Access point, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

This access point is provided with a communication circuit that uses a downlink signal to transmit control information pertaining to a first allocation in which frequency resources of the downlink signal are discretely allocated in a frequency band, and a control circuit that controls transmission of the downlink signal on the basis of the control information.

Description

Access point, terminal, and communication method

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

[0002] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is currently working on the IEEE 802.11bn (hereinafter referred to as "11bn") standard for next-generation wireless local area networks (WLANs) as a successor to the IEEE 802.11be (hereinafter referred to as "11be") standard in a study group (SG). 11be is also known as "Extremely High Throughput (EHT) WLAN" or simply "EHT," and 11bn is also known as "Ultra High Reliability (UHR) WLAN" or simply "UHR."

[0003] IEEE 802.11-23 / 0037r0, “UHR Feature to Overcome PSD Limitations: Distributed-Tone Resource Units”IEEE 802.11-23 / 1516r0, “Use case for distributed RUs in Downlink”IEEE P802.11be / D5.1IEEE 802.11-23 / 2031r2, “Data Tones Grouping in Tone-Distributed RUs”IEEE 802.11-24 / 524r0, “Multiple AP Transmissions Using DRU”IEEE 802.11-23 / 1117r0, “dRU Signaling for UHR”IEEE P802.11-REVme / D4.0

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

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

[0006] An access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication circuit that transmits control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources for a downlink signal in a frequency band using the downlink signal, and a control circuit that controls transmission of the downlink signal based on the control information.

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

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

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

[0010] Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of part of an access point (AP)Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of part of a terminal (STA: Station)Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an APBlock diagram showing an example of the configuration of an STADFigure showing an example of the frame format of an EHT MU (Multi User) PPDU (Physical layer Protocol Data Unit)Sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of an AP and STADFigure showing an example of the PPDU Type and Compression Mode field in an EHT MU PPDUDFigure showing an example of a frame format of a UHR MU PPDUDFigure showing an example of RRU (Regular Resource Unit) / DRU (Distributed RU) switching notification using U-SIGDiagram showing an example of a Disregard field in a U-SIGDiagram showing an example format of an EHT-SIG content channelDiagram showing an example of a Disregard field in an EHT-SIGDiagram showing an example of Tone allocationDiagram showing an example of notification of a Punctured Pattern using the Punctured Channel Information fieldDiagram showing an example of RRU / DRU application of pre-EHT modulated field and EHT modulated fieldDiagram showing an example of cluster configurationDiagram showing an example of cluster configurationDiagram showing an example of RU Allocation subfieldEHT-SIG content Diagram showing an example of a channelDiagram showing an example of an RU Allocation subfieldDiagram showing an example of an EHT-SIG content channelDiagram showing an example of a DRU tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a DRU tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a DRU tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a DRU tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a DRU tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a DRU tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a Grouping tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a Grouping tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a Grouping tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a Grouping tone allocationDiagram showing an example of a DRU tone allocation information sharingBlock diagram showing an example of an AP configurationSequence diagram showing an example of an AP and STA operationEHTDiagram showing an example of the format of the variant User Info field Diagram showing an example of the format of the EHT variant Common Info field Diagram showing an example of the STA-ID subfield

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

[0012] In the 6 GHz band supported by 11be and 11bn, there is a provision that limits the transmission power density (PSD: Power Spectrum Density) of terminals (STAs, also called "non-AP STAs") in LPI (Low Power Indoor) mode to -1 dBm / MHz. In contrast, 11bn is considering the introduction of "distributed tone resource units" (DRUs or dRUs) that overcome the PSD limitation and maximize the transmission power per tone (also called "subcarrier") (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). For example, a DRU may refer to an RU composed of tones (frequency resources) that are discretely (or dispersedly or diffusely) allocated in a frequency band.

[0013] In the following, for example, compared to a DRU, an RU (for example, an RU defined in an existing standard) configured with tones (frequency resources) that are continuously arranged in a frequency band is referred to as a "regular RU" (also referred to as an rRU or RRU).

[0014] Non-Patent Document 1, for example, focuses on the application of DRU to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) transmission in uplink (UL). Non-Patent Document 2, for example, considers the application of DRU to a transmission signal (DL signal) from an AP (Access Point, also called a "base station") in downlink (DL). For example, applying DRU to DL signals can provide a frequency diversity effect.

[0015] However, the signaling method when applying DRU to DL signal transmission has not been fully considered. For example, Non-Patent Document 2 shows that applying DRU to DL signal transmission can achieve a frequency diversity effect and obtain an average BER (Bit Error Rate) curve when applying RRU. Therefore, applying DRU to DL signal transmission can be expected to reduce the drop in the reception level of DL signals. However, Non-Patent Document 2 does not consider the signaling method when applying DRU to DL transmission.

[0016] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a signaling method when a DRU is applied to DL signal transmission will be described. For example, in a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an AP generates DRU allocation information and transmits it to a STA. For example, the AP may transmit the DRU allocation information to the STA using a field (field and subfield) in a DL signal preamble. The STA decodes and acquires the DRU allocation information from the AP. The DL allocation information may include, for example, information on switching between an RRU and a DRU as a tone allocation method, and may also include information on the DRU's allocated resources (e.g., tones).

[0017] [Configuration of Wireless Communication System] The wireless communication system according to the present embodiment may include, for example, an AP (e.g., a wireless transceiver device) and an STA (e.g., a wireless transceiver device). In the wireless communication system, there may be, for example, two or more APs and STAs.

[0018] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a portion of an AP 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the AP 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, a communication unit (e.g., corresponding to a communication circuit) transmits, using a downlink signal, control information regarding a first allocation (e.g., allocation by a DRU) in which frequency resources (e.g., tones or subcarriers) allocated to downlink signals in a frequency band are discretely allocated. A control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) controls the transmission of the downlink signal based on the control information.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion of a STA 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the STA 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, a communication unit (e.g., corresponding to a communication circuit) receives, using a downlink signal, control information regarding a first allocation (e.g., allocation by a DRU) in which frequency resources (e.g., tones or subcarriers) allocated to downlink signals are discretely allocated in a frequency band. A control unit (e.g., a control circuit) controls reception of the downlink signal based on the control information.

[0020] (First Embodiment) In this embodiment, AP 100 uses a DL signal to notify STA 200 of DRU allocation information. Note that the DL signal may be, for example, a multi-user (MU) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) or another signal.

[0021] Here, DRU allocation information may refer to information regarding a Tone (hereinafter referred to as "DRU tone") distributed by applying DRU and allocated to each STA200 in a radio frame transmitted from AP100 to one or more STA200.

[0022] Information about DRU tones may include, for example, Subcarrier indices, Tone indices, the total number of allocated DRU tones, and the bandwidth (Distribution BW) in which the tones are distributed and transmitted (or distributed and arranged) in Non-Patent Document 3 (see, for example, Section 36.3.2).

[0023] In addition, the DRU allocation information may include information indicating whether the frequency resources allocated to each STA 200 are RRUs or DRUs (for example, information regarding switching between RRUs and DRUs).

[0024] The DRU tone may be, for example, at least one of a data tone and a pilot tone. The DRU tone may be, for example, a tone including information on "EHT modulated fields" as described in Non-Patent Document 3 (see, for example, Section 36.3.4). The EHT modulated fields may be fields called "UHR modulated fields" in 11bn (and UHR).

[0025] Below, an example of the configuration of the AP 100 and the STA 200 will be described.

[0026] [Configuration Example of AP] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the AP 100 (also simply referred to as "AP").

[0027] The AP 100 shown in FIG. 3 may include, for example, an RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101, a preamble generation unit 102, a data generation unit 103, a modulation unit 104, and a radio transmission / reception unit 105.

[0028] In addition, at least one of the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101, the preamble generation unit 102, the data generation unit 103, and the modulation unit 104 shown in Figure 3 may be included in the control unit shown in Figure 1, and the radio transmission / reception unit 105 shown in Figure 3 may be included in the communication unit shown in Figure 1.

[0029] 3 , when transmission data (e.g., DL data) for each STA 200 is input, the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101 allocates frequency resources to each STA 200. For example, the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101 may determine whether to apply an RRU or a DRU in resource allocation (e.g., a tone allocation method). Based on the determined tone allocation method (e.g., RRU or DRU), the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101 generates tone mapping information (also referred to as allocation information), such as information on the bandwidth of the transmission signal (e.g., distribution bandwidth in the case of a DRU), subcarrier indices, and the number of allocated tones. The RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101 outputs the generated allocation information (e.g., RRU / DRU allocation information) to the preamble generation unit 102 and the data generation unit 103.

[0030] The preamble generation unit 102 generates a preamble section (or a preamble signal) of a transmission frame based on information input from the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101. The preamble generation unit 102 may, for example, include information input from the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101 (for example, at least a part of the RRU / DRU allocation information) in a field within the preamble section. The preamble generation unit 102 outputs the generated preamble section to the modulation unit 104.

[0031] The data generation unit 103 generates a data section (or a data signal) of a transmission frame based on the information input from the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101 and the transmission data. The data generation unit 103, for example, modulates a data signal for each STA 200 using a predetermined modulation method, and performs tone allocation (mapping) using an RRU or DRU based on the information input from the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101. The data generation unit 103 outputs the generated data section to the modulation unit 104.

[0032] The modulation unit 104 performs modulation processing on the signal (preamble portion) input from the preamble generation unit 102 and the signal (data portion) input from the data generation unit 103, and generates a radio frame that is a modulated signal. The modulation processing may include, for example, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation and Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT). The modulation unit 104 outputs the modulated radio frame to the radio transmission / reception unit 105.

[0033] The radio transmission / reception unit 105 performs transmission and reception processing of radio signals for the STA 200. For example, in transmission processing, the radio transmission / reception unit 105 performs transmission processing such as D / A (Digital-to-Analog) conversion and up-conversion to a carrier frequency on a radio frame input from the modulation unit 104, and transmits the signal after transmission processing (DL signal) to the STA 200 via an antenna. In reception processing, the radio transmission / reception unit 105 receives a signal (UL signal) transmitted from the STA 200 via the antenna, and performs reception processing such as down-conversion and A / D (Analog-to-Digital) conversion.

[0034] [Configuration Example of STA] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the STA 200 (also simply referred to as "STA").

[0035] The STA 200 shown in FIG. 4 may include, for example, a radio transceiver unit 201, a separator unit 202, a preamble demodulator unit 203, an RRU / DRU allocation information decoder unit 204, and a data demodulator / decoder unit 205.

