Communication method and related device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related device, for use in improving the transmission efficiency through a transmission mode of a multiple distributed resource unit (MDRU). In the method, an STA receives a frame, the frame comprising indication information, and the indication information being used for indicating an MDRU used by the STA sending an uplink PPDU; and the STA sends the uplink PPDU on the MDRU. The present application is applied to a wireless local area network system supporting an IEEE 802.11be or IEEE 802.11be next-generation protocol, such as Wi-Fi 8, or other IEEE 802.11 series protocols.

Description

A communication method and related equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on March 13, 2024, with application number 202410291504.7 and application name “A Communication Method and Related Equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] The US Federal Communications Commission recently issued regulations for the 6 GHz spectrum, defining a low-power indoor (LPI) communication mode with strict limits on maximum transmit power and maximum frequency spectral density. For stations (STAs), the maximum transmit power is limited to 24 dBm, and the maximum power spectral density is -1 dBm / MHz. This means that a device's transmit power is subject to both maximum power and maximum power spectral density limits. The maximum power spectral density limit is more stringent than the maximum power limit, and the maximum transmit power is generally more restricted by the power spectral density. For stations, the transmit power reaches the specified maximum power limit only when the bandwidth is 320 MHz. When the bandwidth is less than 320 MHz, the station must transmit at a lower power (lower than the specified maximum power) due to the maximum power spectral density limit.

[0004] Europe has also recently released regulations regarding the 6 GHz spectrum. For LPI communications, the maximum transmit power is limited to 23 dBm, with a maximum power spectral density of 10 dBm / MHz. When the bandwidth does not exceed 20 MHz, the transmit power of an access point (AP) or STA is primarily limited by the power spectral density. When the bandwidth exceeds 20 MHz, the transmit power of an AP or STA is primarily limited by the maximum power.

[0005] Therefore, in order to increase the transmit power of STAs to obtain higher gain without increasing the power spectrum density, the concept of multiple distributed resource units (MDRUs) is proposed. However, currently, no method is provided for using MDRUs for data transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and related equipment for implementing transmission of multiple distributed resource units (MDRUs).

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method for WLAN communication. The method is performed by a station (STA), or by some components (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the STA. In the first aspect and its possible implementations, the method is described as being performed by the STA. In the method, the STA receives a frame, the frame including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate the MDRU to be used by the STA to send an uplink PPDU; the STA sends the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the indication information, the STA can send an uplink PPDU on the indicated MDRU based on the indication information, thereby achieving the purpose of using the MDRU for data transmission.

[0009] It should be noted that the indication information is used to indicate the MDRU used by the STA to send the uplink PPDU. It can also be expressed as the indication information is used to indicate the MDRU allocated to the STA. It can also be expressed as the indication information is used to indicate the MDRU allocated by the AP to the STA, and the MDRU is used to carry the uplink PPDU.

[0010] A second aspect of the present application provides a communication method for WLAN communication, the method being performed by an access point (AP), or by a component of the AP (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). The second aspect and its possible implementations are described using the method performed by the AP as an example. In the method, the AP transmits a frame including indication information indicating an MDRU to be used by a STA to transmit an uplink PPDU; the AP receives the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, after the AP sends the frame including the indication information, the AP can receive the uplink PPDU on the MDRU indicated by the indication information, thereby achieving the purpose of using the MDRU for data transmission.

[0012] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device for WLAN communication, wherein the device is a STA, or the device is a component of a STA (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). A receiving unit in the device is configured to receive a frame, the frame including indication information, the indication information being configured to indicate an MDRU to be used by the STA to send an uplink PPDU; and a transmitting unit in the device is configured to send the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the indication information, the STA can send an uplink PPDU on the indicated MDRU based on the indication information, thereby achieving the purpose of using the MDRU for data transmission.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device for WLAN communication, wherein the device is an AP, or the device is a component of an AP (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). A transmitting unit in the device is configured to transmit a frame, wherein the frame includes indication information, wherein the indication information is configured to indicate an MDRU to be used by a STA to transmit an uplink PPDU; and a receiving unit in the device is configured to receive the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, after the AP sends the frame including the indication information, the AP can receive the uplink PPDU on the MDRU indicated by the indication information, thereby achieving the purpose of using the MDRU for data transmission.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the indication information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in an MDRU manner.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the frame includes a reserved subfield, and the reserved subfield includes the first indication information.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the indication information further includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a discrete bandwidth.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the second indication information is a discrete bandwidth indication subfield included in the frame.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the discrete bandwidth includes one of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the indication information includes third indication information, where the third indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in an MDRU manner in a discrete bandwidth including puncturing.

[0022] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the third indication information included in the frame, the STA can determine based on the third indication information that the STA can transmit the MDRU in the discrete bandwidth containing puncturing, thereby achieving the purpose of using the MDRU for data transmission.

[0023] In a possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data using the MDRU method in an 80MHz discrete bandwidth including a 20MHz puncture, or the third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data using the MDRU method in a 160MHz discrete bandwidth including a 40MHz puncture.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the third indication information is indicated based on a discrete bandwidth indication subfield and a reserved subfield in a frame.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the indication information further includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a first distributed resource unit DRU in the MDRU.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the fourth indication information is indicated based on a resource unit allocation subfield and a master-slave 160 subfield in a frame.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the MDRU includes a first DRU and a second DRU, and a mapping relationship exists between the first DRU and the second DRU.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, since each DRU is discrete in the full bandwidth and the channel difference is not much, the number of MDRUs can be reduced through the mapping relationship between the first DRU and the second DRU in the MDRU, thereby further simplifying the indication and implementation of the MDRU.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the size of the first DRU is smaller than the size of the second DRU, wherein the size of the DRU refers to the number of subcarriers included in the DRU.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, there is a one-to-one mapping relationship between the size and position of the first DRU and the size and position of the second DRU.

[0031] In a possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the STA transmits data in an MDRU manner in a discrete bandwidth including puncturing, wherein the discrete bandwidth has a first sub-bandwidth and a second sub-bandwidth remaining after puncturing, the first DRU is located in the first sub-bandwidth, and the second DRU is located in the second sub-bandwidth.

[0032] Based on the above technical solution, STAs can use MDRUs to transmit data in discrete bandwidths that include puncturing, thereby achieving the purpose of using MDRUs for data transmission. Because the MDRU includes a first DRU and a second DRU, the STA can simultaneously transmit to the first DRU in the first sub-bandwidth and the second DRU in the second sub-bandwidth, further improving transmission efficiency.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the discrete bandwidth is 160 MHz, the first sub-bandwidth is 40 MHz, and the second sub-bandwidth is 80 MHz.

[0034] A fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store programs or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions so that the device implements the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or so that the device implements the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the processor and the memory are integrated together.

