阅读说明：本技术 信息处理设备，信息处理方法和程序 (Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program ) 是由 田中悠介 森冈裕一 板垣竹识 山浦智也 于 2016-05-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及信息处理设备,信息处理方法和程序。本发明的目的是降低功耗。该信息处理设备设置有控制单元。另外,向该信息处理设备发送数据的第一设备被提供有复用并把来自包括第一设备的多个设备的数据发送给该信息处理设备的复用功能。另外,借助所述控制单元,该信息处理设备被设置为进行控制,以向设置有所述复用功能的第一设备通知递送给第一设备的数据的存在,并向第一设备通知要由第一设备使用来复用通知第一设备已从功能暂停状态转换到数据可接收状态的事实的信息的方法。(The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program. The object of the invention is to reduce power consumption. The information processing apparatus is provided with a control unit. In addition, the first device that transmits data to the information processing device is provided with a multiplexing function that multiplexes and transmits data from a plurality of devices including the first device to the information processing device. In addition, with the control unit, the information processing apparatus is configured to control to notify the first apparatus provided with the multiplexing function of the presence of data delivered to the first apparatus, and to notify the first apparatus of a method to be used by the first apparatus to multiplex information notifying the fact that the first apparatus has shifted from the function suspended state to the data receivable state.)

1. An information processing apparatus (100) configured as a base station or a wireless LAN access point, comprising:

circuitry (160) configured to:

notifying a plurality of devices (201, 202) configured as slave devices or wireless LAN stations of an uplink multiplexing method for PS-polls (442, 443) respectively transmitted by the plurality of devices and the presence of a plurality of downlink data to be respectively transmitted (446, 447) to the plurality of devices by using a frame transmitted after a beacon, the PS-polls respectively indicating that the plurality of devices have transitioned from a function suspended state to a data receivable state;

receiving PS-polls multiplexed using the uplink multiplexing method and respectively transmitted by the plurality of devices; and

multiplexing and transmitting the plurality of downlink data to be transmitted to the plurality of devices using a downlink multiplexing method after receiving the PS-Poll; and

after transmitting the plurality of downlink data, receiving, from an upper layer, another plurality of downlink data respectively delivered to the plurality of devices transitioned from the data receivable state to the function suspended state.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

The circuitry is configured to notify the plurality of devices of a downlink multiplexing method for the plurality of downlink data along with an uplink multiplexing method for PS-polls.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

The circuitry is configured to notify the plurality of devices of information for uplink multiplexing transmission of PS-polls along with an uplink multiplexing method for PS-polls.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

The circuitry is configured to notify the plurality of devices of a frequency assignment for frequency multiplexing of PS-polls or a matrix index assignment for spatial multiplexing of PS-polls, information on transmission times for the PS-polls, and information on transmission powers for the PS-polls as information for uplink multiplexed transmission of the PS-polls.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

The circuitry is configured to notify the plurality of devices using a bitmap generated based on a Partial Virtual Bitmap (PVB).

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

The circuitry is configured to pre-confirm that each device of the plurality of devices has a multiplexing function for PS-polls.

7. An information processing apparatus (201, 202) configured as a slave apparatus or a wireless LAN station, comprising:

circuitry configured to:

receiving a frame transmitted by another device (100) after a beacon, the other device being configured as a base station or a wireless LAN access point, the frame comprising information on: -an uplink multiplexing method for a plurality of PS-polls (442, 443) sent by said information processing device and one or more information processing devices (201, 202), respectively, and-the presence of a plurality of downlink data to be sent (446, 447) to said information processing device and said one or more information processing devices, respectively;

in response to receiving an uplink multiplexing method for the plurality of PS-polls, indicating a transition from a function suspended state to a data receivable state, multiplexing the PS-polls with one or more of the plurality of PS-polls of the one or more information processing apparatuses according to the uplink multiplexing method, and transmitting the PS-polls to the other apparatus; and

after transmitting the PS-Poll, receiving one of the plurality of downlink data multiplexed and transmitted with one or more of the plurality of downlink data using a downlink multiplexing method from the other apparatus; and

after receiving the one of the plurality of downlink data, control transitions from a data receivable state to a function suspend state.

8. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus (100) configured as a base station or a wireless LAN access point, comprising:

a control step of notifying a plurality of devices (201, 202) configured as slave devices or wireless LAN stations of an uplink multiplexing method for PS-polls (442, 443) respectively transmitted by the plurality of devices and the existence of a plurality of downlink data to be respectively transmitted (446, 447) to the plurality of devices by using a frame transmitted after a beacon,

the PS-polls respectively indicating that the plurality of devices have transitioned from a function suspended state to a data receivable state;

a step of receiving PS-polls multiplexed by the uplink multiplexing method and transmitted by the plurality of devices, respectively;

a step of multiplexing and transmitting the plurality of downlink data to be transmitted to the plurality of devices using a downlink multiplexing method after receiving the PS-Poll; and

after transmitting the plurality of downlink data, receiving, from an upper layer, another plurality of downlink data respectively delivered to the plurality of devices transitioned from the data receivable state to the function suspended state.

9. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus (201, 202) configured as a slave apparatus or a wireless LAN station, comprising:

a step of receiving a frame transmitted by another device (100) configured as a base station or a wireless LAN access point after a beacon, the frame including information on: -an uplink multiplexing method for a plurality of PS-polls (442, 443) sent by said information processing device and one or more information processing devices (201, 202), respectively, and-the presence of a plurality of downlink data to be sent (446, 447) to said information processing device and said one or more information processing devices, respectively;

a control step of instructing a transition from a function suspended state to a data receivable state in response to receiving an uplink multiplexing method for the plurality of PS-polls, performing multiplexing on PS-polls with one or more PS-polls of the plurality of PS-polls of the one or more information processing apparatuses according to the uplink multiplexing method, and transmitting the PS-polls to the other apparatus;

a step of receiving one of the plurality of downlink data multiplexed and transmitted with one or more of the plurality of downlink data using a downlink multiplexing method from the other apparatus after transmitting the PS-Poll; and

controlling the step of transitioning from the data receivable state to the function suspend state after receiving the one of the plurality of downlink data.

10. A program that causes a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 8 or 9.

Technical Field

The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus. More particularly, the present technology relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that exchange information using wireless communication, and a program that causes a computer to execute the method.

Background

Conventionally, there are wireless communication technologies for exchanging information using wireless communication. For example, a communication method for exchanging information between information processing apparatuses using a wireless LAN is proposed.

Further, for example, in the case where the information processing apparatus is a mobile object, the power supply thereof is generally a battery. Therefore, it is important to reduce power consumption in order to extend the operating time of the information processing apparatus. Therefore, for example, with respect to IEEE 802.11 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which is a standard organization of wireless LAN, a technique of reducing power consumption by shifting from an awake state in which a normal operation is performed to a sleep state in which no signal transmission/reception is performed when the information processing apparatus does not need communication is proposed.

In this technique, a slave device in a sleep state is brought into an awake state at regular intervals to confirm whether data delivered to the slave device itself is buffered in the base station using a signal from the base station. The signal is a Traffic Indication Map (TIM) in the beacon frame. Subsequently, in a case where data delivered to the slave device itself is buffered, the slave device receives the data by transmitting a data request frame (PS-Poll) to the base station, and resumes a sleep state after receiving the data. Note that the PS-Poll frame is information for notifying the awake state and the data transmission request.

Here, in the case of notifying a plurality of items of data delivered to a plurality of slave devices through TIM, a collision avoidance algorithm may be used in order to avoid collisions between PS-polls. However, due to the collision avoidance algorithm, a loss of time occurs.

Further, for example, in the case where the base station receives a PS-Poll from one slave device, data transmission is performed in response to the PS-Poll. In this case, during the transmission, the other slave devices cannot perform transmission. Therefore, it takes a long time for the other slave devices to recover the sleep state, and power consumption may increase.

Therefore, a technique for enabling reduction of time loss caused by collision avoidance between PS-polls, and time loss caused by communication by another slave device is proposed. For example, a data transmission/reception system has been proposed in which the time to transmit PS-Poll is set and notified in advance for each slave device in order to avoid collision between PS-polls (for example, see patent document 1).

CITATION LIST

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No.2005-197798

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

According to the conventional technique described above, the time loss caused by the collision avoidance algorithm can be reduced. However, since each slave transmits PS-Poll in different time slots according to the notification, a time loss caused by multiple PS-polls occurs. For this reason, the respective slave devices are in the power saving state only for a short period of time, and there is a possibility that the power consumption cannot be reduced.

The present technology has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present technology is to reduce power consumption.

Solution to the problem

The present technology has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first aspect of the present technology is: an information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls to notify a first device of a multiplexing method for notification information indicating that the first device has transitioned from a function suspended state to a data receivable state and presence of data delivered to the first device, the first device having a multiplexing function for multiplexing and transmitting data from a plurality of devices including the first device to an information processing device; an information processing method for the information processing apparatus; and a program for causing a computer to execute the method. This produces an effect of notifying the first device having the multiplexing function of the existence of the data delivered to the first device and the multiplexing method for notification information indicating that the first device has transitioned from the function suspended state to the data receivable state.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may control to receive the notification information multiplexed and transmitted by the first device in accordance with a multiplexing method of the notification. This produces an effect of receiving the notification information multiplexed and transmitted by the first device in accordance with the multiplexing method of the notification.

Further, in the first aspect, after receiving the notification information, the control unit may control to multiplex data to be transmitted to the first device and transmit the data to the first device. This has the effect of multiplexing data to be transmitted to the first device and transmitting the data to the first device after receiving the notification information.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may control to multiplex the data with a multiplexing method that is the same as or different from the notified multiplexing method, and to transmit the data to the first device. This produces an effect of multiplexing data using the same multiplexing method as or a different multiplexing method from the notified multiplexing method, and transmitting the data to the first device.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may control to notify a frequency multiplexing method or a spatial multiplexing method as the multiplexing method, multiplex the data with the same multiplexing method as the notified frequency multiplexing method or spatial multiplexing method, and transmit the data to the first device. This produces an effect of notifying the frequency multiplexing method or the spatial multiplexing method as the multiplexing method, multiplexing the data using the same multiplexing method as the notified frequency multiplexing method or the spatial multiplexing method, and transmitting the data to the first device.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may control to notify the first device of a multiplexing method for the data together with a multiplexing method for the notification information. This produces an effect of notifying the first device of the multiplexing method for the data together with the multiplexing method for the notification information.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may control to notify the first device of information to be used for multiplex transmission of the notification information together with a multiplexing method for the notification information. This produces an effect of notifying the first device of information to be used for multiplexed transmission of the notification information together with the multiplexing method for the notification information.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may notify, as information to be used for multiplex transmission of the notification information, frequency allocation (e.g., center frequency and frequency bandwidth) for frequency multiplexing of the notification information or matrix index allocation for spatial multiplexing of the notification information, information on transmission time for the notification information, and information on transmission power for the notification information to the first device. This produces an effect of notifying the first device of the frequency assignment for frequency multiplexing of the notification information or the matrix index assignment for spatial multiplexing of the notification information, the information on the transmission time for the notification information, and the information on the transmission power for the notification information.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may notify the first device using a bitmap generated based on a Partial Virtual Bitmap (PVB). This has the effect of informing the first device using a bitmap generated based on PVB.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may confirm in advance that the first device has a multiplexing function for the notification information. This produces an effect of confirming in advance that the first device has a multiplexing function for the notification information.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may notify the first device at a timing at which the first device is estimated to have transitioned from the function suspended state to the data receivable state. This produces an effect of notifying the first device at the timing at which the first device is estimated to have transitioned from the function suspended state to the data receivable state.

