Communication method, computer readable storage media, communication system and apparatus

Description

1 / 50 “COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIA, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND DEVICE”

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310443022.4, filed with the National Intellectual Property Administration of China on April 21, 2023, and entitled “COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS”, which is incorporated in its entirety into the present invention by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technologies and, in particular, to a communication method, computer-readable storage media, communication system and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, there is a roaming handover scenario. For example, when a non-access point station (non-AP STA) performs a handover from one access point (AP) to another AP, and both the non-AP STA and the other AP support a fast initial link setup (FILS) protocol, the non-AP STA can assign an internet protocol (IP) address using a reassociation request frame and a reassociation response frame. The reassociation request frame and the reassociation response frame each include a FILS IP address assignment element.

[0004] When at least one of the non-AP STA and the other AP does not support the FILS protocol, the non-AP STA needs to initiate a separate IP address assignment request. For example, the non-AP STA performs dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) negotiation. In this mode, the roaming handover time of the non-AP STA may be further increased. SUMMARY

[0005] The modalities of this application provide a method and communication device to prevent a non-AP STA from initiating an unnecessary IP address assignment request, in order to reduce roaming handover time of the non-AP STA.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a modality of this Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 8 / 74 2 / 50 of the order provides a communication method. The method is applied to a first communication device. The method includes: Generate a first communication frame, where the first communication frame includes initial indication information, and the initial indication information indicates whether a non-AP STA non-access point station needs to initiate an IP Internet Protocol address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from a current access point AP to a target AP; and send the first communication frame.

[0007] In this mode of this request, the first communication device can be an existing AP or a target AP, and the first communication device explicitly indicates, via the initial indication information, whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request, so that the non-AP STA can explicitly learn, based on the initial indication information, whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request. Therefore, the non-AP STA can be effectively prevented from initiating an unnecessary IP address assignment request (which can also be referred to as IP address negotiation). This improves the need to restart an IP address assignment request by the non-AP STA, reduces roaming handover time of the non-AP STA, and reduces service interruption time caused by roaming of the non-AP STA.

[0008] According to a second aspect, one embodiment of this application provides a method of communication. The method is applied to a second communication device. The method includes: Receive a first communication frame, where the first communication frame includes initial indication information, and the initial indication information indicates whether a non-AP STA non-access point station needs to initiate an IP Internet Protocol address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from a current access point AP to a target AP; and analyze the first communication frame.

[0009] In this mode of this request, the second communication device may be the non-AP STA. When the initial indication information indicates that the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request, the need to initiate the address assignment request Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 9 / 74 3 / 50 IP address assignment by the non-AP STA is improved. For example, when the initial indication information suggests that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, according to the method provided in this request modality, roaming handover time of the non-AP STA can be effectively shortened, service interruption time can be reduced, and unnecessary signaling overheads can be effectively reduced, for example, signaling overheads caused by restarting an IP address assignment request by the non-AP STA are reduced.

[0010] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method additionally includes: sending a second communication frame, in which the second communication frame includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates whether the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request.

[0011] In this type of request, the non-AP STA can indicate to the current AP via the second indication information whether the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request based on the first indication information. Therefore, the current AP can learn about a specific behavior of the non-AP STA in advance, to improve the efficiency of interaction between the two communication parties.

[0012] With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method additionally includes: when the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request based on the first indication information, excluding a source IP address used by the non-AP STA for data transmission; or when the non-AP STA does not initiate the IP address assignment request based on the first indication information, using a source IP address for data transmission.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first indication information is included in a neighboring reporting element in the first communication frame.

[0014] With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first indication information is included in a fast initial link adjustment IP address assignment element FILS in the first communication frame. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 10 / 74 4 / 50

[0015] With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the FILS IP address assignment element includes an IP address response control field, and the first indication information is included in a 1obit or an 8obit in the IP address response control field.

[0016] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication apparatus, configured to perform the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation. The communication apparatus includes units that perform the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0017] For example, the communication device can be a WLAN device or a chip, and the chip can be used in the WLAN device.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus includes a processor, configured to perform the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in memory. When the program is executed, the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation is performed.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the memory is located inside the communication device.

[0021] In this embodiment of this request, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated into a device. In other words, the processor and memory may alternatively be integrated with each other. For example, the communication device may be a chip.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the communication device additionally includes a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive or send a signal.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, one embodiment of this application provides a communication device. The communication device includes Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 11 / 74 5 / 50 a logic circuit and an interface. The logic circuit is coupled to the interface. The interface is configured to input and / or output control information. The logic circuit is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0024] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program and, when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0025] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program or computer code and, when the computer program or computer code is run on a computer, the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation is realized.

[0026] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the method according to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation is carried out.

[0027] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication system. The wireless communication system includes a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus, the first communication apparatus is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the second communication apparatus is configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1a and Figure 1b are each a diagram of a communication system architecture according to a modality of this request;

[0029] Figure 2a and Figure 2b are each a communication diagram between a multi-link device and another device. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 12 / 74 6 / 50 in accordance with one of the terms of this request;

[0030] Figure 3a and Figure 3b are each a diagram of a roaming scenario according to a modality of this request;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of BSS transition initiated by AP according to one modality of this request;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of DHCP negotiation according to one modality of this request;

[0033] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to one modality of this request;

[0034] Figure 7a is a diagram of a format for a neighboring reporting element in a list of BSS transition candidates according to a modality of this request;

[0035] Figure 7b is a schematic flowchart of BTM according to one modality of this request;

[0036] Figure 7c is a diagram of a BTM request frame format according to one modality of this request;

[0037] Figure 7d is a diagram of a BTM query frame format according to a modality of this request;

[0038] Figure 7e is a diagram of a BTM response frame format according to a modality of this request;

[0039] Figure 8a and Figure 8b are each a diagram of a format for an IP FILS address assignment element according to a modality of this request;

[0040] Figure 8c is a schematic flowchart of reassociation according to one modality of this request; and

[0041] Figures 9 to 11 are each a diagram of a communication device structure according to an embodiment of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions to this request, the following content further describes this request with reference to attached drawings.

[0043] The terms “first”, “second” and similar terms, in the descriptive report, claims and attached drawings of this application, are used only Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 13 / 74 7 / 50 to distinguish between different objects, and are not used to describe a specific order. Furthermore, terms such as “include” and “have” and any other variants thereof are intended to encompass a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, processes, methods, systems, products, devices that include a series of steps or units are not limited to the listed steps or units, but instead optionally and additionally include steps or units that are not listed, or optionally and additionally include other steps or units inherent to those processes, methods, products, devices.

[0044] “Modalities”, mentioned in this descriptive report, means that specific attributes, structures or characteristics, described in combination with modalities, may be included in at least one modality of this application. The expression shown in various places in the descriptive report may not necessarily refer to the same modality, and is not an independent or optional modality exclusive to another modality. It may be understood explicitly and implicitly by a person skilled in the art that the modalities described in this descriptive report may be combined with other modalities.

[0045] In this request, “at least one (item)” means one or more, “a plurality of” means two or more, “at least two (items)” means two or three or more, and “and / or” is used to describe an association relation between associated objects, and indicates that three relations may exist. For example, “A and / or B” may indicate: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist. A and B may be singular or plural. “Or” indicates that two relations may exist, for example, only A exists and only B exists. When A and B are not mutually exclusive, this may indicate that three relations exist, for example, only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist. A “ / ” character generally indicates an “or” relation between the associated objects. “At least one of the following” or a similar expression means any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c could indicate: a, b, c, “aeb”, “aec”, “bec”, or “aebec”.

[0046] The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application can be applied to a WLAN system, for example, Wi-Fi. For example, the method provided in embodiments of this application is applicable to the protocols of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 14 / 74 8 / 50 IEEE 802.11 series, for example, to the 802.11a / b / g protocol, the 802.11n protocol, the 802.11ac protocol, the 802.11ax protocol, the 802.11be protocol, or a next-generation protocol. Examples are not listed exhaustively. The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application may additionally be applied to a wireless personal area network (WPAN) based on UWB technology. For example, the method provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to IEEE 802.15 serial protocols, for example, to the 802.15.4a protocol, the 802.15.4z protocol, the 802.15.4ab protocol, or a future-generation UWB WPAN protocol. Examples are not listed exhaustively.The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application may be additionally applied to the following communication systems, for example, an Internet of Things (IoT) system, a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) system, and a Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system; they may be applied to a Vehicle-to-Everything device, an Internet of Things node, a sensor and similar in the Internet of Things (IoT), a smart camera, a smart remote control and a smart water / electricity meter in a smart home, a sensor in a smart city and similar; or they may be additionally applied to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a 5th Generation (5G) communication system, a new communication system that arises with future communication development and similar.