[0036] A sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the processor executes the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0037] A seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product (or computer program) storing one or more computers. When the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the processor executes the method as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0038] An eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting a communication device to implement the functions involved in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect; or for supporting a communication device to implement the functions involved in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0039] In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components. Optionally, the chip system also includes an interface circuit that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0040] A ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device of the third aspect and the communication device of the fourth aspect, and / or the communication system includes the communication device of the fifth aspect.

[0041] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fifth to ninth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the different implementation methods in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG2a is a schematic structural diagram of an access point provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG2 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a site provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of 20MHz subcarrier distribution and continuous RU distribution;

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of 40MHz subcarrier distribution and continuous RU distribution;

[0047] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of 80MHz subcarrier distribution and continuous RU distribution;

[0048] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of uplink multi-user transmission;

[0049] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of an 802.11be trigger frame;

[0050] FIG8a is a schematic diagram of the distribution of 20M puncturing in an 80M channel;

[0051] FIG8b is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of 40M puncturing in a 160M channel;

[0052] FIG8c is a schematic diagram of a format of the common information field of an 802.11be trigger frame;

[0053] FIG9 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0057] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or", for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this article is merely a description of 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. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a, b, and c. Among them, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0058] In the description of this application, words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences.

[0059] In this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete way.

[0060] It should be understood that in this application, "when", "if" and "if" all mean that the device will perform corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and do not limit the time. It does not require that the device must perform a judgment action when it is implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0061] Elements used in the singular herein are intended to mean "one or more" rather than "one and only one" unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0062] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments or implementation methods can refer to each other. In the various embodiments in this application and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation methods, implementation methods or implementation methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0063] To facilitate understanding of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described below. It is understandable that the system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0064] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as systems adopting the 802.11 standard, such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, IEEE 802.11Integrated mmWave / Integrated millimeter wave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.11bf / sensing / perception protocol, or IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol; this application can also support Spark Link / Nearlink standard protocol. The scenarios to which the technical solution of this application is applicable include communication between an AP and one or more STAs, or communication between APs and APs, or communication between STAs and STAs. In the embodiments of this application, the term "communication" can also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission" or "transmission".

[0065] Refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system may include one or more APs (such as AP100 in Figure 1) and one or more STAs (STA200 and STA300 in Figure 1). Among them, the AP and STA support wireless local area networks (WLAN) communication protocols, which may include 802.11be (or Wi-Fi 7, extremely high throughput (EHT) protocol). The AP and STA also support Wi-Fi AI, millimeter wave (mmwave), ultra wide band (UWB) or sensing, etc. With the continuous evolution and development of communication technology, the communication protocol may also include the next generation protocol of 802.11be, etc. Taking WLAN as an example, the device for implementing the method of the present application may be an AP or STA in a WLAN, or a chip or processing system installed in an AP or STA.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the access point involved in this application (such as AP100 in Figure 1) is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication using the WLAN protocol and has the ability to communicate with other devices in the WLAN network (such as stations or other access points). Of course, it can also have the ability to communicate with other devices. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an access point station (AP STA). The device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services for STAs and can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, bridge, etc.; the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be the chip and processing system in these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the station involved in this application (such as STA200 or STA300 in Figure 1) is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication using the WLAN protocol and has the ability to communicate with other stations or access points in the WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be referred to as a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, a STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and, therefore, with a WLAN. The device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. Devices installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, a STA can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, or other user device that can be connected to the Internet, or an IoT node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, or an entertainment device, gaming device or system, or a global positioning system device. A STA can also be the chip and processing system in these terminals.

[0068] WLAN systems can provide high-speed and low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, corporate offices, sports stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, wards, classrooms, supermarkets, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices supporting WLAN communication (such as access points or stations) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, speakers, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation counters in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.), and equipment in large sports and music venues, etc. The specific forms of STAs and APs in the embodiments of this application are not limited and are only illustrative.

[0069] It should be understood that the 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (PHY) layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer. In one example, see Figure 2a, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the access point provided in an embodiment of the present application. The AP can be multi-antenna / multi-radio or a single antenna / single radio, and the antenna / radio is used to send / receive data packets (data packets in this article may also be referred to as physical layer protocol data units, i.e., PPDUs). In one implementation, the antenna or radio part of the AP can be separated from the main body of the AP, forming a remote layout structure. In Figure 2a, the AP may include a physical layer processing circuit and a medium access control processing circuit. The physical layer processing circuit can be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuit can be used to process MAC layer signals. In another example, see Figure 2b, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a site provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2b shows a schematic diagram of the STA structure of a single antenna / radio. In actual scenarios, the STA can also be multi-antenna / multi-radio, and can be a device with more than two antennas, and the antenna / radio is used to send / receive data packets. In one implementation, the antenna or radio frequency portion of the STA can be separated from the main body of the STA, forming a remote layout. In Figure 2b, the STA can include a PHY processing circuit and a MAC processing circuit. The physical layer processing circuit can be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuit can be used to process MAC layer signals.

[0070] The above content briefly describes the system architecture of the embodiment of the present application. In order to better understand the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, several contents related to the embodiment of the present application will be introduced below.

[0071] 1. Resource Unit (RU)-based Carrier Planning (Tone Plan)

[0072] The 802.11ax standard (also known as the high-efficiency (HE) standard) supports 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 80+80MHz bandwidth configurations. The difference between 160MHz and 80+80MHz is that 160MHz is a continuous frequency band, while 80+80MHz is two discontinuous 80MHz bands (each 80MHz is a continuous frequency band). To meet users' requirements for ultra-large bandwidth, ultra-high transmission rates, and extremely high throughput, the 802.11be standard (also known as the EHT standard) expands the bandwidth from 160MHz to 320MHz. In other words, the 802.11be standard will support 320MHz / 160+160MHz bandwidth configurations. In addition, the 802.11be standard allocates resources in units of RUs.

[0073] The following is an exemplary description of the subcarrier distribution and RU distribution of different bandwidth sizes.

[0074] Refer to Figure 3, which shows a schematic diagram of the subcarrier and RU distribution at 20 MHz. As shown in Figure 3, when the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the entire bandwidth (i.e., 20 MHz) includes a 242-tone RU, or various combinations of 26-tone RU, 52-tone RU, and 106-tone RU.

[0075] Each RU includes a data subcarrier and a pilot subcarrier. The data subcarrier can be used to carry data information, and the pilot subcarrier is used to estimate the phase offset and / or frequency offset.

[0076] In addition to the RU, the 20MHz bandwidth also includes some guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, and / or direct current (DC) subcarriers. For details on the subcarrier range included in the RU, refer to Table 27-7 in 802.11ax.

[0077] It should be understood that a 242-tone RU can be understood as an RU containing 242 subcarriers. Similarly, a 26-tone RU can be understood as an RU containing 26 subcarriers. A 52-tone RU can be understood as an RU containing 52 subcarriers. A 106-tone RU can be understood as an RU containing 106 subcarriers.

