Wireless communication device and wireless communication method

Abstract

[Problem] To enable efficient use of frequencies. [Solution] This wireless communication device comprises a plurality of signal detecting units which detect a signal level for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including mutually adjacent frequency resources, and which compare the signal level with a threshold for each of the plurality of frequency resources, a plurality of communication control units that perform access control for each of the frequency resources on the basis of the comparison results from the plurality of signal detecting units, and a plurality of wireless transmission units that transmit data using the frequency resources in accordance with the timing at which each frequency resource becomes accessible through the access control, wherein at least one of the plurality of signal detecting units changes the value of the threshold used by the at least one signal detecting unit on the basis of whether or not the wireless transmission unit is transmitting the data using a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource corresponding to the at least one signal detecting unit.

Description

Wireless communication device and wireless communication method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method.

[0002] To achieve high-speed wireless communication, it is common to use a wide bandwidth. For example, a technique called Secondary Channel Access (SCA) has been proposed, which uses one of the secondary channels as the primary channel when the primary channel is busy (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] IEEE802.11-23 / 961r0 contribution

[0004] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which consecutive secondary channels are used in SCA. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to use secondary channels that are not consecutive in frequency. For this reason, when a busy secondary channel exists among multiple idle secondary channels, and the idle secondary channels are discontinuous, the frequency utilization efficiency decreases.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method that can efficiently use frequencies.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a wireless communication device comprising: a plurality of signal detection units that detect a signal level for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, and compare the signal level with a threshold for each of the plurality of frequency resources; a plurality of communication control units that perform access control for each of the frequency resources based on the comparison results of the plurality of signal detection units; and a plurality of wireless transmission units that transmit data on the frequency resources according to the timing at which the frequency resources become accessible through the access control, wherein at least one of the plurality of signal detection units changes the value of the threshold used by the at least one signal detection unit based on whether the wireless transmission unit is transmitting the data on a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource corresponding to the at least one signal detection unit.

[0007] The frequency resource may further include a bandwidth setting unit that sets the frequency resource as a variable frequency bandwidth.

[0008] The plurality of frequency resources may include a first channel used for wireless communication, and a second channel used in combination with the first channel to extend a band of the wireless communication.

[0009] The plurality of communication control units may perform the access control for the second channel regardless of whether the first channel is available.

[0010] When one or more of the plurality of radio transmission units are transmitting data, if the corresponding frequency resource is adjacent to a frequency resource used for the data transmission, each of the plurality of signal detection units may adjust a signal level threshold of the corresponding frequency resource in accordance with a signal level leaking from the frequency resource used for the data transmission.

[0011] When two or more of the plurality of radio transmission units are transmitting data, and the corresponding frequency resource is adjacent to and sandwiched between a plurality of frequency resources used for the data transmission, each of the plurality of signal detection units may adjust the signal level threshold of the corresponding frequency resource in accordance with a signal level obtained by aggregating signal levels leaking from each of the plurality of frequency resources used for the data transmission.

[0012] The access control may include a back-off operation of setting an initial value as a random value, and the plurality of communication control units may perform the back-off operation for each frequency resource.

[0013] The plurality of communication control units may determine that the frequency resource on which the backoff operation is being performed is unavailable when the plurality of signal detection units detect a signal level exceeding a threshold in the frequency resource on which the backoff operation is being performed.

[0014] The plurality of communication control units may perform the backoff operation using the same backoff period length as an initial value for all frequency resources.

[0015] The plurality of communication control units may perform the backoff operation using, as initial values, a plurality of types of backoff period lengths that are randomly set for each frequency resource.

[0016] When the frequency resource becomes available, if a frequency resource adjacent to the available frequency resource is also available, the plurality of communication control units may adjust the backoff period length of at least one of the available frequency resource or the adjacent frequency resource so that backoff operations for the available frequency resource and the adjacent frequency resource end at approximately the same timing.

[0017] When the adjacent frequency resources become available, the plurality of radio transmitting units may transmit signals in a bandwidth obtained by aggregating the adjacent frequency resources.

[0018] An instruction signal may be transmitted or received that specifies at least one of the number or bandwidth of frequency resources that can be used as the frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources.

[0019] The present disclosure also provides a wireless communication method including: detecting a signal level for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other; comparing the detected signal level with a threshold for each of the plurality of frequency resources; performing access control for each of the plurality of frequency resources based on a comparison result for each of the plurality of frequency resources; transmitting data on each of the frequency resources according to a timing at which the frequency resources become accessible through the access control; and changing a value of the threshold used for comparison with the signal level for the at least one frequency resource based on whether the data is being transmitted on a frequency resource adjacent to at least one frequency resource.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a wireless communication device comprising: a plurality of signal detection units that detect signals for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, and compare the signal level of the detected signal with a threshold value for each of the plurality of frequency resources to detect a data signal whose signal level is equal to or greater than the threshold value; and a plurality of data decoding units that decode data based on the data signals detected by the plurality of signal detection units, wherein the threshold value used by at least one of the plurality of signal detection units has a value greater than leakage power leaking from a frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources from which data is transmitted to a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource from which the data is transmitted.

[0021] The frequency resource may further include a bandwidth setting unit that sets the frequency resource as a variable frequency bandwidth.

[0022] When the multiple signal detection units detect signals at approximately the same timing in multiple adjacent frequency resources, the multiple data decoding units may decode data based on the signals detected in a bandwidth combining the multiple adjacent frequency resources.

[0023] The plurality of signal detection units may determine whether a frequency resource is available based on whether a signal level for each frequency resource exceeds a threshold, and the threshold may be adjusted based on a signal level leaking from a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource when a signal is transmitted on the adjacent frequency resource.

[0024] An instruction signal may be transmitted or received that specifies at least one of the number or bandwidth of frequency resources that can be used as the frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a wireless communication method including: detecting a signal for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other; comparing a signal level of the detected signal with a threshold value for each of the plurality of frequency resources to detect a data signal whose signal level is equal to or greater than a threshold value; decoding data based on the detected data signal; and wherein the threshold value used for a frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources adjacent to a frequency resource from which data is transmitted has a value greater than leakage power leaking from the frequency resource from which the data is transmitted.

[0026] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of a communication control unit and a signal processing unit. A diagram showing an example channel configuration in the 6 GHz band. A diagram showing a first example configuration of a signal using a plurality of frequency resource units. A diagram showing a second example configuration of a signal using a plurality of frequency resource units. A diagram showing a third example configuration of a signal using a plurality of frequency resource units. A timing chart showing an access control method according to a first basic example. A timing chart showing an access control method according to a second basic example. A timing chart showing an access control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A timing chart showing an access control method according to a first modified example. A timing chart showing an access control method according to a second modified example. A timing chart showing an access control method according to a third modified example. A table showing detection thresholds for each channel standardized in a wireless LAN system. A diagram explaining a first example of a method for setting a signal detection threshold for an adjacent resource. A diagram explaining a second example of a method for setting a signal detection threshold for an adjacent resource. A diagram explaining a third example of a method for setting a signal detection threshold for an adjacent resource. A diagram explaining a fourth example of a method for setting a signal detection threshold for an adjacent resource. A diagram explaining a fifth example of a method for setting a signal detection threshold for an adjacent resource. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sixth example of a method for setting a signal detection threshold for an adjacent resource. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for exchanging access control parameters for adjacent channels. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating information elements of access control parameters for adjacent channels. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a PPDU including access control parameters for adjacent channels. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for data transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a wireless communication device on a transmitting side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a backoff operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a data transmission process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a wireless communication device on a receiving side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a data reception process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of a computer that executes a series of processes according to the embodiment by a program. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a smartphone to which the embodiment is applied. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device to which the embodiment is applied. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example schematic configuration of a wireless AP to which the embodiment is applied.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description will focus on the main components of the wireless communication device and the wireless communication method, but the wireless communication device and the wireless communication method may include components and functions that are not shown or described. The following description does not exclude components and functions that are not shown or described.

[0028] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication device 1 is a multi-link device (MLD) capable of implementing multi-link operation (MLO), and is capable of transmitting and receiving signals in parallel over multiple links (bands).

[0029] The configuration of the wireless communication device 1 can be applied to either an access point (hereinafter also referred to as an AP) or a communication terminal (hereinafter also referred to as a station (STA)). Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 is configured with a section for connecting to the Internet network, etc., as necessary.

[0030] 1 includes a wireless communication module 10. The wireless communication module 10 includes an interface 11, a memory 12, a transmission data management unit 13, a management information processing unit 14, a reception data management unit 15, a communication management unit 16, a plurality of communication control units 17, a plurality of signal processing units 18, and an antenna control unit 19.

[0031] The interface 11, memory 12, transmission data management section 13, management information processing section 14, and reception data management section 15 are configured as a management section common to all links.

[0032] The interface 11 is connected to other modules within the wireless communication device 1. The memory 12 temporarily stores data to be transmitted and received data. The transmission data management unit 13 assigns sequence numbers to the data to be transmitted. The management information processing unit 14 processes management information required for communication. The reception data management unit 15 manages the sequence of received data.

[0033] The communication management unit 16 manages communications over multiple frequency resources available to the wireless communication device 1. The communication management unit 16 includes an MLO management unit (multi-link management unit) 161, an aggregation management unit 162, and an MCA (Multiple Channel Access) management unit 163. The MLO management unit 161 manages MLO operations. The aggregation management unit 162 aggregates multiple frequency resources and manages frame aggregation such as MSDUs (MAC Service Data Units), MPDUs (MAC Protocol Data Units), and PPDUs (PHY Layer Protocol Data Units). The MCA management unit 163 manages access methods for channel configurations using multiple resources.

[0034] A plurality of communication control units 17 and signal processing units 18 are provided corresponding to a plurality of links. In FIG. 1 , the communication control units 17 and signal processing units 18 are illustrated as follows: a communication control unit 17a and signal processing unit 18a corresponding to Link_1, a communication control unit 17b and signal processing unit 18b corresponding to Link_2, a communication control unit 17c and signal processing unit 18c corresponding to Link_3, and a communication control unit 17d and signal processing unit 18d corresponding to Link_N. The wireless communication device 1 can support N links (N is an integer of 2 or greater), and accordingly, for example, N communication control units 17 and N signal processing units 18 are provided. Note that the number of communication control units 17 and the number of signal processing units 18 do not necessarily have to be the same.

[0035] In this specification, the configuration of the communication control unit 17 including at least a part of the configuration of the communication management unit 16 may be referred to as the communication control unit.

[0036] 2 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the communication control unit 17 and the signal processing unit 18. The communication control unit 17 has a link setting unit 171, a frequency setting unit 172, a bandwidth setting unit 173, and an access control unit 174.

[0037] The link setting unit 171 sets links to be used in Multi-Link Operation. The frequency setting unit 172 sets actual high-frequency channels as operating frequency resources (hereinafter simply referred to as resources). The bandwidth setting unit 173 sets the bandwidth of each resource. The access control unit 174 performs access control according to the resource usage status of the links set by the link setting unit 171. The access control unit 174 has, for example, a back-off timer.

[0038] The signal processing unit 18 has a data construction unit 181, a signal amplification unit 182, a signal detection unit 183, and a data decoding unit 184. The data construction unit 181 constructs transmission data. The signal amplification unit 182 encodes the transmission data based on a predetermined modulation method, further amplifies the signal as a high-frequency signal, and instructs the antenna control unit 19 to transmit the signal. The signal amplification unit 182 has, for example, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit. The signal detection unit 183 detects a signal received via the antenna control unit 19. The data decoding unit 184 decodes the received signal as received data.

[0039] In this specification, the data construction unit 181 and the signal amplification unit 182 are also referred to as a wireless transmission unit 185. The signal detection unit 183 and the data decoding unit 184 are also referred to as a wireless reception unit 186.

[0040] 1 transmits signals wirelessly via a signal processing unit 18 for each link using an antenna (not shown), and receives signals from other wireless communication devices. An antenna control unit 19 also controls connection to the antenna.

[0041] The wireless communication device 1 can use the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 6 GHz band, etc. Each band is subdivided by the frequency used. In these frequency bands, the bandwidth is defined by the standard used. The IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, and IEEE 802.11be standards, which use the OFDM signal format, define a channel width of 20 MHz.

[0042] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a channel configuration when multiple channels are used in the 6 GHz band, illustrating examples of channel configurations of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, and 640 MHz.

[0043] The basic 20 MHz channels are between 5925 MHz and 7125 MHz in the 6 GHz band, with 59 channels available.

[0044] The wireless communication device 1 can use one 40 MHz channel by bundling two 20 MHz channels, and there are 29 available 40 MHz channels.

[0045] Similarly, 4, 8, 16, and 32 20 MHz channels can be bundled together to provide 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, and 640 MHz channels, with 14, 7, 3, and 1 available 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, and 640 MHz channels, respectively.

