Method and apparatus for scheduling in wi-fi communication

Abstract

The present disclosure proposes a method and apparatus for performing a dynamic sub-channel / sub-band operation during Wi-Fi communication. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by an access point in a wireless local access network (WLAN) system comprises the steps of: transmitting a trigger frame on a primary channel and at least one secondary channel; receiving, on the at least one secondary channel, at least one response frame to the trigger frame from at least one station of which the operation bandwidth is the at least one secondary channel; and transmitting a frame on the primary channel and the at least one secondary channel on the basis of the at least one response frame, wherein the frame includes information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel.

Description

Method and device for scheduling in Wi-Fi communication

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for Wi-Fi communication between electronic devices.

[0002] Recently, with the advancement of wireless technology, wired networks are being replaced by wireless networks, which are widely used by many people. In other words, since wireless technology can overcome the mobility limitations of wired networks, many technologies utilizing wireless networks are being actively researched.

[0003] A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), also known as Wi-Fi, allows users to access the Internet via mobile devices or laptops within a certain distance from an Access Point (AP). The WiFi Alliance defines WiFi as a wireless local area network (WLAN) product based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard. WiFi communication primarily uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands. In particular, with the popularization of mobile devices, wireless LANs, which have potential as open wireless networks, are rapidly expanding, and WiFi is being used to provide high-speed data services to entire cities, including schools, airports, hotels, and offices.

[0004] The Internet is evolving from a human-centric network where humans create and consume information to an Internet of Things (IoT) network where information is exchanged and processed between distributed components such as objects. The Internet of Everything (IoE) technology, which combines IoT technology with big data processing technology through connections to cloud servers, is also emerging. To implement the IoT, technological elements such as sensing technology, wired and wireless communication and network infrastructure, service interface technology, and security technology are required. Recently, technologies such as sensor networks for connecting objects, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and machine-type communication (MTC) are being researched.

[0005] In an IoT environment, intelligent IT (Internet Technology) services can be provided that collect and analyze data generated from connected objects, creating new value in human life. IoT, through the convergence and integration of existing IT (information technology) technologies with various industries, can be applied to fields such as smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart or connected cars, smart grids, healthcare, smart appliances, and advanced medical services.

[0006] The present disclosure proposes a method and device for performing dynamic subchannel / subband operation in Wi-Fi communication.

[0007] The present disclosure proposes a method and device for indicating whether to maintain operation in a secondary subchannel when performing dynamic subchannel / subband operation in Wi-Fi communication.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by an access point in a wireless local access network (WLAN) system includes the steps of: transmitting a trigger frame on a primary channel and at least one secondary channel; receiving at least one response frame to the trigger frame on the at least one secondary channel from at least one station, the at least one secondary channel having an operation bandwidth; and transmitting a frame on the primary channel and the at least one secondary channel based on the at least one response frame, wherein the frame includes information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a station in a wireless local access network (WLAN) system includes the steps of: receiving a trigger frame from an access point; switching an operation bandwidth to a secondary channel based on the trigger frame; transmitting a response frame to the trigger frame on the secondary channel to the access point; and receiving a frame on the secondary channel based on the response frame from the access point, wherein the frame includes information indicating whether the station will maintain the secondary channel.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, an access point (AP) comprises: a transceiver; one or more processors including processing circuitry; and a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the access point to: transmit a trigger frame on a primary channel and at least one secondary channel, receive at least one response frame to the trigger frame on the at least one secondary channel from at least one station whose operation bandwidth is the at least one secondary channel, and transmit a frame on the primary channel and the at least one secondary channel based on the at least one response frame, wherein the frame includes information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, a station includes a transceiver; one or more processors including processing circuitry; and a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, cause the station to: receive a trigger frame from an access point, switch an operation bandwidth to a secondary channel based on the trigger frame, transmit a response frame to the trigger frame on the secondary channel to the access point, and receive a frame on the secondary channel from the access point based on the response frame, the frame including information indicating whether the station will maintain the secondary channel.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device can improve the performance of data transmission by efficiently utilizing resources by setting a subchannel / subband on which an STA will operate during Wi-Fi communication.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a drawing for explaining a short-range communication connection type of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2b is a diagram illustrating the operation of an access point and a station for establishing a Wi-Fi connection according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless communication system including an access point and a station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a broadcast TWT (target wakeup time) operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are diagrams illustrating a TWT (target wakeup time) related frame according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining dynamic subband (subchannel) operation (DSO) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of instructing an STA to operate on a secondary channel in the next TXOP using secondary channel operation (SCO) information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of using SCO information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to indicate that an STA will not operate on a secondary channel in the next TXOP (transmission opportunity).

[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an STA using SCO information to indicate that the STA will not operate on a secondary channel in the next TXOP according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation of switching an operating bandwidth to a primary channel when an STA whose operating bandwidth is a secondary channel does not receive resource allocation on the secondary channel before a DSO timer elapses according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of maintaining the operating bandwidth as a secondary channel when an STA whose operating bandwidth is a secondary channel receives resource allocation on the secondary channel before the DSO timer expires according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an STA switching an operating bandwidth from a secondary channel to a primary channel when an OBSS (overlap basic service set) PPDU is transmitted before a DSO timer elapses according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which a DSO timer is extended by the amount of an OBSS PPDU when an OBSS PPDU is transmitted before the DSO timer expires according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which an STA proposes a DSO timer in consideration of traffic requirements according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which an STA rejects a DSO timer instruction from an AP in consideration of traffic requirements according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation of indicating SCO information for a specific terminal within a TXOP according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which a DSO timer is terminated in consideration of a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example configuration of an access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] In describing the embodiments, descriptions of technical details that are well known in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains and are not directly related to the present disclosure will be omitted. This is to more clearly convey the gist of the present disclosure without obscuring it by omitting unnecessary explanations.

[0037] For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. Furthermore, the dimensions of each component do not entirely reflect its actual size. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0038] The advantages and features of the present disclosure, and methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided only to make the present disclosure complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0039] At this time, it will be understood that each block of the processing flowchart drawings and combinations of the flowchart drawings can be performed by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be installed in a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create a means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s). These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-available or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement the functions in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-available or computer-readable memory can also produce a manufactured item that includes an instruction means for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s).

[0040] Since the computer program instructions may be installed on a computer or other programmable data processing device, a series of operational steps may be performed on the computer or other programmable data processing device to create a computer-executable process, so that the instructions that cause the computer or other programmable data processing device to perform the steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s) may also be able to provide steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s).

[0041] Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that contains one or more executable instructions for performing a specific logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementation examples, the functions described in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, two blocks depicted in succession may actually be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on their respective functions.

[0042] Here, the term '~ unit' used in the present embodiment means software or hardware components such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and the '~ unit' performs certain roles. However, the '~ unit' is not limited to software or hardware. The '~ unit' may be configured to be on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play one or more processors. Accordingly, according to some embodiments, the '~ unit' includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and '~ units' may be combined into a smaller number of components and '~ units' or further separated into additional components and '~ units'. Additionally, the components and '~parts' may be implemented to activate one or more CPUs within the device or secure multimedia card. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, the '~parts' may include one or more processors.

[0043] The term 'terminal' or 'device' used herein may refer to a mobile station (MS), user equipment (UE), user terminal (UT), wireless terminal, access terminal (AT), terminal, subscriber unit (SS), subscriber station (SS), wireless device, wireless communication device, wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile node, mobile, or other terms. Various embodiments of the terminal may include a cellular telephone, a smart phone having a wireless communication function, a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a wireless communication function, a wireless modem, a portable computer having a wireless communication function, a photographing device such as a digital camera having a wireless communication function, a gaming device having a wireless communication function, a music storage and playback home appliance having a wireless communication function, an internet home appliance capable of wireless internet access and browsing, as well as portable units or terminals integrating combinations of such functions. In addition, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, an M2M (Machine to Machine) terminal, an MTC (Machine Type Communication) terminal / device. In this specification, the terminal may also be referred to as an electronic device or simply a device.

[0044] The exemplary embodiments are described below for simplicity only with respect to Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems. It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are equally applicable to other wireless networks (e.g., cellular networks, pico-networks, femto-networks, satellite networks), as well as systems that utilize signals of one or more wired standards or protocols (e.g., Ethernet and / or HomePlug / PLC standards). As used herein, the terms "WLAN" and "Wi-Fi®" may include communications governed by the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, BLUETOOTH®, HiperLAN (a set of wireless standards primarily used in Europe and comparable to the IEEE 802.11 standards), and other technologies having a relatively short radio propagation range. Accordingly, the terms "WLAN" and "WiFi" may be used interchangeably herein. Additionally, while described below with respect to an infrastructure WLAN system including one or more Access Points (APs) and a plurality of wireless stations (STAs), the exemplary embodiments are equally applicable to other WLAN systems including, for example, multiple WLANs, peer-to-peer (or independent basic service set) systems, Wi-Fi Direct systems, and / or hotspots.

[0045] Additionally, while the present disclosure describes the exchange of data frames between wireless devices, the exemplary embodiments may be applied to the exchange of any data unit, packet, and / or frame between wireless devices. Thus, the term "frame" may include any frame, packet, or data unit, such as, for example, protocol data units (PDUs), media access control (MAC) protocol data units (MPDUs), and physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs). The term "A-MPDU" may mean aggregated MPDUs.

[0046] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of specific components, circuits, and processes, to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. The term "connected," as used herein, means directly connected or connected via one or more intervening components or circuits. The term "connected access point" refers to an access point with which a given station is currently associated and / or connected (e.g., there is an established communications channel or link between the access point and the given station). Furthermore, in the following description and for purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that such specific details may not be necessary to practice the exemplary embodiments. In other instances, well-known circuits and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0047] Certain terms used in the following description are provided to aid in understanding the present disclosure, and the use of such specific terms may be changed to other forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure.

