WO2024247228A1 - Sharing access point, shared access point, and communication method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication system includes a sharing access point and a shared access point. The sharing access point includes a first management unit and a first wireless signal processing unit. The shared access point includes a second management unit and a second wireless signal processing unit. The first management unit is configured to generate first information relating to a plurality of wireless signal processing units including the second wireless signal processing unit and to cause the first information to be reported from at least one of the first wireless signal processing unit and the second wireless signal processing unit.

Description

Sharing access point, shared access point, and communication method therefor

The embodiment relates to a sharing access point, a shared access point, and a communication method therefor.

The multi-link transmission method using a wireless LAN (local area network) is known as a communication system that wirelessly connects an access point (AP) and a terminal. In the multi-link transmission method, data exchange between a multi-link device (AP MLD) in the access point and a multi-link device (non-AP MLD) in the terminal is realized by wireless links between multiple affiliated APs in the access point and multiple affiliated STAs in the terminal.

IEEE802.11be D3.0, “35.3 Multi-link operation”, p479-p586, January 2023

However, in the multi-link transmission method, a terminal cannot simultaneously use wireless links between multiple affiliated APs that belong to different AP MLDs.

On the other hand, from the perspective of improving the wireless communication environment, it is desirable for a terminal to be able to simultaneously use wireless links with multiple affiliated APs of multiple access points.

The present invention was made in response to the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an access point that improves the wireless communication environment.

The sharing access point of one embodiment is a sharing access point in a communication system including a sharing access point and a shared access point. The sharing access point includes a first management unit and a first wireless signal processing unit. The shared access point includes a second management unit and a second wireless signal processing unit. The first management unit is configured to generate first information regarding a plurality of wireless signal processing units including the second wireless signal processing unit, and to cause the first information to be reported from at least one of the first wireless signal processing unit and the second wireless signal processing unit.

According to the embodiment, it is possible to provide an access point and a terminal device that improves the wireless communication environment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a sharing AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a shared AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a sharing AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of multi-link management information stored in the sharing AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of terminal connection information stored in the sharing AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a shared AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of multi-link management information stored in the shared AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of link management information stored in the shared AP according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of link management information stored in the terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a series of processes including the pseudo multi-link connection process in the communication system according to the embodiment.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same functions and configurations are given the same reference symbols.

1. Embodiment 1.1 Configuration 1.1.1 Communication System Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 1 includes a sharing AP 10, a shared AP 20, a terminal 30, and a network 40.

The sharing AP 10, the shared AP 20, and the terminal 30 have wireless communication functions based on, for example, the OSI (open systems interconnection) reference model. In the OSI reference model, the wireless communication functions are divided into seven layers (layer 1: physical layer, layer 2: data link layer, layer 3: network layer, layer 4: transport layer, layer 5: session layer, layer 6: presentation layer, layer 7: application layer). The data link layer includes an LLC (logical link control) sublayer and a MAC (media access control) sublayer.

Specifically, the sharing AP 10 and the shared AP 20 are configured to operate as a single access point for each other, for example. The sharing AP 10 includes an AP MLD1 and an affiliated AP 1. The shared AP 20 includes an AP MLD2, an affiliated AP 2, and an affiliated AP 3.

Each of AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 is a multi-link device (MLD) and is an entity configured to logically connect wirelessly to the terminal 30. That is, AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 can be the end of the sharing AP 10 side and the end of the shared AP 20 side in data exchange by wireless communication with the terminal 30, respectively. Each of AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 is configured to communicate with a server (not shown) on the network 40 via wired or wireless communication. AP MLD1 is configured to communicate with Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 via wired communication. AP MLD2 is configured to communicate with Affiliated AP2 and Affiliated AP3 via wired communication.

Each of Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 is an entity configured to have a physical wireless connection with the terminal 30. That is, each of Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 has a physical configuration for exchanging data with the terminal 30 via a wireless link. Affiliated AP1 belongs to AP MLD1. Affiliated AP2 and Affiliated AP3 can each belong to either AP MLD1 or AP MLD2. Here, "Affiliated AP belongs to an AP MLD" means that the Affiliated AP can be used for data exchange between the AP MLD and the terminal.

Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 have the same configuration. In the following, when Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as Affiliated AP.

The terminals 30 are, for example, smartphones or PCs (personal computers), and are wireless terminal devices that support a multi-link transmission method that complies with the IEEE 802.11 standard. The terminals 30 include a non-AP MLD, an affiliated STA1, and an affiliated STA2.

The non-AP MLD is a multi-link device in the terminal 30, and is an entity configured to logically connect wirelessly to the sharing AP 10. In other words, the non-AP MLD can be the end of the terminal 30 side in data exchange by wireless communication with each of the sharing AP 10 and the shared AP 20. The non-AP MLD is connected to the affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 via wires.