[0046] The 6 GHz band is divided into 6 GHz band A (UNII-5) from 5925 MHz to 6425 MHz, 6 GHz band B (UNII-6) from 6425 MHz to 6525 MHz, 6 GHz band C (UNII-7) from 6525 MHz to 6875 MHz, and 6 GHz band D (UNII-8) from 6875 MHz to 7125 MHz. 6 GHz band A, 6 GHz band B, 6 GHz band C, and 6 GHz band D have 25, 5, 17, and 12 20 MHz channels, respectively.

[0047] In addition, in the 2.4 GHz band (not shown), three (or four) 20 MHz channels are available. Furthermore, based on the legal systems of each country, eight to ten 20 MHz channels are available in the 5 GHz band A, 11 to 13 in the 5 GHz band B, and five to seven in the 5 GHz band C.

[0048] 4A to 4C are diagrams showing example signal configurations using multiple frequency resource units (RUs). The wireless communication device 1 can set RUs when using each channel shown in FIG. 3. Multiple RUs can be set with any bandwidth. An RU can be, for example, a 20 MHz channel, but it can also be an integer multiple of that.

[0049] The horizontal axis of Fig. 4A represents frequency (Band). The vertical axis of Fig. 4A represents signal level. Fig. 4A illustrates RU_1, RU_2, RU_3, and RU_4 as RUs in ascending order of frequency. Fig. 4A shows an example in which RU_1 to RU_4 are each treated as an independent resource. The configuration of Fig. 4A is prepared when it is difficult to apply broadband communication.

[0050] RU_1 is adjacent to RU_2. RU_2 is adjacent to RU_1 and RU_3. RU_3 is adjacent to RU_2 and RU_4. RU_4 is adjacent to RU_3.

[0051] Any one of RU_1 to RU_4 includes a Primary Channel, and the other three include a Secondary Channel. Hereinafter, this specification will describe an example in which RU_1 includes a Primary Channel and RU_2 to RU_4 include Secondary Channels.

[0052] The wireless communication device 1 can use RU_1 for communication. The wireless communication device 1 can bundle RU_2 to RU_4 together with RU_1 and use them for communication. Alternatively, the wireless communication device 1 can use RU_2 to RU_4 in SCA.

[0053] For example, if one RU has a bandwidth of 20 MHz, RU_1 to RU_4 are configured as four resources with a contiguous bandwidth of 20 MHz, resulting in an available bandwidth of 80 MHz. Alternatively, if one RU has a bandwidth of 40 MHz, RU_1 to RU_4 are configured as four resources with a contiguous bandwidth of 40 MHz, resulting in an available bandwidth of 160 MHz. Furthermore, if one RU has a bandwidth of 80 MHz, RU_1 to RU_4 are configured as four resources with a contiguous bandwidth of 80 MHz, resulting in an available bandwidth of 320 MHz.

[0054] In the standard RU configuration of FIG. 4A, the wireless communication device 1 can communicate at a predetermined transmission power (signal level SLa).

[0055] The wireless communication device 1 may configure RU_1 to RU_4 as signals with a bandwidth wider than 80 MHz, or as signals with a bandwidth narrower than 20 MHz.

[0056] FIG. 4B shows an example in which, of the four RUs, RU_1 and RU_2 are treated as one resource, and RU_3 and RU_4 are treated as one resource.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4B, the wireless communication device 1 can use adjacent RUs in a bundle.

[0058] For example, if one RU has a 20 MHz bandwidth, RU_1 to RU_4 are configured as two resources with a contiguous 40 MHz bandwidth, resulting in an available bandwidth of 80 MHz. Alternatively, if one RU has a 40 MHz bandwidth, RU_1 to RU_4 are configured as one resource with an 80 MHz bandwidth, resulting in an available bandwidth of 160 MHz. Furthermore, if one RU has a contiguous 80 MHz bandwidth, RU_1 to RU_4 are configured as two resources with a 160 MHz bandwidth, resulting in an available bandwidth of 320 MHz. Also, as in FIG. 4A , RU_1 to RU_4 may be configured with a bandwidth wider than 80 MHz or narrower than 20 MHz.

[0059] In the RU configuration with increased bandwidth shown in Figure 4B, the wireless communication device 1 can communicate with a transmission power (signal level SLb) that is one level lower depending on the bandwidth compared to the standard RU configuration of Figure 4A.

[0060] 4B may be controlled by one communication control unit 17. In other words, the wireless communication device 1 may be configured to control RU_1 to RU_4 by two communication control units 17.

[0061] 4C shows an example in which RU_1 to RU_4 are treated as one resource. The configuration in FIG. 4C is used for larger capacity, broadband communication.

[0062] For example, if one RU has a bandwidth of 20 MHz, RU_1 to RU_4 are configured with a continuous bandwidth of 80 MHz as a single resource, and the available bandwidth is 80 MHz. The same applies to other bandwidths. In the RU configuration with increased bandwidth shown in Figure 4C, wireless communication device 1 can communicate with transmission power (signal level SLc) that is two levels lower depending on the bandwidth, compared to the standard RU configuration of Figure 4A.

[0063] 4A to 4C show an example in which the bandwidths of multiple RUs (i.e., RU_1 to RU_4) are all the same. However, the multiple RUs may include RUs with bandwidths different from the other RUs.

[0064] Fig. 5A is a timing chart showing an access control technique according to a first basic example. Fig. 5A shows an example in which a wireless communication device, such as an STA or an AP (e.g., an STA), transmits a signal using RU_1 to RU_4 as a single resource. In the example of Fig. 5A, the wireless communication device transmits a physical layer (PLCP: Physical Layer Convergence Procedure) protocol data unit (PLCP Protocol Data Unit, or Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit, hereinafter also referred to as PPDU) as the signal.

[0065] RU_1 includes a Primary Channel (P). RU_2 to RU_4 include Secondary Channels (S). In FIG. 5A, the wireless communication device does not perform SCA. Therefore, the wireless communication device cannot transmit a PPDU without using RU_1.

[0066] Before transmitting a PPDU, the wireless communication device must confirm that the channel on which the PPDU is to be transmitted is in an IDLE state. In the example of Figure 5A, while RU_1 is in a BUSY state (step S1), the wireless communication device cannot transmit a PPDU.

[0067] The BUSY state is assumed to be when an interference signal is being output from another nearby wireless communication device.

[0068] When all of RU_1 to RU_4 become IDLE, the wireless communication device performs backoff operation (step S2). In backoff operation, the wireless communication device waits for a random time to check whether another wireless communication device starts communication.

[0069] In the backoff operation, the wireless communication device sets a random initial value (7 in the example of FIG. 5A) to the backoff timer and decrements the backoff timer. When the backoff timer reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 0), the wireless communication device can transmit a PPDU.

[0070] The wireless communication device waits using one common back-off timer for RU_1 to RU_4.

[0071] In the example of Fig. 5A, when the back-off timer is decremented to 5, RU_3 becomes BUSY (step S3). The wireless communication device stops decrementing the back-off timer until RU_3 becomes IDLE.

[0072] When RU_3 becomes IDLE, the wireless communication device decrements the backoff timer again (step S4). In step S4, decrementing resumes from the value of the backoff timer when decrementing stopped (hereinafter referred to as the backoff remaining amount). In the example of FIG. 5A, the backoff remaining amount is 5. Therefore, the value of the backoff timer becomes 4 in the first decrement in step S4.

[0073] When the back-off timer reaches 0, the wireless communication device transmits a preamble signal (step S5) and also transmits a PPDU (step S6).

[0074] In the technique shown in Fig. 5A, the wireless communication device predetermines a continuous band (RU_1 to RU_4 in Fig. 5A) as a band to be used for transmitting a PPDU, and sets an initial backoff value for the predetermine bandwidth. The technique shown in Fig. 5A allows the wireless communication device to transmit a PPDU in RU_1 to RU_4 while avoiding collisions. As shown in Fig. 5A, the Secondary Channel is used in combination with the Primary Channel to extend the wireless communication band.

[0075] 5A, the wireless communication device cannot transmit a PPDU until all of RU_1 to RU_4 are idle, which means that it takes time to transmit a PPDU.

[0076] Fig. 5B is a timing chart showing an access control method according to the second basic example. The method of Fig. 5B differs from Fig. 5A in that the band used for transmitting the PPDU is determined after the backoff operation.

[0077] 5B, the wireless communication device checks whether the Primary Channel is available (i.e., RU_1 is in IDLE state) through the backoff operation in step S2. If the Primary Channel is available, the wireless communication device transmits the PPDU using the Primary Channel and RUs in IDLE state among the RUs adjacent to the Primary Channel. If there are no RUs in IDLE state among the adjacent RUs, the wireless communication device transmits the PPDU only through the Primary Channel (RU_1).

[0078] 5B shows an example in which RU_3 is detected as being busy in step S3, while RU_1, RU_2, and RU_4 are all in the IDLE state.

[0079] The wireless communication device can use RU_1 and RU_2, which have adjacent channels, as a single resource. This allows the wireless communication device to transmit PPDUs through RU_1 and RU_2. However, since RU_4 is not adjacent to RU_1 and RU_2, the wireless communication device cannot transmit PPDUs through RU_4.

[0080] In the example of FIG. 5B, the new wireless communication device transmits a preamble signal and a PPDU on RU_1 and RU_2 (steps S11 and S12).

[0081] In Fig. 5B, even though RU_4 is in the IDLE state, the wireless communication device cannot use RU_4. As described above, in the method of Fig. 5B, when discontinuous frequency bands are in the IDLE state, some RUs cannot be effectively utilized.

[0082] 5A and 5B, SCA is not performed. Therefore, when RU_1 is in a BUSY state, the wireless communication device cannot transmit PPDUs from any of RU_1 to RU_4.

[0083] As described above, in the techniques of Figures 5A and 5B, if there is interference from other APs or STAs (e.g., STAs operating in a 20 MHz bandwidth), it may be difficult for the wireless communication device to transmit a PPDU using a wide bandwidth.

[0084] More specifically, when the primary channel is busy and when the frequency bands in the idle state are discontinuous, the frequency bands cannot be used effectively. The wireless communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by being able to solve this problem.

[0085] Specifically, the wireless communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has an MLD configuration as shown in Fig. 1. The MCA management unit 163 in Fig. 1 assigns RU_1 to RU_4 to each link. This allows independent access control of each RU using multiple communication control units 17 and signal processing units 18.

[0086] Furthermore, since the wireless communication device 1 performs SCA, even if the primary channel is busy, communication can be performed on another secondary channel.

[0087] 6A is a timing chart showing an access control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 6A, the wireless communication device 1 waits until the Primary Channel (i.e., RU_1) enters an IDLE state in step S1, and sets the initial value of the backoff timer in step S2. In step S3, similar to FIG. 5B, a BUSY state is detected in RU_3. In steps S11 and S12, the wireless communication device 1 transmits a preamble signal and a PPDU using RU_1 and RU_2.

[0088] 6A differs from the method of Fig. 5B in that the preamble signal and the PPDU are transmitted not only in RU_1 and RU_2 but also in RU_4 (steps S21 and S22). Wireless communication device 1 can transmit the PPDU in RU_4 in parallel with the transmission of the PPDU in RU_1 and RU_2.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 1 can assign RU_1 to RU_4 to each link. The following description will explain an example in which RU_1, RU_2, RU_3, and RU_4 are assigned to Link_1, Link_2, Link_3, and Link_4, respectively. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 can use, for example, a communication control unit 17a and a signal processing unit 18a for communication control and signal processing in RU_1. Similarly, for RU_2, RU_3, and RU_4, for example, communication control units 17b, 17c, and 17d can be used, and signal processing units 18b, 18c, and 18d can be used.

[0090] This allows the wireless communication device 1 to transmit a PPDU independently using RU_4. That is, the wireless communication device 1 can effectively use the RUs even when the discontinuous frequency bands are in the IDLE state.

[0091] Hereinafter, this specification will describe an example in which one communication control unit 17 and one signal processing unit 18 are used to perform access control and signal transmission / reception for one RU. However, this is not limiting, and multiple communication control units 17 or multiple signal processing units 18 may be used to perform access control and signal transmission / reception for one RU. Alternatively, one communication control unit 17 or one signal processing unit 18 may perform access control or signal transmission / reception for multiple RUs.

[0092] The plurality of communication control units 17 include a first communication control unit that performs access control for the primary channel and a second communication control unit that performs access control for the secondary channel. The plurality of signal processing units 18 include a first signal processing unit that transmits and receives signals for the primary channel and a second signal processing unit that transmits and receives signals for the secondary channel.

[0093] 5A and 5B, a common back-off timer is used for RU_1 to RU_4. In contrast, the technique of FIG. 6A allows different back-off timers to be used for RU_1 to RU_4. This allows the wireless communication device 1 to perform back-off operations independently for RU_3. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the corresponding communication control unit 17 can check the BUSY or IDLE state for each of RU_1 to RU_4.

[0094] In Fig. 6A, when RU_3 enters the IDLE state, RU_3 performs a backoff operation (step S23). In step S23, decrementing of the backoff remaining amount in step S2 is resumed, similar to step S4 in Fig. 5A. This allows RU_3 to transmit a preamble signal and a PPDU when it enters the IDLE state (steps S24 and S25).

