Wireless communication control device, wireless communication control method, wireless communication device, and wireless communication method

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication control device, a wireless communication control method, a wireless communication device, and a wireless communication method enabling low latency wireless communication to be achieved.A calculation unit calculates allowable resource occupancy time in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs in response to a low latency request for data generated in the wireless communication network, and a wireless communication unit notifies a wireless communication device in the wireless communication network of the allowable resource occupancy time calculated. The technology according to the present disclosure can be applied to a wireless LAN system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on PCT filing PCT/JP2019/032355, filed Aug. 20, 2019, which claims the priority to JP 2018-164372, filed Sep. 3, 2018, the entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication control device, a wireless communication control method, a wireless communication device, and a wireless communication method, and particularly relates to a wireless communication control device, a wireless communication control method, a wireless communication device, and a wireless communication method enabling low latency wireless communication to be achieved.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, low latency wireless communication has been required for transmission of an ultra-high-quality image in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) and remote control of precision equipment such as a robot.

In a wireless local area network (LAN) technology with use of an unlicensed band, a listen before talk (LBT) function is employed, in which an own station refrains from using wireless resources while another station is using the wireless resources. In this case, the delay time of the own station depends on the occupancy time of the wireless resources by the other station.

Meanwhile, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that the maximum service interval field in enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) specified in IEEE Std 802.11-2016 is used for latency control for limiting the amount of aggregation used.

CITATION LIST

Non-Patent Document 1: IEEE Standard for Information technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, Non-Patent Document 1 does not disclose that the maximum service interval field is used for latency control in quality of service (QoS) control such as hybrid coordination function controlled channel access (HCCA). Accordingly, even in a case where data to be preferentially transmitted with low latency is generated, the data cannot reliably be transmitted with low latency in some cases.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation and enables low latency wireless communication to be achieved more reliably.

Solutions to Problems

A wireless communication control device according to the present disclosure is a wireless communication control device including a calculation unit that calculates allowable resource occupancy time in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs in response to a low latency request for data generated in the wireless communication network, and a wireless communication unit that notifies a wireless communication device in the wireless communication network of the allowable resource occupancy time calculated.

A wireless communication control method according to the present disclosure is a wireless communication control method including calculating, by a wireless communication control device, allowable resource occupancy time in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs in response to a low latency request for data generated in the wireless communication network, and notifying, by the wireless communication control device, a wireless communication device in the wireless communication network of the allowable resource occupancy time calculated.

In the wireless communication control device and method according to the present disclosure, allowable resource occupancy time in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs is calculated in response to a low latency request for data generated in the wireless communication network, and a wireless communication device in the wireless communication network is notified of the allowable resource occupancy time calculated.

A wireless communication device according to the present disclosure is a wireless communication device including a wireless communication unit that receives allowable resource occupancy time notified by a wireless communication control device in response to a low latency request for data generated in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs, in which the wireless communication unit performs wireless communication in accordance with limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

A wireless communication method according to the present disclosure is a wireless communication method including receiving, by a wireless communication device, allowable resource occupancy time notified by a wireless communication control device in response to a low latency request for data generated in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs, and performing, by the wireless communication device, wireless communication in accordance with limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

In the wireless communication device and method according to the present disclosure, allowable resource occupancy time is received that is notified by a wireless communication control device in response to a low latency request for data generated in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs, and wireless communication is performed in accordance with limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinbelow, a mode for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinbelow referred to as an embodiment) will be described. Note that description will be provided in the following order.

1. Overview of Wireless LAN System

2. Configurations and Operations of Devices

3. Interference by Adjacent Network

4. Reservation for Wireless Resources

5. Application Examples

<1. Overview of Wireless LAN System>

(Configuration of Wireless LAN System)

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless LAN system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The wireless LAN system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an access point device (hereinbelow referred to as an access point (AP)) and a station device (hereinbelow referred to as a station (STA)). In the example inFIG. 1, two devices, an STA1and an STA2, are connected to the AP to cause a basic service set (BSS) serving as a wireless communication network to be provided.

