Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which relate to the technical field of communications. By means of the communication method and apparatus, different preamble lengths and slots can be allocated to an electric meter, thereby improving the communication efficiency. The method comprises: a central coordinator receiving channel quality information between nodes in each node group among a plurality of node groups; the central coordinator determining a preamble length on the basis of the channel quality information; the central coordinator sending first indication information and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each node group among the plurality of node groups, and the second indication information is used for indicating a slot of the frame sent by the node in the node group; and an electric meter receiving the first indication information and the second indication information, and sending a frame on the basis of the preamble length indicated by the first indication information and the slot indicated by the second indication information.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on November 30, 2023, with application number 202311637399.X and application name “Communication Method and Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] A power line communication (PLC) network consists of multiple nodes, such as a central coordinator (CCO) and electricity meters, that can communicate over power lines. The PLC network can be structured as a tree, with the concentrator serving as the root node and the electricity meters serving as intermediate and leaf nodes.

[0004] Data communication between nodes at all levels in a PLC network uses the Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) mechanism, with all nodes sharing the same channel. When a node is using a channel to send a data frame, the other nodes must remain silent. If node 1 in the PLC network is sending data, node 2 will not be able to detect that node 1 is sending data in time. This will cause node 2 to use the same channel to send data at the same time as node 1 is sending data, causing the data from the two nodes to interfere with each other, resulting in data transmission failure for both nodes, and thus low PLC network communication efficiency.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and device that can improve network communication efficiency.

[0007] In order to achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a concentrator, a device in a concentrator, etc., and the method includes: receiving channel quality information between nodes in each node group in a plurality of node groups; determining the preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in the plurality of node groups based on the channel quality information; and sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the preamble length.

[0009] Through this solution, the concentrator can assign the same or different frame preamble lengths to different node groups, eliminating the need for nodes to use a uniform preamble length when sending frames. Consequently, when a node uses a shorter preamble length to send frames, surrounding nodes can more quickly identify the frames sent by that node and promptly report busy. This prevents surrounding nodes from sending frames if the node is already sending, reducing frame collisions and increasing the transmission efficiency of the communication system. Furthermore, a shorter preamble length can save on communication resources, thereby increasing the transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible design, each node group includes two nodes, the two nodes of the node group are a first node and a second node, the first node is a leaf node, and the second node is a proxy node of the first node.

[0011] This solution allows the concentrator to collect statistics on the channel quality of leaf nodes and their proxy nodes, and allocate preamble lengths for frames transmitted between them. In communication systems (such as power line networks, or simply communication systems), where there are many links between leaf nodes and proxy nodes, statistics on these links can be used to allocate preamble lengths for these links, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible design, the first node is a leaf node or a proxy node. The concentrator can collect statistics on channel quality information between all nodes in the communication system and, based on the statistical results, indicate the preamble length of frames sent by the nodes. Because there are fewer links between proxy nodes in the communication system, the impact on the links between proxy nodes and leaf nodes is relatively small. Therefore, the statistical results can also be used to determine the preamble length.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible design, determining the preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in multiple node groups based on channel quality information includes: determining the channel quality information between the nodes in the node group based on one or more of the following information: the received power of the signal between two nodes in the node group, the attenuation value of the signal strength between two nodes in the node group, or the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal between two nodes in the node group.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible design, the values ​​of the channel quality information are divided into multiple intervals, and receiving the channel quality information between nodes in each node group in multiple node groups includes: receiving the number of node groups whose channel quality information between nodes in multiple node groups is located in each interval in the multiple intervals.

[0015] Through this solution, the concentrator can allocate preamble length and / or time slot length to the node groups in each interval according to the number of node groups in each interval among multiple intervals, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible design, multiple intervals include a first interval and a second interval, the node group located in the first interval is a first type of node group, and the node group located in the second interval is a second type of node group, and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group in the multiple node groups includes: indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the first type of node group is a first length, and indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the second type of node group is a second length.

[0017] According to this solution, the concentrator can allocate different or the same preamble lengths and / or time slot lengths to the node groups in each interval according to the number of node groups in each interval in multiple intervals, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible design, the first length is different from the second length.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, indicating the leading length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in multiple node groups includes: indicating the identifier of each node group and the leading length of a frame sent by a node in each node group corresponding to each node group.

[0020] Through this solution, after receiving the first indication information, the nodes in the node group can determine the preamble length corresponding to the node group according to the identifier of the node group, and thus send frames according to the preamble length.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible design, before sending the first indication information, it also includes: generating a first list based on the channel quality information between the nodes in each node group in a plurality of node groups, the first list including the identifier of each node group and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group corresponding to each node group; and / or, before sending the first indication information, it also includes: generating a second list based on the channel quality information between the nodes in each node group in a plurality of node groups, the second list including the interval of the channel quality information and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the node group corresponding to the interval.

[0022] Through this solution, the concentrator can store channel quality information and preamble length in a list manner.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, if the signal quality of the first type node group is higher than the signal quality of the second type node group, the preamble length of the first type node group is smaller than the preamble length of the second type node group.

[0024] Through this solution, for a node group with high channel quality, a shorter preamble length can be used. When a frame is sent using a shorter preamble length, the transmission quality of the frame can also be guaranteed.

[0025] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, the preamble includes a first synchronization symbol, and the number of first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the first type of node group is less than the number of first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the second type of node group.

[0026] In this solution, the length of the preamble is reduced by reducing the number of first-type synchronization symbols, thereby improving the efficiency of the communication system.

[0027] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible design, it also includes: determining the time slot based on channel quality information; sending second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate the time slot of the frame sent by the node in each node group in multiple node groups.

[0028] Through this solution, the concentrator can allocate time slots to the node group so that nodes with different channel quality information send frames in different time slots, reducing frame collisions and improving the efficiency of the communication system.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, the time slot indicating the frame sent by the node in each node group in multiple node groups includes: the time slot indicating the first type of node group is the first time slot, and the time slot indicating the second type of node group is the second time slot.

[0030] Through this solution, nodes with different channel quality intervals can send in different time slots, thereby reducing the collision of frames with different preamble lengths and improving the communication efficiency of the communication system.

[0031] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, the length of the time slot and / or the position of the time slot is determined according to the number of node groups corresponding to the time slot and / or the priority of the service sent by the node group corresponding to the time slot.

