WO2025150273A1 - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a communication device capable of performing communication by using a non-primary channel, even if a primary channel is in use. [Solution] A communication device according to the present disclosure comprises a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another communication device by using first to n-th access channels (where n is an integer of 2 or greater). The control unit executes access control on a first access channel set to a primary channel, and performs control to implement the access control on a second access channel set to a channel other than the primary channel, on the basis of a situation in which it has been determined that the first access channel cannot be used.

Description

Communication Equipment

This disclosure relates to a communication device.

When using CSMA/CA in a wireless LAN system, there was a problem where a communication device could not transmit on the primary channel if it detected a nearby communication device using the channel.

In addition, in recent years, communication devices have been standardized to utilize Channel Bonding technology, which bundles together multiple channels adjacent to multiple 20 MHz bandwidth primary channels for simultaneous use, enabling high-speed, large-volume data transmission.

For example, a communication device can use one secondary channel adjacent to the primary channel to utilize a 40 MHz bandwidth, or another secondary channel to utilize radio waves with an 80 MHz bandwidth. In addition, a communication device can combine two 80 MHz bandwidths to utilize a total bandwidth of 160 MHz.

Special table 2017-521944 publication Special Publication No. 2023-541018

IEEE802.11-23/961r0

In the above-mentioned technology, even if the primary channel is in use (also called busy), the communication device transmits data using an available secondary channel after the backoff time has elapsed. However, unless the sending and receiving sides of the communication device simultaneously determine which secondary channels are available, each communication device will see different secondary channel usage statuses, which can lead to the problem that the sending side will start transmission on a secondary channel that is unavailable to the receiving side.

In addition, a method has been proposed that applies this technology to transmit data using a secondary channel that becomes available even while the primary channel is in use.

In addition, with the above-mentioned technology, in a multi-link device (also called MLD) capable of Multi-Link Operation using links of different frequency bands, the transmitting communication device notifies the receiving communication device of the status of the primary channel. However, while these technologies can be used to exchange information about available secondary channels between AP-MLD and Non-AP MLD, there is a problem in that this information cannot be exchanged between communication devices that are not MLD-compatible or in situations where Non-AP MLD cannot use links in some frequency bands.

In addition, with the recent spread of wireless LAN systems, communication devices within a wireless LAN system may form adjacent networks, raising concerns about interference from other systems.

In view of these problems, the present disclosure provides a communication device that is capable of communication using a non-primary channel even when the primary channel is in use.

The communication device disclosed herein includes a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with other communication devices using first to nth access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more), and the control unit executes access control on a first access channel that is set as a primary channel, and controls the implementation of the access control on a second access channel that is set other than the primary channel based on a situation in which it is determined that the first access channel is unavailable.

1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a wireless LAN system 200 according to a first embodiment. 4 shows examples of signal detection levels in a primary channel and a secondary channel. 4 is an example of a frequency channel used in the wireless LAN system 200 in the first embodiment. 2 is an example of a multi-channel configuration used in the wireless LAN system 200 in the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a temporal transition of each channel used by the transmitting communication device 1 of the first embodiment. 11 is another example of the temporal progression of each channel used by the first embodiment. 13 shows an operation of identifying a non-primary channel available in the transmitting communication device 1 in the first embodiment. 13 shows an operation of identifying a non-primary channel available in the recipient communication device 2 in the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a predetermined waiting time for a first access channel in the first embodiment. 11 is a specific example of a predetermined waiting time for a first access channel in the first embodiment. 4 is an example of a frame configuration of a communication device in the first embodiment. 11 is a specific example of predetermined waiting times for the second to nth access channels in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication device according to the first embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication unit 15 and the like in the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is another block diagram of the communication device according to the first embodiment. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting state of a window waiting time of the transmitting communication device 1 in the first embodiment. 4 is an example of a channel arrangement in the first embodiment. 13 is an example of a channel arrangement in a comparative example. 5 is an example of an association operation of the communication device in the first embodiment. 11 is an example of parameter exchange for a channel transition operation in the first embodiment. 4 is an example of an information element when setting parameters of the communication device in the first embodiment. 5 is an example of a flowchart when the transmitter communication device 1 in the first embodiment performs access control. 5 is an example of a flowchart when the recipient communication device 2 in the first embodiment performs reception control. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a temporal transition of each channel used by the transmitting communication device 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes a series of processes according to the first or second embodiment by a program. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a smartphone to which the first or second embodiment is applied. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device to which a first or second embodiment is applied; 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP to which the first or second embodiment is applied.

Below, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration will be denoted with the same reference numerals and the description will be omitted as appropriate. The drawings are simplified, and configurations necessary for implementation other than those shown in the figures will be appropriately provided. Furthermore, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification or claims, unless otherwise specified, they do not represent any order or importance, but are intended to distinguish one configuration from another.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a wireless LAN system 200 according to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, in addition to wireless LAN base stations conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, such as the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2, terminal devices are also used as examples of communication devices. However, chips that are realized by one or more LSIs and include a wireless communication unit, which will be described later, may also be called communication devices.

In this embodiment, the wireless LAN system 200 can use, for example, the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, or the 6 GHz band, and each band is subdivided according to the frequency used and is called a channel.

In the wireless LAN system 200, moving communication devices may exist around the sending communication device 1. In addition, there are overlapping networks around the network of the sending communication device 1, and the communication devices that make up that network are configured to operate according to the same access control procedures as the sending communication device 1.

This diagram also shows an example in which a transmitting communication device 1 transmits data to a receiving communication device 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow via wireless communication using a secondary channel. This diagram also shows that to the left of the transmitting communication device 1, there exists a transmitting OBSS (Overlapping BSS) 3 as a communication device, and to the right of the receiving communication device 2, there exists a receiving OBSS 3'.

For each communication device, the outer dashed line indicates the signal reach of that communication device, which in this example is shown as the detection range of the received electric field strength on the primary channel. Also, for each communication device, the inner dashed line indicates the range of signal strength lower than the outer dashed line, which in this example is shown as the detection range of the received electric field strength on the secondary channel.

Figure 2 shows an example of signal detection levels in the primary and secondary channels.

The primary channel is the operating channel common to all communication terminals (STAs) that are members of a basic service set (BSS). For example, in a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz BSS, the primary channel is the 20 MHz channel.

A secondary channel is a channel that is associated with a primary channel and is used to create a wider channel than the primary channel. In a 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz BSS, the secondary channel is a 20 MHz channel.

In Figure 2, P20, P40, and P80 represent the signal detection threshold and energy detection threshold in dBm as the signal detection levels when using a primary channel alone, when using a secondary channel adjacent to the primary channel with a 40 MHz bandwidth, and when using one secondary channel to transmit radio waves with an 80 MHz bandwidth.

In addition, in Figure 2, S20, S40, and S80 respectively represent the signal detection threshold and energy detection threshold in dBm as detection levels when using a secondary channel alone, when using a secondary channel adjacent to a secondary channel to use a 40 MHz bandwidth, and when using one secondary channel to use radio waves with an 80 MHz bandwidth.

As shown in Figure 2, the signal detection threshold when using the primary channel (P20) alone is -82 dBm, and when using the secondary channel (S20) alone is -72 dBm. Figure 2 also shows that there are differences depending on the channel bandwidth.

Here, we will use Figure 1 again for further explanation. Focusing on the received electric field strength of the transmitting OBSS 3 and the receiving OBSS 3' (the grey areas in Figure 1), the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 will detect signals from the transmitting OBSS 3 and the receiving OBSS 3', respectively, on the primary channel, but will not detect any signals on the secondary channel.

In this embodiment, a method is described in which, when the sending communication device 1 transmits data, even if the primary channel is unavailable, the receiving communication device 2 communicates using a non-primary channel that is not subject to interference from communication devices such as the OBSS 3.

Non-primary channels are selected from channels other than the primary channel. Secondary channels are an example of non-primary channels. For the sake of explanation, the following mainly uses secondary channels as non-primary channels.

FIG. 3 shows an example of frequency channels used in the wireless LAN system 200 in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the wireless LAN system 200 can use radio waves in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, and each band is subdivided according to the frequency used.

In these frequency bands, the bandwidth is specified for each standard used, but the IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11g, IEEE802.11n, IEEE802.11ac, IEEE802.11ax, and IEEE802.11be standards, which use the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) signal format, define a channel width of 20 MHz, and in the 2.4 GHz band shown in Figure 3A, three channels are allocated, as shown in black.

Furthermore, in terms of channel allocation, in 5 GHz band A shown in Figure 3B, channels 8 to 10 are allocated based on the legal system of each country, in 5 GHz band B shown in Figure 3C, channels 11 to 13 (for example, the part shown in black), and in 5 GHz band C also shown in Figure 3C, channels 5 to 7 (for example, the part shown in gray) are allocated.

In terms of channel arrangement, 6GHz band A (Unii-5) shown in Figure 3D has 25 channels shown in black, 6GHz band B (Unii-6) shown in Figure 3D has 5 channels shown in grey, 6GHz band C (Unii-7) shown in Figure 3E has 17 channels shown in black, and 6GHz band D (Unii-8) has 12 channels shown in grey.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a multi-channel configuration used in the wireless LAN system 200 in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the wireless LAN system 200 uses a mechanism for implementing communication using channels with a bandwidth of 20 MHz, as well as channels with a bandwidth of 40 MHz that combine two channels through channel bonding, a bandwidth of 80 MHz that combines four channels, and a bandwidth of 160 MHz that combines eight channels.

Figures 4A to 4F respectively show examples of channel configurations in the 6 GHz band for bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz, as well as 320 MHz and 640 MHz bandwidths that are expected to be standardized in the future. For example, Figure 4 shows that 14 channels can be set in an 80 MHz bandwidth, and 7 channels can be set in a 160 MHz bandwidth. The communication device in this embodiment can also be applied to such bandwidths.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the time progression of each channel used by the transmitting communication device 1 of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the sending communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 determine in advance the order of the secondary channels (S20) to be used as non-primary channels when the primary channel (P20) is unavailable, and if any of the channels are available, they communicate using those channels.

In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 uses the primary channel as the first access channel, and if the primary channel is unavailable, it predetermines the second to fifth access channels from the secondary channels and performs access control in this order.

