CN100438492C - Classifier for IEEE802.11g receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

Classifier for IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers) 802.11g receiver. A communication device includes a classifier and a number of PHY (physical layer) receivers communicatively coupled thereto that enable the communication device to process various received signal types. Each of the PHY receivers is operable to perform pre-processing of a received frame (or packet) of data and to calculate a confidence level indicating whether the received frame is intended for that particular PHY receiver; this pre-processing does not involve processing (e.g., demodulation and/or decoding) of the received frame. Those PHY receivers having sufficiently high confidence levels assert claims to the classifier for the received frame. The classifier is operable to arbitrate between competing claims by 2 or more PHY receivers and to ensure that the received frame is provided to the PHY receiver for which it is intended.

Description

The grader that is used for the IEEE802.11g receiver

Technical field

The present invention relates to communication system, particularly the management of the signal of the transmission of the equipment room in the communication system.

Background technology

Many years of data communication system sustainable development.A kind of typical communication system that receives much concern in several years in the past is local area network (LAN) (LANs).A variant of local area network (LAN) is a wireless lan (wlan).WLAN adopts the wireless telecommunications between distinct device in the communication system.Great effort is dropped into exploitation, to improve the interactive mode of equipment room among the WLAN.Development energy is put to many different directions.For example, some researchs concentrate on the type of seeking to improve the signaling of transmitting between different WLAN interactive devices.Other researchs efforts be made so that the complexity of the interior hardware of interactive device among the WLAN minimizes, and keeps at least one minimized, acceptable performance standard simultaneously.The outside wide area network (WAN) that is connected with the WLAN communication when the visit of the user expectation of WLAN, and WLAN itself be may become user's bottleneck sometimes the time, the additive method of some effort lifting WLAN overall throughput receives publicity especially.In addition, in the WLAN technical field, many other development zones also receive publicity between the several years in the past.

A development approach, IEEE (Institute of Electrical﹠amp are pointed in clearer and more definite concern; Electronics Engineers, IEEE) 802.11 standards have obtained sustainable development, and its effort improves the working method of WLANs.In this special research, many revisions of IEEE 802.11 standards have been proposed, the 802.11b standard known to comprising usually and the revision of a renewal are the 802.11g standard.802.11g the backwards-compatible 802.11b standard of standard, thereby although can move equipment performance operation to reduce in the WLAN of 802.11b of 802.11g, the legacy equipment among the WLAN still can be mutual with WLAN.

Typical two kinds of modes that realize WLAN are: ad hoc base (shown in Figure 1) and basic mode (shown in Figure 2).

Figure 1A is the system schematic of the special WLAN (wireless local area network) of a prior art.With reference to Figure 1A, described special implementation adopts many WLAN interactive devices, described interactive device usually can with each other WLAN interactive device communication among the WLAN.Usually, do not exist network system or the structure of forming a team.In some cases, one of them WLAN interactive device is designated as network host, and other WLAN interactive devices are then as the slave work of this main frame.

Figure 1B is the schematic diagram of basic/multiple access point (Access Point) WLAN of technology formerly.With reference now to Figure 1B,, in the wlan system of basic (or multiple access point), adopt many access points to support (referring to the communication at the wireless station (wireless stations, STAs)) in the fundamental system sometimes with the WLAN interactive device.This basic structure is used the fixed network access point, uses this access point, and STAs can carry out communication.These Network Access Points are connected with landline (as mentioned above, this landline may be connected with one or more WAN) sometimes, to enlarge the capacity of LAN by bridge joint radio node and other wired nodes.If the coverage is overlapping, switching may take place.This basic structure is to realize with the similar mode of existing cellular network.

Consider the development of 802.11 standards and produce subsequently and/or 802.11 later release (as 802.11b and 802.11g), when STAs different among the WLAN and/or access point are supported multiple function collection simultaneously, trouble may occur sometimes.For example, in some cases, access point or STA are operated under the 802.11b only.Perhaps, in some cases, access point or STA are operated under the 802.11g only; In addition, it should be noted that the backwards-compatible 802.11b function collection of equipment while of this support 802.11g function collection.In an example, when passing through the 802.11b access point, a 802.11g equipment is connected with WLAN, and then for the 802.11b standard, the complete performance with improving of 802.11g standard can not all realize.In addition, the mixing of 802.11b and 802.11g equipment is found the overall performance that may seriously reduce whole WLAN in a single WLAN.As above simply mention, when the STAs among the WLAN uses outside WAN of this WLAN visit such as the Internet, this will become distinct issues.Even the user has an equipment that moves 802.11g fully, if the access point of this 802.11g user by an operation 802.11b connects WLAN, then this user can not obtain all functions of 802.11g on his/her equipment.

In addition, because 802.11b and 802.11g standard adopt two kinds of different modulation types, make that complexity that mixing brought and the problem of 802.11b and 802.11g user worsens more among the WLAN.In the bandwidth of 2.4GHz (Giga-Hertz), there are two kinds of modulation standards of obtaining different data rate.Early stage standard is 802.11b, and it has occupied three adjacent in 2.4GHz bandwidth channels (approximately 25MHz (Mega-Hertz) scope).802.11b standard adopts direct sequence spread spectrum (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum withComplementary Code Keying, DSSS/CCK) modulation of band complementary code keying.Comparatively speaking, the 802.11g standard adopts OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM) modulation.In addition, new 802.11g standard takies identical bandwidth, uses the OFDM modulation to obtain the data rate near 54Mbps.One of problems that may occur are in the case: the user of 802.11b can not receive the ofdm modulation signal that sends from 802.11g user forever on particular channel.Therefore, begin to transmit at same channel simultaneously if mix community's (can be considered and mix WLAN) of 802.11g and 802.11g user, then be all 802.11b user with user community or 802.11g user compares, the performance of this WLAN is with relatively poor.

In addition, when the distinct device among the WLAN can not effectively be handled signal with different type, all these relevant problems will worsen more.Some prior art schemes attempt by provide some physical layers (physical layer, PHY) receiver is handled this situation, each described PHY receiver can be handled a Frame (or packet) that is received by the WLAN interactive device fully.Fig. 2 shows the example of this prior art scheme.

Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of the example of a previous WLAN interactive device.This WLAN interactive device comprises some PHY receivers, and described receiver is connected with the bus communication that the PHY receiver is connected to one or more more higher protocol layers (for example higher application layer in MAC (MAC layer) and/or some examples).Each different PHY receiver can be used in particular for handling the received frame of the frame that receives corresponding to dissimilar WLAN interactive devices.For example, one in the PHY receiver can be the PHY receiver that can move 802.11b, and another PHY receiver can be the PHY receiver that can move 802.11g.Use these prior art schemes, then the WLAN interactive device can be handled the corresponding received frame of different revisions with some 802.11 standards, but with regard to handling resource, this prior art scheme will be brought a considerable amount of expenses.

For example, in the WLAN of this prior art interactive device, each PHY receiver will be provided a received frame.Then, all PHY receivers are handled (perhaps sequential processes, it will spend the longer processing time) this received frame simultaneously.In this prior art scheme, only the suitable PHY receiver wanted of received frame can be exported useful information.Other all inappropriate PHY receivers will be exported junk information, because these PHY receivers and be not suitable for handling this received frame.This obviously be one for the hardware of WLAN interactive device with handle the method that resource is wasted very much because, each PHY receiver complete process this received frame.For processing speed and/or energy consumption is the implementation of most important design consideration, and this prior art scheme has provided a very unfavorable scheme.

Just because this, present technique need occur one and allow the WLAN interactive device to handle the solution of a received frame in mode more efficiently, and does not need all PHY receivers of WLAN interactive device intactly to handle this received frame.Prior art do not provide suitable and effectively scheme to solve the deficiency in the WLAN interactive device implementation.

Summary of the invention

Can (Wireless Local Area Network WLAN) finds different aspect of the present invention in the interactive device, described WLAN interactive device comprises a grader and a plurality of physical layer receiver a WLAN (wireless local area network).Each physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers is connected with described grader communication.Described equipment begins by receiving a Frame.Each physical layer receiver is carried out the preliminary treatment of described received frame whether to calculate an expression received frame by the credit grade of this physical layer receiver expectation.For each physical layer receiver, when the credit grade of its calculating surpasses a given threshold value (individually corresponding to specific physical layer receiver), this physical layer receiver is that described received frame is to requirement of grader statement.Described grader also can be carried out the operation of judging from the requirement of a plurality of competitions, the requirement of described competition provides (when receiving a plurality of the requirement) by described physical layer receiver.

In some cases, the credit grade of being calculated by the physical layer receiver also can offer grader (except that requiring).These credit grades by each received frame that the WLAN interactive device receives can offer grader.Interchangeable, the credit grade of received frame optionally only really offers grader to the physical layer receiver of grader statement of requirement received frame from those.When credit grade is provided for grader, grader is carried out a more senior method of judging between the requirement of competition then, described method not only comprises the requirement of statement, and relate to the corresponding credit grade relevant with those requirements, and/or all are by credit grades of each physical layer receiver calculating.

For each physical layer receiver, when the credit grade of its calculating surpasses this physical layer receiver predetermined threshold value, this physical layer receiver is to requirement of grader statement.Grader guarantees that received frame handled by described expectation physical layer receiver then.Grader is selected signal to physical layer of expectation physical layer receiver statement, and described expectation physical layer receiver can be considered authorizes expectation physical layer receiver to handle described received frame.Described expectation physical layer receiver is handled described received frame, and described expectation physical layer receiver is finished signal to physical layer of grader statement after handling described received frame.

In certain embodiments, grader is connected with the communication of a plurality of more higher protocol layer.Described more higher protocol layer can comprise in MAC layer and one or the above higher application layer one or all.The physical layer receiver that described physical layer receiver can be used as number of different types is implemented.For example, Direct swquence spread spectrum (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum with Complementary CodeKeying, DSSS/CCK) physical layer receiver that the physical layer receiver can be a band complementary code keying.Described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver can use the predetermined extended sequence of a described received frame and a DSSS/CCK frame to calculate the credit grade of a dependency number and a correspondence.

Another physical layer receiver can be used as an OFDM, and (OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM) the physical layer receiver is implemented.Described OFDM physical layer receiver can use a delayed duplicate dependency number of calculating of described received frame and described received frame and the credit grade of a correspondence, thereby the delay between received frame and received frame delayed duplicate is one period training sequence cycle of a received frame.

Replacedly, a physical layer receiver that can be used as an operation IEEE802.11b in the physical layer receiver is implemented, and another physical layer receiver can be the physical layer receiver of an operation IEEE 802.11g.In some cases, the equipment of a single operation 802.11 can be a complete 802.11a/b/g solution, and it can be at 802.11aWLAN, 802.11b WLAN, 802.11g WLAN and or 802.11b/g WLAN in be used.

Gain control function also can be implemented to guarantee that described received frame is suitably demarcated for handling in equipment.Can in the preprocessing process of received frame, carry out a rough gain controlling, and when the described received frame of expectation receiver actual treatment, carry out precise gain control (refering in particular to expectation physical layer receiver).Can support this gain control function by the functional block of described physical layer receiver outside.Replacedly, also can be at each this gain control function of physical layer receiver internal support.For example, when each physical layer receiver is carried out the preliminary treatment of received frame, then to the rough gain controlling of described received frame use in this support.Can carry out this rough gain controlling in a radio-frequency front-end, it can be by a control in the physical layer receiver.Then, when the described received frame of described expectation physical layer receiver actual treatment, described received frame is carried out the precise gain control of supporting herein.Similarly, can carry out in radio-frequency front-end and be somebody's turn to do accurately rough gain controlling, it can be by one in physical layer receiver control (as in this example by expectation physical layer receiver).

