Communication methods and devices

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method and apparatus, which is applicable to a basic service set transition scenario. The communication method comprises the steps of: transmitting a request frame to a first access point, where the request frame is used to trigger the transmission of a response frame, and the station is not associated with the first access point; receiving a response frame from the first access point, where the response frame includes a first transmit power for transmitting the response frame; determining the downlink received signal quality; and transmitting the first transmit power and downlink received signal quality to a second access point, where the first transmit power and downlink received signal quality are used for basic service set BSS transition determination, the second access point is associated with a station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set. This improves the efficiency of performing BSS transitions by APs associated with the current station.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311086951.0, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on August 26, 2023 and entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and apparatus. [Background Art]

[0003] In a wireless local area network (WLAN) scenario, channel sounding is typically used by an access point (AP) to calculate a precoding matrix for downlink beamforming, and channel sounding is also referred to as beam training.

[0004] Before a current station (STA) performs basic service set (BSS) transition, the current station needs to perform neighbor scanning and measurement, and report measurement results of neighbor APs to the AP associated with the current station, so that the AP associated with the current station can recommend at least one neighbor AP to the current station for BSS transition based on the measurement results.

[0005] Due to the difference in transmission power between a station and an access point, there exists asymmetry between an uplink and a downlink. In this case, the AP associated with the current station may select an inferior candidate AP for BSS transition, which results in low efficiency of performing BSS transition by the AP associated with the current station. [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of performing BSS transitions by APs associated with the current station.

[0007] According to a first embodiment, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a station and comprises the steps of: transmitting a request frame to a first access point, wherein the request frame is used to trigger the transmission of a response frame, and the station is not associated with the first access point; receiving the response frame from the first access point, wherein the response frame includes a first transmit power for transmitting the response frame; determining the downlink received signal quality; and transmitting the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality to a second access point, wherein the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality are used for basic service set (BSS) transitions, the second access point is associated with the station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0008] It should be understood that in the following, "request frame" may be represented by "first request frame," "response frame" may be represented by "first response frame," and "station" may be represented by "first station."

[0009] In the aforementioned technical solution, the station transmits the determined downlink received signal quality and the first transmit power corresponding to the first access point to the second access point, thereby providing the second access point with more information in the decision-making process for the target access point for BSS transition. This helps the second access point make a more appropriate choice and avoids selecting an inferior neighboring access point as the target access point based solely on downlink received signal quality, thereby ensuring the quality of data transmission between the station and the target access point after the BSS transition and improving the efficiency of the BSS transition performed by the currently associated AP.

[0010] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the request frame is a second null data packet announcement NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame; or the request frame is a transmit power control TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame; or the request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is a measurement pilot frame.

[0011] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, when the request frame is the second NDPA frame and the response frame is the first NDPA frame, the method further comprises the step of receiving a first null data packet NDP frame from the first access point; and the step of determining the downlink received signal quality includes the step of determining the downlink received signal quality based on the first NDP frame.

[0012] In the aforementioned technical solution, downlink channel quality measurement is performed between the station and the first access point based on control frames, such as NDPA frames and NDP frames. Because the interval between control frames is short, the time required for neighbor scanning and measurement by the station can be significantly reduced, thereby minimizing the impact of the neighbor measurement and scanning process on the station's data transmission.

[0013] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, after sending a request frame to the first access point, the method further comprises the step of granting the first access point the remaining transmission opportunities, where the remaining transmission opportunities are the remaining transmission opportunities of the station.

[0014] In the aforementioned technical solution, during the process in which the station performs neighbor scans and measurements, the first access point is granted transmission opportunities between the station and the second access point; that is, the process in which the first access point performs beam training is combined with the process in which it performs neighbor scans and measurements to improve overall operational efficiency.

[0015] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first NDPA frame includes a first AID field, the first value of the first AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to a first transmit power.

[0016] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second NDPA frame further includes the requested first number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the first NDP frame, or the requested second number of iterations of the first NDP frame; the response frame includes the first number of iterations or the second number of iterations.

[0017] In the aforementioned technical solution, when channel sounding is performed based on the first NDP frame, the station may perform multiple measurements based on the first NDP frame repeated multiple times, thereby improving the station's downlink channel sounding accuracy.

[0018] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the second NDPA frame further includes a first NDP presence field, the first NDP presence field indicating whether or not a second NDP frame is transmitted following the second NDPA frame.

[0019] In the aforementioned technical solution, the NDP frame is configured as an optional message frame by using the relevant field, thereby allowing for flexible message transmission. For example, if only the station needs to perform downlink channel sounding, bandwidth resources can be saved and signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0020] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the first NDPA frame includes a second NDP presence field, the second value of the second NDP presence field indicates that the first NDP frame is transmitted following the first NDPA frame.

[0021] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, when the first NDP presence field indicates that the second NDP frame is transmitted following the second NDPA frame, the method further comprises: transmitting the second NDP frame to the first access point, where the second NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the first uplink received signal quality; and the first NDPA frame further comprises the first uplink received signal quality.

[0022] In the aforementioned technical solution, the station may simultaneously acquire the channel quality between the station and the first access point. This avoids the case where the second access point subsequently selects an inferior candidate access point for BSS transition due to asymmetry between the uplink and downlink.

[0023] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, when the request frame is the TPC request frame and the response frame is the TPC response frame, the types of the TPC request frame and the TPC response frame are public action frames; and the step of determining the downlink received signal quality includes: the step of determining the downlink received signal quality based on the TPC response frame.

[0024] In the aforementioned technical solution, the first transmit power of the first access point is obtained based on the TPC request frame and TPC response frame, and the current measurement mode is used in which downlink received signal quality measurement is performed based on the beacon frame or probe request frame. In this solution, channel resource consumption and signaling overhead can be reduced because the TPC request frame and TPC response frame hold less information. Furthermore, this helps the second access point to make a more appropriate selection thereafter and avoids selecting an inferior neighboring access point as the target access point based solely on downlink received signal quality, thereby ensuring the quality of data transmission between the station and the target access point after BSS transition.

[0025] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is a measurement pilot frame, determining the downlink received signal quality includes determining the downlink received signal quality based on the measurement pilot frame.

[0026] In the foregoing technical solution, the transmission of a measurement pilot frame is triggered by using a measurement pilot request frame, and the current measurement mode of the measurement pilot frame is still used. Compared with the current periodic detection of measurement pilot frames, this can reduce the time for a station to perform neighbor scanning and measurement, and ensure the data transmission of the station.

[0027] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first transmit power is equal to the transmit power corresponding to a beacon frame or a probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0028] In the foregoing technical solution, when the first transmit power is the transmit power of a beacon frame or a probe response frame, that is, when the first transmit power is the maximum transmit power of the first access point, the transmission path loss obtained subsequently may be more accurate. For example, when the distance between a station and the first access point is long, the first access point transmits the first NDP response frame at the maximum transmit power, which avoids the situation where the estimation of transmission path loss between the station and the first access point is inaccurate due to the distance factor.

[0029] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before transmitting the request frame to the first access point, the method further comprises: receiving a radio measurement request frame from a second access point, wherein the radio measurement request frame is used to request a channel quality measurement result between the station and at least one neighbor access point corresponding to the station, and the at least one neighbor access point includes the first access point; and transmitting a radio measurement report frame to the second access point, wherein the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality are carried in the radio measurement report frame.

[0030] In the foregoing technical solution, the second access point may acquire both the uplink received signal quality and the downlink received signal quality between the first access point and the station, thereby being able to well handle the asymmetry between the uplink and the downlink caused by a large difference between the transmit power of the first access point and that of the station, which helps the second access point select a more appropriate target access point for BSS transition, and further ensures the data transmission quality of the station.

[0031] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the radio measurement request frame includes first indication information, and the first indication information instructs the station to transmit a request frame.

[0032] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the radio measurement request frame further includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates identifier information of the first access point.

[0033] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the radio measurement request frame further includes third indication information, and the third indication information indicates that the radio measurement report frame does not include information related to the first access point other than the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality.

[0034] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a first access point, and includes receiving a request frame from a station, wherein the station is not associated with the first access point; and triggering transmission of a response frame to the station, wherein the response frame includes first transmit power for transmitting the response frame, and the first transmit power is used for basic service set BSS transition.

[0035] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solution in the second aspect are similar to those in the first aspect, and details are not described again herein.

[0036] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the request frame is a second null data packet announcement NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame; or the request frame is a transmit power control TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame; or the request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is a measurement pilot frame.

[0037] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the request frame is a second NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame, the method further includes sending a first null data packet NDP frame to the station, where the first NDP frame is used by the first station to determine the downlink received signal quality.

[0038] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, after sending a request frame to the first access point, the method further includes receiving the remaining transmission opportunities granted by the station, where the remaining transmission opportunities are the remaining transmission opportunities of the station, the station is associated with the second access point, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0039] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first NDPA frame includes a first AID field, and the first value of the first AID field indicates that there is a field corresponding to the first transmit power.

[0040] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second NDPA frame further includes the requested first number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the first NDP frame, or the requested second number of iterations in the first NDP frame; and the first NDPA frame includes the first number of iterations or the second number of iterations.

[0041] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second NDPA frame further includes a first NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a second NDP frame is transmitted following the second NDPA frame.

[0042] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first NDPA includes a second NDP presence field, and the second value of the second NDP presence field indicates that the first NDP frame is sent following the first NDPA frame.

[0043] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, if the first NDP presence field indicates that a second NDP frame is transmitted following a second NDPA, then after receiving a request frame from the station, the method further includes the steps of: receiving a second NDP frame from the station; and determining the first uplink received signal quality based on the second NDP frame, where the first NDPA frame further includes the first uplink received signal quality.

[0044] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, if the request frame is a TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame, then the type of the TPC request frame and the TPC response frame is a public action frame.

[0045] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first transmit power is equal to the transmit power corresponding to the beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0046] According to a third embodiment, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a second access point and comprises the steps of receiving a first transmit power and downlink received signal quality transmitted by a station, wherein the first transmit power is the transmit power corresponding to a response frame transmitted by the first access point to the station, and the downlink received signal quality is the downlink received signal quality between the station and the first access point, wherein the station is not associated with the first access point; and performing a basic service set BSS transition based on the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality, wherein the second access point is associated with the station, and the first access point and the second access point belong to the same extended service set.

[0047] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solutions in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Further details are not described herein.

[0048] Referring to a third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further comprises the steps of: transmitting a radio measurement request frame to the station, wherein the radio measurement request frame is used to request channel quality measurement results between the station and at least one neighboring access point corresponding to the station, the at least one neighboring access point including the first access point; and receiving a radio measurement report frame from the station, wherein the radio measurement report frame includes the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality.

[0049] Referring to a third embodiment, in some implementations of the third embodiment, the method further comprises a step of receiving a fourth transmit power corresponding to the station; a step of performing a basic service set BSS transition based on the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality, which includes: a step of determining the transmission path loss between the station and the first access point based on the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality; and a step of estimating a second uplink received signal quality based on the transmission path loss and the fourth transmit power, wherein the second uplink received signal quality is the uplink received signal quality between the first access point and the station.

[0050] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the radio measurement request frame includes first instruction information, and the first instruction information instructs the station to transmit the request frame.

[0051] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the wireless measurement request frame further includes second instruction information, and the second instruction information indicates identifier information of the first access point.

[0052] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the wireless measurement request frame further includes third instruction information, which indicates that the wireless measurement report frame does not include any information relating to the first access point other than the first transmit power and downlink received signal quality.

[0053] It should be understood that in any implementation from the first to the third embodiment, "downlink received signal quality" can also be expressed as "first downlink received signal quality."

[0054] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a station and includes the steps of: transmitting a third NDPA frame to a first access point, where the third NDPA frame is used to trigger the transmission of a fourth NDP frame, the station is not associated with the first access point, and the third NDPA frame includes an expected second transmit power corresponding to the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point; receiving the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point with the second transmit power; obtaining a second downlink received signal quality based on the fourth NDP frame; and transmitting the second downlink received signal quality to a second access point, where the second access point is associated with the station, the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set, and the second transmit power and second downlink received signal quality are used for basic service set BSS transitions.

[0055] In the aforementioned technical solution, the station uses an NDPA frame to directly transmit the expected transmit power corresponding to the first access point to the first access point, which then transmits an NDP frame with the expected transmit power, thereby enabling the second access point to appropriately select the appropriate target access point when performing the subsequent BSS transition. For example, if the second transmit power, i.e., the expected transmit power, is learned in advance by the second access point from the first access point, the second access point may learn both the second transmit power and the second downlink received signal quality. In this case, the second access point can select the appropriate target access point for the BSS transition, and the signaling overhead of the air interface is also reduced.

[0056] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second transmit power is the maximum transmit power of the first access point.

[0057] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the third NDPA frame includes a second AID field, and the third value of the second AID field indicates that there is a field corresponding to the second transmit power.

[0058] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the third NDPA frame further includes the requested number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the fourth NDP frame, or the requested number of iterations of the fourth NDP frame.

[0059] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the third NDPA frame further includes a third NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a third NDP frame is transmitted following the third NDPA frame.

[0060] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, when the third NDP presence field indicates that the third NDP frame is to be transmitted following the third NDP frame, the method further comprises the step of transmitting the third NDP frame to a first access point, where the third NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the quality of a third uplink received signal.

[0061] According to the fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a first access point and comprises the steps of: receiving a third NDPA frame from a station, wherein the third NDPA frame is used to trigger the transmission of a fourth NDP frame, the station is not associated with the first access point, and the third NDPA frame includes an expected second transmit power corresponding to the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point; and transmitting the fourth NDP frame to the station with the second transmit power, wherein the second transmit power is used for a basic service set BSS transition.

