Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

According to the present invention, a terminal device in EMLSR mode performs roaming among a plurality of APs. This information processing device comprises a control unit that performs: control for sharing roaming information in a base station device that communicates with a terminal device compatible with an Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio (EMLSR) mode, which switches between SISO communication for each of a plurality of links and MIMO communication using any one of the plurality of links; control for acquiring a transmission right for MIMO communication with the terminal device; control for transmitting, to the terminal device, information on a period in which MIMO communication is continued; and control for causing the base station device to perform transmission based on the transmission right within the period in which MIMO communication is continued.

Description

Information processing device and information processing method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing method.

[0002] In communication systems, AP cooperative operation is known, which improves communication characteristics by coordinating multiple access points (APs). For example, when a terminal device (STA) roams between multiple APs, an operation called multiple serving is known, in which the terminal device temporarily or continuously connects to and communicates with the multiple APs via different links (frequency channels). This multiple serving can improve communication reliability.

[0003] On the other hand, a terminal device typically performs multi-link operation, connecting to an AP via multiple links using multiple antennas. In the case of a terminal device that cannot be equipped with multiple antennas due to physical size constraints or the like, a function is provided to allocate the multiple antennas installed for multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) communication on a single link to multiple links using single-input, single-output (SISO) communication. In this case, the terminal device can use an enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode that switches between SISO communication for each of the multiple links and MIMO communication using one of the multiple links. When the EMLSR mode is applied, the AP notifies the terminal device of the intention to start communication using SISO communication on one of the links. The terminal device then switches to MIMO communication on that link and performs communication (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-167312

[0005] However, in multiple serving, since terminal devices are connected to physically different APs, there is a problem that when each AP independently sends a notification to start communication to a terminal device in EMLSR mode, the terminal device cannot perform communication using EMLSR.

[0006] The IEEE 802.11 UHR SG / TGbn public contributions (23 / 0322r0, 23 / 0324r1) describe the architecture for AP-cooperative roaming, the information to be shared between APs, and the functions that each AP should have. However, they do not consider terminal devices in EMLSR mode, and do not describe information on the timing of notification to start communication to terminal devices in EMLSR mode. Therefore, in the case of multiple serving, if each AP independently sends a notification to start communication to a terminal device in EMLSR mode, the terminal device cannot communicate using EMLSR, which is an issue that cannot be resolved.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes an information processing device and an information processing method that allow a terminal device in EMLSR mode to roam using a plurality of APs.

[0008] The information processing device of the present disclosure is an information processing device having a control unit that controls the sharing of roaming information in a base station device that communicates with a terminal device that supports an EMLSR (Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio) mode that switches between SISO communication for each of a plurality of links and MIMO communication using any of the plurality of links, controls the acquisition of transmission rights for MIMO communication with the terminal device, controls the transmission of information regarding the period for which the MIMO communication will continue to the terminal device, and controls the base station device to transmit based on the transmission rights during the period for which the MIMO communication will continue.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication process according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame format according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame format according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a process in a base station device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a process in a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication process according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication process according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. A block diagram illustrating an example configuration of hardware of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program. A block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a smartphone to which the present technology is applied. A block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device to which the present technology is applied. A block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP to which the present technology is applied.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description will be given in the following order. Note that in the following embodiments, the same components will be assigned the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description. 1. First embodiment 2. Second embodiment 3. Third embodiment 4. Example of computer configuration 5. Application example 6. Example of smartphone configuration 7. Example of in-vehicle device configuration 8. Example of wireless AP configuration

[0011] (1. First Embodiment) [Configuration of Wireless Communication System] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. This system is configured by a base station device 10a, a base station device 10b, and a terminal device 20. The base station device is an example of AP MLD (Multi Link Device). The terminal device is an example of Non-AP MLD. The dashed circle centered on the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b represents the range of a basic service set (BSS), indicating the range in which communication with the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b is possible. The terminal device 20 is within a range in which communication with the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b is possible, and may be connected to and communicating with the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b.

[0012] Alternatively, the terminal device 20 may first be within a range where it can communicate with the base station device 10a, as shown by the dotted line on the left, and then roam into a range where it can communicate with both the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b. Alternatively, the terminal device 20 may first be within a range where it can communicate with both the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b, as shown by the dotted line on the right, and then roam into a range where it can communicate with the base station device 10b. Alternatively, the terminal device 20 may move from left to right along with the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b. Alternatively, the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b can communicate directly. This communication may be wired or wireless.

[0013] [Configuration of Communication Device] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication device 100. The communication device 100 is a device corresponding to the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20 described above. The communication device 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, and antennas 111a and 111b. The communication unit 110 also includes a communication control unit 117, a communication storage unit 118, amplifiers 112a and 112b, wireless interface units 113a and 113b, signal processing units 114a and 114b, individual data processing units 115a and 115b, and a common data processing unit 116.

[0014] The communication control unit 117 controls the operation of each unit and the transmission of information between each unit. The communication control unit 117 also controls the transfer of control information and management information to be notified to other communication devices to each data processing unit. Assuming the communication control unit 117 of the base station device 10a in FIG. 1 , the communication control unit 117 of the present disclosure controls the sharing of roaming information in the base station device 10b that communicates with the terminal device 20 that supports the EMLSR mode. This roaming information is shared with another base station (base station device 10b). Here, the roaming information is, for example, information about the terminal device 20 that supports the EMLSR mode. The roaming information is, for example, information about the operation in the EMLSR mode.

[0015] Furthermore, the communication control unit 117 controls the base station 10b to operate in the EMLSR mode during roaming. In particular, when another base station (base station 10b) is transmitting a multi-user RTS (MU-RTS), the communication control unit 117 suppresses the transmission of MU-RTS from the base station 10b. Furthermore, the communication control unit 117 suppresses the transmission of MU-RTS to links that are disabled by the terminal device 20 in the EMLSR mode.

[0016] Furthermore, the communication control unit 117 controls the transmission of information about the period during which MIMO communication in the EMLSR mode will continue to the terminal device 20. At this time, the communication control unit 117 can store the information about the period during which MIMO communication in the EMLSR mode will continue in the MU-RTS and transmit the same. Furthermore, the communication control unit 117 can transmit the MU-RTS using the link for performing MIMO communication.

