Communication range extension using relay in wireless LAN system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication range extension using a relay in a wireless LAN system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a method comprising the steps in which: a relay station (STA) receives a first beacon frame from an access point (AP); the relay STA transmits, to an end STA, a second beacon frame including relay transmission notification and at least a portion of information included in the first beacon frame, wherein the relay transmission notification indicates that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; the relay STA relays one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA on the basis of the transmission of the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification; and the relay STA relays data transmission between the AP and the end STA after the AP and the end STA are associated with each other.

Description

Extending communication range using relay in wireless LAN systems

[0001] The present disclosure relates to extension of communication range using relay in a wireless LAN system.

[0002] Next-generation Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11be and / or later) aims to support ultra-high reliability when transmitting signals to STAs. To achieve this, various technologies are being considered to support high throughput, low latency, and extended range. For example, signal transmission and reception using relays may be considered to support extended communication range.

[0003] The present disclosure provides a method and device for expanding a communication range using a relay in a wireless LAN system.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: a step in which a relay STA (station) receives a first beacon frame from an access point (AP); a step in which the relay STA transmits a second beacon frame to an end STA, the second beacon frame including at least a portion of information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification, the relay transmission notification indicating that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; a step in which the relay STA relays one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA based on transmitting the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification; and a step in which the relay STA relays data transmission between the AP and the end STA after the AP and the end STA are associated with each other.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: a step in which an access point (AP) receives a connection request frame of an end STA including a relay transmission notification from a relay STA (station), the relay transmission notification indicating that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; a step in which the AP transmits a connection response frame for the connection request frame of the end STA to the relay STA; a step in which the AP receives an ACK (acknowledgement) of the end STA for the connection response frame from the relay STA; and a step in which, after receiving the ACK, the AP performs data transmission through the end STA and 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 defining frames and frame exchanges for relay transmission, an AP can perform reliable signal transmission and reception not only for STAs within the AP coverage boundary but also for STAs located within the coverage boundary and / or outside the boundary, and can expand throughput and / or AP communication range.

[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 expanding the communication range using a relay.

[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a method performed by a STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a method performed by an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a connection procedure performed by an STA located outside BSS coverage based on a relay according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] 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.”

[0023] 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."

[0024] 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.”

[0025] 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.”

[0026] 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.”

[0027] 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.”

[0028] Technical features individually described in one drawing in this disclosure may be implemented individually or simultaneously.

[0029] 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.

[0030] In order to explain the technical features of the present disclosure, technical features to which the present disclosure can be applied are described below.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present disclosure.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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).

[0035] 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.

[0036] Based on the sub-drawing (a) of Fig. 1, STA (110, 120) is described as follows.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.).

[0039] 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).

[0040] 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.).

[0041] 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).

[0042] 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).

[0043] 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).

[0044] 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 that generates a transmission / reception signal or performs data processing or operation in advance for a transmission / reception signal may include 1) an operation of determining / obtaining / configuring / computing / decoding / encoding bit information of a subfield (SIG, STF, LTF, Data) field included in a PPDU, 2) an operation of 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 of 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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).

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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).

[0057] 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).

[0058] 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).

[0059] The bottom of Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing IBSS.

[0060] 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, the 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.

[0061] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a general link setup process.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a multi-link (ML).

[0071] 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).

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] FIG. 5 illustrates a modified example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present disclosure.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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).

[0082] 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).

[0083] 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).

[0084] In FIG. 6, transmission(s) of a Trigger Frame (630), a TB PPDU (641, 642) and / or an ACK frame (650) may be performed within a TXOP (625).

[0085] Below, the structure and types / subtypes of MAC frames are described.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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).

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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).

[0090] 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).

[0091] 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.

