Abstract: An apparatus and method for ranging for uplink resource allocation in a broadband wireless communication system are provided. The method includes detecting, from an Uplink Channel Descriptor (UCD), first ranging codes corresponding to a first region and second ranging codes corresponding to a second region, selecting one of the second ranging codes corresponding to the second region, mapping the selected second ranging code to the first region and transmitting the same to a base station, and receiving an allocation of an uplink resource from the base station.

Abstract: A scheme of minimizing the random access load on the network to support MTC or M2M devices is provided. In particular, the concept of grouping (e.g., collecting, combining, aggregating, etc.) MTC or M2M devices based on non-access stratus (NAS) signaling is performed. Doing so results in reduced the random access load on the network such that a large number of MTC or M2M devices can be accommodated.

Abstract: A method of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) entity handling for a communication device capable of receiving and transmitting on a plurality of component carriers in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises resetting a HARQ entity associated to a component carrier of the plurality of component carriers when a component carrier configuration associated to the component carrier is changed.

Abstract: A method is described for data transmission by user equipments adapted to transmit data using resource blocks allocated by a radio network. The radio network is adapted to allocate resource blocks to a dedicated one of the user equipments or to a plurality of the user equipments. The method comprises the step of allocating at least one of the resource blocks that is not allocated to any dedicated user equipment to a first plurality of the user equipments. The allocation is signaled to the user equipments. A first user equipment of said first plurality obtains data for transmission. At least a first part of the data is transmitted by the first user equipment using said at least one resource block. Devices embodying the invention and methods of operating the devices are also described. Contention based data transmission in uplink is enabled without previous scheduling request and scheduling grant.

Abstract: A local breakout session establishment method and apparatus in an Evolved Packet System (EPS) is provided for an HeNB to efficiently route local IP packets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including categorizing each channel into one of four categories, selecting a channel from a first category of channels, if there are any channels in the first category of channels, selecting a channel from a second category of channels, if there are any channels in the second category of channels and selecting a channel from a third category of channels, if there are any channels in the third category of channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including scanning a channel, generating a report for the scanned channel, transmitting the channel report to an associated access point and receiving a channel assignment responsive to said channel report. Also described are a method and apparatus including scanning a channel, generating a first channel report, receiving a second channel report from an associated client, transmitting the first channel report and the second channel report to a server, receiving a channel assignment message from the server responsive to the first and second channel reports and transmitting the channel assignment message to the associated client. Further described are a method and apparatus including receiving a channel report from an associated access point, building an interference graph responsive to the channel report, determining channel assignments based on the interference graph and transmitting a channel assignment message to the associated access point.

Abstract: A reverse power control method based on multi-carrier includes: an access network determining a forward carrier for a service, establishing a corresponding relationship between a reverse carrier corresponding to the forward carrier and the forward carrier, and transmitting the forward carrier and the corresponding relationship to the terminal (S102); the access network determining a power control command of the service according to a service type of the service (S104); the access network transmitting the power control command of the service to the terminal by the forward carrier (S106). The present invention can reduce the power consumption of the terminal efficiently and improve the QoS.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless communication system is disclosed. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting an ACK/NACK (Acknowledgement/Negative-ACK) signal a user equipment in the wireless communication system, the method includes receiving a first downlink control channel from a base station; receiving scheduling information through a second downlink control channel from the base station; deciding an uplink resource index for transmitting an ACK/NACK signal associated with the scheduling by considering the first control channel when the first control channel has a predetermined format; and transmitting the ACK/NACK signal to the base station by using an uplink resource indicated by the uplink resource index.

