A communication method, site and system

[0082] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0083] Please refer to figure 2 , is a schematic flowchart of the first embodiment of the communication method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

[0084] S201. The station performs association authentication with the access point.

[0085] Wherein, the access points include at least a first access point and a second access point.

[0086] Specifically, the station can acquire access point information located in the work area of ​​the station by scanning channels. The first access point and the second access point may work on the same channel, or may work on different channels. The scanning here can be actively initiated by the station, or the station can passively start scanning channels upon receiving a request from the access point. This embodiment does not make any limitation.

[0087]S202. The station sends serial numbers to the first access point and the second access point, where the serial numbers are used to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station.

[0088] Wherein, the sequence number is used to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station.

[0089] For example, if the station finds that there are two access points in the working area when scanning channels, the station may send serial numbers to the two access points after performing association authentication with the two access points. The serial number that can be obtained by each access point is generally different.

[0090] S203. The station broadcasts a communication message, so that the first access point and the second access point return response messages to the station in sequence according to the sequence numbers after receiving the communication message.

[0091] Specifically, the communication message is a data message, the data message carries communication data, and the response message is an acknowledgment character ACK; or

[0092] The communication message is a request to send message RTS, and the response message is a permission to send message CTS, the request to send message RTS is used for the station to request to send data to the access point, and the permission to send message CTS is used for the The access point allows the station to send data.

[0093] The communication message may carry data, and the station directly tries to communicate with the access point for data, for example, directly broadcasts a data message and waits for the access point to return an acknowledgment character ACK. According to the returned ACK, it can be determined whether to communicate with a certain access point The communication is successful; of course, it is also possible not to carry data, wait for the access point of communication to be determined, and then send a message carrying data, such as broadcasting a request to send message (Request To Send, referred to as RTS) and waiting for the return of a message to allow sending (ClearTo Send, referred to as CTS), the access point of communication can be determined according to the returned CTS, and then the data message can be sent.

[0094] S204. The station receives a response message returned by at least one of the first access point and the second access point, and performs data communication with at least one access point that returns the response message.

[0095] Specifically, the station may establish a communication connection with the access point when receiving a response message returned by any access point, or may wait for more than one or all access points associated with authentication to return a response message, and then according to the communication The channel quality reflected when the message or response message is sent and received selects the access point with better channel quality for communication. Thereby reducing interference and improving communication quality.

[0096] Of course, in some special scenarios, the station can also perform data communication with two or more access points that return the response message at the same time.

[0097] In this embodiment, the station assigns a corresponding serial number to any associated access point, so as to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station. For example, if the serial number of the first access point is 1 and the serial number of the second access point is 2, when the two receive the communication message from the station, the first access point will return the response message in sequence , and then the second access point returns a response message. In this way, in the OBSS system, by assigning serial numbers to the access points, each access point responds to the communication messages of the stations in order, so that the stations located in the overlapping areas of adjacent BSSs can communicate with multiple access points Try to connect, that is, the station can compete for the channel in two BSSs at the same time, thereby increasing the probability of the station competing for the channel and sending data, which is beneficial to improve the throughput of the station, and can reduce the interference received by the station in the overlapping area when communicating .

[0098] It should be noted that the BSS in this embodiment may be based on the infrastructure mode or the ad-hoc mode. Stations can compete for channels in both modes of networks simultaneously. When a station communicates with multiple access points, the basic service set identifiers (Basic Service SetIDentity, BSSID for short) of the BSS where these access points are located may be the same or different. When the BSSIDs are the same, the data frame sent by the station or the corresponding bit of the Medium Access Control (MAC) frame header in the RTS can be set as the BSSID. When the BSSIDs are different, if these access points work on the same channel, the data frame sent by the station or the corresponding bit of the MAC frame header in the RTS can be set as a wildcard.

