Communication methods and related devices

Abstract

A communication method and related devices are provided, which may be applied to wireless local area network systems supporting 802.11 series protocols such as IEEE 802.11 ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols like 802.11 be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, and next-generation 802.11 be protocols like Wi-Fi 8, UHR, or Wi-Fi AI, and may also be applied to WPAN systems supporting UWB, sensing systems, etc. A first AP generates and transmits a first communication frame, and a first non-AP STA receives and parses the first communication frame. The first communication frame includes first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to the first AP, and the second information indicating the offset between the first time information and the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP. According to this method, the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP can be determined.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202310508081.5, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND RELATED APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 5, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] [Technical Field] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to communication methods and related apparatuses.

Background Art

[0003] With the development of wireless networks and the popularization of wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies, WLAN devices are becoming increasingly dense. Since wireless access points (APs) are easy to deploy, an increasing number of high-density APs also cause more inter-cell interference. Coordination among multiple APs can reduce inter-cell interference and improve the quality of service for users.

[0004] Currently, in the case of a restricted target wake time (RTWT), AP 1 may broadcast the RTWT information of an adjacent AP (i.e., AP 2), so that a non-access point station (non-AP STA) associated with AP 1 terminates the transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the RTWT service period (SP) of AP 2 arrives. In this way, AP 2 can normally acquire the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0005] However, non-AP STAs cannot correctly obtain the RTWT SP start time for AP 2. As a result, low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and associated apparatus that enable a non-AP STA to accurately obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP, thereby ensuring low-latency service communication of AP 2.

[0007] According to a first aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is: The method involves generating a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame includes first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, and the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP. This includes transmitting the first communication frame.

[0008] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first access point (AP 1) generates a first communication frame and transmits the first communication frame to a first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with AP 1. AP 1 as herein may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0009] The first communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes first information and second information. The first information indicates first time information corresponding to AP 1, which may be a time unit (TU) boundary of AP 1, indicated based on the time synchronization function timer (TSF timer, or abbreviated as TSF) of AP 1, where the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer. The second information indicates an offset between the first and second time information, where the second time information is the start time of the limited target wake-up time service period (RTWT SP) of a second access point (AP 2), and AP 2 is a different AP from AP 1.

[0010] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0011] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP (second time information) may be determined based on first information (first time information) and second information (offset between the first time information and the second time information) in the first communication frame, and non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0012] According to a second aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method of which can be carried out by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in the device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is, Receiving a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame includes first information and second information, the first information indicates first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicates an offset between the first time information and the second time information, and the second time information is the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP. This includes parsing the first communication frame.

[0013] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with a first access point (AP 1) receives a first communication frame from AP 1 and parses the first communication frame. The non-AP STA 1 in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0014] The first communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes first information and second information. The first information indicates first time information corresponding to AP 1, which may be a time unit (TU) boundary of AP 1, indicated based on the time synchronization function timer (TSF timer, or abbreviated as TSF) of AP 1, where the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer. The second information indicates an offset between the first and second time information, where the second time information is the start time of the limited target wake-up time service period (RTWT SP) of a second access point (AP 2), and AP 2 is a different AP from AP 1.

[0015] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0016] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP (second time information) may be determined based on first information (first time information) and second information (offset between the first time information and the second time information) in the first communication frame, and non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0017] In relation to the first or second aspect, in possible implementations, the second information includes the first instruction information, the first instruction information includes the M bit of the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the first AP, the TSF timer of the first AP corresponds to the second time information, and the M bit is some or all of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP.

[0018] In this embodiment of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the second information is provided. Specifically, the second information includes first instruction information, which may be some or all of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP. It can be understood that the time precision that can be indicated by the first instruction information varies depending on the number of bits included in the first instruction information. According to this embodiment of the present application, the offset between the first time information (the TU boundary of the first AP) and the second time information (the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP) may be obtained based on the indication of the first instruction information, and furthermore, the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP may be determined based on the first information (the first time information, i.e., the TU boundary of the first AP) and the first instruction information (the offset between the first time information and the second time information), and the first non-AP STA associated with the first AP may terminate the TXOP before the RTWT SP of the second AP arrives. In this way, the second AP successfully acquires a channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, guaranteeing low-latency service communication for the second AP.

[0019] In relation to the first or second aspect, in possible implementations, the first communication frame includes a target startup time TWT element, and the target startup time TWT element includes second information.

[0020] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which the second information can be carried. Specifically, the second information may be carried within a target wake time (TWT) element in the first communication frame, and a field within the TWT element is reused to carry the second information, thereby indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, and reducing signaling overhead to some extent.

[0021] Referring to the first or second embodiment, in possible implementations, the TWT element in the first communication frame contains the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the second information is located at the following position in the broadcast TWT parameter set: It is carried by one or more of the following: the fifth byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the fourth to eighth bits in the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the first field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set.

[0022] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which the second information can be carried. Specifically, the second information can be carried at one or more locations within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element. For example, when there is a sufficient idle field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the second information can be carried in the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set, or in bits 4 through 8 of the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set; or, when there is not a sufficient idle field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the second information can be carried in a first field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the first field may be an existing field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set has been reused, or it may be a newly added field used to carry the second information.

[0023] Referring to the first or second aspect, in possible implementations, the second information includes second instruction information, the second instruction information includes N bits, the value of which is an integer in the range of 0 to 1023, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to 10, and the value of which indicates the offset between the first time information and the second time information.

[0024] In this implementation of the present application, possible specific implementations of the second information are provided. Specifically, the second information includes second indication information. The second indication information may be 10 bits or less than 10 bits, and the value of the second indication information is an integer in the range from 0 to 1023. The second indication information uses N bits to indicate an offset between the TU boundary of the first AP and the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP, and it can be understood that the time accuracy that can be indicated by the second indication information varies according to the number of bits included in the second indication information. According to this embodiment of the present application, the offset between the first time information (the TU boundary of the first AP) and the second time information (the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP) may be obtained based on the indication of the second indication information. Further, the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP may be determined based on the first information (the first time information, that is, the TU boundary of the first AP) and the second indication information (the offset between the first time information and the second time information). The first non-AP STA associated with the first AP may end the TXOP before the RTWT SP of the second AP arrives. In this way, the second AP successfully obtains the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication of the second AP.

[0025] Referring to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation form, the second time information is determined based on the RTW information of the second AP, and the RTW information of the second AP is from the communication frame of the second AP.

[0026] In this implementation of the present application, a specific implementation capable of determining the second time information is provided. Specifically, a beacon frame or a probe response frame transmitted by the second AP may be received, the RTW information of the second AP may be read from the beacon frame or the probe response frame, and the second time information may be determined based on the RTW information of the second AP. Since the time in the beacon frame or the probe response frame transmitted by the second AP and indicated by the TWT field in the TWT information of the second AP is indicated based on the TSF timer of the second AP, it can be understood that the time needs to be further converted so that the time indicated by the TWT field is indicated based on the TSF timer of the first AP.

[0027] In relation to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation form, the TWT element in the first communication frame includes the third indication information, and the third indication information indicates that the TWT information of the second AP exists in the TWT element.

[0028] In this implementation of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the third indication information is provided. Specifically, the third indication information can be carried within the TWT element in the first communication frame to indicate that the TWT element carries the TWT information of the second AP. Since the TWT element can carry a plurality of broadcast TWT parameter sets, the third indication information can indicate that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP, or alternatively, the third indication information can indicate that some broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the second AP and some other broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the first AP.

[0029] In relation to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation form, the third indication information is at the following position within the TWT element: It is carried by any one or more of the 8th bit in the control field within the TWT element and the 16th bit in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element.

[0030] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which a third instruction information can be carried. Specifically, the third instruction information can be carried at one or more locations within the TWT element. For example, when the third instruction information can be carried in the eighth bit of the control field within the TWT element, the third instruction information indicates that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP; or when the first instruction information can be carried in the sixteenth bit of the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element, the third instruction information indicates that the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the TWT information of the second AP, and optionally another broadcast TWT parameter set may carry the TWT information of the first AP or the TWT information of the second AP.

[0031] In relation to the first or second aspect, in possible implementations, the first communication frame is a beacon frame, or The first communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, the probe request frame originating from the first non-access point station (non-AP STA).

[0032] In this embodiment of the present invention, a possible specific implementation of the first communication frame is provided. Specifically, the first communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame. When the first communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP further receives a probe request frame transmitted by the first non-AP STA before generating the first communication frame.

[0033] According to a third aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be carried out by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in a device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is, The method involves generating a second communication frame, the second communication frame comprising third and fourth information, wherein the third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fourth information indicates some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicates an offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period SP. This includes transmitting the second communication frame.

[0034] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first access point (AP 1) generates a second communication frame and transmits the second communication frame to a first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with AP 1. AP 1 as herein may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0035] The second communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes third and fourth information. The third information indicates third time information corresponding to the second AP (AP 2), which may specifically be the TU boundary of AP 2, indicated based on the TSF timer of AP 2, where the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer. The third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of AP 2. The fourth information indicates some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2, or indicates an offset or difference between the TSF timer of AP 2 and the TSF timer of AP 1. AP 2 and AP 1 are different APs. When the fourth information indicates a different number of bits of the TSF timer of AP 2, it can be understood that the time precision and time range that can be indicated by the fourth information may be different.

[0036] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0037] However, in this embodiment of the present application, some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2 may be obtained directly or indirectly based on the indication of the fourth information, and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP may be determined based on the third information (third time information, i.e., the TU boundary of AP 2) and the fourth information (some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2) in the second communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be carried out by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in a device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is, Receiving a second communication frame, wherein the second communication frame includes third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicating the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period SP. This includes parsing the second communication frame.

[0039] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with a first access point (AP 1) receives a second communication frame from AP 1 and parses the second communication frame. The non-AP STA 1 in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0040] The second communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes third and fourth information. The third information indicates third time information corresponding to the second AP (AP 2), which may specifically be the TU boundary of AP 2, indicated based on the TSF timer of AP 2, where the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer. The third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of AP 2. The fourth information indicates some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2, or indicates an offset or difference between the TSF timer of AP 2 and the TSF timer of AP 1. AP 2 and AP 1 are different APs. When the fourth information indicates a different number of bits of the TSF timer of AP 2, it can be understood that the time precision and time range that can be indicated by the fourth information may be different.

[0041] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0042] However, in this embodiment of the present application, some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2 may be obtained directly or indirectly based on the indication of the fourth information, and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP may be determined based on the third information (third time information, i.e., the TU boundary of AP 2) and the fourth information (some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2) in the second communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0043] In relation to the third or fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the second communication frame includes a target startup time TWT element, and the target startup time TWT element includes fourth information.

[0044] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific embodiment is provided in which the fourth information may be carried. Specifically, the fourth information may be carried within a target wake time (TWT) element in a second communication frame, and a field within the TWT element is reused to carry the fourth information, thereby indicating some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of the second AP, or an offset between the TSF timer of the second AP and the TSF timer of the first AP, thereby reducing signaling overhead to some extent.

[0045] In relation to the third or fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the TWT element in the second communication frame includes a broadcast TWT parameter set, and the fourth information is located at the following position in the broadcast TWT parameter set: It is carried by one or more of the following: the fifth byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the fourth to eighth bits in the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the second field following the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set.

[0046] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which the fourth information can be carried. Specifically, the fourth information can be carried at one or more locations within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element. For example, when the fourth information indicates a small number of bits (e.g., less than 13 bits) of the TSF timer of the second AP and there is a sufficient idle field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the fourth information can be carried in the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set, or in the fourth through eighth bits of the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set; or when the fourth information indicates a large number of bits (e.g., 13 bits or more, or even all bits of the TSF timer of the second AP), the fourth information can be carried in a second field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, where the second field may be an existing field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set has been reused, or a newly added field used to carry the fourth information.

[0047] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the second AP are the same as the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, where P is a positive integer less than 64.

[0048] In this embodiment of the present invention, a possible specific implementation of the bit relationship between the TSF timer of the second AP and the TSF timer of the first AP is provided. Specifically, if the fourth information indicates a small number of bits (e.g., less than 13 bits) of the TSF timer of the second AP, then the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the second AP are the same as the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, i.e., the TSF timer of the second AP and the TSF timer of the first AP keep their most significant bits the same. In this case, the first non-AP STA may obtain all the bits of the TSF timer of the second AP based on the most significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP and the fewer least significant bits of the TSF timer of the second AP, and as a result, the time indicated by the TWT field in the RTW parameter of the second AP, i.e., the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP, can be determined based on the TU boundary of the second AP and the bits of the TSF timer of the second AP.

[0049] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the TWT element in the second communication frame contains third instruction information, which indicates that the TWT information of the second AP is present within the TWT element.

[0050] In this embodiment of the present application, a possible specific embodiment of the third instruction information is provided. Specifically, the third instruction information may be carried within a TWT element in a second communication frame to indicate that the TWT element carries TWT information for a second AP. Since a TWT element can carry multiple broadcast TWT parameter sets, it can be understood that the third instruction information may indicate that the TWT element carries only TWT information for a second AP, or alternatively, that some broadcast TWT parameter sets carry TWT information for a second AP and some other broadcast TWT parameter sets carry TWT information for a first AP.