Abstract: Method and arrangement in base station (110) for estimating the amount of data to be received from a terminal (120). The base station (110) and the terminal (120) are comprised within a wireless communication system (110). The terminal (120) comprises a buffer arranged to buffer frames comprising data. The method comprises determining (401) a service requested by the terminal (120), estimating (403) the arrival time of data to be received from the terminal (120), based on the determined service, and setting (404) a buffer estimate, comprising an estimation of the amount of data to be received, based on an estimated frame size for the determined service.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wireless communication system. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus of transmitting ACK/NACK (acknowledgement/negative-ACK) signal at a user equipment in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of data blocks from a transmitting end; reserving a plurality of PUCCH (physical uplink control channel) resources for transmission of the ACK/NACK signal; mapping ACK/NACK hypothesis for the plurality of the data blocks to a PUCCH resource group including at least two reserved PUCCH resources; and transmitting at least two modulation symbols corresponding to the ACK/NACK hypothesis to the transmitting end via the PUCCH resource group.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for receiving user data in a wireless communication system (300) that employs coordinated multi-point transmission of the user data from a first cell serving a wireless terminal (635) and a second cell site neighboring the first cell site. In an exemplary system, the first cell site maps control signals (110, 230, 240) and user data to a time-frequency resources (220) according to a first mapping pattern, while the second cell site maps control data (110, 230, 240) and traffic data to the time-frequency resources (220) according to a second mapping pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention provide systems, method, and apparatuses for selecting a network access provider (NAP). In one embodiment, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) femtocell access point (WFAP) sends an NAP request message to a network service provider (NSP). The WFAP receives an NAP response message returned by the NSP, where the NAP response message carries NAP information determined by the NSP. Thereafter, the WFAP can establish a connection with the NAP according to the received NAP information. In other words, independently of the macro network, the WFAP can determine the NAP providing a radio resource for the WFAP and provide radio access service for users of multiple NSP.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system for Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) transmission are provided, which can effectively improve the transmission reliability over the control channel and flexibility of the application. The method includes: allocating different resources to a control channel carrying coordination information and a data channel, and performing CoMP transmission over the control channel and the data channel by using the allocated different resources. The technical solutions provided in the present invention are applicable to an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system, or other mobile communication systems.

Abstract: A method and system for ground station signal handoff for an aircraft. The method comprises receiving signal quality data and position data from each of a plurality of ground stations as a signal from each of the ground stations becomes detectable onboard the aircraft, while the aircraft is in communication with an active ground station. A position of the aircraft is determined each time a signal quality from one of the ground stations reaches a predetermined threshold indicating that the signal quality is suitable for handoff. A set of ground stations potentially suitable for handoff is identified based on their signal quality data when an insufficient signal quality of the active ground station is detected. The set of potentially suitable ground stations is evaluated based on their position and signal quality, and a trajectory or speed vector of the aircraft, to determine an optimal ground station for handoff. A handoff request is then transmitted to the optimal ground station.

Abstract: In an area covered by multiple different radio access networks, a user equipment (UE) capable of accessing each of the multiple networks at the same time may provide additional service type setup for different call types. The UE registers each of the available call types with a first radio access network. Calls of one of the registered call types may be established, whether UE-originated or UE-terminated, with the first radio access network. When initiating a call of another type, the UE may initiate a different-typed call with another radio access network in the area, while maintaining the call of the first call type with the first radio access network.

Abstract: Post-hard handover processing in a Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) network may be improved to allow operation of High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) in hard handover. For example, uplink synchronization may be completed concurrent with HSPA to quickly resume HSPA operation in hard handovers. User Equipment (UE) may receive downlink data while completing uplink synchronization. In another example, a unique SYNC_UL code may be assigned to a UE for hard handover. The unique SYNC_UL code allows Node Bs of the TD-SCDMA network to know which UE is performing hard handover. When a Node B is receiving the unique SYNC_UL, the Node B may begin to allocate UL data grants. After receiving UL data from the UE, the Node B may resume High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA).

Abstract: When supporting the handover from first road side equipment of a plurality of sets of road side equipment and second road side equipment that is adjacent to the first road side equipment to a vehicle, the first road side equipment generates a first channel seizing signal that is longer than that of the second road side equipment in a control channel of an N-th sync interval. The second road side equipment generates a second channel seizing signal that is longer than that of the first road side equipment in a control channel of an (N+1)-th sync interval.