[0047] The WLAN system can provide high-rate and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of WLAN application scenarios, the WLAN system should be applied to more scenarios or industries, for example, the Internet of Things industry, the vehicle-to-everything industry, the banking industry, corporate offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, infirmaries, classrooms, shopping malls and supermarkets, city blocks, streets, production workshops and warehouses. Certainly, a device (e.g., an access point or a station) that supports WLAN communication or sensing can be a sensor node (e.g., a smart water meter, a smart electricity meter, or a smart air sensing node) in a smart city, a Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 15 / 74 9 / 50 smart device (e.g., a smart camera, a projector, a display, a television, a speaker, a refrigerator, or a washing machine) in a smart home, a node in the Internet of Things, an entertainment terminal (e.g., a wearable device such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR)), a smart device (e.g., a printer, a projector, a speaker, or a speaker) in a smart office, an all-in-one vehicle device, infrastructure (e.g., a vending machine, a self-service navigation console in a shopping mall or supermarket, a self-service checkout counter, or a self-service ordering machine) in a routine setting, a device at a large sporting and music event or similar.

[0048] A WLAN is essentially used as an example in embodiments of this application, especially a network applied to the IEEE 802.11 series standards, for example, a system that supports Wi-Fi 7 which may also be referred to as extremely high throughput (EHT), or a system that supports Wi-Fi 8 which may also be referred to as ultra-high reliability (UHR) or ultra-high reliability and throughput (UHRT). A person skilled in the art will readily understand that several aspects of embodiments of this application may be extended to other networks that use various standards or protocols, for example, Bluetooth, a high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, and mainly used in Europe), a wide area network (WAN), or other networks known or developed in the future.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the method provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to a communication or sensing scenario between an access point (AP) and a non-access point station (non-AP STA) on the WLAN, or similar.

[0050] For example, an access point is a device that has a wireless communication function, supports communication or sensing using a WLAN protocol, and has a function to communicate with or Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 16 / 74 10 / 50 sensing another device (e.g., a non-AP STA or other access point) on the WLAN network and, certainly, may additionally have a function of communicating with or sensing another device. Alternatively, the access point is equivalent to a bridge that connects a wired network and a wireless network. A primary function of the access point is to connect multiple wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. In the WLAN system, the access point may be referred to as an access point station (AP STA). The device that has a wireless communication function may be an entire device, or it may be a chip, a processing system, a functional module, or similar mounted on the entire device. The device on which the chip, processing system, or functional module is mounted may implement a method, a function, and similar embodiments of this order under the control of the chip, processing system, or functional module.In the embodiments of this application, an Access Point (AP) is a device that provides a service to a non-AP STA and may support the 802.11 serial protocol, subsequent protocols, or similar protocols. For example, an access point may be an access point for a terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is essentially deployed in residences, within a building, and on a campus. A typical coverage radius is from tens of meters to about 100 meters. Of course, the access point may alternatively be deployed in an outdoor environment. As another example, the AP may be a communication entity, for example, a communication server, a router, a switch, or a bridge; or the AP may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, and the like.

[0051] For example, a non-AP STA is a device that has a wireless communication function, supports communication or sensing using a WLAN protocol, and has the ability to communicate with or sense another non-AP STA or access point on the WLAN network. For example, a non-AP STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with or detect the AP and additionally communicate with the WLAN. The device that has a wireless communication function can be an entire device, or it can be a chip, a processing system, a functional module, or similar mounted on the entire device. The device in Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 17 / 74 11 / 50 which chip, processing system or functional module is mounted on can implement a method, a function and the like in embodiments of this application under the control of the chip, processing system or functional module. For example, the non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, a wireless communication terminal or similar, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, the non-AP STA can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a set-top box converter, a smart TV, a smart wearable device, a vehicle-mounted communication device and a computer that supports a Wi-Fi communication function.

[0052] Figure 1a is a diagram of a communication system architecture according to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1a, the communication system may include one or more APs and one or more non-AP STAs. Figure 1a shows two access points: an AP 1 and an AP 2, and two non-AP STAs: a non-AP STA 1 and a non-AP STA 2. It can be understood that one or more APs can communicate with one or more non-AP STAs. Certainly, an AP can also communicate with another AP, and a non-AP STA can also communicate with another non-AP STA.

[0053] It can be understood that, in Figure 1a, an example is used in which the non-AP STA is a mobile phone and the AP is a router, and this does not mean that the types of AP and non-AP STA, in embodiments of this application, are limited. Furthermore, Figure 1a shows an example in which there are only two APs and two non-AP STAs. However, there may be more or fewer APs or non-AP STAs. This is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0054] In another possible implementation, the method provided in modalities of this application may be applied to a communication or sensing scenario between multi-link devices (MLDs) in a WLAN or similar.

[0055] A multi-link device is a device that has a plurality of stations (e.g., an AP or a non-AP STA) that operate separately on different frequency bands or channels. The multi-link device includes a plurality of affiliated stations. Affiliated stations can be physical stations or logical stations. Each station can operate on a link, a frequency band, a channel, or similar. The affiliated station can be an AP or a non-AP STA. In order to Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 18 / 74 12 / 50 To facilitate description, in embodiments of this application, a multi-link device whose affiliated station is an AP may be referred to as a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device (AP multi-link device, AP MLD). A multi-link device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA is referred to as a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or a STA multi-link device (STA multi-link device). Alternatively, a multi-link device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA is referred to as a non-AP multi-link device, a non-AP multi-link device, or a non-AP multi-link device (non-AP multi-link device, non-AP MLD). The multi-link device (which may be a non-AP MLD or an AP MLD in the present invention) may be a communication apparatus having a wireless communication function.The communication device may be an entire device, or it may be a chip, a processing system, a functional module, or similar device mounted on the entire device. The device in which the chip, processing system, or functional module is mounted may implement a method and a function in embodiments of this order under the control of the chip, processing system, or functional module.

[0056] The multi-link device can implement wireless communication according to 802.11 serial protocols, for example, compliant with EHT, or compliant with 802.11be or compatible with 802.11be, to implement communication with another device. Certainly, the other device may be a multi-link device or it may not be a multi-link device. A plurality of links is established between one multi-link device and another multi-link device, for example, a link 1, a link 2 and a link n shown in Figure 1b.

[0057] Figure 1b is a diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1b, an MLD AP includes an AP 1, an AP 2, ..., and an AP n, and a non-MLD AP includes a STA 1, an STA 2, ..., and a STA n. In the present invention, n is a positive integer. The MLD AP and the non-MLD AP can perform parallel communication on link 1, link 2, ..., and link n. The STA Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 19 / 74 13 / 50 on the non-AP MLD establishes link 1 with AP 1 on the AP MLD, STA 2 on the non-AP MLD establishes link 2 with AP 2 on the AP MLD, STA n on the non-AP MLD establishes the link with AP n on the AP MLD, and so on. Therefore, the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD can communicate with each other after establishing an association relationship. For example, the multi-link device, in embodiments of this application, may be a single-antenna device, or it may be a multi-antenna device. For example, the multi-link device may be a device with more than two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0058] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates may include, but are not limited to, below 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and a high frequency of 60 GHz. Figure 2a and Figure 2b are two communication diagrams between a multi-link device and another device in a wireless local area network through a plurality of links.

[0059] For example, Figure 2a shows a scenario in which an MLD 101 AP communicates with a non-MLD 102 AP. The MLD 101 AP includes an affiliated 101-1 AP and an affiliated 101-2 AP. The non-MLD 102 AP includes an affiliated 102-1 STA and an affiliated 102-2 STA. The MLD 101 AP and the non-MLD 102 AP perform parallel communication through a link 1 and a link 2.

[0060] For example, Figure 2b shows a scenario in which an MLD 101 AP communicates with a non-MLD 102 AP, a non-MLD 103 AP, and a STA 104. The MLD 101 AP includes an affiliated AP 101-1 and an affiliated AP 101-3. The non-MLD 102 AP includes three affiliated STAs: a STA 102-1, a STA 102-2, and a STA 102-3. The non-MLD 103 AP includes two affiliated STAs: a STA 103-1 and a STA 103-2. STA 104 is a single-link device and includes a STA 104-1. AP MLD 101 can communicate separately with non-AP MLD 102 on link 1, link 2, and link 3; communicate with non-AP MLD 103 on link 2 and link 3; and communicate with STA 104 on link 1. In one example, STA 104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band; in non-AP MLD 103, STA 103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and STA 103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band; and in non-AP MLD 102, STA 102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, STA 102-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 20 / 74The 14 / 50 frequency band operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and the STA 102-3 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The AP 101-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band on AP MLD 101 can communicate, on link 1, uplink or downlink data with STA 104 and STA 102-1 on non-AP MLD 102. The AP 101-2 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band on AP MLD 101 can communicate, on link 2, uplink or downlink data with STA 1031 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band on non-AP MLD 103, and also communicate, on link 2, uplink or downlink data with STA 102-2 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band on non-AP MLD 103. 102. AP 101-3 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band on AP MLD 101 can communicate, on link 3, uplink or downlink data with STA 102-3 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band on non-AP MLD 102, and also communicate, on link 3, uplink or downlink data with STA 103-2 on non-AP MLD.