The wireless LAN system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is installed at an arbitrary location. For example, the wireless LAN system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is installed in an office building, a house, a commercial facility, a public facility, or the like. The BSS may be arranged so that the area thereof may overlap with the area of another BSS.

The AP functions as a wireless communication control device, is connected to an external network, and provides the STA with communication with the external network. For example, the AP is connected to the Internet and provides communication between the STA and a device on the Internet or a device connected via the Internet.

The STA functions as a wireless communication device and communicates with the AP. The STA may be an arbitrary wireless communication device. The STA may be a smartphone including a display having a display function, a memory having a storage function, a touch panel having an input function, a loudspeaker having an audio output function, and a function of executing advanced calculation processing, for example.

(Conventional Communication Between AP and STA)

In recent years, low latency wireless communication has been required for transmission of an ultra-high-quality image in VR and AR and remote control of precision equipment such as a robot.

In a wireless LAN technology with use of an unlicensed band, an LBT function is employed, in which an own station refrains from using wireless resources while another station is using the wireless resources. In this case, the delay time of the own station depends on the occupancy time of the wireless resources by the other station.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating communication between one AP and two STAs in a conventional wireless LAN system.

In the example inFIG. 2, while the STA1is transmitting a data packet to the AP in step S11, data to be transmitted to the AP with low latency (low latency data) is generated inside the STA2in step S12.

In this case, the STA2stands by until the end of the data packet transmission by the STA1and observes whether or not the medium is ready for use during later inter frame spacing (IFS) and contention windows (CW). The IFS is a fixed period for determining if a channel is in an idle state, and the CW is a variable-length period for avoiding collisions of data packets. When the medium is ready for use for a predetermined period, the STA2starts transmitting its own data packet in step S13.

Meanwhile, while the time length of the data packet is on the order of milliseconds in some cases, the time length of the IFS and the CW is about several tens of microseconds. That is, the length of the data packet is 100 times or more the standby time such as the IFS and the CW.

Also, in general, it is assumed that the allowable latency time for video transmission or the like is 10 ms or less from generation of low latency data inside the STA to reception of the data packet by the AP, for example.

Therefore, in the example inFIG. 2, the time until the end of the transmission of the data packet by the STA1has a great influence on the data transmission by the STA2, which hinders low latency wireless communication.

Accordingly, described below is an example in which low latency wireless communication is achieved by limiting resource occupancy time for each communication station in response to generation of low latency data in a wireless communication network.

(Communication Between AP and STA According to Present Disclosure)

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating communication between one AP and two STAs in a wireless LAN system according to the present disclosure. In the example inFIG. 3as well, the STA2has low latency data.

In step S31, the STA2transmits a low latency request for data generated in its own device to the AP in advance.

The low latency request includes allowable latency time that may be spent from generation of the data to the end of transmission. The low latency request may also include duration indicating how long the low latency request is valid. In the example inFIG. 3, the allowable latency time is 10 ms, and the duration of the low latency request is 10 minutes.

When the AP receives the low latency request from the STA2, in step S32, the AP calculates allowable resource occupancy time in the wireless communication network (BSS) on the basis of the allowable latency time included in the low latency request and notifies each STA of the allowable resource occupancy time as Max Occupy Announce.

The allowable resource occupancy time is maximum PLCP protocol data unit (PPDU) time indicating the time length of data that can be allowed as the occupancy time of the wireless resources. In the example inFIG. 3, the maximum PPDU time is 5 ms.

The AP may also notify each STA of duration indicating how long the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time is valid. Furthermore, in a case where the AP communicates with each STA over a plurality of frequency bands, the AP may further notify each STA of the band subject to the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time. In the example inFIG. 3, each STA is notified of the maximum PPDU time with the band subject to the limitation as channel A.

Also, the AP can receive low latency requests from a plurality of STAs. In this case, the AP calculates the allowable resource occupancy time in response to the respective low latency requests.

