Ranging-based wi-fi aware communication method and apparatus

Abstract

An operating method of a first electronic apparatus supporting Wi-Fi aware communication, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise the steps of: identifying, on the basis of at least one event, that the first electronic apparatus operates in an always on NAN (AoN) mode in which a Wi-Fi aware connection with at least one electronic apparatus is maintained; performing, by the first electronic apparatus, Wi-Fi aware communication with a second electronic apparatus during a first time interval set in the AoN mode; and switching the state of the first electronic apparatus to a doze state during a second time interval set in the AoN mode.

Description

Ranging-based Wi-Fi-aware communication method and device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ranging-based Wi-Fi aware communication method.

[0002] The Internet is evolving from a human-centric network where humans create and consume information to an Internet of Things (IoT) network where information is exchanged and processed between distributed components such as objects. The Internet of Everything (IoE) technology, which combines IoT technology with big data processing technology through connections to cloud servers, is also emerging. To implement the IoT, technological elements such as sensing technology, wired and wireless communication and network infrastructure, service interface technology, and security technology are required. Recently, technologies such as sensor networks for connecting objects, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and Machine-Type Communication (MTC) are being researched.

[0003] In an IoT environment, intelligent IT (Internet Technology) services can be provided that collect and analyze data generated from connected objects, creating new value in human life. IoT, through the convergence and integration of existing IT (information technology) technologies with various industries, can be applied to fields such as smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart or connected cars, smart grids, healthcare, smart appliances, and advanced medical services.

[0004] Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Aware TMWi-Fi Aware is a technology that extends Wi-Fi capabilities by enabling rapid discovery, connection, and data exchange with other Wi-Fi devices without the need for traditional network infrastructure, an Internet connection, or a GPS signal. Wi-Fi Aware can enable devices to discover and connect directly to each other without requiring any other type of connection. Wi-Fi Aware can also be referred to as neighbor awareness networking (NAN).

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a method for adaptively adjusting time resources for Wi-Fi Aware communications based on ranging.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating a first electronic device supporting Wi-Fi aware communication may include: an operation of confirming, based on at least one event, that the first electronic device operates in an always on NAN (AoN) mode for maintaining a Wi-Fi aware connection with at least one electronic device; an operation of performing Wi-Fi aware communication with a second electronic device during a first time interval set in the AoN mode; and an operation of switching a state of the first electronic device to a doze state during a second time interval set in the AoN mode.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first electronic device supporting Wi-Fi aware communication includes a transceiver; and a control unit. The control unit determines, based on at least one event, that the first electronic device operates in an always on NAN (AoN) mode that maintains a Wi-Fi aware connection with at least one electronic device, and in a first time interval set in the AoN mode, the first electronic device performs Wi-Fi aware communication with a second electronic device, and in a second time interval set in the AoN mode, switches the state of the first electronic device to a doze state.

[0008] The method and device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can adaptively adjust time resources by performing Wi-Fi Aware communication based on ranging.

[0009] Additionally, the method and device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can reduce power consumption during Wi-Fi Aware communication.

[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a communication system including an access point and a station.

[0011] Figure 2a illustrates the operation of an access point and a station for establishing a Wi-Fi connection.

[0012] Figure 2b illustrates the operation of the first station and the second station for Wi-Fi Aware connection.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining time resource allocation for AP communication and Wi-Fi Aware communication of a station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of time resource allocation for Wi-Fi Aware communication according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a report when a Wi-Fi Aware device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure moves outside a target area or enters inside a target area.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of time resource allocation for explaining Always on NAN (AoN) operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a communication process between Wi-Fi Aware devices to explain AoN (Always on NAN) operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of time resource allocation when a Wi-Fi Aware device moves outside or enters a target area according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of time resource allocation for describing a recovery operation from a NAN ranging session according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a NAN ranging procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are diagrams for explaining a 1:1 NAN ranging procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 12a and FIG. 12b are diagrams for explaining a 1:N NAN ranging procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b are diagrams for explaining a 1:N NAN ranging procedure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a first electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a second electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0027] In describing the embodiments, descriptions of technical details that are well known in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains and are not directly related to the present disclosure will be omitted. This is to convey the gist of the present disclosure more clearly without obscuring it by omitting unnecessary explanations.

[0028] For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. Furthermore, the dimensions of each component do not entirely reflect its actual size. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0029] The advantages and features of the present disclosure, and methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided only to make the present disclosure complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0030] At this time, it will be understood that each block of the processing flowchart drawings and combinations of the flowchart drawings can be performed by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be installed in a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create a means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s). These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-available or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement the functions in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-available or computer-readable memory can also produce a manufactured item that includes an instruction means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s). Since the computer program instructions may be installed on a computer or other programmable data processing device, a series of operational steps may be performed on the computer or other programmable data processing device to create a computer-executable process, so that the instructions that cause the computer or other programmable data processing device to perform the steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s) may also be able to provide steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s).

[0031] Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that contains one or more executable instructions for performing a specific logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementation examples, the functions described in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, two blocks depicted in succession may actually be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on their respective functions.

[0032] Here, the term '~ unit' used in the present disclosure means a software or hardware component such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and the '~ unit' performs certain roles. However, the '~ unit' is not limited to software or hardware. The '~ unit' may be configured to be on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play one or more processors. Accordingly, according to some embodiments, the '~ unit' includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functionality provided within the components and '~ units' may be combined into a smaller number of components and '~ units' or further separated into additional components and '~ units'. Additionally, the components and '~parts' may be implemented to activate one or more CPUs within the device or secure multimedia card. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the '~parts' may include one or more processors.

[0033] Each of a station (STA), a transmitting device, a receiving device, and an electronic device used in the present disclosure may be referred to as a terminal, a mobile station (MS), a user equipment (UE), a user terminal (UT), a wireless terminal, an access terminal (AT), a terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station (SS), a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a mobile node, a mobile, or other terms. Each of the station, the transmitting device, the receiving device, and the electronic device may include a cellular telephone, a smart phone having a wireless communication function, a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a wireless communication function, a wireless modem, a portable computer having a wireless communication function, a photographing device such as a digital camera having a wireless communication function, a gaming device having a wireless communication function, a music storage and playback home appliance having a wireless communication function, an Internet home appliance capable of wireless Internet access and browsing, as well as portable units or terminals incorporating combinations of such functions. Additionally, each of the station, the transmitting device, the receiving device, and the electronic device may include, but is not limited to, an M2M (Machine to Machine) terminal or an MTC (Machine Type Communication) terminal / device. In the present disclosure, each of the station, the transmitting device, the receiving device, and the electronic device may also be simply referred to as a device.