[0062] In the technical solution described above, the first access point transmits an NDP frame with the expected transmit power, thereby allowing the second access point to appropriately select the appropriate target access point when performing the subsequent BSS transition. For example, if the second transmit power, i.e., the expected transmit power, is learned in advance by the second access point from the first access point, the second access point may learn both the second transmit power and the second downlink received signal quality. In this case, the second access point can select the appropriate target access point for the BSS transition, and the signaling overhead of the air interface is also reduced.

[0063] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the second transmit power is the maximum transmit power of the first access point.

[0064] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the third NDPA frame includes a second AID field, and the third value of the second AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the second transmit power.

[0065] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the third NDPA frame further includes the requested number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the fourth NDP frame, or the requested number of iterations of the fourth NDP frame.

[0066] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the third NDPA frame further includes a third NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a third NDP frame is transmitted following the third NDPA frame.

[0067] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, when the third NDP presence field indicates that a third NDP frame is to be transmitted following a third NDP frame, the method further comprises the step of transmitting a third NDP frame to a first access point, where the third NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the quality of a third uplink received signal.

[0068] According to the sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a station and comprises the steps of: determining that a first access point is performing channel sounding, wherein the station is not associated with the first access point; receiving a fifth NDPA frame and a fifth NDP frame from the first access point, wherein the fifth NDPA frame includes a third transmit power for transmitting a third NDPA frame and a fifth NDP frame; determining a third downlink received signal quality based on the fifth NDP frame; and transmitting a third transmit power and a third downlink received signal command to a second access point, wherein the third transmit power and the third downlink received signal command are used for a basic service set (BSS) transition, the station is associated with the second access point, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0069] In the technical solution described above, when the station detects that the first access point is performing channel sounding, the station does not need to send a request frame, the procedure used by the first access point for channel sounding continues, and the third transmit power is carried in the fifth NDPA frame. This helps the second access point to subsequently select a more suitable target access point for the BSS transition by using less signaling overhead, thereby ensuring the station's subsequent data transmission quality.

[0070] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the fifth NDPA frame includes a third AID field, and the fourth value of the third AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the third transmit power.

[0071] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the third transmit power is equal to the transmit power corresponding to the beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0072] According to the seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to any one of at least one candidate access point and comprises the steps of: receiving a first frame from a station, wherein the first frame includes identifier information of a second access point associated with the station, any candidate access point is not associated with a station, and any candidate access point and the second access point belong to the same extended service set; receiving a second frame from the station, wherein the second frame is used to obtain the second uplink received signal quality; and transmitting the second uplink received signal quality to the second access point.

[0073] In the technical solution described above, the candidate access point measures the uplink received signal quality and directly feeds the uplink received signal quality back to the second access point. This reduces air interface resources and does not affect the station's data transmission.

[0074] Referring to the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the first frame is the sixth NDPA frame, and the second frame is the sixth NDP frame.

[0075] According to the eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device comprises a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit a request frame to a first access point, where the request frame is used to trigger the transmission of a response frame, and the station is not associated with the first access point; the transceiver unit is configured to receive a response frame from the first access point, where the response frame includes a first transmit power for transmitting the response frame; the processing unit is configured to determine the downlink received signal quality; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality to a second access point, where the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality are used for basic service set (BSS) transitions, the second access point is associated with a station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0076] It should be understood that in the following, "request frame" may be represented by "first request frame," "response frame" may be represented by "first response frame," and "station" may be represented by "first station."

[0077] For the technical effects corresponding to the technical solutions in the eighth aspect, it should be understood that one should refer to the first aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0078] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the request frame is a second null data packet announcement NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame; or the request frame is a transmit power control TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame; or the request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is a measurement pilot frame.

[0079] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, when the request frame is a second NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first null data packet NDP frame from the first access point; and the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the downlink received signal quality based on the first NDP frame.

[0080] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, after sending a request frame to the first access point, the transceiver unit is further configured to grant the first access point the remaining transmission opportunity, where the remaining transmission opportunity is the station's remaining transmission opportunity.

[0081] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the first NDPA frame includes a first AID field, and the first value of the first AID field indicates that there is a field corresponding to the first transmit power.

[0082] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the second NDPA frame further includes the requested first number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the first NDP frame, or the requested second number of iterations of the first NDP frame; and the response frame includes the first number of iterations or the second number of iterations.

[0083] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the second NDPA frame further includes a first NDP presence field, the first NDP presence field indicating whether or not a second NDP frame is transmitted following the second NDPA frame.

[0084] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the first NDPA frame includes a second NDP presence field, and the second value of the second NDP presence field indicates that the first NDP frame is sent following the first NDPA frame.

[0085] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, when the first NDP presence field indicates that a second NDP frame is to be transmitted following a second NDPA frame, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the second NDP frame to the first access point, where the second NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the first uplink received signal quality; and the first NDPA frame further includes the first uplink received signal quality.

[0086] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, when the request frame is a TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame, the types of the TPC request frame and the TPC response frame are public action frames. Specifically, the processing unit is configured to determine the downlink received signal quality based on the TPC response frame.

[0087] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, when the request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is a measurement pilot frame, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the downlink received signal quality based on the measurement pilot frame.

[0088] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the first transmit power is equal to the transmit power corresponding to the beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0089] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, before transmitting a request frame to the first access point, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a radio measurement request frame from a second access point, where the radio measurement request frame is used to request channel quality measurement results between the station and at least one neighboring access point corresponding to the station, and the at least one neighboring access point includes the first access point; and the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a radio measurement report frame to the second access point, where the first transmit power and downlink received signal quality are carried in the radio measurement report frame.

[0090] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the radio measurement request frame includes first instruction information, and the first instruction information instructs the station to transmit the request frame.

[0091] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the wireless measurement request frame further includes second instruction information, and the second instruction information indicates identifier information of the first access point.

[0092] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the wireless measurement request frame further includes third instruction information, which indicates that the wireless measurement report frame does not include any information relating to the first access point other than the first transmit power and downlink received signal quality.

[0093] According to the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a request frame from a station, where the station is not associated with a first access point; the transceiver unit is configured to trigger the transmission of a response frame to the station, where the response frame includes a first transmit power for transmitting the response frame, and the first transmit power is used for a basic service set (BSS) transition.

[0094] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solution in the ninth aspect are similar to those in the second aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0095] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the request frame is a second null data packet announcement NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame; or the request frame is a transmit power control TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame; or the request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is a measurement pilot frame.

[0096] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, when the request frame is a second NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a first null data packet NDP frame to the station, where the first NDP frame is used by the first station to determine the downlink received signal quality.

[0097] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the remaining transmission opportunities granted by the station after sending a request frame to the first access point, where the remaining transmission opportunities are the remaining transmission opportunities of the station, the station is associated with the second access point, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0098] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the first NDPA frame includes a first AID field, and the first value of the first AID field indicates that there is a field corresponding to the first transmit power.

[0099] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the second NDPA frame further includes the requested first number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the first NDP frame, or the requested second number of iterations in the first NDP frame; the first NDPA frame includes either the first or second number of iterations.

[0100] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the second NDPA frame further includes a first NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a second NDP frame is sent following the second NDPA frame.

[0101] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the first NDPA includes a second NDP presence field, the second value of the second NDP presence field indicates that the first NDP frame is sent following the first NDPA frame.

[0102] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, when the first NDP presence field indicates that a second NDP frame is transmitted following a second NDPA, the device includes the steps of: receiving a request frame from the station, and then further receiving a second NDP frame from the station; and determining the first uplink received signal quality based on the second NDP frame, wherein the first NDPA frame further includes the first uplink received signal quality.

[0103] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, when the request frame is a TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame, the type of the TPC request frame and the TPC response frame is a public action frame.

[0104] Referring to the ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the first transmit power is equal to the transmit power corresponding to the beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0105] According to a tenth embodiment, a communication device is provided. The device comprises a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first transmit power and downlink received signal quality transmitted by a station, where the first transmit power is the transmit power corresponding to a response frame transmitted to the station by a first access point, and the downlink received signal quality is the downlink received signal quality between the station and the first access point, where the station is not associated with the first access point; the processing unit is configured to perform a basic service set (BSS) transition based on the first transmit power and downlink received signal quality, where the second access point is associated with the station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0106] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solution in the tenth aspect are similar to those in the third aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0107] Referring to the 10th aspect, in some implementations of the 10th aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a radio measurement request frame to a station, where the radio measurement request frame is used to request channel quality measurement results between the station and at least one neighboring access point corresponding to the station, the at least one neighboring access point includes a first access point; and the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a radio measurement report frame from the station, where the radio measurement report frame includes a first transmit power and downlink received signal quality.

[0108] Referring to the 10th aspect, in some implementations of the 10th aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a fourth transmit power corresponding to the station; and the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the transmission path loss between the station and the first access point based on the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality; and the processing unit is specifically configured to estimate the second uplink received signal quality based on the transmission path loss and the fourth transmit power, where the second uplink received signal quality is the uplink received signal quality between the first access point and the station.

[0109] Referring to the tenth aspect, in some implementations of the tenth aspect, the radio measurement request frame includes first instruction information, which instructs the station to transmit the request frame.

[0110] Referring to the 10th aspect, in some implementations of the 10th aspect, the wireless measurement request frame further includes second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates identifier information of the first access point.

[0111] Referring to the 10th aspect, in some implementations of the 10th aspect, the wireless measurement request frame further includes third instruction information, which indicates that the wireless measurement report frame does not include any information relating to the first access point other than the first transmit power and downlink received signal quality.

[0112] It should be understood that in any implementation of the eighth to tenth embodiments, "downlink received signal quality" may also be expressed as "first downlink received signal quality."

[0113] According to the eleventh embodiment, a communication device is provided. The device comprises a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit a third NDPA frame to a first access point, where the third NDPA frame is used to trigger the transmission of a fourth NDP frame, the station is not associated with the first access point, and the third NDPA frame includes an expected second transmit power corresponding to the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point; the transceiver unit is configured to receive the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point with the second transmit power; the processing unit is specifically configured to acquire a second downlink received signal quality based on the fourth NDP frame; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit the second downlink received signal quality to a second access point, where the second access point is associated with a station, the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set, and the second transmit power and second downlink received signal quality are used for basic service set BSS transitions.

[0114] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solution in the eleventh aspect are similar to those in the fourth aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0115] Referring to the 11th aspect, in some implementations of the 11th aspect, the second transmit power is the maximum transmit power of the first access point.

[0116] Referring to the 11th aspect, in some implementations of the 11th aspect, the third NDPA frame includes a second AID field, and the third value of the second AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the second transmit power.

[0117] Referring to the 11th aspect, in some implementations of the 11th aspect, the 3rd NDPA frame further includes the required number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the 4th NDP frame, or includes the required number of iterations of the 4th NDP frame.

[0118] Referring to the 11th aspect, in some implementations of the 11th aspect, the third NDPA frame further includes a third NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a third NDP frame is transmitted following the third NDPA frame.

[0119] Referring to the 11th aspect, in some implementations of the 11th aspect, when the third NDP presence field indicates that a third NDP frame is to be transmitted following a third NDP frame, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the third NDP frame to a first access point, where the third NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the quality of a third uplink received signal.

[0120] According to the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device comprises a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a third NDPA frame from a station, where the third NDPA frame is used to trigger the transmission of a fourth NDP frame, the station is not associated with a first access point, and the third NDPA frame includes an expected second transmit power corresponding to the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit the fourth NDP frame to the station with the second transmit power, where the second transmit power is used for a basic service set (BSS) transition.

[0121] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solution in the twelfth aspect are similar to those in the fifth aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0122] Referring to the 12th aspect, in some implementations of the 12th aspect, the second transmit power is the maximum transmit power of the first access point.

[0123] Referring to the 12th aspect, in some implementations of the 12th aspect, the third NDPA frame includes a second AID field, and the third value of the second AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the second transmit power.

[0124] Referring to the 12th aspect, in some implementations of the 12th aspect, the 3rd NDPA frame further includes the required number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the 4th NDP frame, or includes the required number of iterations of the 4th NDP frame.

[0125] Referring to the 12th aspect, in some implementations of the 12th aspect, the third NDPA frame further includes a third NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a third NDP frame is transmitted following the third NDPA frame.

[0126] Referring to the 12th aspect, in some implementations of the 12th aspect, when the third NDP presence field indicates that a third NDP frame is transmitted following a third NDP frame, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third NDP frame from the station, where the third NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the quality of a third uplink received signal.

[0127] According to the 13th aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is configured to determine that a first access point is performing channel sounding, wherein the station is not associated with the first access point; the transceiver unit is configured to receive a fifth NDPA frame and a fifth NDP frame from the first access point, wherein the fifth NDPA frame includes a third transmit power for transmitting a third NDPA frame and a fifth NDP frame; the processing unit is configured to determine a third downlink received signal quality based on the fifth NDP frame; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit a third transmit power and a third downlink received signal command to a second access point, wherein the third transmit power and the third downlink received signal command are used for basic service set (BSS) transitions, the station is associated with the second access point, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0128] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solution in the 13th aspect are similar to those in the 6th aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0129] Referring to the 13th aspect, in some implementations of the 13th aspect, the 5th NDPA frame includes a 3rd AID field, and the 4th value of the 3rd AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the 3rd transmit power.

[0130] Referring to the 13th aspect, in some implementations of the 13th aspect, the third transmit power is equal to the transmit power corresponding to the beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0131] According to the 14th aspect, a communication device is provided. The device comprises a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first frame from a station, wherein the first frame includes identifier information of a second access point associated with the station, any candidate access point is not associated with the station, and any candidate access point and the second access point belong to the same extended service set; and the transceiver unit is configured to receive a second frame from the station, wherein the second frame is used to obtain the second uplink received signal quality; and the transceiver unit is configured to transmit the second uplink received signal quality to the second access point.

[0132] It should be understood that the technical effects corresponding to the technical solution in the 14th aspect are similar to those in the 7th aspect. Further details are not described herein.

[0133] Referring to the 14th aspect, in some implementations of the 14th aspect, the first frame is the 6th NDPA frame, and the second frame is the 6th NDP frame.