[0032] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, if the number of first-type node groups is greater than the number of second-type node groups, then the time slot length of the first-type node groups is greater than the time slot length of the second-type node groups in the first period.

[0033] Through this solution, longer time slots are allocated to intervals with a larger number of node groups in the interval, which can reduce collisions of frames sent by nodes in the node groups in the interval and improve the communication efficiency of the communication system.

[0034] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, if the priority of the service sent by the first type of node group is greater than the priority of the service sent by the second type of node group, then the time slot of the first type of node group is ahead of the time slot of the second type of node group in the first cycle.

[0035] Through this solution, the interval with higher priority for the services sent by the nodes in the interval is allocated earlier time slots, which can enable the node group in the interval to send frames first and complete the sending of the tasks with higher priority first.

[0036] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible design, if the first indication information indicates that the first node sends a message to the second node in the first time slot, and indicates that the second node sends a message to the first node in the second time slot, then the second node sends a response message to the first node in the first time slot.

[0037] Through this solution, when two nodes are assigned to send frames in different time slots, the two nodes can reply to the response message in the sending time slot of the other node, so that the operations processed according to the response message can be processed in a timely manner, thereby improving the efficiency of the communication system.

[0038] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, including: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in a plurality of node groups; the preamble length being determined based on channel quality information; and sending a frame based on the first indication information.

[0039] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible design, each node group includes two nodes, the two nodes of the node group are a first node and a second node, the first node is a leaf node, and the second node is a proxy node of the first node.

[0040] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, the first node is a leaf node or a proxy node.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, the channel quality information between nodes in a node group is determined based on one or more of the following information: the received power of the signal between two nodes in the node group, the attenuation value of the signal strength between two nodes in the node group, or the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal between two nodes in the node group.

[0042] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible design, the values ​​of the channel quality information are divided into multiple intervals, the multiple intervals include a first interval and a second interval, the node group located in the first interval is a first type of node group, and the node group located in the second interval is a second type of node group, and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group in the multiple node groups includes: indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the first type of node group is a first length, and indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the second type of node group is a second length.

[0043] In conjunction with the second aspect, in a possible design, the first length is different from the second length.

[0044] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, indicating the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group in multiple node groups includes: indicating the identifier of each node group and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group corresponding to each node group.

[0045] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, if the signal quality of the first type node group is higher than the signal quality of the second type node group, the preamble length of the first type node group is smaller than the preamble length of the second type node group.

[0046] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, the preamble includes a first synchronization symbol, and the number of first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the first type of node group is less than the number of first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the second type of node group.

[0047] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible design, it also includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate the time slot of the frame sent by the node in each node group in multiple node groups, and the time slot of the frame is determined based on the channel quality information.

[0048] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, the time slot indicating the frame sent by the node in each node group in multiple node groups includes: the time slot indicating the first type of node group is the first time slot, and the time slot indicating the second type of node group is the second time slot.

[0049] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, the length of the time slot and / or the position of the time slot is determined according to the number of node groups corresponding to the time slot and / or the priority of the service sent by the node group corresponding to the time slot.

[0050] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, if the number of first-type node groups is greater than the number of second-type node groups, then the time slot length of the first-type node group is greater than the time slot length of the second-type node group in the first cycle; if the priority of the service sent by the first-type node group is greater than the priority of the service sent by the second-type node group, then the time slot of the first-type node group is ahead of the time slot of the second-type node group in the first cycle.

[0051] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible design, if the first indication information indicates that the first node sends a message to the second node in the first time slot, and indicates that the second node sends a message to the first node in the second time slot, then the second node sends a response message to the first node in the first time slot.

[0052] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible design, before receiving the first indication information, it also includes: sending channel quality information between nodes in the node group.

[0053] Through this solution, leaf nodes can send channel quality information to upper-level nodes (such as proxy nodes or concentrators) to report channel quality information, so that the concentrator can determine the preamble length and time slot based on the channel quality information.

[0054] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible design, it also includes: sending a frame according to the first indication information and / or the second indication information.

[0055] Through this solution, the leaf node can send frames according to the preamble length indicated by the first indication information and / or the time slot indicated by the second indication information, thereby improving the efficiency of the communication system.

[0056] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: sending channel quality information between nodes in each node group in a plurality of node groups; receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in the plurality of node groups; the preamble length being determined based on the channel quality information.

[0057] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible design, the values ​​of the channel quality information are divided into multiple intervals, and sending the channel quality information between the nodes in each node group in multiple node groups includes: sending the channel quality information between the nodes in multiple node groups, and the number of node groups located in each interval in the multiple intervals.

[0058] This solution allows a proxy node to aggregate channel quality information between nodes in multiple node groups and send the number of node groups in each of the multiple intervals to a higher-level node (e.g., a higher-level proxy node or concentrator). The concentrator can then allocate preamble lengths and / or timeslot lengths based on this number, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0059] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible design, before sending the channel quality information between nodes in each node group in multiple node groups, the method also includes: receiving the channel quality information between nodes in the multiple node groups.

[0060] Through this solution, the proxy node can receive the channel quality information sent by the lower-level proxy node or the leaf node, and then forward the channel quality information to the concentrator.

[0061] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible design, after receiving the first indication information, it also includes: sending a frame according to the first indication information.

[0062] Through this solution, the proxy node can send frames according to the instruction of the concentrator using the leading length indicated by the concentrator, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0063] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible design, it also includes receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time slot of the frame sent by the node in each node group in multiple node groups, and the time slot of the frame is determined based on the channel quality information.

[0064] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible design, it also includes: sending a frame according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0065] Through this solution, the proxy node can send frames using the preamble length indicated by the concentrator and / or send frames using the time slot indicated by the concentrator according to the instruction of the concentrator, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the communication system.

[0066] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device is used to implement the various communication methods described above. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the communication methods described above. The modules, units, or means can be implemented through hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0067] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device executes the communication method according to any of the above aspects.

[0068] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor coupled to a memory, the processor being configured to read and execute instructions in the memory so as to enable the communication device to perform the communication method according to any of the above aspects.