[0061] Figure 2a shows that the MLD AP supports only two frequency bands. Figure 2b shows an example in which the MLD AP 101 supports only three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), each frequency band corresponding to a link, and the MLD AP 101 can operate on one or more links of link 1, link 2, or link 3. In practice, the MLD AP and the non-MLD AP can additionally support more or fewer frequency bands, i.e., the MLD AP and the non-MLD AP can operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2a and Figure 2b are only simple diagrams and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of embodiments of this application. It can be understood that, for descriptions of an 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and an 802.11 medium access control (MAC) layer in a multi-link device, refer to related standards, protocols, or similar.The details are not shown exhaustively in the options for this request.

[0062] With reference to the preceding descriptions of the AP, non-AP STA, AP MLD and non-AP MLD, the following content describes a roaming scenario in the modes of this application with reference to Figure 3a and Figure 3b. It can be understood that Figure 3a is shown using a single-link device as an example, and Figure 3b is shown using a non-AP MLD. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 21 / 74 15 / 50 AP MLD as an example.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3a, in a roaming scenario, a non-AP STA can perform handover from AP 1 to AP 2. For example, AP 1 can also be understood as an AP currently associated with the non-AP STA, for example, a current AP, a source AP, or an old AP, for the sake of brevity; and AP 2 can also be understood as a target AP to which the non-AP STA should perform handover (or referred to as a target AP to which the non-AP STA should be associated, a target AP that the non-AP STA expects to access, or similar), for example, a target AP, a destination AP, or a new AP, for the sake of brevity.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3b, in a roaming scenario, a non-AP MLD can perform handover from an AP MLD 1 to an AP MLD 2, i.e., the non-AP MLD performs handover from a currently associated AP MLD 1 (e.g., it can be referred to as a current AP MLD) to a target AP MLD 2 to be associated (e.g., it can be referred to as a target AP MLD).

[0065] Regardless of whether the single-link non-AP STA shown in Figure 3a or the multi-link non-AP MLD shown in Figure 3b is the same IP address, it must be assigned to either the single-link non-AP STA or the multi-link non-AP MLD before data transmission. In other words, all non-AP STAs in the non-AP MLD use the same IP address for data transmission.

[0066] To facilitate description, the following content uses the non-AP STA, the current AP, and the target AP as an example to describe the method provided in the modalities of this application. Specifically, device types (e.g., a single-link device or a multi-link device) of the non-AP STA, the current AP, and the target AP are not distinguished in the method below. In other words, the non-AP STA below may be a single-link non-AP STA, or it may be a non-AP STA in a non-AP MLD; and the current AP or the target AP may be a single-link AP, or it may be an AP in an AP MLD.

[0067] It can be understood that the handover of the non-AP STA from the current AP to the target AP, in this modality of this request, can also be Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 22 / 74 16 / 50 referred to as BSS transition, non-AP STA roaming handover, or similar. For example, before the handover, the non-AP STA can communicate with the current AP, i.e., the non-AP STA establishes an association relationship with the current AP. After the handover, the non-AP STA communicates with the target AP, i.e., the non-AP STA establishes an association relationship with the target AP, or the non-AP STA no longer has an association relationship with the current AP, or is disconnected from the current AP.

[0068] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a BSS transition initiated by AP according to one embodiment of this request. As shown in Figure 4, a BSS transition procedure may include the following steps.

[0069] 401: An existing AP sends a measurement request and, correspondingly, a non-AP STA receives the measurement request.

[0070] For example, when it detects that the signal strength (or signal quality) of the non-AP STA is less than or equal to a threshold, the current AP can send a measurement request. For example, a measurement request type can be defined as a beacon request. The measurement request can be used to request the non-AP STA to perform channel probing, to collect a neighboring AP that can be detected around the non-AP STA.

[0071] 402: A non-AP STA sends a probe request and, correspondingly, a target AP receives the probe request.

[0072] 403: The target AP sends a probe response and, correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives the probe response.

[0073] For example, after receiving the measurement request, the non-AP STA can jump to another channel to send the polling request, and receive the corresponding polling response. Alternatively, after receiving the measurement request, the non-AP STA can jump to another channel to listen for a beacon frame (beacon).

[0074] It can be understood that Figure 4 is shown using an example in which the non-AP STA sends the probe request to the target AP. However, in practice, the non-AP STA may send the probe request to a plurality of neighboring APs, and the plurality of neighboring APs includes the target AP.

[0075] 404: A non-AP STA sends a measurement response and, of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 23 / 74 17 / 50 corresponding manner, the current AP receives the measurement response.

[0076] For example, after receiving related information from the surrounding neighboring AP, the non-AP STA can feed back related information to the current AP via the metering response. The metering response can instruct the current AP to make a roaming decision. For example, the metering response might include related information from the neighboring AP, and the related information might include at least one of the following: a Basic Services Set Identifier (BSS identifier, BSSID), an operational class, a channel number, a Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), or a frame body from a beacon frame or a polling response from a corresponding neighboring AP.

[0077] 405: The current AP sends a BSS transition management request (BTM request), and correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives the BTM request.

[0078] For example, the current AP may recommend, based on related information from the surrounding neighboring AP collected by the non-AP STA, that the non-AP STA perform handover to a candidate neighboring AP. In other words, the current AP may recommend one or more candidate target APs, which are also referred to as alternate target APs or similar. For example, the BSS transition management request may include related information from one or more candidate target APs.

[0079] For example, before step 405, the non-AP STA may additionally send a BTM query, and correspondingly, the current AP receives the BTM query (not shown in Figure 4).

[0080] 406: The non-AP STA sends a BSS transition management response (BTM response), and correspondingly, the current AP receives the BSS transition management response.

[0081] For example, the BTM response may indicate a target AP to which the non-AP STA accurately performs handover, or indicate that the non-AP STA rejects a handover request from the current AP.

[0082] It can be understood that the method in Figure 4 is shown using an example in which the non-AP STA performs BSS transition with Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 24 / 74 18 / 50 based on the measurement request sent by the current AP. In another possible implementation, the non-AP STA can actively perform BSS transition when the non-AP STA does not receive the BTM request sent by the current AP. Alternatively, the method shown in Figure 4 may not include step 401, step 402, step 405, and step 406. Alternatively, after receiving the BTM request, the non-AP STA may not send the BTM response. In other words, the method in Figure 4 may include step 405, but not step 406.

[0083] For example, when the non-AP STA determines that it must perform handover to the target AP, the non-AP STA and the target AP need to perform data transmission after the following negotiation: for example, an authentication request and response (e.g., step 407 and step 408), a reassociation request and response (e.g., step 409 and step 410), 801.1X authentication and key agreement (e.g., step 411), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) negotiation (e.g., step 412), and Add Block Acknowledgment (ADDBA) negotiation (e.g., step 413). The execution of the preceding negotiation process may cause a non-AP STA service transmission interruption; that is, the execution time between step 407 and step 413 can also be understood as a non-AP STA service interruption time.

[0084] 407: The non-AP STA sends the authentication request and, correspondingly, the target AP receives the authentication request.

[0085] 408: The target AP sends the authentication response and, correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives the authentication response.

[0086] 409: The non-AP STA sends the reassociation request and, correspondingly, the target AP receives the reassociation request.

[0087] 410: The target AP sends the reassociation response and, correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives the reassociation response.

[0088] In an existing solution, since the non-AP STA cannot determine whether an IP address assignment request needs to be initiated when the non-AP STA performs handover to the target AP, the non-AP STA can include a FILS IP address assignment element in the reassociation request frame to initiate the IP address assignment request. For example, Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 25 / 74 19 / 50 When the non-AP STA and the target AP support a fast initial link setup (FILS) protocol, the reassociation request and the reassociation response can include the FILS IP address assignment element. The FILS IP address assignment element can be used to implement IP address assignment negotiation from the non-AP STA. Therefore, the non-AP STA may not additionally initiate a request for a new IP address assignment (i.e., the DHCP negotiation shown in Figure 4), so that roaming interaction time can be reduced. When the non-AP STA and the target AP support the FILS protocol, the FILS IP address assignment element included in the reassociation request can be used to request an IP address, and the FILS IP address assignment element included in the reassociation response includes an assigned IP address.Alternatively, the non-AP STA can initiate a separate IP address assignment request. For a mode in which the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request, see the descriptions in step 412 or Figure 5.

