Improved modulation technique applied to uplink frame

Abstract

A method related to an unequal modulation (UEQM) technique, from among various examples of the present disclosure, may be related to a method for exchanging a triggered response scheduling (TRS) control field. The TRS control field can include information indicating an MCS of an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field. The MCS of the uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field is not determined only by the TRS control field but can be determined by a combination of a newly presented TRS extension field and the TRS control field. The TRS extension field can include first information related to whether a UEQM is applied for the uplink frame, second information related to the number of spatial streams related to the UEQM, and / or third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM.

Description

Improved modulation technique applied to uplink frames

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless LAN system, and more particularly, to an improved method and device related to UEQM (unequal modulation) of a wireless LAN system.

[0002] Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have been improved in various ways. For example, the Extreme High Throughput (EHT) standard can utilize newly proposed increased bandwidth, an improved PHY layer protocol data unit (PPDU) structure, improved sequences, and Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) techniques. The EHT standard can also be referred to as the IEEE 802.11be standard.

[0003] The EHT specification supports high throughput and high data rates, which may include wide bandwidth (e.g., 160 / 320 MHz), 16 streams, and / or multi-link (or multi-band) operation.

[0004] In the EHT specification, wide bandwidth (e.g., 160 / 240 / 320 MHz) can be used to achieve high throughput. Preamble puncturing and multiple RU transmissions can also be used to efficiently utilize bandwidth.

[0005] WLAN systems can be further improved through the Ultra High Reliability (UHR) standard. The UHR system, also known as the IEEE 802.11bn standard, aims to support ultra-high reliability when transmitting signals to STAs. To achieve this, various technologies are being considered for UHR systems, including high throughput, low latency, and extended range support.

[0006] WLAN systems perform media access based on primary channels. For example, information about a primary channel with a bandwidth of 20 MHz is transmitted to multiple STAs via management frames, and any STA attempting to exchange frames can access the primary channel.

[0007] To improve spectral efficiency in new wireless LAN systems, new MCS levels, indices, and parameters may be considered. If improvements are made to existing MCS techniques, improved technologies may be required for various communications, such as downlink and uplink.

[0008] Additionally, new wireless LAN systems can apply unequal modulation (UEQM) technology to improve the SNR gap between different spatial streams. Applying the improved UEQM technique to UL OFDMA communications may require various improved technical features.

[0009] This specification proposes various signaling techniques related to improved MCS techniques and / or UEQM techniques.

[0010] Among the various examples of the present specification, a method related to the UEQM technique may relate to a method for exchanging a triggered response scheduling (TRS) control field. The TRS control field may include information indicating an MCS of an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field. The MCS of the uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field may not be determined solely by the TRS control field, but may be determined by a combination of a newly proposed TRS extension field and the TRS control field. The TRS extension field may include first information related to whether unequal modulation (UEQM) is applied to the uplink frame, second information related to the number of spatial streams related to the UEQM, and / or third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM.

[0011] An improved MCS technique and / or UEQM technique are proposed for environments where uplink frames triggered by a control field are used, for example, for UL OFDMA communications. This allows the improved MCS technique and the improved UEQM technique to be applied to environments where uplink frames triggered by a control field are used.

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present specification.

[0013] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a general link setup process.

[0015] Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of a multi-link (ML).

[0016] Figure 5 illustrates a PPDU transmitted / received by an STA of this specification.

[0017] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the layout of resource units (RUs) used for 20MHz PPDU.

[0018] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the layout of resource units (RUs) used for 40MHz PPDU.

[0019] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the layout of resource units (RUs) used for 80MHz PPDU.

[0020] Figure 9 shows the operation according to UL-MU.

[0021] Figure 10 shows an example of channels used / supported / defined within the 2.4 GHz band.

[0022] Figure 11 illustrates an example of channels used / supported / defined within the 5 GHz band.

[0023] Figure 12 illustrates an example of channels used / supported / defined within the 6 GHz band.

[0024] Figure 13 shows an example of a header of a MAC frame.

[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates a modified example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present specification.

[0026] Figures 15 and 16 are drawings illustrating an imbalance that occurs for at least one SS.

[0027] Figure 17 shows an example of a control field including an A-control field.

[0028] Figure 18 shows an example of multiple subfields included within the A-control field.

[0029] Figure 19 is an example of the TRS control field proposed in this specification.

[0030] Figure 20 is another example of the TRS control field proposed in this specification.

[0031] Figure 21 is another example of the TRS control field proposed in this specification.

[0032] Figure 22 is an example of a procedure flowchart related to this specification.

[0033] Figure 23 is an example of a procedure flowchart related to this specification.

[0034] In this specification, “A or B” can mean “only A,” “only B,” or “both A and B.” In other words, “A or B” in this specification can be interpreted as “A and / or B.” For example, “A, B or C” in this specification can mean “only A,” “only B,” “only C,” or “any combination of A, B, and C.”

[0035] As used herein, a slash ( / ) or a comma can mean "and / or." For example, "A / B" can mean "A and / or B." Accordingly, "A / B" can mean "only A," "only B," or "both A and B." For example, "A, B, C" can mean "A, B, or C."

[0036] In this specification, “at least one of A and B” may mean “only A,” “only B,” or “both A and B.” Additionally, in this specification, the expressions “at least one of A or B” or “at least one of A and / or B” may be interpreted identically to “at least one of A and B.”

[0037] In addition, parentheses used in this specification may mean “for example”. Specifically, when it is indicated as “control information (UHR-Signal field)”, the “UHR-Signal field” may be proposed as an example of “control information”. In other words, the “control information” in this specification is not limited to the “UHR-Signal field”, and the “UHR-Signal field” may be proposed as an example of “control information”. In addition, even when it is indicated as “control information (UHR-Signal field)”, the “UHR-Signal field” may be proposed as an example of “control information”.

[0038] Additionally, as used herein, “a / an” can mean “at least one” or “one or more.” Additionally, terms ending in “(s)” can mean “at least one” or “one or more.”

[0039] Additionally, the expressions “based on” or “on the basis of” or “according to” used herein mean “based at least in part on” and not “based solely on.”

[0040] Technical features individually described in a single drawing in this specification may be implemented individually or simultaneously.

[0041] The following examples of this specification can be applied to various wireless communication systems. For example, the following examples of this specification can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems. For example, the present specification can be applied to the IEEE 802.11a / g / n / ac / ax / be / bn standards. In addition, the examples of this specification can be applied to the Ultra High Reliability (UHR) standard or the next-generation wireless LAN standard that enhances IEEE 802.11bn. In addition, the examples of this specification can be applied to mobile communication systems. For example, the examples of this specification can be applied to mobile communication systems based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) and its evolution based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard.

[0042] In order to explain the technical features of this specification, the technical features to which this specification can be applied are described below.

[0043] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present specification.

[0044] An example of FIG. 1 can perform various technical features described below. FIG. 1 relates to at least one STA (station). For example, the STA (110, 120) of the present specification may also be referred to by various names such as a mobile terminal, a wireless device, a Wireless Transmit / Receive Unit (WTRU), a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a Mobile Subscriber Unit, or simply a user. The STA (110, 120) of the present specification may also be referred to by various names such as a network, a base station, a Node-B, an access point (AP), a repeater, a router, a relay, etc. The STA (110, 120) of the present specification may also be referred to by various names such as a receiving apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving STA, a transmitting STA, a receiving device, a transmitting device, etc.

[0045] For example, STA (110, 120) may perform the role of an AP (access point) or a non-AP role. That is, STA (110, 120) of the present specification may perform the functions of an AP and / or a non-AP. In the present specification, AP may also be indicated as an AP STA.

[0046] The STA (110, 120) of this specification can support various communication standards other than the IEEE 802.11 standard. For example, it can support communication standards according to the 3GPP standard (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR standard). In addition, the STA of this specification can be implemented in various devices such as mobile phones, vehicles, and personal computers. In addition, the STA of this specification can support communication for various communication services such as voice calls, video calls, data communications, and autonomous driving (Self-Driving, Autonomous-Driving).

[0047] In this specification, STA (110, 120) may include a medium access control (MAC) and a physical layer interface for a wireless medium that follow the provisions of the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0048] Based on the sub-drawing (a) of Fig. 1, STA (110, 120) is described as follows.

[0049] The first STA (110) may include a processor (111), a memory (112), and a transceiver (113). The illustrated processor, memory, and transceiver may each be implemented as separate chips, or at least two blocks / functions may be implemented through a single chip.

[0050] The transceiver (113) of the first STA performs signal transmission and reception operations. Specifically, it can transmit and receive IEEE 802.11 packets (e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be, etc.).

[0051] For example, the first STA (110) can perform the intended operation of the AP. For example, the processor (111) of the AP can receive a signal through the transceiver (113), process the received signal, generate a transmission signal, and perform control for signal transmission. The memory (112) of the AP can store a signal received through the transceiver (113) (i.e., a reception signal) and store a signal to be transmitted through the transceiver (i.e., a transmission signal).

[0052] For example, the second STA (120) can perform the intended operation of a non-AP STA. For example, the transceiver (123) of the non-AP performs signal transmission and reception operations. Specifically, it can transmit and receive IEEE 802.11 packets (e.g., IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be, etc.).

[0053] For example, the processor (121) of the Non-AP STA can receive a signal through the transceiver (123), process the received signal, generate a transmission signal, and perform control for signal transmission. The memory (122) of the Non-AP STA can store a signal received through the transceiver (123) (i.e., a reception signal) and store a signal to be transmitted through the transceiver (i.e., a transmission signal).

[0054] For example, in the specification below, the operation of a device indicated as AP may be performed in the first STA (110) or the second STA (120). For example, if the first STA (110) is an AP, the operation of the device indicated as AP may be controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (110), and a related signal may be transmitted or received through a transceiver (113) controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (110). In addition, control information related to the operation of the AP or a transmission / reception signal of the AP may be stored in the memory (112) of the first STA (110). In addition, when the second STA (110) is an AP, the operation of the device indicated as an AP is controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120), and a related signal can be transmitted or received through a transceiver (123) controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120). In addition, control information related to the operation of the AP or the transmission / reception signal of the AP can be stored in the memory (122) of the second STA (110).

[0055] For example, in the specification below, the operation of a device indicated as a non-AP (or User-STA) may be performed in the STA (110) or the second STA (120). For example, if the second STA (120) is a non-AP, the operation of the device indicated as a non-AP may be controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120), and a related signal may be transmitted or received through a transceiver (123) controlled by the processor (121) of the second STA (120). In addition, control information related to the operation of the non-AP or the transmission / reception signal of the AP may be stored in the memory (122) of the second STA (120). For example, if the first STA (110) is a non-AP, the operation of a device indicated as a non-AP is controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (110), and a related signal may be transmitted or received through a transceiver (113) controlled by the processor (111) of the first STA (120). In addition, control information related to the operation of the non-AP or the transmission / reception signal of the AP may be stored in the memory (112) of the first STA (110).