[0069] In the seventh aspect, a chip system is provided, which includes a processor and an input / output port, the processor is used to implement the processing functions involved in the communication method of any aspect of the above aspects, and the input / output port is used to implement the transceiver functions involved in the communication method of any aspect of the above aspects.

[0070] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data for implementing the functions involved in the communication method of any of the above aspects.

[0071] The chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0072] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to execute any communication method as designed in any of the above aspects.

[0073] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a first device and a second device, wherein the first device executes the communication method of the first aspect, and the second device executes the communication method of the second aspect.

[0074] In combination with the ninth aspect, in a possible design, a third device is also included, and the third device executes the communication method of the third aspect above.

[0075] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the communication method as designed in any of the above aspects.

[0076] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the methods, chip systems, communication systems, communication devices, computer-readable storage media, and computer program products provided in the second to tenth aspects above can refer to the beneficial effects of the first aspect provided above and any possible implementation method, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of time slots in a beacon period;

[0079] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a data frame;

[0080] FIG4 is another schematic structural diagram of the communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of time slots in a beacon period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] Nodes in a PLC network (also known as a power line network) can communicate with each other over power lines. For example, a CCO in a PLC network uses power lines to obtain meter reading data from devices such as electricity meters. PLC networks can employ centralized network management, with the CCO managing access allocation for devices within the network. However, when the PLC network is large, the distance between the CCO and some nodes can be long, and various interfering signals can exist in the channel, leading to significant signal attenuation or interference. This can prevent the CCO from reaching all nodes within the network. In other words, some nodes cannot directly access the CCO. Therefore, proxy nodes can be deployed in the PLC network to forward CCO signals to these nodes. In other words, the PLC network can have a tree structure, as shown in Figure 1. The CCO can communicate with all nodes in the PLC network through proxy nodes. Device 1, represented by the square in Figure 1, represents the root node, which can be the CCO. Devices 2 and 3, represented by the circles, represent proxy nodes (also known as intermediate nodes or intermediate proxy nodes). Devices 4 through 8, represented by the triangles, represent leaf nodes. Proxy nodes and leaf nodes can be collectively referred to as child nodes, which can be devices such as electricity meters. Optionally, devices such as electricity meters can also be called repeaters when acting as proxy nodes.

[0086] Referring to Figure 2, the CCO controls nodes in the PLC network to send messages on the same channel through a beacon frame-based channel access mechanism. This mechanism enables subnodes within the PLC network to communicate with the CCO. This channel access mechanism is implemented as follows: the CCO periodically transmits beacon frames, which include information about the time slots allocated by the CCO, including beacon slots, TDMA slots, CSMA slots, and bound CSMA slots, within the beacon period. Subnodes in the PLC network follow the CCO's assigned slots and perform channel access within their corresponding slots. Generally, beacon slots and TDMA slots are allocated to the CCO or designated nodes, collectively referred to as non-contention slots. Designated nodes can be designated by the CCO or pre-configured nodes. CSMA slots and bound CSMA slots, which are unspecified user slots, are used by nodes in the PLC network to compete for them when needed. These slots are collectively referred to as contention slots. During slot planning, the CCO can allocate bound CSMA slots based on service needs. For example, a certain service is allocated to occupy a bound CSMA time slot alone, and all nodes involved in the service can compete to send messages of the service in the bound CSMA time slot.

[0087] 3 , the structure of the data frame sent by nodes at all levels in the PLC network may include a preamble, frame control, and payload data. Among them, a data frame may represent a frame for transmitting control signaling and a frame for transmitting data, such as a beacon frame, etc., referred to as a frame. A data frame may also be referred to as a signal. The preamble is a periodic sequence, and the preamble consists of a first number of synchronization symbols (English: Synchronization symbol, abbreviated SYNCP) and a second number of synchronization symbols (English: Synchronization symbol, abbreviated SYNCM) that are negative of SYNCP. For example, in 1901.1 and the State Grid standard, the preamble consists of 10.5 SYNCPs and 2.5 SYNCMs. Exemplarily, SYNCP can be expressed as

[0088] Formula 1.

[0089] Nodes at all levels in a PLC network can use the CSMA / CA mechanism to transmit data frames. Before sending data, a node first listens to the channel. If it hears a SYNCM being transmitted on the channel, it considers the channel busy. When a node detects that the channel is busy (that is, when another node is sending a data frame), it will randomly idle for a period of time before sending a data frame (that is, using a random backoff mechanism). When a node detects that the channel is idle, it sends a data frame. This ensures that only one node uses the channel to transmit data at a time, reducing the possibility of multiple nodes sending data at the same time, causing data collisions between multiple nodes, resulting in the receiving node being unable to parse the data sent by each node, and causing data transmission failures from multiple nodes. However, when a node transmits the SYNCP in the preamble, it cannot be detected by other nodes, resulting in a delay in the Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) reporting of busyness. Other nodes believe that the channel is idle and send data, resulting in a high probability of data frame collisions in the network, a high probability of data frame transmission failure, and low network communication efficiency.

[0090] Based on this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that reduces the preamble length of a data frame, thereby reducing the preamble's occupation of channel resources. Furthermore, after a node transmits a data frame, the CCA busy signal can be issued more quickly, reducing the probability of other nodes transmitting data frames at the same time, reducing the probability of data frame collisions, and improving the efficiency of the PLC network.

[0091] The embodiment of the present application can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 4. The node a corresponding to the box in Figure 4 can represent the root node. In the PLC network, node a can be a concentrator. The nodes b to e corresponding to the circles can represent intermediate nodes, where nodes b and c are first-level proxy nodes, and nodes d and e are second-level proxy nodes. The nodes f to p corresponding to the triangles can represent leaf nodes, and nodes f to p can be first nodes. The intermediate nodes and leaf nodes can be electricity meters. The nodes at both ends of the straight line in Figure 4 can represent a node group, and the serial number next to the straight line is used to distinguish the node groups. The proxy node can forward signals from other nodes to the CCO. The nodes to which the proxy node forwards signals can be called subordinate nodes of the proxy node. For example, node e and nodes 1 to p are subordinate nodes of node c. Node groups 1 to 5 can be called node groups subordinate to node c. In some embodiments, the node group subordinate to node c also includes node group 12.

[0092] The following describes an embodiment of the present application by taking the communication system shown in Figure 4 as a PLC network as an example. Referring to Figure 5 , the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps.