[0034] In this disclosure, the terms "Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)" and "Wi-Fi" may be used interchangeably. For convenience of explanation, this disclosure describes a WLAN system including at least one Access Point (AP) and at least one Station (STA), but embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to other WLAN systems, including, for example, multiple WLANs, peer-to-peer (or independent basic service set) systems, Wi-Fi Direct systems, and / or hotspots.

[0035] Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Aware TM Wi-Fi Aware is a technology that extends Wi-Fi capabilities by enabling rapid discovery, connection, and data exchange with other Wi-Fi devices without the need for traditional network infrastructure, an Internet connection, or a GPS signal. Wi-Fi Aware can enable devices to discover and connect directly to each other without requiring any other type of connection. Wi-Fi Aware can also be referred to as neighbor awareness networking (NAN).

[0036] Wi-Fi Aware networking can operate by forming clusters with nearby devices or by creating a new cluster if the device is the first in the area. Applications can use the Wi-Fi Aware application programming interface (API) to communicate with the Wi-Fi Aware system service, which manages the device's Wi-Fi Aware hardware. For example, Wi-Fi Aware network connections can support higher throughput at longer distances than Bluetooth connections. For example, Wi-Fi Aware network connections can be useful for apps that share large amounts of data between users, such as photo sharing apps.

[0037] The operating principles of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on the functions of the present disclosure and may vary depending on the intent or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system (100) including an access point (AP) and a station (STA).

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system (100) may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) (150) composed of a plurality of wireless access points (APs) (110, 115) and a plurality of stations (STAs) (120, 125). For convenience of explanation, only two access points (APs) (110, 115) and two stations (STAs) (120, 125) are illustrated in FIG. 1, but the WLAN (150) may include any number of access points (APs) and any number of stations (STAs).

[0040] Each of the stations (STAs) (120, 125) may also be referred to as a Wi-Fi Aware device or an electronic device. The stations (STAs) (120, 125) may include at least one transceiver, at least one processor, and / or at least one memory. At least one memory may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for the access point (AP) (110, 115) to perform operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] An access point (AP) (110, 115) may be a device that enables one or more stations (STAs) to connect to a network (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), and / or the Internet) using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any other suitable communication technology. The access point (AP) (110, 115) may include at least one transceiver, at least one processor, and / or at least one memory. The at least one memory may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for the access point (AP) (110, 115) to perform operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one embodiment, the access point (AP) (110, 115) may be implemented as a hardware device or a software device.

[0042] At least one transceiver included in an access point (AP) (110, 115) and / or a station (STA) (120, 125) may include a Wi-Fi transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a cellular transceiver, and / or other suitable radio frequency (RF) transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving signals. Each transceiver may communicate with other wireless devices in distinct operating frequency bands and / or using distinct communication protocols. For example, a Wi-Fi transceiver may communicate within a 2.4 GHz frequency band and / or a 5 GHz frequency band in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0043] A first station (120) can be connected to a first access point (110) via a first channel (e.g., channel 36 of 5 GHz), and a second station (125) can be connected to a second access point (115) via a second channel (e.g., channel 52 of 5 GHz). The first station (120) can be connected to a second station (125) via a Wi-Fi Aware (or NAN) via a third channel (e.g., channel 6 of 2 GHz).

[0044] In the present disclosure, the channel used by the station (120, 125) when communicating with the access point (110, 115) may be referred to as an AP channel, and the channel used when communicating between the stations (120, 125) may be referred to as a Wi-Fi Aware channel (or aware channel).

[0045] Figure 2a illustrates the operation of an access point (AP) and a station (STA) for establishing a Wi-Fi connection.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2A, a station (220) may transmit or broadcast a probe request message to an access point (210) (S201). For example, the probe request message may include information regarding at least one communication capability supported by the station (220).

[0047] The access point (210) may transmit a probe response message in response to the probe request message (S202). Upon receiving the probe response message, the station (220) may transmit an authentication request message to the access point (210) (S203). The access point (210) may transmit an authentication response message to the station (220) in response to the authentication request message (S204), and the authentication procedure between the access point (210) and the station (220) may be completed.

[0048] Once the authentication process is completed, the station (220) can transmit an association request message to the access point (210) (S205). For example, the association request message can include information regarding at least one capability (e.g., according to the IEEE 802.11 standard) to be used for data communication between the station (220) and the access point (210). The access point (210) can generate an association ID for the station (220) and transmit an association response message to the station (220) (S206).

[0049] FIG. 2b illustrates the operation of a first station and a second station for a Wi-Fi Aware connection. Each of the first station (230) and the second station (240) may also be referred to as a Wi-Fi Aware device or electronic device.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2B, when the first station (230) and the second station (240) decide to proceed with a Wi-Fi Aware (or NAN) connection, the first station (230) can transmit at least one discovery beacon message to the second station (240) for synchronization (S211, S212). The first station (230) can transmit a synchronization beacon message to the second station (240) (S213). The second station (240) can scan at least one discovery beacon message and one synchronization beacon message and perform a synchronization procedure (or operation) with the first station (230).

[0051] The first station (230) transmits an SDF (service discovery frame) publish message to the second station (240) for service discovery (S214), and the second station (240) can transmit an SDF follow-up message corresponding to the SDF publish message to the first station (230) (S215).

[0052] The second station (240) transmits a data path request message to the first station (230) for NDP (NAN data path) setup (S216), and the first station (230) can transmit a data path response message to the second station (240) (S217). The second station (240) transmits a data path confirm message to the first station (230) (S218), and the first station (230) can transmit a data path key installment message to the second station (240) (S219). When the NDP setup is completed, the first station (230) and the second station (240) can establish a NAN connection (S220).

