ACK establishment for relay operation in wireless LAN system

Abstract

Provided are a method and device for acknowledgement (ACK) establishment for a relay operation in a wireless local area network (LAN) system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a station (STA) in a wireless LAN system may comprise the steps of: performing ACK establishment for an access point (AP) and relay data; receiving the relay data; and transmitting ACK information about the relay data on the basis of relay ACK parameters received during the ACK establishment, wherein the relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via a relay STA.

Description

ACK settings for relay operation in wireless LAN systems

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ACK (acknowledgement) establishment for relay operation in a wireless LAN system.

[0002] Next-generation Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11be and / or later) aims to support ultra-high reliability in signal transmission to STAs, and various technologies are being considered to support high throughput, low latency, and extended range. For example, to ensure reliable transmission and / or extend coverage / communication range for various STAs (e.g., IoT devices), a relay operation may be considered, in which an AP transmits a signal to one or more non-AP STAs or receives a signal from one or more non-AP STAs via an intermediate relay device. A technology for efficiently performing such relay operation is required.

[0003] The present disclosure provides a method and device for ACK setup for relay operation in a wireless LAN system.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system includes the steps of performing an ACK (acknowledgement) establishment for relay data with an access point (AP); receiving the relay data; and transmitting ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter received during the ACK establishment, wherein the relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via the relay STA.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system includes the steps of performing an ACK (acknowledgement) establishment for relay data with a station (STA); transmitting the relay data; and receiving ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter transmitted during the ACK establishment, wherein the relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via the relay STA.

[0006] In various embodiments, devices for implementing the above-described methods are provided.

[0007] The present disclosure may have various advantageous effects.

[0008] For example, by having the final STA (e.g., remote STA) that receives a signal based on relay operation transmit ACK information about the received signal to the STA / AP that transmitted the signal, the reliability of relay transmission can be increased and ambiguity about ACK transmission can be reduced.

[0009] The beneficial effects that can be achieved through specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the beneficial effects listed above. For example, various technical effects may be understood and / or derived from the present disclosure by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those explicitly described herein, but may include various effects that can be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0012] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a general link setup process.

[0013] Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of multi-link (ML).

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a modified example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 shows the operation according to UL-MU.

[0016] Figure 7 shows an example of a header of a MAC frame.

[0017] Figure 8 shows an example of relay transmission / operation.

[0018] Figure 9 shows an example of a signal flow for transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation through a relay STA in a DL.

[0019] Figure 10 illustrates an example of a signal flow for transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation through a relay STA in UL.

[0020] Figure 11 shows an example of a signal flow for directly transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation in DL.

[0021] Figure 12 shows an example of a signal flow for directly transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation in UL.

[0022] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a method performed by a STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a method performed by an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] In this disclosure, “A or B” can mean “only A,” “only B,” or “both A and B.” In other words, “A or B” in this disclosure can be interpreted as “A and / or B.” For example, “A, B or C” in this disclosure can mean “only A,” “only B,” “only C,” or “any combination of A, B, and C.”

[0025] As used herein, a slash ( / ) or a comma can mean "and / or." For example, "A / B" can mean "A and / or B." Accordingly, "A / B" can mean "only A," "only B," or "both A and B." For example, "A, B, C" can mean "A, B, or C."

[0026] In the present disclosure, “at least one of A and B” may mean “only A,” “only B,” or “both A and B.” Additionally, in the present disclosure, the expressions “at least one of A or B” or “at least one of A and / or B” may be interpreted identically to “at least one of A and B.”

[0027] In addition, parentheses used in the present disclosure may mean “for example.” Specifically, when “control information (UHR-Signal field)” is indicated, the “UHR-Signal field” may be suggested as an example of “control information.” In other words, the “control information” of the present disclosure is not limited to the “UHR-Signal field,” and the “UHR-Signal field” may be suggested as an example of “control information.” In addition, even when indicated as “control information (UHR-Signal field),” the “UHR-Signal field” may be suggested as an example of “control information.”

[0028] Additionally, as used herein, “a / an” can mean “at least one” or “one or more.” Additionally, terms ending in “(s)” can mean “at least one” or “one or more.”

[0029] Additionally, the expressions “based on” or “on the basis of” or “according to” used in this disclosure mean “based at least in part on” and do not mean “based solely on.”

[0030] Technical features individually described in one drawing in this disclosure may be implemented individually or simultaneously.

[0031] The following examples of the present disclosure can be applied to various wireless communication systems. For example, the following examples of the present disclosure can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to the IEEE 802.11a / g / n / ac / ax / be / bn standards. Furthermore, the examples of the present disclosure can be applied to the Ultra High Reliability (UHR) standard or a next-generation wireless LAN standard that enhances IEEE 802.11bn. Furthermore, the examples of the present disclosure can be applied to a mobile communication system. For example, the present disclosure can be applied to a mobile communication system based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard and its evolution based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard.

[0032] In order to explain the technical features of the present disclosure, technical features to which the present disclosure can be applied are described below.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present disclosure.

[0034] An example of FIG. 1 can perform various technical features described below. FIG. 1 relates to at least one STA (station). For example, the STA (110, 120) of the present disclosure may also be referred to by various names such as a mobile terminal, a wireless device, a Wireless Transmit / Receive Unit (WTRU), a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a Mobile Subscriber Unit, or simply a user. The STA (110, 120) of the present disclosure may also be referred to by various names such as a network, a base station, a Node-B, an access point (AP), a repeater, a router, a relay, etc. The STA (110, 120) of the present disclosure may also be referred to by various names such as a receiving apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving STA, a transmitting STA, a receiving device, a transmitting device, etc.

[0035] For example, STA (110, 120) may perform the role of an AP (access point) or a non-AP role. That is, STA (110, 120) of the present disclosure may perform the functions of an AP and / or a non-AP. In the present disclosure, an AP may also be indicated as an AP STA.

[0036] The STA (110, 120) of the present disclosure can support various communication standards other than the IEEE 802.11 standard. For example, it can support communication standards according to the 3GPP standard (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR standard). In addition, the STA of the present disclosure can be implemented in various devices such as a mobile phone, a vehicle, a personal computer, etc. In addition, the STA of the present disclosure can support communication for various communication services such as voice calls, video calls, data communications, and autonomous driving (Self-Driving, Autonomous-Driving).

[0037] In the present disclosure, STA (110, 120) may include a medium access control (MAC) and a physical layer interface for a wireless medium that follow the provisions of the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0038] Based on the sub-drawing (a) of Fig. 1, STA (110, 120) is described as follows.

[0039] The first STA (110) may include a processor (111), a memory (112), and a transceiver (113). The illustrated processor, memory, and transceiver may each be implemented as separate chips, or at least two blocks / functions may be implemented through a single chip.

[0040] The transceiver (113) of the first STA performs signal transmission and reception operations. Specifically, it can transmit and receive IEEE 802.11 packets (e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be, etc.).

[0041] For example, the first STA (110) can perform the intended operation of the AP. For example, the processor (111) of the AP can receive a signal through the transceiver (113), process the received signal, generate a transmission signal, and perform control for signal transmission. The memory (112) of the AP can store a signal received through the transceiver (113) (i.e., a reception signal) and store a signal to be transmitted through the transceiver (i.e., a transmission signal).

[0042] For example, the second STA (120) can perform the intended operation of a non-AP STA. For example, the transceiver (123) of the non-AP performs signal transmission and reception operations. Specifically, it can transmit and receive IEEE 802.11 packets (e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be, etc.).

[0043] For example, the processor (121) of the Non-AP STA can receive a signal through the transceiver (123), process the received signal, generate a transmission signal, and perform control for signal transmission. The memory (122) of the Non-AP STA can store a signal received through the transceiver (123) (i.e., a reception signal) and store a signal to be transmitted through the transceiver (i.e., a transmission signal).

[0044] For example, in the specification below, the operation of a device indicated as AP may be performed in the first STA (110) or the second STA (120). For example, if the first STA (110) is an AP, the operation of the device indicated as AP may be controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (110), and a related signal may be transmitted or received through a transceiver (113) controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (110). In addition, control information related to the operation of the AP or a transmission / reception signal of the AP may be stored in the memory (112) of the first STA (110). In addition, when the second STA (110) is an AP, the operation of the device indicated as an AP is controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120), and a related signal can be transmitted or received through a transceiver (123) controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120). In addition, control information related to the operation of the AP or the transmission / reception signal of the AP can be stored in the memory (122) of the second STA (110).

[0045] For example, in the specification below, the operation of a device indicated as a non-AP (or User-STA) may be performed in the STA (110) or the second STA (120). For example, if the second STA (120) is a non-AP, the operation of the device indicated as a non-AP may be controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120), and a related signal may be transmitted or received through a transceiver (123) controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120). In addition, control information related to the operation of the non-AP or the transmission / reception signal of the AP may be stored in the memory (122) of the second STA (120). For example, if the first STA (110) is a non-AP, the operation of a device indicated as a non-AP is controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (110), and a related signal may be transmitted or received through a transceiver (113) controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (120). In addition, control information related to the operation of the non-AP or the transmission / reception signal of the AP may be stored in the memory (112) of the first STA (110).

