Wireless communication device and wireless communication method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method that make it possible to more reliably transmit and receive data. Provided is a wireless communication device comprising a control unit that: observes a usage time in a primary channel; transmits a notification signal including first information pertaining to the observed transmission-side usage time to another wireless communication device using a secondary channel; receives a response signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the secondary channel, the response signal including second information pertaining to the reception-side usage time in the primary channel; and performs control to transmit data to the other wireless communication device using the secondary channel on the basis of the first information and / or the second information included in the response signal. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a wireless communication device which constitutes a wireless LAN system.

Description

Wireless communication device and wireless communication method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method, and more particularly to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method that enable more reliable transmission and reception of data.

[0002] The IEEE802.11 meeting is currently working on standardizing wireless LAN (Local Area Network) systems, and the latest standard proposes technologies to achieve low-latency, highly reliable communications. One of the technologies proposed here is Secondary Channel Access, which allows wireless communications to be performed using a secondary channel even when the primary channel is in use, in order to achieve low-latency, highly reliable communications.

[0003] Known technologies relating to wireless communication using secondary channels include those described in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a receiving MLD (Multi-Link Device) does not transmit a CTS (Clear to Send) frame even if it receives an RTS (Request to Send) frame on a second link when a STA (Station) operating on a first link is a TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) responder.

[0004] Patent Literature 2 discloses a configuration for receiving trigger frames for multiple channels from an AP (Access Point) and setting bitmap information indicating the Busy or Idle state of each of one or more 20 MHz subchannels including a primary channel and a first secondary channel in an operating channel. Patent Literature 3 discloses a configuration for extracting length information indicating the duration of a wireless signal when performing simultaneous transmission for spatial reuse, and adjusting TXOP based on the length information in the case of an overlapping BSS (OBSS: Overlapping Basic Service Set).

[0005] Patent Publication No. 2023-514599 Patent Publication No. 2023-162448 Patent Publication No. 2018-186541

[0006] In the conventional technologies including those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when a receiving wireless communication device is subjected to interference from a signal from an OBSS located in a position where the transmitting wireless communication device cannot detect the signal, the receiving wireless communication device may not be able to receive data transmitted from the transmitting wireless communication device. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technology to reliably transmit and receive data in wireless communication using a secondary channel.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and aims to enable more reliable transmission and reception of data.

[0008] A wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication device that includes a control unit that observes usage time on a first channel, transmits a notification signal including first information regarding the observed usage time of the transmitting side to another wireless communication device using a second channel, receives a response signal including second information regarding the usage time of the receiving side on the first channel transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel, and controls the transmission of data to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information included in the response signal.

[0009] A wireless communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication method including: a wireless communication device observing usage time on a first channel; transmitting a notification signal including first information regarding the observed usage time of the transmitting side to another wireless communication device using a second channel; receiving a response signal including second information regarding the usage time of the receiving side on the first channel, which is transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel; and transmitting data to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information included in the response signal.

[0010] In a wireless communication device and wireless communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, usage time on a first channel is observed, a notification signal including first information regarding the observed usage time of the transmitting side is transmitted to another wireless communication device using a second channel, a response signal including second information regarding the usage time of the receiving side on the first channel is received from the other wireless communication device using the second channel, and data is transmitted to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information included in the response signal.

[0011] A wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication device that includes a control unit that observes usage time on a first channel, receives a notification signal including first information regarding the usage time of the sender on the first channel, which is transmitted from another wireless communication device using a second channel, transmits a response signal including second information regarding the usage time of the receiver to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information included in the notification signal and the observed usage time information, and controls the reception of data transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel.

[0012] A wireless communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a wireless communication method including: a wireless communication device observing usage time on a first channel; receiving a notification signal including first information regarding usage time of a sender on the first channel, which is transmitted from another wireless communication device using a second channel; transmitting a response signal including second information regarding usage time of a receiver to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information included in the notification signal and the observed usage time information; and receiving data transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel.

[0013] In a wireless communication device and wireless communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, usage time on a first channel is observed, a notification signal including first information regarding the usage time of the sender on the first channel, which is transmitted from another wireless communication device using a second channel, is received, and a response signal including second information regarding the usage time of the receiver based on at least one of the first information included in the notification signal and the observed usage time information is transmitted to the other wireless communication device using the second channel, and data transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel is received.

[0014] It should be noted that the wireless communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be an independent device or an internal block constituting a single device.

[0015] 1 is a diagram illustrating a problem of wireless communication using a secondary channel according to a conventional method. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first example of wireless communication using a secondary channel according to a new method. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second example of wireless communication using a secondary channel according to a new method. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of arrangement of wireless communication devices in a wireless communication system to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a transmission state of a signal from a transmitting communication device to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a transmission state of a signal from a receiving communication device to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of frequency channels used by a wireless LAN system. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a detection threshold for each channel standardized in a wireless LAN system. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence by a wireless communication device in a wireless communication system to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of wireless communication when multiple secondary channels are used. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship in which a wireless communication device in a wireless communication system to which the present disclosure is applied does not interfere with surrounding OBSS communication devices. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence for notifying that communication control to which the present disclosure is applied will be performed. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a Secondary Channel RTS / CTS Information Element. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an RTS-equivalent frame to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a CTS-equivalent frame to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a data frame to which the present disclosure is applied. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a wireless communication device to which the present disclosure is applied; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a wireless communication module to which the present disclosure is applied; FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of a transmitting communication device to which the present disclosure is applied; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of a receiving communication device to which the present disclosure is applied; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a receiving communication device to which the present disclosure is applied; FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of computer hardware; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a smartphone to which the present technology is applied; FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device to which the present technology is applied;1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP to which the present technology is applied.

[0016] <Wireless communication using a secondary channel> Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating problems with wireless communication using a secondary channel according to a conventional method. In Figure 1, the status of the primary channel and secondary channel in the transmitting and receiving wireless communication devices is shown as time passing from left to right in the figure. Hereinafter, the transmitting wireless communication device that transmits data will be referred to as the transmitting communication device (corresponding to the transmitting communication device 10Tx described later). Also, the receiving wireless communication device that receives data will be referred to as the receiving communication device (corresponding to the receiving communication device 10Rx described later).

[0017] 1, the upper rows 201A and 201B show the operations of a transmitting communication device when communicating using the primary channel (P20) and the secondary channel (S20), with the transmitted signal shown as a convex upward curve and the received signal shown as a convex downward curve on the time axis of each channel. The lower rows 202A and 202B show the operations of a receiving communication device when communicating using the primary channel (P20) and the secondary channel (S20), with the transmitted and received signals shown as a convex upward curve and convex downward curve on the time axis of each channel, as in the upper rows 201A and 201B.

[0018] In Figure 1, a box with an "R" indicates an RTS (Request to Send) frame, a box with a "C" indicates a CTS (Clear to Send) frame, and a box with an "A" indicates an ACK frame. A box with a diagonal line indicates the end of a signal. A box with a dotted pattern indicates that communication is being carried out by an OBSS communication device. A box with letters including "Data" indicates a data frame.

[0019] When a transmitting or receiving communication device detects a signal from another wireless communication device (OBSS communication device) in an overlapping network (OBSS: Overlapping Basic Service Set), it is difficult to use the channel on which the signal was detected until the duration of the signal. Here, the system is configured to analyze the header information of the detected signal and determine the time until the channel is released from the duration information.

[0020] In other words, when a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device detect signals from different OBSS communication devices on the primary channel, the durations of the signals will be different. When comparing these different durations, if the transmitting communication device has a long duration and the receiving communication device has a short duration, the transmitting communication device will transmit data (Tx Duration Data) based on the transmitting communication device's duration information without knowing the operating status of the receiving communication device.

[0021] Furthermore, when the primary channel is released, the OBSS communication device (hereinafter referred to as the receiving OBSS communication device, corresponding to the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx described below) that detected the signal may start another data transmission. This may result in transmission using both the primary and secondary channels. In this case, as shown in period 203 in the lower part 202B, there is a problem in that it is difficult for the receiving OBSS communication device to detect the signal, even though the receiving communication device is receiving data (Tx Duration Data) using the secondary channel.

[0022] Thus, in the conventional method, when a transmitting communication device detects a signal from an OBSS communication device (hereinafter referred to as the transmitting OBSS communication device, corresponding to the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx described later) on the primary channel, it determines that it can use the secondary channel up to that duration. However, if the receiving communication device detects a signal from the receiving OBSS communication device on the primary channel with a short duration, there is a risk that the receiving OBSS communication device will initiate data transmission using a channel that includes the secondary channel (P20, S20 in the lower rows 202A, 202B). In other words, in this case, the receiving OBSS communication device has no choice but to determine whether to receive data based on the CTS frame transmitted on the secondary channel, and may initiate transmission of other data.

[0023] Furthermore, even if the receiving OBSS communication device can detect the CTS frame on the secondary channel, it may not detect it if the backoff has not yet started. From the perspective of the receiving communication device, the use of the secondary channel is equivalent to the use of the primary channel instead of the secondary channel, but the receiving OBSS communication device can only recognize it as a secondary channel, so there is also the problem that the detection threshold is set low.

[0024] The receiving communication device will then detect signals on both the primary and secondary channels, and even if the transmitting communication device becomes able to use both channels, the receiving communication device will be unable to communicate using signals from the receiving OBSS communication device, resulting in the problem that the transmitting communication device will not be able to transmit data (Following Data).

[0025] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of wireless communication using a secondary channel according to a method (new method) to which the present disclosure is applied. Fig. 2 shows the same flow as Fig. 1, with upper rows 211A and 211B showing operations performed by a transmitting communication device when communicating using a primary channel (P20) and a secondary channel (S20), and lower rows 212A and 212B showing operations performed by a receiving communication device when communicating using a primary channel (P20) and a secondary channel (S20).

[0026] In Fig. 2, both the transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device are configured to exchange information indicating the timing at which the primary channel is released, for example, using RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames. RTS-equivalent frames are frames with a format equivalent to that of an RTS frame. CTS-equivalent frames are frames with a format equivalent to that of a CTS frame. In Fig. 2, RTS-equivalent frames are represented by boxes with an "R" and CTS frames are represented by boxes with a "C".

[0027] In other words, the receiving communication device notifies the timing when the primary channel will be released as the Duration of the CTS-equivalent frame, and the transmitting communication device transmits data (Rx Duration Data) until that timing. As a result, since access control is performed again when the primary channel of the receiving communication device is released, the receiving communication device can transmit a CTS frame to the receiving OBSS communication device, which clearly indicates that the secondary channel will be used alone.