[0056] In the following specification, devices called (transmitting / receiving) STA, first STA, second STA, STA1, STA2, AP, first AP, second AP, AP1, AP2, (transmitting / receiving) Terminal, (transmitting / receiving) device, (transmitting / receiving) apparatus, network, etc. may refer to the STA (110, 120) of FIG. 1. For example, devices indicated as (transmitting / receiving) STA, first STA, second STA, STA1, STA2, AP, first AP, second AP, AP1, AP2, (transmitting / receiving) Terminal, (transmitting / receiving) device, (transmitting / receiving) apparatus, network, etc. without specific drawing symbols may also refer to the STA (110, 120) of FIG. 1. For example, in the example below, the operation of various STAs transmitting and receiving signals (e.g., PPPDU) may be performed by the transceiver (113, 123) of FIG. 1. In addition, in the example below, the operation of various STAs generating transmission and reception signals or performing data processing or calculations in advance for transmission and reception signals may be performed by the processor (111, 121) of FIG. 1.For example, an example of an operation for generating a transmission / reception signal or performing data processing or operation in advance for a transmission / reception signal may include 1) an operation for determining / obtaining / configuring / computing / decoding / encoding bit information of a subfield (SIG, STF, LTF, Data) field included in a PPDU, 2) an operation for determining / configuring / obtaining time resources or frequency resources (e.g., subcarrier resources) used for a subfield (SIG, STF, LTF, Data) field included in a PPDU, 3) an operation for determining / configuring / obtaining a specific sequence (e.g., a pilot sequence, an STF / LTF sequence, an extra sequence applied to SIG) used for a subfield (SIG, STF, LTF, Data) field included in a PPDU, 4) a power control operation and / or a power saving operation applied to an STA, 5) an operation related to determining / obtaining / configuring / computing / decoding / encoding an ACK signal, etc. Additionally, in the examples below, various information (e.g., information related to fields / subfields / control fields / parameters / power, etc.) used by various STAs for determining / acquiring / configuring / computing / decoding / encoding transmission / reception signals can be stored in the memory (112, 122) of FIG. 1.

[0057] The device / STA of the sub-drawing (a) of the above-described FIG. 1 can be modified as in the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1. Hereinafter, the STA (110, 120) of the present specification will be described based on the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1.

[0058] For example, the transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 may perform the same function as the transceiver illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1 described above. For example, the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 may include a processor (111, 121) and a memory (112, 122). The processor (111, 121) and the memory (112, 122) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 may perform the same function as the processor (111, 121) and the memory (112, 122) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1 described above.

[0059] The mobile terminal, wireless device, Wireless Transmit / Receive Unit (WTRU), User Equipment (UE), Mobile Station (MS), Mobile Subscriber Unit, user, user STA, network, Base Station, Node-B, Access Point (AP), repeater, router, relay, receiving device, transmitting device, receiving STA, transmitting STA, receiving Device, transmitting Device, receiving Apparatus, and / or transmitting Apparatus described below may refer to the STA (110, 120) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1, or may refer to the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1. That is, the technical feature of the present specification may be performed in the STA (110, 120) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1, or may be performed only in the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in the sub-drawings (b) of FIG. 1. For example, the technical feature that the transmitting STA transmits a control signal may be understood as a technical feature that the control signal generated in the processor (111, 121) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1 is transmitted through the transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in the sub-drawings (a) / (b) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the technical feature that the transmitting STA transmits a control signal may be understood as a technical feature that the control signal to be transmitted to the transceiver (113, 123) is generated in the processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in the sub-drawings (b) of FIG. 1.

[0060] For example, the technical feature of a receiving STA receiving a control signal can be understood as a technical feature of a control signal being received by a transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the technical feature of a receiving STA receiving a control signal can be understood as a technical feature of a control signal received by a transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1 being acquired by a processor (111, 121) illustrated in sub-drawing (a) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the technical feature of a receiving STA receiving a control signal can be understood as a technical feature of a control signal received by a transceiver (113, 123) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1 being acquired by a processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in sub-drawing (b) of FIG.

[0061] Referring to the sub-drawing (b) of FIG. 1, software code (115, 125) may be included in the memory (112, 122). The software code (115, 125) may include instructions that control the operation of the processor (111, 121). The software code (115, 125) may be included in various programming languages.

[0062] The processor (111, 121) or processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in FIG. 1 may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), another chipset, a logic circuit, and / or a data processing device. The processor may be an application processor (AP). For example, the processor (111, 121) or processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in FIG. 1 may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a modem (modulator and demodulator). For example, the processor (111, 121) or processing chip (114, 124) illustrated in FIG. 1 may be a SNAPDRAGON® series processor manufactured by Qualcomm®, an EXYNOS® series processor manufactured by Samsung®, an A series processor manufactured by Apple®, a HELIO® series processor manufactured by MediaTek®, an ATOM® series processor manufactured by INTEL®, or an enhanced processor thereof.

[0063] In this specification, uplink may mean a link for communication from a non-AP STA to an AP STA, and uplink PPDU / packet / signal, etc. may be transmitted through the uplink. In addition, in this specification, downlink may mean a link for communication from an AP STA to a non-AP STA, and downlink PPDU / packet / signal, etc. may be transmitted through the downlink.

[0064] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0065] The upper part of Figure 2 shows the structure of the infrastructure BSS (basic service set) of IEEE (institute of electrical and electronic engineers) 802.11.

[0066] Referring to the top of FIG. 2, the wireless LAN system may include one or more infrastructure BSSs (200, 205) (hereinafter, BSS). The BSSs (200, 205) are a collection of APs and STAs, such as an access point (AP) 225 and a station (STA1, 200-1), that have successfully synchronized and can communicate with each other, and are not a concept that designates a specific area. The BSS (205) may also include one or more STAs (205-1, 205-2) that can be associated with one AP (230).

[0067] A BSS may include at least one STA, an AP (225, 230) providing a distribution service, and a distribution system (DS, 210) connecting multiple APs.

[0068] A distributed system (210) can connect multiple BSSs (200, 205) to implement an extended service set (ESS) 240. An ESS (240) can be used as a term to indicate a network formed by connecting one or more APs through the distributed system (210). APs included in a single ESS (240) can have the same SSID (service set identification).

[0069] The portal (portal, 220) can act as a bridge to connect a wireless LAN network (IEEE 802.11) to another network (e.g., 802.X).

[0070] In a BSS such as the upper part of Fig. 2, a network between APs (225, 230) and a network between APs (225, 230) and STAs (200-1, 205-1, 205-2) can be implemented. However, it may also be possible to establish a network and perform communication between STAs without an AP (225, 230). A network that establishes a network and performs communication between STAs without an AP (225, 230) is defined as an ad-hoc network or an independent basic service set (IBSS).

[0071] The bottom of Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing IBSS.

[0072] Referring to the bottom of Fig. 2, the IBSS is a BSS that operates in ad-hoc mode. Since the IBSS does not include an AP, there is no centralized management entity. That is, in the IBSS, the STAs (250-1, 250-2, 250-3, 255-4, 255-5) are managed in a distributed manner. In the IBSS, all STAs (250-1, 250-2, 250-3, 255-4, 255-5) can be mobile STAs, and access to the distributed system is not permitted, forming a self-contained network.

[0073] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a general link setup process.

[0074] In step S310, the STA may perform a network discovery operation. This network discovery operation may include scanning by the STA. That is, for the STA to access the network, it must find a network it can join. Before joining a wireless network, the STA must identify compatible networks. The process of identifying networks in a specific area is called scanning. Scanning methods include active scanning and passive scanning.

[0075] Figure 3 illustrates a network discovery operation that includes an active scanning process as an example. In active scanning, an STA performing scanning transmits a probe request frame to discover which APs exist in the vicinity while moving between channels and waits for a response. A responder transmits a probe response frame to the STA that transmitted the probe request frame in response to the probe request frame. Here, the responder may be the STA that last transmitted a beacon frame in the BSS of the channel being scanned. In a BSS, the AP transmits the beacon frame, so the AP becomes the responder. In an IBSS, the STAs within the IBSS take turns transmitting beacon frames, so the responder is not constant. For example, an STA that transmits a probe request frame on channel 1 and receives a probe response frame on channel 1 can store BSS-related information included in the received probe response frame and move to the next channel (e.g., channel 2) to perform scanning (i.e., transmitting and receiving probe requests / responses on channel 2) in the same manner.

[0076] Although not shown in the example of FIG. 3, the scanning operation can also be performed in a passive scanning manner. An STA performing scanning based on passive scanning can wait for a beacon frame while moving between channels. A beacon frame is one of the management frames in IEEE 802.11. It announces the presence of a wireless network and is periodically transmitted so that the scanning STA can find the wireless network and participate in the wireless network. In the BSS, the AP periodically transmits the beacon frame, and in the IBSS, the STAs within the IBSS take turns transmitting the beacon frame. When the scanning STA receives a beacon frame, it stores the information about the BSS included in the beacon frame and moves to another channel, recording the beacon frame information on each channel. An STA that receives a beacon frame can store the BSS-related information included in the received beacon frame, move to the next channel, and perform scanning on the next channel in the same manner.

[0077] An STA that discovers a network can perform an authentication process through step S320. This authentication process may be referred to as the first authentication process to clearly distinguish it from the security setup operation of step S340 described below. The authentication process of S320 may include a process in which the STA transmits an authentication request frame to the AP, and the AP responds by transmitting an authentication response frame to the STA. The authentication frame used for the authentication request / response corresponds to a management frame.

[0078] The authentication frame may include information such as an authentication algorithm number, an authentication transaction sequence number, a status code, a challenge text, a Robust Security Network (RSN), and a Finite Cyclic Group.

[0079] An STA can transmit an authentication request frame to an AP. The AP can determine whether to grant authentication to the STA based on the information contained in the received authentication request frame. The AP can provide the result of the authentication process to the STA via an authentication response frame.

[0080] A successfully authenticated STA may perform an association process based on step S330. The association process includes a process in which the STA transmits an association request frame to the AP, and the AP transmits an association response frame to the STA in response. For example, the association request frame may include information related to various capabilities, such as a beacon listen interval, a service set identifier (SSID), supported rates, supported channels, RSN, mobility domain, supported operating classes, a Traffic Indication Map Broadcast request, and interworking service capabilities. For example, the association response frame may contain information related to various capabilities, status codes, Association ID (AID), supported rates, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameter sets, Received Channel Power Indicator (RCPI), Received Signal to Noise Indicator (RSNI), mobility domains, timeout interval (association comeback time), overlapping BSS scan parameters, TIM broadcast response, QoS maps, etc.

[0081] In step S340, the STA may perform a security setup process. The security setup process of step S340 may include, for example, a process of setting up a private key through a four-way handshaking using an Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) frame.

[0082] Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of a multi-link (ML).

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 4, multiple multi-link devices (MLDs) can communicate over a remote link. The MLDs can be categorized into AP MLDs including multiple AP STAs and non-AP MLDs including multiple non-AP STAs. That is, the AP MLD can include affiliated APs (i.e., AP STAs), and the non-AP MLD can include affiliated STAs (i.e., non-AP STAs, or user-STAs).

[0084] A multilink may include a first link and a second link, and different channels / subchannels / frequency resources may be allocated to the first and second links. The first and second multilinks may be identified through a link ID of 4 bits (or other n bits). The first and second links may be configured in the same 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz band. Alternatively, the first link and the second link may be configured in different bands.

[0085] The AP MLD of FIG. 4 includes three affiliated APs. In the example of FIG. 4, AP1 may operate in the 2.4 GHz band, AP2 may operate in the 5 GHz band, and AP3 may operate in the 6 GHz band. In the example of FIG. 4, the first link in which AP1 and non-AP1 operate may be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 2.4 GHz band. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 4, the second link in which AP2 and non-AP2 operate may be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 5 GHz band. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 4, the third link in which AP3 and non-AP3 operate may be defined as a channel / subchannel / frequency resource within the 6 GHz band.