When each STA receives the allowable resource occupancy time (maximum PPDU time) notified by the AP, each STA generates data (PPDU) in accordance with the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

In the example inFIG. 3, when data to be transmitted to the AP is generated inside the STA1in step S33, the STA1generates data with the PPDU time of 3 ms after the elapse of the IFS and the CW and transmits the data to the AP in step S34. The PPDU time for this data satisfies the limitation due to the maximum PPDU time (5 ms).

Also, in the example inFIG. 3, while the STA1is transmitting the data to the AP in step S34, low latency data to be transmitted to the AP with low latency is generated inside the STA2in step S35.

In this case, the STA2stands by until the end of transmission of the data by the STA1, and after the elapse of the later IFS and CW, the STA2starts transmitting its own data in step S36.

As described above, the data transmitted from the STA1has the PPDU time limited to 3 ms by the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time. As a result, the STA2can transmit the low latency data to the AP within the allowable latency time of 10 ms from generation of the low latency data.

<2. Configurations and Operations of Devices>

Hereinbelow, configurations and operations of the devices included in the aforementioned wireless LAN system will be described.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an AP.

An AP110inFIG. 4includes a data processing unit111, a wireless communication unit112, an antenna113, and a control unit114.

The data processing unit111processes data for transmission and reception. Specifically, the data processing unit111generates a frame on the basis of data from a communication upper layer and provides the generated frame to the wireless communication unit112. For example, the data processing unit111generates a frame (packet) from data and performs to the generated frame processing such as addition of a media access control (MAC) header for the MAC and addition of an error detection code.

The data processing unit111also extracts data from a received frame and provides the extracted data to the communication upper layer. For example, the data processing unit111acquires data by performing to the received frame MAC header analysis, code error detection and correction, reorder processing, and the like.

The wireless communication unit112has a signal processing function and a wireless interface function.

The signal processing function is a function of performing signal processing such as modulation to a frame. Specifically, the wireless communication unit112performs to the frame from the data processing unit111encoding, interleaving, and modulation in accordance with a coding method, a modulation method, and the like set by the control unit114and adds a preamble and a PHY header to generate a symbol stream. The wireless communication unit112also performs to a symbol stream acquired by processing resulting from the wireless interface function demodulation, decoding, and the like to acquire a frame and provides the acquired frame to the data processing unit111or the control unit114.

The wireless interface function is a function of transmitting and receiving a signal via the antenna113. Specifically, the wireless communication unit112performs analog signal conversion, amplification, filtering, and frequency up-conversion to a signal related to a symbol stream acquired by processing resulting from the signal processing function. The wireless communication unit112then transmits the processed signal via the antenna113. The wireless communication unit112further performs reverse processing of the processing at the time of signal transmission, such as frequency down-conversion and digital signal conversion, to a signal acquired from the antenna113.

The control unit114entirely controls the operation of the AP110. Specifically, the control unit114performs processing such as information passing between the respective functions, setting of communication parameters, and scheduling of a frame in the data processing unit111.

Also, the control unit114includes a calculation unit121that calculates the aforementioned allowable resource occupancy time (maximum PPDU time) in response to a low latency request from the STA.

Meanwhile, the AP110is provided with a not-illustrated storage unit that stores information used for processing of the data processing unit111and the control unit114. The storage unit stores information stored in a transmission frame, information acquired from a reception frame, information regarding communication parameters, and the like.

The AP110is also provided with a not-illustrated communication interface that performs communication with an external network.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an STA.

An STA130inFIG. 5includes a data processing unit131, a wireless communication unit132, an antenna133, and a control unit134.

Note that the data processing unit131, the wireless communication unit132, the antenna133, and the control unit134have similar functions to those of the data processing unit111, the wireless communication unit112, the antenna113, and the control unit114inFIG. 4, respectively, and that detailed description thereof is thus omitted.

Also, the STA130is provided with a not-illustrated storage unit that stores information used for processing of the data processing unit131and the control unit134.

Next, operations of the AP110and the STA130described above will be described.

First, an operation of the AP110in the wireless LAN system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 6.