Each of Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 is an entity configured to have a physical wireless connection with the Affiliated AP. That is, each of Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 has a physical configuration for exchanging data via a wireless link with the Affiliated AP. Each of Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 belongs to a non-AP MLD. Here, "an Affiliated STA belongs to a non-AP MLD" means that the Affiliated STA can be used for data exchange between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

Note that Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 have the same configuration. In the following, when Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as Affiliated STA.

In this embodiment, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD are configured to exchange data by multiple wireless links between multiple affiliated APs provided in different access points and multiple affiliated STAs provided in the same terminal 30. The transmission method according to this embodiment is different from a normal multi-link transmission method in which data is exchanged by multiple wireless links between multiple affiliated APs provided in the same access point and multiple affiliated STAs provided in the same terminal 30. In the transmission method according to this embodiment, the AP MLD exchanges data while being aware of which access point contains the affiliated AP that establishes the wireless link. On the other hand, the non-AP MLD exchanges data using the scheme of the multi-link transmission method without being aware of which access point contains the affiliated AP that establishes the wireless link. Therefore, the transmission method according to this embodiment can be said to be a multi-link transmission method from the perspective of the non-AP MLD, but can also be said to be a pseudo multi-link transmission method from the perspective of the AP MLD. The pseudo multi-link transmission method may also be read as the multi-AP transmission method.

The example in FIG. 1 shows a case where AP MLD1 and non-AP MLD exchange data using the wireless link between affiliated AP1 and affiliated STA1, and the wireless link between affiliated AP2 and affiliated STA2.

1.1.2 Hardware Configuration Next, the hardware configuration of the sharing AP, the shared AP, and the terminal in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described.

1.1.2.1 Hardware configuration of sharing AP Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a sharing AP according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the sharing AP 10 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a wireless communication module 14, a wired communication module 15, and a wired communication module 16.

The CPU 11 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the sharing AP 10. The ROM 12 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The ROM 12 stores programs and data for controlling the sharing AP 10. The RAM 13 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 13 is used as a working area for the CPU 11. The wireless communication module 14 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data by wireless signals. The wireless communication module 14 is connected to an antenna. The wired communication modules 15 and 16 are circuits used for transmitting and receiving data by wired signals. The wired communication module 15 is connected to the shared AP 20. The wired communication module 16 is connected to the network 40.

1.1.2.2 Hardware configuration of the shared AP Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the shared AP according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the shared AP 20 includes, for example, a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a wireless communication module 24, a wired communication module 25, and a wired communication module 26.

The CPU 21 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the shared AP 20. The ROM 22 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The ROM 22 stores programs and data for controlling the shared AP 20. The RAM 23 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 23 is used as a working area for the CPU 21. The wireless communication module 24 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data by wireless signals. The wireless communication module 24 is connected to an antenna. The wired communication modules 25 and 26 are circuits used for transmitting and receiving data by wired signals. The wired communication module 25 is connected to the sharing AP 10. The wired communication module 26 is connected to the network 40.

1.1.2.3 Hardware Configuration of Terminal Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the terminal 30 includes, for example, a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a wireless communication module 34, a display 35, and a storage 36.

The CPU 31 is a processing circuit that controls the overall operation of the terminal 30. The ROM 32 is, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The ROM 32 stores programs and data for controlling the terminal 30. The RAM 33 is, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory. The RAM 33 is used as a working area for the CPU 31. The wireless communication module 34 is a circuit used for transmitting and receiving data by wireless signals. The wireless communication module 34 is connected to an antenna. The display 35 is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an EL (electro-luminescence) display. The display 35 displays a GUI (graphical user interface) corresponding to application software, etc. The storage 36 is a non-volatile storage device. The storage 36 stores system software, etc. of the terminal 30.

1.1.3 Functional Configuration Next, the functional configuration of the access point and the terminal in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described.

1.1.3.1 Functional Configuration of a Sharing AP FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a sharing AP according to the embodiment.

The sharing AP 10 functions as a computer including an LLC processing unit 110, a management unit 120, an upper MAC frame processing unit 130, a lower MAC frame processing unit 140, and a radio signal processing unit 150. The LLC processing unit 110 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to the LLC sublayer of the second layer and layers 3 to 7. The management unit 120, the upper MAC frame processing unit 130, and the lower MAC frame processing unit 140 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of the second layer. The radio signal processing unit 150 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to the first layer. The LLC processing unit 110, the management unit 120, and the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 function as, for example, AP MLD1. The lower MAC frame processing unit 140 and the radio signal processing unit 150 function as, for example, Affiliated AP1.