When two or more physical layer receivers during, can provide judgement by grader to the grader statement of requirement.For example, one in the PHY receiver is DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver, and another physical layer receiver is an OFDM physical layer receiver, and, be given priority by the requirement of DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver statement when described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver and OFDM physical layer receiver during all to the grader statement of requirement.This priority scheme (as judging rule) has only been represented a kind of implementation of particular design.In other embodiments, can use the different rule/time-delay rules of judging in other designs, described other designs comprise these physical layer receivers and/or other physical layer receivers.

In addition, each the physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers can be implemented to support an invalid claim percentage, and described invalid percentage is less than the demodulation error rate of arbitrary physical layer receiver.When simplifying one in function collection physical layer receiver statement, then simplify function collection physical layer receiver (it can not handle received frame) and suspend a predetermined period of time for one corresponding to the requiring of received frame.Described predetermined period of time can be corresponding to handling the time cycle that received frame distributed for each global function collection physical layer receiver.

One in the physical layer receiver can comprise that (described ED function can be calculated the energy that exists to energy measuring in WLAN for Energy Detect, DE) function; This energy is corresponding with the type of the received frame that equipment can not be handled.For example, this equipment does not comprise the physical layer receiver that can handle a certain received frame.In some embodiment kinds, can in an OFDM physical layer receiver, realize this ED function.When detecting energy really, and received frame is considered to not by the arbitrary physical layer receiver expectation in the equipment, and then an ED requires to be stated to grader.In certain embodiments, received frame is considered to not by the arbitrary physical layer receiver expectation in the equipment, although energy is detected and has a preset time cycle, and neither one statement of requirement in this time in a plurality of physical layer receiver.The described grader ED of each physical layer receiver statement in a plurality of physical layer receivers is then selected signal.In addition, described grader can be waited for a predetermined period of time before receiving a requirement by any the physical layer receiver statement in a plurality of physical layer receivers subsequently.Replacedly, grader can be waited for before receiving the requirement by any statement in a plurality of physical layer receivers subsequently, disappears (operation by energy detects definite) up to energy, and it can be by receiving the grader realization that an ED finishes signal.It can be finished signal by the physical layer receiver of an operation ED to one in grader statement and realize by through all after dates of a preset time.

Replacedly, grader can be only at the energy of received frame under the condition on the energy threshold, the ED of each physical layer receiver statement in described a plurality of physical layer receivers selects signal.Equally, grader can be waited for a preset time cycle before receiving a requirement by any the physical layer receiver statement in a plurality of physical layer receivers subsequently.Replacedly, grader can be waited for before receiving a requirement by any the physical layer receiver statement in a plurality of physical layer receivers subsequently, disappear (operation by energy detects definite) up to energy, it can finish the grader realization that signal is held by receiving an ED.

Can realize this equipment by many methods, be included in and realize described grader and a plurality of physical layer receiver in the independent integrated circuit.Replacedly, described grader and a plurality of physical layer receiver can not break away under the scope of the invention and the spirit, and different integrated circuit in equipment and/or functional block realize.In addition, can in the equipment of an embodiment, realize this WLAN interactive device especially as operation IEEE 802.11g.

In addition, can in the distinct methods of carrying out classification, find different aspect of the present invention according to different embodiment described here.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a WLAN interactive device comprises:

A grader;

A plurality of physical layer receivers, each the physical layer receiver in wherein a plurality of physical layer receivers is connected with described grader communication;

Wherein said equipment receiving data frame;

Whether the preliminary treatment that each the physical layer receiver in wherein a plurality of physical layer receivers is used to carry out described received frame expects the credit grade handled by this physical layer receiver to calculate an expression received frame;

Wherein calculate each physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers of a credit grade to requirement of grader statement, described credit grade equals or exceeds and described physical layer receiver corresponding threshold;

Wherein, the two or more physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers is to described grader statement of requirement, and grader is judged described requirement, and specifies in the physical layer receiver one as an expectation physical layer receiver;

Wherein, a physical layer receiver is only arranged in a plurality of physical layer receivers, specify this physical layer receiver as expectation physical layer receiver to requirement of described grader statement;

Wherein said grader is selected signal to physical layer of described expectation physical layer receiver statement; And

Wherein said expectation physical layer receiver is handled described received frame; And

Wherein said expectation physical layer receiver is finished signal to physical layer of grader statement after described expectation physics receiver is finished the processing of described received frame.

Described grader is connected with the communication of a plurality of more higher protocol layer; And

In described a plurality of more higher protocol layer one more higher protocol layer can be MAC layer or a higher application layer.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is a DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver; And

Described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver uses a predetermined extended sequence of a received frame and a DSSS/CCK Frame to calculate a dependency number.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is an OFDM physical layer receiver; And

Described OFDM physical layer receiver uses a time-delay copy of received frame and described received frame to calculate a dependency number; And

Time-delay between described received frame and received frame time-delay copy is training sequence cycle of one section received frame.

Described WLAN interactive device is the equipment of an operation IEEE 802.11a/b/g;

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is the equipment of an operation IEEE802.11a;

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is the equipment of an operation IEEE802.11b; And

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is the equipment of an operation IEEE802.11g;

Described equipment also comprises:

A gain control function piece, its each physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receivers use one first gain that described received frame is demarcated when carrying out described received frame preliminary treatment;

When wherein said gain control function piece is handled described received frame at expectation physical layer receiver, use one second gain that described received frame is demarcated;

Wherein said first gain puts received frame under be suitable for most of physical layer receiver scope; And

Wherein said second gain puts described received frame under be suitable for expecting the physical layer receiver scope.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is a DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver;

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is an OFDM physical layer receiver;

When described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver and described OFDM physical layer receiver all when one in grader statement requires, requirement by the statement of DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is given priority, and described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is designated as expectation physical layer receiver.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is supported an invalid claim percentage, and described invalid claim percentage is less than the demodulation error rate of any the physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receivers.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver provides its corresponding credit grade to described grader; And

When 2 in described a plurality of physical layer receivers or above physical layer receiver during to the grader statement of requirement, grader is by the requirement of the described statement of consideration and the credit grade of each the physical layer receiver correspondence in described a plurality of physical layer receiver, judge described requirement, and specify a physical layer receiver in the described physical layer receiver to be expectation physical layer receiver.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is an OFDM physical layer receiver; And

Described OFDM physical layer receiver comprises the ED function of the energy that can calculate described received frame.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is an OFDM physical layer receiver;

Whether the energy that described OFDM physical layer receiver comprises the energy that can calculate described received frame and definite received frame ED function on an energy threshold;

When the energy of described received frame was on described energy threshold, described OFDM physical layer receiver was to ED requirement of described grader statement;

When not having the physical layer receiver to requirement of described grader statement, and described OFDM physical layer receiver is when ED of grader statement requires, and described grader ED of each physical layer receiver statement in described a plurality of physical layer receivers selects signal; And

Described grader was waited for a predetermined period of time before receiving a requirement by any statement in described a plurality of physical layer receivers subsequently.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is one and simplifies function collection physical layer receiver;

The described function collection physical layer receiver of simplifying can carry out preliminary treatment to received frame, shows to calculate one whether received frame is expected by described credit grade of simplifying the processing of function collection physical layer receiver;

Simplify credit grade that function collection physical layer receiver calculates and equal or exceed one during corresponding to described threshold value of simplifying function collection physical layer receiver when described, the described function collection physical layer receiver of simplifying is to requirement of grader statement;

When described grader to the described physical layer of function collection physical layer receiver statement of simplifying when selecting signal, the described function collection physical layer receiver of simplifying suspends a preset time cycle; And

The described function collection physical layer receiver of simplifying is simplified after function collection physical layer receiver suspends a predetermined period of time described, finishes signal to physical layer of described grader statement.

Described grader and a plurality of physical layer receiver are implemented in a single IC for both of equipment.

According to a further aspect in the invention, the equipment of an operation IEEE 802.11g comprises:

A grader;

A DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver that is connected with described grader communication;

An OFDM physical layer receiver that is connected with described grader communication;

Wherein said grader receives a Frame;

Wherein said DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is used for preliminary treatment and calculates one first dependency number with a predetermined extended sequence using received frame and DSSS/CCK Frame;

Wherein, when described first dependency number surpasses one first predetermined threshold, described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is to DSSS/CCK requirement of grader statement;

Wherein said OFDM physical layer receiver is used to carry out preliminary treatment and calculates one second dependency number with a delayed duplicate that uses received frame and received frame, thereby the delay between received frame and received frame delayed duplicate is one period training sequence cycle of received frame;

Wherein, when described second dependency number surpasses one second predetermined threshold, described OFDM physical layer receiver is to OFDM requirement of grader statement;

Wherein, when described OFDM requires to be stated to described grader, and there is not DSSS/CCK to require to be stated to described grader, described OFDM physical layer receiver is designated as an expectation physical layer receiver, and described grader is selected signal to OFDM physical layer of described OFDM physical layer receiver statement;

Wherein, when described DSSS/CCK requires to be stated to described grader, and there is not OFDM to require to be stated to described grader, described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is designated as an expectation physical layer receiver, and described grader is selected signal to DSSS/CCK physical layer of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver statement;

Wherein, when DSSS/CCK requires and OFDM requires to be stated to described grader, described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is designated as an expectation physical layer receiver, and described grader is selected signal to DSSS/CCK physical layer of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver statement;

Wherein said expectation physical layer receiver is handled described received frame; And

Wherein said expectation physical layer receiver is finished signal to physical layer of grader statement after the processing of finishing received frame.

Described grader is connected with the communication of a plurality of more higher protocol layer; And

In described a plurality of more higher protocol layer one more higher protocol layer can be in MAC layer or the higher application layer.

Described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is the physical layer receiver of an operation 802.11b; And

Described OFDM receiver is the physical layer receiver of an operation 802.11g.

Described equipment also comprises:

A gain control function piece, it carries out preliminary treatment to calculate first dependency number and to carry out preliminary treatment when calculating second dependency number at described OFDM physical layer receiver at described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver, uses described first gain that described received frame is demarcated;

When wherein said gain control function piece is handled described received frame at expectation physical layer receiver, use second gain that described received frame is demarcated;

Wherein said first gain puts received frame under be suitable for described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver and OFDM physical layer receiver scope; And

Wherein said second gain puts described received frame under be suitable for expecting the physical layer receiver scope.

Described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is supported an invalid claim percentage, and described invalid claim percentage is less than the demodulation error rate of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver; And

Described OFDM physical layer receiver is supported an invalid claim percentage, and described invalid claim percentage is less than the demodulation error rate of described OFDM physical layer receiver.

Described OFDM physical layer receiver comprises the ED function that can calculate described received frame energy.

Whether the energy that described OFDM physical layer receiver comprises the energy that can calculate described received frame and definite received frame ED function on an energy threshold;

When the energy of described received frame was on described energy threshold, described OFDM physical layer receiver was to ED requirement of described grader statement;

When described OFDM physical layer receiver and described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver to requirement of described grader statement, and described OFDM physical layer receiver is when ED of grader statement requires, and described grader is selected signal to described OFDM physical layer receiver and ED of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver statement; And

Described grader was waited for a predetermined period of time before receiving a requirement by any statement in described OFDM physical layer receiver and the described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver subsequently.

Described grader is realized in one first integrated circuit of equipment;

Described OFDM receiver is realized in one second integrated circuit of equipment; And

Described DSSS/CCK receiver is realized in one the 3rd integrated circuit of equipment.

Described grader, OFDM physical layer receiver and DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver are realized in a single IC for both of equipment.

According to a further aspect in the invention, a kind of sorting technique comprises:

Receive a Frame;

Described received frame is categorized as by a physical layer receiver expectation in a plurality of physical layer receivers;

Based on above-mentioned classification, select a physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers to expect the physical layer receiver as one; And

Use described expectation physical layer receiver to handle described received frame.

Wherein said the received frame sort operation is also comprised:

Use a predetermined extended sequence of a described received frame and a DSSS/CCK Frame to calculate a dependency number.