[0017] The communication control unit 117 also controls the acquisition of a transmission right for MIMO communication with the terminal device 20. Here, the transmission right is acquired from the medium (or from another competing communication device sharing the medium). The communication control unit 117 also controls each unit to share the transmission right (TXOP sharing) with another base station device (base station device 10b) during the period during which the MIMO communication is continued. When causing the other base station device (base station device 10b) to transmit based on the transmission right, the communication control unit 117 controls the transmission of transmission right information to the other base station device (base station device 10b). Here, the transmission right information is, for example, information on the transmission right sharing mode. The transmission right information is, for example, information on the period during which the MIMO communication is continued. The communication control unit 117 can store and transmit the transmission right information in the MU-RTS (TXS) described below.

[0018] The communication storage unit 118 stores information used by the communication control unit 117. The communication storage unit 118 also stores data to be transmitted and data received.

[0019] During transmission, the common data processing unit 116 performs sequence management of the data stored in the communication storage unit 118 and the control information and management information received from the communication control unit 117, and performs encryption processing and the like to generate data units. The common data processing unit 116 further allocates the generated data units to the individual data processing units 115a and 115b. During reception, the common data processing unit 116 performs decryption processing and reordering processing of the data units.

[0020] During transmission, the individual data processing units 115a and 115b perform channel access operations based on carrier sense, add a Media Access Control (MAC) header and an error detection code to the data to be transmitted, and perform processing to concatenate multiple data units. During reception, the individual data processing units 115a and 115b also perform processing to deconcatenate the MAC headers of received data units, analyze and detect errors, and request retransmission.

[0021] The operations of the common data processing unit 116 and the individual data processing units 115a and 115b are not limited to those described above, and one may perform the operation of the other, for example.

[0022] During transmission, the signal processing units 114a and 114b perform encoding, interleaving, modulation, etc. on the data units, and add a physical (PHY) header to generate a symbol stream. Note that an arbitrary delay (hereinafter referred to as cyclic shift delay (CSD)) may be applied to each antenna without spatial separation. During reception, the signal processing units 114a and 114b analyze the physical header and perform demodulation, deinterleaving, decoding, etc. on the symbol stream to generate a data unit. Furthermore, the signal processing units 114a and 114b estimate complex channel characteristics and perform spatial separation processing as necessary.

[0023] During transmission, the radio interface units 113a and 113b perform digital-to-analog signal conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and phase control on the symbol stream to generate a transmission signal. During reception, the radio interface units 113a and 113b perform down-conversion, filtering, and analog-to-digital signal conversion on the received signal to generate a symbol stream.

[0024] The amplifiers 112a and 112b amplify signals input from the wireless interface units 113a and 113b or the antennas 111a and 111b. Parts of the amplifiers 112a and 112b may be components outside the communication unit. Alternatively, parts of the amplifiers 112a and 112b may be included in the wireless interface units 113a and 113b.

[0025] The control unit 120 controls the communication unit 110 and the communication control unit 117. The control unit 120 may also perform part of the operations of the communication control unit 117. The communication control unit 117 and the control unit 120 may also be configured as a single block.

[0026] The storage unit 130 holds information used by the control unit 120 and the communication unit 110. It may also perform part of the operations of the communication storage unit. The storage unit and the communication storage unit may be configured as a single block.

[0027] An individual data processing unit, a signal processing unit, a wireless interface unit, an amplifier unit, and an antenna are grouped together, and two or more groups are components of a communication device, and each group can perform wireless communication via a respective link. The communication device 100 in FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which two groups of individual data processing units, signal processing units, wireless interface units, amplifier units, and antennas are included. A storage unit 130 may also be included in the group. A link is a wireless transmission path over which data can be transmitted between two communication devices. The links used by each group may use different frequency bands. An individual data processing unit and a signal processing unit may also be grouped together, and two or more groups may be connected to a single wireless interface unit.

[0028] Furthermore, a wireless interface unit, an amplifier unit, and an antenna may be grouped together, and two or more groups may be components of a communication device.

[0029] The communication unit 110 can be realized by one or more LSIs. The common data processing unit 116 is also referred to as an MLD Upper MAC or an MLD entity. The individual data processing units 115a and the like are also referred to as an MLD Lower MAC. A set of the individual data processing units 115a and the like and the signal processing unit 114a and the like is also referred to as an AP entity or a non-AP entity. The communication control unit 117 is also referred to as a Management entity, a Roaming entity, or a Single Mobility Domain entity.

[0030] In the case of the communication device 100 constituting the terminal device 20, the communication control unit 117 controls reception of information regarding the period during which MIMO communication will continue. At this time, the communication control unit 117 controls reception of information regarding the period during which MIMO communication will continue via SISO communication. The communication control unit 117 also controls reception of an MU-RTS in which information regarding the period during which MIMO communication will continue is stored. The communication control unit 117 can also perform MIMO communication using the link over which the MU-RTS was received. The communication control unit 117 also further controls reception of data from each base station device based on a transmission right shared among multiple base station devices during the period during which MIMO communication will continue.

[0031] [Communication Processing] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of communication processing according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure is a sequence diagram showing communication processing between the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20. Time passes sequentially from top to bottom. "Link 1" and "Link 2" in the figure represent links provided in the base station device 10a, etc. Furthermore, the period 200 indicated by the vertical double arrow represents a period during which MIMO communication continues.

[0032] Before this communication process, the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20 may perform a capability check to indicate that they support the functions described in the present disclosure. Furthermore, the terminal device 20 is roaming with the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b and is in a state where multiple serving is performed. Furthermore, the terminal device 20 supports the EMLSR mode.

[0033] First, the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b share roaming information (steps S101 and S102). Here, the roaming information includes information about the roaming terminal device 20 and information about operation in EMLSR mode. The roaming information may be notified only from one of the base station devices 10a, etc., or may be notified mutually as shown in FIG. 3. When notified only from one of the base station devices 10a, etc., the base station device 10a, etc. for which the roaming information is enabled, performs the notification. Note that, although the roaming information is notified using frame transmission via wireless communication in FIG. 3, it can also be notified using wired communication over the backhaul.

