Patent Description:
An electronic device and an access point may transmit and receive a signal, based on a specified radio access technology (RAT). When a wireless communication channel is established between the access point and a plurality of electronic devices, the access point may distribute frequency resources and time resources so that the plurality of electronic devices may perform wireless communication without interference.

As a method in which the access point and the plurality of electronic devices distribute frequency resources and time resources, there is a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA).

<CIT> discloses a method of determination of a proper channel bandwidth for an HT PPDU without requiring an earlier negotiation process. <CIT> discloses a technique for performing in-band full-duplex in high efficiency WLAN.

An electronic device may receive a signal from another electronic device (e.g., another access point or a station) that uses the same frequency band according to a position. When an access point that has established a wireless communication channel with the electronic device is located at a distance of not detecting a signal from another electronic device, a corresponding frequency band may be recognized as not being occupied by another electronic device. In this case, the electronic device may experience hidden interference that the access point does not recognize.

Technical problems to be achieved in the present document are not limited to technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

An electronic device of an embodiment and an operating method thereof may detect hidden interference, based on information on specified fields, and reduce the influence of the hidden interference.

An electronic device of an embodiment and an operating method thereof may forward information on hidden interference to an external electronic device (e.g., an access point or a station) by using a signal of a specified format.

An electronic device of an embodiment and an operating method thereof may improve the performance of wireless communication, by forwarding information on hidden interference to an external electronic device (e.g., an access point or a station) and stopping use of a frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

Effects obtainable in the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to an embodiment.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a situation in which the electronic device <NUM> detects hidden interference and changes a communication frequency according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a data format according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a data format in frequency and time axes according to an embodiment. <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> may be described with reference to the construction of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

In an embodiment, while a wireless communication channel is established with an external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>), the electronic device <NUM> may move from a service area <NUM> of the external electronic device <NUM> to an area <NUM> where hidden interference by another external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) occurs. In an embodiment, the area <NUM> in which the hidden interference occurs may be an area in which the service area <NUM> of the external electronic device <NUM> and a service area <NUM> of another external electronic device <NUM> are overlapped with each other. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may be an access point (AP) and/or a station. In an embodiment, another external electronic device <NUM> may be a device that performs wireless communication that is based on a frequency band that at least partially overlaps with a frequency band used in the wireless communication channel between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM>. Since the external electronic device <NUM> is not located in the service area <NUM> of another external electronic device <NUM>, the external electronic device <NUM> does not receive a signal transmitted by another external electronic device <NUM>, and thus may not know the existence of another external electronic device <NUM>. In this case, collision may occur in some frequency bands overlapping with a frequency band used by another external electronic device <NUM>, among frequency bands used by the external electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> identifies hidden interference while a wireless communication channel is established with the external electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may send a request for changing a frequency band of the wireless communication channel to the external electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit, to the external electronic device <NUM>, a signal indicating information on some frequency bands in which hidden interference is identified among frequency bands used in the wireless communication channel.

Hereinafter, an operation in which the electronic device <NUM> detects hidden interference and changes a communication frequency will be described with reference to the construction of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may establish a wireless communication channel with the external electronic device <NUM> through the wireless communication module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may establish the wireless communication channel with the external electronic device <NUM> through the wireless communication module <NUM>, based on a specified radio access technology (RAT). In an embodiment, the specified RAT may include a RAT that is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM> standard (e.g., the IEEE <NUM>. 11ax standard).

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal through the wireless communication module <NUM>, based on a frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel established with the external electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal to or from the external electronic device <NUM> through the wireless communication module <NUM>, based on a plurality of sub-frequency bands included in the allocated frequency band. In an embodiment, the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel may include at least one sub-frequency band. In an embodiment, the sub-frequency band may have a specified bandwidth (e.g., <NUM> megahertz (MHz)). In an embodiment, when the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel has a bandwidth of <NUM>, there may be one sub-frequency band. In an embodiment, when the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel has a bandwidth of <NUM>, there may be eight sub-frequency bands.

In an embodiment, when the specified RAT is based on the IEEE <NUM>. 11ax standard, a signal received based on the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication module <NUM> may have a data format <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. In an embodiment, the data format <NUM> may correspond to a high efficiency (HE) physical protocol data unit (PPDU).