[0078] See Figure 4, which shows the subcarrier and RU distribution diagram for a 40MHz bandwidth. As shown in Figure 4, the entire bandwidth (i.e., 40MHz) includes a 484-tone RU, or various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, and 242-tone RUs. A 484-tone RU can be understood as an RU containing 484 subcarriers. For details on the subcarrier ranges included in a RU, refer to Table 27-8 in 802.11ax.

[0079] Refer to Figure 5, which shows the subcarrier and RU distribution for 80MHz. As shown in Figure 5, the entire bandwidth (i.e., 80MHz) includes a 996-tone RU, or various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, and 484-tone RUs. As shown in Figure 5, 484L in Figure 5 represents the left half of a 484-tone RU (i.e., the subcarrier range [-500:-17] or the subcarrier range [17:500]), and 484R in Figure 5 represents the right half of the 484-tone RU, each containing 242 subcarriers, which is another schematic representation of 484+5DC. For details on the locations of the subcarriers included in the RU, refer to Table 27-8 in 802.11ax. A 996-tone RU can be understood as an RU containing 996 subcarriers. The terms "left" and "right" here refer only to the relative positions in the frequency domain relative to the center. For example, in the 484-tone RU [-500:-17], in the actual frequency domain, "484L" represents the low-frequency portion relative to the frequency center of the 484-tone RU, that is, [-500:-259], and "484R" represents the high-frequency portion relative to the frequency center of the 484-tone RU, that is, [-258:-17]. Similarly, for the 484-tone RU [17:500], "484L" represents [17:258], and "484R" represents [259:500].

[0080] When the bandwidth is 160 MHz, the entire bandwidth (i.e., 160 MHz) can be understood as a replication of two 80 MHz subcarrier distributions. The entire bandwidth (i.e., 160 MHz) includes two 996-tone RUs, or various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs. When the bandwidth is 320 MHz, the entire bandwidth (i.e., 320 MHz) can be understood as a replication of four 80 MHz subcarrier distributions. This will not be further detailed here.

[0081] The various subcarrier distributions shown in Figures 3 to 5 above are based on 242-tone RUs. Assume that the leftmost RU in Figures 3 to 5 is the lowest frequency and the rightmost RU in Figures 3 to 5 is the highest frequency. From left to right, the 242-tone RUs can be numbered: first (1st), second (2nd), ..., sixteenth (16th). It should be understood that, taking a 320MHz bandwidth as an example, the data field in a radio frame occupies a maximum of 16 242-tone RUs. That is, in the data field, there are at most 16 242-tone RUs corresponding to the 16 20MHz channels in a one-to-one manner from low to high frequency.

[0082] In terms of bandwidth, a 26-tone RU corresponds to approximately 2 MHz, a 52-tone RU corresponds to approximately 4 MHz, a 106-tone RU corresponds to approximately 8 MHz, and a 242-tone RU corresponds to approximately 20 MHz. The bandwidths corresponding to RUs of other sizes can be inferred by adding or multiplying them accordingly, so we will not elaborate on this here.

[0083] It should be understood that because the 802.11be standard allows for the allocation of multiple RUs to a single STA, that is, multiple RUs can be combined and allocated to a single STA, the 802.11be standard supports multiple resource units (MRUs). In other words, in addition to the several types of RUs mentioned above, the 802.11be standard also includes several MRUs. For example, a 52-tone RU and a 26-tone RU form a 52+26-tone MRU; a 106-tone RU and a 26-tone RU form a 106+26-tone MRU. For example, one 996-tone RU and one 484-tone RU form a 996+484-tone MRU; two 996-tone RUs and one 484-tone RU form a 2*996+484-tone MRU; three 996-tone RUs form a 3*996-tone MRU; and three 996-tone RUs and one 484-tone RU form a 3*996+484-tone MRU. It should also be understood that the symbol "*" herein means "multiply" or "by."

[0084] 2. Uplink Multi-User Transmission

[0085] In 802.11ax and 802.11be, uplink multi-user transmission is a key technology. See Figure 6, which illustrates the process flow for uplink multi-user transmission. As shown in Figure 6, the uplink multi-user transmission process includes: the AP sends a trigger frame to trigger uplink multi-user transmission. The trigger frame carries the identifiers and resource allocation information of one or more stations. After receiving the trigger frame, each station transmits an uplink data frame on the allocated resource unit (RU) using a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU). After a short interframe space (SIFS), each station receives a block acknowledgement (BA) frame from the AP.

[0086] In one possible implementation, refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the frame format of an 802.11be trigger frame. As shown in Figure 7, the 802.11be trigger frame includes but is not limited to a common information field and a user information list field. The common information field contains common information that the STA (here, the STA includes at least one of a HE STA and an EHT STA) needs to read. The EHT STA in this article refers to a station that not only supports the EHT protocol but is also compatible with HE and previous protocols. In some scenarios and embodiments, the HE STA referred to in this application supports up to the HE protocol, but does not support future Wi-Fi protocols, such as the EHT protocol. However, it should not be understood that this application limits all HE STAs to being unable to support future Wi-Fi protocols. The common information field includes but is not limited to an uplink bandwidth (UL BW) subfield, which is used to indicate the total bandwidth of the uplink transmission in conjunction with the uplink bandwidth extension subfield (UL BW Extension subfield) in the special user information field. The user information list field includes but is not limited to one user information field. A user information field includes, but is not limited to, the association identification 12 (AID12) subfield and the RU allocation subfield. The AID12 subfield indicates the association identifier of a STA, and the RU allocation subfield indicates the specific resource unit location allocated to the STA (i.e., the STA indicated by the AID12 subfield).

[0087] For an EHT STA, its allocated RU or MRU can be jointly indicated by the following subfields in the trigger frame: resource unit allocation subfield (RU Allocation subfield), uplink bandwidth subfield (UL BW subfield), uplink bandwidth extension subfield (UL BW Extension subfield), and master-slave 160 subfield (PS160 subfield). As shown in the trigger frame format shown in Figure 7, in the common information field, b55 indicates whether there is a special user information field in the user information field. For an EHT TB PPDU, its bandwidth is jointly determined by the UL BW subfield and the UL BW Extension subfield in the special user information field. The mapping relationship between b0 in the RU Allocation subfield, b7-b1 in the RU Allocation subfield, and PS160 is shown in Table 1 below, where the bandwidth is jointly determined by the UL BW subfield and the UL BW Extension subfield; N can be obtained by the formula N = 2*X1+X0. The values ​​of X1 and X0 can be found in Table 2 below, which describes the transformation of logical parameters PS160 and B0 to physical parameters X1 and X0.

[0088] Table 1: Interpretation of the RU Allocation Subfield and PS160 Subfield in the 802.11be Trigger Frame

[0089] Table 2: Conversion of logical parameters to physical parameters

[0090] It should be understood that P80 in the above Table 2 represents a primary 80 MHz channel, S80 represents a secondary 80 MHz channel, and S160 represents a secondary 160 MHz channel.