[0095] In the example of Figure 6A, while RU_3 is in backoff operation, RU_2 and RU_4, which are adjacent to RU_3, transmit PPDUs. Therefore, RU_3 is subject to intra-device interference due to the PPDUs transmitted by wireless communication device 1 itself from RU_2 and RU_4. In response to this, wireless communication device 1 may observe relative changes in the received signal level, taking into account the leakage power of RU_2 and RU_4, and perform backoff operation for RU_3. A backoff operation method that takes leakage power into account will be described later.

[0096] As described above, wireless communication device 1 can transmit a PPDU using RU_4, which is not adjacent to RU_1 and RU_2. Furthermore, for RU_3, which has been detected as BUSY, the PPDU can be transmitted using RU_3 after RU_3 enters the IDLE state. Therefore, the technique of Fig. 6A can utilize the frequency band more effectively than the technique of Fig. 5B.

[0097] In the method of Fig. 6A, after the wireless communication device 1 confirms that the Primary Channel (i.e., RU_1) has entered the IDLE state, it sets the initial values ​​of the back-off timers in RU_1 to RU_4. Therefore, the method of Fig. 6A is backward compatible, and the wireless communication device 1 can communicate with other APs and STAs that do not have the configuration of Fig. 1.

[0098] The wireless communication device 1 may perform backoff operation and transmit a PPDU by SCA even when the Primary Channel is not in the IDLE state, thereby enabling more efficient use of the frequency band than in FIG.

[0099] 6B is a timing chart illustrating an access control method according to a first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method in FIG. 6B differs from the method in FIG. 6A in that even if RU_1 detects a BUSY state in step S1, RU_2 to RU_4 set initial backoff values ​​(step S31).

[0100] 6B, the backoff timer initial value setting operation in step S31 confirms that RU_2 and RU_4 are in the IDLE state, and then RU_3 is in the BUSY state. After the backoff operation in RU_2 and RU_4 has expired, the wireless communication device 1 transmits a preamble signal and a PPDU from each of them (steps S32a, S32b, S33a, and S33b).

[0101] After RU_1 enters the IDLE state, the wireless communication device 1 performs a backoff operation and transmits a preamble signal and a PPDU (steps S34, S35, and S36). After RU_3 enters the IDLE state, the wireless communication device 1 transmits a preamble signal and a PPDU after the backoff operation has expired, similar to steps S23 to S25 in FIG. 6A.

[0102] In the method of Fig. 6B, other RUs in the IDLE state (RU_2 and RU_4 in the example of Fig. 6B) can transmit PPDUs without waiting for RU_1 to enter the IDLE state, which allows the method of Fig. 6B to transmit PPDUs with a shorter waiting time than the method of Fig. 6A.

[0103] 6B shows an example in which a PPDU is transmitted from RU_2 and RU_4, which are not adjacent to each other. When RUs in the IDLE state are adjacent to each other, the wireless communication device 1 may transmit a PPDU using multiple RUs as a single resource.

[0104] The backoff operation in step S34 is performed while RU_2 is transmitting a PPDU. Therefore, in step S34, RU_1 is subjected to in-device interference from neighboring RU_2. Also, in the backoff operation in step S23, RU_3 is subjected to in-device interference from neighboring RU_2 and RU_4, as in Fig. 6A. In steps S34 and S23 in Fig. 6B, control may be performed taking leakage power into consideration.

[0105] 6A and 6B, the initial values ​​of the backoff timers of RU_1 to RU_4 are the same. Wireless communication device 1 can also set the initial values ​​of the backoff timers of RU_1 to RU_4 (hereinafter simply referred to as "initial backoff values") to be different from one another.

[0106] 6C is a timing chart illustrating an access control method according to a second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the initial backoff values ​​of RU_1, RU_2, RU_3, and RU_4 are set to 3, 2, 4, and 6, respectively.

[0107] 6C shows an example in which the initial values ​​of the back-off timers of RU_1 to RU_4 are all different from each other. Note that the initial values ​​of the back-off timers of some of RU_1 to RU_4 may be the same.

[0108] Based on the backoff initial value, RU_2 to RU_4 perform backoff operation (steps S41a, S41b, and S41c). In the example of Fig. 6C, RU_3 detects a BUSY state, similar to step S3 in Fig. 6A. After the backoff operation has expired, wireless communication device 1 transmits a preamble signal and a PPDU from RU_2 and RU_4, respectively (steps S43a, S43b, S44a, and S44b).

[0109] In steps S33a and S33b of Fig. 6B, the wireless communication device 1 transmits PPDUs at approximately the same timing for RU_2 and RU_4. In contrast, in Fig. 6C, the backoff operation periods for RU_2 and RU_4 are different. Therefore, in steps S44a and S44b of Fig. 6C, the wireless communication device 1 transmits PPDUs at different timings for RU_2 and RU_4.

[0110] The operation of setting the initial value of the back-off timer in steps S41a to S41c in Fig. 6C is performed even if RU_1 is in the BUSY state, as in Fig. 6B. Note that the wireless communication device 1 may wait for RU_1 to enter the IDLE state before performing the operation of setting the initial value of the back-off timer in steps S41a to S41c.

[0111] After RU_1 enters the IDLE state, wireless communication device 1 performs a backoff operation in RU_1 based on the set initial backoff value (step S44). Similarly to steps S35 and S36 in Fig. 6B, wireless communication device 1 transmits a PPDU in RU_1. Also, after RU_3 enters the IDLE state, wireless communication device 1 performs a backoff operation and transmits a PPDU, similar to steps S23 to S25 in Fig. 6A.

[0112] That is, in Figures 6A and 6B, RU_1 to RU_4 all perform backoff operations using the same backoff period length as the initial value, whereas in Figure 6C, they perform backoff operations using multiple types of backoff period lengths set randomly for each frequency resource as the initial value.

[0113] In the technique of FIG. 6C, an RU with a short backoff period (RU_2 in the example of FIG. 6C) is used, and a PPDU can be transmitted earlier than in the techniques of FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0114] 6C, the wireless communication device 1 transmits PPDUs at different timings for RU_1 to RU_4. The wireless communication device 1 may adjust the timing of PPDU transmission so that the timing of PPDU transmissions between adjacent RUs is the same. In this case, the wireless communication device 1 can transmit PPDUs over a broadband that aggregates multiple RUs, allowing for more efficient use of the frequency band.

[0115] For example, the wireless communication device 1 may set the remaining backoff amounts to be the same for adjacent RUs, thereby enabling PPDUs to be transmitted at approximately the same timing.

[0116] 6D is a timing chart showing an access control method according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 6D, the backoff of RU_1 is set to 4, the backoff of RU_2 is set to 5, the backoff of RU_3 is set to 3, and the backoff of RU_4 is set to 6. In FIG. 6D, the backoff operations of RU_2 to RU_4 are performed in steps S41a to S41c, similar to FIG. 6C.

[0117] 6D, BUSY is detected in RU_2 and RU_3 (steps S51a and S51b). In steps S51a and S51b, it is assumed that another wireless communication device is transmitting a signal in a broadband that overlaps with RU_2 and RU_3.

[0118] In steps S51a and S51b, the backoff remaining amount of RU_2 is 3, and the backoff remaining amount of RU_3 is 1.

[0119] When the other wireless communication device finishes transmitting a signal, RU_2 and RU_3 enter the IDLE state. The wireless communication device 1 may set the backoff remaining amount of RU_3 to 3, for example, to match the backoff remaining amount of RU_2.

[0120] The above example shows how to adjust the backoff remaining amount of RU_3, which has the smaller backoff remaining amount. However, this is not limiting, and the backoff remaining amount of RU_2, which has the larger backoff remaining amount, may be adjusted, or the backoff remaining amounts of both RU_2 and RU_3 may be adjusted.

[0121] The wireless communication device 1 performs backoff operations based on the set backoff remaining amounts (steps S52a and S52b). Because the backoff remaining amounts for RU_2 and RU_3 are set to be the same, the backoff operations of steps S52a and S52b end at approximately the same timing. This allows the wireless communication device 1 to use RU_2 and RU_3 as a single resource to transmit a preamble signal and a PPDU (steps S53 and S54). Note that the operations of RU_1 and RU_4 in Figure 6D are the same as those in Figure 6C.

[0122] As described above, the wireless communication device 1 adjusts the remaining backoff amounts, more specifically, by making the remaining backoff amounts the same for multiple RUs, it is possible to transmit a PPDU over a broadband aggregate of multiple RUs. The method for adjusting the remaining backoff amount shown in Fig. 6D may be applied to the method shown in Fig. 6A or 6B.

[0123] FIG. 6D shows an example in which the backoff remaining amount is set to the same for two RUs, but if three or more RUs are IDLE at the same time, the backoff remaining amount may be set to the same for the three or more RUs.

[0124] 6A to 6D, the wireless communication device 1 may exchange adjacent channel access control parameters with a receiving device to which the PPDU is to be transmitted. The adjacent channel access control parameters are used to determine how to perform access control, such as backoff operation, depending on the usage status of the adjacent channel (e.g., when the wireless communication device 1 itself is transmitting data on the adjacent channel). The adjacent channel access control parameters may include, for example, the backoff value of each RU (initial value of the backoff timer), the bandwidth available for each RU, the duration (e.g., duration) of each PPDU, and the number of links available for controlling the RU. The configuration and exchange method of the adjacent channel access control parameters will be described later.

[0125] 6A to 6D may be configured to include a duration that is a Duration. Alternatively, the length of each PPDU may be variable, and the PPDU may be transmitted in the form of an A-MPDU (Aggregation-MPDU).

[0126] As a comparative example, a punctured signal can also be used for the PPDU. In the configuration of the comparative example, as shown in Figure 6A, when RU_3 is BUSY, RU_1 to RU_4 are channel bonded and a signal obtained by puncturing RU_3 is transmitted.

[0127] However, a first problem of the comparative example is that after starting transmission of a punctured signal, even if RU_3 becomes IDLE, it is not possible to transmit a signal from RU_3.

[0128] Furthermore, a second problem of the comparative example is that when using an ultra-wideband in which RU_1 to RU_4 are channel-bonded, the detection threshold for interference signals may be set too low, making it impossible to detect the interference signals.

[0129] Figure 7 is a table showing detection for each channel standardized in a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system. As shown in Figure 7, the energy detection threshold is the same, around -62 dBm, and is set to the same level depending on the channel bandwidth. However, the signal detection threshold for the primary channel is set to a different level from the signal threshold for the secondary channel.

[0130] As shown in Fig. 7, the absolute value of the detection threshold for interference signals in the secondary channel decreases as the bandwidth used increases. Therefore, in the configuration of the comparative example, even if another wireless communication device is transmitting a signal on the secondary channel, it may not be possible to detect that the secondary channel is busy. In this case, the configuration of the comparative example transmits a signal in a wide band that includes the secondary channel, which may interfere with the communication of the other wireless communication device.

[0131] 6A to 6D according to the present disclosure, even if a RU that has been detected as BUSY once becomes IDLE, it can transmit a PPDU. In other words, the method of FIG. 6A to 6D can utilize the frequency band more effectively than the comparative example.

[0132] To address the second issue of the comparative example, in the backoff operation of RU_1 to RU_4 in the method of the present disclosure shown in Figures 6A to 6D, interference signals are detected at the detection threshold for each bandwidth. In other words, in the method of Figures 6A to 6D, interference signals are not detected at the low detection threshold when two or more RUs are channel bonded, so there is a lower possibility of failing to detect communications of other wireless communication devices compared to the comparative example.

[0133] As another comparative example, a wireless communication device that does not support MLO may be used, or even if MLD is used, multiple RUs may not be assigned to multiple links.

[0134] 6A to 6D using the configuration according to another comparative example, access control and signal processing for multiple RUs are performed using one communication control unit 17 and one signal processing unit 18. For example, it becomes necessary to perform backoff operations for multiple RUs in parallel using one communication control unit 17, or to transmit and receive PPDUs for multiple RUs in parallel using one signal processing unit 18. This makes the processing by the communication control unit 17 and the signal processing unit 18 complicated.

[0135] In contrast, the wireless communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure controls multiple RUs using multiple communication control units 17 and multiple signal processing units 18. In the wireless communication device 1 on the transmitting side, the multiple communication control units 17 can execute backoff operations for multiple RUs in parallel, and the data construction units 181 in the multiple signal processing units 18 can encode PPDUs to be transmitted by the multiple RUs in parallel. In the wireless communication device 1 on the receiving side, the data decoding units 184 in the multiple signal processing units 18 can decode PPDUs received by the multiple RUs in parallel. As described above, the wireless communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can simplify the processing of each communication control unit 17 and signal processing unit 18.

[0136] 8A to 8F are diagrams illustrating a method for setting a signal detection threshold for adjacent resources in a wireless communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6A and other figures, the wireless communication device 1 may perform signal detection using a backoff operation or the like while an adjacent RU is transmitting a PPDU or the like. In this case, the wireless communication device 1 can detect with higher accuracy whether an RU is in an IDLE state by adjusting the signal detection threshold in consideration of the leakage power from the adjacent RU.