[0134] According to the 15th aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a memory configured to store a program; and a processor configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory. When a computer program or instruction stored in the memory is executed, the processor is configured to perform a method according to any one of the implementations of the 1st to 7th aspects.

[0135] In one implementation, the device is a station. In another implementation, the device is either a first or second access point. In yet another implementation, the device is one of at least one candidate access point.

[0136] According to the 16th aspect, the present invention provides a processor configured to perform a method according to any one of the implementations of the 1st to 7th aspects. In the process of performing the method, the process of transmitting information and the process of acquiring / receiving information in the aforementioned method may be understood by the processor as a process of outputting information and a process of receiving input information. When outputting the aforementioned information, the processor outputs the aforementioned information to the interface and transmits the information through the interface. After the aforementioned information is output by the processor, further processing of the information may be required before the information reaches the interface. Similarly, when the processor receives the aforementioned input information, the interface acquires / receives the aforementioned information and inputs the aforementioned information to the processor. Furthermore, after the interface receives the aforementioned information, further processing may be required on the aforementioned information before the information is input to the processor.

[0137] Unless otherwise specified, or where the relevant transmission, transmission, and acquisition / reception operations do not contradict the actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, such operations may be understood as output, reception, and input operations, or as transmission, transmission, and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This is not limited to the present invention.

[0138] In the implementation process, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to perform these methods, or it may be a general-purpose processor that performs these methods by executing computer programs or instructions in memory. 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 they may be located separately 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] According to the 17th aspect, a communication system is provided. The system comprises a device configured to implement any implementation of the first aspect, a device configured to implement any implementation of the second aspect, and a device configured to implement any implementation of the third aspect; or the system includes a device configured to implement any implementation of the first aspect and a device configured to implement any implementation of the third aspect.

[0140] According to the 18th aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable medium stores program code to be executed by a device, the program code to be executed by any one of the implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0141] According to the 19th aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is able to perform any one of the implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0142] According to the 20th aspect, a chip is provided. The chip comprises a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions stored in memory via the communication interface and executes a method according to any one of the implementations of the first to seventh aspects.

[0143] In one implementation, the chip may further include memory. The memory stores computer programs or instructions. The processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When a computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is configured to perform a method according to one of the implementations from the first to the seventh embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0144] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an application scenario according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] [Figure 2] This is a diagram of the interaction in the neighbor measurement method according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0146] [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the format of a wireless measurement request frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0147] [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the format of the wireless measurement report frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0148] [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0149] [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0150] [Figure 7] This is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0151] [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the format of the first NDP request frame and the first NDP response frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0152] [Figure 9] This is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in channel sounding performed by the access point according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0153] [Figure 10] This is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0154] [Figure 11]This is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0155] [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the formats of the third NDP frame and the fourth NDP frame according to the embodiment of the present application;

[0156] [Figure 13] This is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0157] [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing the format of the 5th NDPA frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0158] [Figure 15] This is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0159] [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing the format of the TPC request frame and TPC response frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0160] [Figure 17] This is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0161] [Figure 18] This is a diagram showing the format of the measurement pilot frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0162] [Figure 19] This is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0163] [Figure 20] This is a diagram showing the format of the measurement request field and measurement report field according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0164] [Figure 21] This is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0165] [Figure 22] This is a diagram of a communication device 2200 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0166] [Figure 23] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 2300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0167] [Figure 24] This is a diagram of a chip system 2400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0168] The technical solution of this application is described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0169] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained.

[0170] Firstly, in this application, unless otherwise stated or there is a logical contradiction, terms and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to one another, and technical features in different embodiments may be combined based on their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0171] Secondly, in this application, “at least one” means one or more, and “multiple” means two or more. The term “and / or” describes a relationship between related subjects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. In the text of this application, the letter “ / ” usually indicates an “or” relationship between related subjects. “At least one of the following items” or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any single item or any combination of multiple items. For example, at least one item of a, b, and c may refer to a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0172] Thirdly, in this application, "first," "second," and various numerical values ​​(e.g., #1 and #2) are used solely for the purpose of distinction to facilitate description. However, they are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, for example, to distinguish different access points, but not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the subjects described in this manner are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, thereby allowing for the description of solutions other than the embodiments of this application.

[0173] It should be noted below that the meanings represented by Information #1, Resource Instruction Information #1, and Resource Request Information #1 are distinct from each other. The names of the information should be understood as merely examples for descriptive purposes. This is not limited to the present application and should not constitute any limitation to the technical solutions of the present application.

[0174] Fourth, in this application, all descriptions such as "when," "in the case of," and "in the event of" mean that the corresponding process is performed under specific objective circumstances, and are not intended to limit the time. These descriptions do not mean that a decision action is required during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitation. Furthermore, it is not the case that the decision action following these conditional conjunctions is the sole condition for implementing the result, and other additional conditions may be included for implementing the result.

[0175] Fifth, in this application, the terms “includes,” “has,” and any 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 necessarily limited to those explicitly listed steps or units, and may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or are specific to the process, method, product, or device.

[0176] Sixth, in this application, "to indicate" may include "to indicate directly" and "to indicate indirectly." If a single indication is described as indicating A, that indication may indicate A directly or indirectly, but it does not necessarily mean that the indication will reliably hold A.

[0177] The instruction methods in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover a variety of ways that enable the recipient of the instruction to recognize the instruction information. The instruction information may be transmitted as a whole, or it may be divided into multiple sub-informations for separate transmissions. In addition, the transmission cycle and / or transmission opportunities of the sub-informations may be the same or different. Specific transmission methods are not limited in this application.

[0178] In embodiments of the present application, “indicative information” may be explicit indication, specifically direct indication by using signaling, or indication obtained through indication or inference based on a parameter indicated by signaling in combination with another rule or parameter; or it may be implicit indication, specifically indication obtained through indication or inference based on a rule, relation, or another parameter. This is not specifically limited in the present application.

[0179] Seventh, in this application, “storage” may mean storage in one or more memories. One or more memories may be separately located or integrated into an encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, portions of one or more memories may be separately located, and portions of one or more memories may be incorporated into a decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory may be any form of storage medium; this is not limited to this application.

[0180] The technical solutions provided in embodiments of the present application are applicable to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios. For example, IEEE 802.11 related standards such as 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, or 802.11bf are supported. Another example is Wi-Fi® 8, which is supported. The technical solutions provided in embodiments of the present application may also be applied to ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless personal area network systems, such as the 802.15 series standards, or further to sensing systems, such as the 802.11bf series standards. The 802.11be standard is referred to as the extremely high throughput (EHT) standard. 802.11bf includes two main categories of standards: low frequency (sub-7 GHz) and high frequency (60 GHz). Sub-7GHz is primarily implemented based on standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, and next-generation standards. 60GHz is primarily implemented based on standards such as 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and next-generation standards. 802.11ad may also be referred to as the directional multi-gigabit (DMG) standard, and 802.11ay may also be referred to as the enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) standard.

[0181] While embodiments of the present application are primarily described using examples of WLAN network deployments, particularly networks to which the IEEE 802.11 system standard applies, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various aspects of the embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLAN), wireless wide area networks (WWAN), wireless personal area networks (WPAN), or other networks known or developed in the future. Accordingly, regardless of the coverage area used and the wireless access protocol used, various aspects provided in the embodiments of the present application are applicable to any suitable wireless network.

[0182] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can further be applied to various communication systems, such as WLAN communication systems, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR), future 6th generation (6G) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks.

[0183] The aforementioned communication systems applicable to this application are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited to those mentioned above. This has been explained uniformly here and will not be explained in detail again below.

[0184] To facilitate understanding of the solutions in the embodiments of this application, the technical terms used in the embodiments of this application are first briefly explained.

[0185] 1. Basic Service Set (BSS)

[0186] BSS is a basic component (building block) of an 802.11 network and is used to describe a group of mobile devices that communicate with each other in an 802.11 WLAN.

[0187] There are two types of basic service sets. One is a basic service set in infrastructure mode, which includes one access point (AP) and multiple stations (STA). The other is a basic service set in standalone mode, which includes multiple STAs.

[0188] Specifically, each basic service set has a unique identifier called a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which corresponds to the MAC address of the AP. The BSS in the embodiments of this application is a BSS in infrastructure mode. The APs and STAs included in this type of BSS may be referred to as related APs and STAs. For example, the APs and STAs included in BSS#1 are related to each other.

[0189] 2. Distributed systems (DS)

[0190] A DS (Distributed Service System) is a system that integrates a local area network by interconnecting multiple BSSs (Block Service Servers), and an extended service set (ESS) is constructed via the DS. All BSSs within the same ESS have the same service set identifier (SSID). The same ESS may contain different access points (APs), and these different APs may communicate with each other via the DS.

[0191] 3.BSS transition

[0192] A BSS transition is the process by which an STA switches (or roams) from its currently associated AP to another neighboring AP. In other words, a BSS transition is the process by which an STA switches from its currently associated AP#1 to AP#2. BSS#1 corresponding to AP1 and BSS#2 corresponding to AP2 belong to the same ESS.

[0193] 4. Octet

[0194] One octet contains eight bits.

[0195] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the measurement method provided in this embodiment of the present application is applicable to STA and AP. The application scenario shown in Figure 1 is a scenario in which an STA before a BSS transition in the same ESS performs a neighbor scan and measurement. AP#1 and AP#2 belong to the same ESS. STA#2-1 and STA#2-2 are associated with AP#2, and AP#2, STA#2-1, and STA#2-2 belong to BSS#2. STA#1 is associated with AP#1. AP#1 and STA#1-1 belong to BSS#1, and BSS#1 and BSS#2 are in the same ESS. The types of AP and STA are briefly described below. It should be understood that AP#1 and AP#2 may be any one of the following AP types, and STA#2-1 and STA#2-2 may also be any one of the following STA types.

[0196] An AP (Access Point) may be an access point used by terminals (e.g., mobile phones) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses. Typical coverage radii range from tens of meters to over a hundred meters. Of course, APs may also be deployed outdoors. APs act as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, primarily functioning to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet®.

[0197] Specifically, an AP may be a terminal or network device equipped with a Wi-Fi chip. Network devices may be servers, routers, switches, bridges, computers, mobile phones, relay stations, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, network devices in a 5G network, network devices in a future 6G network, network devices in a public land mobile network (PLMN), or similar. This is not limited to the embodiments of the present application. An access point may be a device that supports Wi-Fi standards. For example, an access point may alternatively support one or more standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

[0198] STA may be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, wireless communication terminal, or similar, and may also be referred to as a user, user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile console, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. STA may be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA®), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, Internet of Things device, wearable device, terminal device in a 5G network, terminal device in a future 6G network, terminal device in a PLMN, or similar. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application. STA may be a device that supports the WLAN standard. For example, STA may support one or more standards of the IEEE 802.11 family, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

[0199] For example, STA may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, set-top box, smart television, smart wearable device, in-vehicle communication device, computer, Internet of Things (IoT) node, sensor, smart camera, smart remote control, or smart water / electricity meter in a smart home, and sensor in a smart city.

[0200] An AP or STA may include a transmitter, receiver, memory, processor, and similar components. The transmitter and receiver are configured to transmit and receive packet structures, respectively. The memory is configured to store signaling information, pre-agreed preset values, and similar functions. The processor is configured to parse the signaling information, process related data, and similar functions.

[0201] Figure 2 shows the interaction in the neighbor measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0202] S201:AP#2 sends a Radio Measurement Request frame to STA#1-1, where the Radio Measurement Request frame includes at least one Measurement Request element, and the Radio Measurement Request frame is used to request channel measurement results from surrounding neighboring APs.

[0203] It should be understood that the surrounding AP and AP#2 may or may not belong to the same ESS. The solution of the present invention focuses on the case where the surrounding AP and AP#2 belong to the same ESS. AP#2 is associated with STA#2-1.

[0204] Figure 3 shows the format of a wireless measurement request frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0205] As shown in Figure 3, the radio measurement request frame includes a Category field, a Radio Measurement Action field, a Dialog Token field, a Number of Repetitions field, and Measurement Request elements fields.

[0206] The category field indicates the category to which the action frame belongs, and the size of the category field is 1 octet, or 8 bits. For example, for Radio Measurement, this field is set to 5. The meanings corresponding to the values ​​of the Radio Measurement action field are shown in Table 1. As shown in Table 1, for a Radio Measurement request, the value of the Radio Measurement action field is 0. When the Dialog Token field is set to a non-zero value, it indicates a particular request / report interaction. The Iterations field indicates the number of iterations of all measurements requested within the frame. Table 1 [Table 1]

[0207] The Measurement Request Element field may hold zero or more Measurement Request elements, as shown in Figure 3. The Measurement Request Element field may include an Element ID field, a Length field, a Measurement Token field, a Measurement Request Mode field, a Measurement Type field, and a Measurement Request field.

[0208] The element identifier field indicates the identifier corresponding to the element, and the size of the element identifier field is 1 octet. For measurement request elements, this field may be set to 38. The length field indicates the length of the element. It should be understood that the length field includes the sum of the length of the element identifier field and the length field. The size of the length field is 1 octet. The measurement token field is set to a non-zero value, and the measurement token field is used to uniquely identify the corresponding measurement request element in the measurement request element field within the wireless measurement request frame. The size of the measurement token field is 1 octet.

[0209] The measurement request mode field includes the Parallel subfield, Enable subfield, Request subfield, Report subfield, Duration Mandatory subfield, and Reserved field. The size of the measurement request mode field is 1 octet, i.e., 8 bits. The Parallel subfield indicates whether multiple measurement requests need to be executed in parallel or sequentially, and the size of the Parallel subfield is 1 bit. The Enable subfield is used to distinguish whether a request is a measurement request, a request to trigger a destination station, or a request to autonomously report a report, and the size of the Enable subfield is 1 bit. The Request subfield indicates whether the destination station is permitted to send a measurement request of the specified measurement type, and the size of the Request subfield is 1 bit. The Report subfield indicates whether the destination station is permitted to send a measurement report of the specified measurement type, and the size of the Report subfield is 1 bit. The duration enforcement subfield indicates whether the duration of the specified measurement is enforced, and the size of the duration enforcement subfield is 1 bit. The size of the reserved field is 3 bits.