[0089] 411: The non-AP STA performs authentication and key agreement with the target AP.

[0090] For example, when a fast transition (FT) protocol is used between the non-AP STA and the target AP, key agreement time can be reduced.

[0091] 412: The non-AP STA performs DHCP negotiation with the target AP.

[0092] For example, the non-AP STA can obtain an IP address through DHCP negotiation, and the IP address can be used for subsequent data transmission from the non-AP STA. DHCP negotiation can be understood as negotiation between the non-AP STA and a DHCP server. However, in a process where the non-AP STA negotiates with the DHCP server, related information is forwarded through the target AP. Therefore, in the DHCP negotiation shown in Figure 4, the non-AP STA and the target AP are used as an example, but this should not be interpreted as a limitation on the modalities of this request.

[0093] Figure 5 shows an example of a DHCP negotiation procedure. In the procedure shown in Figure 5, a process in Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 26 / 74 20 / 50, which the target AP forwards information between the non-AP STA and the DHCP server, is omitted. As shown in Figure 5, the DHCP negotiation procedure includes the following steps.

[0094] 501: A non-AP STA sends a DHCP discovery packet, and correspondingly, the DHCP server receives the DHCP discovery packet.

[0095] 502: The DHCP server sends a DHCP offer packet, and correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives the DHCP offer packet.

[0096] For example, the DHCP offer packet includes information such as an IP address assigned by the DHCP server to the non-AP STA and a lease expiration time. For specific descriptions of the DHCP discovery packet and the DHCP offer packet, refer to a related standard or protocol. Details are not described in the embodiments of this application.

[0097] 503: A non-AP STA sends a DHCP request, and correspondingly, the DHCP server receives the DHCP request.

[0098] After receiving the DHCP offer packet, the non-AP STA can extract the IP address from the DHCP offer packet and then indicate to the DHCP server via the DHCP request that the non-AP STA has received the DHCP offer packet.

[0099] 504: The DHCP server sends a DHCP acknowledgment, and correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives the DHCP acknowledgment.

[0100] For example, DHCP acknowledgment indicates that the DHCP server recognizes that the DHCP request has been received. DHCP acknowledgment may also be referred to as a DHCP acknowledge (acknowledge, ACK).

[0101] It may be understood that the DHCP discovery packet shown above may also be referred to as a DHCP discovery, for the sake of brevity, and the DHCP offer packet may also be referred to as a DHCP offer, for the sake of brevity. For a specific DHCP negotiation mode, see a related standard or protocol. Details are not described in the modalities of this application. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 27 / 74 21 / 50

[0102] 413: A non-AP STA performs ADDBA negotiation with the target AP.

[0103] For example, a non-AP STA can establish a block-aware session to perform data transmission with the target AP. For specific descriptions of steps 407 through 411 and step 413, see related standards, protocols, or similar. Details are not described in the modalities of this application.It can be understood that the measurement request shown in Figure 4 can also be referred to as a measurement request frame, and the measurement response can also be referred to as a measurement response frame; the survey request can also be referred to as a survey request frame, and the survey response can also be referred to as a survey response frame; the BSS transition management request can also be referred to as a BSS transition management request frame, and the BSS transition management response can also be referred to as a BSS transition management response frame; and similarly. Examples are not listed exhaustively. In other words, each request shown in this embodiment of this application can also be referred to as a request frame, and each response can also be referred to as a response frame.

[0104] It may be understood that the BSS transition procedure shown in Figure 4 is only an example. In practice, the non-AP STA may perform some steps in the BSS transition procedure (for example, it may not perform step 401, step 402, step 405 and step 406), or some steps shown in Figure 4 may be replaced in another way (for example, step 407 and step 408 may be replaced in another way). A specific BSS transition procedure is not limited in modalities of this application.

[0105] It can be learned from the method shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 that when the non-AP STA performs handover from the current AP to the target AP, the non-AP STA needs to restart an IP address assignment request, for example, the target IP address (i.e., an IP address used for data transmission after the non-AP STA establishes an association with the target AP) is obtained through the reassociation request and the response of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 28 / 74 22 / 50 reassociation, or the target IP address is obtained through DHCP negotiation. That is, in an existing solution, as long as the non-AP STA performs the BSS transition, the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request.

[0106] However, in practice, when a specific condition is met, the non-AP STA does not need to restart the IP address assignment request, and can continue to use a source IP address, to avoid initiating an unnecessary and time-consuming IP address assignment request. This significantly shortens roaming time and improves the user experience.

[0107] In view of this, the modalities of this request provide a method and means of communication to effectively optimize an IP address negotiation procedure, avoid unnecessary IP address negotiation, shorten the roaming handover time of a non-AP STA, and reduce service interruption time. For example, when a current AP and a target AP are on the same Layer 2 network, IP addresses assigned by the same DHCP server are usually the same. Therefore, the non-AP STA does not need to obtain an IP address again when the non-AP STA performs handover from the current AP to the target AP. Therefore, the current AP can send initial indication information to the non-AP STA to indicate that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate an IP address assignment request, so that the roaming time of the non-AP STA can be effectively shortened, and the service interruption time can be reduced.The Layer 2 network shown in this embodiment of this application can be understood as having a core layer and an access layer, but lacking an aggregation layer. For example, "Layer 2" and "Layer 3" can be understood as classifications based on a logical topology structure, and refer to a core layer, an aggregation layer, and an access layer, rather than a data link layer and a network layer in a seven-layer model of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The Layer 2 network only has the core layer and the access layer, but no aggregation layer. The Layer 2 network can implement communication through a MAC address, but the network capacity of the Layer 2 network is limited. The Layer 2 network can be understood as a domain of... Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 29 / 74 23 / 50 security, that is, in the same layer 2 network, the security of non-AP STAs can be considered the same in terms of a network. The descriptions of the layer 2 network in the present invention are only an example, and should not be interpreted as a limitation on embodiments of this application.

[0108] The IP address can be used to route and address the non-AP STA. Therefore, the IP address can be used to implement data transmission between the non-AP STA and another device. The other device may include, but is not limited to, the current AP or the target AP. For ease of description, in this embodiment of this request, an example in which the non-AP STA performs data transmission with the current AP and the non-AP STA performs data transmission with the target AP is used to describe the method provided in this embodiment of this request. However, this should not be interpreted as a limitation on embodiments of this request. A source IP address can be understood as an IP address used by the non-AP STA to perform data transmission when the non-AP STA is associated with the current AP. When the non-AP STA does not initiate the IP address assignment request, the non-AP STA can still continue to use the source IP address when performing data transmission.

[0109] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. The method can be applied to a first communication device or a second communication device. The first communication device may include the current AP or the target AP, and the second communication device may include the non-AP STA. For specific descriptions of the AP or non-AP STA in the method, refer to Figure 1a, Figure 1b, Figure 2a, Figure 2b, Figure 3a, and Figure 3b. The details are not described again in the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, the method includes the following steps.

[0110] 601: The first communication device generates a first communication frame.

[0111] The first communication frame includes the initial indication information, and the initial indication information indicates whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from the current AP to the target AP. Alternatively, the initial indication information can be understood as: indicating, during BSS transition, whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 30 / 74 24 / 50 IP address assignment request, whether the non-AP STA needs to restart an IP address assignment request or whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate IP address assignment request negotiation. Alternatively, the first indication information can be understood as: indicating whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request during roaming handover and similar. For specific descriptions of the current AP and the target AP, refer to related descriptions in Figure 3a and Figure 3b. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0112] In one example, a value of the first indication information being a first value indicates that the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request or that the first indication information is unavailable. That the first indication information is unavailable can also be understood as meaning that the validity of the first indication information cannot be learned. When the first indication information is unavailable, for a step performed by the non-AP STA based on the first indication information, refer to the step of initiating the IP address assignment request by the non-AP STA. Alternatively, a value of the first indication information being a second value indicates that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request.

[0113] In another example, the value of the first indication information being the second value may alternatively indicate that the first indication information is included (i.e., present) in a first communication frame, and including the first indication information may also indicate that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request.

[0114] For example, the first indication information may occupy one bit, the second value may be 1, and the first value may be 0.

[0115] For example, the first communication device is the current AP. When the current AP detects that the current AP and the target AP are located on the same Layer 2 network and are served by the same DHCP server, the current AP can set the first indication information to indicate that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover to the target AP. Alternatively, the first device Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 31 / 74 25 / 50 communication is the target AP. When the target AP detects that the target AP and the current AP are located on the same Layer 2 network and are served by the same DHCP server, the target AP can set the initial indication information to indicate that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover to the target AP.