[0048] "PCF (point coordination function) transmission" refers to a transmission method in which the access point directly asks wireless stations for data transmission and puts them on hold for data transmission.

[0049] "DCF (distributed coordination function) transmission" refers to a transmission method in which a wireless station detects and waits in advance to avoid collisions before transmitting data in an environment where multiple wireless stations compete to transmit data.

[0050] The above DCF transmission method is a concept for providing services in a contention period, and can handle waiting time by dividing traffic priorities into IFSs (inter-frame spaces) to request channel use. In other words, priority can be determined by the size of the waiting time, and the shorter the waiting time, the higher the priority packet. The IFS can include SIFS (short IFS), PIFS (PCF IFS), and DIFS (DCF IFS).

[0051] The above "SIFS" can be used for high-priority traffic with the shortest cycle and can be used primarily as a waiting time for control information. The above "PIFS" can be used for medium-priority traffic with a medium-length cycle. The above "DIFS" has a low priority and can be used primarily as a waiting time for channel check. That is, during the DIFS period, the channel can be listened for (or waited for) to be occupied. If the channel is busy during the DIFS period, transmission can be delayed.

[0052] A "TXOP (transmission opportunity)" can refer to an interval of time during which a specific AP or station has the right to initiate a frame exchange sequence over the wireless medium. An AP or station that has acquired a TXOP is called a TXOP holder, and the other party can be called a TXOP responder. A TXOP is typically acquired through contention, and a typical procedure for protecting a TXOP is the exchange of RTS (request to send) / CTS (clear to send) frames.

[0053] The operating principles of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known functions or configurations will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on the functions of the present disclosure and may vary depending on the intent or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0054] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100) applicable to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, in the network environment (100), the electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). In one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0055] The processor (120) may, for example, execute software (e.g., a program (140)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) and perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or operations, the processor (120) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with the main processor (121). For example, when the electronic device (101) includes the main processor (121) and the auxiliary processor (123), the auxiliary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a given function. The auxiliary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0056] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) itself where artificial intelligence is performed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0057] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)) of the electronic device (101). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., program (140)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (130) can include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0058] The program (140) may be stored as software in the memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0059] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0060] The audio output module (155) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (101). The audio output module (155) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. In one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0061] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. According to one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0062] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150), output sound through the sound output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

[0063] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (101) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0064] The interface (177) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (101) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). In one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0065] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0066] The haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. According to one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0067] The camera module (180) can capture still images and videos. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0068] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented as, for example, at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0069] A battery (189) may power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0070] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi), or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0071] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0072] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device via the at least one selected antenna. In some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0073] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high-frequency band.

[0074] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0075] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0076] FIG. 2A is a drawing for explaining a short-range communication connection type of an electronic device applicable to the present disclosure.

[0077] According to various embodiments, referring to FIG. 2, an electronic device (101) (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may be connected to an access point (AP) (200) based on a plurality of communication methods based on Wi-Fi. According to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120) (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) and a communication module (190) (e.g., the communication module (190) of FIG. 1).

[0078] According to various embodiments, the communication module (190) may receive a communication signal from the outside or transmit a communication signal to the outside based on a Wi-Fi communication method (e.g., IEEE 802.11be). For example, the communication module (190) may operate based on IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, or 802.11bn among Wi-Fi communication methods, and in particular, IEEE 802.11be or 802.11bn has improved performance by supporting a wider bandwidth, higher data throughput, and shorter delay time compared to IEEE 802.11ax.

[0079] According to various embodiments, the communication module (190) may include a transceiver (191) for transmitting and receiving data with an external device and a communication processor (193) (e.g., a communication processor (not shown) or a short-range wireless communication module (e.g., a Wi-Fi chipset)). According to various embodiments, the communication module (190) may further include a memory.

[0080] According to various embodiments, the transceiver (191) may convert a baseband transmission signal into a wireless signal or convert a received wireless signal into a baseband reception signal.

[0081] According to various embodiments, the communication module (190) may further include, in addition to the transceiver (191) and the communication processor (193), components for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), for example, a modulator, a digital-analog converter (D / A converter), a frequency converter, an A / D converter, an amplifier, and / or a demodulator.

[0082] Although not shown, according to various embodiments, the electronic device (101) may be electrically connected to a communication module of the access point (200) and may include at least one antenna module (e.g., antenna module (197) of FIG. 1) that supports a communication protocol and / or frequency band supported by the communication module of the access point (200).

[0083] According to various embodiments, the communication processor (193) may control the transceiver (191) to form a communication connection (e.g., the first network (198) of FIG. 1) with the access point (200). For example, the communication connection may include a Wi-Fi network. For example, the communication processor (193) may control the transceiver (191) to form a wireless connection with the access point (200) using a 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz band wireless local area network (WLAN) standard such as IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, or 802.11bn. Alternatively, the communication processor (193) may control the transceiver (191) to form a wireless connection with the access point (200) using the 60 GHz band WLAN standard of IEEE 802.11ad or 802.11ay.

[0084] According to various embodiments, a method of communicating between an electronic device (101) and an access point (200) using a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard may be referred to as a communication method based on an STA mode.

[0085] According to various embodiments, the processor (120) may include an application processor. The processor (120) may perform a specified operation of the electronic device (101) or control other hardware (e.g., a communication module (190)) to perform a specified operation.

[0086] According to various embodiments, the access point (200) may support an operation of transmitting data to an external network and / or an operation of receiving data from an external network by a plurality of electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices (101)) based on a connection between the plurality of electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices (101)) and an external network (e.g., the Internet, an external LAN, or a cellular network).

[0087] According to various embodiments, the access point (200) may be a wireless router. The access point (200) may be a dedicated wireless router or a general-purpose device supporting mobile hotspot functionality, and there are no limitations on its implementation. For example, the access point (200) may include the same components as the electronic device (101), such as a processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1) and / or a communication module (e.g., the communication module (190) of FIG. 1)).

[0088] According to various embodiments, the access point (200) may transmit and receive data with an external device, such as a server (e.g., server (108) of FIG. 1) or an electronic device (101). For example, the access point (200) may transmit at least a portion of the data received from the server to the electronic device (101). According to various embodiments, the access point (200) and the electronic device (101) may transmit and receive UL (uplink) / DL (downlink) data during an operation period. For example, the access point (200) may transmit traffic to the electronic device (101) only during an operation period set based on schedule information received from the electronic device (101).

[0089] FIG. 2b is a diagram illustrating the operation of an access point and a station for establishing a Wi-Fi connection according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 2B, an access point (210) may be implemented as the access point (200) of FIG. 2A and may communicate with a station (220) based on Wi-Fi. The station (220) may be implemented as the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1 or the electronic device (101) of FIG. 2A. The station (220) may be a terminal (or a terminal having a Wi-Fi interface) that supports Wi-Fi communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0091] A station (220) may transmit (or broadcast) a probe request message to an access point (210) (S201). According to one embodiment, the probe request message may be a message for the station (220) to search for surrounding access points (210). According to one embodiment, the probe request message may include information regarding at least one communication capability supported by the station (220). According to one embodiment, the station (220) may receive a beacon message from the access point (210) and transmit a probe request message to the access point (210) based on information included in the beacon message. The access point (210) may transmit a probe response message (probe response) in response to the probe request message (S202).

[0092] Upon receiving the probe response message, the station (220) may transmit an authentication request message to the access point (210) (S203). The access point (210) may transmit an authentication response message to the station (220) in response to the authentication request message (S204), and the authentication procedure between the access point (210) and the station (220) may be completed. In one embodiment, the authentication procedures of S203 and S204 may be a procedure for selecting and authenticating a channel with the strongest reception strength among messages received during a channel search process. In one embodiment, through the authentication procedures of S203 and S204, the station (220) and the access point (210) may negotiate an encryption method of the authentication procedure.

[0093] Once the authentication procedure is completed, the station (220) may transmit an association request message to the access point (210) to establish a connection to the access point (210) (S205). According to one embodiment, the association request message may include information regarding at least one capability (e.g., according to the IEEE 802.11 standard) to be used for data communication between the station (220) and the access point (210). The access point (210) may generate an association ID (AID) for the station (220) and transmit an association response message to the station (220) (S206).

[0094] FIG. 3 illustrates a wireless communication system including an access point and a station applicable to the present disclosure.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 3, a wireless communication system (300) may include an access point (310), client electronic devices corresponding to stations (330, 332, 334, 336), and a wireless local area network (WLAN) (305).

[0096] A wireless communication system (300) may be formed by an access point (310) that provides a wireless communication channel or link to one or more stations (STAs) (330, 332, 334, 336).

[0097] An access point (310) is assigned a unique media access control (MAC) address. The WLAN (305), which is depicted as a circular shape in FIG. 3, is depicted as an infrastructure basic service set (BSS), which is a basic building block in an IEEE 802.11 system. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the WLAN (305) may be an independent basic service set (IBSS) network or a peer-to-peer (P2P) network (e.g., operating according to Wi-Fi Direct protocols). The circular shape of the WLAN (305) depicted in FIG. 3 may also be understood to represent a coverage area in which stations included in the corresponding BSS maintain communication. This area may be referred to as a basic service area (BSA). When stations (330, 332, 334, 336) move outside the BSA, they cannot communicate directly with access points or other stations within the BSA.

[0098] Stations (330, 332, 334, 336) are devices that operate according to the Medium Access Control (MAC) / PHY specifications of IEEE 802.11. As long as the function of a station is not individually distinguished from an access point, an STA may include an AP STA and a non-AP STA. However, when communication is performed between an STA and an AP, an STA may be understood as a non-AP STA.

[0099] The stations (330, 332, 334, 336) may be any suitable Wi-Fi enabled wireless device or electronic device, including, for example, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet device, a laptop computer, etc. The stations (330, 332, 334, 336) may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, an electronic device, or any other suitable terminology.