Wherein said the received frame sort operation is also comprised:

Use a time-delay copy of described received frame and described received frame to calculate a dependency number, the delay between the time-delay copy of wherein said received frame and described received frame is the cycle of training sequence one by one of described received frame.

A physical layer receiver of described a plurality of physical layer receivers is the physical layer receiver of an operation IEEE802.11b; And

A physical layer receiver of described a plurality of physical layer receivers is the physical layer receiver of an operation IEEE802.11g.

Described method also comprises:

Before use expectation physical layer receiver is handled described received frame, carry out gain controlling described received frame is put under a scope that is suitable for described expectation physical layer receiver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of sorting technique comprises:

Receive a Frame;

The preliminary treatment of described received frame thinks that each the physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers calculates the credit grade of a correspondence, and described credit grade shows that whether described received frame is by this physical layer receiver expectation in a plurality of physical layer receivers;

State a requirement for each the physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers to described grader, described physical layer receiver has the credit grade of a correspondence, and described credit grade equals or exceeds one and physical layer receiver corresponding threshold;

When the two or more physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers during, judge described requirement, and specify in the described receiver one as an expectation physical layer receiver to described grader statement of requirement;

A physical layer receiver is only arranged to requirement of described grader statement in a plurality of physical layer receivers, specify a physical layer receiver as expectation physical layer receiver;

Select signal from grader to physical layer of expectation physical layer receiver statement;

Use described expectation physical layer receiver to handle described received frame; And

After using expectation physical layer receiver to finish the processing of received frame, finish signal to physical layer of grader statement.

Wherein the described received frame operation of preliminary treatment also comprises:

Use a predetermined extended sequence of a described received frame and a DSSS/CCK Frame to calculate a dependency number.

Wherein said the received frame sort operation is also comprised:

Use a time-delay copy of described received frame and described received frame to calculate a dependency number, the delay between the time-delay copy of wherein said received frame and described received frame is a training sequence cycle of a described received frame.

A physical layer receiver of described a plurality of physical layer receivers is the physical layer receiver of an operation IEEE802.11b; And

A physical layer receiver of described a plurality of physical layer receivers is the physical layer receiver of an operation IEEE802.11g.

Described method also comprises:

Before use expectation physical layer receiver is handled described received frame, carry out gain controlling described received frame is put under a scope that is suitable for described expectation physical layer receiver.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is a DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver;

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is an OFDM physical layer receiver;

Also comprise:

For described received frame is stated one first requirement from described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver;

For described received frame is stated one second requirement from described OFDM physical layer receiver;

Give to require priority, thereby specify described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver to be expectation physical layer receiver from described first of the described received frame of DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver.

A physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receiver is supported an invalid claim percentage, and described invalid claim percentage is less than the decoding error rate of any physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receivers.

Described method also comprises:

Optionally provide the credit grade of correspondence to grader from those physical layer receivers to the grader statement of requirement; And

Wherein, when two or more physical layer receivers in described a plurality of physical layer receivers during to the grader statement of requirement, judge described requirement, the judgement of described requirement relates to uses the judgment rule of considering the credit grade that is provided.

Described method also comprises:

Calculate the energy of described received frame.

Described method also comprises:

Calculate the energy of described received frame;

Whether the energy of determining described received frame is on an energy threshold;

When the energy of described received frame is on described energy threshold, to ED requirement of described grader statement.

Described method also comprises:

Calculate the energy of described received frame;

Whether the energy of determining described received frame is on an energy threshold;

When the energy of described received frame is on described energy threshold, to ED requirement of described grader statement;

When not having the physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers when one in grader statement requires, and require by when grader state as described ED, each the physical layer receiver in described a plurality of physical layer receivers is stated an ED selection signal.

According to a further aspect in the invention, a kind of sorting technique comprises:

Receive a Frame;

Use a predetermined extended sequence of a described received frame and a DSSS/CCK Frame to calculate one first dependency number;

When described first dependency number surpasses one first predetermined threshold, state a DSSS/CCK requirement to grader from described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver;

Use a delayed duplicate of described received frame and received frame to calculate one second dependency number, thereby the delay between received frame and received frame delayed duplicate is a training sequence cycle of received frame;

When described second dependency number surpasses one second predetermined threshold, for described received frame is stated an OFDM requirement from an OFDM physical layer receiver to grader;

When described DSSS/CCK requires to be declared, and do not have OFDM to require to be declared, specify the expectation physical layer receiver of described OFDM physical layer receiver as a described received frame;

When described DSSS/CCK requires to be declared, and do not have OFDM to require to be declared, specify the expectation physical layer receiver of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver as described received frame;

When DSSS/CCK requires and OFDM requires by to described grader statement, specify described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver by for expecting the physical layer receiver;

Select signal from described grader to physical layer of described expectation physical layer receiver statement;

Use expectation physical layer receiver to handle described received frame;

After described expectation physical layer receiver is finished the processing of described received frame, finish signal to physical layer of grader statement from expectation physical layer receiver.

Described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is the physical layer receiver of an operation IEEE 802.11b; And

Described OFDM physical layer receiver is the physical layer receiver of an operation IEEE 802.11g.

Before use expectation physical layer receiver is handled described received frame, carry out gain controlling described received frame is put under a scope that is suitable for described expectation physical layer receiver, described expectation physical layer receiver can be any in DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver or the OFDM physical layer receiver.

Described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is supported an invalid claim percentage, and described invalid claim percentage is less than the decoding error rate of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver; And

Described OFDM physical layer receiver is supported an invalid claim percentage, and described invalid claim percentage is less than the decoding error rate of described OFDM physical layer receiver.

Described method also comprises:

When described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver when one in grader statement requires, the credit grade of correspondence is optionally offered grader from described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver; And

When described OFDM physical layer receiver when one in grader statement requires, the credit grade of correspondence is optionally offered grader from described OFDM physical layer receiver.

Described method also comprises:

Calculate the energy of described received frame.

Described method also comprises:

Calculate the energy of described received frame;

Whether the energy of determining received frame is on an energy threshold;

When the energy of described received frame on energy threshold, by described OFDM receiver to ED requirement of grader statement.

Described method also comprises:

Calculate the energy of described received frame;

Whether the energy of determining received frame is on an energy threshold;

When the energy of described received frame on energy threshold, by described OFDM receiver to ED requirement of grader statement; And

When described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver not when one in grader statement requires, described OFDM physical layer receiver is not to requirement of grader statement, and described OFDM physical layer receiver is to ED requirement of grader statement, and the ED of each statement in described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver and OFDM physical layer receiver selects signal by grader.

Description of drawings

Figure 1A is the schematic diagram of the special WLAN of a prior art.

Figure 1B is the schematic diagram of WLAN of basic/multiple access point of a prior art.

Fig. 2 is the schematic diagram of example of the WLAN interactive device of a prior art.

Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram of the wlan implementation example that can realize according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the WLAN interactive device that comprises grader of structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the schematic diagram that is used to determine whether to the embodiment of the PHY function of grader statement of requirement of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is the schematic diagram that is used to determine whether to the embodiment of the PHY function of grader statement of requirement (credit grade is provided usually) of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is used to determine whether to the grader statement of requirement and whether the schematic diagram of embodiment of the PHY function of credit grade is provided for of the present invention.

Fig. 8 A of the present inventionly is used to determine whether state that based on the requirement that is generated by PHYs a PHY selects the schematic diagram of embodiment of the PHY function of signal.

Fig. 8 B of the present inventionly is used to determine whether state that based on the requirement that is generated by PHYs and associated credit grade a PHY selects the schematic diagram of embodiment of the PHY function of signal.

Fig. 9 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the functional steps (showing about predetermined PHY/ grader interface) of grader of the present invention/PHY function.

Figure 10 A is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of gain control function of the present invention (when using all PHYs preliminary treatment received frames).

Figure 11 B is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of gain control function of the present invention (when using predetermined PHY to handle received frame).

Figure 11 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of gain control function of the present invention (each PHY controls respectively).

Figure 12 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the PHYs that simplifies the function collection in the WLAN interactive device of the present invention.

Figure 13 is the PHYs of the global function collection in the WLAN interactive device of the present invention and the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the PHYs that simplifies the function collection.

Figure 14 is the view of an embodiment how moving for grader of the present invention.

Figure 15 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the PHY/ grader interface in the moved IEEE802.11g equipment that makes up according to the present invention.

Figure 16 is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of the PHY/ grader interface of the equipment of the moved IEEE802.11g of structure according to the present invention.

Figure 17 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the grader state diagram of the moved IEEE802.11g equipment of operation according to the present invention.

Figure 18 is the schematic diagram of embodiment of the function of time of PHY/ grader interactive interfacing of the present invention.

Figure 19 is the schematic diagram of the relevant preliminary treatment of carrying out DSSS/CCK and OFDM in DSSS/CCK PHY receiver and OFDM PHY receiver respectively of the present invention with the embodiment that calculates credit grade.

Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B are the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the moved IEEE 802.11a/b/g equipment of design according to the present invention.

Figure 21, Figure 22, Figure 23 and Figure 24 are the flow chart of the different embodiment of sorting technique provided by the invention.

Figure 25 is the sequential chart that can move the embodiment that IEEE 802.11g equipment transmits when moving an effective OFDM Frame (or packet) of the present invention.

Embodiment

The present invention has showed a Frame (or packet) data by WLAN (wireless local area network) (Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN) the interactive device new scheme of classifying under the minimum preliminary treatment.In some cases, the WLAN interactive device that has according to classification feature of the present invention is the equipment that can move IEEE 802.11g, the previous revision of backwards-compatible 802.11 standards of this equipment.The WLAN interactive device may comprise that (Physical Layer, PHY) receiver, each receiver are used to handle frame corresponding to the different revisions of the 802.11g standard frame of other standards or protocol type (perhaps corresponding to) to a plurality of physical layers.For example, the WLAN interactive device comprises that one can be used for holding a PHY receiver of the received frame that meets the 802.11b standard, and this WLAN interactive device can comprise that also one can be used for holding the 2nd PHY receiver of the received frame that meets the 802.11g standard.Obviously, do not breaking away under the scope of the invention and the spirit, can in a WLAN interactive device, adopt plural PHY receiver.

Provide received frame so that each this received frame of PHY receiver complete process is compared with each PHY receiver for the WLAN interactive device, operation one grader has more advantage in the WLAN interactive device, but the requirement that the different PHY receivers of above-mentioned grader ruling are made also guarantees that received frame only handled by the required receiver of this frame (for example, this PHY receiver can be used as required PHY receiver).According to the present invention, the method that exists many different realizations to classify.For example, in one embodiment, a WLAN interactive device can comprise 2 independently PHY receivers: the PHY receiver and the PHY receiver that can move 802.11g that can move 802.11b.The PHY receiver of this 802.11b can be handled DSSS/CCK (system of band complementary code keying connects the sequence spreading frequency spectrum) frame, and the PHY receiver of 802.11g can be handled OFDM (OFDM) frame.

In fact, above-mentioned WLAN interactive device can be the equipment that can move 802.11g, and this equipment is supported according to the communication of 802.11g standard and backwards-compatible with 802.11b.When this WLAN interactive device reception one met the frame of 802.11b standard, auxiliary definite this received frame of the grader of this WLAN interactive device was handled by a DSSS/CCK PHY receiver.Similarly, when this of WLAN interactive device reception met the frame of 802.11g standard, auxiliary definite this received frame of the grader of this WLAN interactive device was handled by an OFDM PHY receiver.In this way, above-mentioned two PHY receivers do not need to handle described received frame fully, thereby have discharged the processing resource of WLAN interactive device and preserved energy.

Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram that can carry out the embodiment of WLAN of the present invention.This WLAN communication system can comprise many equipment that all can pass through the mutual communication of WLAN.For example, above-mentioned each have equipment with the WLAN linkage function and comprise kneetop computer, television set, PC, pen computer (can be considered to be PDA (personal digital assistant), personal electric planner (Personal Electronic Planner) or similar devices), mobile unit (can be considered to be telephone set, beep-pager or some move wlan device) and/or fixed cell (can be the independent local device among the typical WLAN).The antenna of different WLAN interactive devices can be integrated into corresponding device in not breaking away from the scope of the invention and spirit.

Above-mentioned exemplify can with the mutual equipment group of WLAN do not expect to become one detailed can with the mutual list of devices of WLAN, a common apparatus that is illustrated as the mutual equipment of WLAN has been represented a general equipment, and this equipment comprises with WLAN itself and/or the mutual function of other equipment that link to each other with WLAN.These with equipment that WLAN is connected in any one can be the WLAN interactive device that does not break away from the scope of the invention and the spirit.In these equipment each and WLAN interactive device can be considered and be positioned over the node of WLAN.

Note also that WLAN itself also comprises the function that permission is connected with other networks.These external networks can be wide area network (Wide Area Networks, WANs).For example, WLAN can comprise the Internet I/F (interface) that allows to be connected to the Internet itself.Described internet interface can be regarded as allowing the WLAN base station equipment of arbitrary WLAN interactive device access internet.

Note also that WLAN can also comprise the function that permission is connected with other networks, such as other WANs except the Internet.For example, thus WLAN allows to be connected to microwave tower to allow microwave tower interface with one or more microwave network communications.Similar with above-described internet interface, the microwave tower interface can be regarded as allowing any one WLAN interactive device to visit the WLAN base station equipment of one or more microwave networks by microwave tower.

In addition, thus WLAN can comprise that allowing to be connected to satellite earth station allows satellite earth station interface with one or more satellite network communications.This satellite earth station interface can be regarded as allowing any one WLAN interactive device WLAN base station equipment of the one or more satellite networks of earth station interface accessing via satellite.

The different network type of the above-mentioned WLAN of being connected to limited enumerate do not expect detailed.For example, any other network can be connected with the WLAN communication by a suitable interface, and described interface has makes any WLAN interactive device visit the function of other networks.

The different WLAN interactive devices that each present embodiment is described can be supported classification feature according to the present invention.Described belowly how to carry out achieve frame classification more detailed details will be provided.

As above briefly describe, the IEEE802.11g standard has been expanded the data rate that wraps in the 2.4GHz frequency range.It is realized by the mode that the packet (or Frame) that allows two inhomogeneities coexists.Use the Frame of DSSS/CCK modulation be exclusively used in a part as the 802.11b standard in the 2.4GHz bandwidth with the speed rates of the highest 11Mbps.802.11a standard is used a different frame format, uses OFDM to be modulated in the carrier frequency of 5GHz bandwidth with the speed rates of the highest 51Mbps.802.11g standard allows this OFDM frame and DSSS/CCK Frame to coexist as 2.4GHz.Yet therefore the attribute of the Frame that this two class is different, and they are far from it in the processing of 802.11 receivers, and this portions of the spectrum and uncommitted exist many non-bag signals that other should be ignored by the 802.11g receiver in this bandwidth.Success receives all DSSS/CCK Frames and the OFDM Frame needs a device, with the signal that will receive be categorized as Frame that DSSS/CCK Frame, OFDM Frame, this equipment can not handle or with possible other frames or the relevant some other energy of protocol type.

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of WLAN interactive device, and it comprises a grader that makes up according to the present invention.In this embodiment, the WLAN interactive device comprises a plurality of PHY receiver (PHY1 as shown in the figure, PHY2, PHY3, PHY4 ... PHYn).Each PHY receiver can be realized to support various criterion, as 802.11a standard, 802.11b standard, 802.11g standard.In addition, these different PHY receivers can be implemented, so that these different receivers hold different modulation types, these demodulation type comprise BPSK (binary phase shift keying), QPSK (control is seen in the quadrature phase shift), 8PSK (8 phase keying), 16QAM (16 quadrature amplitude modulation) and other more inferior demodulation type.By a plurality of PHY receivers are provided, the WLAN interactive device can be with a plurality of different WLAN interactive device communications in the WLAN of number of different types.

These PHY receivers all are connected with the grader communication.This grader is connected with one or more more higher protocol layers (as MAC layer and/or 1 or more other higher application layers) communication in the WLAN interactive device.The WLAN interactive device comprises the antenna that is used for the WLAN communication.The WLAN interactive device can receive data of different types frame (Frame 1 as shown in the figure, Frame 2 ... and Frame n).These Frames can be transferred to the WLAN interactive device from one or more other WLAN interactive devices.

After Frame was received by the WLAN interactive device, different PHY receivers was carried out preliminary treatment to calculate credit grade to received frame, and this credit grade is used to carry out the classification of Frame.There is the method for many calculating credit grades, comprises relevant treatment.Some feasible embodiment will be described below.Calculate the PHY receiver of the credit grade of received frame for those, wherein when the credit grade of received frame surpassed the certain threshold level of this PHY receiver, those PHY receivers were to the requirement of grader statement for described received frame.Described threshold value can be scheduled to, and can suitably revise according to the service conditions of WLAN, and their different with each respectively PHY receivers are corresponding.That is to say that when the credit grade of relatively calculating determined that the PHY receiver whether should be to the grader statement of requirement, each PHY receiver used a different threshold value.

May there be the situation of a more than PHY receiver to the grader statement of requirement.In these cases, grader is judged these a plurality of requirements and they is distinguished order.The designer of WLAN interactive device can select specific added-time method, and this method is used for judging between the requirement of competition.The rule of described judgement (for example added-time method) may have different ranking results at a plurality of requirements in different application.

After grader was judged between any competition requires, the definite then received frame of grader only can be handled fully by the desired PHY receiver of suitable received frame; This PHY receiver can be considered expectation PHY receiver.Grader can be by selecting signal and select signal to select suitable substance P HY receiver to other PHY receiver statements (for example non-expectation PHY receiver) PHY to expectation PHY receiver statement PHY.Other PHY receivers do not need to handle fully received frame.This has fundamentally preserved the processing resource of WLAN interactive device.

If desired, the different PHY receivers in the WLAN interactive device can be supported gain control function.Received frame can determine to be fit to the scope of PHY receiver.This gain control function can or only be further used as the difference termination by expectation PHY receiver processing received frame by all PHY receiver preliminary treatment received frames the time.For example, by all PHY receiver preliminary treatment received frames the time, use a rough gain controlling, described PHY receiver is fully consistent with the dynamic range of most PHY receivers.And, when handling received frame, using a perfect gain controlling by expectation PHY receiver, described PHY receiver is special consistent with the dynamic range of expectation receiver.

In some applications, when considering following factor, wish to possess this gain control function.For example, can design some different PHY receivers, the signal that has the Different Dynamic scope with reception.After grader determined that received frame expects which PHY receiver and which are handled this received frame, gain control function put received frame under one particular range subsequently, and this scope is more consistent with the scope of desired its reception of expectation PHY receiver and processing signals.

After expectation PHY receiver was handled received frame fully, expectation PHY receiver was finished signal to one in grader statement, and notice grader PHY receiver has been finished the processing to received frame.Note also that grader itself can be a FSM (a unlimited attitude automaton).At this embodiment that several user mode figure simulate classification feature of the present invention has been described also.

Also exist received frame in fact not expect the situation of any PHY receiver in the WLAN interactive device.In this case, yet the WLAN interactive device in fact can also be carried out the measuring ability among the WLAN, even carry out to detect the detection of the received frame that special WLAN interactive device can not handle.One or more PHY receivers can be realized so that above-mentioned measuring ability to be provided.In addition, can realize that one or more conducts simplify the PHY receiver of function collection PHY receiver, carry out and detect received frame and guarantee also that in the time of predetermined processing received frame the WLAN interactive device is idle condition overtime (may because another WLAN interactive device of received frame expectation).For example, these PHY interactive devices of simplifying the function collection can be considered and comprise some function (carrying out the type of receipt authentication), do not comprise the processing resource of handling received frame fully simultaneously.This scheme may need when designing the WLAN interactive device that can move in the WLAN of broad type.

As an example of ED (energy measuring) function that can be by one or more PHY receivers, the situation that exists some energy in WLAN, to exist really, and this received frame does not correspond in the PHY receiver of realizing in the WLAN interactive device any.In this case, the WLAN interactive device is may be in inactive state overtime or keep handling this received frame with other WLAN interactive devices that allow some may comprise an appropriate PHY receiver.For example, the WLAN interactive device may suspend a period of time (for example do not allow transmit or receive any Frame) or monitor the energy that exists and wait until that its dissipates in this time period.In this mode, the WLAN interactive device will not disturb the WLAN interactive device (Frame that for example, perhaps is attached thereto) of another existing energy expectation.The WLAN interactive device can use the energy measuring function or be connected credit grade function (it has suppressed the transmission and/or the reception of Frame) separately when whether definite received frame be expected the WLAN interactive device and determined whether to enter pause stage.

Note also that, grader and different PHY receivers, and any more higher protocol layer can be implemented with different ways in the WLAN interactive device.For example, in one embodiment, each difference in functionality piece can be implemented in different integrated circuits.Replacedly, a single integrated circuit can be implemented to comprise all functional blocks (for example all PHY receivers, grader and any more higher protocol layer).In addition, can adopt various combination.For example, can comprise in another alternate embodiments one or more can be in first integrated circuit effective PHY receiver, in second integrated circuit effective residue PHY receiver and the grader that in the 3rd integrated circuit, is implemented and any more higher protocol layer.Obviously, also can adopt other combinations that do not break away from the scope of the invention and spirit.

Fig. 5 is the schematic diagram that determines whether to the embodiment of the PHY of grader statement of requirement function of the present invention.This embodiment show in the different PHY receivers each be how to determine whether to be the embodiment of received frame to the grader statement of requirement, described PHY receiver can be implemented in an equipment.

Each PHY receiver can be carried out the preliminary treatment of received frame, to determine whether to state a requirement.For each PHY receiver, it relates to the relevant treatment of carrying out received frame at first to become the data frame type that is fit to the PHY receiver.For example, the relevant treatment of PHY 1 receiver execution received frame becomes PHY 1 data frame type.From this relevant treatment, determine credit grade then.For each PHY receiver, the credit grade that it calculates respectively and a threshold value compare, and this threshold value is specific to a PHY receiver.For example, credit grade 1 compares in the PHY receiver with the PHY1 threshold value.For each PHY receiver, when the credit grade of its calculating surpassed this PHY certain threshold level, then this PHY receiver was that this received frame is stated a requirement to grader, attempted to allow this PHY receiver as the PHY receiver of handling this received frame fully.For example, when described credit grade surpassed the threshold value of this PHY1, then the PHY1 receiver was to requirement of handling the received frame right of grader statement.

May there be the situation of more than one PHY receiver to a requirement of grader statement.In this case, grader can be judged in these a plurality of statements to state that to received frame expectation moral PHY a PHY selects signal (for example, selecting signal to expectation PHY receiver statement PHY).In this embodiment, grader only as requested signal itself judgement of the requirement provide is provided.Also can propose to consider other embodiment of credit grade itself herein.

Fig. 6 is that the present invention determines whether the schematic diagram to the embodiment of the PHY function of grader statement of requirement (when providing credit grade all the time).This embodiment is similar to the embodiment that above-mentioned Fig. 5 describes, and difference is that credit grade offers grader all the time.Carry out preliminary treatment in the same manner to determine whether being that received frame is to requirement of grader statement by each PHY receiver.But in carrying out the judgements that require, this grader uses with the credit grade that provides in addition more.

As an example, when two credit grades are in mutually quite approaching scope, can independently use the added-time method between the requirement of PHY from two.Yet,, can use another added-time method when one of them credit grade during apparently higher than other.In addition, this embodiment allows grader to consider the credit grade of those PHY receivers, and described PHY receiver does not need to the grader statement of requirement.