[0116] The following content describes, in detail, a format for the initial indication information.

[0117] Implementation 1

[0118] The initial indication information is included in a neighbor report element in the first communication frame. For example, the first communication frame may include a list of BSS transition candidates, and the BSS transition candidate list may include one or more neighbor report elements. A neighbor report element may include related information from a neighbor AP. Therefore, each neighbor report element in the BSS transition candidate list may correspond to a neighbor AP. It may be understood that the neighbor AP shown in the present invention may be understood as an alternative target AP, a candidate target AP, or similar. The BSS transition candidate list is optional.

[0119] Figure 7a shows an example of a neighboring reporting element in the BSS transition candidate list, and an ellipsis in Figure 7a signifies the omission of another neighboring reporting element. As shown in Figure 7a, the neighboring reporting element can include the following fields: an element ID, a length, a Basic Service Set identifier (BSS identifier, BSSID), Basic Service Set identifier information (BSSID info), an operating class, a channel number, a PHY type, and optional subelements. The BSSID field indicates a BSSID that corresponds to a reported neighboring AP. The BSSID info field indicates related information for a reported BSSID. The operating class field and the channel number field indicate a channel to which the reported BSSID belongs.The physical layer type field indicates the physical layer type of an AP that corresponds to the reported BSSID. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 32 / 74 26 / 50

[0120] For example, the BSSID information field may include the following fields: AP reachability, security, a key scope, capabilities, a mobility domain, high throughput, very high throughput, fine timing measurement (FTM), high efficiency, an extended range BSS (ER BSS), a co-located AP, unsolicited probe response active, a member of an extended service set with a 2.4 / 5 GHz co-located AP, on-channel tunneling (OCT) supported with a reporting AP, co-located with a 6 GHz AP, and a field including the first indication information.

[0121] The field including the first indication information in the BSSID information field uses an original reserved bit in the BSSID information field to include the first indication information. For example, the field being set to 1 indicates that the non-AP STA does not need to restart the IP address assignment request; or the field being set to 0 indicates that the non-AP STA needs to restart the IP address assignment request negotiation or the first indication information is unavailable. With reference to a relationship between the neighboring reporting element and the AP, the field including the first indication information being set to 1 may additionally indicate that the non-AP STA does not need to restart the IP address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from the current AP to the neighboring AP that corresponds to the neighboring reporting element.

[0122] For example, the first communication frame may be a BTM request frame. Figure 7b is a schematic flowchart of BTM according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7b, the current AP can send the BTM request frame to the non-AP STA. For specific descriptions of Figure 7b, see Figure 4. The details are not described again in the present invention. Figure 7c is a diagram of a format of a BTM request frame according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7c, the BTM request frame Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 33 / 74 27 / 50 can include the following fields: a category, a wireless network management action, a dialog token, a request mode, a dissociation timer, a validity interval, a BSS termination duration, session info, a universal resource locator (URL), and a list of BSS transition candidates. The list of BSS transition candidates is optional. The validity interval field indicates a number of beacon periods during which the list of BSS transition candidates is valid. The dissociation timer field indicates a time that elapses before the current AP sends a dissociation frame.

[0123] The request mode field indicates a specific request mode. The request mode field may include the following fields: preferred candidate list included (which may also be understood as a BSS transition candidate list), abridge, disassociation imminent, BSS termination included, extended service set (ESS) disassociation imminent, link removal, and reserved (e.g., two bits). The preferred candidate list included field indicates whether a preferred candidate list is included.Use of the abridge field: If the associated AP does not recommend to the STA to handover to a BSS that is not on the preferred candidate list or prohibits the STA from handing over to a BSS that is not on the preferred candidate list, the abridge field is set to 0; and, if the associated AP sets a preference value for the BSS that is not on the preferred candidate list to 0, the abridge field is set to 1. Use of the imminent dissociation field: The imminent dissociation field being set to 1 indicates that the current AP can send a dissociation frame to be dissociated from the non-AP STA; and the imminent dissociation field being set to 0 indicates that the current AP can choose not to send a dissociation frame to be dissociated from the STA.

[0124] It may be understood that for specific descriptions of the BTM request framework, consult a related standard or protocol. Details are not exhaustively described in the modalities of this request. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 34 / 74 28 / 50 An ACK frame from the BTM request frame shown in Figure 7b can be used to acknowledge that the non-AP STA receives the BTM request frame. By analogy, an ACK frame from a BTM query frame can be used to confirm that the current AP receives the BTM query frame, and an ACK frame from a BTM response frame can be used to confirm that the current AP receives the BTM response frame.

[0125] In this mode of this request, the current AP can send the BTM request frame to the non-AP STA. The BTM request frame includes one or more neighboring reporting elements; each neighboring reporting element can include the field containing the first indication information, and the first indication information can indicate whether the non-AP STA needs to restart the IP address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from the current AP to the neighboring AP that matches the neighboring reporting element. The value of the first indication information in each neighboring reporting element can be set separately. For example, the current AP can separately set the value of the first indication information based on a relationship between the current AP and a neighboring AP (namely, a candidate target AP) that matches the neighboring reporting element.For the relationship shown in the present invention, refer to the related background descriptions of the Layer 2 network and the same DHCP server. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0126] In one example, when the initial indication information indicates that the non-AP STA does not need to restart the IP address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from the current AP to the corresponding neighboring AP (including the target AP), the non-AP STA may not need to initiate the IP address assignment request. Therefore, when performing the BSS transition, the non-AP STA may not need to perform the DHCP negotiation shown in Figure 4, or a reassociation request frame and a reassociation response frame may not include a FILS IP address assignment element.

[0127] In another example, when the initial indication information suggests that the non-AP STA needs to restart the IP address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from the current AP to the corresponding neighboring AP (including the target AP), the non-AP STA may include the Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 35 / 74 29 / 50 FILS IP address assignment element in the reassociation request frame (both the non-AP STA and the corresponding neighboring AP support a FILS protocol), or the non-AP STA can initiate the IP address assignment request in a DHCP negotiation phase (as shown in Figure 5).

[0128] With reference to the procedure shown in Figure 4, when the current AP indicates to the non-AP STA in the BTM request frame that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, the reassociation request frame or the reassociation response frame may not include the FILS IP address assignment element, so that the workload of parsing the reassociation request frame or the reassociation response frame by both communication parties is reduced; and, in addition, the non-AP STA may not perform DHCP negotiation, so that a roaming handover time of the non-AP STA is reduced, and a service interruption time of the non-AP STA is reduced.

[0129] In one possible implementation, before the current AP generates the BTM request frame, the current AP may additionally receive the BTM query frame from the non-AP STA. For example, as shown in Figure 7d, the BTM query frame may include the following fields: a category, a wireless network management (WNM) action, a dialog token, a BSS transition query reason, and a BSS transition candidate list. The BSS transition candidate list is optional. The BSS transition candidate list field includes one or more neighbor reporting elements. The BSS transition query reason field may indicate a reason why the non-AP STA sends the BTM query frame.For example, for a relationship between a description and a value in the BSS transition query reason field, see Table 1. For specific descriptions of the BTM query framework, see a related standard or protocol. The details are not described in the modalities of this request. For example, the neighboring reporting element in the BSS transition candidate list in the BTM query framework may include the first indication information (e.g., the first indication information being set to the first indication value). Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 36 / 74 30 / 50 (which may include initial referral information unavailable), or may not include initial referral information. Table 1 Value of the BSS transition query reason field Description 0 Not specified 1 High packet loss rate or low link quality 2 High delay

[0130] In this mode of this request, the initial indication information is included in the neighboring reporting element in the BTM request frame, and the current AP can notify the non-AP in advance if the STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request. This optimizes IP address negotiation. For example, when the initial indication information indicates that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, the non-AP STA's roaming handover time is shortened, and the non-AP STA may not include the FILS IP address assignment element in the reassociation request frame. This reduces signaling overhead.

[0131] Implementation 2

[0132] The initial indication information is included in a FILS fast initial link adjustment IP address assignment element in the first communication frame. For example, the FILS IP address assignment element in the first communication frame may include an IP address response control field, and the IP address response control field may include a field used to include the initial indication information. Figure 8a shows an example of a FILS IP address assignment element. As shown in Figure 8a, the FILS IP address assignment element may include the following fields: an element identifier, a length, element ID extension, and IP address data.For example, the IP address data field might include an IP address response control field and a Domain Name System (DNS) information control field. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 37 / 74 31 / 50

[0133] In one example, the first indication information may be included in a 1obit or an 8obit in the IP address response control field. The 1obit and 8obit shown in the present invention are determined in an order from a low-order bit to a high-order bit. As shown in Figure 8a, the first indication information may be included in a B0 bit or a B7 bit.