In an embodiment, the data format <NUM> may include a pre-HE modulated field <NUM> and an HE modulated field <NUM>. In an embodiment, the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> may include a non-high-throughput (HT) short training field (L-STF) <NUM>, a non-HT long training field (L-LTF) <NUM>, a non-HT signal field (L-SIG) <NUM>, a repeated non-HT signal field (RL-SIG) <NUM>, an HE signal A (HE-SIG-A) field <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the HE modulated field <NUM> may further include an HE short training field (HE-STF) <NUM>, at least one or more HE long training field (HE-LTF) <NUM>, a data field <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, in the data format <NUM>, some fields may be omitted, or other fields (e.g., an HE signal B (HE-SIG-B) field or a packet extension (PE) field) may be further added.

In an embodiment, each of the fields <NUM> to <NUM> included in the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> may be repeatedly transmitted for each sub-frequency band. For example, referring to <FIG>, when a frequency band allocated to a wireless communication channel includes four sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a signal received by the wireless communication module <NUM> may include the same four pre-HE modulated fields <NUM>. For example, information included in each of an L-STF <NUM>, an L-LTF <NUM>, an L-SIG field <NUM>, an RL-SIG field <NUM>, or an HE-SIG-A field <NUM> included in the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> of the sub-frequency band <NUM> may be the same as information included in each of an L-STF <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, an L-LTF <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, an L-SIG field <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, an RL-SIG field <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, or an HE-SIG-A field <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the L-STF <NUM> may include a short training orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. In an embodiment, the L-STF <NUM> may be used for frame timing acquisition, automatic gain control (AGC), diversity detection, coarse frequency / time synchronization, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the L-LTF <NUM> may include a long training OFDM symbol. In an embodiment, the L-LTF <NUM> may be used for fine frequency/time synchronization, channel estimation, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the L-SIG field <NUM> may be used to transmit control information for demodulation and decoding of a data field. In an embodiment, the L-SIG field <NUM> may include information on a data rate, a data length, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the RL-SIG field <NUM> may be a field that repeats the L-SIG field <NUM>. In an embodiment, the RL-SIG field <NUM> may be used to distinguish between PPDUs. In an embodiment, the RL-SIG field <NUM> may be used to distinguish between an HE PPDU, a non-HT PPDU, an HT PPDU, or a very high throughput (VHT) PPDU.

In an embodiment, the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> may include information necessary to interpret the HE PPDU. In an embodiment, the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> may include common control information commonly transmitted to devices (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) receiving the PPDU. In an embodiment, the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> may at least include bandwidth information, group identifier information (e.g., a basic service set (BSS) color), and a link indicator (e.g., information indicating uplink or downlink). In an embodiment, the BSS color may indicate information for identifying a BSS.

In an embodiment, the HE-STF <NUM> may be a field for improving the estimation of automatic gain control in multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) transmission.

In an embodiment, the HE-LTF <NUM> may be used to allow devices (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) receiving a signal to estimate a MIMO channel between reception chains and a set of constellation mapper outputs. In an embodiment, the HE modulated field <NUM> may include one or more HE-LTFs <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may receive, through the wireless communication module <NUM>, a signal corresponding to the data format <NUM> through at least one of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may receive the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> through at least one of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> through the wireless communication module <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may receive the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> through at least one of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> through the wireless communication module <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify information from a signal received through at least one sub-frequency band. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify information in the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> of the signal received through the at least one sub-frequency band. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify information in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> of the signal received through the at least one sub-frequency band. In an embodiment, the identified information may include bandwidth information, BSS identification information, a link indicator, or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify whether information identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> of the signal received through the at least one sub-frequency band includes specified information. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the information identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> of the signal received through the sub-frequency band <NUM> includes the specified information. In an embodiment, the specified information may include identification information (e.g., a BSS color) of a BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM>, and a link indicator indicating a downlink.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the information identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> received through the at least one sub-frequency band indicates identification information (e.g., a BSS color) of a BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the information identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> received through the at least one sub-frequency band indicates a downlink (e.g., a link in which the external electronic device <NUM> transmits data to the electronic device <NUM>).