[0086] In the example of FIG. 4, AP1 may initiate a multi-link setup procedure (ML setup procedure) by transmitting an Association Request frame to non-AP STA1. In the example of FIG. 4, non-AP STA1 may transmit an Association Response frame in response to the Association Request frame. Each AP (e.g., AP1 / 2 / 3) illustrated in FIG. 4 may be identical to the AP illustrated in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2, and each non-AP (e.g., non-AP1 / 2 / 3) illustrated in FIG. 4 may be identical to the STA (i.e., user-STA or non-AP STA) illustrated in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2.

[0087] The specific features of this specification are not limited to the specific features of FIG. 4. That is, the number of links can be defined in various ways, and multiple links can be defined in various ways within at least one band.

[0088] Figure 5 illustrates a PPDU (physical protocol data unit or physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit) transmitted / received by an STA of this specification.

[0089] The STA (e.g., AP STA, non-AP STA, AP MLD, non-AP MLD) of the present specification can transmit and / or receive the PPDU of FIG. 5. The PPDU described in the present specification may have, for example, the structure of FIG. 5. In addition, the PPDU described in the present specification may be called by various names such as a transmission PPDU, a reception PPDU, a first type PPDU, or an Nth type PPDU, etc. The PPDU described in the present specification can be used in a WLAN system defined according to IEEE 802.11bn and / or a next-generation WLAN system that improves IEEE 802.11bn.

[0090] The PPDU of FIG. 5 may be related to various PPDU types used in a UHR system. For example, the example of FIG. 5 may be used for at least one of a single-user (SU) mode / type / transmission, a multi-user (MU) mode / type / transmission, and a null data packet (NDP) mode / type / transmission related to channel sounding. For example, if the example of FIG. 5 is related to NDP, the Data field illustrated may be omitted. If the PPDU of FIG. 5 is used for a trigger-based (TB) mode, the UHR-SIG of FIG. 5 may be omitted. In other words, an STA that has received a trigger frame for UL-MU (Uplink-MU) communication may transmit a PPDU with the UHR-SIG omitted in the example of FIG. 5.

[0091] In FIG. 5, L-STF or UHR-LTF may be called a preamble or physical preamble, and may be generated / transmitted / received / acquired / decoded in the physical layer (included in the transmitting / receiving STA).

[0092] Each block illustrated in Fig. 5 may be called a field / subfield / signal, etc. The names of these fields / subfields / signals may be, as illustrated in Fig. 5, L-STF (legacy short training field), L-LTF (legacy long training field), L-SIG (legacy signal), RL-SIG (repeated L-SIG), U-SIG (Universal Signal), UHR-SIG (UHR-signal), etc.

[0093] The subcarrier spacing of the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG, and UHR-SIG fields in FIG. 5 may be set to 312.5 kHz, and the subcarrier spacing of the UHR-STF, UHR-LTF, and Data fields may be set to 78.125 kHz. That is, the tone index (or subcarrier index) of the L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG, and UHR-SIG fields may be expressed in units of 312.5 kHz, and the tone index (or subcarrier index) of the UHR-STF, UHR-LTF, and Data fields may be expressed in units of 78.125 kHz.

[0094] In the PPDU of Fig. 5, L-LTF and L-STF may be identical to conventional fields (e.g., non-HT LTF and non-HT STF defined in conventional WLAN standards).

[0095] The L-SIG field of FIG. 5 may include, for example, 24 bits of bit information. For example, the 24 bits of information may include a 4 bit Rate field, a 1 bit Reserved bit, a 12 bit Length field, a 1 bit Parity bit, and a 6 bit Tail bit. For example, the 12 bit Length field may include information about the length or time duration of the PPDU. For example, the value of the 12 bit Length field may be determined based on the type of the PPDU. For example, if the PPDU is a non-HT (non-High Throughput), HT (High Throughput), VHT (Very High Throughput) PPDU, or an EHT (extremely high throughput) PPDU or UHR PPDU, the value of the Length field may be determined as a multiple of 3. For example, if the PPDU is a HE PPDU, the value of the Length field may be determined as "a multiple of 3 + 1" or "a multiple of 3 + 2". In other words, for non-HT, HT, VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, the value of the Length field can be determined as a multiple of 3, and for HE (High Efficiency) PPDU, the value of the Length field can be determined as "a multiple of 3 + 1" or "a multiple of 3 + 2". In other words, the Length field in an UHR PPDU is set to a value satisfying the condition that the remainder is zero when LENGTH is divided by 3.

[0096] For example, (non-AP and AP) STAs can apply BCC encoding based on a code rate of 1 / 2 to the 24 bits of information in the L-SIG field. Then, the transmitting STA can obtain 48 BCC coded bits. BPSK modulation can be applied to the 48 coded bits to generate 48 BPSK symbols. The transmitting STA can map the 48 BPSK symbols to positions excluding the pilot subcarriers {subcarrier index -21, -7, +7, +21} and the DC subcarrier {subcarrier index 0}. As a result, the 48 BPSK symbols can be mapped to subcarrier indices -26 to -22, -20 to -8, -6 to -1, +1 to +6, +8 to +20, and +22 to +26. The transmitting STA can additionally map the signal {-1, -1, -1, 1} to the subcarrier indices {-28, -27, +27, +28}. The above signal can be used for channel estimation for the frequency domain corresponding to {-28, -27, +27, +28}.

[0097] For example, (non-AP and AP) STA can generate RL-SIG, which is generated in the same manner as L-SIG. BPSK modulation can be applied to RL-SIG. Receiving (non-AP and AP) STA can determine whether the received PPDU is a HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, or UHR PPDU based on the presence of RL-SIG. In other words, if RL-SIG is present, receiving (non-AP and AP) STA can determine whether the received PPDU is one of HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, or UHR PPDU. In other words, if RL-SIG is not present, receiving (non-AP and AP) STA can determine whether the received PPDU is one of non-HT PPDU, HT PPDU, or VHT PPDU. In other words, the RL-SIG field is a repeat of the L-SIG field and is used to differentiate an UHR PPDU from a non-HT PPDU, HT PPDU, and VHT PPDU.

[0098] After the RL-SIG in Fig. 5, a U-SIG (Universal SIG) may be inserted. The U-SIG may be called by various names such as the first SIG field, the first SIG, the first type SIG, the control signal, the control signal field, the first (type) control signal, the common control field, and the common control signal.

[0099] A U-SIG can contain N bits of information and can include information for identifying the type of EHT PPDU. For example, a U-SIG can be formed based on two symbols (e.g., two consecutive OFDM symbols). Each symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol) for a U-SIG can have a duration of 4 microseconds. Each symbol of a U-SIG can be used to transmit 26 bits of information. For example, each symbol of a U-SIG can be transmitted and received based on 52 data tones and 4 pilot tones.

[0100] For example, A bit information (e.g., 52 uncoded bits) can be transmitted through U-SIG, and the first symbol of U-SIG can transmit the first X bits of information (e.g., 26 uncoded bits) out of the total A bit information, and the second symbol of U-SIG can transmit the remaining Y bits of information (e.g., 26 uncoded bits) out of the total A bit information. For example, the transmitting STA can obtain 26 uncoded bits included in each U-SIG symbol. The transmitting STA can perform convolutional encoding (i.e., BCC encoding) based on a rate of R=1 / 2 to generate 52 coded bits, and perform interleaving on the 52 coded bits. The transmitting STA can perform BPSK modulation on the interleaved 52 coded bits to generate 52 BPSK symbols allocated to each U-SIG symbol. A single U-SIG symbol can be transmitted based on 56 tones (subcarriers) from subcarrier index -28 to subcarrier index +28, excluding DC index 0. The 52 BPSK symbols generated by the transmitting STA can be transmitted based on the remaining tones (subcarriers) excluding the pilot tones -21, -7, +7, and +21.

[0101] For example, A bit information (e.g., 52 uncoded bits) transmitted by U-SIG may include a CRC field (e.g., a 4-bit long field) and a tail field (e.g., a 6-bit long field). The CRC field and the tail field may be transmitted through the second symbol of the U-SIG. The CRC field may be generated based on 26 bits allocated to the first symbol of the U-SIG and the remaining 16 bits excluding the CRC / tail field within the second symbol, and may be generated based on a conventional CRC calculation algorithm. In addition, the tail field may be used to terminate the trellis of the convolutional decoder and may be set to, for example, "000000".

[0102] The A bit information (e.g., 52 uncoded bits) transmitted by the U-SIG (or U-SIG field) can be divided into version-independent bits and version-dependent bits. For example, the size of the version-independent bits can be fixed or variable. For example, the version-independent bits can be assigned only to the first symbol of the U-SIG, or the version-independent bits can be assigned to both the first symbol and the second symbol of the U-SIG. For example, the version-independent bits and the version-dependent bits can be called by various names, such as the first control bit and the second control bit.

[0103] For example, the version-independent bits of the U-SIG may include a 3-bit PHY version identifier. For example, the 3-bit PHY version identifier may include information related to the PHY version of the transmitted and received PPDU. For example, a first value (e.g., a value of 000) of the 3-bit PHY version identifier may indicate that the transmitted and received PPDU is an EHT PPDU. In addition, a second value (e.g., a value of 001) of the 3-bit PHY version identifier may indicate that the transmitted and received PPDU is an UHR PPDU.

[0104] In other words, when the (AP / non-AP) STA transmits an EHT PPDU, it can set the 3-bit PHY version identifier to the first value. In other words, the receiving (AP / non-AP) STA can determine that the received PPDU is an EHT PPDU based on the PHY version identifier having the first value, and can determine that the received PPDU is an UHR PPDU based on the PHY version identifier having the second value.

[0105] For example, the version-independent bits of U-SIG may include a 1-bit UL / DL flag field. The first value of the 1-bit UL / DL flag field relates to UL communication, and the second value of the UL / DL flag field relates to DL communication.

[0106] For example, the version-independent bits of U-SIG may contain information about the length of the TXOP and information about the BSS color ID.

[0107] For example, if a UHR PPDU is classified into various types (e.g., a type related to SU transmission (performed based on UL or DL), a type related to DL transmission, a type related to NDP transmission, a type related to DL non-MU-MIMO, a type related to DL MU-MIMO, a type related to Multi-AP operation, a type related to CBF (Coordinated beamforming), SR (Spatial Reuse), a type related to C-OFDMA (Coordinated OFDMA), a type related to C-TDMA (Coordinated TDMA)), information about the type of the EHT PPDU (e.g., 2-bit or 3-bit information) can be included in the version-dependent bits of the U-SIG.

[0108] For example, U-SIG may include 1) a bandwidth field including information about bandwidth, 2) a field including information about a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) technique applied to UHR-SIG, 3) an indication field including information about whether a dual subcarrier modulation (DCM) technique is applied to UHR-SIG, 4) a field including information about the number of symbols used for UHR-SIG, 5) a field including information about whether UHR-SIG is generated over the entire band, 6) a field including information about the type of UHR-LTF / STF, and 7) a field indicating the length of UHR-LTF and the CP length.

[0109] Preamble puncturing may be applied to the PPDU of FIG. 5. Preamble puncturing refers to applying puncturing to a portion of the entire bandwidth of the PPDU (e.g., the secondary 20 MHz band). For example, when an 80 MHz PPDU is transmitted, the STA applies puncturing to the secondary 20 MHz band within the 80 MHz band, and can transmit the PPDU only through the primary 20 MHz band and the secondary 40 MHz band.