[0134] In a current solution (or it can be understood as another solution), a meaning of each bit in the IP address response control field can be shown in Table 2. Table 2 Bit Function Meaning B0 The IP address must be determined A value set to 1 indicates that the IP address can be fed back later, and the current frame does not contain the IP address B1-B6 An IP address request is interrupted When B0 is set to 1, B1-B6 indicate an IP address request wait time (in seconds), i.e., a maximum number of seconds that elapse before a new IP address can be fed back B7 Reserved

[0135] However, in the solution provided in this embodiment of this request, when the first indication information is included in bit B0, bit B0 being set to 1 may indicate that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, or indicate that the IP address can be fed back later. When the first indication information is included in bit B7, bit B7 being set to 1 may indicate that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request. When the first indication information is included in bit B7, bit B7 being set to 1 may also be understood to mean that the IP address response control field includes the field used to include the first indication information. Including the field indicates that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request.Bit B7 being set to 0 can also be understood as the IP address response control field. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 38 / 74 32 / 50 excludes the field used to include the initial referral information. Excluding the field indicates that the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request.

[0136] In another example, the initial indication information may alternatively be included in a reserved bit in the DNS information control field. For example, as shown in Figure 8b, the DNS information control field may include a DNS server IPv4 address present field, a DNS server IPv6 address present field, a DNS server IPv4 MAC address present field, a DNS server IPv6 MAC address present field, a field used to include the initial indication information, and a reserved field. For descriptions of the initial indication information, see Figure 8a. The details are not described again in the present invention. For descriptions of another field in the DNS information control field, see a related standard or protocol.

[0137] When the initial indication information suggests that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, the non-AP STA may not need to perform a DHCP negotiation procedure shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5. When the initial indication information suggests that the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request, the FILS IP address assignment element may include a target IP address. Alternatively, the non-AP STA may obtain the target IP address by performing the DHCP negotiation procedure shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5.

[0138] For example, the first communication frame may be a reassociation response frame. Figure 8c is a diagram of a reassociation procedure according to one modality of this request. As shown in Figure 8c, the target AP can send the reassociation response frame to the non-AP STA. A format of the reassociation response frame can be shown in Table 3. It can be understood that x1, y1, z1, and o1 shown in Table 3 are all integers. Specific values ​​of x1, y1, z1, and o1 are not limited in modalities of this request. As Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 39 / 74 33 / 50 shown in Table 3, the reassociation response frame includes the FILS IP address assignment element. For specific descriptions of the FILS IP address assignment element, see Figure 8a. Details are not described again in the present invention. For descriptions of another element or field in the reassociation response frame, see a related standard or protocol. Details are not described in embodiments of this application. Table 3 Sequence Number Information 1 Capability Information 2 Status Code 3 Association Identifier (AID) 4 Support Rates and BSS Membership Selectors 5 Extended Support Rates and BSS Membership Selectors 6 Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) Parameter Set ... ... x1 Mobility Domain Element (MDE) y1 Fast Transition Element (FTE) z1 Basic Multi-Link Element o1 Address Assignment Element Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 40 / 74 34 / 50 Sequence number Initial Fast Link Adjustment IP Information (FILS IP address assignment element) ... ...

[0139] In a possible implementation, before the target AP generates the In the re-association response frame, the target AP may additionally receive a re-association request frame from the non-AP STA. A format of the re-association request frame can be shown in Table 4, and the FILS IP address assignment element is optional. It can be understood that x2, y2, z2, and o2 shown in Table 4 are all integers. Specific values ​​of x2, y2, z2, and o2 are not limited in embodiments of this request. For specific descriptions of the FILS IP address assignment element included in Table 4, refer to Table 3 or a related standard, protocol, or similar. Details are not described in embodiments of this request.For example, the FILS IP address assignment element in the re-association response frame may include the first indication information (for example, the first indication information being set to the first value indicates that the first indication information is unavailable), or it may not include the first indication information. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 41 / 74 35 / 50 Table 4 Sequence Number Information 1 Capability Information 2 Listen Interval 3 Current AP Address 4 Service Set Identifier (SSID) 5 Basic Service Set (BSS) Membership Selectors and Support Rates 6 Extended Support Rates and BSS Membership Selectors 7 Power Capability 8 Supported Channels ... ... x2 MDE y2 FTE z2 Basic Multi-Link Element o2 FILS IP Address Assignment Element ... ...

[0140] In this mode of this request, even if the non-AP STA does not include the FILS IP address assignment element in the re-association request frame, the target AP may include the FILS IP address assignment element in the re-association response frame, wherein the FILS IP address assignment element includes the first indication information.

[0141] The fact that the first communication frame shown above is the BTM request frame or the re-association response frame is just one example. As a standard progresses, a non-AP STA roaming handover procedure may change. As the roaming handover procedure changes (the procedure shown in Figure 4 changes), the first communication frame may additionally include another type of frame. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 42 / 74 36 / 50 communication. The descriptions of the first communication frame in the present invention are also applicable to a second communication frame.

[0142] 602: The first communication device sends the first communication frame and, correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first communication frame.

[0143] 603: The second communication device analyzes the first communication frame.

[0144] For example, the non-AP STA can determine, by analyzing the initial indication information in the first communication frame, whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request.

[0145] In one example, when the initial indication information suggests that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, the non-AP STA may not initiate the IP address assignment request. When the non-AP STA does not initiate the IP address assignment request, after performing handover to the target AP, the non-AP STA may continue to use the source IP address to perform data transmission with the target AP. It can be understood that the data transmission shown in this embodiment of this request includes at least one of sending data by the non-AP STA to the target AP and sending data by the target AP to the non-AP STA. Specifically, for the non-AP STA, the data transmission includes at least one of sending and receiving data; and for the target AP, the data transmission includes at least one of receiving and sending data.

[0146] In another example, when the initial indication information suggests that the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request, the non-AP STA can initiate the IP address assignment request. For example, when the first communication frame is the BTM request frame, for a mode in which the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request, see the reassociation request and reassociation response mode shown in Figure 4, or see the DHCP negotiation mode shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5. As another example, when the first communication frame is the reassociation response frame, for a mode in which the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request, see the DHCP negotiation mode shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5. When the non-AP STA initiates the Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 43 / 74 37 / 50 IP address assignment request, the non-AP STA can delete the source IP address. After obtaining the target IP address, the non-AP STA can perform data transmission with the target AP using the target IP address. The non-AP STA deletes the source IP address before the non-AP STA obtains the target IP address or after the non-AP STA obtains the target IP address. This is not limited in modalities of this request.

[0147] Certainly, when the initial indication information suggests that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, the non-AP STA may also initiate the IP address assignment request. For example, if the non-AP STA is a legacy STA, the non-AP STA cannot analyze the initial indication information, and the non-AP STA may still initiate the IP address assignment request.

[0148] In a possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 6 may additionally include: The non-AP STA sends the second communication frame and, correspondingly, the current AP receives the second communication frame.

[0149] For example, as shown in Figure 7b, when the first communication frame is the BTM request frame, the non-AP STA can send the second communication frame, and the second communication frame can be the BTM response frame. As shown in Figure 7e, the BTM response frame can include the following fields: a category, a wireless network management action, a dialog token, a BTM status code, a BSS termination delay, a target BSSID, and a list of BSS transition candidates. The target BSSID and the list of BSS transition candidates are optional. For example, when a value of the BTM status code field is 0, the BTM response frame can include the target BSSID field. The BTM status code field can indicate whether the BSS transition request is accepted.The BSS completion delay indicates a period of time from the current time to the BSS completion time. For example, for a relationship between a description and the BTM status code value, see Table 5. BTM status code values ​​shown in Table 5 are examples only. As a standard progresses, the BTM status code may additionally have more values, more meanings, or similar. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 44 / 74 38 / 50 Table 5 BTM Status Code Value Description 0 Accepted 1 Rejected due to an unknown reason 2 Rejected because a beacon frame from a candidate neighbor is received or a poll response is insufficient 3 Rejected because an available capacity from the candidate neighbor is insufficient

[0150] In one example, a neighboring reporting element in the BSS transition candidate list shown in Figure 7e may include the first indication information. For specific descriptions of the BSS transition candidate list shown in Figure 7e, see Figure 7a. The details are not described again in the present invention. In other words, the neighboring reporting element in the BSS transition candidate list in the BTM response frame may be the same as the corresponding neighboring reporting element in the BSS transition candidate list in the BTM request frame.