[0034] Next, one of the base station devices 10a and 10b, for example, the base station device 10a, acquires the transmission right after performing backoff. The base station device 10a that has acquired the transmission right decides to communicate with the terminal device 20 and transmits an MU-RTS to the terminal device 20 (step S103). This MU-RTS includes information about communication in the EMLSR mode, and in particular, information about performing communication in the EMLSR mode during roaming, and information about the period during which operation will continue using only one link in the EMLSR mode. The period during which operation will continue using only one link is the period during which MIMO communication will continue. The detailed configuration of the MU-RTS will be described later.

[0035] The terminal device 20, which has received the MU-RTS from the base station device 10a, transmits a CTS to the base station device 10a via the link (link 1) via which the MU-RTS was received (step S104). The terminal device 20 then transitions to a state in which it enables MIMO communication, which is communication using multiple antennas, for that link (link 1) and disables communication via other links. This state in which communication is disabled may be, for example, a state in which it has been notified of a transition to a power saving state. The terminal device 20 then determines the duration for which MIMO communication will continue based on information on the duration for which MIMO communication will continue, stored in the MU-RTS signal.

[0036] The base station device 10a, which has received the CTS from the terminal device 20, transmits data to the terminal device 20 via the link (link 1) on which the MU-RTS was transmitted (step S105). The terminal device 20, which has received the data from the base station device 10a, transmits a BA (Block Ack) to the base station device 10a (step S106).

[0037] Next, the base station device 10a transmits data to the terminal device 20 as necessary (step S107). Next, the terminal device 20 transmits a BA (step S108).

[0038] After transmitting the data, if the base station device 10a has remaining transmission rights, has no data to transmit, and has time remaining to continue MIMO communication, it decides to share its transmission rights with the base station device 10b. Having made this decision, the base station device 10a transmits an MU-RTS (TXS) to the base station device 10b, including information indicating that it will share the transmission rights (step S109). This MU-RTS (TXS) includes information about the transmission rights. Upon receiving the MU-RTS (TXS) from the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b transmits a CTS to the base station device 10a (step S110). Then, based on the received information about the transmission rights, the base station device 10b transmits data to the terminal device 20 (step S111). Having received the data from the base station device 10b, the terminal device 20 transmits a BA to the base station device 10b (step S112).

[0039] Thereafter, as long as the period of MIMO communication continues, the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b may transmit data and share the transmission right.

[0040] The above description is an example in which the base station device 10a acquires a transmission right again after the initial transmission right expires and shares this transmission right. In this case, the period for continuing MIMO communication is set to a period longer than the transmission right. However, this is not limiting, and the base station device 10a can also share the initially acquired transmission right with the base station device 10b.

[0041] The above sequence prevents the base station devices 10a and 10b from transmitting MU-RTS signals in parallel to the terminal device 20 in EMLSR mode. It also prevents the base station devices 10a and 10b from transmitting MU-RTS signals to a link that the terminal device 20 has disabled for communication. It also allows the base station devices 10a and 10b to communicate with the terminal device 20, which is operating on only one link in EMLSR mode, without having to retransmit an MU-RTS signal. This prevents the waste of communication resources and the exchange of unnecessary frames during the limited period of time during roaming.

[0042] [Frame Configuration] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a frame format according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure shows an example of a frame format of MU-RTS. The frame format in the figure uses the MU-RTS variant of the trigger frame defined in the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 specification.

[0043] MU-RTS comprises Frame Control, Duration, RA, TA, Common Info, User Info, Padding, and FCS. Frame Control is information related to the settings of this frame. Duration is information related to the length of this frame. RA is information related to the destination address. TA is information related to the source address. Common Info is information common to all terminals that are the destination of the trigger frame. User Info is information specific to each terminal that is the destination of the trigger frame. Padding is information related to adjusting the length of the frame. FCS is information related to error detection.

[0044] The User Info also includes AID 12, RU Allocation, UL FEC Coding Type, UL UHR-MCS, Roaming EMLSR, SS Allocation, UL Target Receiver Power, PS 160, and Trigger Dependent User Info.

[0045] AID 12 is information related to the identifier of the terminal. RU Allocation is information related to the frequency resources used for communication. UL FEC Coding Type is information related to the FEC used for uplink communication. UL UHR-MCS is information related to the MCS used in uplink communication. Roaming EMLSR is information indicating that information related to the EMLSR mode during roaming is included. SS Allocation is information related to the spatial stream resources used for communication. UL Target Receiver Power is information related to the transmission power used in uplink communication. PS 160 is information related to the frequency resources used for communication. Trigger Dependent User Info is frame-specific information including information related to Roaming EMLSR.

[0046] The Trigger Dependent User Info also includes the EMLSR Period. This EMLSR Period is information about the period during which the Non-AP MLD in EMLSR mode continues to operate on only one link. This information corresponds to information about the period during which MIMO communication continues.

[0047] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a frame format according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure shows an example of a frame format of MU-RTS (TXS). The frame format in the figure uses the MU-RTS variant of the trigger frame defined in the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 specification.

[0048] The MU-RTS (TXS) includes Frame Control, Duration, RA, TA, Common Info, User Info, Padding, and FCS. Of these, Frame Control, Duration, RA, TA, Padding, and FCS are the same as those in FIG. 4, so their description will be omitted.

[0049] The Common Info in the frame format of Fig. 5 includes GI and HE / EHT-LTF Type / Triggered TXOP Sharing Mode, which are information indicating transmission right (TXOP) sharing. This information indicates the transmission right sharing mode based on, for example, the encoding described in the table of Fig. 5.

[0050] The User Info in Fig. 5 includes AID12, RU Allocation, Allocation Duration, and EMLSR Period. AID12, RU Allocation, and EMLSR Period are the same as those in Fig. 4, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] [Processing in Base Station Device] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure of processing in a base station device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The same figure is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the base station device 10a. First, the base station device 10a determines whether functions related to roaming and inter-base station cooperation are enabled (step S301). If functions related to roaming and inter-base station cooperation are enabled (step S301, Yes), the base station device 10a notifies another base station device (base station device 10b) of information related to the terminal device 20 and operation in the EMLSR mode (step S302). Next, the base station device 10a proceeds to step S304.