[0053] According to one embodiment, the first station (230) and the second station (240) may exchange information regarding quality of service (QoS) prior to the NDP setup procedure. According to one embodiment, the information regarding QoS may be included in a QoS field of an SDF message (e.g., an SDF Publish message, an SDF subscribe message, and / or an SDF follow-up message).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the first station (230) and the second station (240) may exchange time synchronization function (TSF) information during a service discovery procedure (e.g., S214 and / or S215) to optimize AP and Wi-Fi Aware scheduling. According to one embodiment, the first station (230) and / or the second station (240) may use the exchanged TSF information to adjust and / or reduce an AP interval (or period) for communication with an access point (AP). For example, the AP interval may be reduced from 8 slots to 5 slots based on the TSF information.

[0055] In one embodiment, if neither the first station (230) nor the second station (240) transmits and / or receives traffic requiring high QoS when communicating with an access point, more time resources may be allocated to Wi-Fi Aware communication between the first station (230) and the second station (240). In one embodiment, more time resources may be allocated to Wi-Fi Aware communication to perform one-hop data transmission (e.g., QuickShare function) between the first station (230) and the second station (240).

[0056] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining time resource allocation for AP communication and Wi-Fi Aware communication of a station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, the communication system may include a first access point (310), a first station (320) connected to the first access point (310), a second access point (315), and a second station (325) connected to the second access point (315). At this time, the first station (320) and the second station (325) may perform Wi-Fi Aware communication. Each of the first station (320) and the second station (325) may also be referred to as a Wi-Fi Aware device or electronic device.

[0058] The first access point (310) can broadcast a plurality of beacons (301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311) through a first AP channel (e.g., channel 36), and the second access point 2 (315) can broadcast a plurality of beacons (321, 323, 325, 327, 329) through a second AP channel (e.g., channel 52). In the present disclosure, the beacons broadcast by the access points may also be referred to as AP beacons.

[0059] The first access point (310) can broadcast each of a plurality of beacons (301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311) at a set cycle (e.g., 100 TU (time unit)) through the first AP channel (e.g., channel 36). The second access point 2 (315) can broadcast each of a plurality of beacons (321, 323, 325, 327, 329) at a set cycle (e.g., 100 TU (time unit)) through the second AP channel (e.g., channel 52). For example, the time interval between the beacon broadcast by the first access point (310) and the beacon broadcast by the second access point 2 (315) can be set to 50 TU.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the beacon broadcast by the first access point (310) and / or the second access point (315) may include at least one of identity information such as a service set identifier (SSID) and a basic service set identifier (BSSID), frequency information related to data transmission and reception, and frequency type information.

[0061] According to one embodiment, 1 slot, which is a time resource allocation unit for AP communication and Wi-Fi Aware communication, may be set to 16TU. In FIG. 3, 8 slots (= 128TU) may be allocated to each of the AP sections (340, 343) for AP communication, and 8 slots (= 128TU) may be allocated to each of the Aware sections (341, 345) for Wi-Fi Aware communication.

[0062] The first station (320) can receive two beacons (301, 303) broadcast by the first access point (310) during the first AP period (340). The first station (320) performs Wi-Fi Aware communication with the second station (325) during the first Aware period (341) and may not receive one beacon (305) broadcast by the first access point (310).

[0063] The first station (320) can receive one beacon (307) broadcast by the first access point (310) during the second AP period (343). The first station (320) performs Wi-Fi Aware communication with the second station (325) during the second Aware period (345) and may not receive two beacons (309, 311) broadcast by the first access point (310).

[0064] The second station (325) can receive one beacon (321, 303) broadcast by the second access point (315) during the first AP period (340). The second station (325) performs Wi-Fi Aware communication with the first station (320) during the first Aware period (341) and may not receive two beacons (323, 325) broadcast by the second access point (315).

[0065] The second station (325) may receive one beacon (327) broadcast by the second access point (315) during the second AP period (343). The second station (325) may perform Wi-Fi Aware communication with the first station (320) during the second Aware period (345) and may not receive one beacon (329) broadcast by the second access point (315). In FIG. 3, each of the first station (320) and the second station (325) may not receive one or two AP beacons during Wi-Fi Aware communication.

[0066] The present disclosure proposes an Always on Network (AoN) that enables a Wi-Fi Aware device (or electronic device) to perform Wi-Fi Aware communication by omitting or simplifying the connection setup procedure.

[0067] Wi-Fi Aware devices can accelerate initial NAN setup by performing immediate responses and / or actions via AoN. However, Wi-Fi Aware devices may consume more energy when performing AoN compared to legacy operations, and may require additional time resource allocation for NAN. In one embodiment, Wi-Fi Aware devices can reduce energy consumption for NAN connections by using a doze state while maintaining a current NAN connection via AoN.

[0068] Meanwhile, unsynchronized discovery (USD) or NAN instant communication can be implemented to improve the initial NAN setup speed. Furthermore, for continuous services such as in-app collaboration or when intermittent NAN connections are used over long intervals, NAN connections can be maintained with minimal energy consumption.

[0069] In one embodiment, an event may be defined for a Wi-Fi Aware device to perform an AoN. For example, a Wi-Fi Aware device may perform an AoN based on an app (screen) being turned off or a user action (physical). For example, a Wi-Fi Aware device may perform an AoN to maintain a NAN connection after data communication with another device (e.g., QuickShare) ends. For example, a Wi-Fi Aware device may perform an AoN when roaming with a mobile device during a NAN connection. For example, a Wi-Fi Aware device may perform an AoN when the mobile device's screen is turned off while using in-app collaboration.

[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of time resource allocation for Wi-Fi Aware communication according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] A Wi-Fi Aware device can negotiate with at least one Wi-Fi Aware device for a NAN (or Wi-Fi Aware) data path, and can perform NAN (or Wi-Fi Aware) data communication with at least one Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 4, a Wi-Fi Aware device may perform a negotiation procedure for a NAN data path during a discovery window (DW) period and / or a NAN discovery cluster (NDC) period that is temporally synchronized with at least one Wi-Fi Aware device. In one embodiment, the DW may be implemented at preset time intervals. For example, each DW period and / or NDC period may occupy a time period of 32 time units (TU) within a configured channel (e.g., channel 6 of 2.4 GHz). In one embodiment, the NDC period may be a period in which control information and / or group information within a group (or cluster) is transmitted and received to assist the DW period.