In step S111, the wireless communication unit112determines whether or not a low latency request has been received from the STA130in the BSS to which the own device belongs. The processing in step S111is repeated until it is determined that the low latency request has been received.

In a case where it is determined that the low latency request has been received, in step S112, the calculation unit121in the control unit114calculates the allowable resource occupancy time (maximum PPDU time) on the basis of the allowable latency time included in the received low latency request.

In step S113, the wireless communication unit112notifies each STA130in the BSS to which the own device belongs of the allowable resource occupancy time calculated by the calculation unit121(transmits the allowable resource occupancy time to each STA130) via the antenna113.

Thereafter, in step S114, the control unit114controls each unit so that each unit communicates with each STA130in accordance with the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

Next, an operation of the STA130in the wireless LAN system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 7. The processing inFIG. 7is an operation of each STA130when the allowable resource occupancy time is notified by the AP110.

In step S121, the wireless communication unit132receives the allowable resource occupancy time notified by the AP110via the antenna133.

Thereafter, in step S122, the control unit134controls each unit so that each unit performs communication in accordance with the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

Also, an operation of the STA130serving as a source of low latency data out of the STAs130will be described with reference to the flowchart inFIG. 8.

In step S131, the wireless communication unit132transmits a low latency request to the AP110via the antenna133.

In step S132, the wireless communication unit132receives the allowable resource occupancy time notified by the AP110via the antenna133.

Thereafter, the STA130is in a state of performing communication in accordance with the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time. In this state, the data processing unit111determines in step S133whether or not low latency data has been generated. The processing in step S133is repeated until it is determined that the low latency data has been generated.

In a case where it is determined that the low latency data has been generated, in step S134, the wireless communication unit132transmits the generated low latency data to the AP110via the antenna133.

According to the above processing, the resource occupancy time for each STA is limited in accordance with generation of low latency data in the BSS. Consequently, in a case where low latency data to be preferentially transmitted with low latency is generated, low latency wireless communication by the STA serving as a source of the low latency data can be achieved more reliably.

Note that, although the processing in a case where the STA is a source of low latency data has been described above, the AP may be the source of low latency data. For example, the AP becomes a source of low latency data in response to a low latency request from an application, calculates the allowable resource occupancy time in response to the low latency request, and notifies the STAs in the BSS.

<3. Interference by Adjacent Network>

By the way, in a case where one BSS including an AP and an STA is adjacent to another BSS including another AP and another STA, there is a possibility that interference by the other BSS occurs.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 9, suppose that a BSS including one AP and two STAs, the STA1and the STA2, is adjacent to a BSS′ including one AP′ and one STA3.

In the BSS′, communication is performed between the AP′ and the STA3. Here, in a case where the distance between the STA2and the STA3is short, the STA2may refrain from using the wireless resources due to the LBT function while the STA3is communicating with the AP′. In a case where the STA2is a source of low latency data, the time until the end of transmission of data by the STA3has a great influence on data transmission by the STA2, which hinders low latency wireless communication.

Under such circumstances, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the AP (wireless communication unit112) included in the BSS notifies not only the STA1and the STA2in the BSS but also the AP′ included in the adjacent BSS′ of the allowable resource occupancy time (maximum PPDU time).

In this case, the AP′ notifies the STA3of the allowable resource occupancy time notified by the AP. As a result, since the resource occupancy time for the STA3is limited even in the BSS′ adjacent to the BSS, low latency wireless communication by the STA2can be achieved more reliably.

<4. Reservation for Wireless Resources>

By the way, in the communication protocol defined in IEEE 802.11, the wireless resources are allocated in an autonomous decentralized manner and at random in order to maintain fairness among terminals. Therefore, only the limitation due to the resource occupancy time described above may not be sufficient to achieve low latency wireless communication.

For example, in the example inFIG. 3, there is a case where, after the end of the data transmission by the STA1, the STA1obtains the right to access the wireless resources again and starts data transmission. In this case, the low latency request of the STA2cannot be satisfied.

Accordingly, described below is an example in which a source of low latency data reserves the wireless resources to achieve low latency wireless communication.