[0091] The frequency band configuration in Table 2 refers to the order of P80, S80, and S160 in absolute frequency, representing the order from low to high frequency from left to right. For example, [P80 S80] indicates that the primary 80 MHz channel is the first 80 MHz channel in ascending order of frequency, and the secondary 80 MHz channel is the second 80 MHz channel in ascending order of frequency. Alternatively, [P80 S80] indicates that the primary 80 MHz channel is the lower 80 MHz channel, and the secondary 80 MHz channel is the upper 80 MHz channel. For another example, [S80 P80 S160] indicates that the secondary 80 MHz channel is the lower 80 MHz channel within the lower 160 MHz channels, the primary 80 MHz channel is the upper 80 MHz channel within the lower 160 MHz channels, and the secondary 160 MHz channel is the upper 160 MHz channel.

[0092] 3. Distributed RU / Discrete RU

[0093] In the indoor low power (LPI) communication scenario, the maximum transmission power and maximum power spectrum density are limited. Compared with the maximum power, the maximum power spectrum density is more strictly limited, and the maximum power allowed to be transmitted is usually more limited by the power spectrum density. Limited by the maximum power spectrum density, the transmission power of a single continuous RU is limited. It should be understood that the continuous RU in this application refers to an RU composed of multiple continuous subcarriers, or a continuous RU is an RU composed of two groups of continuous subcarrier groups, and the multiple subcarriers included in each group of continuous subcarrier groups are continuous, and the two groups of continuous subcarrier groups are only separated by protected subcarriers, empty subcarriers, or DC subcarriers. Of course, continuous RU can also be called other names, and this application does not limit the name of the continuous RU.

[0094] In one possible implementation, the maximum power spectral density refers to the maximum transmit power at 1 MHz. In other words, the maximum power spectral density is limited to a transmit power of no more than x dBm (dBm = 10log (mW), where lg represents the logarithm to base 10). The minimum granularity of the maximum power spectral density is 1 MHz. Therefore, without changing the transmit power at 1 MHz, or in other words, without changing the power spectral density, a discrete RU, or distributed RU technology, is proposed to increase transmit power. Discrete RUs / distributed RUs correspond to continuous RUs. A discrete RU includes multiple subcarriers that are discrete in the frequency domain. These discrete subcarriers can be partially or completely discrete. That is, the discrete subcarriers can include some subcarriers that are continuous in frequency and some that are discontinuous in frequency; alternatively, the discrete subcarriers can be completely discontinuous in frequency. It should be understood that "discrete RU," "distributed RU," and "DRU" are used interchangeably herein.

[0095] For discrete RUs and continuous RUs containing the same number of subcarriers, the bandwidth spanned by the discrete RU in the frequency domain from the low-frequency starting position to the high-frequency ending position is greater than the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by the continuous RU. In this way, under the same maximum power spectrum density, the total transmit power of the discrete RU is higher than the total transmit power of the continuous RU. In other words, when the power spectrum density is limited, the transmit power can be increased by discretizing a limited number of subcarriers (such as the 26 subcarriers contained in a continuous 26-tone RU) to a wider bandwidth, that is, more subcarriers (such as the odd subcarriers of 2 continuous 26-tone RUs). Therefore, compared to continuous RU, when using discrete RU for data transmission, the transmit power of a single RU can be increased, thereby increasing the transmit power on a single subcarrier and improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0096] In one possible implementation, during a single transmission by a user (STA), the transmit power of each subcarrier in the resource unit (RU) allocated to the STA is the same. Taking a carrier spacing of 78.125 kHz as an example, 1 MHz contains 12.8 (approximately 13) subcarriers. Assuming the transmit power of 1 MHz does not exceed p mW (i.e., the maximum power spectral density). The maximum number of subcarriers carrying signals in any consecutive 13 subcarriers determines the average power per subcarrier, and thus the transmit power of the signal. The transmit power of the signal is equal to the product of the average power per subcarrier and the number of subcarriers. For example, assuming that there are at most 5 subcarriers carrying signals in any consecutive 13 subcarriers (1 MHz), then the average power per subcarrier in the 1 MHz bandwidth is (p / 5) mW. Assuming that there are at most 2 subcarriers carrying signals in any consecutive 13 subcarriers (1 MHz), then the average power per subcarrier in the 1 MHz bandwidth is (p / 2) mW. That is to say, for a certain maximum power spectral density, the more subcarriers carrying signals there are in any continuous 13 subcarriers, the smaller the average power on each subcarrier and the smaller the total transmit power. From this, we can see that, assuming that the resource unit allocated to the STA is a discrete 26-tone RU, that is, the number of subcarriers carrying signals is 26, if there are at most 2 subcarriers carrying signals in any 13 consecutive subcarriers, that is, the bandwidth occupied by the discrete 26-tone RU is 26 / 2=13MHz, then the average power of each subcarrier in the 1MHz bandwidth is (p / 2)mW, then the total transmit power of the discrete 26-tone RU can be calculated based on the total subcarrier transmit power, specifically (p / 2)*26mW, or based on the bandwidth occupied by the subcarrier, specifically 13*p mW; if the resource unit allocated to the STA is a continuous 26-tone RU, since the continuous 26-tone RU includes 26 consecutive subcarriers (2 groups of 13 consecutive subcarriers), that is, the bandwidth occupied by the continuous 26-tone RU is 2MHz, then the average power of each subcarrier in the 1MHz bandwidth is (p / 13)mW, then the continuous 26-tone The total transmit power of the RU can be calculated based on the total transmit power of the subcarriers, specifically (p / 13)*26 mW, or based on the bandwidth occupied by the subcarriers, specifically 2*p mW. In comparison, at the same maximum power spectral density, the total transmit power of a discrete 26-tone RU is 6.5 times higher than that of a continuous 26-tone RU.

[0097] It should be understood that the discrete RU / distributed RU / DRU mentioned herein refers to an RU whose subcarriers are discrete in the frequency domain. In other words, an RU with this characteristic is referred to herein as a discrete RU / distributed RU / DRU. However, in practice, RUs with this characteristic may have other names, which are not limited in this application. For ease of description, in the following embodiments, an RU with this characteristic will be referred to as a DRU.

[0098] 4. Multiple distributed resource units

[0099] The design principle of the distributed resource unit (DRU) is that its RU size, the number of RUs of each size, and the hierarchical relationship of RUs of each size are the same as those of the regular resource unit (rRU) on each discrete bandwidth.

[0100] Consider the case where an 80M channel contains 20M punctures, as shown in Figure 8a. The unpunctured portion is transmitted as a DRU with 20M discrete bandwidth and 40M discrete bandwidth respectively. The tone plan corresponding to the 20M discrete bandwidth includes 9 26-tone DRUs, 4 52-tone DRUs, and 2 106-tone DRUs, with power amplification gains of 8.13dB, 6.37dB, and 3.56dB, respectively. The tone plan corresponding to the 40M discrete bandwidth includes 18 26-tone DRUs, 8 52-tone DRUs, 4 106-tone DRUs, and 2 242-tone DRUs, with power amplification gains of 11.14dB, 8.13dB, 6.37dB, and 2.69dB, respectively. DRUs with similar power gains in the 20M discrete bandwidth and the 40M discrete bandwidth are transmitted simultaneously to form a multiple distributed resource unit (MDRU). MDRU includes 26-tone DRU(20M)+52-tone DRU(40M), 52-tone DRU(20M)+106-tone DRU(40M), 106-tone DRU(20M)+242-tone DRU(40M).