[0099] In addition, before the station communicates with the multiple access points, it can negotiate with the multiple access points for the duration of the multi-access point communication. Communication with multiple access points can be temporary or long-term. The negotiated information can be a new command or included in an existing control frame, management frame or data frame, such as an association request frame and a re-association request frame.

[0100] In this embodiment, only the flow of communication between a station in an overlapping area and two access points in the OBSS system is described. When there are more than three access points, the flow of communication is similar, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] Please refer to image 3 , is a schematic flow chart of the second embodiment of the communication method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

[0102] S301. The station performs association authentication with the access point.

[0103] Wherein, the access points include at least a first access point and a second access point.

[0104] S302. The station sends serial numbers to the first access point and the second access point, where the serial numbers are used to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station.

[0105] S303. The station broadcasts a communication message, so that the first access point and the second access point return response messages to the station in sequence according to the sequence numbers after receiving the communication message.

[0106] S304. The station receives a response message returned by the first access point or the second access point, and performs data communication with the first access point or the second access point.

[0107] Specifically, if the order corresponding to the serial number of the first access point is better than the order corresponding to the serial number of the second access point, the station will first receive the response message returned by the first access point .

[0108] More specifically, if both the first access point and the second access point return a response message when receiving the communication message, the station receives the first communication message within a first preset time. When an access point returns a response message, it does not wait for the second access point to return a response message, and directly performs data communication with the first access point; if the station fails to After receiving the response message returned by the first access point, continue to wait for the response message returned by the second access point, if the station receives the response message from the second access point within the second preset time If the station does not receive the response message returned by the second access point within the second preset time, then it is determined that the communication has failed; or

[0109] When the station receives the response message returned by the first access point within the first preset time, it broadcasts an acknowledgment message indicating that the response message has been obtained, so that the second access point receives No response message is returned after the confirmation message, and the station performs data communication with the first access point.

[0110] Wherein, if only the first access point returns an acknowledgment message when receiving the communication message, when the station does not receive the acknowledgment returned by the first access point within the first preset time When sending a message, broadcast a request message for requesting to return a response message, so that the second access point returns a response message after receiving the request message.

[0111] If the station receives the response message returned by the second access point within the second preset time, it will perform data communication with the second access point; if the station receives the response message within the second preset time If the response message returned by the second access point is not received within a period of time, it is determined that the communication fails.

[0112] It should be noted that if the first access point and the second access point work on the same channel, the station broadcasts the communication message on the channel; if the first access point and the second access point If the second access point works on a different channel, the station broadcasts the communication message on the channel where the first access point works, and when the communication with the first access point fails, the station changes to The second access point operates on a channel and broadcasts the communication message. In this way, it is ensured that the station communicates with access points working on different channels, and the probability that the station obtains a channel through competition is increased.

[0113] In this embodiment, the process of successfully receiving a return message from any access point and performing data communication is mainly described. Since there is no need to wait for other access points to return a response message, the communication method described in this embodiment can be faster. Determining the access point of communication improves the efficiency of data communication.

[0114] Please refer to Figure 4 , is a schematic flowchart of the third embodiment of the communication method of the present invention, in this embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

[0115] S401. The station performs association authentication with the access point.

[0116] Wherein, the access points include at least a first access point and a second access point.

[0117] S402. The station sends serial numbers to the first access point and the second access point, where the serial numbers are used to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station.

[0118] S403. The station broadcasts a communication message, so that the first access point and the second access point return response messages to the station in sequence according to the sequence numbers after receiving the communication message.

[0119] S404. The station receives response messages returned by the first access point and the second access point, and selects an access point with good channel quality during information exchange to perform data communication according to channel quality during information exchange.