[0028] The transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device can reliably transmit and receive data (Tx Duration Data) on the secondary channel until the primary channel of the transmitting communication device is released. Note that although the receiving OBSS communication device detects the use of the secondary channel by the receiving communication device through the CTS frame, it can use the primary channel until the timing indicated by period 213 in the lower row 212A.

[0029] After the transmitting OBSS communication device is released from use of the primary channel, the transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device can send and receive data (All Duration Data) using both the primary channel and the secondary channel.

[0030] In this way, the new method limits the use of the secondary channel so that it can be used only up to the duration of the primary channel on the transmitting side when the duration of the primary channel on the receiving side is shorter than that of the primary channel on the transmitting side. This allows the transmitting communication device to use the secondary channel on an as-needed basis based on the shorter duration on the receiving side. Meanwhile, the receiving communication device receives an RTS frame after the time the receiving OBSS communication device has used the primary channel has expired, and returns a CTS frame to notify the receiving OBSS communication device that it will reuse the secondary channel. Note that, if only the primary channel is in the idle state in the receiving OBSS communication device, the primary channel can be used up to the duration of that secondary channel (period 213 in the lower row 212A).

[0031] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a second example of wireless communication using a secondary channel according to a method (new method) to which the present disclosure is applied. Fig. 3 shows the same flow as Fig. 2, with upper rows 221A and 221B showing operations performed by a transmitting communication device when communicating using a primary channel (P20) and a secondary channel (S20), and lower rows 222A and 222B showing operations performed by a receiving communication device when communicating using a primary channel (P20) and a secondary channel (S20).

[0032] In Figure 3, as in Figure 2, both the transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device are configured to exchange information indicating the timing at which the primary channel will be released using RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames.

[0033] 3, the transmitting and receiving communication devices receive CTS frames on the primary channel from their neighboring OBSS communication devices. Therefore, the transmitting and receiving communication devices are set with a NAV (Network Allocation Vector) that occupies the channel until the timing specified in the Duration information included in the CTS frame, indicating that they are in a state (OBSS NAV) where data cannot be sent or received.

[0034] 2, when a secondary channel is available, the transmitting and receiving communication devices exchange information indicating the timing at which the primary channel will be released by notifying the transmitting and receiving communication devices of its duration (Duration) information using, for example, an RTS-equivalent frame and a CTS-equivalent frame. As a result, if the primary channel of the receiving OBSS communication device is released for a short period of time, the transmitting and receiving communication devices transmit and receive only secondary channel data (Rx Duration Data) until that timing based on the Duration information in the CTS-equivalent frame.

[0035] At that time, access control for the secondary channel is again performed, and by exchanging RTS-equivalent and CTS-equivalent frames, the transmitting and receiving communication devices transmit and receive data (Tx Duration Data) until the primary channel of the transmitting OBSS communication device is released. Note that although the receiving OBSS communication device detects the use of the secondary channel by the receiving communication device, the primary channel can be used until the timing indicated by period 223 in the lower row 222A.

[0036] After the primary channel is released by the transmitting OBSS communication device, communication using both the primary channel and the secondary channel (All Duration Data) becomes possible between both the transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device.

[0037] In this way, the new method provides a method for ensuring the coexistence of these wireless communications by setting the duration of the secondary channel even when a CTS frame is detected on the primary channel and OBSS NAV is set. Furthermore, the receiving OBSS communication device can notify that it will use the secondary channel when access control including the primary and secondary channels is initiated.

[0038] Furthermore, even if the transmitting communication device is in the state of Figure 2 (state of upper row 211A) and the receiving communication device is in the state of Figure 3 (state of lower row 222A), or even if the transmitting communication device is in the state of Figure 3 (state of upper row 221A) and the receiving communication device is in the state of Figure 2 (state of lower row 212A), the primary channel and secondary channel can be used in the same way by exchanging RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames.

[0039] 2 and 3 show the case where there is one secondary channel, but the channel corresponding to the secondary channel may be controlled to be available across multiple frequency channels. When multiple frequency channels are used as secondary channels, the transmitting communication device may transmit an RTS-equivalent frame on an available secondary channel, and the receiving communication device may return a CTS-equivalent frame on an available secondary channel. This provides a method for data transmission using multiple secondary channels, enabling large volumes of data to be transmitted and received with low latency and high reliability.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the new method, compared to the conventional method, proposes a control method in which, when performing secondary channel access control (Secondary Channel Access), the transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device exchange primary channel usage time information using RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames, thereby allowing the receiving communication device to use the primary channel until it becomes available and then temporarily terminating it at a time when there is no interference from the OBSS communication device. Furthermore, when continuing to use the secondary channel, the receiving communication device proposes a control method in which the receiving communication device sets a NAV in the receiving OBSS communication device by exchanging RTS and CTS frames, thereby ensuring reliable data reception. Details of the method (new method) to which the present disclosure is applied are described below.

[0041] <System Configuration> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of wireless communication devices in a wireless communication system to which the present disclosure is applied. In Fig. 4, white circles represent wireless communication devices, and dashed circles centered on the white circles schematically represent the signal reachable ranges of the wireless communication devices.

[0042] 4, of the four white circles, the white circle on the far left represents the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx of the overlapping network (OBSS) that exists beyond the transmitting communication device 10Tx, and its signal reachable range is represented by dashed circles C1 and C2. The second white circle from the left represents the transmitting communication device 10Tx to which the present disclosure is applied, and its signal reachable range is represented by dashed circles A1 and A2. As indicated by arrow 231 in the figure, the transmitting communication device 10Tx exists within a range where it can detect a signal from the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx.

[0043] The third white circle from the left represents a receiving communication device 10Rx to which the present disclosure is applied, and its signal reachability range is represented by dashed circles B1 and B2. The white circle on the far right represents a receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx in an overlapping network (OBSS) beyond the receiving communication device 10Rx, and its signal reachability range is represented by dashed circles D1 and D2. As indicated by arrow 232 in the figure, the receiving communication device 10Rx is located within a range where it can detect a signal from the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx.

[0044] In the current wireless LAN standard, when a primary channel and a secondary channel are defined, different detection thresholds are set for these channels, and therefore, for convenience, the difference is indicated by a double dashed line in Fig. 4. Specifically, of the double dashed circles surrounding the white circle representing the transmitting communication device 10Tx, the outer dashed circle A1 indicates that the area within the circle can be detected with the detection threshold of the primary channel, and the inner dashed circle A2 schematically indicates that the area within the circle can be detected with the detection threshold of the secondary channel.

[0045] Similarly, the double dashed circles B1 and B2 corresponding to the white circle representing the receiving communication device 10Rx, the double dashed circles C1 and C2 corresponding to the white circle representing the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx, and the double dashed circles D1 and D2 corresponding to the white circle representing the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx also schematically indicate that the outer dashed circle can be detected at the detection threshold of the primary channel, and the inner dashed circle can be detected at the detection threshold of the secondary channel.

[0046] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the transmission state of a signal from the transmitting communication device 10Tx. In FIG. 5, as indicated by arrows 232 and 234 in the figure, a configuration in which an RTS frame or a data frame is transmitted from the transmitting communication device 10Tx is shown. For example, as indicated by dashed circles B1 and B2, the receiving communication device 10Rx can detect a signal from the transmitting communication device 10Tx on the primary channel but not on the secondary channel. In this case, the transmitting communication device 10Tx can decode a wideband signal including the secondary channel in the primary channel for frames addressed to itself, and therefore can transmit data.

[0047] On the other hand, the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx, which is located downstream of the transmitting communication device 10Tx, can detect the signal from the transmitting communication device 10Tx on the primary channel, but receives it at a level on the secondary channel where it does not need to detect the signal, as shown by the dashed circles C1 and C2. In this case, if the transmitting communication device 10Tx transmits a signal only on the secondary channel, the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx is considered to be in a signal-not-detecting state, and is allowed to continue transmitting even though it has detected the signal from the transmitting communication device 10Tx.

[0048] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the transmission state of a signal from the receiving communication device 10Rx. In FIG. 6, as indicated by arrows 235 and 236 in the figure, a configuration is shown in which a CTS frame or a Block ACK frame is transmitted from the receiving communication device 10Rx. For example, as indicated by dashed circles A1 and A2, the transmitting communication device 10Tx can detect a signal from the receiving communication device 10Rx on the primary channel but not on the secondary channel. In this case, the receiving communication device 10Rx can decode a wideband signal including the secondary channel in the primary channel for frames addressed to itself, and therefore can transmit data.

[0049] On the other hand, the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx, which is located beyond the receiving communication device 10Rx, can detect the signal from the receiving communication device 10Rx on the primary channel, but is receiving the signal at a level on the secondary channel where it is not necessary to detect the signal.

[0050] In this case, if the receiving communication device 10Rx transmits signals only on the secondary channel, the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx will be allowed to continue transmitting even if it detects a signal from the receiving communication device 10Rx, as if it were not detecting a signal. In particular, when the receiving communication device 10Rx is receiving data, the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx, which cannot detect a signal from the transmitting communication device 10Tx, will recognize that the channel is free and will start transmitting data if it does not detect a signal for a specified backoff time.

[0051] In the present disclosure, even in the states shown in Figures 5 and 6, the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx can reliably transmit and receive data. That is, the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx exchange RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames using the secondary channel, and the receiving communication device 10Rx returns a CTS-equivalent frame with information about the duration of the primary channel used by the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx in the Duration field. The transmitting communication device 10Tx transmits data according to the Duration field of the returned CTS-equivalent frame and then re-executes access control for the secondary channel. As a result, by exchanging RTS and CTS frames each time on the secondary channel of the receiving communication device 10Rx, the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx can be clearly notified that data is being received using the secondary channel.

[0052] <Example of Frequency Channels> Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of frequency channels used by a wireless LAN system. Fig. 7 shows an example of frequency bands made available to the wireless LAN system and their channel allocation.

[0053] The available frequency bands are 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, each of which is subdivided by the frequency used. The bandwidth of these frequency bands is defined by the standard used. The IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11n, IEEE802.11ac, IEEE802.11ax, and IEEE802.11be standards, which use the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) signal format, define a channel width of 20 MHz.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, for example, when a 20 MHz bandwidth is represented as one channel width by a trapezoid, three channels are allocated in the 2.4 GHz band. The 5 GHz band includes 5 GHz band A, 5 GHz band B, and 5 GHz band C. For example, in 5 GHz band A, eight to ten channels are allocated based on the legal systems of each country. In addition, in 5 GHz band B, 11 to 13 channels are allocated, and in 5 GHz band C, five to seven channels are allocated.