[0092] The frame control field of a management frame / control frame / data frame may include a To DS subfield and a From DS subfield. For example, the meaning of the combination of values ​​in the To DS and From DS subfields in a management frame may be as shown in Table 1 below:

[0093] To DS subfield and From DS subfield value meaning To DS = 0From DS = 0All non-QMF managed framesTo DS = 1From DS = 0All QMF managed framesTo DS = 0From DS = 1This combination is reservedTo DS = 1From DS = 1This combination is reserved

[0094] 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 the coverage for signal transmission and / or to eliminate holes where the signal cannot reach. Signal transmission and reception using a relay may be used to expand the signal transmission coverage of the BSS as well as the reliability within the BSS. For the relay operation, a relay STA may be required. The relay STA means 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).

[0095] 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.

[0096] In the present disclosure, the relay STA can be implemented in various ways.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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).

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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).

[0104] Figure 8 shows an example of relay transmission / operation.

[0105] 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)).

[0106] In the present disclosure, a non-AP STA that transmits and receives signals with an AP via a relay STA may be referred to as an end STA or a remote STA. The relay STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0107] Relay STAs can be used to ensure smooth signal transmission and reception for STAs located within and / or outside the BSS coverage boundary, and to extend the BSS coverage by transmitting and receiving signals. To efficiently support STAs located within BSS coverage as well as outside BSS coverage, a method for performing range extension during relay transmission and reception is required.

[0108] By transmitting and receiving signals using a relay STA, signals can be transmitted and received to STAs located outside the coverage of the AP, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0109] Figure 9 shows an example of expanding the communication range using a relay.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 9, when a relay is used to transmit and receive signals with an STA that exists outside the AP coverage / communication range, frames (e.g., management frames) transmitted by the AP from the BSS can be transmitted to the STA (or end STA / non-AP STA) through the relay.

[0111] Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes a frame configuration and / or frame exchange method for expanding the coverage / communication range of a BSS when transmitting and receiving signals using a relay.

[0112] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a method performed by an STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The STA of FIG. 10 may be a relay STA that relays signal transmission and reception between an AP and an end STA.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1001, the relay STA can receive a first beacon frame from the AP.

[0114] In step S1003, the relay STA may transmit a second beacon frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification to the end STA. The relay transmission notification may indicate that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA.

[0115] In step S1005, based on transmitting a second beacon frame including a relay transmission notification, the relay STA may relay one or more frames for connection between the AP and the end STA.

[0116] In step S1007, after the AP and the end STA are connected to each other, the relay STA can relay data transmission between the AP and the end STA.

[0117] According to various embodiments, the relay transmission notification may include a specific combination of values ​​of the To DS (distribution system) field and the From DS field of the second beacon frame. For example, the specific combination may include a combination of a value of 0 in the To DS field and a value of 1 in the From DS field, or a combination of a value of 1 in the To DS field and a value of 1 in the From DS field.

[0118] According to various embodiments, the relay transmission notification may include an address field set to the ID of the relay STA in the second beacon frame.

[0119] According to various embodiments, the information included in the first beacon frame may include at least one of a relay beacon period, relay capability information, or relay operation information. The second beacon frame may include at least one of the relay beacon period, the relay capability information, or the relay operation information.

[0120] According to various embodiments, the relay beacon period may indicate the period at which the second beacon frame is transmitted. The period at which the second beacon frame is transmitted may be equal to or less than the period at which the first beacon frame is transmitted.

[0121] According to various embodiments, the second beacon frame may be transmitted a short inter-frame space (SIFS) after the first beacon frame is received. In this case, for example, the value of the duration field of the first beacon frame may be set to a value equal to the length of the first beacon frame plus SIFS or a value equal to twice the length of the first beacon frame plus SIFS. As another example, the value of the duration field of the first beacon frame may be set to 0.

[0122] According to various embodiments, the first beacon frame may include information regarding at least one of a transmission period or a transmission timing of the second beacon frame. The second beacon frame may be transmitted based on at least one of the transmission period or the transmission timing.