Further, in the first aspect, the control unit may notify the first device with a beacon or another frame transmitted after the beacon. This has the effect of informing the first device with the beacon or another frame transmitted after the beacon.

In addition, a second aspect of the present technology is: an information processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls to multiplex the notification information in accordance with a multiplexing method for notification information indicating a transition from a function suspended state to a data receivable state and to transmit the notification information to another device in response to the multiplexing method being notified by the other device; an information processing method for the information processing apparatus; and a program for causing a computer to execute the method. This produces an effect of multiplexing the notification information in accordance with the multiplexing method and transmitting the notification information to the other device in response to the multiplexing method for notification information indicating a transition from the function suspended state to the data receivable state being notified by the other device.

Further, in the second aspect, the control unit may control to receive multiplexed data transmitted from the other device after transmitting the notification information, and to multiplex and transmit data to be transmitted to the other device after transmitting the notification information. This produces the effect of receiving multiplexed data transmitted from the other device after the transmission of the notification information, and multiplexing and transmitting data to be transmitted to the other device after the transmission of the notification information.

Further, in the second aspect, the control unit may control to multiplex the data with a multiplexing method that is the same as or different from the notified multiplexing method, and to transmit the data to the other device. This produces an effect of multiplexing the data using the same multiplexing method as or a different multiplexing method from the notified multiplexing method, and transmitting the data to the other device.

Further, in the second aspect, the control unit may multiplex the data with a multiplexing method for the data notified together with a multiplexing method for the notification information, and transmit the data to the other device. This produces an effect of multiplexing the data with the multiplexing method for the data notified together with the multiplexing method for the notification information, and transmitting the data to the other device.

Effects of the invention

The present technology can obtain an excellent effect of enabling reduction in power consumption. Note that the effects described herein are not necessarily restrictive, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may be obtained.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configuration of the base station 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present technique.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of frames used by slave devices 201 to 203 to notify base station 100 of support for triggering multiplexed transmission in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a TIVB managed by the base station 100, according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame format of a TIM transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating PVB that is transmitted from the base station 100 to slave devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique.

Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of TMB generation by the base station 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bitmap transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of channel matrix separation into elements by the base station 100 independently, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique.

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a frame transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a frame transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a frame transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of data transmission processing of the base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a frame transmission process of a data transmission process of the base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the data reception processing of the slave device 201 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of frame reception processing of data reception processing of the slave device 201 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a smartphone.

Fig. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the schematic configuration of the car navigation apparatus.

Fig. 26 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless access point.

Detailed Description

Modes for realizing the present technology (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below. The description will be made in the following order.

1. Embodiment (example in which slave device multiplexes and transmits triggers according to multiplexing method notified by base station)

2. Application example

<1. example >

[ exemplary configuration of communication System ]

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present technology. In the example illustrated in fig. 1, there are 4 information processing apparatuses (the base station 100, the slave apparatus 201, the slave apparatus 202, and the slave apparatus 203), and the connection with one of the 4 information processing apparatuses (for example, the base station 100) is established by the other 3 information processing apparatuses (for example, the slave apparatuses 201 to 203).

For example, the base station 100 and each of the slave devices 201 to 203 may be a stationary or portable information processing device having a wireless communication function. Here, examples of the stationary information processing apparatus include information processing apparatuses such as an access point and a base station in a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) system. Further, examples of the portable information processing apparatus include information processing apparatuses such as smart phones, mobile phones, and tablet terminals.

Further, it is assumed that the base station 100 and each of the slave devices 201 to 203 has a communication function conforming to a wireless LAN standard such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11. For example, the base station 100 and each of the slave devices 201 to 203 may have a communication function conforming to the wireless LAN standard of IEEE 802.11 ax. In addition, as the wireless LAN, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Miracast specifications (technical Specification name: Wi-Fi Display) can be used. Alternatively, wireless communication may be performed using another communication method.

For example, the communication system 10 may be a network (e.g., a mesh network and an ad hoc network) in which a plurality of devices wirelessly communicate in a one-to-one manner so as to be connected to each other. For example, communication system 10 may be applied to a mesh network of IEEE 802.11 s.

Further, for example, the communication system 10 may be a network including an access point (master device) and its subordinate devices (slave devices). In the example provided by the embodiment of the present technology, the base station 100 functions as an access point, and the slave devices 201 to 203 function as accessory devices of the access point (base station 100).

In addition, in fig. 1, an example of a communication path through which the respective devices can directly communicate with each other using wireless communication is shown by a dotted line.

Note that in the embodiment of the present technology, the operation of the transmission source device (transmission-side device) and the operation of the transmission destination device (reception-side device) are separately described for convenience, but both functions may be installed in each device, or only one of the functions may be installed in each device.

Furthermore, the system configuration to which embodiments of the present technology are applied is not limited to the above. For example, although in the example in fig. 1, the communication system including 4 information processing apparatuses is illustrated, the number of information processing apparatuses is not limited thereto. In addition, the connection form of the plurality of information processing apparatuses is not limited to the above-described connection forms. For example, the embodiments of the present technology can also be applied to a network in which a plurality of devices are connected using a connection form other than the above-described connection forms.

[ exemplary functional configuration of information processing apparatus ]

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configuration of the base station 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present technique. Note that since the functional configuration of each of the slave devices 201 to 203 is similar to that of the base station 100, the description thereof is omitted here.

The base station 100 includes a data processing unit 110, a signal processing unit 10, a radio interface unit 130, an antenna 140, a storage unit 150, and a control unit 160.

The data processing unit 110 processes various types of data based on the control of the control unit 160. For example, at the time of data transmission, the data processing unit 110 performs processing of adding a Media Access Control (MAC) header, an error detection code, and the like to data from an upper layer, and generates a packet for wireless transmission. Subsequently, the data processing unit 110 supplies the generated packet to the signal processing unit 120.

Further, for example, at the time of data reception, the data processing unit 110 performs processing of analyzing a header, detecting a packet error, and the like on the bit string received from the signal processing unit 120, and supplies the processed data to an upper layer. Further, for example, the data processing unit 110 notifies the control unit 160 of a header analysis result, a packet error detection result, and the like.

The signal processing unit 120 performs various kinds of signal processing based on the control of the control unit 160. For example, at the time of data transmission, the signal processing unit 120 encodes input data from the data processing unit 110 based on the coding and modulation scheme set by the control unit 160, and adds a preamble and a PHY header. Subsequently, the signal processing unit 120 supplies the transmission symbol stream obtained through the signal processing to the radio interface unit 130.

Also, for example, at the time of data reception, the signal processing unit 120 detects a preamble and a PHY header from a reception symbol stream received from the wireless interface unit 130, performs decoding processing, and supplies it to the data processing unit 110. Further, for example, the signal processing unit 120 notifies the control unit 160 of a PHY header detection result or the like.

The wireless interface unit 130 is an interface for connecting to another information processing apparatus and transmitting and receiving various information by wireless communication based on the control of the control unit 160. For example, at the time of data transmission, the wireless interface unit 130 converts an input from the signal processing unit 120 into an analog signal, amplifies, filters, and up-converts the analog signal to a predetermined frequency, and transmits it to the antenna 140.

In addition, for example, at the time of data reception, the wireless interface unit 130 performs inverse processing of processing for data transmission on an input from the antenna 140, and supplies the processing result to the signal processing unit 120.

The storage unit 150 serves as a work area where the control unit 160 processes data, and as a storage medium that holds various types of data. As the storage unit 150, for example, a storage medium such as a nonvolatile memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical (MO) disk can be used. Note that as the nonvolatile memory, for example, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) or an erasable programmable rom (eprom) can be used. In addition, as the magnetic disk, for example, a hard disk or a disk-shaped magnetic disk can be used. In addition, as the optical disk, for example, a Compact Disc (CD), a digital versatile disc recordable (DVD-R), or a blu-ray disc (BD, registered trademark) can be used.

The control unit 160 controls a receiving operation and a transmitting operation of each of the data processing unit 110, the signal processing unit 120, and the wireless interface unit 130. For example, the control unit 160 causes the respective units to exchange information, sets communication parameters, and schedules packets in the data processing unit 110.

For example, the control unit 160 controls to notify the slave device having the multiplexing function of the multiplexing method for the notification information and the presence of data delivered to the slave device. The notification information indicates that the slave device has transitioned from a function suspend state to a data receivable state. In this case, for example, the control unit 160 may notify the slave device at the timing at which the slave device is estimated to have transitioned from the function suspended state to the data receivable state. Also, for example, the control unit 160 may notify the slave device using a beacon or another frame transmitted after the beacon. Further, for example, the control unit 160 may confirm in advance that the slave device has a multiplexing function for notification information.

As used herein, the notification information is, for example, a PS-Poll, a QoS Null (PM ═ 0), a frame notifying the end of the suspended state of the function, or the like. As used herein, a PS-Poll is a signal indicating the end of a power saving state (e.g., a function suspend state) and indicating a data request. Further, the QoS Null (PM ═ 0) is a signal indicating the end of the power saving state (e.g., the function suspended state). Note that in the description of the embodiments of the present technology, the notification information is referred to as a trigger.

Further, multiplex transmission means that a plurality of signals (data items) are combined and transmitted using one or more shared transmission lines. Further, multiplexed transmission is also referred to as multiplexed transmission, or multiplexed communication. Further, a transmission method of transmitting pieces of data from a plurality of slave devices to one base station at the same timing can be understood as uplink multiplex transmission to the base station.

In addition, a slave device supporting triggered uplink multiplex transmission to a base station (slave device having a trigger multiplex transmission function) is referred to as a slave device having a multiplexing function. In other words, the slave device having the multiplexing function can cooperate with other slave devices to multiplex and transmit pieces of data to the information processing device (perform uplink multiplex transmission). In addition, a slave device that does not support triggered uplink multiplex transmission to a base station (a slave device that does not have a trigger multiplex transmission function) is referred to as a legacy device.