[0151] In another example, the last bit in the BSSID information in the neighboring reporting element in the BSS transition candidate list shown in Figure 7e is still a reserved bit.

[0152] In yet another example, the last first bit in the BSSID information in the neighboring reporting element in the BSS transition candidate list shown in Figure 7e is used to include second indication information, and the second indication information can indicate whether the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request. In other words, the non-AP STA can indicate to the current AP via the second indication information whether the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request based on the first indication information. Therefore, the current AP can learn about a specific behavior of the non-AP STA in advance, to improve the efficiency of interaction between two communicating parties.

[0153] In this type of application, the first device of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 45 / 74 39 / 50 communication explicitly indicates, via the initial indication information, whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request, so that the non-AP STA can explicitly learn, based on the initial indication information, whether the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request. For example, when the initial indication information indicates that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request, according to the method provided in this embodiment of this request, the roaming handover time of the non-AP STA can be effectively shortened, the service interruption time can be reduced, and an unnecessary IP address assignment request can be effectively avoided, to optimize an IP address negotiation procedure.For example, when initial indications suggest that the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request, the need to restart the IP address assignment request by the non-AP STA is optimized.

[0154] In embodiments shown in this application, a “field” is used as an example for illustration, and a “field” is not specifically distinguished from a “subfield” and the like. Although the “field” and the “subfield” are not specifically distinguished in embodiments shown in this application, a person skilled in the art may adaptively distinguish between a relationship between the fields (or elements and fields) shown in this application.

[0155] The communication devices, supplied in embodiments of this application, are described below.

[0156] In this application, the communication device is divided into functional modules based on the embodiments of the preceding method. For example, each functional module can be divided for each corresponding function, or two or more functions can be integrated into a processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in a hardware form, or it can be implemented in a software functional module form. It should be noted that, in this application, the module division is an example, and it is only a logical function division. In practice, another mode of division may be used. The following content describes, in detail, the communication devices in embodiments of this application with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 46 / 74 40 / 50

[0157] Figure 9 is a diagram of a communication apparatus structure according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the communication apparatus includes a processing unit 901 and a transceiver unit 902. The transceiver unit 902 may implement a corresponding communication function, and the processing unit 901 is configured to process data. For example, the transceiver unit 902 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0158] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform an action performed by the first communication device (such as the current AP or the target AP) in the embodiments of the preceding method. In this case, the communication device may be a WLAN device, a chip, or a functional module that is configured on the WLAN device, or similar. Transceiver unit 902 is configured to perform an operation related to sending / receiving from the first communication device in the embodiments of the preceding method. Processing unit 901 is configured to perform an operation related to processing from the first communication device in the embodiments of the preceding method.

[0159] For example, processing unit 901 is configured to generate a first communication frame; and transceiver unit 902 is configured to send or transmit the first communication frame.

[0160] It can be understood that transceiver unit 902 can send the first communication frame to another communication device, or transceiver unit 902 transmits the first communication frame from processing unit 901 to another component, another functional module or similar in the first communication device. Related descriptions of transmission of other information by the transceiver unit are similar. The details are not described again below.

[0161] For example, transceiver unit 902 is configured to insert or receive a second communication frame. Processing unit 901 is additionally configured to analyze the second communication frame.

[0162] In some other forms of this application, the device of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 47 / 74 41 / 50 communication can be configured to perform an action performed by the non-AP STA in the preceding method modes. In this case, the communication device can be a WLAN device, a chip or a functional module that are configured in the WLAN device, or similar. Transceiver unit 902 is configured to perform an operation related to sending / receiving from the non-AP STA in the preceding method modes. Processing unit 901 is configured to perform an operation related to processing the non-AP STA in the preceding method modes.

[0163] Transceiver unit 902 is configured to receive or insert the first communication frame; and processing unit 901 is configured to analyze the first communication frame.

[0164] For example, transceiver unit 902 is configured to transmit or send the second communication frame.

[0165] Optionally, the communication device may additionally include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 901 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit, so that the communication device implements the modalities of the preceding method. For example, the storage unit may be configured to store information such as an IP address.

[0166] It may be understood that the specific descriptions of the transceiver unit and the processing unit in embodiments of this application are merely examples. For specific functions, steps, or similar performed by the transceiver unit and the processing unit, refer to the embodiments of the preceding method. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0167] In prior embodiments, for descriptions of the first communication frame, the first indication information, the second communication frame and the like, see the descriptions in prior embodiments of the method. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0168] The preceding content describes the communication apparatus in the modalities of this request. The following content describes possible ways of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 48 / 74 42 / 50 communication device product. It should be understood that any product form that has a function of the communication device in Figure 9 is included in the embodiment protection scope of this application. It should further be understood that the following descriptions are only examples and do not limit the communication device product form in embodiments of this application.

[0169] In one possible implementation, in the communication device shown in Figure 9, the processing unit 901 can be one or more processors, and the transceiver unit 902 can be a transceiver or the transceiver unit 902 can include a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit can be a transmitter, and the receiving unit can be a receiver. The sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one device, for example, a transceiver. In this embodiment of this application, the processor and the transceiver can be coupled, or similar. A connection mode between the processor and the transceiver is not limited in embodiments of this application. In a process to perform the preceding method, a process of sending information in the preceding method can be understood as a process to emit the information by the processor. When emitting the information, the processor emits the information to the transceiver, so that the transceiver transmits the information.After the information is emitted by the processor, further processing may be required on the information before the processed information reaches the transceiver. Similarly, a process for receiving information in the preceding method can be understood as a process for receiving input information by the processor. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the information and inserts it into the processor. Additionally, after the transceiver receives the information, further processing may be required on the information before it is received by the processor.

[0170] As shown in Figure 10, a communication device 100 includes one or more processors 1020 and a transceiver 1010.

[0171] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps, functions or similar performed by the first communication device in the embodiments of the preceding method. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 49 / 74 43 / 50

[0172] For example, processor 1020 is configured to generate a first communication frame; and transceiver 1010 is configured to send the first communication frame.

[0173] For example, transceiver 1010 is configured to receive a second communication frame; and processor 1020 is configured to analyze the second communication frame.

[0174] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps, functions or similar performed by the non-AP STA in the embodiments of the preceding method.

[0175] Transceiver 1010 is configured to receive a first communication frame; and processor 1020 is configured to analyze the first communication frame.

[0176] For example, transceiver 1010 is configured to send a second communication frame. For example, processor 1020 is additionally configured to generate a second communication frame.

[0177] It may be understood that specific descriptions of the transceiver and processor in embodiments of this application are merely examples. For specific functions, steps, or similar performed by the transceiver and processor, refer to the embodiments of the preceding method. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0178] In prior embodiments, for descriptions of the first communication frame, the first indication information, the second communication frame and the like, see the descriptions in prior embodiments of the method. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0179] In each implementation of the communication device shown in Figure 10, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to perform a receiving function (or operation). The transmitter is configured to perform a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is configured to communicate with another device / appliance via a transmission medium.

[0180] Optionally, the communication device 100 may additionally include one or more memories 1030, configured to store program instructions, data and / or similar. The memory 1030 is Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 50 / 74 44 / 50 coupled to processor 1020. The coupling, in this embodiment of this application, may be an indirect coupling or a communication connection between devices, units or modules in an electrical, mechanical or other form, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. Processor 1020 may operate in cooperation with memory 1030. Processor 1020 may execute program instructions stored in memory 1030. Optionally, at least one or more memories may be included in the processor. For example, the memory may be configured to store an IP address and the like.

[0181] A specific connection medium between the transceiver 1010, the processor 1020, and the memory 1030 is not limited in embodiments of this application. In this embodiment of this application, the memory 1030, the processor 1020, and the transceiver 1010 are connected via a bus 1040, as shown in Figure 10. The bus is indicated using a thick line in Figure 10. A connection mode between other components is only an example for description and is not limited to the same. The bus can be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of indication, the bus is indicated only by a bold line in Figure 10. However, this does not indicate that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0182] In this embodiment of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete transistor or gate logic device, a discrete hardware component, or similar. The processor may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional or similar processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in combination with the embodiments of this application may be implemented directly by a hardware processor, or may be implemented using a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor, or similar.

[0183] In this type of request, memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory, for example, a hard disk drive. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 51 / 74 45 / 50 (hard disk drive, HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Memory is any storage medium that can be used to include or store program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and that can be read and / or written by a computer (for example, the communication apparatus shown in this application). However, this is not limited to the same. Memory in embodiments of this application may alternatively be a circuit or any other apparatus that can implement a storage function and is configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0184] For example, the 1020 processor is essentially configured to: process a communication protocol and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute a software program, and process data from the software program. The 1030 memory is essentially configured to store the software program and data. The 1010 transceiver may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is essentially configured to: perform conversion between a baseband signal and a radio frequency signal and process the radio frequency signal. The antenna is essentially configured to: receive and send a radio frequency signal in an electromagnetic waveform. The input / output device, for example, a touch screen, a display, or a keyboard, is essentially configured to: receive data entered by a user and transmit data to a user.