[0052] On the other hand, if the functions related to roaming and inter-base station cooperation are not enabled in step S301 (step S301, No), the base station device 10a receives information related to the terminal device 20 and the operation in the EMLSR mode from another base station device (base station device 10b) or a dedicated device (step S303). Next, the base station device 10a proceeds to step S304. Here, the dedicated device corresponds to, for example, the communication device 30 in FIG. 9.

[0053] In step S304, the base station device 10a determines whether it has acquired the transmission right (step S304). If it has acquired the transmission right (step S304, Yes), the base station device 10a determines whether it will share the transmission right with another base station device (base station device 10b) (step S306). If it will share the transmission right with another base station device (step S306, Yes), the base station device 10a shares the transmission right with the other base station device (base station device 10b) (step S307). In this case, the other base station device (base station device 10b) communicates with the terminal device 20 based on the transmission right of the base station device 10a. Next, the base station device 10a proceeds to the processing of step S309. On the other hand, if it will not share the transmission right with another base station device (step S306, No), the base station device 10a communicates with the terminal device 20 based on its own transmission right (step S308) and proceeds to the processing of step S309.

[0054] On the other hand, if the transmission right has not been acquired in step S304 (step S304, No), the base station device 10a determines whether the transmission right is shared with another base station device (base station device 10b) (step S305). If the transmission right is shared with another base station device (step S305, Yes), the base station device 10a communicates with the terminal device 20 based on this transmission right (step S308) and proceeds to the processing of step S309. On the other hand, if the transmission right is not shared with another base station device in step S305 (step S305, No), the base station device 10a proceeds to the processing of step S309.

[0055] In step S309, the base station device 10a determines whether or not a period for continuing MIMO communication remains (step S309). If a period for continuing MIMO communication remains (step S309, Yes), the base station device 10a proceeds to the process of step S304. On the other hand, if a period for continuing MIMO communication does not remain (step S309, No), the base station device 10a ends the process.

[0056] [Processing in Terminal Device] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure of processing in a terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in the terminal device 20. First, the terminal device 20 determines whether or not it has received an MU-RTS from the base station device 10a (step S321). If it has not received an MU-RTS from the base station device 10a (step S321, No), the terminal device 20 ends the processing.

[0057] On the other hand, if the terminal device 20 has received MU-RTS from the base station device 10a (step S321, Yes), the terminal device 20 transmits CTS (step S322). Next, the terminal device 20 transitions to MIMO communication (step S323). Next, the terminal device 20 communicates with the base station device 10a (step S324). Next, the terminal device 20 determines whether there is a period remaining for continuing MIMO communication (step S325). If there is a period remaining for continuing MIMO communication (step S325, Yes), the terminal device 20 transitions to the processing of step S324. On the other hand, if there is no period remaining for continuing MIMO communication (step S325, No), the terminal device 20 terminates the processing.

[0058] In this way, the first embodiment of the present disclosure allows the terminal device 20 in the EMLSR mode to perform roaming using a plurality of base station devices (the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b).

[0059] (2. Second Embodiment) A communication process different from that of the first embodiment will be described.

[0060] [Communication Processing] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of communication processing according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure is a sequence diagram showing communication processing between the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20. In the processing in the figure, the processing of steps S131 to S134 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S104 in Fig. 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. However, the MU-RTS signal in step S133 does not need to include information regarding communication in the EMLSR mode.

[0061] The base station device 10a, which has received the CTS from the terminal device 20, transmits data to the terminal device 20 over the link (link 1) over which the MU-RTS was transmitted (step S135). Here, for example, the base station device 10a transmits data with sequence numbers 1 to 3 as data. The terminal device 20, which has received the data from the base station device 10a, transmits a BA to the base station device 10a (step S136). Here, for example, the terminal device 20 fails to demodulate the data with sequence number 2, and transmits the success or failure of the demodulation of the data with each sequence number in the BA. Thereafter, the transmission right acquired by the base station device 10a expires.

[0062] Next, base station device 10b acquires the transmission right. Having acquired the transmission right, base station device 10b decides to communicate with terminal device 20 and transmits MU-RTS to terminal device 20 (step S137). This MU-RTS includes information about communication in the EMLSR mode, and in particular, information about performing communication in the EMLSR mode during roaming and information about the period for which MIMO communication will continue.

[0063] The terminal device 20 that has received the MU-RTS signal from the base station device 10b transmits a CTS to the base station device 10b over the link over which the MU-RTS was received (step S138). The terminal device 20 then transitions to a state in which MIMO communication is enabled for that link and communication over other links is disabled. This state in which communication is disabled may be a state in which the terminal device 20 has been notified of a transition to a power saving state. The terminal device 20 then determines the duration for which its own MIMO communication will continue based on information about the duration for which MIMO communication will continue, stored in the MU-RTS.

[0064] Upon receiving a CTS from the terminal device 20, the base station device 10b decides to share its transmission rights with the base station device 10a. This decision is made when it is determined that there is data that should be transmitted preferentially to the base station device 10a. In this embodiment, demodulation of the data with sequence number 2 fails. Therefore, even if data corresponding to subsequent sequence numbers is transmitted from the base station device 10b before the data is correctly received, the data is not ready at the terminal device 20, and the data cannot be passed to the upper layer, resulting in buffer waste. Alternatively, it is determined that the data with sequence number 2 will not be retransmitted, and any subsequent data with sequence number 2 transmitted is discarded, leading to the determination that there is data that should be transmitted preferentially to the base station device 10a. Furthermore, for example, even when the base station device 10a has low-latency data, it can also be determined that there is data that should be transmitted preferentially to the base station device 10a.

[0065] After making the above decision, the base station device 10b transmits to the base station device 10a an MU-RTS (TXS) including information indicating that the transmission right will be shared (step S139). Having received the MU-RTS (TXS) from the base station device 10b, the base station device 10a transmits a CTS to the base station device 10b (step S140). Thereafter, the base station device 10a transmits data to the terminal device 20 (step S141). Having received the data from the base station device 10a, the terminal device 20 transmits a BA to the base station device 10a (step S142).