Further, the function suspended state means a state in which at least a part of the functions of the slave device is suspended. For example, the function suspended state may be a state in which the reception function of the slave device is suspended (e.g., a low power consumption state (e.g., a sleep state)). However, for example, it is also assumed that although the slave device is in a low power consumption state with respect to the connected base station, the slave device performs another operation. In addition, it is also assumed that even if a slave device is in a low power consumption state with respect to a connected base station, the slave device is performing an operation for a group other than the connected group. In addition, it is also assumed that even if a slave device is in a low power consumption state with respect to a connected base station, the slave device is searching for a group other than the connected group. Thus, the function suspended state also includes a case where even if the slave device is in a low power consumption state with respect to the connected base station, the slave device is not in a low power consumption state with respect to a device other than the connected base station. In addition, the function suspended state of the base station can be similarly explained.

Further, for example, the control unit 160 controls to receive notification information multiplexed and transmitted by the slave device in accordance with the multiplexing method notified to the slave device. In this case, after receiving the notification information, the control unit 160 may control to multiplex data to be transmitted to the slave device and transmit the data to the slave device. For example, the control unit 160 may control to multiplex data using a multiplexing method that is the same as or different from the multiplexing method notified to the slave device, and transmit the data to the slave device. For example, the control unit 160 may notify a frequency multiplexing method or a spatial multiplexing method as the multiplexing method, multiplex data using the same multiplexing method as the notified frequency multiplexing method or spatial multiplexing method, and transmit the data to the slave device. Specifically, in a case where the control unit 160 has notified the frequency reuse method as the multiplexing method, the control unit 160 may frequency-multiplex data using the same frequency reuse method as the notified frequency reuse method and transmit the data to the slave device. In addition, in the case where the control unit 160 has notified the spatial multiplexing method as the multiplexing method, the control unit 160 may spatially multiplex data using the same spatial multiplexing method as the notified spatial multiplexing method and transmit the data to the slave device.

For example, the control unit 160 may control to notify the slave device of the multiplexing method for data together with the multiplexing method for notification information.

In addition, for example, the control unit 160 may control to notify the slave device of information to be used for multiplex transmission of notification information together with a multiplexing method for the notification information. In this case, for example, the control unit 160 may notify the slave device of the frequency allocation (e.g., center frequency and frequency bandwidth) for frequency multiplexing of the notification information or the matrix index allocation for spatial multiplexing of the notification information, the information on the transmission time for the notification information, and the information on the transmission power for the notification information as information to be used for multiplexed transmission of the notification information. Further, for example, the control unit 160 may notify the slave device using a bitmap (illustrated in fig. 7) generated based on the Partial Virtual Bitmap (PVB).

Further, for example, the control unit (corresponding to the control unit 160) of the slave device may control to multiplex the notification information in accordance with the multiplexing method and transmit the notification information to the base station 100 in response to the multiplexing method for the notification information being notified by the base station 100. For example, in response to the notification of the multiplexing method by the base station 100 at the timing at which the slave device transitions from the function suspended state to the data receivable state, the control unit of the slave device may transmit the notification information to the base station 100 in accordance with the multiplexing method. Further, for example, the control unit of the slave device may notify the base station 100 in advance that the slave device supports multiplexing of the notification information.

In addition, for example, the control unit of the slave device may control to receive multiplexed data transmitted from the base station 100 after transmitting the notification information, and to multiplex and transmit data to be transmitted to the base station 100 after transmitting the notification information.

Further, for example, the control unit of the slave device may control to multiplex data with the same or different multiplexing method as the notified multiplexing method and transmit the data to the base station 100. For example, in the case where the notified multiplexing method is frequency multiplexing, data can be multiplexed using frequency multiplexing based on the same frequency as the notified frequency multiplexing and transmitted to the base station 100. Further, for example, in the case where the notified multiplexing method is spatial multiplexing based on a matrix index, data may be multiplexed using spatial multiplexing based on the same matrix index as the notified spatial multiplexing and transmitted to the base station 100.

Further, for example, the control unit of the slave device may multiplex data using the multiplexing method for data notified together with the multiplexing method for notification information and transmit the data to the base station 100.

[ exemplary configuration for triggering multiplex Transmission of support Notification frame ]

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of frames used by slave devices 201 to 203 to notify base station 100 of support for triggering multiplexed transmission in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. In the example illustrated in fig. 3, an Information Element (IE) for notifying support for triggering multiplex transmission is used.

The IE includes an element ID 301, a length 302, and a trigger multiplex 303. Note that in fig. 3, numerical values indicating octets of the respective fields are indicated below the respective fields. Also similarly, in subsequent figures, values representing octets of the respective fields (or portions thereof) are indicated below the respective fields.

ELEMENT ID 301 contains an ID indicating that this IE informs support for trigger multiplex transmission (indicating that a trigger multiplex transmission function is provided).

Length 302 contains information indicating the data length of the IE.

The trigger mux 303 contains information indicating support for trigger mux transmission (e.g., Trigger Multiplex Capability (TMC).

For example, the base station 100 confirms in advance whether or not the respective slave devices 201 to 203 support trigger multiplexing transmission. For example, by having each of the slave devices 201 to 203 transmit the IE illustrated in fig. 3, the base station 100 can confirm in advance whether the respective slave devices 201 to 203 support trigger multiplexing transmission.

Here, the IE illustrated in fig. 3 may be exchanged at a timing at which some information is exchanged between the base station 100 and the slave devices 201 to 203. For example, the IE illustrated in fig. 3 may be exchanged while capabilities are exchanged through handshaking.

As described above, the base station 100 confirms whether or not the respective slave devices 201 to 203 support the trigger multiplex transmission using the IE illustrated in fig. 3, and manages the confirmation result. For example, the base station 100 may store the confirmation result in the storage unit 150 and manage the confirmation result. For example, the control unit 160 of the base station 100 may manage whether the slave device supports trigger multiplexing transmission as part of capability information managed in association with each slave device.

Example configuration of Traffic Indication Virtual Bitmap (TIVB)

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a TIVB managed by the base station 100, according to an embodiment of the present technology. In the example illustrated in fig. 4, there are 24 slave devices that support trigger multiplex transmission, and each slave device is assigned an Association Identifier (AID). As used herein, an AID is an ID assigned to each slave device so that the base station 100 manages each slave device.

The AID illustrated in the upper side of fig. 4 indicates AIDs allocated to the respective slave devices. In addition, the TIVB bit illustrated in the lower side of fig. 4 is a bit indicating whether or not pieces of data delivered to the corresponding AID are buffered. Specifically, a TIVB bit of 1 indicates that data delivered to the corresponding AID is cached, and a TIVB bit of 0 indicates that data delivered to the corresponding AID is not cached.

As illustrated in fig. 4, whether data delivered to a slave device supporting the trigger multiplexing transmission is buffered is managed through the TIVB.

For example, in the case where data delivered to a slave device in a function suspended state has arrived, the base station 100 temporarily buffers the data, and sets a bit corresponding to the AID of the slave device as a destination of the data to 1 in the TIVB illustrated in fig. 4.

In addition, the base station 100 periodically or aperiodically determines whether data delivered to the slave device in the function suspended state is buffered in the base station 100. Then, in a case where data delivered to the slave device in the function suspended state is buffered in the base station 100, the base station 100 notifies this fact with a beacon. For example, the fact is included in the traffic information message (TIM, illustrated in fig. 5) of the beacon, and the fact is transmitted. Further, the base station 100 may give a notification as to whether or not to cause a plurality of slave devices to transmit a trigger for requesting the buffered data.

For example, it is assumed that pieces of data delivered to a plurality of slave devices in a function suspended state are buffered in the base station 100. In this case, the base station 100 may instruct a plurality of slave devices to multiplex and transmit a trigger for requesting pieces of data delivered to the plurality of slave devices. In the case of such transmission, for example, the respective slave devices may be notified of multiplexing and transmitting a trigger for requesting the respective pieces of data using the IE illustrated in fig. 3. Information indicating that triggers for requesting all pieces of data are multiplexed and transmitted, e.g., a global non-polling delivery advertisement (G-NPDA), is contained in the IE and transmitted.

In addition, the base station 100 may give a notification as to whether or not to trigger multiplexed transmission of data delivered to each AID separately. For example, the base station 100 may notify the slave device of the presence of data delivered to the slave device using a TIM included in the beacon. Subsequently, the base station 100 can transmit the data at the timing at which the slave device enters the receivable state. Note that a TIM used to notify the presence of data is also referred to as a Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM).

Note that the frame formats for the Partial Virtual Bitmap (PVB) and TIM used in embodiments of the present technology are illustrated in fig. 5 and 6.

[ example of frame Format of TIM ]

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame format of a TIM transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

The frame format of the TIM includes an element ID 311, a length 312, a DTIM count 313, a DTIM period 314, a bitmap control 315, and a partial virtual bitmap 316.

The element ID 311 contains an ID indicating that the IE gives a notification to trigger multiplex transmission.

Length 312 contains information indicating the data length of the TIM frame.

The DTIM count 313 contains information indicating the number of beacons until the next beacon.

The DTIM period 314 contains information indicating a value for setting the timing of transmitting data buffered in the base station 100.

Bitmap control 315 contains information about the next field.

The partial virtual bitmap 316 comprises PVB illustrated at the lower side of fig. 6.

[ examples of PVB formation ]

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating PVB that is transmitted from the base station 100 to slave devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique. In addition, the TIVB illustrated at the upper side of fig. 6 is similar to that of fig. 4. Further, fig. 6 illustrates an example of the relationship between TIVB and PVB.

In the case where data delivered to each slave device in the function suspended state is buffered, in the TIVB provided in the base station 100 itself, the base station 100 sets a bit corresponding to the AID of the slave device for which data is buffered to 1. Thus, the base station 100 can manage the presence or absence of data and the destination of the data. In addition, a Partial Virtual Bitmap (PVB), which is a necessary portion of only the TIVB extracted from the TIVB, is specified to be notified to the slave device using the TIM in the beacon.

In addition, in the case of giving a notification of whether to trigger multiplexed transmission for data delivered to each AID separately, the base station 100 may generate a bitmap based on PVB used in IEEE 802.11. For example, when TIM is transmitted in a beacon, the base station 100 extracts only a necessary portion from the TIVB to generate PVB.

In the example illustrated in fig. 6, data delivered to AIDs 1 to 16, 19, 20, and 24 is buffered in the base station 100. Specifically, in the example illustrated in fig. 6, in the case where pieces of data information delivered to slave devices whose AIDs are 1 to 24 are contained in PVB, bits corresponding to AIDs 1 to 16, 19, 20, and 24 are set to 1, and the pieces of data are buffered in the base station 100. In addition, in the example illustrated in fig. 6, a notification that the multiplexed transmission is triggered for AIDs 1 to 16, 19, 20, and 24 is given to each AID. Specifically, in this example, an exemplary bitmap (trigger multiplex bitmap) for notifying a trigger multiplex method applied to a trigger requesting data delivered to each AID will be described based on the PVB illustrated in fig. 6.