The LLC processing unit 110, for example, adds a destination service access point (DSAP) header or a source service access point (SSAP) header to the data received from the network 40 and inputs the data to the upper MAC frame processing unit 130. The LLC processing unit 110 also transmits the data input from the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 to the network 40.

The management unit 120 controls the logical wireless connection between the AP MLD 1 and the non-AP MLD in the pseudo multi-link transmission method. For example, the management unit 120 executes pseudo multi-link connection processing in response to a multi-link connection request from the terminal 30. The management unit 120 also stores multi-link management information 121 and terminal connection information 122.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of multi-link management information stored in a sharing AP according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the multi-link management information 121 stores information provided to the terminal 30 when using the pseudo multi-link transmission method. Specifically, the multi-link management information 121 stores information related to various entities on the access point side used in the pseudo multi-link transmission method (i.e., AP MLD1, and Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 that can belong to AP MLD1). Specifically, the information related to various entities on the access point side used in the pseudo multi-link transmission method includes, for example, an identifier, a frequency band, capability information, and operation parameters.

The identifier may, for example, include the MAC address of the corresponding entity.

The frequency band includes information indicating the frequency band used by the corresponding entity. For example, the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, the 45 GHz band, and the 60 GHz band may be applied. Each frequency band includes multiple channels.

The capability information includes, for example, information indicating whether the corresponding entity supports the multi-link transmission method.

The operational parameters include, for example, CWmin, CWmax, arbitration interframe space (AIFS), and transmission opportunity (TXOP) Limit. CWmin and CWmax respectively indicate the minimum and maximum values of the contention window. The contention window is a parameter used to calculate backoff, which is a transmission waiting time for collision avoidance. AIFS is a fixed transmission waiting time set for each access category of traffic. The access categories of traffic include, for example, "VO (voice)", "VI (video)", "BE (best effort)", "BK (background)", and "LL (low latency)". TXOP Limit indicates the upper limit of the channel occupancy period TXOP.

In addition, the frequency band, capability information, and operational parameters related to AP MLD1 do not need to be stored.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of terminal connection information stored in a sharing AP according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal connection information 122 stores information on the connection status of the terminal 30 that is wirelessly connected to the sharing AP 10 using a pseudo multi-link transmission method. Specifically, for example, the terminal connection information 122 stores a non-AP MLD identifier, a set of an identifier of affiliated STA1 and an identifier of an affiliated AP that is wirelessly connected to affiliated STA1, and a set of an identifier of affiliated STA2 and an identifier of an affiliated AP that is wirelessly connected to affiliated STA2. Here, the identifier includes the MAC address of the target entity.

In the case of the connection example shown in Figure 1, the affiliated AP wirelessly connected to affiliated STA1 and the affiliated AP wirelessly connected to affiliated STA2 are affiliated AP1 and affiliated AP2, respectively.

Referring again to Figure 5, the functional configuration of sharing AP 10 will be described.

Before starting the pseudo multi-link transmission method, the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 inputs the multi-link management information 121 via a wire to the lower MAC frame processing unit 140 and the shared AP 20.

When data is input from the lower MAC frame processing unit 140 and the shared AP 20, the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 performs processing such as deaggregation and then inputs the data to the LLC processing unit 110. When data is input from the LLC processing unit 110, the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 performs processing such as aggregation and then distributes the data via wire to either the affiliated AP 1 (its lower MAC frame processing unit 140) or the affiliated AP 2 and affiliated AP 3 in the shared AP 20. The upper MAC frame processing unit 130 may determine the data distribution destination by referring to the terminal connection information 122. When multiple affiliated APs belong to the AP MLD1, the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 may determine the data distribution destination according to the TID (traffic identifier) associated with the access category.

The lower MAC frame processing unit 140 generates a MAC frame by adding a MAC header to the data input from the upper MAC frame processing unit 130, and inputs it to the wireless signal processing unit 150. The lower MAC frame processing unit 140 also generates a beacon frame based on the multi-link management information 121, and inputs it to the wireless signal processing unit 150. The lower MAC frame processing unit 140 also performs a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on the MAC frame input from the wireless signal processing unit 150, and executes error detection. The lower MAC frame processing unit 140 then inputs data that has been confirmed to be error-free to the upper MAC frame processing unit 130.