[0101] Consider a 160M channel with 40M puncturing, as shown in Figure 8b. The unpunctured portion is transmitted using DRUs with 40M discrete bandwidth and 80M discrete bandwidth, respectively. The tone plan corresponding to the 40M discrete bandwidth includes 18 26-tone DRUs, 8 52-tone DRUs, 4 106-tone DRUs, and 2 242-tone DRUs, with power amplification gains of 11.14dB, 8.13dB, 6.37dB, and 2.69dB, respectively. The tone plan corresponding to the 80M discrete bandwidth includes 16 52-tone DRUs, 8 106-tone DRUs, 4 242-tone DRUs, and 2 484-tone DRUs, with power amplification gains of 11.14dB, 8.13dB, 5.12dB, and 2.69dB, respectively. DRUs with similar power gains in the 40M and 80M discrete bandwidths are transmitted simultaneously to form an MDRU. MDRU includes 26-tone DRU(40M)+52-tone DRU(80M), 52-tone DRU(40M)+106-tone DRU(80M), 106-tone DRU(40M)+242-tone DRU(80M), 242-tone DRU(40M)+484-tone DRU(80M).

[0102] It should be understood that FIG8a is only one example of a case where an 80M channel contains 20M puncturing, and FIG8b is only one example of a case where a 160M channel contains 40M puncturing, and they are not limited here.

[0103] From the above, it can be seen that dispersing the subcarriers contained in the resource unit to a larger bandwidth (larger than the bandwidth occupied by continuous RUs) can improve the transmission power. Currently, DRUs can be indicated by triggering frames, and there are two main ways to indicate.

[0104] The first method is to indicate through the common information field of the 802.11be trigger frame.

[0105] See Figure 8c, which illustrates a format of the Common Information field in an 802.11be trigger frame. As shown in Figure 8c, the Common Information field includes an EHT Reserved subfield, which uses four bits in a bitmap format to indicate whether each 80M bandwidth transmission is a DRU or an rRU.

[0106] The second method is to indicate through the user information field of the 802.11be trigger frame.

[0107] Referring to the user information field shown in Figure 7, the 8 bits of resource unit allocation (RU allocation) and the 1 bit of primary and secondary 160MHz indication (PS160) are used to indicate the RU size of the DRU, which is the same as the rRU; it is also used to indicate the location of the DRU, and its smallest channel larger than the rRU size is the same as the rRU; it is also used to indicate the sequence number of the DRU, which is the same as the rRU.

[0108] Alternatively, based on 6 bits of spatial stream allocation / random access resource unit information (SS Allocation / RA-RU Information), 3 bits are used for cyclic shift diversity (CSD) index indication, 1 bit is used to indicate whether the number of streams is 1 or 2, and 2 bits are used to indicate discrete bandwidth.

[0109] Compared to continuous resource unit (RU) transmission and the aforementioned distributed resource unit (DRU) transmission, MDRUs simultaneously transmit DRUs with similar power gains within different discrete bandwidths, further improving transmission power and efficiency. To this end, the present application provides a communication method and related equipment for implementing MDRU transmission to improve transmission power and efficiency.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the station in this application can be any STA shown in Figure 1 above, such as STA200. The access point in this application can be any AP shown in Figure 1 above, such as AP100. The stations and access points in this application both support the 802.11be protocol and can also support other WLAN communication protocols, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, and the like. It should be understood that the stations and access points in this application can also support the next generation protocol of 802.11be. In other words, the method provided in this application is applicable not only to the 802.11be protocol, but also to the next generation protocol of 802.11be.

[0111] Please refer to FIG9 , which is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0112] S101. AP sends a frame.

[0113] In this embodiment, the AP sends a frame in step S101, and correspondingly, the STA receives the frame in step S101. The frame includes indication information, and the indication information is used to instruct the STA to use the MDRU to send the uplink PPDU.

[0114] It is understood that the frames mentioned in this embodiment and subsequent embodiments may adopt various possible frame formats. They may be a type of control frame in a standard-specified MAC frame, called a trigger frame, such as the trigger frame in the aforementioned 802.11be, or other MAC frames with a trigger function. Other MAC frames with a trigger function may also be referred to as MAC frames with a TRS (triggered response scheduling) function, which is generally implemented by including a TRS Control subfield in the MAC frame. In a specific example, the indication information mentioned in step S101 may be carried in the RU allocation field in the user info field of the trigger frame, or in the RU allocation field in the TRS Control subfield of other MAC frames.

[0115] In one possible implementation, the indication information is used to indicate the size and location of the MDRU assigned to the site. The MDRU size refers to the number of DRU subcarriers that comprise the MDRU, and the MDRU location refers to the frequency domain position of the subcarriers within the DRU that comprise the MDRU. Generally, the frequency domain position of the subcarriers within the DRU is represented by a subcarrier index range. The size and location of the DRU conform to the size and location predefined by the standard.

[0116] It should be noted that the indication information is used to indicate the MDRU used by the STA to send the uplink PPDU. It can also be expressed as the indication information is used to indicate the MDRU allocated to the STA. It can also be expressed as the indication information is used to indicate the MDRU allocated by the AP to the STA, and the MDRU is used to carry the uplink PPDU.

[0117] S102. The STA sends an uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0118] In this embodiment, in step S102, the STA sends an uplink PPDU on the MDRU. Correspondingly, in step S102, the AP receives the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0119] It is understandable that after the STA receives the frame sent by the AP in step S101, the STA can determine the MDRU to which the site is allocated according to the indication information in the frame, and in step S102, the STA sends an uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the STA determines the size and location of the MDRU allocated to the site based on the indication information.

[0121] In this embodiment, three indication methods for indicating the MDRU are mainly proposed, which are introduced below respectively.

[0122] In a first implementation manner, the indication information includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in an MDRU manner.

[0123] In this implementation, the frame sent by the AP includes first indication information. After receiving the frame, the STA can transmit data in an MDRU manner based on the first indication information.

[0124] In a possible implementation manner, the frame includes a reserved subfield, and the reserved subfield includes the first indication information.

[0125] In a possible implementation manner, the indication information further includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a discrete bandwidth.

[0126] In a possible implementation manner, the second indication information is a discrete bandwidth indication subfield included in the frame.