[0055] The 6 GHz band includes 6 GHz band A (Unii-5 band), 6 GHz band B (Unii-6 band), 6 GHz band C (Unii-7 band), and 6 GHz band D (Unii-8 band). For example, 25 channels are allocated in 6 GHz band A, 5 channels in 6 GHz band B, 17 channels in 6 GHz band C, and 12 channels in 6 GHz band D. As shown in FIG. 8, in the 6 GHz band, the width of one channel is not limited to a bandwidth of 20 MHz, and multiple frequency channels may be aggregated to have a bandwidth of, for example, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, 640 MHz, etc.

[0056] <Example of Detection Threshold> Figure 9 shows detection thresholds for each channel standardized in a wireless LAN system. Figure 9 also shows an example of thresholds used in clear channel assessment (CCA) during carrier sensing. In Figure 9, "P" stands for Primary and "S" stands for Secondary, and the numbers 20, 40, and 80 represent channel widths (bandwidths). For example, P20 indicates a primary channel with a channel width of 20 MHz, and S20 indicates a secondary channel with a channel width of 20 MHz.

[0057] 9, P20 and S20 have the same energy detection threshold of -62 dBm, which is set to the same level depending on the channel bandwidth. On the other hand, the signal detection threshold of the primary channel is set to have a difference from the signal threshold of the secondary channel.

[0058] A wireless communication system to which the present disclosure is applied is configured as a wireless LAN system, and can employ the frequency channel configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the detection thresholds shown in FIG.

[0059] <Communication Sequence> Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence by a wireless communication device in a wireless communication system to which the present disclosure is applied. Fig. 10 shows the sequence of operations in the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx in the arrangement of the wireless communication devices shown in Figs. 4 to 6. In Fig. 10, time passes from top to bottom in the diagram.

[0060] When the transmitting communication device 10Tx detects a signal on the primary channel from the adjacent transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx, it acquires duration information and the like written in the detected frame (Primary Ch Frame) and determines whether transmission will continue until that timing (dashed line 241: Tx Side Duration) (S11). On the other hand, when the receiving communication device 10Rx detects a signal on the primary channel from the adjacent receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx, it acquires duration information and the like written in the detected frame (Primary Ch Frame) and determines whether transmission will continue until that timing (dashed line 242: Rx Side Duration) (S12).

[0061] When the transmitting communication device 10Tx transmits data, the primary channel is in use, and the use of the secondary channel is switched to. In this case, the transmitting communication device 10Tx transmits an RTS-equivalent frame on the secondary channel to inquire whether the receiving communication device 10Rx can use the secondary channel (S13). The RTS-equivalent frame contains duration information indicating that use is limited to the period until the primary channel is released.

[0062] When the receiving communication device 10Rx receives an RTS-equivalent frame on the secondary channel, it recognizes that the primary channel will be released at the timing (dashed line 243: Tx Side Duration) described as Duration information. If the channel is available, the receiving communication device 10Rx compares the time until the primary channel is released by its own OBSS, and if that timing is shorter, it returns a CTS-equivalent frame with the earlier release timing described as Duration information (S14).

[0063] When the transmitting communication device 10Tx receives a CTS-equivalent frame from the receiving communication device 10Rx, it references the timing (dashed line 244: Rx Side Duration) described as the Duration information to determine the open time of the primary channel of the receiving communication device 10Rx. As a result, the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx use the secondary channel to transmit and receive data frames (Secondary Ch Data) by the timing (dashed line 244: Rx Side Duration) (S15). Furthermore, the receiving communication device 10Rx and the transmitting communication device 10Tx exchange ACK frames (Block ACK) as necessary (S16).

[0064] Then, the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx temporarily perform data transmission and reception on the secondary channel, and after that ends, they search for an available channel again and perform access control.

[0065] <Modification> Figure 11 is a diagram showing a modification of wireless communication when multiple secondary channels are used according to a method (new method) to which the present disclosure is applied. Compared to Figures 2 and 3, Figure 11 shows an example in which a primary channel (P20) and multiple secondary channels (S20, S40) exist, using a total bandwidth of 80 MHz. For convenience of explanation, Figure 11 shows a case in which an 80 MHz bandwidth is used using four channels. However, as shown in Figure 8, the bandwidth is not limited to 80 MHz, and may be extended to, for example, 160 MHz or 320 MHz.

[0066] Figure 11 shows a flow similar to that of Figures 2 and 3, with the upper rows 251A, 251B, 251C, and 251D showing operations performed by a transmitting communication device (corresponding to the transmitting communication device 10Tx) when communicating using a primary channel (P20) and multiple secondary channels (S20, S40), and the lower rows 252A, 252B, 252C, and 252D showing operations performed by a receiving communication device (corresponding to the receiving communication device 10Rx) when communicating using a primary channel (P20) and multiple secondary channels (S20, S40).

[0067] In FIG. 11, both the transmitting communication device and the receiving communication device are configured to exchange information indicating the timing at which the primary channel is released, using, for example, RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames.

[0068] First, when the transmitting communication device receives a CTS frame from an adjacent transmitting OBSS communication device (corresponding to the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx) on the primary channel, it expects to use the CTS frame for a period of time equivalent to the duration of the CTS frame. Therefore, by setting a NAV (OBSS NAV), the use of the primary channel is restricted (upper row 251B). Here, when data transmission becomes necessary, the transmitting communication device transmits RTS-equivalent frames on all available secondary channels, assuming use until the expiration of the NAV. Meanwhile, the receiving communication device receives a CTS frame on one of the secondary channels from an adjacent receiving OBSS communication device (corresponding to the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx). Since the receiving communication device expects to use the CTS frame for a period of time equivalent to the duration of the CTS frame, it sets a NAV (OBSS NAV) (lower row 252C).

[0069] Furthermore, if the receiving communication device detects a signal from another receiving OBSS communication device on a different secondary channel, it knows that the channel cannot be used, but the duration of this detection (OBSS CCA Detect in the lower row 252D) is shorter than the NAV setting time (OBSS NAV in the lower row 252C). As a result, the receiving communication device determines that the channel can be used as a receiving communication device until the shorter timing (OBSS CCA Detect in the lower row 252D) in the access control of the secondary channel that uses these channels.

[0070] Here, when the receiving communication device receives an RTS-equivalent frame from the transmitting communication device, it determines the available time on the transmitting side from the Duration information written therein. However, it is assumed that the receiving communication device will temporarily stop data transmission until the timing when these channels become available for use in the shortest time and then re-execute access control to secure more channels for communication. Accordingly, the receiving communication device transmits a CTS-equivalent frame containing the Duration until the timing when some of these secondary channels become available for use (OBSS CCA Detect in the lower row 252D). In other words, when multiple secondary channels are available and the receiving communication device observes multiple pieces of usage time information, it can include information on the shortest usage time from the multiple pieces of usage time information as Duration information in the CTS-equivalent frame.

[0071] The transmitting communication device then transmits data (Rx Duration Data) on the secondary channel using the time remaining until the Duration written in the CTS-equivalent frame received from the receiving communication device (upper row 251A, lower row 252A). Note that the receiving communication device and the transmitting communication device are configured to have completed the exchange of ACK frames by that timing (OBSS CCA Detect in lower row 252D).

[0072] On the other hand, the transmitting communication device is again able to transmit using the secondary channels, and so again transmits an RTS-equivalent frame describing the Duration until the primary channel is released on all available secondary channels. The receiving communication device also receives on all secondary channels, but is able to use all secondary channels (lower rows 252A, 252D) except for one secondary channel (lower row 252C) whose NAV setting has not been released.

[0073] However, since the timing when one secondary channel (lower row 252C) for which the NAV setting has not been released becomes available is short, if data up to that duration is segmented, data transmission will become extremely short, so control may be performed to refrain from using this channel. As a result, the receiving communication device will transmit a CTS-equivalent frame on the available secondary channel (lower row 252A, 252D) by entering the original duration to indicate that the transmitting communication device can use the available secondary channel (lower row 252A, 252D) up to the specified duration.

[0074] The transmitting communication device uses the secondary channel (upper row 251A, 251D) to which the receiving communication device returned a CTS-equivalent frame to transmit data (Tx Duration Data) up to that duration. Note that the receiving communication device and transmitting communication device are also configured to complete the exchange of ACK frames by that timing. However, in the transmitting communication device, transmission from an adjacent transmitting OBSS communication device has begun on one secondary channel (upper row 251D), and the transmitting communication device was unable to receive the ACK frame on that channel (upper row 251D).

[0075] The figure also shows a state in which the receiving communication device detects a transmission from an adjacent receiving OBSS communication device on the primary channel (lower row 252B) while receiving data. Therefore, after completing transmission of data up to Duration, the transmitting communication device transmits RTS-equivalent frames on three channels (upper rows 251A, 251B, 251C) including the primary channel, excluding one secondary channel (upper row 251D). However, because the receiving communication device detects a signal from the receiving OBSS communication device on the primary channel (lower row 252B), it can actually only use two secondary channels (lower rows 252A, 252C).

[0076] In this case, if the timing at which the primary channel is released is shorter than the duration required by the transmitting communication device, but the difference is significantly small, it is determined that control should be performed to perform data transmission based on the transmitting side's duration.As a result, the receiving communication device transmits a CTS-equivalent frame with the duration required by the transmitting side on two available secondary channels (lower rows 252A and 252C).

[0077] The transmitting communication device can transmit data (Tx Duration Data) using the two secondary channels (upper rows 251A, 251C). Note that the receiving communication device and transmitting communication device are also configured to complete the exchange of ACK frames by this timing. Immediately after this, the receiving communication device is also configured to be able to use all channels (lower rows 252A-252D), including the primary channel.

[0078] <Relationship with Surrounding OBSS> FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship in a situation where a wireless communication device in a wireless communication system to which the present disclosure is applied does not interfere with surrounding OBSS communication devices.

[0079] 12, the transmitting communication device 10Tx is shown as BSS Tx, the receiving communication device 10Rx as BSS Rx, the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx as OBSS Tx and OBSS Rx, and the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx as OBSS Tx and OBSS Rx. In other words, this shows that there are pairs of OBSS communication devices (OBSS Tx, OBSS Rx) outside the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx, respectively.

[0080] In Figure 12, the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx show a situation in which the secondary channel is used depending on the duration (Duration) for which the primary channel is used by the OBSS communication device (OBSS Tx) adjacent to each other (S41 to S44).