In an embodiment, when the information identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> received through at least one sub-frequency band indicates the identification information of a BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM> and the downlink, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., a sub-frequency band <NUM>) not receiving the pre-HE modulated field <NUM>, among the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band receiving the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> in which the specified information is not identified, among the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, as a sub-frequency band not receiving the pre-HE modulated field <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) not receiving the pre-HE modulated field <NUM>, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band receiving the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> in which the specified information is not identified, among the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, as the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band receiving the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> in which identification information (e.g., a BSS color) of a BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM> among specified information is not identified, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists. For example, when the identification information (e.g., the BSS color) of the BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM> is not identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> received through the sub-frequency band <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the sub-frequency band <NUM> as the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists. For another example, when identification information (e.g., a BSS color) of a BSS related to another external electronic device <NUM> is identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> received through the sub-frequency band <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the sub-frequency band <NUM> as the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band receiving the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> in which the indicator indicating the downlink among the specified information is not identified, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists. For example, when the indicator indicating the downlink is not identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> received through the sub-frequency band <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the sub-frequency band <NUM> as the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists. For another example, when the indicator indicating the uplink is identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> received through the sub-frequency band <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the sub-frequency band <NUM> as the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band receiving the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> in which a specified number or more of information different from information of the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> of a sub-frequency band in which the specified information is identified are identified, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists. For example, when the specified information is identified in the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> of the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> received through the sub-frequency band <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the sub-frequency band <NUM> receiving the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> in which a specified number or more of information different from information of the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> received through the sub-frequency band <NUM> are identified, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band receiving the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> in which the same information is not identified, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists. For example, when information indicated by the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> received through a relatively small number of sub-frequency bands is different from a specified number or more of information indicated by the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> received through a relatively large number of sub-frequency bands, the processor <NUM> may identify the relatively small number of sub-frequency bands, as the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists. For example, when the information indicated by the pre-HE modulated field <NUM> received through the sub-frequency band <NUM> is different from a specified number or more of information indicated by the pre-HE modulated field received through the other sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the sub-frequency band <NUM> as the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may request to change a frequency band allocated to a wireless communication channel established with the external electronic device <NUM>, based on information on at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may determine whether it is necessary to change the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel established with the external electronic device <NUM>, based on the number of times of identifying hidden interference in each of the at least one sub-frequency band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> included in the allocated frequency band. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may determine whether it is necessary to change the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel established with the external electronic device <NUM>, based on the number of times of identifying hidden interference per unit time (e.g., <NUM> second) in each of the at least one sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> included in the allocated frequency band.

In an embodiment, when the number of times of identifying hidden interference in each of the at least one sub-frequency band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> included in the allocated frequency band exceeds a specified threshold number of times, the processor <NUM> may determine that it is necessary to change the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel established with the external electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the specified threshold number of times may be set differently for each application <NUM> (or a function presented by the application <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed. In an embodiment, the application <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed may be a destination of a signal received through the wireless communication channel. In an embodiment, the application <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed may be an application that is currently transmitting and receiving data with the external electronic device <NUM> through the wireless communication channel. For example, the specified threshold number of times may be set differently for each application (or service type) as shown in Table <NUM> below.

Referring to Table <NUM>, when the application <NUM> transmits/receives data to and from the external electronic device <NUM> through voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), the threshold number of times may be <NUM>. Referring to Table <NUM>, when the application <NUM> is under video streaming, the threshold number of times may be <NUM>. Referring to Table <NUM>, when the application <NUM> is under web browsing, the threshold number of times may be <NUM>. For example, when the number of times of identifying hidden interference per unit time (e.g., <NUM> second) in each of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> included in the allocated frequency band is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine whether it is necessary to change the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel established with the external electronic device <NUM> according to a function presented by the application <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed. For example, when the function presented by the application <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed is VoIP or video streaming, the processor <NUM> may determine that it is necessary to change a frequency band of the sub-frequency band <NUM> in which hidden interference exceeding the threshold number of times (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) is identified. For another example, when the function presented by the application <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed is web browsing, the processor <NUM> may determine that it is not necessary to change a frequency band of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, since each of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> does not exceed the number of times (e.g., <NUM>).