[0210] The Measurement Type field indicates the type of measurement requested by the measurement request. For example, if the value of the Measurement Type field is 5, the Measurement Type field indicates that the measurement type requested by the measurement request is a Beacon request.

[0211] The measurement request field is used to hold the corresponding measurement request information. The format of the measurement request field shown in Figure 3 is the corresponding measurement request field when the measurement type is a beacon request. The measurement request field includes an Operating Class field, a Channel Number field, a Randomization Interval field, a Measurement Duration field, a Measurement Mode field, a BSS Identifier (BSSID) field, and an Optional subelements field. The Operating Class field indicates the operating class of the corresponding channel and has a size of 1 octet. The Channel Number field indicates the corresponding channel number and has a size of 1 octet. The receiving end may determine the corresponding channel frequency and channel bandwidth based on the Operating Class field and the Channel Number field. The Randomization Interval field indicates an upper limit of random delay that may be introduced before measurement and has a size of 2 octets. The Measurement Duration field indicates the expected or forced measurement duration in time units (TU), e.g., 1.024 microseconds, and the size of the Measurement Duration field is 2 octets. The Measurement Mode field indicates the measurement mode used for the measurement, and specific settings are shown in Table 2 below. The size of the Measurement Mode field is 6 octets. Table 2 [Table 2]

[0212] If the value of the measurement mode field is 0, it indicates passive monitoring, meaning the STA performs passive monitoring, for example, by monitoring beacon frames. If the value of the measurement mode field is 1, it indicates active probing, meaning the STA sends a Probe Request and the AP returns a Probe Response to perform a neighborhood scan and measurement of the surroundings. If the value of the measurement mode field is 2, it indicates beacon table, meaning the STA directly feeds back the recorded measurement results to the associated AP without performing any additional measurements.

[0213] The BSS identifier field indicates the BSSID of the neighboring AP (which may also be called the measured AP) performing the beacon request measurement. When set to a broadcast address, the BSS identifier field indicates that all APs on the corresponding channel will be measured. The size of the BSS identifier field is 6 octets. The optional sub-element field is used to carry zero or more sub-elements. Details are shown in Table 3. The size of the optional sub-element field is variable. Table 3 [Table 3]

[0214] For example, SSID instructs the STA to scan only the vicinity of a given SSID. Beacon reporting instructs the trigger conditions for the STA to report a measurement report. Report details instruct the STA to report the contents of the measured beacon frame or probe response frame. Access point channel reporting instructs the STA to indicate channels on which it has a high probability of finding a nearby AP.

[0215] S202:STA#2-1 collects the measurement results.

[0216] It should be understood that STA#2-1 may perform a neighborhood scan and measurement based on a wireless measurement request frame in order to collect measurement results from surrounding neighboring APs.

[0217] In the following, AP#2 in the surrounding AP is used as an example to explain the specific method by which STA#2-1 collects measurement results. In this embodiment of the present application, the number of APs from which measurement results are collected is not limited.

[0218] Method 1: STA#2-1 periodically detects the downlink signal transmitted by AP#1 to measure the downlink channel quality between STA#2-1 and AP#1.

[0219] For example, in S202a-1, AP#1 periodically transmits beacon frames on the determined channel. S202a-2:STA#2-1 monitors the beacon frames on each given channel. The measurement result may be downlink channel quality obtained based on the measured beacon frames, or it may be capability information or information such as operational parameters related to AP#1 and included in the beacon frame.

[0220] The transmission cycle of AP#1 may be 100 milliseconds (ms).

[0221] In this example of Method 1, the measurement mode for collecting the measurement results of AP#2 is passive mode. In other words, the value of the measurement mode field in the measurement request field within the measurement request element field in the wireless measurement request frame corresponding to this example is 0, as shown in Table 2.

[0222] In this example of Method 1, the periodically transmitted beacon frames carry a large amount of information (e.g., capability information and operational parameters of AP#2).

[0223] STA#2-1 acquires the measurement results of AP#1 in the measurement mode of Method 1. STA#2-1 needs to monitor beacon frames on a given channel, and since the transmission period of beacon frames by AP#1 is long, this occupies STA#2-1 for a long period of time. As a result, STA#2-1, which performs neighbor scans and measurements, has a serious impact on STA#2-1's data transmission.

[0224] As another example, in S202b-1, AP#1 periodically transmits a Measurement Pilot frame on the determined channel.

[0225] S202b-2:STA#2-1 monitors the measurement pilot frame on each given channel. The measurement result may be the monitored measurement pilot frame.

[0226] Similar to the example above, the measurement mode is also a passive mode, and it should be understood that the difference is that the period for transmitting the measurement pilot frame in this example is shorter than the period for transmitting the beacon frame.

[0227] In the process by which STA#2-1 performs neighbor scans and measurements using this example, the time STA#1-1 is occupied is shorter than in the previous example, but the data transmission of STA#1-1 is still affected to some extent, and the measurement method in this example is rarely implemented in products.

[0228] Method 2

[0229] S202c-1:STA#2-1 sends a Probe Request frame to AP#1.

[0230] S202c-2: AP#1 sends an acknowledgment frame to STA#2-1.

[0231] S202c-3:AP#1 sends a probe response frame to STA#2-1. The measurement result may be the probe response frame.

[0232] S202c-4:STA#2-1 sends an acknowledgment frame to AP#1.

[0233] In Method 2, the measurement mode for collecting the measurement results of AP#1 is Active Mode. In other words, as shown in Table 2, the value of the Measurement Mode field in the Measurement Request field within the Measurement Request Element field in the Wireless Measurement Request Frame corresponding to Method 2 is 1.

[0234] Since both the probe request frame (S202c-1) and the probe response frame (S202c-3) are management frames, it should be understood that for the receiving end of AP#1, which receives the probe request frame, AP#1 must first return an acknowledgment frame after receiving the probe request frame (e.g., S202c-2), and then compete for the channel again to send the probe response frame (e.g., S202c-3). Subsequently, STA#2-1 returns an acknowledgment frame (S202c-4).

[0235] In method 2, the probe request frame and probe response frame also hold a large amount of information (for example, AP#1 capability information and operating parameter information).

[0236] STA#2-1 acquires the measurement results of AP#1 in the measurement mode of Method 2. Because the interaction time between STA#2-1 and AP#1 is long, this occupies STA#2-1 for an extended period. As a result, the process of performing neighbor scans and measurements has a serious impact on the data transmission of STA#2-1.

[0237] S203:STA#2-1 sends a Radio Measurement Response frame to AP#2, which is used to feed back the measurement results of neighboring APs.

[0238] Figure 4 shows the format of the wireless measurement report frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0239] As shown in Figure 4, the radio measurement report frame includes a Category field, a Radio Measurement Action field, a Dialog Token field, and Measurement Report elements fields.

[0240] The category field indicates the category to which the action frame belongs, and the size of the category field is 1 octet. For example, for Radio Measurement, this field is set to 5. The meanings corresponding to the values ​​of the Radio Measurement action field are shown in Table 1. As shown in Table 1, for Radio Measurement Report, the value of the Radio Measurement action field is 1. When the dialog token field is set to a non-zero value, it indicates a specific request / report interaction.

[0241] The measurement report element field may hold zero or more measurement report elements, as shown in Figure 4. The measurement report element field may include an Element ID field, a Length field, a Measurement Token field, a Measurement Report Mode field, a Measurement Type field, and a Measurement Report field. The functions of the Element ID field, Length field, and Measurement Token field in the measurement report element field are similar to those of the corresponding fields in the measurement request element field. Further details are not described herein.

[0242] The measurement report mode field includes the Late subfield, Incapable subfield, Refused subfield, and Reserved subfield. The size of the measurement report mode field is 1 octet, i.e., 8 bits. The Late subfield indicates whether the STA is unable to perform the measurement request, and the size of the Late subfield is 1 bit. For example, when the value of the Late subfield is set to 1, the measurement request is too late. The Incapable subfield indicates whether the station is unable to generate the requested measurement report, and the size of the Incapable subfield is 1 bit. For example, when the value of the Incapable subfield is set to 1, the STA is unable to generate the requested measurement report. The Refused subfield indicates whether the STA is refusing to generate the requested measurement report, and the size of the Refused subfield is 1 bit. The size of the Reserved field is 5 bits.

[0243] The Measurement Type field indicates the type of measurement reported in the measurement report. For example, when the value of the Measurement Type field is 5, the Measurement Type field indicates that the type of measurement reported in the measurement report is a Beacon report.

[0244] The measurement report field is used to hold zero or more measurement reports. The format of the measurement report field shown in Figure 4 is the corresponding measurement report field when the measurement type is a beacon report. The measurement report field includes the Operating Class field, Channel Number field, Actual Measurement Start Time field, Measurement Duration field, Reported Frame Information field, received channel power indicator (RCPI) field, received signal noise indicator (RSNI) field, BSS identifier (BSSID) field, Antenna ID field, Root Time (parent timing synchronization function, parent TSF) field, and Optional subelements field. The functions of the Operating Class field and Channel Number field in the measurement report field are similar to the functions of the corresponding fields in the measurement request field. Further details are not described herein.

[0245] The Actual Measurement Start Time field indicates the start time for the STA to perform the measurement, and the size of the Actual Measurement Start Time field is 8 octets. The Measurement Duration field indicates the measurement duration of the STA, and the size of the Measurement Duration field is 2 octets. The Reported Frame Information field indicates the reported frame information, and the size of the Reported Frame Information field is 1 octet, i.e., 8 bits. The Reported Frame Information includes the Condensed PHY Type field and the Reported Frame Type field. The Condensed PHY Type field indicates the physical layer type used by the measured frame, and the size of the Condensed PHY Type field is 7 bits. The Reported Frame Type field indicates the frame type of the measured frame, and the size of the Reported Frame Type field is 1 bit. When the Reported Frame Type field is set to 0, the Reported Frame Type is a beacon frame or a probe response frame. When the Reported Frame Type field is set to 1, the Reported Frame Type is a measurement pilot frame.

[0246] The RCPI field indicates the channel power measured based on the beacon frame, probe response frame, or measurement pilot frame, and the field size is 1 octet. The RSNI field indicates the signal-to-noise ratio measured based on the beacon frame, probe response frame, or measurement pilot frame, and the field size is 1 octet. The BSS identifier field indicates the BSS identifier corresponding to the measured beacon frame, probe response frame, or measurement pilot frame, and the field size is 6 octets. The antenna identifier field indicates the corresponding antenna identifier for receiving the measured signal, and the field size is 1 octet. The root time field is the least significant 4 bytes of the STA's time synchronization function, indicating the time to receive the beacon frame, measurement pilot frame, or probe response frame to be measured, and the field size is 4 octets. The optional sub-element field for beacon reporting is used to carry zero or more sub-elements. Details are shown in Table 4. The size of the optional sub-element field is variable. Table 4 [Table 4]

[0247] For example, the Report Frame Body sub-element is used to hold part or all of the frame body of the measured frame. When the value of the field corresponding to the Report Details sub-element in the optional sub-element field in the Measurement Request field corresponding to the Beacon Request is set to 0, the optional sub-element field in the Measurement Report field corresponding to the Beacon Report does not include the Report Frame Body sub-element.

[0248] S204:AP#2 determines the target AP based on the measurement results of the surrounding APs.

[0249] The target AP may include at least one neighboring AP.

[0250] Optionally, AP#2 sends a BSS transition request to STA#2-1, where the BSS transition request includes the target AP.

[0251] In S203, it should be understood that STA#2-1 may use a wireless measurement report frame to report to AP#2 the measurement results collected in S202, as well as information such as AP#1's capability information or operating parameters contained in the beacon frame or probe response frame.

[0252] However, beacon frames and probe response frames hold a large amount of information, such as capability information and operating parameters of AP#1. This results in significant signaling overhead. In scenarios involving different APs within the same ESS, capability information or operating parameters between different APs can be exchanged via DS, and there is no need to waste air interface resources by feeding the information back to AP#2 via STA#2-1.

[0253] Furthermore, different STAs implement neighbor scans and measurements in different ways. For example, even if AP#1 allows STA#1-1 to perform neighbor scans and measurements using a wireless measurement request frame, some vendors' STA#1-1s will simply ignore the request and not perform neighbor scans and measurements. As another example, the calculation methods for the RCPI and RSNI fields, which are fed back by different vendors' STA#1-1s, differ.

[0254] Finally, regardless of any of the aforementioned measurement modes, there may be an asymmetry between the uplink and downlink between STA#2-1 and AP#1, i.e., a significant difference between the downlink channel quality measured by STA#2-1 and the uplink channel quality between AP#1 and STA#2-1. In this case, the candidate AP selected by AP#2 based on the downlink measurement results collected by STA#2-1, and for the BSS transition, may not be the most suitable. This will affect the subsequent data transmission quality of STA#2-1.

[0255] To address the aforementioned problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus. A detailed explanation will be provided below with reference to Figures 5 to 24.

[0256] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the interaction diagram shown in Figure 5, it should be understood that the first station, the first access point, and the second access point are used as the implementing entities of the interaction diagram to illustrate the corresponding method. However, the implementing entities of the interaction diagram are not limited in the present invention. For example, the first station in Figure 5 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first station when implementing the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first station. The first access point in Figure 5 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first access point when implementing the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access point. The second access point in Figure 5 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the second access point when implementing the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second access point.

[0257] It should be understood that the first station is not associated with the first access point, the first station is associated with the second access point, and both the first and second access points belong to the same ESS.