[0046] In the following specification, devices called (transmitting / receiving) STA, first STA, second STA, STA1, STA2, AP, first AP, second AP, AP1, AP2, (transmitting / receiving) Terminal, (transmitting / receiving) device, (transmitting / receiving) apparatus, network, etc. may refer to the STA (110, 120) of FIG. 1. For example, devices indicated as (transmitting / receiving) STA, first STA, second STA, STA1, STA2, AP, first AP, second AP, AP1, AP2, (transmitting / receiving) Terminal, (transmitting / receiving) device, (transmitting / receiving) apparatus, network, etc. without specific drawing symbols may also refer to the STA (110, 120) of FIG. 1. For example, in the example below, the operation of various STAs transmitting and receiving signals (e.g., PPDUs) may be performed by the transceivers (113, 123) of FIG. 1. In addition, in the example below, the operation of various STAs generating transmission and reception signals or performing data processing or calculations in advance for transmission and reception signals may be performed by the processors (111, 121) of FIG. 1.For example, an example of an operation for generating a transmission / reception signal or performing data processing or operation in advance for a transmission / reception signal may include 1) an operation for determining / obtaining / configuring / computing / decoding / encoding bit information of a subfield (SIG, STF, LTF, Data) field included in a PPDU, 2) an operation for determining / configuring / obtaining time resources or frequency resources (e.g., subcarrier resources) used for a subfield (SIG, STF, LTF, Data) field included in a PPDU, 3) an operation for determining / configuring / obtaining a specific sequence (e.g., a pilot sequence, an STF / LTF sequence, an extra sequence applied to SIG) used for a subfield (SIG, STF, LTF, Data) field included in a PPDU, 4) a power control operation and / or a power saving operation applied to an STA, 5) an operation related to determining / obtaining / configuring / computing / decoding / encoding an ACK signal, etc. Additionally, in the examples below, various information (e.g., information related to fields / subfields / control fields / parameters / power, etc.) used by various STAs for determining / acquiring / configuring / computing / decoding / encoding transmission / reception signals can be stored in the memory (112, 122) of FIG. 1.

[0047] The device / STA of the sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1 described above can be modified as in the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the STA (110, 120) of the present disclosure will be described based on the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1.

[0048] For example, the transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 may perform the same function as the transceiver illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1 described above. For example, the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 may include a processor (111, 121) and a memory (112, 122). The processor (111, 121) and the memory (112, 122) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 may perform the same function as the processor (111, 121) and the memory (112, 122) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1 described above.

[0049] The mobile terminal, wireless device, Wireless Transmit / Receive Unit (WTRU), User Equipment (UE), Mobile Station (MS), Mobile Subscriber Unit, user, user STA, network, Base Station, Node-B, Access Point (AP), repeater, router, relay, receiving device, transmitting device, receiving STA, transmitting STA, receiving Device, transmitting Device, receiving Apparatus, and / or transmitting Apparatus described below may refer to the STA (110, 120) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1, or may refer to the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1. That is, the technical feature of the present disclosure may be performed in the STA (110, 120) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1, or may be performed only in the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in the sub-drawings (b) of FIG. 1. For example, the technical feature that the transmitting STA transmits a control signal may be understood as a technical feature that the control signal generated in the processor (111, 121) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1 is transmitted through the transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the technical feature that the transmitting STA transmits a control signal may be understood as a technical feature that the control signal to be transmitted to the transceiver (113, 123) is generated in the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in the sub-drawings (b) of FIG. 1.

[0050] For example, the technical feature of a receiving STA receiving a control signal can be understood as a technical feature of a control signal being received by a transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the technical feature of a receiving STA receiving a control signal can be understood as a technical feature of a control signal received by a transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1 being acquired by a processor (111, 121) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the technical feature of a receiving STA receiving a control signal can be understood as a technical feature of a control signal received by a transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 being acquired by a processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG.

[0051] Referring to the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1, software code (115, 125) may be included in the memory (112, 122). The software code (115, 125) may include instructions that control the operation of the processor (111, 121). The software code (115, 125) may be included in various programming languages.

[0052] The processor (111, 121) or processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in FIG. 1 may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), another chipset, a logic circuit, and / or a data processing device. The processor may be an application processor (AP). For example, the processor (111, 121) or processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in FIG. 1 may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a modem (modulator and demodulator). For example, the processor (111, 121) or processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in FIG. 1 may be a SNAPDRAGON® series processor manufactured by Qualcomm®, an EXYNOS® series processor manufactured by Samsung®, an A series processor manufactured by Apple®, a HELIO® series processor manufactured by MediaTek®, an ATOM® series processor manufactured by INTEL®, or an enhanced processor thereof.

[0053] In the present disclosure, uplink may mean a link for communication from a non-AP STA to an AP STA, and uplink PPDU / packet / signal, etc. may be transmitted through the uplink. In addition, in the present disclosure, downlink may mean a link for communication from an AP STA to a non-AP STA, and downlink PPDU / packet / signal, etc. may be transmitted through the downlink.

[0054] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0055] The upper part of Figure 2 shows the structure of the infrastructure BSS (basic service set) of IEEE (institute of electrical and electronic engineers) 802.11.

[0056] Referring to the top of FIG. 2, the wireless LAN system may include one or more infrastructure BSSs (200, 205) (hereinafter, BSS). The BSSs (200, 205) are a collection of APs and STAs, such as an access point (AP) 225 and a station (STA1, 200-1), that have successfully synchronized and can communicate with each other, and are not a concept that designates a specific area. The BSS (205) may also include one or more STAs (205-1, 205-2) that can be associated with one AP (230).

[0057] A BSS may include at least one STA, an AP (225, 230) providing a distribution service, and a distribution system (DS, 210) connecting multiple APs.

[0058] A distributed system (210) can connect multiple BSSs (200, 205) to implement an extended service set (ESS, 240). An ESS (240) can be used as a term to indicate a network formed by connecting one or more APs through the distributed system (210). APs included in a single ESS (240) can have the same SSID (service set identification).

[0059] The portal (portal, 220) can act as a bridge to connect a wireless LAN network (IEEE 802.11) to another network (e.g., 802.X).

[0060] In a BSS such as the upper part of Fig. 2, a network between APs (225, 230) and a network between APs (225, 230) and STAs (200-1, 205-1, 205-2) can be implemented. However, it may also be possible to establish a network and perform communication between STAs without an AP (225, 230). A network that establishes a network and performs communication between STAs without an AP (225, 230) is defined as an ad-hoc network or an independent basic service set (IBSS).

[0061] The bottom of Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing IBSS.

[0062] Referring to the bottom of Fig. 2, the IBSS is a BSS that operates in ad-hoc mode. Since the IBSS does not include an AP, there is no centralized management entity. That is, in the IBSS, STAs (250-1, 250-2, 250-3, 255-4, 255-5) are managed in a distributed manner. In the IBSS, all STAs (250-1, 250-2, 250-3, 255-4, 255-5) can be mobile STAs, and access to the distributed system is not permitted, forming a self-contained network.

[0063] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a general link setup process.

[0064] In step S310, the STA may perform a network discovery operation. This network discovery operation may include scanning by the STA. That is, for the STA to access the network, it must find a network it can join. Before joining a wireless network, the STA must identify compatible networks. The process of identifying networks in a specific area is called scanning. Scanning methods include active scanning and passive scanning.

[0065] Figure 3 illustrates a network discovery operation that includes an active scanning process as an example. In active scanning, an STA performing scanning transmits a probe request frame to discover which APs exist in the vicinity while moving between channels and waits for a response. A responder transmits a probe response frame to the STA that transmitted the probe request frame in response to the probe request frame. Here, the responder may be the STA that last transmitted a beacon frame in the BSS of the channel being scanned. In a BSS, the AP transmits the beacon frame, so the AP becomes the responder. In an IBSS, the STAs within the IBSS take turns transmitting beacon frames, so the responder is not constant. For example, an STA that transmits a probe request frame on channel 1 and receives a probe response frame on channel 1 can store BSS-related information included in the received probe response frame and move to the next channel (e.g., channel 2) to perform scanning (i.e., transmitting and receiving probe requests / responses on channel 2) in the same manner.

[0066] Although not shown in the example of FIG. 3, the scanning operation can also be performed in a passive scanning manner. An STA performing scanning based on passive scanning can wait for a beacon frame while moving between channels. A beacon frame is one of the management frames in IEEE 802.11. It announces the presence of a wireless network and is periodically transmitted so that the scanning STA can find the wireless network and participate in the wireless network. In the BSS, the AP periodically transmits the beacon frame, and in the IBSS, the STAs within the IBSS take turns transmitting the beacon frame. When the scanning STA receives a beacon frame, it stores the information about the BSS included in the beacon frame and moves to another channel, recording the beacon frame information on each channel. An STA that receives a beacon frame can store the BSS-related information included in the received beacon frame, move to the next channel, and perform scanning on the next channel in the same manner.

[0067] An STA that discovers a network can perform an authentication process through step S320. This authentication process may be referred to as the first authentication process to clearly distinguish it from the security setup operation of step S340 described below. The authentication process of S320 may include a process in which the STA transmits an authentication request frame to the AP, and the AP responds by transmitting an authentication response frame to the STA. The authentication frame used for the authentication request / response corresponds to a management frame.

[0068] The authentication frame may include information such as an authentication algorithm number, an authentication transaction sequence number, a status code, a challenge text, a Robust Security Network (RSN), and a Finite Cyclic Group.

[0069] An STA can transmit an authentication request frame to an AP. The AP can determine whether to grant authentication to the STA based on the information contained in the received authentication request frame. The AP can provide the result of the authentication process to the STA via an authentication response frame.

[0070] A successfully authenticated STA may perform an association process based on step S330. The association process includes a process in which the STA transmits an association request frame to the AP, and the AP transmits an association response frame to the STA in response. For example, the association request frame may include information related to various capabilities, such as a beacon listen interval, a service set identifier (SSID), supported rates, supported channels, RSN, mobility domain, supported operating classes, a Traffic Indication Map Broadcast request, and interworking service capabilities. For example, the association response frame may contain information related to various capabilities, status codes, Association ID (AID), supported rates, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameter sets, Received Channel Power Indicator (RCPI), Received Signal to Noise Indicator (RSNI), mobility domains, timeout interval (association comeback time), overlapping BSS scan parameters, TIM broadcast response, QoS maps, etc.