[0093] S501: A proxy node sends channel quality information between nodes in each node group in multiple node groups.

[0094] Accordingly, the concentrator receives channel quality information between nodes in each of the plurality of node groups.

[0095] In some embodiments, each node group includes two nodes, the two nodes of the node group are a first node and a second node, the first node is a leaf node, and the second node is a proxy node of the first node. The proxy node of the first node refers to a node connected to the first node, through which the first node accesses the PLC network. In other words, the first node is a child node of the second node. For example, node c (an example of the second node) and node p (an example of the first node) constitute node group 1, node 1 and node e constitute node group 2, and so on.

[0096] The first node may be all or part of the leaf nodes in the PLC network. The second node may be all or part of the proxy nodes in the PLC network. For example, the second node may be a proxy node outside the concentrator connected to the leaf nodes.

[0097] In some embodiments, a node group is determined by a first node and a second node. That is, the first node and the second node in the node group can both serve as signal sending nodes (referred to as sending nodes). For example, if the first node is a sending node and the second node is a signal receiving node (referred to as receiving nodes), or if the first node is a receiving node and the second node is a sending node, the first node and the second node both constitute node group 1.

[0098] The channel quality information between nodes in a node group may be referred to as the channel quality information of the node group. In some embodiments, the channel quality information between nodes in a node group is the channel quality information of a signal sent from a first node to a second node.

[0099] In some embodiments, the channel quality information between nodes in the node group is channel quality information of a signal sent by the second node to the first node.

[0100] In some embodiments, the channel quality information between nodes in the node group is an average or weighted average of channel quality information of a signal sent from a first node to a second node and channel quality information of a signal sent from the second node to the first node.

[0101] In some embodiments, the channel quality information between nodes in the node group is the larger or smaller value of the channel quality information of the signal sent from the first node to the second node and the channel quality information of the signal sent from the second node to the first node.

[0102] Taking the node group including node m and node e as an example, when node e sends signal 1 to node m, that is, node e acts as a sending node and node m acts as a receiving node, node m can obtain the channel quality information of the signal sent by node e to node m based on the received signal 1. Alternatively, when node m sends signal 2 to node e, that is, node m acts as a sending node and node e acts as a receiving node, node e can obtain the channel quality information of the signal sent by node m to node e based on the received signal 2. Alternatively, after obtaining the channel quality information of the signal sent by node e to node m, node m sends the channel quality information to node e (for example, via a discovery list message). Node e can take the average or weighted average of the received channel quality information of the signal sent by node e to node m and the channel quality information of the signal sent by node m to node e, and obtain the channel quality information between node m and node e in the node group. Alternatively, taking the channel quality information as the attenuation value as an example, if the attenuation value of the signal sent by node e to node m is 20 dB, and the attenuation value of the signal sent by node m to node e is 18 dB, the larger attenuation value of 20 dB is used as the channel quality information between node e and node m, or the smaller attenuation value of 18 dB is used as the channel quality information between node e and node m.

[0103] The nodes can record the channel quality information of the signals sent by the surrounding nodes to the node based on the received discovery beacons, forming a discovery list. Each node broadcasts its discovery list so that the surrounding nodes can receive the channel quality information recorded by the node.

[0104] In some embodiments, a node group is determined by a sending node and a receiving node. That is, if a first node sends a signal to a second node, the first and second nodes constitute node group 1. If the first node is a receiving node and the second node is a sending node, the first and second nodes constitute node group 2.

[0105] In some embodiments, the channel quality information between nodes in the node group is channel quality information of signals sent by a sending node to a receiving node.

[0106] S502: The concentrator determines the preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in a plurality of node groups according to the channel quality information.

[0107] In some embodiments, the channel quality information between nodes in the node group is determined based on one or more of the following information: the received power of the signal between two nodes in the node group, the attenuation value of the signal between two nodes in the node group, or the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal between two nodes in the node group.

[0108] For example, referring to Figure 4 , assuming the transmit power of a child node in a PLC network is 20dBm, node c in Figure 4 transmits a 20dBm signal to node p, and node p receives a -10dBm signal. Node p can subtract the known signal transmit power of 20dBm from the received signal receive power of -10dBm to determine that the attenuation from node c to node p is 30dB. When node p reports the channel quality information between the nodes in the node group consisting of node c and node p to the superior node, it can report a signal receive power of -10dBm, an attenuation value of 30dB, the received signal power and signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received by node p, or the attenuation value and signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received by node p, etc.

[0109] As another example, node c may also obtain the channel quality information of node group 1 by receiving the power and / or attenuation value and / or signal-to-noise ratio of the signal sent by node p.

[0110] Exemplarily, the preamble length is determined based on the received power of a signal between two nodes in the node group. Alternatively, the preamble length is determined based on the attenuation value of a signal between two nodes in the node group. Alternatively, the preamble length is determined based on the received power of a signal between two nodes in the node group and the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal between two nodes in the node group. Alternatively, the preamble length is determined based on the attenuation value of a signal between two nodes in the node group and the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal between two nodes in the node group.

[0111] The preamble length of the frame sent by the node in the node group includes the preamble length of the frame sent by the sending node in the node group to the receiving node.

[0112] In some embodiments, if the first node and the second node in the node group can both act as sending nodes, the preamble length of the frame sent by the first node to the second node is the same as the preamble length of the frame sent by the second node to the first node. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the preamble length of the frame sent by node p to node c is the same as the preamble length of the frame sent by node c to node p.

[0113] In some embodiments, when a first node sends a signal to a second node, the first node and the second node constitute node group 1, and when the second node sends a signal to the first node, the first node and the second node constitute node group 2. Node group 1 and node group 2 are two node groups, and the preamble length of a frame sent by the first node and the preamble length of a frame sent by the second node can be the same or different.

[0114] S503: The concentrator sends first indication information. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the first indication information. The first node receives the first indication information.

[0115] The first indication information is used to indicate a preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in the multiple node groups.

[0116] The concentrator may send the first indication information in a broadcasting manner, for example, by carrying the first indication information in a beacon frame.

[0117] S504: The first node sends a frame according to the first indication information.

[0118] S505: The proxy node sends a frame according to the first instruction information.

