Wireless communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a wireless communication method and device. The wireless communication method of the present application comprises the following steps: a first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to a station on a common control channel, the first transmission allocation frame is used for indicating that the station communicates with the first access point in a first time period of a first data channel, and the station communicates with the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel. The embodiment of the present application can improve channel utilization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to wireless communication technology, and more particularly to a wireless communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] IEEE 802.11 is the current standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs). It is a wireless network communication standard defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). IEEE 802.11 uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) protocol to implement distributed channel access.

[0003] When using CSMA / CA, if a station detects that the channel is busy, it will back off for a random amount of time after the channel becomes idle again. This practice of always backing off for a random amount of time after another station occupies the channel avoids collisions between stations. However, as the number of stations increases and access points (APs) become more densely deployed, the CSMA / CA mechanism can still lead to frequent collisions, resulting in very serious performance degradation.

[0004] Meanwhile, while Wi-Fi standards support increasingly larger bandwidths, they still only support a single 20MHz primary channel, which is required for management, control, and data frame transmission. When the 20MHz primary channel is occupied, other secondary channels, even if idle, cannot be used. This heavy reliance on the primary channel for high-bandwidth transmission results in low channel utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a wireless communication method and apparatus to improve channel utilization.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a wireless communication method, which may include: a station receiving a first transmission allocation frame sent by a first access point on a common control channel, the first transmission allocation frame being used to instruct the station to communicate with the first access point during a first time period on a first data channel; the station communicating with the first access point during the first time period on the first data channel.

[0007] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame includes channel information and time information, wherein the channel information is used to indicate the first data channel and the time information is used to indicate the first time period.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the channel information includes the operating class, band ID, and primary channel index.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the channel information may also include bandwidth information and at least one channel center frequency information. This bandwidth information and at least one channel center frequency information are used to indicate the bandwidth and center frequency of a data channel with a bandwidth greater than 20 MHz.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the time information may include relevant information indicating a time period.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame may also include a receive address and a send address.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame further includes uplink / downlink indication information, which is used to indicate the transmission type of communication during a first time period of the first data channel, including downlink transmission, single-user uplink transmission, or multi-user uplink transmission.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame may further include service restriction information, which indicates the type of service being communicated on the first data channel during a first time period.

[0014] In some possible implementations, this service type may include background streaming, regular data, voice, or video.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: if the station fails to successfully access the first data channel during its stay within the first time period or during the first time period, the station switches to the common control channel.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame may further include a stay duration indication information, which is used to indicate the stay duration.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: the station sending a transmission request frame on a common control channel, the transmission request frame being used to report the station's uplink transmission request.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the transmission request frame includes at least one of aperiodic service indication information and periodic service indication information. The aperiodic service indication information includes service type indication information and the size of data to be transmitted for at least one service type. The service type indication information is used to indicate the at least one service type. The information of the periodic service includes communication flow indication information and attribute information of at least one communication flow. The communication flow indication information is used to indicate the at least one communication flow.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the common control channel includes multiple time slots, each time slot including a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is used for the station to send the transmission request frame, and the second phase is used for the station to receive the first transmission allocation frame. The first time period of the first transmission allocation frame is a time period in the next time slot of the time slot in which the second phase is located.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a wireless communication method, which may include: a first access point sending a first transmission allocation frame to a first site on a common control channel, the first transmission allocation frame being used to instruct the first site to communicate with the first access point in at least one first time period on at least one first data channel; the first access point communicating with the first site in at least one first time period on at least one first data channel.

[0021] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: the first access point receiving a transmission request frame sent by the first site on the common control channel, the transmission request frame including the uplink transmission request of the first site; the first access point determining the first transmission allocation frame based on the transmission request frame sent by the first site.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the first site on a common control channel, including: the first access point sending the first transmission allocation frame to the first site within a transmission window on the common control channel; the duration of the transmission window is less than a first preset duration T, and the end point of the transmission window is the start point of the farthest first time period among the at least one first time period; or, the duration of the transmission window is less than a second preset duration L, and the end point of the transmission window is the end point of an allocated time period, the allocated time period being the communication time period indicated by a second transmission allocation frame sent by the first access point before sending the first transmission allocation frame.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the common control channel includes multiple time slots, each time slot including a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is used to receive a transmission request frame sent by the first station, and the second phase is used to send the first transmission allocation frame to the first station. The at least one first time period indicated by the first transmission allocation frame is included in the next time slot of the time slot in which the second phase is located.

[0024] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame includes at least one channel information and at least one time information, each channel information indicating a first data channel and each time information indicating a first time period.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame further includes uplink / downlink indication information, which is used to indicate the transmission type of communication during at least one first time period of the at least one first data channel, including downlink transmission, single-user uplink transmission, or multi-user uplink transmission.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the first transmission allocation frame may further include service restriction information, which indicates the type of service for which the first site communicates with the first access point on at least one first time period of the at least one first data channel.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the transmission allocation frame may further include a dwell time indication, which indicates the dwell time of the first station when it fails to successfully access the at least one first data channel.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: the first access point receiving a third transmission allocation frame sent by the second access point on the common control channel, the third transmission allocation frame being used to instruct the second station to communicate with the second access point during a second time period on the second data channel; the first access point updating the network allocation vector (NAV) table according to the third transmission allocation frame, the updated NAV table including channel information for indicating the second data channel and time information for indicating the second time period.

[0029] Thirdly, a wireless communication device is provided, which can be a station or a chip within a station. This device has the functions of the stations described in the above embodiments. These functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0030] In one possible design, when the device is a station, the device may include a processing module and a transceiver module, the processing module being, for example, a processor, and the transceiver module being, for example, a transceiver, the transceiver including radio frequency circuitry and baseband circuitry.

[0031] Optionally, the device may further include a storage unit, such as a memory. When the device includes a storage unit, the storage unit is used to store computer-executable instructions. The processing module is connected to the storage unit and executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the station to perform the wireless communication method relating to the station functions described above.

[0032] In another possible design, when the device is a chip within a site, the chip includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver module may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuitry on the chip. Optionally, the device may also include a storage unit, and the processing module may execute computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the chip within the site to perform any of the aforementioned wireless communication methods relating to site functions.

[0033] Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit within the chip, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, the storage unit can be a storage unit located outside the chip within the site, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0034] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that execute programs to control the coordination and allocation of channel resources in the above aspects.

[0035] Fourthly, this application provides a wireless communication device, which can be an access point or a chip within the access point. The device has the functions of the various embodiments relating to the access point described above. These functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0036] In one possible design, when the device is an access point, it may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver module may be, for example, a transceiver including radio frequency circuitry. Optionally, the device may also include a storage unit, for example, a memory. When the device includes a storage unit, the storage unit is used to store computer-executable instructions. The processing module is connected to the storage unit and executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the device to perform any of the aforementioned wireless communication methods relating to access point functions.