[0081] Specifically, when the transmitting communication device 10Tx detects a signal from the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx (OBSS Tx) on the primary channel (S21), and the receiving communication device 10Rx detects a signal from the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx (OBSS Tx) on the primary channel (S31), the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx exchange RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames to indicate the timing when both primary channels will be released (S41, S42).The transmitting communication device 10Tx then transmits data frames (BSS Data Frames) using the secondary channel until the primary channel of the receiving communication device 10Rx is released (S43).The receiving communication device 10Rx receives the data frames transmitted from the transmitting communication device 10Tx and transmits Block ACK frames (BA) as necessary (S44).

[0082] Here, when the duration of the primary channel of the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx (OBSS Tx, OBSS Rx) adjacent to the receiving communication device 10Rx is short, interference with reception is prevented by stopping use of the secondary channel by the time the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx (OBSS Tx) receives a Block ACK frame (BA) (S32) (dashed line 261).

[0083] In other words, the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx are configured to complete the use of the secondary channel by the time the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx (OBSS Tx, OBSS Rx) finishes using the primary channel, and if it is necessary to return a Block ACK frame (BA), for example, they are configured to complete the use of the secondary channel within that time, including the time required for the exchange. This timing can be used as a backoff period to reuse the secondary channel.

[0084] When the secondary channel becomes available, the transmitting communication device 10Tx transmits an RTS-equivalent frame (S45), and the receiving communication device 10Rx returns a CTS-equivalent frame in response (S46). This allows the receiving communication device 10Rx to notify the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx by using the CTS frame that the secondary channel is being used.

[0085] Similarly, the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx transmit data frames (BSS Data Frames) using the secondary channel for the duration until the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx (OBSS Tx, OBSS Rx) finishes using the primary channel (S47). The receiving communication device 10Rx receives the data frames and transmits Block ACK frames (BA) as needed (S48). Again, by ceasing use of the secondary channel by the time the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx (OBSS Tx) receives the Block ACK frame (BA) (S22), interference with reception is prevented (dashed line 262).

[0086] <Notification Sequence> Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence for notifying that communication control according to the present disclosure will be performed. Fig. 13 shows a flow in which parameters related to access control of a secondary channel according to the present disclosure are exchanged between the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the receiving communication device 10Rx at the time of association or at any timing.

[0087] For example, parameters configured as a Secondary Channel RTS / CTS Information Element are transmitted from the transmitting communication device 10Tx to the receiving communication device 10Rx (S51). In response to this, the receiving communication device 10Rx transmits a Secondary Channel RTS / CTS Information Element to the transmitting communication device 10Tx (S52). As a result, when both wireless communication devices perform access control of the secondary channel, the configuration is such that the Duration information of the primary channel is written in the Duration of the RTS frame and CTS frame, and the setting for performing the exchange is enabled.

[0088] Although this is simply described as an exchange of an Information Element, a management frame containing this element may be exchanged, for example, at the time of association, or may be exchanged using an action frame at any time, such as when connected to an application.

[0089] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a Secondary Channel RTS / CTS Information Element.

[0090] In Figure 14, this Information Element is composed of Type, which indicates a predetermined format in which the type of this element is described, Length, which indicates the length of this information element, Secondary Ch. Access, which indicates that secondary channel access according to the present disclosure is enabled, Secondary Ch. List, which indicates a list of secondary channels to be used, and Secondary RTS / CTS, which indicates the exchange of RTS / CTS frames of the present invention according to the present disclosure.

[0091] Furthermore, this Information Element may further include, as optional information as necessary, a Secondary RTS Format that defines the format of an RTS frame used in the secondary channel, a Secondary CTS Format that defines the format of a CTS frame used in the secondary channel, etc. Note that the RTS frame here may be an RTS-equivalent frame, and the CTS frame may be a CTS-equivalent frame.

[0092] <Frame Structure> FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example structure of an RTS-equivalent frame to which the present disclosure is applied.

[0093] The RTS-equivalent frame is constructed based on the format of the RTS frame used in the conventional system, so it is compatible with conventional wireless LAN systems and can be decoded.

[0094] 15, the RTS-equivalent frame is composed of Frame Control, which describes the frame type, etc., Tx Side Duration, which describes the duration on the transmitting side, RA (Receive Address) which specifies the receiving communication device 10Rx, TA (Transmit Address) which specifies the transmitting communication device 10Tx, and FCS (Frame Check Sequence) which is added as a frame check sequence. That is, the RTS-equivalent frame includes Frame Control, RA, TA, and FCS, just like the RTS frame of the conventional method, and further, the Tx Side Duration added in the new method describes the time until the primary channel, etc. according to the present disclosure is released.

[0095] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a CTS-equivalent frame to which the present disclosure is applied.

[0096] The CTS-equivalent frame is constructed based on the format of the CTS frame used in conventional systems. Therefore, the CTS-equivalent frame is constructed to maintain compatibility so that it can be decoded in conventional wireless LAN systems.

[0097] 16, the CTS-equivalent frame is composed of Frame Control, which describes the frame type, etc., Rx Side Duration, which describes the duration on the receiving side, RA, which specifies the receiving communication device 10Rx, and FCS, which is added as a frame check sequence. That is, the CTS-equivalent frame includes Frame Control, RA, and FCS, just like the CTS frame of the conventional method, and further, the Rx Side Duration, which is added in the new method, describes the time until the primary channel, etc., according to the present disclosure is released.

[0098] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data frame to which the present disclosure is applied.

[0099] As shown in Figure 17, the data frame to which the present disclosure is applied has the same format as the data frame used in conventional systems, and is configured to maintain compatibility so that it can be decoded in conventional wireless LAN systems.

[0100] A data frame to which the present disclosure is applied is configured with a MAC header, including Frame Control, which describes the frame type and the like, a Duration section, which describes the duration, a Short Duration, which is set based on information from the receiving communication device 10Rx, address fields Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3, a Sequence Control section, which describes the sequence number and the like, and Address 4, etc. Additionally, the data frame is configured with Data, which is the original data payload section, and an FCS, which is added as a frame check sequence.

[0101] The data frame may be configured as an A-MPDU (Aggregation MAC Protocol Data Unit) in which data frames are aggregated.

[0102] <Device Configuration> FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a wireless communication device to which the present disclosure is applied.

[0103] 18 , the wireless communication device 10 is configured as the above-mentioned transmitting communication device 10Tx or receiving communication device 10Rx. The wireless communication device 10 also operates as an access point (AP) or a communication terminal (STA: Station) in a wireless LAN system. The wireless communication device 10 is configured from a network module 11, an input module 12, a control module 13, an output module 14, and a wireless communication module 15.

[0104] The network module 11 performs various processes related to Internet connection under the control of the control module 13. For example, when the network module 11 operates as an access point (AP), it is configured to implement functions such as a communication modem for connecting to the Internet network, and is configured to establish an Internet connection via a public communication line and an Internet service provider.

[0105] The input module 12 has a function of inputting instruction information corresponding to an instruction from a user to the control module 13. The input module 12 is configured with input devices such as push buttons, a keyboard, and a touch panel, for example.

[0106] The control module 13 controls each unit (module) to operate the wireless communication device 10 as an access point (AP) or a communication terminal (STA). The control module 13 exchanges necessary information (data) with each unit (module). The control module 13 is composed of, for example, a control device such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller, and a storage device such as a semiconductor memory.

[0107] The output module 14 has a function of displaying necessary information to the user based on information supplied from the control module 13. Here, the information displayed or notified by the output module 14 includes, for example, the operating status of the wireless communication device 10 and information obtained via the Internet. The output module 14 is configured with output devices including, for example, display elements such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, and speakers that output voice and music.

[0108] The wireless communication module 15 performs various processes related to wireless communication under the control of the control module 13. The wireless communication module 15 is configured, for example, with a wireless communication chip, peripheral circuits, a control device such as a microcontroller, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, etc. The configuration of the wireless communication module 15 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 19 .

[0109] In the wireless communication device 10, the control module 13 and the wireless communication module 15 are essential components, but it is optional whether or not to include the network module 11, input module 12, and output module 14 as components other than these.

[0110] That is, each wireless communication device 10 operating as an access point (AP) or a communication terminal (STA) can be configured with only the necessary modules, and unnecessary parts may be simplified or not incorporated. For example, in the wireless communication device 10 of Fig. 18, the network module 11 may be incorporated only in the access point (AP), and the input module 12 and output module 14 may be incorporated only in the communication terminal (STA). It is optional whether or not the wireless communication module 15 includes an antenna.

[0111] 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a wireless communication module to which the present disclosure is applied, showing a detailed configuration example of the wireless communication module 15 of FIG.

[0112] The wireless communication module 15 is composed of an interface 101 that is connected to other modules and exchanges various information and data, a transmission buffer 102 that temporarily stores data to be transmitted, a channel management unit 103 that manages channels such as a primary channel and a secondary channel, and a frame construction unit 104 that constructs frames such as data frames and management frames.

[0113] The wireless communication module 15 further includes a channel usage setting unit 105 that controls switching between the usage of the primary channel and the secondary channel. The wireless communication module 15 also includes a usage duration determination unit 106 that determines the usage time of a channel, a transmission power setting unit 107 that adjusts the transmission power for each channel so as not to cause interference, a CCA signal detection determination unit 112 that performs carrier detection for each channel, and a NAV setting unit 114 that sets the NAV when the OBSS communication device is performing reception operation.

[0114] As shown by the dashed lines in the figure, the usage duration determination unit 106, the transmission power setting unit 107, the CCA signal detection determination unit 112, and the NAV setting unit 114 can be provided for each channel. The parts configured for each channel may be configured separately for the primary channel and the secondary channel, and for the secondary channel, blocks corresponding to the number of secondary channels to be used may be configured.

[0115] The wireless communication module 15 further includes a transmission signal processing unit 108 that constructs the signal to be transmitted, an access control unit 109 that performs access control in the target channel, an antenna unit 110 that is composed of an antenna for transmitting or receiving signals, and a reception signal processing unit 111 that detects the received signal.

[0116] The wireless communication module 15 further includes a frame analyzer 113 that extracts predetermined header information from the received signal and extracts the information contained in the frame, and a receive buffer 115 that temporarily stores the received data. Here, the usage duration determiner 106 and NAV setter 114 are configured to extract frames such as RTS frames, CTS frames, and data frames from the received signal and refer to the values ​​of duration information (duration information) contained therein to determine the time the target channel is being used. The frame constructor 104 then determines the time until each target channel is released and calculates the necessary parameters, and then writes the calculated duration as the duration information of the CTS-equivalent frame.

