Communication device, communication method, and program

Abstract

A communication device for performing communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, characterized by comprising a construction means for constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS), and a means for transmitting a radio frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein, when the radio frame is transmitted to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a value different from a BSS color value in the first BSS and from a BSS color value in a second BSS constructed by the second other communication device is set in a BSS color field of the radio frame.

Description

Communication device, communication method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control technique for a wireless LAN.

[0002] In recent years, with the increase in the amount of data being communicated, the development of communication technologies such as wireless local area networks (LANs) has been progressing. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard series is known as a major communication standard for wireless LANs. The IEEE 802.11 standard series includes standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be (Patent Document 1).

[0003] For example, the IEEE 802.11be standard considers multi-link communication, in which one access point (AP) establishes multiple links with one station (STA) via multiple different frequency channels and communicates in parallel. The two or more links may be selected from the same frequency band (2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 4.9 and 5 GHz, or 6 GHz), or may be selected from different frequency bands. APs and STAs that support multi-link are called AP MLDs (multi-link devices) and STA MLDs.

[0004] Furthermore, in the IEEE802.11bn standard, which is the successor to the IEEE802.11be standard, a method for improving usability using multi-AP communication is being considered.

[0005] For example, there is distributed MIMO technology based on a technology called MIMO (multi-user multi-output), which uses multiple transmitting and receiving antennas at the same time and on the same channel. In distributed MIMO, in an environment where multiple APs and multiple STAs exist, groups are formed between the APs to share information about the communication status and the status of each AP, and data is sent to the STAs in parallel from the multiple APs at the same time. By multiple APs performing joint transmission, the number of spatial streams can be increased compared to the case of a single AP, and improved throughput is expected.

[0006] Another example is a technology called cooperative beamforming. When an AP transmits data to a STA in a BSS (Basic Service Set), it uses an antenna pattern that provides high antenna gain in the direction of the STA to which the data is to be transmitted and low antenna gain in the direction of STAs in the BSS of other APs. By setting antenna patterns, adjusting transmission power, and scheduling between multiple APs based on environmental information such as the location of the STAs, interference between BSSs can be reduced.

[0007] Another example is a technology in which a plurality of APs transmit data to a STA at different timings using time division, thereby improving the reception quality at the STA by taking advantage of the effects of time diversity and space diversity.

[0008] This type of communication technology in which multiple APs form a group and operate cooperatively is called Multi-AP communication, and the APs are classified into a single Coordinator AP that manages all the APs, and Coordinated APs that operate under the management of the Coordinator AP.

[0009] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-50133

[0010] IEEE 802.11ax and later standards stipulate the use of information called a BSS color to identify a BSS. An AP sets the BSS color value of the BSS it forms in the BSS color field of the PHY preamble of a wireless frame and transmits the frame. An STA sets the BSS color value of the AP to which it is connected in the BSS color field of the PHY preamble of the wireless frame and transmits the frame. When an STA receives a wireless frame whose BSS color field has the same value as the BSS color value of the AP to which it is connected, it treats the wireless frame as an intra-BSS frame and processes it; otherwise, it discards the wireless frame. On the other hand, IEEE 802.11bn does not clearly state how the BSS color of a wireless frame should be set when using multi-AP communication as described above.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for appropriately executing settings for multiple access points to cooperate with each other and transmit wireless frames to a terminal.

[0012] A communication device according to one aspect of the present invention communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard and has a construction means for constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS) and a means for transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, and is characterized in that when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS constructed by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately perform settings for a plurality of access points to transmit wireless frames to a terminal in cooperation with each other.

[0014] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration in the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a communication device in the present invention. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a communication device in the present invention. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing by a communication device in the present invention. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless frame structure. 6 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing by communication devices 102 to 104 in the present invention. 7 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing by communication devices 105 to 107 in the present invention. 8 is a flowchart showing a second example of processing by communication devices 102 to 104 in the present invention. 9 is a flowchart showing a second example of processing by communication devices 105 to 107 in the present invention.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0016] (Network Configuration) Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication network according to this embodiment. This wireless communication network includes access points (communication device 102, communication device 103, communication device 104, hereinafter AP102, AP103, AP104) and terminals (communication device 105, communication device 106, communication device 107, hereinafter STA105, STA106, STA107). Hereinafter, when a specific device is not being referred to, the access point may be referred to as an "AP" and the station may be referred to as an "STA" without a reference number.

[0017] Each of the APs 102 to 104 and the STAs 105 to 107 is configured to be able to communicate wireless frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11bn standard, which is the successor to the IEEE 802.11be standard and targets a maximum transmission speed of 46.08 Gbps, and which targets a maximum transmission speed of 90 Gbps to 100 Gbps or more. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0018] The IEEE 802.11bn standard lists its main features as support for highly reliable communication, low latency communication, and multi-AP communication. Based on the above, in this embodiment, the IEEE 802.11bn standard, which targets a maximum transmission speed of 90 Gbps to 100 Gbps or more, is also referred to as the IEEE 802.11UHR (Ultra High Reliability) or UHR standard. Furthermore, wireless frames communicated under this successor standard are also referred to as UHR PPDUs. PPDU stands for PLCP Protocol Data Unit, and PLCP stands for Physical Layer Convergence Protocol.

[0019] It should be noted that the names IEEE 802.11UHR and UHR standards are provided for convenience in consideration of the goals to be achieved by the successor standards and the key features of the standards, and may be called different names once the standards are fully formulated. However, it should be noted that this specification and the appended claims are essentially applicable to all successor standards to the 802.11be standard that can support the function of multiple APs cooperating to perform data communication with STAs.