For example, all AIDs 1 to 24 may be notified of the trigger multiplexing method. Specifically, for AIDs for which data is buffered, a bitmap is created that contains the information needed to trigger multiplexed transmission. In addition, for AIDs for which data is not cached, a bitmap is created containing null data.

As used herein, information required to trigger multiplex transmission (trigger multiplex transmission information) is, for example, transmission time and specific information. The specific information is, for example, information on triggering multiplexed transmission and information on transmission power for triggering multiplexed transmission (transmission power information). In addition, the information on triggering the multiplex transmission is, for example, frequency channel information (center frequency and frequency width) for use in frequency multiplexing or a matrix index number (illustrated in fig. 13 and 14) for use in spatial multiplexing.

Note that AIDs are exchanged between the base station 100 and the slave devices in advance. Therefore, when the TMB is transmitted, even if the AID is not transmitted, the slave device can grasp the TMB based on the contents of the PVB exchanged in advance.

In addition, unnecessary information may be deleted from the bitmap described above, so that the bitmap is compressed. For example, the bitmap may be configured with only bits corresponding to AIDs for which data is buffered in the base station 100, without arranging bits corresponding to AIDs for which data is not buffered in the base station 100. In this case, since bits corresponding to unnecessary AIDs are deleted, the correspondence between the actually allocated AIDs and the order of the bits is broken. However, the slave device can reconstruct the correspondence based on the content of the original PVB. In this regard, fig. 7 illustrates an example of deleting bits corresponding to unnecessary AIDs to generate a bitmap (trigger multiplexing bitmap (TMB)) for giving a notification of trigger multiplexing transmission.

[ example of producing TMB based on PVB ]

Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of TMB generation by the base station 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. More specifically, fig. 7 illustrates an example in which the base station 100 generates a bitmap (TMB) for notifying a trigger multiplexing method based on PVB. Note that in the TMB of fig. 7, a bit corresponding to an AID in which valid data exists is indicated by V, and null data is indicated by N. Further, in AID 8 in the bottom row of fig. 7, an exemplary content of valid data is illustrated.

For example, as illustrated in the middle row of fig. 7, all AIDs may be notified of information (e.g., transmission time and specific information) required to trigger multiplexed transmission. Specifically, in a bit string corresponding to AIDs 1 to 16, 19, 20, and 24 that support trigger multiplex transmission and for which data is buffered in the base station 100, valid data V is set. In addition, null data N is set in bit strings corresponding to AIDs 17, 18, and 21 to 23 for which data is not buffered in the base station 100. In this way, a bitmap in which valid data V or null data N is set can be used. In addition, the valid data N includes, for example, 20 octets.

As used herein, the valid data is, for example, information (e.g., transmission time and specific information) necessary to trigger multiplex transmission as described above.

Further, for example, as illustrated in the lowermost row of fig. 7, unnecessary information may be deleted from the bitmap, so that the bitmap is compressed.

For example, the bitmap may be configured with only a bit string corresponding to an AID for which data is buffered in the base station 100, without arranging a bit string corresponding to an AID for which data is not buffered in the base station 100. In this case, since bit strings corresponding to unnecessary AIDs are deleted, the correspondence between actually allocated AIDs and the order of bits is broken. However, the slave device can reconstruct the correspondence based on the content of the original PVB. In this way, by deleting bit strings corresponding to unnecessary AIDs (AIDs 17, 18, and 21 to 23), a bitmap (NPIB) for notifying information necessary for triggering multiplexed transmission can be generated. In this way, data can be compressed where the TMB is generated based on PVB.

Here, the trigger multiplexing method notified with various methods described above can be used for multiplexing in exchange of a frame (such as Ack and data) after trigger multiplexing transmission. In addition, as a multiplexing method for switching of frames after trigger multiplexing transmission, a multiplexing method different from the trigger multiplexing method may be notified simultaneously with the trigger multiplexing method.

For example, the TMB illustrated in fig. 7 is extended such that in each AID, valid data including information necessary to trigger multiplex transmission and information necessary for exchange of a frame after the multiplex transmission is triggered is stored. As used herein, the information required to trigger multiplexed transmission is, for example, the transmission time and specific information explained above. Further, the information required for the exchange of the frame after the trigger of the multiplex transmission is, for example, information on the frame transmission timing (for example, transmission time) and information on the multiplexing method used for the exchange of the frame after the trigger of the multiplex transmission. The information on the multiplexing method is, for example, a frequency channel for use in frequency multiplexing or a matrix index number for use in spatial multiplexing.

Here, for example, instead of notifying each AID of information required to trigger multiplexed transmission, AIDs having the same trigger multiplexed transmission information may be grouped and notified of the information. An example of this is illustrated in fig. 8.

[ bitmap in which AIDs having the same trigger multiplex transmission information are grouped ]

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bitmap transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device according to an embodiment of the present technology.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of a bitmap in which AIDs having the same trigger multiplex transmission information (information required for trigger multiplex transmission) are grouped. Specifically, fig. 8 illustrates an example in which AIDs 1 and 7 are a set of AIDs having the same trigger multiplex transmission information, and AIDs 5 and 19 are a set of AIDs having the same trigger multiplex transmission information.

Here, the maximum number of AIDs is 2008, and 11 bits may be required to indicate this information. In this case, the data size may be larger than the bitmap illustrated in fig. 7. Thus, for example, in the case where valid data is indicated by 1 octet, it is preferable that the bitmap should be used after counting in advance the number of AIDs to be given notification about trigger multiplex transmission and then deciding in advance whether the number can be represented by at least 1 octet or less.

Furthermore, the various bitmaps described above may be extended within the TIM frame format illustrated in fig. 5. Further, the respective bitmaps explained above may be notified with a frame other than the beacon. The frame other than the beacon is, for example, a dedicated frame for notifying the respective bitmaps explained above, and may be transmitted immediately after the beacon (for example, after a short interframe space (SIFS)).

[ example of communication ]

An example of communication of data exchanged between a plurality of devices will be described below with reference to fig. 9 to 12 and 17.

Fig. 9 to 12 and 17 illustrate examples in which the base station 100 serves as a data transmission source and the slave devices 201 to 203 serve as data transmission destinations. The horizontal axis illustrated in each of fig. 9 to 12 and 17 indicates a time axis. In addition, the sleep state of each slave device is indicated by a colored rectangle at the lower side of the time axis corresponding to each slave device. In addition, in the case where each slave device is not in the sleep state, it is assumed that each slave device is in the awake state. Further, on the upper side of the time axis corresponding to the base station 100, a frame transmitted from the base station 100 is indicated by a hollow rectangle. In addition, the frame transmitted from each slave device is indicated by a hollow rectangle on the lower side of the time axis corresponding to each slave device. In addition, the Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) is information on the beacon transmission timing.

Further, in the examples illustrated in fig. 9 to 12 and 17, it is assumed that both the base station 100 and the slave device notify information on the transmission time and the transmission power. Further, in fig. 9 to 12 and 17, the frames transmitted at the same time or the overlapping frames mean that the frames are multiplexed to be transmitted.

[ example of data Transmission ]

Fig. 9 and 10 are diagrams schematically illustrating data flows exchanged between devices in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

In the examples illustrated in fig. 9 a and 10, the slave devices 201 and 202 perform trigger multiplexing transmission. Further, in b of fig. 9, as a comparative example, an example in which normal data transmission is performed is illustrated. In addition, in the example illustrated in a and b of fig. 9, data delivered to the slave devices 201 and 202 is buffered in the base station 100.

As illustrated in b of fig. 9, in the case where the slave devices 201 to 203 do not need to communicate, the slave devices can reduce power consumption by shifting from an awake state in which normal operation is performed to a sleep state in which signal transmission/reception is not performed.

In addition, the respective slave devices 201 to 203 in the sleep state are brought into the awake state at regular intervals to confirm whether data delivered to the slave devices themselves is buffered in the base station 100 by a signal from the base station 100. This may be confirmed, for example, using a TIM in the beacon 411.

In this way, the slave devices 201 and 202 transmit data request frames (PS-polls) 412 and 416 to the base station 100 in a state where data delivered to the respective slave devices 201 and 202 is buffered. For example, after transmitting the data request frame 412, the slave device 201 receives the ACK 413 in response to the data request frame 412 and receives the data 414. Subsequently, after transmitting the ACK 415 in response to the data 414, the slave device 201 resumes the sleep state.

Note that the PS-Poll is information for notifying the awake state and the data transmission request. In addition, the PS-Poll is information serving as a trigger for the base station 100 to transmit data to the slave device. Note that the PS-Poll may be, for example, a frame notifying the end of the function suspended state.

Also, for example, after transmitting the data request frame 416, the slave device 202 receives an ACK 417 in response to the data request frame 416 and receives data 418. Subsequently, the slave device 202 resumes the sleep state after sending the ACK 419 in response to the data 418.

As illustrated in b of fig. 9, in case that a plurality of slave devices request data, there is a possibility that a plurality of PS-polls are transmitted from the plurality of slave devices. Thus, by utilizing a collision avoidance algorithm, multiple PS-polls can be sent at different timings. However, in case of sending multiple PS-polls at different timings by using a collision avoidance algorithm, a time loss occurs.

For example, when receiving the data request frame 412 from the slave device 201, the base station 100 transmits the data 414 in response to the data request frame 412. In this case, the slave device 202 cannot transmit during the transmission of the data 414, as indicated by arrow 410. Therefore, it takes a long time for the slave device 202 to return to the sleep state, and power consumption may increase.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present technology, after the base station 100 notifies the slave devices of the presence of data using a beacon, a plurality of slave devices multiplex and transmit a trigger (PS-Poll). In this case, the base station 100 may simultaneously receive a trigger multiplexed to be transmitted from a plurality of slave devices.

In addition, when notifying the slave device of the presence of data using a beacon, the base station 100 notifies the slave device of information on the trigger multiplexing method. In addition, multiple slaves multiplex and send triggers immediately after receiving a beacon (e.g., at SIFS), without utilizing a collision avoidance algorithm.

More specifically, as illustrated in a of fig. 9, the base station 100 transmits a beacon 401 (including the TIM illustrated in fig. 5) to the slave devices 201 to 203. Subsequently, the slave devices 201 and 202 supporting the multiplexed transmission multiplex and transmit the triggers 402 and 403. In addition, in response to the triggers 402 and 403, the base station 100 multiplexes acks 404 and 405 and transmits them to the slave devices 201 and 202. Subsequently, the base station 100 sequentially transmits the data 406 and 408 to the slave devices 201 and 202.

Here, after the Ack 407 is transmitted in response to the data 406, the slave device 201 resumes the sleep state. Further, after the Ack 409 is transmitted in response to the data 408, the slave device 202 resumes the sleep state. Note that the slave device 202 may transition to the sleep state after receiving the multiplexed acks 404 and 405, and may enter the awake state to receive the data 408 before transmission of the data 408. In fig. 10, 11, and the like, this example is illustrated.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example in which the base station 100 does not transmit an Ack in response to a trigger from a plurality of slave devices.