[0137] 8A shows a case where wireless communication device 1 is transmitting a signal through RU_2. In this case, leakage power from RU_2 may be detected in RU_1 and RU_3, which are adjacent to RU_2. In other words, apparent noise occurs in RU_1 and RU_3, causing the apparent noise level to rise.

[0138] If wireless communication device 1 detects apparent noise during backoff operation of RU_1 or the like, it may determine that RU_1 is in a BUSY state even if there is no interference signal from other wireless communication devices in RU_1 (i.e., an IDLE state).

[0139] To avoid this, the wireless communication device 1 raises the noise detection threshold level of RU_1 and RU_3 by one level (DetectLevel_1), thereby preventing the wireless communication device 1 from detecting apparent noise in RU_1 and RU_3.

[0140] In the example of Figure 8A, the noise detection threshold level does not need to be raised for RU_4, which is not adjacent to RU_2. However, if the leakage power from RU_2 is large, the noise detection threshold level for RU_4 may also be raised.

[0141] 8A , when detecting an interference signal in an RU, the wireless communication device 1 may raise the noise detection threshold level in the RU if the signal is transmitted using an adjacent RU. Also, for RUs that are not adjacent to the RU transmitting the signal, the noise detection threshold level may be raised similarly if the leakage power is large.

[0142] 8B is a diagram showing an example in which leakage power is detected from a plurality of neighboring RUs. In the example of FIG. 8B, wireless communication device 1 transmits signals using RU_2 and RU_4.

[0143] RU_1 detects leakage power from neighboring RU_2, causing the apparent noise level to rise. Furthermore, RU_3 detects leakage power from two neighboring RUs (i.e., RU_2 and RU_4). Therefore, the apparent noise level of RU_3 rises more than that of RU_1.

[0144] In response to the above, the wireless communication device 1 increases the noise detection threshold level of RU_1 by one level (DetectLevel_1), and increases the noise detection threshold level of RU_3 by two levels (DetectLevel_2).

[0145] As shown in FIG. 8B, for an RU in which leakage power is detected by multiple neighboring RUs, the noise detection threshold level may be set higher than for an RU in which leakage power is detected by one neighboring RU.

[0146] 8C is a diagram showing an example in which leakage power is detected from multiple RUs. In the example of FIG. 8C, wireless communication device 1 transmits signals from RU_1 and RU_4. As a result, RU_2 detects leakage power from adjacent RU_1. Furthermore, RU_3 detects leakage power from adjacent RU_4. Therefore, wireless communication device 1 raises the noise detection threshold levels for RU_2 and RU_3 by one level (DetectLevel_1).

[0147] 8D to 8F are diagrams showing examples of leakage power when multiple RUs are bundled together to transmit a signal. In Fig. 8D, wireless communication device 1 bundles RU_1 and RU_2 into a single resource and transmits a signal. In this case, leakage power is detected in adjacent RU_3. Wireless communication device 1 raises the noise detection threshold level for RU_3 by one level (DetectLevel_1).

[0148] The transmitted signal level is different between Figures 8A and 8D. The signal level is SLa in Figure 8A and SLb in Figure 8D. In this case, the noise detection threshold level may also be set to the same DetectLevel_1. Alternatively, if the transmitted signal level is different, the noise detection threshold level may be set to different levels.

[0149] As in FIG. 8A, if the leakage power is large, the noise detection threshold level may also be increased for RU_4, which is not adjacent to RU_1 and RU_2.

[0150] 8E, the wireless communication device 1 bundles RU_2 and RU_3 into one resource and transmits a signal. In this case, leakage power is detected in the neighboring RU_1 and RU_4. The wireless communication device 1 raises the noise detection threshold levels of RU_1 and RU_4 by one level (DetectLevel_1).

[0151] In Fig. 8F, the wireless communication device 1 bundles RU_3 and RU_4 into one resource and transmits a signal thereto, while also transmitting a signal from RU_1. In this case, RU_2 detects leakage power from adjacent RU_1, as well as leakage power from adjacent RU_3 and RU_4. That is, RU_3 detects leakage power from multiple adjacent RUs, as in Fig. 8B. The wireless communication device 1 raises the noise detection threshold level for RU_3 by two levels (DetectLevel_2).

[0152] 9 is a diagram showing a sequence for exchanging adjacent channel access control parameters according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 illustrates a wireless communication device (transmitting wireless communication device) 1a and a wireless communication device (receiving wireless communication device) 1b. The wireless communication device 1a is, for example, an AP. The wireless communication device 1b is, for example, an STA. In the sequence of Fig. 9, time passes from top to bottom.

[0153] The adjacent channel access control parameters (hereinafter simply referred to as parameters) in FIG. 9 may be exchanged as part of an association frame between the wireless communication devices 1a and 1b when performing an association process, or may be configured as an arbitrary action frame so as to be exchanged when an arbitrary application or the like is started.

[0154] 9, the wireless communication device 1a transmits a request frame (Adjacent Channel Access Control Request, hereinafter simply referred to as Request) to the wireless communication device 1b requesting acceptance of parameters (step S51). The request frame includes the parameters determined by the wireless communication device 1a.

[0155] Upon receiving the request frame, the wireless communication device 1b transmits a response frame (Adjacent Channel Access Control Response, hereinafter simply referred to as Response) to the wireless communication device 1a (step S52). The response frame includes the parameters determined by the wireless communication device 1a.

[0156] Upon receiving the response frame, the wireless communication device 1a notifies the wireless communication device 1b of a confirmation frame (Adjacent Channel Access Control Confirm, hereinafter simply referred to as Confirm) (step S53), thereby confirming the parameters agreed upon by the wireless communication devices 1a and 1b.

[0157] 9 shows an example in which a parameter (i.e., a request frame) is sent from the wireless communication device 1a on the transmitting side to the wireless communication device 1b on the receiving side. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the parameter may be sent from the wireless communication device 1b on the receiving side to the wireless communication device 1a on the transmitting side.

[0158] 10 is a diagram showing the format of an adjacent channel access control parameter information element (hereinafter also simply referred to as information element) 210 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 10, the parameters are configured in the form of information elements so that they can be configured as a management frame at the time of association, etc., and as an action frame at any timing. The parameter configuration is not limited to the format shown in FIG. 10.

[0159] The information element 210 includes an element type 211 , a length 212 , a sub type 213 , a latency parameter 214 , a backoff parameter 215 , a bandwidth parameter 216 , a parallel operate parameter 217 , a duration parameter 218 , a separation parameter 219 , and a detect level 220 .

[0160] Element Type 211 is used to identify the element. Length 212 indicates the length of the information element. Sub Type 213 indicates the type: Request / Response / Confirm. For example, Sub Type 213 is set to Request if the information element 210 is sent in step S51 of FIG. 9, to Response if sent in step S52, or to Confirm if sent in step S53.

[0161] The Latency Parameter 214 indicates the tolerable delay time for low-latency applications. The Backoff Parameter 215 indicates a parameter related to the backoff setting value for each resource (e.g., the maximum value of random backoff). The Bandwidth Parameter 216 indicates a parameter for the bandwidth available as a resource. The Parallel Operate 217 indicates the number of links that can operate simultaneously (i.e., the number of RUs) or the maximum number of links. The Duration Parameter 218 is used as a parameter when setting a limit (Duration) in the time axis direction for each link. The Separation Parameter 219 indicates a parameter for the channel spacing that can be detected for each device. The Detect Level 220 indicates the detection level of adjacent signals. DetectLevel_1, etc. in FIG. 8A may be set based on the exchanged Detect Level 220.

[0162] The access control parameters of the adjacent channels may be exchanged using parameters described in a portion of the PPDU. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a PPDU 230 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0163] PPDU 230 includes a predetermined number of short training L-STF 231, long training L-LTF 232, L-SIG 233 indicating a signal, RL-SIG 234 which is a repetition of a signal, U-SIG 235 indicating a signal conforming to the latest standard, short training EHT-STF 236 of the latest standard, and long training EHT-LTF 237 of the latest standard. PPDU 230 also includes A-MPDU 238 as a data portion. A plurality of MPDUs 240 are aggregated in A-MPDU 238. PE 239 is added to the end of PPDU 230.

[0164] In the example of FIG. 11, for example, the access control parameters for the adjacent channel are included in U-SIG 235, which is a SIGNAL field as a PHY Header, but may also be included in other parts.

[0165] Specifically, an Adjacent Channel Access Parameter 250 is included in a field of the U-SIG 235. The Adjacent Channel Access Parameter 250 includes a Bandwidth 251 indicating that a PPDU of a data frame is configured using multiple bands, a Parallel 252 indicating the number of links that can be simultaneously detected, and a Detect Level 253 indicating the detection level of adjacent signals. Some of the Bandwidth 251, Parallel 252, and Detect Level 253 may be omitted from the Adjacent Channel Access Parameter 250.

[0166] 9, when the information element 210 is not exchanged, the wireless communication device 1 can exchange the access control parameters of adjacent channels using the adjacent channel access parameter 250. Furthermore, even when the information element 210 is exchanged, the wireless communication device 1 may exchange the latest parameters using the adjacent channel access parameter 250 when updating the detection level of an adjacent signal or the like.

[0167] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data transmission sequence according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 illustrates a wireless communication device 1a on the transmitting side and a wireless communication device 1b on the receiving side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 also illustrates another wireless communication device 30. The wireless communication device 30 is assumed to be located near the wireless communication device 1a on the transmitting side. Any of RU_1 to RU_4 may enter a BUSY state due to communication by the wireless communication device 30. In the sequence of FIG. 12, time passes from top to bottom in FIG. 12.

[0168] It is assumed that the transmitting wireless communication device 1a, the receiving wireless communication device 1b, and the wireless communication device 30 can use multiple RUs. In the example of Fig. 12, the transmitting wireless communication device 1a, the receiving wireless communication device 1b, and the wireless communication device 30 use RU_1 to RU_4.

[0169] 12, first, another wireless communication device 30 uses RU_1 to transmit a PPDU or the like (step S61). The signal transmitted by the other wireless communication device 30 becomes an interference signal (noise) for the wireless communication device 1a. As a result, the wireless communication device 1a determines that RU_1 is BUSY.

[0170] In Fig. 12, the transmission of a PPDU etc. using each RU is configured with a variable length of data. Also, in Fig. 12, the duration of a PPDU etc. is indicated by the different numbers of arrows.

[0171] When RU_1, which includes the Primary Channel, is BUSY, the wireless communication device 1a sets back-off times for RU_1 to RU_4. In Fig. 12, an example is described in which the wireless communication device 1a sets different back-off times for RU_1 to RU_4.

[0172] When the backoff time of RU_2 has elapsed, the wireless communication device 1a transmits a PPDU in RU_2 (step S62).

[0173] 12, before the backoff time of RU_3 has elapsed, the wireless communication device 30 starts communication using RU_3 (step S63), which causes RU_3 to become BUSY, and the wireless communication device 1a cannot transmit a PPDU using RU_3.

[0174] When the backoff time for RU_4 has elapsed, the wireless communication device 1a transmits a PPDU in RU_4 (step S64).

[0175] After the wireless communication device 1a completes the transmission of the PPDU through RU_2, the wireless communication device 30 starts communication through RU_2 (step S65), which causes RU_2 to become BUSY.

[0176] When the wireless communication device 30 ends communication in RU_1, the wireless communication device 1a detects that RU_1 has entered the IDLE state, and then starts transmitting a PPDU in RU_1 after backing off in RU_1 (step S66).

[0177] Similarly, when the wireless communication device 30 ends communications in RU_3 and RU_2, the wireless communication device 1a starts transmitting PPDUs in RU_3 and RU_2 after backing off (steps S67 and S68).

[0178] When the wireless communication device 1a has finished transmitting the PPDU at RU_3 and RU_2, another wireless communication device, such as the wireless communication device 30, may start communication at RU_3 or RU_2 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Furthermore, after the other wireless communication device has finished using the RU, the wireless communication device 1a can retransmit the PPDU using that RU.

[0179] When the wireless communication device 1a has finished transmitting all the data, no further PPDU transmissions are performed, and the transmission process ends.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 12, when the RU including the Primary Channel is BUSY, the wireless communication device 1a can transmit a PPDU by sequentially using a plurality of other RUs.

[0181] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless communication device 1a on the transmitting side according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. First, the MCA management unit 163 in FIG. 1 acquires the access control parameters of the adjacent channel from the memory 12 or the like via the management information processing unit 14 or the like (step S101). The parameters may be exchanged in the preceding stage of FIG. 13 by the process of FIG. 9 or the like.

[0182] The MCA management unit 163 sets available RUs based on the parameters acquired in step S101 (step S102). Under the control of the MCA management unit 163, the frequency setting units 172 in the multiple communication control units 17 each determine a frequency to be accessed as an RU. Furthermore, the bandwidth setting units 173 in the multiple communication control units 17 each determine the bandwidth of the RU as a variable frequency bandwidth.