[0037] In another possible design, when the device is a chip within the access point, the chip includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be, for example, a processor, and the transceiver module may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuitry on the chip. The processing module can execute computer-executable instructions stored in a storage unit to cause the chip within the access point to perform the wireless communication methods related to the access point functions described above. Optionally, the storage unit can be an on-chip storage unit, such as a register or cache. Alternatively, the storage unit can be an external storage unit within the access point, such as a ROM or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as RAM.

[0038] The processor mentioned above can be a CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of programs for the wireless communication method described above.

[0039] Fifthly, a computer storage medium is provided, which stores program code for instructing instructions to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, a processor is provided for coupling with memory for performing the methods of any one of the first to second aspects above, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0042] Eighthly, a communication system is provided, comprising: a site of any possible implementation of the first aspect and an access point of any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0043] The wireless communication method and apparatus of this application embodiment include a first access point sending a first transmission allocation frame to a station on a common control channel. The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the station to communicate with the first access point in a first time period on a first data channel. The station communicates with the first access point in the first time period on the first data channel, thereby sending the first transmission allocation frame on the common control channel to indicate the data channel and time period for communication between the station and the first access point. This achieves the separation of control and data transmission on different channels, reduces the heavy dependence on the main channel, and can improve channel utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one application scenario of an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the common control channel and data channel in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a data channel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a transmission allocation frame according to an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram of a transmission requirement frame according to an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 7B Examples of embodiments of this application Figure 7A A schematic diagram of the service information fields in the transmission requirement frame shown;

[0052] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 9A This is a schematic diagram of another transmission allocation frame according to an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 9B Examples of embodiments of this application Figure 9A A schematic diagram of the channel allocation information field in the transmission allocation frame shown;

[0055] Figure 10 Examples of embodiments of this application Figure 9A A schematic diagram of the channel allocation information field in the transmission allocation frame shown;

[0056] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of channel time-slotting according to an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 13A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the timing of sending a transmission allocation frame according to an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 13B This is a schematic diagram illustrating another transmission allocation frame transmission timing according to an embodiment of this application.

[0060] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of another wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another wireless communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0064] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this application (if they exist) are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0065] Access Point (AP): Based on the 802.11 protocol, it provides wireless access to stations and acts as a bridge between wireless and wired networks. It can also be called a "hotspot".

[0066] The access point involved in this application has multi-band and multi-radio capabilities. The access point has multiple independent 802.11 chips; each 802.11 chip can include an independent baseband processing module and a radio frequency module, thereby supporting multi-radio capabilities. Different radio frequency modules can operate on different channels within the same bandwidth, or they can operate on different bandwidths. One radio frequency module of the access point can always operate on a public control channel, while other radio frequency modules can switch between different channels within the same or different bandwidths.

[0067] The terms "first access point," "second access point," and "third access point" used in this application are used to distinguish different access points. Access points employing the wireless communication method of this application can be access points with multi-band and multi-radio capabilities as described above.

[0068] A station (STA) is a communication device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a terminal device supporting the 802.11 protocol, which can access the Internet through an access point (AP). This terminal device can be a personal computer (PC) or a mobile terminal, also referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. Mobile terminals can be smartphones, cellular phones, cordless phones, tablets, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, etc.

[0069] The site involved in this application may have multi-band single radio capability, or it may have multi-band multi-radio capability.

[0070] The terms "first site," "second site," and "third site" used in this application are used to distinguish different sites. A site employing the wireless communication method of this application can be a site with multi-band single radio capability as described above, or a site with multi-band multi-radio capability as described above.

[0071] An access point (AP) and one or more sites can constitute a Basic Service Set (BSS). The Basic Service Set (BSS): The 802.11 protocol standard specifies that the smallest component of a wireless local area network (WLAN) is the BSS.

[0072] The wireless communication method of this application is applicable to a WLAN scenario with a single BSS, and can also be applied to a WLAN scenario consisting of multiple BSSs, where each BSS has one AP and at least one STA. Some or all APs can communicate directly with each other.

[0073] Unlike the method described in the background section, which uses a main channel for both control and data frame transmission, this application divides the channel into a common control channel and at least one data channel. The common control channel is used to transmit control information, and the data channel is used to transmit data frames. The common control channel and at least one data channel can be on the same bandwidth or on different bandwidths. The specific location of the common control channel can be preset or dynamically allocated.

[0074] For example, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 1 As shown, this application scenario is illustrated using two BSSs as an example. AP1, STA1, and STA2 form BSS1, while AP2 and STA3 form BSS2. In one example, BB1 and BB2 can share a common control channel and at least one data channel. Any one or more of STA1, STA2, or STA3 can receive transmission allocation frames sent by AP1 or AP2 on the common control channel, thereby communicating with AP1 or AP2 during the corresponding time period on the corresponding data channel.

[0075] For a detailed explanation of the wireless communication method described in this application, please refer to the following embodiments.

[0076] It should be noted that the wireless communication method of this application can be used between APs, between STAs, and between APs and STAs. This application's embodiments use communication between APs and STAs as an example for illustration, and are not intended to be limiting.

[0077] It should also be noted that the "time period" referred to in this application specifically refers to a time period on the timeline whose start and end times are determined. The position of the time period on the timeline can be determined based on its start and end times, or its start and end times.

[0078] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment involves a first access point and a site. For example, the first access point can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown in AP1, the site can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown in STA1, the method of this embodiment may include:

[0079] Step 101: The first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the station on the common control channel.

[0080] The station receives the first transmission allocation frame sent by the first access point on the common control channel.

[0081] The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the station to communicate with the first access point in a first time period on the first data channel. The first time period may include one or more time units, which can be flexibly set according to requirements.

[0082] The communication between the station and the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel may include the station transmitting downlink data to the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel, or the station transmitting uplink data to the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel.

[0083] The first access point can determine the position and length of the first data channel and / or the first time period on the time axis according to its own transmission needs, or it can determine the position and length of the first data channel and / or the first time period on the time axis according to the transmission needs of the first site. Of course, it is understandable that it can also combine other information to determine the position and length of the first data channel and / or the first time period on the time axis, and then generate the first transmission allocation frame.

[0084] In one example, for downlink transmission, the first access point can determine the position and length of the first data channel and / or the first time period on the time axis based on the data to be transmitted. For example, the first access point can determine the position and length of the first data channel and / or the first time period on the time axis based on information such as the size and transmission priority of the data to be transmitted. In some embodiments, the first access point can also comprehensively determine the position and length of the first data channel and / or the first time period on the time axis by combining the channel quality of each data channel.