[0036] In addition, the radio transmission / reception unit 201 shown in Figure 4 may be included in the communication unit shown in Figure 2, and at least one of the separation unit 202, preamble demodulation unit 203, RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204, and data demodulation / decoding unit 205 shown in Figure 4 may be included in the control unit shown in Figure 2.

[0037] 4 , wireless transceiver 201 performs transmission and reception processing of wireless frames for AP 100. For example, in transmission processing, wireless transceiver 201 performs transmission processing such as D / A conversion and up-conversion to a carrier frequency on an input wireless frame (not shown), and transmits the signal after transmission processing (UL signal) to AP 100 via an antenna. In reception processing, wireless transceiver 201 receives a signal (DL signal) transmitted from AP 100 via an antenna, performs reception processing such as down-conversion and A / D conversion, and outputs the signal after reception processing to separator 202.

[0038] Separation section 202 separates the received signal input from radio transmission / reception section 201 into a preamble section and a data section, outputs the preamble section to preamble demodulation section 203 and outputs the data section to data demodulation and decoding section 205 .

[0039] The preamble demodulation unit 203 demodulates the preamble part based on the signal input from the separation unit 202, and extracts control information (including, for example, a bandwidth (BW) and an MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme)) used for demodulating and decoding the data part. The preamble demodulation unit 203 outputs the extracted control information to the RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204 and the data demodulation and decoding unit 205.

[0040] The RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204 decodes and acquires the RRU / DRU allocation information included in the preamble based on the information input from the preamble demodulation unit 203. Here, the STA 200 may acquire information on the frequency resource to which the data addressed to the STA 200 is allocated. The RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204 outputs the acquired information to the data demodulation and decoding unit 205.

[0041] The data demodulation and decoding unit 205 demodulates and decodes the data part based on the signal input from the demultiplexing unit 202 and the information input from the RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204. The data demodulation and decoding unit 205 performs, for example, an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) on the signal input from the demultiplexing unit 202 and demodulates the signal based on the control information in the preamble part. Here, the data demodulation and decoding unit 205 may acquire (demap) and decode the data signal from the tone position assigned to the STA 200 based on the RRU / DRU allocation information. The data demodulation and decoding unit 205 outputs the decoded data as received data.

[0042] [Example of Operation of AP and STA] An example of operation of the AP 100 and the STA 200 will be described below.

[0043] [Method 1] In method 1, the AP 100 includes RRU and DRU (hereinafter also referred to as RRU / DRU) switching information (e.g., information indicating either an RRU or a DRU) in the preamble of the MU PPDU and notifies the STA 200. For example, the AP 100 may transmit the RRU / DRU switching information in a U-SIG field (hereinafter also referred to as U-SIG) included in the preamble of the MU PPDU.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows an example of a frame format of an MU PPDU in EHT (see, for example, Figure 36-17 in Non-Patent Document 3). As shown in Fig. 5, the preamble of the MU PPDU includes a U-SIG field (hereinafter also referred to as U-SIG) and an EHT-SIG field (hereinafter also referred to as EHT-SIG).

[0045] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of AP 100 and STA 200 according to Method 1. As shown in Fig. 6, AP 100 (also simply referred to as AP) transmits DL MU-PPDUs to multiple STAs 200 (STA1, ..., STA n), and each STA 200 receives the DL MU PPDU transmitted from AP 100 and transmits an Ack based on the received DL MU PPDU.

[0046] Method 1 will be described below together with the operation of each block in the configuration of AP 100 (FIG. 3) and STA 200 (FIG. 4).

[0047] <Generation of RRU / DRU Allocation Information> When transmission data for a destination STA occurs, the AP 100 inputs the transmission data to the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101 and determines whether to use an RRU or a DRU to allocate frequency resources to each STA 200 (or to switch between RRUs and DRUs depending on the distribution bandwidth and frequency subchannels). Furthermore, when the AP 100 allocates transmission data using a DRU, it also determines the number of DRU tones to allocate to each STA 200, the location of the DRU tones, the distribution bandwidth, and so on. The AP 100 outputs this information (RRU / DRU allocation information) to the preamble generation unit 102 and the data generation unit 103, generates a preamble section, and generates a data section to be allocated to each tone (RRU / DRU tone) based on the RRU / DRU allocation information. The AP 100 modulates the generated preamble and data portions together in a modulation section 104 and transmits the modulated data as an MU PPDU via a wireless transmission / reception section 105 to each destination STA (STA 1 to STA n in FIG. 6).

[0048] <Receiving and decoding radio frames using DRU> When each STA 200 receives an MU PPDU from AP 100, it inputs the output from the radio transceiver 201 to the separator 202, separates the MU PPDU into a preamble portion and a data portion, outputs the preamble portion to the preamble demodulator 203, and outputs the data portion to the data demodulator / decoder 205.

[0049] Then, each STA200 demodulates the preamble part in the preamble demodulation unit 203, outputs the part (field) related to RRU / DRU allocation information in the demodulated preamble part to the RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204, and outputs the part (field) related to information related to the demodulation and decoding of the data part (MCS, etc.) to the data demodulation and decoding unit 205.

[0050] Each STA 200 decodes the RRU / DRU allocation information generated by the AP 100 in the RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204, and identifies (or grasps) the position (e.g., subcarrier number) of the RRU / DRU tone containing the Data portion addressed to that STA 200 in the MU PPDU, the number of RRU / DRU tones, or the bandwidth. Each STA 200 outputs the information decoded in the RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 204 to the Data demodulation and decoding unit 205.

[0051] Then, in each STA 200, the Data demodulation and decoding unit 205 demodulates and decodes the RRU / DRU tone corresponding to the Data portion addressed to that STA 200 based on the RRU / DRU allocation information, and obtains received data.

[0052] When each STA 200 decodes the received data, it transmits (feeds back) an Ack (reception completion) to the AP 100 .

[0053] An example of method 1 will be described below.

[0054] <Example 1> In Example 1, the AP 100 transmits (or notifies) RRU / DRU switching information in the U-SIG field (see FIG. 5, for example) included in the preamble of the MU PPDU.

[0055] As shown in Table 1, the RRU / DRU switching information indicates whether to use (apply) the RRU or the DRU for frequency resource allocation to STA 200, depending on the value of a certain field in the U-SIG (e.g., a 1-bit value).

[0056] This allows AP 100 to transmit, for example, an MU PPDU allocated using DRU to STA 200, thereby achieving a frequency diversity effect (e.g., similar to the frequency diversity effect in DL OFDMA transmission shown in non-patent document 2).

[0057] Furthermore, when a DRU is applied to an MU PPDU, the U-SIG field may include information (field) that notifies the distribution bandwidth of the DRU. For example, as shown in Table 2, the Bandwidth field in the U-SIG may notify the STA 200 of the distribution bandwidth of the DRU.

[0058] The distribution bandwidth may be smaller than the transmission bandwidth. For example, an 80 MHz PPDU may include a DRU with a distribution bandwidth of 20 MHz. The PPDU transmission band may be divided into multiple frequency subbands (also called subchannels or frequency segments), and distributed allocation may be performed in each frequency subband. The frequency subbands used for distributed allocation are called the DRU distribution band, distribution channel, frequency segment, or distribution segment. For example, an 80 MHz PPDU may be divided into four 20 MHz distribution bands, and the DRU may assign users to each distribution band.

[0059] Additionally, the DRU's distribution bandwidth notification information (e.g., Bandwidth field) may include a value indicating a combination of distribution bandwidths (e.g., a value indicating 20 MHz + 20 MHz + 20 MHz + 20 MHz), thereby indicating that the PPDU contains multiple distribution bandwidths.

[0060] The U-SIG field may include information indicating the distribution bandwidth of the DRU and information indicating the transmission band of the PPDU. The U-SIG field may include information indicating different distribution bandwidths of the DRU for each frequency band (e.g., for each 20 MHz subchannel, each 80 MHz frequency subband, and each distribution band).

[0061] Furthermore, when DRU is applied to the MU PPDU, the PPDU Type of the MU PPDU may be set to OFDMA transmission.

[0062] For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the PPDU Type may be set to OFDMA transmission by setting the value of the PPDU Type And Compressed Mode field in the U-SIG to 0 (DL OFDMA). In this case, an RU Allocation subfield for RRU allocation is defined in the MU PPDU for OFDMA transmission, and this RU Allocation subfield can be reused for DRU allocation. For example, by setting the PPDU Type of the MU PPDU to OFDMA transmission, there is no need to define a new field (new bit) for DRU Allocation, compared to when other PPDU Types are set, and this reduces the complexity of DRU implementation and modifications from existing standards.

[0063] Furthermore, when a DRU is used for an MU PPDU, the AP 100 may notify an RU Allocation subfield (see, for example, Section 36.3.12.8.3 of Non-Patent Document 3) indicating DRU allocation information. For example, the AP 100 may notify the number of DRU tones allocated to each STA 200 (user) and the location of the allocated tones (DRU tones) according to the value of the RU Allocation subfield.

[0064] Furthermore, when applying an RRU to an MU PPDU, the AP 100 may signal the allocation of the RRU to each STA 200 by setting the value of each field, as in the case of transmitting an MU PPDU in EHT.

[0065] Next, an example of the frame format in Example 1 will be described.

[0066] <Format Example 1 of Example 1> In format example 1, the PHY version of the U-SIG is set to UHR PHY.

[0067] For example, a value indicating UHR PHY (e.g., 1) may be newly added (or defined) to the PHY Version Identifier field shown in Non-Patent Document 3 (see, for example, Section 36.3.12.7.2), as shown in Table 3. Note that an MU PPDU when the PHY Version is set to UHR PHY may be called a "UHR MU PPDU."

[0068] Fig. 8 shows an example of a frame format of a UHR MU PPDU, which is a format that reuses the example of the EHT MU PPDU format shown in Fig. 5.

[0069] The UHR-SIG field (hereinafter also referred to as UHR-SIG) shown in Fig. 8 may be a field that utilizes the EHT-SIG field included in the MU PPDU (e.g., EHT MU PPDU) when the PHY version is EHT PHY. For example, the UHR-SIG may notify additional information for the U-SIG used to read the UHR MU PPDU. The additional information may include, for example, RU Allocation information or GI+LTF size information.

[0070] The UHR-STF (Short Training Field) field shown in FIG. 8 is a field that utilizes the EHT-STF field when the PHY version is EHT PHY, and is used, for example, to improve estimation of AGC (Auto Gain Control).