[0020] Each communication device can communicate using frequencies in the 2.4 Hz band, 3.6 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 6 GHz band, and the 45 GHz band and 60 GHz band known as millimeter waves. The frequency bands used by each communication device are not limited to these, and different frequency bands, such as the Sub1 GHz band, may be used. Furthermore, the APs 102-104 and the STAs 105-107 can communicate using bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 540 MHz, 640 MHz, 1080 MHz, and 2160 MHz. The bandwidths used by each communication device are not limited to these, and different bandwidths, such as 240 MHz and 4 MHz, may be used.

[0021] The APs 102-104 and the STAs 105-107 perform OFDMA communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, thereby realizing multi-user (MU, Multi-User) communication, which multiplexes signals from multiple users. OFDMA stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. In OFDMA communication, portions of the divided frequency band (RU, Resource Unit) are assigned to each STA so that they do not overlap, and the carrier waves of each STA are orthogonal. Therefore, the AP can communicate with multiple STAs in parallel within a specified bandwidth.

[0022] Although each communication device is described as being compatible with the IEEE 802.11bn standard, it may also be compatible with legacy standards that predate the IEEE 802.11bn standard. Specifically, each communication device may be compatible with at least one of the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be standards. Furthermore, in addition to the IEEE 802.11 series standards, it may also be compatible with other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, ZigBee, and MBOA. Note that UWB stands for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA stands for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Furthermore, NFC stands for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WiNET, etc. It may also be compatible with wired communication standards such as wired LAN. Specific examples of the APs 102-104 include, but are not limited to, wireless LAN routers and personal computers (PCs). The APs 102-104 may also be information processing devices such as wireless chips capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11bn standard. Specific examples of the STAs 105-107 include, but are not limited to, cameras, tablets, smartphones, PCs, mobile phones, video cameras, and headsets. The STAs 105-107 may also be information processing devices such as wireless chips capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11bn standard.

[0023] 1 shows a wireless communication network including three APs and three STAs as an example, but the number of these communication devices may be two or less, or may be four or more. In FIG. 1, the communication range of the network formed by APs 102 to 104 is indicated by circle 101. This communication range may cover a wider range or may cover only a narrower range.

[0024] In this embodiment, each of the APs 102 to 104 establishes a BSS, and the BSS color value of each BSS is different. BSS color is an abbreviation for Basic Service Set color, and is an ID for identifying the BSS. Note that the BSS color value for multi-AP communication may be determined in advance, and each AP may avoid using the BSS color value for multi-AP communication. Also, it is assumed that the SSIDs indicated by the APs 102 to 104 in each BSS are all the same. Note that SSID is an abbreviation for Service Set Identifier, and is an identifier for identifying an access point.

[0025] In this example, it is assumed that AP 103 and AP 104 can receive signals transmitted by AP 102, and that AP 102 can receive signals transmitted by AP 103 and AP 104. However, the connection topology is not particularly limited, and AP 102 may be connected to AP 103 and AP 104 via wired or wireless connections. AP 103 and AP 104 may or may not be able to transmit and receive signals to and from each other. APs 102 to 104 are capable of IEEE 802.11bn multi-AP communication. In other words, it is assumed that APs 102 to 104 support a configuration in which multiple APs cooperate to communicate with a single common STA, as defined by IEEE 802.11bn. For example, STA 105 can transmit and receive wireless frames in parallel with AP 103 and AP 104, which operate in cooperation with each other. The STA 105 may have, for example, multiple wireless LAN control units and may be configured to transmit and receive wireless frames to and from multiple APs using separate wireless channels. The STA 105 may also have a single physical control unit capable of processing multiple frames received in parallel via multiple wireless channels. That is, the STA 105 has a configuration that allows it to logically process multiple wireless communications in parallel using one or more physical control units.

[0026] Here, APs such as AP 103 and AP 104 that are controlled by a Coordinator AP and directly transmit and receive signals with each STA are referred to as Coordinated APs. Furthermore, APs such as AP 102 that can at least indirectly transmit and receive wireless frames with each STA by issuing instructions to AP 103 and AP 104 are referred to as Coordinator APs. Because the Coordinator AP shares wireless medium resources with other APs and performs cooperative operations, it is sometimes referred to as a Sharing AP or Master AP. Similarly, the Coordinator AP is sometimes referred to as a Shared AP or Slave AP. Note that the Coordinator AP may directly transmit and receive signals with the STA 105. For example, AP 102 can operate as both a Coordinator AP and a Coordinated AP. In this case, for example, while transmitting and receiving wireless frames between itself and STA 105, AP 102 may issue an instruction to AP 103 or AP 104 to transmit and receive wireless frames with the STA. When the CoordinatorAP causes the CoordinatorAP to transmit wireless frames, it may transmit data to be transmitted to the CoordinatorAP. However, this is not limited thereto, and the CoordinatorAP may obtain the data to be transmitted directly from, for example, the Internet. Furthermore, the CoordinatorAP may receive data received by the CoordinatorAP from the STA, but the CoordinatorAP may forward the data received from the STA to the STA's partner device without forwarding it to the CoordinatorAP.