[0258] It should be understood that in the following, "request frame" may be represented by "first request frame," "response frame" may be represented by "first response frame," "station" may be represented by "first station," and "downlink received signal quality" may be represented by "downlink received signal quality."

[0259] Optionally, in S560, the second access point transmits a radio measurement request frame to the first station, where the radio measurement request frame is used to request channel quality measurement results between the first station and at least one neighboring access point, and at least one neighboring access point includes the first access point.

[0260] In possible implementations, the wireless measurement frame includes identifier information for at least one neighboring access point.

[0261] For example, a wireless measurement request frame includes second instruction information, which indicates the identifier information of the first access point.

[0262] Specifically, the BSS identifier field within the measurement request element field of the wireless measurement request frame may include identifier information for at least one neighboring access point, for example, the address information of the first access point.

[0263] In a possible implementation, the wireless measurement request frame includes first instruction information, which instructs the first station to transmit the first request frame.

[0264] It should be understood that the first instruction information indicates a new measurement mode, namely, a communication method between the first station and the first access point provided in this embodiment of the present application, namely, channel sounding between the first station and the first access point.

[0265] For example, the value of the measurement mode field in the measurement request field within the measurement request element field of the wireless measurement request frame may be set to 3, or the first instruction information may be represented by combining an existing value of the measurement mode field with another field. The specific form of the first instruction information is not limited to the present embodiment of the application.

[0266] In possible implementations, the radio measurement request frame further includes third instruction information indicating that subsequent radio measurement report frames will not include any information related to the first access point other than the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality.

[0267] Specifically, the value of the Report Details field in an optional sub-element field within the Measurement Request element field of the Wireless Measurement Request Frame is set to 0. It should be understood that the third instruction information may be represented by using another field instead. This is not limited to the present embodiment of the Application.

[0268] It should be understood that the communication method provided in this embodiment can be applied between the first station and each neighboring access point. Hereinafter, the first access point will be used as an example for detailed explanation.

[0269] S510: The first station sends a first request frame to the first access point, which is used to trigger the transmission of a first response frame.

[0270] S520: a first access point transmits a first response frame to a first station, wherein the first response frame includes a first transmission power for transmitting the first response frame.

[0271] It should be understood that the first request frame and the first response frame in the present embodiment of the present application are not limited to request frames and response frames in a strict sense, and may include a plurality of forms.

[0272] The first transmission power included in the first response frame may be the first transmission power information itself or indication information of the first transmission power. This is not limited in the present embodiment of the present application. In other words, the first response frame includes first transmission power information used when the first response frame is transmitted. It should be understood that another transmission power in the present embodiment of the present application may alternatively be the transmission power in the present application or indication information of another transmission power, which will not be specifically described later.

[0273] In a possible implementation, the first request frame is a second null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame, and the first response frame is a first NDPA frame; or, the first request frame is a transmit power control (TPC) request frame, and the first response frame is a TPC response frame; or, the first request frame is a measurement pilot request frame, and the first response frame is a measurement pilot frame.

[0274] It should be understood that the foregoing different cases of the first request frame and the first response frame will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 15, and FIG. 17.

[0275] In a possible implementation, the first transmission power may be equal to the transmission power corresponding to a beacon frame or a probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0276] S530: The first station determines the quality of the first downlink received signal.

[0277] The first downlink received signal quality may include one or more of the following: a first downlink received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a first downlink received channel power indicator (RCPI), and a first downlink received signal-to-noise indicator (RSNI).

[0278] In a possible implementation, when the first request frame is a second NDPA frame and the first response frame is a first NDPA frame, the first station receives a first NDP frame from the first access point and determines the first downlink received signal quality based on the first NDPA frame and / or the first NDP frame.

[0279] It should be understood that the NDPA frame in this embodiment of the present application will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 8.

[0280] In possible implementations, when the first request frame is a TPC request frame and the first response frame is a TPC response frame, the type of the TPC request frame and the type of the TPC response frame are defined as a Class 1 frame or a Public Action frame, and the quality of the first downlink received signal is determined based on the TPC response frame.

[0281] In possible implementations, when the first request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the first response frame is a measurement pilot frame, the first downlink received signal quality is determined based on the measurement pilot frame.

[0282] S540: The first station transmits the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality to the second access point.

[0283] In a possible implementation, the first station transmits a radio measurement report frame to the second access point, where the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality are carried in the radio measurement report frame.

[0284] Optionally, the first station transmits to the second access point the transmit power from another neighboring access point and the downlink received signal quality corresponding to that other neighboring access point.

[0285] S550: The second access point performs a BSS transition based on the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality.

[0286] In other words, the second access point makes a BSS transition decision based on the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality, that is, it determines the target access point for the BSS transition.

[0287] In a possible implementation, the second access point selects a target access point for BSS transition from at least one neighboring access point based on the first downlink received signal quality and the downlink received signal quality corresponding to another neighboring access point.

[0288] In a possible implementation, the second access point determines the transmission path loss between the first station and the first access point based on the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality. The second access point determines the transmission path loss between another neighboring access point and the first station based on the transmit power of another neighboring access point and the downlink received signal quality corresponding to that other neighboring access point. The second access point estimates the uplink received signal quality between the first station and the other access point based on the transmission path loss corresponding to the different access point and the maximum transmit power of the first station. The second access point selects a target access point for BSS transition from at least one neighboring access point based on the uplink received signal quality and downlink received signal command corresponding to the different access point.

[0289] In a possible implementation, the second access point selects a target access point for BSS transition from at least one neighboring access point based on the estimated uplink received signal quality corresponding to a different access point.

[0290] It should be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, the specific process by which the second access point selects a target access point for BSS transition is not limited.

[0291] In the technical solution described above, the first station transmits the determined first downlink received signal quality and the first transmit power corresponding to the first access point to the second access point, thereby providing the second access point with more information in the decision-making process for the target access point for BSS transition. This helps the second access point to make a more appropriate choice and avoid selecting an inferior neighboring access point as the target access point based solely on downlink received signal quality, thereby ensuring the quality of data transmission between the first station and the target access point after the BSS transition.

[0292] The above-mentioned solution will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 6 to 9 and Figures 17 to 20.

[0293] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that in the interaction diagram shown in Figure 6, the first station and the first access point are used as the implementing entities of the interaction diagram to illustrate the corresponding method. However, the implementing entities of the interaction diagram are not limited in the present invention. For example, the first station in Figure 6 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first station when implementing the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first station. The first access point in Figure 6 may alternatively be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first access point when implementing the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access point.

[0294] It should be understood that in the following description, the "request frame" may be represented by "first NDP request frame", the "response frame" may be represented by "first NDP response frame", the "station" may be represented by "first station", and the "downlink received signal quality" may be represented by "first downlink received signal quality".

[0295] S610: the first station sends a first NDP request frame to a first access point to request a first NDPA frame and a first NDP frame.

[0296] The first station is not associated with the first access point. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first station may be STA#2-1, and the first access point may be AP#1.

[0297] It should be understood that the first NDP request frame is not a request frame in the strict sense.

[0298] In a possible implementation, the first NDP request frame may be an NDPA frame, for example, a second NDPA frame. With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the following describes in detail the transmission scheme and a specific format used when the type of the first NDP request frame is the second NDPA frame.

[0299] S620: the first access point triggers transmission of a first NDP response frame based on the first NDP request frame, where the first NDP response frame includes first transmit power.

[0300] It should be understood that the first NDP response frame is not a response frame in the strict sense.

[0301] The first NDP response frame is the first NDPA frame, and the first NDPA frame includes the first transmit power.

[0302] Optionally, the first access point transmits the first NDP frame to the first station, where a short interface space (SIFS) exists between the first NDP frame and the first NDP frame.

[0303] It should be understood that both the transmit power of the first NDPA frame and the transmit power of the first NDP frame may be the first transmit power.

[0304] S630: The first station acquires the first downlink received signal quality based on the first NDPA frame and / or the first NDP frame.

[0305] The first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality are used for BSS transitions.

[0306] In the aforementioned technical solution, downlink channel quality measurement is performed between the first station and the first access point based on control frames, which are, for example, NDPA frames and NDP frames. Because the interval between control frames is short, the time required for neighbor scanning and measurement by the first station can be significantly reduced, thereby reducing the impact of the neighbor measurement and scanning process on the data transmission of the first station.

[0307] In possible implementations, the first transmit power may be equal to the transmit power used by the first access point to transmit a beacon frame or probe response frame. The transmit power of the beacon frame or probe response frame may be the maximum transmit power of the first access point.

[0308] Thus, when the first transmit power is the transmit power of the beacon frame or probe response frame, that is, when the first transmit power is the maximum transmit power of the first access point, the transmission path loss obtained thereafter can be more accurate. For example, when the distance between the first station and the first access point is long, the first access point transmits the first NDP response frame at maximum transmit power to avoid inaccuracies in the transmission path loss estimate between the first station and the first access point due to distance factors.

[0309] Optionally, in S640, the first station grants the first access point its remaining transmit opportunity (TXOP), where the remaining transmit opportunity is the remaining transmit opportunity of the first station.

[0310] The first station and the second access point are associated with each other. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the first station may be STA#2-1 and the second access point may be AP#2.

[0311] In possible implementations, the protocol is pre-configured to grant the remaining TXOP to the first access point after the first station sends the first NDP request frame to the first access point.

[0312] In possible implementations, the second NDPA frame contains fourth instruction information, which instructs the first access point to grant the remaining TXOP.

[0313] For example, a reverse direction grant (RDG) field is added to the second NDPA frame, instructing it to grant the remaining TXOPs to the first access point.

[0314] Optionally, the first access point may instruct one or more associated stations corresponding to the first access point to perform channel sounding in the first NDPA frame by using the remaining transmission opportunity. In other words, the first access point may instruct the stations associated with the first access point to perform beam training by using the remaining transmission opportunity.

[0315] Optionally, after S620, the seventh NDPA frame transmitted by the first access point to the station associated with the first access point instructs the station associated with the first access point to collect channel sounding information.

[0316] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the first access point may be AP#1 in Figure 1, and the station associated with the first access point may be STA#1 in Figure 1. It should be understood that the process by which the first access point instructs the associated station to perform channel sounding will be described in detail thereafter with reference to Figure 9.

[0317] In the aforementioned technical solution, during the process in which the first station performs neighbor scans and measurements, the first access point is provided with transmission opportunities between the first station and the second access point; that is, the process in which the first access point performs beam training is combined with the process in which it performs neighbor scans and measurements to improve overall operational efficiency.

[0318] The schematic flowchart of the interaction in the communication method shown in Figure 6 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The implementing entity shown in Figure 7 is similar to that in Figure 6, and the relevant description will not be described again herein.

[0319] Step 1: The first station sends a first NDP request frame to the first access point, where the first NDP request frame may be an NDPA frame, for example, a second NDPA frame.

[0320] Optionally, after step 2: short interframe space, the first station may send a second NDP frame to the first access point.

[0321] Step 3: After a short inter-frame space, the first access point sends the first NDPA frame to the first station.

[0322] Optionally, after step 4: short interframe space, the first access point sends the first NDP frame to the first station.

[0323] It should be understood that the aforementioned steps may be performed at time intervals corresponding to the same interframe space or at time intervals corresponding to different interframe spaces. This is not limited to the present embodiment of the application. Since step 2 is an optional step, if step 2 is not present, only one interframe space is required between step 1 and step 3.

[0324] The formats of the first NDP request frame and the first NDP response frame will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram of the formats of the first NDP request frame and the first NDP response frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example in which the first NDP request frame shown in Figure 8(a) is a second NDPA frame will be used for the explanation, and an example in which the first NDP response frame shown in Figure 8(b) is a first NDPA frame will be used for the explanation.

[0325] As shown in Figure 8(a), the second NDPA frame includes a Frame Control field, a Duration field, a Receiver Address (RA) field, a Transmitter Address (TA) field, a Sounding Dialog Token field, a Station Information List (STA Info List) field, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field. The Frame Control field is 2 octets in size, the Duration field is 2 octets in size, the Receiver Address field is 6 octets in size, the Transmitter Address field is 6 octets in size, the Sounding Dialog Token field is 1 octet in size, the Station Information List field is variable in size, and the Frame Control field is 4 octets in size.

[0326] The frame control field is used to hold protocol version information, frame type information, and similar information. Specifically, the frame type information includes two fields: the Type field and the Subtype field. If the second NDPA frame is a control frame, the Type field and Subtype field may be set to 01 and 0101, respectively. The Duration field indicates the remaining time for transmission. The Receiver Address field indicates the Receiver Address. The Transmitter Address field indicates the Transmitter Address.

[0327] As shown in Figure 8(a), the sounding dialog token field includes an NDP Announcement Variant field and a Sounding Dialog Token Number field. The NDP Announcement Variant field is 2 bits in size, and the Sounding Dialog Token Number field is 6 bits in size. Specific values ​​for the NDP Announcement Variant field may be shown in Table 5. Table 5 [Table 5]

[0328] For example, the length of each station information field corresponding to VHT NDPA is 2 bytes. The length of each station information field corresponding to Sensing NDPA is 4 bytes, the value of the association identifier (AID) field in the first station information field is 2045, and the value of the 32nd bit of the station information field (i.e., the bit numbered B31) is 1. The length of each station information field corresponding to HE NDPA is 4 bytes. The length of each station information field corresponding to EHT NDPA is 4 bytes.

[0329] In the following, the format of the station information field corresponding to the second NDPA frame variant in this embodiment of the application will be described in detail, using VHT NDPA and HE NDPA as examples. In this case, the values ​​of the NDP announcement variant are 0 and 2, respectively.

[0330] In this embodiment of the present application, in possible implementations, the second NDPA frame includes a fourth AID field, the fifth value of the fourth AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the transmit power of the transmitting end. In this case, the transmit power of the transmitting end is either the transmit power for the first station to transmit the second NDPA frame to the first access point, or the transmit power for the first station to transmit both the second NDPA frame and the second NDP frame to the first access point, where the transmit power of the second NDPA frame may be the same as the transmit power of the second NDP frame.