[0066] Thereafter, as long as the period of MIMO communication continues, the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b may transmit data and share the transmission right (steps S143 and S144).

[0067] In addition to the effects shown in the first embodiment, the above sequence makes it possible to transmit data that should be transmitted preferentially to the roaming terminal device 20. In particular, when connections to the original base station device 10a are limited due to roaming, it becomes possible to transmit data that only the base station device 10a has.

[0068] The configurations of the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20 other than those described above are the same as the configurations of the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, so the description will be omitted.

[0069] 3. Third Embodiment An example in which a communication device other than the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b controls roaming will be described.

[0070] [Communication Processing] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of communication processing according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. This figure is a sequence diagram showing communication processing between a communication device 30, a base station device 10a, a base station device 10b, and a terminal device 20. Here, the communication device 30 is a dedicated control device that has only roaming-related functions and inter-AP cooperation-related functions as communication-related functions. Furthermore, the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b in Fig. 9 have their roaming-related functions and inter-AP cooperation-related functions disabled.

[0071] First, the communication device 30 transmits roaming information to the base station device 10a (step S161), and then transmits the roaming information to the base station device 10b (step S162). Next, the communication device 30 acquires the transmission right after performing backoff, and transmits an MU-RTS to the terminal device 20 (step S163). This MU-RTS includes information on the period for which the MIMO communication will continue. Next, the terminal device 20 transmits a CTS to the communication device 30 (step S164).

[0072] Next, the communication device 30 decides to share the transmission right with the base station device 10a and transmits an MU-RTS (TXS) to the base station device 10a (step S165). Next, the base station device 10a transmits a CTS to the communication device 30 (step S166). Next, the base station device 10a transmits data to the terminal device 20 (step S167). Having received this data, the terminal device 20 transmits a BA to the base station device 10a (step S168).

[0073] Next, the communication device 30 decides to share the transmission right with the base station device 10b and transmits an MU-RTS (TXS) to the base station device 10b (step S169). Next, the base station device 10b transmits a CTS to the communication device 30 (step S170). Next, the base station device 10b transmits data to the terminal device 20 (step S171). Having received this data, the terminal device 20 transmits a BA to the base station device 10b (step S172).

[0074] The configurations of the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20 other than those described above are the same as the configurations of the base station device 10a, the base station device 10b, and the terminal device 20 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, so the description will be omitted.

[0075] In this way, in the third embodiment of the present disclosure, with the intervention of the communication device 30, the terminal device 20 in the EMLSR mode can perform roaming using a plurality of base station devices (the base station device 10a and the base station device 10b).

[0076] (4. Example of Computer Configuration) The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware, a general-purpose personal computer, or the like.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program.

[0078] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802 , and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803 are interconnected by a bus 804 .

[0079] An input / output interface 805 is also connected to the bus 804. An input unit 806 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and an output unit 807 including a display, a speaker, etc., are connected to the input / output interface 805. Information related to the present technology, for example, information related to roaming, multiple serving, and EMLSR, may be output or displayed from the output unit 807. Information related to the present technology, for example, information related to roaming, multiple serving, and EMLSR, may be input from the input unit 806, and confirmation or response to the information output or displayed on the output unit 807 may be input. In addition, a storage unit 808 including a hard disk, nonvolatile memory, etc., a communication unit 809 including a network interface, etc., and a drive 810 that drives removable media 811 are connected to the input / output interface 805.

[0080] In the computer configured as above, the CPU 801 performs the above-described series of processes by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage unit 808 into the RAM 803 via the input / output interface 805 and the bus 804 and executing the program. For example, the CPU 801 may execute a processing program corresponding to the flowcharts of Figs. 6 and 7 of the present technology.

[0081] The program executed by the CPU 801 is stored on a removable medium 811, or is provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting, and installed in the storage unit 808.

[0082] The program executed by the computer may be a program that processes in chronological order according to the order described in this specification, or may be a program that processes in parallel or at the required timing, such as when called.

[0083] (5. Application Examples) The present technology can be applied to various products. For example, the communication device 100 in FIG. 2 may be realized as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a portable game terminal, or a digital camera; a fixed terminal such as a television receiver, a projector, a printer, a digital scanner, or a network storage; or an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation device or a drive recorder. The communication device 100 may also be realized as an M2M (Machine-to-Machine Communication) terminal such as a smart meter, a vending machine, a remote monitoring device, or a POS (Point of Sale) terminal, or an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal. The communication device 100 may also be realized as a terminal requiring low latency and high reliability, such as an XR (Extended Reality / Cross Reality) device. Furthermore, the communication device 100 may be a wireless communication module (e.g., an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on such a terminal.

[0084] On the other hand, for example, the communication device 100 may be realized as a wireless LAN AP (wireless base station) with or without a router function. The communication device 100 may also be realized as a mobile wireless LAN router. The communication device 100 may also be realized as a cellular communication base station or a femtocell. Furthermore, the communication device 100 may be a wireless communication module (e.g., an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on these devices.

[0085] 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a smartphone 900 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 11 is described as a configuration example of the smartphone 900, but the present technology is not limited to this, and may be a configuration example of the various devices and functions described above.

[0086] The smartphone 900 includes a processor 901, a memory 902, a storage 903, an external connection interface 904, a camera 906, a sensor 907, a microphone 908, an input device 909, and a display device 910. The smartphone 900 also includes a speaker 911, a wireless communication interface 913, an antenna switch 914, an antenna 915, a bus 917, a battery 918, and an auxiliary controller 919. The smartphone 900 may include all or some of the above.

[0087] The processor 901 may be, for example, a CPU or a SoC (System on Chip), and controls the functions of the application layer and other layers of the smartphone 900.

[0088] The memory 902 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 901 .

[0089] The storage 903 includes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk.

[0090] The external connection interface 904 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a memory card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device to the smartphone 900 .

[0091] The camera 906 has an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and generates a captured image.

[0092] The sensor 907 includes a group of sensors such as a positioning sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

[0093] The microphone 908 converts the sound input to the smartphone 900 into an audio signal.

[0094] The input device 909 includes, for example, a touch sensor that detects a touch on the screen of the display device 910, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a switch, and accepts operations or information input from the user.

