio transmission / reception unit 201. Furthermore, for example, the transmission timing control unit 207 determines the timing of carrier sense based on control information included in a trigger frame input from the error correction decoding unit 205, and outputs information related to the determined timing to the radio transmission / reception unit 201.

[0117] For example, when the data generation unit 208 determines that a response signal can be transmitted based on whether or not an uplink response signal can be transmitted, which is input from the time resource determination unit 206, the data generation unit 208 generates data for the response signal based on information such as the UL length or frequency bandwidth included in the trigger frame input from the error correction decoding unit 205, and outputs the data to the error correction coding unit 209.

[0118] The number of symbols in the data field of each time resource and the calculation of the size of the Packet Extension (PE) field differ depending on the setting (or configuration) of the PPDU length and the transmission timing of the response signal.

[0119] For example, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration examples 1, 2, and 3, the calculation method may be the same as that specified in 11be (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). Also, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration examples 4, 5, and 6, for example, the number of symbols N sym and the size of the PE field, T PE may be calculated based on the formulas (1) and (2). In addition, for example, in the case of the above-mentioned configuration example 7, the number of symbols N sym and the size of the PE field, T PE may be calculated based on equations (3) and (4).

[0120] In the above formula, "N PPDU " is the number of time resources specified by the Trigger frame, and "L Gap " is the length of the GAP corresponding to the time interval of each time resource (for example, 0 in configuration example 4, SIFS in configuration example 5, and ACK / BA length + SIFS in configuration example 6). Also, "index" is the transmission position of the time resource (for example, 0 for RB0, 1 for RB1).

[0121] Furthermore, when multiple time resources are allocated, the data generation unit 208 may generate a data signal (e.g., a PHY Service Data Unit (PSDU)) for each time resource and output the data signal to the error correction coding unit 209. Note that the data generation unit 208 may also combine multiple time resources to generate one data signal (e.g., a PHY Service Data Unit (PSDU)).

[0122] The error correction coding unit 209 performs error correction coding on the data signal (e.g., one or more PHY Service Data Units (PSDUs)) input from the data generation unit 208, and outputs the coded signal to the modulation unit 210. For example, when multiple time resources are allocated, the error correction coding unit 209 may perform error correction coding on two or more PSDUs.

[0123] The modulation unit 210 modulates, for example, the signal (for example, one or more PSDU signals) input from the error correction coding unit 209 and outputs the modulated signal to the PPDU generation unit 212 .

[0124] Furthermore, when the modulated signal is an OFDM signal, terminal 200 may form the OFDM signal by mapping the modulated signal to a predetermined frequency resource, performing IDFT processing, and adding a cyclic prefix (CP).

[0125] The preamble generation unit 211 generates a preamble to be added to data addressed to the AP 100, for example, based on control information related to uplink transmission input from the error correction decoding unit 205. The preamble includes, for example, information used by the AP 100 to receive and decode data. The preamble generation unit 211 outputs the generated preamble signal to the PPDU generation unit 212. The preamble generation unit 211 may also generate a mid-amble (for example, a control signal inserted in the middle of a data frame) as necessary and output it to the PPDU generation unit 212. The format of the preamble or mid-amble may be changed depending on the position of the time resource. Examples of preamble and mid-amble formats will be described later.

[0126] The PPDU generation unit 212 generates one PPDU by time-multiplexing (multiplexing the preamble signal first, then the OFDM signal) the preamble signal or mid-amble signal from the preamble generation unit 211 and the modulated signal (e.g., OFDM signal) from the modulation unit 210. For example, if there are multiple modulated signals (e.g., PSDUs) input from the modulation unit 210, the PPDU generation unit 212 generates multiple PPDUs. The PPDU generation unit 212 outputs the generated PPDU to the radio transmission / reception unit 201.

[0127] The configuration examples of the AP 100 and the terminal 200 have been described above.

[0128] [Signaling Method of Time Resource Information] Next, an example of a signaling method of time resource information from the AP 100 to the terminal 200 will be described.

[0129] For example, in response to an instruction from the time resource control unit 101, the AP 100 uses one trigger frame to generate control information (hereinafter referred to as time resource information) for notifying the terminal 200 of the transmission of multiple response signals (e.g., multiple time resources) with different time timings in at least one of the terminal common information generation unit 103 and the terminal individual information generation unit 104.

[0130] A method for generating (or notifying) time resource information will be described below. As an example, a method for notifying time resource information using a trigger frame will be described below.

[0131] [Signaling Method 1] In signaling method 1, for example, the number of time resources (also referred to as the number of transmissions or the number of divisions) of multiple uplink response signals is notified to terminal 200 in a trigger frame. For example, the time resource information includes information on the number of multiple time resources (e.g., RBs). Furthermore, in signaling method 1, for example, the transmission timing (also referred to as the transmission position) of each time resource is not explicitly notified.

[0132] The number of time resources may be notified, for example, in any of the following formats:

[0133] (1) As shown in FIG. 22 , the AP 100 uses a Reserved subfield (3 bits) in the Special User Info field to notify information about the number of time resources (referred to as "Number of Time Resources"). The Number of Time Resources may be, for example, a 3-bit subfield, and the number of time resources changes depending on the setting value of the subfield. For example, "000" may indicate the number of time resources as 1, "001" may indicate the number of time resources as 2, and "010" may indicate the number of time resources as 3. Note that the Number of Time Resources subfield is not limited to 3 bits, and the Number of Time Resources may be notified using a part of the Reserved subfield (for example, 2 bits). In this way, by using the Reserved subfield to notify time resource information, signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0134] (2) As shown in Fig. 23, the AP 100 notifies information about the number of time resources (for example, called "Number of Time Resources") by using one or more of the Reserved subfields (1 bit) in the Common Info field. In this way, by using the Reserved subfield to notify the time resource information, it is possible to reduce signaling overhead.

[0135] (3) As shown in FIG. 24 , AP 100 notifies the number of time resources (e.g., Number of Time Resources) for multiple uplink response signals in the User Info field in which a specific AID12 is set in the User Info List of the Trigger frame. For example, the value of the specific AID12 may be set to at least one of 2008 to 2044 and 2047 to 4094 (2048 in the example of FIG. 24 ), which are unused AID12s up to 11be. Furthermore, multiple User Info fields for a specific AID12 may exist. For example, as shown in FIG. 25 , a specific AID12 (e.g., 2048) may be set in each of multiple User Info fields in which different RU Allocations are set, and different numbers of time resources may be notified for each RU.

[0136] In signaling method 1, the method of specifying the terminal 200 (STA) that can use each time resource and the method of notifying transmission parameters (e.g., information such as MCS or Received Power notified in the User info field) may be, for example, any of the following methods.

[0137] <Designation / Notification Method 1> In designation / notification method 1, the AP 100 does not notify the terminals 200 that can use each time resource and the transmission parameters for each time resource. For example, in a certain RU, the terminals (e.g., AID12) that use each of multiple time resources and the transmission parameters for the multiple time resources may be common.

[0138] FIG. 26 shows an example of a method for specifying a terminal 200 and a method for notifying transmission parameters according to the first specification and notification method.

[0139] In the example of Fig. 26, the User Info List field of the Trigger frame includes three User Info subfields. Also, in the example of Fig. 26, the set values ​​of AID12 in each User Info subfield are 0, 0, and 3, respectively, the set values ​​of the RU Allocation subfield are values ​​indicating RU0, RU1, and RU2, respectively, and two (for example, RB0 and RB1) are set as the number of time resources. Here, an RU for which AID12 is set to 0 is a random access RU (for example, an RA-RU), and an RU for which AID12 is set to 3 is an RU allocated to terminal 200 for which AID12=3 is set.