The wireless signal processing unit 150 generates a wireless frame by adding a preamble, etc., to the MAC frame and beacon frame input from the lower MAC frame processing unit 140. The wireless signal processing unit 150 converts the generated wireless frame into a wireless signal. The wireless signal processing unit 150 then radiates (transmits) the converted wireless signal via an antenna. The conversion process from the wireless frame to the wireless signal includes, for example, convolutional coding processing, interleaving processing, subcarrier modulation processing, inverse fast Fourier transform processing, OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) modulation processing, and frequency conversion processing. The wireless signal processing unit 150 also converts the wireless signal received from the terminal 30 via the antenna into a wireless frame. The conversion process from the wireless signal to the wireless frame includes, for example, frequency conversion processing, OFDM demodulation processing, fast Fourier transform processing, subcarrier demodulation processing, deinterleaving processing, and Viterbi decoding processing. The wireless signal processing unit 150 extracts the MAC frame from the converted wireless frame. Then, the wireless signal processing unit 150 inputs the extracted MAC frame to the lower MAC frame processing unit 140.

1.1.3.2 Functional Configuration of a Shared AP FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a shared AP according to the embodiment.

The shared AP 20 functions as a computer including an LLC processing unit 210, a management unit 220, an upper MAC frame processing unit 230, a data transfer unit 240, lower MAC frame processing units 250 and 260, and wireless signal processing units 270 and 280. The LLC processing unit 210 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to the LLC sublayer of the second layer and the third to sixth layers. The management unit 220, the upper MAC frame processing unit 230, the data transfer unit 240, and the lower MAC frame processing units 250 and 260 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of the second layer. The wireless signal processing units 270 and 280 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the first layer. The LLC processing unit 210, the management unit 220, and the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 function as an AP MLD2. The lower MAC frame processing unit 250 and the wireless signal processing unit 270 function as an affiliated AP2. The lower MAC frame processing unit 260 and the radio signal processing unit 280 function as an affiliated AP3.

The LLC processing unit 210, for example, adds a DSAP header, SSAP header, etc. to the data received from the network 40 and inputs it to the upper MAC frame processing unit 230. The LLC processing unit 210 also transmits the data input from the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 to the network 40.

The management unit 220 controls the logical wireless connection between the AP MLD2 and the non-AP MLD in a normal multi-link transmission method (i.e., not using multiple affiliated APs provided in different access points) that is different from the pseudo multi-link transmission method. For example, the management unit 220 executes connection processing using the normal transmission method in response to a request from the terminal 30. The management unit 220 stores multi-link management information 221.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of multi-link management information stored in a shared AP according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the multi-link management information 221 stores information provided to the terminal 30 when using a normal multi-link transmission method. Specifically, the multi-link management information 221 stores information related to various entities on the access point side used in the normal multi-link transmission method (i.e., AP MLD2, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3). The information related to various entities on the access point side used in the normal transmission method specifically includes, for example, an identifier, a frequency band, capability information, and operation parameters.

The identifier, frequency band, capability information, and operational parameters are equivalent to the identifier, frequency band, and operational parameters contained in the multi-link management information 121. Note that the frequency band, capability information, and operational parameters related to AP MLD2 do not need to be stored.

The management unit 220 also manages the state of the physical wireless connection between the affiliated AP 2 in the shared AP 20 and the affiliated STA. Specifically, for example, the management unit 220 stores link management information 222. The management unit 220 may also store multi-link management information 121.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of link management information stored in a shared AP according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the link management information 222 stores an identifier for identifying the affiliated STA that is physically connected wirelessly to each of the affiliated AP 2 and affiliated AP 3 in the shared AP 20. The identifier includes, for example, the MAC address of the affiliated STA. The link management information 222 also stores an identifier for the wireless connection between the affiliated AP and the affiliated STA that identifies the AP MLD to which the non-AP MLD to which the affiliated STA belongs is connected (i.e., the AP MLD that is the end point of data exchange in the wireless connection).

In the case of the connection example using the pseudo multi-link transmission method shown in FIG. 1, the link management information 222 stores the MAC address of AP MLD1 as the AP MLD that terminates the data exchange in the entry corresponding to affiliated AP2, and stores the MAC address of affiliated STA2 as the connected affiliated STA. At this time, no information related to the pseudo multi-link transmission method is stored in the entry corresponding to affiliated AP3.

For example, when Affiliated AP2 and Affiliated AP3 are connected to Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 by a normal multi-link transmission method, the MAC address of AP MLD2 is stored as the AP MLD that is the end of the data exchange in the entry corresponding to Affiliated AP2 in the link management information 222, and the MAC address of Affiliated STA1 is stored as the connected Affiliated STA. Also, the entry corresponding to Affiliated AP3 stores the MAC address of AP MLD2 as the AP MLD that is the end of the data exchange, and the MAC address of Affiliated STA2 is stored as the connected Affiliated STA.

Referring again to Figure 8, the functional configuration of the shared AP 20 will be explained.

