Access point and communication method

Abstract

This access point is an access point at which cooperative communication is controlled, and includes: a control circuit for determining first control information relating to cooperative communication; and a transmission circuit for transmitting the first control information to another access point that controls the cooperative communication.

Description

Access point and communication method

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

[0002] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, IEEE 802.11bn (hereinafter referred to as "11bn"), is being developed by a study group (SG) as a successor to IEEE 802.11be (hereinafter referred to as "11be"), which is also known as "Extremely High Throughput (EHT)." 11bn is also known as "Ultra High Reliability (UHR)."

[0003] IEEE 802.11-23 / 0079r10, IEEE 802.11 UHR Proposed CSDIEEE 802.11-23 / 1871r2, M-AP Coordination Transmission frameworkIEEE 802.11-20 / 0410r4, Coordinated Spatial Reuse Procedure

[0004] However, the method for controlling signal transmission in wireless communication such as wireless LAN has not been fully studied.

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

[0006] An access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an access point that is controlled to perform cooperative communication, and includes a control circuit that determines first control information related to the cooperative communication, and a transmission circuit that transmits the first control information to another access point that controls the cooperative communication.

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

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

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

[0010] Figure showing an example of a Multi-Access Point (Multi-AP) coordination sequenceBlock diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of an APBlock diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of a terminal (STA: Station)Figure showing an example of a transmission / reception sequence by an AP and an STABlock diagram showing an example of the configuration of an APBlock diagram showing an example of the configuration of an STAFigure showing an example of the operation of Multi-AP coordinationDiagram showing an example of a MAP request signalDiagram showing an example of a Keeping STA Info subfieldDiagram showing an example of a MAP response signalDiagram showing an example of a Response Info subfieldDiagram showing an example of a Measurement Info subfieldDiagram showing an example of a MAP response signal including a Buffer status report (BSR)Diagram showing an example of a BSRDiagram showing an example of the operation of Multi-AP coordinationDiagram showing an example of the operation of Multi-AP coordinationDiagram showing an example of the operation of Multi-AP coordinationDiagram showing an example of a Quality of Service (QoS) Characteristics elementDiagram showing an example of a Traffic Specification (TSPEC) elementDiagram showing an example of a Traffic Classification (TCLAS) elementDiagram showing an example of an Intra Access Category element

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

[0012] In 11bn, Multi-AP (MAP) coordination (also called cooperative communication), in which multiple access points (also called Access Points (APs) or base stations) transmit in cooperation with each other, is being discussed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0013] Multi-AP coordination includes various types (types or schemes) of multi-AP coordination, such as "Joint Transmission (JT)" in which multiple APs transmit the same data, "Coordinated Beamforming (C-BF)" in which interference is reduced by null control for the destination STA of other APs, "Coordinated Spatial Reuse (C-SR)" in which interference is reduced by transmission power control for the destination STA of other APs, "Coordinated Time Division Multiple Access (C-TDMA)" in which time resources are divided and shared, "Coordinated Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (C-OFDMA)" in which frequency resources are divided and shared, and "Coordinated Restricted Target Wake Time (C-rTWT)" in which the transmission period of a signal requiring low latency is coordinated. In multi-AP coordination, a multi-AP coordination sequence is being considered for APs to exchange information with other APs or terminals (STAs: Stations or non-AP Stations, hereinafter referred to as "STAs") for coordination (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3).

[0014] An example of a Multi-AP coordination sequence is shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the Multi-AP coordination sequence includes the following phases:

[0015] <Cooperative AP Discovery Phase> The cooperative AP discovery phase is a phase in which an AP discovers other APs that support multi-AP coordination. For example, an AP may passively discover other APs that support multi-AP coordination by broadcasting a beacon that includes a capability for multi-AP coordination. Alternatively, for example, an AP may actively discover other APs that support multi-AP coordination by transmitting a signal requesting a capability for multi-AP coordination to a specific AP.

[0016] <Coordination Negotiation Phase> The coordination negotiation phase is a phase in which an AP negotiates with other APs on whether to participate in Multi-AP coordination. For example, an AP that acquires a channel usage opportunity (Transmission Opportunity (TXOP)) (hereinafter also referred to as a "TXOP owner AP" or "Sharing AP") transmits a signal including candidate Multi-AP coordination types or resource information to other APs that support Multi-AP coordination. The other APs that receive the signal transmit a signal including whether to participate in Multi-AP coordination notified by the signal to the Sharing AP. The AP that notifies that it can participate in Multi-AP coordination is controlled by the Sharing AP. The AP controlled by the Sharing AP is also called a "Shared AP."

[0017] <Coordinated Signal Transmission Phase> The coordinated signal transmission phase is a phase in which APs perform Multi-AP coordinated transmission. For example, the Sharing AP notifies the Shared AP of scheduling information including the Multi-AP coordination type and allocated resource information. The signal transmitted in the coordinated signal transmission phase according to the scheduling information (for example, referred to as a "Multi-AP coordination signal") may be a Downlink (DL) communication signal or an Uplink (UL) communication signal.

[0018] An example of a Multi-AP coordination sequence has been described above.

[0019] However, a method for controlling the Multi-AP coordination sequence (for example, control information transmitted (or notified) by the AP and STA in each phase) has not been fully considered.

[0020] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for appropriately controlling multi-AP coordination among multiple APs and improving the efficiency of multi-AP coordination will be described.

[0021] For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, in response to a request (request signal) for control information related to Multi-AP coordination from the Sharing AP, the Shared AP notifies the Sharing AP of the control information related to Multi-AP coordination as a response signal. The Sharing AP determines (schedules) the content of a transmission signal (e.g., a Multi-AP coordination signal) based on the notified control information related to Multi-AP coordination. As a result, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the AP determines (determines or sets) the information to be transmitted in the Multi-AP coordination sequence based on the control information related to Multi-AP coordination notified from other APs, enabling appropriate transmission of the Multi-AP coordination signal.

[0022] [Configuration of Wireless Communication System] A wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include, for example, an AP 100 and an STA 200. In the wireless communication system, there may be two or more APs 100 and one or more STAs 200. For example, the AP 100 transmits a downlink (DL) signal to another AP or the STA 200. Furthermore, the STA 200 transmits an uplink (UL) signal based on a signal received from the AP 100.

[0023] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion of an AP 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The AP 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 is, for example, an AP (e.g., a Shared AP) that controls cooperative communication (Multi-AP coordination), in which a control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) determines control information related to the cooperative communication, and a communication unit (e.g., corresponding to a transmission circuit) transmits first control information to another AP (e.g., a Sharing AP) that controls the cooperative communication.