Fig. 7 of the present inventionly determines whether to the grader statement of requirement and whether the schematic diagram of embodiment of the PHY function of credit grade is provided for grader.This embodiment is also similar to the embodiment that Fig. 5 describes, and its difference is.Only to the PHY of grader statement of requirement receiver, optionally credit grade is offered grader really from those.In addition, can carry out similarly preliminary treatment, to determine whether being that received frame is to the grader statement of requirement by each PHY receiver.Yet only those finally provide separately credit grade to the PHY of grader statement of requirement receiver to grader.The embodiment difference of this embodiment and Fig. 6 is that credit grade only optionally provides in this embodiment.In the embodiment of Fig. 6, credit grade is all the time from all PHY receivers, or even do not offer grader to the special PHY receiver of grader statement of requirement.But, in this embodiment shown in Figure 7, only to the PHY of grader statement of requirement receiver credit grade is optionally offered grader from those reality.

With comparing among Fig. 6 embodiment, may there be more slightly qualifications in any added-time determination methods that present embodiment provides, because all credit grades separately are disabled (being available from the next credit grade of the PHY receiver of statement of requirement only for example).Yet, even use the requirement and the credit grade information of statement, only comprising that with those rule of the requirement of statement compares (in Fig. 5 embodiment), more advanced judgement rule can adopt.

The embodiment of Fig. 8 A and Fig. 8 B a little at length shows some modes, and in this way, the information that grader is provided based on the there adopts judges rule, and described judgement rule comprises statement of requirement, and credit grade in some cases.

Fig. 8 A of the present inventionly determines whether to state that a PHY selects the embodiment of the classifier function of signal, the requirement of wherein selecting signal to generate based on PHY.This embodiment shows grader and how only to receive requirement from specific PHY receiver.For example, can in PHY receiver separately, provide the processing of some correlation types, to determine whether statement of requirement.For the PHY receiver of a credit grade, require signal (being logical signal in this embodiment) to one in grader statement above corresponding specific PHY receiver threshold value.Can generate a plurality of requirements from a plurality of PHY receivers and state grader.

When grader when an above PHY receiver receives a plurality of the requirement, grader uses judges that rule selects in the PHY receiver one as the victor.For example, to show be that a received frame is to the PHY of grader statement of requirement 1 receiver and PHY n receiver to this embodiment.And PHY 2 receivers statement of requirement not.Therefore, grader need be judged in by the requirement of PHY 1 receiver and the statement of PHY n receiver.Grader carries out the requirement judgement according to the judgement rule then, and described requirement comes from PHY 1 receiver and PHY n receiver.If desired, the judgement rule used of grader can be according to the particular requirement of different PHY receivers statements difference.For example, when judging, use a cover to judge rule by the requiring of PHY 1 receiver and the statement of PHY 2 receivers; When judging, use another set of judgement rule by the requiring of PHY 1 receiver and the statement of PHY n receiver; And when judging, use another set of judgement rule by the requiring of PHY 2 receivers and the statement of PHY n receiver.And, when judging, still can use another set of judgement rule by the requiring of PHY 1, PHY 2 and the statement of PHY n receiver.Obviously, can do not depart from the scope of the present invention with spirit in, use more kinds of judgement rules.In addition, also can do not depart from the scope of the present invention with spirit in, use a single cover to judge rule.

Grader the requirement of a plurality of statements is used judge rule after, the particular decision rule that grader uses according to grader then is to stating that as victor's PHY receiver a PHY selects signal.This embodiment shows according to judging rule, and PHY n is as the victor.In this embodiment, described PHY selection signal is the logical signal that a conduct requires signal.This PHY that is generated by grader selects signal to can be considered an authorization signal that points to PHY n receiver, thereby PHY n receiver is authorized to handle the correlation reception frame.

Fig. 8 B is the schematic diagram that determines whether the embodiment of the classifier function that the requirement that generates according to the PHY receiver and corresponding PHY of credit grade statement select signal of the present invention.This embodiment is more similar to the embodiment of Fig. 8 A, and its difference is that credit grade also is provided for grader, selects the victor with auxiliary from a plurality of requirements that the PHY receiver generates.Can be as requested and the judgement rule of credit grade, generate the judgement rule of a plurality of PHY receivers.The credit grade that the PHY receiver provides can be used as inevitable outcome and is performed that (being generally all each received frames provides from all PHY receivers, and (only providing to the PHY of grader statement of requirement receiver from those reality) is provided as mentioned above) or optionally.In a word, this embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 A, carries out the advantage of judging except this embodiment also has by more information.

Fig. 9 is the embodiment schematic diagram that shows as the grader/PHY function of functional steps (showing with expectation PHY/ grader interface) of the present invention.This embodiment shows mutual between treatment step and PHY receiver and grader generally.PHY receiver shown in the present embodiment is the PHY grader of an actual expectation.

In step 1, expectation PHY receiver is to requirement of grader statement.Among other embodiment described here, this requires signal to be shown as a logical signal.In step 2, grader is selected signal to an expectation of expectation PHY receiver statement PHY.This expectation PHY selects signal to be shown as logical signal.

Then, in case expectation PHY is authorized to handle received frame, the described received frame of expectation PHY receiver actual treatment is shown in step 3.After expectation PHY receiver was finished the processing of received frame, this expectation PHY receiver was finished signal to PHY of grader statement, shown in step 4.Described PHY finishes signal and is shown as a logical signal.

Then, in step 5, expect that the PHY receiver finished the processing of received frame this moment, and grader has been known this thing, expectation PHY receiver and grader return reset mode this moment jointly, and they are waited for that follow-up received frame is received and state related request from this expectation PHY receiver (if described follow-up received frame is corresponding with this expectation PHY receiver) or from actual corresponding other " expectations " PHY receiver of follow-up received frame to grader at this state.Between the specific PHY receiver of follow-up received frame correspondence alternately to expectation received frame in the present embodiment of this demonstration and grader between similar alternately.

Embodiment among Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B shown and has been divided into two-part gain control function, and this gain control function moves in preliminary treatment with when handling received frame.

Figure 10 A is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of gain control function of the present invention (by all PHY receiver preliminary treatment received frames the time).A radio frequency (Radio Frequency) front end is from the antenna receiving signal of this equipment, and described signal comprises processed received frame.This radio-frequency front-end provides this received frame each PHY receiver to equipment.

In the process of all PHY receiver preliminary treatment received frames that pass through equipment, on the received frame that offers all PHY receivers, provide a rough gain controlling.Described rough gain controlling is corresponding with the gain of all PHY receiver families that are suitable for equipment generally.That that is to say, this rough gain controlling is adjusted to the aggregate of characteristic of the different PHY receivers of this equipment generally.This rough gain controlling is shown as by the gain control function piece and provides, and described gain control function piece is in the outside of different PHY receivers.This rough gain controlling is used to control radio-frequency front-end provides certain description for received frame; That is to say, this radio-frequency front-end can be considered relative " making a mute " equipment, in this embodiment, its only according to rough gain controlling provided herein for received frame provide suitable description (for example, radio-frequency front-end itself be not used in determine what grade received frame this demarcated).This gain control function piece also can comprise precise gain control, and precise gain control will be described in Figure 10 B subsequently.

The described rough gain controlling that is provided by gain control function can be considered and can be used for controlling radio-frequency front-end and put received frame under certain limit, and the aggregate of the PHY received frame in described scope and the equipment is suitable mutually.

Figure 10 B is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of gain control function of the present invention (only being handled in the process of received frame by an expectation PHY receiver).Expectation receiver at described received frame is that this received frame is after grader states that it requires, (for example suppose the described PHY receiver processing of this grader mandate received frame, select signal according to PHY) from grader to the PHY receiver, the gain control function piece provides precise gain control for radio-frequency front-end then, thereby this radio-frequency front-end puts received frame under a scope that is particularly suitable for expecting the PHY receiver.That that is to say that described radio-frequency front-end puts received frame under a scope that is suitable for the expectation PHY receiver of actual treatment received frame subsequently.

Should can be considered the gain controlling that received frame can be put under a particular range by the precise gain control that gain control function provides, this scope is particularly suitable for the expectation PHY receiver of actual treatment received frame.Again, this radio-frequency front-end can be considered relative " making a mute " equipment, in this embodiment, its only according to precise gain provided herein be controlled to be received frame provide suitable description (for example, radio-frequency front-end itself be not used in for expectation PHY receiver determine what grade received frame this demarcated).

This embodiment shows and uses precise gain control control radio-frequency front-end received frame to be put under the scope that is suitable for PHY 2 receivers (being shown as expectation PHY receiver in this embodiment).Yet the precise gain control in the gain control function piece can comprise a plurality of precise gain controlling values corresponding with each PHY receiver.For example, can comprise a certain gain controlling value in the gain control function piece corresponding with the specific PHY receiver of equipment.This can determine for each the PHY receiver in this equipment; Each PHY receiver have a correspondence, be contained in the specific precise gain controlling value in the gain control function piece.

Figure 11 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of gain control function of the present invention (control separately in PHY receiver separately).Among the embodiment that above Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B describe, precise gain control and rough gain controlling are provided by the gain control function piece of a PHY receiver outside.In the present embodiment, precise gain control and rough control are provided by each PHY receiver.For example, one of them in the PHY receiver can suitably use rough gain controlling control radio-frequency front-end that received frame is demarcated in preprocessing process.Then, for the PHY receiver that is awarded expectation PHY receiver status, this expectation PHY receiver can use its specific precise gain control control radio-frequency front-end in the process of handling received frame, so that received frame is suitably demarcated.Similarly, another PHY receiver that is awarded expectation PHY receiver status can use specific precise gain control that received frame is suitably demarcated when handling specific received frame.

Again, among the embodiment as top Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B description, radio-frequency front-end can be considered the equipment of " making mute " relatively, it only provides suitable description according to gain controlling provided herein for received frame, described control can be rough gain controlling or precise gain control (for example, the uncertain received frame of radio-frequency front-end itself should be demarcated which kind of grade).Yet the present invention envisions an alternative embodiment really, and its radio-frequency front-end can comprise integrated gain control function in addition, to carry out and similarly rough and precise gain control described here.

Figure 12 is the embodiment schematic diagram of realizing in the WLAN interactive device of the present invention of simplifying function collection PHY receiver.This embodiment shows some PHY receivers and how to be implemented as global function collection PHY receiver, and how some receivers are implemented as the PHY receiver of simplifying the function collection.

Global function collection PHY receiver comprises all suitable functions described herein.For example, these global function collection PHY receiver can be used for carrying out the preliminary treatment of received frame, in preprocessing process, when the credit grade that produces surpasses the threshold value that is fit to this PHY receiver, to state a requirement to grader, with processing received frame from the grader mandate time, and after finishing, finish signal to PHY of grader statement to the processing of received frame.

On the contrary, the PHY receiver of simplifying the function collection comprises all suitable functions described herein.For example, these PHY receivers of simplifying the function collection can be used for received frame of preliminary treatment, in preprocessing process, when the credit grade that produces surpasses the threshold value that is fit to this PHY receiver, to state a requirement to grader, need handle the received frame pause at global function collection PHY receiver, and finish the back at time out and finish signal to PHY of grader statement.

In a word, simplify the PHY receiver that function collection PHY receiver can be considered not to be needed the processing of execution received frame in the given application, and the equipment that may need to allow to comprise the PHY receiver is implemented in polytype application.For example, a special installation can be implemented in an application, thereby it can determine as required that a received frame does not need this equipment, also needs the type of the PHY receiver of definite received frame expectation.Its permission equipment optionally and intelligently suspends during received frame is by another device processes, but described another equipment can comprise the global function collection PHY receiver of suitable actual treatment received frame.Some simplify the PHY receiver of function collection by configuration in equipment, and this equipment can be across the application sets frequency spectrum operation of a broad.