Prior to starting the normal multi-link transmission method, the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 inputs the multi-link management information 221 to the lower MAC frame processing unit 250 in the affiliated AP2 and the lower MAC frame processing unit 260 in the affiliated AP3 via the data transfer unit 240.

When data is input from the lower MAC frame processing units 250 and 260 via the data transfer unit 240, the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 performs processing such as deaggregation and then inputs the data to the LLC processing unit 210. Also, when data is input from the LLC processing unit 210, the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 performs processing such as aggregation and then inputs the data to the data transfer unit 240.

When data is input from the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 in the sharing AP 10 and the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 in the shared AP 20, the data transfer unit 240 distributes the data to the lower MAC frame processing units 250 and 260. The data transfer unit 240 may determine the distribution destination of the data by referring to the link management information 222. When multiple affiliated APs belong to the AP MLD2, the data transfer unit 240 may determine the distribution destination of the data according to the TID associated with the access category.

In addition, when data and information on the sender of the MAC frame are input from the lower MAC frame processing units 250 and 260, the data transfer unit 240 refers to the link management information 222 in the management unit 220 and determines the AP MLD that will be the end point (i.e., the destination) of the data exchange with the sender. If the data transfer unit 240 determines that the end point of the data exchange is AP MLD1, it transfers the MAC frame to the upper MAC frame processing unit 130 in the sharing AP 10. If the data transfer unit 240 determines that the end point of the data exchange is AP MLD2, it transfers the MAC frame to the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 in the shared AP 20.

As described above, the configurations of affiliated AP2 and affiliated AP3 are the same. Therefore, the following mainly describes the configuration of affiliated AP2 (i.e., the lower MAC frame processing unit 250 and the wireless signal processing unit 270).

The lower MAC frame processing unit 250 generates a MAC frame by adding a MAC header to the data input from the upper MAC frame processing unit 230 or the data transfer unit 240, and inputs it to the wireless signal processing unit 270. Furthermore, when the lower MAC frame processing unit 250 receives multi-link management information 121 from the upper MAC frame processing unit 130, it generates a beacon frame for a pseudo multi-link transmission method based on the multi-link management information 121 and inputs it to the wireless signal processing unit 270. Similarly, when the lower MAC frame processing unit 250 receives multi-link management information 221 from the upper MAC frame processing unit 230, it generates a beacon frame for a normal multi-link transmission method based on the multi-link management information 221 and inputs it to the wireless signal processing unit 270. Furthermore, the lower MAC frame processing unit 250 performs CRC on the MAC frame input from the wireless signal processing unit 270, and executes error detection. The lower MAC frame processing unit 250 then inputs the data that has been confirmed to be error-free and the information on the source of the MAC frame to the data transfer unit 240.

The wireless signal processing unit 270 generates a wireless frame by adding a preamble, etc., to the MAC frame input from the lower MAC frame processing unit 250. The wireless signal processing unit 270 converts the generated wireless frame into a wireless signal. The wireless signal processing unit 270 then radiates (transmits) the converted wireless signal via an antenna. The conversion process from the wireless frame to the wireless signal includes, for example, convolutional coding processing, interleaving processing, subcarrier modulation processing, inverse fast Fourier transform processing, OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) modulation processing, and frequency conversion processing. The wireless signal processing unit 270 also converts the wireless signal received from the terminal 30 via the antenna into a wireless frame. The conversion process from the wireless signal to the wireless frame includes, for example, frequency conversion processing, OFDM demodulation processing, fast Fourier transform processing, subcarrier demodulation processing, deinterleaving processing, and Viterbi decoding processing. The wireless signal processing unit 270 extracts the MAC frame from the converted wireless frame. Then, the wireless signal processing unit 270 inputs the extracted MAC frame to the lower MAC frame processing unit 250.

1.1.3.3 Functional Configuration of Terminal FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal according to the embodiment.

The terminal 30 functions as a computer including an application execution unit 310, an LLC processing unit 320, a management unit 330, an upper MAC frame processing unit 340, lower MAC frame processing units 350 and 360, and radio signal processing units 370 and 380. The application execution unit 310 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to the seventh layer. The LLC processing unit 320 is a functional block that executes processing corresponding to the LLC sublayer of the second layer and the third to sixth layers. The management unit 330, the upper MAC frame processing unit 340, and the lower MAC frame processing units 350 and 360 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of the second layer. The radio signal processing units 370 and 380 are functional blocks that execute processing corresponding to the MAC sublayer of the second layer and the first layer. The application execution unit 310, the LLC processing unit 320, the management unit 330, and the upper MAC frame processing unit 340 function as a non-AP MLD. The lower MAC frame processing unit 350 and the radio signal processing unit 370 function as affiliated STA1. The lower MAC frame processing unit 360 and the radio signal processing unit 380 function as affiliated STA2.