[0071] In step S340, the STA may perform a security setup process. The security setup process of step S340 may include, for example, a process of setting up a private key through a four-way handshaking using an Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) frame.

[0072] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a multi-link (ML).

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 4, multiple multi-link devices (MLDs) can communicate over a remote link. The MLDs can be categorized into AP MLDs including multiple AP STAs and non-AP MLDs including multiple non-AP STAs. That is, the AP MLD can include affiliated APs (i.e., AP STAs), and the non-AP MLD can include affiliated STAs (i.e., non-AP STAs, or user-STAs).

[0074] A multilink may include a first link and a second link, and different channels / subchannels / frequency resources may be allocated to the first and second links. The first and second multilinks may be identified through a link ID of 4 bits (or other n bits). The first and second links may be configured in the same 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz band. Alternatively, the first link and the second link may be configured in different bands.

[0075] The AP MLD of FIG. 4 includes three affiliated APs. In the example of FIG. 4, AP1 may operate in the 2.4 GHz band, AP2 may operate in the 5 GHz band, and AP3 may operate in the 6 GHz band. In the example of FIG. 4, the first link in which AP1 and non-AP1 operate may be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 2.4 GHz band. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 4, the second link in which AP2 and non-AP2 operate may be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 5 GHz band. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 4, the third link in which AP3 and non-AP3 operate may be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 6 GHz band.

[0076] In the example of FIG. 4, AP1 may initiate a multi-link setup procedure (ML setup procedure) by transmitting an Association Request frame to non-AP STA1. In the example of FIG. 4, non-AP STA1 may transmit an Association Response frame in response to the Association Request frame. Each AP (e.g., AP1 / 2 / 3) illustrated in FIG. 4 may be identical to the AP illustrated in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2, and each non-AP (e.g., non-AP1 / 2 / 3) illustrated in FIG. 4 may be identical to the STA (i.e., user-STA or non-AP STA) illustrated in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2.

[0077] The specific features of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific features of FIG. 4. That is, the number of links can be defined in various ways, and multiple links can be defined in various ways within at least one band.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a modified example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present disclosure.

[0079] The devices (e.g., AP STA, non-AP STA) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be modified as illustrated in FIG. 5. The transceiver (530) of FIG. 5 may be identical to the transceivers (113, 123) of FIG. 1. The transceiver (530) of FIG. 5 may include a receiver and a transmitter.

[0080] The processor (510) of FIG. 5 may be identical to the processor (111, 121) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the processor (510) of FIG. 5 may be identical to the processing chip (114, 124) of FIG. 1.

[0081] The memory (150) of FIG. 5 may be the same as the memory (112, 122) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the memory (150) of FIG. 5 may be a separate external memory different from the memory (112, 122) of FIG. 1.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, a power management module (511) manages power to a processor (510) and / or a transceiver (530). A battery (512) supplies power to the power management module (511). A display (513) outputs results processed by the processor (510). A keypad (514) receives input to be used by the processor (510). The keypad (514) may be displayed on the display (513). A SIM card (515) may be an integrated circuit used to securely store an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and an associated key used to identify and authenticate a subscriber in a mobile phone device, such as a mobile phone or computer.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 5, the speaker (540) can output sound-related results processed by the processor (510). The microphone (541) can receive sound-related input to be used by the processor (510).

[0084] Figure 6 illustrates an operation according to UL-MU. As illustrated, a transmitting STA (e.g., AP) can acquire a TXOP (625) by performing channel access through contending (i.e., backoff operation) and transmit a trigger frame (630). That is, the transmitting STA (e.g., AP) can transmit a PPDU including a trigger frame (630). When a PPDU including a trigger frame is received, a TB (trigger-based) PPDU is transmitted after a delay equal to a short interframe space (SIFS).

[0085] TB PPDUs (641, 642) are transmitted at the same time and can be transmitted from multiple STAs (e.g., User STAs) whose AIDs are indicated in the Trigger frame (630). The ACK frame (650) for the TB PPDU can be implemented in various forms. For example, the ACK frame (650) for the TB PPDU can be implemented in the form of a BA (block ACK).

[0086] In FIG. 6, transmission(s) of a Trigger Frame (630), a TB PPDU (641, 642) and / or an ACK frame (650) can be performed within a TXOP (625).

[0087] Below, the structure and types / subtypes of MAC frames are described.

[0088] Fig. 7 illustrates an example of a header of a MAC frame. As illustrated, the MAC frame may include a frame control field / information of 2 octets in length, a duration field / information of 2 octets in length, a Receiver Address (RA) field / information of 6 octets in length, and a Transmitter Address (TA) field / information of 6 octets in length. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the four fields may be consecutive to each other. The MAC header of Fig. 7 may be modified in various ways, and a new field may be inserted between the four illustrated fields, or at least one of the illustrated fields may be omitted.

[0089] The MAC header illustrated in Fig. 7 may be positioned at the very front of a MAC frame. That is, the MAC frame may include a MAC header as illustrated in Fig. 7 and MAC body fields / information consecutive to the MAC header. The MAC frame including the MAC header of Fig. 7 is inserted / included in the data field of a PPDU (e.g., UHR PPDU).

[0090] The MAC frames included in the data field of the PPDU of the present disclosure can be classified into various types. For example, the MAC frames of the present disclosure can be classified into a control frame, a management frame, and a data frame.

[0091] For example, the management frame includes Association Request, Association Response, Reassociation Request, Reassociation Response, Probe Request, Probe Response, Beacon, Disassociation, Authentication, and Deauthentication frames / signals defined in conventional WLAN. For the management frame, the values ​​of the type fields (B3 and B2) of the MAC header are set to 00. In addition, the values ​​of the subtype fields (B7, B6, B5, B4) of the MAC header are as follows: Association Request (0000), Association Response (0001), Reassociation Request (0010), Reassociation Response (0011), Probe Request (0100), Probe Response (0101), Beacon (1000), Disassociation (1010), Authentication (1011), Deauthentication (1100).

[0092] For example, the control frame includes Trigger Beamforming Report Poll, NDP Announcement (NDPA), Control Frame Extension, Control Wrapper, Block Ack Request (BlockAckReq), Block Ack (BlockAck), PS-Poll, RTS, CTS, Ack, and CF-End frames / signals defined in conventional WLAN. For the control frame, the value of the type field (B3 and B2) of the MAC header is set to 01. Additionally, the values ​​of the subtype fields (B7, B6, B5, B4) of the MAC header are as follows: Trigger (0010), Beamforming Report Poll (0100), NDP Announcement (0101), Control Frame Extension (0110), Control Wrapper (0111), BlockAckReq (1000), BlockAck (1001), PS-Poll (1010), RTS (1011), CTS (1100), Ack (1101), CF-End (1110).

[0093] For example, the data frame includes (QoS) Data, (QoS) Null, etc. defined in conventional WLAN. For the data frame, the value of the type field (B3 and B2) of the MAC header is set to 10.

[0094] The type of the MAC frame used in the present disclosure can be identified through the type field / information and the subtype field / information included in the frame control field of the header of the MAC frame (i.e., the MAC header). For example, the “trigger frame” of the present disclosure can mean a MAC frame in which the type bits B3 and B2 bits in the frame control field of the MAC header are set to 01, and the subtype bits B7, B6, B5, and B4 bits in the frame control field are also set to 0010. Various MAC frames described in the present disclosure are inserted / included in the data field of various PPDUs (e.g., HE / VHT / HE / EHT / UHR PPDUs).

[0095] For example, a trigger frame may include a frame control field, a duration / ID field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a common info field, a user info list field, a padding field, and / or a frame check sequence (FCS) field. Optionally, the trigger frame may further include a special user info field between the common info field and the user info list field. The user info list field may include one or more user info fields. The frame control field, the duration / ID field, the RA field, and the TA field may constitute a MAC header.

[0096] For example, the common information field may include a trigger type subfield. The trigger type subfield value may indicate a trigger frame variant, as shown in Table 1:

[0097] Trigger type subfield valueTrigger frame variant0Basic1Beamforming Report Poll (BFRP)2MU-BAR3MU-RTS4Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP)5GCR MU-BAR6Bandwidth Query Report Poll (BQRP)7NDP Feedback Report Poll (NFRP)8-15Reserved

[0098] For example, if the value of the trigger type subfield is set to 0, the trigger frame may be a basic trigger frame. For example, if the value of the trigger type subfield is set to 3, the trigger frame may be a multi-user (MU) RTS trigger frame. The following describes the block acknowledgment (BA).

[0099] The block ACK mechanism can improve channel efficiency by aggregating multiple ACKs into a single frame. In the present disclosure, an STA with data to transmit using the block ACK mechanism may be referred to as an originator, and the recipient of that data may be referred to as a recipient.

[0100] The block ACK mechanism can be initiated using an add block acknowledgment (ADDBA) request / response frame exchange, or an unsolicited block ACK extension mechanism, except for the GLK-GCR (general link - group cast with retries) block ACK. After the block ACK mechanism is initiated, a block of QoS data frames can be transmitted from the sender to the receiver. A block can be initiated within a polled TXOP, within a service period (SP), or by winning an enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) contention. The number of frames in a block is limited, and the amount of state that the receiver must maintain is also limited. An ACK for an MPDU within a block of frames can be included in a BlockAck frame requested by a BlockAckReq frame.

[0101] For GLK-GCR block ACK, the block ACK mechanism may be initiated when a GLK STA associates with a GLK AP. ACKs for MPDUs within a data frame block addressed with a synthetic receiver address (SYNRA) may be included in a BlockAck frame requested by a BlockAckReq frame.

[0102] To initiate a block ACK setup, the sender may transmit an ADDBA request frame indicating a traffic identifier (TID) associated with the block ACK setup. The ADDBA request frame may optionally include a buffer size and / or block ACK timeout field.