[0100] operating bandwidth capability

[0101] Meanwhile, the IEEE 802.11 system defines the operating bandwidth capability of access points and stations. The operating bandwidth represents twice the baseband bandwidth supported by the IEEE 802.11 system (e.g., 20, 40, 80, 160, or 320 MHz). The operating bandwidth may include subchannels of a primary bandwidth channel (or primary channel) and a secondary bandwidth channel (or secondary channel) for the baseband bandwidth. In the operating bandwidth used by the access point, the primary channel may refer to a channel including a 20 MHz band through which management frames, such as beacons, are transmitted and received when the access point operates a BSS. In addition, the operating bandwidth may correspond to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) sampling rate, which may be 20, 40, 80, 160, or 320 MHz. The operating bandwidth is the maximum bandwidth actually used for packet transmission and reception. Access points and associated stations can use a bandwidth less than or equal to the minimum of this value. If a station transmits and receives packets using a bandwidth smaller than the operating bandwidth, unused subcarriers can be ignored, eliminating the need to adjust the ADC sampling rate to change the baseband bandwidth.

[0102] Typically, non-AP stations may not support the full operating bandwidth supported by the access point. As the maximum supported bandwidth increases, stations may operate at a bandwidth smaller than the maximum supported by the access point. For example, an access point may support up to 320 MHz in an IEEE 802.11be system, while an STA may only support 80 MHz or 160 MHz.

[0103] In the above operation bandwidth, a primary bandwidth channel may refer to a channel in a larger bandwidth that includes a secondary bandwidth channel. In one embodiment, the primary channel may be part of a wide channel that includes a secondary channel. In one embodiment, the primary channel may use the upper half or lower half of the wide channel bandwidth, and the secondary channel may use the remaining half of the wide channel bandwidth. In one embodiment, the bandwidths of the primary bandwidth channel and the secondary bandwidth channel may not be the same. In one embodiment, the secondary channel may have a smaller bandwidth than the primary channel, or the primary channel may have a smaller bandwidth than the secondary channel. In one embodiment, multiple secondary channels may be provided in a wide channel having one primary channel. In one embodiment, a station that only supports an operation bandwidth of a channel bandwidth smaller than the operation bandwidth of the access point (e.g., 20 MHz) may use only the primary channel, while a station that supports wide channel functionality may use both the primary channel and the secondary channel simultaneously. Accordingly, for a station that uses only the primary channel as its operating bandwidth, the access point can convert the operating bandwidth to the secondary channel to receive data on the secondary channel. In one embodiment, the access point may preferentially include the primary channel in signal transmission. That is, the access point may not allow transmissions other than the primary channel at certain times or in certain frames.

[0104] The terms primary and secondary do not imply a specific priority, and in some embodiments, the terms primary and secondary may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, multiple secondary channels (e.g., a first secondary channel, a second secondary channel, a third secondary channel) may be available, such that switching from a primary bandwidth channel to a secondary bandwidth channel may occur via one of the multiple secondary channels. For example, a first station may move from a primary channel to a first secondary channel, and a second station may move from a primary channel to a second secondary channel.

[0105] High-efficiency subchannel selective transmission (SST)

[0106] The IEEE 802.11ax system defines a high-efficiency (HE) subchannel selective transmission (SST) operation. The SST operation can be set through individual target wakeup time (TWT) negotiation between the access point and the station. The TWT operation is an operation in which the access point sets the wakeup time for the station in the dose state by transmitting a TWT-related frame to the station, and can be set individually or by broadcast to the STAs within the BSS. A HE SST non-AP station and a HE SST access point can set the SST operation by negotiating an individual trigger-activated TWT. For example, a TWT channel field consisting of 8 bits (each 20 MHz channel) of a TWT element can be used to indicate a secondary channel in a TWT request / response.

[0107] Additionally, the stations can perform frame exchange during the service period (SP). The HE SST access point can allocate individually addressed resource units (RUs) to HE SST non-AP stations within the subchannel indicated in the TWT channel field of the TWT response. At the start time of the TWT SP, the HE SST non-AP STAs can use the subchannel indicated in the negotiated TWT channel field.

[0108] TWT (target wakeup time) operation

[0109] Hereinafter, the TWT operation used to set the above SST operation is described. The IEEE 802.11ax system defines the TWT operation. The TWT operation is an operation in which the access point sets the wakeup time for a station in a dose state by sending a TWT-related frame to the station, and can be set individually or by broadcast to the STAs within the BSS. In other words, the TWT operation allows the access point to manage activities in the BSS to minimize contention between stations and reduce the time required for a station using a power management mode to remain in a sleep mode. This can operate the TWT by assigning non-overlapping times and / or frequencies for multiple stations within the BSS.

[0110] A HE station can negotiate an individual TWT agreement with an access point. Alternatively, a HE station can establish membership in a broadcast TWT schedule, and the HE access point can transmit a set of TWT parameters to the HE stations with which it has established membership.

[0111] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a broadcast TWT (target wakeup time) operation that can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0112] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a broadcast TWT procedure defined in IEEE 802.11ax that can be applied to the present disclosure, and the contents described in section 27.8.3 of IEEE 802.11ax can be applied.

[0113] FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are diagrams for explaining frames related to a target wakeup time (TWT) that can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0114] More specifically, FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d are diagrams for explaining a TWT (target wakeup time) related frame including SST (subchannel selective transmission) related information applicable to the present disclosure.

[0115] FIG. 5a is a diagram showing an example of a TWT element format of a management and extension frame in an IEEE 802.11 system applicable to the present disclosure.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 5a, the TWT element format of a management and extension frame in an IEEE 802.11 system may include a TWT Parameter Information field (500). The TWT Parameter Information field (500) may include an Individual TWT parameter set field (shown in FIG. 5b) when the Broadcast field of the Negotiation type subfield included in the Control field (505) is '0'. The TWT Parameter Information field (500) may include at least one broadcast TWT parameter set field when the Broadcast field of the Negotiation type subfield included in the Control field (505) is '1'.

[0117] FIG. 5b is a diagram showing an example of an Individual TWT parameter set field format that can be included in the TWT Parameter Information field (500) illustrated in FIG. 5a, which can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 5b, the Individual TWT parameter set field format may include a TWT channel field (510). The TWT channel field (510) may include a bitmap providing a channel that a station is negotiating as a temporary channel during a TWT SP. Each bit of the bitmap corresponds to one of the minimum width channels of the band in which the connected BSS of the TWT responding station is currently operating, and the least significant bit (LSB), i.e., the bit located at the far right of the bitmap, may correspond to the lowest numbered channel among the operating channels of the BSS.

[0119] For example, in a HE BSS, the minimum width channel may be 20 MHz, and setting the position of the bitmap transmitted by a TWT requesting station to 1 may request the use of that channel as a temporary default channel during a TWT SP. Setting the position of the bitmap transmitted by a TWT responding station to 1 may allow the use of that channel as a default channel during a TWT SP.

[0120] FIG. 5c is a diagram showing an example of a Broadcast TWT parameter set field format that can be included in the TWT Parameter Information field (500) illustrated in FIG. 5a, which can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 5c, the Broadcast TWT parameter set field may include a Request Type field (520).

[0122] FIG. 5d is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of the Request Type field (520) illustrated in FIG. 5c, which can be applied to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5d, the Request Type field (520) included in the Broadcast TWT parameter set field format may not include a field for setting a bandwidth or subchannel (e.g., the TWT channel field (510) illustrated in FIG. 5b).

[0123] Meanwhile, the IEEE 802.11be system defines a Restricted TWT (R-TWT) operation that instructs a non-AP EHT station, which is a TXOP holder, to terminate the TXOP before the start time of an active R-TWT SP. The R-TWT SP can be initiated by a trigger-enabled broadcast TWT operation. The access point can transmit R-TWT information to stations within the BSS by including the Restricted TWT parameter set field in the Broadcast TWT parameter set field described in FIG. 5c.

[0124] dynamic subband / subchannel operation (DSO)

[0125] An access point enabled for network communications (e.g., network communications defined in the IEEE 802.11 system) may utilize dynamic subband / subchannel operation (DSO), also referred to herein as "bandwidth aggregation." Components of the access point (illustrated as access point (200) in FIG. 2A) may be provided as one or more integrated circuits (ICs) within an IC package. The IC package may be a single-chip package or a multi-chip module. The access point may support a maximum operating bandwidth of 320 MHz on a single link. Non-AP stations, such as client devices (illustrated as electronic device (101) in FIG. 2A), may support bandwidths lower than 320 MHz.

[0126] Accordingly, the access point can improve network traffic (e.g., uplink traffic and downlink traffic) from the access point to the stations by utilizing a channel switching protocol. That is, the stations can utilize channels by partitioning them between different portions of the 320 MHz spectrum. The channel switching protocol may include switching between a primary channel and a secondary channel. For example, the access point may enable the station to dynamically switch its operating bandwidth between channels based on actual and / or expected network traffic. It should be understood that the access point switching non-access points between channels under different operating conditions and / or using different protocols, frames, etc. is within the scope of the present disclosure. A station capable of switching from a primary channel to a secondary channel may be referred to as a bandwidth aggregation (BWA) station and / or a DSO station.

[0127] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a dynamic subband (subchannel) operation (DSO) applicable to the present disclosure.

[0128] The access point (600), DSO station (611), and non-DSO station (613) illustrated in FIG. 6 can be interconnected and communicate with each other like the access point (200, 210), electronic device (101), and station (220) described in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The DSO station (611) and non-DSO station (613) illustrated in FIG. 6 can be stations included in the BSS of the access point (600) as described in FIG. 3.

[0129] The above DSO station (611) may refer to a station that supports the DSO function (and / or the BWA function), and the non-DSO station (613) may refer to a station that does not support the DSO function (and / or the BWA function).