[0085] In one example, for uplink transmission, a first station can send a transmission request to a first access point. The first access point can determine the position and length of a first data channel and / or a first time period on the time axis based on the transmission request sent by the first station. For example, the transmission request may include information such as the size of the data to be transmitted and the transmission priority. In some embodiments, the first access point can also comprehensively determine the position and length of the first data channel and / or the first time period on the time axis by combining the channel quality of each data channel.

[0086] For example, the first access point may carry a common control channel switching element in the beacon, which enables the site to switch to the common control channel to receive the first transmission allocation frame sent by the first access point.

[0087] Step 102: The station communicates with the first access point during the first time period of the first data channel.

[0088] During the first time period, the station switches to the first data channel indicated by the first transmission allocation frame to communicate with the first access point. This communication may include uplink or downlink transmissions.

[0089] For downlink transmission, optionally, the station receives data sent by the first access point during a first time period on the first data channel.

[0090] For uplink transmission, optionally, the station sends data to the first access point during the first time period of the first data channel.

[0091] In this embodiment, the first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the station on the common control channel. The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the station to communicate with the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel. The station communicates with the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel, thereby sending the first transmission allocation frame on the common control channel to indicate the data channel and time period for the station to communicate with the first access point. This achieves the separation of control and data transmission on different channels, reduces the heavy dependence on the main channel, and can improve channel utilization.

[0092] To use a specific example Figure 2 The illustrated embodiments are provided as examples. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the common control channel and data channel in an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 3 As shown, for example, a common control channel and two data channels are different channels. The AP sends a transmission allocation frame 1 on the common control channel (Control CH), which instructs the STA to communicate with the AP during the communication time period 12 of data channel 1 (Data CH1). The AP sends a transmission allocation frame 2 on the common control channel (Control CH), which instructs the STA to communicate with the AP during the communication time period 23 of data channel 2 (Data CH2).

[0093] During uplink transmission, the STA can also send a transmission request frame to the AP on the common control channel (Control CH) to request communication with the AP, for example, such as... Figure 3 As shown, before the AP sends channel allocation frame 2 to the STA, the STA sends transmission request frame 2 to the AP on the common control channel (Control CH).

[0094] Therefore, the common control channel of this application can be used to transmit allocation frames and / or transmission request frames. The data channel can be used to transmit data within the corresponding time period as indicated by the transmission allocation frame.

[0095] In one implementation, the first transmission allocation frame may include channel information and time information, the channel information indicating the first data channel and the time information indicating the first time period.

[0096] The channel information may include relevant information indicating the allocated data channel, such as at least one of the following: operating class, band ID, or primary channel index. The operating class is used to distinguish spectrum regulations in different countries / regions. The band ID may indicate a 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz operating band; the specific operating bands indicated by the band ID are shown in Table 1 below. The primary channel index may indicate a specific 20 MHz channel; for example, it may indicate a channel such as... Figure 3 The data channel shown is 1 (Data CH1).

[0097] Table 1. Band ID Reference Table

[0098]

[0099] In another possible implementation, in addition to the channel information including the operating class, band ID, and primary channel index, the channel information may further include bandwidth information and at least one channel center frequency. This bandwidth information and at least one channel center frequency information are used to indicate the bandwidth and center frequency of a data channel with a bandwidth greater than 20 MHz. The 20 MHz channel indicated by the primary channel index is part of this data channel with a bandwidth greater than 20 MHz. (See reference...) Figure 4 As shown, the 80MHz bandwidth can be divided into four sub-channels, and the sub-channel indicated by the primary channel index is one of the data channels.

[0100] The bandwidth information may include multiple bits, each indicating the bandwidth of the data channel. For example, a bandwidth indicator of 0 represents a data channel bandwidth of 20MHz, 1 represents a data channel bandwidth of 40MHz, and 2 represents a data channel bandwidth of 80MHz, etc. The at least one channel center frequency information is used to indicate the center frequency of a data channel greater than 20MHz. For example, one channel center frequency information is used to indicate the center frequency of a data channel with a continuous spectrum. Two channel center frequency information are used to indicate the center frequencies of a data channel with discontinuous spectrum. For example, if the two channel center frequencies are a and b, and the bandwidth indicator is 2, it means that the data channel consists of two 40MHz channels with discontinuous spectrum, one with center frequency a and the other with center frequency b.

[0101] This time information may include relevant information indicating a time period. For example, it may include a start time and duration. Alternatively, it may include an end time and duration. Or, it may include both start and end times.

[0102] It should be noted that, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned channel information and time information can be used to indicate that the station communicates with the first access point within a time period of a data channel; in another possible implementation, the aforementioned channel information and time information can be used to indicate that the station communicates with the first access point within multiple time periods of multiple data channels; and in yet another possible implementation, the aforementioned channel information and time information can be used to indicate that the station communicates with the first access point within multiple time periods of a data channel.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first transmission allocation frame may further include uplink / downlink indication information, which indicates the transmission type of communication on a first time period of the first data channel, including downlink transmission, single-user uplink transmission, or multi-user uplink transmission.

[0104] For example, the uplink / downlink indication information of the first transmission allocation frame is used to indicate that the transmission type of communication on the first data channel during the first time period is downlink transmission, and the station receives data sent by the first access point on the first data channel during the first time period according to the first transmission allocation frame.

[0105] The uplink / downlink indication information in the first transmission allocation frame is used to indicate that the transmission type of communication in the first time period of the first data channel is single-user uplink transmission. The station sends data to the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel according to the first transmission allocation frame.

[0106] The uplink / downlink indication information in the first transmission allocation frame indicates that the transmission type for communication during the first time period of the first data channel is multi-user uplink transmission. After receiving the trigger frame sent by the first access point during the first time period of the first data channel, the station sends uplink data to the first access point. This trigger frame is used to trigger uplink transmissions from multiple stations.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first transmission allocation frame further includes traffic limitation information, which indicates the type of service being communicated on the first data channel during a first time period.

[0108] This service type can include background streaming, general data, voice, or video. Different service types can be indicated using Access Category (AC) or Traffic Identifier (TID). AC has four priorities: AC0, AC1, AC2, and AC3.

[0109] For example, the service restriction information may include AC0, indicating that the first site is permitted to communicate using the service type AC0 during a first time period on the first data channel. For uplink transmission, the site sends data belonging to AC0 to the first access point during the first time period on the first data channel, based on this service restriction information.

[0110] The information carried in the aforementioned transmission allocation frame can be stored in the corresponding fields of the transmission allocation frame.

[0111] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a transmission allocation frame according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the transmission allocation frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a channel information field, a time information field, a traffic limitation information field, and a frame sequence check (FCS) field.