[0071] The UHR-LTF (Long Training Field) field shown in Fig. 8 is a field that utilizes the EHT-LTF field when the PHY version is EHT PHY, and provides, for example, a training signal for estimating a MIMO channel. The symbol duration of the UHR-LTF depends, for example, on the GI (Guard Interval) and the size of the LTF.

[0072] When using UHR MU PPDU, in format example 1 of example 1, as shown in FIG. 9, one bit in the U-SIG (e.g., the value of the RRU / DRU field) may be used to indicate RRU / DRU switching (either using the RRU or using the DRU).

[0073] <Format Example 2 of Example 1> In format example 2, the PHY version of the U-SIG is set to EHT PHY.

[0074] For example, the PHY Version may be set to EHT PHY by setting the value of the PHY Version Identifier field to 0 (see, for example, Table 3).

[0075] When the PHY version is EHT PHY, in the EHT MU PPDU, one bit of the Disregard field in the U-SIG may be used to indicate RRU / DRU switching. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, one bit of B20 in the Disregard field (B20-B24) in the U-SIG may be set (or defined) as a field that notifies information about RRU / DRU switching. Note that the field that notifies information about RRU / DRU switching is not limited to B20 of the Disregard field, and may be another bit.

[0076] <Format Example 3 of Example 1> In Format Example 3, RRU / DRU switching information set for each 20 MHz subchannel is notified by the U-SIG. This allows the frequency resource allocation (RRU or DRU) to STA 200 to be switched for each 20 MHz subchannel.

[0077] In format example 3, for example, as shown in Table 4, the value of the field (e.g., one bit of the RRU / DRU field in the U-SIG shown in FIG. 9) that notifies RRU / DRU switching in format example 1 may be set for every 20 MHz (subchannel) (e.g., for each U-SIG for each subchannel). Note that the example in Table 4 shows a case where the RRU / DRU settings for consecutive subchannels are different, but the RRU / DRU settings for consecutive subchannels may be the same. For example, a DRU may be set for subchannels 1 and 2, and an RRU may be set for subchannels 3 and 4.

[0078] <Format Example 4 of Example 1> In Format Example 4, RRU / DRU switching information set for each 80 MHz subchannel (also called an 80 MHz frequency segment) is notified by the U-SIG. This allows the frequency resource allocation (RRU or DRU) to STA 200 to be switched for each 80 MHz subchannel.

[0079] In format example 4, for example, as shown in Table 5, the value of the field (for example, one bit of the RRU / DRU field in the U-SIG shown in FIG. 9) that notifies the RRU / DRU switching in format example 1 may be set for every 80 MHz (subchannel). Note that the example in Table 5 shows a case where the RRU / DRU settings of consecutive subchannels are different, but the RRU / DRU settings of consecutive subchannels may be the same.

[0080] <Format Example 5 of Example 1> In format example 5, RRU / DRU switching for each subchannel is notified by bitmap information. For example, the AP 100 uses five bits B20-B24 in the U-SIG (see, for example, FIG. 10 ) to notify each bit of B20-B24 as a bitmap indicating RRU / DRU switching every 20 MHz or every 80 MHz.

[0081] At this time, for example, the AP 100 may notify the RRU / DRU allocation information as bitmap information, starting from the lowest bit (e.g., B20), by associating a value of 0 with RRU use and a value of 1 with DRU use. Table 6 shows an example of a bitmap for every 20 MHz, and Table 7 shows an example of a bitmap for every 80 MHz.

[0082] In Format Example 5, unlike Format Example 3 or Format Example 4, the bitmaps shown in Tables 6 and 7 are set to the same values ​​for all U-SIGs included in the entire transmission bandwidth of the MU PPDU (e.g., U-SIGs included in each 20 MHz subchannel). This allows each STA 200 (user) to obtain RRU / DRU switching information for the entire MU PPDU bandwidth by reading the U-SIG of any 20 MHz subchannel and the RRU / DRU switching bitmap in the MU PPDU bandwidth. The number of bits used in the bitmap may be increased or decreased depending on the MU PPDU bandwidth. For example, in Table 6, when the MU PPDU bandwidth is 40 MHz, the AP 100 may notify RRU / DRU switching information using a two-bit bitmap, B20 and B21. In Table 7, when the MU PPDU bandwidth is 80 MHz, the AP 100 may notify RRU / DRU switching information using one bit, B20.

[0083] In Example 1, the field (or the bit position or number of bits used) in the U-SIG that notifies RRU / DRU allocation information (e.g., RRU / DRU switching information) is not limited to the above example, and may be another field (or the bit position or number of bits).

[0084] Example 2 is another example of a method for notifying an RRU / DRU by the U-SIG of Example 1. In Example 2, a value indicating DRU application (or allocation application by the DRU) and MU PPDU using OFDMA transmission is set (or defined) in one of the PPDU Types.

[0085] For example, as shown in Table 8, the value 3 of the PPDU Type and Compression Mode field (e.g., a field that notifies the PPDU type) in the U-SIG may be newly defined as a value indicating an MU PPDU for OFDMA transmission with DRU. Note that the value 3 of the PPDU Type and Compression Mode field is Validate in EHT (see, for example, Table 36-28 in Non-Patent Document 3). In Table 8, other values ​​and contents different from the value 3 of the PPDU Type and Compression Mode field may be the same as the existing values ​​and contents. Note that in Table 8, "SU" stands for Single User, and "NDP" stands for Null Data Packet.

[0086] For example, if the PPDU Type And Compression Mode field indicates the value 3 (e.g., MU PPDU for OFDMA transmission with DRU), as in Example 1, AP 100 may notify STA 200 of the distributed bandwidth of the DRU using the Bandwidth field in the U-SIG, or may notify STA 200 of the RU Allocation subfield indicating the allocation information of the DRU.

[0087] According to Example 2, similar to Example 1, the AP 100 can obtain a frequency diversity effect by applying DRU to the MU PPDU and transmitting it to the STA 200.

[0088] In addition, in Example 2, the existing PPDU Type and Compression Mode field can be reused. Therefore, in Example 2, compared to Example 1, a field for notifying RRU / DRU switching information is not required (for example, a new field does not need to be defined), which reduces the complexity of implementation related to the application of DRU.

[0089] <Example 3> In Example 3, the AP 100 transmits (or notifies) RRU / DRU switching information in a field other than the U-SIG that is included in the preamble of the MU PPDU.

[0090] When applying DRU to frequency resource allocation, AP100 may notify STA200 of the Bandwidth field in the U-SIG as a field for notifying the distributed bandwidth of the DRU, as in Example 1, and may set the value of the PPDU Type And Compressed Mode field to 0 (DL OFDMA). Also, AP100 may notify STA200 of the RU Allocation subfield indicating DRU allocation information.

[0091] According to Example 3, similar to Example 1, the AP 100 can obtain a frequency diversity effect by applying DRU to the MU PPDU and transmitting it to the STA 200.

[0092] Next, an example of the frame format in Example 3 will be described.

[0093] <Format Example 1 of Example 3> In format example 1, the AP 100 notifies the EHT-SIG by including RRU / DRU switching information.

[0094] At this time, the PHY Version may be set to EHT PHY. For example, the value of the PHY Version Identifier field in the U-SIG may be set to 0 (see, for example, Table 3).

[0095] In format example 1, AP 100 may notify RRU / DRU switching in a common field in an EHT-SIG content channel included in the EHT-SIG.

[0096] FIG. 11 shows an example of the format of the EHT-SIG content channel.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 11, the EHT-SIG content channel is composed of a Common field and a User Specific field. The Common field notifies each destination STA of information commonly set for reading the MU PPDU. The User Specific field notifies each destination STA of information individually (or uniquely) set for reading the MU PPDU. In format example 1, for example, as shown in Fig. 12, the AP 100 may notify RRU / DRU switching using one bit (e.g., B13) of the Disregard subfield (e.g., B13-B16) in the Common field. The content notified using one bit may be the same as in example 1 (e.g., see Table 1).

[0098] The bit for notifying RRU / DRU switching is not limited to B13, and may be another bit.

[0099] <Format Example 2 of Example 3> In format example 2, the AP 100 notifies the UHR-SIG by including RRU / DRU switching information.

[0100] In this case, for example, similar to format example 1 of example 1, a value indicating UHR PHY may be newly added (defined) to the PHY Version Identifier field in the U-SIG (see, for example, Table 3).

[0101] Furthermore, the UHR-SIG in the UHR MU PPDU (see, for example, FIG. 8) may include a "UHR-SIG content channel" consisting of a common field and a user specific field, similar to the EHT-SIG. In format example 2, the AP 100 may notify RRU / DRU switching using one bit of the common field of the UHR-SIG content channel. The content notified using one bit may be the same as in example 1 (see, for example, Table 1).

[0102] <Format Example 3 of Example 3> In Format Example 3, RRU / DRU switching information set for each 20 MHz subchannel is notified by the EHT-SIG or UHR-SIG. This allows the frequency resource allocation (RRU or DRU) to STA 200 to be switched for each 20 MHz subchannel.

[0103] In format example 3, for example, as shown in Table 9, the value of the field that notifies the RRU / DRU switching in the EHT-SIG or UHR-SIG (hereinafter also referred to as EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG) in format example 1 and format example 2 may be set for each 20 MHz (subchannel) (for example, for each ETH-SIG / UHR-SIG of each subchannel). Note that the example in Table 9 shows a case where the RRU / DRU settings of consecutive subchannels are different, but the RRU / DRU settings of consecutive subchannels may be the same. For example, a DRU may be set in subchannels 1 and 2, and an RRU may be set in subchannels 3 and 4.

[0104] <Format Example 4> In Format Example 4, RRU / DRU switching information set for each 80 MHz subchannel is notified by the EHT-SIG or UHR-SIG. This allows the frequency resource allocation (RRU or DRU) to STA 200 to be switched for each 80 MHz subchannel.

[0105] In format example 4, for example, as shown in Table 10, the value of the field that notifies the RRU / DRU switching in the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG in format example 1 and format example 2 may be set for every 80 MHz (subchannel). Note that the example in Table 10 shows a case where the RRU / DRU settings of consecutive subchannels are different, but the RRU / DRU settings of consecutive subchannels may be the same.

[0106] <Format Example 5> In format example 5, RRU / DRU switching for each subchannel is notified using information in bitmap format. For example, the AP 100 uses four bits (e.g., B13-B16 shown in FIG. 12) of the Disregard subfield (B13-B16) in the EHT-SIG to notify each bit of B13-B16 as a bitmap indicating RRU / DRU switching for each subchannel. In addition, in the case of a UHR-SIG, the AP 100 may notify the RRU / DRU switching bitmap using, for example, any four bits.