[0120] Specifically, it may include: if both the first access point and the second access point will return a response message when receiving the communication message, then receiving the first access point at the station When the response message is returned in order with the second access point, according to the channel quality during information interaction, select an access point with good channel quality during information interaction to perform data communication; or

[0121] If on the access point side, in order to reduce the overall power consumption of the system and reduce the waiting time of the station, it is configured that only the access point whose serial number is the first among all the access points will return a response message, that is, in this embodiment, if only The first access point will return a response message when receiving the communication message, and when the station receives the response message returned by the first access point, broadcast a request message for requesting to return the response message , so that the second access point returns a response message after receiving the request message, and the station selects an access point with good channel quality during information exchange to perform data communication according to the channel quality during information exchange.

[0122] In this embodiment, a method of selecting a communication access point according to the response messages returned by multiple access points or even all access points is given. Although it is necessary to wait for multiple access points to return response messages, the station can The channel quality selects an access point with better channel quality for communication, which is beneficial to improve the communication quality of the selected access point.

[0123]It should be noted that Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3 use different implementation methods for the purpose of improving the overall work efficiency of the site. During specific implementation, appropriate selections may be made according to actual conditions such as the number of access points. If the number of access points is small, you can wait for multiple access points to return response messages before selecting an access point with better channel quality for communication. When the response message returned by the point is determined that the access point is the communication access point and the data communication is carried out.

[0124] Please refer to Figure 5 , is a schematic flowchart of a fourth embodiment of the communication method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

[0125] S501. The station performs association authentication with the access point.

[0126] Wherein, the access points include at least a first access point and a second access point.

[0127] S502. The station sends serial numbers to the first access point and the second access point, where the serial numbers are used to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station.

[0128] S503. The station broadcasts a communication message, so that the first access point and the second access point return response messages to the station in sequence according to the sequence numbers after receiving the communication message.

[0129] S504. The station receives a response message returned by at least one of the first access point and the second access point, and establishes a communication connection with at least one access point that returns the response message.

[0130] S505. The station receives a communication setting message sent by the access point that has established the communication connection, and communicates with the access point that has established the communication connection according to the communication setting message.

[0131] Wherein, the access point that has established a communication connection includes an access point that has performed data communication with the station or an access point that has not performed data communication with the station but has been determined by the station to perform data communication, The communication setting message includes at least one of the following information: communication time information, window length information.

[0132] Specifically, if access points working on the same channel and associated with the same station want to send downlink data to the station, multiple access points may send downlink data in a competitive manner. You can avoid conflicts between multiple access points communicating with the same station by setting different communication and window lengths. Corresponding parameter information can be advertised using a new command, or carried in an existing data frame, management frame or control frame. And within the communication time indicated by the communication time information, the station can perform any number of continuous or intermittent communications with the access point with which the communication connection has been established.

[0133] In the following, the communication process will be described in a scenario where a station communicates with two access points.

[0134] Please also refer to Figure 6-Figure 10 , are schematic flowcharts of the fifth to ninth embodiments of the communication method of the present invention, respectively. In these embodiments, both the first access point and the second access point will return a response message upon receiving a communication message from a station. like Image 6 Shown:

[0135] The station broadcasts the communication message, and after the first access point returns a response message, the station can perform data communication with the first access point. The communication message here may be a data message carrying data, or an RTS, and correspondingly, the response message may be an ACK, or a CTS.

[0136] If the first access point fails to return the response message, then if Figure 7 As shown, the station can wait for the response message returned by the second access point, and perform data communication with the second access point.

[0137] If both the first access point and the second access point successfully return response messages in the order corresponding to the serial numbers, then if Figure 8 As shown, the station can select an access point with good channel quality during information exchange to perform data communication according to the channel quality during information exchange.

[0138] If both access points fail to return reply messages, then if Figure 9 As shown, the station judges that the communication has failed. Of course, if there is a third access point, the station may continue to wait for the response message returned by the third access point.