Figure 13 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the PHY receiver of a global function collection realizing in the WLAN interactive device of the present invention and a PHY receiver of simplifying the function collection.This embodiment has shown a mode that comprises global function collection PHY receiver and simplify function collection PHY receiver on some more details.Global function collection PHY receiver and simplify function collection PHY receiver and all can support the received frame discriminating function.Can carry out the received frame identification at global function collection PHY receiver with simplifying in the function collection PHY receiver by the header of received frame.

Yet global function collection PHY receiver can support the received frame processing capacity to handle received frame.Can carry out described received frame in the given time handles.On the contrary, simplify function collection PHY receiver and can need handle in the process of described received frame, support the idle condition latency function to suspend at another PHY receiver.This wait cycle can continue in the scheduled time of global function collection PHY receiver processing received frame.

Figure 14 is the schematic state diagram of the embodiment how to move of grader of the present invention.Again, according to the description of above other embodiment, can be according to finite state automaton (finitestate machine, FSM) operation of simulation grader of the present invention.The operation of this state diagram can be considered from reset mode.This operation enters a wait and requires signal condition then.In the WLAN interactive device, state the different signals that requires by one or more different PHY receivers.When a given PHY receiver requires signal to one in grader statement, and but the run signal of this PHY is when being declared, the state transitions of grader is to the selection mode of this specific PHY receiver, and the selection signal of described this PHY receiver is declared (as selecting signal for PHY of expectation PHY receiver statement) and the selection signal of other PHY receivers is abandoned statement (PHY as non-expectation PHY receiver selects signal to be abandoned statement).Handle for allowing all PHY can carry out Frame, but generally all PHY run signal are declared.Yet, in certain embodiments, but one or more can optionally being deprived by statement from run signal to one or more PHY receivers that abandon in the different PHY receivers authorized the right of handling received frame, thereby the state that prevents grader enters the selection mode that those " can not move " PHY.Finish the processing of received frame when expectation/selection PHY receiver, expectation PHY receiver is finished signal to PHY of grader statement, the state of grader then returns reset mode, to wait for from the one or more follow-up statement signal in other PHY receivers.

For example, when PHY 1 to requirement of grader statement, the state transitions of grader is to the state of selecting PHY 1; But the PHY that is input as statement 1 that the realization of grader is changed requires signal and PHY run signal.When grader is in this state, the selection signal of PHY 1 is declared, and to the selection signal of other PHY receivers abandoned statement (for example to PHY 2 ..., and PHY n).When PHY 1 finishes processing to received frame, PHY1 finishes signal to PHY of grader statement, and the state of grader returns reset mode, to wait for from the one or more follow-up statement signal in other PHY receivers.Also can under a similar mode, carry out any other PHY receiver (for example to PHY2 ..., and PHY n) conversion.

It is also to be noted that the function of grader also can comprise the function that requirement is judged that surmounts that the PHY receiver by received frame provides.Can be considered as other functional statuses on the whole in the present embodiment.For changing grader over to special state, can be according to the mutual execution similar operation between grader described above and different PHY receivers.Described other functions can comprise energy measuring and/or some other functions of designer's selection of implementing different aspect of the present invention.

Figure 15 is the embodiment schematic diagram of a PHY/ grader interface of of making up according to the present invention equipment that can move IEEE 802.11g.The embodiment that describes in this figure can be considered the special implementation of the WLAN interactive device of describing among an above Fig. 4.

Can move IEEE 802.11g equipment and comprise at least two different PHY receivers: a DSSS/CCK PHY receiver and an OFDM PHY receiver.By the PHY receiver of these two separation is provided, the equipment that can move 802.11g can be carried out the processing of received frame, and described received frame can accord with any in 802.11b and the 802.1g standard.For example, the frame (as handling the DSSS/CCK frame) that the equipment that can move 802.11g can use DSSS/CCK PHY receiver to handle to meet the 802.11b standard, and the frame (as handling the OFDM Frame) that the equipment that can move 802.11g can use OFDM PHY receiver to handle to meet the 802.11g standard.In a more common mode, the equipment that can move 802.11g can be considered and comprises many different PHY receivers, and each PHY receiver can meet the different editions of 802.11 standards.For example, the equipment that can move 802.11g can comprise a 802.11a PHY receiver, thereby can provide a single 802.11a/b/g solution, this solution can be implemented the equipment that can move 802.11g in a plurality of application backgrounds, described a plurality of application backgrounds comprise the application according to 802.11a standard WLAN operation.By this mode, single equipment can: be designed in according to the WLAN of 802.11a standard operation, according to the WLAN of 802.11b standard operation or WLAN and use according to the operation of 802.11g standard.In these embodiments, these different PHY receivers can be particularly suitable for handling the received frame that meets 802.11 standard special modification versions.

Among other embodiment described above, each that can move in these PHY receivers of equipment of IEEE 802.11g is connected with a grader communication.Equally similarly, the equipment that can move IEEE 802.11g can be connected with the communication of one or more more higher protocol layer, and described protocol layer comprises MAC and/or one or more higher application layer.The equipment that can move 802.11g comprises the antenna that is used for carrying out with WLAN communication, described WLAN can be used as 802.11a WLAN in some cases and realizes, can be used as 802.11b WLAN in other cases and realize, perhaps can be used as 802.11g WLAN operation under the situation in addition.Here it should be noted that the early stage revision that the equipment that can move IEEE 802.11g can backwards-compatible 802.11 standards, comprise the 802.11b standard.

Can be comprised DSSS/CCK Frame and OFDM Frame by the inhomogeneous Frame that the equipment of operation IEEE 802.11g receives.These DSSS/CCK Frames and OFDM Frame are sent to the equipment of operation IEEE802.11g from one or above other WLAN interactive devices, and described one or above other WLAN interactive devices comprise the equipment of other operations IEEE 802.11g.

Moved the equipment reception of IEEE 802.11g at frame after, different PHY receivers are carried out the preliminary treatment of received frames, are used to carry out the credit grade of received frame classification with calculating.In some cases, DSSS/CCK PHY receiver uses the known extensions sequence of received frame and received frame to carry out dependency number and handles, and OFDM PHY receiver uses the delayed duplicate execution dependency number of received frame and received frame to handle.These dependency numbers can be used for the credit grade among more definite embodiment, and with each threshold ratio in the corresponding PHY receiver, still be OFDM PHY receiver (or any other PHY receiver) to requirement of grader statement to determine the DSSS/CCKPHY receiver.It is also to be noted that these threshold values can be scheduled to, suitably revise according to the operating condition of WLAN, and they can adjust separately in the different PHY receivers each (as with DSSS/CCK PHY receiver and OFDM PHY receiver in each).May there be the situation of a PHY receiver that surpass to a requirement of grader statement.In addition, may exist by a plurality of credit grades that surpass a PHY receiver calculating is situations of similar value.

In some cases, when judging between a plurality of requirements, grader can be implemented to use and require and its corresponding credit grade information.The designer of the equipment of this operation IEEE 802.11g can select special time-delay method/judgement rule, and described rule is used for judging and selecting the PHY receiver of a triumph between the requirement of competition.

After grader was judged between any competition requires, grader provided (or connection) PHY to select signal to expectation PHY receiver then.Thereafter, expectation PHY receiver is handled received frame.Note also that, also support dual gain control function in the equipment of operation IEEE 802.11g: the rough gain controlling during passing through all PHY receiver preliminary treatment received frames, and controlling by the precise gain during the expectation PHY receiver actual treatment received frame.For example, in actual treatment received frame process, this gain control function can carry out gain controlling to received frame, thereby puts received frame under an expectation PHY receiver scope that is suitable for the actual treatment received frame.For example, the expectation of each in DSSS/CCK PHY receiver and the OFDM receiver receives the actual PHY receiver itself (as the different operating dynamic range) that has the signal of Different Dynamic scope or have different qualities.In addition, the expectation of each in DSSS/CCK PHY receiver and the OFDM PHY receiver receives the signal with different peak value one average ratios.More particularly, the expectation of DSSS/CCK PHY receiver receives the signal of the abundant approach signal maximum power of average power, and OFDM PHY receiver expectation reception is compared the signal with relative bigger peak value with the mean value of signal.These running parameters of the type of the signal that each PHY receiver expectation receives or the compensation that characteristic also is used for other operations are that received frame is carried out dissimilar gain controlling with the assurance, thereby put received frame under be more suitable for expecting the PHY receiver scope.

Determine that at grader by behind which PHY receiver processing received frame gain control function can guarantee that received frame is put under the scope that is suitable for specific PHY receiver then.Again, as describing among other embodiment, relative " making mute " equipment of gain control function may command (as a radio-frequency front-end) is to carry out the description of received frame.

After expectation PHY receiver was handled received frame fully, expectation PHY receiver was finished signal to PHY of grader statement, and notice grader PHY receiver has been finished the processing to received frame.

Other embodiment as described above may exist received frame in fact not expect the situation of any PHY receiver of the equipment of described operation IEEE 802.11g.Yet, in this case, the equipment of operation IEEE 802.11g can comprise one or the above function collection PHY receiver of simplifying, and the described function collection PHY receiver of simplifying is used for the PHY receiver determining a class of received frame expectation and be not included in the equipment of described operation IEEE 802.11g.

Alternately, the equipment of operation IEEE 802.11g can detect exist (as detecting the energy of received frame correspondence) of some energy among the WLAN.If desired, OFDM PHY receiver can be implemented to carry out energy measuring.

In the case, suppose some energy of physical presence in WLAN, the equipment of operation IEEE802.11g can suspend a time cycle (as during this period, not allowing to transmit or receive the equipment of any frame to described operation IEEE 802.11g), or monitors that the energy that exists disappears up to it.In this way, the equipment of operation IEEE 802.11g can not disturb another WLAN interactive device (as the equipment of another operation IEEE 802.11g) that the energy of existence may be expected.Whether use at definite received frame for described operation IEEE 802.11g, and determine real when not entering a delay cycle (not allowing the frame that transmits and receive data), the equipment of operation IEEE802.11g can be separately or with some other more high layer function unite use energy measuring function, described more high layer function such as credit grade compensate function (or relevant layers compensate function).

Again, as above other embodiment are described, note also that, can be accomplished in several ways grader and different PHY receivers in the equipment of operation IEEE802.11g, and any more higher protocol layer.Can use one or above integrated circuit can be implemented to support the function of all these difference in functionality pieces (as PHY receiver, grader and any more higher protocol layer).Can in single integrated circuit, realize all these functional blocks; Also can in different integrated circuits, realize these functional blocks.

Figure 16 is the schematic diagram of another embodiment of a PHY/ grader interface of the equipment of an operation IEEE 802.11g of structure according to the present invention.This specific embodiment has shown how to realize to use grader and the associated working of two PHY receivers, one of them PHY receiver is used for OFDM packet (being illustrated as OFDM PHY), and another PHY receiver is used for DSSS/CCK packet (being illustrated as DSSS/CCK PHY).OFDM PHY receiver and DSSS/CCK PHY receiver can be shared assembly, but in this embodiment for for simplicity, are shown with the functional block of separating.

OFDM_CLAIM signal and OFDM_DONE signal are shown as the input from OFDMPHY to the grader.Similarly, DSSS/CCK_CLAIM and DSSS/CCK_CLAIM signal are shown as the input from DSSS/CCK PHY to grader.The ED_CLAIM and the ED_CLAIM signal that are used on described receiver, handling non--packet/non-received frame energy measuring (Energy Detection) assembly that also have the input category device.In this embodiment, OFDM PHY controls the processing of non-packet energy, from but generate the functional block of these signals.The input of other graders, OFDM_ENABLE, DSSS/CCK_ENABLE and ED_ENABLE provide the control signal of the selectivity classification of each class energy.The output signal of grader, OFDM_SELECTED, DSSS/CCK_SELECTED and ED_SELECTED are input to different PHY.Described input and output are logical signal, and their state can be described as the grader state diagram among following Figure 14.