Access control refers to the process of checking whether a specific channel is available for use by one's own station so that there is no interference between the signal that one's own station is about to transmit and the signals transmitted from and received by other stations. Access control includes, for example, physical carrier sense (CCA: Clear Channel Assessment) as well as virtual carrier sense such as judgments based on RTS (Request to Send), CTS (Clear to Send), and NAV (Network Allocation Vector). An access channel refers to a wireless channel that is the subject of access control processing.

The transmitting communication device 1 performs access control on the first access channel, and if it determines that this channel is unavailable, it performs access control on the second access channel, which is the next access channel. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 transmits a predetermined first signal on the first access channel after DIFS (DCF Inter Frame Space) and the random backoff time, and then performs access control that enables data transmission after receiving the second signal. For the sake of explanation, the time for preamble detect, etc. is omitted in Figure 5. Note that the diamond-shaped portion of the first access channel in the figure indicates that there are multiple slots in the contention window during the random backoff time.

If the transmitting communication device 1 detects BUSY on the first access channel during the waiting time, for example, if transmission has started from another OBSS or if the NAV has been set by the CTS signal of another OBSS and the device is in a virtual carrier detection state, it determines that the channel is unavailable and, after the maximum value of a predetermined waiting time has elapsed (hereinafter, the predetermined waiting time will be explained by taking an example of window waiting time), switches the frequency channel to the second access channel (hereinafter, also referred to as transition) and performs access control on that channel.

If the transmitting communication device 1 detects BUSY in the second access channel, just as it did in the first access channel, it switches to the third access channel frequency channel after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed and performs access control for that channel. If the transmitting communication device 1 detects BUSY in the third access channel, just as it did in the first access channel, it switches to the fourth access channel frequency channel after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed and performs access control for that channel. If the transmitting communication device 1 detects BUSY in the fourth access channel, just as it did in the first access channel, it switches to the fifth access channel frequency channel after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed and performs access control for that channel.

In addition, if the transmitting communication device 1 detects BUSY over the fifth access channel, just as it did over the first access channel, it will return to the first access channel, which is the original primary channel, and perform access control.

For example, for the specified waiting time in the first access channel, the maximum value of the contention window CWmin is set from the EDCA parameters based on the access category (also called AC) of the data to be transmitted. The specified waiting time may be set to a waiting time shorter than this time. In addition, the respective time lengths may be set according to the signal format MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) used for communication.

For example, the predetermined waiting time in the second to nth access channels may be set as the timing from when the transmitting communication device 1 transmits a first signal indicating a request to start communication or to use the channel to another communication device until when the receiving communication device 2 receives a reply second signal indicating that communication can be started or that the channel can be used. A conventional RTS is an example of a first signal indicating a request to start communication, and a conventional CTS is an example of a second signal indicating that communication can be started. The first signal indicating a request to use the channel is a newly defined signal different from the conventional RTS, and the second signal indicating that the channel is available is a newly defined signal different from the conventional CTS. In the following example, for the sake of explanation, an RTS is taken as the first signal and the second signal is taken as a CTS.

In addition, in this example, the transmitting communication device 1 determines the second through fifth access channels from among the secondary channels and performs access control for the receiving communication device 2, but the number of access channels is not limited to this. The number of access channels may be determined in advance by negotiation between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 before the implementation of access control, with n access channels being the first through n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more). The transmitting communication device 1 may perform access control in the order of, for example, 2nd, 3rd, ... n-1, n.

In addition, the order of the access channels for which access control is performed may be determined in advance by negotiation between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 before the access control is performed. For example, the transmitting communication device 1 may perform access control in an order other than the order of 2, 3, ... n-1, n. The negotiation is performed, for example, by a parameter exchange sequence between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 described below.

If the transmitting communication device 1 determines that the last channel determined by negotiation among the second through nth access channels is unavailable, it returns to the first access channel and performs access control.

Furthermore, the communication device may use a predetermined frequency band set as a secondary channel for at least one of the second to nth access channels, which are non-primary channels. Furthermore, if this condition is met, at least one of the second to nth access channels may be selected from channels that are not included in the predetermined frequency bandwidth set as the primary channel and the secondary channel.

Furthermore, the bandwidth of each access channel is not limited to 20 MHz. The bandwidth of an access channel may be selected from any bandwidth other than 20 MHz, such as a 40 MHz bandwidth, an 80 MHz bandwidth, or a 160 MHz bandwidth.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the time progression of each channel used in the first embodiment.

In the above example, the transmitting communication device 1 defined the time from transmitting an RTS to receiving a CTS on the second to nth access channels as the predetermined waiting time. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 sets the predetermined waiting time on the second to nth access channels without including the time it takes to receive the CTS transmitted from the receiving communication device 2. In other words, the transmitting communication device 1 sets the predetermined waiting time to include only the time it takes for the receiving communication device 2 to receive the RTS transmitted from the transmitting communication device 1.

This allows the sending communication device 1 to control the transition to more channels in a shorter period.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of identifying a non-primary channel available in the transmitting communication device 1 in the first embodiment.

In this example, the first to nth access channels (n=5) are set as the access channels, and the transmitting communication device 1 starts access control from the first access channel, and then shifts through the channels in order, eventually starting data transmission using the fifth access channel.

In the first to fifth access channels in the diagram, an upward convex state indicates signal transmission, and a downward convex state indicates signal reception. The horizontal axis indicates the time axis. R in the diagram indicates RTS transmission, and C in the diagram indicates CTS reception. Data in the diagram indicates data transmission.

In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 uses the timing when communication on the primary channel ends or the timing when the R-TWT Service Period starts as a reference, and after sending an RTS on the first to fifth access channels using the access control described in Figure 5, if the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself from the receiving communication device within a specified waiting time, it will use that channel to transmit data.

If it is determined that the first access channel is available and in an IDLE state, the transmitting communication device 1 transmits an RTS after the random backoff time has elapsed.

Here, when the sending communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself from the receiving communication device 2, the sending communication device 1 is configured to start data transmission, and the operation is compatible with conventional access control procedures.

If the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS addressed to itself in the first access channel, it determines that the channel is in a BUSY state that is unavailable to the receiving communication device 2, and after a specified waiting time has elapsed, it transitions to the second access channel, performs access control, and transmits an RTS signal. If the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself from the receiving communication device 2, it starts data transmission. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS in the first access channel.

If the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS addressed to itself in the second access channel, it determines that the channel is in a BUSY state and cannot be used by the receiving communication device 2, and after a specified waiting time has elapsed, it transitions to the third access channel, performs access control, and transmits an RTS signal. If the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself from the receiving communication device 2, it starts data transmission. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS in the second access channel.

If the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS addressed to itself in the third access channel, it determines that the channel is in a BUSY state that is unavailable to the receiving communication device 2, and after a specified waiting time has elapsed, it transitions to the fourth access channel, performs access control, and transmits an RTS signal. If the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself from the receiving communication device 2, it starts data transmission. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS in the third access channel.

If the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS addressed to itself in the fourth access channel, it determines that the channel is in a BUSY state that is unavailable to the receiving communication device 2, and after a specified waiting time has elapsed, it transitions to the fifth access channel, performs access control, and transmits an RTS signal. If the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself from the receiving communication device 2, it starts data transmission. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS in the fourth access channel.

If the transmitting communication device 1 does not receive a CTS addressed to itself in the fifth access channel, it determines that the channel is in a BUSY state that is unavailable to the receiving communication device 2, and after a specified waiting time has elapsed, it transitions to the first access channel, performs access control, and transmits an RTS signal. If the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself from the receiving communication device 2, it starts data transmission. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS in the fifth access channel.

In the fifth access channel, the transmitting communication device 1 receives a CTS addressed to itself, so it determines that this channel is in an IDLE state and begins transmitting data.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of identifying a non-primary channel available on the receiving communication device 2 in the first embodiment.

The receiving communication device 2 waits for an RTS or data addressed to itself on that channel for a specified waiting time from the timing based on the end of communication with the transmitting communication device 1 or the start of the R-TWT Service Period. Here, waiting means being in a state where it can receive radio signals transmitted on a specified channel (frequency band). The receiving communication device 2 waits for an RTS or data addressed to itself on that channel within the specified waiting time range shown by the dashed line in the figure. If the receiving communication device 2 does not receive an RTS from the transmitting communication device 1 within the specified waiting time, it determines that the channel cannot be used and moves to the next channel to wait for an RTS. The receiving communication device 2 repeats the waiting operation until it finds a channel that the transmitting communication device 1 can use.

The receiving communication device 2 transmits a CTS on the channel on which it received an RTS from the transmitting communication device 1, if that channel is available, and receives the data transmitted thereafter. In addition, the window waiting time of the receiving communication device 2 is set by a parameter exchange sequence between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2, which will be described later, so that the predetermined waiting time on each channel of the transmitting communication device 1 is the same for both devices.

This example corresponds to the example of the transmitting communication device 1 in Figure 7, and shows the operation of the receiving communication device 2 at that time. In other words, the receiving communication device 2 shows an example in which the first to fourth access channels are in a BUSY state, and the fifth access channel is in an IDLE state, so it transmits a CTS from this channel. In other words, it shows that these channels are detecting a signal from an OBSS communication device, or have received a CTS from the OBSS communication device and have set NAV.

In the first access channel, the receiving communication device 2 performs a standby operation, and if it does not detect an RTS addressed to itself due to a BUSY state or the like before the duration of a specified window expires, or if it detects an RTS but the NAV is set, it transitions to the second access channel and performs a standby operation. In this example, the receiving communication device 2 does not receive an RTS in the first access channel.

In the second access channel, the receiving communication device 2 performs a standby operation, and if it does not detect an RTS addressed to itself before the duration of a specified window expires, or if it detects an RTS but the NAV is set, it transitions to the third access channel and performs a standby operation. In this example, in the second access channel, the receiving communication device 2 does not receive an RTS.

In the third access channel, the receiving communication device 2 performs a standby operation, and if it does not detect an RTS addressed to itself before the duration of a specified window expires, or if it detects an RTS but the NAV is set, it transitions to the fourth access channel and performs a standby operation. In this example, in the third access channel, the receiving communication device 2 does not receive an RTS.

In the fourth access channel, the receiving communication device 2 performs a standby operation, and if it does not detect an RTS addressed to itself before the duration of a specified window expires, or if it detects an RTS but the NAV is set, it transitions to the fifth access channel and performs a standby operation. In this example, the receiving communication device 2 does not receive an RTS in the fourth access channel.