[0140] In designation / notification method 1, there are no individual User Info fields for multiple (two in the example of FIG. 26 ) time resources, and the terminal 200 and transmission parameters indicated by a User Info field common to multiple time resources in each RU (RB0 and RB1 in the example of FIG. 26 ) are set. For example, in FIG. 26 , the terminal 200 performing random access is designated by a User Info subfield where AID12=0 and RU0 is set in the RU Allocation subfield, and transmission parameters common to both RB0 and RB1 in RU0 are notified. Similarly, for example, in FIG. 26 , the terminal 200 with AID12=3 is designated by a User Info subfield where AID12=3 and RU2 is set in the RU Allocation subfield, and transmission parameters common to both RB0 and RB1 in RU2 are notified. The same applies to the other User Info subfields.

[0141] In this way, by setting terminal 200 and transmission parameters indicated by a common User Info field for each time resource, it is possible to reduce signaling overhead.

[0142] <Designation / Notification Method 2> In designation / notification method 2, the AP 100 notifies the terminals 200 that can use each time resource and transmission parameters for each time resource. For example, in a certain RU, the terminals (e.g., AID12) to be used for each of the multiple time resources and the transmission parameters for each of the multiple time resources are set individually.

[0143] FIG. 27 shows an example of a method for specifying a terminal 200 and a method for notifying transmission parameters according to the second specification and notification method.

[0144] In the example of Fig. 27, the User Info List field of the Trigger frame includes six User Info subfields. Also, in the example of Fig. 27, the set values ​​of AID12 in each User Info subfield are 0, 0, 0, 0, 3, and 4, respectively, the set values ​​of the RU Allocation subfield are values ​​indicating RU0, RU0, RU1, RU1, RU2, and RU2, respectively, and two (e.g., RB0 and RB1) are set as the number of time resources. Here, an RU with AID12 set to 0 is a random access RU (e.g., RA-RU), and an RU with AID12 set to 3 or 4 is an RU allocated to a terminal 200 with AID12 set to 3 or 4.

[0145] In designation / notification method 2, the relationship between multiple User Info fields and multiple time resources may be, for example, determined by the order of multiple User Info fields in which the same value (e.g., the same RU) is set in the RU Allocation field. For example, as shown in Figure 27, if there are two User Info fields in which RU0 is set, the Use Info field that is first in the order of the Use Info fields of the two User Info fields in which RU0 is set may be the User Info field that specifies RB0, and the Use Info field that is second in the order of the Use Info fields may be the User Info field that specifies RB1. The same applies to other RUs.

[0146] When MU-MIMO is applied, terminal 200 may determine the time resource location based on the SS Allocation subfield in addition to the RU Allocation field.

[0147] In addition, in the example of FIG. 27, an example is shown in which the User Info fields are arranged so that multiple User Info fields having the same value (e.g., the same RU) set in the RU Allocation field are arranged consecutively (e.g., in the order of RU0(RB0), RU0(RB1), RU1(RB0), RU1(RB1), RU2(RB0), RU2(RB1)), but the arrangement of the User Info fields is not limited to this.

[0148] For example, User Info fields related to the same RB may be arranged consecutively, for example, in the order RU0(RB0), RU1(RB0), RU2(RB0), RU0(RB1), RU1(RB1), RU2(RB1).

[0149] Furthermore, a Special User Info field (which may be similar to the field described in Format Example (1) of the Number of Time Resources (see, for example, FIG. 22 )) or a User Info field in which AID12 is set to a specific value (which may be similar to the field described in Format Example (3) of the Number of Time Resources (see, for example, FIG. 24 )) may be inserted between a User Info field related to RB0 (for example, the last User Info field related to RB0, i.e., the User Info field corresponding to RU2 (RB0)) and a User Info field related to RB1 (for example, the first User Info field related to RB1, i.e., the User Info field corresponding to RU0 (RB1)) may be inserted. The inserted (Special) User Info field may include information notifying that RB scheduling is to be performed (for example, an RB enabled subfield, information indicating the number of RBs (Number of Time Resources subfield), and standard version information (for example, information indicating that this is a User Info field for UHR)). In this way, a legacy terminal recognizes the User Info field related to RB0, but does not recognize (e.g., discards) the inserted (Special) User Info field and subsequent User Info fields (e.g., allocation information related to RB1 and / or RB2 and subsequent RBs), thereby preventing the legacy terminal from misinterpreting the contents of the subsequent User Info fields (e.g., misidentifying them as schedule information for RB0) and malfunctioning.

[0150] Furthermore, the value of AID12 in the User Info field including allocation information for RB1 and onward may be set (e.g., limited) to the value of the AID assigned to a terminal (e.g., a UHR terminal) that supports the multi-time resource allocation function. For example, the AID of the UHR terminal (e.g., 3) may be set to AID12 in the User Info field including allocation information for RA-RU0 to RB1. For example, a value of AID12 indicating an RA-RU limited to a terminal (e.g., a UHR terminal) that supports the multi-time resource allocation function may be determined (e.g., 2049), and this AID12 value may be used when allocating RA-RUs to RB1 and onward.

[0151] In this way, by setting terminal 200 and transmission parameters specified by the User Info field for each time resource, resource allocation to terminal 200 and transmission parameters (MCS, etc.) can be flexibly set.

[0152] The designation / notification method 1 and the designation / notification method 2 have been described above.

[0153] Note that, although examples based on the above-described configuration example 1 have been described for designation / notification method 1 and designation / notification method 2, other configuration examples (for example, any of configuration examples 2 to 7) may also be applied. For example, in configuration example 2, a predetermined time interval (such as SIFS) is provided between each time resource.

[0154] Also, in Figures 26 and 27, RA-RU0 or RA-RU1 is shown as a single RU, but this is not limited to this, and it may be configured to be divided into multiple RUs depending on the value of the RA-RU Information subfield of the User Info field, for example.

[0155] Furthermore, the notification of the number of time resources may be performed (e.g., limited) for the random access RU, and not for other RUs. Whether or not to limit access to random access may be defined in the specifications, and an instruction as to whether or not to limit access to random access may be notified to terminal 200 by other control information or a trigger frame. For example, as shown in FIG. 28 , when the number of time resources (e.g., Number of Time Resources) is notified as 2, in the above-described designation / notification method 1, the number of time resources may be set to 2 in RA-RUs (e.g., RA-RU0, RA-RU1), and the number of time resources may be set to 1 in a resource (e.g., RU2) designated for a certain terminal.

[0156] [Signaling Method 2] In signaling method 2, for example, in a trigger frame, the number of time resources (or the number of transmissions or the number of divisions) of multiple uplink response signals is notified to terminal 200, and the transmission timing (also referred to as transmission position) of each time resource is explicitly notified to terminal 200. For example, the time resource information includes information on the number of multiple time resources (e.g., RBs) and information on the positions of the multiple time resources.

[0157] The method of notifying the number of time resources in signaling method 2 may be the same as that in signaling method 1. Alternatively, information regarding the transmission position of each time resource (resource index) may be notified, and explicit notification of the number of time resources may be omitted. The method of notifying information regarding the transmission position of each time resource (resource index) in signaling method 2 will be described below.

[0158] <Position Notification Method 1> As shown in FIG. 29, the transmission position of each time resource (for example, Time Index) is notified by the Reserved subfield of the User info field.

[0159] Fig. 30 shows an example of notification of the transmission positions of time resources in position notification method 1. In Fig. 30, the number of multiple time resources is set to two (for example, RB0 and RB1). As shown in Fig. 30, each index of the time resource is notified in the Time Index subfield of the User info field. For example, Time Index = 0 indicates RB0, and Time Index = 1 indicates RB1.