[0107] In this case, for example, the PPDU bandwidth of 40 MHz / 80 MHz may include two EHT-SIG content channels. The AP 100 may notify RRU / DRU switching information for each bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz / 40 MHz) of the PPDU bandwidth of 40 MHz / 80 MHz through each content channel. The AP 100 may also notify RRU / DRU for each 20 MHz subchannel through each bit in each content channel. This signaling in the EHT-SIG may also be performed in the UHR-SIG content channel in the same way.

[0108] Table 11 shows an example of signaling using two content channels for a 40 MHz PPDU bandwidth. Content channel 1 transmits RRU / DRU switching information for one 20 MHz subchannel included in the first 20 MHz (e.g., 0 to 20 MHz) of the 40 MHz bandwidth (starting from the lowest frequency). Content channel 2 transmits RRU / DRU switching information for one 20 MHz subchannel included in the last 20 MHz of the 40 MHz bandwidth (e.g., 20 to 40 MHz).

[0109] Table 12 shows an example of signaling using two content channels for a PPDU bandwidth of 80 MHz. Content channel 1 transmits RRU / DRU switching information for two 20 MHz subchannels included in the first 40 MHz (e.g., 0 to 40 MHz) of the 80 MHz bandwidth (starting from the lowest frequency). Content channel 2 transmits RRU / DRU switching information for two 20 MHz subchannels included in the last 40 MHz of the 80 MHz bandwidth (e.g., 40 MHz to 80 MHz).

[0110] In Example 3, the field (or the bit position or number of bits used) in the ETH-SIG / UHR-SIG that notifies the RRU / DRU allocation information (e.g., RRU / DRU switching information) is not limited to the above example, and may be another field (or the bit position or number of bits). Furthermore, the number of content channels included in the PPDU bandwidth is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0111] <Example 4> In Example 4, the AP 100 notifies the RRU / DRU allocation information using the RU Allocation subfield of every 20 MHz of the DRU distribution band (band to which the DRU is applied).

[0112] For example, the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG may include one RU Allocation subfield per 20 MHz. The AP 100 notifies each STA 200 (user) of DRU allocation information for DRU tones distributed within the 20 MHz bandwidth. In this case, the AP 100 may use information (e.g., a table) in the existing RU Allocation field of the EHT-SIG to allocate DRUs within 20 MHz (e.g., 242 tones).

[0113] In Example 4, similar to Example 1, a frequency diversity effect can be obtained by applying DRU to MU PPDU, and AP 100 can individually set (e.g., change) and notify DRU tone allocation (e.g., number of allocated tones or position of tones) to each STA 200 (user) for each 20 MHz distributed band.

[0114] Next, an example of a frame format in Example 4 will be described.

[0115] <Format Example 1 of Example 4> In format example 1, the AP 100 allocates DRUs to different STAs 200 (users) for each 20 MHz distribution bandwidth.

[0116] FIG. 13 shows an example of Tone allocation every 20 MHz according to Format Example 1. For example, AP 100 uses the RU Allocation subfield included in the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG to allocate each DRU Tone every 20 MHz to each STA 200. In the example of FIG. 13, STAs 200 of user #1 to 9 are allocated to the distribution bandwidth (or subchannel) of 0 to 20 MHz from the lowest frequency within the PPDU transmission bandwidth. Also, in the example of FIG. 13, STAs 200 of user #10 to 18, which are different from the STA 200 allocated to the distribution bandwidth of 0 to 20 MHz, are allocated to the distribution bandwidth of 20 to 40 MHz.

[0117] Note that "user#" in Fig. 13 indicates the user number of STA 200 to which the DRU tone is assigned. Also, the numbers starting from -499 associated with each DRU tone (indicated by a rectangle) in Fig. 13 indicate the tone numbers of the data tone and pilot tone, or subcarrier numbers (e.g., subcarrier indices).

[0118] Table 13 shows an example of DRU allocation per 20 MHz in Format Example 1. As shown in Table 13, AP 100 may allocate DRUs to different STAs 200 (users) for each of subchannels 1 to 4, which are 20 MHz apart. The contents of the DRU Allocation (e.g., number of tones, number of allocated STAs, etc.) may also be set (e.g., changed) per 20 MHz. For example, in the example of Table 13, a 26-tone DRU is allocated to 9 users in subchannel 1 (0 to 20 MHz), and a 26-tone DRU is allocated to 7 users and a 56-tone DRU is allocated to 1 user in subchannel 2 (20 to 40 MHz).

[0119] Note that for each STA 200 (user) to which a DRU is assigned within each subchannel, STAs 200 (users) with the same user number may be included in different subchannels. In other words, DRUs with different dispersion bandwidths may be assigned to different STAs 200 (users). For example, in Table 13, subchannel 1 may include STAs 200 (users) with user numbers 1 to 9, and subchannel 2 may include STAs 200 (users) with user numbers 10 to 16 and STA 200 (user) with user number 1. In this case, STAs 200 with user numbers 2 to 16 are each assigned a DRU with a 20 MHz dispersion bandwidth, and user 1 is assigned a DRU with a 40 MHz dispersion bandwidth. Similarly, user 1 may be included as a DRU-assigned user for subchannel 3 and subchannel 4. As a result, user 1 is assigned a DRU with a dispersion bandwidth of 60 MHz (if included in subchannels 1, 2, and 3) or 80 MHz (if included in subchannels 1, 2, 3, and 4).

[0120] <Format Example 2 of Example 4> In format example 2, AP 100 allocates DRUs to the same STA 200 (user) in different 20 MHz distributed bands. In other words, AP 100 may allocate DRUs to a certain STA 200 (user) across multiple 20 MHz distributed bands.

[0121] Table 14 shows an example of DRU allocation in format example 2. In Table 14, AP 100 allocates DRUs to the same user group (9 users) to subchannel 1 and subchannel 2, and allocates DRUs to the same user group (4 users) to subchannel 3 (40-60 MHz) and subchannel 4 (60-80 MHz). Also, in the example of Table 14, the number of tones allocated to the same user group is the same every 20 MHz.

[0122] <Format Example 3 of Example 4> In format example 3, the AP 100 performs DRU allocation including 20 MHz channel puncturing.

[0123] For example, the AP 100 notifies DRU allocation information together with information about channel puncturing in a PPDU of 80 MHz or more. Information about channel puncturing may be notified, for example, using the Punctured Channel Information field in non-OFDMA transmission of an EHT MU PPDU (see, for example, Section 36.3.12.7.2 of Non-Patent Document 3). The Punctured Channel Information Field notifies a puncturing pattern (for example, information indicating whether or not to puncture each subchannel) for every 20 MHz, as shown in, for example, FIG. 14. Therefore, the AP 100 may notify DRU allocation information for each 20 MHz band that is not punctured (to which a DRU tone is assigned) by combining, for example, the Punctured Channel Information field and the RU Allocation subfield.

[0124] Table 15 shows an example of DRU allocation in format example 3. In the example of Table 15, of subchannels 1 to 4, subchannel 2, which is the second lowest frequency, is punctured. In this case, the Punctured Channel Information field may report a value of 2, which corresponds to the puncture pattern [1 x 1 1] indicating that subchannel 2 is to be punctured. In this case, the RU Allocation subfields for subchannels 1, 3, and 4, which are not punctured, may report the DRU allocation for each subchannel.

[0125] In addition, AP 100 may allocate DRUs to the same STA 200 (e.g., the same user or the same user group) for different 20 MHz bands. For example, in Table 15, DRUs may be allocated to the same STA 200 (e.g., the same user) for subchannel 1 and subchannel 3, and DRUs may be allocated to the same STA 200 (e.g., the same user group) for subchannel 3 and subchannel 4.

[0126] <Example 5> In Example 5, the AP 100 notifies the DRU allocation information using the RU Allocation subfield for each DRU distribution bandwidth (e.g., distribution bandwidth of 20 MHz / 40 MHz / 80 MHz). For example, the AP 100 transmits the DRU allocation information in the DRU distribution bandwidth using at least one RU Allocation subfield included in each of multiple subchannels within the DRU distribution bandwidth.

[0127] For example, the information in the RU Allocation subfield may be the same within a 40 MHz / 80 MHz distribution bandwidth. For example, as shown in Fig. 15, the pre-UHR modulated field in the MU PPDU is a signal generated every 20 MHz (each of the vertically aligned rectangles in the example of Fig. 15), and the UHR modulated field may be the entire PPDU bandwidth or a partial frequency segment of the PPDU bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz) as the DRU distribution band.

[0128] Therefore, in Example 5, the DRU allocation information is set so that information on all the distribution bandwidths of the UHR modulated field is included within at least one 20 MHz pre-UHR modulated field.

[0129] 15 shows an example of a UHR PPDU, but if the PPDU name is different, the UHR- in each field may be replaced with a different name. For example, in the case of an EHT PPDU, it may be EHT-SIG, pre-EHT modulated field, etc.

[0130] According to Example 5, similar to Example 1, it is possible to obtain a frequency diversity effect by applying DRU to the MU PPDU, and, compared to Example 4, STA 200 can acquire RU Allocation information using information about the preamble bandwidth (20 MHz). This makes it possible, for example, to transmit an MU PPDU to which a DRU with a bandwidth of 40 MHz or more is applied to an EHT STA / UHR STA operating using a bandwidth of 20 MHz.

[0131] Next, the signaling method of Example 5 will be described.

[0132] <Signaling Method 1> In signaling method 1, the AP 100 includes an RU Allocation subfield that notifies DRU allocation information in an EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG (e.g., one of the four UHR-SIGs in FIG. 15 ) in any 20 MHz subchannel of the distributed band (e.g., a distributed band with a distributed bandwidth of 80 MHz).

[0133] In this case, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield may be different from 9 bits in the EHT-SIG, and the number of allocated users may be set (for example, limited) according to the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield. Alloc [bit], and the dispersion bandwidth is B d [MHz], and the number of DRU allocated users is N user Then, the number of bits b is calculated according to the following formula (1): Alloc may be determined.

[0134] Also, for example, the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG of each 20 MHz subchannel (for example, four UHR-SIGs in FIG. 15) may include an RU Allocation subfield having the same value.

[0135] <Variation of signaling method 1> AP100 determines the value of the RU Allocation subfield that notifies DRU allocation information for each distributed band, and notifies one or more RU Allocation subfield values ​​corresponding to one or more distributed bands included in a specified frequency bandwidth (e.g., an 80 MHz frequency segment) by including them in the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG of at least one 20 MHz subchannel included in the frequency segment.

