TW201834410A - Virtual roaming methods and apparatus thereof - Google Patents
Virtual roaming methods and apparatus thereof Download PDFInfo
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- TW201834410A TW201834410A TW107107443A TW107107443A TW201834410A TW 201834410 A TW201834410 A TW 201834410A TW 107107443 A TW107107443 A TW 107107443A TW 107107443 A TW107107443 A TW 107107443A TW 201834410 A TW201834410 A TW 201834410A
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
- H04W36/0005—Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
- H04W36/0083—Determination of parameters used for hand-off, e.g. generation or modification of neighbour cell lists
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
- H04W36/08—Reselecting an access point
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
- H04W36/24—Reselection being triggered by specific parameters
- H04W36/30—Reselection being triggered by specific parameters by measured or perceived connection quality data
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Abstract
Description
本發明涉及電腦網路技術領域，更具體地，涉及一種虛擬漫遊方法及裝置。 The present invention relates to the field of computer network technology, and more particularly, to a method and device for virtual roaming.
除非在此另外指出，否則本部分中描述的方法不係對於本文列出的申請專利範圍第的現有技術，並且包含在本部分中方法也未承認係現有技術。 Unless otherwise indicated herein, the methods described in this section are not prior art to the scope of patent applications listed herein, and the methods included in this section are not admitted to be prior art.
在具有複數個無線中繼器(wireless repeater)和/或具有相同服務集識別碼(SSID，service set identifier)和安全設置的接入點(AP，access point)的網路中，當第二中繼器/AP的訊號強度(signal strength)優於第一中繼器/AP的訊號強度時，用戶設備(user equipment)或站點(STA，station)所代表的用戶可能期望從第一中繼器/AP漫遊(roam)至第二中繼器/AP。從具有較弱訊號強度的一個中繼器/AP漫遊到具有較強訊號強度的另一個中繼器/AP的能力有助於提高性能，因為這種漫遊提高了單播(unicast)封包(packet)的資料速率。然而，在STA中實現的全部或者至少大部分的現有漫遊演算法(algorithm)不係總係會從一個中繼器/AP切換到另一個中繼器/AP，而係直到STA連接的中繼器/AP的接收訊號強 度指示(RSSI，received signal strength indicator)變得非常差(例如<-70dB)時，才會進行切換操作。例如，STA可能正在從STA連接的中繼器/AP接收-70dB的RSSI，但係STA可能不知道周圍有接收訊號強度指示更好的中繼器/AP，它可以提供-50dB的RSSI。因而由STA執行的漫遊演算法可能不會觸發漫遊或切換，直到當前接收到的RSSI惡化到<-70dB的點時，該漫遊演算法才會執行漫遊或切換。 In a network having multiple wireless repeaters (wireless repeaters) and / or access points (APs) with the same service set identifier (SSID) and security settings, when the second When the signal strength of the repeater / AP is better than the signal strength of the first repeater / AP, the user represented by the user equipment (user equipment) or station (STA, station) may expect to receive the signal from the first repeater. The router / AP roams to the second repeater / AP. The ability to roam from one repeater / AP with weaker signal strength to another repeater / AP with stronger signal strength helps improve performance because this roaming improves unicast packets ) Data rate. However, all or at least most of the existing roaming algorithms implemented in STAs do not always switch from one repeater / AP to another repeater / AP, but are relays until the STA is connected. When the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the receiver / AP becomes very poor (for example, <-70dB), the handover operation is performed. For example, the STA may be receiving -70dB RSSI from the repeater / AP connected to the STA, but the STA may not know that there are repeaters / APs with better received signal strength indicators around it, which can provide -50dB RSSI. Therefore, the roaming algorithm executed by the STA may not trigger roaming or handover. The roaming algorithm will not perform roaming or handover until the currently received RSSI deteriorates to a point of <-70dB.
有鑑於此，本發明提供一種虛擬漫遊方法及裝置，以及時的執行漫遊切換。 In view of this, the present invention provides a virtual roaming method and device, and performs roaming handover in a timely manner.
根據本發明的第一方面，公開一種虛擬漫遊方法，包括：通過電子裝置的處理器作用為主中繼器和一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器來主控該主中繼器和該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器，其中，該一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器虛擬一個或者複數個遠端中繼器；該處理器用作該主中繼器並通過與站點通訊來為該站點服務；該處理器請求該一個或複數個遠端中繼器中的第一遠端中繼器來為該站點服務；以及在完成將該站點切換到第一遠端中繼器之後，該處理器停止為該站點服務。 According to a first aspect of the present invention, a virtual roaming method is disclosed, including: controlling the main repeater and the one or more pluralities by using a processor of an electronic device as a main repeater and one or more virtual repeaters Virtual repeaters, wherein the one or more virtual repeaters virtual one or more remote repeaters; the processor serves as the main repeater and serves the site by communicating with the site; The processor requests the first remote repeater of the one or more remote repeaters to serve the site; and after completing switching the site to the first remote repeater, the process Server stops servicing the site.
根據本發明的第二個方面，公開一種虛擬漫遊方法，包括：通過電子裝置的處理器作用為主中繼器和一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器來主控該主中繼器和該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器，其中，該一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器虛擬一個或者複數個遠端中繼器；該處理器接收來自第一遠端中繼器的為該站點服務的請求；以及該處理器用作該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器中的第一虛擬中繼器通過與該站點通訊來為該站點服務，該第一虛擬中繼器虛擬該第一遠端中繼器回應於接收到的請求。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, a virtual roaming method is disclosed, including: controlling the main repeater and the one or more virtual repeaters through the role of the processor of the electronic device as the main repeater and one or more virtual repeaters A plurality of virtual repeaters, wherein the one or more virtual repeaters are virtual one or more remote repeaters; the processor receives a request from the first remote repeater to serve the site; And the processor serves as a first virtual repeater of the one or more virtual repeaters to serve the site by communicating with the site, the first virtual repeater virtualizing the first remote repeater The server responds to the received request.
根據本發明的第三個方面，公開一種虛擬漫遊裝置，包括：處理器，包括：中繼器主控電路，能夠作用為主中繼器和一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器來主控該主中繼器和該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器，其中，該一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器虛擬一個或者複數個遠端中繼器；以及通訊電路，能夠與一個或複數個站點和用於服務該一個或複數個站點的一個或複數個遠端中繼器進行通訊；其中該中繼器主控電路通過廣播與該電子裝置相關聯的媒體存取控制位址作為與該主中繼器對應的基本服務集的基 本服務集識別碼來主控該主中繼器，以及其中該中繼器主控電路通過廣播與該第一遠端中繼器相關聯的媒體存取控制位址作為對應於虛擬第一遠端中繼器的一個或複數個虛擬中繼器中的第一虛擬中繼器的基本服務集的基本服務集識別碼來主控該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器。 According to a third aspect of the present invention, a virtual roaming device is disclosed, including: a processor including: a repeater master control circuit capable of acting as a master repeater and one or more virtual repeaters to control the master A repeater and the one or more virtual repeaters, wherein the one or more virtual repeaters virtual one or more remote repeaters; and a communication circuit capable of communicating with one or more stations and users Communicating with one or more remote repeaters serving the one or more sites; wherein the repeater main control circuit broadcasts a media access control address associated with the electronic device as The basic service set identifier of the basic service set corresponding to the repeater to control the main repeater, and wherein the repeater main control circuit broadcasts a media access control bit associated with the first remote repeater As a basic service set identifier of a basic service set of a first virtual repeater or one of a plurality of virtual repeaters corresponding to a virtual first remote repeater, the address controls the one or more virtual repeaters. Device .
本發明提供的虛擬漫遊方法包括：通過電子裝置的處理器作用為主中繼器和一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器來主控該主中繼器和該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器，其中，該一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器虛擬一個或者複數個遠端中繼器；該處理器用作該主中繼器並通過與站點通訊來為該站點服務；該處理器請求該一個或複數個遠端中繼器中的第一遠端中繼器來為該站點服務；以及在完成將該站點切換到第一遠端中繼器之後，該處理器停止為該站點服務。採用這種方式，只要周圍具有更強或更好的RSSI的中繼器時，當前中繼器就會請求具有更強或更好的RSSI的其他中繼器與站點通訊，為站點提供服務，站點就可以漫遊到該其他中繼器，可以避免只有在較低的RSSI水準時才觸發漫遊的情況，從而使站點的漫遊更加及時。 The virtual roaming method provided by the present invention includes: controlling the main repeater and the one or more virtual repeaters by using the processor of the electronic device as the main repeater and one or more virtual repeaters, wherein , The one or more virtual repeaters virtual one or more remote repeaters; the processor serves as the main repeater and serves the site by communicating with the site; the processor requests the one or The first remote repeater of the plurality of remote repeaters to serve the site; and after completing switching the site to the first remote repeater, the processor stops serving the site . In this way, as long as there are repeaters with stronger or better RSSI around, the current repeater will request other repeaters with stronger or better RSSI to communicate with the site, providing the site with Service, the site can roam to this other repeater, which can avoid the situation that the roaming is triggered only at a lower RSSI level, thereby making the site roaming more timely.
在閱讀了隨後以不同附圖展示的優選實施例的詳細說明之後，本發明的這些和其它目標對本領域普通技術人員來說無疑將變得明顯。 These and other objects of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that are subsequently shown in different drawings.
100‧‧‧網路 100‧‧‧Internet
110、120、130‧‧‧通訊設備 110, 120, 130‧‧‧ communication equipment
140‧‧‧根AP 140‧‧‧ APs
112、114、116、122、124、126、132、134、136‧‧‧中繼器 112, 114, 116, 122, 124, 126, 132, 134, 136‧‧‧ repeaters
150‧‧‧STA 150‧‧‧STA
200‧‧‧裝置 200‧‧‧ device
210‧‧‧處理器 210‧‧‧ processor
212‧‧‧中繼器主控電路 212‧‧‧ Repeater main control circuit
214‧‧‧通訊電路 214‧‧‧communication circuit
230‧‧‧收發器 230‧‧‧ Transceiver
220‧‧‧記憶體 220‧‧‧Memory
222‧‧‧程式和/或指令 222‧‧‧ programs and / or instructions
224‧‧‧資料 224‧‧‧ Information
300、400‧‧‧步驟 300, 400‧‧‧ steps
310、320、330、340、410、420、430‧‧‧方框 310, 320, 330, 340, 410, 420, 430‧‧‧ boxes
通過閱讀後續的詳細描述和實施例可以更全面地理解本發明，該實施例參照附圖給出，其中： The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and the embodiment, which is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
第1圖係根據本發明可實施的各種方案的示例的網路的示意圖。 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example network of various schemes that can be implemented according to the present invention.