[0160] In this way, by using the reserved subfield to notify the transmission position of the time resource, it is possible to reduce signaling overhead.

[0161] <Location Notification Method 2> As shown in FIG. 31, when the Trigger Type in the Common Info field is Basic, the transmission position of each time resource (e.g., Time Index) is notified by the Reserved subfield of the Trigger Dependent User Info subfield in the User Info field.

[0162] For example, the method for setting the value of the Time Index may be the same as that of the position notification method 1.

[0163] In this way, by using the reserved subfield to notify the transmission position of the time resource, it is possible to reduce signaling overhead.

[0164] <Location Notification Method 3> As shown in FIG. 32, the transmission location of each time resource (for example, Time Index) is notified by a part of the UL UHR-MCS subfield of the User Info field.

[0165] In 11be, the UL UHR-MCS subfield is a 4-bit field. For example, of the 4 bits, the UL UHR-MCS subfield (e.g., a field that indicates the MCS) may be 2 bits, and the Time Index subfield (e.g., a field that indicates the transmission position of the time resource) may be 2 bits. In the 2-bit UL UHR-MCS subfield, a low MCS value (e.g., MCS=0 to 3) may be indicated, or every other MCS (e.g., MCS=0, 2, 4, 6) may be indicated.

[0166] For example, when allocation of multi-time resources is assumed to be LL traffic, the LL traffic is likely to use a low MCS and not a high MCS because it is highly necessary to transmit without errors. Therefore, as described above, even if a low MCS is set (or even if a high MCS is not set), the impact on system throughput is small.

[0167] In this way, by using part of the UL UHR-MCS subfield to notify the transmission position of the time resource, it is possible to reduce signaling overhead.

[0168] The UL UHR-MCS subfield set in the Time Index subfield is not limited to 2 bits, and may be any other number of bits.

[0169] <Location Notification Method 4> As shown in FIG. 33, the transmission location (for example, Time Index) of each time resource is notified by a part of the UL Target Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) subfield of the User Info field.

[0170] In 11be, the UL Target RSSI subfield is a 7-bit field. For example, the UL Target RSSI subfield (e.g., a field for reporting RSSI) may be 5 bits, and the Time Index subfield (e.g., a field for reporting the transmission position of a time resource) may be 2 bits. For example, in the 5-bit UL Target RSSI subfield, a high RSSI may be reported, as shown in FIG. 34. For example, in standards up to 11be, RSSI can be set to -100+Fval, whereas in FIG. 34, RSSI can be set to -50+Fval. By setting Fval to 0 to 31 (the value of the 5-bit UL Target RSSI subfield), a high RSSI can be set and a low RSSI cannot be set. Furthermore, in the 5-bit UL Target RSSI subfield, for example, values ​​that can be set in 7 bits may be set discontinuously (discretely).

[0171] For example, as in Non-Patent Document 2, when allocation of multi-time resources is assumed to be LL traffic, there is a high possibility that a high RSSI will be used and a low RSSI will not be used because there is a high need for error-free transmission of LL traffic. Therefore, as described above, even when a high RSSI is set (or when a low RSSI is not set), the impact on system throughput is small.

[0172] In this way, by using part of the UL Target RSSI subfield to notify the transmission position of the time resource, it is possible to reduce signaling overhead.

[0173] The UL Target RSSI subfield set in the Time Index subfield is not limited to 2 bits, and may be any other number of bits.

[0174] The location notification methods 1 to 4 have been described above.

[0175] Note that, similarly to signaling method 1, User Info fields indicating allocation of the same RU may be arranged consecutively (for example, as shown in FIG. 30), or User Info fields indicating allocation of the same RB may be arranged consecutively (not shown). Furthermore, a Special User Info field or a User Info field having a specific AID12 value may be inserted between the User Info field indicating allocation of RB0 and the User Info field indicating allocation of RB1.

[0176] Furthermore, the AID12 field (value of AID12) of the User Info field indicating allocation of RB1 and onward (for example, Time Index is 1 or more) may be set (for example, limited) to the value of AID assigned to a terminal (for example, UHR terminal) that supports the multi-time resource allocation function. An AID12 value (for example, 2049) indicating an RA-RU limited to a terminal (for example, UHR terminal) that supports the multi-time resource allocation function may be determined, and this AID12 value may be used when allocating RA-RUs to RB1 and onward.

[0177] By explicitly notifying the time resource location as in location notification methods 1 to 4, terminal 200 can determine the time resource location without checking a subfield different from the AID12 subfield in other User Info fields, thereby reducing the processing load of terminal 200.

[0178] Furthermore, in signaling method 2, terminal 200 can determine the number of time resources from the value of the notified Time Index. For example, when Time Index = 0, 1 is notified, terminal 200 can determine that the number of time resources is 2. Therefore, signaling notification method 2 may be configured not to explicitly notify the number of time resources.

[0179] [Signaling Method 3] In signaling method 3, the number of time resources (or the number of transmissions or the number of divisions) of multiple uplink response signals is notified in a trigger frame, and information regarding the resource start position and resource length for each of multiple time resources with different timing is notified to terminal 200.

[0180] In signaling method 3, the number of time resources and the start position and resource length of each time resource may be notified to terminal 200 in the following format, for example.

[0181] For example, as shown in Fig. 35, in the User Info field in which a specific AID (e.g., AID12=2048) is set, the number of time resources (e.g., Number of Time Resources), the start position of each time resource (e.g., Start Timing), and the resource length of each time resource (e.g., Length) are notified. The specific AID may be, for example, any of AID12 (2008 to 2044, 2047 to 4094) that are unused until 11be.

[0182] For example, the Start Timing subfield and the Length subfield exist for the number of time resources. Figure 36 shows a setting example of the resource start position (Start Timing), and Figure 37 shows a setting example of the resource length (Length). As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the resource start position and resource length may be specified with values ​​based on the UL Length notified in the Common Info field. Note that the resource start position and resource length are not limited to being set with values ​​based on the UL Length, and other values ​​may also be set.

[0183] Figure 38 shows an example of the relationship between the settings of resource start positions and resource lengths and each time resource (RB). In Figure 38, Start Timing = 0 is set for the time resource of RB0, so it is set to a resource start position SIFS after the resource of the Trigger frame in accordance with Figure 36. Also, Length = 0 is set for the time resource of RB0, so it is set to the UL LENGTH length in accordance with Figure 37. Also, in Figure 38, Start Timing = 1 is set for the time resource of RB1, so it is set to a resource start position SIFS + UL LENGTH after the resource of the Trigger frame in accordance with Figure 36. Also, Length = 1 is set for the time resource of RB1, so it is set to the UL LENGTH / 2 length in accordance with Figure 37.

[0184] While Fig. 38 shows an example in which the above-described configuration example 1 is applied, the present invention is not limited to this, and any of configuration examples 2 to 7 may also be applied. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a case in which a predetermined time interval is set between time resources, as in configuration example 2. In this case, the start timing of RB1 may be set to UL LENGTH+SIFS, or may simply be set to UL LENGTH. When simply set to UL LENGTH, a method may be used in which a predetermined value (such as SIFS) is added to the specified UL LENGTH depending on the configuration of the transmission timing and PPDU length to determine the resource start position.

[0185] The Trigger frame may also include multiple User Info fields with a specific AID 12. For example, a field with a specific AID 12 may exist for each User Info field with a different RU Allocation set, and notification of a different number of time resources may be performed for each RU.