[0051] In relation to the third or fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the third instruction information is located at the following position within the TWT element: It is carried by either the 8th bit in the control field within the TWT element or the 16th bit in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element, or both.

[0052] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which a third instruction information can be carried. Specifically, the third instruction information can be carried at one or more locations within the TWT element. For example, when the third instruction information can be carried in the eighth bit of the control field within the TWT element, the third instruction information indicates that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP; or when the first instruction information can be carried in the sixteenth bit of the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element, the third instruction information indicates that the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the TWT information of the second AP, and optionally another broadcast TWT parameter set may carry the TWT information of the first AP or the TWT information of the second AP.

[0053] In relation to the third or fourth aspect, in possible implementations, the second communication frame is a beacon frame, or The second communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, the probe request frame originating from a first non-access point station (nonAP STA).

[0054] In this embodiment of the present invention, a possible specific implementation of a second communication frame is provided. Specifically, the second communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame. When the second communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP further receives a probe request frame transmitted by the first non-AP STA before generating the second communication frame.

[0055] According to a fifth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be carried out by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in a device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is, The method involves generating a third communication frame, the third communication frame containing third and fifth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fifth information indicating the identifier of the second AP, a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period SP. This includes transmitting the third communication frame.

[0056] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first access point (AP 1) generates a third communication frame and transmits the third communication frame to a first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with AP 1. AP 1 as herein may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0057] The third communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes third information and fifth information. The third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second AP (AP 2), which may specifically be the TU boundary of AP 2, indicated based on the TSF timer of AP 2, where the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer. The third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of AP 2. The fifth information indicates the identifier of AP 2, where there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of AP 2 and the TSF timer of AP 2, and AP 2 is a different AP from AP 1. It can be understood that some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2 that are mapped to the identifier of AP 2 can be found by using the identifier of AP 2 as an index.

[0058] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0059] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the TSF timer of AP 2 may be obtained indirectly based on the indication of the fifth piece of information, and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP may then be determined based on the third piece of information (third time information, i.e., AP 2's TU boundary) and the fifth piece of information (AP 2's TSF timer) in the third communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0060] According to a sixth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be carried out by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in a device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is, The receiving of a third communication frame, wherein the third communication frame includes third information and fifth information, the third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fifth information indicates the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP. This includes parsing the third communication frame.

[0061] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with a first access point (AP 1) receives a third communication frame from AP 1 and parses the third communication frame. The non-AP STA 1 in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0062] The third communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes third information and fifth information. The third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second AP (AP 2), which may specifically be the TU boundary of AP 2, indicated based on the TSF timer of AP 2, where the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer. The third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of AP 2. The fifth information indicates the identifier of AP 2, where there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of AP 2 and the TSF timer of AP 2, and AP 2 is a different AP from AP 1. It can be understood that some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2 that are mapped to the identifier of AP 2 can be found by using the identifier of AP 2 as an index.

[0063] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0064] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the TSF timer of AP 2 may be obtained indirectly based on the indication of the fifth piece of information, and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP may then be determined based on the third piece of information (third time information, i.e., AP 2's TU boundary) and the fifth piece of information (AP 2's TSF timer) in the third communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0065] In relation to the fifth or sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the third communication frame includes a target startup time TWT element, and the target startup time TWT element includes the fifth information.

[0066] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific embodiment is provided in which the fifth information may be carried. Specifically, the fifth information may be carried within a target wake time (TWT) element in a third communication frame, and a field within the TWT element is reused to carry the fifth information, and as a result the TSF timer of the second AP can be obtained indirectly by indicating the identifier of the second AP, and the signaling overhead can be reduced to some extent.

[0067] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the TWT element in the third communication frame contains the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the fifth information is located at the following position in the broadcast TWT parameter set: It is carried by the fifth byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set and one or more bits from the fourth to the eighth bit in the broadcast TWT information field within the broadcast TWT parameter set.

[0068] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which the fifth information can be carried. Specifically, the fifth information can be carried at one or more locations within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element. For example, when there is a sufficient idle field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the fifth information can be carried in the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set, or in the fourth to eighth bits of the broadcast TWT information field within the broadcast TWT parameter set.

[0069] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in possible implementations, information about the mapping relationship is carried in a field other than the TWT element in the third communication frame, or information about the mapping relationship is carried in a communication frame different from the third communication frame.

[0070] In this embodiment of the present application, a specific implementation is provided that can carry information about mapping relationships. Specifically, information about the mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the TSF timer of the second AP may be carried in a field other than the TWT element in the third communication frame, or in a different communication frame from the third communication frame and carried in a newly defined information element. According to this embodiment of the present application, the identifier of the second AP is used as an index, and based on the mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the TSF timer of the second AP, some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of the second AP mapped to the identifier of the second AP can be found.

[0071] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the TWT element in the third communication frame contains third instruction information, which indicates that the TWT information of the second AP is present within the TWT element.

[0072] In this embodiment of the present application, a possible specific embodiment of the third instruction information is provided. Specifically, the third instruction information may be carried within a TWT element in a third communication frame to indicate that the TWT element carries TWT information for a second AP. Since a TWT element can carry multiple broadcast TWT parameter sets, it can be understood that the third instruction information may indicate that the TWT element carries only TWT information for a second AP, or alternatively, that some broadcast TWT parameter sets carry TWT information for a second AP and some other broadcast TWT parameter sets carry TWT information for a first AP.

[0073] In relation to the fifth or sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the third instruction information is located at the following position within the TWT element: It is carried by either the 8th bit in the control field within the TWT element or the 16th bit in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element, or both.

[0074] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which a third instruction information can be carried. Specifically, the third instruction information can be carried at one or more locations within the TWT element. For example, when the third instruction information can be carried in the eighth bit of the control field within the TWT element, the third instruction information indicates that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP; or when the first instruction information can be carried in the sixteenth bit of the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element, the third instruction information indicates that the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the TWT information of the second AP, and optionally another broadcast TWT parameter set may carry the TWT information of the first AP or the TWT information of the second AP.

[0075] In relation to the fifth or sixth aspect, in possible implementations, the third communication frame is a beacon frame, or The third communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, the probe request frame originating from a first non-access point station (nonAP STA).

[0076] In this embodiment of the present invention, a possible specific embodiment of the third communication frame is provided. Specifically, the third communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame. When the third communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP further receives a probe request frame transmitted by the first non-AP STA before generating the third communication frame.

[0077] According to a seventh aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be carried out by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in a device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is, The method involves generating a fourth communication frame, the fourth communication frame containing sixth information, the sixth information representing 16 consecutive bits of the time synchronization function timer (TSF timer) of the first access point AP, the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits being one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, and the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of the second AP. This includes transmitting the fourth communication frame.

[0078] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first access point (AP 1) generates a fourth communication frame and transmits the fourth communication frame to a first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with AP 1. AP 1 as herein may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0079] The fourth communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes sixth information. The sixth information indicates 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1, the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of AP 1, the TSF timer of AP 1 corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of AP 2, and AP 2 and AP 1 are different APs. It can be understood that the 16 consecutive bits indicated by the sixth information correspond to different positions in the TSF timer of AP 1, and the time precision indicated by the sixth information may also be different.

[0080] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0081] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the time accuracy indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 can be changed by changing the position of 16 consecutive bits located within the TSF timer of AP 1 and indicated by the sixth piece of information, so that the time indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 becomes very close to the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2, so that the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2 can be determined, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate the TXOP before the RTWT SP of AP 2 arrives. In this way, AP 2 succeeds in acquiring the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0082] According to the eighth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be carried out by a communication device. The communication device may be a device, or a chip (system) or circuit used in a device. This is not limited to the present application. The method is, The receiving of a fourth communication frame, wherein the fourth communication frame contains sixth information, the sixth information represents 16 consecutive bits of the time synchronization function timer (TSF timer) of the first access point AP, the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits being one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, and the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of the second AP. This includes parsing the fourth communication frame.

[0083] In this embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided. A first non-access point station (non-AP STA 1) associated with a first access point (AP 1) receives a fourth communication frame from AP 1 and parses the fourth communication frame. The non-AP STA 1 in this specification may alternatively be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0084] The fourth communication frame in this embodiment of the present application includes sixth information. The sixth information indicates 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1, the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of AP 1, the TSF timer of AP 1 corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of AP 2, and AP 2 and AP 1 are different APs. It can be understood that the 16 consecutive bits indicated by the sixth information correspond to different positions in the TSF timer of AP 1, and the time precision indicated by the sixth information may also be different.

[0085] In the current multi-AP communication scenario, the TSF timers of different APs are selected independently, which can lead to misalignment of TU boundaries between different APs. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may not be able to correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and may not be able to terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 may not be able to successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0086] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the time accuracy indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 can be changed by changing the position of 16 consecutive bits located within the TSF timer of AP 1 and indicated by the sixth piece of information, so that the time indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 becomes very close to the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2, so that the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2 can be determined, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate the TXOP before the RTWT SP of AP 2 arrives. In this way, AP 2 succeeds in acquiring the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0087] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the fourth communication frame includes a target startup time TWT element, the target startup time TWT element includes sixth information, and the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element carries the RTWT information of the second AP.

[0088] In this embodiment of the present invention, a specific implementation is provided in which a sixth piece of information can be carried. Specifically, the sixth piece of information can be carried within a target wake time (TWT) element in a fourth communication frame. Correspondingly, the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element carries the RTWT information of the second AP, and the fields within the TWT element are reused to carry the sixth piece of information, so that 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1 can be represented, and the signaling overhead can be reduced to some extent.

[0089] In relation to the seventh or eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the fourth communication frame further includes seventh information, which indicates a correspondence between the least significant bit of 16 consecutive bits and a bit in the TSF timer of the first AP.

[0090] In this embodiment of the present application, a possible specific implementation of the seventh information is provided. Specifically, the fourth communication frame may further include the seventh information, and different values ​​of the seventh information may be in the TSF timer of the first AP and indicate a bit corresponding to the least significant bit in 16 consecutive bits. According to this embodiment of the present application, a trade-off between the time precision and time range indicated by the seventh information may be performed based on the correspondence between the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits indicated by the seventh information and the bits in the TSF timer of the first AP to obtain a more accurate start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2.

[0091] In relation to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fourth communication frame further includes eighth information, which indicates that the time indicated by 16 consecutive bits is based on the TSF timer of the first AP or the TSF timer of the second AP.

[0092] In this embodiment of the present invention, a possible specific implementation of the eighth piece of information is provided. Specifically, the fourth communication frame may further include the eighth piece of information indicating whether the time indicated by the TWT field is based on the TSF timer of the first AP or the TSF timer of the second AP. In this way, the times indicated in different cases can be taken into consideration, and a more accurate start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2 can be obtained.

[0093] In relation to the seventh or eighth aspect, in possible implementations, the fourth communication frame is a beacon frame, or The fourth communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, the probe request frame being from a first non-access point station (nonAP STA). In this embodiment of the present invention, a possible specific embodiment of the fourth communication frame is provided. Specifically, the fourth communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame. When the fourth communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP further receives a probe request frame transmitted by the first non-AP STA before generating the fourth communication frame.

[0094] According to the ninth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the first aspect or one of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0095] In a possible design, the device, A processing unit configured to generate a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame includes first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, and the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP, and the processing unit The system includes a communication unit configured to transmit the first communication frame.

[0096] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the first embodiment. Further details are not described herein.

[0097] For the technical effects resulting from the ninth aspect and any possible implementations of the ninth aspect, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects corresponding to the first aspect and the corresponding implementations of the first aspect.

[0098] According to a tenth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0099] In a possible design, the device, A communication unit configured to receive a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame includes first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, and the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP, and the communication unit The system includes a processing unit configured to parse the first communication frame.

[0100] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the second embodiment. Further details are again not described herein.

[0101] For the technical effects resulting from the tenth aspect and any possible implementation of the tenth aspect, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects corresponding to the second aspect and the corresponding implementation of the second aspect.

[0102] According to the eleventh aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the third aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0103] In a possible design, the device, A processing unit configured to generate a second communication frame, wherein the second communication frame includes third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicating the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period SP, and the processing unit. The system includes a communication unit configured to transmit the second communication frame.

[0104] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the third embodiment. Further details are not described herein.

[0105] For the technical effects resulting from the eleventh aspect and any possible implementation of the eleventh aspect, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects corresponding to the third aspect and the corresponding implementation of the third aspect.

[0106] According to the twelfth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the fourth aspect or one of the possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0107] In a possible design, the device, A communication unit configured to receive a second communication frame, wherein the second communication frame includes third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicating the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period SP, and the communication unit The system includes a processing unit configured to parse the second communication frame.

[0108] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the fourth embodiment. Further details are not described herein.

[0109] For the technical effects resulting from the twelfth aspect and any possible implementations thereof, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects corresponding to the fourth aspect and the corresponding implementations thereof.