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may request a change of the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, by transmitting a signal indicating a packet including information on at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists to the external electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the packet including the information on the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists may be a packet including a target wake time (TWT) element. In an embodiment, the TWT element may be an element used to negotiate a time during which a station (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) may transmit a packet to an access point (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>). In an embodiment, the TWT element may be defined as shown in Table <NUM> below.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may provide the TWT element including the information on the at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists, in a TWT parameter information field. In an embodiment, the TWT parameter information field may be defined as shown in Table <NUM> below.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may provide the TWT element including the information on the at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists, in the TWT channel field of the TWT parameter information field. For example, when the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel includes four sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, and a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists is the sub-frequency band <NUM>, the TWT channel field may be composed of bit sequences as shown in Table <NUM> below.

Referring to Table <NUM>, first to fourth bits may indicate the presence or absence of hidden interference of each of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Referring to Table <NUM>, the first bit may indicate that hidden interference exists in the sub-frequency band <NUM>. Referring to Table <NUM>, the second to fourth bits may indicate that hidden interference does not exist in each of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Referring to Table <NUM>, the fifth to eighth bits may indicate sub-frequency bands not allocated to a wireless communication channel. In an embodiment, the fifth to eighth bits may have a value of <NUM> or <NUM>, according to a channel environment (e.g., presence or absence of hidden interference) of the sub-frequency band indicated by the corresponding bits. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may request a change of a frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, by transmitting a signal including the provided TWT element to the external electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a packet including information on at least one sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists may be transmitted through a packet having a format for indicating a bandwidth query report (BQR). In an embodiment, the packet having the format for indicating the BQR may be provided for a response to a BQP poll (BQRP) transmitted by an access point (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>) to a station (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) in order to identify a frequency band of an idle state at a specific time point. In an embodiment, the packet of the format for indicating the BQR may be defined as shown in Table <NUM> below.

In an embodiment, in response to receiving the BQRP from the external electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may provide a packet having a format for indicating a BQR including information on at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency bands <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists, in an available channel bitmap field. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may request a change of a frequency band allocated to a wireless communication channel, by transmitting a signal indicating the provided packet having the format for indicating the BQR to the external electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel with the electronic device <NUM>, based on the signal received from the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the signal received by the external electronic device <NUM> from the electronic device <NUM> may include information on at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists. In an embodiment, the signal received by the external electronic device <NUM> from the electronic device <NUM> may include bit sequences of a specified length (e.g., <NUM>). In an embodiment, each of the bit sequences may indicate the presence or absence of hidden interference of each of sub-frequency bands included in a frequency band. For example, when the frequency band includes four sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, and the signal received from the electronic device <NUM> includes <NUM>-bit bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>), the first bit (e.g., <NUM>) of the bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>) may indicate that hidden interference exists in the first sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) among the sub-frequency bands included in the frequency band. For example, the second to fourth bits (e.g., <NUM>) of the bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>) may indicate that hidden interference does not exist in the second to fourth sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> among the sub-frequency bands included in the frequency band. For example, the fifth to eighth bits (e.g., <NUM>) of the bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>) may indicate a channel environment (e.g., presence or absence of hidden interference) of sub-frequency bands not allocated to the wireless communication channel. For example, when the bit indicating the channel environment of the sub-frequency band not allocated to the wireless communication channel is <NUM>, it may indicate that the corresponding sub-frequency band is not occupied by another electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

For another example, when the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel includes one sub-frequency band, and the signal received from the electronic device <NUM> includes <NUM>-bit bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>), the first bit (e.g., <NUM>) of the bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>) may indicate that hidden interference exists in the first sub-frequency band included in the frequency band. For example, the second to eighth bits (e.g., <NUM>) of the bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>) may indicate a channel environment (e.g., presence or absence of hidden interference) of sub-frequency bands not allocated to the wireless communication channel.