[0073] After the DW section and / or the NDC section, the time interval for NAN instant communication may be set to, for example, 352 TU or more. After the NAN instant communication section, the time interval for other channels (e.g., the AP channel) may be set to, for example, 128 TU or less. For example, the DW section and / or the NDC section, the NAN instant communication section, and the interval for other channels (e.g., the AP channel) may be set to 512 TU.

[0074] After a time interval for another channel (e.g., AP channel), time resources for the DW interval and / or NDC interval may be reallocated.

[0075] In one embodiment, a Wi-Fi Aware device may determine the presence of other Wi-Fi Aware devices and information about other Wi-Fi Aware devices through initial discovery and / or data path setup. For example, a Wi-Fi Aware device may determine the topology and / or distance to other Wi-Fi Aware devices with which it establishes a Wi-Fi Aware connection through initial discovery and / or data path setup.

[0076] In one embodiment, a Wi-Fi Aware device may perform initial Wi-Fi Aware connection setup, such as USD or NAN instant communication, and check ranging availability.

[0077] In one embodiment, a Wi-Fi Aware device may initiate a ranging session when necessary to maintain AoN. In one embodiment, a Wi-Fi Aware device may establish a ranging session on at least one slot.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a report when a Wi-Fi Aware device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure moves outside a target area or enters inside a target area.

[0079] Referring to (a) of FIG. 5, a first Wi-Fi Aware device (510) is positioned within a target area, and a second Wi-Fi Aware device (520) may move outside or inside the target area. The target area may be an area where the first Wi-Fi Aware device (510) and the second Wi-Fi Aware device (520) can perform NAN ranging with each other. If the second Wi-Fi Aware device (520) moves outside the target area, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (510) and the second Wi-Fi Aware device (520) may not be able to perform NAN ranging.

[0080] When the second Wi-Fi Aware device (520) moves from inside to outside the target area at the first point (501) or the second point (502), the second Wi-Fi Aware device (520) may report (or transmit) a message to the first Wi-Fi Aware device (510) indicating that it has moved outside the target area.

[0081] Referring to (b) of FIG. 5, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (515) is positioned within a target area, and the second Wi-Fi Aware device (525) may move outside or inside the target area. The target area may be an area where the first Wi-Fi Aware device (515) and the second Wi-Fi Aware device (525) can perform NAN ranging with each other. If the second Wi-Fi Aware device (525) moves outside the target area, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (515) and the second Wi-Fi Aware device (525) may not be able to perform NAN ranging.

[0082] When the second Wi-Fi Aware device (525) enters the target area from the third point (503), the fourth point (504), or the fifth point (505), the second Wi-Fi Aware device (525) may report (or transmit) a message indicating that it has entered the target area to the first Wi-Fi Aware device (515).

[0083] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of time resource allocation for explaining Always on NAN (AoN) operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 6, the entire time interval (600) for Wi-Fi Aware communication may be composed of a first interval (610) for initial discovery, a second interval (620) for Wi-Fi Aware (or NAN) data communication, and a third interval (630) for AoN.

[0085] A Wi-Fi Aware device can perform initial discovery in a first section (610) to check ranging information and / or Wi-Fi Aware communication availability (NAN Availability). A Wi-Fi Aware device can transmit an SDF (service discovery frame) publish message to another Wi-Fi Aware device for service discovery, and receive an SDF follow-up message corresponding to the SDF publish message from another Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0086] A Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi Aware (or NAN) data communication with another Wi-Fi Aware device in the second section (620).

[0087] When at least one event is triggered, the Wi-Fi Aware device may perform a related action in the AoN state in the third section (630). In one embodiment, an event that triggers the Wi-Fi Aware device to perform AoN may be defined. For example, the Wi-Fi Aware device may perform AoN based on an app (screen) being turned off or a user action (physical). For example, the Wi-Fi Aware device may perform AoN to maintain a NAN connection after data communication with another device (e.g., QuickShare) is terminated. For example, the Wi-Fi Aware device may perform AoN when roaming with a mobile device during a NAN connection. For example, the Wi-Fi Aware device may perform AoN when the screen is turned off while the mobile device is using in-app collaboration.

[0088] The third section (630) for AoN may include sections (631, 633, 635) for Wi-Fi Aware (or NAN) communication and AP sections (632, 634, 636) for Wi-Fi communication via an access point (AP). In one embodiment, the time resources allocated to each of the sections (631, 633, 635) for Wi-Fi Aware (or NAN) communication may be the same or may be set differently. In one embodiment, the time resources allocated to each of the AP sections (632, 634, 636) may be the same or may be set differently.

[0089] In one embodiment, a time interval (640) for a doze state of a Wi-Fi Aware device may be set between a first Wi-Fi Aware (or NAN) interval (631) for a NAN ranging session and a first AP interval (632) for Wi-Fi communication.

[0090] In one embodiment, the time interval (640) for the Doze state may be set to the time interval from the end of the NAN ranging session to the start of the AP connection. In one embodiment, a Wi-Fi Aware device in the Doze state may be unable to receive and / or transmit during a Wi-Fi Aware connection.

[0091] FIG. 7 illustrates a communication process between Wi-Fi Aware devices to explain AoN (Always on NAN) operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 701, a first Wi-Fi Aware device can confirm Wi-Fi Aware communication availability (NAN Availability) with a second Wi-Fi Aware device through an SDF (service discovery frame) message exchange. The first Wi-Fi Aware device can transmit an SDF publish message to the second Wi-Fi Aware device for service discovery, and receive an SDF follow-up message corresponding to the SDF publish message from the second Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0093] In operation 703, the first Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN data communication with the second Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0094] In operation 705, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a ranging request frame to the second Wi-Fi Aware device. In operation 707, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may receive a ranging response frame corresponding to the ranging request frame from the second Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0095] In operation 709, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit and / or receive a Fine Time Measurement (FTM) sequence and a corresponding Ack message to the second Wi-Fi Aware device. In operation 711, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may receive a Ranging Report frame regarding ranging result information from the second Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0096] In operation 713, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may operate in a doze state.