[0183] Next, the communication control units 17 set backoffs for the corresponding RUs (hereinafter also referred to as resources) (step S103). The communication control units 17 randomly determine the initial backoff value for each RU within a predetermined random backoff range shared by the backoff parameter 215, etc. For example, if the maximum value of the random backoff is determined by the backoff parameter 215, the backoff for each resource is set to be equal to or less than the determined maximum value.

[0184] The access control units 174 in the multiple communication control units 17 perform backoff operations for each resource (step S104). In step S104, backoff operations are performed in parallel for multiple resources. When the backoff operation is completed for one or more resources, the wireless communication device 1a determines that the RU is available (accessible) and can transmit a PPDU using that resource.

[0185] When any resource becomes available, the wireless communication device 1a determines whether adjacent resources are available (step S105), i.e., whether multiple adjacent RUs have simultaneously completed backoff operations.

[0186] If adjacent resources are available, for example, the aggregation management unit 162 may combine the available bandwidths of multiple adjacent RUs and use them as a single resource (step S106).

[0187] The wireless communication device 1a transmits data using a PPDU or the like (step S107). The data transmission is performed using one RU if adjacent resources are not available, and using one resource with combined bandwidth if adjacent resources are available.

[0188] The wireless communication device 1a determines whether all necessary data has been transmitted (step S108). If all data has been transmitted to the receiving wireless communication device 1b, the process ends. If there is data that has not been transmitted, the backoff operation of step S104 is performed again.

[0189] 14 is a flowchart showing the backoff operation (step S104 in FIG. 13) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. First, the access control unit 174 observes a change in the received field strength of the corresponding resource (RU) and determines whether there has been a change (step S111).

[0190] If there is a change in the received field strength, the access control unit 174 determines whether the received field strength exceeds the detection threshold at which the RU enters the IDLE state (step S112). In step S112, the signal detection unit 183 checks whether an interference signal from another wireless communication device is detected in the corresponding RU.

[0191] In this specification, an example is shown in which the signal detection unit 183 in the wireless receiving unit 186 is also used to detect an interference signal. Note that the wireless communication device 1 may be configured to have a circuit for detecting an interference signal separate from the signal detection unit 183.

[0192] If the received field strength does not exceed the detection threshold, the resource to be detected can be determined to be idle. If the received field strength exceeds the detection threshold, the resource to be detected may be busy, but whether it is busy or not is determined taking into account the leakage power from adjacent RUs.

[0193] If it is determined in step S112 that the detection threshold is exceeded, the access control unit 174 determines whether the wireless communication device 1a itself is using an adjacent resource (step S113). That is, in step S113, it determines whether the wireless communication device 1a is transmitting a signal through a resource (RU) adjacent to the resource to be detected. If the wireless communication device 1a itself is not using the adjacent resource, it can be determined that the resource to be detected is BUSY.

[0194] When the wireless communication device 1a itself is using an adjacent resource, the access control unit 174 changes the detection threshold for an interference signal of the resource to be detected (step S114).

[0195] In step S114, the detection threshold for interference signals of the resource to be detected is changed by one step. For example, the detection threshold for interference signals is set to DetectLevel_1 in FIG. 8A. If the detection threshold for interference signals of the resource to be detected is already set to DetectLevel_1, it is set to DetectLevel_2 in FIG. 8B. If multiple adjacent transmission resources are transmitting data simultaneously, the detection threshold for interference signals of the resource to be detected may be changed by two steps (i.e., set to DetectLevel_2).

[0196] It is assumed that the signal level of intra-device interference differs for each wireless communication device. Therefore, the above-mentioned DetectLevel_1 and DetectLevel_2 are set, for example, based on the signal level of intra-device interference measured in advance. For example, in the first stage of the flowchart of FIG. 13 , the signal detection unit 183 measures the signal level leaking from one transmission resource to an adjacent resource due to data transmission by the wireless transmission unit 185, and adjusts DetectLevel_1. The signal detection unit 183 also measures the combined signal level of the signal levels leaking from two transmission resources arranged on either side of the adjacent resource, and adjusts DetectLevel_2. The adjusted DetectLevel_1 and DetectLevel_2 are shared with the wireless communication device 1b on the receiving side by DetectLevel 220 in FIG. 10 or DetectLevel 253 in FIG. 11 , for example.

[0197] The access control unit 174 determines whether the received field strength exceeds the changed detection threshold (step S115). If the received field strength does not exceed the changed detection threshold, it can be determined that the interfering signal detected in step S111 is intra-device interference caused by data transmission from the wireless communication device 1a. In this case, the resource can be used for data transmission. In other words, it can be determined that the resource to be detected is IDLE. On the other hand, if the received field strength exceeds the detection threshold, it can be determined that the resource to be detected is BUSY.

[0198] In addition to the above, the received electric field strength may also be determined to change when the detection threshold changes from DetectLevel_1 or DetectLevel_2 to the default value, or when the detection threshold changes from DetectLevel_2 to DetectLevel_1, in a step after detecting a signal described below (step S131 or S134 in Figure 15).

[0199] If the resource is IDLE in step S112 or S115, the access control unit 174 subtracts the backoff (step S116). The access control unit 174 also determines whether the backoff has expired (step S117). If the backoff reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 0) after the subtraction, it is determined that the backoff has expired. If the backoff has expired, the access control unit 174 terminates the backoff operation. If the backoff has not expired, the access control unit 174 again determines whether the received field strength of the resource has changed in step S111.

[0200] If the resource is BUSY in step S113 or S115, the access control unit 174 stops subtracting the backoff until the BUSY state is released. In this case, the access control unit 174 separates the resource to be detected (step S121) and sets the resource to a BUSY state that is being used by another wireless communication device (step S122). The access control unit 174 continues the subsequent processing until the BUSY state of the resource is released.

[0201] The access control unit 174 monitors the change in the received field strength of the resource (RU) that has been set to the BUSY state and determines whether there has been a change (step S123). If there is no change, the access control unit 174 assumes that the BUSY state continues and waits, after which it performs the determination of step S123 again.

[0202] If there is a change in the received field strength in step S123, similar to step S113, the wireless communication device 1a determines whether it is using an adjacent resource (RU) (step S124). If it is using an adjacent resource, similar to step S114, the wireless communication device 1a changes the detection threshold for interference signals in the resource to be detected (step S125). Next, it determines whether the received field strength exceeds the changed detection threshold (step S125). If the received field strength is lower than the changed detection threshold, it can be determined that the resource has been released from the BUSY state.

[0203] If the received field strength is higher than the detection threshold in step S126, it is determined that the BUSY state continues. In this case, the process waits and then repeats the determination in step S123.

[0204] In step S124, if the wireless communication device 1a itself is not using the adjacent resource, the access control unit 174 does not change the detection threshold for the interference signal. In step S126, it is determined whether the received field strength exceeds the detection threshold at the time of step S123.

[0205] If the resource is no longer busy in step S126, the access control unit 174 may determine whether the adjacent resource is idle (step S127).

[0206] If the adjacent resource is IDLE, the access control unit 174 may reset the backoff of the resource to the same backoff as the adjacent resource (step S128), similar to the method of Fig. 6D. This allows multiple adjacent resources to be used simultaneously in step S105 of Fig. 13. After resetting the backoff in step S128, the access control unit 174 performs backoff subtraction in step S116.

[0207] If the adjacent resource is not IDLE in step S127, the access control unit 174 performs the backoff subtraction in step S116. In this case, the subtraction is restarted from the backoff when the backoff subtraction was stopped.

[0208] 15 is a flowchart showing the data transmission process (step S107 in FIG. 13 ) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. First, the wireless communication device 1a changes the interference signal detection thresholds of resources (hereinafter also referred to as transmission resources) adjacent to the resources (hereinafter also referred to as adjacent resources) from which data is transmitted (step S131). The method for changing the detection thresholds is the same as step S114 in FIG. 14 .

[0209] By the process of step S131, a change in the detection threshold for the interference signal can be confirmed in the adjacent resource in step S114 or S125 of FIG.

[0210] 1 reads out transmission data from the memory 12 (step S132). The data constructor 181 in the signal processor 18 encodes the transmission data, and the signal amplifier 182 amplifies the signal. The wireless communication device 1a transmits the data until transmission of the read out data is completed (step S133).

[0211] After completing the data transmission, the wireless communication device 1a resets the change in the interference signal detection threshold value made in step S131 (step S134), thereby completing the transmission process.

[0212] 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless communication device 1b on the receiving side according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. First, similar to step S101 in FIG. 13, the access control parameters of the adjacent channel are acquired (step S201). The MCA management unit 163 sets available resources based on the parameters acquired in step S201 (step S202).

[0213] The communication control units 17 wait for signals in all available resources (step S203). The communication control units 17 perform data reception processing for each resource (step S204). If the communication control units 17 have received data in all available resources (step S205), they end the processing.

[0214] 17 is a flowchart showing a data reception process (step S204 in FIG. 16 ) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. First, the signal detection units 183 in the plurality of signal processing units 18 monitor their corresponding resources and determine whether there is a change in the level of the received field strength of the detected signal (hereinafter also referred to as the detection level) (step S211).

[0215] When a change in the detection level occurs in the corresponding resource, the signal detector 183 determines whether the detection level exceeds a threshold value according to the usage status of the adjacent resource (step S212). The threshold value in step S212 may be adjusted based on the signal level leaking from the adjacent resource, as in Figures 8A and 8B. For example, the threshold value in step S212 may be set to a value exceeding the leakage power.

[0216] The process of step S212 will be described in more detail below. For example, consider a case where it is determined in step S211 that the detection levels of both RU_1 and RU_2 have changed.

[0217] At this time, if RU_3 is transmitting data, power leakage may occur in RU_2 adjacent to RU_3, causing a change in the detection level in RU_2.

[0218] As described above, in step S211, the receiving-side wireless communication device 1b cannot uniquely determine whether the data is being transmitted from RU_1 or RU_2.

[0219] Therefore, in step S212, the detection threshold of RU_2 is set to Detect_Level_1. Whether data is being transmitted in RU_2 can be determined depending on whether the detection level of RU_2 exceeds Detect_Level_1.

[0220] As described above, the receiving-side wireless communication device 1b can determine whether the data is being transmitted through RU_1 or RU_2 in step S212.

[0221] In addition, if it is confirmed that data is not being transmitted from either RU_1 or RU_2, it may be determined that data is being transmitted from the other of RU_1 or RU_2.

[0222] Furthermore, RU_1 and RU_2 may detect a combination of a signal from the transmitting wireless communication device 1a and a signal from another wireless communication device 30.

[0223] In addition to the above, in step S211, it may be determined that the detection levels have changed in RU_1 to RU_3. In this case, possible cases include a case where data is transmitted from all of RU_1 to RU_3 (case 1). Alternatively, a case where data is transmitted from RU_2 and leakage power occurs from RU_1 and RU_3 (case 2). Alternatively, a case where data is transmitted from RU_1 and RU_3 and leakage power occurs from RU_2 (case 3). Alternatively, a case where data is transmitted from RU_1 and RU_2 and leakage power occurs from RU_3 (case 4). Alternatively, a case where data is transmitted from RU_2 and RU_3 and leakage power occurs from RU_1 (case 5). In these cases, it is possible that the level of a leakage signal from the transmitting wireless communication device 1a into an adjacent channel and the level of a leakage signal from another wireless communication device 30 into an adjacent channel are superimposed.

[0224] To determine which of the first to fifth cases applies in step S212, for example, the detection thresholds for RU_1 and RU_3 may be set to a predetermined detection level triggered by Detect_Level_1, and the detection threshold for RU_2 may be set to a predetermined detection level triggered by Detect_Level_2. This allows determination of whether data is being transmitted from each of RU_1 to RU_3 in step S212. Alternatively, the system may first check whether data is being transmitted from RU_1 and RU_3, and if data is not being transmitted from both RU_1 and RU_3, determine that data is being transmitted from RU_2. Alternatively, the system may first check whether data is being transmitted from RU_2, and if data is not being transmitted from RU_2, determine that data is being transmitted from both RU_1 and RU_3.

[0225] As described above, in step S212, if there is a change in the detection level between adjacent resources, it is possible to determine whether data is being transmitted by changing the detection threshold for each of the adjacent resources where the change in detection level has occurred.

[0226] The signal detection unit 183 may set the threshold value in step S212 based on, for example, Detect_Level_1 or Detect_Level_2 shared in advance by the wireless communication device 1a, or a signal level triggered by these.

[0227] If there is no change in the detection level in step S211, or if the detection level does not exceed the threshold in step S212, the signal detection unit 183 can determine that the resource is in an idle state (IDLE) (step S213).

[0228] If the detection level exceeds the threshold, the signal detection unit 183 can detect a signal from the wireless communication device 1a. The wireless communication device 1b determines whether signals are detected simultaneously from the same timing in multiple resources (i.e., whether the detection levels exceed the threshold in the same way in step S212 in multiple resources) (step S214).

[0229] When signals are detected simultaneously in a plurality of resources, the wireless communication device 1b determines whether the plurality of resources in which signals are detected include adjacent resources (step S215).