More specifically, as illustrated in fig. 10, the plurality of slave devices 201 and 202 multiplex and transmit the triggers 422 and 423. In addition, the base station 100 transmits data 424 and 426 to the slave devices 201 and 202 without sending back an Ack in response to the triggers 422 and 423.

Here, after the Ack 425 is transmitted in response to the data 424, the slave device 201 resumes the sleep state. In addition, the slave device 202 transitions to the sleep state after multiplexing and sending the trigger 423 and enters the awake state to receive the data 426 before sending the data 426. Subsequently, after Ack 427 is transmitted in response to data 426, the slave device 202 resumes the sleep state. Note that, based on the above-described information (for example, information on the frame transmission timing) required for the exchange of the frame after the trigger of the multiplexing transmission, the timing at which the slave device 202 transits from the sleep state to the awake state after the multiplexing and transmitting trigger 423 can be acquired.

Note that, as described above, it is assumed that the base station 100 confirms in advance whether or not each slave device supports trigger multiplex transmission. For example, as a support confirmation at the time of the prior association, the base station 100 may confirm whether or not each slave device supports the trigger multiplex transmission. Further, for example, the base station 100 may confirm whether or not each slave device supports trigger multiplexing transmission as a response to a request from the base station 100. In addition, for example, the base station 100 may confirm whether the slave device supports trigger multiplex transmission through an autonomous notification from the slave device.

Here, as the trigger multiplexing method, for example, frequency multiplexing (e.g., Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)) or spatial multiplexing may be used.

In addition, the trigger multiplexing method may be determined based on a slave device connected to the base station 100. For example, which multiplexing method to use may be determined based on a multiplexing method supported by a slave device connected to the base station 100. In addition, the multiplexing method may be determined based on the number of slave devices capable of simultaneous transmission through frequency multiplexing or spatial multiplexing and the number of slave devices performing simultaneous transmission in the target system. For example, in the case where the number of slave devices capable of simultaneous transmission by frequency multiplexing is equal to or greater than the number of slave devices capable of simultaneous transmission, but the number of slave devices capable of simultaneous transmission by spatial multiplexing is smaller than the number of slave devices capable of simultaneous transmission, frequency multiplexing is specified as a multiplexing method.

[ example of trigger multiplex transmission and Ack multiplex transmission by frequency multiplexing ]

Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 11 illustrates an example in which trigger multiplex transmission and Ack multiplex transmission are performed by frequency multiplexing.

First, the base station 100 transmits a beacon 431 (including TIM illustrated in fig. 5) to the slave devices 201 to 203. Subsequently, the slave devices 201 and 202 supporting multiplexed transmission frequency-multiplex the triggers 432 and 433 for transmission. In addition, the base station 100 frequency multiplexes the acks 434 and 435 in response to the triggers 432 and 433 and transmits them to the slave devices 201 and 202. Subsequently, the base station 100 transmits the data 436 and 438 to the slave devices 201 and 202.

Here, after the Ack 437 is transmitted in response to the data 436, the slave device 201 resumes the sleep state. In addition, the slave device 202 transitions to the sleep state after receiving the multiplexed acks 434 and 435 and enters the awake state to receive the data 438 before transmission of the data 438. Subsequently, after the Ack 439 is transmitted by the response data 438, the slave device 202 resumes the sleep state.

Note that fig. 11 illustrates an example in which triggers 432 and 433, and acks 434 and 435 are multiplexed and transmitted. However, the method of transmitting the Ack and the data after triggering the multiplex transmission is not limited to the method illustrated in fig. 11. For example, data 436 and 438 may also be multiplexed for transmission. An example of this is illustrated in fig. 12. In addition, for example, the multiplexing method of the triggers 432 and 433 and the multiplexing method of the acks 434 and 435 may be different from each other.

[ examples of trigger multiplex transmission, Ack multiplex transmission, and data multiplex transmission by frequency multiplexing ]

Fig. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 12 illustrates an example in which trigger multiplex transmission, Ack multiplex transmission, and data multiplex transmission are performed by frequency multiplexing.

First, the base station 100 transmits a beacon 441 (including TIM illustrated in fig. 5) to the slave devices 201 to 203. Subsequently, the slave devices 201 and 202 supporting multiplexed transmission frequency-multiplex the triggers 442 and 443 for transmission. In addition, the base station 100 frequency multiplexes the acks 444 and 445 in response to the triggers 442 and 443 and transmits them to the slave devices 201 and 202.

Subsequently, the base station 100 frequency-multiplexes the data 446 and 447 and transmits them to the slave devices 201 and 202. Subsequently, the slave devices 201 and 202 frequency-multiplex the acks 448 and 449 in response to the data 446 and 447, and transmit them to the base station 100.

Here, a multiplexing method for the respective pieces of data (acks 444 and 445, data 446 and 447, and acks 448 and 449) after the multiplexed transmission of the triggers 442 and 443 will be explained. The multiplexing method for the pieces of data after the multiplexed transmission of the triggers 442 and 443 may be a frequency multiplexing method similar to the multiplexing method for the triggers 442 and 443 or a frequency multiplexing method different from the multiplexing method for the triggers 442 and 443. In this way, in the case where the multiplexing method is different from the multiplexing method used for the triggers 442 and 443, the respective slave devices are notified of the different multiplexing method by the above-described information necessary for the exchange of frames after the trigger of the multiplexing transmission.

In this way, the Ack and the data after the trigger multiplex transmission can be frequency-multiplexed based on the frequency multiplex method notified together with the information necessary for the trigger multiplex transmission or based on the frequency multiplex method notified separately.

[ example of spatial multiplexing Transmission ]

Here, a matrix and a matrix index number used for spatial multiplexing transmission will be explained. In addition, in the example explained here, as shown in the following equation 1, an encoding matrix including 4 rows and 4 columns is used.

[ mathematical formula 1]

For example, when triggers from n slave devices are spatially multiplexed, a coding matrix including n columns and n rows is prepared as information known to both the base station and the slave devices. However, in the case where the respective slave devices utilize a plurality of spatial streams, a value obtained based on the number of slave devices and the number of spatial streams used by each slave device (the total number of spatial streams used by the respective slave devices) is set to n. In addition, in the case where n is an odd number equal to or greater than 3, an even number that is greater than the odd number by 1 is set as n.

In the example explained here, it is assumed that 4 slave devices are multiplexed and n-4 is satisfied for ease of explanation. An exemplary coding matrix comprising 4 rows and 4 columns is shown in equation 1.

For example, in the case where each of the two slave devices a and B uses one spatial stream (SSA and SSB), and the other slave device C uses two spatial streams (SSC1 and SSC2), then n ═ 4 is satisfied.

Further, for example, in the case where one slave D uses one Spatial Stream (SSD), and the other slave E uses two spatial streams (SSD1 and SSD2), then n ═ 3 is satisfied. In this case, however, since n is an odd number equal to or greater than 3, an even number (4) greater than the odd number (3) by 1 is set as n so that n-4 is satisfied.

In addition, for ease of explanation, a matrix including n columns and n rows is denoted by M, and elements in the ith row and jth column are denoted by Mij. For example, M23 indicates an element in the second row and the third column.

In the case where triggers from 4 slaves are spatially multiplexed, 4 Long Training Fields (LTFs) 1 to 4, or first to fourth LTFs, are added to the header of the frame of each trigger. These 4 LTFs are common to all slave devices and are also known to the base station. Among the 4 slave devices, one slave device is assigned the ith row of the M matrix. In this case, the ith row of the allocation includes 4 elements, and 4 LTFs 1 to 4 or first to fourth LTFs are multiplied by the 4 elements (Mi1 to Mi4) or first to fourth elements in this order.

Similarly, other slaves are assigned different rows and the corresponding LTFs are multiplied by the elements in a similar manner.

In the example illustrated in fig. 13, the LTFs and the encoding matrices are multiplied on the assumption that the slave devices 211 to 214 serve as 4 slave devices.

[ example of encoded frame for spatial multiplexing Transmission ]

Fig. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

In fig. 13, R1 to R4 indicate received signals in the base station 100 and indicate received signals in slots corresponding to the first to fourth LTFs. In short, Rn means a received signal of the base station 100 in the nth slot. In addition, H indicates a channel matrix from the slave devices 211 to 214 to the base station 100.

Here, the base station 100 can independently separate the channel matrix H into respective elements by adding or subtracting 4 received signals R1 to R4. In addition, the base station 100 may extract an original signal by multiplying the received signal by an inverse matrix of the separated channel matrix. In this regard, fig. 14 illustrates a flow of independently separating the channel matrix H into respective elements.

[ example of independent separation of channel matrix into elements ]

Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of channel matrix separation into elements by the base station 100 independently, in accordance with an embodiment of the present technique.

In this way, the base station 100 can perform spatial multiplexing by notifying the respective slave devices of the row number of the coding matrix. For example, the base station 100 notifies a row number as matrix index number and as multiplexing method information.

In addition, the matrix index numbers are assigned not only to the respective slave devices but also to the respective spatial streams used by the respective slave devices. For example, assume that each of two slave devices a and B uses one spatial stream (SSA and SSB), and one slave device C uses two spatial streams (SSC1 and SSC 2). In this case, matrix index numbers are assigned to SSA, SSB, SSC1, and SSC 2. In other words, the slave device C is assigned a total of two matrix index numbers.

In addition, in the case where the number of spatial streams used for spatial multiplexing is an odd number equal to or greater than 3, the encoded LTFs are provided such that the number of encoded LTFs is equal to an even number that is 1 greater than the odd number. In this case, since the matrix index numbers are 1 greater than the number of spatial streams, the remaining 1 matrix index number remains unassigned to any spatial stream. Thus, a portion of the coding matrix is lost. However, if the number of rows of the coding matrix information that can be received by the base station 100 is equal to the number of spatial streams, the base station 100 can extract the signal.

Further, as the frame illustrated in fig. 13, a slave device for notifying that the trigger multiplex transmission function cannot be understood may be used which cannot understand the trigger multiplex transmission function. Exemplary configurations of such frames are illustrated in fig. 15 and 16, respectively.

[ exemplary configuration of frame ]

Fig. 15 and 16 are both diagrams illustrating exemplary configurations of frames transmitted from the base station 100 to slave devices, in accordance with embodiments of the present technique.

Fig. 15 illustrates an example encoded LTF frame in which a configuration of a High Throughput (HT) -mixed format Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) specified in IEEE 802.11 is employed.

In fig. 15, the encoded LTFs correspond to respective portions indicated by the data HT-LTF (321) and the extension HT-LTF (322).

Fig. 16 illustrates an exemplary encoded LTF frame in which a configuration of an HT-greenfield (greenfield) format PPDU specified in IEEE 802.11 is employed.