[0024] Also, in AP 100 (e.g., Sharing AP) shown in Figure 2, a communication unit (e.g., corresponding to a receiving circuit) receives first control information regarding cooperative communication from an AP (e.g., Shared AP) that is controlled to perform cooperative communication, and the control unit controls the cooperative communication based on the first control information.

[0025] 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion of an STA 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the STA 200 illustrated in FIG. 3, a control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) controls transmission or reception in cooperative communication, and a communication unit (e.g., corresponding to a receiving circuit or a transmitting circuit) transmits or receives control information or data in cooperative communication.

[0026] In this embodiment, multi-AP coordination is performed by a plurality of APs 100 and a plurality of STAs 200. As an example, a method will be described in which two APs 100 (e.g., AP1 and AP2) transmit and receive information related to multi-AP coordination with two STAs 200 (e.g., STA1 and STA2) and transmit a multi-AP coordination signal.

[0027] An example of the operation of the AP 100 and the STA 200 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of AP 100 and STA 200 according to this embodiment. The example in Fig. 4 shows an example of the operation of BSS1, which is a network (called a Basic Service Set (BSS)) formed by AP1 and STA1, and BSS2, which is formed by AP2 and STA2.

[0029] 4, AP1 broadcasts a signal including a capability related to Multi-AP coordination (e.g., referred to as "Multi-AP coordination capability"). The signal including the Multi-AP coordination capability may be, for example, a Beacon signal or another signal. AP2 receives the Beacon signal transmitted from AP1, references the Multi-AP coordination capability, and stores information related to AP1's support for Multi-AP coordination (e.g., capability information) in a buffer.

[0030] 4, AP2 broadcasts a signal (e.g., a Beacon signal) including the Multi-AP coordination capability. AP1 receives the Beacon signal transmitted from AP2, references the Multi-AP coordination capability, and stores information (e.g., capability information) related to AP2's support for Multi-AP coordination in a buffer.

[0031] When AP1 acquires a TXOP, it sends a signal (e.g., called a "Multi-AP request signal" or "MAP request signal") containing information requesting whether or not AP1 can participate in the Multi-AP coordination that it controls as a Sharing AP to AP2 that supports Multi-AP coordination.

[0032] AP2 performs a reception process of the Multi-AP request signal. For example, AP2 may refer to the Multi-AP type or resource information included in the Multi-AP request signal to determine whether or not to participate in Multi-AP coordination. AP2, for example, transmits to AP1 a signal (e.g., referred to as a "Multi-AP response signal" or "MAP response signal") including response information indicating whether or not to participate in Multi-AP coordination. For example, in FIG. 4, the Multi-AP response signal may include response information indicating participation in Multi-AP coordination.

[0033] AP1 performs a receiving process of the Multi-AP response signal. For example, AP1 refers to response information included in the Multi-AP response signal, which indicates whether or not AP1 can participate in the Multi-AP coordination, and performs a scheduling process (including, for example, determining the Multi-AP coordination type and resource information) for AP1 and AP2 in the Multi-AP coordination. AP1 transmits the scheduling information (for example, "Multi-AP coordination scheduling information") determined by the scheduling process to AP2.

[0034] Furthermore, AP1 transmits a Multi-AP coordination signal to STA1 in accordance with the determined scheduling information for AP1.

[0035] AP2 performs a process of receiving the Multi-AP coordination scheduling information transmitted from AP1. For example, AP2 transmits a Multi-AP coordination signal addressed to STA2 in accordance with the scheduling information for AP2.

[0036] STA1 performs reception processing (DL signal reception processing) of the Multi-AP coordination signal transmitted from AP1. For example, STA1 transmits a response (Acknowledge (ACK)) signal to AP1 based on the error determination result of the DL signal.

[0037] Similarly, STA2 performs reception processing (DL signal reception processing) of the Multi-AP coordination signal transmitted from AP2. For example, STA2 transmits a response (ACK) signal to AP2 based on the error determination result of the DL signal.

[0038] If AP2 does not support Multi-AP coordination, or if AP2 notifies that it cannot participate in Multi-AP coordination by using the Multi-AP coordination participation information, AP1 may cancel Multi-AP coordination. In this case, for example, AP1 may communicate independently.

[0039] Furthermore, in the Multi-AP coordination scheduling performed by AP1, the destination STA of the Multi-AP coordination signal of AP2, which is a Shared AP, and scheduling information for each destination STA (for example, Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) or stream information) may be determined, or resource information available to AP2 may be determined. For example, when resource information available to AP2 is determined by Multi-AP coordination scheduling, scheduling for each STA under AP2 may be determined by AP2.

[0040] Furthermore, the Multi-AP coordination scheduling may include determining the timing of transmitting the Multi-AP coordination. For example, AP1 and AP2 may transmit the Multi-AP coordination signal simultaneously or at different times.

[0041] An example of a Multi-AP coordination sequence has been described above.

[0042] [Configuration Example of AP 100] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the AP 100 (corresponding to, for example, a downlink radio transmission device) according to this embodiment.

[0043] The AP 100 shown in Figure 5 may include, for example, a radio receiving unit 101, a preamble demodulation unit 102, a data demodulation unit 103, a data decoding unit 104, a measurement information holding unit 105, a buffer status information holding unit 106, a capability information holding unit 107, a scheduling unit 108, a scheduling information holding unit 109, a data generation unit 110, a data encoding unit 111, a data modulation unit 112, a preamble generation unit 113, and a radio transmission unit 114.

[0044] At least one of the preamble demodulation unit 102, data demodulation unit 103, data decoding unit 104, measurement information holding unit 105, buffer status information holding unit 106, capability information holding unit 107, scheduling unit 108, scheduling information holding unit 109, data generation unit 110, data encoding unit 111, data modulation unit 112, and preamble generation unit 113 shown in Fig. 5 may be included in the control unit shown in Fig. 2. At least one of the radio reception unit 101 and the radio transmission unit 114 shown in Fig. 5 may be included in the communication unit shown in Fig. 2.

[0045] 5 , a wireless receiving unit 101 receives a signal transmitted from another AP or STA 200 (e.g., a downlink wireless receiving device) via an antenna, and performs wireless receiving processing such as down-conversion and Analog-to-Digital (A / D) conversion. The wireless receiving unit 101 divides the signal after wireless receiving processing into a preamble portion (also called a preamble signal) and a data portion (also called a data signal), and outputs the preamble signal to a preamble demodulation unit 102 and the data signal to a data demodulation unit 103.