[0027] Any AP within the same network can operate as a Coordinator AP, and it may be determined based on some criteria which AP will operate as the Coordinator AP. The Coordinator AP may not operate as an AP that transmits Beacon frames, but may only perform the role of a Coordinator AP, such as sending instructions to each AP. Each AP may have multiple wireless LAN control units and thus operate as multiple Coordinator APs. The Coordinator AP may be realized as a logical function, and one physical AP may operate as one or more Coordinator APs while also operating as a Coordinator AP.

[0028] 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device (APs 102-104 and STAs 105-107) in this embodiment. The communication device has a storage unit 201, a control unit 202, a function unit 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 205, a communication unit 206, and an antenna 207. Note that there may be multiple antennas.

[0029] The storage unit 201 is composed of one or more memories such as ROM and RAM, and stores various information such as computer programs for performing various operations described below and communication parameters for wireless communication. ROM stands for Read Only Memory, and RAM stands for Random Access Memory. In addition to memories such as ROM and RAM, storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and DVDs may also be used as the storage unit 201. Furthermore, the storage unit 201 may include multiple memories.

[0030] The control unit 202 is configured with one or more processors, such as a CPU or an MPU, and controls the entire communication device by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 201. The control unit 202 may control the entire communication device in cooperation with the computer program stored in the storage unit 201 and an OS (Operating System). The control unit 202 also generates data and signals (radio frames) to be transmitted in communication with other communication devices. The CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, and the MPU stands for Micro Processing Unit. The control unit 202 may also include multiple processors, such as a multi-core processor, and the entire communication device may be controlled by the multiple processors.

[0031] The control unit 202 also controls the functional unit 203 to execute predetermined processes such as wireless communication, image capture, printing, and projection. The functional unit 203 is hardware that enables the communication device to execute predetermined processes. If the functional unit is a printer, it prints image data acquired via the communication unit 206. If the functional unit is a scanner, it transmits image data generated by scanning with the scanner to an external device via the communication unit 206. If the functional unit is a camera, it transmits image data captured by the camera to an external device via the communication unit 206.

[0032] The input unit 204 receives various operations from the user and is configured with, for example, a touch panel, hard keys, buttons, etc.

[0033] The output unit 205 performs various outputs to the user via a monitor screen or a speaker. Here, the output by the output unit 205 may be a display on the monitor screen, an audio output by a speaker, a vibration output, or the like. Note that both the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 may be realized by a single module, such as a touch panel. Furthermore, the input unit 204 and the output unit 205 may be integrated with the communication device or may be separate units.

[0034] The communication unit 206 controls wireless communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11bn standard. The communication unit 206 may also control wireless communication conforming to other IEEE 802.11 series standards in addition to the IEEE 802.11bn standard, and may also control wired communication such as a wired LAN. The communication unit 206 controls the antenna 207 to transmit and receive signals for wireless communication generated by the control unit 202.

[0035] If the communication device supports the NFC standard, Bluetooth standard, or the like in addition to the IEEE 802.11bn standard, it may control wireless communication in accordance with these communication standards. Furthermore, if the communication device is capable of wireless communication in accordance with multiple communication standards, it may be configured with separate communication units and antennas compatible with each communication standard. The communication device communicates data such as image data, document data, and video data with a peer communication device via the communication unit 206. The antenna 207 may be configured separately from the communication unit 206, or may be configured together with the communication unit 206 as a single module.

[0036] The antenna 207 is an antenna capable of communication in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 6 GHz band, 45 GHz band, and 60 GHz band. In this embodiment, the communication device has two antennas, but it may have three antennas. Alternatively, it may have a different antenna for each frequency band. Furthermore, if the communication device has multiple antennas, it may have a communication unit 206 corresponding to each antenna.

[0037] 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of APs 102 to 104 and STAs 105 to 107 in this embodiment, which is realized by, for example, one or more processors executing programs stored in one or more memories.

[0038] The APs 102 to 104 and the STAs 105 to 107 are each made up of a multi-AP communication control unit 301 , a BSS color processing unit 302 , a wireless frame generation unit 303 , and a wireless frame processing unit 304 .

[0039] The multi-AP communication control unit 301 is a functional unit that performs group formation processing for multi-AP communication among the APs 102 to 104, addition and deletion processing of participating APs, sharing processing of network information including the value of the BSS color for multi-AP communication, and controlling communication between APs. The multi-AP communication control unit 301 also performs control for the STAs 105 to 107 to establish connections for multi-AP communication.

[0040] The BSS Color processing unit 302 is a functional unit that sets a BSS Color associated with the BSS established by each of the APs 102 to 104, and sets the value of the BSS Color of the wireless frame depending on whether the wireless frame to be transmitted to the STA supports multi-AP communication. The BSS Color processing unit 302 also acquires the value of the BSS Color included in the wireless frame received by the STAs 105 to 107, determines whether the BSS Color value is for multi-AP communication, and determines whether the wireless frame should be processed or discarded based on the BSS Color value.

[0041] The wireless frame generation unit 303 is a functional unit that generates wireless frames for wireless frame exchange when communicating with a connected STA or AP. When performing multi-AP communication, the APs 102 to 104 set the value of the BSS color for multi-AP communication in the BSS Color field of the wireless frame that they generate.

[0042] The wireless frame processing unit 304 transmits wireless frames including management frames, data frames, and control frames generated by the wireless frame generating unit 303, and receives wireless frames from the other device.

[0043] (Processing Flow) Next, several embodiments of the processing flow executed by the AP and STA as described above, sequences in a wireless communication system, etc. will be described.

[0044] First Embodiment FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in which AP 102 operates as a Coordinator AP, and APs 103 and 104, which are Coordinated APs, cooperate to transmit data to STA 105 in parallel.