In the fifth access channel, the receiving communication device 2 performs a standby operation, and if it does not detect an RTS addressed to itself before the duration of a specified window expires, or if it detects an RTS but the NAV is set, it transitions to the first access channel and performs a standby operation. In this example, the receiving communication device 2 receives an RTS in the fifth access channel.

In the fifth access channel, the receiving communication device 2 receives an RTS addressed to itself, and if TXOP is not set, it transmits a CTS from this channel.

FIG. 9 shows an example of setting a predetermined waiting time for the first access channel in the first embodiment.

This section describes how to set the window waiting time as a predetermined waiting time in the first access channel when the transmitting communication device 1 performs access control.

In this example, the Slot Time of each contention window CWmin is 9 μs, and as mentioned above, the specified waiting time of the transmitting communication device is at most the time when the maximum values of DIFS and the contention window CWmin are added together, plus the specified processing time such as Preamble Detect.

For example, the window in the first access channel, i.e., the primary channel, may be configured to start at a time corresponding to the time when the transmitting communication device 1 becomes available in the network, such as the time when a beacon transmission at a specified beacon transmission time ends, the time when transmission from an access point ends, or the timing of the start of a service period in R-TWT (Restricted Target Wake Time).

The random backoff time setting expires before the contention window CWmin reaches its maximum value, so a signal is transmitted from the transmitting communication device 1 at that timing. On the other hand, if the receiving communication device 2 knows the timing at which this maximum value is reached, it can wait for a signal from the transmitting communication device 1 and can detect the signal even if it is transmitted before the random backoff time reaches its maximum value.

The duration of the window of the primary channel (also called Duration) may be set to the maximum value of the contention window CWmin according to the EDCA access category. Alternatively, the duration of the contention window CWmin of the primary channel may be set to a time shorter than the maximum value of the contention window CWmin of the original access category. The specified waiting time in the first access channel may be called a first waiting time.

FIG. 10 shows a specific example of a predetermined waiting time for the first access channel in the first embodiment.

In Figure 10, we will explain examples of window settings using the access categories voice (AC_VO), video (AC_VI), best effort (AC_BE), and background (AC_BG).

This example shows a setting value calculated based on conventional access control. The window setting value in this embodiment is not limited to this value, and may be set to, for example, a value shorter than the value shown in the figure.

For example, in the case of voice, the setting values are as follows: the window size of the contention window CWmin is set between 0 and 3, and the Slot Time of this window is set to 9 μs. The setting values are also as follows: the DIFS period is set to 34 μs, and the Preamble Detect time is set to 8 + 8 + 4 μs. In this case, the window waiting time of the first access channel is set to 83 μs, with a slight margin of 2 μs.

In this example, the DIFS period is calculated as required, but if the transmitting communication device 1 is able to transmit a signal at a timing shorter than this, the window wait time for the first access channel may be set by subtracting the DIFS period.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a frame configuration for a communication device in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a frame used by a communication device for communication includes a preamble. The duration of the window in the second to nth access channels, i.e., the secondary channel, is calculated based on the frame configuration shown in FIG. 11. This frame may be included in the first signal.

As shown in FIG. 11A, in this embodiment, the frame configuration is a short training sequence (8 μs), a long training sequence (8 μs), an L-SIG (4 μs), and, as necessary, a SIGNAL field, data as a MAC header, and additional training fields. The training sequence is a signal that the communication device transmits to learn the characteristics of the channel. Note that the length of one symbol in these data portions differs depending on the MCS. Note that these symbols are configured to include guard intervals, and therefore these guard intervals are expressed as gaps.

The duration of the windows for the second through nth access channels is calculated based on the minimum required time as described above.

As shown in Figure 11B, when the time for each interframe space is listed together, it becomes SIFS: 16 μs, PIFS: 25 μs, DIFS: 34 μs. These values may be used as necessary when calculating the window waiting time.

FIG. 12 shows a specific example of the predetermined waiting times for the second to nth access channels in the first embodiment.

The predetermined waiting time of the second to nth access channels is set as the time during which RTS and CTS can be exchanged depending on the MCS. For example, in the case of MCS0, RTS and CTS are set as 52 μs and 44 μs, respectively. As shown in FIG. 12, the windows of the second to nth access channels may be set in the range of 64 μs to 112 μs depending on the MCS used for communication between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication device in the first embodiment.

The communication device of this embodiment (here, the sending communication device 1 is taken) determines in advance the order of the non-primary channels to be used, and if it determines that the first channel is unavailable, it attempts to transmit using the subsequent channels in order until it finds an available channel. In the example of Figure 13, the sending communication device 1 is taken as an example of the communication device, but the receiving communication device 2 has a similar configuration. The specified waiting time in the second to nth access channels may be called the second waiting time.

The communication device in this embodiment includes an Internet connection unit 11, an information input unit 12, a control unit 13, an information output unit 14, and a wireless communication unit 15.

The Internet connection unit 11 is configured to implement functions such as a communication modem for connecting to the Internet network when the communication device operates as an access point, for example, and implements an Internet connection formed by an optical line, a wired line, or a wireless communication line via an Internet service provider.

The information input unit 12, for example, accepts input of information conveying instructions from a user. The information input unit 12 may be configured as, for example, a push button or a keyboard, or may accept input of information via a user interface such as a GUI, in which case it is configured as a touch panel or the like.

The control unit 13 is configured to, for example, control the wireless communication unit 15, operate the communication device as an access point, and perform the first to nth access channels in this embodiment. The detailed configuration of the control unit 13 will be described later.

The information output unit 14 is a part that specifically displays the operating status of the communication device and information obtained via the Internet, and is composed of display elements such as an LED display, a liquid crystal panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, music, or a speaker that outputs music, and is configured to display and notify the user of the information required.

The wireless communication unit 15 is configured to perform wireless communication with other communication devices, for example, based on the control of the control unit 13. The configuration of the wireless communication unit 15 will be described later.

The control unit 13 may also perform some of the operations of the wireless communication unit 15. The wireless communication unit 15 and the control unit 13 may also be configured as a single block. As an example, if the wireless communication unit 15 and the control unit 13 are configured as a single block, this block corresponds to the control unit.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication unit 15 in the first embodiment.

The wireless communication unit 15 includes a channel management unit 303, a frame construction unit 304, an available channel determination unit 305, a primary channel setting unit 306, a secondary channel setting unit 307, a transmission signal processing unit 308, an access control unit 309, a received signal detection unit 311, a CCA (Clear Channel Assessment) determination unit 312, a frame analysis unit 313, and a NAV setting unit 314. These blocks are controlled by the control unit 13.

The blocks shown by dashed lines, namely, channel management unit 303, frame construction unit 304, available channel determination unit 305, primary channel setting unit 306, secondary channel setting unit 307, transmission signal processing unit 308, access control unit 309, received signal detection unit 311, CCA (Clear Channel Assessment) determination unit 312, frame analysis unit 313 and NAV setting unit 314, may be implemented as functions of the control unit 13.

The wireless communication unit 15 also includes an interface 301 that is connected to other blocks and exchanges various information and data with those blocks. The wireless communication unit 15 also includes a transmission buffer 302 that stores data to be transmitted, a reception buffer 315 that stores received data, and an antenna unit 310 that transmits and receives signals between it and other communication devices.

The channel management unit 303 manages the first to nth access channels. For example, this information uses information previously input by the user via the information input unit 12. In addition, this information is sent to other blocks via the interface 301, and is output to, for example, the information output unit 14.

The frame construction unit 304 constructs data frames and management frames to be transmitted by the transmitting communication device 1. The frame construction unit 304 constructs frames based on, for example, data temporarily stored in the transmission buffer 302 and information transmitted from the available channel determination unit.

The available channel determination unit 305 determines the first through nth access channels as available channels based on the information managed by the channel management unit 303, and sets the window duration.

The primary channel setting unit 306 sets the primary channel determined to be available by the available channel determination unit 305 as the first access channel.

The secondary channel setting unit 307 sets the second through nth access channels from the secondary channels determined to be available by the available channel determination unit 305. Furthermore, when each of the second through nth access channels transitions, the secondary channel setting unit 307 sets the corresponding channel. For the sake of explanation, this block is called the secondary channel setting unit 307, but even when the second through nth access channels are selected from outside the secondary channel band, the channel setting is performed by this block. Furthermore, when the second through nth access channels are selected from outside the secondary channel band, an out-of-band access channel setting unit different from the primary channel setting unit 306 and the secondary channel setting unit 307 may be provided, and the setting of the corresponding channel may be performed by this block.

The transmission signal processing unit 308 constructs each frame constructed by the frame construction unit 304 as a transmission signal. The transmission signal processed by the transmission signal processing unit 308 is transmitted to the receiving communication device 2 via the antenna unit 310. The transmission signal processing unit 308 also constructs the transmission signal when the access control unit 309 performs access control.

The access control unit 309 performs access control by timing DIFS, random backoff, etc., on the relevant channel among the first to nth channels set by the primary channel setting unit 306 or the secondary channel setting unit 307. The results of the access control are sent to the available channel determination unit 305, and based on this information, the secondary channel setting unit 307 sets the next access channel to transition to.

The received signal detection unit 311 detects the received signal received via the antenna unit 310. For example, in the transmitting communication device 1, the received signal detection unit 311 detects a request frame regarding the setting status of the secondary channel and CTS as the received signal, and in the receiving communication device 2, the received signal detection unit 311 detects RTS as the received signal.

The CCA determination unit 312 determines the usage status of a channel according to the type of channel and the strength of the received signal detected by the received signal detection unit 311. For example, the CCA determination unit 312 determines the usage status by determining whether the channel is BUSY or not based on the strength of the received signal. The available channel determination unit 305 may take into account the usage status of the channel determined by the CCA determination unit 312 when making the determination.

The frame analysis unit 313 analyzes a frame from the received signal detected by the received signal detection unit 311. For example, the frame analysis unit 313 extracts predetermined header information from the received signal and extracts the information contained in the frame. In addition, the received signal analyzed by the frame analysis unit 313 is temporarily stored in the receiving buffer 315.

The NAV setting unit 314 sets the NAV based on the header information extracted by the frame analysis unit 313. For example, if the header information included in the received signal indicates that the communication path will be used for a specified period of time, the NAV setting unit 314 sets the NAV for the target communication device. In addition, the information on the NAV setting may be transmitted to the available channel determination unit 305 and used to determine whether the channel is unavailable.