FIRST EXAMPLE

FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating a first example of a configuration in which a source of low latency data reserves wireless resources.

In the example inFIG. 11, for example, in response to a low latency request from an application, the AP becomes a source of low latency data and thus transmits the low latency data to the STA2.

For example, in step S211, the STA2transmits data within the BSS.

After the data transmission by the STA2ends, and Short IFS, which is shorter than the IFS, elapses, and before another STA occupies the wireless resources, the AP starts transmitting Padding as a reservation signal for preferentially occupying the wireless resources in step S212.

The transmission of the Padding is started at a time corresponding to the allowable latency time for the low latency data included in the low latency request by the application, regardless of presence or absence of data to be transmitted to the STA2. For example, the transmission of the Padding is started at a time based on the relationship with the allowable resource occupancy time (maximum PPDU time) so that the low latency data can be transmitted (completed) to the STA2within the allowable latency time. Also, the transmission of the Padding is repeated during the period in which the AP occupies the wireless resources.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the STA1from starting the data transmission even after the data transmission by the STA2ends, and the IFS and the CW elapse.

Note that information to STAs other than the STA2and other useful information may be inserted into the reservation signal.

When the low latency data is generated inside the AP in step S213in the state where the wireless resources are reserved in this manner, the AP transmits Data Start Indication in step S214. The Data Start Indication is a signal for notifying the transmission destination of generation of the low latency data.

After transmitting the Data Start Indication, the AP transmits the low latency data in step S215. Thereafter, in step S216, the AP repeatedly transmits the Padding until the period to occupy the wireless resources ends. That is, the AP inserts the Data Start Indication and the low latency data into the reservation signal and transmits the Data Start Indication and the low latency data to the STA2.

As described above, the AP reserves the wireless resources to enable low latency wireless communication with the STA2to be achieved even more reliably.

SECOND EXAMPLE

FIG. 12is a diagram illustrating a second example of a configuration in which a source of low latency data reserves wireless resources.

In the example inFIG. 12, the STA2, which has transmitted a low latency request, becomes a source of low latency data and thus transmits the low latency data to the AP.

Note that, since the data flow in steps S231to S234inFIG. 12is the same as the data flow in steps S31to S34inFIG. 3, the description thereof will be omitted.

After the data transmission by the STA1ends in step S234, and Short IFS, which is shorter than the IFS, elapses, the AP transmits a trigger frame to each STA in step S235.

The trigger frame is a frame defined in IEEE 802.11AX for the AP to control uplink communication from each STA. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the trigger frame including information indicating that uplink communication from the STA2is to be preferentially performed is transmitted to each STA.

In a case where the right to access the wireless resources is given to the STA2by such a trigger frame, the STA2starts transmitting a reservation signal (Padding) for preferentially occupying the wireless resources in step S236.

The transmission of the Padding is started at a time corresponding to the allowable latency time for the low latency data included in the low latency request and is repeated during the period in which the STA2occupies the wireless resources.

This can prevent the STA1from starting data transmission.

When the low latency data is generated inside the STA2in step S237in the state where the wireless resources are reserved in this manner, the STA2transmits Data Start Indication in step S238.

After transmitting the Data Start Indication, the STA2transmits the low latency data in step S239. Thereafter, in step S240, the STA2repeatedly transmits the Padding until the period to occupy the wireless resources ends. That is, the STA2inserts the Data Start Indication and the low latency data into the reservation signal and transmits the Data Start Indication and the low latency data to the AP.

As described above, the STA2reserves the wireless resources to enable low latency wireless communication with the AP to be achieved even more reliably.

Application examples according to the present disclosure will be described below.

The technology according to the present disclosure can be applied to various products. For example, the STA130may be achieved as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a portable video game terminal, and a digital camera. The STA130may also be achieved as a fixed terminal such as a television receiver, a printer, a digital scanner, and a network storage, or an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation device.

The STA130can further be achieved as a terminal that performs machine to machine (M2M) communication (also referred to as a machine type communication (MTC) terminal) such as a smart meter, a vending machine, a remote monitoring device, and a point of sale (POS) terminal. Also, the STA130may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module including one die) mounted on these terminals.