[0045] In this process, first, a multi-AP setup process is performed between APs 102 and 104 (S401). In the multi-AP setup process, capability information and parameters are exchanged between APs, and a group is formed for multi-AP communication. Next, a multi-AP coordination process is performed between APs 102 and 104 (S402). In the multi-AP coordination process, the method of multi-AP communication, such as distributed MIMO or cooperative beamforming, is determined, which AP will act as the Coordinator AP (and which AP will act as the Coordinated AP), the communication quality between each AP and the STA is measured, and parameters and network information are exchanged between APs. For example, AP parameters are exchanged between AP 102, AP 103, and AP 104, and the parameters are compared to determine the AP that will operate as the Coordinator AP. In this processing example, it is assumed that AP 102 is determined to operate as the Coordinator AP, and AP 103 and AP 104 are determined to operate as Coordinated APs. Thereafter, AP 102, operating as the Coordinator AP, notifies AP 103 and AP 104, operating as the Coordinated APs, of network information such as the BSS color value, SSID, and BSSID for multi-AP communication. AP 103 and AP 104 then receive the notified network information. The BSS color value for multi-AP communication selected here is set to a value different from the BSS color value set for each AP performing multi-AP communication as its own network. It is also possible to check the BSS color values ​​used by surrounding APs from wireless frames such as Beacon frames and Probe Response frames received from surrounding APs, and select a value that is not used by surrounding APs as the BSS color value for multi-AP communication.Furthermore, by regarding the CoordinatorAP and the CoordinatedAP as APs associated with the same AP MLD, the BSS color value for multi-AP communication may be determined based on the MLD MAC address. The CoordinatorAP may also be able to respond by accepting or rejecting the use of the BSS color value for multi-AP communication notified by the CoordinatorAP. For example, if the BSS color value for multi-AP communication notified by the CoordinatorAP is already in use by an AP surrounding the CoordinatedAP, the CoordinatorAP may reject the request. If the CoordinatorAP rejects the request, the CoordinatorAP may notify the CoordinatorAP of the desired BSS color value for multi-AP communication. In this way, the value agreed upon through negotiation between multiple APs may be used as the BSS color for multi-AP communication, or the value determined and notified by the Coordinator AP may be used. Note that if the roles of the Coordinator AP and the Coordinated AP are determined in advance, some of the processes in S401 and S402 may be omitted. Note that the value of the BSS color for multi-AP communication may be shared during the multi-AP setup process (S401), or may be shared in a multi-AP trigger frame, which will be described later.

[0046] The AP 103 transmits a Beacon frame in accordance with the notified network information (S403). This Beacon frame includes information indicating to the connected STA that multi-AP communication is possible. The AP here includes a logical AP, and a single AP may include two logical APs, for example, an AP operating in the 2.4 GHz band and an AP operating in the 5 GHz band. In other words, data transmission and reception by multiple APs may include data transmission and reception by a single physical AP capable of operating as multiple logical APs. For example, the AP 103 adds a Multi-AP Information Element to the Beacon frame and transmits the frame including information such as the SSID, BSSID, BSS color value for multi-AP communication, and operating wireless channel used by multiple Coordinated APs capable of cooperative operation. The storage method and configuration of this information are not limited to those described above, and the AP 103 may store and transmit similar information in a similar format. The Multi-AP Information Element may be called a Multi-AP Element, a MAP Information Element, a MAP Element, or another name. The Multi-AP Information Element may be included in a wireless frame such as a Probe Response frame or another Action frame. Upon receiving the Beacon frame, the STA 105 performs a connection process with at least one of the multiple Coordinated APs based on the information included in the Beacon frame (S404). This connection process includes processes such as Authentication and Association defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard series. For example, the STA 105 adds a Multi-AP Information Element to an Association Request frame to be transmitted, indicating a request for multi-AP communication. The AP 103 receives the Association Request frame and transmits an Association Response frame in response.The Association Response frame may include a BSS color value for multi-AP communication for the connecting STA. When a connection is established between AP 103 and STA 105, AP 103 notifies the Coordinator AP that it has become connected to the STA, along with the connection parameters (S405). At this time, if one physical AP becomes connected to two logical APs, each connected to a STA, it may notify the Coordinator AP of this. Note that in FIG. 4, only AP 103 is connected to STA 105, but AP 104 may also transmit a Beacon frame to connect to STA 105 and notify the Coordinator AP (AP 102) that it has become connected. However, this is not limiting; for example, a STA may become connected to only one of multiple Coordinated APs. In this case, for example, a wireless frame transmitted from another Coordinated AP that is not in a connected state may be treated by the STA as a wireless frame from a Coordinated AP that is in a connected state. Note that in this embodiment, by decoding the PHY preamble of the wireless frame, it is possible to recognize from the value of BSS color that signals are being transmitted from multiple Coordinated APs (that a Multi-AP Coordination system is configured).