In this embodiment, the request frame or response frame regarding the setting status of the secondary channel received from the receiving communication device 2 is analyzed by the frame analysis unit 313. As a result of the analysis, the available channel determination unit 305 determines the available channel and notifies the channel management unit 303. As a result, the available channel is set for the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2, and the available channel determination unit 305 transmits this information to the frame construction unit 304. The frame construction unit 304 constructs a management frame or action frame as a response frame regarding the setting status of the secondary channel, and these frames are processed by the transmission signal processing unit 308 and transmitted to the receiving communication device 2 via the antenna unit 310.

In addition, in the receiving communication device 2, the RTS frame is analyzed by the frame analysis unit 313. If the analysis result indicates that the channel on which the RTS was transmitted is also available to the receiving communication device 2, the available channel determination unit 305 transmits information about the window duration to the frame construction unit 304. The frame construction unit 304 constructs a CTS frame that describes information about the duration of the data to be received, and this frame is processed by the transmission signal processing unit 308 and transmitted to the transmitting communication device 1 via the antenna unit 310. The parameter exchange sequence between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2, such as the window duration, will be described later.

The transmitting communication device 1 may also include a secondary channel setting unit 307, a transmission signal processing unit 308, an access control unit 309, a reception signal detection unit 311, a CCA determination unit 312, and an antenna unit 310 for each 20 MHz bandwidth used for simultaneous transmission and reception on multiple channels, depending on the bandwidth of the channels that can be simultaneously used. Also, multiple blocks as described above may be included depending on the number of channels that can be simultaneously detected and used.

FIG. 15 is another block diagram of a communication device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows an example of applying channel transitions in this embodiment to a multi-link device.

The communication device (here, the sending communication device 1 is taken) 100 mainly comprises a communication unit 110, a control unit 13, and a storage unit 140. The communication unit 110 comprises a communication control unit 111, a communication storage unit 112, a common data processing unit 113, AP1, and AP2. The communication unit 110 can be realized by one or more LSIs.

AP1 and AP2 each include an individual data processing unit 121, a signal processing unit 122, a wireless interface unit 123, one or more amplifier units 124, and one or more antennas 150. In other words, each AP includes an individual data processing unit 121, a signal processing unit 122, a wireless interface unit 123, an amplifier unit 124, and an antenna 150 as a single set, and two or more APs are components of a communication device.

AP1 performs processing related to link 1 within AP MLD1, and AP2 performs processing related to link 2 within AP MLD1. In particular, the set of individual data processing unit 121 and signal processing unit 122 in each AP is also called an AP entity. Each AP performs communication through its own link.

AP1 or the AP entity of AP1 corresponds to a first wireless communication unit that communicates with the communication partner regarding link 1 (first communication), and AP2 or the AP entity of AP2 corresponds to a second wireless communication unit that communicates with the communication partner regarding link 2 (second communication).

The communication control unit 111 controls the operation of each unit and the transmission of information between each unit. The communication control unit 111 also controls the passing of control information and management information to be notified to other communication devices 100 to the common data processing unit 113, AP1, and AP2. The communication control unit 111 is also called the MLD management entity.

The communication storage unit 112 stores information used by the communication control unit 111. The communication storage unit 112 also stores data received from other communication devices.

When transmitting, the common data processing unit 113 performs sequence management of the data stored in the communication memory unit 112 and the control information and management information received from the communication control unit 111, performs encryption processing, etc., and allocates the processed data to each individual data processing unit 121. When receiving, the common data processing unit 113 performs data decryption processing and reordering processing. The common data processing unit 113 is also referred to as an AP MLD entity.

When transmitting, each individual data processing unit 121 performs channel access operations based on carrier sense, adds a MAC (Media Access Control) header to the data to be transmitted and an error detection code to generate a data unit, and performs processing to concatenate multiple data units.When receiving, each individual data processing unit 121 performs processing to deconcatenate the MAC header of the received data unit, analysis and error detection, and retransmission request operations.

Note that the operations of the common data processing unit 113 and each individual data processing unit 121 are not limited to those described above, and for example, one may perform the operation of the other. The common data processing unit 113 is also referred to as the Upper MAC, Higher MAC or MLD entity, and the individual data processing unit 121 is also referred to as the Lower MAC.

When transmitting, each signal processing unit 122 performs encoding, interleaving, modulation, etc. on the data unit, adds a physical header, and generates a symbol stream. At this time, each signal processing unit 122 may perform spatial separation processing for MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output). However, each signal processing unit 122 may not perform spatial separation processing, and may instead apply an arbitrary amount of delay (hereinafter referred to as cyclic shift delay CSD: Cyclic Shift Delay) to each antenna 150. When receiving, each signal processing unit 122 analyzes the physical header, and performs demodulation, deinterleaving, decoding, etc. on the symbol stream to generate a data unit. Each signal processing unit 122 also estimates complex channel characteristics and performs spatial separation processing as necessary.

When transmitting, each wireless interface unit 123 performs digital-to-analog signal conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and phase control on the symbol stream to generate a transmission signal. When receiving, each wireless interface unit 123 performs down-conversion, filtering, and analog-to-digital signal conversion on the received signal to generate a symbol stream.

The amplifier unit 124 of each AP amplifies the signal input from the wireless interface unit 123 or the antenna 150. A part of the amplifier unit 124 may be a component outside the communication unit 110. Also, a part of the amplifier unit 124 may be included in the wireless interface unit 123.

The control unit 13 controls the communication unit 110 and the communication control unit 111. The control unit 13 may also perform some of the operations of the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 and the control unit 13 may be configured as one block. The control unit according to the present disclosure corresponds to the communication control unit 111 as an example. Also, when the communication control unit 111 and the control unit 13 are configured as one block as an example, the control unit corresponds to this block. It performs the same operations as the control unit 13 shown in Figures 12 and 13. In other words, the transmitting communication device 1 performs channel transition operations in AP1 and AP2, respectively, based on the control of the control unit 13.

The memory unit 140 holds information used by the control unit 13 and the communication unit 110. The memory unit 140 may also perform some of the operations of the communication memory unit 112. The memory unit 140 and the communication memory unit 112 may be configured as a single block.

Each AP may also include a storage unit. Note that in this embodiment, the frequencies (or frequency bands) of the links used by each AP are different, but the same case is not excluded.

The individual data processing unit 121 and the signal processing unit 122 may be configured as one pair, and multiple pairs may be connected to one wireless interface unit 123. In other words, one wireless interface unit 123 may be shared by multiple APs.

Furthermore, the wireless interface unit 123, the amplifier unit 124, and the antenna 150 may be considered as one group, and multiple groups may be connected to one signal processing unit 122. In other words, the signal processing unit 122 may be shared by multiple APs. In this case, there may be one or multiple individual data processing units 121.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the window waiting time setting status of the sending communication device 1 in the first embodiment.

Figure 16 shows, for example, a channel arrangement 30 of a 160 MHz bandwidth used by a network of transmitting and receiving communication devices in the 5 GHz band, a channel arrangement 31 of an 80 MHz bandwidth used by a transmitting OBSS, and a channel arrangement 32 of an 80 MHz bandwidth used by a receiving OBSS, where the vertical axis is the frequency axis direction, and the trapezoidal parts in the figure show each channel assigned in the 5 GHz band, showing channels with a bandwidth of 20 MHz, and the straight line extending horizontally from the center shows the time progression of operation in that channel.

In this network, when the transmitting communication device 1 uses a bandwidth of 160 MHz, this example shows that the transmitting communication device 1 uses a bandwidth of 160 MHz in combination with channels set as the primary channel (P20), secondary channel (S20), secondary 40 channel (S40), and secondary 80 channel (S80).

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, each OBSS exists in an overlapping manner on the network of the transmitting communication device 1. For example, in this example, the transmitting OBSS 3 is set to overlap and use the lower 80 MHz band of the 160 MHz of the transmitting communication device 1, and the receiving OBSS 3' is set to overlap and use the upper 80 MHz band of the 160 MHz of the transmitting communication device 1.

The 20 MHz channels indicated by the grey squares in the figure represent the first to fifth access channels, and in this example, the transmitting communication device 1 sets the primary channel (P20) as the first access channel, the three secondary channels (S20) as the second to fourth access channels, respectively, and sets a 20 MHz channel outside the 5 GHz band as the fifth access channel (here, represented as F20). For the sake of explanation, in FIG. 16, the access channels are described as the first access channel 40, the second access channel 41, the third access channel 42, the fourth access channel 43, and the fifth access channel 44.

In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 takes into consideration the possibility that all channels used may be occupied by the OBSS, and sets the fifth access channel as the final channel outside the channel band used by the transmitting communication device 1.

In this example, the second access channel is selected from among the channels adjacent to the first access channel, which is the primary channel, but the frequencies used in each access channel are not limited to this example. It is sufficient that the first access channel is selected as the primary channel, and at least one of the remaining second to nth access channels is selected from among the secondary channels.

In this example, if the first access channel is unavailable as in the example shown in FIG. 5, after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the control unit 13 of the transmitting communication device 1 determines that the channel is unavailable, and performs access control in the order of the second to fifth access channels until a usable channel is found. Also, if the control unit 13 determines that the fifth access channel is unavailable, the transmitting communication device 1 returns to the first access channel under the control of the control unit 13 and performs access control again.

The window portion within the dashed line in the figure represents the window waiting time for that channel, and the transmitting communication device 1 waits to receive a CTS on each channel along the time axis.

Therefore, the transmitting communication device 1 is set with a window wait time in the first access channel, a window wait time in the second access channel, a window wait time in the third access channel, a window wait time in the fourth access channel, and a window wait time in the fifth access channel, and also has a timing for returning to the first access channel.

These settings are exchanged between the sending communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 through a parameter exchange sequence, and the channel and standby time that transitions between both devices are set to the same value.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a channel arrangement in the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which the transmitting communication device 1 performs access control by sequentially switching between access channels in accordance with the window waiting time settings for each channel described in FIG. 16.

Among the operations in the diagram, BO indicates a backoff operation, PH indicates the processing time of the header including the preamble of the data frame, RS indicates the transmission of an RTS, and CS indicates the reception of a CTS. Additionally, the RS or CS shown with a solid line indicates that an RTS was sent or a CTS was received, respectively, while the RS or CS shown with a dashed line indicates that an RTS was not sent or a CTS was not received, respectively.