[0119] After receiving the first indication information, the first node or proxy node can obtain the preamble length of the frame to be sent. When the first node subsequently sends a frame, it can use the received preamble length to send the frame. As a result, nodes in different node groups may have different preamble lengths when sending frames. For example, when the channel quality information of the nodes in the node group is good, the nodes in the node group can send a shorter preamble length of the frame. By reducing the preamble length of the frame, after the node sends the data frame, the CCA busy report of other nodes can be faster, reducing the probability of other nodes sending data frames at the same time, reducing the probability of data frame collision, and improving the efficiency of the PLC network.

[0120] In some embodiments, S501 is preceded by S601.

[0121] S601: A subordinate node of a proxy node sends channel quality information between nodes in a node group to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the channel quality information between nodes in the node group.

[0122] The subordinate node of the proxy node may be the first node or a proxy node. The number of subordinate nodes of the proxy node may be multiple, and the proxy node may receive channel quality information between nodes in the node group sent by multiple subordinate nodes.

[0123] 4 , node p may send channel quality information of node group 1 to node c. Node e may send channel quality information of node groups 2 to 5 to node c.

[0124] In some embodiments, the values ​​of the channel quality information are divided into multiple intervals, and S501 can be implemented as S602.

[0125] S602: The proxy node sends the number of node groups whose channel quality information between nodes in the multiple node groups is located in each of the multiple intervals. Correspondingly, the concentrator receives the number of node groups whose channel quality information between nodes in the multiple node groups is located in each of the multiple intervals.

[0126] Exemplarily, the multiple intervals include a first interval (such as interval 1 shown in Table 2) and a second interval (such as interval 2 shown in Table 2). The node group located in the first interval is a first-type node group, and the node group located in the second interval is a second-type node group.

[0127] Taking the attenuation value of a signal between two nodes in a node group as an example, the channel quality information is divided into multiple intervals according to the attenuation value.

[0128] Exemplarily, referring to FIG4 , the values ​​of the attenuation values ​​of node groups 1 to 11 can be divided into the four intervals shown in Table 1. Node e can send to node c the number of attenuation values ​​of the node group to which node e belongs that are in interval 1 [0 to 40dB) as 1, the number of attenuation values ​​of interval 2 [40dB to 50dB) as 3, and so on. Node c and node d both send the number of attenuation values ​​of the node groups to which they belong that are in each interval. Node e can report the number of attenuation values ​​of the node group to which node e belongs distributed in intervals 1 to 4 to node c, and node c reports the number of attenuation values ​​of its subordinate node groups, i.e., node group 1 to node group 5, distributed in intervals 1 to 4 to node a. Through the sequential reporting by the proxy node, node a can obtain the number of attenuation values ​​of the above-mentioned node groups that are in each interval.

[0129] Table 1

[0130] Taking the channel quality information as the received power of the signal between two nodes in the node group as an example, the value of the channel quality information can be divided into multiple intervals according to the value of the received power. Similar to Table 1, the value of the received power can be divided into multiple intervals as shown in Table 2.

[0131] Table 2

[0132] In the examples of Table 1 and Table 2 above, the channel quality information of the node group in interval 4 of Table 1 and the node group in interval 4 of Table 2 is poor, and the first node in the node group can be called an edge node.

[0133] In some embodiments, the intervals shown in Tables 1 and 2 can be divided based on the historical received power or historical attenuation values ​​of frames sent by nodes in the node group in the communication system. The interval division method in Tables 1 or 2 is only an example. For example, the ranges of intervals 1 to 4 in Table 2 can also be -40dBm to 20dBm, -50dBm to -40dBm, -60dBm to -50dBm, or -80dBm to -60dBm, respectively.

[0134] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned first indication information indicates the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group among multiple nodes, including: the first indication information indicates that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the first type of node group is the first length, and indicates that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the second type of node group is the second length.

[0135] In some embodiments, if the signal quality of the first type of node group is higher than that of the second type of node group, the preamble length of the first type of node group is smaller than that of the second type of node group. In this solution, by reducing the preamble length of data transmitted by nodes in the node group with high channel quality, nodes surrounding the node transmitting the frame can more quickly identify that a node is occupying the channel and thus stop transmitting frames, reducing frame collisions. Furthermore, reducing the preamble length of the first type of node group can reduce the preamble's usage of communication resources.

[0136] In some embodiments, the preamble includes a first synchronization symbol, and the number of first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the first type of node group is less than the number of first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the second type of node group. In other words, the length of the preamble can be shortened by reducing the number of first synchronization symbols in the preamble.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first synchronization symbol is SYNCP.

[0138] In some embodiments, the preamble includes a second synchronization symbol, and the number of second synchronization symbols in the preamble of the first type of node group and the number of second synchronization symbols in the preamble of the second type of node group are the same.

[0139] For example, referring to FIG4 , the received power distribution of frames sent by nodes in node group 7 (an example of the first type of node group), node group 2 (an example of the second type of node group), node group 11, and node group 1 is taken as an example. The concentrator can instruct the nodes in interval 1 to the node groups in interval 4 to use a preamble sequence of 4.5 SYNCPs + 2.5 SYNCMs, a preamble sequence of 6.5 SYNCPs + 2.5 SYNCMs, a preamble sequence of 8.5 SYNCPs + 2.5 SYNCMs, or a preamble sequence of 10.5 SYNCPs + 2.5 SYNCMs, respectively, through the first indication information. After receiving the first indication information, node group 7, node group 2, node group 11, and node group 1 can determine the preamble sequence based on the interval in which the received power of the frames sent by their own nodes is located. For example, node d and node h in node group 7 receive the preamble length corresponding to each of the above intervals sent by the concentrator. Node d and node h can determine to use a preamble sequence of 4.5 SYNCPs + 2.5 SYNCMs to send frames based on the receiving power of their own node group 7.

[0140] As another example, the concentrator may allocate a preamble sequence of 4.5 SYNCPs + 2.5 SYNCMs to a node group with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than or equal to 20 dBm in interval 1, and allocate a preamble sequence of 6.5 SYNCPs + 2.5 SYNCMs to a node group with a signal-to-noise ratio less than 20 dBm in interval 1. This improves the stability of signal transmission for node groups with low signal-to-noise ratios and reduces the occurrence of signal reception failures due to low signal-to-noise ratios.