The application execution unit 310 executes an application based on data input from the LLC processing unit 320. The application execution unit 310 also inputs data to the LLC processing unit 320. For example, the application execution unit 310 can display application information on the display 35. The application execution unit 310 can also operate based on operations on an input interface.

The LLC processing unit 320 adds a DSAP header, SSAP header, etc. to the data input from the application execution unit 310 and inputs it to the upper MAC frame processing unit 340. The LLC processing unit 320 also inputs the data input from the upper MAC frame processing unit 340 to the application execution unit 310.

The management unit 330 controls the logical wireless connection between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD. For example, the management unit 330 generates a multi-link connection request for a pseudo multi-link transmission method based on a beacon frame generated based on the multi-link management information 121. Also, for example, the management unit 330 generates a multi-link connection request for a normal multi-link transmission method based on a beacon frame generated based on the multi-link management information 221. Note that the management unit 330 does not distinguish whether the generated multi-link connection request is for a pseudo multi-link transmission method or a normal multi-link transmission method. Also, the management unit 330 stores link management information 331. The management unit 330 also stores information contained in the beacon frame.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of link management information stored in a terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the data structure of link management information 331 as an example of information stored in terminal 30 in addition to information included in a beacon frame.

As shown in FIG. 12, the link management information 331 stores identifiers that identify the affiliated APs that are physically connected to the affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 in the terminal 30. In the case of the connection example using the pseudo multi-link connection method shown in FIG. 1, the link management information 331 stores the MAC address of the affiliated AP1 connected to the affiliated STA1 and the MAC address of the affiliated AP2 connected to the affiliated STA2. In the case of the connection example using the normal multi-link connection method with the shared AP 20, the link management information 331 stores, for example, the MAC address of the affiliated AP2 connected to the affiliated STA1 and the MAC address of the affiliated AP3 connected to the affiliated STA2.

Referring again to FIG. 11, the functional configuration of the terminal 30 will be described.

When data is input from the lower MAC frame processing units 350 and 360, the upper MAC frame processing unit 340 performs processing such as deaggregation and then inputs the data to the LLC processing unit 320. When data is input from the LLC processing unit 320, the upper MAC frame processing unit 340 performs processing such as aggregation and then distributes the data to one of the lower MAC frame processing units 350 and 360 via a wired connection. The upper MAC frame processing unit 340 may determine the distribution destination of the MAC frame depending on the TID.

As described above, the configurations of affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 are the same. Therefore, the following mainly describes the configuration of affiliated STA1 (i.e., the lower MAC frame processing unit 350 and the radio signal processing unit 370).

The lower MAC frame processing unit 350 generates a MAC frame by adding a MAC header to the data input from the upper MAC frame processing unit 340. The lower MAC frame processing unit 350 then inputs the generated MAC frame to the wireless signal processing unit 370. The lower MAC frame processing unit 350 also performs a CRC on the MAC frame input from the wireless signal processing unit 370 to perform error detection. The lower MAC frame processing unit 350 then inputs data that has been confirmed to be error-free to the upper MAC frame processing unit 340.

The wireless signal processing unit 370 generates a wireless frame by adding a preamble, etc., to the MAC frame input from the lower MAC frame processing unit 350. The wireless signal processing unit 370 converts the generated wireless frame into a wireless signal. The wireless signal processing unit 370 then radiates (transmits) the converted wireless signal via an antenna. The conversion process from the wireless frame to the wireless signal includes, for example, convolutional coding processing, interleaving processing, subcarrier modulation processing, inverse fast Fourier transform processing, OFDM modulation processing, and frequency conversion processing. The wireless signal processing unit 370 also converts the wireless signal received from the corresponding shared AP 20 via the antenna into a wireless frame. The conversion process from the wireless signal to the wireless frame includes, for example, frequency conversion processing, OFDM demodulation processing, fast Fourier transform processing, subcarrier demodulation processing, deinterleaving processing, and Viterbi decoding processing. The wireless signal processing unit 370 extracts the MAC frame from the converted wireless frame. The wireless signal processing unit 370 then inputs the extracted MAC frame to the lower MAC frame processing unit 350.

1.2 Operation Next, the operation of the communication system according to the embodiment will be described.

1.2.1 Pseudo multi-link connection process Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a series of processes including the pseudo multi-link connection process in the communication system according to the embodiment. Fig. 13 shows the flow of information exchanged among AP MLD1, Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, Affiliated AP3, Affiliated STA1, Affiliated STA2, and non-AP MLD during a series of processes including the pseudo multi-link connection process.