[0185] After the communication device is turned on, the 1020 processor can read the software program in memory 1030, interpret and execute instructions from the software program, and process data from the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the 1020 processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and then emits a baseband signal to a radio frequency circuit, and the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then sends a radio frequency signal out in the form of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 52 / 74 46 / 50 electromagnetic wave 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 sends the baseband signal to the 1020 processor. The 1020 processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0186] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be arranged independently of the processor that performs baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be arranged remotely and independently of the communication device.

[0187] It should be understood that the communication apparatus shown in embodiments of this application may additionally have more and similar components than those in Figure 10. This is not limited to embodiments of this application. The methods performed by the processor and the transceiver are only examples. For specific steps performed by the processor and the transceiver, refer to the methods described above.

[0188] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in Figure 9, the processing unit 901 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver unit 902 can be an input / output interface, which is also referred to as a communication interface, an interface circuit, an interface, or similar. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 902 can be a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit can be an output interface, and the receiving unit can be an input interface. The sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one unit, for example, an input / output interface. As shown in Figure 11, a communication device shown in Figure 11 includes a logic circuit 1101 and an interface 1102. In other words, the processing unit 901 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1101, and the transceiver unit 902 can be implemented using the interface 1102.The logic circuit 1101 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, a system-on-chip (SoC), or similar. The interface 1102 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, or similar. For example, a. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, pp. 53 / 74 47 / 50 Figure 11 shows an example in which the communication device is a chip. The chip includes logic circuit 1101 and interface 1102.

[0189] In this embodiment of this application, the logic circuit and the interface can be coupled to each other. A specific mode of connection between the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in embodiments of this application.

[0190] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps, functions or similar performed by the first communication device in the embodiments of the preceding method.

[0191] For example, logic circuit 1101 is configured to generate a first communication frame; and interface 1102 is configured to emit the first communication frame.

[0192] For example, interface 1102 is configured to insert a second communication frame; and logic circuit 1101 is configured to analyze the second communication frame.

[0193] In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform the steps, functions or similar performed by the non-AP STA in the embodiments of the preceding method.

[0194] Interface 1102 is configured to insert a first communication frame; and logic circuit 1101 is configured to analyze the first communication frame.

[0195] For example, interface 1102 is configured to output a second communication frame. For example, logic circuit 1101 is additionally configured to generate the second communication frame.

[0196] It may be understood that specific descriptions of the logic circuit and interface in embodiments of this application are merely examples. For specific functions, steps, or similar performed by the logic circuit and interface, refer to the embodiments of the preceding method. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0197] For example, the chip may additionally include memory, and the memory may be configured to store an IP address.

[0198] In the preceding modalities, for descriptions of the first communication frame, the first indication information, the second communication frame and similar, see the descriptions in the modalities of Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, pp. 54 / 74 48 / 50 previous method. The details are not described again in the present invention.

[0199] It can be understood that the communication apparatus, shown in this embodiment of this application, may implement the methods provided in embodiments of this application in a hardware form, or may implement the methods provided in embodiments of this application in a software form. This is not limited to embodiments of this application.

[0200] One embodiment of this application additionally provides a communication system. The communication system includes a primary communication device (e.g., an existing AP or a target AP) and a non-AP STA. For descriptions of the existing AP (or target AP) and the non-AP STA, see the preceding descriptions.

[0201] In addition, this application provides a computer program. The computer program is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the current AP or the target AP in the method provided in this application.

[0202] This application additionally provides a computer program. The computer program is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the non-AP STA in the method provided in this application.

[0203] This application additionally provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer code. When the computer code is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform operations and / or processing performed by the current AP or the target AP in the method provided in this application.

[0204] This application additionally provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer code. When the computer code is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform operations and / or processing performed by the non-AP STA in the method provided in this application.

[0205] This application additionally provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes code for Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 55 / 74 49 / 50 computer or a computer program. When the computer code or computer program is run on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the current AP or the target AP in the method provided in this application is performed.

[0206] This application additionally provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or computer program is run on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the non-AP STA in the method provided in this application is performed.

[0207] In the various embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiment of the apparatus described is only an example. For example, the division into units is only a logical function division and may be another division in practice. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some attributes may be ignored or not realized. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be implemented through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connections between the apparatus or units, or electrical connections, mechanical connections, or connections in other forms.

[0208] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, i.e., they may be located in one location, or they may be distributed across a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on an actual requirement to implement technical effects of the solutions provided in embodiments of this application.

[0209] In addition, the functional units, in embodiments of this application, may be integrated into a processing unit, each of the units may exist physically on its own, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in a hardware form, or it may be implemented in a software functional unit form. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, pp. 56 / 74 50 / 50

[0210] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a functional software unit and marketed or used as a standalone product, the integrated unit may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of this application essentially, or the part that contributes to the conventional technology, or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored on a storage medium and includes various instructions to instruct a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device or similar) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in embodiments of this application.Readable storage media includes any media that can store program code, for example, a USB flash drive, a removable hard drive, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0211] The preceding descriptions are only specific implementations of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any variation or substitution readily ascertained by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, page 57 / 74

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Communication method, CHARACTERIZED in that the method comprises: generating a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame comprises initial indication information, and the initial indication information indicates whether a non-access point station (non-AP STA) needs to initiate an Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from a current access point (AP) to a target AP; and sending the first communication frame.

2. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the first indication information is comprised in a neighboring reporting element in the first communication frame.

3. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the initial indication information is comprised in a Fast Initial Link Adjustment (FILS) IP address assignment element in the first communication frame.

4. Method according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the IP address assignment element of FILS comprises an IP address response control field, and the first indication information is comprised in a 1st bit or an 8th bit in the IP address response control field.

5. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED in that a value of the first indication information is a first value indicating that the non-AP STA needs to initiate the IP address assignment request; or a value of the first indication information is a second value indicating that the non-AP STA does not need to initiate the IP address assignment request.

6. Method, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the first communication frame is any one of the following: a Basic Services Set Transition Management (BSS) request frame, BTM, and a reassociation response frame. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, pp. 58 / 74 2 / 3 7. Communication method, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the method comprises: receiving a first communication frame, wherein the first communication frame comprises initial indication information, and the initial indication information indicates whether a non-access point station (non-AP STA) needs to initiate an Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment request when the non-AP STA performs handover from a current access point (AP) to a target AP; and analyzing the first communication frame.

8. Method, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the method further comprises: sending a second communication frame, wherein the second communication frame comprises second indication information, and the second indication information indicates whether the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request.

9. Method, according to claim 7 or 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the first indication information is comprised in a neighboring reporting element in the first communication frame.

10. Method, according to claim 7 or 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the initial indication information is comprised in a Fast Initial Link Adjustment (FILS) IP address assignment element in the first communication frame.

11. Method according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the IP address assignment element of FILS comprises an IP address response control field, and the first indication information is comprised in a 1st bit or an 8th bit in the IP address response control field.

12. Method, according to any one of claims 7 to 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the first communication frame is any one of the following: a Basic Services Set Transition Management (BSS) request frame, BTM, and a re-association response frame; and the second communication frame is a BTM response frame. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, p. 59 / 74 3 / 3 13. Method, according to any one of claims 7 to 12, CHARACTERIZED in that the method further comprises: when the non-AP STA initiates the IP address assignment request based on the first indication information, excluding a source IP address used by the non-AP STA for data transmission; or when the non-AP STA does not initiate the IP address assignment request based on the first indication information, using a source IP address for data transmission.

14. Communication apparatus, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a unit configured to perform the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Communication apparatus, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store instructions; and the processor is configured to execute the instructions, to perform the method as defined in any of claims 1 to 13.

16. Communication apparatus, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises a logic circuit and an interface, wherein the logic circuit is coupled to the interface, the interface is configured to input and / or output code instructions, and the logic circuit is configured to execute the code instructions, to perform the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13.

17. Computer-readable storage media, CHARACTERIZED in that the computer-readable storage media is configured to store a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13 is performed.

18. Communication system, CHARACTERIZED in that the communication system comprises a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus, the first communication apparatus being configured to perform the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, and the second communication apparatus being configured to perform the method as defined in any one of claims 7 to 13. Petition 870250099492, dated 10 / 30 / 2025, pp. 60 / 74

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