[0230] If the plurality of resources for which signals are detected include adjacent resources, the wireless communication device 1b combines the adjacent resources (step S216). In step S216, the wireless communication device 1b may read the access control parameters of the adjacent channels and determine the bandwidth of the resources, for example, by referring to the PHY header of the received data.

[0231] Even if wireless communication device 1b detects signals from multiple resources, it does not combine the resources if they are not adjacent to each other.Furthermore, wireless communication device 1b does not combine resources if they are adjacent to each other but do not receive signals simultaneously.In these cases, the resources that receive signals are treated as individual resources.

[0232] The wireless communication device 1b receives the signal from the wireless communication device 1a using the combined resource. If the signal is detected in only one resource, or if the multiple resources in which the signal is detected do not include adjacent resources, the wireless communication device 1b receives the signal from the wireless communication device 1a for each resource in which the signal is detected.

[0233] The wireless communication device 1b determines whether the received signal is addressed to the wireless communication device 1b (step S217). If the received signal is not addressed to the wireless communication device 1b, the wireless communication device 1b considers the received signal to be an interference signal and determines that the resource is busy (step S218). In this case, the wireless communication device 1b monitors the resource again in step S211.

[0234] If the received signal is addressed to the wireless communication device 1b, the data decoder 184 decodes the received signal to decode the data (step S219). The data decoder 184 repeats the decoding process of step S219 until reception of the transmitted data from the wireless communication device 1a is complete (step S220). When reception of the transmitted data is complete, the reception process is complete.

[0235] As shown in Figures 13 to 17, the wireless communication device 1 can realize an MCA that performs access control and signal transmission and reception in parallel using multiple resources using an MCA management unit 163, multiple communication control units 17, and multiple signal processing units 18.

[0236] 13 to 17, multiple signal detectors 183 detect the signal level for each corresponding RU and compare the detected signal level with a threshold for each RU. The threshold for each RU is determined taking into consideration whether or not the wireless transmitter 185 of an adjacent RU is transmitting data, i.e., whether or not there is a fluctuation due to leakage power.

[0237] In this specification, an example is described in which the multiple communication control units 17 and multiple signal processing units 18 used for the MLO operation are also used for the MCA operation, as described above. However, this is not limiting, and the wireless communication device 1 may also achieve the MCA operation using multiple communication control units and multiple signal processing units that are separately provided and have the same configurations as the multiple communication control units 17 and multiple signal processing units 18. In this case, the wireless communication device 1 can perform the MCA operation in parallel with the MLO operation.

[0238] The wireless communication device 1 may also be configured to have a function for turning the above-mentioned MCA function ON or OFF. When the MCA function is OFF, the wireless communication device 1 does not transmit or receive signals shown in Figures 6A to 6D. Furthermore, when the MCA function is OFF, the wireless communication device 1 may not exchange access control parameters for adjacent channels shown in Figure 9. Alternatively, the parameter exchange shown in Figure 9 may be performed regardless of whether the MCA function is ON or OFF.

[0239] When the MCA function is OFF, the wireless communication device 1 may use the multiple communication control units 17 and the multiple signal processing units 18 for MLO operation by the MLO management unit 161.

[0240] MCA operation differs in that it utilizes multiple frequency bands that are adjacent or nearby to each other, whereas MLO operation utilizes non-adjacent frequency bands.

[0241] Whether to perform the MCA operation or the MLO operation may be set individually for each link, i.e., for each communication control unit 17 and each signal processing unit 18. The wireless communication device 1 may be configured so that some communication control units 17 and signal processing units 18 perform the MCA operation, and other communication control units 17 and signal processing units 18 perform the MLO operation.

[0242] The MCA function may be switched on or off by a user operation. An example of the user operation is an operation using a user interface (e.g., a touch panel, keys, buttons, switches, a microphone, a display, an LED indicator, a speaker, or the like) arranged on the wireless communication device 1. The user operation may also include an operation performed via a user interface of another terminal (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a PC, a dedicated terminal, or the like).

[0243] The wireless communication device 1 may be configured to have an output function such as a management screen for switching the MCA function ON or OFF. The wireless communication device 1 may be configured to have a display device that displays the management screen, or an external display device may be connected to the wireless communication device 1. Alternatively, another terminal may be configured to receive display information of the management screen from the wireless communication device 1 by accessing an IP address or the like that identifies the wireless communication device 1, and to transmit information regarding the setting results using the management screen.

[0244] The MCA function may be automatically switched ON or OFF depending on the communication conditions, etc. Either one of the wireless communication devices 1a or 1b in FIG. 9 may transmit a signal to the other requesting switching of the MCA function. Such a request signal may be transmitted simultaneously from the AP to multiple STAs, may be transmitted at the user's request, or may be transmitted automatically when the MCA function is switched ON or OFF by a user operation. Upon receiving the request signal, the wireless communication device 1 may transmit a response signal, etc., to the sender of the request signal, indicating whether or not to accept the switching of the MCA function ON or OFF.

[0245] In this way, the wireless communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure applies an MLD configuration to enable resource-divided operations (e.g., backoff operations and signal transmission and reception). The wireless communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized in that it can effectively implement secondary channel access by simultaneously using multiple resources. In other words, the wireless communication device 1 can efficiently use frequencies.

[0246] Specifically, the wireless communication device 1 can transmit and receive data in advance using some resources (e.g., RU_1, RU_2, and RU_4 in FIG. 6A ), while detecting the usage status of other resources (e.g., RU_3 in FIG. 6A ), and after the resources are no longer in use, perform a predetermined backoff procedure to add and transmit data later. In other words, the wireless communication device 1 can independently perform access control and transmit and receive signals on multiple channels.

[0247] In addition, the wireless communication device 1 can perform signal detection for adjacent resources taking into account leakage transmission power. As shown in Fig. 8A, by adjusting the signal detection threshold for resources adjacent to some resources that the wireless communication device 1 itself is using for transmission, it is possible to relatively detect the use of those resources by other communication devices.

[0248] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 changes the resource detection level depending on the adjacent status of the transmission resource. As shown in Figure 8, by more precisely adjusting the signal detection threshold of a resource sandwiched between multiple resources used by the wireless communication device 1 itself for transmission, it is possible to more reliably detect the use of that resource by other communication devices. This allows the wireless communication device 1 to fully utilize resources adjacent to the transmission resource.

[0249] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6C, if different initial backoff values ​​can be set for each resource, it is possible to secure opportunities for reliable transmission in a shorter time depending on the usage status of congested resources where collisions occur frequently and available, stable resources. This allows low-latency applications to be transmitted using resources with the shortest backoff.

[0250] 13, by transmitting data collectively using a continuously available bandwidth, communication according to the bandwidth can be efficiently prioritized, thereby obtaining a communication method suitable for applications requiring low latency. Furthermore, by adjusting the backoff as shown in FIG. 6D, a wide bandwidth can be simultaneously used. As described above, the wireless communication device 1 can efficiently transmit data by combining adjacent resources into a resource with a larger bandwidth.

[0251] The configuration of the wireless communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can utilize the communication control unit 17 and signal processing unit 18 of the MLD configuration, eliminating the need for additional circuits to control each resource. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure controls multiple resources over multiple links. Therefore, the control operation of each link can be simplified compared to when multiple resources are controlled over a single link. The configuration of the wireless communication device 1 can be widely applied to, for example, products equipped with chipsets that adopt the IEEE 802.11be standard, application devices equipped with wireless LANs, and the like.

[0252] <Example of Computer Configuration> The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware, or into a general-purpose personal computer, etc.

[0253] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program.

[0254] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802 , and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803 are interconnected by a bus 804 .

[0255] An input / output interface 805 is further connected to the bus 804. An input unit 806 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and an output unit 807 including a display, a speaker, etc., are connected to the input / output interface 805. Information related to the present technology, for example, information related to SCA operation and MCA operation, may be output or displayed from the output unit 807. Information related to the present technology, for example, information related to SCA operation and MCA operation, may be input from the input unit 806, and confirmation or response to the information output or displayed on the output unit 807 may be input. In addition, a storage unit 808 including a hard disk or nonvolatile memory, a communication unit 809 including a network interface, etc., and a drive 810 that drives removable media 811 are connected to the input / output interface 805.

[0256] In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 801 performs the above-described series of processes by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage unit 808 into the RAM 803 via the input / output interface 805 and the bus 804 and executing the program. For example, the CPU 801 may execute a processing program corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 to 17 of the present technology. Furthermore, the storage unit 808 may store information corresponding to the access control parameters of adjacent channels (see FIG. 10 or 11) of the present technology. Furthermore, the communication unit 809 may transmit signals corresponding to the frame formats of FIGS. 10 and 11 of the present technology.

[0257] The program executed by the CPU 801 is provided, for example, by being recorded on a removable medium 811 or via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting, and is installed in the storage unit 808.

[0258] The program executed by the computer may be a program that processes in chronological order according to the order described in this specification, or may be a program that processes in parallel or at the required timing, such as when called.

[0259] <Application Examples> The present technology can be applied to various products. For example, the wireless communication device 1 in FIG. 1 may be realized as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a smartwatch, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a portable game console, or a digital camera; a fixed terminal such as a television receiver, a projector, a desktop PC, a printer, a digital scanner, or a network storage; or an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation system or a drive recorder. The wireless communication device 1 may also be realized as an M2M (Machine-to-Machine Communication) terminal such as an industrial robot, a smart meter, a vending machine, a remote monitoring device, or a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, or an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal. The wireless communication device 1 may also be realized as an autonomous mobile terminal such as a land robot, an aerial robot, an underwater robot, or a drone. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 may be a wireless communication module (e.g., an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on these terminals.

[0260] On the other hand, for example, the wireless communication device 1 may be realized as a wireless LAN AP (wireless base station) with or without a router function. The wireless communication device 1 may also be realized as a mobile wireless LAN router. The wireless communication device 1 may also be realized as a cellular communication base station or femtocell. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 1 may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on these devices.

[0261] <Configuration example of smartphone> Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a smartphone to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 19 shows a configuration example of a smartphone 900, but is not limited to this and may be a configuration example of the various devices and functions described above.

[0262] The smartphone 900 includes a processor 901, a memory 902, a storage 903, an external connection interface 904, a camera 906, a sensor 907, a microphone 908, an input device 909, and a display device 910. The smartphone 900 also includes a speaker 911, a wireless communication interface 913, an antenna switch 914, an antenna 915, a bus 917, a battery 918, and an auxiliary controller 919. The smartphone 900 may include all or some of the above.

[0263] The processor 901 may be, for example, a CPU or a SoC (System on Chip), and controls the functions of the application layer and other layers of the smartphone 900.

[0264] The memory 902 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 901 .

[0265] The storage 903 includes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk.

[0266] The external connection interface 904 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a memory card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device to the smartphone 900 .

[0267] The camera 906 has an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and generates a captured image.

[0268] The sensor 907 includes a group of sensors such as a positioning sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

[0269] The microphone 908 converts the sound input to the smartphone 900 into an audio signal.

[0270] The input device 909 includes, for example, a touch sensor that detects a touch on the screen of the display device 910, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a switch, and accepts operations or information input from the user.

[0271] The display device 910 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or a quantum dot (QD) display, and converts the audio signal output from the smartphone 900 into audio.

[0272] The wireless communication interface 913 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and successor standards thereof, and performs wireless communication.

[0273] The wireless communication interface 913 communicates with other devices via a wireless LAN AP in infrastructure mode, and directly with other devices in ad hoc mode or a direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct.

[0274] Unlike ad hoc mode, in Wi-Fi Direct, one of the two terminals acts as an AP, but communication is carried out directly between the terminals.

[0275] The wireless communication interface 913 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a power amplifier, etc. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, and related circuits.

[0276] The wireless communication interface 913 may support other types of wireless communication methods in addition to the wireless LAN method, such as a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth, a proximity wireless communication method such as NFC, or a 3GPP cellular communication method such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication methods, or may be a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication methods.

[0277] The antenna switch 914 switches the connection destination of the antenna 915 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 913 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0278] The antenna 915 has a single or multiple antenna elements (for example, multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 913.

[0279] 19 , the smartphone 900 may include multiple antennas (for example, a wireless LAN antenna, a proximity wireless communication antenna, and a cellular communication antenna). In this case, the antenna switch 914 may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

[0280] The bus 917 connects the processor 901, memory 902, storage 903, external connection interface 904, camera 906, sensor 907, microphone 908, input device 909, display device 910, speaker 911, wireless communication interface 913, and auxiliary controller 919 to each other.

[0281] The battery 918 supplies power to each block of the smartphone 900 shown in FIG. 19 via a power supply line partially indicated by a dashed line in the figure. The auxiliary controller 919 operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone 900, for example, in sleep mode. The battery 918 may also be charged via the external connection interface 904. The battery 918 may also have a function that allows reading information regarding the remaining amount of power, the cumulative power-on time, or the cumulative amount of power supply, and the processor 901, the wireless communication interface 913, or the auxiliary controller 919 may control any of the functions of the above-described embodiments based on the information read from the battery 918.