[0095] The display device 910 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or a quantum dot (QD) display, and displays an output image of the smartphone 900.

[0096] The speaker 911 converts the audio signal output from the smartphone 900 into sound.

[0097] The wireless communication interface 913 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and successor standards thereof, and performs wireless communication.

[0098] The wireless communication interface 913 communicates with other devices via a wireless LAN AP in infrastructure mode, and directly with other devices in ad hoc mode or a direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct.

[0099] Unlike the ad-hoc mode, Wi-Fi Direct allows one of the two terminals to function as an AP, but communication is performed directly between the terminals.

[0100] The wireless communication interface 913 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a power amplifier, etc. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, and related circuits.

[0101] The wireless communication interface 913 may support other types of wireless communication methods, such as a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), a proximity wireless communication method such as NFC, or a 3GPP (registered trademark) cellular communication method such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G, in addition to a wireless LAN method. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication methods, or may be a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication methods.

[0102] The antenna switch 914 switches the connection destination of the antenna 915 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 913 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0103] The antenna 915 has a single or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 913.

[0104] 11 , the smartphone 900 may include multiple antennas (for example, a wireless LAN antenna, a close-proximity wireless communication antenna, and a cellular communication antenna). In this case, the antenna switch 914 may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

[0105] The bus 917 connects the processor 901, memory 902, storage 903, external connection interface 904, camera 906, sensor 907, microphone 908, input device 909, display device 910, speaker 911, wireless communication interface 913, and auxiliary controller 919 to each other.

[0106] The battery 918 supplies power to each block of the smartphone 900 shown in FIG. 11 via a power supply line partially indicated by a dashed line in the figure. The auxiliary controller 919 operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone 900, for example, in sleep mode. The battery 918 may also be charged via the external connection interface 904. The battery 918 may also have a function that allows reading information regarding the remaining amount of power, the cumulative power-on time, or the cumulative amount of power supply, and the processor 901, the wireless communication interface 913, or the auxiliary controller 919 may control any of the functions of the above-described embodiments based on the information read from the battery 918.

[0107] In the smartphone 900 shown in Fig. 11 , for example, the communication control unit 117 in Fig. 2 and the control unit 120 in Fig. 2 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 913. For example, processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 913. Furthermore, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the processor 901 or the auxiliary controller 919.

[0108] The smartphone 900 may operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by the processor 901 executing an AP function at the application level. The wireless communication interface 913 may have a wireless AP function. The processor 901 or the wireless communication interface 913 may have a tethering function that uses a wireless LAN system and a cellular communication system, and may transmit payload data received via the cellular communication system via the wireless LAN system, or may transmit payload data received via the wireless LAN system via the cellular communication system. The smartphone 900 may have the tethering function enabled by user input.

[0109] Furthermore, the smartphone 900 may be provided with a biometric authentication unit (fingerprint authentication, palm shape authentication, voice authentication, blood vessel authentication, face authentication, iris authentication, and retina authentication). In this case, the wireless communication interface 913 in which the communication control unit 117 in Fig. 2 and the control unit 120 in Fig. 2 are implemented is configured to receive power from the same battery 918 as at least one of the display device 910, the speaker 911, and the biometric authentication unit.

[0110] Furthermore, in the smartphone 900, information is displayed on at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911 based on communication with an external device via the wireless communication interface 913. At this time, information relating to the present technology, for example, information relating to roaming, multiple serving, and EMLSR, may be output from at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911. Furthermore, the input device 909 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to the information output from at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911.

[0111] 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device 920 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 12 is described as an example of the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920, but the in-vehicle device 920 is not limited to this, and may be an example of the configuration of the various devices and functions described above.

[0112] The in-vehicle device 920 is configured to include a processor 921, a memory 922, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module 924, a sensor 925, a data interface 926, a content player 927, and a storage medium interface 928. The in-vehicle device 920 is also configured to include an input device 929, a display device 930, a speaker 931, a wireless communication interface 933, an antenna switch 934, an antenna 935, and a battery 938. The in-vehicle device 920 may be configured to include all or some of the above.

[0113] The processor 921 may be, for example, a CPU or SoC, and controls the navigation function and other functions of the in-vehicle device 920. The processor 921 can also control the vehicle's driving system, such as the brake, accelerator, or steering, based on information obtained through communication based on the present technology.

[0114] The memory 922 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 921 .

[0115] The GNSS module 924 measures the position (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the in-vehicle device 920 using GNSS signals received from GNSS satellites.

[0116] The sensor 925 includes a group of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a millimeter wave radar, a camera (an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS), and an air pressure sensor.

[0117] The data interface 926 is connected to an in-vehicle network 941 via a terminal (not shown), for example, and acquires data generated on the vehicle side, such as vehicle-side data.

[0118] The content player 927 plays content stored on a storage medium (for example, a CD or DVD) inserted into the storage medium interface 928 or content received via the wireless communication interface 933 .

[0119] The input device 929 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a button, or a switch that detects a touch on the screen of the display device 930, and accepts operations or information input from the user. For example, the input device 929 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to information output from at least one of the display device 930 and the speaker 931.

[0120] The display device 930 has a screen such as an LCD, OLED display, or QD display, and displays images of navigation functions or content being played, as well as information related to the present technology, such as information about roaming.

[0121] The speaker 931 outputs the navigation function, the audio of the content being played, or information related to the present technology, for example, information related to roaming.

[0122] Note that the navigation function and the function of the content player 927 are optional in the in-vehicle device 920. The navigation function and the content player 927 may be removed from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

[0123] The wireless communication interface 933 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and successor standards thereof, and performs wireless communication.

[0124] The wireless communication interface 933 communicates with other devices via a wireless LAN AP in infrastructure mode, and directly with other devices in ad hoc mode or a direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct.

[0125] Unlike the ad-hoc mode, Wi-Fi Direct allows one of the two terminals to function as an AP, but communication is performed directly between the terminals.

[0126] The wireless communication interface 933 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, etc. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, or related circuits.

[0127] The wireless communication interface 933 may support other types of wireless communication methods, such as a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth, a proximity wireless communication method such as NFC, or a 3GPP (registered trademark) cellular communication method such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G, in addition to a wireless LAN method. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication methods, or may be a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication methods.