[0046] The preamble demodulation unit 102 performs a Fourier transform (e.g., Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)) on the preamble signal input from the radio receiving unit 101 to extract reception control information used for demodulating and decoding the data signal. The reception control information may include, for example, a frequency bandwidth (BW), a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and an error correction code. The preamble demodulation unit 102 also performs channel estimation based on a reference signal included in the preamble signal to derive a channel estimation value. The preamble demodulation unit 102 outputs the reception control information to the data demodulation unit 103 and the data decoding unit 104, and outputs the channel estimation value to the data demodulation unit 103.

[0047] Data demodulation section 103 performs FFT on the data signal input from radio receiving section 101, and demodulates the data signal using the reception control information and channel estimation value input from preamble demodulation section 102. Data demodulation section 103 outputs the demodulated data signal to data decoding section 104.

[0048] Data decoding section 104 decodes the demodulated data signal input from data demodulation section 103 using the reception control information input from preamble demodulation section 102. Data decoding section 104 determines whether there is an error in the decoded data signal using a method such as Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC). If there is no error in the decoded data signal, data decoding section 104 outputs the decoded data signal to measurement information holding section 105, buffer status information holding section 106, capability information holding section 107, scheduling section 108, and scheduling information holding section 109.

[0049] The measurement information holding section 105 holds the measurement information of other APs or STAs 200 contained in the decoded data signal input from the data decoding section 104 in a buffer, and outputs the measurement information to the scheduling section 108 .

[0050] The buffer status information holding unit 106 holds in a buffer the buffer status information (e.g., BSR) of other APs or STAs 200 contained in the decoded data signal input from the data decoding unit 104, and outputs the buffer status information to the scheduling unit 108.

[0051] The capability information holding section 107 holds the capability information of other APs or STAs 200 included in the decoded data signal input from the data decoding section 104 in a buffer, and outputs the capability information to the scheduling section 108 .

[0052] The scheduling unit 108 determines scheduling information (including, for example, destination information, MCS, error correction code, transmission power, and transmission / reception period) for transmitting a signal to another AP or STA 200. The scheduling unit 108 may determine the MCS, error correction code, and transmission power based on, for example, measurement information input from the measurement information holding unit 105. The scheduling unit 108 may also determine destination information based on buffer status information input from the buffer status information holding unit 106 or capability information input from the capability information holding unit 107. The scheduling unit 108 outputs the scheduling information to the data generation unit 110, the data encoding unit 111, the data modulation unit 112, the preamble generation unit 113, and the scheduling information holding unit 109. The scheduling unit 108 may also output past scheduling information input from the scheduling information holding unit 109 as scheduling information for retransmission.

[0053] Scheduling information holding section 109 holds in a buffer the scheduling information input from scheduling section 108. When a retransmission is instructed in the decoded data signal input from data decoding section 104, scheduling information holding section 109 outputs the past scheduling information held in the buffer to scheduling section 108.

[0054] The data generation unit 110 generates a data sequence to be transmitted to another AP or the STA 200 based on the scheduling information input from the scheduling unit 108. For example, the data sequence to be transmitted to another AP may include a Beacon signal including capability information related to Multi-AP coordination, a signal including Multi-AP coordination participation request information (Multi-AP request signal), a signal including Multi-AP coordination participation response information (Multi-AP response signal), or a signal including Multi-AP coordination scheduling information. For example, the data sequence to be transmitted to the STA 200 may include a Beamforming Report Poll (BFRP) signal requesting the transmission of measurement information, a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) signal requesting the transmission of buffer status information, or a DL signal transmitted by Multi-AP coordination. The data generation unit 110 outputs the data sequence to the data encoding unit 111.

[0055] Data encoding section 111 encodes the data sequence input from data generation section 110 based on the scheduling information input from scheduling section 108 , and outputs the encoded data to data modulation section 112 .

[0056] The data modulation unit 112 performs modulation and inverse Fourier transform (IFFT) on the coded data signal input from the data coding unit 111 based on the scheduling information input from the scheduling unit 108, and outputs the modulated data signal to the radio transmission unit 114.

[0057] The preamble generating section 113 generates a preamble signal based on the scheduling information input from the scheduling section 108. The preamble generating section 113 performs modulation and IFFT processing on the preamble signal, and outputs the preamble signal to the radio transmitting section 114.

[0058] The wireless transmitting unit 114 generates a wireless frame (also called a packet signal) by adding a preamble signal input from the preamble generating unit 113 to the modulated data signal input from the data modulating unit 112. The wireless transmitting unit 114 performs wireless transmission processing such as digital-to-analog (D / A) conversion on the wireless frame and up-conversion to a carrier frequency, and transmits the signal after the wireless transmission processing to another AP or STA 200 via an antenna.

[0059] [Configuration Example of STA 200] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the STA 200 (for example, a downstream radio receiving device).

[0060] The STA 200 shown in FIG. 6 may include, for example, a radio receiving unit 201, a preamble demodulating unit 202, a data demodulating unit 203, a data decoding unit 204, a measurement control unit 205, a buffer status control unit 206, a transmission signal generating unit 207, and a radio transmitting unit 208.

[0061] At least one of the preamble demodulation unit 202, data demodulation unit 203, data decoding unit 204, measurement control unit 205, buffer status control unit 206, and transmission signal generation unit 207 shown in Figure 6 may be included in the control unit shown in Figure 3, and at least one of the radio receiving unit 201 and radio transmitting unit 208 shown in Figure 6 may be included in the communication unit shown in Figure 3.

[0062] 6 , wireless receiving section 201 receives a signal transmitted from AP 100 (e.g., a downlink wireless transmission device) via an antenna. Wireless receiving section 201 performs wireless reception processing such as down-conversion and A / D conversion of the received signal. Wireless receiving section 201 outputs a preamble signal extracted from the received signal after wireless reception processing to preamble demodulation section 202, and outputs a data signal extracted from the received signal after wireless reception processing to data demodulation section 203.

[0063] The preamble demodulation unit 202 performs an FFT on the preamble signal input from the radio reception unit 201, and extracts reception control information (including, for example, BW, MCS, and error correction code) used for demodulating and decoding the data signal (or data portion). The preamble demodulation unit 202 also performs channel estimation based on a reference signal included in the preamble signal, and derives a channel estimation value. The preamble demodulation unit 202 outputs the reception control information to the data demodulation unit 203, the data decoding unit 204, and the measurement control unit 205, and outputs the channel estimation value to the data demodulation unit 203.

[0064] The data demodulation unit 203 performs an FFT on the data signal input from the radio receiving unit 201, demodulates the data signal using the reception control information and channel estimation value input from the preamble demodulation unit 202, and outputs the demodulated data signal to the data decoding unit 204.