[0127] In one example, specifically referring to Figure 7, 3 of the 6 bits occupied by SS Allocation are rewritten to indicate the CSD index, 1 bit is rewritten to indicate 1 stream or 2 streams, and the remaining 2 bits are rewritten to indicate discrete bandwidth. When indicating DRU and MDRU, the AP generally reconfigures the SS Allocation and replaces the SS Allocation subfield with other subfields. Correspondingly, the AP can replace the 2 bits used to indicate discrete bandwidth with a discrete bandwidth indication subfield, which is used to indicate discrete bandwidth. In addition, the reserved subfield corresponding to the 25th bit in the user information field is configured to indicate whether MDRU transmission is adopted.

[0128] On this basis, in one possible implementation, the indication information also includes fourth indication information, which is used to indicate the first DRU in the MDRU. It should be understood that since the MDRU is formed based on the simultaneous transmission of a larger DRU and a smaller DRU, when indicating the MDRU through a frame, the MDRU is generally indirectly determined by indicating the DRUs included in the MDRU. Correspondingly, the frame includes the fourth indication information to indicate the first DRU in the MDRU. It should be understood that the size of the first DRU refers to the number of subcarriers included in the first DRU.

[0129] After the STA determines the first DRU in the MDRU, in one possible implementation, the MDRU also includes a second DRU, and a mapping relationship exists between the first DRU and the second DRU. Based on this, after the STA determines the first DRU in the MDRU, the STA can determine the second DRU in the MDRU based on the mapping relationship between the first DRU and the second DRU.

[0130] In a possible implementation, the mapping relationship between the first DRU and the second DRU means that there is a one-to-one mapping relationship between the size and position of the first DRU and the size and position of the second DRU.

[0131] It should be understood that since MDRU only supports scenarios where discrete bandwidth includes perforations, in one possible implementation, STA uses MDRU to transmit data in a discrete bandwidth including perforations. After perforation, the discrete bandwidth has a first sub-bandwidth and a second sub-bandwidth remaining. The first DRU is located in the first sub-bandwidth, and the second DRU is located in the second sub-bandwidth.

[0132] In one example, consider an 80 MHz channel with a 20 MHz puncture. The discrete bandwidth is 80 MHz, the first sub-bandwidth is 20 MHz, and the second sub-bandwidth is 40 MHz. Depending on the location of the puncture holes, there are four main scenarios. This example uses one of these scenarios, as shown in Figure 8a.

[0133] For the first MDRU type, 26-tone DRU (20M) + 52-tone DRU (40M), the 20M contains nine 26-tone DRUs, and the 40M contains eight or nine 52-tone DRUs. By determining a certain one-to-one mapping relationship, eight or nine 52+26-tone MDRUs can be obtained.

[0134] For the second MDRU type, 52-tone DRU (20M) + 106-tone DRU (40M), the 20M contains four 52-tone DRUs and the 40M contains four 106-tone DRUs. By determining a certain one-to-one mapping relationship, four 106+52-tone MDRUs can be obtained;

[0135] For the third MDRU type, 106-tone DRU (20M) + 242-tone DRU (40M), the 20M contains two 106-tone DRUs and the 40M contains two 242-tone DRUs. By determining a certain one-to-one mapping relationship, two 106+242-tone MDRUs can be obtained;

[0136] Therefore, for one puncturing pattern, there are 8+4+2=14 or 9+4+2=15 MDRUs. For four puncturing patterns, there are 14*4=56 or 15*4=60 MDRUs.

[0137] For a 160M channel with 40M puncturing, there are four main scenarios, depending on the location of the puncture holes. This example uses one of these scenarios. For details, see 8b.

[0138] For the first MDRU type, 26-tone DRU (40M) + 52-tone DRU (80M), the 40M contains 18 26-tone DRUs and the 80M contains 16 52-tone DRUs. By determining a certain one-to-one mapping relationship, 16 52+26-tone MDRUs can be obtained;

[0139] For the second MDRU type, 52-tone DRU (40M) + 106-tone DRU (80M), the 40M contains eight 52-tone DRUs and the 80M contains eight 106-tone DRUs. By determining a certain one-to-one mapping relationship, eight 106+52-tone MDRUs can be obtained.

[0140] For the third MDRU type, 106-tone DRU (40M) + 242-tone DRU (80M), the 40M contains four 106-tone DRUs and the 80M contains four 242-tone DRUs. By determining a certain one-to-one mapping relationship, four 106+242-tone MDRUs can be obtained;

[0141] For the fourth MDRU type, 242-tone DRU (40M) + 484-tone DRU (80M), the 40M contains two 242-tone DRUs and the 80M contains two 484-tone DRUs. By determining a certain one-to-one mapping relationship, two 242+484-tone MDRUs can be obtained;

[0142] Therefore, for one puncturing pattern, there are 16+8+4+2=30 MDRUs in total. For four puncturing patterns, there are 30*4=120 MDRUs in total.

[0143] A 26-tone DRU can be understood as a distributed RU containing 26 subcarriers, and can also be abbreviated as DRU 26. Similarly, a 52-tone DRU can be understood as a distributed RU containing 52 subcarriers, and can also be abbreviated as DRU 52; a 106-tone DRU can be understood as a distributed RU containing 106 subcarriers, and can also be abbreviated as DRU 106. It should also be understood that DRUs of other sizes have similar meanings and can also have corresponding abbreviations, which are not listed here one by one.

[0144] In a possible implementation, the fourth indication information is indicated based on the resource unit allocation subfield and the master-slave 160 subfield in the frame. After receiving the frame, the STA can determine the fourth indication information based on the source unit allocation subfield and the master-slave 160 subfield of the frame. In one example, when the remaining 2 bits indicate 80M discrete bandwidth or 160M discrete bandwidth, the 25th bit of Reserved indicates the use of MDRU transmission. The STA can determine the smaller size DRU based on the 1-bit PS160 and the 8-bit RU Allocation, and then determine the larger size DRU based on the one-to-one mapping relationship between the smaller size DRU and the larger size DRU, thereby finally determining the MDRU that needs to be sent.

[0145] In a possible implementation, if the size of the first DRU is smaller than that of the second DRU, the STA can determine the first DRU based on the 1-bit PS160 and the 8-bit RU Allocation, and then determine the second DRU based on a one-to-one mapping relationship, thereby ultimately determining the MDRU to be sent.

[0146] In a possible implementation, if the size of the first DRU is larger than that of the second DRU, the STA can determine the second DRU based on the 1-bit PS160 and the 8-bit RU Allocation, and then determine the first DRU based on a one-to-one mapping relationship, thereby ultimately determining the MDRU to be sent.

[0147] In one possible implementation, determining the first DRU refers to determining the size and position of the first DRU, determining the second DRU refers to determining the size and position of the second DRU, and determining the MDRU refers to determining the size and position of the MDRU. The size of the MDRU refers to the number of DRU subcarriers constituting the MDRU, and the position of the MDRU refers to the position of the subcarriers in the DRUs constituting the MDRU in the frequency domain.

[0148] In a second implementation manner, the indication information includes third indication information, where the third indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in an MDRU manner in a discrete bandwidth including puncturing.