[0186] In this way, according to signaling method 3, the start position and resource length of a time resource are explicitly notified, so that the terminal 200 can determine the time resource position without checking a subfield different from the AID12 subfield of another User Info field, thereby reducing the processing load of the terminal 200. Furthermore, notification of the resource start position and resource length enables flexible allocation of time resources.

[0187] [Signaling Method 4] In signaling method 4, some of the time resources of the plurality of different timings notified in the Trigger frame are set as resources (for example, dedicated resources) to be used by terminals 200 that satisfy specified conditions.

[0188] In signaling method 4, the signaling method for the number of time resources may be the same as any of signaling methods 1 to 3.

[0189] Here, the "condition" for a terminal to use dedicated resources may be, for example, at least one of the following conditions 1 to 4. Which condition applies may be specified in the specifications, or may be notified to the terminal 200 by other control information or a Trigger frame. Also, for example, the dedicated resources to be used by the terminal 200 that satisfies the specified condition are notified by one of dedicated resource notification methods 1 to 4 described later.

[0190] <Condition 1> The specified condition is that the terminal 200 holds traffic that requires low latency (for example, LL traffic).

[0191] The traffic requiring low latency may be urgent data such as emergency services, such as EPCS priority access or emergency services interworking with a public network.

[0192] For example, traffic requiring low latency may be determined by an LL traffic identifier. The LL traffic identifier may be defined in a specification, or may be negotiated or announced in advance. The LL traffic identifier may be notified, for example, using a management frame. In the management frame, the LL traffic identifier may be notified, for example, using a Traffic Specification (TSPEC). The LL traffic identifier may be, for example, a predetermined TID or AC value (e.g., a TID value of 4 or more). Alternatively, for example, an LL traffic ID or Sub-TID may be defined.

[0193] In addition, traffic requiring low latency may be determined based on the remaining time until transmission data (e.g., MAC Service Data Unit (MSDU)) is discarded (e.g., also called "Expire") or the time at which the data is discarded. For example, transmission data traffic with a remaining time until discard of 100 ms or less may be determined as traffic requiring low latency. In addition, the remaining time threshold for determining traffic requiring low latency may be negotiated / announced.

[0194] In this way, by configuring (e.g., limiting) some of the RA-RU resources as resources for terminal 200 that holds traffic that requires low latency, it becomes possible to transmit traffic that requires low latency early.

[0195] <Condition 2> The prescribed condition is that the terminal 200 supports UHR.

[0196] The function of transmitting response signals using multiple time resources with different timings in response to one Trigger frame is possessed by terminals 200 that support standards after UHR, but may not be possessed by terminals 200 that do not support standards after UHR. Therefore, by setting some resources (for example, time resources other than the first) of the RA-RU resources as dedicated resources for terminals that support standards after UHR, it becomes possible to mix terminals 200 that support the function of transmitting response signals using multiple resources with terminals 200 that do not support the function of transmitting response signals using multiple resources.

[0197] <Condition 3> The specified condition is that the terminal 200 is capable of transmitting a response signal using time resources at a plurality of different timings.

[0198] This makes it possible to mix terminals 200 that support the function of transmitting response signals using multiple time resources with terminals 200 that do not support the function of transmitting response signals using multiple time resources, as in condition 2.

[0199] Terminal 200 may notify AP 100 in advance whether or not it is capable of transmitting a response signal using time resources with multiple different timings (for example, whether it has multiple transmission capabilities). By setting some resources (for example, time resources other than the first) of the RA-RU resources as dedicated resources for terminal 200 that can transmit a response signal using time resources with multiple different timings, it becomes possible to mix terminals 200 that support the function of transmitting a response signal using multiple resources with terminals 200 that do not support the function of transmitting a response signal using multiple resources.

[0200] <Condition 4> The prescribed condition is that permission to use resources is given to the terminal 200 in advance by control information or the like.

[0201] Note that the configuration is not limited to individual permission for each terminal 200, but may be such that, for example, the terminals 200 are grouped and permission is given for each group.

[0202] The terminals that are granted permission may be, for example, terminals included in the membership of Restricted Target Wake Ttime (R-TWT). For example, by limiting some terminals, similar to condition 1, early transmission of high-priority traffic can be enabled by setting dedicated resources for terminals 200 that hold traffic requiring low latency or terminals 200 that have other traffic of high importance.

[0203] The conditions for terminals that use dedicated resources have been described above.

[0204] Next, a method for notifying dedicated resources will be described.

[0205] <Dedicated resource notification method 1>

[0206] For example, the dedicated resource is notified by a User Info field included in the Trigger frame, in which AID12 has a specific value. For example, the RA-RU notified by the User Info field in which a specific AID12 (e.g., 2049) is set is set as the dedicated resource. Note that the specific AID12 is not limited to 2049, and may be, for example, any of 2008 to 2044 or 2047 to 4094, which are AID12s unused until 11be.

[0207] Fig. 39 shows an example of setting dedicated resources in dedicated resource notification method 1. In Fig. 39, the time resource notified in the first User Info field is set as an RA-RU common to all terminals 200 by setting AID12=0. Also, in Fig. 39, the time resource notified in the second User Info field is set as a resource dedicated to terminals 200 that satisfy specified conditions (for example, at least one of conditions 1 to 4 described above) by setting AID12=2049.

[0208] The relationship between each User Info field and each time resource may be notified by, for example, the Time Index of the User Info field described in Signaling Method 2.

[0209] <Dedicated Resource Notification Method 2> For example, the dedicated resource is determined based on the order in which multiple time resources are notified in the Trigger frame. For example, the AP 100 may implicitly notify whether a resource is a dedicated resource based on the order in which multiple time resources are notified in the Trigger frame.

[0210] For example, the following notification methods are available:

[0211] (1) Among multiple time resources, a time resource other than the first one is set as a dedicated resource. For example, when three time resources RB0, RB1, and RB2 are notified as time resources, the time resources RB1 and RB2 other than the first RB0 are set as dedicated resources.

[0212] (2) Among multiple time resources, the last time resource is set as a dedicated resource. For example, when three time resources RB0, RB1, and RB2 are notified as time resources, the last time resource RB2 is set as a dedicated resource.

[0213] (3) Among multiple time resources, even-numbered (or odd-numbered) time resources are designated as dedicated resources. For example, when three time resources, RB0, RB1, and RB2, are notified as time resources, the even-numbered time resources, RB0 and RB2, are designated as dedicated resources.

[0214] <Dedicated Resource Notification Method 3> For example, whether or not a resource is a dedicated resource is notified by the Reserved subfield of the User Info field.

[0215] For example, among the time resources indicated by the User Info field, a time resource with a Reserved subfield value of 1 is set as a dedicated resource, and a time resource with a Reserved subfield value of 0 is set as a non-dedicated resource.

[0216] Fig. 40 shows an example of dedicated resource notification method 3. In Fig. 40, Reserved = 0 is set for the time resource notified in the first User Info field, and therefore the time resource is set as an RA-RU common to all terminals 200. Also in Fig. 40, Reserved = 1 is set for the time resource notified in the second User Info field, and therefore the time resource is set as a resource dedicated to terminals 200 that satisfy the conditions.

[0217] <Dedicated Resource Notification Method 4> For example, dedicated resources are notified by bitmap information for each of multiple time resources in a User Info field where AID12 has a specific value. For example, in a Trigger frame, the AP 100 notifies in bitmap format (e.g., called a Specific Resources Bitmap subfield) whether the time resource notified by each User Info field in a User Info field where a specific AID12 (e.g., 2050) is set is a dedicated resource.

[0218] The specific AID12 value is not limited to 2050, but may be, for example, any of 2008 to 2044 and 2047 to 4094, which are AID12 values ​​that have not been used until 11be.