In fig. 16, the encoded LTFs correspond to respective portions indicated by the data HT-LTF (331) and the extension HT-LTF (332).

[ example of triggered multiplex Transmission by spatial multiplexing ]

Fig. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 17 illustrates an example in which trigger multiplexing transmission is performed by spatial multiplexing.

In fig. 17, each rectangle 452 and 454 indicating a frame means a Long Training Field (LTF) including n fields containing partial information of a matrix including n columns and n rows corresponding to the number n of slave devices for multiplexing.

First, the base station 100 transmits a beacon 451 (including TIM illustrated in fig. 5) to the slave devices 201 to 203. Subsequently, the slave devices 201 and 202 supporting the multiplexed transmission spatially multiplex and transmit triggers 452 to 455 including nLTF.

Here, in the case of transmitting Ack or data from the base station 100 to a plurality of slave devices, the Ack or data may be multiplexed and transmitted using another utilization method, instead of being spatially multiplexed and transmitted. For example, the base station 100 frequency multiplexes the acks 456 and 457 and transmits them to the slave devices 201 and 202 in response to the triggers 452 to 455.

Subsequently, the base station 100 transmits the data 458 and 460 to the slave devices 201 and 202. Subsequently, the slave devices 201 and 202 transmit acks 459 and 461 to the base station 100 in response to the data 458 and 460. Note that some or all of the frames (e.g., Ack and data) after the trigger may be multiplexed and transmitted as described above.

In the examples illustrated in fig. 9 to 12 and 17, the method of transmitting the frame (e.g., Ack and data) after the multiplexed trigger is not limited to the methods illustrated in fig. 9 to 12 and 17. For example, in the case of an Ack from the base station 100 in response to a trigger from a slave device, the Ack may be sequentially and continuously transmitted to one or more slave devices, or acks delivered to a plurality of different slave devices may be concatenated for transmission. Alternatively, the Ack may undergo frequency multiplexing or spatial multiplexing for transmission, may be transmitted in response to an Ack request, or may transmit a frame including information indicating that the Ack is delivered to a plurality of slave devices.

In addition, in the case of a frame including information indicating that Ack is delivered to a plurality of slave devices, one or more slave devices may request transmission using the frame. Fig. 18 illustrates an example of a frame including information indicating that an Ack is delivered to a plurality of slave devices.

[ example of frame including information indicating that Ack is delivered to a plurality of slave devices ]

Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a frame transmitted from the base station 100 to a slave device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology.

The frame illustrated in fig. 18 includes a frame control 331, a duration/ID 332, a Receiver Address (RA)333, a Transmitter Address (TA)334, a BA control 335, BA information 336, an AID 337, and an ACK/BA 338.

The frame control 331 contains information indicating that the frame includes information indicating that an Ack is delivered to a plurality of slave devices.

duration/ID 332 contains information indicating the duration of the frame.

RA 333 may contain information indicating the address of the destination device. In this case, information indicating that the Ack is delivered to the plurality of slave devices may be included.

TA 334 contains information indicating the address of the transmission source device.

BA control 335 contains information about the frame (e.g., an identifier of the frame).

The BA information 336 includes at least AID 337 as a destination of the Ack and a field indicating Ack/BA (Ack/BA 338). Further, as illustrated in fig. 18, a field indicating at least AIDs may be repeatedly arranged in the BA information 336 so that the number of repetitions is equal to the number of AIDs.

Here, the timing of performing frequency-multiplexed communication (e.g., OFDMA) or spatial-multiplexed communication will be explained. In the case of performing frequency-multiplexed communication or spatial-multiplexed communication, for example, it is preferable that the frequency-multiplexed communication or spatial-multiplexed communication be performed immediately after the release of the function suspended state.

For example, assume that the previous state is not a function suspended state but a normal state. In this case, how many data delivered to a plurality of slave devices are buffered in the base station 100 at a certain time is determined based on the probability of delivering the data delivered to each slave device from the upper layer of the base station 100 corresponding to each traffic. Thus, the efficiency of multiplexing for multiple slave devices varies with traffic conditions. In another case, by inserting unnecessary delays, data delivered to multiple slave devices need not be buffered, but this can lead to inefficiencies.

However, immediately after each slave device releases the function suspended state, data delivered to each slave device that was in the function suspended state is generally buffered in the base station 100. Therefore, the probability that data delivered to a plurality of slave devices is buffered immediately after the function suspended state is high, and it can be considered that the efficiency is improved by means of multiplexing.

[ communication example in which slave devices having a multiplexing function and legacy devices coexist ]

Fig. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data exchanged between devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 19 illustrates an example in which a slave device having a multiplexing function and a legacy device coexist. Specifically, fig. 19 illustrates an example in which the slave device 203 is a slave device (legacy device) having no trigger multiplexing transmission function. Note that in fig. 19, the random backoff period is schematically indicated by a plurality of squares.

First, the base station 100 transmits a beacon 471 (including TIM illustrated in fig. 5) to the slave devices 201 to 203. Subsequently, the slave devices 201 and 202 supporting the multiplexed transmission multiplex and transmit the triggers 472 and 473. In addition, the base station 100 multiplexes acks 474 and 475 in response to the triggers 472 and 473 and transmits them to the slave devices 201 and 202.

In this way, the multiplexed triggers 472 and 473 are sent immediately after the reception of the beacon (e.g., after SIFS), without using a collision avoidance algorithm (random backoff).

Subsequently, the base station 100 transmits the data 476 and 478 to the slave devices 201 and 202. Subsequently, in response to the data 476 and 478, the slave devices 201 and 202 transmit acks 477 and 479 to the base station 100.

In addition, the slave device 203, which is a legacy device, transmits a trigger (PS-Poll)482 using a collision avoidance algorithm (random backoff 480 and 481). Specifically, the slave device 203 sends a trigger (PS-Poll)482 after a predetermined period of time (distributed interframe space (DIFS) (> SIFS) + random backoff) has elapsed after reception of the beacon.

In this way, the slave devices 201 and 202 having the trigger multiplexing transmission function multiplex and transmit the triggers 472 and 473 immediately after receiving the beacon (e.g., after SIFS), without using the collision avoidance algorithm (random backoff). On the other hand, the slave device 203, which is a legacy device, uses a collision avoidance algorithm (random backoff 480 and 481) to transmit the trigger 482.

Therefore, the slave device having the trigger multiplex transmission function can preferentially start the exchange of the frame. In addition, the legacy device may start the exchange of the frame after the exchange of the frame of the slave device having the multiplexing function.

[ operation example of base station ]

Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of data transmission processing of the base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

It is assumed that the base station 100 receives information on a period (function suspension period) during which the slave device is in the function suspension state from the slave device periodically or aperiodically. Further, it is assumed that the control unit 160 of the base station 100 sequentially receives data delivered to the slave device in the function suspended state from the upper layer.

First, the control unit 160 of the base station 100 determines whether it is time to transmit a beacon (step S801). If the time is not the time for transmitting the beacon (step S801), the monitoring is continued.

If it is the time to transmit the beacon (step S801), the control unit 160 determines whether or not the data delivered to the slave device that supports trigger multiplexing is buffered (step S802).

In the case where data delivered to the slave device supporting the trigger multiplex is buffered (step S802), the control unit 160 transmits information necessary for triggering the multiplex transmission to the slave device (step S803). Here, the information required to trigger multiplex transmission is, for example, transmission time and multiplexing method. Note that steps S801 to S803 are examples of control steps of notification described in the claims.

Subsequently, the control unit 160 receives the multiplexed trigger from each slave device to which the information necessary for triggering the multiplexed transmission has been transmitted (step S804). Subsequently, the control unit 160 determines whether or not it is set to designate the transmission Ack to be multiplexed (step S805).

In the case where the setting specifies that the transmission Ack is to be multiplexed (step S805), the control unit 160 determines whether the multiplexing method for the Ack has been notified to each slave device (step S806). In the case where the multiplexing method for Ack has been notified to the respective slave devices (step S806), the control unit 160 multiplexes and transmits Ack with the multiplexing method for Ack notified to the respective slave devices (step S807).

In a case where the multiplexing method for Ack has not been notified to the respective slave devices (step S806), the control unit 160 determines whether setting is made to designate that Ack is to be multiplexed and transmitted by the same method as the multiplexing method for triggering multiplexed transmission (step S808). Note that the multiplexing method for triggering multiplexed transmission has been notified to the respective slave devices as information necessary for triggering multiplexed transmission. In addition, for example, in the case where the multiplexing method for triggering multiplexed transmission is frequency multiplexing, the multiplexing method of Ack multiplexed transmission may be the same frequency multiplexing.

In the case where the setting specifies multiplexing and transmission of an Ack by the same multiplexing method as that used for triggering the multiplexing transmission (step S808), the control unit 160 multiplexes and transmits an Ack by the same multiplexing method as that used for triggering the multiplexing transmission (step S807).

If it is set that multiplexing and transmission of an Ack by the same multiplexing method as that used for triggering multiplexing transmission is not designated (step S808), the control unit 160 multiplexes and transmits an Ack by a method different from that used for triggering multiplexing transmission (step S810). For example, the control unit 160 may multiplex and transmit the Ack using a multiplexing method by default (multiplexing) in which the slave device can expect to receive the Ack.

If it is set that multiplexing is not designated and an Ack is transmitted (step S805), the control unit 160 transmits an Ack without multiplexing (step S811).

In the case where data delivered to the slave device supporting trigger multiplexing is not buffered (step S802), the control unit 160 performs a normal trigger process (step S812).

After the Ack transmission processing is performed (steps S807, S809, S810, and S811), or after the trigger processing of the bed (step S812), the frame transmission processing is performed (step S820). The frame transmission process will be described in detail with reference to fig. 21.

Subsequently, the control unit 160 determines whether there is data delivered to the slave device that does not support trigger multiplexing (step S813). Subsequently, in the case where there is data delivered to the slave device which does not support trigger multiplexing (step S813), the processing returns to step S812, and the normal trigger processing is performed.

In the case where there is no data delivered to the slave device which does not support the trigger multiplexing (step S813), the operation of the data transmission processing is terminated.

[ example of frame Transmission processing ]

Fig. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of frame transmission processing (step S820 illustrated in fig. 20) of data transmission processing of the base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

First, the control unit 160 determines whether setting is designated to multiplex and transmit data (step S821). In the case where the setting specifies that data is to be multiplexed and transmitted (step S821), the control unit 160 determines whether or not the multiplexing method for data has been notified to each slave device (step S822).

In the case where the multiplexing method for data has been notified to each slave device (step S822), the control unit 160 multiplexes and transmits data using the multiplexing method for data notified to each slave device (step S823).

In a case where the multiplexing method for data has not been notified to each slave device (step S822), the control unit 160 determines whether or not it is set to designate data to be multiplexed and transmitted by the same method as the multiplexing method for triggering multiplexed transmission (step S824). Note that the multiplexing method for triggering multiplexed transmission has been notified to the respective slave devices as information necessary for triggering multiplexed transmission.