[0136] For example, if a 20 MHz + 20 MHz + 40 MHz distributed bandwidth is applied to the UHR modulated field (i.e., if it contains three distributed bands), three RU Allocation subfields (corresponding to the three distributed bands, respectively) will be included in at least one UHR-SIG.

[0137] Also, for example, the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG for each 20 MHz subchannel may include one or more RU Allocation subfields having the same value.

[0138] <Signaling Method 2> In signaling method 2, the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG for each 20 MHz subchannel includes an RU Allocation subfield.

[0139] In this case, the AP 100 may bit-combine multiple RU Allocation subfields corresponding to each subchannel within the distributed bandwidth and notify the DRU allocation for the entire distributed bandwidth. For example, as shown in Table 16, the AP 100 may notify the DRU allocation information for the 40 MHz distributed bandwidth by combining 9-bit x 2 subchannel RU Allocation subfields (e.g., 0 to 20 MHz and 20 to 40 MHz) as an RU Allocation subfield with a total of 18 bits.

[0140] Method 1 has been described above.

[0141] [Method 2] In method 2, a DRU is specified by the number of tones and the tone position (DRU index), and the combination of DRUs is notified by the RU Allocation subfield.

[0142] For example, AP100 may set the resources (DRU) to be allocated to STA200 by applying DRU (or allocation by DRU) based on the number of Tones and Tone positions, and transmit (notify) DRU allocation information to STA200, including a value in the RU Allocation subfield indicating a combination of resources (DRUs) to be allocated to multiple STA200.

[0143] In the allocation of subcarriers (tones), for example, a repeating unit of DRU allocation in which STA 200 (user) and subcarriers are associated is called a "cluster." A cluster is composed of, for example, multiple consecutive tones (subcarriers) corresponding to different DRUs.

[0144] 16 and 17 show examples of clusters.

[0145] In Figure 16, the numbers 1 to 9 in a cluster indicate subcarrier numbers (or tone numbers) within the cluster. As shown in Figure 16, each subcarrier (tone) within a cluster is associated with a user number corresponding to STA 200 ("user#" in Figures 16 and 17 represents the user number). In the examples of Figures 16 and 17, nine subcarriers (9 tones) constitute one cluster, and the cluster number is incremented from lowest frequency in the DRU's distribution bandwidth to cluster #1, cluster #2, cluster #3, ... In this way, for example, in allocation by the DRU, clusters including multiple subcarriers (tones) are repeatedly arranged in the frequency domain.

[0146] 17, multiple tones may be assigned to the same STA 200 (same user) within a cluster. For example, in the example of FIG. 17, the tones with subcarrier numbers 6 and 7 within each cluster are assigned to STA 200 with user number 6, and the tones with subcarrier numbers 8 and 9 are assigned to STA 200 with user number 7.

[0147] Note that the cluster may be called by other names such as "block" or "group."

[0148] The sequence of Method 2 may be the same as Method 1 (FIG. 6).

[0149] An example of method 2 will be described below.

[0150] <Example 1> Example 1 will be explained below by dividing it into Example 1-a and Example 1-b.

[0151] <Example 1-a> In Example 1-a, the value of the RU Allocation subfield indicating the combination of DRUs indicates the combination of the number of Tones of each DRU and the DRU index of the minimum number of Tones associated with each DRU.

[0152] For example, the tone allocation of a 52-tone DRU may be specified by combining a 26-tone DRU (a DRU with the smallest number of tones). Furthermore, the AP 100 determines the value of the RU Allocation subfield according to the user allocation pattern and includes it in the Common field of the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG. Furthermore, for example, the AP 100 may include user-specific information (e.g., STA-ID or MCS) for each STA 200 (e.g., user #1, #2, ...) in the User Specific field of the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG.

[0153] Fig. 18 shows an example of notification of DRU allocation information by the RU Allocation subfield in Example 1-a. Fig. 19 shows an example of notification of DRU allocation information by the EHT-SIG content channel in Example 1-a.

[0154] In FIG. 18 , the 9 bits of the RU Allocation subfield (a combination of B0-B8) correspond to the DRU indexes 1 to 9 of the 26-tone DRU (i.e., the Tone positions of the 26-tone DRU). For example, when the value of the RU Allocation subfield is 0 (9 bits are 000000000), the 26-tone DRU indexes 1 to 9 (in other words, DRUs 1 to 9) are used to allocate DRUs to each STA 200 (user). In this way, when the RU Allocation subfield has a value of 0, 26-tone DRUs are allocated to each of the 9 users. In other words, the value of 0 in the RU Allocation subfield corresponds to a combination of the 26-tone DRUs allocated to the 9 users and the positions of the 26-tone DRUs allocated to the 9 users.

[0155] Also, for example, when the value of the RU Allocation subfield shown in FIG. 18 is 1 (9 bits are 000000001), 26-tone DRUs 1 to 7 and a 52-tone DRU consisting of 26-tone DRUs 8 and 9 are used to allocate DRUs to each STA 200 (user). In this case, for example, user #1 uses the 26-tone DRU index in the corresponding column (first column in FIG. 18). That is, user #1 is allocated 26-tone DRU 1. Similarly, users #2 to #7 are allocated 26-tone DRU indexes 2 to 7. Furthermore, user #8 is allocated a 52-tone DRU (using two 26-tone DRUs), and therefore is allocated 26-tone DRUs 8 and 9 in the corresponding columns (eighth and ninth columns). That is, the value 1 of the RU Allocation subfield corresponds to a combination of the number of tones allocated to each of the eight users (e.g., 26-tone DRU or 52-tone DRU) and the tone positions allocated to each of the eight users (e.g., the positions of the 26-tone DRU and the positions of the 52-tone DRU).

[0156] In this way, the value of the RU Allocation subfield shown in Figure 18 corresponds to a combination of the number of tones (26 tones or 52 tones in the example of Figure 18) allocated to each of the multiple STAs 200 (users) and the tone position (e.g., DRU index) allocated to each of the multiple STAs 200 (users).

[0157] 19, the Common field includes an RU Allocation subfield that notifies each STA 200 (user) of the DRU allocation. Each User Specific field includes user-specific information for each STA 200 (user) that is notified of the DRU allocation by the RU Allocation subfield.

[0158] According to Example 1-a, similar to Method 1, DRU can be applied to DL transmission to obtain a frequency diversity effect.

[0159] <Example 1-b> In Example 1-b, the AP 100 determines the value of the RU Allocation subfield according to the user allocation pattern of specific subcarriers (e.g., the number of subcarriers n=9), and notifies the STA 200. The specific subcarriers may be, for example, subcarriers within a cluster.

[0160] In this case, the value of the RU Allocation subfield is associated with a user allocation pattern for multiple subcarriers (e.g., data subcarriers) in cluster #x. Furthermore, the data subcarrier number in cluster #x may be set as the "Tone position."

[0161] In Example 1-b, the AP 100 determines the value of the RU Allocation subfield according to the user allocation pattern and includes it in the Common field of the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG. The AP 100 also includes user-specific information (e.g., STA-ID or MCS) for each STA 200 (e.g., user #1, #2, ...) in the User Specific field of the EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG.

[0162] Fig. 20 shows an example of notification of DRU allocation information by the RU Allocation subfield in Example 1-b. Fig. 21 shows an example of notification of DRU allocation information by the EHT-SIG content channel in Example 1-b.

[0163] In FIG. 20 , the 9 bits of the RU Allocation subfield (a combination of B0-B8) indicate a data subcarrier number (e.g., 1 to 9) within cluster #x (e.g., x=1). Furthermore, for example, the value of the RU Allocation subfield is determined according to a user allocation pattern. The user allocation pattern may be determined, for example, by the number of tones of a DRU using multiple data subcarriers within a cluster (e.g., a 26-tone DRU or a 52-tone DRU) and the tone position of each DRU within the cluster. The DRU allocation information table indicated by the RU Allocation subfield is notified by user allocation (users #1, #2, ..., from left to right) to data subcarriers within cluster #x (e.g., x=1).

[0164] For example, the value 0 (9 bits are 000000000) of the RU Allocation subfield shown in Fig. 20 is associated with a user allocation pattern in which a 26-tone DRU is allocated to each of nine users. For example, when the value of the RU Allocation subfield is 0, 26-tone DRUs are allocated in order starting with user #1, and data subcarriers #1, #2, ... in the cluster may be allocated in the order of the users.

[0165] 20 corresponds to a user allocation pattern in which 26-tone DRUs using data subcarrier numbers 1 to 7 are assigned to each of seven users, and a 52-tone DRU using data subcarrier numbers 8 and 9 is assigned to one user. For example, when the value of the RU Allocation subfield is 1, user #8 may be assigned data subcarriers #8 and #9 in the cluster.

[0166] 21, the Common field includes an RU Allocation subfield associated with a user allocation pattern, and the User Specific field includes user-specific information for each STA 200 (user) to which the DRU allocation is notified by the RU Allocation subfield.

[0167] According to Example 1-b, similar to Example 1-a, DRU can be applied to DL transmission to obtain a frequency diversity effect.

[0168] In addition, in Example 1-b, by notifying a user allocation pattern (e.g., a pattern of DRUs that can be allocated to a user) using the RU Allocation subfield, the flexibility of DRU allocation to multiple STAs 200 can be improved, and the number of multiplexed STAs can be increased compared to Example 1-a. For example, a value of 56 (9 bits are 000111000) may be defined as new information in the RU Allocation subfield, and DRU allocation may be performed in which one user's data is allocated per 1 tone in a cluster with n=18 subcarriers. Alternatively, by setting the RU Allocation subfield to a number greater than 9 bits (e.g., n=18) and setting the value of the RU Allocation subfield to 0 (18 bits are 000000000000000000), allocation of 26-tone DRUs may be notified to each of 18 users.

[0169] <Signaling Example of Example 1> A signaling example of DRU allocation according to Example 1 will now be described.

[0170] Table 17 shows an example of some extracted values ​​from the table corresponding to the RU Allocation subfield of the EHT PHY (see, for example, Tables 36-34 in Non-Patent Document 3). Also, Figures 22 to 25 show examples of DRU allocation for the RU Allocation subfield values ​​0, 3, 17, and 53 in Table 17.

[0171] In Example 1, if the number of tones allocated to one user is 52, two consecutive tones within a cluster are allocated to one user. If the number of tones allocated to one user is 106, four consecutive tones within a cluster are allocated to one user. In addition, allocation of MRU (Multiple RU) such as 52 tones + 26 tones to one user may also be supported.