[0128] The antenna switch 934 switches the connection destination of the antenna 935 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 933 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0129] The antenna 935 has a single or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 933.

[0130] 12, the in-vehicle device 920 may include multiple antennas (for example, an antenna for wireless LAN, an antenna for a close-proximity wireless communication system, and an antenna for a cellular communication system). In this case, the antenna switch 934 may be omitted from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

[0131] The battery 938 supplies power to each block of the in-vehicle device 920 shown in Fig. 12 via a power supply line partially indicated by a dashed line in the figure. The battery 938 may also store power supplied from the vehicle side. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 920 may not be equipped with a battery and may instead use power supplied from the vehicle side via a voltage regulator or a capacitor.

[0132] In the in-vehicle device 920 shown in Fig. 12 , for example, the communication control unit 117 in Fig. 2 and the control unit 120 in Fig. 2 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 933. For example, processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 933. Furthermore, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the processor 921.

[0133] The wireless communication interface 933 may also operate as the communication device 100 described above and provide a wireless connection to a terminal owned by a user in the vehicle. For example, the wireless communication interface 933 may connect the in-vehicle device 920 to other peripheral devices, and the in-vehicle device 920 may use CarPlay (registered trademark) or Android Auto (registered trademark). The wireless communication interface 933 may also connect the in-vehicle device 920 to other peripheral devices using a wireless LAN system such as a short-range wireless communication system, infrastructure mode, or Wi-Fi Direct.

[0134] The in-vehicle device 920 may operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by the processor 921 executing an AP function at the application level. The wireless communication interface 933 may have a wireless AP function. The processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 may have a tethering function that uses a wireless LAN system and a cellular communication system, and may transmit payload data received via the cellular communication system via the wireless LAN system, or may transmit payload data received via the wireless LAN system via the cellular communication system. The in-vehicle device 920 may have the tethering function enabled by user input.

[0135] Furthermore, the present technology may be realized as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 940 including one or more blocks of the above-described in-vehicle device 920, an in-vehicle network 941, and a vehicle-side module 942. The vehicle-side module 942 may generate vehicle-side data such as vehicle speed information, engine rotation speed information, information about the vehicle-side battery, or malfunction information, and output the generated data to the in-vehicle network 941, and the processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 may control any of the functions of the above-described embodiments based on the vehicle-side data acquired via the in-vehicle network 941.

[0136] (8. Configuration Example of Wireless AP) Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP 950 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 13 is described as an example of the configuration of the wireless AP 950, but the configuration is not limited to this and may be an example of the configuration of the various devices and functions described above.

[0137] The wireless AP 950 includes a controller 951, a memory 952, an input device 954, a display device 955, a network interface 957, a wireless communication interface 963, an antenna switch 964, and an antenna 965. The wireless AP 950 may include all or some of the above.

[0138] The controller 951 may be, for example, a CPU or DSP (Digital Signal processor) and operates various functions of the IP (Internet Protocol) layer and higher layers of the wireless AP 950 (e.g., access restriction, routing, encryption, firewall, and log management).

[0139] The memory 952 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs executed by the controller 951 and various control information (for example, a terminal list, a routing table, an encryption key, security settings, and logs).

[0140] The input device 954 includes, for example, buttons and switches, and receives operations from the user. For example, the input device 954 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to information output from the display device 955. Furthermore, the input device 954 may be configured to input, by user operation, switching the wireless function on / off and switching between the router function and the access point function.

[0141] The display device 955 includes an LED lamp or the like to display the operation status of the wireless AP 950. The display device 955 may display information related to the present technology, such as information related to roaming, multiple serving, and EMLSR.

[0142] The network interface 957 is a wired communication interface for connecting the wireless AP 950 to a wired communication network 958. The network interface 957 may have multiple connection terminals. The network interface 957 may output payload data included in a wireless signal input from the wireless communication interface 963 as a wired signal, or may receive payload data output as a wireless signal from the wireless communication interface 963 as a wired signal. The network interface 957 may input and output wired signals in parallel with or independently of the wireless communication interface 963 inputting and outputting wireless signals. The wired communication network 958 may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), or may be a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0143] The wireless communication interface 963 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and successor standards thereof, and provides wireless connection to nearby terminals as an AP. When the wireless AP 950 is installed in a base station for a cellular communication system and a femtocell, the wireless communication interface 963 may support other types of wireless communication systems, such as 3GPP (registered trademark) cellular communication systems such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G, in addition to the wireless LAN system. The wireless communication interface 963 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication systems, or may be a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication systems.

[0144] The wireless communication interface 963 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like.

[0145] The wireless communication interface 963 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, or related circuits.

[0146] The antenna switch 964 switches the connection destination of the antenna 965 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 963 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0147] The antenna 965 has a single or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 963.

[0148] In the wireless AP 950 shown in Fig. 13, for example, the communication control unit 117 in Fig. 2 and the control unit 120 in Fig. 2 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 963. For example, processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 963. Furthermore, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the controller 951.

[0149] The above-described embodiment shows an example for realizing the present technology, and the matters in the embodiment correspond to the matters specifying the invention in the claims. Similarly, the matters specifying the invention in the claims correspond to the matters in the embodiment of the present technology having the same title. However, the present technology is not limited to the embodiment, and can be realized by applying various modifications to the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present technology.

[0150] Furthermore, part or all of the information processing devices described in the above embodiments may be realized, for example, as a semiconductor chip (IC (Integrated Circuit)) having a wireless communication control function. They may also be realized by a single semiconductor chip equipped with multiple functions, such as a SoC (System on Chip), or by combining multiple semiconductor chips each having a single function, such as a processor. Furthermore, they may be realized by combining multiple SoCs, or by combining a semiconductor chip with a single function and a SoC. They may also be realized by a semiconductor chip such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) dedicated to realizing each unit, or by a combination of a general-purpose processor with software or firmware, or by a semiconductor chip such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0151] Furthermore, the processing procedures described in the above embodiments may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, or as a program for causing this computer to execute these procedures or a recording medium for storing the program.