In the case where it is set to designate multiplexing and transmission of data by the same multiplexing method as that for triggering multiplexing transmission (step S824), the control unit 160 multiplexes and transmits data by the same multiplexing method as that for triggering multiplexing transmission (step S825).

If it is set that multiplexing and transmission of data by the same multiplexing method as that used to trigger multiplexing transmission is not designated (step S824), control section 160 multiplexes and transmits data by a method different from the multiplexing method used to trigger multiplexing transmission (step S826). For example, the control unit 160 may multiplex and transmit data using a multiplexing method by which a slave device is expected to receive data by default.

In the case where it is set that data is not designated to be multiplexed and transmitted (step S821), the control unit 160 transmits data without multiplexing (step S827).

After performing the data transmission processing (steps S823 and S825 to S827), the control unit 160 receives acks from the respective slave devices in response to the transmitted data (step S828).

Here, in the case where it is difficult to notify the Ack multiplexing method in advance, or in the case where the overhead corresponding to the information cannot be allowed, it is desirable to use a frame that can be received even without the prior notification (for example, a frame illustrated in fig. 18).

[ operation example of slave device ]

Fig. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the data reception processing of the slave device 201 according to an embodiment of the present technology. Fig. 22 illustrates an example in which the slave device 201 is initially in a sleep state.

First, the control unit (corresponding to the control unit 160 illustrated in fig. 2) of the slave device 201 determines whether it is time to shift to the awake state (step S831). If it is not time to transition to the awake state (step S831), the monitoring is continued.

In the case of the time to shift to the awake state (step S831), the slave device 201 shifts to the awake state, and the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether or not the beacon has been received (step S832). In the case where the beacon is not received (step S832), the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether it is time to shift to the sleep state (step S833).

If it is time to shift to the sleep state (step S833), the slave device 201 shifts to the sleep state (step S839). If it is not time to shift to the sleep state (step S833), the process returns to step S832.

In the case where the beacon has been received (step S832), the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether or not the data delivered to the slave device 201 itself is buffered in the base station 100 based on the information (for example, PVB illustrated in fig. 6) contained in the received beacon (step S834). In a case where the data delivered to the slave device 201 itself is not buffered in the base station 100 (step S834), the process advances to step S839. Note that in the case where the data delivered to the slave device 201 itself is not buffered in the base station 100 (step S834), the process may advance to step S839 at the timing of transition to the sleep state.

In a case where data delivered to the slave device 201 itself is buffered in the base station 100 (step S834), the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether or not information necessary for triggering multiplex transmission is included in the received beacon (step S835). In the case where the information necessary to trigger the multiplex transmission is included in the received beacon (step S835), the control unit of the slave device 201 multiplexes the trigger based on the information necessary to trigger the multiplex transmission, and transmits the multiplexed trigger to the base station 100 (step S836). Note that steps S831 to S836 are examples of control steps of transmission described in the claims.

Subsequently, a frame reception process is performed (step S840). The frame reception process will be described in detail with reference to fig. 23.

Subsequently, the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether it is time to shift to the sleep state (step S838). If it is not time to shift to the sleep state (step S838), the monitoring is continued.

If it is time to shift to the sleep state (step S838), the slave device shifts to the sleep state (step S839).

Further, in a case where information necessary to trigger multiplex transmission is not included in the received beacon (step S835), the control unit of the slave device 201 performs a normal trigger transmission process and a normal frame exchange process (step S837), and the process proceeds to step S838.

[ example of frame reception processing ]

Fig. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a frame reception process (step S840 illustrated in fig. 22) of the data reception process of the slave device 201 according to an embodiment of the present technology.

First, the control unit of the slave device 201 receives Ack and data from the base station 100 (step S841).

Subsequently, the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether or not it is set to designate the transmission Ack to be multiplexed in response to the received data (step S842). In the case where the designation of the transmission-to-multiplex Ack is set (step S842), the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether or not the information necessary for the Ack multiplex transmission has been received (step S843). For example, the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether or not information necessary for Ack multiplexing transmission is included in the received beacon (step S843).

Having received the information necessary for Ack multiplexing transmission (step S843), the control unit of the slave device 201 multiplexes the Ack based on the information necessary for Ack multiplexing transmission and transmits the multiplexed Ack to the base station 100 (step S844).

In the case where the information necessary for the Ack multiplexing transmission is not received (step S843), the control unit of the slave device 201 determines whether or not it is set to designate to multiplex and transmit the Ack with the same method as the multiplexing method for triggering the multiplexing transmission (step S845). Note that the multiplexing method for triggering multiplexed transmission has been notified to the respective slave devices as information necessary for triggering multiplexed transmission.

In the case where the setting specifies that the Ack is to be multiplexed and transmitted by the same multiplexing method as that used for triggering the multiplexed transmission (step S845), the control unit of the slave device 201 multiplexes and transmits the Ack by the same multiplexing method as that used for triggering the multiplexed transmission (step S846).

In the case where it is set that Ack is not designated to be multiplexed and transmitted by the same multiplexing method as that used for triggering multiplexed transmission (step S845), the control unit of the slave device 201 multiplexes and transmits Ack by a method different from the multiplexing method used for triggering multiplexed transmission (step S847).

In the case where it is set that the transmission Ack is not designated to be multiplexed (step S842), the control unit of the slave device 201 transmits the Ack without multiplexing (step S848).

Here, in the Ack multiplexing method illustrated in fig. 23, multiplex communication can be performed without going through the coordination process with a plurality of slave devices again, generally by using a method notified in advance, or by using the same multiplexing method as the trigger multiplexing.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present technology, by multiplexing triggers such as PS-polls, it is possible to reduce the time loss caused by the collision avoidance algorithm and the time loss caused by a communication by one slave device causing a communication failure in another slave device. As a result, the time for which the slave device is in the function suspended state including the sleep state can be increased, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Further, for example, by using multiplexing immediately after the function suspended state is released, multiplexed communication can be efficiently performed.

In addition, information required to multiplex a trigger such as a PS-Poll can be efficiently conveyed.

Further, the base station 100 and the slave devices 201 to 203 according to the embodiment of the present technology can be applied to devices used in various fields. For example, they can be applied to wireless devices used in automobiles (e.g., car navigation devices and smart phones). Further, for example, they may be applied to learning devices (e.g., tablet terminals) used in the field of education. Furthermore, they can be applied to, for example, wireless devices used in the agricultural field (e.g., terminals of livestock management systems). Similarly, they can be applied to various wireless devices used in the sports field, the medical field, and the like, for example.

<2 > application example >

The techniques according to the present disclosure may be applied to a variety of products. For example, the base station 100 and the slave devices 201 to 203 may be implemented as a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a notebook PC, a portable game terminal, or a digital camera, a fixed terminal such as a television, a printer, a digital scanner, or a network storage device, or a vehicle-mounted terminal such as a car navigation device. In addition, the base station 100 and the slave devices 201 to 203 may be implemented as terminals (also referred to as Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminals) that perform inter-machine (M2M) communication, such as smart meters, vending machines, remote monitoring devices, or point of sale (POS) terminals. Further, the base station 100 and the slave devices 201 to 203 may be wireless communication modules (e.g., integrated circuit modules including one die) mounted in each of these terminals.

On the other hand, the base station 100 may be implemented as a wireless LAN access point (also referred to as a wireless base station) with or without a router function, for example. Further, the base station 100 may be implemented as a mobile wireless LAN router. Further, the base station 100 may be a wireless communication module (e.g., an integrated circuit module including one die) installed in each of these devices.

[2-1. first application example ]

Fig. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a smartphone 900 to which techniques according to the present disclosure may be 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, a display device 910, 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 Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a system on a chip (SoC), and controls functions of an application layer and other layers of the smartphone 900. The memory 902 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only Memory (ROM), and stores programs executed by the processor 901 and data. The storage device 903 may include 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 Universal Serial Bus (USB) device to the smartphone 900.

The camera 906 has, for example, an image sensor such as a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS), and generates a photographed image. The sensor 907 may include, for example, a group of sensors such as a positioning sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor. The microphone 908 converts sound input to the smartphone 900 into an audio signal. The input device 909 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a keypad, a keyboard, buttons, switches, and the like that detect a touch on the screen of the display device 910, and receives an operation or information input from a 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 an output image of the smartphone 900. The speaker 911 converts an audio signal output from the smartphone 900 into sound.

The wireless communication interface 913 supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, and 11ad, and performs wireless communication. The wireless communication interface 913 can communicate with other devices via the wireless LAN access point in the infrastructure mode. In addition, the wireless communication interface 913 may communicate directly with other devices in an ad-hoc mode or a Direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct. Note that in Wi-Fi Direct, unlike the ad hoc mode, one of two communication terminals acts as an access point, but communication is performed directly between the terminals. The wireless communication interface 913 may generally include a baseband processor, Radio Frequency (RF) circuits, power amplifiers, and so forth. The wireless communication interface 913 may be a single-chip module in which a memory storing a communication control program, a processor executing the program, and a related circuit are integrated. The wireless communication interface 913 may support other types of wireless communication methods, such as a near field wireless communication method, a proximity wireless communication method, or a cellular communication method, in addition to the wireless LAN method. The antenna switch 914 switches the connection destination of the antenna 915 among a plurality of circuits (for example, circuits for different wireless communication methods) included in the wireless communication interface 913. The antenna 915 has one or more antenna elements (e.g., a plurality of antenna elements constituting a MIMO antenna), and is used for transmission and reception of wireless signals by the wireless communication interface 913.

Note that the smartphone 900 is not limited to the example of fig. 24, and may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an antenna for wireless LAN, an antenna for proximity wireless communication method, and the like). In this case, the antenna switch 914 may be removed from the configuration of the smartphone 900.

The bus 917 connects the processor 901, the memory 902, the storage 903, the external connection interface 904, the camera 906, the sensor 907, the microphone 908, the input device 909, the display device 910, the speaker 911, the wireless communication interface 913, and the auxiliary controller 919. The battery 918 supplies power to the respective blocks of the smartphone 900 illustrated in fig. 24 through a power supply line partially indicated by a broken line in the drawing. The secondary controller 919 operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone 900, for example, in a sleep mode.

In the smartphone 900 illustrated in fig. 24, the control unit 160 described with reference to fig. 2 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 913. In addition, at least a portion of these functions may be implemented in the processor 901 or the secondary controller 919. For example, by triggering the execution of the multiplexed transmission, the power consumption of the battery 918 may be reduced.

Note that processor 901 may perform access point functions at the application layer to cause smartphone 900 to function as a wireless access point (software AP). Further, the wireless communication interface 913 may have a wireless access point function.