[0219] FIG. 41 shows an example of dedicated resource notification method 4. In FIG. 41, the size of the Specific Resources Bitmap subfield corresponds to the number of multiple time resources notified by the Trigger frame (in the example of FIG. 41, the number of time resources is two, so it is two bits). Each bit in the Specific Resource Bitmap subfield is associated with a time resource (e.g., RB0 and RB1) and indicates whether each time resource is a dedicated resource or not. In the example of FIG. 41, the first time resource has a bit value of 0 in the Specific Resource Bitmap subfield, so it is a resource shared by all terminals 200. Also, in the example of FIG. 41, the second time resource has a bit value of 1 in the Specific Resource Bitmap subfield, so it is a dedicated resource for terminals that satisfy the specified conditions.

[0220] The method for notifying dedicated resources has been described above.

[0221] When one Trigger frame is used to specify multiple RA-RUs with different timings, an unused AID12 value (e.g., any of 2008 to 2044 or 2047 to 4094) up to 11be may be set for AID12 for RA. For example, AID12=2047 may be used for associated terminals, and AID12=2048 may be used for unassociated terminals.

[0222] A terminal that only supports standards prior to 11be does not support transmission using multiple time resources. Therefore, when multiple time resources are notified by one trigger frame, the terminal may recognize the multiple time resources as a single resource and transmit a response signal. In this case, the response signal transmitted by the terminal may collide with signals transmitted by other terminals. Therefore, by using an AID12 value that is not used in standards prior to 11be to notify RA-RUs with multiple different timings, it is possible to prevent terminals that comply with standards up to 11be from erroneously transmitting RAs when notifying multiple time resources. Furthermore, as described in signaling method 2, when a Time Index value of 1 or more is specified, an AID12 value that was unused up to 11be is used for the RA. When a Time Index is not specified (e.g., when a Time Index 0 resource is specified), an AID12 value that was used up to 11be (e.g., AID12 = 0 or 2045) may be used. By setting different values ​​for AID12, which is used to indicate RA-RU, for terminals that support standards up to 11be and terminals that support UHR standards, it is possible to avoid collisions due to misrecognition of the location of time resources.

[0223] Furthermore, for example, when an AID12 value of 2048 or greater (e.g., the most significant bit of AID12 is 1) is used in the User Info field, the User Info field with an AID12 value of 2048 or greater may be arranged after the User Info field with an AID12 value of 2047 or less in the User Info List. In standards prior to 11be, only AID12 4095, in which the most significant bit of AID12 has a value of 1, is used. The User Info field with AID12 4095 is used to notify that the area in the User Info List following this User Info field is a padding bit. For example, the terminal 200 does not perform decoding processing on the User Info field following the User Info field with AID12 4095. In this way, a terminal that only supports standards up to 11be may determine whether the fields following the User Info field of this AID12 are padding bits based on the most significant bit of AID12. Therefore, for example, by placing the User Info field of AID12 of 2048 or more after the User Info field of AID12 of 2047 or less, it is possible to prevent terminals that only support standards up to 11be from stopping the decoding process of the Trigger frame midway.

[0224] [Example of Preamble and Mid-amble Format] Next, a description will be given of an example of the format of the preamble and mid-amble generated by the preamble generation unit 211 and the PPDU generation unit 212 in the terminal 200 in response to an instruction from the time resource determination unit 206. Note that the preamble is a signal (for example, L-STF to UHR-LTF) transmitted before the data field.

[0225] <Format Example 1> In format example 1, as shown in FIG. 42, the preamble format of the response signal transmitted in each of the multiple time resources notified by the trigger frame is the same (common).

[0226] Furthermore, even if a mid-amble exists, the format of the mid-amble of the response signal transmitted in each time resource notified by the trigger frame is the same (common).

[0227] That is, the PPDU format of each time resource is the same.

[0228] <Format Example 2> In format example 2, the preamble format of the response signal transmitted in each of the multiple time resources notified in the trigger frame is different, as shown in Fig. 43. That is, the PPDU format of each time resource is different.

[0229] For example, in the first time resource (RB0), a specified existing preamble format (e.g., a format specified in 11be) is applied, and in time resources other than the first (e.g., RB1, RB2, ...), a format in which a part of the existing preamble area is deleted is applied. For example, as shown in Fig. 43, in a time resource other than the first (e.g., RB1), the fields from L-STF to U-SIG may be deleted, and a format including UHR-STF and UHR-LTF may be applied.

[0230] Note that the present invention is not limited to the example of Figure 43, and for example, a format in which L-STF to UHR-STF are deleted and UHR-LTF is included may be used, or a format in which L-STF to UHR-LTF are deleted and Data and PE are included may be used.

[0231] When the same terminal 200 uses multiple time resources, the AP 100 can recognize synchronization control with the response signal or transmission parameters of the transmission data based on the response signal transmitted in the first time resource. Therefore, even if fields used for synchronization control or the like are deleted in other time resources (e.g., RB1, RB2, ...) different from the first time resource (e.g., RB0), there is no significant impact on the reception processing in the AP 100. For example, by providing UHR-LTF or the like used for channel estimation in the AP 100 in other time resources different from the first, the accuracy of channel estimation can be improved compared to when all preambles are not included in the time resource.

[0232] <Format Example 3> In format example 3, as shown in FIG. 44, the preamble formats of response signals transmitted in each of a plurality of time resources (for example, RB0 and RB1) notified by the trigger frame are the same (common).

[0233] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 44, when the number of time resources (e.g., the number of transmissions) differs between RUs, a format is applied in which a mid-amble is transmitted for a response signal transmitted in an RU with a long time length (e.g., RU1) in accordance with the transmission timing of the preamble of the response signal transmitted in an RU with a short time length (e.g., RU0). In the example shown in Figure 44, in the PPDU of RU1, a mid-amble is arranged to match the preamble of the PPDU transmitted in RB1 of RU0.

[0234] For example, the mid-amble may have the same format as the preamble. Also, for example, a sequence that combines the symbol length and FFT size of each field of the preamble may be used as the mid-amble. The sequence may be configured, for example, from L-LTF or UHR-LTF.

[0235] In this way, by transmitting a signal with the same symbol length and FFT size as a mid-amble in the preamble field transmitted in each time resource, AP100 can suppress interference caused by different symbol lengths or FFT sizes even when performing reception processing on all RUs together (e.g., performing FFT processing on all RUs together).

[0236] <Format Example 4> In Format Example 4, as shown in FIG. 45 , when the number of time resources (e.g., the number of transmissions) differs between RUs, the preamble format of a response signal transmitted in the first time resource (e.g., RB0) notified by the trigger frame is the same as the preamble format of a response signal transmitted in an RU with a longer time length (e.g., RU1).

[0237] On the other hand, a special (modified) format (e.g., called a Modified Preamble) is applied to the preamble of the response signal transmitted in the subsequent time resource (e.g., RB1, RB2, ...) notified by the Trigger frame.

[0238] For example, as shown in Fig. 45, in RB1 of RU0, the ML-STF, ..., MU-SIG, M-UHR-STF, and M-UHR-LTF transmitted as modified preambles may be set to the same symbol length as the OFDM symbol length of the data section of RU1. Furthermore, all modified preambles may be UHR-LTF (4x-LTF, with the same GI length as the data).

[0239] Furthermore, the modified preamble may be configured, for example, by UHR-STF and UHR-LTF, and the UHR-STF may be set to the same length as the data symbol length.

[0240] For example, in 11be, an 8 us UHR-STF is constructed by repeating a 1.6 us sequence five times. In contrast, the UHR-STF in the modified preamble (M-UHR-STF) may be a 12.8 us sequence, the same length as the data symbol length, with 1.6 us repeated eight times.