[0141] In some embodiments, the first indication information indicates the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group among multiple nodes, including: indicating the identifier of each node group among multiple nodes and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group corresponding to each node group.

[0142] For example, the proxy node can report the received power of frames sent by each node group. For example, the proxy node reports the received power of each subordinate node group to the concentrator, so that the concentrator can obtain the received power of each node group. The concentrator determines the number of node groups in each partition based on the received power of each node group, assigns a preamble length to the node groups in each partition, and distributes the preamble length of frames sent by each node group and the nodes in that node group using the identifier of each node group.

[0143] Exemplarily, the identifier of the node group may be an identifier corresponding to the node group, or an identifier of a node in the node group. For example, the identifier of the node group may be represented as node group 1, or as node c and node p.

[0144] In some embodiments, S503 also includes S603 before S503.

[0145] S603: The concentrator generates a first list according to channel quality information between nodes in each node group in the multiple node groups, and / or generates a second list according to channel quality information between nodes in each node group in the multiple node groups.

[0146] The first list includes the identifier of each node group and the leading length of the frame sent by the nodes in each node group corresponding to each node group. The second list includes the interval of channel quality information and the leading length of the frame sent by the nodes in the node group corresponding to the interval.

[0147] For example, if the proxy node and the first node send node group identifiers and channel quality information corresponding to each node group to the concentrator, the concentrator may assign preamble lengths to the multiple node groups based on the received identifiers and channel quality information and generate a first list. The concentrator may also convert the received identifiers and channel quality information into intervals of channel quality information, assign the preamble length of frames sent by nodes in the node group within the interval to the interval corresponding to the channel instruction information, and generate a second list.

[0148] As another example, if the proxy node and the first node send the interval of channel quality information and the number of node groups in the interval to the concentrator, the concentrator may allocate preamble lengths to the node groups in one or more intervals and generate a second list.

[0149] In some embodiments, the above steps also include S604.

[0150] S604: The concentrator sends second indication information. Correspondingly, the first node and the proxy node receive the second indication information.

[0151] The second indication information is used to indicate a time slot of a frame sent by a node in each of the multiple node groups. The time slot of a frame sent by a node in each of the multiple node groups is determined according to channel quality information between nodes in each of the multiple node groups.

[0152] Similar to the first indication information, the concentrator may send the second indication information in a broadcasting manner.

[0153] The second indication information can be sent in the same message as the first indication information. For example, the concentrator sends the first indication information and the second indication information via a beacon frame. After receiving the beacon frame, the intermediate node can forward it to its subordinate nodes. This ensures that all nodes in the PLC network receive the second indication information. Through this solution, the concentrator allocates different time slots to node groups with different preamble lengths, thereby improving the communication efficiency of the communication network.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second indication information indicates the time slot of the frame sent by the node in each node group in multiple node groups, including: the second indication information indicates that the time slot of the first type of node group is the first time slot, and indicates that the time slot of the second type of node group is the second time slot.

[0155] 6 , the first time slot may also be referred to as a first CSMA time slot, a short frame 1 CSMA time slot, etc., and the second time slot may also be referred to as a second CSMA time slot, a short frame 2 CSMA time slot, etc. The node group in interval 1 shown in Table 2 may send frames in the first CSMA time slot, and the node group in interval 2 may send frames in the second CSMA time slot.

[0156] In addition to the above time slots, each beacon period may also include other time slots, such as bound CSMA time slots.

[0157] In some embodiments, as shown in Table 2, the node groups are divided into 4 intervals. Each beacon period shown in Figure 6 can also include a third CSMA time slot. The node groups in interval 3 can send frames in the third CSMA time slot respectively, and the node groups in interval 4 can send frames in the CSMA time slot.

[0158] In some embodiments, the length of the time slot and / or the position of the time slot is determined according to the number of node groups corresponding to the time slot and / or the priority of the services sent by the node groups corresponding to the time slot.

[0159] The node group corresponding to a time slot is the node group that sends frames in the time slot. For example, the concentrator assigns node group 1 to send frames in the CSMA time slot, and node group 1 is the node group corresponding to the CSMA time slot.

[0160] In some embodiments, if the number of first-type node groups is greater than the number of second-type node groups, the time slot length of the first-type node group is greater than the time slot length of the second-type node group in the first cycle; if the priority of the service sent by the first-type node group is greater than the priority of the service sent by the second-type node group, then the time slot of the first-type node group is ahead of the time slot of the second-type node group in the first cycle.

[0161] Exemplarily, the first period is a beacon period.

[0162] The priority of the service sent by the node group corresponding to the time slot can be determined based on the service's requirements for time and / or the success rate of service transmission. For example, a communication system includes 500 node groups, and the node groups corresponding to time slot 1 are node groups 1 to 100, and the node groups corresponding to time slot 2 are node groups 101 to 300. If the service transmitted by node group 1 to node group 100 needs to be transmitted within 0.1 seconds, and the service transmitted by node group 101 to node group 300 needs to be transmitted within 0.2 seconds, then the priority of the time slot of the node group with high time requirements for the service transmitted in the time slot can be high, that is, the priority of time slot 1 is high. If the success rate of the service transmitted by node group 1 to node group 100 is 80%, and the success rate of the service transmitted by node group 101 to node group 300 is 60%, then it can be determined that the time slot priority of the node group with high success rate is high, that is, the priority of time slot 1 is high. If the time requirement for the traffic transmitted from node group 1 to node group 100 is 0.1 seconds, which is higher than the time requirement of 0.2 seconds for the traffic transmitted from node group 101 to node group 300, and the success rate of 50% for the traffic transmitted from node group 1 to node group 100 is lower than the success rate of 60% for the traffic transmitted from node group 101 to node group 200, the priority of the time slots can be determined based on the difference in the time requirements and the difference in the success rates. For example, if (0.2-0.1)÷0.1=100%, (60%-50%)÷50%=20%, and 100%>20%, then time slot 1 has a higher priority.

[0163] In some embodiments, the above S504 can be implemented as S605, and S505 can be implemented as S606.

[0164] S605: The first node sends a frame according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0165] S606: The proxy node sends a frame according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0166] Exemplarily, the first node or the proxy node sends a frame according to the preamble length indicated by the first indication information and the time slot indicated by the second indication information.