[0282] In the smartphone 900 shown in Fig. 19 , for example, the wireless communication device 1 of Fig. 1 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 913. For example, processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts of Figs. 13 to 17 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 913. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 913 may store information corresponding to the access control parameters of adjacent channels (see Fig. 10 or 11 ) of the present technology. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 913 may transmit signals corresponding to the frame formats of Figs. 10 and 11 of the present technology. Furthermore, at least a part of these functions may be implemented in the processor 901 or the auxiliary controller 919.

[0283] The smartphone 900 may operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by the processor 901 executing an AP function at the application level. The wireless communication interface 913 may have a wireless AP function. The processor 901 or the wireless communication interface 913 may have a tethering function that uses a wireless LAN system and a cellular communication system, and may transmit payload data received via the cellular communication system via the wireless LAN system, or may transmit payload data received via the wireless LAN system via the cellular communication system. The smartphone 900 may have a tethering function enabled by user input.

[0284] Furthermore, the smartphone 900 may be provided with a biometric authentication unit (fingerprint authentication, palm shape authentication, voice authentication, blood vessel authentication, face authentication, iris authentication, retina authentication). In this case, the wireless communication interface 913 in which the wireless communication device 1 in Fig. 1 is implemented is configured to receive power supply from the same battery 918 as the display device 910, the speaker 911, and at least one of the biometric authentication unit.

[0285] Furthermore, in the smartphone 900, information is displayed on at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911 based on communication with an external device via the wireless communication interface 913. At this time, information relating to the present technology, for example, information relating to SCA operation and MCA operation, may be output from at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911. Furthermore, the input device 909 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to the information output from at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911.

[0286] <Configuration example of in-vehicle device> Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device 920 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 20 is described as an example of the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920, but the configuration is not limited to this and may be an example of the configuration of the various devices and functions described above.

[0287] The in-vehicle device 920 is configured to include a processor 921, a memory 922, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module 924, a sensor 925, a data interface 926, a content player 927, and a storage medium interface 928. The in-vehicle device 920 is also configured to include an input device 929, a display device 930, a speaker 931, a wireless communication interface 933, an antenna switch 934, an antenna 935, and a battery 938. The in-vehicle device 920 may be configured to include all or some of the above.

[0288] The processor 921 may be, for example, a CPU or an SoC, and controls the navigation function and other functions of the in-vehicle device 920. The processor 921 can also control the vehicle's driving system, such as the brake, accelerator, or steering, based on information obtained through communication based on the present technology.

[0289] The memory 922 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the processor 921 .

[0290] The GNSS module 924 measures the position (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the in-vehicle device 920 using GNSS signals received from GNSS satellites.

[0291] The sensor 925 includes a group of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a millimeter wave radar, a camera (an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS), and a barometric pressure sensor.

[0292] The data interface 926 is connected to an in-vehicle network 941 via a terminal (not shown), for example, and acquires data generated on the vehicle side, such as vehicle-side data.

[0293] The content player 927 plays content stored on a storage medium (e.g., a CD or DVD) inserted into the storage medium interface 928, or content received via the wireless communication interface 933, etc.

[0294] The input device 929 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a button, or a switch that detects a touch on the screen of the display device 930, and accepts operations or information input from the user. For example, the input device 929 may be configured to input a confirmation or response to information output from at least one of the display device 930 and the speaker 931.

[0295] The display device 930 has a screen such as an LCD or OLED display, and displays images of navigation functions or content being played, or information about the technology, such as information about SCA and MCA operations.

[0296] The speaker 931 outputs the audio of the navigation function or the content being played, or information relating to the present technology, for example, information relating to SCA operation and MCA operation.

[0297] Note that the navigation function and the function of the content player 927 are optional in the in-vehicle device 920. The navigation function and the content player 927 may be removed from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

[0298] The wireless communication interface 933 supports one or more wireless LAN standards, such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and their successor standards, and performs wireless communication. In infrastructure mode, the wireless communication interface 933 communicates with other devices via a wireless LAN AP. In ad hoc mode or a direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct, the wireless communication interface 933 communicates directly with other devices. Note that, unlike ad hoc mode, in Wi-Fi Direct, one of two terminals operates as an AP, but communication is performed directly between the terminals.

[0299] The wireless communication interface 933 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a one-chip module integrating a memory for storing a communication control program, a processor for executing the program, and related circuits. In addition to the WLAN system, the wireless communication interface 933 may support other types of wireless communication systems, such as a short-range wireless communication system such as Bluetooth, a proximity wireless communication system such as NFC, or 3GPP cellular communication systems such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication systems, or a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication systems.

[0300] The antenna switch 934 switches the connection destination of the antenna 935 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 933 (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission system circuits and reception system circuits).

[0301] The antenna 935 has a single or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the wireless communication interface 933.

[0302] 20, the in-vehicle device 920 may include a plurality of antennas 935 (for example, an antenna for wireless LAN, an antenna for a close-proximity wireless communication system, and an antenna for a cellular communication system). In this case, the antenna switch 934 may be omitted from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

[0303] The battery 938 supplies power to each block of the in-vehicle device 920 shown in Fig. 20 via a power supply line partially indicated by a dashed line in the figure. The battery 938 may also store power supplied from the vehicle side. Alternatively, the in-vehicle device 920 may not be equipped with a battery and may instead use power supplied from the vehicle side via a voltage regulator or a capacitor.

[0304] In the in-vehicle device 920 shown in Fig. 20, for example, the wireless communication device 1 of Fig. 1 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 933. For example, processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts of Figs. 13 to 17 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 933. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 933 may store information corresponding to the access control parameters of adjacent channels (see Fig. 10 or 11) of the present technology. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 933 may transmit signals corresponding to the frame formats of Figs. 10 and 11 of the present technology. Furthermore, at least a part of these functions may be implemented in the processor 921.

[0305] The wireless communication interface 933 may also operate as the wireless communication device 1 described above and provide wireless connection to a terminal owned by a user in the vehicle. For example, the wireless communication interface 933 may connect the in-vehicle device 920 to other peripheral devices, and the in-vehicle device 920 may use CarPlay (registered trademark) or Android Auto (registered trademark). Note that the wireless communication interface 933 may also connect the in-vehicle device 920 to other peripheral devices using a short-range wireless communication method, infrastructure mode, or a wireless LAN method using Wi-Fi Direct.

[0306] The in-vehicle device 920 may operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by the processor 921 executing an AP function at the application level. The wireless communication interface 933 may have a wireless AP function. The processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 may have a tethering function that uses a wireless LAN system and a cellular communication system, and may transmit payload data received via the cellular communication system via the wireless LAN system, or may transmit payload data received via the wireless LAN system via the cellular communication system. The in-vehicle device 920 may have the tethering function enabled by user input.

[0307] Furthermore, the present technology may be realized as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 940 including one or more blocks of the above-described in-vehicle device 920, an in-vehicle network 941, and a vehicle-side module 942. The vehicle-side module 942 may generate vehicle-side data such as vehicle speed information, engine rotation speed information, information about the vehicle-side battery, or malfunction information, and output the generated data to the in-vehicle network 941, and the processor 921 or the wireless communication interface 933 may control any of the functions of the above-described embodiments based on the vehicle-side data acquired via the in-vehicle network 941.

[0308] <Configuration example of wireless AP> Fig. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP 950 to which the present technology is applied. Fig. 21 is described as an example of the configuration of the wireless AP 950, but is not limited to this and may be an example of the configuration of the various devices and functions described above.

[0309] The wireless AP 950 includes a controller 951, a memory 952, an input device 954, a display device 955, a network interface 957, a wireless communication interface 963, an antenna switch 964, and an antenna 965. The wireless AP 950 may include all or some of the above.

[0310] The controller 951 may be, for example, a CPU or a DSP (Digital Signal processor) and operates various functions of the IP (Internet Protocol) layer and higher layers of the wireless AP 950 (e.g., access restriction, routing, encryption, firewall, and log management).

[0311] The memory 952 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs executed by the controller 951 and various control information (for example, a terminal list, a routing table, an encryption key, security settings, and logs).

[0312] The input device 954 includes, for example, buttons and switches, and receives operations from the user. For example, the input device 954 may input a confirmation or response to information output from the display device 955. The input device 954 may also input, by user operation, switching the wireless function on / off and switching between the router function and the access point function.

[0313] The display device 955 includes an LED lamp or the like and displays the operational status of the wireless AP 950. The display device 955 may display information related to the present technology, for example, information related to SCA operation and MCA operation.

[0314] The network interface 957 is a wired communication interface for connecting the wireless AP 950 to a wired communication network 958. The network interface 957 may have multiple connection terminals. The network interface 957 may output payload data included in a wireless signal input from the wireless communication interface 963 as a wired signal, or may receive payload data output as a wireless signal from the wireless communication interface 963 as a wired signal. The network interface 957 may input and output wired signals in parallel with or independently of the wireless communication interface 963 inputting and outputting wireless signals. The wired communication network 958 may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0315] The wireless communication interface 963 supports one or more wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, 11be, 11bn, and their successor standards, and provides wireless connection to nearby terminals as an AP. When the wireless AP 950 is installed in a cellular communication base station or a femtocell, the wireless communication interface 963 may support other types of wireless communication systems, such as 3GPP cellular communication systems such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G, in addition to the wireless LAN system. The wireless communication interface 963 may be a one-chip module that supports multiple wireless communication systems, or a combination of modules that support some of the wireless communication systems.

[0316] The wireless communication interface 963 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like.

[0317] The wireless communication interface 963 may be a one-chip module that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, or related circuits.

[0318] The antenna switch 964 switches the connection destination of the antenna 965 between multiple circuits (e.g., circuits for different wireless communication methods, or transmission circuits and reception circuits) included in the wireless communication interface 963. The antenna 965 has a single antenna element or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna, or multiple antenna elements constituting an array antenna), and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals via the wireless communication interface 963.

[0319] In the wireless AP 950 shown in Fig. 21 , for example, the wireless communication device 1 of Fig. 1 may also be implemented in the wireless communication interface 963. For example, processing programs corresponding to the flowcharts of Figs. 13 to 17 may be executed in the wireless communication interface 963. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 963 may store information corresponding to the access control parameters of adjacent channels (see Fig. 10 or 11) of the present technology. Furthermore, the wireless communication interface 963 may transmit signals corresponding to the frame formats of Figs. 10 and 11 of the present technology. Furthermore, at least a part of these functions may be implemented in the controller 951.

[0320] The above-described embodiment shows an example for realizing the present technology, and the matters in the embodiment correspond to the matters specifying the invention in the claims. Similarly, the matters specifying the invention in the claims correspond to the matters in the embodiment of the present technology having the same title. However, the present technology is not limited to the embodiment, and can be realized by applying various modifications to the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present technology.

[0321] Furthermore, part or all of the communication control device described in the above embodiments may be realized, for example, as a semiconductor chip (IC (Integrated Circuit)) having a wireless communication control function. Also, it may be realized by a single semiconductor chip equipped with multiple functions, such as a SoC (System on Chip), or by combining multiple semiconductor chips each having a single function, such as a processor. Furthermore, it may be realized by combining multiple SoCs, or by combining a semiconductor chip with a single function with a SoC. Also, it may be realized by a semiconductor chip such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) dedicated to realizing each unit, or by a combination of a general-purpose processor with software or firmware, or by a semiconductor chip such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0322] Furthermore, the processing procedures described in the above embodiments may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, or as a program for causing this computer to execute these procedures or a recording medium for storing that program.

[0323] Examples of the recording medium that can be used include a CD (Compact Disc), an MD (MiniDisc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a memory card, and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc.

[0324] In this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all of the components are contained in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housed in a single housing with multiple modules, are both systems.