[0130] FIG. 6 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (600) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz, and stations (611, 613) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth.

[0131] More specifically, a station operating on a link with an access point whose station operating bandwidth is narrower than the access point bandwidth of the link may be configured to switch its operating channel bandwidth between primary and secondary channels of the access point operating bandwidth. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , the 320 MHz operating bandwidth of an access point (600) may be divided into a 160 MHz primary (P160) subchannel and a 160 MHz secondary (S160) subchannel. Although FIG. 6 illustrates the division into 160 MHz subchannels, the description of the present disclosure may also be applied to subchannels of other bandwidths. For example, a 160 MHz operating channel may be divided into 4Y40 MHz subchannels, the first of which may be referred to as a primary channel and the other subchannels as secondary channels. In one embodiment, the width of the subchannel may be, for example, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz, and the width of the operating channel may be, for example, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz. In any of the embodiments described in the present disclosure, the subchannel may comprise a wideband wireless access subchannel.

[0132] In one embodiment, an access point may generate a (BWA) TXOP that includes frame exchange between a non-DSO station operating on a secondary subchannel of a particular bandwidth and / or some other station operating on a primary subchannel of a particular bandwidth.

[0133] An access point can dynamically allocate various portions of subchannels within its operating bandwidth to non-AP stations based on at least one of the operating bandwidth capabilities, channel conditions, and QoS requirements within the TXOP. The access point can initiate transmission to a DSO STA after a sufficient delay to allow channel switching. At the end of the TXOP, the DSO STA can switch back to the default channel. This is described in more detail below.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 6, an access point (600) may transmit a "subband switch" control frame in the P160 subchannel and the S160 subchannel (620). The subband switch control frame may include a trigger frame. The subband switch control frame may be transmitted in a bandwidth of the entire 320 MHz. The subband switch control frame may include information instructing DSO stations within a BSS to allocate RUs for them in S160. The subband switch control frame may explicitly indicate which DSO stations within the BSS will switch to S160. The subband switch control frame may include sufficient padding to cover the subband (subchannel) switch latency indicated during association. The subband switch latency varies depending on the implementation of the non-AP station and may be negotiated during DSO capability signaling. The subband switch control frame may initiate a DSO TXOP.

[0135] A DSO station (611) can operate in P160 of at least one link and receive a subband switch control frame when a DSO TXOP starts (621). A non-DSO station (613) can operate in P160 of at least one link and receive a subband switch control frame when a DSO TXOP starts (623). After receiving a subband switch control frame that is the start of a DSO TXOP (step 620), the DSO station (611) can switch an operating channel bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel. For example, after receiving a subband switch control frame that is the start of a DSO TXOP (step 620), the DSO station (611) can switch an operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel based on resource allocation information included in the subband switch control frame.

[0136] Thereafter, the access point (600) can transmit a second control frame in the P160 subchannel and the S160 subchannel after SIFS after transmitting the subband switch control frame in step 620 (630). Accordingly, the DSO station (611) can receive the second control frame in the S160 subchannel when switching the operating band from the P160 subchannel to the S160 subchannel (631). The non-DSO station (613) can receive the second control frame in the S160 subchannel (633).

[0137] The second control frame may request the DSO station (611) and the non-DSO station (613) to transmit a response on a subchannel in which continuous communication will occur during the DSO TXOP. That is, the second control frame may be used by the access point (600) to confirm whether the stations within the BSS have performed DSO and switched subchannels. Accordingly, the DSO station (611) may transmit a response to the second control frame on the S160 subchannel (641). The non-DSO station (613) may transmit a response to the second control frame on the S160 subchannel (643). Accordingly, during the DSO TXOP, the DSO station (611) may remain on the S160 subchannel, and the non-DSO station (613) may remain on the P160 primary subchannel.

[0138] Thereafter, after the DSO station (611) and the non-DSO station (613) transmit the responses in steps 641 and 643, after SIFS, the access point (600), the DSO station (611) and / or the non-DSO station (613) may perform DL / UL OFDMA communication in a 320 MHz bandwidth during the DSO TXOP (650). The DSO station (611) may switch back to the P160 subchannel at the end of the DSO TXOP, i.e., after SIFS+delta after performing DL / UL OFDMA communication in a 320 MHz bandwidth (660).

[0139] For the TXOP-based DSO described in Fig. 6, the following may be considered or required.

[0140] - The access point must define the DSO mode and may require a time-consuming negotiation process to exchange its relative capabilities with all DSO stations. (HE SST using individual TWTs may also require a similar process.)

[0141] - The operating bandwidth switching delay of the DSO station must be considered within the TXOP (resulting in resource waste).

[0142] - The DSO ICF (initial control frame) may require a post-FCS (frame check sequence) and / or additional padding.

[0143] - Additional frame exchange overhead may be required for DSO ICF.

[0144] - Additional power consumption of the DSO station must be considered due to frequent switching of operating bandwidth.

[0145] - The aperiodic operating bandwidth changes of the DSO station may increase the complexity of channel estimation (i.e., modulation and coding scheme (MCS) selection), MIMO operation (i.e., sound reference rack) or interference management.

[0146] - Race conditions may occur if there is hidden interference outside the operating bandwidth of the DSO station.

[0147] - It may be difficult to meet UL target receive power and carrier frequency offset (CFO) requirements.

[0148] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of instructing an STA to operate on a secondary channel in the next TXOP using secondary channel operation (SCO) information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0149] The access point (700), the first station (711), and the second station (713) illustrated in FIG. 7 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (711) and the second station (713) illustrated in FIG. 7 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (700). In addition, the first station (711) and the second station (713) illustrated in FIG. 7 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0150] FIG. 7 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (700) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (711, 713) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 7 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0151] In one embodiment, a station having an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. S80U and S80L may refer to the higher numbered 80 MHz (S80 upper (S80U)) and the lower numbered 80 MHz (lower secondary 80 MHz (S80L)) of the secondary 160 MHz.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 7, an access point (700) may initiate TXOP 1 (720) as a holder for TXOP 1 (720) in a contention situation. The access point (700) may transmit a trigger frame (730) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (730) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, a station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information within the operating bandwidth of the access point. In one embodiment, a second station (713), which is one of the stations connected to the access point (700), may switch its operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0153] Thereafter, the first station (711) can transmit a response frame (731) for the trigger frame to the access point (700) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (713) switches the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, it can transmit a response frame (733) for the trigger frame to the access point (700) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0154] Thereafter, the access point (700) can transmit the MU PPDU (740). In one embodiment, if the access point (700) identifies the location of the subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth of the first station (711) and the second station (713) through the response frames (731 and 733), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (711) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (713) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (711) can receive the MU PPDU (740) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (741) for the MU PPDU. The second station (713) can receive the MU PPDU on the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (743) for the MU PPDU.

[0155] In one embodiment, the access point (700) may use the secondary channel operation (SCO) information included in the PPDU to instruct whether the second station (713) operating on the S160 subchannel to maintain the operating bandwidth in the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP, based on whether there is a BO to be transmitted to the second station (713) operating on the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1. In one embodiment, if there is a BO to be transmitted to the second station (713) operating on the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1, the access point (700) may use the secondary channel operation (SCO) information included in the PPDU to instruct the second station (713) to maintain the operating bandwidth in the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (700) may indicate SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to instruct the second station (713) to maintain the operating bandwidth as an S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame).

[0156] The access point (700) may initiate TXOP 2 (750) as a holder for TXOP 2 (750) in a contention situation. The access point (700) may transmit a Basic trigger frame (760) for UL resource allocation to stations within the BSS in TXOP 2 (750). The first station (711) may transmit a HE TB PPDU frame (761) to the access point (700) in the P160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth. The second station (713) may transmit a HE TB PPDU frame (763) in the S160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth. The access point may transmit a Multi STA BA (block acknowledgment) frame (765) for the PPDUs (761, 763) transmitted by the stations. In one embodiment, the second station (713) may use the SCO information in the HE TB PPDU frame (763) to notify the second station (713) that it will maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the second station (713) may set the SCO information to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to notify the second station (713) that it will maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be indicated by an SCO bit.

[0157] Unlike as illustrated in FIG. 7, the access point (700) can transmit a DL MU PPDU in TXOP 2 (750). In this case, since the SCO bit is set to '1' in the DL MU PPDU (740) of TXOP 1 (720) and transmitted, the DL PPDU to be transmitted to the second station among the DL MU PPDUs transmitted in TXOP 2 (750) can be transmitted in the S160 subchannel.

[0158] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of using SCO information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure to indicate that an STA will not operate on a secondary channel in the next TXOP.

[0159] The access point (800), the first station (811), and the second station (813) illustrated in FIG. 8 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (811) and the second station (813) illustrated in FIG. 8 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (800). In addition, the first station (811) and the second station (813) illustrated in FIG. 8 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0160] FIG. 8 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (800) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (811, 813) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 8 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0161] In one embodiment, a station having an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. S80U and S80L may refer to a higher numbered 80 MHz (S80 upper (S80U)) and a lower numbered 80 MHz (lower secondary 80 MHz (S80L)) of the secondary 160 MHz. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on a subband switch control frame transmitted by an access point, as described in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, the station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth within the operating bandwidth of the access point.

[0162] Referring to FIG. 8, an access point (800) may initiate TXOP 1 (820) as a holder for TXOP 1 (820) in a contention situation. The access point (800) may transmit a trigger frame (830) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (830) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, a second station (813), which is one of the stations connected to the access point (800), may switch its operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0163] Thereafter, the first station (811) can transmit a response frame (831) for the trigger frame to the access point (800) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (813) switches the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, it can transmit a response frame (833) for the trigger frame to the access point (800) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0164] Thereafter, the access point (800) can transmit the MU PPDU (840). In one embodiment, if the access point (800) identifies the location of the subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth of the first station (811) and the second station (813) through the response frames (831 and 833), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (811) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (813) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (811) can receive the MU PPDU (840) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (841) for the MU PPDU. The second station (813) can receive the MU PPDU on the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (843) for the MU PPDU.