[0110] According to the thirteenth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the fifth aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the fifth aspect.

[0111] In a possible design, the device, A processing unit configured to generate a third communication frame, wherein the third communication frame includes third information and fifth information, the third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fifth information indicates the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP, and the processing unit The system includes a communication unit configured to transmit the third communication frame.

[0112] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the fifth aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0113] For the technical effects resulting from the 13th aspect and any possible implementation of the 13th aspect, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects corresponding to the 5th aspect and the corresponding implementation of the 5th aspect.

[0114] According to the fourteenth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the sixth aspect or one of the possible implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0115] In a possible design, the device, A communication unit configured to receive a third communication frame, wherein the third communication frame includes third information and fifth information, the third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fifth information indicates the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function TSF timer of the second AP, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP, and the communication unit The system includes a processing unit configured to parse the third communication frame.

[0116] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the sixth aspect. Further details are again not described herein.

[0117] For the technical effects resulting from the 14th aspect and any possible implementation of the 14th aspect, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects corresponding to the 6th aspect and the corresponding implementation of the 6th aspect.

[0118] According to the fifteenth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the seventh aspect or one of the possible implementations of the seventh aspect.

[0119] In a possible design, the device, A processing unit configured to generate a fourth communication frame, wherein the fourth communication frame includes sixth information, the sixth information represents 16 consecutive bits of the time synchronization function timer (TSF timer) of the first access point AP, the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, and the TSF timer of the first AP corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of the second AP, and the processing unit Includes a communication unit configured to transmit the fourth communication frame.

[0120] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the seventh aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0121] For the technical effects resulting from the 15th aspect and any possible implementations thereof, please refer to the descriptions of the 7th aspect and the corresponding technical effects for the corresponding implementations thereof.

[0122] According to the sixteenth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a module or unit configured to perform a method according to the eighth aspect or one of the possible implementations of the eighth aspect.

[0123] In a possible design, the device, A communication unit configured to receive a fourth communication frame, wherein the fourth communication frame contains sixth information, the sixth information represents 16 consecutive bits of a time synchronization function timer (TSF timer) of a first access point AP, the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, and the TSF timer of the first AP corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of the second AP, and the communication unit The system includes a processing unit configured to parse the fourth communication frame.

[0124] For the methods performed by the processing unit and the communication unit, please refer to the methods corresponding to the eighth aspect. Further details are again not described herein.

[0125] For the technical effects resulting from the 16th aspect and any possible implementations thereof, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects corresponding to the 8th aspect and the corresponding implementations thereof.

[0126] In a communication device, optionally, in any one of the 9th to 16th embodiments and any possible implementations of the 9th to 16th embodiments: In one embodiment, the communication device is a communication device. When the communication device is a communication device, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0127] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device, the communication unit may be a communication interface (input / output interface), interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pins, associated circuit, etc. on the chip (system) or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, etc.

[0128] According to the 17th aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor. The processor may be coupled to memory and configured to execute instructions in memory to implement a method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and any possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects. Optionally, the communication device further includes memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0129] According to the 18th aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The device includes a logic circuit and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive or transmit information. The logic circuit is configured to receive or transmit information via the communication interface to enable the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and any possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects.

[0130] According to the 19th aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program (which may also be called code or instructions). When the computer program is executed on a computer, a method according to the first to eighth aspects and any one of the possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects is implemented.

[0131] According to the 20th aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program (sometimes called code or instructions). When the computer program is executed, the computer becomes capable of performing methods according to any one of the first through eighth aspects and possible implementations of the first through eighth aspects.

[0132] According to the 21st aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a chip. The chip includes a processor. The processor is configured to execute instructions. When the processor executes instructions, the chip becomes capable of performing a method according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and any possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects. Optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface, which is configured to receive or transmit signals.

[0133] According to the 22nd aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes at least one of the following: a communication device according to the 9th aspect, a communication device according to the 10th aspect, a communication device according to the 11th aspect, a communication device according to the 12th aspect, a communication device according to the 13th aspect, a communication device according to the 14th aspect, a communication device according to the 15th aspect, a communication device according to the 16th aspect, a communication device according to the 17th aspect, a communication device according to the 18th aspect, or a chip according to the 21st aspect.

[0134] According to the 23rd aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is configured to perform a method according to the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspect, and the second communication device is configured to perform a method according to the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspect.

[0135] In addition, in a process of performing a method according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments and any possible implementations of the first to eighth embodiments, processes related to transmitting and / or receiving information in the method may be understood as processes that output information by the processor and / or processes that receive input information by the processor. When outputting information, the processor may output the information to a transceiver (or communication interface or transmitting module), thereby causing the transceiver to transmit the information. After the information is output by the processor, further processing may need to be performed on the information before it reaches the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver (or communication interface or transmitting module) receives the information and inputs it to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, further processing may need to be performed on the information before it reaches the processor.

[0136] Based on the aforementioned principles, for example, transmitting information in the manner described above can be understood as the processor outputting information. In another example, receiving information can be understood as the processor receiving input information.

[0137] Optionally, operations such as transmission, sending, and receiving associated with a processor may be more commonly understood as operations such as output, reception, and input of a processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless the operation contradicts the actual function or internal logic of the operation in the relevant description.

[0138] In a process of performing a method according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments and any possible implementations thereof, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to perform the method, or a processor that performs the method by executing computer instructions in memory, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory and processor may be integrated on the same chip or located on different chips. The type of memory, and the arrangement of the memory and processor, are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0139] In possible implementations, at least one memory location is outside the device.

[0140] In another possible implementation, at least one memory location is present within the device.

[0141] In yet another possible implementation, some of the memory modules are located inside the device, while others are located outside the device.

[0142] In this application, the processor and memory may, alternatively, be integrated into a single device. In other words, the processor and memory may, alternatively, be integrated together.

[0143] In this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be determined, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 can successfully acquire the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0144] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application are briefly described below. The accompanying drawings described below illustrate only a few embodiments of this application, and it will be apparent that those skilled in the art can derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative effort. [Figure 1a] This is a diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 1b] This is a diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 2a] This diagram illustrates communication between a multilink device and another device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2b] This diagram illustrates communication between a multilink device and another device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of the TU boundary according to the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of the frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram of the frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the structure of a chip according to one embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0145] To further clarify the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of this application, embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0146] Terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different subjects, but not to describe a particular order. In addition, terms such as “includes” and “has,” and any other variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but instead, at its discretion, may further include steps or units not listed, or at its discretion, may further include other steps or units specific to those processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0147] As used herein, “Embodiments” means that certain features, structures, or characteristics described in conjunction with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. Terms used in various parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they exclusive, independent, or optional embodiments from another embodiment. Those skilled in the art will understand, both explicitly and implicitly, that, unless otherwise specified or unless a logical inconsistency arises, the terminology and / or descriptions in the embodiments of this application are consistent, mutually referential, and that technical features in different embodiments can be combined on the basis of their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0148] In this application, “at least one (item)” means one or more, “multiple” means two or more, “at least two (items)” means two, three or more, and “and / or” is used to describe an relating relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, “A and / or B” could mean one of the following three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist, where A and B can be singular or plural. The letter “ / ” generally indicates an “or” relationship between related objects. “At least one of the following items (parts)” or a similar expression means any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items (parts). For example, at least one item (part) of a, b, or c may be a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be singular or plural.

[0149] In this application, “instruction” may include direct, indirect, explicit, and implicit instructions. When instructional information is described as indicating A, the instructional information may be understood as carrying A, directly indicating A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0150] In this application, information indicated by instruction information is referred to as information to be indicated. In a specific implementation process, there are methods for indicating information to be indicated. For example, these methods include, but are not limited to, methods in which the information to be indicated, e.g., the information to be indicated or an index of the information to be indicated, can be directly indicated. Alternatively, information to be indicated may be indicated indirectly by indicating other information, and there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated. Alternatively, only a portion of the information to be indicated may be indicated, and the other portion of the information to be indicated may be known or pre-agreed. For example, certain information may, alternatively, be indicated by using a pre-agreed (e.g., specified in a protocol) arrangement sequence of multiple pieces of information to reduce instruction overhead to some extent. The information to be indicated may be transmitted as a whole, or it may be divided into multiple sub-pieces for separate transmission. Furthermore, the transmission cycle and / or transmission opportunities of these sub-pieces may be the same or different. Specific transmission methods are not limited in this application. The transmission cycle and / or transmission opportunities for this sub-information may be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0151] Please note that in this application, "transmitting" may be understood as "outputting," and "receiving" may be understood as "inputting." In "transmitting information to A," "to A" only indicates the direction of information transmission, A is the destination, and "transmitting information to A" is not necessarily performed directly via an air interface. "Transmitting information to A" includes either directly transmitting information to A or indirectly transmitting information to A via a transmitter. Therefore, "transmitting information to A" can also be said to mean "outputting information addressed to A." Similarly, "receiving information from A" indicates that A is the source of the information and includes either directly receiving information from A or indirectly receiving information from A via a receiver. Therefore, "receiving information from A" can also be understood as "inputting information from A."

[0152] The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to WLAN systems, such as Wi-Fi. For example, the methods provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to IEEE 802.11 series protocols such as 802.11a / b / g protocols, 802.11n protocols, 802.11ac protocols, 802.11ax protocols, 802.11 protocols, or next-generation protocols. Examples are not listed one by one herein. The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application may further be applied to UWB technology-based wireless personal area networks (WPANs). For example, the methods provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as 802.15.4a protocols, 802.15.4z protocols, 802.15.4ab protocols, or next-generation UWB WPAN protocols. Examples are not listed one by one herein. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application may be further applied to the following communication systems, for example, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle to Everything (V2X) systems, and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, and may be applied to devices in the Internet of Things (IoT), such as devices in the Vehicle Internet, Internet of Things nodes, and sensors, as well as smart cameras, smart remote controls, and smart water meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities, or may be further applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems that may emerge in future communication developments.

[0153] WLAN systems can provide high-rate and low-latency transmission. As the application scenarios of WLAN constantly evolve, WLAN systems are being applied to more and more scenes or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Vehicle Internet industry, the banking industry, corporate offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital rooms, classrooms, shopping malls and supermarkets, squares, streets, production plants, warehouses, and more. Indeed, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (e.g., access points or stations) could include sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, or smart air sensing nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, or washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (e.g., wearable devices such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, loudspeakers, or speakers), Internet of Vehicle devices in the Internet of Vehicles, infrastructure in everyday life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, self-service navigation consoles, self-service cashiers, or self-service ordering machines in shopping malls or supermarkets), and devices in large-scale sports and music venues.

[0154] The embodiments of this application primarily use, for example, networks to which WLANs, particularly the IEEE 802.11 series standards apply, such as systems supporting Wi-Fi 7, which may also be called extremely high throughput (EHT), or systems supporting Wi-Fi 8, which may also be called ultra high reliability (UHR) or ultra high reliability and throughput (UHRT). However, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth® (Bluetooth), high performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard and mainly used in Europe), wide area networks (WANs), or other known or future-developed networks.

[0155] In possible implementations, the methods provided in the embodiments of this application may be applied to communication or sensing scenarios between access points (APs) and non-access point stations (non-AP STAs) in a WLAN or the like.

[0156] For example, an access point is a device having wireless communication capabilities that supports communication or sensing by using the WLAN protocol and has the ability to communicate or sense with other devices in the WLAN network (e.g., non-AP STAs or other access points), and of course, it may further have the ability to communicate or sense with other devices. Alternatively, an access point corresponds to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. The main function of an access point is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. In a WLAN system, an access point is sometimes called an access point station (AP STA). A device having wireless communication capabilities may be an entire device, or a chip, processing system, functional module, etc., installed in the entire device. A device on which a chip, processing system, or functional module is installed may implement the methods, functions, etc., of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip, processing system, or functional module. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs and may support the 802.11 series protocol or subsequent protocols, etc. For example, an access point may be an access point for a terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is primarily located in homes, buildings, and on campuses. Typical coverage radii range from tens of meters to over 100 meters. Of course, access points may also be located outdoors. In another example, an AP may be a communication entity, such as a communication server, router, switch, or bridge, or an AP may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc.

[0157] For example, a non-AP STA is a device having wireless communication capabilities that supports communication or sensing by using the WLAN protocol and has the ability to communicate or sense with another non-AP STA or access point in a WLAN network. For example, a non-AP STA is any user communication device that enables a user to communicate with an AP or sense an AP and then communicate with the WLAN. A device having wireless communication capabilities may be an entire device, or a chip, processing system, functional module, etc., installed in the entire device. A device on which a chip, processing system, or functional module is installed may implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip, processing system, or functional module. For example, a non-AP STA may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, a wireless communication terminal, etc., and may also be referred to as a user. In another example, a non-AP STA may be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication capabilities, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication capabilities, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication capabilities, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication capabilities, an intelligent wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication capabilities, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication capabilities, or a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication capabilities.