[0123] According to various embodiments, in order to relay one or more frames for connection between an AP and an end STA, a relay STA may receive a first connection request frame from the end STA. The relay STA may transmit a second connection request frame to the AP, the second connection request frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first connection request frame and a relay transmission notification. The relay STA may receive a first connection response frame from the AP. The relay STA may transmit a second connection response frame to the end STA, the second connection response frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first connection response frame and a relay transmission notification. The relay STA may receive an ACK of the end STA for the second connection response frame from the end STA and transmit it to the AP.

[0124] According to various embodiments, the end STA may not belong to the basic service set (BSS) to which the AP and relay STA belong.

[0125] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a method performed by an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 11, in step S1101, the AP may receive a connection request frame of an end STA including a relay transmission notification from a relay STA. The relay transmission notification may indicate that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA.

[0127] In step S1103, the AP may transmit a connection response frame to the connection request frame of the end STA to the relay STA.

[0128] In step S1105, the AP can receive an ACK of the end STA for the connection response frame from the relay STA.

[0129] In step S1107, after receiving ACK, the AP can perform data transmission through the end STA and the relay STA.

[0130] According to various embodiments, the relay transmission notification may include a specific combination of values ​​in the To DS field and the From DS field of the connection request frame. For example, the specific combination may include a combination of a value of 0 in the To DS field and a value of 1 in the From DS field, or a combination of a value of 1 in the To DS field and a value of 1 in the From DS field.

[0131] According to various embodiments, the relay transmission notification may include an address field set to the ID of the relay STA in the connection request frame.

[0132] Hereinafter, a method of configuring a frame and / or exchanging a frame to expand the coverage / communication range of a BSS when transmitting and receiving signals using a relay is described in detail.

[0133] STAs that exist outside the coverage / communication range (e.g., end STAs / non-AP STAs in FIG. 9) cannot directly receive the beacon frame transmitted by the AP. Therefore, the relay STA can receive the beacon frame transmitted by the AP and then transmit / broadcast it to the end STAs / non-AP STAs. In this case, to indicate that the beacon frame was transmitted by the relay STA and not the AP (i.e., relay transmission notification), the beacon frame can be configured as follows:

[0134] - In some implementations, the settings of the To DS and from DS fields of the beacon frame transmitted by the relay STA can be utilized.

[0135] A relay STA that receives a beacon frame from an AP can indicate (i.e., notify relay transmission) the beacon frame transmitted by the relay STA by setting the To Ds and From Ds fields to a combination of specific values ​​(e.g., To DS = 0 & From DS = 1, or To DS = 1 & From DS = 1) when broadcasting / transmitting the received beacon frame.

[0136] In this way, by setting the To Ds and From Ds fields, ambiguity caused by STAs within a BSS receiving beacon frames repeatedly can be reduced, and STAs that normally receive beacon frames within AP coverage can ignore relay transmission notifications when receiving the beacon frames.

[0137] - In some implementations, the address (AD) field can be used to indicate which beacon frame (i.e., relay transmission notification) a relay STA transmits.

[0138] The AD field of a beacon frame transmitted and / or forwarded by a relay STA may be set as follows:

[0139] 1) AD 1: Broadcast ID

[0140] 2) AD 2: Relay STA ID

[0141] 3) AD 3: BSSID (AP MAC address)

[0142] 4) AP 4: May be reserved or the same as AD1.

[0143] By setting AD 2 as the ID of the relay STA transmitting the beacon frame as described above, the STA receiving the beacon frame with AD 2 set can identify whether the frame was transmitted by the AP or the relay STA. That is, the relay transmission notification can include AD 2 set as the ID of the relay STA in the beacon frame.

[0144] For example, if To DS = 1 and From DS = 1 are set, four address fields may be available.