[0103] The receiving STA must respond to the ADDBA request frame with an ADDBA response frame. The receiving STA can accept or reject the block ACK establishment request via the ADDBA request frame. If the receiving STA accepts the block ACK establishment request, a block ACK can be established between the sender and the receiver.

[0104] When a recipient STA accepts a block ACK setup request, the recipient STA may indicate the block ACK setup type, the BlockAck frame type, the number of buffers to allocate to support this block ACK setup within the ADDBA response frame, and / or the block ACK timeout used. Each block ACK setup set by the STA may have a different buffer allocation. If the intended recipient STA rejects the block ACK setup request, the sender must not use the block ACK mechanism.

[0105] For each acknowledged block ACK set, the sender shall set the sequence number of the first frame transmitted according to the set to the value of the Block ACK Start Sequence Control field of the ADDBA request frame of the acknowledged block ACK set.

[0106] Block ACK settings can be modified by the sender by sending an ADDBA request frame. For example, all parameters related to block ACK settings, except for the TID, can be modified. If the request to modify block ACK settings is unsuccessful, the existing block ACK settings may not be modified.

[0107] After establishing a block ACK, gaining access to the medium, and establishing protection, the sender can transmit A-MPDUs. The sender can request an ACK for the QoS data frame by sending a BlockAckReq frame.

[0108] When the sender has no data to transmit and the final block ACK exchange is complete, the sender may send a delete block acknowledgment (DELBA) frame to the receiver, indicating that the block ACK mechanism has been terminated. The receiver may not generate a management frame in response to the DELBA frame. The receiver of the DELBA frame must release all resources allocated for the block ACK transmission.

[0109] If no BlockAck, BlockAckReq, or MPDU is received from the peer for the TID of the block ACK during the block ACK timeout, the block ACK setting may be cleared.

[0110] The ADDBA Request and ADDBA Response frames can be used to set or modify the Block ACK action for a specific traffic category (TC), TS, and / or GCR group address. When modifying the BA action, only the timeout can be changed. The BA Action field, located in the octets immediately following the Category field, can distinguish the BA Action frame format. The BA Action frame can be used to set various parameters of the BA configuration and the type of BA frame used (e.g., BlockAck, NDP BlockAck, and / or BA TWT (target wake time) frame). The BA Action field values ​​associated with each frame format within the Block Ack category can be defined as shown in Table 2 below:

[0111] Block ACK action field valuesMeaning0ADDBA Request1ADDBA Response2DELBA3(#3014)PBAC WinStart Update4-127Reserved128NDP ADDBA Request129NDP ADDBA Response130NDP DELBA131Reserved132BAT ADDBA Request133BAT ADDBA Response134BAT DELBA135-255Reserved

[0112] The ADDBA request frame can be transmitted to other STAs by the sender of the block ACK. The Action field of the ADDBA request frame can contain information as shown in Table 3.

[0113] OrderInformation1Category2Block Ack Action3Dialog Token4Block Ack Parameter Set5Block Ack Timeout Value6Block Ack Starting Sequence Control7GCR Group Address element (optional)8Multi-band (optional)9TCLAS (optional)10ADDBA Extension (optional)11EDMG Flow Control Extension Configuration (optional)12SAR Configuration (optional)

[0114] An ADDBA response frame may be sent in response to an ADDBA request frame. The Action field of an ADDBA response frame may contain the information shown in Table 4 below:

[0115] OrderInformation1Category2Block Ack Action3Dialog Token4Status Code5Block Ack Parameter Set6Block Ack Timeout Value7GCR Group Address element (optional)8Multi-band (optional)9TCLAS (optional)10ADDBA Extension (optional)11Reserved12EDMG Flow Control Extension Configuration (optional)13SAR Configuration (optional)14Originator Preferred MCS element (optional)

[0116] In and / or , the BA Parameter Set (Block Ack Parameter Set) field can be used to indicate parameters for BA configuration in an ADDBA request or ADDBA response frame. The BA Parameter Set field can be 2 octets long. The BA Parameter Set field can contain the information shown in :

[0117] A-MSDU SupportedBlock Ack PolicyTIDBuffer Size

[0118] The A-MSDU Supported subfield may be set to 1 to indicate that the STA supports A-MSDUs carried in QoS data frames transmitted according to this BA setting. Otherwise, it may be set to 0. When included in an ADDBA Request frame or an ADDBA Response frame, the TID subfield may contain the TC or TS for which the BlockAck frame is requested.

[0119] The buffer size subfield may indicate the number of buffers available for this particular TID. If the A-MSDU Support field is 0 as indicated by the STA transmitting the BA Parameter Set field, each buffer may hold a number of octets equal to the maximum size of an MSDU. If the A-MSDU Support field is 1 as indicated by the STA, each buffer may hold a number of octets equal to the maximum size of an A-MSDU supported by the STA.

[0120] The Buffer Size subfield in the ADDBA request frame can provide guidance to the frame receiver in determining the reordering buffer size. A Buffer Size subfield of 0 indicates that the sender of the BA has no information to specify that value.

[0121] If the status code field in the ADDBA response frame is SUCCESS, the buffer size subfield may be set to 1 or greater.

[0122] In and / or , the BA Timeout Value (Block Ack Timeout Value) field may indicate a timeout value for BA settings in ADDBA request and response frames and in unsolicited BA extension elements. The BA Timeout Value field may be 2 octets long.

[0123] The BA Timeout Value field may contain a period of time after which the BA configuration will be terminated if no frame exchange sequence occurs within this period using this BA configuration. The field may be set to 0 to disable the timeout.

[0124] A DELBA frame can be sent by either the sender or receiver of traffic to terminate a block ACK engagement. The Action field of a DELBA frame can contain the information shown in Table 6:

[0125] OrderInformation1Category2Block Ack Action3DELBA Parameter Set4Reason Code5DELBA GCR Group Address6Multi-band (optional)7TCLAS (optional)

[0126] In , the DELBA Parameter Set field can be used to terminate the BA settings already established in the DELBA frame. The DELBA Parameter Set field can be 2 octets long. The DELBA Parameter Set field can contain the information shown in :

[0127] ReservedInitiatorTID

[0128] The initiator subfield can indicate whether the sender or receiver of the data sends this frame. Setting it to 1 can indicate the sender, and setting it to 0 can indicate the receiver. The TID subfield can indicate the traffic stream identifier (TSID) or user priority (UP) that the BA was originally set to. Meanwhile, in the next-generation wireless LAN system, signal transmission and reception using a relay (i.e., relay operation) may be considered in order to transmit a stable signal and / or a reliable signal regardless of the location of the STA located within the BSS, and / or to increase coverage for signal transmission and / or to eliminate holes where the signal cannot reach. For the relay operation, a relay STA may be required. A relay STA refers to a device that receives a PPDU (e.g., the above-described HT / VHT / HE / EHT / UHR-PPDU) from a first STA (e.g., an AP STA) and relays the received PPDU to a second STA (e.g., a non-AP STA).

[0129] The relay function / operation / procedure performed by the relay STA in the present disclosure can be implemented in various ways. For example, the relay STA can receive a first PPDU from a first STA and decode a portion of the received first PPDU. For example, the relay STA can decode a PHY preamble (e.g., L-SIG, U-SIG, EHT-SIG, etc.) included in the first PPDU and decode a portion of a MAC frame (e.g., a MAC header) included in a data field of the first PPDU. Through this, the relay STA can obtain the frame body of the MAC frame of the first PPDU and, without performing additional decoding on the frame body of the obtained MAC frame, relay the frame body of the corresponding MAC frame to the second STA. That is, the relay STA can encode / generate / configure the second PPDU based on the body of the MAC frame, and transmit the second PPDU to the second STA. As a result, the first PPDU and the second PPDU can include the same payload or MAC frame body. For example, the PHY preamble and / or MAC header of the first PPDU received by the relay STA can be the same as or different from the PHY preamble and / or MAC header of the second PPDU transmitted by the relay STA. For example, the relay STA can not decode the remaining MAC frame (i.e., frame body) except for the MAC header of the first PPDU, or can decode only a part of it.

[0130] In the present disclosure, the relay STA can be implemented in various ways.

[0131] First, the relay STA of the present disclosure can be implemented in a manner that includes a Relay-STA and a Relay-AP. That is, the relay STA can include a relay STA that communicates with a Root AP, and at the same time, a relay AP that communicates with a non-AP. In this case, an upper BSS can be defined between the Root AP and the relay STA, and a lower BSS can be defined between the Relay AP and the non-AP. A relay function can be implemented between the Relay STA and the Relay AP within the Relay STA.

[0132] Second, the relay STA of the present disclosure may be a terminal / device that operates as a non-AP STA (i.e., a user STA). That is, the relay STA of the present disclosure may belong to a BSS defined / configured by an AP STA without newly defining / configuring a lower BSS by itself. The AP STA may assign an ID (e.g., AID) to the relay STA in the same manner as a conventional non-AP STA (i.e., a user STA). That is, the relay STA may be identified like a typical non-AP STA (i.e., a user STA) and may additionally support the relay function / operation / procedure described above. That is, the relay STA may receive a first DL PPDU from an AP STA, obtain a MAC frame body of the first DL PPDU, and relay a second DL PPDU including the obtained MAC frame body to a surrounding non-AP STA. Additionally, the relay STA can receive a first UL PPDU from a surrounding non-AP STA, obtain a MAC frame body of the first UL PPDU, and relay a second UL PPDU including the obtained MAC frame body to the AP STA.

[0133] Third, the relay STA of the present disclosure can be implemented based on multiple links. For example, the relay function / operation / procedure described above can be performed based on multiple links as described in FIG. 4 of the present disclosure. That is, a specific non-AP MLD can operate as a relay STA, and in this case, the first PPDU can be received through the first link included in the non-AP MLD. The relay STA can relay the first PPDU received through the first link to another STA through the second link. For example, the first link can operate as a DL link (or UL link), and the second link can operate as a UL link (or DL ​​link).