[0167] In some embodiments, if the first indication information instructs the first node to send a message to the second node in the first time slot and instructs the second node to send a message to the first node in the second time slot, the second node sends a response message to the first node in the first time slot.

[0168] The response message is a response message to the message sent by the first node.

[0169] Exemplarily, the node group is determined by a sending node and a receiving node. Referring to Figure 4, the channel quality information of the frame sent by node c to node p and the channel quality information of the frame sent by node p to node c may not be in the same interval. The second indication information instructs node c to send a frame to node p in the first time slot and instructs node p to send a frame to node c in the second time slot. In this case, node c sends frame 1 to node p in the first time slot, and node p can also send a response message of frame 1 to node c in the first time slot. Node p sends frame 2 to node c in the second time slot, and node c can send a response message of frame 2 to node p in the second time slot. As a result, even if two nodes are assigned to send frames in different time slots, they can quickly reply to response messages, thereby improving the message processing speed.

[0170] In some embodiments, the preamble length of the response message sent by the second node to the first node in the first time slot is a first preamble length. The first preamble length may be a default preamble length, such as a preamble including 10.5 SYNCPs and 2.5 SYNCMs. Alternatively, the first preamble length may be a preset preamble length, such as a preamble length including 8.5 SYNCPs and 2.5 SYNCMs. Alternatively, the first preamble length may be related to the preamble length of the message sent by the first node, for example, having 2 more SYNCPs than the preamble length of the message sent by the first node.

[0171] In some embodiments, if the number of channel quality information between nodes in a node group sent by the proxy node and the first node to the concentrator is zero in a certain interval, the concentrator does not allocate a time slot for that interval. This allows more available time slots to be allocated to the node group in the communication system, improving system utilization efficiency.

[0172] In some embodiments, the value range of the interval may be a default value stored in the concentrator and the node. The value range of the interval may also be set when the concentrator, the proxy node, and the first node communicate.

[0173] The above describes the methods of the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that both the concentrator and nodes in the communication system can periodically update and send discovery list messages to reconfigure the communication system. The concentrator can determine the current networking status of the communication system based on the discovery list of each node and, using the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, indicate the preamble length of frames sent by nodes in each node group and allocate time slots for the node groups.

[0174] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships. For example, the above-mentioned multiple embodiments can be combined, and the combined scheme can be implemented. Optionally, some operations in the process of each method embodiment are optionally combined, and / or the order of some operations is optionally changed. In addition, the execution order between the steps of each process is only exemplary and does not constitute a limitation on the execution order between the steps. Other execution orders can also be used between the steps. It is not intended to indicate that the execution order is the only order in which these operations can be performed. Ordinary technicians in this field will think of various ways to reorder the operations in this article. In addition, it should be noted that the process details involved in a certain embodiment of this article are also applicable to other embodiments in a similar manner, or different embodiments can be used in combination.

[0175] It is understood that to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the CCO and terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the respective functions. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the various exemplary units and method steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or in a hardware-driven manner by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0176] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal or CCO in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a CCO (such as node a) as shown in Figure 4, or a terminal (such as the electric meter shown in nodes b and f) as shown in Figure 4, or a module (such as a chip) applied to a CCO or terminal.

[0177] As shown in Figure 7, the communication device 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the terminal or CCO in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5 above.

[0178] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send channel quality information between nodes in each node group in multiple node groups, receive first indication information or send frames according to the first indication information; the processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing-related functions.

[0179] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of CCO in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive channel quality information between nodes in each node group in multiple node groups and send first indication information; the processing unit 1310 is used to determine the preamble length based on the channel quality information.

[0180] As shown in Figure 8, communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410 and an interface circuit 1420. Processor 1410 and interface circuit 1420 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1400 may also include a memory 1430 for storing instructions executed by processor 1410, input data required by processor 1410 to execute instructions, or data generated after processor 1410 executes instructions.

[0181] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 5 , the processor 1410 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1310 , and the interface circuit 1420 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1320 .

[0182] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal, the terminal chip implements the terminal functions in the above-mentioned method embodiments. When the terminal chip receives information from the CCO, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal chip by these modules. When the terminal chip sends information to the CCO, it can be understood that the information is first sent to other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the CCO by these modules.

[0183] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip used in a CCO, the CCO chip implements the CCO functionality described in the aforementioned method embodiments. The CCO chip receives information from the terminal, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the CCO (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the CCO chip by these modules. The CCO chip sends information to the terminal, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules in the CCO (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal by these modules.

[0184] In the present application, when entity A sends information to entity B, it can be that A sends it directly to B, or that A sends it indirectly to B through other entities. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, it can be that entity B directly receives the information sent by entity A, or that entity B indirectly receives the information sent by entity A through other entities. Entities A and B here can be CCO nodes or terminals, or modules inside the CCO node or terminal. The sending and receiving of information can be information interaction between a CCO node and a terminal, for example, information interaction between a CCO and a terminal; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between two CCO nodes, for example, information interaction between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between different modules within a device, for example, information interaction between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or information interaction between a CCO chip and other modules in the CCO.

[0185] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0186] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a CCO or a terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist in a CCO or a terminal as discrete components.

[0187] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0188] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification and drawings of this application are used to distinguish objects or to distinguish the processing of the same object. Words such as "first" and "second" can distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. For example, the first device and the second device are merely used to distinguish different devices and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0189] "At least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more.

[0190] "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or plural.