[0172] If the number of tones allocated to one user is greater than 26 (for example, 52 or 106), multiple non-consecutive tones within a cluster may be allocated to one user.

[0173] <Example 2> In Example 2, the AP 100 performs Tone grouping and assigns DRUs to the STAs 200 according to a fixed number of Grouping tones.

[0174] Here, Tone grouping refers to a method of assigning a certain number of consecutive Tones to each STA 200. Furthermore, Grouping tone refers to the DRU tone itself assigned by Tone grouping. Tone grouping and Grouping tone are discussed in, for example, Non-Patent Document 4.

[0175] In Example 2, for example, the number of consecutive tones (grouping tone number) assigned to each of the multiple STAs 200 in a cluster is a fixed value. For example, the grouping tone number is a fixed value regardless of the number of assigned tones (e.g., 26-tone DRU, 52-tone DRU).

[0176] In Example 2, for the same number of assigned DRU tones, the larger the number of grouping tones, the wider the tone interval (cluster size or number of tones in a cluster) is set. For example, as shown in FIG. 26 , when the number of grouping tones is 1, the tone interval may be set to 9 tones, and when the number of grouping tones is 2, the tone interval may be set to 18 tones.

[0177] Furthermore, the number of grouping tones (fixed value) may be variably set from AP 100 to STA 200. For example, notification of the number of grouping tones may be included in U-SIG or EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG. Alternatively, the cluster size may be notified in the field (for example, a field in U-SIG or EHT-SIG / UHR-SIG). Also, for example, Allocations with different numbers of grouping tones may be notified as different RU Allocations by the RU Allocation subfield.

[0178] 26, when the number of grouping tones is 1, a DRU with a number of consecutive tones of 1 tone is assigned to each STA 200 (user). That is, when the number of grouping tones is 1, DRU tones are assigned without grouping, and one cluster is set to 9 tones (1 tone × 9 users).

[0179] 26, when the number of grouping tones is 2, a DRU with a number of consecutive tones of 2 tones is assigned to each STA 200 (user). That is, when the number of grouping tones is 2, one cluster is set to 18 tones (2 tones x 9 users). In this case, of the 18 tones in one cluster, user 1 is assigned tone indexes 1 and 2 in the cluster, user 2 is assigned tone indexes 3 and 4 in the cluster, and user 3 is assigned tone indexes 5 and 6 in the cluster.

[0180] According to Example 2, channel smoothing is performed using tone grouping, and the accuracy of channel estimation can be improved.

[0181] <Format Example of Example 2> The frame format example of Example 2 will be described below.

[0182] For example, the AP 100 sets a fixed number of grouping tones and notifies the RU Allocation subfield. For example, the number of tones allocated to each STA 200 (user) may be the same. For example, as shown in Table 18, a 52 tone allocation for all destination users may be added as a new value 301 of the RU Allocation subfield. Similarly, a 106 tone allocation for all destination users may be added as a new value 302 of the RU Allocation subfield.

[0183] In the example of Table 18, DRU tones are allocated to a maximum of nine users, so the distributed bandwidth is 40 MHz for the value 301 and 80 MHz for the value 302.

[0184] Furthermore, when the number of grouping tones is 1, the number of clusters per 20 MHz is 26 (9 tone × 26 clusters), and when the number of grouping tones is 2, the number of clusters per 20 MHz is 13 (18 tone × 13 clusters). Figure 27 shows an example of allocation of 26 tone DRUs to each STA 200 (part of 9 tone × 26 clusters) when the number of grouping tones is 1, and Figure 28 shows an example of allocation of 26 tone DRUs to each STA 200 (part of 18 tone × 13 clusters) when the number of grouping tones is 2.

[0185] <Example 3> In Example 3, the AP 100 performs Tone grouping and assigns DRUs to the STAs 200 according to a non-fixed number of Grouping tones. For example, the number of consecutive Tones (number of Grouping tones) assigned to each of the multiple STAs 200 in a cluster may be set to a non-fixed value according to the number of assigned Tones.

[0186] An example of DRU allocation in Example 3 will be described below.

[0187] <Example 3-1> In Example 3-1, the number of grouping tones is set (or changed) according to the number of allocated tones per STA 200. For example, the number of grouping tones may differ according to the number of tones allocated to STA 200 in DRU allocation.

[0188] FIG. 29 shows an example of DRU allocation according to Example 3-1. For example, when the number of allocated tones per STA 200 is 26, the number of grouping tones may be set to 1 (no grouping); when the number of allocated tones is 52, the number of grouping tones may be set to 2; and when the number of allocated tones is 106, the number of grouping tones may be set to 4. As shown in FIG. 29, when the number of grouping tones is 2 or more, some tones within a cluster (e.g., the fifth tone in a 9-tone cluster) may be left unallocated. Furthermore, for an MU PPDU (distributed) bandwidth of 20 MHz, when a 26-tone DRU is allocated (number of grouping tones = 1), 1 tone × 9 users are allocated within one cluster; when a 52-tone DRU is allocated (number of grouping tones = 2), 2 tones × 4 users are allocated within one cluster; and when a 106-tone DRU is allocated (number of grouping tones = 3), 4 tones × 2 users are allocated within one cluster.

[0189] Example 3-1 allows the number of grouping tones per STA 200 to be increased compared to Example 2 of Method 2, and is therefore expected to improve the accuracy of channel estimation through channel smoothing.

[0190] <Example 3-2> In Example 3-2, the AP 100 may allocate unallocated tones within a cluster in the DRU allocation according to Example 3-1 to other STAs 200 as 26-tone DRUs without tone grouping (or with the number of grouping tones = 1).

[0191] For example, the AP 100 may assign another STA 200 user to the fifth Tone in the 9-tone cluster that was left unassigned in Example 3-1, as shown in Fig. 29. However, Tone grouping is not performed for the user to which the unassigned Tone is assigned, or Tone Grouping is not performed at all.

[0192] In addition to the effect of Example 3-1, Example 3-2 can improve frequency utilization efficiency by allocating unallocated tones to users.

[0193] <Example 3-3> In Example 3-3, the relationship between the number of grouping tones and the number of tones allocated to one user may be set (e.g., changed) according to the PPDU bandwidth or the tone interval (cluster size). For example, if the DRU allocation shown in FIG. 29 in Example 3-1 is maintained and the bandwidth is doubled to 40 MHz for the same user and the same RU allocation, the number of tones allocated to each user in FIG. 29 will double. In Example 3-3, when the bandwidth is extended to 40 MHz, the tone interval (cluster size) may be extended to a number greater than 9 (e.g., cluster size = 18, cluster size = 36). In this case, the AP 100 may use the tones added to the cluster to newly allocate DRUs to other users. For example, the AP 100 may signal the DRU allocation using a table that combines each bit of the RU Allocation subfield every 20 MHz according to the tone interval (or cluster size).

[0194] 30 and 31 show an example of DRU allocation according to Example 3-3.

[0195] FIG. 30 shows an example in which one cluster has a tone interval of 18 for a PPDU bandwidth of 40 MHz, and FIG. 31 shows an example in which one cluster has a tone interval of 36 for a PPDU bandwidth of 80 MHz.

[0196] Example 3-3 allows the number of STAs to be multiplexed to be increased compared to Example 3-1.

[0197] <Signaling Example of Example 3> A signaling example of Example 3 will be described below.

[0198] In Example 3, when the number of grouping tones is 1 in the RU Allocation subfield, any Allocation may be assigned from the existing RU Allocation subfield table (see, for example, Tables 36-34 in Non-Patent Document 3).

[0199] Furthermore, when the number of grouping tones is 2, an allocation including only 52 or 106 tones may be allocated, as shown in Table 19. When the number of grouping tones is 4, an allocation including only 106 tones may be allocated. Here, in Table 19, an allocation including only 106 tones may be newly added to the existing RU Allocation subfield table.

[0200] In Example 3, the same number of DRU tones may be applied to all destination STAs (users) of the PPDU. In this case, as shown in Table 20, the RU Allocation subfield may indicate the number of DRU tones as a 2-bit table.

[0201] When the number of grouping tones is 2 or 4, the "5" column (B4) in the RU Allocation subfield table (see, for example, Tables 36-34 or Table 19 in Non-Patent Document 3) may be read as "no allocation" ("-"). For example, when the value of the RU Allocation subfield is 15 (for example, 9 bits are 000001111), the DRU tone allocation table is "52, 52, 26, 52, 52", but when the number of grouping tones is 2 or 4, "26" may be read as "-" (no allocation).

[0202] In Example 3, if the cluster size is larger than 9 tones, the AP 100 may extend the RU Allocation subfield and notify it. For example, if the cluster size is 18, as shown in Table 21, 26 / 52 / 106 tone DRUs may be notified to each STA 200 by using 2 RU Allocation subfields (9 bits).

[0203] Similarly, in the case of a cluster size of 36, as shown in Table 22, each STA 200 may be notified of 26 / 52 / 106 tone DRUs using the RU Allocation subfield (9 bits) x 4.

[0204] <Example 4> In Example 4, the DRU allocation pattern is determined by a table of the RU Allocation subfield in which resource numbers are rearranged.

[0205] Here, the resource number may be, for example, the DRU index of the minimum number of tones (e.g., 26-tone DRU) in Example 1-a of Method 2, or the subcarrier number (tone number) within Cluster #x in Example 1-b of Method 2.

[0206] Figure 32 shows an example of the correspondence between resource numbers and RU Allocation subfields for the signaling example of Example 4. Examples 4-1 to 4-4 are examples of intra-cluster DRU tone allocation for the RU Allocation subfield values ​​of 0, 3, 17, and 53 shown in Figure 32. Figures 33(a) to 33(d) show examples of DRU tone allocation for Examples 4-1 to 4-4.

[0207] As shown in Figure 32, the numbers 1 to 9 corresponding to each column of the 26 tone DRU units associated with the values ​​of the RU Allocation subfield may be replaced with resource numbers (Tone numbers within the cluster in the example of Figure 32) 1, 6, 3, 8, 5, 2, 7, 4, and 9.

[0208] For example, as shown in FIG. 32 , in a table (e.g., an RU Allocation subfield table) in which values ​​(9-bit values) of the RU Allocation subfield are associated with combinations of resources (e.g., including 26-tone DRUs, 52-tone DRUs, and 106-tone DRUs) to be allocated to multiple STAs 200 (users), multiple resources (DRUs or DRU tones) may be allocated to multiple STAs 200 based on their order in the table shown in FIG. 32 . For example, resources may be allocated to multiple STAs 200 (e.g., user1, user2, ...) in order starting from the resources corresponding to the left column of the table shown in FIG. 32 . Also, as shown in FIG. 32 , the order in the table of multiple resources (e.g., Tone numbers within a cluster) (resource numbers 1, 6, 3, 8, 5, 2, 7, 4, 9) differs from the order in the frequency domain of the multiple resources (1 to 9).