[0110] For example, the pattern of preamble puncturing can be preset. For example, when the first puncturing pattern is applied, puncturing can be applied only to the secondary 20 MHz band within the 80 MHz band. For example, when the second puncturing pattern is applied, puncturing can be applied only to one of the two secondary 20 MHz bands included in the secondary 40 MHz band within the 80 MHz band. For example, when the third puncturing pattern is applied, puncturing can be applied only to the secondary 20 MHz band included in the primary 80 MHz band within the 160 MHz band (or 80+80 MHz band). For example, when the fourth puncturing pattern is applied, a primary 40 MHz band included in the primary 80 MHz band within the 160 MHz band (or 80+80 MHz band) may be present, and puncturing may be applied to at least one 20 MHz channel that does not belong to the primary 40 MHz band.

[0111] Information regarding preamble puncturing applied to the PPDU may be included in the U-SIG and / or UHR-SIG. For example, the first field of the U-SIG may include information regarding the contiguous bandwidth of the PPDU, and the second field of the U-SIG may include information regarding preamble puncturing applied to the PPDU.

[0112] For example, U-SIG and UHR-SIG may include information regarding preamble puncturing based on the following method. If the bandwidth of the PPDU exceeds 80 MHz, the U-SIG may be individually configured in units of 80 MHz. For example, if the bandwidth of the PPDU is 160 MHz, the PPDU may include a first U-SIG for the first 80 MHz band and a second U-SIG for the second 80 MHz band. In this case, the first field of the first U-SIG may include information regarding the 160 MHz bandwidth, and the second field of the first U-SIG may include information regarding preamble puncturing applied to the first 80 MHz band (i.e., information regarding the preamble puncturing pattern). Additionally, the first field of the second U-SIG may include information about a 160 MHz bandwidth, and the second field of the second U-SIG may include information about preamble puncturing applied to the second 80 MHz band (i.e., information about a preamble puncturing pattern). Meanwhile, the UHR-SIG consecutive to the first U-SIG may include information about preamble puncturing applied to the second 80 MHz band (i.e., information about a preamble puncturing pattern), and the UHR-SIG consecutive to the second U-SIG may include information about preamble puncturing applied to the first 80 MHz band (i.e., information about a preamble puncturing pattern).

[0113] Additionally or alternatively, U-SIG and UHR-SIG may include information regarding preamble puncturing based on the following methods. U-SIG may include information regarding preamble puncturing for all bands (i.e., information regarding preamble puncturing patterns). That is, UHR-SIG may not include information regarding preamble puncturing, and only U-SIG may include information regarding preamble puncturing (i.e., information regarding preamble puncturing patterns).

[0114] U-SIGs can be configured in 20 MHz units. For example, if an 80 MHz PPDU is configured, U-SIGs can be duplicated. That is, four identical U-SIGs can be included within an 80 MHz PPDU. PPDUs exceeding the 80 MHz bandwidth can contain different U-SIGs.

[0115] The UHR-SIG of FIG. 5 may include control information for a receiving STA. The UHR-SIG may be transmitted via at least one symbol, and each symbol may have a length of 4 us. Information regarding the number of symbols used for the UHR-SIG may be included in the U-SIG.

[0116] UHR-SIG provides additional signals to the U-SIG field to enable STAs to interpret / decode UHR PPDUs. The UHR-SIG field may contain U-SIG overflow bits that are common to all users. The UHR-SIG field also contains resource allocation information, allowing STAs to look up resources used in fields containing data fields / UHR-STF / UHR-LTF (i.e., UHR modulated fields of an UHR PPDU).

[0117] The frequency resources of the UHR-LTF, UHR-STF, and data fields illustrated in FIG. 5 can be determined based on RUs (resource units) defined by multiple subcarriers / tones. That is, the UHR-LTF, UHR-STF, and data fields of this specification can be transmitted / received through RUs (resource units) defined by multiple subcarriers / tones.

[0118] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the layout of resource units (RUs) used for a 20 MHz PPDU. That is, the UHR-LTF, UHR-STF, and / or data fields included in the 20 MHz PPDU can be transmitted / received through at least one of the various RUs defined in FIG. 6.

[0119] As shown at the top of Fig. 6, 26 units (i.e., units corresponding to 26 tones) can be arranged. Six tones can be used as a guard band in the leftmost band of the 20 MHz band, and five tones can be used as a guard band in the rightmost band of the 20 MHz band. In addition, seven DC tones can be inserted in the center band, i.e., the DC band, and 26 units corresponding to 13 tones can exist on each side of the DC band. In addition, 26 units, 52 units, and 106 units can be allocated to other bands. Each unit can be allocated for a receiving station, i.e., a user.

[0120] Meanwhile, the RU arrangement of FIG. 6 is utilized not only in a situation for multiple users (MUs) but also in a situation for a single user (SU), in which case it is possible to use one 242-unit as shown at the bottom of FIG. 4, in which case three DC tones can be inserted.

[0121] In the example of Fig. 6, RUs of various sizes, such as 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, and 242-RU, are proposed. Since the specific sizes of these RUs can be expanded or increased, the present embodiment is not limited to the specific size of each RU (i.e., the number of corresponding tones). In this specification, N-RU may be represented as N-tone RU, etc. For example, 26-RU may be represented as 26-tone RU.

[0122] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the layout of resource units (RUs) used for 40MHz PPDU.

[0123] As in the example of Fig. 6 where RUs of various sizes were used, the example of Fig. 7 can also use 26-RU, 52-RU, 106-RU, 242-RU, 484-RU, etc. In addition, 5 DC tones can be inserted at the center frequency, 12 tones can be used as a guard band in the leftmost band of the 40 MHz band, and 11 tones can be used as a guard band in the rightmost band of the 40 MHz band.

[0124] Additionally, as illustrated, 484 RUs may be used when used for a single user. Meanwhile, the specific number of RUs may be changed, as in the example of FIG. 6.

[0125] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the layout of resource units (RUs) used for an 80MHz PPDU. The layout of resource units (RUs) used in this specification may vary. For example, the layout of resource units (RUs) used in the 80MHz band may vary.

[0126] Figure 9 illustrates an operation according to UL-MU. As illustrated, a transmitting STA (e.g., AP) can acquire a TXOP (925) by performing channel access through contending (i.e., backoff operation) and transmit a trigger frame (930). That is, the transmitting STA (e.g., AP) can transmit a PPDU including a trigger frame (930). When a PPDU including a trigger frame is received, a TB (trigger-based) PPDU is transmitted after a delay of SIFS.

[0127] TB PPDUs (941, 942) are transmitted at the same time and can be transmitted from multiple STAs (e.g., User STAs) whose AIDs are indicated in the Trigger frame (930). The ACK frame (950) for the TB PPDU can be implemented in various forms. For example, the ACK frame (950) for the TB PPDU can be implemented in the form of a BA (block ACK).

[0128] In FIG. 9, transmission(s) of a Trigger Frame (930), TB PPDU (941, 942) and / or ACK frame (950) can be performed within a TXOP (925).

[0129] Figure 10 shows an example of channels used / supported / defined within the 2.4 GHz band.

[0130] The 2.4 GHz band may be referred to by other names, such as the first band (band). Furthermore, the 2.4 GHz band may refer to a frequency range in which channels with a center frequency adjacent to 2.4 GHz (e.g., channels with a center frequency between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz) are used / supported / defined.

[0131] The 2.4 GHz band may include multiple 20 MHz channels. The 20 MHz within the 2.4 GHz band may have multiple channel indices (e.g., indices 1 through 14). For example, the center frequency of a 20 MHz channel assigned channel index 1 may be 2.412 GHz, the center frequency of a 20 MHz channel assigned channel index 2 may be 2.417 GHz, and the center frequency of a 20 MHz channel assigned channel index N may be (2.407 + 0.005*N) GHz. The channel indices may be referred to by various names, such as channel numbers. The specific numerical values ​​of the channel indices and center frequencies may change.

[0132] Figure 10 exemplarily illustrates four channels within the 2.4 GHz band. The illustrated first frequency region (1010) to fourth frequency region (1040) may each include one channel. For example, the first frequency region (1010) may include channel 1 (a 20 MHz channel having an index of 1). In this case, the center frequency of channel 1 may be set to 2412 MHz. The second frequency region (1020) may include channel 6. In this case, the center frequency of channel 6 may be set to 2437 MHz. The third frequency region (1030) may include channel 11. In this case, the center frequency of channel 11 may be set to 2462 MHz. The fourth frequency region (1040) may include channel 14. In this case, the center frequency of channel 14 may be set to 2484 MHz.

[0133] Figure 11 illustrates an example of channels used / supported / defined within the 5 GHz band.

[0134] The 5 GHz band may be referred to by other names, such as a second band / band, etc. The 5 GHz band may refer to a frequency range in which channels with center frequencies greater than or equal to 5 GHz and less than 6 GHz (or less than 5.9 GHz) are used / supported / defined. Alternatively, the 5 GHz band may include multiple channels between 4.5 GHz and 5.5 GHz. The specific figures shown in FIG. 11 are subject to change.

[0135] Multiple channels within the 5 GHz band include Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII)-1, UNII-2, UNII-3, and ISM. UNII-1 may be referred to as UNII Low. UNII-2 may include frequency ranges called UNII Mid and UNII-2Extended. UNII-3 may be referred to as UNII-Upper.

[0136] Within the 5 GHz band, multiple channels can be configured, and the bandwidth of each channel can be variously configured, such as 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz. For example, the 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency domain / range within UNII-1 and UNII-2 can be divided into eight 20 MHz channels. The 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency domain / range can be divided into four channels through a 40 MHz frequency domain. The 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency domain / range can be divided into two channels through an 80 MHz frequency domain. Alternatively, the 5170 MHz to 5330 MHz frequency domain / range can be divided into one channel through a 160 MHz frequency domain.

[0137] Figure 12 illustrates an example of channels used / supported / defined within the 6 GHz band.

[0138] The 6 GHz band may also be referred to by other names, such as the third band / band. The 6 GHz band may refer to the frequency range in which channels with center frequencies above 5.9 GHz are used, supported, or defined. The specific figures shown in Figure 12 are subject to change.

[0139] For example, the 20 MHz channel of FIG. 12 can be defined from 5.940 GHz. Specifically, the leftmost channel among the 20 MHz channels of FIG. 12 can have an index of 1 (or channel index, channel number, etc.), and a center frequency of 5.945 GHz can be assigned. That is, the center frequency of the indexed channel N can be determined as (5.940 + 0.005*N) GHz.

[0140] Accordingly, the indexes (or channel numbers) of the 20 MHz channels of FIG. 12 are 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77, 81, 85, 89, 93, 97, 101, 105, 109, 113, 117, 121, 125, 129, 133, 137, 141, 145, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165, 169, 173, 177, 181, 185, 189, 193, It can be 197, 201, 205, 209, 213, 217, 221, 225, 229, 233. Also, according to the (5.940 + 0.005*N) GHz rule mentioned above, the indices of the 40 MHz channels in Fig. 12 can be 3, 11, 19, 27, 35, 43, 51, 59, 67, 75, 83, 91, 99, 107, 115, 123, 131, 139, 147, 155, 163, 171, 179, 187, 195, 203, 211, 219, 227.

[0141] Below, the structure and types / subtypes of MAC frames are described.