For further example, when the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel includes <NUM> sub-frequency bands, and the signal received from the electronic device <NUM> includes <NUM>-bit bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>), the first bit (e.g., <NUM>) of the bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>) may indicate that hidden interference exists in the first sub-frequency band among sub-frequency bands included in the frequency band. For example, the second to eighth bits (e.g., <NUM>) of the bit sequences (e.g., <NUM>) may indicate that hidden interference does not exist in the second to eighth sub-frequency bands among the sub-frequency bands included in the frequency band.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change a frequency band, by setting not to use a sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists, for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by setting to use sub-frequency bands (e.g., the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) in which hidden interference does not exist, for communication with the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by again setting the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM> in response to a request for changing the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel. In an embodiment, in response to the request for changing the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, when the number of sub-frequency bands in which hidden interference exists is greater than or is equal to a specified number, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by again setting the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the external electronic device <NUM> may establish the wireless communication channel through a frequency band (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>) that is distinguished from a frequency band (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>) used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, in response to a request for changing a frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by additionally setting the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, in response to the request for changing the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by additionally setting the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>, based on a bit indicating a channel environment of a sub-frequency band not allocated to the wireless communication channel. In an embodiment, in response to the request for changing the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by additionally setting frequency bands adjacent to the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, in response to the request for changing the frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by additionally setting frequency bands apart from the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the external electronic device <NUM> may use, for communication with the electronic device <NUM>, an additional frequency band (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM>) in addition to a frequency band (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>) used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit information on a changed frequency band to the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit/receive a signal, based on the changed frequency band.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment. <FIG> may be described with reference to <FIG>.

The operations of <FIG> may be repeatedly performed by the electronic device <NUM> at a specified signal reception time of the electronic device <NUM> or periodically (e.g., at a specified time interval).

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may receive a signal by using a plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, through the wireless communication module <NUM>. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may receive a signal from the external electronic device <NUM> by using the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, based on a specified RAT (e.g., a RAT based on the IEEE <NUM>. 11ax standard). In an embodiment, the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> may be sub-frequency bands included in a frequency band allocated to a wireless communication channel between the external electronic device <NUM> and the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, each of the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> may have a specified bandwidth (e.g., <NUM>).

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists, based on the received signal.

In an embodiment, when information included in a specified field of a signal received through at least one of the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> includes specified information, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists among the sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In an embodiment, the specified information may include identification information (e.g., a BSS color) of a BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM>, and a link indicator indicating a downlink.

In an embodiment, when the information included in the specified field of the signal received through the at least one sub-frequency band includes the specified information, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band receiving a signal not including the specified information among the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists. In an embodiment, when the information included in the specified field of the signal received through the at least one sub-frequency band includes the specified information, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band in which the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> does not include the specified information among the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists.

In operation <NUM>, in response to identifying the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists based on the received signal (determining 'Yes'), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>. In response to identifying in operation <NUM> that the hidden interference does not exist based on the received signal (determining 'No'), the processor <NUM> may end the operation of <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may request a frequency change, based on the identified at least one sub-frequency band. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may request a change of a frequency band allocated to the wireless communication channel, by transmitting a signal including information on the at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists to the external electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a packet including the information on the at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists may be a packet including a TWT element. In an embodiment, the packet including the information on the at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists may be a packet of a format for indicating a bandwidth query report (BQR).

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by setting not to use the sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists, for communication with the electronic device <NUM>, based on the information on the at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, in response to the frequency change request, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by again setting a frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by setting a frequency band distinguished from the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists, as a frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>, based on the information on the at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, in response to the frequency change request, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by additionally setting a frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, in response to the frequency change request, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by setting a sub-frequency band not allocated to a wireless communication channel with the electronic device <NUM>, as the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit information on the changed frequency band to the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the information on the changed frequency band to the electronic device <NUM> by using a specified format (e.g., an HE operation element). In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit/receive signals, based on the changed frequency band.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation of identifying hidden interference in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment. The operations of <FIG> may be included in operation <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> may be described with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may identify specified data in a specified field of a received signal. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify the specified data in a specified field of a signal received through at least one of the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In an embodiment, the field in which the processor <NUM> identifies the specified data may be the HE-SIG-A field <NUM>. In an embodiment, the specified data may include identification information (e.g., a BSS color) of a BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM>, and a link indicator indicating a downlink.

In response to identifying the specified data in the specified field of the received signal (determining 'Yes') in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>. In response to identifying that the specified data is not identified in the specified field of the received signal (determining 'No') in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may end the operation of <FIG>.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band receiving the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> in which the identification information (e.g., the BSS color) of the BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM> is not identified, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify a sub-frequency band in which the HE-SIG-A field <NUM> in which the indicator indicating the downlink is not identified, as a sub-frequency band in which hidden interference exists.