[0134] To ease implementation and reduce complexity of operation for relay, relay transmission / operation controlled by AP may be considered in next-generation wireless LAN systems.

[0135] In this disclosure, a relay STA controlled by an AP is referred to as an “AP controlled Relay STA”, or simply ACRS. The ACRS performs relay transmission for data received from an AP within a BSS, and the AP can control the ACRS for relay operation. That is, the ACRS can transmit a signal received from the AP to an end-user / STA based on control information received from the AP, or transmit a signal received from multiple non-AP STAs to the AP.

[0136] For example, the ACRS may be an independent relay device that only performs relay transmissions. Alternatively, the ACRS may be a non-AP STA that supports relay operation.

[0137] In the present disclosure, the operations performed by ACRS may be performed not only by ACRS but also by various relay STAs including ACRS (e.g., relay STAs not controlled by AP).

[0138] Figure 8 shows an example of relay transmission / operation.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 8, in the next-generation wireless LAN system, a relay STA can transmit signals to one or more non-AP STAs located at the BSS edge or extended range, or receive signals from non-AP STAs, through relay operation. The relay operation can be performed using two links (e.g., from an AP to a relay STA and from a relay STA to a non-AP STA (DL relay transmission), or from a non-AP STA to a relay STA and from a relay STA to an AP (UL relay transmission)).

[0140] In order to indicate that a relay operation, in which signals are transmitted and received via relay STAs as described above, is performed within a BSS, an AP may transmit a beacon frame to STAs within the BSS that includes an indicator indicating whether the relay operation is performed. For example, an AP may transmit a beacon frame including relay operation / relay operation support, and the relay operation may be defined / indicated by order 92 or a reserved value in the beacon frame body.

[0141] If the AP supports relay operation, the (Re)Association Request / Response frame format, Probe Request / Response frame format, and / or (De)Authentication frame format exchanged between the AP and non-AP STAs may be configured as shown in Table 8 below, including a relay operation element. For example, the relay operation element may include fields / subfields as shown in Table 8 below:

[0142] Element IDLengthElement ID ExtensionRelay Operation parameters

[0143] In Table 8, the relay operation parameter may include at least one of BW, DL / UL, maximum number of spatial streams (Max Nss), MCS, number of STAs, and / or an indicator for beamforming for relay transmission / operation. A relay STA and / or a non-AP STA performing relay transmission / operation may indicate whether it supports relay transmission and reception using a capabilities element. In this case, the capabilities element may be configured to include a relay subfield and a relay support subfield. The relay subfield may be used to indicate whether it can operate as a relay STA. The relay support subfield may indicate whether signal transmission and reception through and / or based on relay operation is supported. The relay subfield and the relay support subfield may each be configured with 1 bit. Accordingly, a relay STA can set the relay subfield to 1 to indicate that it is a relay STA, and can set the relay support subfield to 1 because it transmits and receives signals based on relay operation. On the other hand, a non-AP STA that transmits and receives signals based on relay operation can set the relay subfield to 0 because it does not operate as a relay STA, but can set the relay support subfield to 1 because it transmits and receives signals based on relay operation.

[0144] In various embodiments, only relay STAs and non-AP STAs with the relay support subfield in the capability element set to 1 can perform relay transmission and reception within the BSS.

[0145] A capability element including a relay subfield and a relay support subfield may be an element for HE / EHT / UHR / next-generation Wi-Fi. A capability element including a relay subfield and a relay support subfield may be determined based on whether a non-AP STA performing a relay operation supports HE / EHT / UHR / next-generation Wi-Fi.

[0146] Based on the capabilities of the relay STA (e.g., related to capability elements), the relay STA may include independent STAs that perform relay operations and / or non-AP STAs with relay STA capabilities.

[0147] Relay operations can be performed in DL and UL. When a signal is transmitted based on the relay operation in DL and UL, the relay STA can receive a signal for the relay operation from an AP / non-AP STA and transmit an ACK (acknowledgment) for the same to the AP and / or non-AP STA, respectively. In this way, in order to efficiently transmit and receive signals between the AP and non-AP STA through the relay STA, the relay STA needs to transmit an ACK for the signal received from the AP and / or non-AP STA. The present disclosure proposes an efficient ACK transmission method / device for reducing power consumption and / or ACK transmission time of the relay STA.

[0148] Figure 9 shows an example of a signal flow for transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation through a relay STA in a DL.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 9, in step S901, the AP can transmit data for a non-AP STA to a relay STA.

[0150] In step S903, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to a short inter-frame space (SIFS) has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack1) for the data received from the AP to the AP.

[0151] In step S905, after Ack1 is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit data received from the AP to the non-AP STA. That is, the relay STA can relay data for the non-AP STA received from the AP to the non-AP STA.

[0152] In step S907, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the non-AP STA may transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack2) for the data received from the relay STA to the relay STA. The Ack2 may be the final ACK for the data transmitted from the AP to the non-AP (i.e., data for the non-AP STA).

[0153] In step S909, after Ack2 is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack3) containing information about the Ack2 received from the non-AP STA to the AP. That is, the relay STA can relay information about the Ack2 received from the non-AP STA to the AP via Ack3.

[0154] In Fig. 9, ACKs (e.g., ack1 / ack2 / ack3) related to DL relay operations may be transmitted based on block ACKs (BAs). For block ACK frame transmission and reception, BA establishment may be performed between an AP and a non-AP STA, and / or BA establishment may be performed between an AP and a relay STA.

[0155] 1. BA establishment between AP and non-AP STA

[0156] In downlink relay operation, negotiation / BA configuration for BA transmission may be performed. This negotiation / BA configuration may be a negotiation / BA configuration for configuring BA transmission of a non-AP STA for data received from a relay STA in relay operation.

[0157] The AP may perform BA setup with the non-AP STA to transmit BA (e.g., Ack2 in FIG. 9) for data received from the relay STA to the relay STA. BA setup (or BA transmission setup) for data and / or signals received from the relay STA by the non-AP STA may be performed between the AP and the non-AP.

[0158] An AP may define a BA action field to instruct a BA (transmission) setting for receiving data transmitted by a relay STA to a non-AP STA, and transmit a frame (e.g., a BA action frame) including the BA action field to the non-AP STA.

[0159] For example, in order to indicate BA settings for data received from a relay STA during relay operation, a BA action field (e.g., ) may be defined with Relay ADDBA request, Relay ADDBA response and / or Relay DELBA. The indications for the Relay ADDBA request, Relay ADDBA response and / or Relay DELBA fields may be set using one of the unused values ​​in the BA action field. For example, the indications for the Relay ADDBA request, Relay ADDBA response and / or Relay DELBA fields may be set using one of the values ​​4 to 127 and 135 to 255, which are reserved in the BA action field.

[0160] A non-AP STA may transmit a BA for data received from a relay STA to the relay STA using parameters set through a relay ADDBA request, relay ADDBA response, and / or relay DELBA frame.

[0161] 2. BA setup between AP and relay STA

[0162] As shown in FIG. 9, the relay STA can perform negotiation / BA setup for BA transmission (e.g., Ack1) for data received from an AP during DL data transmission and / or BA transmission (e.g., Ack3) based on BA information received from a non-AP STA.

[0163] Negotiation / BA setup for BA transmission for data received from an AP (e.g., ack1) and BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA (e.g., ack2) can be performed all at once or sequentially. BA setup for BA transmission for data received from an AP and / or BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA can be performed using the above-described Relay ADDBA Request, Relay ADDBA Response, and / or DELBA frames.

[0164] In some implementations, a single negotiation may be used to establish multiple BAs (e.g., BA establishment for BA transmission based on data received from an AP and BA establishment for BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA). In this case, the Relay ADDBA Request field / frame may include an indicator indicating that multiple BAs are being established.

[0165] For example, an indicator to indicate that setup for multiple BAs is to be performed may be transmitted in an ADDBA extension element in a relay ADDBA request field / frame and may consist of 1 bit.

[0166] For example, an indicator (e.g., 1 bit) to indicate that configuration for multiple BAs is performed can be defined as additional ack presence or extension ack presence, and can indicate, for example, that BA configuration information for ack3 in FIG. 9 is included.

[0167] For example, in a relay ADDBA request field / frame, the ADDBA extension element may include an ADDBA extended parameter set field, and an indicator for indicating that configuration for multiple BAs is performed may be indicated using B3 or B4 of the ADDBA extended parameter set field.

[0168] For example, when the Additional ACK Present or Extended ACK Present field is set to 1, the relay ADDBA request field / frame may include additional ack parameters related to BA configuration for BA transmission (e.g., ack3 transmission) based on BA information received from a non-AP STA. The additional ack parameters may include parameters for BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA. For example, the additional ack parameters may be configured with BA configuration information established between an AP and a non-AP STA.

[0169] In some implementations, configurations for multiple BAs (e.g., BA configuration for BA transmission for data received from an AP and BA configuration for BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA) may be performed sequentially. In this case, instructions for BA configuration for BA transmission for data received from an AP (e.g., ack1 transmission) and BA configuration for BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA (e.g., ack3 transmission) may be transmitted by being included in an ADDBA extension element. For example, the instruction may be composed of 1 bit and may indicate whether the BA configuration is for BA transmission for data received from an AP (e.g., ack1 transmission) or BA configuration for BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA (e.g., ack3 transmission). For example, the instruction may be expressed using B3 or B4 in an ADDBA extension parameter set.

[0170] Figure 10 illustrates an example of a signal flow for transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation through a relay STA in UL.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1001, the AP can transmit a trigger frame to a non-AP STA to trigger data transmission.

[0172] In step S1003, after a trigger frame is transmitted / received and a time equal to SIFS has elapsed, the non-AP STA can transmit data for the AP to the relay STA.