[0145] Additionally, an AP supporting relay transmission may transmit relay transmission information (e.g., relay beacon transmission information), relay capability information, and / or relay operation information in a beacon frame. The relay beacon transmission information transmitted through the beacon frame may be configured to include a relay beacon interval / period. In this case, the relay beacon interval / period may be set to be equal to or smaller than the beacon interval / period transmitted by the AP, so that the relay beacon frame is transmitted within the beacon interval / period.

[0146] Relay capability information may include at least one of the following information elements (IEs):

[0147] - Relay support: You can indicate whether relay transmission is supported.

[0148] - BW (bandwidth): Information about the bandwidth used for relay transmission, which can be composed of information about 20 / 40 / 80 / 160 / 320MHz.

[0149] - MCS (modulation and coding scheme): Indicates the maximum MCS allowed during relay transmission.

[0150] - NSS (number of spatial streams): Indicates the maximum number of SSs considered during relay transmission.

[0151] - ACK (acknowledgement) policy: This is the ACK policy for data received during relay transmission, indicating whether it is immediate or delayed.

[0152] - Direction: Indicates whether relay transmission is accepted in DL / UL. For example, it can be composed of 1 bit when considering DL or UL, and 2 bits when considering DL and UL (and / or DL&UL).

[0153] - SU / MU relay indication: Indicates whether SU or MU transmission is supported when transmitting or receiving relay.

[0154] Relay operation information may include at least one of the following IEs:

[0155] - Relay STA information: Includes relay STA ID, and if there are multiple relay STAs in the BSS, may include AID lists of multiple relay STAs.

[0156] - Number of relay STAs: Indicates the number of relay STAs existing in the BSS.

[0157] - Relay Window: May contain information about the timing window during which relay transmission is performed.

[0158] - Channel measurement for relay link: Indicates whether a channel measurement procedure is performed between the relay STA and non-AP STA (or, end STA / remote STA).

[0159] - Non-AP STA detection or discovery: Indicates the performance of detection or discovery for STAs participating in relay transmission.

[0160] In order for a relay STA to transmit a beacon frame configured as described above, the relay STA must perform channel access. However, if the relay STA fails to secure an available channel through channel access, the beacon frame may not be transmitted or latency may become an issue. Therefore, in order to ensure the relay STA's beacon frame transmission, the relay STA's beacon frame may be transmitted as follows within a BSS that supports relay transmission (or, the following method may be considered to ensure the relay STA's beacon frame transmission after receiving the beacon frame within the BSS):

[0161] - In some implementations, an AP that supports relay operation may set the value of the duration field of the beacon frame it transmits to a non-zero value if relay operation is supported within the BSS or if relay transmission is established.

[0162] For example, when supporting relay operation / transmission, the duration field of the beacon frame transmitted by the AP may be set to beacon frame length * 2 + SIFS to ensure transmission of the beacon frame transmitted by the relay STA. As another example, the duration field may be set to beacon frame length + SIFS. A relay STA that receives a beacon frame set as above may transmit the beacon frame SIFS after receiving the beacon frame regardless of the value of the duration field.

[0163] - In some implementations, the duration field of the beacon frame is set to 0, in which case the relay STA may be configured to transmit and receive the beacon frame after SIFS after receiving the beacon frame.

[0164] A legacy STA that receives a beacon frame within a BSS determines the channel status during AIFS / DIFS for channel access, and a relay STA transmits a beacon frame after SIFS after receiving a beacon frame, thereby preventing channel interference by legacy STAs and ensuring beacon frame transmission.

[0165] - In some implementations, information about the period and / or timing for a beacon frame transmitted by a relay STA is transmitted through the beacon frame, and a relay STA that receives a beacon frame from an AP can transmit a beacon frame at a predetermined period and / or timing.

[0166] By indicating period and / or timing information for a beacon frame transmitted by a relay STA within a BSS through a beacon frame, other STAs within the BSS can prevent the relay STA from attempting channel access or transmission when transmitting the beacon frame, thereby ensuring transmission of the relay STA's beacon frame.