[0047] The CoordinatorAP manages the connection parameters of the CoordinatedAP that has established a connection state with the STA, determines transmission parameters based on that information, and allocates subsequent transmission data. The transmission parameter information determined by the CoordinatorAP is notified to the CoordinatedAP via a Multi-AP Trigger frame, and AP103 and AP104 set their own transmission parameters based on the notified information (S406). For convenience, the Multi-AP Trigger frame is the name given to a frame that triggers transmission to each AP when performing Multi-AP communication, and may be named differently. The Multi-AP Trigger frame may also be an extension of the Trigger frame of the IEEE 802.11ax standard or the IEEE 802.11be standard. The transmission parameters may include the value of the BSS color for multi-AP communication and information on the transmission timing of the data to be transmitted in S407, and may be notified to the AP or STA. When the transmission parameters of the multi-AP trigger frame include the value of the BSS color for multi-AP communication, a padding field may be provided in the multi-AP trigger frame to provide AP 103 and AP 104 with processing time until they are able to transmit the multi-AP communication data frame (S408). A Multi-AP Trigger frame may also be transmitted to STA 105, and a padding field may be provided in the Multi-AP Trigger frame to provide the STA with processing time until it can receive the Multi-AP communication data frame (S408), including the BSS color value for Multi-AP communication. This padding field includes a bit string for padding a predetermined time, such as 8 microseconds or 16 microseconds. This makes it possible to secure the processing time required to switch from the previously used BSS color value to the BSS color value for Multi-AP communication. The connection parameters may also include information on the transmission rate and error rate of each connection.For example, the CoordinatorAP may allocate more transmission data to a CoordinatedAP having a connection with a high transmission rate and less transmission data to a CoordinatorAP having a connection with a low transmission rate. This allows data transmission from each CoordinatorAP to the STA to be performed efficiently. The connection parameters may be periodically updated by each CoordinatorAP to reflect the current connection status and notified to the CoordinatorAP. After that, when the CoordinatorAP receives data to be transmitted to the STA from the CoordinatorAP (S407), it transmits the data to the STA (S408). At this time, the PHY preambles of the wireless frames of the data transmitted by each of AP103 and AP104 contain the same BSS color value for multi-AP communication. The STA 105 compares the value of the BSS color for the Multi-AP communication for the STA 105 acquired from the AP 103 with which the connection was established with the value of the BSS color included in the PHY preamble of the wireless frame received in S408, and processes the received wireless frame if they match, and discards the received wireless frame if they do not match. Note that in this example, after transmitting the Multi-AP Trigger frame, the data to be transmitted is transferred from the AP 102 to the AP 103 and AP 104, but the data to be transmitted may also be transferred in advance at the Multi-AP coordination processing stage in S402. In that case, the information on the transmission timing of the data to be transmitted transferred in S407 is not required in the transmission parameter information of the Multi-AP Trigger frame.

[0048] On the other hand, when the Coordinated AP receives data from the STA, it transmits the received data to the Coordinator AP. Note that the order of data transmission and reception is merely an example, and data may be transmitted and received in a manner other than that shown in the figure, such as receiving data from the STA before transmitting data to the STA.

[0049] (Wireless Frame Structure) FIG. 5 shows an example of a PPDU (Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit) defined in the IEEE 802.11bn standard that is transmitted in the present invention.

[0050] The UHR PPDU includes the following fields: STF (Short Training Field), LTF (Long Training Field), and SIG (Signal Field). As shown in FIG. 5, the beginning of the PPDU includes L (Legacy)-STF 501, L-LTF 502, and L-SIG 503 to ensure backward compatibility with the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ax standards. The L-LTF is placed immediately after the L-STF, and the LSIG is placed immediately after the L-LTF. The configuration of FIG. 5 also includes RL-SIG (Repeated L-SIG, RL-SIG 504) placed immediately after the L-SIG. The RL-SIG repeatedly transmits the contents of the L-SIG. The RL-SIG allows a receiver to recognize that the PPDU is compliant with the IEEE 802.11ax standard or later, and may be omitted in IEEE 802.11bn in some cases. Alternatively, a field may be provided in place of the RL-SIG to allow a receiver to recognize that the PPDU is an IEEE 802.11bn PPDU. The fields in the PPDU do not necessarily have to be arranged in the order shown in FIG. 5, and may include new fields not shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] L-STF 501 is used for detecting PHY frame signals, automatic gain control (AGC), timing detection, etc. L-LTF 502 is used for highly accurate frequency and time synchronization, acquisition of propagation channel information (CSI), etc. L-SIG 503 is used to transmit control information including information on data transmission rate and PHY frame length.

[0052] Legacy devices that comply with the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ax / be standards can decode the various legacy fields described above.

[0053] The UHR PPDU further includes a U-SIG (Universal SIG, U-SIG505) field that is located immediately after the RL-SIG and contains information common to IEEE 802.11be and later standards.

[0054] The UHR PPDU further includes a UHR-SIG (UHR-SIG 506) for transmitting control information for UHR. Each PPDU also includes a UHR STF (UHR-STF 507) and a UHR LTF (UHR-LTF 508). Following these control fields, each PPDU includes a data field 509 and a packet extension field 510. The fields from the L-STF to the UHR-LTF of the UHR PPDU are called the PHY preamble.

[0055] Note that, while FIG. 5 shows a PPDU that can ensure backward compatibility as an example, if it is not necessary to ensure backward compatibility, for example, the legacy field may be omitted.

[0056] In this case, for example, UHR-STF and UHR-LTF are used instead of L-STF and L-LTF to establish synchronization, and in this case, UHR-STF or one of multiple UHR-LTFs following UHR-SIG can be omitted.

[0057] The U-SIG 506 included in the UHR PPDU includes U-SIG1 and U-SIG2 required for receiving the PPDU, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0058]

[0059] Table 1 shows U-SIG1 and U-SIG2 used in the IEEE 802.11be standard. A BSS identifier can be stored in the BSS color field of B7-B12, but an AP performing multi-AP communication sets a value in the BSS color field that is different from the BSS color value of its own BSS and the BSS color value of the BSS of another AP that operates in cooperation with it. When multi-AP communication is not performed, the AP sets the BSS color value of its own BSS in the BSS color field.