Abstract: A handover procedure is easily performed in a carrier aggregation state of receiving a plurality of frequency bands. There are provided a plurality of reception branches for performing a reception process for each frequency band, and a reception-signal processing control section 10 that performs control of switching a reception branch in operation to a reception branch which corresponds to the frequency band of a handover destination indicated by a handover command message that has been received from a base station apparatus and indicates a start of handover. Herein, handover is performed by stopping the reception branch that corresponds to the frequency band of a handover source indicated by the handover command message and operating the reception branch that corresponds to the frequency band of the handover destination indicated by the handover command message.

Abstract: A communication method in LIPA/SIPTO architecture is provided which, when a user equipment (UE) is to connect from a serving area to an external network, allows re-selection of an optimal gateway. The communication method allows selecting a gateway apparatus physically or topologically close to a site, where the user equipment is attached.

Abstract: A registration processing method and an apparatus are disclosed herein to enable the network to distinguish between different registration processing types. The method includes: identifying, by a user equipment, UE, a registration type when registering into a network; reporting, by the UE, a registration processing type information corresponding to the identified registration type to a network-side network element during registering into the network. The UE reports the registration processing type information to the network in the process of registering into the network, and therefore, the network distinguishes between different registration processing types accordingly.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, to be used by a network node, for assisting a handover of a data session from a first routing path, associated with a first access network, to an alternative routing path, associated with an alternative access network, wherein data is routed over said first access network to a UT by binding a session identifier to a first routing identifier, wherein said session identifier and said first routing identifier are defined in accordance with a standard protocol routing scheme of said first access network, the method comprising the following steps: receiving a capability message uniquely identifying said UT according to a standard protocol routing scheme of said first access network and according to an alternative standard protocol routing scheme of said alternative access network, creating an alternative routing identifier for said session complying with the standard protocol routing scheme of said alternative access network and associating said alternative routing identifier wi

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate selecting resources, such as time slots, subframes, etc., for performing bandwidth switching related to activating and/or deactivating one or more carriers. A data portion of one or more subframes can be selected for performing bandwidth switching. In addition, a device can determine whether one or more downlink grants are received in the one or more subframes, and can avoid selecting such subframes. The device can alternatively perform the bandwidth switching and request retransmission of the data portion. Additionally or alternatively, the device can determine a type of the one or more subframes and/or signals transmitted in the one or more subframes to determine whether to perform bandwidth switching in the subframes. The bandwidth switching can include changing a sampling rate, reconfiguring frequency filters, modifying a local oscillator, etc.

Abstract: Provided are a radio packet type determining section that determines at least whether a radio packet is a first transmission packet that is allocated persistently at predetermined time intervals or a retransmission packet among radio packets transmitted to a radio communication terminal, a first transmission interval control section that controls a transmission interval of each first transmission packet so as to disperse the first transmission packet and a retransmission packet of a radio packet index different from that of the first transmission packet, a retransmission interval control section that controls a transmission interval of each retransmission packet, and a radio resource allocation section that performs allocation of radio resources based on the transmission interval of each first transmission packet and the transmission interval of each retransmission packet.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose methods for protecting channel quality indicator (CQI) modulation symbols in a subframe (e.g., a localized frequency division multiplexing (LFDM) subframe). For some aspects, a timing adjustment method may be utilized to adjust time of a UE with respect to an eNodeB. The timing adjustment method may introduce a positive time offset to be used for reducing time mismatch between the UE and the eNodeB. In another aspect, a buffer may be used at the eNodeB to store symbols received by the eNodeB before removing the cyclic prefix information from the subframe. The eNodeB may use the stored symbols and an artificial time delay to ensure that the CQI information is protected. For some aspects, the CQI modulation symbols may not be located at the beginning of an LFDM symbol.