[0152] Examples of the recording medium that can be used include a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc.

[0153] In this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all of the components are contained in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housed in a single housing with multiple modules, are both systems.

[0154] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0155] The embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

[0156] For example, the present technology can be configured as a cloud computing system in which a single function is shared and processed collaboratively by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0157] Furthermore, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device, or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0158] Furthermore, when one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0159] The present technology may also be configured as follows. (1) An information processing device including a control unit that controls the sharing of roaming information in a base station device that communicates with a terminal device compatible with an extended multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode that switches between SISO communication for each of a plurality of links and MIMO communication using any of the plurality of links, controls the acquisition of a transmission right for MIMO communication with the terminal device, controls the transmission of information on a period during which the MIMO communication will continue to the terminal device, and controls the base station device to transmit based on the transmission right during the period during which the MIMO communication will continue. (2) The information processing device according to (1), wherein the control unit controls the sharing of the roaming information by controlling the transmission of the roaming information to the base station device. (3) The information processing device according to (1), wherein the roaming information is information on the terminal device. (4) The information processing device according to (1) or (2), wherein the roaming information is information on an operation in the EMLSR mode. (5) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit controls transmission of information on the period for which the MIMO communication will continue to the terminal device by including information on the period for which the MIMO communication will continue in a trigger frame defined in the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 specification and causing the terminal device to transmit the information. (6) The information processing device according to (5), wherein the control unit transmits the trigger frame using a link for the MIMO communication. (7) The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the control unit further controls transmission of information on the transmission right to the base station device when causing the base station device to perform transmission based on the transmission right. (8) The information processing device according to (7), wherein the information on the transmission right is information on a mode for sharing the transmission right. (9) The information processing device according to (7), wherein the information on the transmission right is information on a period for which the MIMO communication will continue.(10) The information processing device according to (7), wherein the control unit controls transmission of the information on the transmission right to the base station device by including the information on the transmission right in a trigger frame defined in the IEEE 802.11 specification and causing the base station device to transmit the information. (11) The information processing device according to any of (1) to (10), wherein the information processing device is arranged in another base station device that transmits data to the terminal device together with the base station device. (12) An information processing device having a control unit that controls receiving information on a period during which MIMO communication using any of a plurality of links in SISO communication for each of a plurality of links is to continue, and controls receiving data from each base station device based on a transmission right shared by a plurality of base station devices during the period during which the MIMO communication is to continue. (13) The information processing device according to (12), wherein the control unit controls receiving information on a period during which the MIMO communication is to continue by receiving a trigger frame defined in the IEEE 802.11 specification including information on the period during which the MIMO communication is to continue. (14) The information processing device according to (13), wherein the control unit performs the MIMO communication using the link through which the trigger frame is received. (15) An information processing method comprising: sharing roaming information in a base station device that communicates with a terminal device compatible with an EMLSR mode that switches between SISO communication for each of a plurality of links and MIMO communication using any of the plurality of links, acquiring a transmission right for MIMO communication with the terminal device, transmitting information on a period during which the MIMO communication will continue to the terminal device, and causing the base station device to transmit based on the transmission right during the period during which the MIMO communication will continue. (16) An information processing method comprising: receiving information on a period during which MIMO communication using any of the plurality of links will continue in SISO communication for each of a plurality of links, and receiving data from each base station device based on the transmission right shared among a plurality of base station devices during the period during which the MIMO communication will continue.

[0160] 10a, 10b Base station device 20 Terminal device 30 Communication device 110 Communication unit 117 Communication control unit 120 Control unit

Claims

1. An information processing device having a control unit that controls the sharing of roaming information in a base station device that communicates with a terminal device that supports EMLSR (Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio) mode, which switches between SISO communication for each of multiple links and MIMO communication using any of the multiple links, controls the acquisition of transmission rights for MIMO communication with the terminal device, controls the transmission of information regarding the period for which the MIMO communication will continue to the terminal device, and controls the base station device to transmit based on the transmission rights during the period for which the MIMO communication will continue.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the sharing of the roaming information by controlling the transmission of the roaming information to the base station device.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the roaming information is information about the terminal device.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the roaming information is information relating to operation in the EMLSR mode.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the transmission of information regarding the period during which the MIMO communication will continue to the terminal device by including the information regarding the period during which the MIMO communication will continue in a trigger frame defined in the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 specification and transmitting the same to the terminal device.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit transmits the trigger frame using a link for performing the MIMO communication.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further controls the transmission of information on the transmission right to the base station device when causing the base station device to perform transmission based on the transmission right.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the information on the transmission right is information on a mode of sharing the transmission right.

9. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the information on the transmission right is information on the period during which the MIMO communication will continue.

10. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the transmission of the transmission right information to the base station device by including the transmission right information in a trigger frame defined in the IEEE 802.11 specification and transmitting the same to the base station device.

11. The information processing device according to claim 1, which is arranged in another base station device that transmits data to the terminal device together with the base station device.

12. An information processing device having a control unit that controls the reception of information for a period during which MIMO communication using any of a plurality of links in SISO communication for each of the plurality of links is continued, and controls the reception of data from each of the plurality of base station devices based on transmission rights shared among the plurality of base station devices during the period during which the MIMO communication is continued.

13. The information processing device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit controls the reception of information about the period for which the MIMO communication is to continue by receiving a trigger frame defined in the IEEE 802.11 specification that includes information about the period for which the MIMO communication is to continue.

14. The information processing device according to claim 13, wherein the control unit performs the MIMO communication using the link through which the trigger frame is received.

15. An information processing method comprising: sharing roaming information in a base station device communicating with a terminal device that supports an EMLSR mode that switches between SISO communication for each of a plurality of links and MIMO communication using any of the plurality of links; acquiring a transmission right for MIMO communication with the terminal device; transmitting information on the period for which the MIMO communication will continue to the terminal device; and causing the base station device to transmit based on the transmission right during the period for which the MIMO communication will continue.

16. An information processing method comprising: receiving information regarding a period during which MIMO communication using one of a plurality of links in SISO communication for each of the plurality of links will continue; and receiving data from each of the plurality of base station devices based on a transmission right shared among the plurality of base station devices during the period during which the MIMO communication will continue.

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