[0112] The Channel information field can carry the aforementioned channel information, the Time information field can carry the aforementioned time information, and the Traffic limitation information field can carry the aforementioned traffic limitation information. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0113] It should be noted that, as Figure 5 The transmission allocation frame shown has a channel information field that can be used to indicate a data channel and a time information field that can be used to indicate a time period.

[0114] The Duration field indicates the length of time the transmission allocation frame will take. The Receiver Address (RA) field may include the address of the target receiving node, such as its MAC address. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the RA field of the first transmission allocation frame may include the MAC address of the station. The Transmitter Address (TA) field may include the address of the sending node, for example, the MAC address of the sending node. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the TA of the first transmission allocation frame may include the MAC address of the first access point. The Frame Sequence Check (FCS) field is used by the receiving end to determine whether the transmission allocation frame has been correctly received.

[0115] Optionally, after correctly receiving the transmission allocation frame, the station may send an acknowledgment (ACK) to the first access point.

[0116] In this embodiment, by setting the transmission allocation frame to carry information such as channel information, time information, and service restriction information, the station that receives the transmission allocation frame through the common control channel determines to communicate with the first access point on the first time period of the first data channel for the corresponding service type of data, thereby meeting the communication needs of different service types of data.

[0117] It should be noted that the fields in the above transmission allocation frame are merely illustrative examples, and their order is not a limitation. Transmission allocation frames may also include other fields, which can be flexibly configured according to requirements. Figure 5This explanation uses an example of a transmission allocation frame containing one channel information field and one time information field. It is understood that a transmission allocation frame can also include multiple channel information fields and multiple time information fields corresponding one-to-one with those channel information fields. For example, the transmission allocation frame can include channel information field 1 and time information field 1, channel information field 2 and time information field 2, ..., channel information field n and time information field n, with channel information fields 1 to n corresponding one-to-one with time information fields 1 to n.

[0118] The transmission allocation frame may also include a channel information field and a time information field corresponding to the channel information field. For example, the transmission allocation frame may include channel information field 1 and time information field 1, time information field 2, ..., time information field n.

[0119] In some embodiments, the wireless communication method of this application may further include the following steps: if the station fails to successfully access the first data channel during the dwell time of the first time period or during the first time period, the station switches to the common control channel.

[0120] In one implementation, if a station fails to successfully access the first data channel within a first time period's dwell time, the station switches to the common control channel. The dwell time is less than or equal to the duration of the first time period, and the start time of the dwell time can be either the start time of the first time period or a time after the start time of the first time period. The dwell time can be preset or indicated by the first access point. When the dwell time is indicated by the first access point, the aforementioned first transmission allocation frame may further include dwell time indication information, which indicates the dwell time. Similar to the aforementioned time information, the dwell time may include a start time and a duration.

[0121] Another possible implementation is that if a station fails to successfully access the first data channel within the first time period, the station switches to the common control channel. That is, this implementation does not require the first access point to indicate the dwell time to the first station; or, the dwell time indicated by the first access point is equal to the first duration.

[0122] The failure to access the first data channel in the above two implementation methods may include failing to compete for the first data channel or not receiving data sent by the first access point.

[0123] In this embodiment, if a station fails to successfully access the first data channel during its stay within the first time period or within the first time period, the station switches to the common control channel. This allows the station to switch to the common control channel in a timely manner when communication fails, thereby improving the reliability of communication between the access point and the station and avoiding large transmission delays caused by the station waiting for a long time due to unsuccessful communication.

[0124] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the application scenario of this embodiment is uplink transmission, and the method of this embodiment may include:

[0125] Step 201: The station sends a transmission request frame to the first access point on the common control channel.

[0126] The first access point receives transmission request frames sent by the site on the common control channel.

[0127] This transmission request frame is used to report the uplink transmission requests of the site. For example, the uplink transmission request may include information such as the size of the data to be transmitted and the transmission priority.

[0128] The first access point can determine the data channel and time period for communicating with the site based on the transmission requirement frame.

[0129] Step 202: The first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the station on the common control channel.

[0130] The station receives the first transmission allocation frame sent by the first access point on the common control channel.

[0131] Step 203: The station transmits uplink data with the first access point in the first time period of the first data channel.

[0132] For a detailed explanation of steps 202 and 203, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 2 The explanations of steps 101 and 202 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0133] In some embodiments, step 202 can be implemented as follows: after receiving the transmission request frame, the first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the station on the common control channel.

[0134] Another possible implementation of step 202 above is that after receiving the transmission request frame, the first access point sends an acknowledgment (ACK) to the first site, and after a preset time, sends a first transmission allocation frame to the site on the common control channel.

[0135] Optionally, the station may also send an acknowledgment (ACK) to the first access point after correctly receiving the first transmission allocation frame.

[0136] This application describes an uplink transmission scenario. In the downlink application scenario, optionally, before step 202, the first access point determines the transmission requirements, for example, based on the size or priority of the data that the first access point needs to send to the site; and in step 203, the first access point sends downlink data to the site within a first time period of the first data channel.

[0137] In this embodiment, the station sends a transmission request frame to the first access point on the common control channel, and the first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the station on the common control channel. The station communicates with the first access point in the first time period on the first data channel, thereby enabling the first access point to appropriately allocate the data channel and time period for communication with the station according to the station's transmission request, thereby improving data transmission efficiency and channel utilization.

[0138] One possible interpretation of a transmission request frame is that the frame may include traffic information indicating the traffic data to be transmitted.

[0139] In one implementation, the service information may include at least one of aperiodic service indication information and periodic service indication information. The aperiodic service indication information is used to indicate that data of at least one service type needs to be transmitted. The periodic service indication information is used to indicate that at least one communication stream needs to be transmitted.

[0140] The non-periodic service indication information may include service type indication information and the size of data to be transmitted for at least one service type. The service type indication information is used to indicate at least one service type. The information of the periodic service may include communication flow indication information and attribute information of at least one communication flow. The communication flow indication information is used to indicate at least one communication flow.

[0141] This service type indication information can also be called TID control information (Control field for TID bitmap). This service type indication information can be a binary bitmap, where each bit corresponds to a TID. A bit set to 1 indicates a data transmission request with the corresponding TID, and a bit set to 0 indicates a data transmission request without the corresponding TID. The size of the data to be transmitted for at least one service type includes the size of the data to be transmitted for at least one TID. This at least one TID is the TID corresponding to the bit set to 1 in the aforementioned binary bitmap. For example, the size of the data to be transmitted for at least one service type includes the buffer size for TIDn and the buffer size for TIDm, where n and m are positive integers. The buffer size for TIDn indicates the buffer size of the TID corresponding to the nth bit, and the buffer size for TIDm indicates the buffer size of the TID corresponding to the mth bit. The specific values ​​of n and m are related to the aforementioned binary bitmap. For example, if the service type indication information is 10001000, then the size of the data to be transmitted for at least one service type includes the buffer size of TID1 and the buffer size of TID5.