[0142] Fig. 13 illustrates an example of a header of a MAC frame. As illustrated, the MAC frame may include a frame control field / information of 2 octets in length, a duration field / information of 2 octets in length, a RA (Receiver Address) field / information of 6 octets in length, and a TA (Transmitter Address) field / information of 6 octets in length. As illustrated in Fig. 13, the four fields may be consecutive to each other. The MAC header of Fig. 13 may be modified in various ways, and a new field may be inserted between the four illustrated fields, or at least one of the illustrated fields may be omitted.

[0143] The MAC header illustrated in Fig. 13 may be positioned at the very front of a MAC frame. That is, the MAC frame may include a MAC header as illustrated in Fig. 13 and MAC body fields / information subsequent to the MAC header. The MAC frame including the MAC header of Fig. 13 is inserted / included in the data field of the PPDU (e.g., UHR PPDU) illustrated in Fig. 5.

[0144] The MAC frames included in the data field of the PPDU of this specification can be classified into various types. For example, the MAC frames of this specification can be classified into control frames, management frames, and data frames.

[0145] For example, the management frame includes Association Request, Association Response, Reassociation Request, Reassociation Response, Probe Request, Probe Response, Beacon, Disassociation, Authentication, and Deauthentication frames / signals defined in conventional WLAN. For the management frame, the values ​​of the type fields (B3 and B2) in FIG. 13 are set to 00. In addition, the values ​​of the subtype fields (B7, B6, B5, B4) in FIG. 13 are as follows: Association Request (0000), Association Response (0001), Reassociation Request (0010), Reassociation Response (0011), Probe Request (0100), Probe Response (0101), Beacon (1000), Disassociation (1010), Authentication (1011), Deauthentication (1100).

[0146] For example, the control frame includes Trigger Beamforming Report Poll, NDP Announcement (NDPA), Control Frame Extension, Control Wrapper, Block Ack Request (BlockAckReq), Block Ack (BlockAck), PS-Poll, RTS, CTS, Ack, and CF-End frames / signals defined in conventional WLAN. For the control frame, the value of the type field (B3 and B2) in FIG. 13 is set to 01. Also, the values ​​of the subtype fields (B7, B6, B5, B4) of FIG. 13 are as follows: Trigger (0010), Beamforming Report Poll (0100), NDP Announcement (0101), Control Frame Extension (0110), Control Wrapper (0111), BlockAckReq (1000), BlockAck (1001), PS-Poll (1010), RTS (1011), CTS (1100), Ack (1101), CF-End (1110).

[0147] For example, the data frame includes (QoS) Data, (QoS) Null, etc. defined in conventional WLAN. For the management frame, the value of the type field (B3 and B2) of Fig. 13 is set to 10.

[0148] The MAC frame / signal used in this specification can be identified through the type field / information and subtype field / information described above. For example, the “trigger frame” in this specification can mean a MAC frame in which the type bits B3 and B2 bits in the frame control field of the MAC header are set to 01, and the subtype bits B7, B6, B5, B4 bits in the frame control field are also set to 0010. Various MAC frames described in this specification are inserted / included in the data fields of various PPDUs (e.g., HE / VHT / HE / EHT / UHR PPDUs).

[0149] FIG. 14 illustrates a modified example of a transmitting device and / or a receiving device of the present specification.

[0150] The devices (e.g., AP STA, non-AP STA) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be modified as illustrated in FIG. 14. The transceiver (630) of FIG. 14 may be identical to the transceivers (113, 123) of FIG. 1. The transceiver (630) of FIG. 14 may include a receiver and a transmitter.

[0151] The processor (610) of FIG. 14 may be identical to the processor (111, 121) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the processor (610) of FIG. 14 may be identical to the processing chip (114, 124) of FIG. 1.

[0152] The memory (150) of FIG. 14 may be the same as the memory (112, 122) of FIG. 1. Alternatively, the memory (150) of FIG. 14 may be a separate external memory different from the memory (112, 122) of FIG. 1.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 14, a power management module (611) manages power to a processor (610) and / or a transceiver (630). A battery (612) supplies power to the power management module (611). A display (613) outputs results processed by the processor (610). A keypad (614) receives input to be used by the processor (610). The keypad (614) may be displayed on the display (613). A SIM card (615) may be an integrated circuit used to securely store an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and an associated key used to identify and authenticate a subscriber in a mobile phone device, such as a mobile phone or computer.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 14, the speaker (640) can output sound-related results processed by the processor (610). The microphone (641) can receive sound-related input to be used by the processor (610).

[0155] Next Wi-Fi (beyond 11be) aims to support ultra-high reliability (UHR) when transmitting signals to STAs. To support this UHR, various technologies are being considered, including high throughput, low latency, and extended range. To achieve this, additional MCS may be considered to improve throughput by increasing spectral efficiency during signal transmission and reception. Additionally or alternatively, unequal modulation (UEQM) technology may be considered. UEQM technology is a technology that considers SNR imbalance across two or more spatial streams (SSs) during MIMO / beamforming transmission. For example, UEQM technology can refer to a technique that utilizes different modulations (e.g., different constellation mappings) for each SS.

[0156] For example, this specification may propose various technical features related to UEQM technology. Such UEQM technology may be used together with an enhanced / improved MCS set proposed in this specification. Additionally or alternatively, the MCS set proposed in this specification may be used independently of the UEQM technology. That is, the technical operations related to the MCS set of this specification may operate independently of the UEQM technology, and the operations related to the UEQM technology of this specification may operate independently of the MCS set proposed in this specification.

[0157] Below, UEQM technology is described.

[0158] For example, in MIMO / Beamforming transmission, since a signal is transmitted using a beamforming matrix formed based on singular value decomposition (SVD), when transmitting a signal using multiple spatial streams (SS), the MIMO gain or SNR may be concentrated on a limited number of SSs, including the first SS (e.g., the 1st SS). In other words, an imbalance may occur in which the MIMO gain or SNR is concentrated only on at least one SS (or some SSs) including the first SS.

[0159] Below, we explain the imbalance that occurs for a specific SS (e.g., some SS including the first SS) based on channel information formed based on SVD.

[0160]

[0161] The singular values ​​(e.g., singular values) of the diagonal matrix of mathematical expression 1 are arranged in descending order of non-zero values. Therefore, when using multiple spatial streams (SS) in this way, a difference in SNR occurs between the SS (spatial streams).

[0162] Figures 15 and 16 are diagrams illustrating an imbalance occurring for at least one SS. The examples in Figures 15 and 16 relate to the SNR difference between the first SS (1st SS) and the remaining SSs (e.g., 2nd / 3rd / 4th SS) when using two SSs or four SSs at 80 MHz.

[0163] For example, as illustrated in Fig. 15, when Nss (i.e., Number of SS) is 2, the range of the SNR gap between the first SS and the second SS is 7 to 15 dB, and the median value is approximately 10 dB. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 16, when Nss is 4, it can be seen that the second SS has a difference of approximately 5 dB, the third SS has a difference of 11 dB, and the fourth SS has a difference of 18 dB based on the median value.

[0164] As described above, when MIMO / beamforming transmission is performed based on multiple SSs, it can be confirmed that an SNR gap occurs between SSs (spatial streams). Since each SS has a different SNR, when transmitting a signal by applying the same MCS during MIMO / beamforming transmission, the signal transmission efficiency may decrease due to the SNR gap. Therefore, it is technically advantageous to consider the SNR gap for each SS during MIMO or beamforming transmission and apply different modulations suitable for the SNR of each SS. In other words, by applying UEQM, it is possible to apply modulations suitable for the individual SNRs of SSs (spatial streams), and based on this, signal transmission efficiency and throughput can be improved.

[0165] For example, UEQM in this specification means applying a first MCS technique to a first SS and applying a second MCS technique to a second SS. For example, the first MCS technique may be the same as or different from the second MCS technique. In other words, MCS techniques applied to different SSs can be individually set. For example, a plurality of MCS techniques related to UEQM (e.g., the first MCS technique and the second MCS technique) can be configured / set based on the same code rate. For example, a plurality of MCS techniques related to UEQM (e.g., the first MCS technique and the second MCS technique) can be based on a constellation mapping technique / technology that is based on the same code rate, but is individually set.

[0166] In other words, when applying different modulations to different SSs (e.g., applying the first MCS technique to the first SS and the second MCS technique to the second SS), the code rate can be fixed to the same value as described above to reduce implementation complexity without requiring an additional encoder. Accordingly, multiple MCS techniques (e.g., the first MCS technique and the second MCS technique) can be based on the same code rate, but can apply modulations (i.e., constellation mapping techniques / techniques) that are individually set.

[0167] For example, the UEQM described below can be used for SU / MU transmission (or reception), SU-MIMO / MU-MIMO / non-MU-MIMO transmission (or reception), and OFDMA / non-OFDMA transmission (or reception). Additionally or alternatively, the UEQM described below can be applied to RUs of various sizes (e.g., 26 / 52 / 106 / 242 / 484 / 996 / n*996-tone RUs). For example, the UEQM described below can be applied to RRUs (regular RUs), DRUs (distributed RUs), and / or MRUs (e.g., small / large size MRUs).

[0168] For example, a new set of MCS parameters (or indices / levels) can be defined with respect to the UEQM of this specification (or independently of the UEQM). For example, a new combination of code rate and modulation (i.e., constellation mapping) that was not previously applied can be defined, as follows.

[0169] For example, with respect to the UEQM of this specification, the MCS parameter set based on code rate 1 / 2 may be at least one of the following MCS parameters.

[0170] 1A parameter: 1 / 2 + 64 QAM

[0171] 2A parameter: 1 / 2 + 256 QAM

[0172] 3A parameter: 1 / 2 + 1024 QAM

[0173] 4A parameter: 1 / 2 + 4096 QAM

[0174] For example, with respect to the UEQM of this specification, a set of MCS parameters based on code rate 2 / 3 may be at least one of the following MCS parameters.

[0175] 1B parameter: 2 / 3 + QPSK

[0176] 2B parameter: 2 / 3 + 16 QAM

[0177] 3B parameter: 2 / 3 + 256 QAM

[0178] 4B parameter: 2 / 3 + 1024 QAM

[0179] Parameter 5B: 2 / 3 + 4096 QAM

[0180] For example, with respect to the UEQM of this specification, the MCS parameter set based on code rate 5 / 6 may be at least one of the following MCS parameters.

[0181] 1C parameter: 5 / 6 + 16 QAM

[0182] The various parameters described above can be used for UEQM. Additionally or alternatively, the various parameters described above can be used independently of UEQM. For example, at least one of the various MCS parameters described above can be allocated / used for a single SS (spatial stream) in relation to SU / OFDMA transmission / reception.

[0183] Among the various MCS parameters described above, it is also possible to utilize only some of the MCS parameters considering throughput gain and spectral efficiency. For example, the following four MCS parameters can be additionally used in the IEEE 802.11bn system (or UHR system). Additionally or alternatively, the following four MCS parameters can also be additionally used in the next-generation WLAN / WIFI system that further improves the IEEE 802.11bn system. The following four MCS parameters can be called by various names such as extended / enhanced / improved / UHR-MCS parameter / index, etc. The number of extended MCS parameters can be four or more.