[0158] Figure 1a is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0159] As shown in Figure 1a, a communication system may include one or more access points (APs) and one or more non-AP STAs (non-AP STAs). Figure 1a shows two access points, such as AP 1 and AP 2, and two non-AP STAs, such as non-AP STA 1 and non-AP STA 2. It can be understood that one or more APs may communicate with one or more non-AP STAs. Of course, APs may communicate with each other, and non-AP STAs may communicate with each other.

[0160] In Figure 1a, an example is used where the non-AP STA is a mobile phone and the AP is a router, and it can be understood that this does not mean that the types of APs and non-AP STAs in this embodiment of the present application are limited. Also, Figure 1a shows only two APs and two non-AP STAs as examples. However, there may be more or fewer APs or non-AP STAs. This is not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0161] In another possible implementation, the method provided in this embodiment of the application may be applied to scenarios such as communication or sensing between multi-link devices (MLDs) within a WLAN.

[0162] A multilink device is a device that simultaneously includes multiple stations (such as APs or non-AP STAs) operating on different frequency bands or channels. A multilink device includes multiple affiliated stations. An affiliated station may be a physical station or a logical station. Each station may operate on one link, one frequency band, one channel, etc. An affiliated station may be an AP or a non-AP STA. For ease of explanation, in embodiments of this application, a multilink device whose affiliated station is an AP may be referred to as a multilink AP, multilink AP device, or AP multilink device (AP multi-link device, AP MLD). A multilink device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multilink STA, multilink STA device, or STA multilink device (STA multi-link device). Alternatively, a multilink device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multilink non-AP, multilink non-AP device, or non-AP multilink device (non-AP multi-link device, non-AP MLD). A multilink device (which may be a non-AP MLD or AP MLD as herein) may be a communication device having wireless communication capabilities. The communication device may be the entire device, or a chip, processing system, functional module, etc., installed on the entire device. A device on which a chip, processing system, or functional module is installed may carry out the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip, processing system, or functional module.

[0163] A multilink device implements wireless communication according to the 802.11 series protocol, for example, by complying with EHT, or complying with and based on 802.11 be, or being compatible with and supporting 802.11 be, and can implement communication with another device. Of course, the other device may or may not be a multilink device. Multiple links, for example, link 1, link 2, and link n shown in Figure 1b, are set up between one multilink device and another multilink device.

[0164] Figure 1b is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0165] As shown in Figure 1b, the AP MLD includes AP 1, AP 2, ..., and APn, and the non-AP MLD includes STA 1, STA 2, ..., and STAn. The AP MLD and non-AP MLD can perform parallel communication on links 1, 2, ..., and n. For example, STA 1 in the non-AP MLD sets up link 1 with AP 1 of the AP MLD, STA 2 in the non-AP MLD sets up link 2 with AP 2 of the AP MLD, STAn in the non-AP MLD sets up link n with APn of the AP MLD, and so on. Thus, the non-AP MLD and AP MLD can communicate with each other after the association relationships are set up. For example, the multilink device in the embodiments of this application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multilink device may be a device having more than two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multilink device is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0166] The frequency bands in which multilink devices operate may include, but are not limited to, sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high-frequency 60 GHz.

[0167] Figures 2a and 2b are two diagrams illustrating communication between a multilink device and another device on multiple links in a wireless local area network.

[0168] For example, Figure 2a shows a scenario in which AP MLD 101 communicates with non-AP MLD 102. AP MLD 101 includes series AP 101-1 and series AP 101-2. Non-AP MLD 102 includes series STA 102-1 and series STA 102-2. AP MLD 101 and non-AP MLD 102 perform parallel communication on link 1 and link 2.

[0169] For example, Figure 2b shows a scenario in which AP MLD 101 communicates with non-AP MLD 102, non-AP MLD 103, and STA 104. AP MLD 101 includes series AP 101-1 to series AP 101-3. Non-AP MLD 102 includes three associated STAs, namely STA 102-1, STA 102-2, and STA 102-3. Non-AP MLD 103 includes two associated STAs, namely STA 103-1 and STA 103-2. STA 104 is a single-link device and includes STA 104-1. AP MLD 101 may communicate separately with non-AP MLD 102 on links 1, 2, and 3, with non-AP MLD 103 on links 2 and 3, and with STA 104 on link 1. For example, STA 104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, while in non-AP MLD 103, STA 103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and STA 103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. In non-AP MLD 102, STA 102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, STA 102-2 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and STA 102-3 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. AP 101-1, operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band within AP MLD 101, can communicate uplink or downlink data with STA 104 and STA 102-1 in non-AP MLD 102 over link 1. AP 101-2, operating in the 5 GHz frequency band in AP MLD 101, can communicate uplink or downlink data over link 2 with STA 103-1, operating in the 5 GHz frequency band in non-AP MLD 102, and can also communicate uplink or downlink data over link 2 with STA 102-2, operating in the 5 GHz frequency band in non-AP MLD 103. AP 101-3, operating in the 6 GHz frequency band in AP MLD 101, can communicate uplink or downlink data over link 3 with STA 102-3, operating in the 6 GHz frequency band in non-AP MLD 102, and can also communicate uplink or downlink data over link 3 with STA 103-2 in non-AP MLD.

[0170] Note that Figure 2a shows that the AP MLD supports only two frequency bands, and Figure 2b shows an example where the AP MLD 101 supports only three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), with each frequency band corresponding to one link, and the AP MLD 101 can operate on one or more links, such as link 1, link 2, or link 3. In practical applications, AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs may further support more or fewer frequency bands, i.e., AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs may operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application. Figures 2a and 2b are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute any limitation to the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. For a description of the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers in multilink devices, it may be understood to refer to relevant standards, protocols, etc. Details are not shown one by one in the embodiments of this application.

[0171] This application provides a communication method applicable to the field of communication technology, for example, multi-AP cooperative low-latency communication. To more clearly explain the solution of this application, some knowledge related to multi-AP cooperative low-latency communication will first be explained below by referring to the above descriptions of AP, non-AP STA, AP MLD, and non-AP MLD.

[0172] Target Wake Time (TWT): TWT is a technology defined in Wi-Fi 6 for power saving. The core idea of ​​TWT is to set several periodic time intervals, during which some devices must remain active only during these intervals (TWT Service Period, TWT SP), and can sleep during other intervals to conserve power.

[0173] TWTs are classified into individual TWTs and broadcast TWTs. In individual TWTs, each STA can independently set up a TWT agreement with the AP. Therefore, each STA can have its own active time period and sleep time period. In broadcast TWTs, the AP can set up a common TWT agreement for a group of STAs, and multiple STAs operate during the same active time period and sleep during other time periods.

[0174] Individual TWTs: An individual TWT means that a TWT Requesting Station (STA, abbreviated as the Requesting Station) sends a TWT Request message to a TWT Responding Station (STA, abbreviated as the Responding Station) to request that a wake-up time be set. After receiving the TWT Request message, the Responding Station sends a TWT Response message to the Requesting Station. After the interaction is successful, a TWT agreement is set up between the Requesting Station and the Responding Station. After reaching a TWT agreement, both the Requesting Station and the Responding Station should remain active for the agreed period to send and receive data. Outside of that period, the stations may sleep to conserve power. Typically, the STA sends a TWT agreement setup request to the AP. Specifically, the STA is the Requesting Station and the AP is the Responding Station. Of course, the AP may, alternatively, initiate a TWT agreement setup request to the station. After the TWT agreement is set up, the agreed active time period is called the TWT service period (SP). Each TWT agreement may contain multiple equal-length TWT SPs that appear periodically.

[0175] Broadcast TWT: Unlike individual TWTs, broadcast TWTs provide a "batch management" mechanism. An AP can set up a series of TWT SPs that appear periodically with multiple STAs. During the service period, multiple STAs must remain active in order to communicate with the AP.

[0176] An AP may include information about one or more broadcast TWTs in a Beacon frame. Each piece of a broadcast TWT is represented by a broadcast TWT identifier and the AP's media access control (MAC) layer address. After receiving a beacon frame, if an STA intends to join a broadcast TWT, the STA may send a broadcast TWT setup request message to the AP to join the broadcast TWT. During broadcast TWT setup, the STA must specify a broadcast TWT identifier to request to join a particular part of the broadcast TWT. After joining a broadcast TWT, the STA may be woken up to communicate with the AP based on the service period indicated by the TWT parameter set. Note that if an STA supports a broadcast TWT but does not explicitly join a broadcast TWT ID, the STA will by default join a broadcast TWT with a broadcast TWT ID of 0.

[0177] Similar to individual TWTs, the broadcast TWT parameter set also specifies the interval at which TWT service periods appear and the duration of each TWT service period. In addition, the broadcast TWT parameters further include the broadcast TWT lifecycle. The lifecycle, measured in beacon frame intervals, indicates the duration of the setup broadcast TWT.

[0178] Low-Latency Communication: With the development of wireless networks and the continuous upgrade of WLAN technology, more and more application traffic is carried by Wi-Fi. Moreover, new mobile applications impose increasingly high requirements on the latency performance of WLANs. For example, applications such as wireless video, audio, games, and augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) have very high requirements for communication latency.

[0179] To meet the requirements of different types of traffic as much as possible, a WLAN needs to prioritize different services. For example, in the channel contention access process in a WLAN, each device has four different access categories, and transmission priority classification is implemented by using different contention parameters. Each access category may include two traffic identifiers (TIDs) to correspond to two different services. However, simply distinguishing contention parameters makes it difficult to ensure low latency and low latency jitter.

[0180] Since service data packets are typically generated periodically, and the service time defined by TWT also appears periodically, using TWT technology to provide low-latency services is a feasible idea.

[0181] Restricted Target Wake Time (RTWT): RTWT is a special type of broadcast TWT, and RTWT SPs defined within an RTWT are used to provide low-latency services.

[0182] An AP may include a TWT element (TWT IE) in the beacon frame to declare an RTWT SP. The value of the Broadcast TWT Recommendation field within the Request Type field in the TWT IE is set to 4 to indicate an RTWT.

[0183] After the AP declares RTWT in the beacon frame, the STA may send a request frame (e.g., a TWT setup frame) to the AP to request to join the RTWT and become a member of the RTWT in order to send low-latency services in the RTWT SP.

[0184] The following rules are established in the standard to ensure that the AP can acquire a channel through contention at the RTWT SP and perform low-latency service communication with the STA: (1) If the STA acquires a channel through contention and obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the RTWT SP arrives, the STA must terminate the TXOP before the AP's RTWT SP arrives. (2) If the STA backs off the backoff timer to 0 through channel contention before the RTWT SP arrives, the STA must determine whether it can complete one transmission before the RTWT SP arrives. If it cannot complete a transmission, it cannot start transmitting. The above rules are designed to ensure that the AP can successfully acquire a channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, in order to perform low-latency service communication at the RTWT SP.

[0185] Multi-AP Coordination: With the development of wireless networks and the widespread adoption of WLAN technology, WLAN devices are becoming increasingly densely packed. Because APs are easy to deploy, these increasingly dense APs also cause more inter-cell interference. How to reduce inter-cell interference through AP coordination and improve user service quality is a problem that needs to be considered in next-generation Wi-Fi technology.

[0186] In the case of RTWT, AP 1 may broadcast the RTWT information of an adjacent AP (e.g., AP 2), thereby ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2 by allowing the station associated with AP 1 to terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives.

[0187] In the TWT element, the Target Activation Time field indicates the arrival time of the first RTWT SP. The Target Activation Time field is 16 bits long and represents bits 11 through 26 of the current system time synchronization function (TSF), i.e., TSF[25:10] (bits 10 through 25 of the TSF). Note that the TSF is essentially 64 bits long and is a time value in microseconds (μs). The AP broadcasts the TSF value in the beacon frame. After receiving the TSF value, the STA updates the system time maintained locally by the STA to the TSF value, so that all STA times become the same as the AP time (i.e., time synchronized). Note that the time precision indicated by the Target Activation Time field is 1024 μs, and time is sometimes referred to as a time unit (TU). Therefore, the Target Activation Time field can only indicate the boundary of a TU.

[0188] However, since TSFs for different APs are selected independently, their TU boundaries may not be aligned. The following explanation, with reference to Figure 3, describes the case where TU boundaries are not aligned in multi-AP coordinated low-latency communication.

[0189] The AP in Figure 3 may be referred to as a single-link device or as an AP MLD in the foregoing description, and this is not limited to the present application.

[0190] Figure 3 shows a TU boundary according to one embodiment of this application.

[0191] As shown in Figure 3, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP is time t0, which is AP 2's TU boundary (e.g., the first TU boundary in Figure 3). Since AP 1's TU boundary is not aligned with AP 2's TU boundary, AP 1 cannot indicate time t0 by using the target start time field in AP 1's broadcast TWT element, and can only indicate the TU boundary to the left or right of time t0 (e.g., the second TU boundary in Figure 3). As a result, stations associated with AP 1 (non-AP STAs) may terminate TXOP at the wrong time and cannot guarantee that AP 2 will perform low-latency service communication in the RTWT SP.