[0209] As shown in Figure 33(a), in Example 4-1 (RU Allocation subfield = 0), 26-tone DRUs are allocated to each of nine users in accordance with the order of the intra-cluster Tone numbers shown in Figure 32. At this time, one tone DRU is allocated to each STA 200 (user) within one cluster, and user numbers are allocated in order from the left column of the table in the RU Allocation subfield. For example, user 1 is assigned to Tone number 1, and user 2 is assigned to Tone number 6. For example, the order of resource numbers (e.g., intra-cluster Tone numbers) shown in Figure 32 is the same as the order of user numbers allocated in order from lowest frequency shown in Figure 33(a).

[0210] In Example 4-2 (RU Allocation subfield = 3), 52 tone DRUs are allocated in the columns for Tone numbers 2 and 7 and Tone numbers 4 and 9 within the cluster shown in Figure 32. Within one cluster, each STA 200 (user) is allocated a 1-tone or 2-tone DRU, and user numbers are allocated in order from the left column of the RU Allocation subfield table. For example, as shown in Figure 33(b), Tones 2 and 7 (assigned to user 6 and user 7 in Example 4-1) are assigned to user 6, and Tones 4 and 9 (assigned to user 8 and user 9 in Example 4-1) are assigned to user 7.

[0211] In Example 4-3 (RU Allocation subfield=17), 52-tone DRUs are allocated in the columns of Tone numbers 3 and 8 within the cluster shown in Figure 32, and 106-tone DRUs are allocated in the columns of Tone numbers 2, 7, 4, and 9. Within one cluster, each STA 200 (user) is allocated a 1-tone, 2-tone, or 4-tone DRU, and user numbers are allocated in order from the left column in the table of the RU Allocation subfield. For example, as shown in Figure 33(c), Tones 3 and 8 are allocated to user 3, and Tones 2, 7, 4, and 9 are allocated to user 5.

[0212] In Example 4-4 (RU Allocation subfield = 53), 52+26 Tone DRUs are allocated in the columns of Tone numbers 6, 3, and 8 within the cluster shown in Figure 32, and 106 Tone DRUs are allocated in the columns of Tone numbers 2, 7, 4, and 9. Within one cluster, each STA 200 (user) is allocated a 1-tone, 3-tone, or 4-tone DRU, and user numbers are allocated in order from the left column in the table of the RU Allocation subfield. For example, as shown in Figure 33(d), Tones 6, 3, and 8 are allocated to user 2, and Tones 2, 7, 4, and 9 are allocated to user 4.

[0213] According to Example 4, for example, for DRU allocation of 52 tones or more, each tone can be distributed, and an improvement in frequency diversity effect can be expected.

[0214] In Example 4, the resource number (for example, Tone number) may be set (changed) on a cluster-by-cluster basis.

[0215] Also, for example, virtual Tone numbers may be set for each cluster, as shown in Fig. 34. This allows the Tone positions within each cluster where the DRUs assigned to each STA 200 (user) are located to be different for each cluster.

[0216] Method 2 has been described above.

[0217] Note that this embodiment is not limited to application to DL. For example, it may be applied to MU PPDU when STA 200 (non-AP STA) acquires a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and performs UL transmission to AP 100.

[0218] (Embodiment 2) For example, as shown in FIG. 35 , a method for improving frequency utilization efficiency by sharing DRU tone allocation information between APs in different BSSs (Basic Service Sets) is being studied (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 5). In the sequence shown in FIG. 35 , DRU tone allocation information is shared from one AP (AP1) to another AP (AP2) by Coordinated-OFDMA (C-OFDMA) using a Trigger frame (TF). In this case, the AP (AP2 in FIG. 35 ) to which the DRU tone allocation information is shared does not allocate data (sets it to Null) tones (DRU1 and DRU2 in FIG. 35 ) other than the DRU tone (DRU3 in FIG. 35 ) of the PPDU transmitted from that AP to its subordinate STAs.

[0219] In this embodiment, the AP notifies the STA of DRU allocation information in the MU PPDU, and transmits some of the DRU tones without allocating them to the STA.

[0220] The configurations of the AP and STA according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0221] [Configuration of AP] Fig. 36 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an AP 100a according to this embodiment. The AP 100a may be, for example, a shared AP that shares DRU tone allocation information from an OBSS AP.

[0222] For example, the AP 100a receives control information (e.g., DRU tone allocation information) related to DRU allocation in the other AP from another AP, and allocates a DRU different from the DRU in the other AP to the STA under the AP 100a based on the received control information. In other words, the AP 100a does not allocate a DRU in the other AP to the STA under the AP 100a.

[0223] In FIG. 36, the same components as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 3) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0224] 36 , a demodulation unit 111 demodulates the preamble section of a received radio frame, and demodulates the data section based on control information (e.g., bandwidth or MCS) included in the preamble section and used for demodulating and decoding the data section. At this time, if the radio frame is a trigger frame from an OBSS AP, the demodulation unit 111 outputs information of the trigger frame included in the data section (common info field or user info field) to a common info decoding unit 112 or user info decoding unit 113, respectively.

[0225] The Common Info decoding unit 112 decodes the Common Info field in the Trigger frame input from the demodulation unit 111, and acquires information common to the destination AP of the Trigger frame including the shared AP and the STA 200. The Common Info decoding unit 112 outputs the acquired information to the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101a.

[0226] The User Info decoding unit 113 decodes the User Info field in the Trigger frame input from the demodulation unit 111, and acquires information specific (individual) to the destination AP of the Trigger frame and the STA 200. The User Info decoding unit 113 outputs the acquired information to the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101a.

[0227] When transmission data for each STA 200 is input, the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101a allocates frequency resources to each STA 200. For example, the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101a may determine whether to apply RRU or DRU to resource allocation (e.g., a tone allocation method). Based on the determined tone allocation method, the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101a generates tone mapping information such as notification information for the tone allocation method, information on the bandwidth of the transmission signal (distribution bandwidth in the case of a DRU), subcarrier indices, and the number of allocated tones. At this time, when information on unused DRU tones in the OBSS is input from the common info decoding unit 112 and the user info decoding unit 113, the RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101a may generate information for DRU allocation using unused tones. The RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 101a outputs the generated information to the preamble generation unit 102 and the data generation unit 103.

[0228] [Configuration of STA] The configuration of the STA 200 according to this embodiment may be, for example, the same as the configuration (FIG. 4) of Embodiment 1. The STA 200 may receive a DRU-applied MU PPDU from the AP 100a, for example.

[0229] [Example of Operation of AP and STA] An example of operation of the AP and STA will be described below.

[0230] [Method 3] In method 3, the AP 100a transmits an MU PPDU without allocating part of the DRU tones to the STA 200. Fig. 37 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation according to method 3.

[0231] <Sharing unallocated DRU tone information from OBSS AP> The shared AP (AP100a, AP2 in Figure 37) that receives a Trigger frame from the OBSS AP (AP1 in Figure 37) demodulates the Trigger frame in the demodulation unit 111, then decodes the Common Info field in the Common Info decoding unit 112 and decodes the User Info field in the User Info decoding unit 113.

[0232] Here, for example, a method of allocating DRUs by reusing the existing RU Allocation subfield has been proposed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 6). This method can also be applied to the RU Allocation subfield in the User Info field in the Trigger frame (see, for example, Figure 38, Section 9.3.1.22.5 of Non-Patent Document 3). In addition, for example, RRU / DRU switching of frequency resource allocation can be notified in the Common Info field in the Trigger frame (see, for example, Figure 39, Section 9.3.1.22.2 of Non-Patent Document 3).

[0233] The shared AP (AP2 in FIG. 37) decodes the Common Info field and the User Info field, and outputs information about the DRU tones allocated to the shared AP (such as the number of tones and the tone positions) included in the Common Info field or the User Info field to the RRU / DRU allocation information generator 101a. This information is the same as the information about unallocated DRU tones in the OBSS.

[0234] <MU PPDU Transmission Using Unallocated DRU Tone and Dummy Tone> Based on the acquired information on the unallocated DRU tone, the shared AP (AP2 in FIG. 37) generates a DRU-applied MU PPDU in the preamble generation unit 102 and the data generation unit 103. At this time, the non-shared AP uses the unallocated DRU tone shared by the OBSS AP (AP1 in FIG. 37) as the DRU tone (for example, a DRU tone different from the DRU tone allocated in the OBSS AP).

[0235] 37, each STA 200 (e.g., FIG. 4) that receives an MU PPDU from AP2 separates the received MU PPDU into a preamble portion and a data portion in a separation section 202, and then acquires the DRU tone information allocated to that STA 200 in a preamble demodulation section 203 and an RRU / DRU allocation information decoding section 204. Then, the STA 200 decodes and acquires the received data in a data demodulation and decoding section 205.

[0236] An example of Method 3 will be described below.

[0237] <Example 3-1> In Example 3-1, in DL OFDMA transmission, the AID (Association ID (Identifier)) of STA200 to which some DRU tones used in OBSS (for example, DRU tones that AP100a does not assign to STA200) are assigned is set to a dummy value, and the data portion of the Tone is set to a dummy value.

[0238] For example, in the User Specific field included in the EHT-SIG content channel, the STA-ID subfield of the DRU tone used in the OBSS (see, for example, FIG. 40) may be set to a dummy value. For example, the value 2008, which is reserved in the existing STA-ID subfield, may be used as the dummy value (see, for example, Section 26.11.1 of Non-Patent Document 7).

[0239] Furthermore, for a DRU tone whose STA-ID is a dummy value, a dummy value of Data may be assigned to the Data section (EHT modulated field) of the tone. Alternatively, for a DRU tone whose STA-ID is a dummy value, no Data section may be generated. The shared AP (AP2 in FIG. 37) transmits the generated MU PPDU at the same timing as STA 200 in the OBSS.

[0240] The method of notifying RRU / DRU switching of frequency resources may be the same as the method described in Method 1. Furthermore, the method of allocating DRUs from the shared AP (AP2 in FIG. 37 ) to each destination STA 200 under the AP may be the same as the method described in Method 2, for example.

[0241] Example 3-1 allows tones to which dummy values ​​are assigned to be shared with other BSS APs, which is expected to improve frequency utilization efficiency.