When the transmitting communication device 1 performs access control for data transmission, if the transmitting OBSS 3 starts data transmission using the lower 80 MHz bandwidth used by the transmitting communication device 1 before that, the transmitting communication device 1 will be unable to transmit a signal on the first access channel 40. In addition, in this example, data transmission using the 80 MHz bandwidth by the transmitting OBSS 3 will also prevent data transmission on the second access channel 41.

In this case, in this embodiment, after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the transmitting communication device 1 can transmit an RTS from the third access channel 42, and after receiving a CTS from the receiving communication device 2, can start data transmission.

On the other hand, if the receiving communication device 2 detects a signal from the overlapping receiving OBSS 3' around it, it will not be able to correctly detect the RTS from the transmitting communication device 1. Also, if the receiving operation of the receiving OBSS 3' sets NAV in the receiving communication device 2 and it is in a virtual carrier sense state, the receiving communication device 2 will not be able to transmit a CTS.

For example, if the third access channel 42 is unavailable, in the next window the sending communication device 1 will send an RTS on the fourth access channel and then wait to receive a CTS, but the receiving communication device 2 will not be able to return a CTS on this channel.

By setting at least one access channel from a channel outside the band of the secondary channel, such as the fifth access channel 44, the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 can transmit RTS and receive CTS between them without being affected by the NAV setting by the receiving side OBSS', etc.

In this example, after the sending communication device 1 sends an RTS on the fifth access channel 44, which is set as the final channel, the receiving communication device 2 is in standby mode in synchronization with the window period set on this channel, so it can detect the RTS and also send a CTS. By receiving the CTS, the sending communication device 1 can start data transmission on this channel. Below, the last channel determined by negotiation is also called the final channel.

Figure 18 shows an example of channel arrangement in a comparative example.

FIG. 18, like FIG. 17, shows a channel arrangement 30 of a 160 MHz bandwidth used by the network of transmitting communication device 1 and receiving communication device 2 in the 5 GHz band, a channel arrangement 31 of an 80 MHz bandwidth used by the transmitting OBSS, and a channel arrangement 32 of an 80 MHz bandwidth used by the receiving OBSS, with the vertical axis being the frequency axis direction, and the trapezoidal parts in the figure showing each channel allocated in the 5 GHz band. In the network of transmitting communication device 1, when using a bandwidth of 160 MHz, the transmitting communication device 1 shows an example of using a bandwidth of 160 MHz by combining channels set as the primary channel (P20), secondary channel (S20), secondary 40 channel (S40), and secondary 80 channel (S80).

As shown in Figure 1, each OBSS overlaps with the network of the transmitting communication device 1. For example, in this example, the transmitting OBSS 3 is set to overlap and use the lower 40 MHz band of the 160 MHz band of the transmitting communication device 1, and the receiving OBSS 3' is set to overlap and use the middle 80 MHz band of the 160 MHz band of the transmitting communication device 1.

Each OBSS is set to a primary channel (P20), a secondary channel (S20), and a secondary 40 channel (S40). The setting of the primary channel (P20) of the OBSS does not necessarily match and overlap with the setting of the primary channel of the transmitting communication device 1, and considering the bandwidth allocated as a secondary channel, it is highly likely that the primary channel (P20) of the OBSS will be set somewhere among the secondary channels of the transmitting communication device 1. In addition, it is highly likely that the secondary channel (S20) and secondary 40 channel (S40) of the OBSS will be set to the primary channel of the transmitting communication device 1.

In this situation, when communication is performed with the receiving communication device 2 on the primary channel of the transmitting communication device 1, the transmitting OBSS 3 will detect a signal on the secondary channel, and if the transmitting OBSS 3 communication device cannot detect usage on its own primary channel for a specified backoff time corresponding to the rectangle marked BO in the figure, this OBSS will be able to start OBSS data transmission including the secondary channel.

On the other hand, the receiving OBSS3' communication device also cannot detect usage on the primary channel it has set, so OBSS data transmission begins.

Furthermore, if the receiving communication device 2 detects a transmission signal from the receiving side OBSS 3', the reception of data addressed to itself will be interfered with, but at the same time, if the sending communication device 1 cannot detect a transmission signal from this OBSS, it will transmit data in vain.

In addition, in the comparative example, the frequency channels indicated by the dashed lines are not in use and do not cause or receive interference, but because no access channel is set, these channels cannot be used between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the association operation of a communication device in the first embodiment.

In this example, the association operation between an access point (AP) and a communication terminal (STA) as a communication device will be described. When performing the association operation, the access point (AP) and the communication terminal (STA) may exchange settings regarding whether or not to enable the function for performing the channel transition operation of the first to nth access channels described in this embodiment.

For example, when a new communication terminal (STA) joins the network, the access point (AP) sends a specific beacon containing an appropriate information element to the communication terminal (STA) to inform it whether or not this function can be configured.

The communications terminal (STA) that receives the beacon then sends an association request to the access point (AP), and after receiving an association response from the access point (AP), it joins the network (BSS).

Also, even if an information element is not added to a beacon, an access point (AP) may be configured to add this information element to an association response and notify the same.

In addition, when the access point (AP) and the communication terminal (STA) enable channel transition operation of the first to nth access channels, the operation is started after a parameter exchange, which will be described later.

FIG. 20 shows an example of parameter exchange for channel transition operations in the first embodiment.

In this example, the communication devices are a sending communication device 1 and a receiving communication device 2, and the operation of negotiating by exchanging information elements, which are signals indicating parameter setting information, to set parameters is shown.

This parameter exchange can be performed using a flow similar to that of parameter exchange for secondary channel access. For example, to request the setting of secondary channel access, the transmitting communication device 1 transmits an information element describing the parameters of the primary channel, secondary channel, and their duration as a secondary channel access request. In addition, if a channel is selected from outside the band of the primary channel and secondary channel, the parameters of this channel and the duration of this channel are also described in the information element.

The receiving communication device 2 that receives this request acquires the parameters described in the information element, calculates the parameters of the secondary channel that can be set and its duration, and transmits a secondary channel access response that describes these parameters. If the response depends on the requested parameters, the receiving communication device 2 may return the parameters as is. After receiving the response, the transmitting communication device 1 acquires the parameters and sets them as transmission parameters for the secondary channel, etc.

Furthermore, the transmitting communication device 1 transmits a secondary channel access grant to notify the receiving communication device 2 that it has accepted the set parameters. Upon receiving the grant, the receiving communication device 2 acquires the parameters and sets them as receiving parameters for the secondary channel, etc.

FIG. 21 shows an example of information elements when setting parameters for a communication device in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the information element is configured to set a request message, a response message, or a grant message as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 21, the information element includes an Element Type indicating a specific element format, a Length indicating the information length of the information element, and a Frame Type indicating the frame format. In addition, in this embodiment, the bandwidth of the second to nth access channels is set to 20 MHz, but the information element may include a Bandwidth indicating the bandwidth of the second to nth access channels so that other bandwidths can be set.

The information element also includes Ch. Counts, which indicates the number of channels to be set, and Ch.List, which indicates a list of the access channels to be set. In Ch.List, the first to nth channels are listed in the order of channel transition. In this example, the first to fourth access channels are listed in order as the order of channel transition. As mentioned above, the second and subsequent access channels include at least one secondary access channel, so Ch.List lists at least one secondary channel.

The sending communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 negotiate using a parameter exchange sequence and share the Ch.List to determine the order of channel transitions.

If one channel outside the band is set as the final channel, the information element may include Final Ch., which indicates information about that final channel. Also, without being limited to this example, the final channel may be listed in the Ch.List.

The information element also includes Available Ch Bitmap, which lists other available channels in bitmap format.

The information element also includes parameters such as Window Parameter indicating the duration of the window set for each channel, Target MCS indicating information about the MCS used for communication with the communication partner, Access Category indicating the EDCA access category, CWmin MAX indicating the maximum initial value of the contention window, Primary Windows indicating the window duration of the primary channel, Non-Primary Windows indicating the window duration of the second access channel and subsequent access channels of non-primary channels, and Fast Window indicating that the window has been set earlier than the specified window duration.

Furthermore, the parameters exchanged between the transmitting communication device 1 and the receiving communication device 2 are not limited to these. The information elements may be configured to include only Ch.List and Window Parameter, and the Window Parameter may be transmitted as a separate information element. For example, in a smaller system configuration in which channel transitions are performed using two channels, a first access channel and a second access channel, the Ch.List may include 1st Access Ch. and 2nd Access Ch. The Window Parameter may include Primary Windows and Non-Primary Windows as information elements.

FIG. 22 is an example of a flowchart when the transmitting communication device 1 in the first embodiment performs access control.

In this example, two channels (n=2) are set as access channels in the transmitting communication device 1, and the first access channel is set as the primary channel, and the second access channel is set as the secondary channel, which is the final channel, for explanation purposes.

In step S101, the control unit 13 sets the primary channel (P20) as the first access channel based on the information managed by the channel management unit 303. In step S102, the control unit 13 controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to set the window duration of the first access channel from the information described in the Primary Windows of the Window Parameter among the information elements exchanged with the receiving communication device 2.

In step S103, the control unit 13 controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to calculate the timing of the random backoff time and set the timing at which data such as RTS can be transmitted. In step S104, the control unit 13 controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to determine whether or not NAV is set for the first access channel.

If NAV setting has been made for the first access channel (YES in step S104), in step S106, the control unit 13 repeats the judgment operations of steps S104 and S106 until the duration of the window expires. If NAV setting has not been made for the first access channel (NO in step S104), in step S105, the control unit 13 controls the CCA judgment unit 312 to judge whether or not a signal exceeding a predetermined detection threshold has been detected as a CCA.

If a signal exceeding the CCA detection threshold is detected (YES in step S105), the control unit 13 returns to step S106 and repeats the operation until the duration of the window corresponding to the Primary Windows or Non-Primary Windows of the Window Parameter expires.

Here, if no signal exceeding the detection threshold of the CCA is detected until the backoff time set by the transmitting communication device as an access control parameter has elapsed (NO in step S105), in step S110, the control unit 13 transmits an RTS to the receiving communication device 2 based on the access control by the access control unit 309. Thereafter, the control unit 13 controls the received signal detection unit 311 to wait for reception of a CTS.