[0192] With this in mind, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus such that a non-AP STA can accurately obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP, terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, and AP 2 can successfully acquire the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0193] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method is applicable to the field of communication technology, for example, multi-AP coordinated low-latency communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0194] S401: The first communication device generates the first communication frame.

[0195] S402: The first communication device transmits a first communication frame to the second communication device, and in response, the second communication device receives the first communication frame from the first communication device.

[0196] S403: The second communication device parses the first communication frame.

[0197] It can be understood that the first communication device in this embodiment of the present application is a device having a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions, or may be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the first communication device may be an access device, for example, an access point AP, specifically AP 1 in Figures 1a, 1b, and 3. The first communication device is configured to execute the communication method in this embodiment of the present application to accurately obtain the start time of the RTWT SP of another AP, thereby ensuring low-latency service communication of the other AP.

[0198] It can be understood that the second communication device in this embodiment of the present application is a device having a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions, or may be a processor / chip that can be configured to execute computer executable instructions. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the second communication device may be a handheld terminal (e.g., a mobile phone or tablet computer), or an in-vehicle terminal (e.g., a wireless terminal for autonomous driving), or specifically, the non-AP STA 1 in Figure 1a or STA 1 in Figure 1b, and is configured to participate in the execution of the communication method in this embodiment of the present application in order to accurately obtain the start time of the RTWT SP of another AP, thereby ensuring low-latency service communication of the other AP.

[0199] For the sake of clarity, the first communication device will also be referred to below as the first AP or AP 1, and the second communication device will also be referred to below as the first non-AP STA or non-AP STA 1. Further details will not be explained below.

[0200] The first communication frame includes the first information and the second information.

[0201] The first piece of information indicates the first time information corresponding to AP 1. Specifically, the first time information may be the TU boundary of AP 1, indicated based on the TSF timer of AP 1, for example, the second TU boundary of AP 1 in Figure 3. Here, the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer.

[0202] The second piece of information indicates the offset between the first and second piece of time information, where the second piece of time information is the start time of the RTWT SP of the second access point (AP 2), specifically, for example, time t0 in Figure 3 (i.e., the first TU boundary of AP 2 in Figure 3), and AP 2 is a different AP from AP 1. AP 2 in this specification may be an adjacent AP to AP 1, for example, AP 2 in Figures 1a, 1b, and 3.

[0203] Furthermore, the specific implementation of "the second communication device parsing the first communication frame" in step S403 may be as follows.

[0204] Non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 determines the first and second pieces of information based on the first communication frame, and then determines the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of AP 2 based on the first and second pieces of information. For details of the first and second pieces of information, see the description of the first communication frame. Further details are not described herein.

[0205] Referring to the explanation in Figure 3, it can be seen that in the current multi-AP (including but not limited to AP 1 and AP 2) coordinated low-latency communication scenario, the TSF timers of AP 1 and AP 2 are selected independently, so the TU boundaries of AP 1 and AP 2 may not be aligned. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 cannot correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and cannot terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 cannot successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0206] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP may be determined based on a first time information indicated by first information in the first communication frame and an offset between the first time information and the second time information indicated by second information in the first communication frame, and a non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, and as a result AP 2 successfully acquires the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0207] Furthermore, the following implementations may be included, but are not limited to, enabling the second piece of information to indicate the offset between the first and second piece of time information.

[0208] Example 1: The second information includes the first instruction information, which may be some or all of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP.

[0209] It can be understood that the time precision that can be indicated by the first instruction information varies depending on the number of bits included in the first instruction information.

[0210] For example, the first instruction information may include the TSF[9:0], TSF[9:1], TSF[9:2], etc., of the first AP, that is, the first to tenth bits of the first AP, or the second to tenth bits of the first AP, or the third to tenth bits of the first AP. When the first instruction information includes the TSF[9:0] of the first AP, the time precision that can be indicated by the first instruction information may be accurate to 1 μs. When the first instruction information includes the TSF[9:1] of the first AP, the time precision that can be indicated by the first instruction information may be accurate to 2 μs. When the first instruction information includes the TSF[9:2] of the first AP, the time precision that can be indicated by the first instruction information may be accurate to 4 μs.

[0211] In this implementation, the offset between the first time information (the TU boundary of the first AP) and the second time information (the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP) may be obtained based on the indication of the first instruction information, and furthermore, the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP may be determined based on the first information (the first time information, i.e., the TU boundary of the first AP) and the first instruction information (the offset between the first time information and the second time information), and the first non-AP STA associated with the first AP may terminate the TXOP before the RTWT SP of the second AP arrives. In this way, the second AP successfully acquires the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, guaranteeing low-latency service communication for the second AP.

[0212] The following describes in detail the possible locations for carrying the second piece of information.

[0213] It may be understood that the location for carrying the second information in this specification is the location for carrying the first instruction information contained in the second information. Possible locations for carrying the first instruction information instead of the second information will be described below.

[0214] The first instruction information may be carried within a TWT element in the first communication frame.

[0215] It can be understood that the fields within the TWT element are reused to carry the first instruction information, and as a result, the offset between the first time information and the second time information can be indicated, and the signaling overhead can be reduced to some extent.

[0216] Specifically, the TWT element within the first communication frame contains a broadcast TWT parameter set, and the first instruction information is carried in one or more of the following locations within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element: Position 1: The 5th byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set Position 2: Bits 4 through 8 in the Broadcast TWT Information field within the Broadcast TWT parameter set (positions B3 through B7) Position 3: The first field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set.

[0217] The following section will further describe possible locations for carrying the first instruction information, with reference to Figure 5.

[0218] Figure 5 is a diagram of a frame structure according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0219] Figure 5 is a diagram of the frame structure of a TWT element in a first communication frame. For a specific description of the frame structure of a TWT element, it may be understood that one should refer to the relevant standards or protocols. Details are not described one by one in this embodiment of the present application.

[0220] Position 1 corresponds to the position of dashed box 1 in Figure 5, i.e., the position of the current Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration field. Position 2 corresponds to the position of dashed box 2 in Figure 5, i.e., the position of the current Broadcast TWT ID field. Position 3 corresponds to the position of dashed box 3 in Figure 5. Optionally, the first field may be an existing field in the Broadcast TWT parameter set after the Broadcast TWT information field has been reused, or it may be a newly added field. The newly added field may be 1 or 2 bytes and is used to carry the first instruction information.

[0221] It can be understood that when there is sufficient idle field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the first instruction information may be carried at position 1 or position 2. When there is not sufficient idle field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the first instruction information may be carried at position 3. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0222] Implementation 2: The second piece of information includes the second instruction piece. The second instruction piece may be N bits, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to 10. In other words, the second instruction piece may be 10 bits, or less than 10 bits, the value of the second instruction piece is an integer in the range of 0 to 1023, and the N-bit value indicates the offset between the first time piece and the second time piece.

[0223] It can be understood that the possible locations for carrying the second instruction information are the same as the possible locations for carrying the second information in Example 1. Further details are again not described herein.

[0224] The second instruction information indicates the offset between the TU boundary of the first AP and the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP by using N bits, and it can be understood that the time precision that can be indicated by the second instruction information varies depending on the number of bits included in the second instruction information.

[0225] For example, when the second instruction information is represented using 10 bits, the time precision that can be indicated by the second instruction information is 1 μs. When the second instruction information is represented using 9 bits, the time precision that can be indicated by the second instruction information is 2 μs. When the second instruction information is represented using 8 bits, the time precision that can be indicated by the second instruction information is 4 μs.

[0226] In this implementation, it should be noted that the time indicated by the target activation time field in the RTWT parameter of the second AP carried within the TWT element is indicated based on the TSF timer of the first AP. When carrying the first instruction information, the first AP needs to convert the first TU boundary to the first time based on the TSF timer of the first AP, then determine the second TU boundary as the nearest TU boundary before the first time (which needs to be determined based on the TSF timer of the first AP), and indicate the second TU boundary as the second time, in which case the first instruction information is the difference between the second time and the first time, i.e., the value obtained by subtracting the second time from the first time. When carrying the first instruction information, the first AP must convert the first TU boundary to the first time based on the first AP's TSF timer, then determine the second TU boundary as the nearest TU boundary before the first time (which must be determined based on the first AP's TSF timer), and indicate the second TU boundary as the second time, in which case the first instruction information is the difference between the second time and the first time, i.e., the value obtained by subtracting the second time from the first time.

[0227] Optionally, the specific method by which the first AP obtains the second time information (i.e., the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP, e.g., time t0 in Figure 3, or the first TU boundary of AP 2 in Figure 3) is not limited in this embodiment. The first AP may receive a beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the second AP, read the second AP's RTW information from the beacon frame or probe response frame, and determine the second time information based on the second AP's RTW information. Since the time indicated by the TWT field in the second AP's TWT information and within the beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the second AP is indicated based on the second AP's TSF timer, it can be understood that the time needs to be further converted so that the time indicated by the TWT field is indicated based on the first AP's TSF timer. During the conversion, errors occur because the TU boundaries are not aligned, and the erroneous portion needs to be corrected by using the first instruction information.

[0228] According to this embodiment of the present application, the offset between the first time information (the TU boundary of the first AP) and the second time information (the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP) may be obtained based on the indication of the second instruction information, and furthermore, the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP may be determined based on the first information (the first time information, i.e., the TU boundary of the first AP) and the second instruction information (the offset between the first time information and the second time information), and the first non-AP STA associated with the first AP may terminate the TXOP before the RTWT SP of the second AP arrives. In this way, the second AP successfully acquires a channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for the second AP.

[0229] Implementations 1 and 2 are used merely as two possible illustrative examples of how the second information can indicate an offset between the first and second time information, and it should be understood that this does not constitute a limitation of this embodiment of the present application. Any embodiment obtained based on a supplement, appropriate modification, or combination of the above-described exemplary embodiment falls within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0230] In addition, optionally, the first communication frame further includes third instruction information.

[0231] Specifically, the third instruction information may be carried in a TWT element within the first communication frame to indicate that the TWT information of the second AP is present in the TWT element.

[0232] In this specification, the third reference information refers to the TWT information of a second AP present within the TWT element, and can be understood to specifically refer to the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP.

[0233] Since a TWT element can carry multiple broadcast TWT parameter sets, it can be understood that the third directive may indicate that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP, or alternatively, that some broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the second AP and some other broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the first AP.

[0234] Furthermore, the third instruction information may be carried at any one or more of the following locations within the TWT element:

[0235] (1) The third instruction information may be carried in the eighth bit (i.e., position B7) in the control field within the TWT element. In this case, the third instruction information indicates that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP.

[0236] (2) The third instruction information may be carried in the 16th bit (i.e., position B15) in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element. In this case, the third instruction information indicates that the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the TWT information of the second AP. Optionally, another broadcast TWT parameter set may carry the TWT information of the first AP or the TWT information of the second AP. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0237] Optionally, the first communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0238] When the first communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP receives a probe request frame sent by the first non-AP STA before generating the first communication frame.

[0239] In this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be determined based on the first and second information in the first communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0240] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the steps in this embodiment of the present application may be considered appropriate modifications or supplements to the embodiment in Figure 4. Alternatively, it can be understood that the communication method in this embodiment of the present application may be considered an independently operable embodiment. This is not limited to the present application. The communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applicable to the field of communication technology, for example, multi-AP coordinated low-latency communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0241] S601: The first communication device generates a second communication frame.

[0242] S602: The first communication device transmits a second communication frame to the second communication device, and in response, the second communication device receives a second communication frame from the first communication device.

[0243] S603: The second communication device parses the second communication frame.

[0244] It can be understood that the first and second communication devices in this embodiment of the present application correspond to the first and second communication devices in Figure 4. For further details, please refer to the description of the first and second communication devices in Figure 4. Further details are not described herein again.

[0245] For the sake of clarity, the first communication device will also be referred to below as the first AP or AP 1, and the second communication device will also be referred to below as the first non-AP STA or non-AP STA 1. Further details will not be explained below.

[0246] The second communication frame includes the third and fourth pieces of information.

[0247] The third piece of information indicates a third time information corresponding to the second AP (AP 2), which specifically may be the TU boundary of AP 2, for example, the first TU boundary of AP 2 in Figure 3, based on the TSF timer of AP 2. Here, the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer, and the third piece of information corresponds to the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2.

[0248] The fourth piece of information indicates some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2, or the offset or difference between the TSF timer of AP 2 and the TSF timer of AP 1. AP 2 and AP 1 are different APs. AP 2 as used herein may be an adjacent AP to AP 1, for example, AP 2 in Figures 1a, 1b, and 3.

[0249] When the fourth piece of information indicates a different number of bits for the TSF timer of AP 2, it can be understood that the time precision and time range that can be indicated by the fourth piece of information will be different.

[0250] For example, the fourth piece of information may be m consecutive bits of the TSF timer of the second AP, or it may be bits k through (k+m-1) of the TSF timer of the second AP, i.e., TSF[k+m-1:k]. When k=0 and m=64, the fourth piece of information is all the bits of the TSF timer of the second AP. When m<64, the fourth piece of information is a portion of the bits of the TSF timer of the second AP.