第2圖係根據本發明實施例的示例的裝置的框圖。 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
第3圖係根據本發明實施例的示例的方法的流程圖。 Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example method according to an embodiment of the invention.
第4圖係根據本發明實施例的示例的方法的流程圖。 Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example method according to an embodiment of the invention.
以下描述為本發明實施的較佳實施例。以下實施例僅用來例舉闡釋本發明的技術特徵，並非用來限制本發明的範疇。在通篇說明書及申請專利範圍當中使用了某些詞彙來指稱特定的元件。所屬領域技術人員應可理解，製造商可能會用不同的名詞來稱呼同樣的元件。本說明書及申請專利範圍並不以名稱的差異來作為區別元件的方式，而係以元件在功能上的差異來作為區別的基準。本發明的範圍應當參考後附的申請專利範圍來確定。本發明中使用的術語“元件”、“系統”和“裝置”可以係與電腦相關的實體，其中，該電腦可以係硬體、軟體、或硬體和軟體的結合。在以下描述和申請專利範圍當中所提及的術語“包含”和“包括”為開放式用語，故應解釋成“包含，但不限定於...”的意思。此外，術語“耦接”意指間接或直接的電氣連接。因此，若文中描述一個裝置耦接至另一裝置，則代表該裝置可直接電氣連接於該另一裝置，或者透過其它裝置或連接手段間接地電氣連接至該另一裝置。 The following description is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The following embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical features of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Certain terms are used throughout the specification and scope of patent applications to refer to specific elements. Those skilled in the art will understand that manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same components. The scope of this specification and the patent application does not take the difference in names as a way to distinguish components, but rather uses the difference in functions of components as a basis for differences. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended patent application scope. The terms “component”, “system” and “device” used in the present invention may be a computer-related entity, wherein the computer may be hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The terms "including" and "including" mentioned in the following description and the scope of patent application are open-ended terms, and therefore should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to ...". Furthermore, the term "coupled" means an indirect or direct electrical connection. Therefore, if one device is described as being coupled to another device, it means that the device can be directly electrically connected to the other device, or indirectly electrically connected to the other device through the other device or connection means.
對這些實施例進行了詳細的描述係為了使本領域 的技術人員能夠實施這些實施例，並且應當理解，在不脫離本發明的精神和範圍情況下，可以利用其他實施例進行機械、化學、電氣和程式上的改變。因此，以下詳細描述並非係限制性的，並且本發明的實施例的範圍僅由所附申請專利範圍第限定。 These embodiments are described in detail in order to enable those skilled in the art to implement the embodiments, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be used for mechanical, chemical, electrical, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. And programmatic changes. Therefore, the following detailed description is not restrictive, and the scope of the embodiments of the present invention is limited only by the scope of the attached patent application.
下面將參考特定實施例並且參考某些附圖來描述本發明，但係本發明不限於此，並且僅由申請專利範圍限制。所描述的附圖僅係示意性的而並非限制性的。在附圖中，為了說明的目的，一些元件的尺寸可能被誇大，而不係按比例繪製。在本發明的實踐中，尺寸和相對尺寸不對應於實際尺寸。 The invention will be described below with reference to specific embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto and is limited only by the scope of the patent application. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and are not drawn to scale. In the practice of the invention, the dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to the actual dimensions.
本發明引入了複數個基本服務集(MBSS，multiple basic service set)的概念，在該架構下，單個通訊設備(device)/裝置(apparatus)可以在網路(network)中主控(host)複數個獨立的中繼器/AP。實現MBSS概念的中繼器/AP可以具有專用(dedicated)的媒體存取控制(MAC，media access control)資源並且在分時(time-sharing)的基礎上共用公共無線電(radio)資源。實現MBSS概念的中繼器/AP可以在相同的無線通道(wireless channel)上操作。為了簡單起見，以下提供的描述將以中繼器網路為背景(context)。本領域技術人員將會理解，這裡所描述的概念也適用於AP網路。而且，在單個通訊設備/裝置中，與第一基本服務集(BSS，basic service set)相關聯的中繼器稱為“主中繼器(main repeater)”，而與其他基本服務集(例如，可稱之為“次基本服務集”)相關聯的其他中繼器稱為“虛擬中繼器(virtual repeater)”。 The present invention introduces the concept of multiple basic service sets (MBSS). Under this architecture, a single communication device (apparatus) can host multiple numbers in a network (host). Independent repeater / AP. Repeaters / APs that implement the MBSS concept may have dedicated media access control (MAC) resources and share public radio resources on a time-sharing basis. Repeaters / APs that implement the MBSS concept can operate on the same wireless channel. For simplicity, the description provided below will be in the context of a repeater network. Those skilled in the art will understand that the concepts described herein are also applicable to AP networks. Moreover, in a single communication device / apparatus, the repeater associated with the first basic service set (BSS) is referred to as a "main repeater", while other repeaters (such as , Which may be referred to as a "sub-basic service set") and other repeaters associated with it are referred to as "virtual repeaters."
在本發明的MBSS概念和各種方案下，具有最好或最強RSSI的中繼器可以不依賴STA做出漫遊決定(roaming decision)而服務於STA。與主中繼器相關聯的第一BSS可以具有以第一BSS自己的MAC位址作為BSS識別碼(BSSID，BSS identifier)的信標(beacon)。每個中繼器可以與對應于網路中的其他中繼器的相應的專用BSS相關聯。與虛擬中繼器相關聯的每個次(secondary)BSS可以使用其他中繼器的BSSID作為次BSS的MAC，從而虛擬其他中繼器而存在于網路中，其中其他中繼器係指其他通訊設備中的主中繼器。虛擬中繼器可能不會指引(beacon)訊框(frame)或探測(probe)回應訊框(response frame)。虛擬中繼器也可以不發送回應訊框(response frame)，例如確認(ACK，acknowledgment)，塊確認(BA，block acknowledgment)，清除發送(CTS，clear-to-send)等，直到除非明確地程式設計為發送上述幾種回應訊框。 Under the MBSS concept and various schemes of the present invention, a repeater with the best or strongest RSSI can serve the STA without relying on the STA to make roaming decisions. The first BSS associated with the master repeater may have a beacon that uses the MAC address of the first BSS as a BSS ID (BSSID, BSS identifier). Each repeater may be associated with a corresponding dedicated BSS corresponding to other repeaters in the network. Each secondary BSS associated with the virtual repeater can use the BSSID of the other repeater as the MAC of the secondary BSS, thus virtualizing other repeaters and existing in the network, where other repeaters refer to other Master repeater in communication equipment. The virtual repeater may not direct a beacon frame or a probe response frame. The virtual repeater may not send a response frame, such as acknowledgement (ACK, acknowledgment), block acknowledgement (BA, block acknowledgment), clear-to-send (CTS), etc. The program is designed to send the above several response frames.
在本發明所提出的方案下，每個通訊設備上的主中繼器可以與網路中的其他通訊設備上的中繼器進行通訊以識別“最佳中繼器(best repeater)”(例如，在網路中對於所關心的STA具有比其他中繼器更強或更好的RSSI的中繼器)為當前連接到相應中繼器的一個或複數個STA提供服務。一旦發現或以其他方式識別最佳中繼器(例如，具有更強或更好的RSSI的中繼器)，與一STA當前連接的中繼器可以請求所識別出的最佳中繼器為該一STA服務。如何識別或選擇最佳中繼器不屬於本發明保護的範圍，因此，在此不再贅述。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, the master repeater on each communication device can communicate with repeaters on other communication devices in the network to identify the "best repeater" (for example (A repeater that has a stronger or better RSSI than the other repeaters for the STA of interest in the network) provides service to one or more STAs currently connected to the corresponding repeater. Once the best repeater is found or otherwise identified (for example, a repeater with a stronger or better RSSI), the repeater currently connected to a STA may request the best repeater identified as The STA service. How to identify or select the best repeater does not belong to the protection scope of the present invention, and therefore, it will not be repeated here.
在本發明所提出的方案下，最佳中繼器可以使用該最佳中繼器的其中一個虛擬中繼器來複製(replicate)STA要漫遊出的主中繼器來為STA提供服務。虛擬中繼器可以開始向STA發送回應訊框(例如確認(ACK)/塊確認(BA))。虛擬中繼器也可以處理和轉發(forward)從STA接收的封包(packet)。所有發送到STA的下行鏈路(downlink)資料都可以通過虛擬中繼器。一旦從主中繼器到虛擬中繼器的切換(handoff)完成，主中繼器可以停止為該STA服務。具體地，主中繼器可以停止向STA發送回應訊框，並開始丟棄從STA接收到的封包。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, the best repeater may use one of the best repeaters of the best repeater to replicate the main repeater to be roamed out by the STA to provide services for the STA. The virtual repeater may start sending a response frame (eg, acknowledgement (ACK) / block acknowledgement (BA)) to the STA. The virtual repeater can also process and forward packets received from the STA. All downlink data sent to the STA can pass through the virtual repeater. Once the handoff from the master repeater to the virtual repeater is completed, the master repeater can stop serving the STA. Specifically, the master repeater may stop sending a response frame to the STA and start discarding the packets received from the STA.
在本發明所提出的方案下，通訊設備上的主中繼器而不係虛擬中繼器可以信標或以其他方式發送或廣播信標訊框(例如，與正常AP一樣)。主中繼器可以配置為停止向指定的(specified)一組站點(station)發送回應訊框。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, the master repeater on the communication device, instead of the virtual repeater, can beacon or otherwise send or broadcast a beacon frame (for example, like a normal AP). The master repeater can be configured to stop sending response frames to a specified set of stations.
在本發明所提出的方案下，每個通訊設備可以主控一個專用虛擬中繼器，該專用虛擬中繼器對應於(例如，虛擬(mimicking))由網路中的另一通訊設備主控的主中繼器的。例如，如果網路包括五個通訊設備，則五個通訊設備中的每一個可以具有相應的主中繼器和四個虛擬中繼器，每個虛擬中繼器對應于網路中的其他四個通訊設備的主中繼器中的相應一個。在本發明所提出的方案下，虛擬中繼器可能不會指引(beacon)訊框(frame)或探測(probe)回應訊框(response frame)。而且，虛擬中繼器可以包括在預設(default)情況下被禁用(disabled)的發射器(TX，transmitter)和接收器 (RX，receiver)功能模組。當虛擬中繼器需要服務於一個站點時，所有需要的參數(例如，安全金鑰，MAC子層管理實體(MLME，MAC sublayer management entity)狀態等等)可以由之前為該站點提供服務的中繼器配置。在所有配置從先前為該站點提供服務的中繼器(不論係主中繼器還係虛擬中繼器)轉移到當前為該站點服務的虛擬中繼器之後，該虛擬中繼器可以為該站點(而非網路中的其他站點)開啟該虛擬中繼器的發送(TX)/接收(RX)功能。一旦虛擬中繼器擔任(take on)對該站點的服務，先前為該站點服務的中繼器(可互換地稱為“先前的中繼器”)可以停止服務該站點。例如，先前的中繼器可能會停止向該站點發送任何回應訊框。先前的中繼器也可能停止處理從該站點接收的任何封包。 In the solution proposed by the present invention, each communication device can control a dedicated virtual repeater, and the dedicated virtual repeater corresponds to (for example, mimicking) being controlled by another communication device in the network. Of the master repeater. For example, if the network includes five communication devices, each of the five communication devices may have a corresponding master repeater and four virtual repeaters, each virtual repeater corresponding to the other four in the network. One of the master repeaters of each communication device. Under the solution provided by the present invention, the virtual repeater may not beacon a frame or probe a response frame. Moreover, the virtual repeater may include a transmitter (TX, transmitter) and a receiver (RX, receiver) function module that are disabled in a default condition. When the virtual repeater needs to serve a site, all required parameters (for example, security key, MAC sublayer management entity (MLME, state of the MAC sublayer management entity, etc.) can serve the site before Repeater configuration. After all configurations are transferred from a repeater that previously served the site (regardless of whether it is a master repeater or a virtual repeater) to the virtual repeater that currently serves the site, the virtual repeater can Turn on the transmit (TX) / receive (RX) function of the virtual repeater for this site (not for other sites in the network). Once a virtual repeater takes on service to the site, a repeater that previously served the site (interchangeably referred to as a "previous repeater") can stop serving the site. For example, the previous repeater may stop sending any response frames to the site. The previous repeater may also stop processing any packets received from the site.
在本發明所提出的方案下，從主中繼器到虛擬中繼器的資料路徑(data path)的轉換可能涉及MLME狀態的轉換，序號(sequence number)的同步(synchronization)以及路由表(routing table)的更新。關於MLME狀態的轉換，虛擬中繼器可以在該虛擬中繼器的連接站點列表中創建一個站點條目(entry)。主中繼器可以分享關於該站點的各種無線參數(例如，支援的速率，無線模式等)，這些站點的參數在關聯時會共用。在虛擬中繼器創建站點條目及開始為該站點提供服務之前，主中繼器也可以與虛擬中繼器共用成對臨時金鑰(PTK，pairwise transient key)。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, the transition of the data path from the main repeater to the virtual repeater may involve the transition of the MLME state, the synchronization of sequence numbers, and the routing table. table). Regarding the transition of the MLME state, the virtual repeater can create a site entry in the list of connected sites of the virtual repeater. The master repeater can share various wireless parameters about the site (for example, supported rates, wireless modes, etc.), and the parameters of these sites are shared when associated. Before the virtual repeater creates a site entry and starts serving the site, the master repeater can also share a pairwise transient key (PTK) with the virtual repeater.
關於序號的同步，當主中繼器將該主中繼器用於對等體(peer)之一(例如，前面所述的站點)的資料路徑切換 到該主中繼器的虛擬中繼器之一時，TX/RX序號可能改變。為了適當地(gracefully)更新序號，主中繼器可以拆除(tear down)任何現有的塊確認(BA)會話(session)。主中繼器可以發出一個del-BA請求，並清除佇列(queue)中的所有封包。虛擬中繼器然後可以觸發新的BA會話。關於路由表更新，虛擬中繼器可以代表站點廣播一個無償的位址解析協定(ARP，address resolution protocol)訊框，以便通過虛擬中繼器重新定向(redirect)站點的資料。 Regarding the synchronization of sequence numbers, when the master repeater switches the data path of the master repeater to one of the peers (for example, the site described above) to the virtual repeater of the master repeater The TX / RX serial number may change when one of them is changed. In order to gracefully update the sequence number, the master repeater can tear down any existing block acknowledgement (BA) sessions. The master repeater can issue a del-BA request and clear all packets in the queue. The virtual repeater can then trigger a new BA session. Regarding the routing table update, the virtual repeater can broadcast a free address resolution protocol (ARP) frame on behalf of the site in order to redirect the site's data through the virtual repeater.
在本發明所提出的方案下，廣播封包可以只能由主中繼器轉發。由於虛擬中繼器和主中繼器均係同一網路的一部分，因此在本發明所提出的方案下由主中繼器發送廣播訊框(broadcast frame)。特定BSS的廣播訊框可以由該相同的BSS轉發。但係，在這種情況下，同一個站點可以由兩個BSS(主中繼器和虛擬中繼器)服務，因此該站點可以接收兩個廣播封包的副本。這樣可能會影響在廣播流量(broadcast traffic)上工作的應用程式。當一個站點能夠收聽信標訊框時，該站點也可能能夠收聽到廣播訊框。在站點處於節電(PS，power-save)模式的情況下，當主中繼器處理信標傳輸時，廣播訊框需要由主中繼器在傳送業務指示消息(DTIM，delivery traffic indication message)處轉發。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, the broadcast packet can only be forwarded by the master repeater. Since the virtual repeater and the master repeater are both part of the same network, the master repeater sends a broadcast frame under the solution proposed by the present invention. Broadcast frames of a particular BSS can be forwarded by the same BSS. But, in this case, the same site can be served by two BSSs (master repeater and virtual repeater), so the site can receive two copies of the broadcast packet. This may affect applications that work on broadcast traffic. When a site can listen to a beacon frame, the site may also be able to listen to a broadcast frame. When the station is in a power-save (PS) mode, when the master repeater processes the beacon transmission, the broadcast frame needs to be delivered by the master repeater in delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) Forward everywhere.
在本發明所提出的方案下，新的群組金鑰(group key)可以由主中繼器衍生(derive)。主中繼器可能會阻塞(block)所有廣播封包。主中繼器也可以與所有連接的站點以及其他通訊設備上主控的所有虛擬中繼器共用群組金鑰。每 個虛擬中繼器可以代表主中繼器與該虛擬中繼器正在服務的站點分享群組金鑰。虛擬中繼器可以向主中繼器發送確認消息，並且主中繼器在接收到確認消息時可以恢復(resume)廣播封包的傳輸。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, a new group key can be derived by the master repeater. The master repeater may block all broadcast packets. The master repeater can also share the group key with all connected repeaters and all virtual repeaters mastered on other communication devices. Each virtual repeater can share a group key on behalf of the master repeater with the site that the virtual repeater is serving. The virtual repeater can send an acknowledgement message to the master repeater, and the master repeater can resume the transmission of the broadcast packet when receiving the acknowledgement message.
在本發明所提出的方案下，當由虛擬中繼器當前服務的站點進入PS模式時，在發送經緩衝的封包時可能需要特殊的處理。當站點與站點連接的實際中繼器(actual repeater)的信標同步時，封包可被緩衝在虛擬中繼器處。其中，實際中繼器可以係當前服務於網站的主中繼器，例如如第1圖所示，網站最初始與通訊設備120中的主中繼器112連接並由主中繼器112服務，在主中繼器112監測到網站與主中繼器122相通訊的RSSI強於與主中繼器112相通訊的RSSI時，主中繼器112可以請求主中繼器122開始為STA 150服務。主中繼器122可以啟用對應於主中繼器112的虛擬中繼器124，虛擬中繼器124用作主中繼器112(VR1)的虛擬中繼器，以開始為STA 150服務。在這個漫遊過程中，主中繼器112就係實際中繼器。實際中繼器的信標中的流量指示圖(TIM，traffic indication map)比特(bit)可以反映虛擬中繼器中的緩衝封包的狀態。因此，虛擬中繼器可以用該虛擬中繼器緩存的流量狀態(traffic status)來更新主中繼器，並且也可以為關聯的TIM和廣播封包處理提供該虛擬中繼器服務的站點進入和離開PS模式的資訊。主中繼器可以相應地更新該主中繼器的下一個信標中的TIM比特。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, when the station currently served by the virtual repeater enters the PS mode, special processing may be required when sending buffered packets. When a station synchronizes with a beacon of an actual repeater to which the station is connected, packets can be buffered at the virtual repeater. The actual repeater may be the main repeater currently serving the website. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the website is initially connected to and served by the main repeater 112 in the communication device 120. When the master repeater 112 detects that the RSSI of the website communicating with the master repeater 122 is stronger than the RSSI of the master repeater 112, the master repeater 112 may request the master repeater 122 to start serving the STA 150 . The main repeater 122 may enable a virtual repeater 124 corresponding to the main repeater 112, and the virtual repeater 124 serves as a virtual repeater of the main repeater 112 (VR1) to start serving the STA 150. During this roaming process, the master repeater 112 is the actual repeater. The traffic indication map (TIM) bits in the beacons of the actual repeater can reflect the status of the buffered packets in the virtual repeater. Therefore, the virtual repeater can update the master repeater with the traffic status buffered by the virtual repeater, and can also enter the site that provides the virtual repeater service for the associated TIM and broadcast packet processing. And information on leaving PS mode. The master repeater can update the TIM bit in the next beacon of the master repeater accordingly.
在本發明所提出的方案下，可以使用網際網路組管 理協定(IGMP，Internet Group Management Protocol)窺探(snoop)來處理多播封包(multicast packet)。中繼器可以偵聽來自一個或複數個連接的站點的IGMP加入請求，並且將用於多播位址(multicast address)的IGMP加入消息發送到相鄰的中繼器。當需要將站點轉移到與虛擬中繼器連接時，主中繼器可以共用該站點正在用虛擬中繼器監聽的所有多播位址。如果虛擬中繼器還沒有收聽這些位址，則虛擬中繼器可以向其他中繼器發送用於多播位元址的IGMP加入消息。當中繼器收到多播封包(multicast packet)時，可以將多播封包作為單播封包(unicast packet)轉發給所有已註冊的多播封包的站點。本領域技術人員應該理解，本發明所提出的方案係有益的，因為與多播封包相比，本發明所提出的方案可以將資料以較高的速率作為單播封包進行傳送。 Under the solution proposed by the present invention, an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) snoop can be used to process multicast packets. The repeater can listen for IGMP join requests from one or more connected sites, and send IGMP join messages for multicast addresses to neighboring repeaters. When a site needs to be transferred to a virtual repeater, the master repeater can share all the multicast addresses that the site is listening on with the virtual repeater. If the virtual repeater has not listened to these addresses, the virtual repeater can send IGMP join messages for multicast bit addresses to other repeaters. When the repeater receives a multicast packet, it can forward the multicast packet as a unicast packet to all registered multicast packet sites. Those skilled in the art should understand that the solution provided by the present invention is beneficial because compared with multicast packets, the solution provided by the present invention can transmit data as unicast packets at a higher rate.
在本發明所提出的方案下，當IGMP窺探未啟用時，可以像廣播封包一樣原樣發送多播封包。在這種情況下，主中繼器(而不係虛擬中繼器)可以傳輸多播封包。 Under the scheme proposed by the present invention, when IGMP snooping is not enabled, multicast packets can be sent as they are broadcast packets. In this case, the master repeater (not the virtual repeater) can transmit multicast packets.
第1圖示出了根據本發明可實施的各種方案的示例的網路100示意圖。網路100可以涉及根(root)AP(access point，接入點)140和例如通訊設備110，120和130之類的複數個通訊設備，其中通訊設備110-130中的一個或複數個直接可通訊地連接根AP140。網路100還可以涉及經由通訊設備110-130之一通訊地連接根AP140的用戶設備或站點(例如STA150)。在第1圖所示的示例中，通訊設備110和通訊設備120直接通訊地連接根AP140。而且，在第1圖所示的示例 中，通訊裝置130直接通訊地連接至通訊裝置120。 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network 100 showing examples of various schemes that can be implemented according to the present invention. The network 100 may involve a root AP (access point) 140 and a plurality of communication devices such as communication devices 110, 120, and 130. One or more of the communication devices 110-130 are directly accessible. The communication ground is connected to the root AP140. The network 100 may also involve user equipment or stations (eg, STA 150) that are communicatively connected to the root AP 140 via one of the communication devices 110-130. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 110 and the communication device 120 are directly connected to the root AP 140 in communication. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 130 is directly connected to the communication device 120 in communication.
通訊設備110-130中的每一個可設計為，改編(adapted)或以其他方式配置為實現根據本發明的MBSS概念和各種方案。因此，每個通訊設備110-130可能能夠主控複數個獨立的中繼器，複數個獨立的中繼器中的一個中繼器係主中繼器，複數個獨立的中繼器中的其餘的中繼器係虛擬中繼器。在第1圖所示的示例中，通訊設備110主控三個中繼器，即中繼器112、中繼器114和中繼器116。在該示例中，中繼器112用作通訊設備110主控(host)的主中繼器(在第1圖中標記為“R1”)，通訊設備110的MAC位址(例如“BSSID1”)作為中繼器112的BSSID。中繼器114和中繼器116中的每一個作為由通訊設備110主控的相應的虛擬中繼器(在第1圖中分別標記為“VR2”和“VR3”)。在該示例中，中繼器114虛擬或以其他方式複製由通訊設備120主控的主中繼器，並使用通訊設備120的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID2”)作為中繼器114的BSSID。類似地，中繼器116虛擬或以其他方式複製由通訊設備130主控的主中繼器，並使用通訊設備130的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID3”)作為中繼器116的BSSID。 Each of the communication devices 110-130 may be designed to be adapted or otherwise configured to implement the MBSS concept and various schemes according to the present invention. Therefore, each communication device 110-130 may be capable of controlling a plurality of independent repeaters, one of the plurality of independent repeaters is a master repeater, and the rest of the plurality of independent repeaters The repeater is a virtual repeater. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 110 controls three repeaters, that is, the repeater 112, the repeater 114, and the repeater 116. In this example, the repeater 112 is used as a master repeater (labeled "R1" in FIG. 1) of the communication device 110 host, and the MAC address of the communication device 110 (for example, "BSSID1") As the BSSID of the repeater 112. Each of the repeater 114 and the repeater 116 serves as a corresponding virtual repeater (respectively labeled as "VR2" and "VR3" in FIG. 1) controlled by the communication device 110. In this example, the repeater 114 virtually or otherwise duplicates the master repeater controlled by the communication device 120 and uses the MAC address (for example, "BSSID2") of the communication device 120 as the BSSID of the repeater 114 . Similarly, the repeater 116 virtually or otherwise replicates the master repeater controlled by the communication device 130 and uses the MAC address (eg, “BSSID3”) of the communication device 130 as the BSSID of the repeater 116.
此外，在第1圖所示的示例中，通訊設備120主控三個中繼器，即中繼器122、中繼器124和中繼器126。在該示例中，中繼器122用作通訊設備120主控的主中繼器(在第1圖中標記為“R2”)，通訊設備120的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID2”)作為中繼器122的BSSID。中繼器124和中繼器126中的每一個用作由通訊設備120主控的相應的虛擬中繼器 (在第1圖中分別標記為“VR1”和“VR3”)。在該示例中，中繼器124虛擬或以其他方式複製由通訊設備110主控的主中繼器，並使用通訊設備110的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID1”)作為中繼器124的BSSID。類似地，中繼器126虛擬或以其他方式複製由通訊設備130主控的主中繼器，並使用通訊設備130的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID3”)作為中繼器126的BSSID。 In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 120 controls three repeaters, that is, the repeater 122, the repeater 124, and the repeater 126. In this example, the repeater 122 is used as a master repeater (labeled as "R2" in FIG. 1) controlled by the communication device 120, and the MAC address of the communication device 120 (for example, "BSSID2") is used as BSSID of the repeater 122. Each of the repeater 124 and the repeater 126 functions as a corresponding virtual repeater (labeled “VR1” and “VR3” in FIG. 1, respectively) controlled by the communication device 120. In this example, the repeater 124 virtually or otherwise duplicates the master repeater controlled by the communication device 110 and uses the MAC address of the communication device 110 (eg, "BSSID1") as the BSSID of the repeater 124 . Similarly, the repeater 126 virtually or otherwise duplicates the master repeater controlled by the communication device 130 and uses the MAC address (eg, "BSSID3") of the communication device 130 as the BSSID of the repeater 126.
而且，在第1圖所示的示例中，通訊裝置130主控三個中繼器，即中繼器132、中繼器134和中繼器136。在本例中，中繼器132作為通訊裝置130主控的主中繼器(第1圖中標記為“R3”)，通訊設備130的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID3”)作為中繼器132的BSSID。中繼器134和中繼器136中的每一個用作由通訊設備130主控的相應的虛擬中繼器(在第1圖中分別標記為“VR1”和“VR2”)。在該示例中，中繼器134虛擬或以其他方式複製由通訊設備110主控的主中繼器，並使用通訊設備110的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID1”)作為中繼器134的BSSID。類似地，中繼器136虛擬或以其他方式複製由通訊設備120主控的主中繼器，並使用通訊設備120的MAC位址(例如，“BSSID2”)作為中繼器136的BSSID。 Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the communication device 130 controls three repeaters, that is, the repeater 132, the repeater 134, and the repeater 136. In this example, the repeater 132 serves as a master repeater (labeled “R3” in FIG. 1) and the MAC address of the communication device 130 (for example, “BSSID3”) serves as a repeater. BSSID of 132. Each of the repeater 134 and the repeater 136 functions as a corresponding virtual repeater (labeled "VR1" and "VR2", respectively, in FIG. 1) controlled by the communication device 130. In this example, the repeater 134 virtually or otherwise duplicates the master repeater controlled by the communication device 110 and uses the MAC address (for example, "BSSID1") of the communication device 110 as the BSSID of the repeater 134 . Similarly, the repeater 136 virtually or otherwise duplicates the master repeater controlled by the communication device 120 and uses the MAC address (eg, "BSSID2") of the communication device 120 as the BSSID of the repeater 136.
在第1圖所示的示例中，STA 150最初與通訊設備110主控的中繼器112通訊連接。當中繼器112(或通訊設備110)確定STA 150應該漫遊到中繼器122時(例如，由於與中繼器122相通訊的RSSI強於與中繼器112相通訊的RSSI)，中繼器112可以請求中繼器122開始為STA 150服務。中繼器122可以啟用對應於中繼器112的中繼器124，中繼器124用 作中繼器112(VR1)的虛擬中繼器，以開始為STA 150服務。在中繼器112請求中繼器122為STA 150服務時，中繼器112可能還不知道通訊設備120中係否具有虛擬中繼器，因此中繼器112會首先請求中繼器122為STA 150服務，而在中繼器122接收到該請求後，就會根據自己所處的通訊設備的情況決定由中繼器122或其他的虛擬中繼器(例如中繼器124)為該站點提供服務。通訊設備110中的中繼器112(R1)可以在此時停止對STA 150服務。稍後，當STA 150移動到比中繼器122更接近中繼器132的位置(並且由此導致與中繼器132相通訊的RSSI強於與中繼器122相通訊的RSSI)時，中繼器122可以請求中繼器132開始服務STA150。中繼器132可啟用對應於中繼器122的中繼器136，中繼器136用作中繼器122(VR2)的虛擬中繼器，以開始為STA 150服務。通訊設備120中的中繼器124(VR1)可以在此時停止對STA 150服務。作為上述操作的結果，中繼器122(R2)和中繼器132(R3)可以用作中繼器112(R1)，通過自主漫遊或者協助STA 150從一個中繼器漫遊到另一個中繼器。結果，STA 150可能不知不覺地(unknowingly)從R1到R2以及從R2到R3漫遊。換句話說，在所提出的方案下，當STA 150從一個中繼器漫遊到另一中繼器時，STA 150沒有做任何努力和決策。 In the example shown in FIG. 1, the STA 150 is initially communicatively connected to the repeater 112 controlled by the communication device 110. When repeater 112 (or communication device 110) determines that STA 150 should roam to repeater 122 (for example, because the RSSI communicating with repeater 122 is stronger than the RSSI communicating with repeater 112), the repeater 112 may request repeater 122 to start serving STA 150. The repeater 122 may enable the repeater 124 corresponding to the repeater 112, and the repeater 124 serves as a virtual repeater of the repeater 112 (VR1) to start serving the STA 150. When the repeater 112 requests the repeater 122 to serve the STA 150, the repeater 112 may not yet know whether the communication device 120 has a virtual repeater, so the repeater 112 first requests the repeater 122 to be an STA. 150 service, and after the repeater 122 receives the request, it will decide whether the repeater 122 or other virtual repeater (such as repeater 124) will be the site according to the situation of the communication equipment in which it is located. Provide services. The repeater 112 (R1) in the communication device 110 may stop serving the STA 150 at this time. Later, when the STA 150 moved closer to the repeater 132 than the repeater 122 (and thus the RSSI communicating with the repeater 132 is stronger than the RSSI communicating with the repeater 122), the medium The repeater 122 may request the repeater 132 to start serving the STA 150. The repeater 132 may enable the repeater 136 corresponding to the repeater 122, which acts as a virtual repeater of the repeater 122 (VR2) to start serving the STA 150. The repeater 124 (VR1) in the communication device 120 may stop serving the STA 150 at this time. As a result of the above operations, repeater 122 (R2) and repeater 132 (R3) can be used as repeater 112 (R1), by autonomous roaming or assisting STA 150 to roam from one repeater to another repeater Device. As a result, the STA 150 may unknowingly roam from R1 to R2 and from R2 to R3. In other words, under the proposed scheme, when the STA 150 roams from one repeater to another, the STA 150 does not make any effort and decision.
鑒於上述示例，可以看出，本發明所提出的方案有利地提供了站點從一個中繼器/AP快速漫遊到另一個具有更好RSSI的中繼器/AP的能力。當不使用虛擬中繼器時，常規方法下的大多數站點僅在較低的RSSI水準(例如-75dB)下觸發漫 遊。然而，如果站點繼續接收適度的RSSI(例如在-60dB和-70dB之間)，站點可能不會觸發漫遊，並且可能繼續以中等(moderate)但不係最佳的資料速率工作。根據本發明的方案，站點的漫遊不再由站點自身決定，而係由中繼器決定，因此在當前與站點相通訊的中繼器探測到RSSI更強或更好的其他中繼器時，當前中繼器就會請求具有更強或更好的RSSI的其他中繼器與站點通訊，為站點提供服務。採用本方案，只要周圍具有更強或更好的RSSI的中繼器，站點就可以漫遊到該中繼器，可以避免只有在較低的RSSI水準時才觸發漫遊的情況，從而使站點的漫遊更加及時。並且，當根據本發明部署虛擬中繼器時，虛擬中繼器可以為單播封包以及多播封包(例如，由IGMP窺探轉換為單播封包)提供更高的資料速率。一旦站點到達該站點自然漫遊點(natural roaming point)，所涉及的虛擬中繼器可以將站點切換回主中繼器，從而迫使站點漫遊。其中，自然漫遊點可以係RSSI達到觸發漫遊的閾值點，例如閾值為小於-70dB，自然漫遊點就小於-70dB。一旦網站與虛擬中繼器(例如中繼器124)通訊的RSSI小於-70dB，就會觸發漫遊，使網站切回到主中繼器(例如中繼器122)。 In view of the above examples, it can be seen that the solution proposed by the present invention advantageously provides the capability of a station to roam quickly from one repeater / AP to another repeater / AP with better RSSI. When a virtual repeater is not used, most sites under the conventional method trigger roaming only at a lower RSSI level (for example, -75dB). However, if the station continues to receive moderate RSSI (for example, between -60dB and -70dB), the station may not trigger roaming and may continue to operate at moderate but not the optimal data rate. According to the solution of the present invention, the roaming of the site is no longer determined by the site itself, but is determined by the repeater. Therefore, the repeater that is currently communicating with the site detects other relays with stronger or better RSSI. The current repeater will request other repeaters with stronger or better RSSI to communicate with the site to provide services to the site. With this solution, as long as there is a stronger or better RSSI repeater around the site, the site can roam to the repeater, which can avoid the situation that the roaming is triggered only at a lower RSSI level, so that the site Roaming is more timely. Also, when a virtual repeater is deployed in accordance with the present invention, the virtual repeater can provide higher data rates for unicast packets as well as multicast packets (e.g., converted by IGMP snooping to unicast packets). Once the site reaches the site's natural roaming point, the involved virtual repeater can switch the site back to the master repeater, forcing the site to roam. The natural roaming point may be the point at which the RSSI reaches the threshold for triggering roaming. For example, if the threshold is less than -70dB, the natural roaming point is less than -70dB. Once the RSSI of the website communicating with the virtual repeater (such as repeater 124) is less than -70dB, roaming will be triggered, and the website will switch back to the main repeater (such as repeater 122).
第2圖示出了根據本發明實施例的示例的裝置200的框圖。裝置200可以執行各種功能以實現在此描述的關於虛擬漫遊的方案、技術、步驟和方法，例如上文描述的各種方案以及下文描述的步驟300和步驟400。例如，裝置200可以係在網路100中實施的每個通訊設備110，120和130的示例。 Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 200 according to an example of an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 200 may perform various functions to implement the schemes, techniques, steps, and methods described herein with respect to virtual roaming, such as the various schemes described above and steps 300 and 400 described below. For example, the apparatus 200 may be an example of each communication device 110, 120, and 130 implemented in the network 100.
裝置200可以係電子裝置的一部分，裝置200可以 係通訊裝置、電腦裝置、可擕式裝置或移動裝置、或可穿戴裝置。例如，裝置200可以在中繼器、Wi-Fi接入點、智慧型電話、智慧手錶、智慧手鐲、智慧項鍊、個人數位助理或諸如平板電腦、可擕式電腦、筆記型電腦、臺式電腦或伺服器的計算設備中或作為中繼器、Wi-Fi接入點、智慧型電話、智慧手錶、智慧手鐲、智慧項鍊、個人數位助理或諸如平板電腦、可擕式電腦、筆記型電腦、臺式電腦或伺服器的計算設備。可選地，裝置200可以以一個或複數個積體電路(IC，integrated-circuit)晶片的形式來實現，例如但不限於一個或複數個單核處理器，一個或複數個多核處理器或者一個或複數個複雜指令集(CISC，complex-instruction-set-computing)處理器。 The device 200 may be part of an electronic device, and the device 200 may be a communication device, a computer device, a portable or mobile device, or a wearable device. For example, the device 200 may be a repeater, a Wi-Fi access point, a smart phone, a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a smart necklace, a personal digital assistant, or a device such as a tablet, portable computer, laptop, desktop computer Or server computing device or as a repeater, Wi-Fi access point, smart phone, smart watch, smart bracelet, smart necklace, personal digital assistant or such as a tablet, portable computer, laptop, A computing device on a desktop computer or server. Optionally, the device 200 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated-circuit (IC) chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one Or a plurality of complex instruction set (CISC) complex-instruction-set-computing processors.
裝置200可以包括第2圖中所示的那些组件中的至少一部分，例如處理器210。裝置200可以進一步包括與本發明提出的方案不相關的一個或複數個其它部件(例如，內部的電源、顯示裝置和/或用戶介面裝置)，並且為了簡單和簡潔，因此裝置200的這些部件係在第2圖中都沒有示出，下文也沒有描述。 The apparatus 200 may include at least a part of those components shown in FIG. 2, such as the processor 210. The device 200 may further include one or more other components (for example, an internal power supply, a display device, and / or a user interface device) not related to the solution proposed by the present invention, and for simplicity and brevity, these components of the device 200 are They are not shown in Figure 2 and are not described below.
在一個方面中，處理器210可以以一個或複數個單核處理器，一個或複數個多核處理器或一個或複數個CISC處理器的形式來實現。也就係說，即使本文中使用單數術語“處理器”來指代處理器210，但係根據本發明一些實施例，處理器210可以包括複數個處理器，根據本發明其他的實施例，處理器210可以包括單個處理器。在另一方面，處理器210可以以具有電子组件的硬體(和可選地固件)的形式來實現，電子 组件包括例如但不限於一個或複數個電晶體，一個或複數個二極體，一個或複數個電容器，一個或複數個電阻器，一個或複數個電感器，一個或複數個記憶電阻器和/或一個或複數個可變電容器，處理器210配置和佈置為根據本發明實現特定地目的。換句話說，在至少一些實施方式中，處理器210係專門設計、安排和配置為根據本發明的各種實施方式執行關於虛擬漫遊的特定任務的專用機器。 In one aspect, the processor 210 may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is to say, even though the singular term "processor" is used herein to refer to the processor 210, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the processor 210 may include a plurality of processors. According to other embodiments of the present invention, processing The processor 210 may include a single processor. In another aspect, the processor 210 may be implemented in the form of hardware (and optionally firmware) with electronic components, such as, but not limited to, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, One or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memory resistors, and / or one or more variable capacitors, the processor 210 is configured and arranged to implement a particular according to the present invention Land purpose. In other words, in at least some embodiments, the processor 210 is a dedicated machine specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks related to virtual roaming in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
在一些實現中，裝置200還可以包括耦合到處理器210並且能夠無線地發送和接收資料的收發器230。收發器230可以用作複數個中繼器，並配置為與一個或複數個站點以及一個或複數個其他中繼器進行無線通訊。例如，收發器230可以無線地與由處理器210主控的主中繼器和一個或複數個虛擬中繼器通訊。 In some implementations, the apparatus 200 may further include a transceiver 230 coupled to the processor 210 and capable of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly. The transceiver 230 may be used as a plurality of repeaters and configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more stations and one or more other repeaters. For example, the transceiver 230 may wirelessly communicate with a master repeater and one or more virtual repeaters controlled by the processor 210.
在一些實施例中，裝置200還可以包括可由處理器210存取的記憶體220。記憶體220可以係配置為在其中存儲一組或多組代碼、程式和/或指令222以及資料224的存放裝置。例如，記憶體220可以可操作地耦合到處理器210以接收和存儲資料224。記憶體220可以通過任何合適的技術來實現，並且可以包括揮發性(volatile)記憶體和/或非揮發性(non-volatile)記憶體。例如，記憶體220可以包括隨機存取記憶體(RAM，random access memory)的類型，例如動態RAM(DRAM，dynamic RAM)，靜態RAM(SRAM，static RAM)，晶閘管RAM(T-RAM，thyristor RAM)和/或零電容器RAM(Z-RAM，zero-capacitor RAM)。可選地或此外地，記憶體 220可以包括唯讀記憶體(ROM，read-only memory)的類型，諸如光罩式ROM(mask ROM)，可程式設計ROM(PROM，programmable ROM)，可擦除可程式設計ROM(EPROM，erasable programmable ROM)和/或電可擦除可程式設計ROM(EEPROM，electrically erasable programmable ROM)。可選地或附加地，記憶體220可以包括非揮發性隨機存取記憶體(NVRAM，non-volatile random-access memory)的類型，例如快閃記憶體(flash memory)，固態記憶體(solid-state memory)，鐵電RAM(FeRAM，ferroelectric RAM)，磁阻RAM(MRAM，magnetoresistive RAM)和/或相變記憶體(phase-change memory)。 In some embodiments, the device 200 may further include a memory 220 accessible by the processor 210. The memory 220 may be a storage device configured to store one or more sets of codes, programs and / or instructions 222 and data 224 therein. For example, the memory 220 may be operatively coupled to the processor 210 to receive and store data 224. The memory 220 may be implemented by any suitable technology, and may include a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. For example, the memory 220 may include a random access memory (RAM) type, such as dynamic RAM (DRAM, dynamic RAM), static RAM (SRAM, static RAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM, thyristor RAM) ) And / or zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM, zero-capacitor RAM). Alternatively or in addition, the memory 220 may include a read-only memory (ROM) type, such as a mask ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), and an erasable ROM. Except for programmable erasable ROM (EPROM) and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively or additionally, the memory 220 may include a type of non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM), such as a flash memory (flash memory), a solid-state memory (solid- state memory), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM, ferroelectric RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM, magnetoresistive RAM) and / or phase-change memory.
處理器210可以以一個或複數個單核處理器，一個或複數個多核處理器或者一個或複數個CISC處理器的形式來實現。也就係說，處理器210可以以具有電子组件的硬體(和可選地固件)的形式來實現，電子组件包括例如但不限於一個或複數個電晶體，一個或複數個二極體，一個或複數個電容器，一個或複數個電阻器，一個或複數個電感器，一個或複數個記憶電阻器和/或一個或複數個可變電容器，上述這些電子组件配置和佈置以實現根據本發明的特定目的。 The processor 210 may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is to say, the processor 210 may be implemented in the form of hardware (and optionally firmware) with electronic components including, for example, but not limited to, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, One or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memory resistors, and / or one or more variable capacitors, the above-mentioned electronic components are configured and arranged to implement according to the present invention Specific purpose.
在一些實施例中，處理器210可以存取記憶體220以執行存儲在記憶體220中的一個或複數個指令。在執行一個或複數個指令集(sets of instructions)時，處理器210可以配置為根據本發明執行與虛擬漫遊有關的操作。在一些實施例中，處理器210可以包括中繼器主控電路212和通訊電路214， 所述中繼器主控電路212和通訊電路214設計、適配或以其他方式配置為實現根據本發明的特定目的，例如虛擬漫遊。 In some embodiments, the processor 210 may access the memory 220 to execute one or more instructions stored in the memory 220. When executing one or more sets of instructions, the processor 210 may be configured to perform operations related to virtual roaming according to the present invention. In some embodiments, the processor 210 may include a repeater main control circuit 212 and a communication circuit 214, which are designed, adapted, or otherwise configured to implement the present invention. For specific purposes, such as virtual roaming.
例如，中繼器主控電路212可以能夠主控一個主中繼器(例如第1圖中所示的中繼器112(R1)，中繼器122(R2)或中繼器132(R3))和一個或複數個虛擬中繼器(例如第1圖中所示的中繼器114和116(VR2和VR3)，中繼器124和126(VR1和VR3)或中繼器134和136(VR1和VR2))，其中，所述一個或複數個虛擬中繼器虛擬相應的一個或複數個遠端(remote)中繼器(例如如第1圖所示，VR1虛擬R1，VR2虛擬R2和VR3虛擬R3)。其中，遠端中繼器係指可以為該站點提供服務的主中繼器(例如R1、R2、R3)。例如，遠端中繼器可以係之前為站點提供服務的主中繼器(例如R1)，或遠端中繼器可以係為將要為該站點提供服務的主中繼器(例如R2)。中繼器主控電路212可以通過將與該裝置200相關聯的MAC位址廣播為與主中繼器對應的BSS的BSSID來主控該主中繼器。此外，中繼器主控電路212可以通過廣播與第一遠端中繼器相關聯的MAC位址作為與虛擬第一遠端中繼器的一個或複數個虛擬中繼器的第一虛擬中繼器相對應的BSS的BSSID來主控一個或複數個虛擬中繼器。通訊電路214能夠與一個或複數個站點(例如第1圖中所示的STA 150和其他站點(第1圖中未示出))以及關於服務於一個或複數個站點的一個或複數個遠端中繼器進行通訊。 For example, the repeater main control circuit 212 may be capable of controlling a main repeater (such as repeater 112 (R1), repeater 122 (R2), or repeater 132 (R3) shown in FIG. 1). ) And one or more virtual repeaters (such as repeaters 114 and 116 (VR2 and VR3) shown in Figure 1, repeaters 124 and 126 (VR1 and VR3) or repeaters 134 and 136 ( VR1 and VR2)), wherein the one or more virtual repeaters virtual corresponding one or more remote repeaters (for example, as shown in FIG. 1, VR1 virtual R1, VR2 virtual R2 and VR3 virtual R3). Among them, the remote repeater refers to the main repeater (for example, R1, R2, R3) that can provide services to the site. For example, the remote repeater could be the primary repeater (e.g. R1) that previously served the site, or the remote repeater could be the primary repeater (e.g. R2) that will serve the site . The repeater master control circuit 212 can master the master repeater by broadcasting the MAC address associated with the device 200 as the BSSID of the BSS corresponding to the master repeater. In addition, the repeater main control circuit 212 may broadcast the MAC address associated with the first remote repeater as a first virtual repeater of one or a plurality of virtual repeaters of the virtual first remote repeater. The BSSID of the corresponding BSS of the repeater controls one or more virtual repeaters. The communication circuit 214 can communicate with one or more stations (e.g., STA 150 shown in FIG. 1 and other stations (not shown in FIG. 1)) and one or more stations serving one or more stations. Remote repeaters for communication.
在一些實施例中，處理器210能夠通過執行複數個操作來主控主中繼器，以服務一個或複數個站點的第一站點 (例如STA 150)。例如，中繼器主控電路212可以作為主中繼器，經由收發器230與第一站點進行通訊來服務第一站點。通訊電路214可以經由收發器230請求一個或複數個遠端中繼器中的第一遠端中繼器來為第一站點服務。而且，中繼器主控電路212可以在完成將第一站點切換到第一遠端中繼器時停止對第一站點服務。 In some embodiments, the processor 210 is capable of hosting a master repeater by performing a plurality of operations to serve a first site (eg, STA 150) of one or more sites. For example, the repeater main control circuit 212 may serve as a main repeater and communicate with the first station via the transceiver 230 to serve the first station. The communication circuit 214 may request the first remote repeater of one or more remote repeaters to serve the first site via the transceiver 230. Moreover, the repeater main control circuit 212 may stop serving the first site when the handover of the first site to the first remote repeater is completed.
此外地或可選地，處理器210能夠通過執行複數個操作來主控一個或複數個虛擬中繼器中的第一虛擬中繼器，以服務於一個或複數個站中的第二站點。例如，通訊電路214可以從一個或複數個遠端中繼器的第二遠端中繼器接收對第二站點服務的請求。而且，中繼器主控電路212如同第一虛擬中繼器可以通過與第二站點進行通訊為第二站點服務，該第一虛擬中繼器虛擬第二遠端中繼器，並回應於接收到的服務請求。 Additionally or alternatively, the processor 210 can control a first virtual repeater of one or more virtual repeaters by performing a plurality of operations to serve a second one of the one or more stations . For example, the communication circuit 214 may receive a request for a second site service from a second remote repeater of one or more remote repeaters. Moreover, the repeater main control circuit 212, like the first virtual repeater, can serve the second site by communicating with the second site. The first virtual repeater virtualizes the second remote repeater and responds. For received service requests.
以下就流程300和400提供的處理器210的附加特性和功能作進一步詳細描述。因此，為了簡潔起見，這裡不再提供上述這樣的詳細描述以避免重複。 The additional features and functions of the processor 210 provided by the processes 300 and 400 are described in further detail below. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the above detailed description is not provided here to avoid repetition.
第3圖示出了根據本發明實施例的示例的流程300。流程300可以表示實現上述提出的概念和方案的一個方面。更具體地說，流程300可以表示所提出的與虛擬漫遊有關的概念和方案的一個方面。例如，流程300可以表示實現如上所述的作為網路100中的主中繼器的中繼器112(R1)的功能的示例。流程300可以包括如方框(block)310，320，330和340中的一個或複數個所示的一個或複數個操作、動作或功能。儘管圖示為離散的方框，但係流程300的各個方框可以被 劃分成附加的方框，組合成更少方框，或取消一些方框，這取決於所需要的實施方式。而且，處理300的方框/子方框(sub-block)可以按照第3圖所示的或者不同的循序執行。流程300的方框/子方框可以反覆運算地(iteratively)執行。流程300可以由裝置200以及裝置200的任何變型來實現，或流程300可在裝置200內以及在裝置200內的任何變型來實現。下文中的流程300係在裝置200的背景下描述的，並且僅出於說明的目的且不限制範圍。流程300可以在方框310處開始。 FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 300 may represent one aspect of implementing the concepts and solutions presented above. More specifically, the process 300 may represent one aspect of the proposed concept and scheme related to virtual roaming. For example, the flow 300 may represent an example of implementing the functions of the repeater 112 (R1) as the master repeater in the network 100 as described above. Process 300 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as shown in one or more of blocks 310, 320, 330, and 340. Although shown as discrete boxes, each block of the process 300 may be divided into additional boxes, combined into fewer boxes, or some boxes may be eliminated, depending on the required implementation. Moreover, the blocks / sub-blocks of process 300 may be performed in a different sequence as shown in FIG. 3 or in a different order. The blocks / sub-blocks of the process 300 may be performed iteratively. The process 300 may be implemented by the apparatus 200 and any variation of the apparatus 200, or the process 300 may be implemented within the apparatus 200 and any variation within the apparatus 200. The flow 300 below is described in the context of the device 200, and is for illustration purposes only and does not limit the scope. The process 300 may begin at block 310.
在方框310處，流程300可以涉及裝置200的處理器210，該處理器210作用為主中繼器和一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器來主控該主中繼器和該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器，其中，該一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器虛擬一個或者複數個遠端中繼器。例如，結合第1圖所示，處理器210主控中繼器112和中繼器114及中繼器116，中繼器114虛擬中繼器122，中繼器116虛擬中繼器132。當然，處理210也主控可以主控其他通訊設備的中繼器，例如中繼器122和中繼器132等。流程300可以從310進行到320。 At block 310, the process 300 may involve a processor 210 of the device 200, the processor 210 acting as a master repeater and one or more virtual repeaters to control the master repeater and the one or more repeaters. A virtual repeater, wherein the one or more virtual repeaters virtual one or more remote repeaters. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the processor 210 controls the repeater 112 and the repeater 114 and the repeater 116, the repeater 114 is a virtual repeater 122, and the repeater 116 is a virtual repeater 132. Of course, the process 210 also controls the repeaters that can control other communication devices, such as the repeaters 122 and 132. The process 300 may proceed from 310 to 320.
在方框320處，流程300可以處理器210，該處理器210用作主中繼器，並通過與站點通訊來為站點提供服務。例如處理器210用作中繼器112。流程300可以從320進行到330。 At block 320, the process 300 may be a processor 210 that acts as a master repeater and provides services to the site by communicating with the site. For example, the processor 210 functions as the repeater 112. The process 300 may proceed from 320 to 330.
在方框330處，流程300可以涉及處理器210請求一個或複數個遠端中繼器中的第一遠端中繼器為該站點服務。例如處理器210請求中繼器122為該站點服務。流程300 可以從330進行到340。 At block 330, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 requesting a first remote repeater of one or more remote repeaters to serve the site. For example, the processor 210 requests the repeater 122 to serve the site. Process 300 may proceed from 330 to 340.
在方框340處，流程300可涉及處理器210在完成站點向第一遠端中繼器的切換後停止為該站點服務。例如切換後由中繼器122為站點服務。當然，中繼器122還可以啟用中繼器124為該站點服務。 At block 340, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 stopping serving the site after completing the handover of the site to the first remote repeater. For example, the repeater 122 serves the site after switching. Of course, the repeater 122 can also enable the repeater 124 to serve the site.
在一些實施例中，在主控主中繼器時，流程300可以涉及處理器210廣播與電子裝置相關聯的MAC位址作為與主中繼器相對應的BSS的BSSID。 In some embodiments, when the master repeater is controlled, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 broadcasting the MAC address associated with the electronic device as the BSSID of the BSS corresponding to the master repeater.
在一些實施例中，在主控一個或複數個虛擬中繼器時，流程300可以涉及處理器210廣播與第一遠端中繼器相關聯的MAC位址作為對應於虛擬第一個遠端中繼器的一個或複數個虛擬中繼器的第一虛擬中繼器的BSS的BSSID。 In some embodiments, when controlling one or more virtual repeaters, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 broadcasting the MAC address associated with the first remote repeater as corresponding to the virtual first remote The BSSID of the BSS of the first virtual repeater of one or more virtual repeaters.
在一些實施例中，在請求一個或複數個遠端中繼器中的第一遠端中繼器為該站點服務時，流程300可以涉及處理器210設置與服務該站點有關的一個或複數個參數中的每一個的數值。此外，流程300可以涉及處理器210向第一遠端中繼器發送一個或複數個參數的資訊，以配置第一虛擬中繼器來為該站點服務，其中該一個或複數個參數的資訊至少包括該一個或複數個參數中的每一個的數值。 In some embodiments, when a first remote repeater of one or more remote repeaters is requested to serve the site, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 setting one or more related to serving the site. The value of each of the plurality of parameters. In addition, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 sending information of one or more parameters to the first remote repeater to configure the first virtual repeater to serve the site, wherein the information of the one or more parameters is Include at least the value of each of the one or more parameters.
在一些實施例中，在停止(cease)為站點提供服務時，流程300可以涉及處理器210停止(refraining)向站點發送回應訊框。而且，流程300可涉及處理器210丟棄從站點接收到的封包。 In some embodiments, when the service of the site is stopped, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 stopping sending a response frame to the site. Moreover, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 discarding packets received from the site.
在一些實施例中，流程300可以涉及處理器210執 行複數個附加操作。例如，流程300可以涉及處理器210用作主中繼器生成群組金鑰。此外，流程300可以涉及處理器210阻止廣播封包的傳輸。而且，流程300可以涉及處理器210與和主中繼器通訊連接的一個或複數個站點共用群組金鑰。此外，流程300可以涉及處理器210與由一個或複數個通訊設備主控的一個或複數個其他虛擬中繼器共用組金鑰。在一些實施例中，流程300可另外涉及處理器210從一個或複數個其他虛擬中繼器中的每一個接收關於共用群組金鑰的確認。而且，流程300可以涉及處理器210恢復廣播封包的傳輸。 In some embodiments, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 performing a number of additional operations. For example, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 acting as a master repeater to generate a group key. In addition, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 preventing transmission of broadcast packets. Moreover, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 sharing a group key with one or more sites communicatively connected to the master repeater. In addition, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 sharing a group key with one or more other virtual repeaters controlled by one or more communication devices. In some embodiments, the process 300 may additionally involve the processor 210 receiving an acknowledgement about a shared group key from each of one or more other virtual repeaters. Moreover, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 resuming transmission of the broadcast packet.
在一些實施例中，流程300可以涉及處理器210執行複數個附加操作。例如，流程300可以涉及處理器210從第一虛擬中繼器接收由第一遠端中繼器為該站點緩衝的封包的狀態的更新。此外，流程300可以涉及處理器210從第一虛擬中繼器接收關於站點的省電狀態的指示。此外，處理300可以涉及處理器210更新流量指示圖(TIM)比特以反映由第一虛擬中繼器為該站點緩衝的封包的狀態。此外，流程300可以涉及處理器210發送更新後的TIM比特的信標。 In some embodiments, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 performing a plurality of additional operations. For example, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 receiving an update from the first virtual repeater of the status of the packet buffered by the first remote repeater for the site. In addition, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 receiving an indication on the power saving status of the site from the first virtual repeater. Further, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 updating a traffic indication map (TIM) bit to reflect the status of the packet buffered by the first virtual repeater for the site. In addition, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 sending a beacon of the updated TIM bits.
在一些實施例中，流程300可以涉及處理器210執行複數個附加操作。例如，流程300可以涉及處理器210從站點接收IGMP加入請求。此外，流程300可以涉及處理器210與第一虛擬中繼器共用該站點正在監聽的一個或複數個多播位址。 In some embodiments, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 performing a plurality of additional operations. For example, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 receiving an IGMP join request from a site. In addition, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 and the first virtual repeater sharing one or more multicast addresses that the site is listening on.
在一些實施例中，流程300可以涉及處理器210執行複數個附加操作。例如，流程300可以涉及處理器210接收 該站點為接收者的一個或複數個多播封包。此外，處理300可以涉及處理器210將多播封包發送到站點。 In some embodiments, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 performing a plurality of additional operations. For example, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 receiving one or more multicast packets for which the site is a recipient. Further, the process 300 may involve the processor 210 sending a multicast packet to a site.
第4圖示出了根據本發明實施例的示例的流程400。流程400可以表示實現上述提出的概念和方案的一個方面。更具體地說，流程400可以表示所提出的與虛擬漫遊有關的概念和方案的一個方面。例如，流程400可以表示實現如上所述的作為網路100中的虛擬中繼器的中繼器124(VR1)或中繼器134(VR1)的功能的示例。流程400可以包括如方框410，420，430和440中的一個或複數個所示的一個或複數個操作、動作或功能。儘管圖示為離散的方框，但係流程400的各個方框可以被劃分成附加的方框，組合成更少方框，或取消一些方框，這取決於所需要的實施方式。而且，處理400的方框/子方框可以按照第4圖所示的或者不同的循序執行。流程400的方框/子方框可以反覆運算地執行。流程400可以由裝置200以及裝置200的任何變型來實現，或流程400可在裝置200內以及在裝置200內的任何變型來實現。下文中的流程400係在裝置200的背景下描述的，並且僅出於說明的目的且不限制本發明的範圍。流程400可以在方框410處開始。 FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 400 may represent one aspect of implementing the concepts and solutions presented above. More specifically, the process 400 may represent one aspect of the proposed concept and scheme related to virtual roaming. For example, the process 400 may represent an example of implementing the functions of the repeater 124 (VR1) or the repeater 134 (VR1) as a virtual repeater in the network 100 as described above. Process 400 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as shown in one or more of blocks 410, 420, 430, and 440. Although shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of the process 400 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or some blocks may be eliminated, depending on the required implementation. Moreover, the blocks / sub-blocks of the process 400 may be performed as shown in FIG. 4 or in a different sequence. The blocks / sub-blocks of the process 400 may be performed iteratively. The process 400 may be implemented by the apparatus 200 and any variation of the apparatus 200, or the process 400 may be implemented within the apparatus 200 and any variation within the apparatus 200. The flow 400 below is described in the context of the device 200 and is for illustration purposes only and does not limit the scope of the invention. The process 400 may begin at block 410.
在方框410處，流程400可以涉及裝置200的處理器210，該處理器210作用為主中繼器和一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器來主控該主中繼器和該一個或複數個虛擬中繼器，其中，該一個或者複數個虛擬中繼器虛擬一個或者複數個遠端中繼器。例如，結合第1圖所示，處理器210主控中繼器122和中繼器124及中繼器126，中繼器124虛擬中繼器112，中繼 器126虛擬中繼器132。當然，處理210也主控可以主控其他通訊設備的中繼器，例如中繼器112和中繼器132等。流程400可以從410進行到420。 At block 410, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 of the device 200, the processor 210 acting as a master repeater and one or more virtual repeaters to control the master repeater and the one or more repeaters. A virtual repeater, wherein the one or more virtual repeaters virtual one or more remote repeaters. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the processor 210 controls the repeater 122, the repeater 124, and the repeater 126, the repeater 124, the virtual repeater 112, and the repeater 126 virtual repeater 132. Of course, the process 210 also controls the repeaters that can control other communication devices, such as the repeaters 112 and 132. The process 400 may proceed from 410 to 420.
在方框420處，流程400可以涉及處理器210接收來自第一遠端中繼器的為站點服務的請求。例如處理器210接收來自中繼器112的為站點服務的請求，請求中繼器122為站點服務。流程400可以從420進行到430。 At block 420, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 receiving a request to service a site from a first remote repeater. For example, the processor 210 receives a request to serve a site from the repeater 112 and requests the repeater 122 to serve the site. The process 400 may proceed from 420 to 430.
在方框430處，流程400可以涉及處理器210，處理器210用作一個或複數個虛擬中繼器中的第一虛擬中繼器通過與站點通訊來為該站點服務，該第一虛擬中繼器虛擬第一遠端中繼器回應於接收到的請求。例如，中繼器122接收到請求後，啟用中繼器124來與站點通訊來為站點服務，其中中繼器124虛擬中繼器112來回應接收到的請求。 At block 430, the process 400 may involve the processor 210, which serves as a first virtual repeater in one or more virtual repeaters to serve the site by communicating with the site, the first The virtual repeater virtual first remote repeater responds to the received request. For example, after receiving the request, the repeater 122 enables the repeater 124 to communicate with the site to serve the site, and the repeater 124 virtualizes the repeater 112 to respond to the received request.
在一些實施例中，在主控主中繼器時，流程400可以涉及處理器210廣播與電子裝置相關聯的MAC位址作為與主中繼器對應的BSS的BSSID。 In some embodiments, when the master repeater is controlled, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 broadcasting the MAC address associated with the electronic device as the BSSID of the BSS corresponding to the master repeater.
在一些實施例中，在主控一個或複數個虛擬中繼器時，流程400可以涉及處理器210廣播與第一遠端中繼器相關聯的MAC位址作為對應於虛擬第一遠端中繼器的一個或複數個虛擬中繼器中的第一虛擬中繼器的BSS的BSSID。 In some embodiments, when controlling one or more virtual repeaters, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 broadcasting the MAC address associated with the first remote repeater as corresponding to the virtual first remote The BSSID of the BSS of the first virtual repeater in the one or more virtual repeaters.
在一些實施例中，在接收為站點服務的請求時，流程400可以涉及處理器210接收與服務站有關的一個或複數個參數的資訊。其中該一個或複數個參數的資訊至少包括該一個或複數個參數中的每一個的數值。此外，流程400可以涉及處 理器210根據該一個或複數個參數的資訊設置一個或複數個參數中的每一個的數值以配置第一虛擬中繼器來為該站點服務。 In some embodiments, when receiving a request to serve a site, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 receiving information about one or more parameters related to the service station. The information of the one or more parameters includes at least the value of each of the one or more parameters. In addition, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 setting a value of each of the one or more parameters according to the information of the one or more parameters to configure the first virtual repeater to serve the site.
在一些實施例中，在服務該站點時，流程400可以涉及處理器210向站點發送回應訊框。而且，處理400可涉及處理器210處理從站點接收到的封包。 In some embodiments, when serving the site, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 sending a response frame to the site. Moreover, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 processing packets received from the site.
在一些實施例中，流程400可以涉及處理器210執行複數個附加操作。例如，流程400可以涉及處理器210從第一遠端中繼器接收群組金鑰。此外，流程400可以涉及處理器210與和第一虛擬中繼器通訊連接的一個或複數個站點共用群組金鑰。而且，處理400可以涉及處理器210向第一遠端中繼器發送關於群組金鑰的確認。 In some embodiments, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 performing a plurality of additional operations. For example, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 receiving a group key from a first remote repeater. In addition, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 sharing a group key with one or more sites communicatively connected to the first virtual repeater. Moreover, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 sending a confirmation about the group key to the first remote repeater.
在一些實施例中，流程400可以涉及處理器210執行複數個附加操作。例如，流程400可以涉及處理器210向第一遠端中繼器發送由第一虛擬中繼器為該站點緩衝的封包的狀態的更新。此外，處理400可以涉及處理器210向第一遠端中繼器發送關於站點的省電狀態的指示。 In some embodiments, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 performing a plurality of additional operations. For example, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 sending an update of the status of the packet buffered by the first virtual repeater for the site to the first remote repeater. Further, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 sending an indication about the power saving status of the site to the first remote repeater.
在一些實施例中，流程400可以涉及處理器210執行複數個附加操作。例如，流程400可以涉及處理器210接收站點正在監聽的一個或複數個多播位址。而且，流程400可以涉及處理器210將用於一個或複數個多播位元址的IGMP加入消息發送給一個或複數個其他中繼器。其他中繼器可以係其他通訊設備的中繼器，例如相鄰的通訊設備的主中繼器或虛擬中繼器。 In some embodiments, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 performing a plurality of additional operations. For example, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 receiving one or more multicast addresses that the site is listening on. Moreover, the process 400 may involve the processor 210 sending an IGMP join message for one or more multicast bit addresses to one or more other repeaters. Other repeaters may be repeaters of other communication devices, such as a master repeater or a virtual repeater of an adjacent communication device.
本文描述的主題有時示出包含在不同的其它组件 內或與其連接的不同组件。應該理解的係，這樣描述的體系結構(architecture)僅僅係示例，並且實際上還可以實施許多其他體系結構以達到相同的設計目的。在概念意義上，用於實現相同功能的任何组件佈置為有效地“關聯(associated)”，從而實現期望的功能。因此，在此組合以實現特定功能的任何兩個组件可視為彼此“相關聯(associated with)”，從而實現期望的功能，而與訊框或中間组件無關。同樣地，像這樣關聯的任何兩個组件也可以視為彼此“可操作地連接”或“可操作地耦合”以實現期望的功能。可操作地可耦合的具體示例包括但不限於物理上可配對的和/或物理上交互的组件和/或無線交互和/或無線交互组件和/或邏輯交互和/或邏輯交互组件。 The subject matter described herein sometimes illustrates different components contained within or connected to different other components. It should be understood that the architecture thus described is merely an example, and in fact many other architectures can be implemented to achieve the same design purpose. In a conceptual sense, any components used to achieve the same function are effectively "associated" to achieve the desired function. Therefore, any two components combined here to achieve a particular function can be considered to be "associated with" each other to achieve the desired function, regardless of the frame or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components associated as such can also be viewed as being "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operatively coupleable include, but are not limited to, physically pairable and / or physically interacting components and / or wireless interactions and / or wireless interaction components and / or logical interactions and / or logical interaction components.
此外，關於本文中基本上任何複數和/或單數術語的使用，本領域技術人員可以根據上下文適當地將複數轉化為單數和/或將單數轉化為複數和/或應用程式。為了清楚起見，這裡可以明確地闡述各種單數/複數置換。 In addition, with regard to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terminology herein, those skilled in the art can appropriately convert the plural to the singular and / or convert the singular to the plural and / or application program according to the context. For the sake of clarity, various singular / plural permutations can be explicitly explained here.
此外，本領域技術人員將會理解，一般而言，本文所使用的術語，特別係所附申請專利範圍第(例如所附申請專利範圍第書的主體)中的術語通常意圖作為“開放”術語，例如，術語“包括”應被解釋為“包括但不限於”，術語“具有”應被解釋為“至少具有”，術語“包括”應被解釋為“包括但不限於”等等。本領域的技術人員將會進一步理解，如果意圖引入介紹具體數量的申請專利範圍第的表述，則這樣的意圖將在申請專利範圍第中明確記載，並且在沒有這樣的表述的情況下，則不存在這樣的意圖。例如，為幫助理解，本發明所 附申請專利範圍第可以包含介紹性短語“至少一個”和“一個或複數個”的使用以引入申請專利範圍第陳述。此外，即使明確列舉了具體數量的引入的申請專利範圍第列舉，本領域技術人員將認識到，這樣的列舉應該解釋為至少，例如“兩個”語意指至少兩個，或者兩個或更複數個。此外，在使用類似於“A，B和C等中的至少一個”的那些情況下，應該理解為本領域技術人員通常按慣例理解的含義，例如，“具有A，B和C中的至少一個的系統”將包括但不限於僅具有A，僅具有B，僅具有C，具有A和B在一起，具有A和C在一起，具有B和C在一起的系統，和/或A，B和C一起等。在使用類似於“A，B或C等中的至少一個”的那些情況下，應該理解為本領域技術人員通常按慣例理解的含義，例如“具有A，B或C中的至少一個的系統”將包括但不限於僅具有A，僅具有B，具有單獨C，具有A和B的系統，A和C一起，B和C一起，和/或A，B和C一起等。本領域技術人員將進一步理解，實際上在說明書，申請專利範圍第書或附圖中呈現的任何分離的詞和/或短語兩個或更複數個替代術語應理解為可能包括術語中的一個，術語中的任一個或兩個術語。例如，短語“A或B”將理解為包括“A”或“B”或“A和B”的可能性。 In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that, in general, the terms used herein, especially those in the scope of the attached patent application (for example, the subject of the scope of the attached patent application) are generally intended as "open" terms For example, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to", the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least", the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to" and the like. Those skilled in the art will further understand that if the intention is to introduce a description that introduces a specific number of scopes of patent applications, such intentions will be clearly recorded in the scope of patent applications, and in the absence of such expressions, There is such an intention. For example, to assist in understanding, the scope of the patent application accompanying the present invention may include the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce the scope of the patent application statement. In addition, even if a specific number of patent application scopes are explicitly listed, those skilled in the art will recognize that such listings should be interpreted as at least, for example, "two" means at least two, or two or more Each. Further, in those cases similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc.", it should be understood as a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art, for example, "having at least one of A, B, and C" "Systems" will include but are not limited to systems with only A, only B, only C, with A and B together, with A and C together, with B and C together, and / or A, B and C wait together. In those cases similar to "at least one of A, B or C, etc.", it should be understood to mean what is commonly understood by those skilled in the art, such as "a system with at least one of A, B or C" This would include, but is not limited to, having only A, only B, having separate C, having A and B, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B and C together, etc. Those skilled in the art will further understand that in fact any separated words and / or phrases presented in the specification, patent application, or drawings, two or more alternative terms should be understood as possibly including one of the terms , Either or both of the terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".
儘管已經對本發明實施例及其優點進行了詳細說明，但應當理解的係，在不脫離本發明的精神以及申請專利範圍所定義的範圍內，可以對本發明進行各種改變、替換和變更。所描述的實施例在所有方面僅用於說明的目的而並非用於限制本發明。本發明的保護範圍當視所附的申請專利範圍所界 定者為准。本領域技術人員皆在不脫離本發明之精神以及範圍內做些許更動與潤飾。 Although the embodiments of the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope defined by the scope of patent application. The described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention in all respects. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make some modifications and retouching without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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2018
- 2018-03-05 CN CN201810177797.0A patent/CN108668326B/en active Active
- 2018-03-06 TW TW107107443A patent/TWI662806B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
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|---|---|
| CN108668326A (en) | 2018-10-16 |
| CN108668326B (en) | 2021-05-04 |
| TWI662806B (en) | 2019-06-11 |
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