AP MLD1 inputs the multi-link management information 121 to each of Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 via wired connection (S11).

Each of Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 generates a beacon frame for the pseudo multi-link transmission method based on the multi-link management information 121 input in the process of S11. Then, each of Affiliated AP1, Affiliated AP2, and Affiliated AP3 notifies Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 of the generated beacon frame (S12).

Affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 each receive the beacon frame notified in the process of S12. Then, affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 each input the multi-link management information 121 contained in the beacon frame to the non-AP MLD (S13).

The non-AP MLD generates a multi-link connection request based on the information in the beacon frame input in the process of S13, and sends it to the MAC address of AP MLD1 as the destination (S14). The multi-link connection request includes, for example, information about the affiliated APs to which affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 each wish to connect when starting multi-link. The multi-link connection request is sent to AP MLD1 via at least one affiliated STA among affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2, and at least one affiliated AP among affiliated AP1, affiliated AP2, and affiliated AP3.

The AP MLD1 determines the affiliated AP that will establish a wireless link with each of the affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 based on the multi-link connection request sent in the process of S14. Then, the AP MLD1 sends a connection request notification to the affiliated AP1, affiliated AP2, and affiliated AP3 via wires (S15). The connection request notification includes information notifying which affiliated AP and which affiliated STA will exchange data between in the wireless link established between the AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD. The connection request notification may include information equivalent to the multi-link connection request sent in the process of S14.

The affiliated AP refers to the connection request notification and determines whether it has been selected as the affiliated AP that will establish a wireless link with the affiliated STA. The affiliated AP that has been notified to establish a wireless link with the affiliated STA generates a notification response and transmits it to the AP MLD1 via a wired connection (S16).

When notification responses are received from all affiliated APs that establish wireless links with the affiliated STAs, the AP MLD1 generates a multi-link connection response and sends it to the MAC address of the non-AP MLD (S17). The multi-link connection response is sent to the non-AP MLD via at least one affiliated AP among affiliated AP1, affiliated AP2, and affiliated AP3, and at least one affiliated STA among affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2.

The non-AP MLD generates a connection notification based on the multi-link connection response sent in the process of S17. The non-AP MLD then inputs the generated connection notification to each of affiliated STA1 and affiliated STA2 (S18).

The above completes the pseudo multi-link connection process between the AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD. After the pseudo multi-link connection process is completed, data exchange is performed between the AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD using both the wireless link between Affiliated AP1 and Affiliated STA1 and the wireless link between Affiliated AP2 and Affiliated STA2 (S19).

Specifically, Affiliated AP1 receives data from Affiliated STA1 and inputs the data to AP MLD1, which is an AP MLD within the same access point (Sharing AP10) (S19-1). Affiliated AP2 receives data from Affiliated STA2 and inputs the MAC address of Affiliated STA2 as source information together with the data to Data Transfer Unit 240. Data Transfer Unit 240 refers to Link Management Information 222 and determines that AP MLD that is the end point of data exchange via Affiliated STA2 is AP MLD1. Data Transfer Unit 240 then transfers the received data to AP MLD1 (S19-2).

Although not shown in FIG. 13, if Affiliated AP2 and Affiliated AP3 respectively establish wireless links with Affiliated STA1 and Affiliated STA2 to execute a normal multi-link transmission method, the data forwarding unit 240 forwards the received data to AP MLD2. By operating in this manner, the data is distributed to the destination AP MLD.

1.3 Effects of the embodiment According to the embodiment, the AP MLD1 transmits multi-link management information 131 to each of the affiliated AP1, the affiliated AP2, and the affiliated AP3. Each of the affiliated AP1, the affiliated AP2, and the affiliated AP3 notifies the non-AP MLD of a beacon frame based on the multi-link management information 131. The beacon frame includes information such as the identifier of the AP MLD1, and the identifiers, frequencies, and operation parameters of all affiliated APs that belong to the AP MLD1 and support the pseudo multi-link transmission method. This allows the non-AP MLD to recognize the AP MLD1 and the affiliated AP1 included in the sharing AP10, and the affiliated AP2 included in the shared AP20 as one pseudo access point. Therefore, the non-AP MLD can transmit a multi-link connection request for a pseudo multi-link transmission method using both the wireless link between the affiliated STA1 and the affiliated AP1 and the wireless link between the affiliated STA2 and the affiliated AP2, addressed to the AP MLD1, based on the beacon frame, using a scheme of a normal multi-link transmission method. Therefore, the AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD can establish a pseudo multi-link transmission method using both the wireless link between the affiliated AP1 and the affiliated STA1 and the wireless link between the affiliated STA2 and the affiliated AP2.