[0251] It can be understood that k is an integer from 0 to 63, m is an integer from 1 to 64, and the value of (k+m-1) is a positive integer less than or equal to 63. A smaller value of k indicates higher precision of the time represented by the target launch time field. As the precision of the time represented by the target launch time field improves, the time range that can be represented by the target launch time field is necessarily narrower.

[0252] In practical applications, k can be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc., but it should not be a larger number. This would lead to insufficient precision in the TSF timer, resulting in an incorrect determination of the TXOP time.

[0253] Furthermore, the specific implementation of "the second communication device parsing the second communication frame" in step S603 may be as follows.

[0254] Non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 determines third and fourth information based on the second communication frame, and then determines the start time of AP 2's limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) based on the third and fourth information. For details of the third and fourth information, see the description of the second communication frame. Further details are not described herein.

[0255] The following details possible locations for carrying the fourth piece of information.

[0256] The fourth piece of information may be carried within a TWT element in the second communication frame.

[0257] It can be understood that fields within the TWT element are reused to carry a fourth piece of information, which may include some or all of the bits of the second AP's TSF timer, or the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, thus reducing signaling overhead to some extent.

[0258] Specifically, the TWT element in the second communication frame contains the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the fourth information is carried in one or more of the following locations within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element: Position 1: The 5th byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set Position 2: Bits 4 through 8 in the Broadcast TWT Information field within the Broadcast TWT parameter set (positions B3 through B7) Position 3: The second field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set. Optionally, the second field may be an existing field after the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set has been reused, or it may be a newly added field. The newly added field may be 8 bytes and is used to carry the fourth piece of information.

[0259] It should be understood that the possible positions (positions 1, 2, and 3) for carrying the fourth type of information, which correspond to the positions in the frame structure of the TWT element shown in Figure 5, are the same as the possible positions (positions 1, 2, and 3) for carrying the first type of instruction information, which correspond to the positions in the frame structure of the TWT element shown in Figure 5. For further details, please refer to the relevant description of the possible positions for carrying the first type of instruction information. Further details are not provided herein.

[0260] It can be understood that the fourth information may be carried at position 1 or position 2 when the fourth information indicates a small number of bits (e.g., less than 13 bits) of the second AP's TSF timer and there is a sufficient idle field in the broadcast TWT parameter set. If the fourth information indicates a large number of bits (e.g., 13 bits or more, or even all bits of the second AP's TSF timer), the fourth information may be carried at position 3. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0261] In possible implementations, the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the second AP are the same as the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, where P is a positive integer less than 64.

[0262] If the fourth piece of information indicates a small number of bits (e.g., less than 13 bits) of the second AP's TSF timer, i.e., if the value of m is small, then an additional restriction must be added to the first AP's TSF timer and the second AP's TSF timer, and the P most significant bits of the second AP's TSF timer must be the same as the P most significant bits of the first AP's TSF timer, i.e., the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer must keep their most significant bits the same. In this case, P + m = 64 - k. This is the case where the fourth piece of information indicates some bits (i.e., m consecutive bits) of the second AP's TSF timer. For example, bits (k+m+1) through 64 of the TSF timer of the second AP are always the same as bits (k+m+1) through 64 of the TSF timer of the first AP; that is, the TSF[63:k+m] of the second AP and the TSF[63:k+m] of the first AP are always the same. In this case, the first non-AP STA may obtain most of the bits of the second AP's TSF timer (i.e., the second AP's TSF[63:k]) based on the most significant bit of the first AP's TSF timer (i.e., the first AP's TSF[63:k]) and the lesser of the second AP's TSF timer (i.e., the second AP's TSF[k+m-1:k]), and as a result, the first non-AP STA can determine the time indicated by the TWT field in the second AP's RTWT parameter, i.e., the start time of the second AP's RTWT SP, based on the second AP's TU boundary and the bits of the second AP's TSF timer.

[0263] Referring to the explanation in Figure 3, it can be seen that in the current multi-AP (including but not limited to AP 1 and AP 2) coordinated low-latency communication scenario, the TSF timers of AP 1 and AP 2 are selected independently, so the TU boundaries of AP 1 and AP 2 may not be aligned. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 cannot correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and cannot terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 cannot successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0264] However, in this embodiment of the present application, some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2 may be obtained directly or indirectly based on the indication of the fourth information, and the start time of the TSF timer of AP 2 may be determined based on the third time information indicated by the third information in the second communication frame, i.e., based on the TU boundary of AP 2 indicated by the TSF timer of AP 2 and some or all of the bits of the TSF timer of AP 2 indicated directly or indirectly by the fourth information in the second communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate the TXOP before the RTW SP of AP 2 arrives, and as a result AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTW SP starts, ensuring low latency service communication for AP 2.

[0265] In addition, optionally, the second communication frame may further include third instruction information.

[0266] Specifically, the third instruction information may be carried in a TWT element within the second communication frame to indicate that the TWT information of the second AP is present in the TWT element.

[0267] The third indication information in this specification indicates the TWT information of the second AP existing within the TWT element, and specifically, it can be understood that it refers to the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP.

[0268] Since the TWT element can carry a plurality of broadcast TWT parameter sets, the third indication information can indicate that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP, or alternatively, the third indication information can indicate that some broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the second AP and some other broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the first AP. This can be understood.

[0269] Furthermore, the third indication information can be carried at any one or more of the following positions within the TWT element.

[0270] (1) The third indication information can be carried at the 8th bit (i.e., the position of B7) within the control field in the TWT element. In this case, the third indication information indicates that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP.

[0271] (2) The third indication information can be carried at the 16th bit (i.e., the position of B15) within the request type field in the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element. In this case, the third indication information indicates that the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the TWT information of the second AP. Optionally, another broadcast TWT parameter set can carry the TWT information of the first AP or can carry the TWT information of the second AP. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0272] Optionally, the second communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0273] When the second communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP receives a probe request frame sent by the first non-AP STA before generating the second communication frame.

[0274] In this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be determined based on the third and fourth information in the second communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0275] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the steps in this embodiment of the present application may be considered as appropriate modifications or additions to the embodiments in Figure 4 or Figure 6. Alternatively, it can be understood that the communication method in this embodiment of the present application may be considered as an independently operable embodiment. This is not limited to the present application. The communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applicable to the field of communication technology, for example, multi-AP coordinated low-latency communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0276] S701: The first communication device generates the third communication frame.

[0277] S702: The first communication device transmits the third communication frame to the second communication device, and in response, the second communication device receives the third communication frame from the first communication device.

[0278] S703: The second communication device parses the third communication frame.

[0279] It can be understood that the first and second communication devices in this embodiment of the present application correspond to the first and second communication devices in Figure 4. For further details, please refer to the description of the first and second communication devices in Figure 4. Further details are not described herein again.

[0280] For the sake of clarity, the first communication device will also be referred to as the first AP or AP 1, and the second communication device will also be referred to as the first non-AP STA or non-AP STA 1. Further details will not be explained below.

[0281] The third communication frame includes the third information and the fifth information.

[0282] The third piece of information indicates a third time information corresponding to the second AP (AP 2), which specifically may be the TU boundary of AP 2, for example, the first TU boundary of AP 2 in Figure 3, based on the TSF timer of AP 2. Here, the TU boundary refers to bits 11 through 26 of the TSF timer, and the third piece of information corresponds to the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2.

[0283] The fifth piece of information indicates the identifier of AP 2, and there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of AP 2 and the TSF timer of AP 2, and AP 2 is a different AP from AP 1. In this specification, AP 2 may be an adjacent AP of AP 1, for example, AP 2 in Figures 1a, 1b, and 3.

[0284] It can be understood that some or all of the bits of the AP 2 TSF timer that are mapped to the AP 2 identifier can be found by using the AP 2 identifier as an index.

[0285] Furthermore, the specific implementation of "the second communication device parsing the third communication frame" in step S703 may be as follows.

[0286] Non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 determines the third and fifth pieces of information based on the third communication frame, and then determines the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of AP 2 based on the third and fifth pieces of information. For details of the third and fifth pieces of information, please refer to the description of the third communication frame. Further details are not described herein.

[0287] The following describes in detail the possible locations for carrying the fifth piece of information.

[0288] The fifth piece of information may be carried within a TWT element in the third communication frame.

[0289] It can be understood that the fields within the TWT element are reused to carry the fifth piece of information, and as a result, the TSF timer of the second AP can be obtained indirectly by indicating the identifier of the second AP, and the signaling overhead can be reduced to some extent.

[0290] Specifically, the TWT element within the third communication frame contains the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the fifth information is carried in one or more of the following locations within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element: Position 1: The 5th byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set Position 2: Bits 4 through 8 in the Broadcast TWT Information field within the Broadcast TWT parameter set (positions B3 through B7).

[0291] It is for carrying the fifth piece of information, and it should be understood that the possible positions (position 1 and position 2) corresponding to the positions in the frame structure of the TWT element shown in FIG. 5, which are for carrying the first piece of indication information, are the same as the possible positions (position 1 and position 2) corresponding to the positions in the frame structure of the TWT element shown in FIG. 5. For details, refer to the related description of the possible positions for carrying the first piece of indication information. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0292] Optionally, the information regarding the mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the TSF timer of the second AP may be carried in a field other than the TWT element in the third communication frame, or may be carried in a communication frame different from the third communication frame and carried in a newly defined information element.

[0293] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0294] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the frame structure of a mapping relationship element in the third communication frame or a communication frame different from the third communication frame.

[0295] It can be seen that the mapping relationship element carries one or more identifiers of one or more APs and one or more TSF timers corresponding to the one or more identifiers of one or more APs.

[0296] It can be understood that when the identifier of the second AP is used as an index, based on the mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the TSF timer of the second AP, a part or all of the bits of the TSF timer of the second AP mapped to the identifier of the second AP can be found.

[0297] Referring to the explanation in Figure 3, it can be seen that in the current multi-AP (including but not limited to AP 1 and AP 2) coordinated low-latency communication scenario, the TSF timers of AP 1 and AP 2 are selected independently, so the TU boundaries of AP 1 and AP 2 may not be aligned. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 cannot correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and cannot terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 cannot successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0298] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the TSF timer of AP 2 may be indirectly acquired based on the indication of the fifth information, and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP may be determined based on the third time information indicated by the third information in the third communication frame, i.e., the TU boundary of AP 2 indicated based on AP 2's TSF timer, and AP 2's TSF timer indicated indirectly by the fifth information in the third communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 may terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, and as a result AP 2 successfully acquires the channel via contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0299] In addition, optionally, the third communication frame may further include third instruction information.

[0300] Specifically, the third instruction information may be carried within a TWT element in the third communication frame, indicating that the TWT information of the second AP is present within the TWT element.

[0301] In this specification, the third reference information refers to the TWT information of a second AP present within the TWT element, and can be understood to specifically refer to the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP.

[0302] Since a TWT element can carry multiple broadcast TWT parameter sets, it can be understood that the third directive may indicate that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP, or alternatively, that some broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the second AP and some other broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the first AP.

[0303] Furthermore, the third instruction information may be carried at any one or more of the following locations within the TWT element:

[0304] (1) The third instruction information may be carried in the eighth bit (i.e., position B7) in the control field within the TWT element. In this case, the third instruction information indicates that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP.

[0305] (2) The third instruction information may be carried in the 16th bit (i.e., position B15) in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element. In this case, the third instruction information indicates that the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the TWT information of the second AP. Optionally, another broadcast TWT parameter set may carry the TWT information of the first AP or the TWT information of the second AP. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0306] Optionally, the third communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0307] When the third communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP receives a probe request frame sent by the first non-AP STA before generating the third communication frame.

[0308] In this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be determined based on the third and fifth information in the third communication frame, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0309] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that the steps in this embodiment of the present application may be considered appropriate modifications or supplements to the embodiments in Figures 4, 6, or 7. Alternatively, it can be understood that the communication method in this embodiment of the present application may be considered an independently operable embodiment. This is not limited to the present application. The communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applicable to the field of communication technology, for example, multi-AP coordinated low-latency communication. The communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0310] S901: The first communication device generates the fourth communication frame.

[0311] S902: The first communication device transmits the fourth communication frame to the second communication device, and in response, the second communication device receives the fourth communication frame from the first communication device.

[0312] S903: The second communication device parses the fourth communication frame.

[0313] It can be understood that the first and second communication devices in this embodiment of the present application correspond to the first and second communication devices in Figure 4. For further details, please refer to the description of the first and second communication devices in Figure 4. Further details are not described herein again.

[0314] For the sake of clarity, the first communication device will also be referred to as the first AP or AP 1, and the second communication device will also be referred to as the first non-AP STA or non-AP STA 1. Further details will not be explained below.

[0315] The fourth communication frame contains the sixth piece of information.

[0316] The sixth piece of information indicates 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1, the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of AP 1, the TSF timer of AP 1 corresponds to the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2, and AP 2 and AP 1 are different APs. AP 2 in this specification may be an adjacent AP of AP 1, for example, AP 2 in Figures 1a, 1b, and 3.