[0117] 19, the arrows between the blocks represent the flow of data (signals) and control, and each block operates in cooperation with other blocks connected by the arrows to realize its own function. For example, the channel usage setting unit 105 operates in cooperation with the channel management unit 103, the frame construction unit 104, the usage duration determination unit 106, the transmission power setting unit 107, the access control unit 109, the CCA signal detection determination unit 112, the frame analysis unit 113, and the NAV setting unit 114 to realize a series of channel controls according to the present disclosure.

[0118] 19, each block may be configured independently, or a control unit that performs a series of processes according to the present disclosure may be configured by a plurality of blocks. For example, the control unit may include at least a channel management unit 103, a channel usage setting unit 105, a usage duration determination unit 106, and a NAV setting unit 114, and may perform a series of processes according to the present disclosure under control of the control module 13.

[0119] <Operation Flow> FIGS. 20 and 21 are flowcharts showing the operation of the transmitter communication device 10Tx to which the present disclosure is applied.

[0120] When there is data to be transmitted, the transmitting communication device 10Tx sets up the use of the primary channel (S101), and when a carrier is detected by CCA (S102: Yes), it performs the processes from step S103 onwards.

[0121] That is, the transmitting communication device 10Tx acquires the RATE and LENGTH information of the subsequently detected PHY header and the Duration information written in the MAC header (S103). For example, if the frame is a data frame or a CTS frame, it determines that the primary channel is in a Busy state depending on the type of frame. At this time, the transmitting communication device 10Tx observes the usage time of the primary channel and collects the duration (the value written in the Duration field) required for data transmission and reception by the transmitting OBSS communication device 20Tx as information related to the usage time. In addition, the transmitting communication device 10Tx acquires the usage status of the secondary channel (S104). If it determines that a secondary channel is available (S105: Yes), it configures the usage of that secondary channel (S106).

[0122] If it is determined that there are no available secondary channels (S105: No), the process returns to step S103. For example, if one secondary channel is unavailable, the process returns to step S103, acquires the usage status of other secondary channels, and attempts to use one of the secondary channels. Note that it is also possible to grasp the timing until the secondary channel becomes available, and control the use of not only the primary channel but also the secondary channel for data transmission up to the short time until it becomes available.

[0123] When step S106 is completed, the process proceeds to step S107. If a carrier is not detected by CCA (S102: No), the process proceeds to step S107. For example, if a carrier is not detected within a predetermined backoff time, the process from step S107 onward is performed, and transmission is performed using a channel including the primary channel.

[0124] The transmitting communication device 10Tx sets the transmitting-side Duration as the set Duration (S107), and transmits an RTS-equivalent frame in which this information is described as Duration information to the receiving communication device 10Rx (S108). For example, if there is a timing when the primary channel will be released based on the Duration information (usage time information) acquired in step S103, this information is described as Duration information in the RTS-equivalent frame and transmitted.

[0125] If the transmitting communication device 10Tx does not receive a CTS-equivalent frame from the receiving communication device 10Rx (S109: No), the receiving communication device 10Rx determines that the channel is in a busy state (S110). In this case, the process returns to step S103, and the above-described process is performed. On the other hand, if the transmitting communication device 10Tx receives a CTS-equivalent frame from the receiving communication device 10Rx, the transmitting communication device 10Tx acquires the receiving-side Duration information written in the received CTS-equivalent frame (S111).

[0126] The transmitting communication device 10Tx determines whether to use the receiving-side Duration indicated by the receiving-side Duration information (S112), and if it determines to use the receiving-side Duration (S112: Yes), it updates the set Duration (S113). For example, by comparing the transmitting-side Duration with the receiving-side Duration, if the receiving-side Duration is shorter than the transmitting-side Duration, the transmitting communication device 10Tx updates the set Duration to change the duration of the data to be transmitted to the timing described in the receiving-side Duration information.

[0127] On the other hand, if it is determined that the receiving-side Duration is not to be used (S112: No), step S113 is skipped. For example, when comparing the transmitting-side Duration and the receiving-side Duration, if the receiving-side Duration is the same as or shorter than the transmitting-side Duration, the set Duration is not updated, and the duration of the data to be transmitted (Duration) is set to the timing indicated by the transmitting-side Duration set as the set Duration. Note that if the receiving-side Duration is extremely short, the set Duration may not be updated.

[0128] The transmitting communication device 10Tx determines whether or not it is necessary to return an ACK frame (S114), and if it determines that it is necessary to return an ACK frame (S114: Yes), it subtracts the time required to return the ACK frame from the duration of the set Duration (S115). On the other hand, if it determines that it is not necessary to return an ACK frame (S114: No), step S115 is skipped. For example, a Block ACK frame can be used as the ACK frame.

[0129] The transmitting communication device 10Tx acquires data from the transmission buffer 102 (S116) and constructs a data frame using the acquired data (S117). For example, an A-MPDU frame may be constructed as the data frame. The transmitting communication device 10Tx checks whether data transmission is possible on the target channel (S118), and if it determines that transmission on the target channel is possible (S118: Yes), it transmits the data frame using the target channel (S119). This allows the transmitting communication device 10Tx to transmit the data frame using the secondary channel according to the duration of the set Duration.

[0130] Here, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the target channel is assumed to be a secondary channel, but it is also possible to use multiple secondary channels or a combination of a primary channel and a secondary channel. When multiple secondary channels are used or a combination of a primary channel and a secondary channel is used, data transmission can be started simultaneously on each channel, and if some channels become unavailable, data can be transmitted using channels other than the relevant channel. Note that if it is determined that transmission on the target channel is not possible (S118: No), the process returns to step S101, and the above-mentioned process is repeated.

[0131] When the transmitting communication device 10Tx has an ACK frame reception setting (S120: Yes), if the presence of undelivered data is confirmed from the received ACK frame (S121: Yes), the processing returns to step S101 and the retransmission processing for retransmitting the undelivered data is repeated. On the other hand, if the return of an ACK frame is not necessary (S120: No) or if there is no undelivered data (S121: No), the transmitting communication device 10Tx ends the series of data transmission operations.

[0132] 22 and 23 are flowcharts showing the operation of the receiver communication device 10Rx to which the present disclosure is applied.

[0133] The receiving communication device 10Rx simultaneously sets the use of the secondary channel in addition to the use of the primary channel (S201), and when a carrier is detected by CCA (S202: Yes), performs the processes from step S203 onwards.

[0134] That is, when the receiving communication device 10Rx detects a carrier exceeding the CCA threshold of a signal transmitted on any channel (S202: Yes), for example, if the frame is addressed to another wireless communication device (S203: Yes), it acquires a Frame Type from the header information included in the frame (S204) and stores the Duration information as necessary (S205). When step S205 is completed, the process returns to step S202, and the above-mentioned process is repeated.

[0135] For example, if a frame addressed to another wireless communication device is a CTS frame or a data frame from the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx, the receiving communication device 10Rx determines that communication is continuing for the time specified in the Duration information on the channel on which the frame was received, and keeps track of this time as the time until the channel is released. In other words, the receiving communication device 10Rx monitors the usage time of the primary channel, and collects the duration (the value specified in the Duration field) required for data transmission and reception by the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx as usage time information. This information is kept on hand not only for the primary channel but also for secondary channels, and is used to determine whether the target channel is available for use when actually receiving data.

[0136] On the other hand, if the frame is addressed to itself (S203: No) and the frame is an RTS-equivalent frame (S206: Yes), the receiving communication device 10Rx acquires the sender's Duration information included in the received RTS-equivalent frame (S207) and determines whether the target channel is available (S208). For example, if a signal from the receiving OBSS communication device 20Rx is detected on the secondary channel serving as the target channel or if NAV is set, the receiving communication device 10Rx determines that the target channel is unavailable, but if neither of these conditions are met, the receiving communication device 10Rx can determine that the target channel is available.

[0137] The receiving communication device 10Rx acquires duration information available for the primary channel and the secondary channel (S209). Here, by acquiring information on not only the target channel and the primary channel but also other secondary channels, the configuration is such that reuse of available channels, including other channels, is promoted.

[0138] The receiving communication device 10Rx determines whether the available Duration information includes a Duration that is shorter than the transmitting-side Duration information (S210), and if it determines that a shorter Duration is included (S210: Yes), it determines whether the Duration information needs to be changed (S211). If it determines that the Duration information needs to be changed (S211: Yes), the receiving communication device 10Rx changes the transmitting-side Duration information (S212) and transmits a CTS-equivalent frame in which the changed Duration information is written as the receiving-side Duration information to the transmitting communication device 10Tx (S213).

[0139] That is, in the determination process of steps S210 and S211, if there is a duration among the available durations that is shorter than the duration required by the transmitting communication device 10Tx, it is determined whether to use data transmission up to that timing (S210, S211). Here, it is desirable to determine the status of not only the primary channel but also the secondary channels that can be used at the same time, and determine the earliest available timing for the receiving communication device 10Rx.

[0140] In addition, in the determination process of step S211, the timing of the Duration required by the transmitting communication device 10Tx is compared with the timing of the Duration available to the receiving communication device 10Rx to determine whether or not a change in the Duration information is necessary. For example, if there is little difference between the Duration required by the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the Duration available to the receiving communication device 10Rx (a short timing), or if only a short timing that is not sufficient to transmit satisfactory data even if a CTS-equivalent frame is returned, it is determined that a change in the Duration information is unnecessary (S211: No). In this case, step S212 may be skipped, and the Duration required by the transmitting communication device 10Tx (transmitting-side Duration information) may be directly written in the CTS-equivalent frame as the receiving-side Duration information and transmitted (S213).

[0141] On the other hand, for example, if the timing difference between the Duration required by the transmitting communication device 10Tx and the Duration (shorter timing) available to the receiving communication device 10Rx is sufficiently large, or if timing available for data transmission can be secured by returning a CTS-equivalent frame, it is determined that a change in the Duration information is necessary (S211: Yes). In this case, the transmitting communication device 10Tx changes the Duration (transmitting-side Duration information) required by the transmitting communication device 10Tx to the Duration (shorter timing) available to the receiving communication device 10Rx (S212), and transmits a CTS-equivalent frame describing the changed Duration (receiving-side Duration information) (S213).