[0241] In this way, by transmitting signals with the same symbol length and FFT size in the preamble field transmitted in each time resource, AP100 can suppress interference caused by different symbol lengths or FFT sizes even when performing reception processing on all RUs together (e.g., performing FFT processing on all RUs together).

[0242] Examples of the preamble and mid-amble formats have been described above.

[0243] In this manner, in this embodiment, AP 100 determines one Trigger frame including time resource information related to a plurality of time resources (e.g., RBs) used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals, and transmits the Trigger frame. Furthermore, terminal 200 receives one Trigger frame including time resource information related to the plurality of time resources, and controls transmission of the uplink response signals based on the Trigger frame.

[0244] This makes it possible to appropriately set a plurality of time resources and signal the plurality of time resources when instructing the transmission of a plurality of uplink response signals using one Trigger frame.

[0245] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the efficiency of transmission control in wireless communication.

[0246] In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which multiple time resources are allocated to the same terminal, but there may be cases in which the terminal does not use some of the allocated resources because it has little data, for example. If some of the allocated resources are not used, there is a possibility that the resource utilization efficiency will decrease.

[0247] For example, as shown in Fig. 46, the Trigger frame instructs RB0 and RB1 of RU2 to transmit a response signal from a terminal with AID12=3 (e.g., an instruction to transmit data with Trigger Type set to Basic). At this time, the terminal has no data to transmit after transmitting the response signal using RB0 of RU2, and since there is no data to transmit in RB1, the resource of RB1 becomes unused (e.g., an empty resource).

[0248] In this embodiment, for example, multiple time resources are assigned to a terminal with a specified AID, but a method for improving resource utilization efficiency by replacing some of the time resources that may be unused with resources for random access will be described.

[0249] 46, even if the terminal has no data to transmit using RB1 of RU2, it may transmit the same data as RB0 of RU2 in RB1. By transmitting the same data in multiple time resources, it is possible to obtain the effect of diversity reception through repeated transmission.

[0250] The configuration of the AP 100 according to this embodiment may be the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0251] 47 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of terminal 200a according to the present embodiment. The configuration of terminal 200a differs from terminal 200 according to Embodiment 1 in the operations of radio transmission / reception section 201, preamble reception section 203, error correction decoding section 205, and time resource determination section 206, and also in that available resource determination section 213 is added.

[0252] The radio transmitting / receiving unit 201 receives a received signal via an antenna, performs radio reception processing such as down-conversion and A / D conversion on the received signal, and outputs the signal after radio reception processing to the demultiplexing unit 202. The radio transmitting / receiving unit 201 also determines whether other terminals are transmitting or not by carrier sense or the like, and outputs the determination result of whether or not to transmit to the available resource determining unit 213.

[0253] Preamble receiving section 203 demodulates and decodes the preamble signal from demultiplexing section 202, and if the signal is addressed to terminal 200a, instructs demodulating section 204 to decode the data, and outputs control information used for decoding (for example, MCS) to demodulating section 204 and error correction decoding section 205. Preamble receiving section 203 also receives preambles of response signals transmitted by other terminals, and outputs the preambles to available resource determining section 213.

[0254] The error correction decoding unit 205, for example, decodes the demodulated signal input from the demodulation unit 204, and when the decoded signal includes a trigger frame, outputs control information included in the trigger frame to the time resource determination unit 206, the data generation unit 208, and the available resource determination unit 213. Note that the coding rate applied in the error correction decoding unit 205 may be determined according to the scheduling information of the AP 100 input from the preamble receiving unit 203, for example.

[0255] The available resource determination section 213 determines available resources based on, for example, at least one of a determination of whether other terminals are transmitting input from the radio transmission / reception section 201, preamble information in response signals from other terminals input from the preamble reception section 203, and a trigger frame input from the error correction decoding section 205. An example of a method for determining available resources in the available resource determination section 213 will be described later. The available resource determination section 213 detects available resources that can be used for random access, for example, and outputs the detected resources to the time resource determination section 206.

[0256] The time resource determination unit 206 determines a time resource available for transmission by the terminal 200a, based on information included in the Trigger frame or available random access resources input from the available resource determination unit 213. For example, in the case of a time resource for which the AID of the terminal 200a is specified or a random access resource, the time resource determination unit 206 controls OBO and selects a resource available for transmission as random access when the OBO counter becomes 0. When data transmission is possible, the time resource determination unit 206 outputs information on whether transmission is possible to the data generation unit 208.

[0257] [Method of Determining Available Resources] Next, an example of a method of determining available resources in the available resource determining unit 213 will be described.

[0258] For example, if there is a free resource, the free resource determination unit 213 uses the free resource as a random access resource. For example, the free resource determination unit 213 treats the free resource in the same way as an RU to which AID=0 or 2045 is set.

[0259] In addition, whether the free resource is an RA-RU with AID12=0 (e.g., a resource for an associated terminal) or an RA-RU with AID12=2045 (e.g., a resource for an unassociated terminal) may be specified in the specifications, or may be notified by other control information or a trigger frame.

[0260] Furthermore, for example, parameters such as RA-RU information and MCS when using unused resources for random access may be defined in advance in the specifications, or may be set based on information notified in the User Info field of another RA-RU (for example, a User Info field in which AID12=0, 2045 is set). If there are multiple User Info fields in the RA-RU, they may be set based on information in the User Info field that is located first or last in the User Info List field. Furthermore, for example, the fact that parameters such as RA-RU information and MCS set in the User Info field of the RA-RU may be used for available resources may be explicitly notified to the terminal 200a by a Reserved subfield or the like in the User Info field.

[0261] According to this embodiment, by using free resources as resources for random access, resource utilization efficiency is improved, and system performance can be improved.

[0262] <Available Resource Determination Method 1> When a plurality of time resources are notified by a Trigger frame, if the terminal 200a determines that some of the resources will not be used, the terminal 200a notifies that the subsequent time resources will not be used, using a U-SIG field (e.g., Reserved subfield) of a response signal. The subfield that notifies that the time resources will not be used (or that the resources are available) may be called, for example, a "More Time Resource Flag subfield" or may be named otherwise.

[0263] For example, if the setting value of the More Time Resource Flag subfield is 0, the subsequent time resource is unused, and if the setting value is 1, the subsequent time resource is used.

[0264] For example, the terminal 200a decodes the More Time Resource Flag subfield of the U-SIG of the response signal transmitted from another terminal, and determines whether the time resource is an available resource according to the set value.

[0265] <Available resource determination method 2> The terminal 200a performs carrier sensing in a time resource for which AID12 is specified (e.g., a time resource that is not for random access) among multiple time resources notified by the Trigger frame, and if it determines that a response signal is not transmitted in the time resource, it determines the next time resource as an available resource.

[0266] FIG. 48 shows an example of free resource determination method 2.

[0267] 48, RB1 and RB2 of RU2 are free resources. In this case, terminal 200a performs carrier sensing at any timing of RB1, and if it determines that RB1 of RU2 is a free resource, it uses RB2 of RU2, which is the time resource of the next timing, as a random access resource.

[0268] <Available Resource Determination Method 3> The terminal 200a determines whether each time resource is an available resource based on information notified by the trigger frame.

[0269] For example, the AP 100 uses a trigger frame to notify the number of multiple time resources. At this time, the AP 100 explicitly instructs some terminals 200a to allocate some of the multiple time resources (or not to allocate resources in other time resources, or that other time resources are available). The AP 100 may determine whether to use some of the time resources for resource allocation based on the amount of data held by the terminals 200a, for example, from a buffer status report (BSR) or the like.