[0097] Thereafter, in operation 715, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit and / or receive an FTM sequence and a corresponding Ack message to the second Wi-Fi Aware device. In operation 717, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may receive a Ranging Report frame regarding ranging result information from the second Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0098] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of time resource allocation when a Wi-Fi Aware device moves outside or enters a target area according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 8, a target area may be set based on a target distance (e.g., a distance based on a distance threshold) from a first Wi-Fi Aware device to a second Wi-Fi Aware device. In one embodiment, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may be a master device, and the second Wi-Fi Aware device may be a non-master device.

[0100] When a second Wi-Fi Aware device moves around the target area, the states (Ranging indication condition) of the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device may be set as follows depending on the location of the second Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0101] Continuous: Ranging results are reported continuously. The distance between the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device is determined to be less than a threshold.

[0102] Ingress: Ranging results are reported when a second Wi-Fi Aware device enters the target area (when the distance between the first and second Wi-Fi Aware devices decreases from above a threshold to below a threshold).

[0103] Egress: Ranging results are reported when the second Wi-Fi Aware device moves outside the target area (when the distance between the first and second Wi-Fi Aware devices increases from below a threshold to above a threshold).

[0104] Both Ingress and Egress: Ranging results are reported (when the distance between the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device is equal to the threshold).

[0105] Referring to FIG. 8, the entire time interval (800) may be composed of a time interval (810 to 819) for a NAN ranging session, a time interval (820 to 829) for a doze state, and a time interval (830 to 839) for an AP.

[0106] In a first segment (810) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may determine that the second Wi-Fi Aware device has entered a target area. In one embodiment, in the first segment (810) for a NAN ranging session, the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a report regarding the entry into the target area to the first Wi-Fi Aware device. In the first segment (820) for a doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may operate in a doze state. In the first segment (830) for an AP, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0107] In the second section (811) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging. In the second section (821) for a doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can operate in a doze state. In the second section (831) for an AP, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0108] In a third segment (812) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may determine that the second Wi-Fi Aware device has moved outside the target area. In one embodiment, in the third segment (812) for a NAN ranging session, the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a report regarding the movement outside the target area to the first Wi-Fi Aware device. In one embodiment, in the third segment (812) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may start a timer when the second Wi-Fi Aware device has moved outside the target area. In the third segment (822) for a doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may operate in a doze state. In the third section (832) for the AP, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0109] In the fourth section (813) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging. In the fourth section (823) for a doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can operate in a doze state. In the fourth section (833) for an AP, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0110] In the fifth segment (814) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may determine that the second Wi-Fi Aware device has entered the target area. In one embodiment, in the fifth segment (814) for the NAN ranging session, the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a report regarding the entry into the target area to the first Wi-Fi Aware device. In one embodiment, in the fifth segment (814) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may reset a timer started in the third segment (812). In the fifth segment (825) for the doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may operate in the doze state. In the fifth section (834) for the AP, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0111] In the sixth segment (815) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging. In the sixth segment (825) for a doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can operate in a doze state. In the sixth segment (835) for an AP, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0112] In the seventh segment (816) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may determine that the second Wi-Fi Aware device has moved outside the target area. In one embodiment, in the seventh segment (816) for the NAN ranging session, the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a report regarding the movement outside the target area to the first Wi-Fi Aware device. In one embodiment, in the seventh segment (816) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may start a timer when the second Wi-Fi Aware device has moved outside the target area. In the seventh segment (826) for the doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may operate in the doze state. In the seventh segment (836) for the AP, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0113] Thereafter, the timer may expire in the tenth segment (819) for the NAN ranging session. In the tenth segment (819) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may release the NAN connection and terminate the NAN ranging.

[0114] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of time resource allocation for describing a recovery operation from a NAN ranging session according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] The first Wi-Fi Aware device can recover from AoN based on at least one event. For example, the first Wi-Fi Aware device can recover from AoN and restart a data sharing application (e.g., QuickShare). For example, the first Wi-Fi Aware device can recover from AoN and perform a screen on for in-app collaboration.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 9, in the AoN period, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may perform AoN-related operations, and may not perform AoN-related operations in the legacy NAN scheduling period.

[0117] In the AoN period, during the NAN ranging session (911 to 916, respectively), the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging. In the AoN period, during the doze state (921 to 926, respectively), the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can operate in the doze state. In the AoN period, during the AP (931 to 936, respectively), the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0118] In the section (941) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device may terminate the ranging session by transmitting a ranging termination frame. In one embodiment, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit and receive a ranging termination frame and a corresponding response frame to restore the legacy NAN scheduling operation from the AoN.

[0119] In the intervals (941 to 944, respectively) for a NAN ranging session within the legacy NAN scheduling interval, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging. In the intervals (951 to 954, respectively) for an AP within the legacy NAN scheduling interval, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0120] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a NAN ranging procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] The NAN ranging procedure illustrated in FIG. 10 may be set to, for example, Number of burst exponent = 0 (Single Burst), FTMs per burst = 3, Burst duration = 128 ms, and Burst period = 512 ms.

[0122] According to one embodiment, an optimized burst duration and an adaptive burst period for AoN operation can be set. According to one embodiment, the burst duration for AoN operation can be determined based on the number of burst exponents and FTMs per burst (K). According to one embodiment, the burst duration can be minimized to maximize the doze period.

[0123] In one embodiment, the burst period may be adaptively set based on the state (e.g., ingress / egress state) of the Wi-Fi Aware device according to its location. In one embodiment, when the Wi-Fi Aware device enters the target area (ingress state), the burst period may increase (e.g., to 512 ms or 1024 ms). In one embodiment, when the Wi-Fi Aware device moves outside the target area (egress state), the burst period may decrease (e.g., to 128 ms). In one embodiment, message exchange may be required between Wi-Fi Aware devices to change the NAN ranging schedule.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 10, in operation 1001, a first Wi-Fi Aware device (or initiating station (STA)) may transmit an initial FTM (fine time measurement) request to a second Wi-Fi Aware device (or responding STA). In operation 1003, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may receive an Ack message for the initial FTM request from the second Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0125] In operation 1005, the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a first FTM (FTM_1(0,0)) to the first Wi-Fi Aware device at a first time point (t1_1). The first FTM (FTM_1(0,0)) may include information about a reference time point (or initial time point) (0,0). The first Wi-Fi Aware device may receive the first FTM (FTM_1(0,0)) at a second time point (t2_1). In operation 1007, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit an Ack message for the first FTM (FTM_1(0,0)) to the second Wi-Fi Aware device at a third time point (t3_1). The second Wi-Fi Aware device may receive the Ack message for the first FTM (FTM_1(0,0)) at a fourth time point (t4_1).