[0139] If the station only needs to obtain a response message from an access point, that is, to perform data communication with the access point, it can be as follows Figure 10 As shown, after the station receives the response message returned by the first access point, it broadcasts an acknowledgment message indicating that the response message has been obtained, so that the second access point does not return a response message to the station after receiving the acknowledgment message, and the station It only needs to perform data communication with the first access point. In this way, when the number of access points is large, multiple access points can be prevented from returning response messages, thereby reducing signaling overhead and saving signaling and channel resources. The acknowledgment message may carry the identifier of the first access point so that other access points know the access point performing data communication with the station.

[0140] Please also refer to Figure 11-Figure 12 , are schematic flowcharts of the tenth and eleventh embodiments of the communication method of the present invention, respectively. In these embodiments, when the first access point and the second access point receive the communication message from the station, only the first access point will Actively return a reply message. like Figure 11 Shown:

[0141] If the station broadcasts a communication message and the first access point fails to return a response message, then at this time, the station can broadcast a request message requesting to return a response message, so that the second access point returns a response message, thereby performing data communication with the second access point . The communication message here may be a data message carrying data, or an RTS, and correspondingly, the response message may be an ACK, or a CTS. The request message may carry the identifier of the first access point so that other access points know the access point that has not returned the response message. After receiving the request message, the first access point may or may not return a response message, which is not limited herein.

[0142] If the first access point returns a response message successfully, but the station also wants to receive response messages from other access points, it can be as follows Figure 12 As shown, a request message for requesting to return a response message is broadcast, the second access point returns a response message, and the station selects one of the access points for data communication according to the channel quality during information exchange.

[0143] Please refer to Figure 13 , is a schematic flow chart of a twelfth embodiment of the communication method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

[0144] 1. Site broadcasts RTS.

[0145] 2. The first access point and the second access point return the CTS in the sequence corresponding to the sequence numbers.

[0146] 3. The station selects the first access point for data communication according to the channel quality during information exchange. (Assume that the channel quality when the station interacts with the first access point information is better at this time)

[0147] 4. The station sends a data message to the first access point for data communication. The data message carries data.

[0148] It should be noted that if the method of broadcasting RTS in this embodiment is adopted, data communication can only be carried out after the access point of communication is determined. In the process of determining the access point, there is no need to carry a large amount of data, which can save channel resources . And as Figure 6-Figure 12 That is, in the communication method described in the fifth to eleventh embodiments of the present invention, when the communication message is directly a data message carrying data, a data communication can be completed in the process of determining the communication access point, which can reduce information The number of interactions. certainly, Figure 6 to Figure 12 The flow of the communication method described above is also applicable when the communication message is RTS, and it is only necessary to add a flow of sending data messages after the communication access point is determined.

[0149] Please refer to Figure 14 , is a schematic composition diagram of the first embodiment of the station according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the station includes: an associating unit 100 , a sending unit 200 , a message broadcasting unit 300 and a receiving unit 400 .

[0150] The associating unit 100 is configured to perform association authentication with an access point.

[0151] The access points include at least a first access point and a second access point.

[0152] A sending unit 200, configured to send a sequence number to the first access point and the second access point, where the sequence number is used to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station;

[0153] A message broadcast unit 300, configured to broadcast a communication message, so that the first access point and the second access point return response messages to the station in sequence according to the sequence number after receiving the communication message ;

[0154] The receiving unit 400 is configured to receive a response message returned by at least one of the first access point and the second access point, and perform data communication with at least one access point that returns the response message.

[0155] The receiving unit 400 is specifically used for:

[0156] receiving a response message returned by the first access point or the second access point, and performing data communication with the first access point or the second access point; or

[0157] Receiving response messages returned by the first access point and the second access point, and selecting an access point with good channel quality during information exchange to perform data communication according to the channel quality during information exchange.