[0184] Additionally or alternatively, examples of Extended MCS parameters proposed in the present specification may be QPSK-2 / 3, 16QAM-2 / 3, 16QAM-5 / 6, 256QAM-2 / 3. In addition to the 16 MCS parameters (MCS0 to MCS15 in Table 1 below) proposed in conventional wireless LAN standards, four Extended MCS parameters of the present specification are represented in a table as follows. Additionally or alternatively, Modulation related to MCS parameters / indexes / levels in Table 1 below and the present specification may mean constellation mapping, and may mean, for example, BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM, 1024QAM, and / or 4096QAM. Additionally or alternatively, in Table 1 below and in the present specification, code rate represents the ratio of the actual information bit length k to the encoded codeword length n, and may be expressed as, for example, k / n, and may mean, for example, 1 / 2, 3 / 4, 2 / 3, and / or 5 / 6.

[0185] MCS indexModulationCode rateMCS0BPSK1 / 2MCS1QPSK1 / 2MCS2QPSK3 / 4MCS316QAM1 / 2MCS416QAM3 / 4MCS564QAM2 / 3MCS664QAM3 / 4MCS764QAM5 / 6MCS8256QAM3 / 4MCS9256QAM5 / 6MCS101024QAM 3 / 4MCS111024QAM5 / 6MCS124096QAM3 / 4MCS134096QAM5 / 6MCS14BPSK-DCM+DUP1 / 2MCS15BPSK-DCM1 / 2MCS16QPSK2 / 3MCS1716QAM2 / 3MCS1816QAM5 / 6MCS19256QAM2 / 3

[0186] The four newly proposed MCS parameters compared to the conventional ones are expressed as MCS16 to MCS19 in Table 1. The order of the various MCS parameters expressed in Table 1 may be changed in consideration of various factors such as data rate and / or throughput.

[0187] Below, UEQM technology / transmission is described in relation to MCS parameters.

[0188] For example, UEQM transmission can be considered when NSS is 1, 2, 3, or 4. Additionally, the number of NSS can be varied in general. UEQM transmission can support different numbers of NSS for DL ​​transmission and UL transmission. For example, UEQM related to DL can support up to 4 NSS, UEQM related to UL can support up to 2 / 3 / 4 NSS. For example, UEQM related to DL can support up to 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 NSS, UEQM related to UL can support up to 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 NSS.

[0189] For example, Table 2 below relates to UEQM supporting up to 4 NSSs. For example, if 2 NSSs are supported, a modulation (i.e., constellation mapping) indicated by M may be applied to the first SS as shown in the table below. In this case, a modulation (i.e., constellation mapping) indicated by M-1 or M-2 may be applied to the second SS.

[0190] For example, if three NSSs are supported, the modulation indicated by M (i.e., constellation mapping) may be applied to the first SS, as shown in the table below. In this case, the modulation indicated by M or M-1 (i.e., constellation mapping) may be applied to the second SS. In this case, the modulation indicated by M-1 or M-2 (i.e., constellation mapping) may be applied to the third SS.

[0191] For example, if up to 4 Nss are supported, the modulation for the 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th SS can be set / configured based on M, M-1, and M-2 in the manner shown in Table 2 below based on the above-described method.

[0192] Total Nss1st ss2nd ss3rd ss4th ss2ssMM-1 MM-2 3ssMMM-1 MMM-2 MM-1M-2 4ssMMMM-1MMMM-2MMM-1M-2

[0193] Applying individual constellations to different SSs, as described above, can be called UEQM. For example, when UEQM is applied, the constellations (or constellation indices / parameters) applied to different SSs can be identical. However, even when UEQM is applied, it is desirable for the code rates applied to different SSs to be identical.

[0194] With respect to the above UEQM pattern field, the M is a constellation index indicated by a separate MCS field (e.g., a 5-bit field included in a SIG field or a Trigger frame, etc.), and the M-1 may be a constellation that is one order lower than M, and the M-2 may be a constellation that is two orders lower than M. For example, if M is 4096QAM, M-1 may mean 1024QAM, and M-2 may mean 256QAM. For example, if M is 1024QAM, M-1 may mean 256QAM, and M-2 may mean 64QAM. For example, if M is 256QAM, M-1 may mean 64QAM, and M-2 may mean 16QAM. For example, M could mean 16QAM, M-1 could mean QPSK, and M-2 could mean BPSK. For example, if M is QPSK, M-1 could mean BPSK.

[0195] Additionally or alternatively, M in the present specification and / or Table 2 above may be a constellation index / parameter greater than or equal to 16QAM and less than or equal to 1024QAM (or 4096 QAM).

[0196] Below, the TRS (triggered response scheduling) control field is described.

[0197] For example, the TRS control field may be called by various names such as TRS control subfield, TRS control information, TRS control frame, first / second control frame, first / second control field, first / second (control) information field, etc.

[0198] For example, the TRS control field (or a frame / signal including the TRS control field) may be transmitted by the AP to initiate UL OFDMA transmission. For example, the TRS control field (or a frame / signal including the TRS control field) may include information (e.g., MCS information) applicable to a TB (triggered-based) PPDU generated by an STA (e.g., non-AP STA, RX STA) receiving the field.

[0199] For example, the TRS control field (or frame / signal including the TRS control field) can be included in PPDUs of various types / formats (e.g., HE MU PPDU, HE SU PPDU, HE ER SU PPDU, EHT MU PPDU, UHR MU PPDU, etc.). An STA (e.g., non-AP STA, RX STA) that receives the TRS control field can generate a TB PPDU, and the generated TB PPDU can be a TB-PPDU of various types / formats (e.g., HE / EHT / UHR TB-PPDU).

[0200] This specification proposes TRS control fields of various types / formats. For example, FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 are examples of TRS control fields proposed in this specification.

[0201] Below, the A-control (aggregated control) field is described.

[0202] Figure 17 illustrates an example of a control field that includes an A-control field. The example in Figure 17 may be an HT-control field. The example in Figure 17 may be included in a 4-octet long HT control field included in the MAC header of a control frame (or data frame).

[0203] As illustrated in Fig. 17, on a control field (e.g., HT-control) consisting of bits B0 to B31, an A-control field may be included on bits B2 to B31.

[0204] Fig. 18 illustrates an example of a plurality of subfields included in an A-control field. The example of Fig. 18 may correspond to bits B2 to B31 of Fig. 17 (i.e., the A-control field illustrated in Fig. 17). As illustrated in Fig. 18, a control list subfield and subsequent padding may be defined. The control list subfield of Fig. 18 may include at least one Control subfield. In other words, the control list subfield of Fig. 18 may include a Control ID subfield with a length of 4 bits and a control information subfield (1810). The control information subfield (1810) may include at least one Control subfield.

[0205] For example, the TRS control field may be included in the A-control field. For example, the TRS control field may be located on the control information subfield (1810) of FIG. 18. For example, the 4-bit control ID subfield illustrated in FIG. 18 may include a control ID value corresponding to the TRS control field.

[0206] Below, a 2-bit UL MCS field / subfield and a 1-bit MCS extension field / subfield included in the TRS control field of this specification are described. In other words, below, an example of a TRS control field is described.

[0207] An example of a TRS control field described below can support the new MCS set described herein while also supporting UEQM.

[0208] For example, in order to support the MCS (e.g., MCS index / parameter) suggested in the examples of Table 1, the TRS control field may include information indicating an additional MCS. Specifically, information about the additional MCS may be called an MCS extension field. For example, the MCS extension field may be configured with 1 bit. When the value of the 1 bit is set to a first value (e.g., 1), it may be indicated that the additional MCS is used, and when the value of the 1 bit is set to a second value (e.g., 0), it may be indicated that the additional MCS is not used and the existing MCS table is used. Additionally or alternatively, the MCS extension field may be located at bit B25 of the TRS control field (e.g., bit B25 of FIG. 19).

[0209] Additionally or alternatively, the MCS extension field may be included only in a PPDU of a new format. Specifically, the MCS extension field may be present when the TRS control field is included in a PPDU format defined after an EHT PPDU (e.g., a UHR PPDU). For example, when the TRS control field is included in a HE / EHT PPDU, etc., the position corresponding to the MCS extension field (e.g., bit B25 of FIG. 19) may be configured as a reserved bit. In other words, the MCS extension field may be present only when the value of the PHY version identifier of the PPDU including the field (e.g., a PHY version identifier with a length of 3 bits included in the U-SIG of the PPDU) is 1 or greater.

[0210] Additionally or alternatively, the TRS control field may include a UL-MCS field (e.g., a 2-bit length field) and the MCS extension field (e.g., a 1-bit length field), and information related to MCS may be indicated by a combination of these two fields. In other words, the MCS of the data field of the TB-PPDU generated by the TRS control field may be determined / defined / set by a combination of the UL-MCS field (e.g., a 2-bit length field) and the MCS extension field.

[0211] The MCS index / parameter identified / indicated by the combination of the above UL-MCS field (e.g., 2-bit length field) and the above MCS extension field can be determined / defined / set in various ways. For example, the above combination can indicate / identify MCS0, MCS1, MCS3, and MCS15, and also the above combination can indicate / identify QPSK (with 2 / 3 code rate), 3 / 4 QPSK (with 3 / 4 code rate), and 16 QAM (with 2 / 3 code rate). In other words, the above combination can identify / indicate the MCS index / parameter of Table 3 below. MCS0, MCS1, MCS3, and MCS15 in Table 3 can be the same as MCS0, MCS1, MCS3, and MCS15 described in Table 1.

[0212] MCSValue of UL-MCS fieldValue of MCS extension fieldMCS000MCS110MCS320MCS 15302 / 3 QPSK013 / 4 QPSK112 / 3 16QAM21Reserved31

[0213] The above explanation can be re-explained based on the drawing as follows.

[0214] Figure 19 is an example of the TRS control field proposed in this specification.

[0215] The TRS control field of FIG. 19 may further include a UL-MCS field (e.g., a 2-bit length field) and the MCS extension field (e.g., a 1-bit length field) as described above. For example, the UL-MCS field may be composed of the UL MCS subfield / information (1950) of FIG. 19. For example, the MCS extension field may be composed of the MCS extension subfield / information (1960) of FIG. 19.

[0216] In addition, as illustrated, the TRS control field of the present specification may further include UL Data Symbols subfield / information (1910), RU Allocation subfield / information (1920), AP Tx Power subfield / information (1930), and / or UL Target Receive Power subfield / information (1940). The UL Data Symbols subfield / information (1910) may indicate the number of OFDM symbols constituting a data field of a TB-PPDU configured by the TRS control field. The RU Allocation subfield / information (1920) may indicate at least one RU that transmits the TB-PPDU configured by the TRS control field. The AP Tx Power subfield / information (1930) may include information regarding transmission power of a PPDU including the TRS control field. The above UL Target Receive Power subfield / information (1940) may indicate the expected receive signal power for the TB-PPDU configured by the TRS control field.

[0217] Below, a 3-bit UL MCS field / subfield included in the TRS control field of this specification is described. In other words, below, another example of the TRS control field is described.

[0218] The UL-MCS field described above (e.g., a 2-bit field) and the MCS extension field (e.g., a 1-bit field) can be modified in various ways. For example, the two fields above can be configured as a single 3-bit field, and the 3-bit field can be called by various names, such as the UL MCS field. For example, the 3-bit field can indicate / identify the MCS index / parameter below.

[0219] Value of UL-MCS fieldContents0MCS01MCS12QPSK (code rate 2 / 3)3QPSK (code rate 3 / 4)4MCS3516QAM (code rate 2 / 3)6MCS 157Reserved

[0220] The contents of Table 4 are explained again based on the drawing as follows.