[0270] When the terminal 200a determines that there is an unused resource based on the information notified by the trigger frame, the terminal 200a may use the unused time resource as a random access resource.

[0271] As a method of notifying available resources by the Trigger frame, for example, the number of time resources may be notified by the Common Info field, and the number of resources or resource numbers used by the terminal 200a specified by AID 12 may be notified by the User specific Info field. For example, if the number of time resources (e.g., RB0, RB1, and RB2) is notified by the Common Info field, and resource numbers (e.g., RB0 and RB1) are notified by the User specific Info field, the terminal 200a determines, based on this information, that RB2 is not assigned to any terminal 200a (e.g., RB2 is an available resource), and uses RB2 as a resource for random access.

[0272] The method for determining available resources has been described above.

[0273] (Embodiment 3) For example, in the standards up to 11be, when multiple time resources with different timings are notified by a Trigger frame, there is no provision for controlling OBO in the case where multiple random access resources (e.g., RA-RU) exist in the time domain. Therefore, in this embodiment, a method for controlling OBO in the case where multiple time resources are notified will be described.

[0274] The configurations of the AP 100 and the terminal 200 according to this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0275] The OBO control method in the terminal 200 (for example, the time resource determination unit 206) will be described below.

[0276] [OBO Control Method 1] In OBO control method 1, terminal 200 controls the OBO counter and selects a resource for each of a plurality of time resources notified by a trigger frame.

[0277] Fig. 49 shows an example of OBO control method 1. In the example of Fig. 49, the number of RA-RUs is two (for example, RU0 and RU1), and the number of time resources is two (for example, RB0 and RB1).

[0278] For example, if the value of the Initial OBO counter is 3, terminal 200 checks the number of RA-RUs notified by the Trigger frame in RB0. Because the number of RA-RUs in RB0 is 2, terminal 200 subtracts 2 from OBO counter=3 (OBO counter=3-2=1). Because the value of the OBO counter is not less than 0, terminal 200 does not select a resource from RB0.

[0279] Next, terminal 200 checks the number of RA-RUs notified by the Trigger frame in RB1. Since the number of RA-RUs in RB1 is 2, terminal 200 subtracts 2 from the OBO counter (OBO counter=1-2=-1). Since the value of the OBO counter is 0 or less, terminal 200 randomly selects one resource from RU0 and RB1 in RB1 and transmits a response signal.

[0280] When the OBO counter in RB0 becomes equal to or less than 0 and terminal 200 selects a resource, terminal 200 may reselect the initial OBO counter and control the OBO counter in RB1. In this case, when the reselected OBO counter in RB1 becomes 0, terminal 200 may transmit a response signal using multiple time resources in RB0 and RB1.

[0281] In this way, the terminal 200 controls the OBO counter for each time resource, thereby making it possible to select a plurality of time resources and transmit a large amount of data early.

[0282] [OBO Control Method 2] In OBO control method 2, the terminal 200 controls the OBO counter and selects resources over all of the multiple time resources notified by the trigger frame.

[0283] Figure 50 shows an example of OBO control method 2. In the example of Figure 50, the number of RA-RUs is two (for example, RU0 and RU1), and the number of time resources is two (for example, RB0 and RB1).

[0284] For example, if the value of the Initial OBO counter is 3, terminal 200 checks the number of RA-RUs notified by the Trigger frame in RB0 and RB1. Since there are two RA-RUs and two time resources, for a total of four RA-RUs, terminal 200 subtracts 4 from the OBO counter (OBO counter = 3 - 4 = -1). Since the value of the OBO counter is 0 or less, terminal 200 randomly selects one resource from all RA-RUs (four RA-RUs in FIG. 50) and transmits a response signal.

[0285] In this way, by controlling the OBO counter across multiple time resources, terminal 200 distributes the selected resources, thereby reducing the probability of collisions occurring between terminals due to the same resource being selected.

[0286] The above describes the OBO control method.

[0287] For example, as described in signaling method 4 of embodiment 1, when some RA-RU time resources are set as dedicated resources for terminals 200 that satisfy specified conditions (e.g., terminals that hold low-latency traffic), there may be cases where low-latency traffic data cannot be transmitted early due to the control of OBO.

[0288] Therefore, the OBO control method for low-latency traffic will be described below. Note that the OBO control method for low-latency traffic may be applied to dedicated resources for terminal 200 that holds low-latency traffic, or may be applied to dedicated resources under other conditions described in signaling method 4.

[0289] By increasing the possibility that the terminal 200 can select resources from the resources dedicated to low-latency traffic, it becomes possible to transmit low-latency traffic early.

[0290] [OBO Control Method 1 for Low-Delay Traffic] For resources dedicated to low-delay traffic, terminal 200 does not perform OBO control. For example, terminal 200 always sets the OBO counter to 0 and selects resources.

[0291] [OBO Control Method 2 for Low-Delay Traffic] In the resources dedicated to low-delay traffic, the terminal 200 applies OCW parameters to the dedicated resources that are different from those to other resources (for example, normal resources).

[0292] As the OCW parameters, for example, "EOCWmin" and "EOCWmax" can be set in the UORA Parameter Set element. For example, the terminal 200 may set the Initial OBO counter within the range between EOCWmin and EOCWmax.

[0293] For example, the EOCWmin and EOCWmax applied to resources dedicated to low-latency traffic can be set to different values ​​from the EOCWmin and EOCWmax applied to normal resources. For example, smaller values ​​may be set for EOCWmin and EOCWmax in resources dedicated to low-latency traffic compared to normal resources. This makes it easier for the initial OBO counter to have a small value, so that the OBO counter in the resources dedicated to low-latency traffic becomes 0 or less, making it easier for terminal 200 to select resources and enabling early transmission of a response signal.

[0294] [OBO Control Method 3 for Low-Delay Traffic] In OBO counter control, the terminal 200 performs the same control for all AID12=0, 2045, and AID12 (e.g., 2049) specified in the dedicated resources of the terminal that meets the specified conditions.

[0295] For example, in existing methods, OBO counter control is performed individually for each RA-RU specified by AID 12. For example, a terminal 200 associated with AP 100 controls the OBO counter for the RA-RU specified by AID 12=0, and does not control the OBO counter for other RA-RUs. Similarly, a terminal 200 not associated with AP 100 controls the OBO counter for the RA-RU specified by AID 12=2045, and does not control the OBO counter for other RA-RUs.

[0296] In contrast, in OBO control method 3 for low-latency traffic, terminal 200 controls one OBO counter for all RA-RUs specified by AID12=0, 2045, and 2049, and when the OBO counter becomes 0 or less, randomly selects resources from the RA-RUs specified by AID12=0, 2045, and 2049.

[0297] As a result, the OBO counter becomes 0 or less in the resource dedicated to low-latency traffic, making it easier for the terminal 200 to select a resource, and enabling early transmission of a response signal.

[0298] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above.

[0299] In each of the above-described embodiments, the field (or subfield) used for notifying the control information is an example, and other fields or subfields may be used. Furthermore, the number of bits used for notifying the control information in each field or subfield is an example, and other numbers of bits may be used.

[0300] Furthermore, the signal formats described in each of the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples, and other configurations may be used in which at least one of other fields is added and some fields is deleted, and other configurations may be used in which at least one of other subfields is added and some subfields are deleted in each of the above-mentioned fields.

[0301] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as an example, a case based on the format defined in IEEE 802.11 has been described, but the format to which an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is not limited to the IEEE 802.11 format.

[0302] Furthermore, the parameters (for example, the number of RUs and the number of RBs) used in the above embodiments are merely examples, and other values ​​may be applied.