[0065] Data decoding section 204 decodes the demodulated data signal input from data demodulation section 203 using the reception control information input from preamble demodulation section 202. Data decoding section 204 performs error detection on the decoded data signal using a method such as CRC. If there is no error in the decoded data signal, data decoding section 204 outputs the decoded data signal to measurement control section 205 and transmission signal generation section 207.

[0066] The measurement control unit 205 calculates measurement information (e.g., Channel State Information (CSI), Signal Interference Noise Ratio (SINR), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)) based on the reception control information input from the preamble demodulation unit 202 and the demodulated data signal input from the data decoding unit 204, and stores the calculated information in a buffer. For example, when the measurement control unit 205 receives a request to transmit measurement information in the decoded data signal input from the data decoding unit 204 (e.g., when the decoded data signal is a BFRP signal), the measurement control unit 205 outputs the measurement information stored in the buffer to the transmission signal generation unit 207.

[0067] When the decoded data signal input from the data decoding unit 204 requests the transmission of STA200's UL transmission request information (e.g., a buffer status report) (e.g., when the decoded data signal is a BSRP signal), the buffer status control unit 206 outputs the UL transmission request information to the transmission signal generation unit 207.

[0068] The transmission signal generation unit 207 generates a data sequence to be transmitted to the AP 100 based on the decoded data signal input from the data decoding unit 204. For example, the data sequence to be transmitted to the AP 100 may include a response signal (ACK or Block ACK (BA)) to the signal received from the AP 100. Furthermore, if the decoded data signal input from the data decoding unit 204 includes a signal requesting transmission of measurement information (e.g., a BFRP signal), the transmission signal generation unit 207 may include measurement information in the data sequence to be transmitted to the AP 100. Furthermore, if the decoded data signal input from the data decoding unit 204 includes a signal requesting transmission of buffer status information (e.g., a BSRP signal), the transmission signal generation unit 207 may include UL transmission request information in the data sequence to be transmitted to the AP 100. The transmission signal generation unit 207 encodes the generated data sequence and generates a data signal by performing modulation and IFFT processing on a predetermined frequency resource. The transmission signal generation unit 207 adds a preamble signal to the data signal to generate a radio frame, and outputs the radio frame to the radio transmission unit 208 .

[0069] The wireless transmission unit 208 performs wireless transmission processing such as D / A conversion or upconversion to a carrier frequency on the wireless frame input from the transmission signal generation unit 207, and transmits the signal after wireless transmission processing to the AP 100 via an antenna.

[0070] The above describes exemplary configurations of the AP 100 and the STA 200.

[0071] [Example of Notification of Control Information Related to Multi-AP Coordination] Hereinafter, an example of notification of control information related to Multi-AP coordination among a plurality of APs 100 (for example, a MAP request signal and a MAP response signal) will be described.

[0072] FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation of Multi-AP coordination.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, for example, AP 100 (also called TXOP owner AP, Sharing AP, or Coordinate AP) that has acquired a TXOP transmits a Multi-AP control information request signal (hereinafter referred to as a "MAP request signal") to another AP, requesting control information regarding Multi-AP coordination.

[0074] For example, when an AP 100 that has not acquired a TXOP (also called a non-TXOP owner AP, a Shared AP, or a Coordinated AP) receives a MAP request signal, it notifies the Sharing AP of a Multi-AP coordination control information response signal (hereinafter referred to as a "MAP response signal") that includes control information regarding Multi-AP coordination.

[0075] When the Sharing AP receives a MAP response signal, it schedules Multi-AP coordination based on the control information included in the MAP response signal. The Sharing AP then transmits a MAP Trigger signal including scheduling information for Multi-AP coordination to the Shared AP, requesting the Shared AP to transmit a Multi-AP coordination signal.

[0076] The Sharing AP and the Shared AP transmit a Multi-AP coordination signal to the destination STA 200 based on the scheduling information of the Multi-AP coordination.

[0077] The method for setting the MAP request signal and the MAP response signal will be described below.

[0078] [Setting Method 1] <Example of MAP request signal> An example of the MAP request signal will be described below. Fig. 8 shows an example of the MAP request signal.

[0079] 8, the "Request MAP Type" subfield notifies, for example, information regarding the candidate types of Multi-AP coordination requested by the Sharing AP (for example, JT, C-BF, C-SR, etc.). The Request MAP Type subfield notifies, for example, the candidate types of Multi-AP coordination in bitmap format. For example, each bit of the Request MAP Type subfield may correspond to each of the candidate types of Multi-AP coordination. For example, a bit notifying 1 notifies that transmission is requested using the candidate type of Multi-AP coordination corresponding to that bit. On the other hand, a bit notifying 0 notifies that transmission is not requested using the candidate type of Multi-AP coordination corresponding to that bit. Note that the Request MAP Type subfield is not limited to a method of notifying the candidate type of Multi-AP coordination in bitmap format, and other methods (for example, a method of notifying any one of a plurality of candidate types of Multi-AP coordination) may also be used.

[0080] In FIG. 8 , the "Resource Info required" subfield indicates whether or not resource information (e.g., also referred to as "Resource Info") is included in the MAP response. For example, the Resource Info required subfield may be a 1-bit subfield. For example, if the Sharing AP does not hold Resource Info for the Shared AP, it sets the Resource Info required subfield to 1 to indicate that Resource Info will be included in the MAP response. Also, for example, if the Sharing AP holds Resource Info for the Shared AP, it sets the Resource Info required subfield to 0 to indicate that Resource Info will not be included in the MAP response.

[0081] 8, the "Measurement Info required" subfield indicates whether measurement information (e.g., also referred to as "Measurement Info") is included in the MAP response. For example, the Measurement Info required subfield may be a 1-bit subfield. For example, if the Sharing AP does not hold Measurement Info for STA 200 under the Shared AP, it sets the Measurement Info required subfield to 1 to indicate that Measurement Info will be included in the MAP response. Also, for example, if the Sharing AP holds Measurement Info for STA 200 under the Shared AP, it sets the Measurement Info required subfield to 0 to indicate that Measurement Info will not be included in the MAP response.

[0082] In this way, the MAP request signal may include information about the contents to be included in the MAP response signal, such as the Resource Info required subfield and the Measurement Info required subfield.

[0083] 8, the "Keeping STA Info" subfield notifies information about the STAs 200 for which the Sharing AP holds measurement information. For example, the Keeping STA Info subfield may notify the identifiers of the STAs 200 for which the Sharing AP holds measurement information. The identifiers of the STAs 200 may be, for example, association identifiers (AIDs) for each STA 200 shared between APs 100 that support Multi-AP coordination. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the Keeping STA Info subfield may include a "Number of STAs" subfield that notifies the number of STAs 200 included in the Keeping STA Info subfield, and a "STA ID" subfield that notifies the identifiers of the STAs 200. For example, the STA ID subfield may include a number of "STA ID" subfields equal to the number notified in the Number of STAs subfield (N is the number of STAs 200).