[0158] More specifically, the receiving unit 400 is specifically configured to:

[0159] If both the first access point and the second access point return a response message when receiving the communication message, receiving the response message returned by the first access point within a first preset time , directly perform data communication with the first access point without waiting for the second access point to return a response message; if the receiving unit does not receive the first access point within the first preset time The response message returned by the access point, then continue to wait for the response message returned by the second access point; or

[0160] When receiving the response message returned by the first access point within the first preset time, instruct the message broadcast unit 300 to broadcast a confirmation message indicating that the response message has been obtained, so that the second access point The point does not return a response message after receiving the confirmation message, and the receiving unit 400 performs data communication with the first access point.

[0161] If only the first access point returns a response message when receiving the communication message, when the receiving unit 400 does not receive the response returned by the first access point within the first preset time When sending a message, instruct the message broadcasting unit 300 to broadcast a request message for requesting to return a response message, so that the second access point returns a response message after receiving the request message.

[0162] The receiving unit 400 is specifically used for:

[0163] If both the first access point and the second access point return a response message when receiving the communication message, the receiving unit 400 receives the first access point and the second access point 2. When the access point returns the response messages in order, according to the channel quality during the information exchange, select the access point with the best channel quality during the information exchange to perform data communication; or

[0164]If only the first access point returns a response message when receiving the communication message, when the receiving unit receives the response message returned by the first access point, instruct the message broadcasting unit 300 Broadcasting a request message for requesting to return a response message, so that the second access point returns a response message after receiving the request message, and the receiving unit 400 selects a channel for information interaction according to the channel quality during information interaction A good quality access point for data communication.

[0165] Wherein, the communication message is a data message, the data message carries communication data, and the response message is a confirmation character; or

[0166] The communication message is a request to send message RTS, and the response message is a permission to send message CTS, the request to send message RTS is used for the station to request to send data to the access point, and the permission to send message CTS is used for the The access point allows the station to send data.

[0167] If the communication message is RTS and the response message is CTS, the receiving unit 400 is specifically configured to:

[0168] receiving a CTS returned by at least one of the first access point and the second access point;

[0169] Determine an access point for data communication according to the CTS returned by at least one of the first access point and the second access point;

[0170] Sending a data message to the access point determined for communication, and performing data communication with the access point determined for communication, wherein the data message carries communication data.

[0171] The receiving unit 300 is also used for:

[0172] receiving a communication setting message sent by an access point that has established a communication connection, and communicating with the access point that has established a communication connection according to the communication setting message;

[0173] Wherein, the communication setting message includes at least one of the following information: communication time information, window length information.

[0174] Please refer to Figure 15 , is a schematic composition diagram of the second embodiment of the station of the present invention. In this embodiment, the station includes: an associating unit 100 , a sending unit 200 , a message broadcasting unit 300 , a receiving unit 400 and a channel switching unit 500 .

[0175] The associating unit 100 is configured to perform association authentication with an access point.

[0176] The access points include at least a first access point and a second access point.

[0177] A sending unit 200, configured to send a sequence number to the first access point and the second access point, where the sequence number is used to indicate the order in which each access point responds to the station;

[0178] A message broadcast unit 300, configured to broadcast a communication message, so that the first access point and the second access point return response messages to the station in sequence according to the sequence number after receiving the communication message ;

[0179] The receiving unit 400 is configured to receive a response message returned by at least one of the first access point and the second access point, and perform data communication with at least one access point that returns the response message.

[0180] A channel switching unit 500, configured to: if the first access point and the second access point work on the same channel, the message broadcasting unit 300 broadcasts the communication message on the channel; if the first access point The access point and the second access point work on different channels, then the message broadcast unit 300 broadcasts the communication message on the channel where the first access point works, and when communicating with the first access point In case of failure, the channel switching unit 500 switches to the working channel of the second access point and instructs the message broadcasting unit 300 to broadcast the communication message.

[0181] It should be noted that the above association unit may be composed of an association subunit and an authentication subunit, or may exist independently; the receiving unit may be composed of a reception subunit and a communication subunit, or may exist independently. In addition, in the station embodiment above, the association unit and/or the receiving unit can be set independently of the station processor in the form of hardware, and the setting form can be in the form of a microprocessor; it can also be embedded in the station processor in the form of hardware It can also be stored in the memory of the site in the form of software, so that the processor of the site can invoke and execute the corresponding operations of the above associated units or receiving units.