[0126] In operation 1009, the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a second FTM (FTM_2(t1_1, t4_1)) to the first Wi-Fi Aware device at a fifth time point (t1_2). The second FTM (FTM_2(t1_1, t4_1)) may include information regarding the second time point (t2_1) and the fourth time point (t4_1). The first Wi-Fi Aware device may receive the second FTM (FTM_2(t1_1, t4_1)) at a sixth time point (t2_2). In operation 1011, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit an Ack message for the second FTM (FTM_2(t1_1, t4_1)) to the second Wi-Fi Aware device at a seventh time point (t3_2). The second Wi-Fi Aware device may receive an Ack message for the second FTM (FTM_2(t1_1, t4_1)) at the eighth time point (t4_2).

[0127] In one embodiment, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may calculate a Round-Trip Time (RTT) and / or a clock offset estimate based on a first FTM (FTM_1(0,0)) and a second FTM (FTM_2(t1_1, t4_1)).

[0128] In operation 1013, the second Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit a third FTM (FTM_3(t1_2, t4_2)) to the first Wi-Fi Aware device at a ninth time point (t1_3). The third FTM (FTM_3(t1_2, t4_2)) may include information regarding the fifth time point (t2_1) and the eighth time point (t4_2). The first Wi-Fi Aware device may receive the third FTM (FTM_3(t1_2, t4_2)) at a tenth time point (t2_3). In operation 1015, the first Wi-Fi Aware device may transmit an Ack message for the third FTM (FTM_3(t1_2, t4_2)) to the second Wi-Fi Aware device at an eleventh time point (t3_3). The second Wi-Fi Aware device may receive an Ack message for the third FTM (FTM_3(t1_2, t4_2)) at time 12 (t4_3).

[0129] The first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can calculate the distance between the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device through an exchange of multiple FTM and Ack messages.

[0130] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are diagrams for explaining a 1:1 NAN ranging procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0131] In FIGS. 11A and 11B , the first Wi-Fi Aware device may be a master device, and the second Wi-Fi Aware device may be a non-master device. The first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device may perform a 1:1 NAN ranging procedure.

[0132] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11A, a first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may transmit an initial FTM request to a second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and receive an Ack message for the initial FTM request from the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B). Thereafter, substantially in the same manner as the operation described above in FIG. 10, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) and the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) may perform 1:1 NAN ranging by transmitting and / or receiving multiple FTM and Ack messages.

[0133] Referring to (a) of FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the burst period is 256 TU, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging in the intervals (1101, 1102, 1103, and 1104, respectively) for the NAN ranging session. For example, the intervals (1101, 1102, 1103, and 1104, respectively) for the NAN ranging session can be set to 64 TU. The first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication in the intervals (1105, 1106, 1107, and 1108, respectively) for the AP.

[0134] Referring to (b) of FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b, when the burst period is 256 TU, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging in the sections (1111, 1112, 1113, and 1114, respectively) for the NAN ranging session. In the sections (1115, 1116, 1117, and 1118, respectively) for the doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can operate in the doze state. For example, the intervals for NAN ranging sessions (1111, 1112, 1113, and 1114, respectively) and the intervals for doze state (1115, 1116, 1117, and 1118, respectively) can be set to 64 TUs. In the intervals for APs (1119, 1120, 1121, and 1122, respectively), the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0135] Referring to (c) of FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the burst period is 512 TU, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging in the intervals (1131 and 1132, respectively) for the NAN ranging session. For example, the intervals (1131 and 1132, respectively) for the NAN ranging session can be set to 128 TU. The first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication in the intervals (1133, 1134, 1135, and 1136, respectively) for the AP.

[0136] Referring to (d) of FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, when the burst period is 512 TU, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform NAN ranging in the intervals (1141 and 1142, respectively) for the NAN ranging session. In the intervals (1143 and 1144, respectively) for the doze state, the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can operate in the doze state. For example, the intervals (1141 and 1142, respectively) for the NAN ranging session and the intervals (1143 and 1144, respectively) for the doze state can be set to 128 TU. In sections for AP (1145, 1146, 1147, and 1148, respectively), the first Wi-Fi Aware device and / or the second Wi-Fi Aware device can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0137] FIG. 12a and FIG. 12b are diagrams for explaining a 1:N NAN ranging procedure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0138] In FIG. 12a and FIG. 12b, a first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform a 1:N NAN ranging procedure with a second Wi-Fi Aware device (B), a third Wi-Fi Aware device (C), a fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D), and a fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E).

[0139] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12A, a first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can transmit an initial FTM request to at least one of a second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) to a fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E). The first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can receive an Ack message for the initial FTM request from at least one of the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) to the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E). Thereafter, substantially in the same manner as the operation described above in FIG. 10, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform 1:N NAN ranging by transmitting and / or receiving multiple FTM and Ack messages to and from at least one of the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) to the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E).

[0140] Referring to (a) of FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the burst period is 512 TU, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform NAN ranging with the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) to the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) in the sections (1201 to 1208, respectively) for the NAN ranging session. For example, the sections (1201 to 1208, respectively) for the NAN ranging session can be set to 64 TU. For example, in the first section (1201) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform NAN ranging with the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B). For example, in the second section (1202) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform NAN ranging with the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C). In the sections (1209 to 1212, respectively) for the AP, at least one of the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) to the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can perform Wi-Fi communication. For example, in the first section (1209) for the AP, at least one of the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) to the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0141] Referring to (b) of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1201 and 1205) for a NAN ranging session, the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1202 to 1204, 1206 to 1208), the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1209 to 1212) for an AP, the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0142] Referring to (c) of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1202 and 1206) for a NAN ranging session, the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1201, 1203 to 1205, 1207 to 1208), the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1209 to 1212) for an AP, the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0143] Referring to (d) of FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1203 and 1207) for a NAN ranging session, the fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1201 to 1202, 1204 to 1206, 1208), the fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1209 to 1212) for an AP, the fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0144] Referring to (e) of FIGS. 12A and 12B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1204 and 1208) for a NAN ranging session, the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1201 to 1203, 1205 to 1207), the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1209 to 1212) for an AP, the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0145] Although FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate five Wi-Fi Aware devices performing NAN ranging for convenience of explanation, the technical idea of ​​the present invention can also be applied to NAN ranging between various numbers of Wi-Fi Aware devices. In FIGS. 12A and 12B , for convenience of explanation, the time intervals for ranging sessions allocated to each Wi-Fi Aware device are illustrated as being the same, but the time intervals may be set differently depending on design specifications.