[0142] This communication flow indication information can also be called TS control information (Control field for TS bit map). This information can be a binary bitmap, where each bit corresponds to a Traffic stream (TS). A bit of 1 indicates a corresponding TS transmission request, and a bit of 0 indicates no corresponding TS transmission request. The attribute information of at least one communication flow includes the communication specification (TSPEC) of at least one TS. This at least one TS corresponds to the TS with a 1 bit in the aforementioned binary bitmap. For example, the attribute information of at least one communication flow includes the communication specification (TSPEC for TSi), ..., the communication specification (TSPEC for TSj) of TSi, where i and j are positive integers. The communication specification of TSi indicates the communication specification of the TS corresponding to the i-th bit, and the communication specification of TSj indicates the communication specification of the TS corresponding to the j-th bit. The communication specification may include information such as service interval, minimum rate, packet size, and maximum delay. For example, if the communication flow indication information is 10100, then the attribute information of the at least one communication flow includes the communication specifications of TS1 and the communication specifications of TS3.

[0143] The information carried in the aforementioned transmission request frame can be stored in the corresponding fields of the transmission request frame.

[0144] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram of a transmission requirement frame according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 7A As shown, the transmission allocation frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a traffic information field, and a frame sequence check (FCS) field.

[0145] The Traffic information field carries the aforementioned traffic information; its detailed explanation can be found in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here. The Duration field indicates the duration of the transmission request frame. The Receiver Address (RA) field may include the address of the target receiving node, such as its MAC address. Figure 6 Taking the illustrated embodiment as an example, the RA field of the transmission request frame may include the MAC address of the first access point. The Transmitter Address (TA) field may include the address of the sending node, for example, the MAC address of the sending node. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the TA field of the transmission request frame may include the MAC address of the first station. The Frame Sequence Check (FCS) field is used by the receiving end to determine whether the transmission request frame has been correctly received.

[0146] Figure 7B Examples of embodiments of this application Figure 7A The diagram shown illustrates the service information fields of the transmission requirement frame, as follows: Figure 7B As shown, the business information field may include the TID control subfield, the TS control subfield, the buffer size for TIDn subfield, ... the buffer size for TIDm subfield, the TSi communication specification (TSPEC for TSi) subfield, ... the TSj communication specification (TSPEC for TSj) subfield.

[0147] For a detailed explanation of the information carried by the TID control subfield, TS control subfield, TIDn buffer size subfield, ... TIDm buffer size subfield, TSi communication specification subfield, ... TSj communication specification subfield, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0148] In this embodiment, by setting the transmission requirement frame to carry service information, the first access point that receives the transmission requirement frame through the common control channel can learn about the data transmission requirements of the site. Then, based on the data transmission requirements, it determines to communicate with the site on the first time period of the first data channel to meet the uplink data transmission requirements of the site.

[0149] It should be noted that the information in each field of the above transmission request frame is an example, and their order is not a limitation. The transmission allocation frame may also include other field information, which can be flexibly set according to requirements.

[0150] The first transmission allocation frame in the above embodiment is used to instruct a station to communicate with the first access point in a first time period on a first data channel. In the embodiments of this application, the first transmission allocation frame is used to allocate a first time period of multiple first data channels to multiple stations, so that multiple stations can communicate with the first access point on multiple first data channels. For specific implementation details, please refer to the explanation of the following embodiments.

[0151] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 8 As shown, this embodiment involves a first access point and multiple sites. The number of sites can be two, three, or more. For example, the first access point can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown in AP1, these multiple sites can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown in STA1 and STA2, the method of this embodiment may include:

[0152] Step 301: The first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to multiple stations on the common control channel.

[0153] Multiple stations receive the first transmission allocation frame sent by the first access point on the common control channel.

[0154] The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct multiple stations to communicate with the first access point in at least one first time period on at least one first data channel.

[0155] The first access point can use the first transmission allocation frame to allocate data channels and time periods on the data channels to multiple sites for communication.

[0156] The at least one first data channel is explained as follows: when the number of the at least one first data channel is two or more, that is, at least two first data channels, any two of the at least two first data channels can be the same or different.

[0157] The at least one first time period is explained. When the number of the at least one first time period is two or more, that is, at least two first time periods, any two of the at least two first time periods can be the same or different.

[0158] For example, AP1 in such Figure 3 The first transmission allocation frame is sent to STA1 and STA2 on the common control channel shown. This first transmission allocation frame can be used to instruct STA1 to communicate with AP1 during communication time period 12 on data channel 1 (Data CH1), and to instruct STA2 to communicate with AP1 during communication time period 22 on data channel 2 (Data CH2). This communication can include uplink communication or downlink communication.

[0159] The first access point can determine the position and length of at least one data channel and / or at least one time period on the time axis according to its own transmission needs, or it can determine the position and length of at least one data channel and / or at least one time period on the time axis according to the transmission needs of each site. Of course, it is understandable that it can also combine other information to determine the position and length of at least one data channel and / or at least one time period on the time axis, and then generate the first transmission allocation frame.

[0160] For downlink transmission, the first access point can determine the first transmission allocation frame based on the data to be transmitted and the target receiver. For example, the first access point can determine the position and length of at least one data channel and / or at least one time period on the time axis based on information such as the size of the data to be transmitted, transmission priority, and target receiver. For example, two first data channels (data channel 1 and data channel 2 as described above) and two first time periods (communication time period 12 and communication time period 22 as described above) can be determined, that is, STA1 communicates with AP1 during communication time period 12 of data channel 1 (Data CH1), and STA2 communicates with AP1 during communication time period 22 of data channel 2 (Data CH2). In some embodiments, the first access point can also comprehensively determine the communication time period of STA1 and the communication time period of STA2 by combining the channel quality of each data channel.

[0161] For uplink transmission, each station can send a transmission request to the first access point. The first access point can determine the position and length of at least one data channel and / or at least one time period on the time axis based on the transmission requests sent by each station. For example, the transmission request may include information such as the size of the data to be transmitted and the transmission priority. For example, two first data channels (data channel 1 and data channel 2 as described above) and two first time periods (communication time period 12 and communication time period 22 as described above) are determined, that is, STA1 communicates with AP1 during communication time period 12 on data channel 1 (Data CH1), and STA2 communicates with AP1 during communication time period 22 on data channel 2 (Data CH2). In some embodiments, the first access point can also comprehensively determine the communication time periods of STA1 and STA2 by combining the channel quality of each data channel.

[0162] It should be noted that the principle used by the first access point to determine the communication time period of the data channel of STA1 may be the same as or different from the principle used to determine the communication time period of the data channel of STA2.