Figure 17 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the grader state diagram of the equipment of the operation IEEE 802.11g of operation according to the present invention.Again, identical in the present embodiment among the operation of the grader of this PHY/ grader interface and other embodiment can be by a FSM simulation.In this state diagram, represented the conversion that allows between different conditions in the grader with the state that circle and arrow are represented.Description in the state exchange has shown the condition that those special conversions are required.

Adjacent with state pass through the square frame that lines are connected, listed the value of grader output under the special state.In this particular example, state and (RESET) state that resets of having a WAITING_FOR_CLAIM state (wait requires signal condition), each possibility kind of energy (as DSSS/CCK kind of energy and OFDM kind of energy).At reset mode, all outputs of grader are changed to 0 by force, and grader itself can not be distinguished the energy of any kind.Grader is transformed into the WAITING_FOR_CLAIM state from reset mode.When this state, the existence of the different PHY receivers search data bag in this equipment in the equipment; It can be described as preliminary treatment at this.

More particularly, DSSS/CCK PHY calculates the correlation of received signal (as received frame) by the known extensions sequence of a DSSS/CCK Frame.Simultaneously, OFDM PHY calculates received signal (as received frame) and its degree of correlation by an OFDM short training sequence cycle delay own.If the degree of correlation of DSSS/CCK surpasses a definite threshold value (selected by the designer), then DSSS/CCK PHY is to DSSS/CCK_CLAIM signal of grader statement.The DSSS/CCK_ENABLE of input category device is as the switch of the classification of a received signal that starts/stop DSS/CCK bag.

If the DSSS/CCK_ENABLE input is set as 0, then do not allow to be transformed into the DSSS/CCK_SELECTED state, and DSSS/CCK_CLAIM is left in the basket.If the input value of DSSS/CCK_ENABLE is 1, then grader will be transformed into the DSSS/CCK_SELECTED state, and state its DSSS/CCK_SELECTED signal when finding a DSSS/CCK_CLAIM.When DSSS/CCK PHY processing signals, the statement of DSSS/CCK_SELECTED output forces to make OFDM PHY to keep an idle condition.In case DSSS/CCK PHY finishes Signal Processing, it is to DSSS/CCK_DONE signal of grader statement.Grader is transformed into reset mode, abandons stating the DSSS/CCK_SELECTED signal, and reenters the WAITING_FOR_CLAIM state, to carry out the processing of follow-up received signal (as follow-up received frame).

The conversion sequence of the conversion sequence of OFDM packet and DSSS/CCK packet is similar.If the above-mentioned OFDM degree of correlation surpasses the threshold value (selected by the designer) of a design, then OFDM PHY is to OFDM_CLAIM signal of grader statement.If the value of OFDM_ENABLE signal is 1, then makes grader be transformed into the OFDM_SELECTED state, and state this OFDM_SELECTED signal by the OFDM_CLAIM that provides by OFDM PHY.When grader at the OFDM_SELECTED state, it is idle that DSSS/CCK PHY keeps.Grader just withdraws from the OFDM_SELECTED state by an OFDM_DONE signal up to receiving from OFDM PHY, and then, grader enters reset mode, to remove all grader inputs, returns the WAITING_FOR_CLAIM state, and waits for next packet.

Except that the search data bag, grader is at its input monitoring power.When the input power that receives surpasses a threshold value, give OFDM and DSSS/CCK PHY certain hour, to state a requirement.If PHY does not need energy, ED_CLAIM be declared with non-packet energy measuring of notice grader (Energy Detect, ED).Grader requires packet/PHY to require the action of received frame similar to the action of non-packet energy and its to PHY.If ED_ENABLE is 1, grader enters the ED_ENABLE state, and states its ED_SELECTED output.In case input power fully reduces (as dissipating), perhaps, state an ED_DONE signal at special time week after date, grader is through a reset mode and return the WAITING_FOR_CLAIM state.The time cycle of power threshold, the time of waiting for requirement, time-out and any other realize that parameter can be by the designer's selection that realizes aspect of the present invention.In this embodiment, OFDM PHY control ED_CLAIM and ED_DONE signal.This is to be contained in OFDM PHY owing to be used to measure the receiver assembly of intake, is shown as the ED function.Yet other places that can be chosen in receiver do not have the implementation of these assemblies, are included in inner or other PHY inside of DSSS/CCK PHY.

Owing to exist the competition that is provided by different PHY to require signal sometimes, delay procedure (as judging rule) can be implemented with in a special timing cycle, handles the requirement that the identical time arrives receiver.In addition, specific embodiment also can use delay procedure (as judging rule), and described delay procedure comprises not only corresponding to requiring, and corresponding to the information of the credit grade that requires relevant credit grade with these or provide by all PHY receivers.As an example realizing the method for judgement rule, in one embodiment, give the priority that OFDM_CLAIM surpasses ED_CLAIM, and give the priority that DSSS/CCK_CLAIM surpasses other requirements.As required in a particular embodiment, other implementations of grader can be implemented to carry out different delay procedures/judgement rule.

Figure 18 is the schematic diagram of PHY/ grader interactive interfacing of the present invention as the embodiment of the function of time.Beginning, receives a Frame by an equipment at the as directed time 1.Each PHY receiver of described equipment is carried out preliminary treatment, to calculate credit grade (or associated ratings), whether expects to use specific PHY receiver to determine received frame.

Then, the as directed time 2, these corresponding credit grades surpass the PHY receiver of a threshold value of corresponding PHY receiver and state a requirement to grader.A plurality of PHY receivers can be to the grader statement of requirement.Present embodiment has shown the PHY receiver of PHY 1 as a unique statement of requirement, but obviously, other receivers also can be to the grader statement of requirement.

If 2 or above PHY receiver are when the grader statement of requirement, grader can be judged between a plurality of requirements.Grader can be distinguished by grader at one time or the order of priority that requires of the difference that receives in the same time cycle.

Then, the as directed time 3, grader provides a PHY to select signal to the suitable PHY receiver of received frame expectation then.Provide this PHY to select signal to expectation PHY receiver.Then, expectation PHY receiver is handled this received frame.

Then, the as directed time 4, after the expectation receiver was finished processing to received frame, expectation PHY receiver was finished signal to PHY of grader statement, and grader can receive in this equipment from the requirement statement subsequently of different PHY receivers.

To be the relevant preliminary treatment of carrying out DSSS/CCK and OFDM in DSSS/CCK PHY receiver and OFDM PHY receiver respectively of the present invention be used to determine whether schematic diagram to the embodiment of the credit grade of grader statement declaration with calculating to Figure 19.

This figure with graphical illustration DSSS/CCK PHY and OFDM PHY how to calculate the dependency number that their being used to separately determine whether the received frame of statement of requirement.The degree of correlation between the known extensions sequence of a DSSS/CCK PHY calculating received signal and a DSSS/CCK Frame.The known extensions sequence of a received frame and a DSSS/CCK Frame is provided to the dependency number function blocks, and the DSSS/CCK PHY credit grade relevant with the correlation values of calculating in DSSS/CCK PHY at this place is output.

Simultaneously, OFDM PHY uses the degree of correlation of itself calculating received signal by the cycle delay of an OFDM short training sequence.Received frame to one a dependency number function blocks is provided, thereby and provides received frame to a time-delay piece to generate the time-delay copy of a received frame.The time-delay copy of described received frame, and received frame all offers the dependency number function blocks, an OFDM PHY credit grade relevant with the correlation values of calculating in DSSS/CCK PHY is output herein.

If the DSSS/CCK credit grade surpasses a definite threshold value (selected by the designer), then DSSS/CCK PHY requires signal to one in grader statement.In addition, if the OFDM credit grade surpasses a definite threshold value (selected by the designer), then OFDM PHY receiver also requires signal to one in grader statement.

The situation that requires adjacent grader that also exists relevant credit grade also to offer and state.If desired, offered grader from the credit grade of all PHY receivers by PHY receiver only from statement of requirement.In addition, the credit grade from all PHY receivers is offered grader from all PHY receivers usually.

As other embodiment, grader can be judged the requirement of any competition, and described requirement can be provided by DSSS/CCK PHY and OFDM PHY.When there not being sure requirement to be stated to grader from arbitrary PHY receiver, and energy is when being present among the WLAN really, and grader can receive one and show that energy is present in the ED requirement among the WLAN.For responding this ED requirement, grader can be selected signal to DSSS/CCK PHY and ED of OFDM PHY statement.In the case, grader is controlled all PHY receiver and is suspended a preset time cycle or disappear up to energy.

Figure 20 A and Figure 20 B are the schematic diagram of the embodiment of the moved IEEE 802.11a/b/g equipment of design according to the present invention.These embodiment have shown how a single equipment is designed to move, and wherein WLAN comprises any among 802.11a WLAN, 802.11bWLAN, 802.11g WLAN or the 802.11b/g WLAN in different WLAN.

With reference to figure 20A, the equipment of an operation 802.11a/b/g WLAN comprises a common radio-frequency front-end that is connected with each 802.11a PHY receiver communication, a 802.11b PHY receiver and a 802.11g PHY receiver.More particularly, radio-frequency front-end is divided into a funtion part that is suitable for the 802.11a scope from function, and a funtion part that is suitable for the 802.11b/g scope.802.11a scope at about 4.9GHz between the 5.8GHz frequency range.802.11b scope at about 2.41GHz between the 2.47GHz frequency range.802.11g scope at about 2.41GHz between the 2.47GHz frequency range.The radio-frequency front-end that function is divided can be used as the integrated circuit of two separation and realizes, perhaps the functional block as the separation in the single IC for both realizes.

When the equipment of operation 802.11a/b/g moved in 802.11a WLAN, the part of operation 802.11b PHY receiver and 802.11g PHY receiver was under an embargo.Similarly, when moving in equipment any in 802.11b WLAN or 802.11g WLAN of operation 802.11a/b/g, the part of operation 802.11a PHY receiver is under an embargo.

With reference to figure 20B, the embodiment of this embodiment and Figure 20 A is similar, and difference is that 802.11b PHY receiver and 802.11g PHY receiver all use the identical functions piece to be implemented.Because 802.11a standard and 802.11g standard are all used the OFDM operation, can use the identical function piece to support the processing of the received frame of two standards except that radio-frequency front-end.

Figure 21, Figure 22, Figure 23 and Figure 24 carry out the flow chart of the different embodiment of sorting technique for the present invention.

With reference to Figure 21, described method is with received frame (or bag) beginning.This method continues to carry out the received frame classification then, and described received frame is for expecting by the received frame of a processing in a plurality of PHY receivers.Then, based on this classification, this method relates to continuation and carries out the operation that received frame is handled by expectation PHY receiver.In addition, this method also relates to use and is not selected as expecting that other PHY receivers of PHY receiver handle the operation of received frames.Received frame after this method is only handled from the expectation PHY receiver output of actual treatment received frame then.

With reference to Figure 22, this method is included in each PHY receiver preliminary treatment received frame (or bag) of equipment, thereby calculates each credit grade.For in the PHY receiver each, when its corresponding credit grade surpassed its corresponding threshold, this PHY receiver required signal from this PHY receiver to one in grader statement.Again, can state a plurality of requirements to grader from different PHY receivers.

When a plurality of requirements were declared, then this method related to judgement reception requirement.Be declared from all select a victor the requirement after, this method relates to operation of selecting signal of expectation PHY receiver statement, described expectation PHY receiver can be considered the expectation PHY receiver of authorisation process received frame.This method relates to the operation of using expectation PHY receiver to handle received frame then.Then, this method also relates to after expectation PHY receiver is finished the received frame processing, from the operation of the treated received frame of expectation PHY receiver output.After expectation PHY receiver was finished the received frame processing, this method related to operation from this PHY to PHY of grader transmission that finish signal from.