On the other hand, for example, the AP110may be achieved as a wireless LAN access point (also referred to as a wireless base station) having a router function or not having a router function. The AP110may also be achieved as a mobile wireless LAN router. Also, the AP110may be a wireless communication module (for example, an integrated circuit module including one die) mounted on these devices.

FIRST APPLICATION EXAMPLE

FIG. 13is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a smartphone900to which the technology according to the present disclosure is applied. The smartphone900includes a processor901, a memory902, a storage903, an external connection interface904, a camera906, a sensor907, a microphone908, an input device909, a display device910, a loudspeaker911, a wireless communication interface913, an antenna switch914, an antenna915, a bus917, a battery918, and an auxiliary controller919.

The processor901may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a system on chip (SOC), for example, and controls the functions of the application layer and other layers of the smartphone900. The memory902includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM) and stores a program and data executed by the processor901. The storage903includes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory and a hard disk. The external connection interface904is an interface for connecting an external device such as a memory card and a universal serial bus (USB) device to the smartphone900.

The camera906includes an image sensing device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), for example, and generates a captured image. The sensor907includes a group of sensors such as a positioning sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor, for example. The microphone908converts a sound input into the smartphone900into an audio signal. The input device909includes a touch sensor that detects touch on the screen of the display device910, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a switch, for example, and receives an operation or information input from a user. The display device910includes a screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and displays an output image of the smartphone900. The loudspeaker911converts an audio signal output from the smartphone900into a sound.

The wireless communication interface913supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11A, 11B, 11G, 11N, 11AC, and 11AD to execute wireless communication. The wireless communication interface913communicates with another device via a wireless LAN access point in an infrastructure mode. Also, the wireless communication interface913directly communicates with another device in a direct communication mode such as an ad hoc mode and Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark). Note that, in Wi-Fi Direct, unlike in the ad hoc mode, one of the two terminals operates as an access point, and communication is performed directly between these terminals. The wireless communication interface913typically includes a baseband processor, a radio frequency (RF) circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. The wireless communication interface913may be a one-chip module in which a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, and related circuits are integrated. The wireless communication interface913may support other types of wireless communication system such as a near field wireless communication system, a close proximity wireless communication system, and a cellular communication system in addition to the wireless LAN system. The antenna switch914switches a connection destination of the antenna915among a plurality of circuits (for example, circuits for different wireless communication systems) included in the wireless communication interface913. The antenna915includes a single antenna element or a plurality of antenna elements (for example, a plurality of antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna) and is used for transmission and reception of a wireless signal by the wireless communication interface913.

Note that the smartphone900is not limited to one in the example inFIG. 13and may include a plurality of antennae (for example, an antenna for a wireless LAN and an antenna for a close proximity wireless communication system). In this case, the antenna switch914may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone900.

The bus917connects the processor901, the memory902, the storage903, the external connection interface904, the camera906, the sensor907, the microphone908, the input device909, the display device910, the loudspeaker911, the wireless communication interface913, and the auxiliary controller919to each other. The battery918supplies power to the respective blocks of the smartphone900via the power supply lines partially illustrated by the dashed lines in the figure. The auxiliary controller919operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone900in a sleep mode, for example.

In the smartphone900illustrated inFIG. 13, the data processing unit131, the wireless communication unit132, and the control unit134described with reference toFIG. 5may be implemented in the wireless communication interface913. Also, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the processor901or the auxiliary controller919.

Note that the processor901may execute an access point function at an application level to cause the smartphone900to operate as a wireless access point (software AP). Also, the wireless communication interface913may have a wireless access point function.

SECOND APPLICATION EXAMPLE

FIG. 14is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a car navigation device920to which the technology according to the present disclosure is applied. The car navigation device920includes a processor921, a memory922, a global positioning system (GPS) module924, a sensor925, a data interface926, a content player927, a storage medium interface928, an input device929, a display device930, a loudspeaker931, a wireless communication interface933, an antenna switch934, an antenna935, and a battery938.