Abstract: A processing unit generates the timing information on the timing with which each of radio apparatuses is to synchronize in communications between the radio apparatuses when each of radio apparatuses broadcasts a signal. A modem unit, an RF unit and an antenna broadcast the thus generated timing information. The processing unit further generates the cycle information on a broadcast cycle in which each radio apparatus broadcasts the signal in communication between the radio apparatuses. The modem unit, the RF unit and the antenna broadcast the cycle information together with the timing information.

Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless communication over non-contiguous channels. For example, a device may include a wireless communication unit capable of transmitting symbols of a wireless communication packet to a wireless communication device over a plurality of non-contiguous wireless communication channels, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit, as part of a preamble of the packet, signaling information defining transmission characteristics over the plurality of non-contiguous channels.

Abstract: A system and method for providing Wi-Fi access to electronic devices is disclosed. A plurality of electronic devices in a PAN is provided. A Wi-FI compatible server is associated with each electronic device in the PAN. The Wi-Fi compatible server associated with each electronic device is capable of configuring a HTML data for the associated electronic device. The HTML data associated with each electronic device is then provided to a WLAN device for providing Wi-Fi access to each electronic device in the PAN.

Abstract: A network device may include a processor executing higher layer processes including layers of a protocol stack higher than a media access layer, a first physical interface (PHY) coupled to a first communications medium, a second PHY coupled to a second communications medium, and a media access controller (MAC) to execute the media access layer of the protocol stack, the MAC coupled to the higher layer processes, the first PHY, and the second PHY. Media selection logic may select one of the first PHY and the second PHY for communication with a target device designated by a target MAC address provided by the higher layer processes.

Abstract: A wireless router is provided, which includes: a wireless Access Point (AP) module, connected to a terminal equipment through a wireless link, and configured to implement wireless access of the terminal equipment; a station (STA) module, connected to a wireless AP in a fixed network through a wireless link, and configured to connect the terminal equipment to the Internet by using the wireless AP in a fixed network; and a wireless modem module, connected to an access device in a mobile network through a wireless link, and configured to connect the terminal equipment to the Internet by using the access device in a mobile network. According to the technical solutions, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) STA module, an AP module, and a wireless modem chip construct a wireless router to provide not only an AP function but also an STA function. The terminal equipment may be connected to the wireless router, and selects a fixed network hot spot or a wireless modem to access the Internet.

Abstract: Means and methodology for a telecommunication network are pro-vided that allow using an IMEI of mobile terminal as destination or identification instead of the regular IMSI or MSISDN. This capability of the telecommunication network is provided by maintaining a set of coupled pairs of IMEI and IMSI/MSISDN. Operational messages in the telecommunication network having an IMEI address as destination or identification are translated by the appropriate IMSI or MSISDN depending on the message type, from a coupled pair having the same IMEI. Means is provided with a STP capable of maintaining the set of coupled pairs. Further several implementations are provided using the IMEI addressing capability.

Abstract: A network processing node (e.g., MGW, MRFP) and method are described herein that can: (1) receive packets on a first heterogeneous link (e.g., wireless link); (2) manipulate the received packets based on known characteristics about a second heterogeneous link (e.g., “Internet” link); and (3) send the manipulated packets on the second heterogeneous link (e.g., “Internet” link). For example, the network processing node can manipulate the received packets by adding redundancy, removing redundancy, frame aggregating (re-packetizing), recovering lost packets and/or re-transmitting packets.

Abstract: A wireless network device includes N access point (AP) modules having N BSSID's, where N is an integer greater than 1. The wireless network device includes a control module that communicates with the N AP modules. The control module stores the N BSSID's, a BSSID of an (N+1)th external AP that communicates with M client stations, and at least one MAC address of at least one of the M client stations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The control module communicates with the (N+1)th external AP by emulating at least one of the M client stations.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication system and communication method of configuring a codebook are provided. A channel may be formed between a transmitter and a receiver, and a cross-polarization discrimination value (XPD) may be detected. The XPD may vary based on a location of the transmitter and the receiver, a mobility thereof, or a peripheral environment, among other factors. The codebook may be configured based on the XPD.