[0142] In addition, when an RTS-equivalent frame of a secondary channel is received along with multiple secondary channels and the primary channel, the usage status of each channel may be ascertained, and a CTS-equivalent frame may be transmitted each time only if the channel is available. If the time until the primary channel or secondary channel is released is very short, the duration information of the CTS-equivalent frame may not include the duration up to that time, but may include the next shortest duration, or may include the sender's duration and be returned. Furthermore, when multiple channels are available, for example, the shortest duration may be selected from the durations of the multiple channels and returned as the receiver's duration information.

[0143] Upon completion of step S213, the process proceeds to step S214. The process also proceeds to step S214 when an RTS-equivalent frame addressed to itself has not been received (S206: No) or when the target channel is unavailable (S208: No). For example, the transmitting communication device 10Tx that has received a CTS-equivalent frame can transmit a data frame (e.g., an A-MPDU frame) using a secondary channel according to the duration of the set Duration. When the receiving communication device 10Rx receives a data frame addressed to itself from the transmitting communication device 10Tx (S214: Yes), the receiving communication device 10Rx acquires the data contained in the received data frame and stores it in the receive buffer 115 (S215). In the case of an A-MPDU frame, the data reception status is determined in MPDU units.

[0144] If the receiving communication device 10Rx receives a request from the transmitting communication device 10Tx to return an ACK frame (S216: Yes), the receiving communication device 10Rx acquires ACK information for data frames received up to that time (S217) and transmits an ACK frame including the ACK information (S218). For example, a Block ACK frame can be used as the ACK frame. Note that if there is no need to return an ACK frame (S216: No), steps S217 and S218 are skipped.

[0145] If all data has been received (S219: Yes), the receiving communication device 10Rx ends the series of receiving operations. On the other hand, if there is data that has not arrived and all data has not been received (S219: No), the process returns to step S202 and waits for data to be retransmitted from the transmitting communication device 10Tx using any channel. Alternatively, if a data frame addressed to itself has not been received (S214: No), the process returns to step S202 and waits for data.

[0146] As described above, in the method (new method) to which the present disclosure is applied, the following processing is performed by the transmitting communication device 10Tx that transmits data. That is, in the transmitting communication device 10Tx, a control unit (a control unit including the channel usage setting unit 105, etc.) observes the usage time on the primary channel and controls the transmission of a notification signal (e.g., an RTS-equivalent frame) including first information (e.g., transmitting-side Duration information) related to the observed transmitting-side usage time to the receiving communication device 10Rx using the secondary channel. Then, the control unit receives a response signal (e.g., a CTS-equivalent frame) including second information (e.g., receiving-side Duration information) related to the receiving-side usage time on the primary channel, which is transmitted from the receiving communication device 10Rx using the secondary channel, and controls the transmission of data (e.g., a data frame) to the receiving communication device 10Rx using the secondary channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information.

[0147] Furthermore, in a method (new method) to which the present disclosure is applied, the following processing is performed by the receiving communication device 10Rx that receives data. That is, in the receiving communication device 10Rx, a control unit observes the usage time on the primary channel and performs control to receive a notification signal (e.g., an RTS-equivalent frame) that is transmitted from the transmitting communication device 10Tx using the secondary channel and includes first information related to the usage time on the transmitting side (e.g., transmitter Duration information) on the primary channel. Then, based on at least one of the first information included in the notification signal and the observed usage time information, the control unit transmits a response signal (e.g., a CTS-equivalent frame) that includes second information related to the usage time on the receiving side (e.g., receiver Duration information) to the transmitting communication device 10Tx using the secondary channel, and performs control to receive data (e.g., a data frame) transmitted from the transmitting communication device 10Tx using the secondary channel.

[0148] Meanwhile, the IEEE802.11 meeting is working on standardizing wireless LAN systems, and the latest standard proposes technologies to achieve low-latency, highly reliable communications. As mentioned above, one of the technologies proposed here is Secondary Channel Access, which allows wireless communications to be performed using a secondary channel even when the primary channel is in use, in order to achieve low-latency, highly reliable communications.

[0149] According to Doc.:IEEE802.11-23 / 961r0, a technique is proposed for using one of the other secondary channels as a second primary channel when the primary channel is busy. Also, according to Doc.:IEEE802.11-23 / 797r1, a technique is proposed for transmitting data using a secondary channel when the primary channel is being used by an OBSS.

[0150] These technologies only disclose a technique for performing access on a secondary channel depending on the signal detection status from the OBSS in the transmitting communication device when implementing Secondary Channel Access. In this case, there is a problem in that the receiving communication device is not configured to determine whether to use the primary channel or the secondary channel depending on the signal detection status from the OBSS.

[0151] In other words, if a receiving communication device is subjected to interference from a signal from an OBSS that is in a position where the transmitting communication device cannot detect the signal, the available time for each channel will differ. As a result, if the receiving communication device detects a signal from an OBSS different from that of the transmitting communication device on the primary channel, the time for which that channel is open will not be unique.

[0152] In such a case, if the primary channel is open for a longer period of time on the transmitting device than on the receiving device, a transmission including a secondary channel may be initiated from an OBSS around the receiving device, causing interference with the reception of the secondary channel by the receiving device. This is because there is a difference in the signal detection threshold levels between the primary and secondary channels, and there is a concern that such transmissions may occur frequently.

[0153] 1, when a transmitting communication device detects a signal from a transmitting OBSS communication device on the primary channel, it determines that it can use the secondary channel up to that duration. However, if the receiving communication device detects a signal from the receiving OBSS communication device on the primary channel with a short duration, there is a risk that the receiving OBSS communication device will start transmitting data using a channel that includes the secondary channel.

[0154] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present disclosure proposes the following technique. Specifically, in the present disclosure, a transmitting communication device and a receiving communication device exchange RTS-equivalent frames and CTS-equivalent frames using a secondary channel, and the receiving communication device returns a CTS-equivalent frame with information about the duration of the primary channel used by the receiving OBSS communication device in the Duration field. The transmitting communication device transmits data according to the Duration field of the returned CTS-equivalent frame, and thereafter re-executes access control for the secondary channel. In this way, by exchanging RTS and CTS frames each time on the secondary channel of the receiving communication device, the receiving OBSS communication device can be clearly notified that data is being received using the secondary channel.

[0155] In the present disclosure, by proposing the above-described method, for example, the following effects can be obtained. That is, a more reliable access control method can be obtained by having the transmitting communication device determine the usage time of the secondary channel by grasping the status of the primary channel of the receiving communication device. Furthermore, by configuring data on the primary channel until the release time from the receiving OBSS communication device and performing access on the secondary channel, even when the primary channel becomes available to the receiving communication device, the use of the secondary channel can be clearly notified to the receiving OBSS communication device by exchanging RTS / CTS.

[0156] By making it mandatory to exchange RTS / CTS before using the secondary channel, a method can be obtained to ensure that the receiving OBSS communication device sets the NAV. The OBSS communication device can also determine the release time from the Duration written in the CTS frame of the secondary channel, so it can reuse only the primary channel until that time, improving the utilization efficiency of the spatial transmission path.

[0157] When a secondary channel is adjacent to a primary channel, use of the secondary channel ends before it affects reception by the OBSS communication device, minimizing the impact on reception of ACK frames by the OBSS communication device. Once transmission on the secondary channel ends, available channels can be used again after a predetermined backoff time has elapsed, further improving the efficiency of transmission path utilization. Because the time during which the OBSS communication device exchanges ACK frames can be set as the backoff time, the efficiency of its own access control can be improved.

[0158] <Modifications> The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or a general-purpose PC (Personal Computer). For example, in a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) loads the program stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk or non-volatile memory into RAM (Random Access Memory) and executes it, thereby performing the above-described series of processes. Note that the program executed by the computer may be a program that executes processes chronologically in the order described in this specification, or may be a program that executes processes in parallel or at the required timing, such as when called.

[0159] The present disclosure is applicable to various products. For example, when the wireless communication device 10 is a communication terminal (STA), it may be configured as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, tablet PC, notebook PC, portable game terminal, or digital camera; a fixed terminal such as a television receiver, printer, digital scanner, or network storage; or an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation system. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 may be configured as a machine-to-machine communication (M2M) terminal such as a smart meter, vending machine, remote monitoring device, or point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 may be a wireless communication module (e.g., an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on such a terminal.

[0160] For example, when the wireless communication device 10 is an access point (AP), it may be configured as a wireless LAN AP (wireless base station) with or without router functionality. The wireless communication device 10 may also be configured as a mobile wireless LAN router. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on these devices.

[0161] <Example of Computer Configuration> The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware, or into a general-purpose personal computer, etc.

[0162] FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program.

[0163] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802 , and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803 are interconnected by a bus 804 .

[0164] An input / output interface 805 is further connected to the bus 804. An input unit 806 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and an output unit 807 including a display, a speaker, etc., are connected to the input / output interface 805. Information related to the present technology, for example, information related to usage time, may be output or displayed from the output unit 807. Information related to the present technology, for example, information related to usage time, may be input from the input unit 806, and confirmation or a response to the information output or displayed on the output unit 807 may be input. In addition, a storage unit 808 including a hard disk or nonvolatile memory, a communication unit 809 including a network interface, etc., and a drive 810 that drives removable media 811 are connected to the input / output interface 805.

[0165] In the computer configured as above, the CPU 801 performs the above-described series of processes by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage unit 808 into the RAM 803 via the input / output interface 805 and the bus 804 and executing the program. For example, the CPU 801 may execute a processing program corresponding to the flowcharts of Figs. 20 to 23 of the present technology.

[0166] The program executed by the CPU 801 is provided, for example, by being recorded on a removable medium 811 or via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting, and installed in the storage unit 808.

[0167] The program executed by the computer may be a program that processes in chronological order according to the order described in this specification, or may be a program that processes in parallel or at the required timing, such as when called.

[0168] <Application Examples> The present technology can be applied to various products. For example, the wireless communication device 10 in FIG. 18 may be realized as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a portable game terminal, or a digital camera; a fixed terminal such as a television receiver, a projector, a printer, a digital scanner, or a network storage; or an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation device or a drive recorder. The wireless communication device 10 may also be realized as an M2M (Machine-to-Machine Communication) terminal or an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal, such as a smart meter, a vending machine, a remote monitoring device, or a POS (Point of Sale) terminal. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 may be a wireless communication module (e.g., an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on these terminals.

[0169] On the other hand, for example, the wireless communication device 10 may be realized as a wireless LAN AP (wireless base station) with or without router functionality. The wireless communication device 10 may also be realized as a mobile wireless LAN router. The wireless communication device 10 may also be realized as a cellular communication base station or femtocell. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 may be a wireless communication module (e.g., an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on these devices.