In response to identifying the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists (determining 'Yes') in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>. In response to identifying in operation <NUM> that the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists is not identified (determining 'No'), the processor <NUM> may end the operation of <FIG>. In an embodiment, when the operation of <FIG> is ended, the processor <NUM> may again perform the operation of <FIG> in a next cycle (e.g., a next signal reception time).

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may increase the number of identification of hidden interference of the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may increase, by one, the number of hidden interference identification of at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may increase the number of hidden interference identification in each of the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists among at least one sub-frequency band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> included in an allocated frequency band. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may count the number of times of identifying hidden interference per specified unit time (e.g., <NUM> second) in each of the at least one sub-frequency band <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> included in the allocated frequency band, by increasing the number of hidden interference identification in each of the at least one sub-frequency band. For example, the processor <NUM> may count the number of hidden interference identification in each of the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists, based on a received signal, during a specified time, and may perform operation <NUM> when the specified time is ended.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band in which the number of hidden interference identification exceeds a specified reference value. In an embodiment, the specified reference value may correspond to a specified threshold number of times. In an embodiment, the specified reference value may be set differently for each application <NUM> (or a function presented by the application <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed. In an embodiment, when the application <NUM> transmits/receives data to and from the external electronic device <NUM> through VoIP, the reference value may be <NUM> times per second. In an embodiment, when the application <NUM> is under video streaming, the reference value may be <NUM> times per second. In an embodiment, when the application <NUM> is under web browsing, the reference value may be <NUM> times per second.

In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may identify at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) in which the number of hidden interference identification exceeds a reference value that is specified for the application <NUM> (or a function presented by the application <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM> that is being executed.

In an embodiment, when counting the number of hidden interference identification, the processor <NUM> may count separately based on each sub-frequency band, or may count based on whether hidden interference has occurred in at least one sub-frequency band, or may count based on a sum of sub-frequency bands in which hidden interference occurs.

When the at least one sub-frequency band in which the number of hidden interference identification exceeds the specified reference value is determined (determining 'Yes') in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>. When the at least one sub-frequency band in which the number of hidden interference identification exceeds the specified reference value is not identified (determining 'No') in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may end the operation of <FIG>.

When performing operation <NUM> after operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may request a frequency change, by transmitting a signal including information on the identified at least one sub-frequency band. In an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may request a change of a frequency allocated to a wireless communication channel, by transmitting the signal including the information on the identified at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) to the external electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the signal including the information on the determined at least one sub-frequency band (e.g., the sub-frequency band <NUM>) may be a signal indicating a packet including a TWT element, or a signal indicating a BQR.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change a frequency band allocated to a wireless communication channel with the electronic device <NUM>, based on a signal received from the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by again setting a frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by setting a frequency band distinguished from the sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists, as the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by additionally setting the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may change the frequency band, by setting a sub-frequency band not allocated to the wireless communication channel with the electronic device <NUM>, as the frequency band used for communication with the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit information on the changed frequency band to the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the information on the changed frequency band to the electronic device <NUM>, by using a specified format (e.g., an HE operation element). The external electronic device <NUM> may transmit information on a field indicating a channel number of the changed frequency band, and a field indicating a center frequency, to the electronic device <NUM>, by using the specified format (e.g., the HE operation element). In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit/receive signals, based on the changed frequency band.

In an embodiment, when the operation of <FIG> is ended, the processor <NUM> may again perform the operation of <FIG> periodically (e.g., a next signal reception time or a specified time interval).

The electronic device <NUM> of an embodiment described above may include the wireless communication module <NUM>, the processor <NUM> operatively connected to the wireless communication module <NUM>, and the memory <NUM> operatively connected to the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may include instructions that, when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to receive a first signal by using the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> through the wireless communication module <NUM>, identify at least one sub-frequency band in which hidden interference is identified, based on the pre-high efficiency(pre-HE) modulated field <NUM> of a packet indicated by the first signal, and change a communication frequency, by transmitting a second signal including information indicating the identified at least one sub-frequency band to the external electronic device <NUM> in which a wireless communication connection has been established.