[2-2 ] second application example ]

Fig. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a car navigation device 920 to which the technique according to the present disclosure is applicable. The car navigation device 920 includes a processor 921, a memory 922, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 924, a sensor 925, a data interface 926, a content player 927, a storage medium interface 928, 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 an SoC, and controls the navigation function and other functions of the car navigation device 920. The memory 922 includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores programs executed by the processor 921 and data.

The GPS module 924 measures the position (e.g., latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the car navigation device 920 using GPS signals received from GPS satellites. The sensors 925 may include, for example, a set of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a barometric sensor. The data interface 926 is connected to an in-vehicle network 941, for example, through a terminal (not shown), and acquires data generated on the vehicle side, such as vehicle speed data.

The content player 927 reproduces content stored in a storage medium (e.g., a CD or DVD) inserted in the storage medium interface 928. The input device 929 includes, for example, a touch sensor, a button, a switch, or the like that detects a touch on the screen of the display device 930, and receives an operation or information input from a user. The display device 930 has a screen such as an LCD or OLED display, and displays a navigation function or an image of reproduced content. The speaker 931 outputs a navigation function or a sound of reproduced content.

The wireless communication interface 933 supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, and 11ad, and performs wireless communication. The wireless communication interface 933 may communicate with other devices via a wireless LAN access point in an infrastructure mode. In addition, the wireless communication interface 933 may communicate directly with other devices in an ad-hoc mode or a Direct communication mode such as Wi-Fi Direct. Wireless communication interface 933 may generally include a baseband processor, Radio Frequency (RF) circuits, power amplifiers, and so forth. The wireless communication interface 933 may be a monolithic module in which a memory storing a communication control program, a processor executing the program, and associated circuits are integrated. The wireless communication interface 933 may support other types of wireless communication methods such as a near-field wireless communication method, a proximity wireless communication method, or a cellular communication method, in addition to the wireless LAN method. The antenna switch 934 switches the connection destination of the antenna 935 between a plurality of circuits included in the wireless communication interface 933. The antenna 935 has one or more antenna elements and is used by the wireless communication interface 933 for the transmission and reception of wireless signals.

Note that the car navigation device 920 is not limited to the example of fig. 25, and may include a plurality of antennas. In this case, the antenna switch 934 may be removed from the configuration of the car navigation device 920.

The battery 938 supplies power to the respective blocks of the car navigation device 920 illustrated in fig. 25 through a power supply line partially indicated by a dotted line in the drawing. Further, the battery 938 accumulates electric power supplied from the vehicle side.

In the car navigation device 920 illustrated in fig. 25, the control unit 160 described with reference to fig. 2 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 933. Additionally, at least a portion of these functions may be implemented in the processor 921.

Further, the wireless communication interface 933 may function as the base station 100 described above to provide wireless connection to a terminal carried by a user riding in a vehicle.

In addition, the technology according to the present disclosure may be implemented as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 940 including one or more of the above-described blocks of the car navigation device 920, an in-vehicle network 941, and a vehicle-side module 942. The vehicle-side module 942 generates vehicle-side data such as a vehicle speed, an engine speed, or failure information, and outputs the generated data to the in-vehicle network 941.

[2-3 ] third application example ]

Fig. 26 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless access point 950 to which techniques according to the present disclosure may be applied. Wireless access point 950 includes controller 951, memory 952, input device 954, display 955, network interface 957, wireless communication interface 963, antenna switch 964, and antenna 965.

The controller 951 may be, for example, a CPU or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and performs various functions (e.g., access restriction, routing, encryption, firewall, log management, etc.) at the Internet Protocol (IP) layer and higher layers of the wireless access point 950. The memory 952 includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores programs to be executed by the controller 951 and various control data (e.g., a terminal list, a routing table, an encryption key, security settings, a log, etc.).

The input device 954 includes, for example, a button, a switch, and the like, and receives an operation from a user. The display device 955 includes an LED lamp or the like, and displays an operation state of the wireless access point 950.

The network interface 957 is a wired communication interface that allows the wireless access point 950 to connect to a wired communication network 958. The network interface 957 may have a plurality of connection terminals. The wired communication network 958 may be a LAN such as ethernet (registered trademark) or a Wide Area Network (WAN).

Wireless communication interface 963 supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, and 11ad, and serves as an access point to provide wireless connectivity to nearby terminals. Wireless communication interface 963 may generally include a baseband processor, RF circuits, power amplifiers, and the like. Wireless communication interface 963 may be a single-chip module in which a memory storing a communication control program, a processor executing the program, and related circuits are integrated. The antenna switch 964 switches a connection destination of the antenna 965 among a plurality of circuits included in the wireless communication interface 963. The antenna 965 has one or more antenna elements and is used by the wireless communication interface 963 for transmission and reception of wireless signals.

In the wireless access point 950 illustrated in fig. 26, the control unit 160 described with reference to fig. 2 may be implemented in the wireless communication interface 963. In addition, at least a portion of these functions can be implemented in the controller 951.

Note that the above-described embodiments represent examples of implementing the present technology, and matters in the embodiments and matters in the claims specifying the present invention are associated with each other. Similarly, matters specifying the present invention in the claims and matters expressed by the same names in the embodiments of the present technology are associated with each other. However, the present technology is not limited to the embodiments, and the present technology can be implemented by making various types of modifications to the embodiments within a scope not departing from the gist of the present technology.

In addition, the processing procedures described in the above-described embodiments may be regarded as a method having a series of these procedures, or may be regarded as a program for causing a computer to execute the series of these procedures, or may be regarded as a recording medium storing the program. As the recording medium, for example, a Compact Disc (CD), a Mini Disc (MD), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a memory card, a blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, or the like can be used.

Note that the effects described in this specification are merely examples, and the effects of the present technology are not limited to these effects. Additional effects may also be obtained.

Note that the present technology can also be configured as follows.

(1) An information processing apparatus comprising:

a control unit that controls to notify, to a first device having a multiplexing function for multiplexing and transmitting data to an information processing device from a plurality of devices including the first device, a multiplexing method for notification information indicating that the first device has transitioned from a function suspended state to a data receivable state and the presence of data delivered to the first device.

(2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein

The control unit controls to receive the notification information multiplexed and transmitted by the first device in accordance with the notified multiplexing method.

(3) The information processing apparatus according to (2), wherein

After receiving the notification information, the control unit controls to multiplex data to be transmitted to the first device and transmit the data to the first device.

(4) The information processing apparatus according to (3), wherein

The control unit controls to multiplex the data with a multiplexing method that is the same as or different from the notified multiplexing method, and to transmit the data to the first device.

(5) The information processing apparatus according to (4), wherein

The control unit controls to notify a frequency multiplexing method or a spatial multiplexing method as a multiplexing method, to multiplex the data using the same multiplexing method as the notified frequency multiplexing method or spatial multiplexing method, and to transmit the data to the first device.

(6) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein

The control unit controls to notify the first device of a multiplexing method for the data together with a multiplexing method for the notification information.

(7) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein

The control unit controls to notify information to be used for multiplex transmission of the notification information to the first device together with a multiplexing method for the notification information.

(8) The information processing apparatus according to (7), wherein

The control unit notifies a first device of frequency allocation for frequency multiplexing of the notification information or matrix index allocation for spatial multiplexing of the notification information, information on transmission time for the notification information, and information on transmission power for the notification information as information to be used for multiplexed transmission of the notification information.

(9) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein

The control unit notifies the first device with a bitmap generated based on a Partial Virtual Bitmap (PVB).

(10) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein

The control unit confirms in advance that the first device has a multiplexing function for the notification information.

(11) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein

The control unit notifies the first device at a timing at which it is estimated that the first device has transitioned from the function suspended state to the data receivable state.

(12) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein

The control unit notifies the first device with a beacon or another frame transmitted after the beacon.

(13) An information processing apparatus comprising:

a control unit that controls to multiplex the notification information in accordance with a multiplexing method for notification information indicating a transition from a function suspended state to a data receivable state and to transmit the notification information to another device in response to the multiplexing method being notified by the other device.

(14) The information processing apparatus according to (13), wherein

The control unit controls to receive multiplexed data transmitted from the other device after transmitting the notification information, and to multiplex and transmit data to be transmitted to the other device after transmitting the notification information.

(15) The information processing apparatus as described in (14), wherein

The control unit controls to multiplex the data with a multiplexing method that is the same as or different from the notified multiplexing method, and to transmit the data to the other device.

(16) The information processing apparatus according to (15), wherein

The control unit multiplexes the data using the multiplexing method for the data notified together with the multiplexing method for the notification information, and transmits the data to the other device.

(17) An information processing method comprising:

a control step of notifying, to a first device having a multiplexing function for multiplexing and transmitting data to an information processing device from a plurality of devices including the first device, a multiplexing method for notification information indicating that the first device has transitioned from a function suspended state to a data receivable state and the presence of data delivered to the first device.

(18) An information processing method comprising:

a control step of multiplexing notification information in accordance with a multiplexing method in response to notification of the multiplexing method for the notification information by another device and transmitting the notification information to the another device, the notification information indicating a transition from a function suspended state to a data receivable state.

(19) A program that causes a computer to execute:

a control step of notifying, to a first device having a multiplexing function for multiplexing and transmitting data to an information processing device from a plurality of devices including the first device, a multiplexing method for notification information indicating that the first device has transitioned from a function suspended state to a data receivable state and the presence of data delivered to the first device.

(20) A program that causes a computer to execute:

a control step of multiplexing notification information in accordance with a multiplexing method in response to notification of the multiplexing method for the notification information by another device and transmitting the notification information to the another device, the notification information indicating a transition from a function suspended state to a data receivable state.

(21) A communication system, comprising:

a slave device having a multiplexing function of multiplexing and transmitting data from a plurality of slave devices to a base station, the slave device being configured to multiplex the notification information in accordance with a multiplexing method in response to the multiplexing method of the notification information for indicating a transition from a function suspended state to a data receivable state notified by the base station, and transmit the notification information to the base station; and

a base station that notifies the slave device of a multiplexing method for notification information indicating that the slave device has transitioned from a function suspended state to a data receivable state and the presence of data delivered to the slave device.

List of reference numerals

10 communication system

100 base station (information processing equipment)

110 data processing unit

120 signal processing unit

130 interface unit

140 antenna

150 memory cell

160 control unit

201 to 203 slave devices (information processing devices)

900 intelligent telephone

901 processor

902 memory

903 storage device

904 external connection interface

906 camera

907 sensor

908 microphone

909 input device

910 display device

911 loudspeaker

913 wireless communication interface

914 antenna switch

915 antenna

917 bus

918 battery

919 auxiliary controller

920 automobile navigation device

921 processor

922 memory

924 GPS module

925 sensor

926 data interface

927 content player

928 storage media interface

929 input device

930 display device

931 loudspeaker

933 Wireless communication interface

934 antenna switch

935 antenna

938 battery

941 vehicle network

942 vehicle side module

950 Wireless Access Point

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