[0242] <Example 3-2> In Example 3-2, in addition to the operation of Example 3-1, the position of the dummy value Tone may be notified.

[0243] For example, the Disregard subfields of B13-B16 (see, for example, FIG. 12) included in the Common field of the EHT-SIG may be used to notify the Tone numbers (Tone indexes within a cluster) for which dummy Tones are used, as shown in Table 23. In Table 23, the number of DRU tones for dummy-value DRUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth can be specified according to the number of dummy Tone numbers notified. STA 200 under the control of the shared AP (AP2 in FIG. 37) does not need to perform decoding processing for the number of dummy Tones within a 20 MHz bandwidth for dummy-value Tone numbers.

[0244] In Example 3-2, the STA 200 does not perform decoding processing of the dummy value Data tone, and therefore, the effect of reducing the amount of processing can be expected.

[0245] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above.

[0246] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims. It is understood that such modifications or alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0247] In the above-described embodiments, the notation "... part" used for each component may be replaced with other notations such as "... circuit," "... assembly," "... device," "... unit," or "... module."

[0248] The interface names (frame names), field names, or subfield names described in the above-described embodiments may be other names.

[0249] In each of the above-described embodiments, the field (or subfield) used for notifying control information is an example, and other fields or subfields may be used. Furthermore, the number of bits (number of octets) used for notifying control information in each field or subfield is an example, and other numbers of bits (number of octets) may be used.

[0250] Furthermore, the signal formats described in each of the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples, and other configurations may be used in which at least one of other fields is added and some fields is deleted, and other configurations may be used in which at least one of other subfields is added and some subfields are deleted in each of the above-mentioned fields.

[0251] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as an example, a case based on the format defined in IEEE 802.11 has been described, but the format to which an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is not limited to the IEEE 802.11 format.

[0252] Furthermore, the values ​​of all parameters described in the above embodiments, such as bandwidth (e.g., PPDU bandwidth, distribution bandwidth), number of tones, subcarrier number (tone number), tone spacing, number of subchannels, and cluster size, are merely examples, and other values ​​may be used.

[0253] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in conjunction with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely controlled by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of a single chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may also be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI.

[0254] The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0255] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, it is natural that such technology may be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology, etc. is also a possibility.

[0256] The present disclosure may be implemented in any type of apparatus, device, or system (collectively referred to as a communications apparatus) that has a communications function. The communications apparatus may include a radio transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The radio transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, or both functions. The radio transceiver (transmitter and receiver) may include a radio frequency (RF) module and one or more antennas. The RF module may include an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, or the like. Non-limiting examples of communication devices include telephones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, notebooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (e.g., digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine devices, communication-enabled vehicles or mobile transportation (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships), and combinations of the above devices.

[0257] The communication devices are not limited to portable or mobile devices, but also include any kind of non-portable or fixed equipment, devices, and systems, such as smart home devices (such as home appliances, lighting equipment, smart meters or measuring devices, control panels, etc.), vending machines, and any other "things" that may exist on an IoT (Internet of Things) network.

[0258] Communications include data communications via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, communication satellite systems, and the like, as well as data communications via combinations of these.

[0259] A communications apparatus also includes devices such as controllers and sensors connected or coupled to a communications device that performs the communications functions described in this disclosure, such as controllers and sensors that generate control and data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications apparatus.

[0260] The communication apparatus also includes infrastructure facilities, such as base stations, access points, and any other apparatus, device, or system that communicates with or controls the various apparatuses listed above, but are not limited to these.

[0261] An access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication circuit that transmits control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources for a downlink signal in a frequency band using the downlink signal, and a control circuit that controls transmission of the downlink signal based on the control information.

[0262] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control information includes information indicating either the first allocation or a second allocation in which the frequency resources of the downlink signal are arranged continuously in a frequency band, and the communication circuit transmits the control information in a preamble portion of the downlink signal.

[0263] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication circuit transmits the control information in a U-SIG field included in the preamble portion.

[0264] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the downlink signal is a PPDU (Multi-User Physical layer Packet Data Unit), the control information includes a value of a field indicating a type of the PPDU, and at least one of the values ​​of the field is a value indicating application of the first allocation.

[0265] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication circuit transmits the control information in a field different from a U-SIG field included in the preamble portion.

[0266] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the field different from the U-SIG is an EHT (Extremely High Throughput)-SIG field or a UHR (Ultra High Reliability)-SIG field.

[0267] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication circuit transmits the control information in an RU Allocation subfield for each band to which the first allocation applies.

[0268] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication circuit transmits the control information using at least one RU Allocation subfield included in each of a plurality of subchannels in the band to which the first allocation is applied.

[0269] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the resources allocated to the terminal by the first allocation are set by the number of the frequency resources and the locations of the frequency resources, and the control information includes a value of an RU Allocation subfield indicating a combination of the resources allocated to the multiple terminals.

[0270] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the value of the RU Allocation subfield is associated with a combination of the number of frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals and the locations of the frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals.

[0271] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the value of the RU Allocation subfield is associated with an allocation pattern for a plurality of the terminals in a cluster including a predetermined number of the frequency resources.

[0272] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first allocation, clusters including a plurality of the frequency resources are repeatedly arranged in the frequency domain, and the number of consecutive frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals within the cluster is a fixed value.

[0273] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the greater the number of consecutive frequency resources, the larger the size of the cluster.

[0274] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first allocation, clusters including a plurality of the frequency resources are repeatedly arranged in the frequency domain, and the number of consecutive frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals within the cluster is a non-fixed value.

[0275] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of consecutive frequency resources varies depending on the number of frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals in the first allocation.

[0276] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a table is set in which the values ​​of the RU Allocation subfield correspond to the combinations, and the multiple resources included in the combinations are allocated to the multiple terminals based on their order in the table, and the order of the multiple resources in the table is different from the order of the multiple resources in the frequency domain.

[0277] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication circuit receives the control information regarding the first allocation at another access point from the other access point, and the control circuit allocates resources different from the resources allocated by the first allocation at the other access point to a terminal under the access point based on the control information.

[0278] A terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication circuit that receives control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources of a downlink signal in a frequency band using the downlink signal, and a communication circuit that controls reception of the downlink signal based on the control information.

[0279] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an access point transmits control information regarding a first allocation, which discretely allocates frequency resources of a downlink signal in a frequency band, using the downlink signal, and controls the transmission of the downlink signal based on the control information.

[0280] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal receives control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources of a downlink signal in a frequency band using the downlink signal, and controls reception of the downlink signal based on the control information.

[0281] The disclosures of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-086443, filed on May 28, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0282] One embodiment of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0283] 100, 100a AP 101, 101a RRU / DRU allocation information generation unit 102 Preamble generation unit 103 Data generation unit 104 Modulation unit 105, 201 Radio transmission / reception unit 111 Demodulation unit 112 Common Info decoding unit 113 User Info decoding unit 200 STA 202 Separation unit 203 Preamble demodulation unit 204 RRU / DRU allocation information decoding unit 205 Data demodulation and decoding unit

Claims

1. An access point comprising: a communication circuit that transmits control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources for a downlink signal in a frequency band using the downlink signal; and a control circuit that controls transmission of the downlink signal based on the control information.

2. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes information indicating either the first allocation or a second allocation in which the frequency resources of the downlink signal are arranged contiguously in a frequency band, and the communication circuit transmits the control information in a preamble portion of the downlink signal.

3. The access point according to claim 2, wherein the communication circuit transmits the control information in a U-SIG field included in the preamble portion.

4. The access point according to claim 3, wherein the downlink signal is a PPDU (Multi-User Physical layer Packet Data Unit), the control information includes a value of a field indicating the type of the PPDU, and at least one of the field values ​​is a value indicating application of the first allocation.

5. The access point according to claim 2, wherein the communication circuit transmits the control information in a field different from a U-SIG field included in the preamble portion.

6. The access point according to claim 5, wherein the field different from the U-SIG is an EHT (Extremely High Throughput)-SIG field or a UHR (Ultra High Reliability)-SIG field.

7. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the communication circuit transmits the control information in an RU Allocation subfield for each band to which the first allocation is applied.

8. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the communication circuit transmits the control information using at least one RU Allocation subfield included in each of a plurality of subchannels in the band to which the first allocation is applied.

9. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the resources allocated to the terminal by the first allocation are set by the number of the frequency resources and the locations of the frequency resources, and the control information includes a value of an RU Allocation subfield indicating a combination of the resources allocated to the multiple terminals.

10. The access point according to claim 9, wherein the value of the RU Allocation subfield is associated with a combination of the number of frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals and the locations of the frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals.

11. The access point according to claim 9, wherein the value of the RU Allocation subfield is associated with an allocation pattern for a plurality of the terminals in a cluster including a predetermined number of the frequency resources.

12. The access point according to claim 9, wherein in the first allocation, clusters each including a plurality of the frequency resources are repeatedly arranged in the frequency domain, and the number of consecutive frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals within the cluster is a fixed value.

13. The access point according to claim 12, wherein the larger the number of consecutive frequency resources, the larger the size of the cluster.

14. The access point according to claim 9, wherein in the first allocation, clusters each including a plurality of the frequency resources are repeatedly arranged in the frequency domain, and the number of consecutive frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals within the cluster is a non-fixed value.

15. The access point according to claim 14, wherein the number of consecutive frequency resources varies depending on the number of frequency resources allocated to each of the plurality of terminals in the first allocation.

16. The access point according to claim 9, wherein a table is set in which the values ​​of the RU Allocation subfield correspond to the combinations, the multiple resources included in the combinations are allocated to the multiple terminals based on their order in the table, and the order of the multiple resources in the table is different from their order in the frequency domain.

17. The access point according to claim 1, wherein the communication circuit receives, from another access point, the control information relating to the first allocation at the other access point, and the control circuit, based on the control information, allocates resources different from the resources allocated by the first allocation at the other access point to a terminal under the access point.

18. A terminal comprising: a communication circuit that receives control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources for a downlink signal in a frequency band using the downlink signal; and a communication circuit that controls reception of the downlink signal based on the control information.

19. A communication method, in which an access point transmits, using a downlink signal, control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources for the downlink signal in a frequency band, and controls the transmission of the downlink signal based on the control information.

20. A communication method, in which a terminal receives control information regarding a first allocation that discretely allocates frequency resources for a downlink signal in a frequency band, using the downlink signal, and controls reception of the downlink signal based on the control information.

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