Abstract: Provided are an uplink receiving device of a long term evolution (LTE)-based orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access (OFDMA) system, and a method of synchronizing a frequency thereof. The uplink receiving device includes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) processing unit eliminating a cyclic prefix (CP) from an OFDM uplink signal to perform a fast Fourier transform (FFT); a subcarrier extraction unit performing a subcarrier extraction operation with regard to an output of the FFT processing unit to thus only extract a signal of a specific terminal unit; and an inverse discrete Fourier transform (DFT) processing unit performing an inverse DFT on an output of the subcarrier extraction unit to generate a time domain signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for bridging traffic in analogue channel into digital channel using Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line, said method comprises: step of PSTN network connecting, in which caller and callee ADSLs establish PSTN network connection using PSTN signaling in the analogue channel; step of discovering Internet call, in which the caller ADSL sends Internet call setup message to Internet call server, the caller ADSL and the callee ADSL make Internet call discovery procedure on the Internet and determine successful Internet call discovery; step of setting up Internet connection, in which the caller and callee ADSLs set up Internet connection in the digital channel by means of the successful Internet call discovery; step of bridging the PSTN network connection to the Internet, in which the caller and the callee ADSLs bridge the PSTN network connection to the Internet via the Internet connection which has been set up, and release the analogue channel.

Abstract: Communications network node (5) configured to receive a called address string of a call destination and to output the called address string. The node comprises a processor (10) and a memory (12). The memory arranged to store at least one address string, and the processor configured to compare the called address string with the at least one stored address string. If the received called address string corresponds to one of the at least one stored address string the processor configured to cause the called address string to be output as a single signalling message.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating across telephone and data networks are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises receiving a first call from a first user phone that converts the first call from a format of a first local phone network to a first digital call. The first digital call is transmitted over a large area data network. The first digital call is converted to a format of a second local phone network to generate a second call. The second call is transmitted to a second user phone over the second local phone network. A real-time bi-directional voice communication session is established between the first user phone and the second user phone.

Abstract: In a virtual network apparatus, even when a fault occurs on a private line connecting plural physical network apparatuses to communicate a control signal, the redundancy is maintained, and the lower forwarding capability is prevented. In this network system, a control signal for virtualization to be transmitted and received between plural physical network apparatuses is relayed via a unit spanning LA connecting each physical network apparatus and an adjacent network apparatus in the adjacent network apparatus. Thereby, even when a fault occurs in the private line, it is possible to continue to communicate the control signal between the physical network apparatuses and continuously operate the virtual network apparatus.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a structured, pipelined large time-space switch and method of operation resolving interconnect complexity. The time-space switch results in an interconnect complexity that does not grow as the spatial dimension is increased and results in a reduction of long high fan-out nets, a quicker layout, and improved clock speed. With respect to time-space switch fabric implementation, the present invention improves the maximum clock frequency of the switch fabric, and improves integrated circuit layout time by eliminating long high fan-out nets. Certain high-speed large switch fabrics may not be realizable without this implementation, and it significantly reduces implementation time (and cost).

Abstract: The invention is directed to routing data packets in networks having routers configured as a virtual router using virtual router redundancy protocol (VRRP). Embodiments of the invention adjust route metrics to aid in providing predictable selection of routes into VRRP subnets. Advantageously, providing predictable selection of routes into VRRP subnets enhances a network operator's ability to meet service level agreements for critical or delay sensitive applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data filtering apparatus, including: a plurality of pre-filters configured to extract a designated type of data from input data carrying a plurality of types of data; a plurality of post-filters configured to extract, from the data extracted by the pre-filter designated to be connected, the data that matches a designated data extraction condition; and a filter connection information holding device configured to hold filter connection information for designating at least one of the pre-filters to be connected, in correspondence with each of the post-filters.