[0317] It can be understood that the sixth piece of information may include 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1. In this case, the sixth piece of information directly indicates 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1. Alternatively, the sixth piece of information may include index information that indirectly indicates 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0318] It can be understood that the 16 consecutive bits indicated by the sixth piece of information correspond to different positions within the TSF timer of AP 1, and that the time precision indicated by the sixth piece of information may also be different. However, the principle of this embodiment of the present application is to change the time precision indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 by changing the positions within the TSF timer of AP 1 that correspond to the 16 consecutive bits indicated by the sixth piece of information, so that the time indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 can be very close to the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2.

[0319] For example, the sixth piece of information could be bits k through (k+15) of the TSF timer of the first AP, i.e., TSF[k+15:k], where k is an integer from 0 to 9.

[0320] When k=0, the time precision indicated by the target startup time field can reach 1μs, and therefore the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be accurately indicated. When k=1, the time precision indicated by the target startup time field can reach 2μs, and therefore there is a maximum error of 1μs between the indicated time and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP. When k=2, the time precision indicated by the target startup time field can reach 4μs, and therefore there is a maximum error of 3μs between the indicated time and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP. When k=3, the time precision indicated by the target startup time field can reach 8μs, and therefore there is a maximum error of 7μs between the indicated time and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP. When k=4, the time precision indicated by the target startup time field can reach 16μs, and therefore there is a maximum error of 15μs between the indicated time and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP. When k=5, the time accuracy indicated by the target startup time field can reach 32μs, and therefore there is a maximum error of 31μs between the indicated time and the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP.

[0321] If the error is below a certain value (e.g., less than 31 μs), it can be understood that even if the station terminates the TXOP prematurely, the station may not be able to reacquire the channel through contention within the acceptable time frame. Therefore, the low-latency service transmission of the second AP in the RTWT SP is unaffected.

[0322] As the precision of the time indicated by the target activation time field is improved, the time range that can be represented by the target activation time field is inevitably narrowed. When k=0, the duration that can be represented by the target activation time field reaches 65535 μs. When k=5, the target activation time field can still represent 2047 TU, and the impact is small.

[0323] Furthermore, the specific implementation of "the second communication device parsing the fourth communication frame" in step S903 may be as follows.

[0324] Non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 determines sixth information based on the fourth communication frame, and then determines the start time of AP 2's limited target startup time service period RTWT SP based on the sixth information. For details of the sixth information, see the description of the fourth communication frame. Further details are not described herein.

[0325] The following describes in detail the possible locations for carrying the sixth piece of information.

[0326] The sixth piece of information may be carried within the TWT element in the fourth communication frame. Correspondingly, the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element carries the RTWT information of the second AP.

[0327] It can be understood that the fields within the TWT element are reused to carry a sixth piece of information, and as a result, 16 consecutive bits of the TSF timer of AP 1 can be represented, and signaling overhead can be reduced to some extent.

[0328] Optionally, when the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the RTWT information for the first AP, it may be specified that the least significant bit of the target startup time field corresponds to the 11th bit of the TSF timer. When the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the RTWT information for the second AP, the least significant bit of the target startup time field corresponds to the (k+1)th bit of the TSF timer.

[0329] Optionally, the fourth communication frame may further contain seventh information.

[0330] The seventh piece of information, with its different value, resides within the TSF timer of the first AP and may represent the bit corresponding to the least significant bit among 16 consecutive bits.

[0331] It can be understood that the seventh piece of information may include index information indicating the correspondence between the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits and a bit in the TSF timer of the first AP. In this way, the bit in the TSF timer of the first AP that corresponds to the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits is indicated.

[0332] Based on the correspondence between the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits indicated by the seventh piece of information and the bits in the TSF timer of the first AP, it can be understood that a trade-off between the time precision and time range indicated by the seventh piece of information may be performed to obtain a more accurate start time for AP 2's RTWT SP. For example, if the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP is in the distant future, a larger value of k may be used to obtain lower time precision and a larger time range. If the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP is in the near future, a smaller value of k may be used to obtain a smaller time range and higher time precision.

[0333] Optionally, the fourth communication frame may further contain eighth pieces of information.

[0334] The eighth piece of information indicates whether the time indicated by the TWT field is based on the TSF timer of the first AP or the TSF timer of the second AP. In this way, the times indicated in different cases can be taken into account, and a more accurate start time for the RTWT SP of AP 2 can be obtained.

[0335] Referring to the explanation in Figure 3, it can be seen that in the current multi-AP (including but not limited to AP 1 and AP 2) coordinated low-latency communication scenario, the TSF timers of AP 1 and AP 2 are selected independently, so the TU boundaries of AP 1 and AP 2 may not be aligned. As a result, non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 cannot correctly obtain the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP while communicating with AP 1, and cannot terminate the TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. Consequently, AP 2 cannot successfully obtain the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, and low-latency service communication for AP 2 cannot be guaranteed.

[0336] However, in this embodiment of the present application, the time accuracy indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 can be changed by changing the position of 16 consecutive bits located within the TSF timer of AP 1 and indicated by the sixth piece of information, so that the time indicated by the TSF timer of AP 1 becomes very close to the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2, so that the start time of the RTWT SP of AP 2 can be determined, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate the TXOP before the RTWT SP of AP 2 arrives. In this way, AP 2 succeeds in acquiring the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0337] In addition, optionally, the fourth communication frame may further include the third instruction information.

[0338] Specifically, the third instruction information may be carried within a TWT element in the fourth communication frame, indicating that the TWT information of the second AP is present within the TWT element.

[0339] In this specification, the third reference information refers to the TWT information of a second AP present within the TWT element, and can be understood to specifically refer to the start time of the RTWT SP of the second AP.

[0340] Since a TWT element can carry multiple broadcast TWT parameter sets, it can be understood that the third directive may indicate that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP, or alternatively, that some broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the second AP and some other broadcast TWT parameter sets carry the TWT information of the first AP.

[0341] Furthermore, the third instruction information may be carried at any one or more of the following locations within the TWT element:

[0342] (1) The third instruction information may be carried in the eighth bit (i.e., position B7) in the control field within the TWT element. In this case, the third instruction information indicates that the TWT element carries only the TWT information of the second AP.

[0343] (2) The third instruction information may be carried in the 16th bit (i.e., position B15) in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set in the TWT element. In this case, the third instruction information indicates that the broadcast TWT parameter set carries the TWT information of the second AP. Optionally, another broadcast TWT parameter set may carry the TWT information of the first AP or the TWT information of the second AP. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0344] Optionally, the fourth communication frame may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0345] When the fourth communication frame is a probe response frame, the first AP receives a probe request frame sent by the first non-AP STA before generating the fourth communication frame.

[0346] In this embodiment of the present application, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be determined based on sixth information in the fourth communication frame, and non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives, so that AP 2 successfully acquires the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0347] In the embodiments shown in this application, “field” is used as an illustrative example and should be understood as not being particularly distinguished from “subfield,” etc. Although “field” and “subfield” are not particularly distinguished in the embodiments shown in this application, those skilled in the art may adaptively distinguish the relationships between fields (or elements and fields) shown in this application.

[0348] The above details the methods in embodiments of this application. Below, we provide an apparatus for carrying out one of the methods in embodiments of this application. For example, we provide an apparatus that includes a unit (or means) for implementing the steps performed by a device in one of the aforementioned methods.

[0349] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0350] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 100 may include a communication unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002. The communication unit 1001 and the processing unit 1002 may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0351] The communication unit 1001 may implement a transmit function and / or a receive function, and the communication unit 1001 may also be described as a transceiver unit. Alternatively, the communication unit 1001 may be a unit that integrates an acquisition unit and a transmit unit. The acquisition unit is configured to perform the receive function, and the transmit unit is configured to perform the transmit function. Optionally, the communication unit 1001 may be configured to receive information transmitted by another device, and may be further configured to transmit information to another device.

[0352] In possible designs, the communication device 100 may correspond to the first communication device in embodiments of the method shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. For example, the communication device 100 may be the first communication device or a chip within the first communication device. The communication device 100 may include units configured to perform operations performed by the first communication device in embodiments of the method shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. In addition, each unit within the communication device 100 is for implementing operations performed by the first communication device in embodiments of the method shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. Each unit is described below.

[0353] The processing unit 1002 is configured to generate a first communication frame, the first communication frame containing first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating the offset between the first time information and the second time information, the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP of the second AP. The communication unit 1001 is configured to transmit a first communication frame.

[0354] or, The processing unit 1002 is configured to generate a second communication frame, the second communication frame containing third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicating the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP. The communication unit 1001 is configured to transmit a second communication frame.

[0355] or, The processing unit 1002 is configured to generate a third communication frame, the third communication frame containing third information and fifth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fifth information indicating the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP. The communication unit 1001 is configured to transmit a third communication frame.

[0356] or, The processing unit 1002 is configured to generate a fourth communication frame, the fourth communication frame containing sixth information, the sixth information representing 16 consecutive bits of the time synchronization function timer (TSF timer) of the first access point AP, the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of the second AP. The communication unit 1001 is configured to transmit a fourth communication frame.

[0357] For the methods performed by the processing unit 1002 and the communication unit 1001, please refer to the methods corresponding to Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. Further details are not described herein.

[0358] For the technical effects of this design and any possible implementations, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects of the methods corresponding to Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9.

[0359] In another possible design of the communication device 100 shown in Figure 10, the communication device 100 may correspond to the second communication device in embodiments of the methods shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. For example, the communication device 100 may be the second communication device, or it may be a chip within the second communication device. The communication device 100 may include units configured to perform the operations performed by the second communication device in embodiments of the methods shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. In addition, each unit within the communication device 100 is for implementing the operations performed by the second communication device in embodiments of the methods shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. Each unit is described below.

[0360] The communication unit 1001 is configured to receive a first communication frame, the first communication frame containing first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP of the second AP. The processing unit 1002 is configured to parse the first communication frame.

[0361] or, The communication unit 1001 is configured to receive a second communication frame, the second communication frame containing third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicating the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP. The processing unit 1002 is configured to parse the second communication frame.

[0362] or, The communication unit 1001 is configured to receive a third communication frame, the third communication frame containing third information and fifth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fifth information indicating the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period SP of the second AP. The processing unit 1002 is configured to parse the third communication frame.

[0363] or, The communication unit 1001 is configured to receive a fourth communication frame, the fourth communication frame containing sixth information, the sixth information representing 16 consecutive bits of the time synchronization function timer (TSF timer) of the first access point AP, the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT SP) of the second AP. The processing unit 1002 is configured to parse the fourth communication frame.

[0364] For the methods performed by the processing unit 1002 and the communication unit 1001, please refer to the methods corresponding to Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. Further details are not described herein.

[0365] For the technical effects of this design and any possible implementations, please refer to the descriptions of the technical effects of the methods corresponding to Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9.

[0366] Optionally, in a communication device based on one of the aforementioned designs and one of the possible implementations: In one embodiment, the communication device is a communication device. When the communication device is a communication device, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0367] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip (system) or circuit used in a communication device, the communication unit may be a communication interface (input / output interface), interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pins, associated circuit, etc. on the chip (system) or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, etc.

[0368] According to this embodiment of the present application, the units of the apparatus shown in Figure 10 may be separate, or all of them may be combined with one or more other units, or one or more units of the apparatus may be further divided into multiple units having more detailed functions. This can implement the same operation without affecting the implementation of the technical effects of this embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned units are obtained through division based on logical functions. In practical applications, the function of one unit may be implemented by multiple units, or the function of multiple units may be implemented by one unit. In other embodiments of the present application, the electronic device may alternatively include other units. In practical applications, the function may alternatively be implemented with the support of other units, or it may be implemented in cooperation with multiple units.

[0369] Please note that for the implementation of the unit, please refer to the corresponding descriptions of the embodiments of the method shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9.

[0370] In the communication device 100 shown in Figure 10, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be determined, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. As a result, AP 2 successfully acquires the channel by contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0371] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0372] It should be understood that the communication device 110 shown in Figure 11 is merely an example. The communication device in this embodiment of the present application may further include other components, or components having functions similar to those of each component in Figure 11, or it is not necessarily required to include all of the components in Figure 11.

[0373] The communication device 110 includes a communication interface 1101 and at least one processor 1102.

[0374] The communication device 110 may correspond to any node or device in the first and second communication devices. The communication interface 1101 is configured to receive and transmit signals, and at least one processor 1102 executes program instructions to enable the communication device 110 to perform the corresponding steps of the method performed by the corresponding device in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0375] In possible designs, the communication device 110 may correspond to the first communication device in embodiments of the method shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. For example, the communication device 110 may be the first communication device or a chip within the first communication device. The communication device 110 may include components configured to perform operations performed by the first communication device in embodiments of the method. In addition, each component within the communication device 110 is for implementing operations performed by the first communication device in embodiments of the method. Further details will be provided later.

[0376] The processor 1102 is configured to generate a first communication frame, the first communication frame comprising first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP of the second AP. The communication interface 1101 is configured to transmit a first communication frame.