[0163] Step 302: The first access point communicates with multiple sites in at least one first time period on at least one first data channel.

[0164] To further illustrate with the above example, the first access point can communicate with STA1 during communication time period 12 of data channel 1 (Data CH1) and with STA2 during communication time period 22 of data channel 2 (Data CH2).

[0165] In this embodiment, the first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to multiple stations on a common control channel. The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the multiple stations to communicate with the first access point in at least one first time period on at least one first data channel. Each station communicates with the first access point in the first time period on the corresponding first data channel. Thus, by sending the first transmission allocation frame on the common control channel, the data channel and time period for communication between the multiple stations and the first access point are indicated. This achieves the separation of control and data transmission on different channels, reduces the heavy dependence on the main channel, and can improve channel utilization.

[0166] In another possible implementation of the first transmission allocation frame, the first transmission allocation frame may include at least one channel allocation information, which may include channel allocation information 1 (Allocation1), ..., channel allocation information n (Allocation n), where n takes any positive integer.

[0167] In one implementation, each channel allocation information corresponds to a first time period of a first data channel. Each channel allocation information includes channel information, time information, and site information. The channel information is used to indicate a first data channel, the time information is used to indicate a first time period, and the site information is used to indicate at least one site communicating with a first access point in the first time period of the first data channel.

[0168] For example, the first transmission allocation frame may include two channel allocation information, namely channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) and channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2). Channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) corresponds to the communication time period 12 of the data channel (Data CH1). The channel information in channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) is used to indicate the data channel (Data CH1), the time information in channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) is used to indicate the communication time period 12, and the station information in channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) is used to indicate STA1. Channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2) corresponds to the communication time period 22 of the data channel (Data CH2). The channel information in channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2) is used to indicate the data channel (Data CH2), the time information in channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2) is used to indicate the communication time period 22, and the station information in channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2) is used to indicate STA2.

[0169] Each channel information may include at least one of the following: operating class, band ID, or channel index. Each time information may include starting time and duration. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first transmission allocation frame may further include uplink / downlink indication information and traffic limitation information.

[0171] The explanation of uplink and downlink indication information and the service type can be found in the explanation of the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] In some embodiments, the site information in each channel allocation information may include the number of STAs and a list of association IDs (AIDs) of STAs. The number of STAs indicates the number of STAs communicating with the first access point during a first time period on the corresponding first data channel, and the list of AIDs indicates each STA communicating with the first access point during the first time period on the corresponding first data channel.

[0173] Figure 9A This is a schematic diagram of another transmission allocation frame according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 9A As shown, the transmission allocation frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a channel information field, a number of allocation fields, an allocation 1 field, ..., an allocation n field, and a frame sequence check (FCS) field.

[0174] The Allocation 1 field carries the corresponding channel allocation information, ..., and the Allocation n field carries the corresponding channel allocation information. For a detailed explanation of the channel allocation information, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0175] This allocation number field is used to indicate the number n of channel allocation information.

[0176] The Duration field indicates the length of time the transmission allocation frame will take. The Receiver Address (RA) field may include the broadcast address. The Transmitter Address (TA) field may include the address of the sending node, such as its MAC address. Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the TA of the first transmission allocation frame may include the MAC address of the first access point. The Frame Sequence Check (FCS) field is used by the receiving end to determine whether the transmission allocation frame has been correctly received.

[0177] Optionally, each station may send an acknowledgment (ACK) to the first access point after correctly receiving the transmission allocation frame.

[0178] It should be noted that, Figure 9A The transmission allocation frame shown can also be applied to a single site.

[0179] Figure 9B Examples of embodiments of this application Figure 9A The diagram shown illustrates the channel allocation information field of the transmission allocation frame, as follows: Figure 9B As shown, the channel allocation information field can include a channel information subfield, a time information subfield, a traffic limitation information subfield, a number of STAs subfield, and an AID list of STAs subfield. This means that the same data channel can be allocated to multiple STAs for the same time period, or multiple data channels can be allocated to multiple STAs for multiple time periods.

[0180] The aforementioned subfields are used to carry corresponding information, such as channel information, time information, traffic limitation information, number of STAs, and AID list of STAs. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0181] In this embodiment, by setting the transmission allocation frame to carry at least one channel allocation information, multiple stations that receive the transmission allocation frame through the common control channel determine to communicate with the first access point on at least one first time period on at least one first data channel, thereby meeting the communication needs of different service types of data.

[0182] It should be noted that the above-mentioned fields of the transmission allocation frame are just an example, and their order is not a limitation. The transmission allocation frame may also include other fields, which can be flexibly set according to requirements.

[0183] Another possible implementation is that each channel allocation information corresponds to a first time period of a first data channel through which a station communicates with the first access point. Each channel allocation information includes station information, channel information, and time information. The station information indicates a station communicating with the first access point, the channel information indicates a first data channel corresponding to the station, and the time information indicates a first time period corresponding to the station.

[0184] For example, the first transmission allocation frame may include two channel allocation information, namely channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) and channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2). Channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) corresponds to the communication time period 12 of the data channel (Data CH1) for communication between STA1 and the first access point. This channel allocation information 1 (Allocation 1) may include site information, channel information, and time information. The site information is used to indicate STA1, the channel information is used to indicate the data channel (Data CH1), and the time information is used to indicate the communication time period 12. Channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2) corresponds to the communication time period 22 of the data channel (Data CH2) for communication between STA2 and the first access point. This channel allocation information 2 (Allocation 2) may include site information, channel information, and time information. The site information is used to indicate STA2, the channel information is used to indicate the data channel (Data CH2), and the time information is used to indicate the communication time period 22.

[0185] Each channel information may include at least one of the following: operating class, band ID, or channel index. Each time information may include starting time and duration. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first transmission allocation frame may further include uplink / downlink indication information and traffic limitation information.

[0187] For explanations of uplink / downlink indication information and service types, please refer to the explanations in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0188] In some embodiments, the site information in each channel allocation information may include the AID of the STA (AID of STA). The AID of the STA is used to indicate the corresponding STA.

[0189] Figure 10 Examples of embodiments of this application Figure 9A The schematic diagram of the channel allocation information field of the transmission allocation frame shown in Figure 9 is as follows. This channel allocation information field can include the STA's AID (AID of STA) subfield, channel information subfield, time information subfield, and traffic limitation information subfield.

[0190] Each field carries corresponding information, such as channel information, time information, traffic limitation information, and the AID of the STA. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0191] It should be noted that the above-mentioned channel allocation information fields are just examples, and their order is not a limitation. Channel allocation information may also include other fields, which can be flexibly set according to requirements.