In an embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to identify first information and second information included in the pre-HE modulated field, identify whether the first information indicates identification information of a basic service set (BSS) related to the external electronic device <NUM>, identify whether the second information indicates that the packet is a downlink packet, and, in response to identifying that the first information indicates the identification information of the BSS related to the external electronic device <NUM>, and the second information indicates that the packet is a downlink packet, identify the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to identify the first information and the second information in a high-efficiency signal A (HE-SIG A) field among the pre-HE modulated field.

In an embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to identify a sub-frequency band in which information included in the pre-HE modulated field is not identified among the plurality of sub-frequency bands, as the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, the identification information of the BSS related to the access point (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>) is a BSS color.

In an embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to count the number of times of identifying hidden interference of each of the plurality of sub-frequency bands, based on the pre-HE modulated field of the packet indicated by the first signal received at every specified reception time, and transmit the second signal to the access point (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM>), based on the number of times of identifying hidden interference in each of the plurality of sub-frequency bands.

In an embodiment, the instructions may, when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to transmit the second signal to the external electronic device <NUM>, based on identifying that the number of times of identifying hidden interference exceeds a specified threshold number of times.

In an embodiment, the specified threshold number of times may be set based on an application that is currently transmitting and/or receiving data with the external electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the second signal may be a packet including a target wake time (TWT) element.

In an embodiment, the information indicating the identified at least one sub-frequency band may be included in a TWT channel field of the packet of the TWT format.

In an embodiment, the second signal may be a packet of a format for indicating a bandwidth query report (BQR).

In an embodiment, the second signal may be transmitted in response to receiving a bandwidth query report poll (BQRP) from the access point.

A method of operating the electronic device <NUM> of an embodiment described above may include receiving a first signal by using the plurality of sub-frequency bands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, through the wireless communication module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, identifying at least one sub-frequency band in which hidden interference is identified, based on a pre-high efficiency (pre-HE) modulated field of a packet indicated by the first signal, and changing a communication frequency, by transmitting a second signal including information indicating the identified at least one sub-frequency band to the external electronic device <NUM> in which a wireless communication connection has been established.

In an embodiment, identifying the at least one sub-frequency band may include identifying first information and second information included in the pre-HE modulated field, identifying whether the first information indicates identification information of a basic service set (BSS) related to the external electronic device <NUM>, identifying whether the second information indicates that the packet is a downlink packet, and, in response to identifying that the first information indicates the identification information of the BSS related to the external electronic device, <NUM> and the second information indicates that the packet is a downlink packet, identifying the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, identifying the first information and the second information may include identifying the first information and the second information in a high-efficiency signal A (HE-SIG A) field among the pre-HE modulated field.

In an embodiment, identifying the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists may include identifying a sub-frequency band in which the pre-HE modulated field is not identified among the plurality of sub-frequency bands, as the at least one sub-frequency band in which the hidden interference exists.

In an embodiment, changing the communication frequency may include counting the number of times of identifying hidden interference of each of the plurality of sub-frequency bands, based on the pre-HE modulated field of the packet indicated by the first signal received at every specified reception time, and transmitting the second signal to the external electronic device <NUM>, based on the number of times of identifying hidden interference in each of the plurality of sub-frequency bands.

In an embodiment, transmitting the second signal to the external electronic device <NUM> may include transmitting the second signal to the external electronic device <NUM>, based on identifying that the number of times of identifying hidden interference exceeds a specified threshold number of times.

In an embodiment, the second signal may be a packet of a target wake time (TWT) format.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a communication module (<NUM>);
one or more processors (<NUM>) connected to the communication module (<NUM>); and
memory (<NUM>) storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device (<NUM>) to:
receive a first signal by using a plurality of sub-frequency bands through the communication module (<NUM>);
identify at least one sub-frequency band in which hidden interference is identified, based on first information and second information comprised in a pre-high efficiency, pre-HE, modulated field of the first signal, wherein the first information indicates identification information of a basis service set, BSS, and the second information indicates whether the first signal is a downlink signal; and
transmit a second signal comprising information indicating the identified at least one sub-frequency band to an external electronic device (<NUM>) in which a wireless communication connection has been established,
wherein the at least one sub-frequency band is set not to be used for the wireless communication connection based on the second signal.