[0167] An STA (e.g., an end STA in FIG. 9) that receives a beacon frame configured as described above through a relay STA can obtain / identify whether an AP supports relay transmission and information about the relay STA. An STA that receives a beacon frame transmitted by a relay STA can transmit and receive management frames through the relay STA in order to associate with an AP through the identified relay STA. At this time, the management frames transmitted through the relay STA can be configured using the above-described methods to indicate that they are frames transmitted by the relay STA (i.e., relay transmission notification), and can be transmitted to an AP or a non-AP STA (or an end STA).

[0168] The association procedure performed by a non-AP STA (i.e., an STA located outside the BSS coverage) that receives a beacon frame from an AP through a relay is based on the relay, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0169] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a connection procedure performed by an STA located outside BSS coverage based on a relay according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0170] Referring to Fig. 12, in step S1201, an AP supporting relay transmission can transmit a beacon frame configured as described above within a BSS. A relay STA that receives a beacon frame from an AP receives the beacon frame and transmits a beacon frame configured as described above after SIFS. A non-AP STA (or an end STA) located outside the coverage / communication range that receives the beacon frame (i.e., F-beacon frame) transmitted by the relay STA can confirm the presence of the AP and / or information necessary for transmission and reception through the beacon frame.

[0171] In step S1203, a non-AP STA that has confirmed the presence of an AP through a beacon frame transmitted by a relay STA can perform a probing operation through the relay STA. For example, the non-AP STA can transmit a probe request frame to the relay STA. The relay STA can receive the probe request frame transmitted by the non-AP STA and forward the probe request frame to the AP after SIFS (i.e., transmit an F-probe request frame). The AP that has received the probe request frame (i.e., the F-probe request frame) by the relay STA can transmit a response frame (i.e., a probe response frame) thereto to the relay STA. The relay STA that has received the probe response frame can receive the probe response frame and forward the probe response frame to the non-AP STA after SIFS (i.e., transmit an F-probe response frame).

[0172] In some implementations, the probe operation via a relay STA, such as step S1203, may be performed on a per STA basis or may be omitted.

[0173] Frame exchange for authentication and / or association performed in advance for signal transmission and reception can be performed through a relay STA similar to the above probe operation.

[0174] For example, in step S1205, a non-AP STA transmits an authentication request frame to a relay STA, and the relay STA can forward the authentication request frame to the AP after SIFS when the authentication request frame is received (i.e., can transmit an F-authentication request frame to the AP). The AP transmits a response frame for the authentication request frame (i.e., an authentication response frame) to the relay STA, and the relay STA can forward the authentication response frame to the non-AP STA after SIFS when the authentication response frame is received (i.e., can transmit an F-authentication response frame to the non-AP STA).

[0175] For example, in step S1207, a non-AP STA transmits a connection request frame to a relay STA, and the relay STA can forward the connection request frame to the AP after SIFS when the connection request frame is received (i.e., can transmit an F-connection request frame to the AP). The AP transmits a response frame for the connection request frame (i.e., a connection response frame) to the relay STA, and the relay STA can forward the connection response frame to the non-AP STA after SIFS when the connection response frame is received (i.e., can transmit an F-connection response frame to the non-AP STA).

[0176] As described above, an AP and a non-AP STA that have completed management frame exchange through a relay STA can transmit and receive data and ACK (acknowledgement) information therefor through the relay STA using the same procedure as described above (i.e., relay-based transmission).

[0177] In Fig. 12, some steps and / or some frame exchanges may be omitted.

[0178] As illustrated in FIG. 12, when a relay STA forwards a frame (e.g., a beacon frame, a probe request / response frame, an authentication request / response frame, a connection request / response frame) received from an AP or STA, the frame may be expressed as an F-frame (e.g., an F-beacon frame, an F-probe request / response frame, an F-authentication request / response frame, an F-connection request / response frame). The F-frames may be configured as described above to indicate that they are frames transmitted by the relay STA (i.e., relay transmission notifications). For example, the F-frames may include a specific combination of the value of the To DS field and the value of the From DS field (e.g., a combination of the value 0 of the To DS field and the value 1 of the From DS field, or a combination of the value 1 of the To DS field and the value 1 of the From DS field), and / or a relay transmission notification including an address field set to the ID of the relay STA (e.g., AD 2).