[0060] U-SIG 506 may also include U-SIG1 and U-SIG2 as shown in Table 2 below.

[0061]

[0062] In this example, the Non Multi-AP field of B20 indicates whether multi-AP communication is being performed. If the value of the Non Multi-AP field is 0, it indicates that multi-AP cooperative communication is being performed, and if the value is 1, it indicates that multi-AP cooperative communication is not being performed.

[0063] Next, the flow of the processing executed by the AP and the STA as described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by an AP. This processing is executed when the AP transmits a wireless frame. In S601, the AP determines whether the wireless frame it is about to transmit is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication. If it is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication, in S602, it sets the BSS color value for multi-AP communication in the BSS color field of the PHY preamble of the wireless frame, and transmits the wireless frame in S604. The BSS color value for multi-AP communication is determined, for example, when performing multi-AP coordination processing in S402 of FIG. 4, and is shared in advance among multiple APs. If the wireless frame the AP is about to transmit is not a wireless frame for multi-AP communication, it sets the BSS color value of its own BSS in the BSS color field of the PHY preamble of the wireless frame, and transmits the wireless frame in S604.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a STA. This processing is executed when the STA receives a wireless frame. The STA acquires the value of the BSS color field of the PHY preamble of the received wireless frame in S701. Next, the STA determines in S702 whether the received wireless frame is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication. For example, when using the PPDU format of Table 1, the STA can determine whether the received wireless frame is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication by referencing the value of the BSS color field and determining whether the value of the BSS color for multi-AP communication is set. The value of the BSS color for multi-AP communication may be acquired from the AP using the beacon frame of FIG. 4, for example, or from a probe response frame or association response frame transmitted from the AP when the STA connects to the AP, or from a multi-AP trigger frame. Furthermore, when using the PPDU format of Table 2, it is possible to determine whether the wireless frame is for multi-AP communication by referencing the value of the Non-Multi-AP field. If the result of the determination is that the wireless frame is not for multi-AP communication, the process proceeds to S703. In S703, the STA checks whether the value of the BSS color field acquired in S701 matches the value of the BSS color of the BSS to which the STA belongs. If they match, the process proceeds to S704, where the data field of the wireless frame is decoded and processing is performed according to the contents of the data field. On the other hand, if they do not match, the process proceeds to S705, where the received wireless frame is discarded. Furthermore, if the STA determines in S702 that the wireless frame received is for multi-AP communication, the process proceeds to S706. In S706, the STA checks whether the value of the BSS color field acquired in S701 matches the value of the BSS color for Multi-AP communication, and if they match, proceeds to S707, where the STA decodes the data field of the wireless frame and performs processing according to the contents of the data field.On the other hand, if they do not match, proceeds to S705, where the STA discards the received wireless frame.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, when multi-AP communication is performed, the Coordinator AP and Coordinated AP transmit a PPDU with the same BSS color set in the PHY preamble. At that time, the BSS color value for multi-AP communication is used. The APs share the BSS color value for multi-AP communication during the multi-AP setup or multi-AP coordination process, or by using a multi-AP trigger frame, etc. The BSS color value for multi-AP communication is notified to the STA by a management frame such as a beacon frame, association response frame, or probe response frame, or a multi-AP trigger frame, etc.

[0067] A STA performing multi-AP communication can determine that a wireless frame is for multi-AP communication by checking the value of the BSS color, and can appropriately process wireless frames received from multiple APs. Furthermore, there is a problem of PHY preamble collisions when the PHY preambles of the wireless frames transmitted by the Coordinator AP and the Coordinated AP are different. However, in this embodiment, the contents of the PHY preambles of wireless frames can be made consistent between multiple APs, thereby avoiding PHY preamble collisions. Furthermore, when a legacy STA that complies with standards prior to the IEEE 802.11be standard or a STA that does not perform multi-AP communication receives a wireless frame for multi-AP communication, it can discard the wireless frame without processing it by checking the value of the BSS color. This allows the STA to perform power-saving operations.

[0068] In addition to the APs 102 to 104 and STAs 105 to 107, which are communication devices, the present invention can also be implemented by an information processing device (for example, a wireless chip) that generates the PHY preamble.

[0069] (Embodiment 2) In embodiment 2, an example is shown in which a wireless frame for multi-AP communication is appropriately processed by providing two BSS color fields in the UHR PPDU, rather than setting a BSS color value for multi-AP communication in the UHR PPDU.

[0070] The U-SIG field included in the UHR PPDU of this embodiment uses the format shown in Table 3 below.

[0071]

[0072] In Table 3, in addition to the BSS color1 field (B7-B12) indicating the identifier of the first BSS, a BSS color2 field (B20-B25) indicating the identifier of the second BSS is provided. This allows an AP to store both its own BSS color value and the BSS color value of another AP with which it cooperates in U-SIG1. A STA receiving such a UHR PPDU can recognize that it is a PPDU for multi-AP communication by confirming that the BSS color1 and BSS color2 values ​​are set. Furthermore, by APs engaging in multi-AP communication sharing in advance the order of the AP's BSS color values ​​stored in the BSS color1 and BSS color2 fields, each AP can use a PHY preamble with the same content, thereby avoiding collisions between the PHY preambles of UHR PPDUs transmitted from two APs. For example, among APs performing multi-AP communication, the value of the BSS color with the smallest number may be set in the BSS color1 field, or the value of the BSS color with the largest number may be set in the BSS color1 field. Also, for example, the BSS color values ​​to be set in the BSS color1 field and the BSS color2 field may be shared between APs in the multi-AP setup process (S401), multi-AP coordination process (S402), beacon frame (S403), connection information (S405), and multi-AP trigger frame shown in FIG.