[0325] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0326] The embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

[0327] For example, the present technology can be configured as a cloud computing system in which a single function is shared and processed collaboratively by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0328] Furthermore, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device, or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0329] Furthermore, when one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0330] The present technology may be configured as follows: (1) A wireless communication device including: a plurality of signal detection units that detect a signal level for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other and compare the detected signal level with a threshold for each of the plurality of frequency resources; a plurality of communication control units that perform access control for each of the frequency resources based on comparison results from the plurality of signal detection units; and a plurality of wireless transmission units that transmit data on the frequency resources according to timings at which the frequency resources become accessible through the access control, wherein at least one of the plurality of signal detection units changes a value of the threshold used by the at least one signal detection unit based on whether the wireless transmission unit is transmitting the data on a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource corresponding to the at least one signal detection unit. (2) The wireless communication device according to (1), further including a bandwidth setting unit that sets the frequency resources as a variable frequency bandwidth. (3) The wireless communication device according to (1) or (2), wherein the plurality of frequency resources include a first channel used for wireless communication and a second channel that is used in combination with the first channel to extend a bandwidth of the wireless communication. (4) The wireless communication device according to (3), wherein the first channel is a band including a primary channel, and the second channel is a band including a secondary channel. (5) The wireless communication device according to (3) or (4), wherein the plurality of communication control units include a first communication control unit that performs the access control for the first channel and a second communication control unit that performs the access control for the second channel. (6) The wireless communication device according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein the plurality of communication control units do not perform the access control for the second channel when the first channel is unavailable. (7) The wireless communication device according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein the plurality of communication control units perform the access control for the second channel regardless of whether the first channel is available.(8) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein, when one or more of the multiple wireless transmission units are transmitting data, each of the multiple signal detection units adjusts a threshold value of a signal level of the corresponding frequency resource in accordance with a signal level leaking from the frequency resource used for the data transmission, if the corresponding frequency resource is adjacent to a frequency resource used for the data transmission. (9) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein, when two or more of the multiple wireless transmission units are transmitting data, each of the multiple signal detection units adjusts a threshold value of a signal level of the corresponding frequency resource in accordance with a combined signal level of signal levels leaking from the multiple frequency resources used for the data transmission, if the corresponding frequency resource is adjacent to a frequency resource used for the data transmission and is sandwiched between the multiple frequency resources used for the data transmission. (10) The wireless communication device according to (8) or (9), wherein each of the multiple signal detection units determines whether the corresponding frequency resource is usable based on whether the signal level detected in the corresponding frequency resource exceeds the threshold. (11) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the access control includes a back-off operation in which an initial value is set to a random value, and wherein the plurality of communication control units perform the back-off operation for each frequency resource. (12) The wireless communication device according to (11), wherein the plurality of communication control units determine that the frequency resource in which the back-off operation is being performed is unavailable when the plurality of signal detection units detect a signal level exceeding a threshold in the frequency resource in which the back-off operation is being performed. (13) The wireless communication device according to (11) or (12), wherein the plurality of communication control units perform the back-off operation using the same back-off period length as an initial value for all frequency resources. (14) The wireless communication device according to (11) or (12), wherein the plurality of communication control units perform the back-off operation using multiple types of back-off period lengths set randomly for each frequency resource as initial values.(15) The wireless communication device according to any one of (11) to (14), wherein, when the frequency resource becomes available, if an adjacent frequency resource to the available frequency resource is available, the plurality of communication control units adjust a backoff period length of at least one of the available frequency resource or the adjacent frequency resource so that backoff operations for the available frequency resource and the adjacent frequency resource end at approximately the same timing. (16) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein, when the adjacent frequency resources become available, the plurality of radio transmitting units transmit signals with a bandwidth obtained by aggregating the adjacent frequency resources. (17) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein, when non-adjacent frequency resources become available, the plurality of radio transmitting units transmit signals individually using each of the non-adjacent frequency resources. (18) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (17), further comprising a multi-link management unit that performs communication using multiple links of different frequency bands. (19) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (18), wherein the wireless communication device transmits or receives an instruction signal specifying at least one of a number or a bandwidth of frequency resources usable as the frequency resources among the plurality of frequency resources. (20) A wireless communication method comprising: detecting a signal level for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, comparing the detected signal level with a threshold for each of the plurality of frequency resources, performing access control for each of the frequency resources based on a comparison result for each of the plurality of frequency resources, transmitting data using the frequency resources according to a timing when each of the frequency resources becomes accessible by the access control, and changing a value of the threshold used for comparison with the signal level for the at least one frequency resource based on whether the data is being transmitted using a frequency resource adjacent to at least one frequency resource.(21) A wireless communication device comprising: a plurality of signal detection units that detect a signal for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, and compare a signal level of the detected signal with a threshold for each of the plurality of frequency resources to detect a data signal whose signal level is equal to or greater than a threshold; and a plurality of data decoding units that decode data based on the data signal detected by the plurality of signal detection units, wherein the threshold used by at least one signal detection unit among the plurality of signal detection units has a value greater than a leakage power that leaks from a frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources from which data is transmitted to a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource from which the data is transmitted. (22) The wireless communication device according to (21), further comprising a bandwidth setting unit that sets the frequency resources as a variable frequency bandwidth. (23) The wireless communication device according to (21) or (22), wherein, when the plurality of signal detection units detect signals at approximately the same timing in the plurality of adjacent frequency resources, the plurality of data decoding units decode data based on the signal detected in a bandwidth obtained by combining the plurality of adjacent frequency resources. (24) The wireless communication device according to any one of (21) to (23), wherein when the plurality of signal detection units detect signals at different timings in the plurality of adjacent frequency resources or when the plurality of signal detection units detect signals in the plurality of non-adjacent frequency resources, the plurality of data decoding units decode data based on the plurality of signals detected for each of the plurality of frequency resources. (25) The wireless communication device according to any one of (21) to (24), wherein the plurality of signal detection units determine whether the frequency resource is available based on whether a signal level for each frequency resource exceeds a threshold, and when a signal is transmitted in a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource, the threshold is adjusted based on a signal level leaking from the adjacent frequency resource.(26) The wireless communication device according to any one of (21) to (25), wherein, when detecting a change in signal level in the corresponding frequency resource, each of the plurality of signal detection units determines whether a signal is being transmitted on the frequency resource based on whether the signal level exceeds a threshold, and when detecting a change in signal level in the plurality of frequency resources adjacent to each other, the plurality of signal detection units adjust the threshold in accordance with an expected leakage power between the adjacent frequency resources. (27) The wireless communication device according to any one of (21) to (26), wherein, when detecting a change in signal level in the corresponding frequency resource, each of the plurality of signal detection units determines whether a signal is being transmitted on the frequency resource based on whether the signal level exceeds a threshold, and when detecting a change in signal level in a plurality of first frequency resources and a second frequency resource adjacent to and sandwiched between the plurality of first frequency resources, adjusts the threshold for the second frequency resource in accordance with an expected leakage power from the plurality of first frequency resources. (28) The wireless communication device according to any one of (21) to (27), further comprising a multi-link management unit that performs communication using a plurality of links with different frequency bands. (29) The wireless communication device according to any one of (21) to (28), further comprising: a command signal that specifies at least one of the number or bandwidth of frequency resources that can be used as the frequency resources among the plurality of frequency resources. (30) A wireless communication method comprising: detecting a signal for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other; comparing a signal level of the detected signal with a threshold value for each of the plurality of frequency resources to detect a data signal whose signal level is equal to or greater than a threshold value; decoding data based on the detected data signal; and wherein the threshold value used for a frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources that is adjacent to a frequency resource through which data is transmitted has a value greater than leakage power leaking from the frequency resource through which the data is transmitted.

[0331] The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the individual embodiments described above, but include various modifications that may be conceived by those skilled in the art, and the effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described contents. In other words, various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present disclosure, which is derived from the contents defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0332] 1, 1a, 1b, 30 wireless communication device, 10 wireless communication module, 11 interface, 12 memory, 13 transmission data management unit, 14 management information processing unit, 15 reception data management unit, 16 communication management unit, 17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d communication control unit, 18, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d signal processing unit, 19 antenna control unit, 161 MLO management unit, 162 aggregation management unit, 163 MCA management unit, 171 link setting unit, 172 frequency setting unit, 173 bandwidth setting unit, 174 access control unit, 181 data construction unit, 182 signal amplification unit, 183 signal detection unit, 184 data decoding unit, 185 wireless transmission unit, 186 wireless reception unit, 210 information element, 211 element type, 212 length, 213 sub type, 214 Latency Parameter, 215 Backoff Parameter, 216 Bandwidth Parameter, 217 Parallel Operate, 218 Duration Parameter, 219 Separation Parameter, 220 Detect Level, 230 PPDU, 231 L-STF, 232 L-LTF, 233 L-SIG, 234 RL-SIG, 235 U-SIG, 236 EHT-STF, 237 EHT-LTF, 238 A-MPDU, 239 PE, 250 Adjacent Channel Access Parameter, 251 Bandwidth, 252 Parallel, 253 Detect Level

Claims

a plurality of signal detection units that detect a signal level for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, and compare the signal level with a threshold for each of the plurality of frequency resources; a plurality of communication control units that perform access control for each of the frequency resources based on the comparison results of the plurality of signal detection units; a plurality of wireless transmission units each transmitting data using the frequency resource in accordance with a timing at which the frequency resource becomes accessible through the access control; at least one signal detection unit among the plurality of signal detection units changes the value of the threshold used by the at least one signal detection unit based on whether the wireless transmission unit is transmitting the data in a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource corresponding to the at least one signal detection unit; Wireless communication device. 　 Further comprising a bandwidth setting unit that sets the frequency resource as a variable frequency bandwidth. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 . 　 the plurality of frequency resources include a first channel used for wireless communication and a second channel aggregated with the first channel for use in extending a band of the wireless communication; The wireless communication device according to claim 1 . 　 the plurality of communication control units perform the access control on the second channel regardless of whether the first channel is available. The wireless communication device according to claim 3 . 　 When one or more of the plurality of radio transmission units are transmitting data, if the corresponding frequency resource is adjacent to a frequency resource used for the data transmission, each of the plurality of signal detection units adjusts a signal level threshold of the corresponding frequency resource in accordance with a signal level leaking from the frequency resource used for the data transmission. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 . 　 When two or more of the plurality of radio transmission units are transmitting data, if the corresponding frequency resource is adjacent to and sandwiched between a plurality of frequency resources used for the data transmission, each of the plurality of signal detection units adjusts a signal level threshold of the corresponding frequency resource in accordance with a signal level obtained by aggregating signal levels leaking from each of the plurality of frequency resources used for the data transmission. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 . 　 the access control includes a backoff operation that sets an initial value as a random value; the plurality of communication control units perform the backoff operation for each frequency resource; The wireless communication device according to claim 1 . 　 When the plurality of signal detection units detect a signal level exceeding a threshold in the frequency resource in which the backoff operation is being performed, the plurality of communication control units determine that the frequency resource in which the backoff operation is being performed is unavailable. The wireless communication device according to claim 7. 　 the plurality of communication control units perform the backoff operation using the same backoff period length as an initial value for all frequency resources; The wireless communication device according to claim 7. 　 the plurality of communication control units perform the backoff operation using a plurality of types of backoff period lengths set randomly for each frequency resource as initial values; The wireless communication device according to claim 7. 　 When the frequency resource becomes available, if a frequency resource adjacent to the available frequency resource is available, the plurality of communication control units adjust a back-off period length of at least one of the available frequency resource or the adjacent frequency resource so that back-off operations of the available frequency resource and the adjacent frequency resource end at approximately the same timing. The wireless communication device according to claim 7. 　 When the plurality of adjacent frequency resources become available, the plurality of radio transmission units transmit signals in a bandwidth obtained by aggregating the plurality of adjacent frequency resources. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 . 　 transmitting or receiving an instruction signal that specifies at least one of the number or bandwidth of frequency resources available as the frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources; The wireless communication device according to claim 1 . 　 Detecting a signal level for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, and comparing the detected signal level with a threshold value for each of the plurality of frequency resources; performing access control for each of the frequency resources based on a comparison result for each of the plurality of frequency resources; Transmitting data using the frequency resources in accordance with the timing at which the frequency resources are made accessible by the access control; changing the value of the threshold used for comparison with the signal level in at least one frequency resource based on whether the data is being transmitted in a frequency resource adjacent to the at least one frequency resource; Wireless communication method. 　 a plurality of signal detection units that detect signals for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, compare the signal levels of the detected signals with thresholds for the plurality of frequency resources, and detect data signals whose signal levels are equal to or greater than the thresholds; a plurality of data decoding units that decode data based on the data signals detected by the plurality of signal detection units, the threshold used in at least one of the plurality of signal detection units has a value greater than leakage power leaking from a frequency resource, from which data is transmitted, among the plurality of frequency resources, to a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource from which the data is transmitted. Wireless communication device. 　 Further comprising a bandwidth setting unit that sets the frequency resource as a variable frequency bandwidth.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 15. 　 When the plurality of signal detection units detect signals at substantially the same timing in the plurality of adjacent frequency resources, the plurality of data decoding units decode data based on the signals detected in a bandwidth obtained by integrating the plurality of adjacent frequency resources.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 15. 　 the plurality of signal detection units determine whether the frequency resource is available based on whether a signal level of each frequency resource exceeds a threshold; When a signal is transmitted in a frequency resource adjacent to the frequency resource, the threshold is adjusted based on a signal level leaking from the adjacent frequency resource.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 15. 　 transmitting or receiving an instruction signal that specifies at least one of the number or bandwidth of frequency resources available as the frequency resource among the plurality of frequency resources; 16. The wireless communication device of claim 15. 　 detecting a signal for each frequency resource among a plurality of frequency resources including frequency resources adjacent to each other, comparing a signal level of the detected signal with a threshold value for each of the plurality of frequency resources, and detecting a data signal whose signal level is equal to or greater than a threshold value; decoding data based on the detected data signal; the threshold value used for a frequency resource adjacent to a frequency resource through which data is transmitted among the plurality of frequency resources has a value greater than leakage power leaking from the frequency resource through which the data is transmitted. Wireless communication method.

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