[0165] In one embodiment, if there is a BO to be transmitted to the second station (813) operating in the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1, the access point (800) may use the SCO (secondary channel operation) information included in the MU PPDU (840) to instruct the second station (813) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (800) may indicate the SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to instruct whether the second station (813) will maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame). In one embodiment, when multiple data transmissions occur within a TXOP, the SCO information may be used to indicate whether the station will maintain the operating bandwidth as an S160 subchannel during the next data transmission.

[0166] The access point (800) may initiate TXOP 2 (850) as a holder for TXOP 2 (850) in a contention situation. The access point (800) may transmit a DL MU PPDU (860) to stations within the BSS in TXOP 2 (850). In one embodiment, if there is no BO to transmit to the second station (813) on the secondary channel in the next TXOP, the access point (800) may use secondary channel operation (SCO) information in the DL MU PPDU (860) to instruct the second station (813) to switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (800) may indicate SCO information as an SCO bit and set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '0') to instruct the second station (813) to switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel in the next TXOP.

[0167] The first station (811) can transmit a BA frame (861) for a DL MU PPDU (860) to the access point (800) in the P160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth. The second station (813) can transmit a BA frame (863) for a DL MU PPDU (860) in the S160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth. The second station (813) can switch the operating bandwidth to the primary subchannel based on the SCO information indicated in the DL MU PPDU (860) and transmit a UL PPDU (PS-Poll or data) (870) in a contention situation.

[0168] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an STA using SCO information to indicate that the STA will not operate on a secondary channel in the next TXOP according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0169] The access point (900), the first station (911), and the second station (913) illustrated in FIG. 9 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (911) and the second station (913) illustrated in FIG. 9 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (900). In addition, the first station (911) and the second station (913) illustrated in FIG. 9 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0170] FIG. 9 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (900) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (911, 913) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 9 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0171] In one embodiment, a station having an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. S80U and S80L may refer to a higher numbered 80 MHz (S80 upper (S80U)) and a lower numbered 80 MHz (lower secondary 80 MHz (S80L)) of the secondary 160 MHz. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on a subband switch control frame transmitted by an access point, as described in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, the station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth within the operating bandwidth of the access point.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 9, an access point (900) may initiate TXOP 1 (920) as a holder for TXOP 1 (920) in a contention situation. The access point (900) may transmit a trigger frame (930) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (930) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, a second station (913), which is one of the stations connected to the access point (900), may switch its operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0173] Thereafter, the first station (911) can transmit a response frame (931) for the trigger frame to the access point (900) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (913) switches the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, it can transmit a response frame (933) for the trigger frame to the access point (900) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0174] Thereafter, the access point (900) can transmit the MU PPDU (940). In one embodiment, if the access point (900) identifies the locations of the subchannels, which are the operating channel bandwidths of the first station (911) and the second station (913) through the response frames (931 and 933), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (911) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (913) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (911) can receive the MU PPDU (940) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (941) for the MU PPDU. The second station (913) can receive the MU PPDU on the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (943) for the MU PPDU (940).

[0175] In one embodiment, if there is a BO to be transmitted to the second station (913) operating in the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1, the access point (900) may use the SCO (secondary channel operation) information included in the MU PPDU (940) to instruct the second station (913) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (900) may indicate the SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to instruct the second station (913) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame). In one embodiment, when multiple data transmissions occur within a TXOP, the SCO information may be used to indicate whether the station will maintain the operating bandwidth as an S160 subchannel during the next data transmission.

[0176] In one embodiment, the second station (913) may use the SCO information in the BA frame (943) for the MU PPDU (940) to notify the second station (913) that it will switch the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel or maintain the S160 channel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the second station (913) may set the SCO information to a predetermined value (e.g., '0') to notify the second station (913) that it will switch the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be indicated by an SCO bit.

[0177] In one embodiment, regardless of whether the access point (900) indicates SCO information in the MU PPDU (940) as illustrated in FIG. 9, the second station (913) may use the SCO information in the BA frame (943) for the MU PPDU (940) to notify the second station (913) that it will switch the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel or maintain the S160 channel in the next TXOP.

[0178] In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame).

[0179] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation of switching an operating bandwidth to a primary channel when an STA whose operating bandwidth is a secondary channel does not receive resource allocation on the secondary channel before a DSO timer elapses according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0180] In one embodiment, the access point may instruct the station to maintain the operating bandwidth on the secondary channel after or within the corresponding TXOP using the SCO information included in the DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, in this case, the access point may include DSO timer information in the DSO triggering information, and instruct the station to revert to the primary subchannel if no TB_PPDU is allocated during the corresponding timer.

[0181] The access point (1000), the first station (1011), and the second station (1013) illustrated in FIG. 10 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (1011) and the second station (1013) illustrated in FIG. 10 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (1000). In addition, the first station (1011) and the second station (1013) illustrated in FIG. 10 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0182] FIG. 10 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (1000) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (1011, 1013) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 10 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0183] In one embodiment, a station having an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. S80U and S80L may refer to a higher numbered 80 MHz (S80 upper (S80U)) and a lower numbered 80 MHz (lower secondary 80 MHz (S80L)) of the secondary 160 MHz. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on a subband switch control frame transmitted by an access point, as described in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, the station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth within the operating bandwidth of the access point.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 10, an access point (1000) may initiate TXOP 1 (1020) as a holder for TXOP 1 (1020) in a contention situation. The access point (1000) may transmit a trigger frame (1030) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (1030) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, a second station (1013), which is one of the stations connected to the access point (1000), may switch its operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0185] Thereafter, the first station (1011) can transmit a response frame (1031) for the trigger frame to the access point (1000) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (1013) switches the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, it can transmit a response frame (1033) for the trigger frame to the access point (1000) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0186] Thereafter, the access point (1000) can transmit the MU PPDU (1040). In one embodiment, if the access point (1000) identifies the location of the subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth of the first station (1011) and the second station (1013) through the response frames (1031 and 1033), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (1011) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (1013) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (1011) can receive the MU PPDU (1040) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1041) for the MU PPDU. The second station (1013) can receive the MU PPDU in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1043) for the MU PPDU (1040).

[0187] In one embodiment, if there is a BO to be transmitted to the second station (1013) operating in the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1, the access point (1000) may use SCO (secondary channel operation) information in the MU PPDU (1040) to instruct the second station (1013) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (1000) may indicate the SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to instruct the second station (1013) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame). In one embodiment, when multiple data transmissions occur within a TXOP, the SCO information may be used to indicate whether the station will maintain the operating bandwidth as an S160 subchannel during the next data transmission.

[0188] In one embodiment, the access point (1000) may indicate a DSO Timer in the DSO triggering information included in the trigger frame (1030). In this case, the second station (1013) that has switched its operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may initiate the DSO Timer (1050) after transmitting the BA frame (1043) for the MU PPDU (1040). In one embodiment, the second station (1013) may switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel if it is not allocated a TB (trigger based)-PPDU in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer. In one embodiment, after switching its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel, the second station (1013) may transmit PS-Poll or UL DATA (1060) in a contention state.

[0189] Since the station cannot perform contention-based transmission in the S160 subchannel and can only transmit TB-PPDU, UL latency may increase, but UL latency can be prevented by operating the DSO Timer.

[0190] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of maintaining the operating bandwidth as a secondary channel when an STA whose operating bandwidth is a secondary channel receives resource allocation on the secondary channel before the DSO timer expires according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0191] The access point (1100), the first station (1111), and the second station (1113) illustrated in FIG. 11 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (1111) and the second station (1113) illustrated in FIG. 11 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (1100). In addition, the first station (1111) and the second station (1113) illustrated in FIG. 11 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0192] FIG. 11 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (1100) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (1111, 1113) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 11 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0193] In one embodiment, a station having an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. S80U and S80L may refer to a higher numbered 80 MHz (S80 upper (S80U)) and a lower numbered 80 MHz (lower secondary 80 MHz (S80L)) of the secondary 160 MHz. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on a subband switch control frame transmitted by an access point, as described in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, the station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth within the operating bandwidth of the access point.

[0194] Referring to FIG. 11, an access point (1100) may initiate TXOP 1 (1120) as a holder for TXOP 1 (1120) in a contention situation. The access point (1100) may transmit a trigger frame (1130) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (1130) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, a second station (1113), which is one of the stations connected to the access point (1100), may switch its operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0195] Thereafter, the first station (1111) can transmit a response frame (1131) for the trigger frame to the access point (1100) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (1113) switches the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, it can transmit a response frame (1133) for the trigger frame to the access point (1100) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0196] Thereafter, the access point (1100) can transmit a DL MU PPDU (1140). In one embodiment, if the access point (1100) identifies the location of the subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth of the first station (1111) and the second station (1113) through the response frames (1131 and 1133), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (1111) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (1113) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (1111) can receive the MU PPDU (1140) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1141) for the MU PPDU. The second station (1113) can receive the MU PPDU in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1143) for the MU PPDU (1140).

[0197] In one embodiment, if there is a BO to be transmitted to the second station (1113) operating in the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1, the access point (1100) may use SCO (secondary channel operation) information in the MU PPDU (1140) to instruct the second station (1113) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (1100) may indicate the SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to instruct the second station (1113) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame). In one embodiment, when multiple data transmissions occur within a TXOP, the SCO information may be used to indicate whether the station will maintain the operating bandwidth as an S160 subchannel during the next data transmission.