[0073] As another example, the U-SIG field may include U-SIG1 and U-SIG2 as shown in Table 4 below.

[0074]

[0075] In Table 4, unlike Table 3, a Non-Multi-AP field is provided in U-SIG1 and a BSS color2 field is provided in U-SIG2. The contents of the Non-Multi-AP field are the same as the contents of the Non-Multi-AP field in Table 2. By providing the Non-Multi-AP field, the contents of the BSS color2 field may be checked and processed only when the Non-Multi-AP field of the received PPDU is 0.

[0076] In the examples of Tables 3 and 4, BSS color 2 is stored in the U-SIG field, but it may be stored in a SIG field other than the U-SIG field, such as the UHR-SIG field. Also, in the examples of Tables 3 and 4, fields for storing two BSS colors are provided, but fields for storing three or more BSS colors may be provided.

[0077] Next, the flow of the processing executed by the AP and the STA as described above will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG.

[0078] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by an AP. This processing is executed when an AP transmits a wireless frame. In S801, the AP determines whether the wireless frame it is about to transmit is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication. If it is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication, in S802, it sets its own BSS color value in the BSS color1 field of the PHY preamble of the wireless frame, and sets the BSS color value of the other AP that will perform coordinated transmission in the BSS color2 field. APs share their BSS color values ​​for multi-AP communication using Multi-AP setup, Multi-AP coordination, Beacon frames, connection information, Multi-AP Trigger frames, etc. Then, in S804, it transmits the wireless frame. Note that if the PHY preambles of the wireless frames transmitted by the Coordinator AP and the Coordinated AP are different, there is a problem of PHY preamble collision. Therefore, other APs performing coordinated transmission set their own BSS color value in the BSS color2 field, and set the BSS color value of the AP performing coordinated transmission different from themselves in the BSS color1 field. This allows the contents of the PHY preambles of wireless frames to match between multiple APs, thereby avoiding PHY preamble collisions. If the wireless frame an AP is attempting to transmit is not a wireless frame for multi-AP communication, it sets the BSS color value of its own BSS in the BSS color1 field of the PHY preamble of the wireless frame, sets all values ​​in the BSS color2 field to 1, and transmits the wireless frame in S803.

[0079] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a STA. This processing is executed when the STA receives a wireless frame. In S901, the STA acquires the values ​​of the BSS color1 field and the BSS color2 field of the PHY preamble of the received wireless frame. Next, in S902, the STA determines whether the received wireless frame is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication. For example, when using the PPDU format of Table 3, the STA references the value of the BSS color2 field. If all bits are set to 1, the STA determines that the wireless frame is not a wireless frame for multi-AP communication, and proceeds to S903. When using the PPDU format of Table 4, this determination can be made by referencing the value of the Non Multi-AP field. In S903, the STA checks whether the value of the BSS color1 field acquired in S901 matches the BSS color value of the BSS to which the STA belongs, and if they match, proceeds to S904. In S904, the data field of the wireless frame is decoded and processing is performed according to the contents of the data field. On the other hand, if there is no match, the process proceeds to S905 and the received wireless frame is discarded. If the STA determines in S902 that the wireless frame received is a wireless frame for multi-AP communication, the process proceeds to S906. In S906, the STA checks whether the values ​​of the BSS color1 field and BSS color2 field acquired in S901 match the BSS color value of the BSS to which the STA belongs and the BSS color value of the BSS of the other AP performing cooperative transmission, and if they match, the process proceeds to S907. Note that the order of the BSS color values ​​stored in the BSS color1 field and BSS color2 field is predetermined between the APs performing multi-AP communication. The value of the BSS color used for multi-AP communication is notified to the STA by a management frame such as a beacon frame, association response frame, or probe response frame, or a multi-AP trigger frame.In S907, the data field of the wireless frame is decoded and processing is performed according to the contents of the data field. On the other hand, if there is no match, the process proceeds to S905 and the received wireless frame is discarded.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, by adding a new BSS color field to the PHY preamble, when performing multi-AP communication, the CoordinatorAP and CoordinatedAP transmit a PPDU in which the BSS color of both the CoordinatorAP and the CoordinatedAP is set in the PHY preamble. As a result, when the AP transmitting data performs multi-AP communication, it can communicate to the STA the BSS color values ​​of the multiple APs performing multi-AP communication. As a result, the STA performing multi-AP communication can determine whether the wireless frame is for multi-AP communication with the multiple APs it desires, and can appropriately process the wireless frames received from the multiple APs.

[0081] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more of the functions.

[0082] (Summary of the embodiment) At least some of the above-described embodiments can be summarized as follows.

[0083] (Item 1) A communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction means for constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission means for transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS constructed by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame.

[0084] (Item 2) The communication device according to item 1, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies the first other communication device of the value to be set in a BSS color field of the wireless frame.

[0085] (Item 3) The communication device according to Item 2, wherein the notification by the notification means is performed using a trigger frame.

[0086] (Item 4) The communication device according to item 3, wherein the trigger frame includes padding information relating to a processing time required to receive the wireless frame.