[0192] For uplink transmission, combined Figure 8As shown by the dashed line, the wireless communication method of this embodiment may further include the following steps before step 301: Multiple first stations send transmission request frames to a first access point on a common control channel; the first access point receives the transmission request frames sent by the multiple stations on the common control channel; each transmission request frame is used to report the uplink transmission request of one station; and the first access point generates the first transmission allocation frame based on the transmission request frames sent by the multiple stations.

[0193] The transmission request frame sent by each station can adopt the same format as... Figures 6 to 7A The specific explanation of the transmission requirement frame will not be repeated here.

[0194] For downlink transmission, the wireless communication method of this application embodiment may further include the following steps before step 301: the first access point determines the data channel and time period for communicating with multiple stations according to its own transmission needs, and then generates the first transmission allocation frame.

[0195] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 11 As shown, this embodiment involves a first access point and a second access point. For example, the first access point can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown in AP1, the second access point can be as follows: Figure 1 As shown in AP2, the method in this embodiment may include:

[0196] Step 401: The first access point receives the third transmission allocation frame sent by the second access point on the common control channel.

[0197] The second access point sends a third transmission allocation frame on the common control channel. Since the first access point and the second access point share the common control channel, the first access point can receive the third transmission allocation frame. The third transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the second station to communicate with the second access point in the second time period of the second data channel.

[0198] The third transmission allocation frame can adopt the same... Figure 5 , Figures 9A to 10 The specific explanation of the transmission allocation frame will not be repeated here.

[0199] Step 402: The first access point updates the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) table based on the third transmission allocation frame.

[0200] The NAV table includes multiple sets of data channels and time periods. Each set of data channels and time periods indicates that a data channel is occupied for a specific time period. In some embodiments, the NAV table may also include site information, which corresponds to a set of data channels and time periods, indicating the sites occupying a data channel for a specific time period. The updated NAV table includes channel information indicating a second data channel and time information indicating a second time period.

[0201] One possible way to update the NAV table based on the third transmission allocation frame is to add the data channel and time period indicated by the third transmission allocation frame to the existing NAV table. In one example, a row in the NAV table represents a mapping between a set of data channels and time periods, and includes: channel information, the start time and duration of the time period. Another example includes: a row in the NAV table including: channel information, the start time and end time of the time period. Yet another example includes: a row in the NAV table including: channel information, the end time and duration of the time period.

[0202] A row in the NAV table of any of the above examples may also include site information indicating the site assigned to communicate during the time period of the data channel, such as the holder. This site information may be the site's MAC address, or, if broadcast data is being transmitted during the time period of the data channel, the broadcast address.

[0203] For example, a schematic diagram of an NAV table is shown in Table 2 below. As shown in Table 2, the NAV table includes multiple rows, each row recording that a data channel is occupied by at least one station during a time period. As shown in Table 1, data channel 1 (CH1) is occupied by STA1 from time t1 to t1+T1, and data channel 2 (CH1) is occupied by STA2 from time t2 to t2+T2.

[0204] Table 2 NAV Table Example

[0205] Channel information Start time Duration Holders CH1 t1 T1 MAC address of STA1 CH2 t2 T2 MAC address of STA2

[0206] In step 401 above, the first access point receives the third transmission allocation frame. In one example, if the third transmission allocation frame is used to instruct STA3 to communicate with the first access point at time t3 to t3+T3 on data channel 1 (CH1), the first access point updates the NAV table shown in Table 2 through step 402 above, and obtains the NAV table shown in Table 3 below.

[0207] Table 3 NAV Table Example

[0208] Channel information Start time Duration Holders CH1 t1 T1 MAC address of STA1 CH2 t2 T2 MAC address of STA2 CH1 t3 T3 MAC address of STA3 … … … …

[0209] The above embodiments are illustrated using the first access point as an example. It can be understood that the second access point can also maintain its own NAV table in the same way.

[0210] It should be noted that the holders in Tables 2 and 3 can also be broadcast addresses; the MAC addresses mentioned above are merely examples.

[0211] In this embodiment, by receiving transmission allocation frames from adjacent access points and maintaining its own NAV table, a reasonable coordinated allocation of channel resources can be achieved in multi-access point application scenarios, reducing transmission collisions among multiple access points and improving communication efficiency and reliability. Adjacent access points can use the same common control channel to reduce or avoid collisions between multiple BSSs.

[0212] The wireless communication method of this application only performs CCA listening and does not perform backoff during initial access. At the beginning of the scheduling period (the first time period as described above) or later, if the CCA result is idle, the transmitting end (access point or station) directly transmits. However, in the event of a transmission error, a backoff operation is performed according to existing standards.

[0213] Table 3 compares the channel access method of this scheme with the existing PSMP and RAW access methods introduced in IEEE 802.11ah.

[0214] Table 3 Comparison of access methods during the scheduling period

[0215] CCA Backoff RAW Yes Yes PSMP No No This plan Yes No

[0216] In this embodiment, by adopting the above-described access method, channel utilization and data transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0217] For any of the above embodiments of the common control channel, the access point can receive a transmission request frame sent by the station in the first phase of the common control channel, and send a transmission allocation frame to the station in the second phase of the common control channel to instruct the station to communicate with the access point during the time slot following the time slot of the second phase. As an example, Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of channel time-slotting according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 12 As shown, the common control channel includes multiple time slots, each of which includes a first phase (Phase I) and a second phase (Phase II).

[0218] The first phase is used to receive transmission request frames sent by at least one station, and the second phase is used to send a first transmission allocation frame to at least one station. The first transmission allocation frame indicates at least one first time period, which is a time period in the next time slot following the time slot of the second phase. This first transmission allocation frame can allocate a data channel and time period for communication to a station, and its frame structure can be as described above. Figure 5 The frame structure is shown above. This first transmission allocation frame can also allocate data channels and time for communication to multiple stations, and its frame structure can be as described above. Figures 9A-9B , Figure 10 The frame structure shown.

[0219] This embodiment can achieve time synchronization and time slot division through beacon frames.

[0220] For example, such as Figure 12 The first stage 2 shown in the diagram involves, on the one hand, the access point collecting transmission request frames sent by each station, and on the other hand, the access point and the stations communicating on the data channel according to the first transmission allocation frame sent in the second stage 1 of the previous time slot. For example, communication can occur in the first stage 2 and the second stage 2 of data channel 1 (Data CH1).

[0221] like Figure 12 In the second phase 2 shown, the site is prohibited from performing uplink EDCA, and the access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the site on the common control channel in the second phase 2 to realize the allocation of transmission resources for the data channel.

[0222] In this embodiment, each time slot is configured to include a first phase (Phase I) and a second phase (Phase II). The first phase is used to receive transmission request frames sent by at least one site, and the second phase is used to send a first transmission allocation frame to at least one site. The first transmission allocation frame indicates at least one first time period, which is a time period in the next time slot of the time slot in which the second phase is located. This divides the time of the common control channel into various time slots, resulting in smaller time granularity and greater flexibility. It avoids a certain transmission occupying a long time of the common control channel, which could cause high-priority services to be unable to be transmitted in a timely manner, thus reducing the latency of service transmission.