The processor921may be a CPU or an SOC, for example, and controls a navigation function and other functions of the car navigation device920. The memory922includes a RAM and a ROM and stores a program and data executed by the processor921.

The GPS module924uses a GPS signal received from a GPS satellite to measure a position (for example, latitude, longitude and altitude) of the car navigation device920. The sensor925includes a group of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and a barometric sensor, for example. The data interface926is connected to an in-vehicle network941via a not-illustrated terminal, for example, and acquires data generated on the vehicle side such as vehicle speed data.

The content player927plays a content stored in a storage medium (for example, a CD or a DVD) inserted in the storage medium interface928. The input device929includes a touch sensor that detects touch on the screen of the display device930, a button, or a switch, for example, and receives an operation or information input from a user. The display device930includes a screen such as an LCD and an OLED display and displays an image of the navigation function or the content to be played. The loudspeaker931outputs a sound of the navigation function or the content to be played.

The wireless communication interface933supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11A, 11B, 11G, 11N, 11AC, and 11AD to execute wireless communication. The wireless communication interface933communicates with another device via a wireless LAN access point in an infrastructure mode. Also, the wireless communication interface933directly communicates with another device in a direct communication mode such as an ad hoc mode and Wi-Fi Direct. The wireless communication interface933typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. The wireless communication interface933may be a one-chip module in which a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, and related circuits are integrated. The wireless communication interface933may support other types of wireless communication system such as a near field wireless communication system, a close proximity wireless communication system, and a cellular communication system in addition to the wireless LAN system. The antenna switch934switches a connection destination of the antenna935among a plurality of circuits included in the wireless communication interface933. The antenna935includes a single antenna element or a plurality of antenna elements and is used for transmission and reception of a wireless signal by the wireless communication interface933.

Note that the car navigation device920is not limited to one in the example inFIG. 14and may include a plurality of antennae. In this case, the antenna switch934may be omitted from the configuration of the car navigation device920.

The battery938supplies power to the respective blocks of the car navigation device920via the power supply lines partially illustrated by the dashed lines in the figure. The battery938also charges power supplied from the vehicle side.

In the car navigation device920illustrated inFIG. 14, the data processing unit131, the wireless communication unit132, and the control unit134described with reference toFIG. 5may be implemented in the wireless communication interface933. Also, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the processor921.

Also, the wireless communication interface933may operate as the AP110described above and provide wireless connection to a terminal owned by a user in the vehicle.

Also, the technology according to the present disclosure may be achieved as an in-vehicle system (or a vehicle)940including one or more blocks of the car navigation device920described above, the in-vehicle network941, and a vehicle-side module942. The vehicle-side module942generates vehicle-side data such as vehicle speed, engine speed, and failure information and outputs the generated data to the in-vehicle network941.

THIRD APPLICATION EXAMPLE

FIG. 15is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a wireless access point950to which the technology according to the present disclosure is applied. The wireless access point950includes a controller951, a memory952, an input device954, a display device955, a network interface957, a wireless communication interface963, an antenna switch964, and an antenna965.

The controller951may be a CPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), for example, and controls various functions (for example, access limitation, routing, encryption, firewall, and log management) on the internet protocol (IP) layer and higher layers of the wireless access point950. The memory952includes a RAM and a ROM and stores a program executed by the controller951and various control data (for example, a terminal list, a routing table, an encryption key, security setting, and a log).

The input device954includes a button or a switch, for example, and receives an operation from a user. The display device955includes an LED lamp and the like and displays an operation status of the wireless access point950.

The network interface957is a wired communication interface for the wireless access point950to connect to a wired communication network958. The network interface957may have a plurality of connection terminals. The wired communication network958may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wide area network (WAN).