[0087] (Item 5) The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the value to be set in a BSS color field of the wireless frame from the first other communication device.

[0088] (Item 6) The communication device according to Item 5, wherein the acquisition by the acquisition means is performed using a trigger frame.

[0089] (Item 7) The communication device according to item 6, wherein the trigger frame includes padding information relating to a processing time required to transmit and receive the wireless frame.

[0090] (Item 8) The communication device according to any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising: a notification means for notifying the second other communication device of the value to be set in a BSS color field of the wireless frame.

[0091] (Item 9) The communication device according to item 8, wherein the notification by the notification means is performed using at least one of a Beacon frame, an Association Response frame, a Probe Response frame, and a Trigger frame.

[0092] (Item 10) A communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction means for constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission means for transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein, when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a first BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a value of a BSS color in the first BSS, and a second BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a value of a BSS color in the second BSS.

[0093] (Item 11) The communication device according to item 10, wherein the first BSS color field and the second BSS color field are included in a PHY preamble of the radio frame.

[0094] (Item 12) The communication device according to item 10 or 11, characterized in that information indicating whether the communication device is transmitting the wireless frame in cooperation with the other communication device is included in a PHY preamble of the wireless frame.

[0095] (Item 13) A communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving a wireless frame transmitted in cooperation from the first communication device and the second communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS established by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame.

[0096] (Item 14) The communication device according to Item 13, further comprising: means for acquiring the value from at least one of the first other communication device and the second other communication device when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device.

[0097] (Item 15) The communication device according to Item 14, wherein the acquisition by the acquisition means is performed using at least one of a Beacon frame, an Association Response frame, a Probe Response frame, and a Trigger frame.

[0098] (Item 16) A communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving a wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner from the first communication device and the second communication device, the first BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to the value of the BSS color in the first BSS, and the second BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to the value of the BSS color in the second BSS.

[0099] (Item 17) A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction step of constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission step of transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS constructed by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame.

[0100] (Item 18) A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction step of constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission step of transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein, when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a first BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a value of the BSS color in the first BSS, and a second BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a value of the BSS color in the second BSS.

[0101] (Item 19) A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving a wireless frame that has been transmitted in a coordinated manner from the first communication device and the second communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS established by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame.

[0102] (Item 20) A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving a wireless frame that has been transmitted in a coordinated manner from the first communication device and the second communication device, the first BSS color field of the wireless frame that has been transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to the value of the BSS color in the first BSS, and the second BSS color field of the wireless frame that has been transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to the value of the BSS color in the second BSS.

[0103] (Item 21) A program for causing a computer to operate as the communication device according to any one of items 1 to 16.

[0104] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention.

[0105] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-188039, filed November 1, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction means for constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission means for transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS constructed by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification means for notifying said first other communication device of said value to be set in a BSS color field of said wireless frame.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the notification by said notification means is made using a Trigger frame.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the trigger frame includes padding information related to a processing time required until the wireless frame is received.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring the value to be set in a BSS color field of the wireless frame from the first other communication device.

6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the acquisition by said acquisition means is performed using a Trigger frame.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the trigger frame includes padding information related to a processing time required for transmitting or receiving the wireless frame.

8. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification means for notifying the second other communication device of the value to be set in a BSS color field of the wireless frame.

9. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the notification by said notification means is performed using at least one of a Beacon frame, an Association Response frame, a Probe Response frame, and a Trigger frame.

10. A communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction means for constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission means for transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a first BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a BSS color value in the first BSS, and a second BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a BSS color value in the second BSS.

11. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the first BSS color field and the second BSS color field are included in a PHY preamble of the radio frame.

12. The communication device according to claim 10, characterized in that information indicating whether the communication device is transmitting the wireless frame in cooperation with the other communication device is included in a PHY preamble of the wireless frame.

13. A communication device that performs communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving a wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner from the first communication device and the second communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS established by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner.

14. The communication device according to claim 13, further comprising a means for acquiring the value from at least one of the first other communication device and the second other communication device when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device.

15. The communication device according to claim 14, wherein the acquisition by said acquisition means is performed using at least one of a Beacon frame, an Association Response frame, a Probe Response frame, and a Trigger frame.

16. A communication device that performs communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving means for receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving a wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner from the first communication device and the second communication device, a first BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to a BSS color value in the first BSS, and a second BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to a BSS color value in the second BSS.

17. A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction step of constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission step of transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS constructed by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame.

18. A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a construction step of constructing a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a transmission step of transmitting a wireless frame to a second other communication device in cooperation with a first other communication device, wherein when transmitting the wireless frame to the second other communication device in cooperation with the first other communication device, a first BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a BSS color value in the first BSS, and a second BSS color field of the wireless frame is set to a BSS color value in the second BSS.

19. A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving a wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner from the first communication device and the second communication device, a value different from the BSS color value in the first BSS and the BSS color value in the second BSS established by the second other communication device is set in the BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner.

20. A communication method in a communication device that communicates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a first other communication device that establishes a first Basic Service Set (BSS); and a second receiving step of receiving a wireless frame from a second other communication device that establishes a second BSS, wherein when receiving wireless frames transmitted in a coordinated manner from the first communication device and the second communication device, a first BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to a BSS color value in the first BSS, and a second BSS color field of the wireless frame transmitted in a coordinated manner is set to a BSS color value in the second BSS.

21. A program for causing a computer to operate as a communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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