[0084] In FIG. 8 , the "Compressed mode" subfield indicates whether or not a MAP response is to be transmitted (response transmission). The Compressed mode subfield may be, for example, a 1-bit subfield. For example, in a retransmission in Multi-AP coordination, if the same AP and the same resources as in the previous transmission are used for transmission, the Sharing AP may indicate Compressed mode subfield=1. Furthermore, if the retransmission is not a retransmission (or if different resources from those in the previous transmission are used for retransmission), the Sharing AP may indicate Compressed mode=0. For example, the Shared AP may transmit a MAP response signal when Compressed mode subfield=0, and may not transmit a MAP response signal when Compressed mode subfield=1.

[0085] The Sharing AP may transmit a MAP request signal, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, using a control frame (also called an Initial Control frame). For example, when the MAP request signal is addressed to one Shared AP, the Sharing AP notifies the MAP request signal using a control frame. In this case, the destination Shared AP is a cooperative candidate AP that supports Multi-AP coordination, and the MAP request signal may include an identifier of the destination Shared AP.

[0086] Furthermore, the Sharing AP may transmit a MAP request signal, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, using a Trigger frame. For example, if the MAP request signal is transmitted to two or more Shared APs, the Sharing AP transmits the MAP request signal using a Trigger frame.

[0087] The frame used to transmit the MAP request signal is not limited to the above example, and the sharing AP may transmit the MAP request signal using at least one of a control frame and a management frame.

[0088] <Example of MAP response signal> Next, an example of the MAP response signal will be described. Fig. 10 shows an example of the MAP response signal.

[0089] 10, the MAP response signal notifies control information related to Multi-AP coordination. The MAP response signal may include, for example, information related to resources for Multi-AP coordination (also referred to as a "Resource Info section") and measurement information of the Shared AP and the STAs 200 subordinate to the Shared AP (also referred to as a "Measurement Info section").

[0090] The Resource Info section may include, for example, information regarding transmission types that can be used for Multi-AP coordination (e.g., information regarding whether or not each type can cooperate), information regarding resources that can be used for Multi-AP coordination (or resources that are requested to be used) (at least one of time resources and frequency resources), and information regarding APs or STAs that are candidate destinations for Multi-AP coordination (e.g., APs or STAs that can communicate with a Shared AP and are candidates for Multi-AP coordination).

[0091] Fig. 11 shows an example of the Resource Info section. In the example of Fig. 11, the Resource Info section may include a "MAP type" subfield, a "Bandwidth (BW)" subfield, a "TXOP duration" subfield, a "Num AP" subfield, an "AP IDs" subfield, a "STA IDs" subfield, and a "STA ID bitmap" subfield.

[0092] 11 , the MAP type subfield notifies, for example, the Multi-AP coordination candidate types for which cooperative transmission is possible in bitmap format. For example, the MAP type subfield may be a bitmap of the same length as the Request MAP Type subfield of the MAP request signal, with each bit corresponding to each Multi-AP coordination candidate type. For example, the MAP type subfield notifies whether cooperative transmission by a Shared AP is possible for a Multi-AP coordination candidate type notified by a bit of 1 in the Request MAP Type subfield. For example, a bit notifying 1 notifies that transmission is possible using the Multi-AP coordination candidate type corresponding to that bit. On the other hand, a bit notifying 0 notifies that transmission is not possible using the Multi-AP coordination candidate type corresponding to that bit. Note that the MAP type subfield is not limited to a method of notifying the Multi-AP coordination candidate type in bitmap format, and other methods (for example, a method of notifying any one of a plurality of Multi-AP coordination candidate types) may be used.

[0093] The BW subfield indicates a frequency band that can be used in Multi-AP coordinated transmission (or a frequency bandwidth that is requested to be used). The value of the BW subfield may be, for example, a frequency bandwidth, the number of subchannels, a number associated with the size of a Resource Unit (RU), or the like.

[0094] The TXOP duration notifies information about time resources available for use in Multi-AP coordinated transmission (or time resources requested for use). The value of the TXOP duration subfield may be a value representing time resources equivalent to, for example, milliseconds, microseconds, Time Unit (TU), the number of OFDM symbols, etc.

[0095] The Num AP subfield notifies the AP 100 (Shared AP) that transmits the MAP response signal of the number of APs (for example, APs capable of Multi-AP coordination) that exist within a range where the AP 100 can transmit and receive a signal.

[0096] The AP IDs subfield reports the identifiers of APs equal to the number of APs capable of Multi-AP coordination (eg, candidate APs for Multi-AP coordination) reported by the Num AP subfield.

[0097] The Num STA subfield indicates the number of STAs to be set as destination STAs of Multi-AP coordination, which are STAs 200 under the control of the AP that transmits the MAP response signal.

[0098] The STA IDs subfield reports the identifiers of the STAs 200 under the AP that transmit the MAP response signal, the number of which is equal to the number of STAs reported in the Num STA subfield.

[0099] The STA ID bitmap indicates whether STA information is notified in the Measurement Info section. The STA ID bitmap may be, for example, bitmap-format information having a bit length equal to the number of STAs notified by the Num STA subfield, with each bit corresponding to each STA 200. The STAs 200 to which each bit corresponds may be, for example, the same as the order of the identifiers of the STAs 200 notified by the STA IDs subfield. For example, a bit notifying a 1 indicates that the STA information of the STA 200 corresponding to that bit is included in the Measurement Info section. For example, a bit notifying a 0 indicates that the STA information of the STA 200 corresponding to that bit is not included in the Measurement Info section. For example, if the Shared AP has already notified STA information of a certain STA 200, it may set the corresponding bit in the STA ID bitmap subfield to 0 and not notify the STA information of the corresponding STA 200.

[0100] An example of the Resource Info section has been described above.

[0101] 10 includes, for example, measurement information notified in the Resource Info portion for each STA 200. For example, the Measurement Info portion includes a "STA Info" subfield indicating the number of STAs notified in the Resource Info portion.

[0102] Fig. 12 shows an example of the STA Info subfield included in the Measurement Info section. In the example of Fig. 12, the STA Info may include a "STA ID" subfield, an "Acceptable Receiver Interference Level (ARIL)" subfield, a "Pathloss" subfield, a "SINR" subfield, a "Num Spatial Streams" subfield, and a "Scheduling Priority" subfield.