[0179] For example, the relay STA information included in F-frames may include (more) at least one of the following IEs:

[0180] - Relay STA ID / Relay ID

[0181] - Relay configuration information (e.g. relay capability information, relay operation information)

[0182] - Relay window.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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 a relay STA in the present disclosure. The method includes: receiving a first beacon frame from an access point (AP); transmitting a second beacon frame, which includes at least a portion of information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification, to an end STA, the relay transmission notification indicating that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; relaying one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA based on transmitting the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification; and relaying, by the relay STA, data transmission between the AP and the end STA after the AP and the end STA are connected to each other.

[0185] 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 the AP in the present disclosure. The method includes: receiving a connection request frame of an end STA including a relay transmission notification from a relay STA (station), the relay transmission notification indicating that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; transmitting a connection response frame for the connection request frame of the end STA to the relay STA; receiving an ACK (acknowledgement) of the end STA for the connection response frame from the relay STA; and performing data transmission through the end STA and the relay STA after receiving the ACK.

[0186] 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.

[0187] 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 a relay 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 comprises: receiving a first beacon frame from an access point (AP); transmitting a second beacon frame including at least a portion of information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification to an end STA, the relay transmission notification indicating that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; relaying one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA based on transmitting the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification; And after the AP and the end STA are connected to each other, the relay STA includes a step of relaying data transmission between the AP and the end STA.

[0188] 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: receiving a connection request frame of an end STA including a relay transmission notification from a relay STA (station), the relay transmission notification indicating that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; transmitting a connection response frame for the connection request frame of the end STA to the relay STA; receiving an ACK (acknowledgement) of the end STA for the connection response frame from the relay STA; and performing data transmission through the end STA and the relay STA after receiving the ACK.

[0189] 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).

[0190] 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.

[0191] 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.

[0192] 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.

[0193] 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.

[0194] 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.

[0195] Machine learning can be classified into supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning depending on the learning method.

[0196] 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.

[0197] 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.

[0198] Additionally, the above-described technical features can be applied to wireless communication of robots.

[0199] 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.

[0200] 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.

[0201] Additionally, the above-described technical features can be applied to devices that support extended reality.

[0202] 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.

[0203] 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.

[0204] 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.

[0205] The present disclosure may have various advantageous effects.

[0206] For example, by defining frames and frame exchanges for relay transmission, an AP can perform reliable signal transmission and reception not only for STAs within the AP coverage boundary but also for STAs located within the coverage boundary and / or outside the boundary, and can expand throughput and / or AP communication range.

[0207] 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.

[0208] 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 step in which a relay STA (station) receives a first beacon frame from an AP (access point); A step in which the relay STA transmits a second beacon frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification to the end STA; The above relay transmission notification indicates that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; A step in which the relay STA relays one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA based on transmitting the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification; and A method comprising a step of the relay STA relaying data transmission between the AP and the end STA after the AP and the end STA are connected to each other.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the relay transmission notification includes a specific combination of a value of the To DS (distribution system) field and a value of the From DS field of the second beacon frame.

3. In claim 2, the specific combination includes a combination of a value 0 of the To DS field and a value 1 of the From DS field, or a combination of a value 1 of the To DS field and a value 1 of the From DS field.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the relay transmission notification includes an address field set as the ID of the relay STA in the second beacon frame.

5. In claim 1, the information included in the first beacon frame includes at least one of relay beacon period, relay capability information, or relay operation information. A method wherein the second beacon frame includes at least one of the relay beacon period, the relay capability information, or the relay operation information.