[0331] For example, as shown in Figure 8(a), a special value in the AID12 field within the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA variant, e.g., 2046, indicates that the transmit power field of the transmitting end is present within the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA variant. Alternatively, a special value in the AID11 field within the station information field corresponding to the HE NDPA variant, e.g., 2046, indicates that the transmit power field of the transmitting end is present within the station information field corresponding to the HE NDPA variant.

[0332] In possible implementations, the second NDPA frame contains information indicating the transmit power at the transmitting end.

[0333] For example, as shown in Figure 8(a), the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant may further include a transmit power field at the transmitting end, the transmit power field may indicate the transmit power of the second NDPA frame. Alternatively, the transmit power field may indicate the transmit power of the second NDPA frame and the transmit power of the second NDPA frame transmitted immediately thereafter.

[0334] In possible implementations, the second NDPA frame may further include the requested first number of iterations of the long training field (LTF) set in the first NDP frame, or it may include the requested second number of iterations of the first NDP frame.

[0335] It should be understood that the fourth AID field may further indicate the presence of a first iteration number field or a second iteration number field.

[0336] For example, as shown in Figure 8(a), the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant may further include the requested first number of iterations of the long training field (LTFs) set in the first NDP frame, or the requested second number of iterations of the first NDP frame.

[0337] Thus, when channel sounding is performed based on the first NDP frame, the first station can perform multiple measurements based on the first NDP frame repeated multiple times, thereby improving the downlink channel sounding accuracy of the first station.

[0338] In possible implementations, the second NDPA frame also includes a first NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a second NDP frame is sent following the second NDPA frame.

[0339] It should be understood that the fourth AID field may also indicate the presence of the first NDP presence field.

[0340] For example, as shown in Figure 8(a), the station information field corresponding to a VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant may further include a first NDP presence field, the second NDP presence field indicating whether a second NDP frame is transmitted following a second NDP frame.

[0341] Specifically, one bit in the station information field corresponding to a VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant indicates whether or not a second NDP frame exists.

[0342] In this way, by using fields to configure NDP frames as optional message frames, message transmission can be performed flexibly. For example, if only the first station needs to perform downlink channel sounding, bandwidth resources can be saved and signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0343] Correspondingly, the format of the first NDPA frame shown in Figure 8(b) is similar to the format of the second NDPA frame.

[0344] In possible implementations, the first NDPA frame includes a first AID field, and the first value of the first AID indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the first transmit power.

[0345] For example, as shown in Figure 8(b), a special value in the AID12 field within the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA variant, e.g., 2046, indicates the presence of a first transmit power field within the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA variant. Alternatively, a special value in the AID11 field within the station information field corresponding to the HE NDPA variant, e.g., 2046, indicates the presence of a first transmit power field within the station information field corresponding to the HE NDPA variant.

[0346] In possible implementations, the first NDPA frame includes the first transmit power field.

[0347] For example, as shown in Figure 8(b), the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant includes a first transmit power field, which indicates the transmit power of the first NDPA frame and the first NDP frame.

[0348] In possible implementations, the first NDPA frame further includes either the first iteration number of the LTFs set within the first NDP frame, or the second iteration number of the first NDP frame.

[0349] It should be understood that the first AID field may further indicate the presence of a first iteration number field or a second iteration number field.

[0350] For example, as shown in Figure 8(b), the station information field corresponding to a VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant includes either the first iteration number of the LTFs set in the first NDP frame, or the second iteration number of the first NDP frame.

[0351] In possible implementations, the first NDPA frame includes a second NDP presence field, the second value of which indicates that the first NDP frame is sent following the first NDPA frame.

[0352] It should be understood that the first AID field may also indicate the presence of a second NDP presence field.

[0353] For example, as shown in Figure 8(b), if the station information field corresponding to a VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant includes a second NDP presence field, the value of the second NDP presence field is set to 1, indicating that the first NDP frame is transmitted at the SIFS interval following the first NDPA frame.

[0354] In a possible implementation, if the first NDP presence field included in the second NDP frame indicates that the second NDP frame is transmitted immediately following the second NDP frame, the first access point may obtain the uplink received signal quality based on the second NDP frame, and the first NDP frame may further include the uplink received signal quality.

[0355] For example, the station information field corresponding to the VHT NDPA or HE NDPA variant further includes uplink received signal quality.

[0356] In this way, the first station can simultaneously acquire the channel quality between the first station and the first access point. This avoids the possibility that the second access point might subsequently select an unsuitable candidate access point for BSS transition due to asymmetry between the uplink and downlink.

[0357] The optional implementation of S640 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in channel sounding performed by the access point according to the embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the implementing entities shown in Figure 9 are the first access point and the second station. The description of the first access point and the second station is the same as the description of the first access point and the first station. For details, please refer to Figure 6. The second station may be STA#2 shown in Figure 1, and the station is associated with the first access point.

[0358] In the interaction procedure shown in Figure 9, an example is used in which the first access point transmits an NDPA frame, the second station measures the downlink channel quality, and feeds back the downlink channel quality. The measurement method shown in Figure 9 may be classified into two channel measurement methods based on the number of beamformies. The first channel measurement method shown in Figure 9(a) is non-trigger-based channel sounding, with only one beamformy. The second channel measurement method shown in Figure 9(b) is trigger-based (TB) channel sounding, with multiple beamformies. Since channel sounding can also be called beam training, the first access point in Figure 9 may also be called a beamformer, and the second station may also be called a beamformy.

[0359] As shown in Figure 9(a), Step 1: The first access point transmits NDPA#3 to the second station. Step 2: After the SIFS interval, the first access point transmits NDP#3 to the second station. Step 3: After the SIFS interval, the second station transmits compressed beamforming or channel quality indicator (CQI) to the first access point.

[0360] For example, NDPA#3 can be HE NDPA.

[0361] NDPA #3 indicates which station needs to measure the following NDP and its corresponding parameters.

[0362] As shown in Figure 9(b), Step 1: The first access point transmits NDPA #4 to multiple second stations. Step 2: After the SIFS interval, the first access point transmits NDP #4 to multiple second stations. Step 3: After the SIFS interval, the first access point transmits BFRP trigger frames to multiple second stations. Step 4: After the SIFS interval, the multiple second stations sequentially transmit compressed beamforming or channel quality indicators to the first access point.

[0363] During beam training, the number of high-efficiency long training fields (HE-LTF) maintained on NDP #3 or NDP #4 is the maximum number of supported transmit streams, and is typically equal to the number of transmit antennas.

[0364] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The entities performing the schematic flowchart of the interaction in the method shown in Figure 10 are similar to those in Figure 6, and it should be understood that further details are not described herein.

[0365] S1010: Station 1 transmits a third NDPA frame to Access Point 1, where the third NDPA frame contains the expected second transmit power of the fourth NDP frame.

[0366] In possible implementations, the second transmit power may be held by the second access point in a radio measurement request frame, for example, in a radio measurement request frame where the measurement type is a beacon request.

[0367] In a possible implementation, the first access point transmits a second transmit power to the second access point via the DS's wired communication. The second transmit power is either the expected transmit power of the second access point, or the expected transmit power of the first station.

[0368] It should be understood that the specific format of the third NDPA frame is described in detail in Figure 12(a). The transmission method of the third NDPA frame is described in detail in Figure 11.

[0369] S1020: The first access point transmits the fourth NDP frame to the first station with the second transmit power.

[0370] S1030: Station 1 acquires the second downlink received signal quality based on the fourth NDP frame.

[0371] It should be understood that the second downlink received signal quality may include one or more of the second downlink RSSI, second downlink RCPI, and second downlink RSNI.

[0372] S1040: The first station transmits the second downlink received signal quality to the second access point, where the second downlink received signal quality is used for BSS transition.

[0373] In the technical solution described above, the first station directly transmits the expected transmit power corresponding to the first access point to the first access point by using an NDPA frame, and the first access point then transmits an NDP frame with the expected transmit power, thereby enabling the second access point to properly select the appropriate target access point when performing the subsequent BSS transition. For example, if the second transmit power, i.e., the expected transmit power, is learned in advance by the second access point from the first access point, the second access point may learn both the second transmit power and the second downlink received signal quality. In this case, the second access point can select the appropriate target access point for the BSS transition, and the signaling overhead of the air interface is also reduced.

[0374] Optionally, in the solution of Figure 10, the receiver address in the third NDPA frame may include identifier information for the first access point. In the procedure of the solution of Figure 10, the receiver address field in the third NDPA frame may be set to a broadcast address, i.e., the third NDPA frame holds identifier or address information for at least one neighboring access point. Each neighboring access point that receives the broadcast third NDPA frame sequentially transmits an NDP frame to the first station. For example, the first access point transmits a fourth NDP frame to the first station.

[0375] In this optional solution, it should be understood that the expected second transmit power carried in the third NDPA frame may be the minimum of at least one transmit power transmitted to the second access point by at least one neighbor access point in the DS wired scheme.

[0376] The schematic flowchart of the interaction in the communication method shown in Figure 10 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The implementing entities shown in Figure 11 are similar to those in Figure 10, and the relevant descriptions will not be described again in this specification.

[0377] Step 1: Station 1 sends the third NDPA frame to Access Point 1.

[0378] Optionally, after step 2: short interframe space, the first station may send a third NDP frame to the first access point.

[0379] Step 4: After a short interframe space, the first access point sends the first NDP frame to the first station.

[0380] It should be understood that the aforementioned steps may be performed at time intervals corresponding to the same interframe space or at time intervals corresponding to different interframe spaces. This is not limited to the present embodiment of the application. Since step 2 is an optional step, if step 2 is not present, only one interframe space is required between step 1 and step 3.

[0381] The formats of the third NDPA frame and the fourth NDP frame will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a diagram of the formats of the third NDPA frame and the fourth NDP frame according to an embodiment of the present application. The third NDPA frame shown in Figure 12(a) will be described using an NDPA frame variant as an example, and the fourth NDP frame shown in Figure 12(b) will be described using a high-efficiency measurement NDP as an example.

[0382] For a detailed explanation of the common field in Figure 12(a), please refer to Figure 8(a). Further details are not provided herein.

[0383] In possible implementations, the third NDPA frame may include a second AID field, the third value of which indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the second transmit power. As shown in Figure 12(a), a special value in the AID11 field, e.g., 2046, may indicate the presence of a field corresponding to the second transmit power.

[0384] In possible implementations, the third NDPA frame may include an expected second transmit power field. For example, as shown in Figure 12(a), the NDPA frame variant includes an expected second transmit power field.

[0385] In possible implementations, the third NDPA frame may further include a field corresponding to the transmit power at the transmitting end. As shown in Figure 12(a), for example, the NDPA frame variant includes a field corresponding to the transmit power at the transmitting end.

[0386] It should be understood that the second AID field may also indicate the presence of a field corresponding to the transmit power at the transmitting end.

[0387] In possible implementations, the third NDPA frame further includes the required number of iterations for the set of long training fields (LTFs) in the fourth NDP frame, or the required number of iterations for the fourth NDP frame. As shown in Figure 12(a), for example, the NDPA frame variant includes the iteration count field for the fourth NDP frame.

[0388] It should be understood that the second AID field may further indicate the presence of a field corresponding to the number of iterations in the LTFs set or the required number of iterations included in the fourth NDP frame.

[0389] In possible implementations, the third NDPA frame further includes a third NDP presence field, which indicates whether or not a third NDP frame is sent following the third NDPA frame, as shown in Figure 12(a).

[0390] It should be understood that the second AID field may also indicate the presence of a third NDP existence field.

[0391] In possible implementations, when the third NDP presence field indicates that a third NDP frame is to be transmitted following a third NDP PA frame, the third NDP frame is transmitted to the first access point after a short interframe space following the transmission of the third NDP PA frame to the first access point. The third NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the quality of the third uplink received signal.

[0392] As shown in Figure 12(b), if the fourth NDP frame is a high-efficiency measurement NDP frame, the fourth NDP frame includes a legacy short training field (L-STF), a legacy long training field (L-LTF), a legacy signal field (L-SIG), a repeated legacy signal field (RL-SIG), a high-efficiency signal (HE-SIG-A) field, a high-efficiency short training field (HE-STF), and a high-efficiency long training field (HE-LTF).

[0393] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of the interaction in yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The entities performing the schematic flowchart of the interaction in the method shown in Figure 13 are similar to those in Figure 6, and it should be understood that further details will not be described herein.

[0394] S1310: The first station determines that the first access point is performing channel sounding.

[0395] Specifically, the first access point is determined to be performing channel sounding when the first station prepares to send the first request frame due to channel conflict.

[0396] S1320: The first station receives the fifth NDPA frame and the fifth NDP frame from the first access point, where the fifth NDPA frame includes the third transmit power.

[0397] The third transmit power may be understood as the transmit power for the first access point to transmit the fifth NDPA frame and the fifth NDP frame.

[0398] It should be understood that the possible formats for the 5th NDPA frame will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 14.

[0399] It should be understood that the first access point does not sense any action by the first station that determines that the first access point is performing channel sounding. In S1320, the current channel sounding procedure of the first access point is combined, and the third transmit power is carried in the current channel sounding procedure of the first access point.

[0400] In possible implementations, the third transmit power may be equal to the transmit power corresponding to the beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

[0401] S1330: Station 1 acquires the third downlink received signal quality based on the fifth NDPA frame and / or fifth NDP frame.

[0402] It should be understood that the third downlink received signal quality may include one or more of the third downlink RSSI, third downlink RCPI, and third downlink RSNI.

[0403] S1340: The first station transmits the third transmit power and the third downlink received signal quality to the second access point.