[0170] <Configuration example of smartphone> Fig. 25 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a smartphone 900 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 25 is described as a configuration example of the smartphone 900, but the present technology is not limited to this, and may be a configuration example of the various devices and functions described above.

[0171] The smartphone 900 includes a processor 901, a memory 902, a storage 903, an external connection interface 904, a camera 906, a sensor 907, a microphone 908, an input device 909, and a display device 910. The smartphone 900 also includes a speaker 911, a wireless communication interface 913, an antenna switch 914, an antenna 915, a bus 917, a battery 918, and an auxiliary controller 919. The smartphone 900 may include all or some of the above.

[0172] The processor 901 may be, for example, a CPU or a SoC (System on Chip), and controls the functions of the application layer and other layers of the smartphone 900.

[0173] The memory 902 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 901 .

[0174] The storage 903 includes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk.

[0175] The external connection interface 904 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a memory card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device to the smartphone 900 .

[0176] The camera 906 has an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and generates a captured image.

[0177] The sensor 907 includes a group of sensors such as a positioning sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

[0178] The microphone 908 converts the sound input to the smartphone 900 into an audio signal.

[0179] The input device 909 includes, for example, a touch sensor that detects a touch on the screen of the display device 910, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a switch, and accepts operations or information input from the user.

[0180] The display device 910 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or a quantum dot (QD) display, and displays the output image of the smartphone 900.

[0181] The speaker 911 converts the audio signal output from the smartphone 900 into sound.

[0182] The wireless communication interface 913 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and successor standards thereof, and performs wireless communication.

[0183] The wireless communication interface 913 communicates with other devices via a wireless LAN AP in infrastructure mode, and directly with other devices in ad hoc mode or a direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct.

[0184] Unlike ad hoc mode, in Wi-Fi Direct, one of the two terminals acts as an AP, but communication is carried out directly between the terminals.

[0185] The wireless communication interface 913 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a power amplifier, etc. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, and related circuits.

[0186] The wireless communication interface 913 may support other types of wireless communication methods, such as a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth, a proximity wireless communication method such as NFC, or a 3GPP (registered trademark) cellular communication method such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G, in addition to the wireless LAN method. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication methods, or may be a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication methods.

[0187] The antenna switch 914 switches the connection destination of the antenna 915 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 913 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0188] The antenna 915 has a single or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 913.

[0189] 25 , the smartphone 900 may include multiple antennas (for example, a wireless LAN antenna, a proximity wireless communication antenna, and a cellular communication antenna). In this case, the antenna switch 914 may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

[0190] The bus 917 connects the processor 901, memory 902, storage 903, external connection interface 904, camera 906, sensor 907, microphone 908, input device 909, display device 910, speaker 911, wireless communication interface 913, and auxiliary controller 919 to each other.

[0191] The battery 918 supplies power to each block of the smartphone 900 shown in FIG. 25 via a power supply line partially indicated by a dashed line in the figure. The auxiliary controller 919 operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone 900, for example, in sleep mode. The battery 918 may also be charged via the external connection interface 904. The battery 918 may also have a function that allows it to read information regarding the remaining amount of power, the cumulative power-on time, or the cumulative amount of power supply, and the processor 901, the wireless communication interface 913, or the auxiliary controller 919 may control any of the functions of the above-described embodiments based on the information read from the battery 918.

[0192] In the smartphone 900 shown in Fig. 25, for example, the control module 13 and the wireless communication module 15 in Fig. 18 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 913. For example, processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts in Fig. 20 to Fig. 23 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 913. Furthermore, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the processor 901 or the auxiliary controller 919.

[0193] The smartphone 900 may operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by the processor 901 executing an AP function at the application level. The wireless communication interface 913 may have a wireless AP function. The processor 901 or the wireless communication interface 913 may have a tethering function that uses a wireless LAN system and a cellular communication system, and may transmit payload data received via the cellular communication system via the wireless LAN system, or may transmit payload data received via the wireless LAN system via the cellular communication system. The smartphone 900 may have a tethering function enabled by user input.

[0194] Furthermore, the smartphone 900 may be provided with a biometric authentication unit (fingerprint authentication, palm shape authentication, voice authentication, blood vessel authentication, face authentication, iris authentication, retina authentication). In this case, the wireless communication interface 913 in which the control module 13 and the wireless communication module 15 in Fig. 18 are implemented is configured to receive power from the same battery 918 as the display device 910, the speaker 911, and at least one of the biometric authentication unit.

[0195] Furthermore, in the smartphone 900, information is displayed on at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911 based on communication with an external device via the wireless communication interface 913. At this time, information related to the present technology, for example, information related to usage time, may be output from at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911. Furthermore, the input device 909 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to the information output from at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911.

[0196] <Configuration example of in-vehicle device> Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device 920 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 26 is described as an example of the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920, but the configuration is not limited to this and may be an example of the configuration of the various devices and functions described above.

[0197] The in-vehicle device 920 is configured to include a processor 921, a memory 922, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module 924, a sensor 925, a data interface 926, a content player 927, and a storage medium interface 928. The in-vehicle device 920 is also configured to include an input device 929, a display device 930, a speaker 931, a wireless communication interface 933, an antenna switch 934, an antenna 935, and a battery 938. The in-vehicle device 920 may be configured to include all or some of the above.

[0198] The processor 921 may be, for example, a CPU or an SoC, and controls the navigation function and other functions of the in-vehicle device 920. The processor 921 can also control the vehicle's driving system, such as the brake, accelerator, or steering, based on information obtained through communication based on the present technology.

[0199] The memory 922 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 921 .

[0200] The GNSS module 924 measures the position (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the in-vehicle device 920 using GNSS signals received from GNSS satellites.

[0201] The sensor 925 includes a group of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a millimeter wave radar, a camera (an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS), and a barometric pressure sensor.

[0202] The data interface 926 is connected to an in-vehicle network 941 via a terminal (not shown), for example, and acquires data generated on the vehicle side, such as vehicle-side data.

[0203] The content player 927 plays content stored on a storage medium (e.g., a CD or DVD) inserted into the storage medium interface 928 or content received via the wireless communication interface 933 .

[0204] The input device 929 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a button, or a switch that detects a touch on the screen of the display device 930, and accepts operations or information input from the user. For example, the input device 929 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to information output from at least one of the display device 930 and the speaker 931.

[0205] The display device 930 has a screen such as an LCD, OLED display, or QD display, and displays images of navigation functions or content being played, as well as information related to the present technology, such as information about usage time.

[0206] The speaker 931 outputs the navigation function, the audio of the content being played, or information relating to the present technology, for example, information relating to usage time.

[0207] Note that the navigation function and the function of the content player 927 are optional in the in-vehicle device 920. The navigation function and the content player 927 may be removed from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

[0208] The wireless communication interface 933 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and successor standards thereof, and performs wireless communication.

[0209] The wireless communication interface 933 communicates with other devices via a wireless LAN AP in infrastructure mode, and directly with other devices in ad hoc mode or a direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct.

[0210] Unlike ad hoc mode, in Wi-Fi Direct, one of the two terminals acts as an AP, but communication is carried out directly between the terminals.

[0211] The wireless communication interface 933 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, etc. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, or related circuits.

[0212] The wireless communication interface 933 may support other types of wireless communication methods in addition to the WLAN method, such as a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth, a proximity wireless communication method such as NFC, or a 3GPP cellular communication method such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication methods, or may be a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication methods.

[0213] The antenna switch 934 switches the connection destination of the antenna 935 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 933 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0214] The antenna 935 has a single or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 933.

[0215] 26, the in-vehicle device 920 may include multiple antennas (for example, an antenna for wireless LAN, an antenna for a close-proximity wireless communication system, and an antenna for a cellular communication system). In this case, the antenna switch 934 may be omitted from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

[0216] The battery 938 supplies power to each block of the in-vehicle device 920 shown in Fig. 26 via a power supply line partially indicated by a dashed line in the figure. The battery 938 may also store power supplied from the vehicle side. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 920 may not be equipped with a battery and may instead use power supplied from the vehicle side via a voltage regulator or a capacitor.

[0217] 26, for example, the control module 13 and the wireless communication module 15 of FIG. 18 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 933. For example, the processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts of FIG. 20 to FIG. 23 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 933. Furthermore, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the processor 921.

[0218] 18 and may provide a wireless connection to a terminal owned by a user in the vehicle. For example, the wireless communication interface 933 may connect the in-vehicle device 920 to other peripheral devices, and the in-vehicle device 920 may use CarPlay (registered trademark) or Android Auto (registered trademark). Note that the wireless communication interface 933 may connect the in-vehicle device 920 to other peripheral devices using a short-range wireless communication method, infrastructure mode, or a wireless LAN method using Wi-Fi Direct.

[0219] The in-vehicle device 920 may operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by the processor 921 executing an AP function at the application level. The wireless communication interface 933 may have a wireless AP function. The processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 may have a tethering function that uses a wireless LAN system and a cellular communication system, and may transmit payload data received via the cellular communication system via the wireless LAN system, or may transmit payload data received via the wireless LAN system via the cellular communication system. The in-vehicle device 920 may have the tethering function enabled by user input.

[0220] Furthermore, the present technology may be realized as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 940 including one or more blocks of the above-described in-vehicle device 920, an in-vehicle network 941, and a vehicle-side module 942. The vehicle-side module 942 may generate vehicle-side data such as vehicle speed information, engine rotation speed information, information about the vehicle-side battery, or malfunction information, and output the generated data to the in-vehicle network 941, and the processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 may control any of the functions of the above-described embodiments based on the vehicle-side data acquired via the in-vehicle network 941.

[0221] <Configuration example of wireless AP> Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP 950 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 27 is described as an example of the configuration of the wireless AP 950, but is not limited to this and may be an example of the configuration of the various devices and functions described above.

[0222] The wireless AP 950 includes a controller 951, a memory 952, an input device 954, a display device 955, a network interface 957, a wireless communication interface 963, an antenna switch 964, and an antenna 965. The wireless AP 950 may include all or some of the above.

[0223] The controller 951 may be, for example, a CPU or a DSP (Digital Signal processor) and operates various functions of the IP (Internet Protocol) layer and higher layers of the wireless AP 950 (e.g., access restriction, routing, encryption, firewall, and log management).

[0224] The memory 952 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs executed by the controller 951 and various control information (for example, a terminal list, a routing table, an encryption key, security settings, and logs).