[0221] Figure 20 is another example of the TRS control field proposed in this specification.

[0222] The TRS control field of FIG. 20 may include a 3-bit long UL MCS field as described above. For example, the UL-MCS field may be composed of the UL MCS subfield / information (2050) of FIG. 20.

[0223] Technical features applied to the example of FIG. 20 may be identical to the technical features of the example of FIG. 19. For example, the UL Data Symbols subfield / information (2010), RU Allocation subfield / information (2020), AP Tx Power subfield / information (2030), and / or UL Target Receive Power subfield / information (2040) included in FIG. 20 may correspond to the subfields / information of FIG. 19.

[0224] Since the technical features applied to the example of FIG. 20 are the same as the technical features of the example of FIG. 19, the 3-bit long UL MCS field can exist only when the value of the PHY version identifier of the PPDU including the field (e.g., the 3-bit long PHY version identifier included in the U-SIG of the PPDU) is 1 or greater. In addition, similar to the example of FIG. 19, the MCS of the data field of the TB-PPDU generated by the TRS control field can be determined / defined / set by the 3-bit long UL-MCS field.

[0225] Hereinafter, an example of applying UEQM (unequal modulation) to uplink communication (e.g., UL-MU OFDMA communication, TB PPDU communication) triggered by a TRS control field is described. A field including information about the above-described UEQM may be called a TRS extension field. The TRS extension field may be called by various names such as a control field, an extended TRS field, UEQM control information, an A-control field, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the TRS extension field may be included in a PPDU including the TRS control field.

[0226] For example, the TRS extension field (e.g., information about UEQM) can be transmitted together with information related to MCS as follows. For example, the TRS extension field (e.g., information about UEQM) can exist when the PPDU including the field is a UHR PPDU (or next version PPDU). In other words, the TRS extension field (e.g., information about UEQM) can exist only when the value of the PHY version identifier included in the PPDU (e.g., the value of the 3-bit long PHY version identifier included in the U-SIG field) is 1 or more.

[0227] Additionally or alternatively, the TRS extension field (e.g., information about UEQM) may be configured / defined via the A-control field. For example, the TRS extension field (e.g., information about UEQM) may be located in the control information (1810) of FIG. 18, and the control ID value for the TRS extension field (e.g., information about UEQM) may be defined as ten (10) and included in the control ID subfield of FIG. 18.

[0228] Additionally or alternatively, the TRS extension field (e.g., information about UEQM) may include at least one of the following first to third pieces of information.

[0229] For example, the first information (or first subfield / control information) may be called UEQM indication information / field / subfield. The first information indicates whether unequal modulation is applied and may consist of 1 bit. In other words, the first information may include information indicating whether UEQM (unequal modulation) is applied to an uplink frame (e.g., TB PPDU) triggered by the TRS control field.

[0230] For example, the second information (or second subfield / control information) may be called NSS information / field / subfield. The second information may include information for indicating the number of spatial streams when the first information (e.g., UEQM indication) is set to a first value (e.g., one (1) indicating that UEQM is applied). For example, the second information may be set to one (1) when the first information (e.g., UEQM indication) is set to a second value (e.g., zero (0) indicating that UEQM is not applied).

[0231] For example, the second information may include information regarding the number of spatial streams applied to an uplink frame (e.g., TB PPDU) triggered by the TRS control field. In other words, the second information may include information regarding the number of spatial streams associated with UEQM. For example, the second information may indicate two, three, or four spatial streams.

[0232] For example, the third information (or third subfield / control information) may be called UEQM mod configuration (or UEQM modulation configuration or UEQM pattern configuration, etc.) information / field / subfield. The third information may include information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams when the first information (e.g., UEQM indication) is set to a first value (e.g., a column (1) indicating that UEQM is applied). For example, when the first information (e.g., UEQM indication) is set to a second value (e.g., a column (0) indicating that UEQM is not applied), the third information may be configured as a reserved field.

[0233] Additionally or alternatively, the third information may indicate modulation information (e.g., constellation index / parameter) applied to each individual spatial stream when UEQM is applied. Additionally or alternatively, the third information may have a length of 2 or 3 bits.

[0234] Additionally or alternatively, the value of the third information may indicate any one row or entry shown in Table 2. For example, when Nss=2, whether the UEQM pattern of {M, M-1} or the UEQM pattern of {M, M-2} is used may be determined based on the value of the third information. For example, when Nss=3, whether the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M-1} or the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M-2} is used or the UEQM pattern of {M, M-1, M-2} is used may be determined based on the value of the third information. For example, when Nss=4, whether the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M, M-1} is used, or the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M, M-2} is used, or the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M-1, M-2} is used can be determined based on the value of the third information.

[0235] Additionally or alternatively, the third information may be variously modified. For example, the third information may be configured as a bit table indicating the difference in modulation level / order (or constellation level / order) for the first SS. In this case, the bit table may be configured with 2 bits per Nss considering Max Nss = 4, resulting in a total of 6 bits. That is, the table may represent information from the second SS (2nd SS) to the fourth SS (4th SS). The information exists according to Nss, and the remaining bits are reserved. The 2 bits configured for each Nss may have values ​​of 0, 1, 2, and 3. In this case, 0 = same, 1 = 1 level smaller, and 2 = 2 levels smaller. It may be configured as 3 = reserved.

[0236] For example, if Nss = 2, and the modulation level / order (or constellation level / order) for the first SS is 16QAM and the modulation level / order for the second SS is QPSK, B2 to B5 in B0 to B5 of the bit table may be reserved. In addition, the B0 bit and the B1 bit may be set to 0 and 1, respectively, to indicate that the modulation level / order of the second SS is 1 level / order lower than the modulation level / order of the first SS.

[0237] The above-described TRS control field and TRS extension field can be modified in various ways. For example, the first information (or UEQM indication information) may be included in the TRS control field rather than the TRS extension field. In this case, information about the extended MCS (e.g., MCS extension bit) included in the TRS control field may be included in the TRS extension field.

[0238] Fig. 21 is another example of the TRS control field proposed in this specification. As illustrated, the first information (or UEQM indication information) may be included in bit B25 of Fig. 21. Additionally or alternatively, the TRS extension field may be included within the PPDU that includes the TRS control field.

[0239] The TRS extension field (or extended TRS field) related to Fig. 21 (or included in the same PPDU as Fig. 21) may include the following various bits (e.g., MCS extension bit, NSS bit(s), UEQM mod configuration bit(s)).

[0240] As described above, the first bit (or MCS extension bit) included in the TRS extension field may be included. For example, the bit may consist of 1 bit. In this case, the first value (e.g., 0) may be used for the existing MCS indication, and the second value (e.g., 1) may be used for the added MCS indication. In this case, the MCS of the TB-PPDU may be determined by a combination of a 1-bit long MCS extension field included in the TRS extension field and a 2-bit long UL-MCS field included in the TRS control field, and a specific example thereof may be as shown in Table 5 below.

[0241] MCSValue of UL-MCS fieldValue of MCS extension fieldMCS000MCS110MCS320MCS 1530QPSK (code rate 2 / 3)01QPSK (code rate 3 / 4)1116QAM (code rate 2 / 3)21Reserved31

[0242] As described above, a second bit (or NSS bit(s)) may be included in the TRS extension field. This second bit may include information for indicating the number of spatial streams when the 1-bit information (e.g., UEQM indication) included in the TRS control field is set to a first value (e.g., one (1) indicating that UEQM is applied). For example, the second bit may be set to one (1) when the 1-bit information (e.g., UEQM indication) included in the TRS control field is set to a second value (e.g., zero (0) indicating that UEQM is not applied).

[0243] For example, the second bit (or NSS bit(s)) included in the TRS extension field may include information regarding the number of spatial streams applied to an uplink frame (e.g., TB PPDU) triggered by the TRS control field. In other words, the NSS bit(s)) may include information regarding the number of spatial streams related to UEQM. For example, the second information may indicate two, three, or four spatial streams.

[0244] As described above, the third bit (or UEQM mod configuration bit(s)) included in the TRS extension field may be included. The UEQM mod configuration bit(s) may be configured according to the same rules as the UEQM mod configuration (or UEQM modulation configuration or UEQM pattern configuration, etc.) information / field / subfield described above. Specifically, similarly to the UEQM mod configuration information described above, when the 1-bit information (e.g., UEQM indication) included in the TRS control field is set to a first value (e.g., one (1) indicating that UEQM is applied), the UEQM mod configuration bit(s) may include information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams. In addition, similarly to the UEQM mod configuration information described above, the UEQM mod configuration bit(s) may be configured as a bit table indicating the difference in modulation level / order (or constellation level / order) with respect to the first SS.

[0245] Figure 22 is an example of a procedure flowchart related to this specification. The illustrated procedure may be performed by an Access Point (AP), a non-AP, an AP Multi-link Device (AP MLD), or a non-AP MLD.

[0246] As illustrated, a TRS control field may be received according to step S2210. For example, step S2210 may be performed by a non-AP or non-AP MLD. For example, the TRS control field of step S2210 may include MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) information for an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field. For example, the TRS control field of step S2210 may be an example of FIG. 20. For example, the MCS information of step S2210 may be a 3-bit long UL MCS information / subfield located at bits B23 to B25 of FIG. 20.

[0247] As illustrated, a TRS extension field may be received according to step S2220. For example, the TRS extension field may include first information related to whether unequal modulation (UEQM) is applied to the uplink frame, second information related to the number of spatial streams related to the UEQM, and / or third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM. For example, the step S2220 may be performed by a non-AP or non-AP MLD.

[0248] For example, the TRS control field of step S2210 and the TRS extension field of step S2220 may be included in the same or different PPDUs.

[0249] For example, the uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field of step S2210 may be a Trigger Based Physical Protocol Data Unit (TB-PPDU). For example, the MCS applied to the data field of the TB-PPDU may be determined by a combination of the TRS control field (e.g., MCS information of step S2210) and the TRS extension field (e.g., at least one of the first to third pieces of information of step S2220).

[0250] For example, the first information may have a length of 1 bit, and based on the application of the UEQM, the first information may have a value of one (1). For example, the first information may be the above-described UEQM indication information / field / subfield.

[0251] For example, the value of the second information is set based on the value of the first information, and based on the value of the first information having the first value, the value of the second information may indicate one of two spatial streams to four spatial streams, and based on the value of the first information having the second value, the value of the second information may indicate one spatial stream. For example, the second information may be the NSS information / field / subfield described above.

[0252] For example, the value of the third information may include information related to a constellation index applied to two, three, or four spatial streams. For example, the value of the third information may indicate any one row or entry shown in Table 2. For example, when Nss=2, whether the UEQM pattern of {M, M-1} or the UEQM pattern of {M, M-2} is used may be determined based on the value of the third information. For example, when Nss=3, whether the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M-1} or the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M-2} is used or the UEQM pattern of {M, M-1, M-2} is used may be determined based on the value of the third information. For example, when Nss=4, whether the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M, M-1} is used, or the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M, M-2} is used, or the UEQM pattern of {M, M, M-1, M-2} is used can be determined based on the value of the third information.

[0253] As illustrated, according to step S2230, a TB PPDU can be transmitted based on the received TRS control field and TRS extension field. For example, step S2230 can be performed by a non-AP or non-AP MLD.

[0254] Figure 23 is an example of a procedure flowchart related to the present specification. The illustrated procedure may be performed by an Access Point (AP), a non-AP, an AP Multi-link Device (AP MLD), or a non-AP MLD.