In step S111, the control unit 13 controls the received signal detection unit 311 to wait for the reception of a CTS during the duration of the primary channel window. If a CTS is received (YES in step S111), in step S112, the control unit determines that the primary channel is available, and sets the sustained time on that channel as a TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) based on the control of the access control unit 309.

In step S113, the control unit 13 controls the frame construction unit 304 to construct an A-MPDU (aggregation MAC protocol data unit) data frame for the duration of the TXOP. In step S114, the control unit 13 controls the transmission signal processing unit 308 to perform transmission signal processing of the constructed A-MPDU data frame and transmits it to the receiving communication device 2 via the antenna unit 310.

If, on the other hand, CTS is not received before the duration of the window expires (NO in step S111), in step S107 the control unit 13 determines that the access channel is unavailable and controls the secondary channel setting unit 307 to set the next channel, which will be the second access channel, by referring to the channel information listed in the Ch. Lists. In step S108, the secondary channel setting unit 307 is controlled to also set the window duration of the second access channel from the information listed in the Non-Primary Windows of the Window Parameter.

Also, in step S106, if the window duration in the first access channel expires, the control unit 13 sets a channel to be the next channel, the second access channel, in step S107. Also, if the window duration expires, and the window duration expires in the receiving communication device 2, the control unit 13 cooperates with both devices to set the second access channel as the access channel.

In other words, the random backoff time set by the sender is set as the maximum value of the contention window CWmin, so it is important to note that the receiver must be prevented from transitioning to another secondary channel before the window duration known to the receiver expires.

In step S109, the control unit 13 controls the secondary channel setting unit 307, and if there is a description of the secondary channel and final channel to which the channel to be transitioned is to be listed in the Ch. Lists (NO in step S109), the control unit 13 transitions to the channel listed in the Ch. Lists, and returns to step S104 to determine whether or not the NAV setting has been made to the new second access channel in the secondary channel setting unit 307.

The operations in the following steps S105 to S106 and steps S110 to S114 are the same as those described above, so the explanation will be omitted. In other words, when the control unit 13 receives a CTS on the second access channel, data transmission becomes possible after setting the TXOP.

On the other hand, if CTS is not received on the second access channel in step S111 (NO in step S111), the control unit 13 sets the second access channel again as the secondary channel in step S107, and sets the window duration of the second access channel in step S108. In step S109, if there is no secondary channel or final channel to which the channel listed in the Ch. Lists should transition (NO in step S109), the process returns to S101 and access control is performed on the first access channel. Note that the operation of step S109 may be performed after the NO operation of step S111 or after the YES operation of step S106.

FIG. 23 is an example of a flowchart when the receiving communication device 2 in the first embodiment performs reception control.

In this example, as in the example of FIG. 22, two channels (n=2) are set as access channels in the receiving communication device 2, the first access channel is set as the primary channel, and the second access channel is set as the secondary channel as the final channel.

In step S201, the control unit 13 sets the primary channel (P20) as the first access channel based on the information managed by the channel management unit 303. In step S202, the control unit 13 controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to set the window duration of the first access channel from the information described in the Primary Windows of the Window Parameter among the information elements exchanged with the transmitting communication device 1.

In step S203, the control unit 13 controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to determine whether the timing to start access control in the transmitting communication device 1 has arrived, for example, when communication with the access point has ended or when the timing to start the R-TWT service period has arrived. If the timing to start access control has not arrived (NO in step S203), the control unit 13 waits until the timing to start access control arrives.

If the timing to start access control has arrived (YES in step S203), in step S204, the control unit 13 controls the CCA determination unit 312 to determine whether or not a signal exceeding a predetermined detection threshold has been detected as a CCA. If a signal exceeding a predetermined detection threshold has not been detected as a CCA (NO in step S204), the control unit 13 controls the CCA determination unit 312 to continue the determination until a signal exceeding the detection threshold is received.

If a signal exceeding the detection threshold is detected (YES in step S204), in step S205, the control unit 13 controls the received signal detection unit 311 and frame analysis unit 313 to determine whether an RTS addressed to itself has been detected. If an RTS addressed to itself has been detected (YES in step S205), in step S206, the control unit 13 controls the NAV setting unit 314 to refer to the NAV setting status of this channel.

In step S207, the control unit 13 controls the NAV setting unit 314 to determine whether the first access channel is available from the NAV setting status. If the NAV is set, the control unit 13 determines that the first access channel is unavailable (YES in step S207) and returns to step S204, where the control unit 13 again determines whether a signal exceeding the detection threshold as a CCA has been detected.

If the NAV setting is not performed and the control unit 13 determines that the first access channel is in use (YES in step S207), in step S208, the control unit 13 controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to, for example, calculate backwards the time until the receiving side OBSS3' starts transmitting the R-TWT scheduled on the first access channel to calculate the available duration. In step S209, the control unit 13 controls the access control unit 309 to transmit a CTS. After transmitting the CTS, the process returns to step S204, and the control unit 13 again determines whether or not a signal exceeding the detection threshold as a CCA has been detected in order to start receiving data on the first access channel.

If no RTS addressed to itself is detected (NO in step S205), in step S210 the control unit 13 controls the received signal detection unit 311 and frame analysis unit 313 to determine whether data addressed to itself has been received. If the received data is addressed to itself (YES in step S210), in step S211 the control unit 13 controls the received signal detection unit 311 and frame analysis unit 313 to start data reception processing. The received data may be stored in the reception buffer 315. After the data reception processing is completed, the control unit 13 ends the processing. Note that, if necessary, in the data reception processing, the control unit 13 may exchange block ACKs, request and receive retransmission, etc. with the transmitting communication device 1.

On the other hand, if the received data is not addressed to itself, the data is addressed to another surrounding communication device, such as the receiving OBSS 3'. If the received data is not addressed to itself (NO in step S210), in step S212, the control unit 13 controls the frame analysis unit 313 to perform frame analysis of the received data and detect header information. In step S213, the control unit 13 uses the frame analysis unit 313 to obtain information such as the Duration of the MAC header.

In step S214, the control unit 13 controls the frame analysis unit 313 to determine whether the analyzed data is a CTS frame or a data frame (NAV-related frame) addressed to another communication device. If the analyzed data is a NAV-related frame addressed to another communication device (YES in step S214), in step S215 the control unit 13 controls the NAV setting unit 314 to set the NAV until the timing described in the Duration information. After setting the NAV, the process returns to step S204, and the control unit 13 again determines whether a signal exceeding the detection threshold as a CCA has been detected.

If the analyzed data is not a NAV-related frame addressed to another communication device (NO in step S214), in step S216, the control unit 13 controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to determine whether the duration of the window of the first access channel has expired. If the duration of the window has not expired (NO in step S216), the control unit 213 returns to S203 to continue waiting for reception until the duration has expired, and controls the primary channel setting unit 306 to again determine whether the timing to start access control has arrived.

If the window duration has expired (YES in step S216), the control unit 13 determines that the channel is unavailable and controls the secondary channel setting unit 307 to set the channel to be the next channel, the second access channel. In step S218, the control unit 13 controls the secondary channel setting unit 307 to set the window duration of the second access channel from the information described in the Non-Primary Windows of the Window Parameter.

In step S219, the control unit 13 controls the secondary channel setting unit 307, and if there is a description of the secondary channel and final channel to which the channel should be transitioned in the Ch. Lists (NO in step S219), the control unit 13 returns to step S203 and controls the secondary channel setting unit 307 to again determine whether the timing to start access control has arrived.

The operations in the subsequent steps S204 to S218 are the same as those described above, and therefore will not be described here. In other words, when the control unit 13 transmits a CTS from the second access channel, data can be received thereafter.

On the other hand, if the window duration expires in the second access channel in step S216, the control unit 13 sets the second access channel again as the secondary channel in step S217, and sets the window duration of the second access channel in step S218. In step S219, if there is no secondary channel or final channel to which the channel listed in the Ch. Lists should transition (NO in step S219), the control unit 13 returns to S201 and access control is performed in the first access channel. Note that the operation of step S219 may be performed after the operation of YES in step S216.

In addition, in the network of the receiving communication device 2, when the beacon transmission timing arrives or the R-TWT service period arrives, access control is implemented from the beginning, so the receiving communication device 2 is configured to move to step S203 and determine whether or not these timings have arrived.

According to this embodiment, the communication device defines multiple channels, such as secondary channels, at frequencies other than the primary channel, as access channels with a set order for access control, and can use these channels to perform low-latency data transmission even when the primary channel is unavailable.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the communication device exchanges the frames of the first and second signals in advance on the transitioned channel before transmitting data, thereby making it possible to identify channels that are available not only on the transmitting side but also on the receiving side, and thus ensuring reliable data transmission.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the channels experiencing interference on the transmitting and receiving sides are different, if the channels available on both communication devices match, data transmission is possible.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the communication device selects an access channel from outside the band of the secondary channel, so that data transmission can be performed reliably even if the bands of the primary channel and secondary channel are occupied by OBSS or the like.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 24 shows an example of the transition over time of each channel used by the transmitting communication device 1 of the second embodiment.

The overall configuration diagram of the transmitting communication device 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, so a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in this embodiment, the transmitting communication device 1 will be described as having the first to fifth access channels preset as access channels.

The dashed lines in the figure indicate the duration of the window for each channel, and the diamond-shaped portion in the first access channel in the figure indicates that there are multiple slots in the contention window during the random backoff time. TS indicates the training sequence. The gray portions before and after the window duration indicate the time related to channel transitions.

In this embodiment, when implementing channel transition operations in a communication device, the operation of the communication device is described, including the time required for channel transitions that occur due to circuit switching, etc. In the example of Figure 24, the switching time for each channel is shown as a time transition, but the transition does not necessarily have to occur at this timing, and the circuitry within the communication device may be set to perform the same operation.

As described above, in order to take into account the time required for channel transitions caused by circuit switching, etc., the communication device starts the channel transition operation in the channel before the transition, under the control of the control unit 13, before the end of the window waiting time. Also, the time required for channel transition occurs in both the channel before the transition and the channel after the transition. Therefore, the communication device also starts the channel transition in the channel after the transition, under the control of the control unit 13, before the start of the window waiting time. In this figure, the transmitting communication device 1 starts the channel transition just before the end of the first access channel, where the channel transition is first performed under the control of the control unit 13, and starts the channel transition operation in the second access channel, which is the channel after the transition, before the start of the window. Also, in this example, the control unit 13 completes the channel transition operation in the second access channel before the start of the window waiting time.