[0404] In the technical solution described above, when the first station detects that the first access point is performing channel sounding, the first station does not need to send the first request frame, the procedure used by the first access point for channel sounding continues, and the third transmit power is carried in the fifth NDPA frame. This helps the second access point to later select a more suitable target access point for the BSS transition by using less signaling overhead, thereby ensuring the quality of subsequent data transmission for the first station.

[0405] The format of the fifth NDPA frame will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 14. Figure 14 is a diagram of the format of the fifth NDPA frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fifth NDPA frame shown in Figure 14 is an NDPA frame variant.

[0406] In possible implementations, the fifth NDPA frame includes a third transmit power field. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the NDPA frame variant includes a third transmit power field.

[0407] In possible implementations, the fifth NDPA frame includes a third AID field, and the fourth value of the third AID field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the third transmit power. For example, as shown in Figure 14, a special value in the AID11 field, e.g., 2046, may indicate that the HE NDPA frame variant includes a third transmit power field.

[0408] Figure 15 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The entities executing the schematic flowchart of the interaction in the method shown in Figure 15 are the same as those in Figure 6, and it should be understood that the details will not be described again herein. Figure 15 shows the case where the first request frame in Figure 5 is a TPC request frame and the first response frame is a TPC response frame.

[0409] It should be understood that in the following, "request frame" may be represented by "TPC request frame," "response frame" may be represented by "TPC response frame," "station" may be represented by "first station," and "downlink received signal quality" may be represented by "first downlink received signal quality."

[0410] S1510: The first station sends a TPC request frame to the first access point, where the type of the TPC request frame is defined as a Class 1 frame.

[0411] Class 1 frames may alternatively be defined as public action frames. If the type of TPC request frame is a public action frame, it should be understood that the first station may send the TPC request frame to an unassociated first access point.

[0412] S1520: The first access point sends an acknowledgment frame for the TPC request frame to the first station.

[0413] S1530: The first access point transmits a TPC response frame to the first station, where the TPC response frame includes the first transmit power.

[0414] It should be understood that the first access point will re-execute channel contention in order to send the TPC response frame.

[0415] It should be understood that the specific formats of TPC request frames and TPC response frames are described in detail in Figure 16.

[0416] S1540: The first station sends an acknowledgment frame of the TPC response frame to the first access point.

[0417] S1550: The first station determines the quality of the first downlink received signal based on the TPC response frame.

[0418] In the aforementioned technical solution, the first transmit power of the first access point is obtained based on the TPC request frame and TPC response frame, and the current measurement mode is used in which downlink received signal quality measurement is performed based on the beacon frame or probe request frame. In this solution, channel resource consumption and signaling overhead can be reduced because the TPC request frame and TPC response frame hold less information. Furthermore, this helps the second access point to make a more appropriate selection thereafter and avoids selecting an inferior neighboring access point as the target access point based solely on downlink received signal quality, thereby ensuring the quality of data transmission between the first station and the target access point after BSS transition.

[0419] Figure 16 shows the format of the TPC request frame and TPC response frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0420] As shown in Figure 16(a), a TPC request frame includes a Category field, a Radio Management Action field, a Dialog Token field, and a TPC Request element field. The Category field is 1 octet in size, the Radio Management Action field is 1 octet in size, the Dialog Token field is 1 octet in size, and the TPC Request field is 2 octets in size. The Category field indicates the category to which the action frame belongs. For example, for spectral measurement, the value of the Category field is set to 0. A specific description of the Radio Management Action field is shown in Table 6. Table 6 [Table 6]

[0421] If the value of the dialog token field is set to a non-zero value, the dialog token field indicates a specific request / report interaction.

[0422] The TPC request element fields include an Element ID field and a Length field.

[0423] As shown in Figure 16(b), a TPC response frame (which may also be referred to as a TPC report frame) may include a category field, a spectrum management action field, a dialog token field, and a TPC report element field. The functions of the category field, spectrum management action field, and dialog token field are the same as those of the fields corresponding to the TPC request frame, and further details are not described herein.

[0424] The TPC reporting element fields include an element identifier field, a length field, a transmit power field, and a link margin field. The link margin field indicates the link margin measured based on the TPC request frame. If the TPC reporting element fields are held in a beacon frame or probe response frame, the link margin field is reserved.

[0425] The transmit power field indicates the transmit power of the frame that holds the TPC reporting element field.

[0426] In this embodiment of the present application, the first transmit power included in the TPC response frame may be specifically indicated by using a transmit power field.

[0427] Figure 17 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the actors in the schematic flowchart of the interaction in the method shown in Figure 17 are the same as those in Figure 6, and further details are not described herein. Figure 17 illustrates the case in Figure 5 where the first request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the first response frame is a measurement pilot frame.

[0428] It should be understood that in the following, "request frame" may be represented by "measurement pilot request frame," "response frame" may be represented by "measurement pilot frame," "station" may be represented by "first station," and "downlink received signal quality" may be represented by "first downlink received signal quality."

[0429] S1710: The first station sends a measurement pilot request frame to the first access point, where the measurement pilot request frame is used to trigger the transmission of a measurement pilot frame.

[0430] S1720: The first access point transmits a measurement pilot frame to the first station, where the measurement pilot frame includes the first transmission power.

[0431] Figure 18 shows the format of a measurement pilot frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0432] As shown in Figure 18, the measurement pilot frame includes a category field, a public action field, a high-density capability information field, a high-density country string field, an operation class field, a channel field, a measurement pilot interval field, and an optional sub-element field. The size of the category field is 1 octet, the size of the public action field is 1 octet, the size of the high-density capability information field is 1 octet, the size of the high-density country string field is 2 octets, the size of the operation class field is 1 octet, the size of the channel field is 1 octet, the size of the measurement pilot interval field is 1 octet, and the size of the optional sub-element field is variant. The measurement pilot field indicates the transmission interval of the measurement pilot frame.

[0433] In possible implementations, the first transmit power included in the measurement pilot frame may be a sub-element that uses the TPC reporting element field shown in Figure 16 as an optional sub-element field of the measurement pilot frame, where the TPC reporting element field includes an indicator field for the first transmit power.

[0434] S1730: The first station determines the quality of the first downlink received signal based on the TPC response frame.

[0435] In the aforementioned technical solution, the transmission of the measurement pilot frame is triggered by using a measurement pilot request frame, and the current measurement mode of the measurement pilot frame is still used. Compared to the current periodic detection of the measurement pilot frame, this reduces the time required for the first station to perform neighborhood scans and measurements, while ensuring data transmission at the first station.

[0436] Figure 19 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the entities performing the schematic flowchart of the interaction in the method shown in Figure 19 are the same as those in Figure 5, and further details are not described herein.

[0437] S1910: The second access point transmits a radio measurement request frame to the first station, requesting channel quality measurement results between the first station and at least one neighboring access point corresponding to the first station. The at least one neighboring access point includes the first access point.

[0438] It should be understood that specific fields of the wireless measurement request frame are described in detail in Figure 20.

[0439] S1920: Station 1 transmits a radio measurement report frame to Access Point 2, where the radio measurement report frame includes the first transmit power and the fourth downlink received signal quality.

[0440] It should be understood that the method by which the first station acquires the first transmit power may be any one of the solutions described above. The fourth downlink received signal quality may be the first downlink received signal quality, the second downlink received signal quality, or the third downlink received signal quality in the solutions described above.

[0441] S1930: Station 1 transmits the fourth transmission power to the second access point, where the fourth transmission power is the transmission power of Station 1.

[0442] S1940: The second access point determines the transmission path loss between the first station and the first access point based on the first transmit power and the fourth downlink received signal quality; and estimates the second uplink received signal quality based on the transmission path loss and the fourth transmit power.

[0443] The second uplink received signal quality and the fourth downlink received signal quality are used for BSS transitions.

[0444] Specifically, the second access point determines the transmission path loss between the other neighboring access point and the first station based on the transmit power of the other neighboring access point and the downlink received signal quality corresponding to the other neighboring access point. The second access point estimates the uplink received signal quality between the first station and the other access point based on the transmission path loss corresponding to the different access point and the maximum transmit power corresponding to the first station. Based on the uplink received signal quality and the downlink received signal commands corresponding to the first station and the other access point, the second access point selects a target access point for the BSS transition from at least one neighboring access point.

[0445] Optionally, in S1950, the first access point transmits a fifth transmission power to the second access point, where the fifth transmission power may be the transmission power used by the first access point to transmit a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0446] In a possible implementation, the first access point transmits the fifth transmission power to the second access point using the DS wired method.

[0447] The fifth transmission power can also be understood as the maximum transmission power of the first access point.

[0448] Optionally, in S1960, the second access point determines the transmission path loss between the first station and the first access point based on the first transmit power and the fourth downlink received signal quality; and estimates the downlink received signal quality of the first access point based on the transmission path loss and the fifth transmit power.

[0449] If the first access point subsequently transmits a beacon frame or probe response frame using the fifth transmit power, the second access point may estimate the downlink received signal quality of the first access point based on the beacon frame or probe response frame, in accordance with the steps described above.

[0450] In the aforementioned technical solution, the second access point may acquire both the uplink and downlink received signal quality between the first access point and the first station, thereby effectively handling the asymmetry between the uplink and downlink caused by the large difference in transmit power between the first access point and the first station, thereby helping the second access point select a more appropriate target access point for BSS transition and further ensuring the data transmission quality of the first station.

[0451] Figure 20 shows the format of the measurement request field and measurement report field according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that in Figure 20(a), a measurement request field with a measurement type of beacon request is used as an example, and in Figure 20(b), a measurement report field with a measurement type of beacon report is used as an example. It should be understood that in Figure 20(a), another field of the wireless measurement request frame is omitted. See Figure 3 for details. In Figure 20(b), another field of the wireless measurement request frame is omitted. See Figure 4 for details.

[0452] In possible implementations, the wireless measurement frame includes identifier information for at least one neighboring access point.

[0453] For example, a wireless measurement request frame includes second instruction information, which indicates the identifier information of the first access point. As shown in Figure 20(a), the BSS identifier field within the measurement request field within the measurement request element field of the wireless measurement request frame may also include the address information of the first access point.

[0454] In a possible implementation, the wireless measurement request frame includes first instruction information, which instructs the first station to transmit the first request frame.

[0455] It should be understood that the first instruction information indicates a new measurement mode, i.e., a method of communication between the first station and the first access point provided in this embodiment of the present application.

[0456] For example, as shown in Figure 20(a), the value of the measurement mode field in the measurement request field within the measurement request element field of the wireless measurement request frame is set to 3, or the first instruction information may be represented by combining the existing value of the measurement mode field with another field. The specific form of the first instruction information is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0457] In possible implementations, the radio measurement request frame further includes third instruction information indicating that subsequent radio measurement report frames will not include any information related to the first access point other than the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality.

[0458] Specifically, as shown in Figure 20(a), the value of the Report Details field in the optional sub-element field within the Measurement Request element field within the Wireless Measurement Request frame is set to 0. It should be understood that the third instruction information may be represented by using another field instead. This is not limited to the present embodiment of the application.

[0459] In possible implementations, the first transmit power included in the wireless measurement report frame may be a sub-element by using the TPC reporting element field shown in Figure 16 as an optional sub-element field within the measurement report field of the wireless measurement report frame, where the TPC reporting element field includes an indicator field for the first transmit power.

[0460] For example, as shown in Figure 20(b), the instruction information for the first transmit power may be stored in an optional sub-element field.

[0461] Figure 21 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The implementing entity in Figure 21 may include a first station, candidate access point #1, candidate access point #2, and a second access point. For a detailed description of the implementing entity, please refer to Figure 5. Details are again not described herein. The number of candidate access points in Figure 21 is merely an example, and it should be understood that the number of candidate access points is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0462] S2110: Station 1 transmits the 6th NDPA frame to any candidate access point using the broadcast method.

[0463] In possible implementations, the sixth NDPA frame includes identifier information for the second access point associated with the first station, such as the address information of the second access point.

[0464] Any candidate access point is not associated with the first station, and any candidate access point and the second access point belong to the same extended service set. For example, any candidate access point may be candidate access point #1 or candidate access point #2 in Figure 21.

[0465] Optionally, the identifier of the second access point may be further preserved in another message so that at least one candidate access point can recognize the identifier of the second access point via broadcast.

[0466] S2120: After a short interframe space, the first station transmits the sixth NDP frame to any candidate access point in a broadcast manner.

[0467] S2130: Any candidate access point determines the second uplink received signal quality based on the sixth NDP frame and transmits the second uplink received signal quality to the second access point.

[0468] For example, in S2130a, candidate access point #1 determines the second uplink received signal quality #1 based on the sixth NDP frame and transmits the second uplink received signal quality #1 to the second access point; and in S2130b, candidate access point #2 determines the second uplink received signal quality #2 based on the sixth NDP frame and transmits the second uplink received signal quality #2 to the second access point.

[0469] Specifically, the candidate access point will perform transmission with the second access point using the DS wired method.

[0470] S2140: The second access point performs a BSS transition based on the quality of at least one second uplink received signal.

[0471] Specifically, the second access point selects an appropriate target access point for BSS transition based on the quality of at least one second uplink received signal.

[0472] In the technical solution described above, the candidate access point measures the uplink received signal quality and directly feeds the uplink received signal quality back to the second access point. This reduces air interface resources and does not affect data transmission at the first station.

[0473] The communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 22 to 24. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments described above. For the sake of brevity, some matters will not be described again.

[0474] Figure 22 shows a communication device 2200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 2200 may include a processing unit 2220, which is configured to process data. The device 2200 may further include a transceiver unit 2210. The transceiver unit 2210 may implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 2210 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a communication unit, or an interface unit. Unless otherwise specified, or where the operations such as transmission and reception in the present invention do not contradict the actual function or internal logic of the operations in the relevant description, these operations may be understood more generally as operations such as output and input, rather than transmission and reception operations performed directly by radio frequency circuits and antennas.

[0475] Optionally, the device 2200 may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 2220 may read instructions and / or data from the storage unit to enable the device to implement the method embodiment described above.