The data transfer unit 240 also determines the AP MLD that is the end point of the data exchange with the sender based on the link management information 222 and the MAC address of the sender of the received data. As a result, the data transfer unit 240 can transfer the received data to AP MLD1 when the end point of the data exchange is AP MLD1 in the sharing AP 10, and can transfer the received data to AP MLD1 when the end point of the data exchange is AP MLD2 in the shared AP 20. Therefore, the shared AP 20 can function both as an access point for data transfer in a pseudo multi-link transmission method and as an access point at the end of data exchange in a normal multi-link transmission method.

2. Modifications, etc. Various modifications can be applied to the above-described embodiment.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the sharing AP 10 includes one affiliated AP, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the sharing AP 10 may include multiple affiliated APs.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the sharing AP 10 and the shared AP 20 are provided separately from each other, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the sharing AP 10 and the shared AP 20 do not necessarily have to be provided separately from each other.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the sharing AP 10 and the shared AP 20 are shown to have different configurations with respect to whether or not they have a data transfer unit 240, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the sharing AP 10 may have a data transfer unit, just like the shared AP 20. In this case, both the sharing AP 10 and the shared AP 20 can function as both a sharing access point and a shared access point.

The pseudo multi-link connection process in the sharing AP 10, the shared AP 20, and the terminal 30 according to the above-described embodiments can also be stored as a program that can be executed by a processor, which is a computer. Alternatively, it can be stored in a storage medium of an external storage device such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory and distributed. The processors of the sharing AP 10, the shared AP 20, and the terminal 30 can then load the program stored in the storage medium of the external storage device, and execute the pseudo multi-link connection process by having their operations controlled by the loaded program.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiments may also be implemented in appropriate combination, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and an effect can be obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1...Communication system 10...Sharing AP
20...Shared AP
30: terminal 40: network 11, 21, 31: CPU
12, 22, 32...ROM
13, 23, 33...RAM
14, 24, 34... Wireless communication module 15, 16, 25, 26... Wired communication module 35... Display 36... Storage 110, 210, 320... LLC processing unit 120, 220, 330... Management unit 130, 230, 340... Upper MAC frame processing unit 140, 250, 260, 350, 360... Lower MAC frame processing unit 150, 270, 280, 370, 380... Wireless signal processing unit 240... Data transfer unit 310... Application execution unit 121, 221... Multilink management information 122... Terminal connection information 222, 331... Link management information

Claims (8)

A sharing access point in a communication system including a sharing access point and a shared access point,
the sharing access point includes a first management unit and a first wireless signal processing unit,
the shared access point includes a second management unit and a second wireless signal processing unit,
The first management unit is
generating first information regarding a plurality of radio signal processing units including the second radio signal processing unit;
The first information is notified from at least one of the first radio signal processing unit and the second radio signal processing unit.
Sharing access point. The first information includes information indicating that the second radio signal processing unit belongs to the first management unit.
The sharing access point according to claim 1. The first management unit is configured to establish a pseudo multi-link using a plurality of wireless links using the plurality of wireless signal processing units between the first management unit and a terminal device.
The sharing access point according to claim 1. A shared access point in a communication system including a sharing access point and a shared access point,
the sharing access point includes a first management unit and a first wireless signal processing unit,
the shared access point includes a second management unit, a second wireless signal processing unit, and a transfer unit;
the second management unit receives, from the first management unit, first information regarding a plurality of radio signal processing units including the second radio signal processing unit, the first information indicating that each of the plurality of radio signal processing units belongs to the first management unit;
The transfer unit is configured to determine whether to transfer the data to the first management unit or the second management unit based on the first information and second information indicating a transmission source of the data received via the second wireless signal processing unit.
Shared access point. The second information includes a MAC address of the terminal device that is the source of the communication.
The shared access point according to claim 4. The first management unit is configured to establish a pseudo multi-link using a plurality of wireless links using a plurality of wireless signal processing units including the second wireless signal processing unit between the first management unit and a terminal device.
The shared access point according to claim 4. A communication method for a shared access point in a communication system including a shared access point having a first management unit and a first wireless signal processing unit, and a shared access point having a second management unit and a second wireless signal processing unit, comprising:
generating first information regarding a plurality of radio signal processing units including the second radio signal processing unit;
causing at least one of the first radio signal processing unit and the second radio signal processing unit to report the first information;
Equipped with
Sharing access point communication method. A communication method for a shared access point in a communication system including a shared access point having a first management unit and a first wireless signal processing unit, and a shared access point having a second management unit and a second wireless signal processing unit, comprising:
determining whether to transfer the data to the first management unit or the second management unit based on second information indicating a transmission source of the data received via the second wireless signal processing unit,
Shared access point communication method.

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