[0173] In step S1005, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA may transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack1) for the data received from the non-AP STA to the non-AP STA.

[0174] In step S1007, after Ack1 is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit data received from the non-AP STA to the AP. That is, the relay STA can relay data for the AP received from the non-AP STA to the AP.

[0175] In step S1009, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the AP may transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack2) for the data received from the relay STA to the relay STA. The Ack2 may be the final ACK for the data transmitted by the non-AP STA to the AP (i.e., data for the AP).

[0176] In step S1011, after Ack2 is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack3) containing information about Ack2 received from the AP to the non-AP STA. That is, the relay STA can relay information about Ack2 received from the AP to the non-AP STA via Ack3.

[0177] In Fig. 10, an ACK related to a UL relay operation may be transmitted based on a block ACK (BA). For block ACK frame transmission and reception, BA establishment may be performed between an AP and a non-AP STA, and / or BA establishment may be performed between an AP and a relay STA.

[0178] 1. BA establishment between AP and non-AP STA

[0179] In UL relay operation, negotiation / BA setup for BA transmission may be performed to set up ACK / BA transmission for data and / or signals transmitted by a non-AP STA to the AP based on relay operation. For example, such BA setup may be used by a relay STA that has received data and / or signals from a non-AP STA to transmit BAs (e.g., ack1, ack3) to the non-AP STA.

[0180] As in the case of DL, for BA configuration, the AP and non-AP STA can exchange relay ADDBA request frames and relay ADDBA response frames. Based on the relay ADDBA request frame and / or relay ADDBA response frame, BA transmission parameters can be configured.

[0181] BA configuration information can be used when configuring BA between a relay STA and an AP so that the relay STA can use it when transmitting BA to a non-AP STA.

[0182] 2. BA setup between AP and relay STA

[0183] In UL relay operation, BA establishment between an AP and a relay STA can be performed similarly to BA establishment between an AP and a relay STA in DL relay operation as described above. Here, negotiation / BA establishment can be performed for BA transmission of a relay STA for data received from a non-AP STA (e.g., Ack1), BA transmission to a non-AP STA based on BA information received from the AP (e.g., ack3), and BA transmission from an AP to a relay STA (e.g., Ack2).

[0184] The BA transmitted by the relay STA to the non-AP STA may be performed based on the BA settings configured between the AP and the non-AP STA. At this time, the BA (transmission) settings for ack1 and ack3 may be configured identically. For example, in UL relay operation, the BA settings between the AP and the relay STA may include i) BA settings for BAs transmitted by the relay STA to the non-AP STA (e.g., ack1, ack3), and ii) BA settings for BAs transmitted by the AP to the relay STA (e.g., Ack2).

[0185] Negotiation / BA setup for BAs (e.g., ack1, ack3) transmitted by a relay STA to a non-AP STA, and negotiation / BA setup for BAs (e.g., Ack2) transmitted by an AP to a relay STA, can be performed all at once or sequentially. These BA setups can be performed using the previously defined relay ADDBA request, relay ADDBA response, and / or DELBA frames.

[0186] In some implementations, a single negotiation may be used to configure multiple BAs (e.g., BA configuration for BAs transmitted by a relay STA to non-AP STAs (e.g., ack1, ack3), BA configuration for BAs transmitted by an AP to the relay STA (e.g., Ack2). In this case, the relay ADDBA request field / frame may include an indicator to indicate that configuration for multiple BAs is performed.

[0187] For example, the BA settings for a BA (e.g., Ack2) that the AP transmits to the relay STA may be included in the BA parameter set (block Ack parameter set) included in the relay ADDBA request and / or relay ADDBA response frame.

[0188] For example, an indicator to indicate that setup for multiple BAs is to be performed may be transmitted in an ADDBA extension element in a relay ADDBA request field / frame and may consist of 1 bit.

[0189] For example, an indicator (e.g., 1 bit) to indicate that configuration for multiple BAs is performed can be defined as additional ack presence or extension ack presence, and can indicate, for example, that BA configuration information for ack1 and ack3 in FIG. 10 is included.

[0190] For example, in a relay ADDBA request field / frame, the ADDBA extension element may include an ADDBA extended parameter set field, and an indicator for indicating that configuration for multiple BAs is performed may be indicated using B3 or B4 of the ADDBA extended parameter set field.

[0191] For example, if the Additional ACK Present or Extended ACK Present field is set to 1, the relay ADDBA request field / frame may include additional ack parameters for ack1 and ack3 (i.e., BA). The additional ack parameters may include parameters for BA transmission based on BA information received from a non-AP STA / AP. For example, the additional ack parameters may be configured with BA configuration information established between an AP and a non-AP STA.

[0192] In some implementations, configuration for multiple BAs (e.g., BA configuration for BAs transmitted by a relay STA to a non-AP STA (e.g., ack1, ack3), BA configuration for BA transmitted by an AP to the relay STA (e.g., Ack2)) may be performed sequentially. In this case, instructions for BA configuration for BAs transmitted by a relay STA to a non-AP STA (e.g., ack1, ack3) and BA configuration for BA transmitted by an AP to the relay STA (e.g., Ack2) may be transmitted in an ADDBA extension element. For example, the instructions may be composed of 1 bit and may indicate whether the instructions are BA configurations for BAs transmitted by a relay STA to a non-AP STA (e.g., ack1, ack3) or BA configurations for BAs transmitted by an AP to the relay STA (e.g., Ack2). For example, the above instruction can be expressed using B3 or B4 in the ADDBA extended parameter set.

[0193] In some implementations, when BA setup is performed between STAs that transmit and receive signals (e.g., between an AP and a non-AP STA, between an AP and a relay STA, or between a relay STA and a non-AP STA), the BA (transmission) setup between the relay STA and the non-AP STA can be performed using the BA setup method between the AP and the relay STA described above.

[0194] BA configuration can be performed using a relay ADDBA request, a relay ADDBA response, and / or a relay DELBA frame. A relay ADDBA request, a relay ADDBA response, and / or a relay DELBA frame can contain configuration information for two or more BAs.

[0195] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, during relay operation, the relay STA may transmit information about the final ACK (e.g., Ack2) to the AP or non-AP STA via Ack3 after receiving the final ACK for data received from the end-user (e.g., non-AP STA or AP). The BA frame (e.g., Ack3) that the relay STA transmits to the originator / initiator of the relay transmission may include an indicator to indicate that the ACK transmission is transmission of information about the final ACK (e.g., Ack2) received from the end-user (e.g., non-AP STA or AP) without data transmission.

[0196] For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a BA frame for transmitting final ack / BA information received from an end user by a relay STA can use a BA type subfield in a BA control field to indicate that the BA frame is a BA frame for transmitting final ack / BA information received from the end user. To indicate transmitting the final BA received from an end-STA, the BA type subfield can be defined as a relay BA. The value of the BA type subfield can be set to one of the values ​​0, 4-5, and 12-15.

[0197] As another example, a BA frame for transmitting the final ack / BA information received from the end user (e.g., a BA frame for ack3) may be directed as follows:

[0198] - A BA frame used in a relay operation may include an instruction for relay operation to indicate that the BA is for relay transmission, and the instruction may be transmitted by being included in the BA control field.

[0199] - The above instruction contained in the BA control field can be defined as a relay operation and can be composed of 1 bit. The instruction can be defined using one of the bits B0, B5-8 of the BA control field.

[0200] - To indicate that the transmission is information about the final ack / BA received from the end user, the BA control field may be configured to include an end ACK indication or a forward ACK indication. The end ACK indication or the forward ACK indication may be set to 1 when transmitting a BA frame (e.g., ack3) for transmitting the final ack / BA information received from the end user, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, to indicate that the BA frame is a BA frame for transmitting the final ack / BA information received from the end user. The end ACK indication or the forward ACK indication may be defined using one of bits B0, B5-8 of the BA control field.

[0201] As another example, to reduce additional signaling, a specific TID value may be set to indicate a BA frame (e.g., ack3) to transmit the final ack / BA information received from the end user. That is, a BA frame to transmit the final ack / BA information received from the end user may be indicated based on the relay operation instruction included in the BA frame and the specific TID.

[0202] The format of the BA information field of a BA frame (e.g., ack3) for transmitting the final ack / BA information received from the end user may include AID information, a BA sequence, and / or a BA bitmap for each STA. The BA information field may be configured to include information for multiple STAs.

[0203] In some implementations, the end user can directly transmit an ACK / BA for final data reception to the initiator (e.g., an AP or non-AP STA) during relay transmission. In this case, ack3 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be omitted in DL / UL relay operation, and ack2 may be transmitted as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0204] Figure 11 shows an example of a signal flow for directly transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation in DL.

[0205] Referring to FIG. 11, in step S1101, the AP can transmit data for a non-AP STA to a relay STA.

[0206] In step S1103, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to a short inter-frame space (SIFS) has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack1) for the data received from the AP to the AP.

[0207] In step S1105, after Ack1 is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit data received from the AP to the non-AP STA. That is, the relay STA can relay data for the non-AP STA received from the AP to the non-AP STA.

[0208] In step S1107, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the non-AP STA may transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack2) for the data received from the relay STA to the AP. Ack2 may be the final ACK for the data transmitted from the AP to the non-AP (i.e., data for the non-AP STA). In other words, the non-AP STA may transmit the final ACK for the data transmitted from the AP to the non-AP STA directly to the AP without going through the relay STA.

[0209] Figure 12 shows an example of a signal flow for directly transmitting an ACK related to a relay operation in UL.

[0210] Referring to FIG. 12, in step S1201, the AP may transmit a trigger frame to a non-AP STA to trigger data transmission.

[0211] In step S1203, after a trigger frame is transmitted / received and a time equal to SIFS has elapsed, the non-AP STA can transmit data for the AP to the relay STA.