[0146] FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b are diagrams for explaining a 1:N NAN ranging procedure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0147] In FIGS. 13A and 13B , a first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform a 1:N NAN ranging procedure with a second Wi-Fi Aware device (B), a third Wi-Fi Aware device (C), a fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D), and a fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E). In FIGS. 13A and 13B , a first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform a NAN ranging procedure with a second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and a third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) in the same time interval.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 13A, in operation 1310, a first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may transmit an FTM request to a second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and receive a corresponding Ack message from the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B). In operation 1320, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may perform operation 1301 and transmit an FTM request to a third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) after a set interval (e.g., 16 TUs) and receive a corresponding Ack message from the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C).

[0149] At operation 1330, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may receive the first FTM (Burst 1 w / B) from the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and transmit a corresponding Ack message to the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B). At operation 1340, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may receive the first FTM (Burst 1 w / C) from the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) and transmit a corresponding Ack message to the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C).

[0150] At operation 1350, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may receive a second FTM (Burst 2 w / B) from the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and transmit a corresponding Ack message to the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B). At operation 1360, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may receive a second FTM (Burst 2 w / C) from the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) and transmit a corresponding Ack message to the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C).

[0151] At operation 1370, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may receive a third FTM (Burst 3 w / B) from the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and transmit a corresponding Ack message to the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B). At operation 1380, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) may receive a third FTM (Burst 3 w / C) from the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) and transmit a corresponding Ack message to the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C).

[0152] Referring to (a) of FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the burst period is 512 TU, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform NAN ranging with the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) to the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) in each of the sections (1301 to 1306) for the NAN ranging session. For example, the first section (1301) for the NAN ranging session can be set to 128 TU, and the second section (1302) for the NAN ranging session can be set to 64 TU. For example, in the first section (1301) for the NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform NAN ranging with the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C). For example, in the second section (1302) for a NAN ranging session, the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) can perform NAN ranging with the fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D). In the sections (1307, 1309, 1311, and 1313, respectively) for the AP, at least one of the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A) to the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0153] Referring to (b) of FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1301 and 1304) for a NAN ranging session, the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1302 to 1303, 1305 to 1306), the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1307, 1309, 1311, 1313) for an AP, the second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0154] Referring to (c) of FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1301 and 1304) for a NAN ranging session, the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1302 to 1303, 1305 to 1306), the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1307, 1309, 1311, 1313) for an AP, the third Wi-Fi Aware device (C) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0155] Referring to (d) of FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1302 and 1305) for a NAN ranging session, the fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1301, 1303, 1304, and 1306), the fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1307, 1309, 1311, and 1313) for an AP, the fourth Wi-Fi Aware device (D) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0156] Referring to (e) of FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, when the burst period is 512 TU, in at least one section (at least one of 1303 and 1306) for a NAN ranging session, the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can perform NAN ranging with the first Wi-Fi Aware device (A). In at least one section (at least one of 1301 to 1302, 1304 to 1305), the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can operate in a doze state. In at least one section (at least one of 1307, 1309, 1311, 1313) for an AP, the fifth Wi-Fi Aware device (E) can perform Wi-Fi communication.

[0157] Although FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate five Wi-Fi Aware devices performing NAN ranging for convenience of explanation, the technical idea of ​​the present invention can also be applied to NAN ranging between various numbers of Wi-Fi Aware devices. In FIGS. 13A and 13B , for convenience of explanation, the same time interval for ranging sessions is illustrated as being allocated to a second Wi-Fi Aware device (B) and a third Wi-Fi Aware device (C). However, depending on design specifications, the same time interval for ranging sessions may also be allocated between three or more Wi-Fi Aware devices.

[0158] The NAN ranging-based AoN method proposed in the present disclosure can continuously check the status of Wi-Fi Aware devices and determine whether to maintain a NAN connection of Wi-Fi Aware using the distance between Wi-Fi Aware devices. In one embodiment, the Wi-Fi Aware device can switch to AoN mode after completing data transmission (e.g., QuickShare). In one embodiment, the Wi-Fi Aware device can switch to AoN mode when the display is turned off (including long-term application non-use) during a Wi-Fi Aware connection.

[0159] In one embodiment, a Wi-Fi Aware device may transition from AoN mode to a legacy mode where AoN mode is not applied upon exchanging a ranging termination frame.

[0160] In one embodiment, the Adaptive NAN ranging burst period may be adaptively set based on the location (e.g., ingress / egress) or LOS / NLOS conditions of a particular Wi-Fi Aware device.

[0161] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a first electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0162] The first electronic device of FIG. 14 may be implemented as a station, electronic device, or first Wi-Fi Aware device that transmits data using NAN (or Wi-Fi Aware) communication as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13b.

[0163] Referring to FIG. 14, the first electronic device may include a processor (1401), a transceiver (1403), and a memory (1405). In the present disclosure, the processor (1401) may be defined as a circuit or application-specific integrated circuit or at least one processor. The processor (1401) may also be referred to as a control unit or controller.

[0164] The processor (1401) can control the overall operation of the first electronic device described in the embodiments proposed in the present disclosure. Specifically, the processor (1401) can control the operation of a station, an electronic device, or a first Wi-Fi Aware device that transmits data using NAN (or Wi-Fi Aware) communication, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13B , for example.

[0165] The transceiver (1403) can transmit and receive signals with other electronic devices or access points. The transceiver (1403) may also be referred to as a transceiver or a transceiver.