[0198] In one embodiment, the access point (1100) may indicate a DSO Timer in the DSO triggering information included in the trigger frame (1130). In this case, the second station (1113) that has switched its operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may initiate the DSO Timer (1150) after transmitting the BA frame (1143) for the MU PPDU (1140). In one embodiment, if the second station (1113) is not allocated a TB (trigger based)-PPDU in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer, the second station (1113) may switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel. In one embodiment, when the second station (1113) is allocated a TB (trigger based)-PPDU in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer, the SCO bit value transmitted by the access point (1100) in the DL MU PPDU (1140) is '1', and thus the operating bandwidth can be maintained in the S160 subchannel.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 11, the access point (1100) can initiate a TXOP in a contention situation within the DSO Timer (1150) and transmit a Basic Trigger frame (1160) for UL resource allocation. The first station (1111) can transmit a HE TB PPDU frame (1161) to the access point (1100) in the P160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth. The second station (1113) can transmit a HE TB PPDU frame (1163) in the S160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth. The access point (1100) can transmit a Multi STA BA (block acknowledgment) frame (1165) for the PPDUs (1161, 1163) transmitted by the stations. In one embodiment, the SCO information can be indicated by an SCO bit. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame).

[0200] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation of an STA switching an operating bandwidth from a secondary channel to a primary channel when an OBSS (overlap basic service set) PPDU is transmitted before a DSO timer elapses according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0201] The access point (1200), the first station (1211), and the second station (1213) illustrated in FIG. 12 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (1211) and the second station (1213) illustrated in FIG. 12 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (1200). In addition, the first station (1211) and the second station (1213) illustrated in FIG. 12 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0202] FIG. 12 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (1200) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (1211, 1213) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 12 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0203] In one embodiment, a station having an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. S80U and S80L may refer to a higher numbered 80 MHz (S80 upper (S80U)) and a lower numbered 80 MHz (lower secondary 80 MHz (S80L)) of the secondary 160 MHz. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on a subband switch control frame transmitted by an access point, as described in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, the station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth within the operating bandwidth of the access point.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 12, an access point (1200) may initiate TXOP 1 (1220) as a holder for TXOP 1 (1220) in a contention situation. The access point (1200) may transmit a trigger frame (1230) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (1230) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, a second station (1213), which is one of the stations connected to the access point (1200), may switch its operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0205] Thereafter, the first station (1211) can transmit a response frame (1231) for the trigger frame to the access point (1200) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (1213) switches the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, it can transmit a response frame (1233) for the trigger frame to the access point (1200) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0206] Thereafter, the access point (1200) can transmit the MU PPDU (1240). In one embodiment, if the access point (1200) identifies the location of the subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth of the first station (1211) and the second station (1213) through the response frames (1231 and 1233), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (1211) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (1213) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (1211) can receive the MU PPDU (1240) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1241) for the MU PPDU. The second station (1213) can receive the MU PPDU in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1243) for the MU PPDU (1240).

[0207] In one embodiment, when there is a BO to be transmitted to the second station (1213) operating in the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1, the access point (1200) may use SCO (secondary channel operation) information in the MU PPDU (1240) to indicate whether the second station (1213) maintains the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (1200) may indicate the SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to indicate that the second station (1213) maintains the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame). In one embodiment, when multiple data transmissions occur within a TXOP, the SCO information may be used to indicate whether the station will maintain the operating bandwidth as an S160 subchannel during the next data transmission.

[0208] In one embodiment, the access point (1200) may indicate a DSO Timer in the DSO triggering information included in the trigger frame (1230). In this case, the second station (1213) that has switched the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may initiate the DSO Timer (1250) after transmitting the BA frame (1243) for the MU PPDU (1240). In one embodiment, the second station (1213) may switch the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel if no TB (trigger based)-PPDU is allocated in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer (1250). In one embodiment, the second station (1213) may switch the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel if an OBSS PPDU (1260) is transmitted during the DSO Timer (1250). In one embodiment, the second station (1013) may transmit PS-Poll or UL DATA (1270) in a contention state after switching the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel.

[0209] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which a DSO timer is extended by the amount of an OBSS PPDU when an OBSS PPDU is transmitted before the DSO timer expires according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0210] The access point (1300), the first station (1311), and the second station (1313) of FIG. 13 may operate in accordance with the operations of the access point (1200), the first station (1211), and the second station (1213) illustrated in FIG. 12. 1320 to 1343 of FIG. 13 may correspond to the descriptions of 1220 to 1243 of FIG. 12.

[0211] Referring to FIG. 13, in one embodiment, the access point (1300) may indicate a DSO Timer in the DSO triggering information included in the trigger frame (1330). In this case, the second station (1313) that has switched its operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may initiate the DSO Timer (1350) after transmitting the BA frame (1243) for the MU PPDU (1340). In one embodiment, if the second station (1213) is not allocated a TB (trigger based)-PPDU in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer (1250), the second station (1213) may switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel.

[0212] In one embodiment, the second station (1313) may set the timer to extend by the length of the OBSS PPDU (1360) if the OBSS PPDU (1360) is transmitted during the DSO Timer (1350) (1370). In one embodiment, the second station (1013) may wait to receive a trigger frame for allocating a TB-PPDU from the access point (1300) during the time set by extending the timer by the length of the OBSS PPDU (1360). In one embodiment, the access point (1300) may transmit a Basic trigger frame (1380) during the extended Timer time (1370).

[0213] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which an STA proposes a DSO timer in consideration of traffic requirements according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0214] The access point (1400), the first station (1411), and the second station (1413) illustrated in FIG. 14 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (1411) and the second station (1413) illustrated in FIG. 14 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (1400). In addition, the first station (1411) and the second station (1413) illustrated in FIG. 14 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0215] FIG. 14 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (1400) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (1411, 1413) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 14 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0216] In one embodiment, a station with an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. In one embodiment, a DSO-enabled station may switch its operating bandwidth based on a subband switch control frame transmitted by an access point, as described in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, the station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth within the operating bandwidth of the access point.

[0217] Referring to FIG. 14, an access point (1400) may initiate TXOP 1 (1420) as a holder for TXOP 1 (1420) in a contention situation. The access point (1400) may transmit a trigger frame (1430) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (1430) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, a second station (1413), which is one of the stations connected to the access point (1400), may switch its operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0218] Thereafter, the first station (1411) can transmit a response frame (1431) for the trigger frame to the access point (1400) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (1413) switches the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, it can transmit a response frame (1433) for the trigger frame to the access point (1400) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0219] In one embodiment, the access point (1400) may indicate a DSO Timer in the DSO triggering information included in the trigger frame (1430). In this case, the second station (1413) that has switched its operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may initiate the DSO Timer after transmitting the BA frame (1443) for the MU PPDU (1440). In one embodiment, the second station (1413) may switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel if it is not allocated a TB (trigger based)-PPDU in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer.

[0220] In one embodiment, the second station (1413) may propose a DSO timer considering its traffic requirements. For example, if the second station (1413) has low-latency traffic and its latency requirement is shorter than the DSO timer set by the access point (1400), it may request a change in the DSO timer considering the latency requirement. In one embodiment, the second station (1413) may request a change in the DSO timer in the response frame (1433).

[0221] Thereafter, the access point (1400) can transmit an MU PPDU (1440). In one embodiment, if the access point (1400) identifies the location of the subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth of the first station (1411) and the second station (1413) through the response frames (1431 and 1433), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (1411) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (1413) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (1411) can receive the MU PPDU (1440) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1441) for the MU PPDU. The second station (1413) can receive the MU PPDU in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1443) for the MU PPDU (1440).

[0222] In one embodiment, if the access point (1400) has a BO to transmit to the second station (1413) operating on the S160 subchannel even after TXOP 1, the access point (1400) may use the SCO (secondary channel operation) information in the MU PPDU (1440) to indicate whether the second station (1413) maintains the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the access point (1400) may indicate the SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to indicate that the second station (1413) maintains the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP.

[0223] In one embodiment, the second station (1413) that has switched the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may initiate a DSO Timer (1450) after transmitting a BA frame (1443) for the MU PPDU (1440). The DSO Timer (1450) may be based on the DSO Timer that requested a change in the response frame (1433). In one embodiment, if the second station (1413) is not allocated a TB (trigger based)-PPDU in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer (1450), the second station (1413) may switch the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel. In one embodiment, after switching the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel, the second station (1413) may transmit PS-Poll or UL DATA (1460) in a contention state.

[0224] Since the station cannot perform contention-based transmission in the S160 subchannel and can only transmit TB-PPDU, UL latency may increase. However, UL data delay can be prevented by requesting a change in the DSO Timer in consideration of the requirements of the traffic held by the station.

[0225] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which an STA rejects a DSO timer instruction from an AP in consideration of traffic requirements according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0226] The access point (1500), the first station (1511), and the second station (1513) of FIG. 15 may operate in accordance with the operations of the access point (1400), the first station (1411), and the second station (1413) illustrated in FIG. 14. 1520 to 1533 of FIG. 15 may correspond to the descriptions of 1420 to 1433 of FIG. 14.

[0227] In one embodiment, the second station (1513) may reject the setting of the DSO timer of the access point, considering its traffic requirements. For example, if the second station (1413) has low-latency traffic and its latency requirement is shorter than the DSO timer set by the access point (1400), the DSO timer may be rejected considering the latency requirement. In one embodiment, the second station (1413) may notify the access point (1400) of its intention to reject the DSO timer in a response frame (1433).

[0228] Thereafter, the access point (1500) can transmit the MU PPDU (1540). In one embodiment, if the access point (1500) identifies the location of the subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth of the first station (1511) and the second station (1513) through the response frames (1531 and 1533), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (1511) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (1513) can be transmitted through the S160 subchannel. The first station (1511) can receive the MU PPDU (1540) on the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1541) for the MU PPDU. The second station (1513) can receive the MU PPDU in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1543) for the MU PPDU (1540).