[0182] For example, in the first embodiment of the site of the present invention ( Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment), the associating unit 100 and/or the receiving unit 400 may be a processor of the station, and the functions of the sending unit 200 and the message broadcasting unit 300 may be embedded in the processor. in addition, Figure 15 The channel switching unit 500 shown, together with the associated unit 100 or the receiving unit 400, can be set independently of the processor, can also be embedded in the processor, or can be stored in the memory in the form of software, and its functions can be realized by calling the processor . Of course, the sending unit 200 and the message broadcasting unit 300 can be integrated or set independently. The sending unit 200 and the message broadcasting unit 300 can be used as the interface circuit of the station, and can also be integrated with the associated unit 100, the receiving unit 400 or the channel switching unit 500 , can also be set independently. The embodiment of the present invention does not make any limitation. The above processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a single-chip microcomputer, and the like.

[0183] Please refer to Figure 16 , is a schematic composition diagram of the third embodiment of the station according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the station includes: an interface circuit 110 , a memory 120 and a processor 130 connected to the interface circuit 110 and the memory 120 . The memory 120 is used to store a set of program codes, and the processor 130 is used to call the program codes stored in the memory 120 to execute the operations described in any one of the first to twelfth embodiments of the communication method of the present invention.

[0184] Please refer to Figure 17 , is a schematic diagram of the composition of the system of the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system includes:

[0185] The site 140 described in any one of the first to third embodiments of the site of the present invention;

[0186] The first access point 150 and the second access point 160 .

[0187] The first access point 150 and the second access point 160 are used to perform association authentication with the station 140, and receive the corresponding serial number sent by the station 140, and the serial number is used to indicate that each access point answers The order of the stations, when receiving the communication message broadcast by the station 140, return the response message to the station 140 in order according to the sequence number, so that the station 140 receives the response message returned by at least one access point And perform data communication with at least one access point that returns a response message.

[0188] If the station 140 establishes a communication connection with any access point in the at least two access points, the access point that has established a communication connection with the station 140 is also used to send a communication setting message to the station 140, so that the station 140 performs data communication with the access point that has established a communication connection according to the communication setting message;

[0189] Wherein, the access point that has established a communication connection includes an access point that has performed data communication with the station 140 or an access point that has not performed data communication with the station 140 but has been determined by the station 140 to perform data communication. The entry point, the communication setting message includes at least one of the following information: communication time information, window length information.

[0190] Of course, only two access points are described in this embodiment. When a station can scan three or more access points in the OBSS system, its communication process is the same as that of a station with only two access points. The situation is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0191] It should be noted that each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. For the same and similar parts in each embodiment, refer to each other, that is, Can. As for the device embodiment, since it is basically similar to the method embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and for related parts, please refer to the part of the description of the method embodiment.

[0192] Through the description of the foregoing embodiments, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0193] In the OBSS system, by assigning serial numbers to the access points, each access point responds to the communication messages of the stations in sequence, so that the stations located in the overlapping areas of adjacent BSSs can communicate with multiple access points to try to connect , that is, the station can compete for channels in two BSSs at the same time, thereby increasing the probability that the station competes for the channel and sends data, which is beneficial to improving the throughput of the station.

[0194] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps for realizing the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by hardware related to program instructions, and the aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the It includes the steps of the above method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes: ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk and other various media that can store program codes.

[0195] The above is a detailed introduction to a communication method, station and system provided by the embodiment of the present invention. In this paper, specific examples are used to illustrate the principle and implementation of the present invention. The description of the above embodiment is only used to help understand the present invention. The method of the invention and its core idea; at the same time, for those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of ​​the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation and scope of application. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood To limit the present invention.