[0103] In FIG. 12, the STA ID subfield indicates the identifier of the STA 200 whose STA information is notified by the STA Info shown in FIG.

[0104] The ARIL subfield indicates the interference power level that the STA 200 can tolerate.

[0105] The Pathloss subfield indicates the pathloss value between the STA 200 and the AP 100. Each STA Info includes, for example, a number of Pathloss subfields equal to the number indicated by the Num AP subfield in the Resource Info section plus 1 (i.e., corresponding to the Shared AP transmitting the MAP response signal). For example, the Pathloss subfield may first indicate the pathloss value between the STA 200 and the AP 100 to which the STA 200 belongs, and then indicate the pathloss values ​​between the STA 200 and other APs. The order of the pathloss values ​​between the STA 200 and other APs may be the same as the order of the AP IDs indicated by the AP IDs subfield in the Resource Info section. The Num AP subfield and the AP IDs subfield may be included in the Measurement Info section instead of in the Resource Info section.

[0106] The SINR subfield reports the SINR value for each channel measured by the STA 200. The channel width of the SINR reported in the SINR subfield may be changed depending on the bandwidth reported in the BW subfield of the Resource Info section. For example, when BW = 80 MHz, the four SINR subfields shown in FIG. 12 each report the SINR value for each 20 MHz channel. Also, for example, when BW = 320 MHz, the four SINR subfields shown in FIG. 12 each report the SINR value for each 80 MHz channel. Note that the number of SINR subfields in the STA Info is not limited to four and may be any other number.

[0107] The Num Spatial Streams subfield indicates the maximum number of spatial streams that STA 200 can transmit.

[0108] The Scheduling Priority subfield indicates the scheduling priority in Multi-AP coordination. For example, the Scheduling Priority subfield may be a 1-bit subfield. For example, a bit of 1 indicates that the STA 200 is requesting scheduling with high priority. A bit of 0 indicates that the STA 200 has a low scheduling priority.

[0109] The Shared AP may transmit a MAP response signal such as those shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 using a control frame (also called an Initial Control Response frame).

[0110] Examples of the MAP request signal and the MAP response signal have been described above.

[0111] In this way, in setting method 1, the Sharing AP can flexibly request control information used for controlling Multi-AP coordination from the Shared AP using a MAP request signal. Furthermore, the Shared AP can determine the information to be included in a MAP response signal according to the content of the MAP request signal from the Sharing AP, and can appropriately transmit a MAP response signal including information used by the Sharing AP for controlling Multi-AP coordination.

[0112] [Configuration Method 2] In configuration method 2, the MAP response signal includes transmission request information in Multi-AP coordination. The transmission request information notifies, for example, a Buffer Status Report (BSR).

[0113] For example, the MAP response signal may include the BSR of the AP 100 (for example, a shared AP) and the BSR of the STA 200 under the control of the AP 100 .

[0114] FIG. 13 shows an example of a MAP response signal including a BSR.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 13, the Resource Info portion of the MAP response signal includes an "AP BSR present" subfield, a "STA BSR present" subfield, and an "AP BSR" subfield.

[0116] The AP BSR present subfield indicates whether the BSR of the AP 100 is included in the MAP response signal.

[0117] The STA BSR present subfield indicates whether the MAP response signal includes the BSR of the STA 200 .

[0118] For example, the AP BSR present subfield and the STA BSR present subfield may each be a 1-bit subfield. When the AP BSR present subfield / STA BSR present subfield is 1, it indicates that the BSR of the AP 100 / STA 200 is included in the MAP response signal. When the AP BSR present subfield / STA BSR present subfield is 0, it indicates that the BSR of the AP 100 / STA 200 is not included in the MAP response signal.

[0119] The AP BSR subfield notifies buffer status information (for example, BSR of the Shared AP) of a DL signal transmitted from the Shared AP to the STA 200 under the control of the Shared AP.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 13, the Measurement Info portion of the MAP response signal includes a "STA BSR" subfield.

[0121] The STA BSR subfield indicates buffer status information (e.g., BSR of STA 200) of the UL signal transmitted to the Shared AP to which STA 200 belongs. Note that, for example, the BSR of the STA may be included in STA Info and notified instead of the Scheduling Priority subfield in setting method 1 (e.g., FIG. 12).

[0122] FIG. 14 shows an example of the configuration of a BSR.

[0123] 14, the "Access Category Indicator (ACI) Bitmap" subfield indicates the access category of the signal to be transmitted. Each bit in the ACI Bitmap subfield corresponds to a respective access category, with a bit of 1 indicating an access category for which transmission is requested and a bit of 0 indicating an access category for which transmission is not requested.

[0124] The "Delta TID" subfield, in combination with the ACI Bitmap subfield, notifies the number of Traffic IDs (TIDs) that STA 200 notifies.

[0125] The "ACI High" subfield indicates the access category that requests transmission with high priority.

[0126] The "Scheduling Factor" subfield indicates a magnification of the size of the buffer status indicated by the "Queue Size High" subfield and the "Queue Size All" subfield.

[0127] The Queue Size High subfield indicates the buffer size for the access category that requests transmission with high priority indicated by the ACI High subfield.

[0128] The Queue Size All subfield indicates the total buffer size for all access categories requesting transmission.

[0129] An example of a MAP response signal including a BSR has been described above. Note that in configuration method 2, the MAP request signal may be the same as in configuration method 1.

[0130] 13, the MAP response signal includes the BSR of the AP (AP BSR subfield) in the Resource Info section, and the BSR of each STA (e.g., "STA BSR" subfield) in the STA Info of the Measurement Info section. Note that the configuration of the MAP response signal is not limited to this, and for example, the Measurement Info section may include the BSR of the AP (AP BSR subfield) and the BSR of the STA ("STA BSR" subfield).

[0131] As described above, in configuration method 2, the Shared AP determines the BSR to be included in the MAP response signal. This allows the Shared AP to appropriately transmit a MAP response signal including the BSR used by the Sharing AP to control Multi-AP coordination. The Sharing AP may determine the scheduling priority for the AP 100 or STA 200 performing Multi-AP coordination, for example, based on the BSR included in the MAP response signal notified from the Shared AP. For example, the larger the BSR, the higher the scheduling priority may be set. Furthermore, the Sharing AP may use the BSR included in the MAP response signal for scheduling, or may use the BSR included in a signal received before or after the MAP response signal.

[0132] Setting methods 1 and 2 have been described above.

[0133] [Example of Operation of Multi-AP Coordination] Next, an example of operation of Multi-AP coordination will be described.

[0134] 15 to 18 show examples of the operation of Multi-AP coordination. In Fig. 15 to 18, STA1 is a STA under the control of the Sharing AP, and STA2 is a STA under the control of the Shared AP.