[0166] The memory (1405) can store at least one of information transmitted and received through the transceiver (1403) and information generated through the processor (1401).

[0167] The processor (1401) may determine, based on at least one event, that the first electronic device operates in an always on NAN (AoN) mode that maintains a Wi-Fi aware connection with at least one electronic device. The processor (1401) may perform Wi-Fi aware communication with a second electronic device during a first time interval set in the AoN mode. The processor (1401) may switch the state of the first electronic device to a doze state during a second time interval set in the AoN mode.

[0168] The processor (1401) may perform ranging based on Wi-Fi Aware communication with the second electronic device in the first time interval set in the AoN mode. The processor (1401) may determine that the second electronic device has entered into or moved outside the target area based on the distance between the first electronic device and the second electronic device confirmed according to the ranging result performed in the first time interval and a threshold value.

[0169] When the processor (1401) determines that the second electronic device has entered the inside of the target area, the processor (1401) may increase the first time interval for the Wi-Fi Aware communication. When the processor (1401) determines that the second electronic device has moved outside of the target area, the processor (1401) may decrease the first time interval for the Wi-Fi Aware communication.

[0170] The processor (1401) can perform Wi-Fi communication through an AP (access point) connection in the third time period set in the above AoN mode.

[0171] The processor (1401) can perform Wi-Fi aware communication with a third electronic device during the first time period set in the AoN mode.

[0172] The processor (1401) may start a timer when it is determined that the second electronic device has moved outside the target area. When the timer expires, the processor (1401) may release the Wi-Fi Aware connection.

[0173] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a second electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0174] The second electronic device of FIG. 15 may be implemented as one of a station, an electronic device, or a second Wi-Fi Aware device to a fifth Wi-Fi Aware device that transmits data using NAN (or Wi-Fi Aware) communication illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13b.

[0175] Referring to FIG. 15, the second electronic device may include a processor (1501), a transceiver (1503), and a memory (1505). In the present disclosure, the processor (1501) may be defined as a circuit or application-specific integrated circuit or at least one processor. The processor (1501) may also be referred to as a control unit or controller.

[0176] The processor (1501) can control the overall operation of the second electronic device described in the embodiments proposed in the present disclosure. Specifically, the processor (1501) can control the operation of one of a station, an electronic device, or a second to fifth Wi-Fi Aware device that receives data using NAN (or Wi-Fi Aware) communication as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13B .

[0177] The transceiver (1503) can transmit and receive signals with other electronic devices or other access points. The transceiver (1503) may also be referred to as a transceiver or a transceiver.

[0178] The memory (1505) can store at least one of information transmitted and received through the transceiver (1503) and information generated through the processor (1501).

[0179] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, components included in the present disclosure are expressed singularly or plurally, depending on the specific embodiment presented. However, the singular or plural expressions are selected to suit the presented situation for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components. Components expressed in plural may be composed of singular elements, or components expressed in singular may be composed of plural elements.

[0180] While the detailed description of this disclosure has described specific embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the claims described below, but also by equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A method of operating a first electronic device supporting Wi-Fi aware communication, An action to determine that the first electronic device operates in an always on NAN (AoN) mode that maintains a Wi-Fi aware connection with at least one electronic device based on at least one event; In the first time interval set in the above AoN mode, the first electronic device performs Wi-Fi aware communication with the second electronic device; and A method characterized by including an operation of switching the state of the first electronic device to a doze state during a second time period set in the AoN mode.

2. In paragraph 1, An operation of performing ranging based on Wi-Fi aware communication with the second electronic device in the first time interval set in the AoN mode; and A method characterized by further including an operation of determining that the second electronic device has entered into or moved outside the target area based on the distance between the first electronic device and the second electronic device confirmed according to the ranging result performed in the first time interval, and a threshold value.

3. In paragraph 2, A method further comprising the action of increasing the first time interval for the Wi-Fi aware communication when it is determined that the second electronic device has entered inside the target area.

4. In paragraph 2, A method further comprising: reducing the first time interval for the Wi-Fi aware communication when it is determined that the second electronic device has moved outside the target area.

5. In paragraph 1, A method characterized by further including an operation of performing Wi-Fi communication through an AP (access point) connection in a third time interval set in the above AoN mode.

6. In paragraph 1, A method characterized in that the first electronic device further includes an operation of performing Wi-Fi aware communication with a third electronic device during the first time period set in the AoN mode.

7. In paragraph 2, When it is determined that the second electronic device has moved outside the target area, the action of starting a timer; and A method further characterized by comprising the action of disconnecting the Wi-Fi Aware connection when the timer expires.

8. In a first electronic device supporting Wi-Fi aware communication, Transmitter and receiver; and comprising a control unit, said control unit comprising: Based on at least one event, it is determined that the first electronic device operates in an always on NAN (AoN) mode that maintains a Wi-Fi aware connection with at least one electronic device; In the first time interval set in the above AoN mode, the first electronic device performs Wi-Fi aware communication with the second electronic device, A device characterized in that, in a second time interval set in the above AoN mode, the state of the first electronic device is switched to a doze state.

9. In paragraph 8, the control unit, In the first time interval set in the above AoN mode, ranging based on Wi-Fi aware communication is performed with the second electronic device, A device characterized in that it determines that the second electronic device has entered into or moved outside the target area based on the distance between the first electronic device and the second electronic device confirmed according to the ranging result performed in the first time interval, and a threshold value.

10. In paragraph 9, the control unit, A device characterized in that when it is determined that the second electronic device has entered the interior of the target area, the device increases the first time interval for the Wi-Fi aware communication.

11. In paragraph 9, the control unit, A device characterized in that the first time interval for the Wi-Fi aware communication is reduced when it is determined that the second electronic device has moved outside the target area.

12. In paragraph 8, the control unit, A device characterized in that it performs Wi-Fi communication through an AP (access point) connection in the third time period set in the above AoN mode.

13. In paragraph 8, the control unit, A device characterized in that it performs Wi-Fi aware communication with a third electronic device during the first time period set in the above AoN mode.

14. In paragraph 9, the control unit, When it is determined that the second electronic device has moved outside the target area, a timer is started, A device characterized in that when the timer expires, the Wi-Fi Aware connection is disconnected.

Images