This method relates to the action that resets then, is provided at the Frame (or bag) of preliminary treatment reception subsequently in each PHY receiver of equipment then, thereby calculates each credit grade.

In certain embodiments, this method does not relate to the operation of using expectation PHY receiver actual treatment received frame.On the contrary, simplify in the function collection PHY receiver or in an equipment that uses the ED function, this method relates to the operation that suspends a predetermined period of time at one.This predetermined period of time can with different PHY receivers in each finish received frame to handle the required time cycle identical.

With reference to Figure 23, the method for present embodiment starts by receiving a Frame (or bag).Then, this method is proceeded the preliminary treatment received frame of received frame to calculate the operation of credit grade.The calculating of this credit grade can be by analyzing received frame energy (as calculating the dependency number of received frame and or above given frame type) use each PHY receiver (as PHY 1, PHY2, PHY 3 ..., PHY n) to calculate credit grade.For example, it can use the dependency number of received frame to handle, and helps its PHY receiver as a kind of particular type of a kind of particular type standard or conduct expectation of identification.

Surpass in the PHY receiver of its each threshold value each for credit grade, this method relates to from the operation of PHY receiver to grader statement of requirement signal.In addition, this method also relates to from the operation of abandoning statement of requirement signal of PHY receiver to grader.

This method also relates to the operation of judging from the requirement of a plurality of receptions.After selecting a victor PHY receiver, this method relates to PHY of expectation PHY receiver statement selects the operation of signal, thereby authorizes expectation PHY receiver to handle received frame.

This method continues to use expectation PHY receiver to handle/decode the operation of received frame then.After the processing operation of finishing the PHY receiver, this method is proceeded from operation of finishing signal of expectation PHY receiver statement.

With reference to Figure 24, the method for present embodiment is by receiving a Frame (or bag) beginning.Then, this method is proceeded the preliminary treatment received frame to calculate the operation of credit grade.This preliminary treatment can be calculated one first dependency number and be realized by the known sequence spreading that uses a received frame and a DSSS/CCK Frame.In addition, this preliminary treatment can be calculated the realization of one second dependency number by the delayed duplicate that uses received frame and received frame.

Then, this method determines that whether described first dependency number surpasses or equal a first threshold.If first dependency number surpasses or equals first threshold, then this method is proceeded from DSSS/CCK requirement of DSSS/CCK PHY statement.In addition, this method determines also whether second dependency number surpasses or equal one second threshold value.If second dependency number surpasses or equals second threshold value, then this method is proceeded from OFDM requirement of OFDM PHY statement.

This method determines that DSSS/CCK requires or OFDM requires these two to require whether have only one in the type and be declared then.If have only a requirement (any in DSSS/CCK requirement or the OFDM requirement), this specific PHY receiver is designated as expectation PHY receiver then.For example, if only DSSS/CCK requires to be declared, then DSSS/CCK PHY receiver is designated as expectation PHY receiver.And if only OFDM requires to be declared, then the OFDMPHY receiver is designated as expectation PHY receiver.

Then, after a suitable substance P HY receiver was designated as expectation PHY receiver, this method continued to use this expectation PHY receiver to carry out the processing/decode operation of received frame according to this mode.This method continues after expectation PHY receiver is finished the processing of received frame then, finishes signal from one in expectation PHY receiver statement.

This method determines that replacedly DSSS/CCK requires and OFDM requires whether to be declared.If DSSS/CCK requires and OFDM requires to be declared, then this method is used and is judged rule and specify DSSS/CCK PHY receiver as expectation PHY receiver.

If any during DSSS/CCK requirement or OFDM require all is not declared, then this method proceeds to determine whether that the energy that surpasses above-mentioned energy threshold is detected.If the energy of the received frame that detects is not on described energy threshold, then this method finishes.And if the energy of the received frame that detects is on described energy threshold, then this method is proceeded the operation to a DSSS/CCK PHY and an ED signal of OFDM PHY statement.This method does not allow the statement (and/or up to energy disappear) of any requirement at a special time in the cycle then.

Figure 25 is the sequential chart of the embodiment that the equipment of operation IEEE802.11g transmits when moving an effective OFDM frame (or bag) of the present invention.For the unlike signal that uses, the identical definition of describing in another embodiment more than the use.This sequential chart has shown and has been based upon the OFDM PHY statement that received frame carries out, the conversion of unlike signal.

More specifically, in the present embodiment,, just can find that OFDM dependency number (as credit grade) surpasses a design threshold in case receive the frame (or bag) of effective OFDM.Therefore, OFDM PHY at OFDM/ grader interface to OFDM_CLAIM signal of grader statement, and DSSS/CCK PHY DSSS/CCK_CLAIM signal of the statement of the grader in DSSS/CCK/ grader interface not.This grader is transformed into the OFDM_SELECTED state, thereby the OFDM_SELECTED signal is shown in the DSSS/CCK/ grader interface and is declared.

Yet,, just can find that the DSSS/CCK dependency number is no more than its corresponding design threshold in case receive effective OFDM frame (or bag).Therefore, grader is not transformed into the DSSS/CCK_SELECTED state, thereby the DSSS/CCK_SELECTED signal is not declared in OFDM/ grader interface.When grader is in as directed OFDM_SELECTED state in DSSS/CCK/ grader interface, then DSSS/CCKPHY keeps idle.Therefore, grader is not stated described DSSS/CCK_CLAIM and DSSS/CCK_DONE signal in the DSSS/CCK/ grader.Grader just withdraws from the OFDM_SELECTED state up to receive an OFDM_DONE signal from the OFDM receiver.

In conjunction with above detailed description of the present invention and relevant drawings, other modifications and variations can realize easily.It is equally clear, can not break away from these other modifications and variations of realization in the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1, a kind of WLAN (wireless local area network) interactive device is characterized in that, this equipment comprises:

A grader;

A plurality of physical layer receivers, each the physical layer receiver in wherein a plurality of physical layer receivers connects with described grader communication and each physical layer receiver is respectively applied for the Frame of handling different receptions;

Wherein said equipment receiving data frame;

Whether the preliminary treatment that each the physical layer receiver in wherein a plurality of physical layer receivers is used to carry out the Frame of described reception is the desired credit grade of this physical layer receiver with the Frame that calculates an expression and receive;

Wherein calculate each physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers of a credit grade to requirement of grader statement, described credit grade equals or exceeds and the corresponding threshold value of this physical layer receiver;

Wherein, the two or more physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers is to described grader statement of requirement, and grader is judged described requirement, and specifies in the physical layer receiver one as an expectation physical layer receiver;

Wherein, a physical layer receiver is only arranged in a plurality of physical layer receivers, specify this physical layer receiver as expectation physical layer receiver to requirement of described grader statement;

Wherein said grader is selected signal to physical layer of described expectation physical layer receiver statement; And

Wherein said expectation physical layer receiver is handled the Frame of described reception.

2, according to the described equipment of claim 1, it is characterized in that, wherein said physical layer receiver is finished the processing of Frame of reception at described expectation physical layer receiver after, finish signal to physical layer of grader statement.

3, according to the described equipment of claim 2, it is characterized in that, wherein:

Described grader is connected with the communication of a plurality of more higher protocol layer; And

In described a plurality of more higher protocol layer one more higher protocol layer be MAC layer or a higher application layer.

4, the equipment of an operation IEEE 802.11g is characterized in that this equipment comprises:

A grader;

A DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver that is connected with described grader communication;

An OFDM physical layer receiver that is connected with described grader communication;

Wherein said grader receives the Frame of a reception;

Wherein said DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is used to use the Frame of reception and the predetermined extended sequence of a DSSS/CCK Frame to carry out preliminary treatment to calculate one first dependency number;

Wherein, when described first dependency number surpasses one first predetermined threshold, described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is to DSSS/CCK requirement of grader statement;

Wherein said OFDM physical layer receiver is used to use the Frame of reception and a delayed duplicate of Frame to carry out preliminary treatment to calculate one second dependency number, and the delay between the Frame of reception and this data frame delays copy is a training sequence cycle of the Frame of described reception;

Wherein, when described second dependency number surpasses one second predetermined threshold, described OFDM physical layer receiver is to OFDM requirement of grader statement;

Wherein, when described OFDM requires to be stated to described grader, and there is not DSSS/CCK to require to be stated to described grader, described OFDM physical layer receiver is designated as an expectation physical layer receiver, and described grader is selected signal to OFDM physical layer of described OFDM physical layer receiver statement;

Wherein, when described DSSS/CCK requires to be stated to described grader, and there is not OFDM to require to be stated to described grader, described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is designated as an expectation physical layer receiver, and described grader is selected signal to DSSS/CCK physical layer of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver statement;

Wherein, when DSSS/CCK requires and OFDM requires to be stated to described grader, described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is designated as an expectation physical layer receiver, and described grader is selected signal to DSSS/CCK physical layer of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver statement;

Wherein said expectation physical layer receiver is handled the Frame of described reception; And

Wherein said expectation physical layer receiver is finished signal to physical layer of grader statement after the processing of the Frame of finishing reception.

5, according to the described equipment of claim 4, it is characterized in that, wherein:

Described grader is connected with the communication of a plurality of more higher protocol layer; And

In described a plurality of more higher protocol layer one more higher protocol layer be MAC layer or a higher application layer.

6, a kind of sorting technique is characterized in that, this method comprises:

Receive a Frame;

The Frame of the described reception of preliminary treatment thinks that each the physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers calculates the credit grade of a correspondence, whether described credit grade shows the Frame of described reception by this physical layer receiver expectation in a plurality of physical layer receivers, and each physical layer receiver is respectively applied for handles different Frames;

State a requirement for each the physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers to described grader, described physical layer receiver has the credit grade of a correspondence, and described credit grade equals or exceeds one and physical layer receiver corresponding threshold;

When the two or more physical layer receiver in a plurality of physical layer receivers during, judge described requirement, and specify a physical layer receiver as an expectation physical layer receiver to described grader statement of requirement;

A physical layer receiver is only arranged to requirement of described grader statement in a plurality of physical layer receivers, specify this physical layer receiver as expectation physical layer receiver;

Select signal from grader to physical layer of expectation physical layer receiver statement;

Use described expectation physical layer receiver to handle the Frame of described reception; And

After using expectation physical layer receiver to finish the processing of Frame of reception, finish signal to physical layer of grader statement.

According to the described method of claim 6, it is characterized in that 7, wherein the operation of the Frame of the described reception of preliminary treatment also comprises:

Use the Frame of described reception and a predetermined extended sequence of a DSSS/CCK frame to calculate a dependency number.

8, a kind of sorting technique is characterized in that, this method comprises:

Receive a Frame;

Use the Frame of described reception and a predetermined extended sequence of a DSSS/CCK frame to calculate one first dependency number;

When described first dependency number surpasses one first predetermined threshold, DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver is to DSSS/CCK requirement of grader statement;

Use the Frame of described reception and a delayed duplicate of Frame to calculate one second dependency number, the delay between the Frame of described reception and data frame delays copy is a training sequence cycle of the Frame of reception;

When described second dependency number surpasses one second predetermined threshold, OFDM physical layer receiver is to the OFDM requirement of the Frame of a described reception of grader statement;

When described OFDM requires to be declared, and do not have DSSS/CCK to require to be declared, specify the expectation physical layer receiver of described OFDM physical layer receiver as the Frame of described reception;

When described DSSS/CCK requires to be declared, and do not have OFDM to require to be declared, specify the expectation physical layer receiver of described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver as the Frame of described reception;

When DSSS/CCK requires and OFDM requires by to described grader statement, specify described DSSS/CCK physical layer receiver by for expecting the physical layer receiver;

Select signal from described grader to physical layer of described expectation physical layer receiver statement;

Use expectation physical layer receiver to handle the Frame of described reception;

Finish the processing of Frame of described reception at described expectation physical layer receiver after, finish signal to physical layer of grader statement from expectation physical layer receiver.

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