In other words, in the nth access channel, the communication device initiates a channel transition operation from the n-1th access channel before the start of the window waiting time, and initiates a channel transition operation to the n+1th access channel before the end of the window waiting time.

It is preferable that the communication device completes the channel transition in the nth access channel before the window duration begins.

In the first access channel, access control including a predetermined random backoff time is implemented, and the transmitting communication device 1 can transmit a signal after the random backoff time has expired. In this example, the transmitting communication device 1 starts transmitting a training sequence after the random backoff time. When the receiving communication device 2 detects a training signal, it performs decryption processing of the data portion on that channel.

On the other hand, if the first access channel is unavailable, the transmitting communication device 1 may detect the state of that channel until the window duration expires, and if the channel becomes available by the time the window duration expires, may use that channel to transmit the training sequence.

If the first access channel is unavailable, the transmitting communication device 1 performs an operation to switch to the second access channel before the window duration expires. In other words, under the control of the control unit 13, the transmitting communication device 1 performs an operation to switch the frequency to the second access channel in the portion shown by the dashed line in the figure, and controls the circuit so that operation is stable at the start of the window of the second access channel.

Similarly, for the second to fifth access channels, the transmitting communication device 1, under the control of the control unit 13, controls the circuit so that operation in each access channel is stable at the start of the window for that channel. For the fifth access channel, which is the final channel, the transmitting communication device 1, under the control of the control unit 13, performs an operation to switch to the first access channel before the end of the window waiting time. At this time, for the first access channel, the transmitting communication device 1, under the control of the control unit 13, controls the circuit so that operation is stable at the start of the window.

According to this embodiment, when the communication device controls the channels, in the nth access channel, it starts the channel transition operation from the n-1th access channel before the start of the window waiting time, and starts the channel transition operation to the n+1th access channel before the end of the window waiting time. This makes it possible to stabilize the operation of each channel at the start of the window.

<Example of computer configuration>
The above-mentioned 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.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-mentioned series of processes using a program.

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

Further connected to the bus 804 is an input/output interface 805. Connected to the input/output interface 805 are an input unit 806 consisting of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and an output unit 807 consisting of a display, speakers, etc. Also connected to the input/output interface 805 are a storage unit 808 consisting of a hard disk or non-volatile memory, a communication unit 809 consisting of a network interface, etc., and a drive 810 that drives removable media 811.

In a computer configured as described above, the CPU 801, for example, loads a program stored in the storage unit 808 into the RAM 803 via the input/output interface 805 and the bus 804, and executes the program, thereby performing the series of processes described above.

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

The program executed by the computer may be a program in which processing is performed chronologically in the order described in this specification, or a program in which processing is performed in parallel or at the required timing, such as when called.

<Application Examples>
This technology can be applied to various products. For example, the communication device 100 in Figs. 13 and 14 may be realized as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, a portable game terminal, or a digital camera, a fixed terminal such as a television receiver, a projector, a printer, a digital scanner, or a network storage, or an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation device. The communication device 100 may also be realized as an M2M (Machine To Machine Communication) terminal such as a smart meter, a vending machine, a remote monitoring device, or a POS (Point Of Sale) terminal. Furthermore, the communication device 100 may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module formed of one die) mounted on these terminals.

On the other hand, for example, the communication device 100 may be realized as a wireless LAN AP (wireless base station) with or without a router function. Also, the communication device 100 may be realized as a mobile wireless LAN router. Furthermore, the communication device 100 may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module configured on a single die) mounted on these devices.

<Example of smartphone configuration>
FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a smartphone to which the present technology is applied.

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 processor 901 may be, for example, a CPU or a SoC (System on Chip), and limits the functionality of the application layer and other layers of the smartphone 900.

Memory 902 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by processor 901.

Storage 903 includes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk.

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.

The camera 906 has an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and generates a captured image.

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

The microphone 908 converts the audio input to the smartphone 900 into an audio signal.

The input device 909 includes, for example, a touch sensor that detects touches 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.

The display device 910 has a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, and displays the output image of the smartphone 900. The display device 910 may also be configured as a projector that projects the output image onto a screen. The speaker 911 converts an audio signal output from the smartphone 900 into audio. The processor 901 also controls the display of the display device 910 based on information received via the first link or the second link and the user's operation of the input device 909.

The wireless communication interface 913 supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, and 11be, and performs wireless communication.

In infrastructure mode, the wireless communication interface 913 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 913 communicates directly with other devices.

Note that, unlike ad-hoc mode, with Wi-Fi Direct, one of the two devices acts as an AP, but communication is carried out directly between the devices.

The wireless communication interface 913 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. 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.

In addition to the wireless LAN system, the wireless communication interface 913 may support other types of wireless communication systems, such as a short-range wireless communication system, a proximity wireless communication system, or a cellular communication system.

The antenna switch 914 switches the connection of the antenna 915 between multiple circuits (e.g., circuits for different wireless communication methods) included in the wireless communication interface 913.

The antenna 915 has a single or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple antenna elements constituting a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) antenna) and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals via the wireless communication interface 913. For example, when the antenna 915 has multiple antenna elements, it has a second antenna element in addition to a first antenna element, constituting a MIMO antenna. Furthermore, multiple antennas 915 may be provided, and when the multiple antennas 915 include a first antenna and a second antenna, they may communicate via a first link and a second link, respectively.

Note that the smartphone 900 is not limited to the example in FIG. 26 and may include multiple antennas (for example, an antenna for wireless LAN and an antenna for a close-proximity wireless communication system). In this case, the antenna switch 914 may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

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.

The battery 918 supplies power to each block of the smartphone 900 shown in FIG. 26 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.

In the smartphone 900 shown in FIG. 26, for example, the control unit 13 and the wireless communication unit 15 in FIG. 13 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 913. In addition, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the processor 901 or the auxiliary controller 919.

The smartphone 900 may operate as a wireless AP (software AP) by having the processor 901 execute an AP function at the application level. The wireless communication interface 913 may also have a wireless AP function.

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

In addition, 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 that time, information related to the present technology may be output from at least one of the display device 910 and the speaker 911.

<Configuration example of in-vehicle device>
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an in-vehicle device 920 to which the present technology is applied.

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

Memory 922 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs and data executed by processor 921.

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.

The sensor 925 includes a group of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an air pressure sensor.

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

The content player 927 plays content stored on a storage medium (e.g., a CD or DVD) inserted into the storage medium interface 928. The storage medium interface 928 is an example of an external connection interface, and the storage medium is an example of an external storage medium.

The input device 929 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a button, or a switch that detects touches on the screen of the display device 930, and accepts operations or information input from the user.

The display device 930 has a screen such as an LCD or OLED display, and displays information such as navigation functions or images of the content being played. The processor 921 also controls the display of the display device 930 based on information received via the first link or the second link and the user's operation of the input device 929.

Speaker 931 outputs audio for the navigation function or the content being played.

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

The wireless communication interface 933 supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, and 11be, 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.

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 that integrates a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, or related circuits. In addition to the wireless LAN system, the wireless communication interface 933 may support other types of wireless communication systems, such as a short-range wireless communication system, a proximity wireless communication system, or a cellular communication system.

The antenna switch 934 switches the connection of the antenna 935 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 933.

The antenna 935 has a single or multiple antenna elements and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals via the wireless communication interface 933. For example, if the antenna 935 has multiple antenna elements, it may have a second antenna element in addition to a first antenna element to form a MIMO antenna.

Note that the in-vehicle device 920 is not limited to the example in FIG. 27 and may include multiple antennas 935. In that case, the antenna switch 934 may be omitted from the configuration of the in-vehicle device 920.

The battery 938 is connected to a power supply line partially indicated by a dashed line in the figure, and in the in-vehicle device 920 shown in FIG. 27, for example, the control unit 13 and wireless communication unit 15 in FIG. 27 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 933. Furthermore, at least a part of these functions may be implemented in the processor 921. The battery 938 is an example of a power sharing unit. The power sharing unit supplies power to the control unit 13, the processor 921, the input device 929, the display device 930, and the first and second antenna elements.

The wireless communication interface 933 may also operate as the communication device described above and provide wireless connection to a terminal owned by a user in the vehicle.

The present technology may also be realized as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 940 including one or more blocks of the in-vehicle device 920 described above, an in-vehicle network 941, and a vehicle-side module 942. The vehicle-side module 942 generates vehicle-side data such as vehicle speed, engine RPM, or fault information, and outputs the generated data to the in-vehicle network 941.

<Example of wireless AP configuration>
FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless AP 950 to which the present technology is applied.

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 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, etc.).

The memory 952 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs executed by the controller 951 and various control information (e.g., terminal lists, routing tables, encryption keys, security settings, logs, etc.).

The input device 954 includes, for example, buttons and switches, and accepts operations from the user.

The display device 955 includes an LED lamp or the like, and displays information such as the operating status of the wireless AP 950. The display device 910 may also be configured as a projector that projects an output image onto a screen. A processor (not shown) controls the display of the display device 955 based on information received via the first link or the second link and the user's operation of the input device 954. The processor may also be implemented within the controller 951.

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 wired communication network 958 may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), or may be a WAN (Wide Area Network).

The wireless communication interface 963 supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, 11ax, 11ay, and 11be, and provides wireless connection as an AP to nearby terminals.

The wireless communication interface 963 typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, etc.

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.

The antenna switch 964 switches the connection of the antenna 965 between multiple circuits included in the wireless communication interface 963. The antenna 965 has a single or multiple antenna elements and is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals by the wireless communication interface 963. For example, when the antenna 965 has multiple antenna elements, it has a second antenna element in addition to a first antenna element.

In the wireless AP 950 shown in FIG. 28, for example, the control unit 13 and the wireless communication unit 15 in FIG. 13 may also be implemented in the wireless communication interface 963. Furthermore, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the controller 951.

The above-described embodiment shows an example for realizing the present technology, and there is a corresponding relationship between the matters in the embodiment and the matters specified by the invention in the claims. Similarly, there is a corresponding relationship between the matters specified by the invention in the claims and the matters in the embodiment of the present technology that have the same name. However, the present technology is not limited to the embodiment, and can be realized by making various modifications to the embodiment without departing from the gist of the technology.