[0212] In step S1205, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA may transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack1) for the data received from the non-AP STA to the non-AP STA.

[0213] In step S1207, after Ack1 is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the relay STA can transmit data received from the non-AP STA to the AP. That is, the relay STA can relay data for the AP received from the non-AP STA to the AP.

[0214] In step S1209, after data is transmitted / received and a time equivalent to SIFS has elapsed, the AP may transmit an ACK (i.e., Ack2) for the data received from the relay STA to the non-AP STA. Ack2 may be the final ACK for the data transmitted from the non-AP STA to the AP (i.e., data for the AP). That is, the AP may directly transmit the final ACK for the data transmitted from the non-AP STA to the AP to the non-AP STA without going through the relay STA.

[0215] In some implementations, the BA configuration between the relay STA and the non-AP STA may not be considered. In this case, the behavior for DL ​​and UL is as follows:

[0216] (1) In case of DL

[0217] For DL, the AP can negotiate BA settings for relay STAs and non-AP STAs respectively.

[0218] BA setup for Ack1 (i.e., ACK for data sent from AP to non-AP STA to relay STA) can be performed using ADDBA request frame and / or ADDBA response frame.

[0219] BA setup for Ack2 (i.e., the final ACK for data transmitted from the AP to the non-AP STA via the relay STA) can be performed between the AP and the non-AP STA. At this time, BA transmission based on the BA setup can include Ack2 / BA for data / signal received by the non-AP STA from the relay STA. BA setup for Ack2 can be performed using a relay ADDBA request, a relay ADDBA response, and / or a relay DELBA frame.

[0220] Ack2 transmitted by a non-AP STA can indicate that this is the final BA information transmitted by the end-user during relay operation. To this end, the final BA frame (e.g., Ack2) transmitted to the initiator (AP in the case of DL) can include this indication.

[0221] For example, the final BA frame (e.g., Ack2) can use the BA Type subfield of the BA Control field to indicate that the BA frame is the BA information finally transmitted by the end-user. Here, the BA type can be defined as a relay BA. The value of the BA Type subfield can be set to one of the values ​​0, 4-5, and 12-15.

[0222] For example, a BA frame used in a relay operation may include an instruction for the relay operation, and the instruction may indicate that the BA is an ACK / BA for data received through the relay transmission (e.g., the final BA frame Ack2). The instruction may be transmitted while being included in the BA control field. The instruction included in the BA control field may be defined as a relay operation and may consist of 1 bit. The instruction may be defined using one of bits B0, B5-8 of the BA control field. The instruction may be included in a BA transmission for Ack1 transmission.

[0223] To indicate the final Ack / BA transmission for data received from the initiator, the BA control field may include a final ACK indication or a forward ACK indication. For example, in FIGS. 11 and 12 , when transmitting Ack2, the final ACK indication or the forward ACK indication field may be set to 1 to indicate that the corresponding Ack transmission is an Ack / BA transmitted from the end-user. The indication may be defined using one of bits B0, B5-8 of the BA control field.

[0224] The BA Information field format of a BA frame for Ack2 transmission may include AID information, a BA sequence, and / or a BA bitmap for each STA. The BA Information field may be configured to include information for multiple STAs.

[0225] (2) In the case of UL

[0226] The AP and non-AP STA can perform BA configuration for the final ACK (i.e., Ack2) for data transmitted by a non-AP STA to the AP via the relay STA using the relay ADDBA request, relay ADDBA response, and / or relay DELBA frame. The AP can use the configured BA configuration information to transmit Ack2 / BA to the non-AP STA after receiving the data transmitted by the non-AP STA from the relay STA.

[0227] The AP can use the BA configuration information established between the AP and the non-AP STA to perform BA configuration / negotiation with the relay STA for BA transmission for data received from the non-AP STA. The BA configuration between the AP and the relay STA can be set identically to the BA configuration between the AP and the non-AP STA, or can be set based on the BA configuration between the AP and the non-AP STA.

[0228] In some implementations, BA configuration between relay STAs and non-AP STAs may be considered. In this case:

[0229] - For transmission of Ack1 (e.g., ACK for data to a non-AP STA that the AP transmits to the relay STA (in the case of DL), or ACK for data to an AP that the non-AP STA transmits to the relay STA (in the case of UL)), the relay STA may individually perform the BA setup procedure with the AP and / or the non-AP STA.

[0230] - BA setup for transmission of Ack2 (e.g., final Ack (in case of DL) for data transmitted from an AP to a non-AP STA via a relay STA, or final ACK (in case of UL) for data transmitted from a non-AP STA to the AP via a relay STA) can be performed so that the end-user can directly transmit an ACK for data received from a relay STA to the AP or a non-AP STA. This BA setup procedure can be performed using a relay ADDBA request, a relay ADDBA response, and / or a relay DELBA frame.

[0231] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a method performed by a STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0232] Referring to FIG. 13, in step S1301, the STA may perform ACK establishment for the AP and relay data. The relay data may include data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA (e.g., a non-AP STA in FIGS. 9 to 12) via the relay STA.

[0233] In the present disclosure, an ACK setting is a setting for transmission of ACK information (e.g., a BA frame and / or an individual ACK frame), and may include a BA setting for transmission of a BA frame and / or a setting for transmission of an individual ACK frame.

[0234] In step S1303, the STA can receive relay data.

[0235] In step S1305, the STA may transmit ACK information (e.g., ack1 / ack2 / ack3) for relay data based on the relay ACK parameters received during ACK setup.

[0236] According to various embodiments, the STA may be a remote STA. In this case, relay data may be received from the relay STA, and ACK information for the relay data may be transmitted to the relay STA based on relay ACK parameters obtained in an ACK setup performed with the AP.

[0237] According to various embodiments, the STA may be a relay STA. In this case, relay data may be received from an AP, and ACK information for the relay data may be transmitted to the AP based on relay ACK parameters obtained in an ACK setup performed with the AP.

[0238] According to various embodiments, the STA may receive a BA action frame during ACK setup. The BA action frame may include a relay BA parameter including a relay ACK parameter. The BA action frame may be configured as a relay ADDBA (add block acknowledgment) request frame or a relay ADDBA response frame.

[0239] According to various embodiments, the BA action field of the BA action frame may include a value that sets a relay ADDBA request frame or a relay ADDBA response frame.

[0240] According to various embodiments, the relay BA parameter may be included in the relay ADDBA request frame or the relay ADDBA response frame. The relay BA parameter may include at least one of a BA parameter set, a BA timeout value, or an ADDBA extension element.

[0241] According to various embodiments, final ACK information for reception of relay data by a remote STA may be transmitted by the STA (e.g., relay STA / remote STA). The frame for the final ACK information may include an indicator indicating that the frame includes final ACK information.

[0242] According to various embodiments, the indicator may be indicated based on a BA type subfield within a BA control field.

[0243] According to various embodiments, the indicator may be indicated based on at least one of a final ACK indication field or a forward ACK indication field in a BA control field.

[0244] According to various embodiments, the indicator may be associated with a specific traffic identifier (TID).

[0245] According to various embodiments, the final ACK information may be transmitted directly from the remote STA to the AP.

[0246] According to various embodiments, the final ACK information may be transmitted from the remote STA to the AP via the relay STA.

[0247] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a method performed by an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0248] Referring to FIG. 14, in step S1401, the AP may perform ACK setup for relay data with the STA. The relay data may include data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA (e.g., a non-AP STA in FIGS. 9 to 12) via the relay STA.

[0249] In step S1403, the AP can transmit relay data.

[0250] In step S1405, the AP may receive ACK information (e.g., ack1 / ack2 / ack3) for relay data based on the relay ACK parameters transmitted during ACK setup.

[0251] According to various embodiments, the AP may transmit a BA action frame during ACK setup. The BA action frame may include a relay BA parameter including a relay ACK parameter. The BA action frame may be configured as a relay ADDBA request frame or a relay ADDBA response frame.

[0252] According to various embodiments, the BA action field of the BA action frame may include a value that sets a relay ADDBA request frame or a relay ADDBA response frame.

[0253] According to various embodiments, final ACK information for reception of relay data by a remote STA may be transmitted by the STA (e.g., relay STA / remote STA). The frame for the final ACK information may include an indicator indicating that the frame includes final ACK information.

[0254] The technical features of the present disclosure described above can be applied to various devices and methods. For example, the technical features of the present disclosure described above can be performed / supported by the devices of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 5. For example, the technical features of the present disclosure described above can be applied only to a portion of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 5. For example, the technical features of the present disclosure described above can be implemented based on the processing chip (114, 124) of FIG. 1, or based on the processor (111, 121) and memory (112, 122) of FIG. 1, or based on the processor (510) and memory (520) of FIG. 5.

[0255] For example, the processor (111), the processing chip (114) of FIG. 1, and / or the processor (510) of FIG. 5 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory (112, 520) to implement a method performed by an STA in the present disclosure. The method includes: performing an ACK (acknowledgement) establishment for an access point (AP) and relay data; receiving the relay data; and transmitting ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter received during the ACK establishment, wherein the relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via the relay STA.

[0256] For example, the processor (121) and / or the processing chip (124) of FIG. 1 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory (122) to implement a method performed by an AP in the present disclosure. The method includes: performing an ACK (acknowledgement) establishment for relay data with a station (STA); transmitting the relay data; and receiving ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter transmitted during the ACK establishment, wherein the relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via the relay STA.

[0257] The technical features of the present disclosure can be implemented based on a computer-readable medium (CRM). For example, the CRM proposed by the present disclosure is at least one computer-readable recording medium containing instructions that are executed by at least one processor.