Abstract: A relay device includes: a relay to relay a frame transmitted and received between transmission devices as a termination of a transferring path of a piece of data; an information generator to obtain a piece of path identification information for identifying the transferring path and a piece of device identification information for identifying the transmission device and generate a piece of control information based on the obtained piece of path identification information and the piece of device identification information; and an alarm signal transmitter to generate an alarm signal based on the control information generated by the information generator when an error occurs in the transferring path and transmit the generated alarm signal.

Abstract: A method and a system for transmitting multichannel data packets are disclosed in the present invention to implement the transmission of the multichannel data packets with the same network socket, and to improve the work efficiency of the multichannel data packet transmission. The method for transmitting multichannel data packets provided in the present invention comprises: creating a network socket which includes a routing cache array for caching the routing information of the multichannel data packets; acquiring the routing information of the multichannel data packets and adding the routing information to the routing cache array; acquiring the routing information of the multichannel data packets from the routing cache array when the multichannel data packets need to be transmitted and sending out the multichannel data packets according to the routing information.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing point-to-multipoint (P2MP) Ethernet service in a L2 network. Routers providing the Ethernet service allow an administrator to classify local attachment circuits as either “leaf” attachment circuits or “root” attachment circuits to define a tree-like architecture for forwarding Ethernet frames within a VPLS domain. Based on the classifications, each of router constructs flood domains, referred to herein as mesh groups, that control switching behavior between attachment circuits and pseudowires that transport the L2 communications through the VPLS domain. The routers utilize the mesh groups when switching L2 communications to enforce the requirements of E-TREE service or other L2 services in which L2 traffic is constrained within the L2 VPN to tree-like connectivity.

Abstract: A method of redirecting traffic on a network includes receiving a subscriber request to use a parental control service, assigning to the subscriber's access device an Internet protocol (IP) address from a block of addresses reserved for the service, receiving a transaction, determining that the transaction is from an address in the block, and redirecting the transaction to a parental control device on the network. A network-based parental control system includes an access device for an account that uses a parental control service, a dynamic host configuration protocol server that assigns to the access device an IP address from a block of addresses reserved for the parental control service, a parental control policy device, and a router that receives a transaction from the access device, determines that the transaction is from an address in the block, and redirects the transaction to the parental control policy device.

Abstract: A LAN includes a router that is connected to two or more racks of servers and each of the servers can support a plurality of virtual machines. The router is configured to forward data packets based on IP destination addresses or based on destination MAC addresses and builds and maintains forwarding tables in support of data packet forwarding in the layer 3 and the layer 2 network environment. In support of layer 2 forwarding, the router builds and maintains an aggregated MAC switching table that is comprise of a subset of the table entries typically needed to switch packets to their destination, and in support of layer 3 forwarding, the router or switch builds and maintains an aggregated ARP forwarding table that is comprised of a subset of the table entries typically needed to forward packets to their destination.

Abstract: A communication path is established by a sequence of nodes so that a data packet is transferred using labels each being assigned to a data link connecting each pair of adjacent nodes along the communication path. The sequence of nodes includes an origination node, one or more relay node, and a termination node, with being positioned in this order along the communication path. The origination node provides each of downstream nodes of the origination node with a path message for requesting establishment of the communication path. Each relay node, upon being provided with label assignment request information, performs label assignment processing for assigning a label to a data link connecting the relay node and an adjacent upstream node without depending on the label assignment processing performed on other nodes along the communication path so that the label assignment processing is concurrently performed on each of the downstream nodes.

Abstract: A transmitter includes: a receiving unit to receive apparatus identification information that identifies transmitter and path identification information that identifies a data transfer path from another transmitter coupled to a local apparatus; a comparing unit to compare a value indicating an address assigned to the another transmitter to a value indicating an address assigned to the local apparatus; and a configuring unit to configure the local apparatus with apparatus identification information and path identification information determined by the local apparatus, or apparatus identification information and path identification information included in a frame received by the receiving unit, based on comparison results by the comparing unit.