[0135] For example, as shown in Figures 15 to 18, the Sharing AP transmits a MAP request signal to the Shared AP. The Shared AP determines (e.g., changes) the content of the MAP response signal based on the MAP request signal received from the Sharing AP. Furthermore, for example, the content of the MAP request signal transmitted from the Sharing AP may vary depending on the information transmitted from the Shared AP to the Sharing AP.

[0136] The following describes an example in which the Shared AP changes the information in the MAP response signal based on the MAP request signal received from the Sharing AP.

[0137] For example, the Shared AP does not need to include, in the Measurement Info portion of the MAP response signal, the STA Info of the STA 200 having the STA ID notified by the Keeping STA Info subfield included in the MAP request signal.

[0138] Furthermore, for example, the Shared AP may determine whether to include a Resource Info portion in a MAP response signal based on a Resource Info Required subfield included in a MAP request signal.

[0139] Furthermore, for example, the Shared AP may determine whether to include a Measurement Info section in a MAP response signal based on the Measurement Info Required subfield included in the MAP request signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 , the Sharing AP may transmit a Measurement Info Poll signal before the MAP request signal and the MAP response signal, and the Shared AP may respond with a Measurement Info signal. In this case, the Sharing AP may notify the Shared AP that it will not include a Measurement Info section in the MAP request signal by setting the Measurement Info Required subfield in the MAP request signal, and the Shared AP may determine not to include a Measurement Info section in the MAP request signal based on the Measurement Info Required subfield.

[0140] Furthermore, for example, the Shared AP may determine whether to transmit a MAP response signal based on the Compressed mode subfield included in the MAP request signal. For example, if the Compressed mode subfield = 1, the Shared AP may omit transmitting the MAP response signal because retransmission is performed using the same resources and with the same scheduling as the previous cooperative transmission.

[0141] Furthermore, for example, the Shared AP may determine (or change) the content of the STA Info to be included in the Measurement Info section according to the value of the Request MAP Type subfield included in the MAP request signal. For example, the Shared AP may determine the content of the STA Info according to the Multi-AP coordination method corresponding to the bit indicating "1" in the Request MAP Type subfield. For example, when C-SR is notified by the Request MAP Type subfield, the Shared AP may include the path loss value between the Sharing AP and the cooperative candidate AP and the STA 200, and the ARIL of the STA 200 in the STA Info. For example, when C-BF is notified by the Request MAP Type subfield, the Shared AP may include Channel State Information (CSI) information between the Sharing AP and the cooperative candidate AP and the STA 200 in the STA Info. Note that the correspondence between the type of Multi-AP coordination notified by the Request MAP Type subfield and the information included in the MAP response signal is not limited to the above example.

[0142] Alternatively, for example, the Sharing AP may include a BSRP in a MAP request signal and request that at least one of the BSRs of the Shared AP and the STA 200 under the Shared AP be included in the MAP response signal. In this case, the Sharing AP may notify the Shared AP of information regarding the time until the MAP response is sent (e.g., a "Timeout" subfield). For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , the Sharing AP transmits a MAP request signal including a BSRP and a Timeout subfield to the Shared AP. The Shared AP notifies the STA 200 under the Shared AP (e.g., STA2) of the BSRP signal within the time indicated by the Timeout subfield included in the MAP request signal and receives a BSR from STA2. The Shared AP then notifies the Sharing AP of a MAP response signal including, for example, the BSR of the Shared AP and at least one of the BSRs of the Shared AP and the STA 2 under the Shared AP.

[0143] Also, for example, the Sharing AP may request, by a MAP request signal, that the BSR not be included in the MAP response signal. For example, if the Shared AP acquires the BSR of the STA 200 under the Shared AP in advance and transmits the acquired BSR to the Sharing AP, the Sharing AP may notify, by a MAP request signal, that the BSR not be included in the MAP response signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, if the Shared AP does not receive a BSRP signal from the Sharing AP and notifies other APs by including the BSR in a beacon signal or the like (called Unsolicited BSR), the Sharing AP notifies, by a MAP request signal, that the BSR not be included in the MAP response signal. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, if the Shared AP receives a BSRP signal from the Sharing AP and notifies the Sharing AP of the BSR (called Solicited BSR), the Sharing AP notifies, by a MAP request signal, that the BSR not be included in the MAP response signal. In this case, the Shared AP may notify the Sharing AP of a MAP response signal that does not include the BSR, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0144] An example of the operation of Multi-AP coordination has been described above.

[0145] As described above, in this embodiment, AP 100 can appropriately determine information to be included in a transmission signal based on a signal including control information for Multi-AP coordination notified from another AP. For example, a Shared AP can appropriately determine information to be included in a MAP response signal based on a MAP request signal notified from a Sharing AP. This allows the Sharing AP to appropriately control the scheduling information for Multi-AP coordination notified by a MAP Trigger signal based on the MAP response signal notified from the Shared AP. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the efficiency of transmission control (e.g., Multi-AP coordination) in wireless communication can be improved.

[0146] One embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above.

[0147] In the setting method 1, an example has been described in which the Compressed mode subfield in the MAP request signal is notified as one bit, and whether or not to transmit a MAP response signal is determined depending on the value of the Compressed mode subfield, but this is not limiting. The information unit to be compressed may be changed depending on the Compressed mode subfield. For example, the Compressed mode subfield may be defined as having a bit length equal to the number of Media Access Control Service Data Units (MPDUs) of the Multi-AP coordination signal to be retransmitted, and whether or not to retransmit may be notified in units of MPDUs. Furthermore, the Compressed mode subfield may be defined as having a bit length equal to the number of destination STAs of the Multi-AP coordination signal to be retransmitted, and whether or not to retransmit may be notified in units of STAs.

[0148] In addition, in the setting method 2, an operation example in which BSR is used as a method for determining the scheduling priority in Multi-AP coordination (cooperative transmission) has been described, but the parameters used for determining the scheduling priority are not limited to BSR. For example, Quality of Service (QoS) information may be used. For example, the QoS information may be notified by the QoS Characteristics element shown in FIG. 19. For example, the QoS information may be notified by the Traffic Specification (TSPEC) element shown in FIG. 20. For example, the QoS information may be notified by the Traffic Classification (TCLAS) element shown in FIG. 21. For example, the QoS information may be notified by the Intra-Access Category element shown in FIG. 22.

[0149] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims. It is understood that such modifications or alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0150] In the above-described embodiments, the notation "... part" used for each component may be replaced with other notations such as "... circuit," "... assembly," "... device," "... unit," or "... module."