[0476] The device 2200 may be configured to perform actions performed by the first station in the method embodiment described above. In this case, the device 2200 may be a communication device or a component that can be configured in a communication device. The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to perform the transmit / receive related operations on the communication device side in the method embodiment described above. The processing unit 2220 is configured to perform the processing related operations of the first station in the method embodiment described above.

[0477] In a particular design, the device 2200 is configured to perform actions performed by the first station in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5, 6, 15, 17, or 19. The executing entity may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first station when implementing the corresponding method, or it may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first station.

[0478] Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to transmit a first request frame to a first access point, where the first request frame is used to trigger the transmission of a first response frame, and the first station is not associated with the first access point.

[0479] The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a first response frame from a first access point, where the first response frame includes a first transmit power for transmitting the first response frame.

[0480] The processing unit 2220 is configured to determine the quality of the first downlink received signal.

[0481] The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to transmit a first transmit power and a first downlink received signal quality to a second access point, where the first transmit power and first downlink received signal quality are used for basic service set (BSS) transitions, the second access point is associated with the first station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0482] For details not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments described above.

[0483] In a particular design, the communication device 2200 is configured to perform actions performed by the first access point in the method embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6, 15, or 17. The executing entity may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first access point when implementing the corresponding method, or it may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first access point.

[0484] Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a first request frame from a first station, where the first station is not associated with a first access point. The processing unit 2210 is configured to trigger the transmission of a first response frame to the first station, where the first response frame includes a first transmit power for transmitting the first response frame, and the first transmit power is used for the basic service set (BSS) transition.

[0485] For details not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments described above.

[0486] In a particular design, the communication device 2200 is configured to perform actions performed by the second access point in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5 or Figure 19. The executing entity may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the second access point when implementing the corresponding method, or it may be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second access point.

[0487] Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a first transmit power and a first downlink received signal quality transmitted by the first station, where the first transmit power is the transmit power corresponding to the first response frame transmitted to the first station by the first access point, and the first downlink received signal quality is the downlink received signal quality between the first station and the first access point, and the first station is not associated with the first access point. The processing unit 2220 is configured to perform a basic service set (BSS) transition based on the first transmit power and the first downlink received signal quality, where the second access point is associated with the first station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0488] For details not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments described above.

[0489] In one design, the communication device 2200 is configured to perform actions performed by the first station in the method embodiment shown in Figure 10. The executing entity may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first station when implementing the corresponding method, or it may be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first station.

[0490] Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to transmit a third NDPA frame to the first access point, where the third NDPA frame is used to trigger the transmission of a fourth NDP frame, the first station is not associated with the first access point, and the third NDPA frame includes the expected second transmit power corresponding to the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point. The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive the fourth NDP frame transmitted by the first access point with the second transmit power. The processing unit 2220 is configured to acquire the second downlink received signal quality based on the fourth NDP frame. The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to transmit the second downlink received signal quality to the second access point, where the second access point is associated with the first station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0491] For details not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments described above.

[0492] In one design, the communication device 2200 is configured to perform actions performed by the first station in the method embodiment shown in Figure 13. The executing entity may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the first station when implementing the corresponding method, or it may be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first station.

[0493] Specifically, the processing unit 2220 is configured to determine that the first access point is performing channel sounding, and the first station is not associated with the first access point. The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a fifth NDPA frame and a fifth NDP frame from the first access point, where the fifth NDPA frame includes a third transmit power for transmitting the third NDPA frame and the fifth NDP frame. The processing unit 2220 is configured to determine the third downlink received signal quality based on the fifth NDP frame. The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to transmit a third transmit power and a third downlink received signal command to the second access point, where the third transmit power and the third downlink received signal command are used for basic service set (BSS) transitions, the first station is associated with the second access point, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set.

[0494] For details not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments described above.

[0495] In one design, the communication device 2200 is configured to perform an action performed by one of the at least one candidate access point in the method embodiment shown in Figure 21. The executing entity may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports one of the at least one candidate access point when implementing the corresponding method, or it may be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functionality of one of the at least one candidate access point.

[0496] Specifically, the transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a first frame from the first station, where the first frame contains identifier information for a second access point associated with the first station, any candidate access point is not associated with the first station, and any candidate access point and the second access point belong to the same extended service set. The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to receive a second frame from the first station, where the second frame is used to obtain the second uplink received signal quality. The transceiver unit 2210 is configured to transmit the second uplink received signal quality to the second access point.

[0497] For details not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments described above.

[0498] The specific process by which the unit performs the corresponding steps described above is described in detail in the embodiments of the method described above, and it should be understood that for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described here.

[0499] The processing unit 2220 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver unit 2210 may be implemented using a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The storage unit may be implemented by at least one memory.

[0500] Figure 23 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 2300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0501] As shown in Figure 23, one embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device 2300. The device 2300 includes a processor 2310. The processor 2310 is coupled to a memory 2320. The memory 2320 is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 2310 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 2320, thereby performing the method in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0502] Optionally, the device 2300 includes one or more processors 2310.

[0503] Optionally, the device 2300 may further include a memory 2320, as shown in Figure 23.

[0504] Optionally, the device 2300 may include one or more memories 2320.

[0505] Optionally, the memory 2320 and the processor 2310 may be integrated together or arranged separately.

[0506] Optionally, as shown in Figure 23, the device 2300 may further include a transceiver 2330, which is configured to receive and / or transmit signals. For example, the processor 2310 is configured to control the transceiver 2330 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0507] In one solution, the device 2300 is configured to implement the operations performed by the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point in the method embodiment described above.

[0508] For example, the processor 2310 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by any one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point in the method embodiment described above, and the transceiver 2330 is configured to implement transmit / receive-related operations performed by any one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point in the method embodiment described above.

[0509] Figure 24 is a diagram of a chip system 2400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 24, the chip system 2400 (or may be referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 2410 and an input / output interface (input / output interface) 2420. The logic circuit is configured to be coupled to the input interface and to transmit data parameters via the input / output interface in order to perform the method in the method embodiment described above. A device on which the chip system 2400 is mounted may implement the method and functions in the embodiment of the present invention. For example, the logic circuit 2410 is a processing circuit within the chip system 2400 and may control the device on which the chip system 2400 is mounted, or may be coupled to a storage unit and call instructions in the storage unit so that the device can implement the method and functions in the embodiment of the present invention. The input / output interface 2420 is an input / output circuit within the chip system 2400 and may output information processed by the chip system 2400, or input data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 2400 for processing.

[0510] In one solution, the chip system 2400 is configured to implement the operations performed by the communication device in the aforementioned method embodiment (e.g., one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point).

[0511] For example, the logic circuit 2410 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by any one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point in the method embodiment described above, and the input / output interface 2420 is configured to implement transmit / receive-related operations performed by any one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point in the method embodiment described above.

[0512] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer instructions used to implement the method performed by the communication device (e.g., one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point) in the method embodiment described above.

[0513] For example, when a computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method executed by the communication device (e.g., one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point) in the aforementioned embodiment of the method.

[0514] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method of execution by a communication device (e.g., one of the first station, first access point, second access point, or at least one candidate access point) in the method embodiment described above.

[0515] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of any of the devices provided above, please refer to the corresponding embodiments of the methods provided above. Further details are not described again herein.

[0516] The processor referred to in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), and may also 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, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

[0517] It should be further understood that the memory referred to in the embodiments of this application may be volatile memory and / or 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). For example, RAM may be used as an external cache. For illustrative purposes only and not limited to, RAM may include several forms such as: 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).

[0518] It should be noted that if the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) may be integrated into the processor.

[0519] It should be further noted that the memory described herein includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0520] A person skilled in the art will recognize, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, that the units and methods may be implemented by electronic hardware or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software will depend on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A person skilled in the art may implement the described functions for each specific application using different methods, but should not consider that such implementations exceed the scope of protection of this application.

[0521] In some embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the described apparatus are illustrative only. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may be possible in actual implementations. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. Also, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection indicated 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.

[0522] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units; in other words, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements to implement the solution provided herein.

[0523] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single unit, each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0524] All or some 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 a computer program instruction is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device. 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 a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) method. Computer-readable storage media may be any usable media accessible by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more usable media. Usable media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disk drives, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)), or similar. For example, usable media may include, but are not limited to, any media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, removable hard disks, read-on memory ROMs, random access memory RAMs, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0525] 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 changes or substitutions that are readily conceivable to a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical scope disclosed herein shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method applicable to the station: The step involves sending a request frame to a first access point, where the request frame is used to trigger the transmission of a response frame, and the station is not associated with the first access point; The step of receiving the response frame from the first access point, wherein the response frame includes a first transmit power for transmitting the response frame; The step of determining the quality of the downlink received signal; and The step of transmitting the transmission power and the downlink received signal quality to a second access point, wherein the transmission power and the downlink received signal quality are used for basic service set (BSS) transitions, the second access point is associated with the station, and the first and second access points belong to the same extended service set. A method for providing this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request frame is a second null data packet announcement NDPA frame and the response frame is a first NDPA frame; or the request frame is a transmit power control TPC request frame and the response frame is a TPC response frame; or the request frame is a measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is a measurement pilot frame.

3. When the request frame is the second NDPA frame and the response frame is the first NDPA frame, the method further comprises: receiving a first null data packet NDP frame from the first access point; The step of determining the downlink received signal quality includes the step of determining the downlink received signal quality based on the first NDP frame. The method according to claim 2.

4. After transmitting the request frame to the first access point, the method further: The step of granting remaining transmission opportunities to the first access point, where the remaining transmission opportunities are the remaining transmission opportunities of the station, The method according to claim 2, comprising:

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first NDPA frame includes a first field, and the first value of the first field indicates the presence of a field corresponding to the first transmit power.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second NDPA frame further includes a first number of repetitions of the long training field (LTFs) set in the first NDP frame, or a second number of repetitions of the first NDP frame; and the response frame further includes the first number of repetitions or the second number of repetitions.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the second NDPA frame further includes a first NDP presence field, the first NDP presence field indicating whether or not a second NDP frame is transmitted following the second NDPA frame.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the first NDPA frame includes a second NDP presence field, and the second value of the second NDP presence field indicates that the first NDP frame is transmitted following the first NDPA frame.

9. When the first NDP presence field indicates that the second NDP frame is transmitted following the second NDP frame, the method further: In the step of transmitting the second NDP frame to the first access point, the second NDP frame is used by the first access point to measure the quality of the first uplink received signal. Equipped with; The first NDPA frame further includes the first uplink received signal quality, The method according to claim 7.

10. When the request frame is the TPC request frame and the response frame is the TPC response frame, the type of the TPC request frame and the TPC response frame is a public action frame; The aforementioned step of determining the quality of the downlink received signal is: Step of determining the downlink received signal quality based on the TPC response frame. The method according to claim 2, including the method described in claim 2.

11. When the request frame is the measurement pilot request frame and the response frame is the measurement pilot frame, the steps for determining the downlink received signal quality are: A step in determining the downlink received signal quality based on the measurement pilot frame. The method according to claim 2, including the method described in claim 2.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first transmit power is equal to the transmit power corresponding to a beacon frame or probe response frame transmitted by the first access point.

13. Before transmitting the request frame to the first access point, the method further: The step of receiving a wireless measurement request frame from the second access point, wherein the wireless measurement request frame is used to request channel quality measurement results between the station and at least one neighboring access point corresponding to the station, the at least one neighboring access point including the first access point; and In the step of transmitting a wireless measurement report frame to the second access point, the first transmission power and the downlink received signal quality are carried in the wireless measurement report frame. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising:

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the wireless measurement request frame includes first instruction information, and the first instruction information instructs the station to transmit the request frame.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the wireless measurement request frame further includes second instruction information, and the second instruction information indicates identifier information of the first access point.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the wireless measurement request frame further includes third instruction information, the third instruction information indicating that the wireless measurement report frame does not include any information relating to the first access point other than the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality.

17. A communication method applicable to the second access point: The step of receiving a first transmit power and downlink received signal quality from a station, wherein the first transmit power is the transmit power corresponding to the response frame transmitted to the station by the first access point, and the downlink received signal quality is the downlink received signal quality between the station and the first access point, and the station is not associated with the first access point; and A step in which a basic service set (BSS) transition is performed based on the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality, wherein the second access point is associated with the station and the first access point and the second access point belong to the same extended service set. A method for providing this.

18. The aforementioned method further: A step of transmitting a wireless measurement request frame to the station, wherein the wireless measurement request frame is used to request channel quality measurement results between the station and at least one neighboring access point corresponding to the station, the at least one neighboring access point including the first access point; and The step of receiving a wireless measurement report frame from the station, wherein the wireless measurement report frame includes the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality, The method according to claim 17, comprising:

19. The aforementioned method further: The step of receiving the fourth transmission power corresponding to the aforementioned station. Equipped with; and The steps for performing a basic service set (BSS) transition based on the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality are: A step of determining the transmission path loss between the station and the first access point based on the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality; and A step of estimating the second uplink received signal quality based on the transmission path loss and the fourth transmission power, wherein the second uplink received signal quality is the uplink received signal quality between the first access point and the station. The method according to claim 17 or 18, including the method described in claim 17 or 18.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the wireless measurement request frame includes first instruction information, and the first instruction information instructs the station to transmit the request frame.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the wireless measurement request frame further includes second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates identifier information of the first access point.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the wireless measurement request frame further includes third instruction information, the third instruction information indicating that the wireless measurement report frame does not include any information relating to the first access point other than the first transmit power and the downlink received signal quality.

23. A communication device comprising a unit configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or a unit configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

24. A communication device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is configured to store a computer program or instruction, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction in the memory, thereby enabling the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

25. A communication system comprising an apparatus configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, and an apparatus configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

26. A computer-readable storage medium wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed on the computer, the computer is capable of performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the computer is capable of performing the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

27. A chip, wherein the chip is coupled to a memory and configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

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