The processing steps described in the above embodiments may be considered as a method having a series of steps, or as a program for causing the computer to execute the series of steps, or as a recording medium for storing the program.

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.

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

Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also exist.

The embodiment of this technology is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this technology.

For example, this technology can be configured as cloud computing, in which a single function is shared and processed collaboratively by multiple devices over a network.

In addition, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by a single device, or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

Furthermore, when a single step includes multiple processes, the processes included in that single step can be executed by a single device, or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

This embodiment may also have the following configuration.
[Additional Notes]
[Item 1]
a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another communication device using first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
The control unit is
performing access control on a first access channel set as a primary channel;
performing the access control using a second access channel set other than the primary channel based on a situation in which it is determined that the first access channel is unavailable;
Take control,
Communications equipment.
[Item 2]
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sequentially performs the access control on the second access channel through the nth access channel until a usable channel is found.
[Item 3]
3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the access control on the first access channel when the control unit determines that the nth access channel is unavailable.
[Item 4]
4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the second access channel to the nth access channel is selected from a frequency band set as a secondary channel.
[Item 5]
5. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the channels from the second access channel to the nth access channel is selected from a predetermined frequency band other than a primary channel and a secondary channel.
[Item 6]
The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit determines that the first access channel is unavailable after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, and performs the access control on the second access channel.
[Item 7]
the predetermined waiting time in the first access channel includes a random backoff time;
7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit performs control to transmit a first signal indicating a request to start communication or use a channel after the random backoff time has elapsed.
[Item 8]
8. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs control to start data transmission when a second signal indicating that communication can be started or that a channel can be used is received within a predetermined waiting time.
[Item 9]
The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the control unit sequentially performs the access control on the second access channel to the nth access channel after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed.
[Item 10]
The communication device according to item 1, wherein the control unit sequentially performs the access control on the second to nth access channels in an order determined by negotiation with the other communication device before performing the access control, until a usable channel is found.
[Item 11]
Item 11. The communication device according to item 10, wherein the control unit performs the access control using the first access channel when it determines that the last channel determined by the negotiation among the second to nth access channels is unavailable.
[Item 12]
a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another communication device through first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
the control unit executes a standby operation on a first access channel set as a primary channel, and performs control to execute a standby operation on a second access channel set other than the primary channel depending on a situation in which it is determined that the other communication device cannot use the primary channel.
Communications equipment.
[Item 13]
Item 13. The communication device according to item 12, wherein the control unit performs control to sequentially perform the standby operation on the second access channel to the nth access channel until a channel available to the other communication device is found.
[Item 14]
The communication device according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the control unit performs the standby operation on the first access channel depending on a situation in which the other communication device determines that the nth access channel cannot be used.
[Item 15]
The communication device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the control unit performs control to execute a standby operation on the second access channel when the control unit does not receive a first signal addressed to the device, the first signal indicating a request to start communication or use a channel, within a predetermined waiting time.
[Item 16]
The control unit controls the transmission of a second signal indicating that communication can be started or that channel use is possible based on the reception of a first signal indicating that communication can be started or that channel use is requested.
[Item 17]
12. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit performs control to transmit Ch. Counts indicating the number of channels set as access channels to the other communication device.
[Item 18]
The control unit controls transmission of a Ch.List to the other communication device, the Ch.List indicating a list including a primary channel and at least one secondary channel and set as an access channel.
[Item 19]
The control unit controls the transmission of a parameter corresponding to a first waiting time of a primary channel and a parameter corresponding to a second waiting time of at least one secondary channel to the other communication device.
[Item 20]
wirelessly communicate with another communication device through first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
performing access control on a first access channel set as a primary channel;
performing the access control using a second access channel set other than the primary channel based on a situation in which it is determined that the first access channel is unavailable;
Communications control method.
[Item 21]
A processor;
an input device for receiving operations from a user;
A display device;
A first antenna element;
Further equipped with
the processor controls display of the display device based on information received via the first to nth access channels and the operation.
2. The communication device according to item 1.
[Item 22]
A speaker and
an external connection interface for connecting a memory card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device;
a second antenna element forming a MIMO antenna together with the first antenna element;
a power sharing unit that supplies power to the control unit, the processor, the input device, the display device, the second antenna element, and the external connection interface;
22. The communication device of claim 21, further comprising:
[Item 23]
a content player that reproduces content stored in an external storage medium connected via an external connection interface;
22. The communication device of claim 21, further comprising:
[Item 24]
The display device is an LED lamp that displays the operation status of the communication device.
22. The communication device according to item 21.
[Item 25]
a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another communication device using first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
The control unit is
performing access control on a first access channel set as a primary channel;
performing the access control using a second access channel set other than the primary channel based on a situation in which it is determined that the first access channel is unavailable;
Take control,
vehicle.
[Item 26]
wirelessly communicate with another communication device through first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
performing access control on a first access channel set as a primary channel;
performing the access control using a second access channel set other than the primary channel based on a situation in which it is determined that the first access channel is unavailable;
A communication program that causes a computer to execute a communication method.
[Item 27]
wirelessly communicate with another communication device through first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
performing access control on a first access channel set as a primary channel;
performing the access control using a second access channel set other than the primary channel based on a situation in which it is determined that the first access channel is unavailable;
A non-transitory storage medium on which a communication program for causing a computer to execute a communication method is recorded.
[Item 28]
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts control to transition to the second access channel before a predetermined waiting time has elapsed.
[Item 29]
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit completes control of transitioning to the second access channel before a predetermined waiting time starts.

1 Transmitting communication device 2 Receiving communication device 3 Transmitting OBSS
3' OBSS on the sending side
11 Internet connection unit 12 Information input unit 13 Control unit 14 Information output unit 15 Wireless communication unit 30 Channel arrangement of transmitting communication device 31 Channel arrangement of transmitting OBSS 32 Channel arrangement of receiving OBSS 40 First access channel 41 Second access channel 42 Third access channel 43 Fourth access channel 44 Fifth access channel 110 Communication unit 111 Communication control unit 112 Communication storage unit 113 Common data processing unit 121 Individual data processing unit 122 Signal processing unit 123 Wireless interface unit 124 Amplification unit 140 Storage unit 150 Antenna 200 Wireless LAN system 301 Interface 302 Transmission buffer 303 Channel management unit 304 Frame construction unit 305 Available channel determination unit 306 Primary channel setting unit 307 Secondary channel setting unit 308 Transmission signal processing unit 309 Access control unit 311 Received signal detection unit 312 CCA determination unit 313 Frame analysis unit 314 NAV setting unit 315 Reception buffer 801 CPU
802 ROM
803 RAM
804 Bus 805 Input/Output interface 806 Input section 807 Output section 808 Memory section 809 Communication section 810 Drive 811 Removable media 900 Smartphone 901 Processor 902 Memory 903 Storage 904 External connection interface 906 Camera 907 Sensor 908 Microphone 909 Input device 910 Display device 911 Speaker 913 Wireless communication interface 914 Antenna switch 915 Antenna 917 Bus 918 Battery 919 Auxiliary controller 920 Vehicle-mounted device 921 Processor 922 Memory 924 GNSS module 925 Sensor 926 Data interface 927 Content player 928 Storage medium interface 929 Input device 930 Display device 931 Speaker 933 Wireless communication interface 934 Antenna switch 935 Antenna 938 Battery 940 Vehicle-mounted system (or vehicle)
941 In-vehicle network 942 Vehicle-side module 951 Controller 952 Memory 954 Input device 955 Display device 957 Network interface 958 Wired communication network 963 Wireless communication interface 964 Antenna switch 965 Antenna

Claims (20)

a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another communication device using first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
The control unit is
performing access control on a first access channel set as a primary channel;
performing the access control on a second access channel that is set to a channel other than the primary channel based on the determination that the first access channel is unavailable;
Take control,
Communications equipment. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sequentially executes the access control for the second access channel through the nth access channel until an available channel is found. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs the access control on the first access channel when it determines that the nth access channel is unavailable. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the channels from the second access channel to the nth access channel is selected from a frequency band set as a secondary channel. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the channels from the second access channel to the nth access channel is selected from a frequency band other than the predetermined frequency band set as the primary channel and the secondary channel. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the first access channel is unavailable after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, and performs the access control on the second access channel. the predetermined waiting time in the first access channel includes a random backoff time;
The communication device according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit performs control to transmit a first signal indicating a request to start communication or to use a channel after the random backoff time has elapsed. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs control to start data transmission when a second signal indicating that communication can be started or that a channel can be used is received within a predetermined waiting time. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs the access control in the second access channel through the nth access channel in sequence after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sequentially executes the access control for the second through n-th access channels in an order determined by negotiation with the other communication device before executing the access control, until a usable channel is found. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit performs the access control on the first access channel when it determines that the last channel determined by the negotiation among the second to nth access channels is unavailable. a control unit that controls a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another communication device through first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
the control unit executes a standby operation in a first access channel set to a primary channel, and, based on the determination that the other communication device cannot use the primary channel, controls to execute a standby operation in a second access channel set to a channel other than the primary channel.
Communications equipment. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit performs control to sequentially perform the standby operation on the second access channel through the nth access channel until a channel that can be used by the other communication device is found. The communication device according to claim 13, wherein the control unit performs the standby operation on the first access channel in response to a situation in which the other communication device determines that the nth access channel is unavailable. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit performs control to execute a standby operation on the second access channel if the control unit does not receive a first signal addressed to the device, the first signal indicating a request to start communication or use a channel, within a predetermined waiting time. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit controls the transmission of a second signal indicating that communication can be started or that channel use is possible based on the reception of a first signal indicating that communication can be started or that channel use is requested. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the transmission of Ch. Counts indicating the number of channels set as access channels to the other communication device. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls transmission of a Ch.List indicating a list of channels to be set as access channels, the list including a primary channel and at least one secondary channel, to the other communication device. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the transmission of a parameter corresponding to a first waiting time of the primary channel and a parameter corresponding to a second waiting time of at least one secondary channel to the other communication device. wirelessly communicate with another communication device through first to n-th access channels (n is an integer of 2 or more);
performing access control on a first access channel set as a primary channel;
performing the access control using a second access channel set other than the primary channel based on a situation in which it is determined that the first access channel is unavailable;
Communications control method.