[0229] In one embodiment, the second station (1513) that has switched its operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel without initiating the DSO Timer instructed by the access point (1500) after transmitting the BA frame (1543) for the MU PPDU (1540). In this case, the second station (1513) may switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel without initiating the DSO Timer regardless of whether the access point (1500) instructs the second station (1513) to maintain its operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP using secondary channel operation (SCO) information.

[0230] In one embodiment, the second station (1513) may transmit PS-Poll or UL DATA (1560) in a contention state after switching the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel.

[0231] Since the station cannot perform contention-based transmission on the S160 subchannel and can only transmit TB-PPDU, the UL latency may increase. However, the UL data delay can be prevented by rejecting the DSO Timer and immediately switching to the primary subchannel in consideration of the requirements of the traffic held by the station.

[0232] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation of indicating SCO information for a specific terminal within a TXOP according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0233] Figure 16 illustrates an operation of using secondary channel operation (SCO) information to indicate whether a station will maintain its operating bandwidth as an S160 subchannel during the next data transmission when multiple data transmissions occur within one TXOP.

[0234] The access point (1600) and the first station (1611), the second station (1613), and the third station (1615) illustrated in FIG. 16 can be interconnected and communicate with each other. The first station (1611), the second station (1613), and the third station (1615) illustrated in FIG. 16 may be stations included in the BSS of the access point (1600). In addition, the first station (1611), the second station (1613), and the third station (1615) illustrated in FIG. 16 may be DSO-supporting stations.

[0235] FIG. 16 illustrates a case where, for example, an access point (1600) provides a bandwidth of 320 MHz and stations (1611, 1613, 1615) use a bandwidth of 160 MHz as an operating channel bandwidth; however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the DSO described in FIG. 16 can be applied to all possible combinations of operating bandwidths.

[0236] In one embodiment, a station with an operating bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80 MHz may switch its operating bandwidth within S160, S80U, or S80L due to DSO operation. In one embodiment, a DSO-enabled station may switch its operating bandwidth based on a subband switch control frame transmitted by an access point, as described in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, to reduce signaling overhead, the station may voluntarily switch its operating bandwidth within the operating bandwidth of the access point.

[0237] Referring to FIG. 16, an access point (1600) may initiate TXOP 1 (1620) as a holder for TXOP 1 (1620) in a contention situation. The access point (1600) may transmit a trigger frame (1630) to stations within the BSS. In one embodiment, the trigger frame (1630) may include DSO triggering information. In one embodiment, a DSO-supporting station may switch its operating bandwidth based on the DSO triggering information transmitted by the access point. A switching delay may occur when switching the operating bandwidth. In one embodiment, a second station (1613) and a third station (1615), which are among the stations connected to the access point (1600), may switch their operating bandwidth from a P160 subchannel to an S160 subchannel.

[0238] Thereafter, the first station (1611) can transmit a response frame (1631) for the trigger frame to the access point (1600) in the P160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth. When the second station (1613) and the third station (1615) switch the operating channel bandwidth to the S160 subchannel, they can transmit a response frame (1633, 1635) for the trigger frame to the access point (1600) in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth.

[0239] Thereafter, the access point (1600) can transmit a DL MU PPDU (1640). In one embodiment, if the access point (1600) identifies the locations of subchannels that are operating channel bandwidths of the first station (1611), the second station (1613), and the third station (1615) through the response frames (1631, 1633, and 1635), the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (1611) can be transmitted through the P160 subchannel, and the PPDUs to be transmitted to the second station (1613) and the third station (1615) can be transmitted through each resource of the S160 subchannel. The first station (1611) can receive the MU PPDU (1640) on the P160 subchannel that is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1641) for the MU PPDU. The second station (1613) and the third station (1615) can receive the MU PPDU in the S160 subchannel, which is the operating channel bandwidth, and transmit each BA frame (1643, 1645) for the MU PPDU.

[0240] In one embodiment, when the access point (1600) has a BO to transmit to the second station (1613) operating in the S160 subchannel after transmitting a PPDU within the same TXOP, the access point (1600) may use the SCO (secondary channel operation) information included in the MU PPDU (1640) to instruct the second station (1613) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel even after receiving the PPDU. In one embodiment, the access point (1600) may indicate the SCO information as an SCO bit, and may set the SCO bit to a predetermined value (e.g., '1') to instruct the second station (1613) to maintain the operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP. In one embodiment, the SCO information may be replaced with the More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame).

[0241] In one embodiment, if there is no BO to transmit to a third station (1615) operating in the S160 subchannel after transmitting a PPDU within the same TXOP, the access point (1600) may set the value of the SCO information included in the MU PPDU (1640) to, for example, '1' to instruct the third station (1615) to maintain the operating bandwidth in the S160 subchannel in the next TXOP.

[0242] In one embodiment, the third station (1615) may transmit the BA frame (1645) and then change the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel based on the value of the SCO information for the third station (1515) included in the MU PPDU (1640). When the third station (1615) switches the operating bandwidth, a switching delay may occur. Thereafter, the access point (1600) may transmit the DL MU PPDU (1650). In one embodiment, the access point (1600) may transmit the PPDU to be transmitted to the first station (1611) through the P160 subchannel, and transmit the PPDU to be transmitted to the second station (1613) and the fourth station through each resource of the S160 subchannel. A first station (1611) can receive the MU PPDU (1650) in a P160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth, and transmit a BA frame (1651) for the MU PPDU. A second station (1613) can receive the MU PPDU in a S160 subchannel, which is an operating channel bandwidth, and transmit each BA frame (1643) for the MU PPDU.

[0243] In one embodiment, the third station (1615) may transmit PS-Poll or UL DATA (1660) in a contention state after switching the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel.

[0244] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which a DSO timer is terminated considering a TBTT point in time according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0245] In Fig. 17, the DSO timer for the secondary subchannel, which is set for a station whose operating bandwidth is a secondary subchannel, is described as being set in consideration of the TBTT time point at which a beacon is transmitted. The DSO timer that maintains the operating bandwidth as a secondary subchannel cannot exceed the TBTT, and stations operating on the secondary channel can move to the primary subchannel before the TBTT time point to receive the beacon. In one embodiment, the DSO timer for the secondary subchannel can be set in consideration of a switching delay before the TBTT time point.

[0246] The access point (1700), the first station (1711), and the second station (1713) of FIG. 17 may operate in accordance with the operations of the access point (1700), the first station (1711), and the second station (1713) illustrated in FIG. 17. 1730 to 1743 of FIG. 17 may correspond to the description of 1730 to 1743 of FIG. 10.

[0247] In one embodiment, the access point (1700) may indicate a DSO Timer in the DSO triggering information included in the trigger frame (1730). In this case, the second station (1713) that has switched its operating bandwidth to the S160 subchannel may initiate the DSO Timer (1750) after transmitting the BA frame (1743) for the MU PPDU (1740). In one embodiment, if the second station (1713) is not allocated a TB (trigger based)-PPDU in the S160 subchannel during the DSO Timer, the second station (1713) may switch its operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel.

[0248] In one embodiment, the DSO Timer (1750) may be set to end before the TBTT time point (1760) considering the TBTT time point (1760) at which the beacon is transmitted. In one embodiment, the DSO Timer (1750) for the secondary subchannel may be set before the TBTT time point (1760) considering a switching delay (1765). In one embodiment, the second station (1713) may receive the beacon (1770) by switching the operating bandwidth to the P160 subchannel before the TBTT time point (1760).

[0249] In one embodiment, the DSO triggering information illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 17 may include at least one of the following information:

[0250] - DSO Channel Info: Information on the secondary subchannel on which DSO will be performed.

[0251] - SCO (secondary channel operation) bit: Whether to maintain the secondary channel after or within the TXOP (or, can be included in DL / UL Data / BA, can be replaced with More Data, More TF subfield (EHT variant Common Info field in Trigger frame))

[0252] - DSO Timer: When the SCO bit is TRUE, if no TB_PPDU is allocated during the timer, it returns to the primary subchannel (absolute time in usec / msec units or a predefined table value such as 1 to 10 msec, etc.)

[0253] In one embodiment, the DSO triggering information may be included in a trigger frame in which the trigger type subfield of the trigger frame indicates a DSO.

[0254] In one embodiment, the station may transmit information about a DSO Timer requested by the terminal in response to the DSO triggering information.

[0255] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0256] At step 1800, the access point may transmit a trigger frame on a primary channel and at least one secondary channel.

[0257] In step 1810, the access point can receive at least one response frame to the trigger frame on at least one secondary channel from at least one station whose operation bandwidth is the at least one secondary channel.

[0258] In step 1820, the access point can transmit a frame on a primary channel and at least one secondary channel based on the at least one response frame.

[0259] In one embodiment, the frame may include secondary channel operation (SCO) information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain a secondary channel.

[0260] In one embodiment, the frame may include a PPDU (PLCP (physical layer convergence procedure) protocol data unit) or a trigger frame.

[0261] In one embodiment, the access point may transmit a second trigger frame. In one embodiment, the access point may receive at least one response frame to the second trigger frame from the at least one station on the at least one secondary channel, if the SCO information instructs the at least one station to maintain the secondary channel.

[0262] In one embodiment, the access point may transmit a second trigger frame. In one embodiment, the access point may receive at least one response frame to the second trigger frame on the primary channel from the at least one station if the SCO information indicates that the at least one station will not maintain the secondary channel.

[0263] In one embodiment, the access point may receive a frame including SCO information from at least one station.

[0264] In one embodiment, the trigger frame may include dynamic subband / subchannel operation (DSO) trigger information. In one embodiment, the DSO trigger information may include information about a DSO timer. In one embodiment, the DSO timer may instruct to switch the operating bandwidth to the primary channel if the SCO information instructs the at least one station to maintain the secondary channel and if a TB (trigger based)_PPDU is not allocated from the access point for a time period set by the DSO timer.