6. In claim 5, the relay beacon period indicates the period in which the second beacon frame is transmitted, A method in which the period in which the second beacon frame is transmitted is equal to or less than the period in which the first beacon frame is transmitted.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second beacon frame is transmitted after the first beacon frame is received and a short inter-frame space (SIFS).

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the value of the duration field of the first beacon frame is set to a value that is the length of the first beacon frame plus SIFS or a value that is the length of the first beacon frame plus SIFS.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the value of the period field of the first beacon frame is set to 0.

10. In claim 1, the first beacon frame includes information about at least one of a transmission period or transmission timing of the second beacon frame, A method in which the second beacon frame is transmitted based on at least one of the transmission period or the transmission timing.

11. In claim 1, the step of relaying one or more frames for connection between the AP and the terminal STA comprises: A step of receiving a first connection request frame from the above terminal STA; A step of transmitting a second connection request frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first connection request frame and a relay transmission notification to the AP; A step of receiving a first connection response frame from the AP; A step of transmitting a second connection response frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first connection response frame and a relay transmission notification to the terminal STA; and A method comprising the step of transmitting an ACK (acknowledgement) of the terminal STA for the second connection response frame to the AP.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the terminal STA does not belong to a BSS (basic service set) to which the AP and the relay STA belong.

13. In a relay STA (station) in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, Transmitter and receiver; memory; and At least one processor functionally coupled with the transceiver and the memory, The memory stores instructions for performing operations based on being executed by the at least one processor, the operations being: An action of receiving a first beacon frame from an AP (access point); An operation of transmitting a second beacon frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification to an end STA; The above relay transmission notification indicates that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; and An STA including an operation of relaying one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA based on transmitting the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification.

14. In a device configured to operate in a wireless local area network (LAN) system, at least one processor; and 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 being: An action of receiving a first beacon frame from an AP (access point); An operation of transmitting a second beacon frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification to an end STA; The above relay transmission notification indicates that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; and A device comprising an operation of relaying one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA based on transmitting the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium (CRM) storing program code that implements instructions that perform operations based on being executed by at least one processor, wherein the operations are: An action of receiving a first beacon frame from an AP (access point); An operation of transmitting a second beacon frame including at least a portion of the information included in the first beacon frame and a relay transmission notification to an end STA; The above relay transmission notification indicates that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; and A CRM comprising an operation of relaying one or more frames for association between the AP and the end STA based on transmitting the second beacon frame including the relay transmission notification.

16. A step in which an AP (access point) receives a connection request frame from an end STA (station) that includes a relay transmission notification from a relay STA (station). The above relay transmission notification indicates that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; A step in which the AP transmits a connection response frame to the connection request frame of the terminal STA to the relay STA; A step in which the AP receives an ACK (acknowledgement) of the end STA for the connection response frame from the relay STA; and A method comprising a step of the AP performing data transmission through the terminal STA and the relay STA after receiving the ACK.

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 memory stores instructions for performing operations based on being executed by the at least one processor, the operations being: An action of receiving a connection request frame from an end STA containing a relay transmission notification from a relay STA (station). The above relay transmission notification indicates that a frame including the relay transmission notification is transmitted by the relay STA; An action of transmitting a connection response frame to a connection request frame of the above terminal STA to the relay STA; An operation of receiving an ACK (acknowledgement) of the terminal STA for the connection response frame from the relay STA; and An AP including an operation of performing data transmission through the terminal STA and the relay STA after receiving the above ACK.

18. In claim 17, the relay transmission notification is an AP including a specific combination of a value of a To DS (distribution system) field and a value of a From DS field of the connection request frame.

19. In claim 18, the specific combination is an AP including a combination of a value 0 of the To DS field and a value 1 of the From DS field, or a combination of a value 1 of the To DS field and a value 1 of the From DS field.

20. In claim 18, the relay transmission notification is an AP including an address field set as the ID of the relay STA in the second beacon frame.

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