[0191] Furthermore, the terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof, as used in the description of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0192] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving channel quality information between nodes in each node group in a plurality of node groups; Determine the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group in the plurality of node groups according to the channel quality information; Send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the preamble length.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the node groups includes two nodes. The two nodes of the node group are a first node and a second node. The first node is a leaf node, and the second node is a proxy node of the first node.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Determining the leading length of a frame sent by a node in each node group in a plurality of node groups according to the channel quality information includes: determining the channel quality information between the nodes in the node group according to one or more of the following information: the receiving power of a signal between two nodes in the node group, the attenuation value of the signal strength between two nodes in the node group, or the signal-to-noise ratio of a signal between two nodes in the node group.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The channel quality information is divided into multiple intervals, and the receiving of the channel quality information between nodes in each of the multiple node groups includes: receiving the number of node groups whose channel quality information between nodes in the multiple node groups is located in each of the multiple intervals.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Indicating the preamble length of the frame sent by the node in each node group of the multiple node groups includes: indicating an identifier of each node group and the preamble length of the frame sent by the node in each node group corresponding to each node group.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Before sending the first indication information, the method further includes: generating a first list according to channel quality information between nodes in each node group in the multiple node groups, wherein the first list includes an identifier of each node group and a leading length of a frame sent by a node in each node group corresponding to each node group; And / or, before sending the first indication information, it also includes: generating a second list based on channel quality information between nodes in each node group in the multiple node groups, the second list including the interval of the channel quality information and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the node group corresponding to the interval.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The multiple intervals include a first interval and a second interval, the node group located in the first interval is a first type of node group, and the node group located in the second interval is a second type of node group, and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each of the multiple node groups includes: indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the first type of node group is a first length, and indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the second type of node group is a second length.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first length is different from the second length.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: If the signal quality of the first type node group is higher than the signal quality of the second type node group, the preamble length of the first type node group is smaller than the preamble length of the second type node group.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The preamble includes a first synchronization symbol, and the number of the first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the first type node group is less than the number of the first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the second type node group.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that Also includes: Determining the time slot according to channel quality information; Sending second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a time slot of a frame sent by a node in each of the multiple node groups.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The time slot indicating the frame sent by the node in each node group of the multiple node groups includes: the time slot indicating the first type of node group is a first time slot, and the time slot indicating the second type of node group is a second time slot.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The length of the time slot and / or the position of the time slot is determined according to the number of node groups corresponding to the time slot and / or the priority of the service sent by the node group corresponding to the time slot.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that If the number of the first type of node groups is greater than the number of the second type of node groups, then the time slot length of the first type of node groups is greater than the time slot length of the second type of node groups in the first cycle; if the priority of the service sent by the first type of node groups is greater than the priority of the service sent by the second type of node groups, then the time slot of the first type of node groups is ahead of the time slot of the second type of node groups in the first cycle.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that: If the first indication information instructs the first node to send a message to the second node in the first time slot and instructs the second node to send a message to the first node in the second time slot, the second node sends a response message to the first node in the first time slot.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each of the multiple node groups; The preamble length is determined according to the channel quality information; Send a frame according to the first indication information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Each of the node groups includes two nodes. The two nodes of the node group are a first node and a second node. The first node is a leaf node, and the second node is a proxy node of the first node.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The channel quality information between nodes in the node group is determined based on one or more of the following information: the received power of the signal between two nodes in the node group, the attenuation value of the signal strength between two nodes in the node group, or the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal between two nodes in the node group.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: Indicating the preamble length of the frame sent by the node in each node group of the multiple node groups includes: indicating an identifier of each node group and the preamble length of the frame sent by the node in each node group corresponding to each node group.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that The values ​​of the channel quality information are divided into multiple intervals, the multiple intervals include a first interval and a second interval, the node group located in the first interval is a first type of node group, and the node group located in the second interval is a second type of node group, and the leading length of the frame sent by the node in each node group in the multiple node groups includes: indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the first type of node group is a first length, and indicating that the leading length of the frame sent by the node in the second type of node group is a second length.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first length is different from the second length.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that If the signal quality of the first type node group is higher than the signal quality of the second type node group, the preamble length of the first type node group is smaller than the preamble length of the second type node group.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The preamble includes a first synchronization symbol, and the number of the first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the first type node group is less than the number of the first synchronization symbols in the preamble of the second type node group.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that Also includes: Second indication information is received, where the second indication information is used to indicate a time slot of a frame sent by a node in each of the multiple node groups, where the time slot of the frame is determined according to the channel quality information.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The time slot indicating the frame sent by the node in each node group of the multiple node groups includes: the time slot indicating the first type of node group is a first time slot, and the time slot indicating the second type of node group is a second time slot.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that The length of the time slot and / or the position of the time slot is determined according to the number of node groups corresponding to the time slot and / or the priority of the service sent by the node group corresponding to the time slot.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that If the number of the first type of node groups is greater than the number of the second type of node groups, then the time slot length of the first type of node groups is greater than the time slot length of the second type of node groups in the first cycle; if the priority of the service sent by the first type of node groups is greater than the priority of the service sent by the second type of node groups, then the time slot of the first type of node groups is ahead of the time slot of the second type of node groups in the first cycle.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that If the first indication information instructs the first node to send a message to the second node in the first time slot and instructs the second node to send a message to the first node in the second time slot, the second node sends a response message to the first node in the first time slot.

29. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 28, characterized in that Before receiving the first indication information, the method further includes: sending channel quality information between nodes in the node group.

30. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 29, characterized in that Also includes: Send a frame according to the first indication information and / or the second indication information.

31. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending channel quality information between nodes in each node group in a plurality of node groups; receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a preamble length of a frame sent by a node in each of the multiple node groups; The preamble length is determined according to the channel quality information.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The channel quality information is divided into multiple intervals, and the sending of the channel quality information between nodes in each of the multiple node groups includes: sending the number of node groups whose channel quality information between nodes in the multiple node groups is located in each of the multiple intervals.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that Before sending the channel quality information between nodes in each of the multiple node groups, the method further includes: receiving the channel quality information between nodes in the multiple node groups.

34. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that After receiving the first indication information, the method further includes: sending a frame according to the first indication information.

35. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 34, characterized in that The method also includes receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a time slot of a frame sent by a node in each of the multiple node groups, where the time slot of the frame is determined according to the channel quality information.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that Also includes: A frame is sent according to the first indication information and the second indication information.

37. A computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, or the communication device is caused to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 30, or the communication device is caused to execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 36.

38. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, or comprising a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 16 to 30, or comprising a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 31 to 36.

39. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Processor and memory; The memory is used to store computer instructions. When the processor executes the computer instructions, the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, or the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of claims 16 to 30, or the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of claims 31 to 36.

40. A computer program product, characterized in that include: A computer program or instruction, when the computer program or instruction is run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, or causes the computer to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 16 to 30, or causes the computer to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 31 to 36.

41. A system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first device and a second device, wherein the first device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and the second device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 16 to 30.

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