[0265] In one embodiment, if an overlap basic service set (OBSS) PPDU is received before the DSO timer expires, the operating bandwidth of the at least one station may be switched to a primary channel.

[0266] In one embodiment, the DSO timer may be set to expire considering the target beacon transmission time (TBTT).

[0267] In one embodiment, the response frame may include information related to a DSO timer requested by the at least one station and information indicating rejection of the DSO timer.

[0268] In one embodiment, the SCO information may indicate whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel within a first transmission opportunity (TXOP) in which the trigger frame was transmitted or within a second TXOP following the TXOP in which the trigger frame was transmitted.

[0269] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0270] At step 1900, the station may receive a trigger frame from the access point.

[0271] At step 1910, the station may switch the operation bandwidth to the secondary channel based on the trigger frame.

[0272] At step 1920, the station may transmit a response frame to the trigger frame on the secondary channel to the access point.

[0273] In step 1930, the station may receive a frame on the secondary channel based on the response frame from the access point. In one embodiment, the frame may include secondary channel operation (SCO) information indicating whether the station will maintain the secondary channel.

[0274] In one embodiment, the frame may include a PPDU (PLCP (physical layer convergence procedure) protocol data unit) or a trigger frame.

[0275] In one embodiment, the station may receive a second trigger frame from the access point. In one embodiment, if the SCO information instructs the station to maintain the secondary channel, the station may transmit a response frame to the second trigger frame to the access point on the secondary channel.

[0276] In one embodiment, the station may receive a second trigger frame from the access point. In one embodiment, the station may transmit a response frame to the second trigger frame on the primary channel to the access point if the SCO information indicates that the station will not maintain the secondary channel.

[0277] In one embodiment, a station may transmit a frame containing SCO information to the access point.

[0278] In one embodiment, the trigger frame may include dynamic subband / subchannel operation (DSO) trigger information. In one embodiment, the DSO trigger information may include information about a DSO timer. In one embodiment, the DSO timer may instruct the station to switch the operating bandwidth to the primary channel if the SCO information instructs the station to maintain the secondary channel and if the access point does not allocate a TB (trigger based)_PPDU for a time period set by the DSO timer.

[0279] In one embodiment, the station may switch the operating bandwidth to the primary channel if it receives an OBSS PPDU before the DSO timer expires.

[0280] In one embodiment, the DSO timer may be set to expire considering the target beacon transmission time (TBTT). In one embodiment, the response frame may include information related to the DSO timer requested by the station and information indicating rejection of the DSO timer.

[0281] In one embodiment, the SCO information may indicate whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel within a first TXOP in which the trigger frame was transmitted or within a second TXOP following the TXOP in which the trigger frame was transmitted.

[0282] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example configuration of an access point according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0283] In FIG. 20, the access point may include a processor (2001), a transceiver (2002), and a memory (2003). The processor (2001), the transceiver (2002), and the memory (2003) of the access point may operate according to the method(s) described in the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 19 . However, the components of the access point are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the access point may include more or fewer components than the components described above. In addition, the processor (2001), the transceiver (2002), and the memory (2003) may be implemented in the form of at least one chip.

[0284] The transceiver (2002) is a general term for a receiver and a transmitter, and can transmit and receive signals with a station or other network entity through the transceiver (2002). At this time, the transmitted and received signal may include at least one of control information and data. To this end, the transceiver (2002) may include an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies and frequency-downconverts the received signal. This is only one embodiment of the transceiver (2002), and the components of the transceiver (2002) are not limited to the RF transmitter and RF receiver. In addition, the transceiver (2002) can receive a signal and output it to the processor (2001), and transmit the signal output from the processor (2001) to another network entity through the network.

[0285] The memory (2003) can store programs and data necessary for the operation of the access point according to at least one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 19. In addition, the memory (2003) can store control information and / or data included in a signal acquired from the access point. The memory (2003) can be configured as a storage medium or a combination of storage media, such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD.

[0286] The processor (2001) may control a series of processes so that the access point can operate according to at least one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 19. The processor (2001) may include at least one processor.

[0287] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0288] In FIG. 21, the station may include a processor (2101), a transceiver (2102), and a memory (2103). The processor (2101), the transceiver (2102), and the memory (2103) of the station may operate according to the method(s) described in the above-described embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 19 . However, the components of the station are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the station may include more or fewer components than the components described above. In addition, the processor (2101), the transceiver (2102), and the memory (2103) may be implemented in the form of at least one chip.

[0289] The transceiver (2102) is a general term for a receiver and a transmitter, and can transmit and receive signals with a station or other network entity through the transceiver (2102). At this time, the transmitted and received signal may include at least one of control information and data. To this end, the transceiver (2102) may include an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of a transmitted signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies and frequency-downconverts the received signal. This is only one embodiment of the transceiver (2102), and the components of the transceiver (2102) are not limited to the RF transmitter and RF receiver. In addition, the transceiver (2102) can receive a signal and output it to the processor (2101), and transmit the signal output from the processor (2101) to another network entity through the network.

[0290] The memory (2103) can store programs and data necessary for the operation of the station according to at least one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 19. In addition, the memory (03) can store control information and / or data included in a signal acquired from the station. The memory (2103) can be configured as a storage medium or a combination of storage media, such as a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD.

[0291] The processor (2101) may control a series of processes so that the station can operate according to at least one of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 19. The processor (2101) may include at least one processor.

[0292] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, components included in the present disclosure are expressed singularly or plurally, depending on the specific embodiment presented. However, the singular or plural expressions are selected to suit the presented situation for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components. Components expressed in plural may be composed of singular elements, or components expressed in singular may be composed of plural elements.

[0293] While the detailed description of this disclosure has described specific embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the claims described below, but also by equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. In a method performed by an access point in a wireless local access network (WLAN) system, A step of transmitting a trigger frame on a primary channel and at least one secondary channel; A step of receiving at least one response frame to the trigger frame on at least one secondary channel from at least one station whose operation bandwidth is at least one secondary channel; and A step of transmitting a frame on the primary channel and the at least one secondary channel based on the at least one response frame; A method characterized in that the frame includes information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain a secondary channel.

2. In paragraph 1, A method characterized in that the above frame includes a PPDU (PLCP (physical layer convergence procedure) protocol data unit) or a trigger frame.

3. In paragraph 1, a step of transmitting a second trigger frame; A method characterized by comprising: receiving at least one response frame for the second trigger frame from the at least one station on the at least one secondary channel, when the information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel instructs the at least one station to maintain the secondary channel.

4. In paragraph 1, a step of transmitting a second trigger frame; and A method characterized by comprising: receiving at least one response frame for the second trigger frame from the at least one station on the primary channel, when the information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel indicates to the at least one station not to maintain the secondary channel.

5. In paragraph 1, A method comprising: receiving a frame including secondary channel operation (SCO) information from at least one station.

6. In the first paragraph, the trigger frame includes dynamic subband operation (DSO) trigger information, The above DSO trigger information includes information about the DSO timer, A method characterized in that the DSO timer instructs the at least one station to switch the operating bandwidth to the primary channel when the information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel instructs the at least one station to maintain the secondary channel, and when the TB (trigger based)_PPDU is not allocated from the access point for a time period set by the DSO timer.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that, if an OBSS (overlap basic service set) PPDU is received before the DSO timer expires, the operating bandwidth of at least one station is switched to a primary channel.

8. In paragraph 6, A method characterized in that the above DSO timer is set to end in consideration of the target beacon transmission time (TBTT).

9. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the response frame includes at least one of information related to the DSO timer requested by the at least one station and information indicating rejection of the DSO timer.

10. In paragraph 1, A method characterized in that the information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel indicates whether the at least one station will maintain the secondary channel within a first transmission opportunity (TXOP) in which the trigger frame is transmitted or within a second TXOP after the TXOP in which the trigger frame is transmitted.

11. In a method performed by a station in a wireless local access network (WLAN) system, A step of receiving a trigger frame from an access point; A step of switching the operation bandwidth to a secondary channel based on the above trigger frame; A step of transmitting a response frame to the trigger frame to the access point on the secondary channel; and A step of receiving a frame on the secondary channel based on the response frame from the access point; A method characterized in that the frame includes information indicating whether the station will maintain a secondary channel.

12. In paragraph 11, A method characterized in that the above frame includes a PPDU (PLCP (physical layer convergence procedure) protocol data unit) or a trigger frame.

13. In paragraph 11, comprising a step of receiving a second trigger frame from the access point; A method characterized by comprising: a step of transmitting a response frame for the second trigger frame to the access point on the secondary channel when the information indicating whether the station will maintain the secondary channel indicates that the station will maintain the secondary channel.

14. In a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, at an access point (AP), Transmitter and receiver; One or more processors including processing circuitry; and A memory for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are individually or collectively executed by the one or more processors, the access point: Transmitting a trigger frame on a primary channel and at least one secondary channel, Receiving at least one response frame to the trigger frame on at least one secondary channel from at least one station whose operation bandwidth is at least one secondary channel, and Causing a frame to be transmitted on the primary channel and the at least one secondary channel based on the at least one response frame; An access point, wherein the frame includes information indicating whether the at least one station will maintain a secondary channel.

15. In a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, at a station, Transmitter and receiver; One or more processors including processing circuitry; and A station comprising a memory for storing instructions, wherein the instructions are individually or collectively executed by one or more processors, wherein the station: Receive a trigger frame from an access point, Based on the above trigger frame, the operation bandwidth is switched to a secondary channel, Transmitting a response frame to the trigger frame to the access point on the secondary channel, and Causing the access point to receive a frame on the secondary channel based on the response frame, A station characterized in that the frame includes information indicating whether the station will maintain a secondary channel.

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