[0149] In this implementation, the frame sent by the AP includes the third indication information. After receiving the frame, the STA can transmit data in an MDRU manner based on the third indication information.

[0150] In one possible implementation, the third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data using the MDRU method in an 80MHz discrete bandwidth including a 20MHz puncture, or the third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data using the MDRU method in a 160MHz discrete bandwidth including a 40MHz puncture.

[0151] In a possible implementation, the third indication information is indicated based on a discrete bandwidth indication subfield and a reserved subfield in a frame.

[0152] In one example, specifically referring to Figure 7, 3 bits of the 6 bits occupied by SS Allocation are rewritten for CSD index indication, 1 bit is rewritten for indicating 1 stream or 2 streams, and the remaining 2 bits are rewritten for indicating discrete bandwidth. When indicating DRU and MDRU, the AP generally reconfigures SS Allocation and replaces the SS Allocation subfield with other subfields. Correspondingly, the AP can replace the 2 bits used to indicate discrete bandwidth with a discrete bandwidth indication subfield, and configure the reserved subfield corresponding to the discrete bandwidth subfield and the 25th bit in the user information field to represent the third indication information. Among them, the discrete bandwidth indication subfield and the reserved subfield have a total of 3 bits. These three bits have a total of 8 values ​​from 0 to 7, one of which is used to indicate 20M discrete bandwidth, one is used to indicate 40M discrete bandwidth, one is used to indicate 80M discrete bandwidth, one is used to indicate 160M discrete bandwidth, one is used to indicate the transmission of MDRU in 80M discrete bandwidth including 20M perforation, and one is used to indicate the transmission of MDRU in 160M discrete bandwidth including 40M perforation.

[0153] On this basis, in a possible implementation manner, the indication information further includes fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate the first DRU in the MDRU.

[0154] In one example, when 3 bits indicate that the MDRU is transmitted in an 80M discrete bandwidth including 20M puncturing or in a 160M discrete bandwidth including 40M puncturing, the STA can determine the first DRU of smaller size based on 1-bit PS160 and 8-bit RU Allocation, and then determine the second DRU based on the one-to-one mapping relationship between the first DRU and the second DRU, thereby finally determining the MDRU that needs to be sent.

[0155] In a third implementation manner, the indication information includes fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in a discrete bandwidth in an MDRU manner.

[0156] In this implementation, the fifth indication information is included in the frame sent by the AP. After receiving the frame, the STA can transmit data in an MDRU manner based on the fifth indication information.

[0157] It should be understood that the fifth indication information indicates the size and location of the MDRU supported in the discrete bandwidth.

[0158] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information indicates the MDRU supported by the STA in the 80M discrete bandwidth, or the fifth indication information indicates the MDRU supported by the STA in the 160M discrete bandwidth.

[0159] In one example, as shown in Figure 7, when the discrete bandwidth is 80M, the location of the discrete bandwidth can be determined by PS160 and B0. PS160 is 0, indicating the master 160M. In this case, B0 is 0, indicating that the discrete bandwidth is located at the master 80M, and B0 is 1, indicating that the discrete bandwidth is located at the slave 80M. PS160 is 1, indicating the slave 160M. In this case, B0 is 0, indicating that the discrete bandwidth is located at the lower 80M, and B0 is 1, indicating that the discrete bandwidth is located at the upper 80M. When the discrete bandwidth is 80M, corresponding to Table 1, B1-B7 has a total of 128 values ​​from 0 to 127. The values ​​37 to 66 are used to indicate the 30 DRUs in the 80M Tone Plan, including 52-tone DRU, 106-tone DRU, 242-tone DRU, and 484-tone DRU. The remaining values ​​0 to 36 and 67 to 127, a total of 98, can be used to indicate MDRUs in the 80M bandwidth. It should be understood that the remaining 98 values ​​of 0 to 36 and 67 to 127 described in this example are unused DRUs used to indicate MDRUs. In actual applications, MDRUs can also be indicated based on other unused DRUs. This is only an example and not a limitation.

[0160] When the discrete bandwidth is 160M, PS160 is 0, indicating that the discrete bandwidth is located in the master 160M, and PS160 is 1, indicating that the discrete bandwidth is located in the slave 160M. When the discrete bandwidth is 160M, corresponding to Table 1, the values ​​of B1 to B7 are 53 to 67, and the value of B0 is 0 or 1, with a total of 30 values, which are used to indicate the 30 DRUs in the 160M Tone Plan, including 106-tone DRU, 242-tone DRU, 484-tone DRU, 996-tone DRU, and can also include 52-tone DRU, 56-tone DRU, etc. The remaining 226 values, namely B1 to B7 values ​​0 to 52, 68 to 127, and B0 value 0 or 1, can be used to indicate the MDRU supported by the 160M discrete bandwidth. It should be understood that the remaining 226 values ​​described in this example are unused DRUs used to indicate MDRUs. In actual applications, MDRUs can also be indicated based on other unused DRUs. This is only an example and not a limitation.

[0161] It should be understood that in the third implementation, a value is required to indicate the MDRU in the discrete bandwidth, and a table of correspondences between the MDRU and the value is stored for subsequent lookup. Compared to the third implementation, the first and second implementations can utilize the one-to-one mapping between larger and smaller DRUs in the MDRU to determine the MDRU based on the combined indication of the discrete bandwidth indication subfield and the reserved subfield, without the need to store and look up the value and correspondence table, thereby simplifying the protocol and implementation.

[0162] The above describes the present application from the perspective of method, and the following will further introduce the present application from the perspective of device.

[0163] Please refer to FIG. 10 , which is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the communication device 1000 includes a sending unit 1001 and a receiving unit 1002 .

[0164] In one implementation, the communication device 1000 can be specifically applied to WLAN communication. The device can be a STA, or the device can be a partial component in a STA (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), used to implement the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figure 9 above. Accordingly, the sending unit 1001 and the receiving unit 1002 include the following process:

[0165] The receiving unit 1002 is configured to receive a frame, where the frame includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the MDRU used by the STA to send an uplink PPDU;

[0166] The sending unit 1001 is configured to send the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1000 can be specifically applied to WLAN communication. The device can be an AP, or the device can be a component of an AP (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), used to implement the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figure 9. Accordingly, the sending unit 1001 and the receiving unit 1002 include the following process:

[0168] The sending unit 1001 is used to send a frame, which includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the STA to use the MDRU to send the uplink PPDU;

[0169] The receiving unit 1002 is configured to receive the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

[0170] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1000 further includes a processing unit 1003, and the processing unit 1003 is configured to parse the frame to obtain indication information.

[0171] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1003 is further configured to determine the MDRU used to transmit data based on the indication information.

[0172] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1000 further includes a storage unit 1004, which is used to store program code and data for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and is controlled by the processing unit 1003. In one possible implementation, the various types of computer program codes executed can also be regarded as drivers for the processing unit 1003.