[0255] As illustrated, a TRS control field may be transmitted according to step S2310. For example, the technical features applied to step S2310 may be identical to the technical features applied to step S2210. However, unlike step S2210, which may be performed by a non-AP or non-AP MLD, the features of step S2310 may be performed by an AP or non-AP MLD.

[0256] As illustrated, a TRS extension field may be transmitted according to step S2320. For example, the technical features applied to step S2320 may be identical to the technical features applied to step S2220. However, unlike step S2220, which may be performed in a non-AP or non-AP MLD, the features of step S2320 may be performed by an AP or non-AP MLD.

[0257] As illustrated, a TB PPDU configured based on a TRS control field and a TRS extension field can be received according to step S2330. For example, the technical features applied to step S2330 may be identical to the technical features applied to step S2230. However, unlike step S2230, which can be performed in a non-AP or non-AP MLD, the features of step S2330 can be performed by an AP or a non-AP MLD.

[0258] The technical features of the present disclosure may be implemented by various devices. The devices of the present disclosure may be the devices described in FIG. 1 / FIG. 14. The devices of the present disclosure may include at least one processor; and at least one computer memory operably connectable to the at least one processor, the computer memory storing instructions for performing operations based on execution by the at least one processor.

[0259] For example, the processor may be a processor described in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 14. That is, as described above, the processor of the present specification may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a modem (modulator and demodulator). The processor may include not only computers having various architectures such as single / multiprocessor architecture, sequential (Von Neumann) / parallel architecture, but also specialized circuits such as FPGAs, ASICs, signal processing devices, and other devices. For example, the processor of the present specification may be a SNAPDRAGON® series processor manufactured by Qualcomm®, an EXYNOS® series processor manufactured by Samsung®, an A series processor manufactured by Apple®, a HELIO® series processor manufactured by MediaTek®, an ATOM® series processor manufactured by INTEL®, or a processor that enhances the same.

[0260] For example, the instructions may refer to computer program instructions executed by the at least one processor. The (computer program) instructions provide logic and / or routines that enable the technical features of the present specification to be performed by the processor. The at least one processor can load and execute a computer program by reading the at least one memory.

[0261] The computer program(s) defined by the above instructions may be delivered to the device (e.g., STA) of the present specification via an appropriate delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism may be, for example, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or a product tangibly embodying the computer program. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transmit the computer program via a wireless or electrical connection.

[0262] The above (computer program) instructions may include software or firmware for a programmable processor (e.g., programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device, etc.).

[0263] For example, the memory may be the memory described in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 14. That is, as described above, the memory of the present specification may store control information related to the operation of the STA of the present specification or information about signals transmitted and received by the STA (e.g., PPDU including management / control / data frames).

[0264] The technical features of this specification may be implemented in at least one computer-readable recording medium (CRM). The CRM includes instructions that are executed by at least one processor as described above. The instructions stored in the CRM may be computer program instructions as described above.

[0265] The device of the present disclosure may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be operably connectable to the memory / processor, etc. The transceiver may be the transceiver illustrated in FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 14.

[0266] The technical features of this specification described above are applicable to various applications and business models. For example, the technical features described above can be applied to wireless communication in devices that support artificial intelligence (AI).

[0267] Artificial intelligence (AI) is the study of artificial intelligence or the methodologies for creating it, while machine learning (ML) defines various problems in the field of AI and studies the methodologies for solving them. Machine learning is also defined as an algorithm that improves performance on a task through consistent experience.

[0268] An artificial neural network (ANN) is a model used in machine learning. It can refer to a model with problem-solving capabilities, consisting of artificial neurons (nodes) formed by the connection of synapses to form a network. An ANN can be defined by the connection patterns between neurons in different layers, the learning process that updates model parameters, and the activation function that generates output values.

[0269] An artificial neural network may include an input layer, an output layer, and optionally one or more hidden layers. Each layer contains one or more neurons, and the artificial neural network may include synapses connecting neurons. In an artificial neural network, each neuron can output a function value of an activation function based on input signals, weights, and biases received through the synapses.

[0270] Model parameters are parameters determined through learning, including synaptic connection weights and neuron biases. Hyperparameters are parameters that must be set before learning in machine learning algorithms, including the learning rate, number of iterations, mini-batch size, and initialization function.

[0271] The goal of artificial neural network training can be seen as determining model parameters that minimize a loss function. The loss function can be used as an indicator for determining optimal model parameters during the artificial neural network training process.

[0272] Machine learning can be classified into supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning depending on the learning method.

[0273] Supervised learning refers to a method for training an artificial neural network when given labels for the training data. The labels can refer to the correct answer (or output value) that the artificial neural network must infer when the training data is input to the artificial neural network. Unsupervised learning can refer to a method for training an artificial neural network when the training data is not given labels. Reinforcement learning can refer to a learning method in which an agent defined within a given environment is trained to select actions or action sequences that maximize the cumulative reward in each state.

[0274] Machine learning implemented with a deep neural network (DNN) containing multiple hidden layers among artificial neural networks is also called deep learning, and deep learning is a subset of machine learning. Hereinafter, the term "machine learning" is used to encompass deep learning.

[0275] Additionally, the above-described technical features can be applied to wireless communication of robots.

[0276] A robot can be defined as a machine that automatically performs or operates a given task based on its own capabilities. Specifically, a robot capable of perceiving its environment, making independent judgments, and performing actions can be called an intelligent robot.

[0277] Robots can be categorized into industrial, medical, household, and military applications based on their intended use or field. Robots are equipped with actuators or motors, enabling them to perform various physical actions, such as moving robot joints. Furthermore, mobile robots incorporate wheels, brakes, and propellers into their actuators, enabling them to move on the ground or fly in the air.

[0278] Additionally, the above-described technical features can be applied to devices that support extended reality.

[0279] Extended reality is a general term for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). VR technology presents real-world objects and backgrounds as CG images only, AR technology presents virtual CG images over images of real objects, and MR technology is a computer graphics technology that blends and combines virtual objects with the real world.

[0280] MR technology is similar to AR in that it presents both real and virtual objects simultaneously. However, while AR uses virtual objects to complement real objects, MR uses virtual and real objects on an equal footing.

[0281] XR technology can be applied to HMD (Head-Mount Display), HUD (Head-Up Display), mobile phones, tablet PCs, laptops, desktops, TVs, digital signage, etc., and devices to which XR technology is applied can be called XR devices.

Claims

1. A step of receiving a TRS (triggered response scheduling) control field, wherein the TRS control field includes MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) information for an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field; and A step of receiving a TRS extension field, wherein the TRS extension field includes first information related to whether unequal modulation (UEQM) is applied for the uplink frame, second information related to the number of spatial streams related to the UEQM, and third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM. Including method.

2. In paragraph 1, The uplink frame triggered by the above TRS control field is a Trigger Based Physical Protocol Data Unit (TB-PPDU). The MCS applied to the data field of the above TB-PPDU is determined by a combination of the TRS control field and the TRS extension field. method.

3. In paragraph 1, The first information has a length of 1 bit, and based on the application of the UEQM, the first information has a value of one (1). method.

4. In paragraph 1, The value of the second information is set based on the value of the first information, Based on the fact that the value of the first information has the first value, the value of the second information indicates one of two to four spatial streams, Based on the fact that the value of the first information has a second value, the value of the second information indicates one spatial stream. method.

5. In paragraph 1, The third information includes information related to the constellation index applied to two spatial streams, Based on the fact that the value of the third information is 0, the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, and the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M-1. Based on the value of the third information being 1, the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, and the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M-2. The above M is a constellation index related to the MCS information, the above M-1 is a constellation that is one order lower than M, and the above M-2 is a constellation that is two orders lower than M. method.

6. In paragraph 1, The third information includes information related to the constellation index applied to three spatial streams, Based on the fact that the value of the third information is 0, the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M, and the constellation index related to the third spatial stream is M-1. Based on the fact that the value of the third information is 1, the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M, and the constellation index related to the third spatial stream is M-2. Based on the fact that the value of the third information is (2), the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M-1, and the constellation index related to the third spatial stream is M-2. The above M is a constellation index related to the MCS information, the above M-1 is a constellation that is one order lower than M, and the above M-2 is a constellation that is two orders lower than M. method.

7. In paragraph 1, The third information includes information related to the constellation index applied to four spatial streams, Based on the fact that the value of the third information is 0, the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the third spatial stream is M, and the constellation index related to the fourth spatial stream is M-1. Based on the fact that the value of the third information is 1, the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the third spatial stream is M, and the constellation index related to the fourth spatial stream is M-2. Based on the fact that the value of the third information is (2), the constellation index related to the first spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the second spatial stream is M, the constellation index related to the third spatial stream is M-1, and the constellation index related to the fourth spatial stream is M-2. The above M is a constellation index related to the MCS information, the above M-1 is a constellation that is one order lower than M, and the above M-2 is a constellation that is two orders lower than M. method.

8. In paragraph 1, The above MCS information has a length of 3 bits and is located in bits B23 to B25 of the TRS control field, The above TRS control field further includes 5-bit uplink data symbol information, 8-bit RU (Resource Unit) allocation information, 5-bit AP transmission power information, and 5-bit uplink target reception power information. method.

9. At least one processor; and At least one computer memory operable to said at least one processor, said memory storing instructions for performing operations based on being executed by said at least one processor, The instructions of at least one computer memory are: Receive a TRS (triggered response scheduling) control field, wherein the TRS control field includes MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) information for an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field, Receiving a TRS extension field, wherein the TRS extension field includes first information related to whether UEQM (unequal modulation) is applied for the uplink frame, second information related to the number of streams related to the UEQM, and third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM. Performing an action STA.

10. In the 9th paragraph, the command of at least one computer memory performs an operation related to any one of the 1st to 8th paragraphs. STA.

11. A step of transmitting a TRS (triggered response scheduling) control field by a STA (station), wherein the TRS control field includes MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) information for an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field; and A step of transmitting a TRS extension field by the STA (station), wherein the TRS extension field includes first information related to whether UEQM (unequal modulation) is applied for the uplink frame, second information related to the number of spatial streams related to the UEQM, and third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM. Including method.

12. In the 11th paragraph, the STA performs an operation related to any one of the 1st to 8th paragraphs. method.

13. At least one processor; and At least one computer memory operable to said at least one processor, said memory storing instructions for performing operations based on being executed by said at least one processor, The instructions of at least one computer memory are: Transmitting a TRS (triggered response scheduling) control field, wherein the TRS control field includes MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) information for an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field, Transmitting a TRS extension field, wherein the TRS extension field includes first information related to whether UEQM (unequal modulation) is applied for the uplink frame, second information related to the number of streams related to the UEQM, and third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM. Performing an action STA.

14. In the 13th paragraph, the command of at least one computer memory performs an operation related to any one of the 1st to 8th paragraphs. STA.

15. In a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, at least one computer-readable recording medium including instructions based on being executed by at least one processor, A step of receiving a TRS (triggered response scheduling) control field, wherein the TRS control field includes MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) information for an uplink frame triggered by the TRS control field; and A step of receiving a TRS extension field, wherein the TRS extension field includes first information related to whether unequal modulation (UEQM) is applied for the uplink frame, second information related to the number of spatial streams related to the UEQM, and third information related to a UEQM pattern applied to at least two spatial streams related to the UEQM. Performing an operation that includes Recording medium.

Images