[0377] or, The processor 1102 is configured to generate a second communication frame, the second communication frame containing third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicating the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period RTWT SP. The communication interface 1101 is configured to transmit a second communication frame.

[0378] or, The processor 1102 is configured to generate a third communication frame, the third communication frame containing third information and fifth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fifth information indicating the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period RTWT SP. The communication interface 1101 is configured to transmit a third communication frame.

[0379] or, The processor 1102 is configured to generate a fourth communication frame, the fourth communication frame containing sixth information, the sixth information representing 16 consecutive bits of the first access point AP's time synchronization function timer (TSF timer), the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the first AP's TSF timer, the first AP's TSF timer corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP. The communication interface 1101 is configured to transmit the fourth communication frame.

[0380] In another possible design, the communication device 110 may correspond to the second communication device in the embodiments of the method shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. For example, the communication device 110 may be the second communication device, or a chip within the second communication device. The communication device 110 may include components configured to perform the operations performed by the second communication device in the embodiments of the method. In addition, each component within the communication device 110 is for implementing the operations performed by the second communication device in the embodiments of the method. Further details will be provided later.

[0381] The communication interface 1101 is configured to receive a first communication frame, the first communication frame containing first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating the offset between the first time information and the second time information, the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP of the second AP. The processor 1102 is configured to parse the first communication frame.

[0382] or, The communication interface 1101 is configured to receive a second communication frame, the second communication frame containing third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicating the offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP. The processor 1102 is configured to parse the second communication frame.

[0383] or, The communication interface 1101 is configured to receive a third communication frame, the third communication frame containing third information and fifth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fifth information indicating the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of the second AP, and The processor 1102 is configured to parse the third communication frame.

[0384] or, The communication interface 1101 is configured to receive a fourth communication frame, which contains sixth information, the sixth information representing 16 consecutive bits of the first access point AP's time synchronization function timer (TSF timer), the least significant bit of which is one of the 10 least significant bits of the first AP's TSF timer, the first AP's TSF timer corresponding to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP. The processor 1102 is configured to parse the fourth communication frame.

[0385] In the communication device 110 shown in Figure 11, the start time of AP 2's RTWT SP can be determined, and the non-AP STA 1 associated with AP 1 can terminate TXOP before AP 2's RTWT SP arrives. As a result, AP 2 successfully acquires the channel through contention when the RTWT SP starts, ensuring low-latency service communication for AP 2.

[0386] If the communication device may be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the diagram of the chip structure shown as Figure 12.

[0387] As shown in Figure 12, the chip 120 includes a processor 1201 and an interface 1202. There may be one or more processors 1201 and multiple interfaces 1202. Note that the corresponding functions of the processor 1201 and interface 1202 may be implemented by using hardware design, by using software design, or by a combination of software and hardware. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0388] Optionally, the chip 120 may further include a memory 1203, which is configured to store necessary program instructions and data.

[0389] In this application, the processor 1201 may be configured to call a program from memory 1203 for implementing a communication method provided in one or more embodiments of this application on one or more devices or nodes in the first and second communication devices, and to execute instructions contained in the program. The interface 1202 may be configured to output the execution results of the processor 1201. In this application, the interface 1202 may be particularly configured to output each message or piece of information from the processor 1201.

[0390] For communication methods provided in one or more embodiments of this application, please refer to the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9. Further details are not described herein.

[0391] The processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or it may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0392] The memory in embodiments of the present invention is configured to provide a storage space, which can store data such as an operating system and computer programs. The memory includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).

[0393] According to the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, embodiments of this application further provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed on one or more processors, the methods shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9 can be implemented.

[0394] According to the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed on a processor, the methods shown in Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9 can be carried out.

[0395] One embodiment of this application further provides a system, which includes at least one of communication devices 100, 110, or 120, and is configured to perform steps performed by the corresponding devices in any one of the embodiments of Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9.

[0396] One embodiment of the present application further provides a system comprising a first communication device (e.g., a first AP or AP 1) and a second communication device (e.g., a first non-AP STA or non-AP STA 1), wherein the first communication device is configured to perform steps performed by the first communication device in any one of the embodiments of Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9, and the second communication device is configured to perform steps performed by the second communication device in any one of the embodiments of Figures 4, 6, 7, and 9.

[0397] One embodiment of this application further provides a processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to perform a method in any one of the embodiments of the method.

[0398] It should be understood that the processing unit may be a chip. For example, the processing unit may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, a system on a chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or another integrated chip. It may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc. The steps in the methods disclosed with reference to embodiments of this application may be performed and completed directly by a hardware decoding processor, or by using a combination of hardware and software modules within the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers.The storage medium is placed in memory, the processor reads the information from memory, and, in combination with the processor's hardware, completes the steps in the method described above.

[0399] It can be understood that the memory in this embodiment of the present application may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. For example, many forms of RAM may be used, but are not limited to, static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM). Note that the memory of the systems and methods described herein includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable type of memory.

[0400] All or part of the embodiments described above may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded onto a computer and executed, all or part of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device that integrates one or more available media, such as a server or data center. The usable media may include magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disk drives, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), and semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0401] The units in the aforementioned embodiments of the apparatus correspond perfectly to the electronic devices in the embodiments of the method, and the corresponding modules or units perform the corresponding steps. For example, a communication unit (transceiver) performs the receiving or transmitting step in the embodiments of the method, and steps other than the transmitting and receiving steps may be performed by a processing unit (processor). For the functions of a particular unit, please refer to the corresponding embodiments of the method. One or more processors may be present.

[0402] In embodiments of this application, it can be understood that an electronic device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or actions are merely examples. Other actions or various variations of actions may be performed in embodiments of this application. In addition, the steps may be performed in an order different from the order presented in embodiments of this application, and not all actions in embodiments of this application may be performed.

[0403] Those skilled in the art will recognize, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, that units and algorithmic steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0404] For the sake of convenient and concise explanation, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that detailed operating processes of the aforementioned systems, apparatus, and units should be referred to by the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the methods described above. Further details are not described herein.

[0405] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the apparatus described are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division. Other division methods may exist in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or described may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented electronically, mechanically, or in other forms.

[0406] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0407] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0408] When a function is implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or in part with respect to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, may be implemented in the form of a software product. A computer software product is stored on a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, removable hard disk, read-only memory ROM, random access memory RAM, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0409] The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications or substitutions that are readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the art disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method of communication, The method involves generating a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame includes first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, and the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of the second AP. A communication method comprising transmitting the first communication frame.

2. A method of communication, Receiving a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame includes first information and second information, the first information indicating first time information corresponding to a first access point AP, the second information indicating an offset between the first time information and the second time information, and the second time information being the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of the second AP, A communication method comprising parsing the first communication frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second information includes first instruction information, the first instruction information includes M bits of the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the first AP, the TSF timer of the first AP corresponds to the second time information, and the M bits are some or all of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first communication frame includes a target activation time TWT element, and the target activation time TWT element includes the second information.

5. The TWT element in the first communication frame includes a broadcast TWT parameter set, and the second information is located at the following position in the broadcast TWT parameter set: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information is carried by one or more of the following: the fifth byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the fourth to eighth bits in the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the first field following the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second information includes second instruction information, the second instruction information includes N bits, the value of the N bits is an integer in the range of 0 to 1023, N is a positive integer less than or equal to 10, and the value of the N bits indicates the offset between the first time information and the second time information.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second time information is determined based on the RTWT information of the second AP, and the RTWT information of the second AP is from the communication frame of the second AP.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the TWT element in the first communication frame includes third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the TWT information of the second AP is present in the TWT element.

9. The third instruction information is located at the following position within the TWT element: The method according to claim 8, wherein the information is carried by one or more of the eighth bit in the control field within the TWT element and the sixteenth bit in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element.

10. The aforementioned first communication frame is a beacon frame, or The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, and the probe request frame is from a first non-access point station (nonAP STA).

11. A method of communication, The method involves generating a second communication frame, the second communication frame comprising third and fourth information, wherein the third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fourth information indicates some or all of the bits of the second AP's time synchronization function timer TSF timer, or indicates an offset between the second AP's TSF timer and the first AP's TSF timer, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the second AP's limited target startup time service period RTWT SP. A communication method comprising transmitting the second communication frame.

12. A method of communication, Receiving a second communication frame, wherein the second communication frame includes third and fourth information, the third information indicating third time information corresponding to the second access point AP, the fourth information indicating some or all of the bits of the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, or indicating the offset between the TSF timer of the second AP and the TSF timer of the first AP, and the third time information corresponding to the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of the second AP, A communication method comprising parsing the second communication frame.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the second communication frame includes a target startup time TWT element, and the target startup time TWT element includes the fourth information.

14. The TWT element in the second communication frame includes a broadcast TWT parameter set, and the fourth information is located at the following position in the broadcast TWT parameter set: The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the information is carried by one or more of the following: the fifth byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set, the fourth to eighth bits in the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the second field following the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the second AP are the same as the P most significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, where P is a positive integer less than 64.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the TWT element in the second communication frame includes third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the TWT information of the second AP is present in the TWT element.

17. The third instruction information is located at the following position within the TWT element: The method according to claim 16, wherein the information is carried by one or more of the eighth bit in the control field within the TWT element and the sixteenth bit in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element.

18. The aforementioned second communication frame is a beacon frame, or The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the second communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, the probe request frame is from a first non-access point station (nonAP STA).

19. A method of communication, The method involves generating a third communication frame, the third communication frame comprising third information and fifth information, wherein the third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fifth information indicates an identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of the second AP. A communication method comprising transmitting the third communication frame.

20. A method of communication, Receiving a third communication frame, wherein the third communication frame includes third information and fifth information, the third information indicates third time information corresponding to a second access point AP, the fifth information indicates the identifier of the second AP, there is a mapping relationship between the identifier of the second AP and the time synchronization function timer TSF timer of the second AP, and the third time information corresponds to the start time of the limited target startup time service period RTWT SP of the second AP. A communication method comprising parsing the third communication frame.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the third communication frame includes a target activation time TWT element, and the target activation time TWT element includes the fifth information.

22. The TWT element in the third communication frame contains the broadcast TWT parameter set, and the fifth piece of information is located at the following position in the broadcast TWT parameter set: The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the fifth byte in the broadcast TWT parameter set and one or more bits from the fourth to the eighth bit in the broadcast TWT information field in the broadcast TWT parameter set are carried.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the information regarding the mapping relationship is carried in a field other than the TWT element in the third communication frame, or the information regarding the mapping relationship is carried in a communication frame different from the third communication frame.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the TWT element in the third communication frame includes third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the TWT information of the second AP is present in the TWT element.

25. The third instruction information is located at the following position within the TWT element: The method according to claim 24, wherein the information is carried by one or more of the eighth bit in the control field within the TWT element and the sixteenth bit in the request type field within the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element.

26. The third communication frame mentioned above is a beacon frame, or The method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the third communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, the probe request frame is from a first non-access point station (nonAP STA).

27. A method of communication, The method involves generating a fourth communication frame, the fourth communication frame containing sixth information, the sixth information representing 16 consecutive bits of the time synchronization function timer (TSF) timer of the first access point AP, the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits being one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, and the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP of the second AP. A communication method comprising transmitting the fourth communication frame.

28. A method of communication, The receiving of a fourth communication frame, wherein the fourth communication frame includes sixth information, the sixth information represents 16 consecutive bits of the time synchronization function timer (TSF) timer of the first access point AP, the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits being one of the 10 least significant bits of the TSF timer of the first AP, and the TSF timer of the first AP corresponding to the start time of the limited target startup time service period (RTWT) SP of the second AP. A communication method comprising parsing the fourth communication frame.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the fourth communication frame includes a target startup time TWT element, the target startup time TWT element includes sixth information, and the broadcast TWT parameter set within the TWT element carries the RTWT information of the second AP.

30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the fourth communication frame further includes seventh information, the seventh information indicating a correspondence between the least significant bit of the 16 consecutive bits and the bits of the TSF of the first AP.

31. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the fourth communication frame further includes an eighth piece of information, the eighth piece of information indicating that the time indicated by the 16 consecutive bits is based on the TSF timer of the first AP or on the TSF timer of the second AP.

32. The fourth communication frame is a beacon frame, or The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein the fourth communication frame is a communication frame in response to a probe request frame, the probe request frame is from a first non-access point station (nonAP STA).

33. A communication device comprising a module or unit configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 32.

34. A communication device equipped with a processor, A communication device wherein, when the processor calls a computer program or instruction in memory, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32 is performed.

35. A communication device comprising a logic circuit and an interface, wherein the logic circuit is coupled to the interface, the interface is configured to input and / or output code instructions, and the logic circuit is configured to execute the code instructions to enable the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32 to be performed.

36. A computer-readable storage medium, The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store instructions or computer programs, and when the instructions or computer programs are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32 is performed.

37. A communication system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device, A communication system in which the first communication device is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 10, 11, 13 to 18, 19, 21 to 26, 27, and 29 to 32, and the second communication device is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 2, 3 to 10, 12, 13 to 18, 20, 21 to 26, 28, and 29 to 32.

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