[0173] In one possible implementation, the sending unit 1001, the receiving unit 1002, the processing unit 1003, and the storage unit 1004 communicate with each other. In one possible implementation, the indication information includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in MDRU mode.

[0174] In a possible implementation manner, the frame includes a reserved subfield, and the reserved subfield includes the first indication information.

[0175] In a possible implementation manner, the indication information further includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a discrete bandwidth.

[0176] In a possible implementation manner, the second indication information is a discrete bandwidth indication subfield included in the frame.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the discrete bandwidth includes one of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz.

[0178] In a possible implementation, the indication information includes third indication information, where the third indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in an MDRU manner in a discrete bandwidth including puncturing.

[0179] In one possible implementation, the third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data using the MDRU method in an 80MHz discrete bandwidth including a 20MHz puncture, or the third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data using the MDRU method in a 160MHz discrete bandwidth including a 40MHz puncture.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the third indication information is indicated based on a discrete bandwidth indication subfield and a reserved subfield in a frame.

[0181] In a possible implementation manner, the indication information further includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate the first distributed resource unit DRU in the MDRU.

[0182] In a possible implementation, the fourth indication information is indicated based on the resource unit allocation subfield and the master-slave 160 subfield in the frame.

[0183] In a possible implementation, the MDRU includes a first DRU and a second DRU, and a mapping relationship exists between the first DRU and the second DRU.

[0184] In a possible implementation, the size of the first DRU is smaller than the size of the second DRU, where the size of the DRU refers to the number of subcarriers included in the DRU.

[0185] In a possible implementation, there is a one-to-one mapping relationship between the size and position of the first DRU and the size and position of the second DRU.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the STA transmits data in an MDRU manner in a discrete bandwidth including puncturing, wherein the discrete bandwidth has a first sub-bandwidth and a second sub-bandwidth remaining after puncturing, the first DRU is located in the first sub-bandwidth, and the second DRU is located in the second sub-bandwidth.

[0187] In a possible implementation, the discrete bandwidth is 160 MHz, the first sub-bandwidth is 40 MHz, and the second sub-bandwidth is 80 MHz.

[0188] It should be noted that the communication device 1000 can also be used to execute the other aforementioned embodiments and achieve corresponding beneficial effects. For details, please refer to the description in the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 11 , FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1100 includes a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102 .

[0190] The communication device 1100 may be a wireless frame sending device or a wireless frame receiving device, or a chip thereof.

[0191] Figure 11 only illustrates the main components of communication device 1100. In addition to processor 1101 and transceiver 1102, the communication device may further include memory 1103 and input / output devices (not shown). Memory unit 1103 may be independent and connected to processor 1101. Alternatively, memory unit 1103 may be integrated with processor 1101, for example, within a single chip.

[0192] The processor 1101 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. The memory 1103 is primarily used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1102 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0193] The processor 1101 , the transceiver 1102 , and the memory 1103 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0194] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1101 can read the software program in the memory 1103, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1101 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1101. The processor 1101 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0195] In any of the above designs, processor 1101 may include a communication interface for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0196] In any of the above designs, the processor 1101 may store instructions, which may be computer programs. The computer programs run on the processor 1101 to enable the communication device 1100 to perform the method described in any of the above embodiments. The computer programs may be fixed in the processor 1101, in which case the processor 1101 may be implemented by hardware.

[0197] In one implementation, the communication device 1100 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending, receiving, or communicating in any of the aforementioned embodiments. The processor and communication interface described in this application can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed-signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and communication interface can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0198] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna can be set independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna can be arranged remotely from the communication device.

[0199] The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0200] (1) An independent integrated circuit (IC), or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0201] (2) A set of one or more ICs, optionally including a storage component for storing data and instructions;

[0202] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0203] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0204] (5) Receivers, smart terminals, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.;

[0205] (6)Others, etc.

[0206] In addition, the processor 1101 can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver 1102 can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver transmission and reception. The above-mentioned components can be provided on separate chips, or at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. The analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver on the same chip, while the digital baseband processor can be provided on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more components can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with multiple application processors (such as, but not limited to, a graphics processor, a multimedia processor, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be referred to as a system on a chip. Whether each component is provided independently on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the specific requirements of the product design. The embodiments of the present invention do not limit the specific implementation of the above-mentioned components.

[0207] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program code is stored. When the processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device executes the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0208] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0209] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device executes the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0210] The present application also provides a WLAN communication system, including a STA and an AP, wherein the STA and the AP can execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0211] The steps of the method or algorithm described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present application can be implemented in a hardware manner or can be implemented by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only compact disc (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 can write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC.

[0212] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described herein can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0213] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The station STA receives a frame, where the frame includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the STA to send a multiple distributed resource unit MDRU used by the uplink physical layer protocol data unit PPDU; The STA sends the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

2. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The access point AP sends a frame, where the frame includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the STA to send a multiple distributed resource unit MDRU used by an uplink physical layer protocol data unit PPDU; The AP receives the uplink PPDU on the MDRU.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The indication information includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in an MDRU manner.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The frame includes a reserved subfield, and the reserved subfield includes the first indication information.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The indication information further includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a discrete bandwidth.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The second indication information is a discrete bandwidth indication subfield included in the frame.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The discrete bandwidth includes one of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The indication information includes third indication information, where the third indication information is used to instruct the STA to transmit data in an MDRU manner in a discrete bandwidth including puncturing.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data in an 80 MHz discrete bandwidth including 20 MHz puncturing using an MDRU mode, or the third indication information instructs the STA to transmit data in a 160 MHz discrete bandwidth including 40 MHz puncturing using an MDRU mode.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The third indication information is indicated based on a discrete bandwidth indication subfield and a reserved subfield in the frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that The indication information further includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a first distributed resource unit DRU in the MDRU.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The fourth indication information is indicated based on the resource unit allocation subfield and the master-slave 160 subfield in the frame.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The MDRU includes a first DRU and a second DRU, and a mapping relationship exists between the first DRU and the second DRU.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The size of the first DRU is smaller than that of the second DRU, wherein the size of the DRU refers to the number of subcarriers included in the DRU.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that There is a one-to-one mapping relationship between the size and position of the first DRU and the size and position of the second DRU.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The STA transmits data in an MDRU manner in a discrete bandwidth including puncturing, wherein the discrete bandwidth has a first sub-bandwidth and a second sub-bandwidth remaining after puncturing, the first DRU is located in the first sub-bandwidth, and the second DRU is located in the second sub-bandwidth.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The discrete bandwidth is 160 MHz, the first sub-bandwidth is 40 MHz, and the second sub-bandwidth is 80 MHz.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: including a receiving unit and a sending unit; The receiving unit and the sending unit are configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: including a receiving unit and a sending unit; The receiving unit and the sending unit are configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 2 to 17.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises at least one processor coupled to a memory; the at least one processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

22. A computer program product comprising program instructions, characterized in that When the program instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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