The wireless communication interface963supports one or more of the wireless LAN standards such as IEEE802.11A, 11B, 11G, 11N, 11AC, and 11AD and provides as an access point wireless connection to nearby terminals. The wireless communication interface963typically includes a baseband processor, an RF circuit, a power amplifier, and the like. The wireless communication interface963may be a one-chip module in which a memory that stores a communication control program, a processor that executes the program, and related circuits are integrated. The antenna switch964switches a connection destination of the antenna965among a plurality of circuits included in the wireless communication interface963. The antenna965includes a single antenna element or a plurality of antenna elements and is used for transmission and reception of a wireless signal by the wireless communication interface963.

In the wireless access point950illustrated inFIG. 15, the data processing unit111, the wireless communication unit112, and the control unit114described with reference toFIG. 4may be implemented in the wireless communication interface963. Also, at least some of these functions may be implemented in the controller951.

Note that the embodiment of the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, and that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the technology according to the present disclosure.

Also, effects described in the present description are illustrative only and shall not be limited, and other effects may exist.

Further, the technology according to the present disclosure can also employ the following configuration.

A wireless communication control device including:

a calculation unit that calculates allowable resource occupancy time in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs in response to a low latency request for data generated in the wireless communication network; and

a wireless communication unit that notifies a wireless communication device in the wireless communication network of the allowable resource occupancy time calculated.

The wireless communication control device according to (1),

in which the low latency request includes allowable latency time for the data, and

the calculation unit calculates the allowable resource occupancy time on the basis of the allowable latency time.

The wireless communication control device according to (2),

in which the low latency request further includes duration of the low latency request.

in which the wireless communication unit further notifies the wireless communication device in the wireless communication network of duration of limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

The wireless communication control device according to any one of (1) to (4),

in which the wireless communication unit further notifies the wireless communication device in the wireless communication network of band subject to the limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

in which the wireless communication unit also notifies another wireless communication control device that forms another wireless communication network of the allowable resource occupancy time.

in which, in a case where the own device is a source of the data, the wireless communication unit transmits a reservation signal for the own device to preferentially occupy a wireless resource to a transmission destination device to which the data is to be transmitted.

The wireless communication control device according to (7),

in which the wireless communication unit transmits the reservation signal to the transmission destination device at a time corresponding to the allowable latency time for the data included in the low latency request.

The wireless communication control device according to (7) or (8),

in which, when the data is generated in the own device, the wireless communication unit inserts the data into the reservation signal and transmits the data to the transmission destination device.

in which the wireless communication unit receives the low latency request from a requesting device out of the wireless communication device in the wireless communication network.

The wireless communication control device according to (10),

in which the wireless communication unit receives from the requesting device a reservation signal for the requesting device to preferentially occupy the wireless resource.

The wireless communication control device according to (11),

in which, when the data is generated in the requesting device, the wireless communication unit receives the data inserted in the reservation signal from the requesting device.

A wireless communication control method including:

calculating, by a wireless communication control device, allowable resource occupancy time in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs in response to a low latency request for data generated in the wireless communication network; and

notifying, by the wireless communication control device, a wireless communication device in the wireless communication network of the allowable resource occupancy time calculated.

A wireless communication device including:

a wireless communication unit that receives allowable resource occupancy time notified by a wireless communication control device in response to a low latency request for data generated in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs,

in which the wireless communication unit performs wireless communication in accordance with limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

The wireless communication device according to (14),

in which, in a case where the own device is a source of the data, the wireless communication unit transmits the low latency request to the wireless communication control device.

The wireless communication device according to (15),

in which the wireless communication unit further transmits a reservation signal for the own device to preferentially occupy a wireless resource to the wireless communication control device.

The wireless communication device according to (16),

in which the wireless communication unit transmits the reservation signal to the wireless communication control device at a time corresponding to allowable latency time for the data included in the low latency request.

The wireless communication device according to (16) or (17),

in which, when the data is generated in the own device, the wireless communication unit inserts the data into the reservation signal and transmits the data to the wireless communication control device.

A wireless communication method including:

receiving, by a wireless communication device, allowable resource occupancy time notified by a wireless communication control device in response to a low latency request for data generated in a wireless communication network to which an own device belongs; and

performing, by the wireless communication device, wireless communication in accordance with limitation due to the allowable resource occupancy time.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST