Specification
Title of invention: Wireless communication device
Technical field
[0001]
　The present technology relates to a wireless communication device, and more particularly to a wireless communication device capable of effectively utilizing frequency resources.
Background technology
[0002]
　Conventionally, various technologies have been proposed as technologies related to wireless communication.
[0003]
　For example, as a technology related to wireless communication, frames are used between wireless communication devices such as wireless base stations (AP (Access Point)) and wireless terminal stations (STA (Station)) so that cooperative sectorized transmission is supported. It has been proposed that the transfer is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Prior art literature
Patent documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-526856
Outline of the invention
Problems to be solved by the invention
[0005]
　By the way, in recent years, with the spread of wireless communication systems compliant with the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11, which is a wireless communication standard, a plurality of wireless base stations (access points (AP)) are installed in a home. Sometimes.
[0006]
　In the current standard, the wireless base station (AP) to be connected is determined by the wireless terminal station (station (STA)) at its own discretion. Therefore, even if the wireless base station (AP), which is the optimum connection destination, changes due to the movement of the wireless terminal station (STA), the wireless terminal station (STA) is still connected to the wireless base station (AP). A phenomenon called Sticky Client occurs that tries to keep the connection.
[0007]
　If this happens, the efficiency of using frequency resources will decrease, and it will not be possible to efficiently communicate within each BSS (Basic Service Set).
[0008]
　This technology was made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to effectively utilize frequency resources.
Means to solve problems
[0009]
　The wireless communication device of the first aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication device connected to one or a plurality of target wireless communication devices, and is a measurement request for requesting measurement regarding a signal propagation state from the target wireless communication device. A transmitting unit that transmits a signal to another wireless communication device and a receiving unit that receives a measurement request response signal including the measurement result transmitted from the other wireless communication device in response to the measurement request signal. And.
[0010]
　In the first aspect of the present technology, in a wireless communication device connected to one or a plurality of target wireless communication devices, a measurement request signal requesting measurement regarding a signal propagation status from the target wireless communication device is another. A measurement request response signal including the result of the measurement, which is transmitted to the wireless communication device and transmitted from the other wireless communication device in response to the measurement request signal, is received.
[0011]
　The wireless communication device of the second aspect of the present technology is a wireless communication device from the target wireless communication device transmitted from the other wireless communication device with respect to one or a plurality of target wireless communication devices connected to the other wireless communication device. A receiver that receives a measurement request signal requesting measurement regarding the signal propagation status, and a measurement request response signal including the measurement result regarding the signal propagation status from the target wireless communication device according to the measurement request signal. It includes a signal generation unit to be generated and a transmission unit to transmit the measurement request response signal to the other wireless communication device.
[0012]
　In the second aspect of the present technology, in the wireless communication device, the target wireless communication device transmitted from the other wireless communication device with respect to one or more target wireless communication devices connected to the other wireless communication device. A measurement request signal requesting measurement regarding the propagation status of the signal from is received, and a measurement request response signal including the result of the measurement regarding the propagation status of the signal from the target wireless communication device is generated in response to the measurement request signal. Then, the measurement request response signal is transmitted to the other wireless communication device.
[0013]
　The wireless communication device of the third aspect of the present technology requests a connection to a second wireless communication device determined as its own new connection destination transmitted from the connected first wireless communication device. It includes a receiving unit that receives a connection request induced signal instructing the transmission of the connection request signal to that effect, and a transmitting unit that transmits the connection request signal to the second wireless communication device in response to the connection request induced signal.
[0014]
　In the third aspect of the present technology, in the wireless communication device, the connection to the second wireless communication device determined as its own new connection destination transmitted from the connected first wireless communication device is performed. A connection request inducing signal instructing the transmission of the connection request signal to the effect of the request is received, and the connection request signal is transmitted to the second wireless communication device in response to the connection request inducing signal.
Effect of the invention
[0015]
　According to the first aspect to the third aspect of the present technology, frequency resources can be effectively utilized.
[0016]
　The effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.
A brief description of the drawing
[0017]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless network topology.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the optimization of the connection destination and the packet sequence.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a trigger frame.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a Common Info field.
[Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a User Info field.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the optimization of the connection destination.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement request frame.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement response frame.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication device.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a connection destination determination process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a connection destination change process.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating response processing.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a computer.
Mode for carrying out the invention
[0018]
　Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present technology is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]

　This technology uses, for example, a trigger frame defined by IEEE 802.11ax, and is an appropriate radio to be connected to a wireless terminal station (STA). By designating a base station (AP) by a radio base station (AP), it is possible to effectively utilize frequency resources.
[0020]
　In the following, a radio base station (AP) will be referred to as an access point, and a radio terminal station (STA) will be referred to as a station.
[0021]
　As described above, when a station independently selects an access point to connect to, a phenomenon called Sticky Client that tries to maintain the current connection occurs even if the optimum connection destination changes due to station movement or the like. To do.
[0022]
　Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that there are two access point AP A and access point AP B in which a part of the communication range capable of wireless communication overlaps with each other.
[0023]
　It is also assumed that station STA1 and station STA2 in the vicinity of access point AP A are connected to access point AP A. In other words, station STA1 and station STA2 are under the control of access point AP A.
[0024]
　Here, the state in which the station is connected to the access point means that the station sends a connection request signal (Association Request) to the access point and the access point permits the connection to the connection request signal. The station is in an associated state by transmitting a request response signal (Association Response).
[0025]
　When the station is associated (connected), the station and the access point are aware that their devices are connected to each other and can communicate between the station and the access point. It has become.
[0026]
　Further, in FIG. 1, station STA1 and station STA2 are located equidistant from the access point AP A to which the connection is made. That is, the distance from station STA1 to access point AP A and the distance from station STA2 to access point AP A are the same.
[0027]
　Furthermore, in this example, station STA2 is under access point AP A, but station STA2 has access point AP B that can be connected at a distance closer than access point AP A. ..
[0028]
　Therefore, it may be possible to communicate more efficiently when the access point AP B is used as the connection destination of the station STA2 than when the access point AP A is used as the connection destination.
[0029]
　Specifically, for example, both access point AP A and access point AP B are connected to the backhaul, and the desired communication can be performed regardless of whether the station connects to access point AP A or access point AP B. Suppose it is possible. In other words, station STA1 and station STA2 under access point AP A are both located at positions where they can connect to access point AP B.
[0030]
　Further, it is assumed that the access point AP A, the access point AP B, the station STA1, and the station STA2 exist within a range in which they can communicate with each other, and these devices communicate using the same frequency resource.
[0031]
　In such a case, when the positional relationship between the access point AP A, the access point AP B, the station STA1, and the station STA2 is as shown in FIG. 1, for example, if the connection destination is optimized as shown in FIG. , It is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of frequency resources.
[0032]
　In FIG. 2, the parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, in FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents time. Further, although FIG. 2 describes a case where two stations are targeted for optimization of the connection destination, one station may be targeted for optimization of the connection destination, or two or more stations may be targeted. It may be the number of. Furthermore, there may be two or more access points that are candidates for new connection destinations of the station.
[0033]
　The upper part of FIG. 2 shows an example of a packet sequence when the connection destination is not optimized.
[0034]
　In this example, station STA1 and station STA2 are under the control of access point AP A, and station STA1 first transmits signal SG11 consisting of one or more packets to access point AP A.
[0035]
　After transmitting the signal SG11, the station STA2 transmits the signal SG12 consisting of one or more packets to the access point AP A, but during that time, the station STA1 cannot transmit the signal and is in a standby state. There is.
[0036]
　When the transmission of the signal SG12 is completed, the station STA1 transmits the signal SG13 to the access point AP A, and after transmitting the signal SG13, the station STA2 transmits the signal SG14 to the access point AP A.
[0037]
　Here, since station STA1 and station STA2 are located at the same distance from the access point AP A to which they are connected, the signals SG11 to SG14 are transmitted at the same transmission rate.
[0038]
　In this way, station STA1 and station STA2 are connected to access point AP A and communicate with each other. As shown in Fig. 1, station STA2 has access point AP B closer than access point AP A. doing.
[0039]
　Therefore, the efficiency of frequency resource utilization is improved by optimizing the connection destination, that is, performing the handover of the connection destination and changing the connection destination of the station STA2 from the access point AP A to the access point AP B located closer. Can be made to.
[0040]
　The lower part of FIG. 2 shows an example of a packet sequence when the station STA2 reconnects to the access point AP B due to the optimization of the connection destination, that is, when the station STA2 is handed over to the access point AP B. ing.
[0041]
　In this example, station STA1 is connected to access point AP A, and station STA2 is connected to access point AP B.
[0042]
　In this case, station STA1 first sends signal SG11 to access point AP A. During that time, the station STA2 waits without transmitting the signal in order to prevent the occurrence of interference with the signal transmitted by itself.
[0043]
　Then, when the transmission of the signal SG11 is completed, the station STA2 subsequently transmits the signal SG12'to the access point AP B, and while the signal SG12' is being transmitted, the station STA1 waits without transmitting the signal. To do.
[0044]
　When the transmission of the signal SG12'is completed, the station STA1 transmits the signal SG13 to the access point AP A, and after transmitting the signal SG13, the station STA2 transmits the signal SG14' to the access point AP B.
[0045]
　Here, the distance from station STA2 to access point AP B is shorter than the distance from station STA2 to access point AP A, so signal SG12'and signal SG14'have higher transmission rates than signal SG12 and signal SG14. Will be sent.
[0046]
　If the distance between the communicating station and the access point is short, the signal propagation loss is small. Therefore, since the receiving side can receive the signal with stronger reception power, it is highly possible that the signal can be received accurately, and therefore the possibility that the signal is retransmitted is low. That is, the success rate of communication is high. From this, the shorter the distance between the station and the access point, the higher the signal transmission rate, and the higher the speed of communication becomes possible.
[0047]
　The upper and lower sides of FIG. 2 have the same transmission request and the same packet sequence, but the signal SG12'and the signal SG14' are transmitted at a higher transmission rate than the signal SG12 and the signal SG14. The signal transmission time is shortened.
[0048]
　As a result, in the example in which the connection destination is optimized shown in the lower part of FIG. 2, the communication time is shortened by the time indicated by the arrow Q11 as compared with the example in which the connection destination is not optimized. The next signal can be transmitted in the shortened time.
[0049]
　From this, it can be seen that communication can be completed in a shorter time and frequency resources can be used more effectively by optimizing the connection destination.
[0050]
　Next, for example, optimization of the connection destination as shown in FIG. 2, that is, handover of the station to a new connection destination will be described.
[0051]
　In IEEE 802.11ax, which is a next-generation wireless LAN standard, a control signal called a trigger frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 3, for example, is newly defined.
[0052]
　The trigger frame shown in FIG. 3 can be transmitted to a plurality of wireless communication devices as destinations, and the Common Info field indicated by the character "Common Info" is common to one or more destinations of the trigger frame. Information is stored.
[0053]
　Further, the trigger frame is provided with one or a plurality of User Info fields indicated by the character "User Info", and the User Info field stores individual information for each destination of the trigger frame.
[0054]
　In addition, in the trigger frame, the frame check sequence is stored in the field indicated by the character "FCS".
[0055]
　For example, the Common Info field of the trigger frame shown in FIG. 3 has the configuration shown in FIG.
[0056]
　The Common Info field shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a trigger type field (Trigger Type Field) indicated by the character “Trigger Type”.
[0057]
　In this trigger type field, the type information indicating the signal to be transmitted by the wireless communication device designated by the trigger frame in response to the reception of the trigger frame, that is, the type of the data frame to be transmitted is stored.
[0058]
　In addition, the Common Info field is provided with a field indicated by the character "Length", and this field is the length of the trigger frame (signal length), and more specifically, the length of the packet in which the trigger frame is stored. Information indicating that is stored.
[0059]
　Furthermore, the Common Info field is provided with a field indicated by the character "AP TX Power", and this field stores trigger frame transmission power information indicating the transmission power which is the power at the time of transmission of the trigger frame. There is.
[0060]
　Further, the User Info field of the trigger frame shown in FIG. 3 has the configuration shown in FIG.
[0061]
　The User Info field shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a field indicated by the character "AID12", a field indicated by the character "RU Allocation", a field indicated by the character "Target RSSI", and the like.
[0062]
　For example, in the field indicated by the character "AID12", information indicating a wireless communication device to which the type signal indicated by the type information should be transmitted in response to the reception of the trigger frame, that is, transmission of the type signal indicated by the type information Source information indicating the original wireless communication device is stored. When multiple User Info fields are provided in the trigger frame, different source information is stored for each of these User Info fields.
[0063]
　Further, in the field indicated by the character "RU Allocation", resource information indicating the frequency resource and the spatial resource to be used when transmitting the type signal indicated by the type information in response to the reception of the trigger frame is stored. There is.
[0064]
　In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between frequency resources and spatial resources, they are also simply referred to as resources.
[0065]
　In the field indicated by the character "Target RSSI", when a signal of the type indicated by the type information is transmitted in response to the reception of the trigger frame, the received power of the signal that should be secured at the minimum on the receiving side of the signal is input. The indicated received power information is stored. Here, the receiving side of the type of signal indicated by the type information is basically an access point that is the source of the trigger frame.
[0066]
　The trigger frame provided with the Common Info field and the User Info field as described above is transmitted from the access point to the station, for example.
[0067]
　Therefore, when the station indicated by the source information in the field indicated by the character "AID12" receives the trigger frame, after a certain period of time has elapsed from the reception time of the trigger frame, the signal indicated by the type information is sent to the trigger frame. It is transmitted as a response signal.
[0068]
　At this time, the response signal is transmitted by using the frequency resource and the spatial resource specified by the resource information stored in the trigger frame. In other words, the response signal is transmitted from the antenna determined by the resource information in the frequency channel (frequency band) indicated by the resource information. When the spatial resources of the response signal are different, it means that the transmission path (path) from the transmission of the response signal to the reception is different. Signals (training) with different patterns are stored in the training fields of the response signals transmitted by different spatial resources.
[0069]
　Until now, the transmission control of various signals was performed mainly by the station, but by introducing such a trigger frame, the access point can manage the transmission of signals by the station.
[0070]
　In this technology, the access point specifies the appropriate connection destination of the station by using the trigger frame defined by IEEE 802.11ax.
[0071]
　Hereinafter, a series of sequence examples performed when the access point specifies the connection destination of the station will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.
[0072]
　Here, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, access point AP A, access point AP B, station STA1 and station STA2 exist, and station STA1 and station STA2 are under the control of access point AP A. To do.
[0073]
　First, the access point AP A transmits a measurement request frame (Measurement Request) to the access point AP B as shown by the arrow Q41 in FIG.
[0074]
　In addition, when a predetermined time elapses after the measurement request frame is transmitted, the access point AP A sets a trigger frame (Trigger Frame) to the stations STA1 and STA2 under its control as shown by arrow Q42. Send.
[0075]
　Here, the measurement request frame is a measurement request signal that requests measurement of distance index information that is an index of the distance from the access point AP B to each station under the access point AP A. In other words, the measurement request frame is a measurement request signal that requests measurement of the signal propagation status between the access point AP B and the station.
[0076]
　The distance index information is, for example, the reception strength of the trigger response frame (Triggered Response), which is a response signal to the trigger frame, that is, the received power in the access point AP B.
[0077]
　Note that the frequency resource and spatial resource at the time of transmitting the trigger response frame assigned to each of the station STA1 and the station STA2 may also be notified from the access point AP A to the access point AP B.
[0078]
　The trigger frame transmitted by the access point AP A is a transmission request signal instructing the transmission of the trigger response frame for measuring the distance index information. From the access point AP A, for example, a trigger frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is transmitted.
[0079]
　In this case, in the example of FIG. 6, the type information is information indicating a trigger response frame, and the trigger frame is provided with two User Info fields. Then, the source information in one User Info field is the information indicating the station STA1, and the source information in the other User Info field is the information indicating the station STA2.
[0080]
　Further, each of the two User Info fields is set to store different resource information. That is, when the station STA1 transmits the trigger response frame, at least one of the frequency resource and the spatial resource uses a resource different from that when the station STA2 transmits the trigger response frame.
[0081]
　For example, when the spatial resources used for transmitting the two trigger response frames are different from each other, the signal pattern of the training field in those trigger response frames is different. Therefore, the access point AP B can distinguish those received trigger response frames.
[0082]
　By transmitting the trigger frame as described above, the station is notified (notified) of the timing of transmitting the trigger response frame, which is a response signal to the trigger frame, and the transmission of the trigger frame response frame is induced.
[0083]
　Here, FIG. 7 shows an example of the measurement request frame.
[0084]
　In the example shown in FIG. 7, the measurement request frame includes the trigger delay amount information indicated by the character “Trigger Delay”, the trigger body indicated by the character “Trigger Body”, and the frame check sequence indicated by the character “FCS”. It has been.
[0085]
　For example, the trigger delay amount information is information indicating the elapsed time (delay time) from the transmission of the measurement request frame to the transmission of the trigger frame.
[0086]
　Here, since the trigger response frame is transmitted after a predetermined time has elapsed since the trigger frame was received, the trigger delay amount information is information for specifying the transmission timing of the trigger response frame. It can be said.
[0087]
　Further, the trigger body is information including information for identifying the station that transmits the trigger response frame, such as information indicating at least the frequency resource and the spatial resource used when the station transmits the trigger response frame.
[0088]
　Here, it is assumed that the trigger frame itself is the trigger body. That is, the trigger body includes source information indicating the station and resource information indicating the resources used by the station for each of the station STA1 and the station STA2. Therefore, for example, the source information and resource information included in the trigger body are used as information for identifying the station that transmits the trigger response frame.
[0089]
　Returning to the description of FIG. 6, when the trigger frame is transmitted at the timing indicated by the arrow Q42, the station STA1 and the station STA2 receive the trigger frame.
[0090]
　Then, when station STA1 and station STA2 refer to the source information included in the received trigger frame and identify themselves as the type of signal indicated by the type information, that is, here, the source of the trigger response frame, Send a trigger response frame as shown by arrow Q43.
[0091]
　These trigger response frames are response signals transmitted as a response to the trigger frame which is a transmission request signal.
[0092]
　Station STA1 and station STA2 send a trigger response frame based on the information stored (contained) in the User Info field that contains the source information that indicates itself and the Common Info field.
[0093]
　For example, station STA1 and station STA2 transmit a trigger response frame with a transmission power determined by the trigger frame transmission power information and the received power information included in the trigger frame.
[0094]
　Further, the trigger response frame is transmitted at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed from the reception time of the trigger frame.
[0095]
　The trigger response frame transmitted in this way is not only received by the access point AP A, but also received by the access point AP B.
[0096]
　When the access point AP B receives the trigger response frame transmitted from the station STA1 or the station STA2, as shown by arrow Q44, the measurement for obtaining the distance index information according to the measurement request frame received from the access point AP A. Perform measurement.
[0097]
　In other words, the access point AP B performs measurement processing regarding the signal propagation status between itself and the station STA1 or station STA2 based on the reception timing of the trigger response frame or the received trigger response frame.
[0098]
　For example, in the measurement process, the reception strength (reception power) of the received trigger response frame is measured, and the reception strength obtained as a result is used as the distance index information as it is.
[0099]
　The shorter the distance from the station that is the source of the trigger response frame to the access point AP B, the stronger (stronger) the reception strength of the trigger response frame. Therefore, it can be said that the reception strength obtained in this way is information that is an index indicating the distance between the station and the access point AP B.
[0100]
　For example, when the positional relationship between each access point and the station is the positional relationship shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the transmission power of the trigger response frame transmitted from the station STA1 and the station STA2 is the same.
[0101]
　As described above, the transmission power of the trigger response frame is determined by the trigger frame transmission power information and the reception power information in the trigger frame. In other words, the transmission power of the trigger response frame, more specifically, the reception power on the receiving side of the trigger response frame is specified by the trigger frame.
[0102]
　In this case, in the access point AP B, the reception strength of the trigger response frame received from the station STA2 located closer to itself is the reception of the trigger response frame received from the station STA1 located farther from itself. Should be greater than strength.
[0103]
　Note that the access point AP B should grasp the approximate timing at which the trigger response frame is sent to itself based on the trigger delay amount information included in the measurement request frame received from the access point AP A. Can be done.
[0104]
　Since this is known information in which the time from the reception of the trigger frame to the transmission of the trigger response frame is predetermined, if the sum of that time and the time indicated by the trigger delay amount information is taken as the scheduled time, This is because the time after the scheduled time from the reception time of the measurement request frame is the approximate arrival time of the trigger response frame.
[0105]
　In addition, although the example in which the reception strength is used as the distance index information has been described here, the distance index information can be used as an index of the distance between the access point AP B and the station that is the source of the trigger response frame. , Anything can be used.
[0106]
　Specifically, for example, the reception time of the trigger response frame at the access point AP B, the time (delay amount) from the reception time (transmission time) of the measurement request frame to the reception time of the trigger response frame at the access point AP B, The time from the transmission time of the trigger response frame to the reception time (delay amount), the error characteristics at the time of receiving the trigger response frame, the combination of such information, and the like may be used as the distance index information.
[0107]
　For example, the shorter the distance from the station that is the source of the trigger response frame to the access point AP B, the earlier the reception time of the trigger response frame, so this reception time can also be used as an index of the distance.
[0108]
　In this case, for example, for the same trigger response frame, if the difference between the reception time of the trigger response frame at the access point AP B indicated by the distance index information and the reception time of the trigger response frame at the access point AP A is obtained, each device can be obtained. It is possible to grasp the positional relationship of. That is, it is possible to identify whether the station that is the source of the trigger response frame is closer to the access point AP A or the access point AP B by the obtained difference.
[0109]
　This means that when the time from the reception time of the measurement request frame to the reception time of the trigger response frame (delay amount) or the time from the transmission time of the trigger response frame to the reception time (delay amount) is used as the distance index information. The same applies to. In the access point AP B, it is possible to specify the approximate transmission time of the trigger response frame based on the trigger delay amount information.
[0110]
　Also, for example, in general, the longer the distance from the station that is the source of the trigger response frame to the access point AP B, the more reception errors that occur when receiving the trigger response frame, and the reception error rate (reception error rate). Incidence rate) becomes high. Therefore, the error characteristic at the time of receiving the trigger response frame, that is, the reception error rate can also be used as an index of the distance.
[0111]
　In this case, for example, if one or more frame check sequences are included in the trigger response frame, the reception error rate at the time of receiving the trigger response frame can be obtained by the calculation using those frame check sequences. it can. This is because it is possible to specify whether or not the signal of the portion including the frame check sequence can be correctly received, that is, whether or not a reception error has occurred, by the calculation using the frame check sequence.
[0112]
　If the reception error rate obtained in this way is used as the distance index information, the positional relationship of each device can be determined by comparing the reception error rate as the distance index information with the reception error rate at the access point APA. Can be grasped. That is, it is possible to identify whether the station that is the source of the trigger response frame is closer to the access point AP A or the access point AP B.
[0113]
　When the distance index information is obtained by the measurement process, the access point AP B sets the measurement response frame (Measurement Response) including the distance index information obtained as a result of the measurement process as shown by the arrow Q45. Send to.
[0114]
　This measurement response frame is a measurement request response signal that is a response to the measurement request frame that is a measurement request signal.
[0115]
　For example, the measurement response frame includes the measurement result according to the measurement request frame for each station that has transmitted the trigger response frame, that is, the distance index information obtained by the measurement process.
[0116]
　As an example, the measurement response frame may have the configuration shown in FIG. 8, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 8, as many sets of fields as indicated by the character "Triggered STA ID" and fields indicated by the character "Measurement Report" are provided in the measurement response frame as many as the number of stations that have transmitted the trigger response frame. ing.
[0117]
　The field indicated by the letter "Triggered STA ID" stores identification information indicating the station that sent the trigger response frame. Further, in the field indicated by the character "Measurement Report", the distance index information obtained by the measurement processing of the trigger response frame transmitted from the station is stored.
[0118]
　Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a set of identification information and distance index information is stored in the measurement response frame for each of station STA1 and station STA2.
[0119]
　Here, the identification information may be any information as long as it can identify the station, but for example, the source information included in the measurement request frame is used as it is as the identification information. can do.
[0120]
　As described above, the trigger body of the measurement request frame shown in FIG. 7 contains the contents of the trigger frame transmitted to the station as it is.
[0121]
　That is, the trigger body includes source information indicating the station and resource information indicating the resources used by the station for each of the station STA1 and the station STA2.
[0122]
　Therefore, in the access point AP B, the source information indicating the station that transmitted the trigger response frame can be specified from the frequency resource and the spatial resource of the received trigger response frame.
[0123]
　Therefore, the access point AP B uses the source information specified for the received trigger response frame as it is as the identification information for the trigger response frame, and stores the identification information and the distance index information in the measurement response frame in association with each other.
[0124]
　Even in the access point AP A that receives the measurement response frame, the correspondence between the stations under its own control and the source information (identification information) is known, so which station has the distance index information associated with the identification information. It is possible to grasp whether it is a thing.
[0125]
　In the access point AP A, it is known which resource, that is, the frequency resource and the spatial resource, is used by the station under its own to send the trigger response frame. Therefore, the resource information indicating the resource of the trigger response frame may be used as the identification information.
[0126]
　Even in this case, the access point AP A that receives the measurement response frame can grasp which station the distance index information associated with the resource information as the identification information belongs to.
[0127]
　Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6, when the access point AP A receives the measurement response frame transmitted from the access point AP B, it determines whether or not to perform the handover of the station under its control as shown by the arrow Q46. (Handover Decision).
[0128]
　In determining whether or not to perform a handover, the access point AP A determines the connection destination of each station based on the information regarding the relative distance to the subordinate station as seen from itself and the received distance index information. To do.
[0129]
　Here, distance index information can be used as information regarding the relative distance to the station.
[0130]
　For example, the trigger response frame transmitted at the timing indicated by arrow Q43 is received by the access point AP A.
[0131]
　Therefore, the access point AP A can also perform the same measurement processing as the access point AP B to generate the distance index information. This distance index information is the same as that obtained by the access point AP B, such as the reception strength, the reception time of the trigger response frame, and the error characteristics at the time of receiving the trigger response frame.
[0132]
　In the following, the distance index information obtained by the measurement processing at the access point AP A will also be referred to as the distance index information DI A in particular, and the distance index information obtained by the measurement processing at the access point AP B will be particularly referred to as the distance index information. It will also be referred to as DI B.
[0133]
　In determining whether or not to perform handover, for example, the access point AP A compares the distance index information DI A and the distance index information DI B for each station under its own control, and thereby determines the optimum connection destination of each station. To determine. In other words, the connection destination is optimized.
[0134]
　As an example, a case where the distance index information is the reception intensity will be described.
[0135]
　In this case, the access point AP A compares the distance indicator information DI A obtained for station STA1 with the distance indicator information DI B. As a result, it can be seen that the distance index information DI A is larger than the distance index information DI B. That is, it can be seen that station STA1 is closer to access point AP A than access point AP B.
[0136]
　On the other hand, the access point AP A compares the distance index information DI A obtained for the station STA2 with the distance index information DI B, and as a result, the distance index information DI A is smaller than the distance index information DI B. You can see that. That is, it can be seen that station STA2 is closer to access point AP B than access point AP A.
[0137]
　Therefore, the access point AP A leaves the connection destination of the station STA1 closer to itself as the access point AP A, and the connection destination of the station STA2 closer to the access point AP B than itself is the access point AP B. Change to.
[0138]
　That is, in this example, the access point AP A judges that the frequency resources can be used more effectively by reconnecting to the adjacent access point AP B from the current connection relationship for the station STA2. , Change the connection destination of station STA2.
[0139]
　When the connection destination is determined in this way, the access point AP A sets the trigger frame that induces the transmission of the association request frame (Association Request), which is the connection request signal, to the station STA2 that changes the connection destination, as shown by arrow Q47. Is sent as the destination.
[0140]
　In the following, the trigger frame that induces the transmission of the association request frame will be referred to as an association trigger frame in particular.
[0141]
　This association trigger frame is a connection request inducing signal instructing the transmission of the association request frame, which is a connection request signal for requesting connection to the access point determined as a new connection destination.
[0142]
　In the example of FIG. 6, the type information included in the association trigger frame is the information indicating the association request frame, and the source information is the information indicating the station STA2. Further, the association trigger frame includes information indicating the connection destination, that is, information indicating the transmission destination (destination) of the association request frame as the connection destination information. In particular, in this example, the connection destination information is information indicating the access point AP B.
[0143]
　Such an association trigger frame is a signal prompting the station STA2 to reconnect to the access point AP B, and the access point AP A can manage the connection of the station by using the association trigger frame. .. That is, the access point AP A can specify the connection destination of the station by using the association trigger frame.
[0144]
　At the timing indicated by arrow Q47, the access point AP A transmits the association trigger frame, and at the same time, the access point AP B, which is the new connection destination of the station STA2, is determined in advance as the connection destination of the station STA2. A signal indicating the fact and the reason for the decision may be transmitted.
[0145]
　Alternatively, the access point AP A may communicate with the access point AP B in advance before sending the association trigger frame and negotiate with the access point AP B whether to change the connection destination of the station STA2. ..
[0146]
　When the station STA2 receives the association trigger frame containing such connection destination information, it generates an association request frame according to the association trigger frame and sends it to the access point AP B as shown by arrow Q48. This association request frame is a connection request signal indicating that a connection to the access point AP B is requested to the access point AP B indicated by the connection destination information.
[0147]
　When the access point AP B receives the association request frame transmitted from the station STA2 as shown by the arrow Q49, the access point AP B performs the association processing (association) according to the association request frame.
[0148]
　For example, in the association process, after the station STA2 is authenticated as necessary, the access point AP B sends an association response frame (Association Response) to the station STA2, which is a response to allow the connection.
[0149]
　When such association processing is performed, the connection destination of station STA2 is changed from access point AP A to access point AP B.
[0150]
　As a result, for example, the packet sequence shown at the lower side in the figure of FIG. 2 is performed, and as a result, the frequency resource can be utilized more effectively.
[0151]
　By introducing the mechanism described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 as described above, handover between access points can be easily realized simply by modifying the access point or expanding the software of the station. It is possible to do. That is, it is possible to realize a connection to an appropriate access point of each station and effectively utilize frequency resources.
[0152]

　Subsequently, a specific configuration example of the wireless communication device corresponding to the access point AP A, the access point AP B, the station STA1, and the station STA2 described above will be described.
[0153]
　FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication device to which the present technology is applied.
[0154]
　The wireless communication device 11 shown in FIG. 9 functions as an access point or station that performs wireless communication with other wireless communication devices.
[0155]
　The wireless communication device 11 includes antennas 21-1 to 21-n, a wireless communication module 22, and a data processing unit 23.
[0156]
　The antennas 21-1 to 21-n wirelessly transmit various signals (frames) supplied from the wireless communication module 22.
[0157]
　Further, the antennas 21-1 to 21-n receive the signal (frame) transmitted wirelessly and supply the signal (frame) to the wireless communication module 22.
[0158]
　Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the antennas 21-1 and the antennas 21-n, they are also simply referred to as the antenna 21.
[0159]
　The wireless communication module 22 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor chip, and while appropriately exchanging information with the data processing unit 23, various signals (frames) are supplied to the antenna 21 for transmission or received by the antenna 21. Performs processing according to the signal.
[0160]
　The data processing unit 23 extracts various information from the signal supplied from the wireless communication module 22, and supplies the extracted information, the generated information, and the like to the wireless communication module 22.
[0161]
　Further, the wireless communication module 22 includes an antenna sharing unit 51-1 to an antenna sharing unit 51-n, an RF receiving unit 52-1 to an RF receiving unit 52-n, and a digital signal conversion unit 53-1 to a digital signal conversion unit 53-. n, a signal receiving unit 54, a signal generation unit 55, an analog signal conversion unit 56-1 to an analog signal conversion unit 56-n, an RF transmission unit 57-1 to an RF transmission unit 57-n, and a control unit 58. There is.
[0162]
　These antenna sharing units 51-1 to control unit 58 constituting the wireless communication module 22 are laminated on, for example, one semiconductor chip.
[0163]
　The antenna sharing unit 51-1 to the antenna sharing unit 51-n are switches for switching between transmission and reception.
[0164]
　That is, the antenna sharing unit 51-1 to the antenna sharing unit 51-n supplies the signal (frame) supplied from the RF transmitting unit 57-1 to the RF transmitting unit 57-n to the antenna 21-1 to the antenna 21-n. Then, the signals (frames) supplied from the antennas 21-1 to 21-n are supplied to the RF receiving units 52-1 to the RF receiving units 52-n.
[0165]
　Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the antenna sharing unit 51-1 and the antenna sharing unit 51-n, they are also simply referred to as the antenna sharing unit 51.
[0166]
　The RF receiving unit 52-1 to RF receiving unit 52-n include, for example, a low noise amplifier, an AGC (Auto Gain Control) unit, a frequency converter, a filter, and the like, and the antenna sharing unit 51-1 to the antenna sharing unit 51-n. The signal is received by the antenna 21 via the antenna 21.
[0167]
　The RF receiving unit 52-1 to the RF receiving unit 52-n appropriately perform various processing such as amplification processing, gain adjustment processing, frequency conversion processing, and filtering processing on the received signal, and the result is obtained. The signal is supplied to the digital signal conversion unit 53-1 to the digital signal conversion unit 53-n.
[0168]
　Further, the RF receiving unit 52-1 to the RF receiving unit 52-n also obtain the reception strength of the received signal and supply it to the control unit 58, if necessary.
[0169]
　Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the RF receiving unit 52-1 and the RF receiving unit 52-n, they are also simply referred to as the RF receiving unit 52.
[0170]
　The digital signal conversion unit 53-1 to the digital signal conversion unit 53-n convert the signal supplied from the RF reception unit 52-1 to the RF reception unit 52-n from an analog signal to a digital signal by AD (Analog Digital) conversion. Then, it is supplied to the signal receiving unit 54.
[0171]
　Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the digital signal conversion unit 53-1 to the digital signal conversion unit 53-n, the digital signal conversion unit 53 is also simply referred to as the digital signal conversion unit 53.
[0172]
　The signal receiving unit 54 performs various processes such as demodulation and decoding on the signal supplied from the digital signal conversion unit 53 under the control of the control unit 58, and supplies the resulting signal to the control unit 58.
[0173]
　The control unit 58 controls the operation of the entire wireless communication device 11. For example, the control unit 58 supplies the signal supplied from the signal receiving unit 54 to the data processing unit 23, or supplies the information supplied from the data processing unit 23 to the signal generation unit 55.
[0174]
　The signal generation unit 55 performs coding processing or the like based on the information or the like supplied from the control unit 58 to generate a signal in a predetermined format, and also performs modulation processing on the generated signal to generate the modulated signal. It is supplied to the analog signal conversion unit 56-1 to the analog signal conversion unit 56-n.
[0175]
　The analog signal conversion unit 56-1 to the analog signal conversion unit 56-n convert the signal supplied from the signal generation unit 55 from a digital signal to an analog signal by DA (Digital Analog) conversion, and RF transmission unit 57-1. To supply to the RF transmitter 57-n.
[0176]
　Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the analog signal conversion unit 56-1 and the analog signal conversion unit 56-n, the analog signal conversion unit 56-1 is also simply referred to as the analog signal conversion unit 56.
[0177]
　The RF transmission unit 57-1 to the RF transmission unit 57-n include, for example, a frequency converter, an amplifier, a filter, and the like. The RF transmission unit 57-1 to RF transmission unit 57-n perform frequency conversion processing, amplification processing, filter processing, and the like on the signal supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56-1 to the analog signal conversion unit 56-n. A signal is transmitted by supplying the signal to the antenna 21-1 to the antenna 21-n via the antenna sharing unit 51-1 to the antenna sharing unit 51-n.
[0178]
　Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the RF transmission unit 57-1 and the RF transmission unit 57-n, they are also simply referred to as the RF transmission unit 57.
[0179]

　Next, the operation of the wireless communication device 11 shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
[0180]
　First, the connection destination determination process in which the wireless communication device 11 which is an access point optimizes the connection destination of the stations under its own control will be described.
[0181]
　That is, the connection destination determination process by the wireless communication device 11 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the wireless communication device 11 corresponds to the access point APA described with reference to FIG.
[0182]
　In step S11, the RF transmission unit 57 transmits the measurement request frame by the antenna 21.
[0183]
　That is, the control unit 58 supplies the signal generation unit 55 with source information indicating each station under the control of the wireless communication device 11, received power information, resource information, type information, trigger delay amount information, and the like, and measures the measurement. Instructs the generation of request frames.
[0184]
　Then, the signal generation unit 55 generates the measurement request frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 7 based on the source information, the received power information, the resource information, the type information, the trigger delay amount information, and the like supplied from the control unit 58. To do. At this time, the trigger body of the measurement request frame includes, for example, the trigger frame transmitted in step S12 described later as it is.
[0185]
　Further, the signal generation unit 55 performs modulation processing or the like on the generated measurement request frame and supplies it to the analog signal conversion unit 56.
[0186]
　The analog signal conversion unit 56 performs DA conversion on the measurement request frame supplied from the signal generation unit 55 and supplies it to the RF transmission unit 57. The RF transmission unit 57 appropriately performs frequency conversion processing, amplification processing, filter processing, etc. on the measurement request frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56, and then measures the antenna 21 via the antenna sharing unit 51. By outputting the request frame, the measurement request frame is sent.
[0187]
　In step S12, the RF transmitter 57 transmits the trigger frame through the antenna 21.
[0188]
　That is, the control unit 58 supplies the signal generation unit 55 with source information, received power information, resource information, type information, etc. indicating each station under the control of the wireless communication device 11, and instructs the signal generation unit 55 to generate a trigger frame. ..
[0189]
　Then, the signal generation unit 55 generates a trigger frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 based on the transmission source information, the received power information, the resource information, the type information, and the like supplied from the control unit 58. Then, the signal generation unit 55 performs modulation processing or the like on the generated trigger frame, and supplies the trigger frame to the RF transmission unit 57 via the analog signal conversion unit 56.
[0190]
　The RF transmission unit 57 triggers the trigger frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56 by appropriately performing frequency conversion processing and the like, and then outputting the trigger frame to the antenna 21 via the antenna sharing unit 51. Send a frame.
[0191]
　When the trigger frame is transmitted in this way, the station that has received the trigger frame transmits the trigger response frame, so that the wireless communication device 11 receives the trigger response frame.
[0192]
　That is, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the trigger response frame via the antenna sharing unit 51 and the antenna 21, and supplies the received trigger response frame to the control unit 58 via the digital signal conversion unit 53 and the signal receiving unit 54. To do.
[0193]
　In step S13, the wireless communication device 11 grasps the propagation status of the signal (frame) in its own BSS. That is, in step S13, the measurement process is performed to generate distance index information which is information on the relative distance between the wireless communication device 11 and the station. Here, as the measurement process, the same process as in step S83 of FIG. 12, which will be described later, is performed.
[0194]
　For example, the RF reception unit 52 obtains the reception strength of the trigger response frame based on the received trigger response frame, and supplies the obtained reception strength to the control unit 58 as distance index information. In this case, the RF receiving unit 52 functions as a measuring unit that performs measurement processing.
[0195]
　When there are a plurality of stations under the control of the wireless communication device 11, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the trigger response frame transmitted from those stations. However, since the resources used for transmitting those trigger response frames are different from each other, the RF receiving unit 52 can separate a plurality of trigger response frames and obtain the reception strength for each trigger response frame.
[0196]
　In addition, for example, the RF receiving unit 52 may generate the reception time of the trigger response frame as the distance index information, or generate the time (delay amount) from the transmission time of the trigger response frame to the reception time as the distance index information. You may. Further, the RF receiving unit 52 may generate the time (delay amount) from the transmission time of the measurement request frame to the reception time of the trigger response frame as the distance index information. In these cases, the RF receiving unit 52 functions as a measuring unit that performs measurement processing.
[0197]
　Further, the data processing unit 23 may generate the reception error rate of the trigger response frame, that is, the error characteristic as the distance index information. In this case, the data processing unit 23 functions as a measuring unit that performs measurement processing.
[0198]
　When the reception error rate is generated as the distance index information, the control unit 58 supplies the trigger response frame supplied from the signal reception unit 54 to the data processing unit 23 to calculate the reception error rate.
[0199]
　The data processing unit 23 performs an operation to confirm whether the trigger response frame is correctly received based on the frame check sequence included in the trigger response frame supplied from the control unit 58, and calculates the reception error rate from the operation result. ..
[0200]
　The control unit 58 acquires the reception error rate thus obtained from the data processing unit 23 as distance index information.
[0201]
　The distance index information such as the reception strength, reception time, and reception error rate as described above is information that is an index indicating the distance from the access point to the station, and is a trigger response frame sent and received between the access point and the station. It can also be said that it is information indicating the propagation status of. This is because, for example, when the reception intensity is sufficiently high or the reception error rate is low, it can be said that the propagation condition of the trigger response frame is good.
[0202]
　Further, when the trigger response frame is transmitted by the station, the access point that has received the trigger response frame and the measurement request frame transmits the measurement response frame according to the measurement request frame.
[0203]
　In step S14, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the measurement response frame via the antenna sharing unit 51 and the antenna 21, and supplies the measurement response frame to the control unit 58 via the digital signal conversion unit 53 and the signal receiving unit 54. .. As a result, for example, the measurement response frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is received.
[0204]
　In step S15, the control unit 58 causes the identification information and the distance index information to be read from the measurement response frame.
[0205]
　That is, the control unit 58 supplies the measurement response frame supplied from the signal receiving unit 54 to the data processing unit 23, and instructs the data processing unit 23 to read the identification information and the distance index information from the measurement response frame.
[0206]
　Then, the data processing unit 23 reads one set of identification information and distance index information from the measurement response frame and supplies it to the control unit 58.
[0207]
　It can be said that the distance index information read in this way is information indicating an index of the distance between the access point and the station, in other words, information indicating the propagation status of the signal between the access point and the station. ..
[0208]
　In step S16, the control unit 58 compares the propagation status grasped in step S13 with the propagation status specified by the distance index information read in step S15.
[0209]
　That is, the control unit 58 sets the station indicated by the identification information read in step S15 as the station to be processed, and for that station, the distance index information obtained in step S13 and the distance read in step S15. Compare with index information.
[0210]
　As a result, the positional relationship between the wireless communication device 11, the access point that is the source of the measurement response frame, and the station to be processed is specified. In other words, which of the signal propagation status between the wireless communication device 11 and the processing target station and the signal propagation status between the access point which is the source of the measurement response frame and the processing target station is better. It is identified whether the propagation situation is good.
[0211]
　In step S17, the control unit 58 determines whether or not to change the connection destination of the station to be processed based on the comparison result in step S16.
[0212]
　For example, in step S17, as a result of comparing the distance index information, if the station to be processed is closer to the access point that is the source of the measurement response frame than the wireless communication device 11, it is determined that the connection destination is changed. ..
[0213]
　That is, when the signal propagation status between the access point that is the source of the measurement response frame and the processing target station is better than the signal propagation status between the wireless communication device 11 and the processing target station, It is determined that the connection destination handover is performed for the station to be processed. Further, when the connection destination of the station to be processed is changed, the control unit 58 also determines an access point to be a new connection destination of the station to be processed.
[0214]
　The control unit 58, which optimizes the connection destination of the subordinate station by determining whether or not to change the connection destination in this way, determines the connection destination of the station based on the signal propagation status. It can be said that it is functioning as.
[0215]
　If it is determined in step S17 that the connection destination is not changed, then the process proceeds to step S19.
[0216]
　On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the connection destination is changed, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the control unit 58 adds information indicating the station to be processed and a new connection destination of the station to the handover list, which is a list of stations that perform handover. When the handover list is updated in this way, the process then proceeds to step S19.
[0217]
　The control unit 58 resets the handover list at the start of the connection destination determination process, and updates the handover list held each time the process of step S18 is performed.
[0218]
　If the process of step S18 is performed, or if it is determined in step S17 that the connection destination is not changed, the process of step S19 is performed.
[0219]
　In step S19, the control unit 58 determines whether or not all the identification information and the distance index information have been read from the measurement response frame.
[0220]
　If it is determined in step S19 that all the identification information and the distance index information have not been read yet, the process returns to step S15, and the above-described process is repeated.
[0221]
　On the other hand, when it is determined in step S19 that all the identification information and the distance index information have been read, it is determined whether to change the connection destination for all the stations under the control, and then the process proceeds to step S20. Proceed with.
[0222]
　In step S20, the control unit 58 determines whether or not there is a station whose connection destination is changed based on the held handover list.
[0223]
　For example, when the handover list includes information indicating a station, it is determined in step S20 that there is a station whose connection destination is changed.
[0224]
　If it is determined in step S20 that there is no station to change the connection destination, the connection destination of the station under the wireless communication device 11 is not changed (handover), and the connection destination determination process ends. In this case, the optimum connection destination of the station under the wireless communication device 11 is the wireless communication device 11.
[0225]
　On the other hand, when it is determined in step S20 that there is a station for changing the connection destination, the RF transmission unit 57 transmits the association trigger frame by the antenna 21 in step S21.
[0226]
　For example, the control unit 58 instructs the signal generation unit 55 to generate an association trigger frame for the station whose connection destination is changed, which is indicated by the information included in the handover list.
[0227]
　At this time, the control unit 58 also signals the source information and resource information of the station whose connection destination is to be changed, the received power information, the type information indicating the association request frame, the connection destination information indicating the access point to be the connection destination, and the like. Supply to 55.
[0228]
　The signal generation unit 55 generates an association trigger frame including source information, resource information, received power information, type information, connection destination information, etc. supplied from the control unit 58. Then, the signal generation unit 55 performs modulation processing or the like on the generated association trigger frame, and supplies the association trigger frame to the RF transmission unit 57 via the analog signal conversion unit 56.
[0229]
　The RF transmission unit 57 appropriately performs frequency conversion processing or the like on the association trigger frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56, and then outputs the association trigger frame to the antenna 21 via the antenna sharing unit 51. Send an association trigger frame with.
[0230]
　When the association trigger frame is transmitted, the connection destination determination process ends. When the association trigger frame is transmitted, a signal related to the association is transmitted and received between the station and the access point indicated by the connection destination information, and the connection destination of the station is changed.
[0231]
　As described above, the wireless communication device 11 transmits the measurement request frame and receives the measurement response frame transmitted accordingly. Then, the wireless communication device 11 optimizes the connection destination by determining whether or not to change the connection destination of the subordinate station based on the received measurement response frame.
[0232]
　By doing so, the wireless communication device 11 which is an access point can take the initiative in determining an appropriate connection destination as the connection destination of the station, and the frequency resource can be used more effectively.
[0233]

　Next, the operation of the wireless communication device 11 that functions as a station that receives the trigger frame transmitted in the connection destination determination process of FIG. 10 will be described. That is, the connection destination change process performed by the wireless communication device 11 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the wireless communication device 11 corresponds to the station STA1 and the station STA2 described with reference to FIG.
[0234]
　In step S51, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the trigger frame via the antenna sharing unit 51 and the antenna 21, and supplies the trigger frame to the control unit 58 via the digital signal conversion unit 53 and the signal receiving unit 54. As a result, for example, the trigger frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 transmitted in step S12 of FIG. 10 is received.
[0235]
　The control unit 58 can grasp that the transmission of the trigger response frame is instructed to the wireless communication device 11 from the source information and the type information included in the trigger frame supplied from the signal receiving unit 54. it can.
[0236]
　The control unit 58 appropriately supplies necessary information to the signal generation unit 55 to instruct the generation of the trigger response frame. Then, the signal generation unit 55 generates a trigger response frame in response to the instruction of the control unit 58, performs modulation processing or the like on the trigger response frame, and supplies the trigger response frame to the RF transmission unit 57 via the analog signal conversion unit 56. To do.
[0237]
　At this time, the signal generation unit 55 generates a trigger response frame so that the trigger response frame is transmitted by the frequency resource and the spatial resource indicated by the resource information included in the trigger frame.
[0238]
　In step S52, the RF transmission unit 57 transmits the trigger response frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56 by the antenna 21.
[0239]
　That is, the RF transmission unit 57 appropriately performs frequency conversion processing or the like on the trigger response frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56, and then outputs the trigger response frame to the antenna 21 via the antenna sharing unit 51. By doing so, the trigger response frame is sent.
[0240]
　At this time, the control unit 58 controls the transmission by the RF transmission unit 57 so that the trigger response frame is transmitted with the transmission power determined by the trigger frame transmission power information and the reception power information included in the trigger frame received in step S51. To do. More specifically, the transmission power of the trigger response frame is determined based on the trigger frame transmission power information, the received power information, and the received power at the time of receiving the trigger frame.
[0241]
　The trigger response frame transmitted in this way is received by the access point to which the wireless communication device 11 is connected and used for the process of step S13 of FIG. 10, or is not the connection destination of the wireless communication device 11. It may be received in step S82 of FIG. 12, which will be described later.
[0242]
　Further, when the trigger response frame is transmitted, the association trigger frame is subsequently transmitted from the access point to which the connection is made, if necessary. That is, when the connection destination of the wireless communication device 11 is changed, the association trigger frame is transmitted from the access point.
[0243]
　In step S53, the control unit 58 determines whether or not to change the connection destination of the wireless communication device 11. That is, in step S53, when the association trigger frame addressed to the wireless communication device 11 is transmitted, it is determined that the connection destination is changed.
[0244]
　If it is determined in step S53 that the connection destination is not changed, the processes of steps S54 and S55 are not performed, and the connection destination change process ends.
[0245]
　On the other hand, if it is determined that the connection destination is changed, the process proceeds to step S54 thereafter.
[0246]
　In step S54, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the association trigger frame via the antenna sharing unit 51 and the antenna 21, and supplies the association trigger frame to the control unit 58 via the digital signal conversion unit 53 and the signal receiving unit 54. .. This association trigger frame is transmitted by the access point to which the wireless communication device 11 is currently connected in the process of step S21 of FIG.
[0247]
　When the association trigger frame is supplied from the signal receiving unit 54, the control unit 58 causes the signal generation unit 55 to generate an association request frame requesting a connection to the access point indicated by the connection destination information included in the association trigger frame. Instruct. At this time, the control unit 58 also supplies necessary information such as connection destination information to the signal generation unit 55.
[0248]
　The signal generation unit 55 generates an association request frame based on the connection destination information supplied from the control unit 58, performs modulation processing or the like on the association request frame, and then passes through the analog signal conversion unit 56. The association request frame is supplied to the RF transmission unit 57.
[0249]
　In step S55, the RF transmission unit 57 transmits the association request frame by the antenna 21.
[0250]
　That is, the RF transmission unit 57 appropriately performs frequency conversion processing or the like on the association request frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56, and then outputs the association request frame to the antenna 21 via the antenna sharing unit 51. By doing so, the association request frame is sent.
[0251]
　When the association request frame is transmitted, a signal related to the association is transmitted and received between the wireless communication device 11 and the access point indicated by the connection destination information, and the connection destination of the wireless communication device 11 is changed. Then, when the connection destination of the wireless communication device 11 is changed, the connection destination change process ends.
[0252]
　As described above, the wireless communication device 11 transmits the trigger response frame according to the received trigger frame, and when the association trigger frame is received, transmits the association request frame accordingly and changes the connection destination.
[0253]
　By doing so, the wireless communication device 11 can be connected to an appropriate connection destination based on the control by the access point. As a result, frequency resources can be used more effectively.
[0254]

　Further, the operation of the wireless communication device 11 that functions as an access point for receiving the measurement request frame transmitted in the connection destination determination processing of FIG. 10 will be described. That is, the response processing performed by the wireless communication device 11 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the wireless communication device 11 corresponds to the access point AP B described with reference to FIG.
[0255]
　In step S81, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the measurement request frame via the antenna sharing unit 51 and the antenna 21, and supplies the measurement request frame to the control unit 58 via the digital signal conversion unit 53 and the signal receiving unit 54. .. As a result, for example, the measurement request frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, which was transmitted in step S11 of FIG. 10, is received.
[0256]
　When the measurement request frame is received, the process of step S52 of FIG. 11 is performed after the time determined by the trigger delay amount information included in the measurement request frame has elapsed, and the trigger response frame is transmitted.
[0257]
　In step S82, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the trigger response frame via the antenna sharing unit 51 and the antenna 21, and supplies the trigger response frame to the control unit 58 via the digital signal conversion unit 53 and the signal receiving unit 54. ..
[0258]
　In step S82, the trigger response frame transmitted from one or a plurality of stations is received. As described above, since at least one of the frequency resource and the spatial resource used at the time of transmission is different in the trigger response frame transmitted from each station, the wireless communication device 11 separates a plurality of trigger response frames. Can be done.
[0259]
　In step S83, the wireless communication device 11 performs a measurement process for obtaining distance index information indicating an index of the relative distance between the wireless communication device 11 and the station for each received trigger response frame, that is, for each station.
[0260]
　In other words, based on the reception timing of the trigger response frame or the received trigger response frame, measurement processing is performed to obtain distance index information indicating the propagation status of the signal between the wireless communication device 11 and the station.
[0261]
　For example, the RF reception unit 52 obtains the reception strength of the trigger response frame based on the received trigger response frame, and supplies the obtained reception strength to the control unit 58 as distance index information. In this case, the RF receiving unit 52 functions as a measuring unit that measures the reception intensity of the trigger response frame as a measurement process relating to the signal propagation status.
[0262]
　In addition, for example, the RF receiving unit 52 may generate the reception time of the trigger response frame as the distance index information, or the time (delay amount) from the transmission time of the trigger response frame to the reception time of the trigger response frame as the distance index. It may be generated as information. Further, for example, the RF receiving unit 52 may generate the time (delay amount) from the receiving time of the measurement request frame to the receiving time of the trigger response frame as the distance index information. In these cases, the RF receiving unit 52 functions as a measuring unit that measures the reception time and the delay amount based on the reception timing of the trigger response frame as the measurement process.
[0263]
　Further, for example, the data processing unit 23 may generate the reception error rate of the trigger response frame as the distance index information.
[0264]
　When the reception error rate is generated as the distance index information, the control unit 58 supplies the trigger response frame supplied from the signal reception unit 54 to the data processing unit 23 to calculate the reception error rate.
[0265]
　The data processing unit 23 performs an operation to confirm whether the trigger response frame is correctly received based on the frame check sequence included in the trigger response frame supplied from the control unit 58, and calculates the reception error rate from the operation result. ..
[0266]
　The control unit 58 acquires the reception error rate thus obtained from the data processing unit 23 as distance index information. In this case, the data processing unit 23 functions as a measurement unit that measures the reception error rate, that is, the error characteristic, based on the trigger response frame as the measurement process regarding the signal propagation status.
[0267]
　The control unit 58 supplies the distance index information thus obtained and the identification information corresponding to the distance index information to the signal generation unit 55, and instructs the signal generation unit 55 to generate the measurement response frame.
[0268]
　Here, for example, the source information included in the trigger body of the measurement request frame received in step S81 may be used as the identification information, or the resource information included in the trigger body may be used as the identification information. May be good.
[0269]
　In step S84, the signal generation unit 55 generates a measurement response frame based on the distance index information and the identification information supplied from the control unit 58. As a result, for example, a measurement response frame having the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is generated.
[0270]
　Further, the signal generation unit 55 performs modulation processing or the like on the generated measurement response frame, and supplies the measurement response frame to the RF transmission unit 57 via the analog signal conversion unit 56.
[0271]
　In step S85, the RF transmission unit 57 transmits the measurement response frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56 by the antenna 21.
[0272]
　That is, the RF transmission unit 57 appropriately performs frequency conversion processing or the like on the measurement response frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56, and then outputs the measurement response frame to the antenna 21 via the antenna sharing unit 51. By doing so, the measurement response frame is sent.
[0273]
　The measurement response frame transmitted in this way is received by the access point that is the source of the measurement request frame in the process of step S14 of FIG.
[0274]
　Then, the access point that is the source of the measurement request frame transmits the association trigger frame as appropriate, so that the station that receives the association trigger frame transmits the association request frame to the wireless communication device 11. This association request frame is transmitted in the process of step S55 of FIG.
[0275]
　In step S86, the RF receiving unit 52 receives the association request frame via the antenna sharing unit 51 and the antenna 21, and supplies the association request frame to the control unit 58 via the digital signal conversion unit 53 and the signal receiving unit 54. ..
[0276]
　In step S87, the wireless communication device 11 performs the association process according to the received association request frame.
[0277]
　For example, in the association process, necessary processes such as authentication are performed between the wireless communication device 11 and the station.
[0278]
　Further, when the station association (connection) is permitted, the signal generation unit 55 generates an association response frame to the effect that the connection is permitted according to the control of the control unit 58, and RF via the analog signal conversion unit 56. The association response frame is supplied to the transmission unit 57. Further, the RF transmission unit 57 outputs the association response frame supplied from the analog signal conversion unit 56 to the antenna 21 via the antenna sharing unit 51, thereby transmitting the association response frame to the station and connecting to the station. Is established.
[0279]
　When the association processing is performed in this way, the response processing ends. The processing of steps S86 and S87 may be performed when there is no station to which the wireless communication device 11 is the new connection destination, for example, when it is determined in step S20 of FIG. 10 that there is no station to change the connection destination. Not done.
[0280]
　As described above, the wireless communication device 11 performs measurement processing according to the received measurement request frame, and transmits a measurement response frame including the measurement result. By doing so, the wireless communication device 11 and other access points can cooperate with each other to connect the surrounding stations to an appropriate connection destination, and the frequency resources can be used more effectively. Will be.
[0281]

　By the way, the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or software. When a series of processes are executed by software, the programs that make up the software are installed on the computer. Here, the computer includes a computer embedded in dedicated hardware and, for example, a general-purpose personal computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs.
[0282]
　FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-mentioned series of processes programmatically.
[0283]
　In a computer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503 are connected to each other by a bus 504.
[0284]
　An input / output interface 505 is further connected to the bus 504. An input unit 506, an output unit 507, a recording unit 508, a communication unit 509, and a drive 510 are connected to the input / output interface 505.
[0285]
　The input unit 506 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, an image sensor, and the like. The output unit 507 includes a display, a speaker, and the like. The recording unit 508 includes a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The communication unit 509 includes an antenna, a network interface, and the like. The drive 510 drives a removable recording medium 511 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.
[0286]
　In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 501 loads the program recorded in the recording unit 508 into the RAM 503 via the input / output interface 505 and the bus 504 and executes the above-described series. Is processed.
[0287]
　The program executed by the computer (CPU 501) can be recorded and provided on a removable recording medium 511 as a package medium or the like, for example. Programs can also be provided via wired or wireless transmission media such as local area networks, the Internet, and digital satellite broadcasting.
[0288]
　In a computer, the program can be installed in the recording unit 508 via the input / output interface 505 by mounting the removable recording medium 511 in the drive 510. In addition, the program can be received by the communication unit 509 and installed in the recording unit 508 via a wired or wireless transmission medium. In addition, the program can be pre-installed in the ROM 502 or the recording unit 508.
[0289]
　The program executed by the computer may be a program in which processing is performed in chronological order in the order described in this specification, in parallel, or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program in which processing is performed.
[0290]
　Further, the embodiment of the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present technology.
[0291]
　For example, the present technology can have a cloud computing configuration in which one function is shared by a plurality of devices via a network and jointly processed.
[0292]
　Further, each step described in the above-mentioned flowchart can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.
[0293]
　Further, when a plurality of processes are included in one step, the plurality of processes included in the one step can be executed by one device or shared by a plurality of devices.
[0294]
　Further, the present technology can also have the following configurations.
[0295]
(1) A
　wireless communication device connected to one or a plurality of target wireless communication devices, and
　a measurement request signal requesting measurement regarding a signal propagation status from the target wireless communication device is sent to another wireless communication device.
　A wireless communication device including a transmission unit that transmits the measurement request signal and a reception unit that receives a measurement request response signal including the measurement result transmitted from the other wireless communication device in response to the measurement request signal
　.
(2)
　A determination unit for determining the connection destination of the target wireless communication device based on the measurement result is further provided, and the
　determination unit propagates a signal between the wireless communication device and the target wireless communication device. By comparing the situation with the signal propagation status between the other wireless communication device and the target wireless communication device indicated by the measurement result, the connection destination of the target wireless communication device is determined
　(1). ). The wireless communication device.
(3) The
　transmitting unit further transmits a transmission request signal instructing the
　target wireless communication device to transmit a response signal for the measurement, and the receiving unit is transmitted by the target wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to
　(2), which receives the measurement request response signal including the result of the measurement performed by receiving the response signal from the other wireless communication device.
(4) The
　measurement request signal includes information for identifying the target wireless communication device that transmits the response signal.
　The wireless communication device according to (3).
(5) The
　receiving unit receives the response signal transmitted by the target wireless communication device, and the
　determination unit receives the response signal and obtains the wireless communication device and the target wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to
　(3) or (4), which compares the signal propagation status between the two and the signal propagation status between the other wireless communication device and the target wireless communication device.
(6) 　The wireless communication device according to any one of (3) to (5),
　wherein the transmission request signal is a trigger frame defined by IEE 802.11ax
.
(7) The
　wireless communication device according to
　any one of (3) to (6), wherein the determination unit compares distance index information that is an index of the distance to the target wireless communication device as a propagation state .
(8) The
　distance index information includes the reception strength of the response signal, the reception time of the response signal, the time from the transmission time of the response signal to the reception time of the response signal, or the error characteristics at the time of reception of the response signal. is
　a wireless communication apparatus according to (7).
(9) 　The wireless communication device according to (8),
　wherein the measurement request signal includes information for specifying the transmission timing of the response signal
.
(10)
　The transmission unit sends a connection request induced signal for instructing transmission of a connection request signal to request connection to the other wireless communication device determined as a new connection destination of the target wireless communication device.
　The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (9) to be transmitted to the communication device.
(11) A
　wireless communication device connected to one or a plurality of target wireless communication devices
　transmits a measurement request signal requesting measurement regarding the propagation status of the signal from the target wireless communication device to another wireless communication device. and,
　wherein the measurement request signal transmitted from the another wireless communication apparatus in response to, receiving a measurement request response signal containing the result of the measurement
　radio communication method.
(12) For
　one or more target wireless communication devices connected to another wireless communication device, a measurement requesting measurement regarding the propagation status of a signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device from the target wireless communication device. A receiving unit that receives the
　request signal, a signal generation unit that generates a measurement request response signal including the result of the measurement regarding the propagation status of the signal from the target wireless communication device in response to the measurement request signal, and the
　measurement request. A wireless communication device including a transmission unit that transmits a response signal to the other
　wireless communication device.
(13)
　The receiving unit is transmitted by the target wireless communication device in response to the transmission request signal by transmitting a transmission request signal instructing the other wireless communication device to transmit a response signal for the measurement. 　The wireless communication device according
　to
(12), wherein the response signal is further received, and the signal generation unit generates the measurement request response signal including the measurement result obtained by receiving the response signal .
(14) The
　measurement request signal includes information for identifying the target wireless communication device that transmits the response signal, and the
　signal generation unit is the target radio that is the source of the response signal. The wireless communication device according to
　(13), which generates the measurement request response signal including the identification information for identifying the communication device and the measurement result obtained for the target wireless communication device identified by the identification information .
(15) 　The wireless communication device according to (13) or (14),
　wherein the transmission request signal is a trigger frame defined by IEE 802.11ax
.
(16) The
　wireless communication device according to
　any one of (13) to (15), wherein the measurement result is distance index information that is an index of the distance to the target wireless communication device.
(17)
　Further includes a measuring unit that performs the measurement based on the reception timing of the response signal or the received response signal.
　The wireless communication device according to (16).
(18) The
　distance index information includes the reception strength of the response signal, the reception time of the response signal, the time from the transmission time of the response signal to the reception time of the response signal, or the error characteristics at the time of reception of the response signal. is
　a wireless communication apparatus according to (16) or (17).
(19) 　The wireless communication device according to (18),
　wherein the measurement request signal includes information for specifying the transmission timing of the response signal
.
(20)
　the wireless communication device,
　for one or more connected with other wireless communication devices of the target wireless communication device, said transmitted from another radio communication apparatus, and propagation conditions of the signal from the target wireless communication device receiving a measurement request signal for requesting the measurement,
　in response to the measurement request signal, it generates a measurement request response signal including the results of measurements on propagation conditions of the signal from the target wireless communication device,
　wherein the measurement request response signal A
　wireless communication method for transmitting the above to the other wireless communication device .
(21)
　Instructs the transmission of a connection request signal transmitted from the connected first wireless communication device to request connection to the second wireless communication device determined as its own new connection destination. The receiver that receives the connection request induced signal and
　A wireless communication device including a transmission unit that transmits the connection request signal to the second wireless communication device in response to the connection request induced signal
　.
(22) The
　receiving unit receives a transmission request signal instructing transmission of a response signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device for measuring the propagation status of the signal with the second wireless communication device. The radio according to
　(21), wherein the response signal is transmitted by the transmitting unit in response to the transmission request signal, and then the connection request induced signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device is received. Communication device.
(23)
　The wireless communication device according to
　(22), wherein the second wireless communication device to be a new connection destination of the user is determined by the first wireless communication device based on the result of the measurement .
(24)
　the wireless communication device,
　the connected transmitted from the first wireless communication device, a second effect of the connection request signal for requesting a connection to the radio communication apparatus determined as a new connection destination of its own A 　wireless communication method in which a connection request inducing signal instructing transmission is received, and the
　connection request signal is transmitted to the second wireless communication device in response to the connection request inducing signal
.
Code description
[0296]
　11 Wireless communication device, 21-1 to 21-n, 21 antenna, 22 wireless communication module, 23 data processing unit, 52-1 to 52-n, 52 RF receiving unit, 55 signal generation unit, 57-1 to 57- n, 57 RF transmitter, 58 control
The scope of the claims
[Claim 1]
　A wireless communication device connected to one or a plurality of target wireless communication devices, and
　transmitting a measurement request signal requesting measurement regarding the propagation status of the signal from the target wireless communication device to another wireless communication device. a transmitter,
　the transmitted from the measurement request signal the other radio communication apparatus in response to a receiver for receiving the measurement request response signal containing the result of the measurement
　radio communication apparatus equipped with.
[Claim 2]
　A determination unit for determining the connection destination of the target wireless communication device based on the measurement result is further provided, and the
　determination unit determines the signal propagation status between the wireless communication device and the target wireless communication device. The
　first aspect of claim 1 , wherein the connection destination of the target wireless communication device is determined by comparing the signal propagation state between the other wireless communication device and the target wireless communication device shown by the measurement result. Wireless communication device.
[Claim 3]
　The transmitting unit further transmits a transmission request signal instructing the
　target wireless communication device to transmit a response signal for the measurement, and the receiving unit further transmits the response transmitted by the target wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to
　claim 2, wherein the measurement request response signal including the result of the measurement performed by receiving the signal is received from the other wireless communication device.
[Claim 4]
　The wireless communication device according to
　claim 3, wherein the measurement request signal includes information for identifying the target wireless communication device that transmits the response signal .
[Claim 5]
　The receiving unit receives the response signal transmitted by the target wireless communication device, and the
　determination unit is between the wireless communication device obtained by receiving the response signal and the target wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to
　claim 3 , wherein the signal propagation state of the above is compared with the signal propagation state between the other wireless communication device and the target wireless communication device.
[Claim 6]

　The wireless communication device according to claim 3, 　wherein the transmission request signal is a trigger frame defined by IEE 802.11ax .
[Claim 7]
　The wireless communication device according to
　claim 3, wherein the determination unit compares distance index information that is an index of the distance to the target wireless communication device as a propagation state .
[Claim 8]
　The distance index information is a
　claim that is an error characteristic at the time of receiving the response signal, the reception time of the response signal, the time from the transmission time of the response signal to the reception time of the response signal, or the reception of the response signal. Item 7. The wireless communication device according to item 7.
[Claim 9]

　The wireless communication device according to claim 8, 　wherein the measurement request signal includes information for specifying the transmission timing of the response signal .
[Claim 10]
　The transmission unit sends a connection request-induced signal for instructing transmission of a connection request signal to request connection to the other wireless communication device determined as a new connection destination of the target wireless communication device.
　The wireless communication device according to claim 1, which is transmitted to a communication device.
[Claim 11]
　For one or more target wireless communication devices connected to another wireless communication device, a measurement request signal transmitted from the other wireless communication device and requesting measurement regarding the propagation status of the signal from the target wireless communication device. The receiving unit to receive,
　the signal generation unit that generates the measurement request response signal including the measurement result regarding the propagation state of the signal from the target wireless communication device according to the measurement request signal, and the
　measurement request response signal. A wireless communication device including a transmission unit that transmits to the other
　wireless communication device.
[Claim 12]
　The receiving unit transmits a transmission request signal instructing the other wireless communication device to transmit a response signal for the measurement, and is transmitted by the target wireless communication device in response to the transmission request signal. 　The wireless communication device according
　to
claim 11, wherein the response signal is further received, and the signal generation unit generates the measurement request response signal including the measurement result obtained by receiving the response signal .
[Claim 13]
　The measurement request signal includes information for identifying the target wireless communication device that transmits the response signal, and the
　signal generation unit uses the target wireless communication device that is the source of the response signal. The wireless communication device according to
　claim 12, wherein the measurement request response signal including the identification information to be identified and the measurement result obtained for the target wireless communication device identified by the identification information is generated .
[Claim 14]

　The wireless communication device according to claim 12, 　wherein the transmission request signal is a trigger frame defined by IEE 802.11ax .
[Claim 15]
　The wireless communication device according to
　claim 12 , wherein the result of the measurement is distance index information that is an index of the distance to the target wireless communication device.
[Claim 16]

　The wireless communication device according to claim 15, 　further comprising a measuring unit that performs the measurement based on the reception timing of the response signal or the received response signal .
[Claim 17]
　The distance index information is a
　claim that is an error characteristic at the time of receiving the response signal, the reception time of the response signal, the time from the transmission time of the response signal to the reception time of the response signal, or the reception of the response signal. Item 15. The wireless communication device according to item 15.
[Claim 18]

　The wireless communication device according to claim 17, 　wherein the measurement request signal includes information for specifying the transmission timing of the response signal .
[Claim 19]
　Connection request induction instructing the transmission of a connection request signal transmitted from the connected first wireless communication device to request connection to the second wireless communication device determined as its own new connection destination.
　A wireless communication device including a receiving unit that receives a signal and a transmitting unit that transmits the connection request signal to the second wireless communication device in response to the connection request induced signal
　.
[Claim 20]
　The receiving unit receives a transmission request signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device, which instructs the transmission of a response signal for measuring the propagation status of the signal to and from the second wireless communication device. 19. The wireless communication device according to
　claim 19, wherein the response signal is transmitted by the transmission unit in response to the transmission request signal, and then the connection request induced signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device is received .
[Claim 21]
　The wireless communication device according to
　claim 20, wherein the second wireless communication device to be a new connection destination of the user is determined by the first wireless communication device based on the result of the measurement .