[0303] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in conjunction with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely controlled by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of a single chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may also be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI.

[0304] The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0305] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, it is natural that such technology may be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology, etc. is also a possibility.

[0306] The present disclosure may be implemented in any type of apparatus, device, or system (collectively referred to as a communications apparatus) that has a communications function. The communications apparatus may include a radio transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The radio transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, or both functions. The radio transceiver (transmitter and receiver) may include a radio frequency (RF) module and one or more antennas. The RF module may include an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, or the like. Non-limiting examples of communication devices include telephones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, notebooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (e.g., digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine devices, communication-enabled vehicles or mobile transportation (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships), and combinations of the above devices.

[0307] The communication devices are not limited to portable or mobile devices, but also include any kind of non-portable or fixed equipment, devices, and systems, such as smart home devices (such as home appliances, lighting equipment, smart meters or measuring devices, control panels, etc.), vending machines, and any other "things" that may exist on an IoT (Internet of Things) network.

[0308] Communications include data communications via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, communication satellite systems, and the like, as well as data communications via combinations of these.

[0309] A communications apparatus also includes devices such as controllers and sensors connected or coupled to a communications device that performs the communications functions described in this disclosure, such as controllers and sensors that generate control and data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications apparatus.

[0310] The communication apparatus also includes infrastructure facilities, such as base stations, access points, and any other apparatus, device, or system that communicates with or controls the various apparatuses listed above, but are not limited to these.

[0311] An access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that determines a control signal including information on a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals, and a transmission circuit that transmits the control signal.

[0312] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of time resources are consecutive time resources, and the time length of each of the plurality of time resources is the time length notified by the control signal.

[0313] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of time resources are time resources spaced apart by a predetermined time interval, and the time length of each of the plurality of time resources is the time length notified by the control signal.

[0314] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an ACK or a Block ACK is arranged between the plurality of time resources, and the time length of each of the plurality of time resources is the time length notified by the control signal.

[0315] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of time resources are consecutive time resources, and the time length of each of the plurality of time resources is the time length notified by the control signal divided by the number of the plurality of time resources.

[0316] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multiple time resources are time resources spaced apart at a specified time interval, and the time length of each of the multiple time resources is the time length notified by the control signal divided by the number of the multiple time resources.

[0317] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an ACK or Block ACK signal is placed between the multiple time resources, and the time length of each of the multiple time resources is the time length notified by the control signal divided by the number of the multiple time resources.

[0318] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, some of the multiple time resources overlap, and the time length of each of the multiple time resources is the time length notified by the control signal, or the time length notified by the control signal divided by the number of the multiple time resources.

[0319] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a preamble for the uplink response signal transmitted in each of the plurality of time resources is arranged in a first time resource among the plurality of time resources.

[0320] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the format of the uplink response signal transmitted in each of the plurality of time resources is the same.

[0321] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the format of the uplink response signal transmitted in each of the plurality of time resources is different.

[0322] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information includes information regarding the number of the plurality of time resources.

[0323] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information is reported in a Reserved field in the Special User Info field or the Common Info field.

[0324] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a certain frequency resource, at least one of the terminals using each of the plurality of time resources and the transmission parameters of the plurality of time resources are common.

[0325] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a certain frequency resource, a terminal to be used for each of the plurality of time resources and transmission parameters for each of the plurality of time resources are individually set.

[0326] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the positions of the plurality of time resources are determined from the order of User Info fields in which the same frequency resource is set.

[0327] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of the plurality of time resources is notified in a User Info field in which a specific AID is set in a User Info List.

[0328] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information includes information about the number of the plurality of time resources and information about the locations of the plurality of time resources.

[0329] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the location-related information is reported in either a User Info field or a Trigger Dependent User Info field.

[0330] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the location information is reported as part of a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) field or a UL Target Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) field.

[0331] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information includes information about the start positions and lengths of the plurality of time resources.

[0332] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, some of the plurality of time resources are used for terminals that satisfy a specified condition.

[0333] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the partial resources are notified by a User Info field, of which terminal identification information is a specific value, included in the User Info field included in the control signal.

[0334] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the portion of resources is determined based on the order in which the plurality of time resources are notified in the control signal.

[0335] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the partial resources are notified by a Reserved field in a User Info field.

[0336] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the partial resources are notified by bitmap information for each of the plurality of time resources in a User Info field in which terminal identification information has a specific value.

[0337] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a backoff counter for random access is controlled for each of the plurality of time resources.

[0338] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a back-off counter for random access is controlled across the multiple time resources.

[0339] A terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a receiving circuit that receives a control signal including information regarding a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals, and a control circuit that controls the transmission of the uplink response signals based on the control signal.

[0340] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an access point determines a control signal including information on a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals, and transmits the control signal.

[0341] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal receives a control signal including information regarding a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals, and controls the transmission of the uplink response signals based on the control signal.

[0342] The disclosures of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-110985, filed on July 5, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0343] One embodiment of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0344] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 AP 101 Time resource control unit 102 Scheduling unit 103 Terminal common information generation unit 104 Terminal individual information generation unit 105 TF generation unit 106, 209 Error correction coding unit 107, 210 Modulation unit 108, 211 Preamble generation unit 109, 212 PPDU generation unit 110, 201 Radio transmission / reception unit 111, 202 Separation unit 112, 203 Preamble reception unit 113, 204 Demodulation unit 114, 205 Error correction decoding unit 200, 200a Terminal 206 Time resource determination unit 207 Transmission timing control unit 208 Data generation unit 213 Free resource determination unit

Claims

1. An access point comprising: a control circuit that determines a control signal including information regarding a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals; and a transmission circuit that transmits the control signal.

2. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of time resources are consecutive time resources, and a time length of each of the plurality of time resources is a time length notified by the control signal.

3. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of time resources are spaced apart at a specified time interval, and the time length of each of the plurality of time resources is a time length notified by the control signal.

4. The access point according to claim 1, wherein an ACK or a Block ACK is arranged between the plurality of time resources, and a time length of each of the plurality of time resources is a time length notified by the control signal.

5. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of time resources are consecutive time resources, and the time length of each of the plurality of time resources is a length obtained by dividing the time length notified by the control signal by the number of the plurality of time resources.

6. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of time resources are time resources spaced apart at a specified time interval, and the time length of each of the plurality of time resources is a length obtained by dividing the time length notified by the control signal by the number of the plurality of time resources.

7. The access point of claim 1, wherein a portion of the multiple time resources overlap, and a time length of each of the multiple time resources is a time length notified by the control signal or a length obtained by dividing the time length notified by the control signal by the number of the multiple time resources.

8. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the format of the uplink response signal transmitted in each of the plurality of time resources is different.

9. The access point according to claim 1, wherein, in a certain frequency resource, a terminal to be used for each of the plurality of time resources and transmission parameters for each of the plurality of time resources are set individually.

10. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the number of the plurality of time resources is notified in a User Info field in which a specific AID is set in a User Info List.

11. The access point according to claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of time resources are used for terminals that satisfy a specified condition.

12. The access point according to claim 1, wherein a back-off counter for random access is controlled for each of the plurality of time resources.

13. A terminal comprising: a receiving circuit for receiving a control signal including information regarding a plurality of time resources used for transmitting each of a plurality of upstream response signals; and a control circuit for controlling the transmission of the upstream response signal based on the control signal.

14. A communication method, comprising: an access point determining a control signal including information regarding a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals; and transmitting the control signal.

15. A communication method, comprising: a terminal receiving a control signal including information regarding a plurality of time resources to be used for transmitting each of a plurality of uplink response signals; and controlling the transmission of the uplink response signals based on the control signal.

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