[0225] The input device 954 includes, for example, buttons and switches, and receives operations from the user. For example, the input device 954 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to information output from the display device 955. Furthermore, the input device 954 may be configured to input, by user operation, switching the wireless function on / off and switching between the router function and the access point function.

[0226] The display device 955 includes an LED lamp or the like and displays the operation status of the wireless AP 950. The display device 955 may display information related to the present technology, for example, information related to usage time.

[0227] The network interface 957 is a wired communication interface for connecting the wireless AP 950 to a wired communication network 958. The network interface 957 may have multiple connection terminals. The network interface 957 may output payload data included in a wireless signal input from the wireless communication interface 963 as a wired signal, or may receive payload data output as a wireless signal from the wireless communication interface 963 as a wired signal. The network interface 957 may input and output wired signals in parallel with or independently of the wireless communication interface 963 inputting and outputting wireless signals. The wired communication network 958 may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0228] The wireless communication interface 963 supports one or more wireless LAN standards, such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and their successor standards, and provides wireless connection to nearby terminals as an AP. When the wireless AP 950 is installed in a cellular communication base station or a femtocell, the wireless communication interface 963 may support other types of wireless communication systems, such as 3GPP cellular communication systems such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G, in addition to the wireless LAN system. The wireless communication interface 963 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication systems, or a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication systems.

[0229] The wireless communication interface 963 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like.

[0230] The wireless communication interface 963 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, or related circuits.

[0231] The antenna switch 964 switches the connection destination of the antenna 965 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 963 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0232] The antenna 965 has a single or multiple antenna elements (for example, multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 963.

[0233] 27, for example, the control module 13 and the wireless communication module 15 of FIG. 18 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 963. For example, the processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts of FIG. 20 to FIG. 23 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 963. Furthermore, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the controller 951.

[0234] The above-described embodiment shows an example for realizing the present technology, and the matters in the embodiment correspond to the matters specifying the invention in the claims. Similarly, the matters specifying the invention in the claims correspond to the matters in the embodiment of the present technology having the same title. However, the present technology is not limited to the embodiment, and can be realized by applying various modifications to the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present technology.

[0235] Furthermore, part or all of the information processing device described in the above embodiments may be realized, for example, as a semiconductor chip (IC (Integrated Circuit)) having a wireless communication control function. Also, it may be realized by a single semiconductor chip equipped with multiple functions, such as a SoC (System on Chip), or by combining multiple semiconductor chips each having a single function, such as a processor. Furthermore, it may be realized by combining multiple SoCs, or by combining a semiconductor chip with a single function and a SoC. It may also be realized by a semiconductor chip such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) dedicated to realizing each unit, or by a combination of a general-purpose processor with software or firmware, or by a semiconductor chip such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0236] Furthermore, the processing procedures described in the above embodiments may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, or as a program for causing this computer to execute these procedures or a recording medium for storing that program.

[0237] Examples of the recording medium that can be used include a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc.

[0238] In this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all of the components are contained in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housed in a single housing with multiple modules, are both systems.

[0239] For example, the present technology can be configured as a cloud computing system in which a single function is shared and processed collaboratively by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0240] Furthermore, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device, or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0241] Furthermore, when one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0242] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0243] The present disclosure can also be configured as follows.

[0244] (1) A wireless communication device comprising a control unit that performs control to observe a usage time on a first channel, transmit a notification signal including first information related to the observed usage time on the transmitting side to another wireless communication device using a second channel, receive a response signal including second information related to the usage time on the receiving side on the first channel transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel, and transmit data to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information included in the response signal. (2) The wireless communication device described in (1), wherein the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a secondary channel. (3) The wireless communication device described in (1) or (2), wherein the control unit collects, as the first information, information related to the duration of data transmission or reception by an adjacent wireless communication device in an adjacent network. (4) The wireless communication device described in any of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit, when receiving an ACK after transmitting the data, transmits the data based on a time obtained by subtracting a time corresponding to the receipt of the ACK from the usage time on the transmitting side or the usage time on the receiving side. (5) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein, when the other wireless communication device can use multiple second channels and observes multiple pieces of usage time information, the response signal includes, as the second information, information on the shortest usage time among the multiple pieces of usage time information. (6) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the notification signal is a signal in a format equivalent to an RTS frame. (7) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the response signal is a signal in a format equivalent to a CTS frame. (8) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the information on the usage time of the sending side and the usage time of the receiving side is a numerical value written in a Duration field.(9) The wireless communication device according to (1), wherein the control unit, when a plurality of second channels are available, transmits the notification signal to the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels, and receives the response signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels. (10) A wireless communication method, including: a wireless communication device observing a usage time of a first channel; transmitting a notification signal, including first information related to the observed usage time of a sender, to the other wireless communication device using the second channel; receiving a response signal, including second information related to the usage time of a receiver on the first channel, transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel; and transmitting data to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information included in the response signal. (11) A wireless communication device comprising a control unit that performs control to observe a usage time on a first channel, receive a notification signal transmitted from another wireless communication device using a second channel, the notification signal including first information related to the usage time on the sender's side on the first channel, transmit a response signal to the other wireless communication device using the second channel, the response signal including second information related to the usage time on the receiver's side, based on at least one of the first information included in the notification signal and the observed usage time information, and receive data transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel. (12) The wireless communication device according to (11), wherein the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a secondary channel. (13) The wireless communication device according to (11) or (12), wherein the control unit collects, as the second information, information related to the duration of data transmission or reception by an adjacent wireless communication device in an adjacent network. (14) The wireless communication device according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein when an ACK is received after the data is transmitted, the data is transmitted based on a time obtained by subtracting the time corresponding to the reception of the ACK from the usage time of the transmitting side or the usage time of the receiving side.(15) The wireless communication device according to any one of (11) to (14), wherein, when a plurality of second channels are available and a plurality of pieces of usage time information are observed, the control unit includes, in the response signal, information on the shortest usage time from the plurality of pieces of usage time information as the second information. (16) The wireless communication device according to any one of (11) to (15), wherein the notification signal is a signal in a format equivalent to an RTS frame. (17) The wireless communication device according to any one of (11) to (16), wherein the response signal is a signal in a format equivalent to a CTS frame. (18) The wireless communication device according to any one of (11) to (17), wherein the information on the usage time of the transmitter and the usage time of the receiver are numerical values ​​written in a Duration field. (19) The wireless communication device according to (11), wherein, when a plurality of second channels are available, the control unit receives the notification signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels, and transmits the response signal to the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels based on the notification signal. (20) A wireless communication method including: a wireless communication device observing a usage time on a first channel; receiving a notification signal transmitted from another wireless communication device using a second channel, the notification signal including first information regarding the usage time of the transmitting side on the first channel; transmitting a response signal to the other wireless communication device using the second channel, the response signal including second information regarding the usage time of the receiving side, based on at least one of the first information included in the notification signal and the observed usage time information; and receiving data transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel.

[0245] 10 Wireless communication device, 10Tx Transmitting communication device, 10Rx Receiving communication device, 11 Network module, 12 Input module, 13 Control module, 14 Output module, 15 Wireless communication module, 101 Interface, 102 Transmission buffer, 103 Channel management unit, 104 Frame construction unit, 105 Channel usage setting unit, 106 Usage duration determination unit, 107 Transmission power setting unit, 108 Transmission signal processing unit, 109 Access control unit, 110 Antenna unit, 111 Received signal processing unit, 112 CCA signal detection determination unit, 113 Frame analysis unit, 114 NAV setting unit, 115 Received buffer

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising a control unit that performs the following control: observes usage time on a first channel; transmits a notification signal containing first information regarding the observed usage time of the sender to another wireless communication device using a second channel; receives a response signal containing second information regarding the usage time of the receiver on the first channel, which is transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel; and transmits data to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information included in the response signal.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a secondary channel.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit collects, as the first information, information relating to the duration of data transmission or reception by an adjacent wireless communication device in an adjacent network.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives an ACK after transmitting the data, the control unit transmits the data based on a time obtained by subtracting the time corresponding to the reception of the ACK from the usage time of the transmitting side or the usage time of the receiving side.

5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein, when the other wireless communication device is able to use a plurality of second channels and observes a plurality of pieces of usage time information, the response signal includes, as the second information, information relating to the shortest usage time among the plurality of pieces of usage time information.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the notification signal is a signal in a format corresponding to an RTS frame.

7. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the response signal is a signal in a format corresponding to a CTS frame.

8. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the use time of the sending side and the use time of the receiving side is a numerical value written in a Duration field.

9. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when a plurality of second channels are available, transmits the notification signal to the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels, and receives the response signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels.

10. A wireless communication method comprising: a wireless communication device observing usage time on a first channel; transmitting a notification signal containing first information regarding the observed usage time of the sender to another wireless communication device using a second channel; receiving a response signal containing second information regarding the usage time of the receiver on the first channel, transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel; and transmitting data to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information and the second information included in the response signal.

11. A wireless communication device comprising a control unit that performs the following control: observes the usage time on a first channel; receives a notification signal containing first information regarding the usage time of the sender on the first channel, which is transmitted from another wireless communication device using a second channel; transmits a response signal containing second information regarding the usage time of the receiver to the other wireless communication device using the second channel based on at least one of the first information contained in the notification signal and the observed usage time information; and receives data transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a secondary channel.

13. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit collects, as the second information, information relating to the duration of data transmission or reception by an adjacent wireless communication device in an adjacent network.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein when an ACK is received after the data is transmitted, the data is transmitted based on a time obtained by subtracting the time corresponding to the reception of the ACK from the usage time of the transmitting side or the usage time of the receiving side.

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein when multiple second channels are available and multiple pieces of usage time information are observed, the control unit includes information on the shortest usage time from among the multiple pieces of usage time information in the response signal as the second information.

16. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein the notification signal is a signal in a format corresponding to an RTS frame.

17. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein the response signal is a signal in a format corresponding to a CTS frame.

18. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein the information relating to the use time of the sending side and the use time of the receiving side is a numerical value written in a Duration field.

19. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit, when a plurality of second channels are available, receives the notification signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels, and transmits the response signal to the other wireless communication device using each of the available second channels based on the notification signal.

20. A wireless communication method comprising: a wireless communication device observing usage time on a first channel; receiving a notification signal transmitted from another wireless communication device using a second channel, the notification signal including first information regarding usage time on the sending side on the first channel; transmitting a response signal to the other wireless communication device using the second channel, the response signal including second information regarding usage time on the receiving side, based on at least one of the first information included in the notification signal and the observed usage time information; and receiving data transmitted from the other wireless communication device using the second channel.

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