[0151] The interface names (frame names), field names, or subfield names described in the above-described embodiments may be other names.

[0152] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the field (or subfield) used for notifying control information is an example, and other fields or subfields may be used. Furthermore, the number of bits used for notifying control information in each field or subfield is an example, and other numbers of bits may be used.

[0153] Furthermore, the signal formats described in each of the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples, and other configurations may be used in which at least one of other fields is added and some fields is deleted, and other configurations may be used in which at least one of other subfields is added and some subfields are deleted in each of the above-mentioned fields.

[0154] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as an example, a case based on the format defined in IEEE 802.11 has been described, but the format to which an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is not limited to the IEEE 802.11 format.

[0155] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in conjunction with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely controlled by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of a single chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may also be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI.

[0156] The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0157] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, it is natural that such technology may be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology, etc. is also a possibility.

[0158] The present disclosure may be implemented in any type of apparatus, device, or system (collectively referred to as a communications apparatus) that has a communications function. The communications apparatus may include a radio transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The radio transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, or both functions. The radio transceiver (transmitter and receiver) may include a radio frequency (RF) module and one or more antennas. The RF module may include an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, or the like. Non-limiting examples of communication devices include telephones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, notebooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (e.g., digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine devices, communication-enabled vehicles or mobile transportation (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships), and combinations of the above devices.

[0159] The communication devices are not limited to portable or mobile devices, but also include any kind of non-portable or fixed equipment, devices, and systems, such as smart home devices (such as home appliances, lighting equipment, smart meters or measuring devices, control panels, etc.), vending machines, and any other "things" that may exist on an IoT (Internet of Things) network.

[0160] Communications include data communications via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, communication satellite systems, and the like, as well as data communications via combinations of these.

[0161] A communications apparatus also includes devices such as controllers and sensors connected or coupled to a communications device that performs the communications functions described in this disclosure, such as controllers and sensors that generate control and data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications apparatus.

[0162] The communication apparatus also includes infrastructure facilities, such as base stations, access points, and any other apparatus, device, or system that communicates with or controls the various apparatuses listed above, but are not limited to these.

[0163] An access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an access point that is controlled to perform cooperative communication, and includes a control circuit that determines first control information related to the cooperative communication, and a transmission circuit that transmits the first control information to another access point that controls the cooperative communication.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first control information is included in a response signal to second control information transmitted from the other access point.

[0165] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first control information includes information on resources for the cooperative communication and information on measurement values ​​of the access point and terminals subordinate to the access point.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information regarding the resources includes at least one of information regarding transmission types that can be used for the cooperative communication, information regarding time resources or frequency resources that can be used for the cooperative communication, information regarding candidate access points that can communicate with the access point and that will perform the cooperative communication, and information regarding candidate terminals that will perform the cooperative communication.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information regarding the measurement values ​​includes information regarding at least one of an SINR for each terminal, a path loss for each terminal, a maximum number of spatial streams, and a scheduling priority in the cooperative communication.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first control information includes at least one of information on a buffer status of the access point and information on a buffer status of a terminal under the control of the access point.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second control information includes at least one of information regarding the type of cooperative communication requested by the other access point, information regarding the content to be included in the first control information, and information regarding the terminal for which the other access point holds measurement information.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second control information is transmitted by a control frame or a management frame.

[0171] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control circuit determines content to be included in the first control information based on information transmitted to the other access points.

[0172] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the content of the second control information varies depending on information transmitted from the access point to the other access point.

[0173] An access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a receiving circuit that receives first control information regarding the cooperative communication from an access point that controls the cooperative communication, and a control circuit that controls the cooperative communication based on the first control information.

[0174] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an access point controlled to perform cooperative communication determines first control information related to the cooperative communication and transmits the first control information to another access point controlling the cooperative communication.

[0175] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an access point that controls cooperative communication receives first control information regarding the cooperative communication from an access point whose cooperative communication is controlled, and controls the cooperative communication based on the first control information.

[0176] The disclosures of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-024961, filed February 21, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0177] One embodiment of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0178] 100 AP 101, 201 Radio receiving unit 102, 202 Preamble demodulation unit 103, 203 Data demodulation unit 104, 204 Data decoding unit 105 Measurement information storage unit 106 Buffer status information storage unit 107 Capability information storage unit 108 Scheduling unit 109 Scheduling information storage unit 110 Data generation unit 111 Data encoding unit 112 Data modulation unit 113 Preamble generation unit 114, 208 Radio transmission unit 200 STA 205 Measurement control unit 206 Buffer status control unit 207 Transmission signal generation unit

Claims

1. An access point controlled to perform cooperative communication, comprising: a control circuit that determines first control information related to the cooperative communication; and a transmission circuit that transmits the first control information to another access point that controls the cooperative communication.

2. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the first control information is included in a response signal to second control information transmitted from the other access point.

3. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the first control information includes information on resources for the cooperative communication and information on measurement values ​​of the access point and terminals subordinate to the access point.

4. The access point of claim 3, wherein the information about resources includes at least one of information about transmission types that can be used for the cooperative communication, information about time resources or frequency resources that can be used for the cooperative communication, information about candidate access points that can communicate with the access point and that will perform the cooperative communication, and information about candidate terminals that will perform the cooperative communication.

5. The access point according to claim 3, wherein the information relating to the measurement values ​​includes information relating to at least one of an SINR for each terminal, a path loss for each terminal, a maximum number of spatial streams, and a scheduling priority in the cooperative communication.

6. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the first control information includes at least one of information relating to a buffer status of the access point and information relating to a buffer status of a terminal under the control of the access point.

7. The access point described in claim 2, wherein the second control information includes at least one of information regarding the type of cooperative communication requested by the other access point, information regarding the content to be included in the first control information, and information regarding a terminal for which the other access point holds measurement information.

8. The access point according to claim 2, wherein the second control information is transmitted by a control frame or a management frame.

9. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit determines the content to be included in the first control information based on information transmitted to the other access point.

10. The access point according to claim 2, wherein the content of the second control information varies depending on information transmitted from the access point to the other access point.

11. An access point comprising: a receiving circuit that receives first control information regarding cooperative communication from an access point that is controlled to perform the cooperative communication; and a control circuit that controls the cooperative communication based on the first control information.

12. A communication method, comprising: an access point controlled to perform cooperative communication determines first control information regarding the cooperative communication; and transmits the first control information to another access point that controls the cooperative communication.

13. A communication method, comprising: an access point controlling cooperative communication receiving first control information regarding the cooperative communication from an access point whose cooperative communication is being controlled; and controlling the cooperative communication based on the first control information.

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