[0258] For example, the CRM may be the memory (112) of FIG. 1, the memory (520) of FIG. 5, and / or a separate external memory / storage medium / disk. The CRM may store instructions for implementing a method performed by an STA in the present disclosure based on being executed by a processor (e.g., the processor (111), the processing chip (114) of FIG. 1, and / or the processor (510) of FIG. 5). The method includes: performing an ACK (acknowledgement) establishment for an access point (AP) and relay data; receiving the relay data; and transmitting ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter received during the ACK establishment, wherein the relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via the relay STA.

[0259] For example, the CRM may be the memory (122) of FIG. 1 and / or a separate external memory / storage medium / disk. The CRM may store commands for implementing a method performed by an AP in the present disclosure based on being executed by a processor (e.g., the processor (121) and / or the processing chip (124) of FIG. 1). The method includes: performing an ACK (acknowledgement) establishment for relay data with a station (STA); transmitting the relay data; and receiving ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter transmitted during the ACK establishment, wherein the relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via the relay STA.

[0260] The technical features of the present disclosure described above are applicable to various applications and business models. For example, the technical features described above can be applied to wireless communication in devices that support artificial intelligence (AI).

[0261] Artificial intelligence (AI) is the study of artificial intelligence or the methodologies for creating it, while machine learning (ML) defines various problems in the field of AI and studies the methodologies for solving them. Machine learning is also defined as an algorithm that improves performance on a task through consistent experience.

[0262] An artificial neural network (ANN) is a model used in machine learning. It can refer to a model with problem-solving capabilities, consisting of artificial neurons (nodes) formed by the connection of synapses to form a network. An ANN can be defined by the connection patterns between neurons in different layers, the learning process that updates model parameters, and the activation function that generates output values.

[0263] An artificial neural network may include an input layer, an output layer, and optionally one or more hidden layers. Each layer contains one or more neurons, and the artificial neural network may include synapses connecting neurons. In an artificial neural network, each neuron can output a function value of an activation function based on input signals, weights, and biases received through the synapses.

[0264] Model parameters are parameters determined through learning, including synaptic connection weights and neuron biases. Hyperparameters are parameters that must be set before learning in machine learning algorithms, including the learning rate, number of iterations, mini-batch size, and initialization function.

[0265] The goal of artificial neural network training can be seen as determining model parameters that minimize a loss function. The loss function can be used as an indicator for determining optimal model parameters during the artificial neural network training process.

[0266] Machine learning can be classified into supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning depending on the learning method.

[0267] Supervised learning refers to a method for training an artificial neural network when given labels for the training data. The labels can refer to the correct answer (or output value) that the artificial neural network must infer when the training data is input to the artificial neural network. Unsupervised learning can refer to a method for training an artificial neural network when the training data is not given labels. Reinforcement learning can refer to a learning method in which an agent defined within a given environment is trained to select actions or action sequences that maximize the cumulative reward in each state.

[0268] Machine learning implemented with a deep neural network (DNN) containing multiple hidden layers among artificial neural networks is also called deep learning, and deep learning is a subset of machine learning. Hereinafter, the term "machine learning" is used to encompass deep learning.

[0269] Additionally, the above-described technical features can be applied to wireless communication of robots.

[0270] A robot can be defined as a machine that automatically performs or operates a given task based on its own capabilities. Specifically, a robot capable of perceiving its environment, making independent judgments, and performing actions can be called an intelligent robot.

[0271] Robots can be categorized into industrial, medical, household, and military applications based on their intended use or field. Robots are equipped with actuators or motors, enabling them to perform various physical actions, such as moving robot joints. Furthermore, mobile robots incorporate wheels, brakes, and propellers into their actuators, enabling them to move on the ground or fly in the air.

[0272] Additionally, the above-described technical features can be applied to devices that support extended reality.

[0273] Extended reality is a general term for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). VR technology presents real-world objects and backgrounds as CG images only, AR technology presents virtual CG images over images of real objects, and MR technology is a computer graphics technology that blends and combines virtual objects with the real world.

[0274] MR technology is similar to AR in that it presents both real and virtual objects simultaneously. However, while AR uses virtual objects to complement real objects, MR uses virtual and real objects on an equal footing.

[0275] XR technology can be applied to HMD (Head-Mount Display), HUD (Head-Up Display), mobile phones, tablet PCs, laptops, desktops, TVs, digital signage, etc., and devices to which XR technology is applied can be called XR devices.

[0276] The present disclosure may have various advantageous effects.

[0277] For example, by having the final STA (e.g., remote STA) that receives a signal based on relay operation transmit ACK information about the received signal to the STA / AP that transmitted the signal, the reliability of relay transmission can be increased and ambiguity about ACK transmission can be reduced.

[0278] The beneficial effects that can be achieved through specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the beneficial effects listed above. For example, various technical effects may be understood and / or derived from the present disclosure by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those explicitly described herein, but may include various effects that can be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0279] The claims set forth in this disclosure may be combined in various ways. For example, the technical features of the method claims of this disclosure may be combined and implemented as a device, and the technical features of the device claims of this disclosure may be combined and implemented as a method. Furthermore, the technical features of the method claims of this disclosure and the technical features of the device claims of this disclosure may be combined and implemented as a device, and the technical features of the method claims of this disclosure and the technical features of the device claims of this disclosure may be combined and implemented as a method.

Claims

1. A method performed by a STA (station) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, A step for performing establishment of ACK (acknowledgement) for AP (access point) and relay data; A step of receiving the above relay data; and A step of transmitting ACK information for the relay data based on the relay ACK parameter received during the above ACK setup, A method wherein the above relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via a relay STA.

2. In claim 1, the STA is the remote STA, The above relay data is received from the relay STA, A method in which ACK information for the above relay data is transmitted to the relay STA based on relay ACK parameters obtained in the ACK setup performed with the AP.

3. In claim 1, the STA is the relay STA, The above relay data is received from the AP, A method in which ACK information for the above relay data is transmitted to the AP based on relay ACK parameters obtained in the ACK setup performed with the AP.

4. In claim 1, further comprising a step of receiving a BA (block ACK) action frame during the ACK setup, The above BA action frame includes a relay BA parameter including the relay ACK parameter, The above BA action frame is set as a relay ADDBA (add block acknowledgement) request frame or a relay ADDBA response frame.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the BA action field of the BA action frame includes a value that sets the relay ADDBA request frame or the relay ADDBA response frame.

6. In claim 4, the relay BA parameter is included in the relay ADDBA request frame or the relay ADDBA response frame, A method wherein the above relay BA parameter comprises at least one of a BA parameter set, a BA timeout value or an ADDBA extension element.

7. In claim 1, final ACK information for reception of the relay data by the remote STA is transmitted by the STA, The above STA is the relay STA or the remote STA, A method wherein the frame for said final ACK information includes an indicator indicating that said frame includes said final ACK information.

8. In claim 7, the indicator is a method indicated based on a BA type subfield in a BA control field.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the indicator is indicated based on at least one of a final ACK indication field or a forward ACK indication field in a BA control field.

10. In claim 7, the instruction is a method related to a specific TID (traffic identifier).

11. A method according to claim 7, wherein the final ACK information is transmitted directly from the remote STA to the AP.

12. A method according to claim 7, wherein the final ACK information is transmitted from the remote STA to the AP through the relay STA.

13. In a wireless local area network (LAN) system, at a STA (station), Transmitter and receiver; memory; and At least one processor functionally coupled with the transceiver and the memory, The above memory stores instructions for performing operations based on being executed by the at least one processor, the operations being: An action to perform establishment of ACK (acknowledgement) for AP (access point) and relay data; An operation of receiving the above relay data; and An operation of transmitting ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter received during the above ACK setup, The above relay data is an STA including data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via a relay STA.

14. In a device configured to operate in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, at least one processor; and comprising at least one memory functionally coupled with at least one processor; The at least one memory stores instructions that perform operations based on being executed by the at least one processor, the operations comprising: An action to perform establishment of ACK (acknowledgment) for AP (access point) and relay data; An operation of receiving the above relay data; and An operation of transmitting ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter received during the above ACK setup, The above relay data is a device including data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via a relay STA.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) storing program code implementing instructions that perform operations based on being executed by at least one processor, said operations comprising: An action to perform establishment of ACK (acknowledgement) for AP (access point) and relay data; An operation of receiving the above relay data; and An operation of transmitting ACK information for the relay data based on a relay ACK parameter received during the above ACK setup, The above relay data is a CRM including data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via a relay STA.

16. In a method performed by an AP (access point) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, A step for performing establishment of ACK (acknowledgement) for STA (station) and relay data; a step of transmitting the above relay data; and A step of receiving ACK information for the relay data based on the relay ACK parameter transmitted during the above ACK setup, A method wherein the above relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via a relay STA.

17. In a wireless local area network (LAN) system, at the AP (access point), Transmitter and receiver; memory; and At least one processor functionally coupled with the transceiver and the memory, The above memory stores instructions for performing operations based on being executed by the at least one processor, the operations being: An action to perform establishment of ACK (acknowledgement) for STA (station) and relay data; An operation of transmitting the above relay data; and An operation for receiving ACK information for the relay data based on the relay ACK parameter transmitted during the above ACK setup is included. The above relay data includes data transmitted or received between the AP and a remote STA via a relay STA.

18. In claim 17, the operations further include transmitting a BA action frame during the ACK setup, The above BA action frame includes a relay BA parameter including the relay ACK parameter, The above BA action frame is set as an AP with a relay ADDBA (add block acknowledgement) request frame or a relay ADDBA response frame.

19. In claim 18, the BA action field of the BA action frame includes an AP that includes a value that sets the relay ADDBA request frame or the relay ADDBA response frame.

20. In claim 17, final ACK information for reception of the relay data by the remote STA is transmitted by the STA, The above STA is the relay STA or the remote STA, The frame for the final ACK information is an AP including an indicator indicating that the frame includes the final ACK information.

21. A method according to any one of claims 1, 13 to 17, wherein the ACK information includes BA (block ACK) information.

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