[0223] Figure 13A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the timing of sending a transmission allocation frame according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 13A As shown, the first access point transmits a transmission allocation frame within a transmission window on the common control channel. This transmission allocation frame can be any of the transmission allocation frames described in the above embodiments.

[0224] The duration of the transmission window is less than the first preset duration T, and the end point of the transmission window is the start point of the first time period allocated by the transmission allocation frame. When the transmission allocation frame indicates a time period for a data channel, the end point of the transmission window is the start point of that time period. When the transmission allocation frame indicates multiple time periods for a data channel, the end point of the transmission window is the start point of the time period with the furthest start point among the multiple time periods.

[0225] The first preset duration T can be preset, and T is a positive number whose size can be flexibly set according to needs.

[0226] Figure 13B This is a schematic diagram illustrating another transmission allocation frame transmission timing according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 13B As shown, the first access point transmits the first transmission allocation frame within the transmission window on the common control channel.

[0227] The duration of the sending window is less than the second preset duration L, and the end point of the sending window is the end point of the allocated time period, which is the communication time period indicated by the second transmission allocation frame sent by the first access point before sending the first transmission allocation frame.

[0228] One possible approach, such as Figure 13B As shown, different transmission windows are set for different data channels. For example, there are allocation windows for data channel 1 and data channel 2. The duration of the allocation window for data channel 1 is less than the second preset duration L, and the end point of the allocation window for data channel 1 is the end point of the allocated time period for data channel 1. The duration of the allocation window for data channel 2 is less than the second preset duration L, and the end point of the allocation window for data channel 2 is the end point of the allocated time period for data channel 2.

[0229] In this embodiment, time synchronization between access points is not required, which allows the communication time period allocated by the first transmission allocation frame to be within a preset time interval from the transmission allocation frame to the transmission time interval. This makes communication more flexible, avoids a certain transmission occupying the common control channel for a long time, and prevents high-priority services from being transmitted in a timely manner, thus reducing the latency of service transmission.

[0230] The wireless communication method according to the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above. The wireless communication device according to the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0231] This application describes in detail the schematic structure of a wireless communication device.

[0232] In one example Figure 14This diagram illustrates a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 1400 according to an embodiment of this application. The device 1400 of this application embodiment can be a station as described in the above method embodiments, or it can be one or more chips within a station. The device 1400 can be used to perform some or all of the functions of the station in the above method embodiments. The device 1400 may include a transceiver module 1410 and a processing module 1420; optionally, the device 1400 may also include a storage module 1430.

[0233] For example, the transceiver module 1410 can be used to receive the first transmission allocation frame from the first access point in step S101 of the aforementioned method embodiment, or to execute step S201 and receive the first transmission allocation frame from the first access point in step 202, or to receive the first transmission allocation frame from the first access point in step S301.

[0234] The processing module 1420 can be used to execute step S102 in the aforementioned method embodiment, or to execute step S203, or to execute step S302.

[0235] Alternatively, device 1400 can also be configured as a general-purpose processing system, such as a chip. The processing module 1420 may include one or more processors providing processing functions. The transceiver module 1410 may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuitry. The input / output interface can be used to handle information interaction between this chip system and the outside world. For example, this input / output interface can output the station's transmission request frame to other modules outside the chip for processing. The processing module can execute computer execution instructions stored in the storage module to implement the station's functions in the above method embodiments. In one example, the optional storage module 1430 included in device 1400 can be an in-chip storage unit, such as a register or cache. The storage module 1430 can also be an external storage unit within the station, such as read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0236] In another example, Figure 15A schematic block diagram of another wireless communication device 1500 according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The device 1500 of this application embodiment can be a station as described in the above method embodiments, and can be used to perform some or all of the functions of the station in the above method embodiments. The device 1500 may include a processor 1510, a baseband circuit 1530, a radio frequency circuit 1540, and an antenna 1550. Optionally, the device 1500 may also include a memory 1520. The various components of the device 1500 are coupled together via a bus 1560, wherein the bus system 1560 includes, in addition to a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, all buses are labeled as bus system 1560 in the figure.

[0237] The processor 1510 can be used to control the station, to perform the processing performed by the station in the above embodiments, to perform the processing procedures involving the station in the above method embodiments and / or other processes using the technology described in this application, and can also run an operating system, be responsible for managing the bus, and can execute programs or instructions stored in memory.

[0238] The baseband circuit 1530, radio frequency circuit 1540, and antenna 1550 can be used to support the transmission and reception of information between the site and the access point involved in the above embodiments, so as to support wireless communication between the site and the access point. In one example, the first transmission allocation frame sent from the access point is received by the antenna 1550, and after being processed by the radio frequency circuit 1540 through filtering, amplification, down-conversion, and digitization, it is then decoded by the baseband circuit 1530 and decapsulated according to the protocol, and then processed by the processor 1510 to recover the service data and signaling information sent by the access point. In another example, the transmission request frame used by the site to indicate the site's transmission needs can be processed by the processor 1510, encapsulated according to the protocol and encoded by the baseband circuit 1530, and further processed by the radio frequency circuit 1540 through analog conversion, filtering, amplification and up-conversion, and then transmitted through the antenna 1550.

[0239] Memory 1520 can be used to store the site's program code and data; memory 1520 can be Figure 14 The storage module 1430 is included. Understandably, the baseband circuit 1530, the radio frequency circuit 1540, and the antenna 1550 can also be used to support communication between the site and other network entities, for example, to support communication between the site and network elements on the core network side. Figure 15The memory 1520 is shown as separate from the processor 1510; however, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the memory 1520 or any portion thereof may be located outside the wireless communication device 1500. For example, the memory 1520 may include transmission lines and / or computer artifacts separate from the wireless node, all of which can be accessed by the processor 1510 via the bus interface 1560. Alternatively, the memory 1520 or any portion thereof may be integrated into the processor 1510, for example, as a cache and / or general-purpose registers.

[0240] Understandable, Figure 15 Only a simplified design of the site is shown. For example, in practical applications, the site can contain any number of transmitters, receivers, processors, memory, etc., and all sites that can implement this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the wireless communication device may also be implemented using one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuitry, or any combination of circuitry capable of performing the various functions described throughout this application. In yet another example, embodiments of this application also provide a computer storage medium that can store program instructions for instructing any of the above methods, such that a processor executes these program instructions to implement the methods and functions of the stations involved in the above method embodiments.

[0242] This application describes in detail the schematic structure of a wireless communication device according to embodiments. In one example... Figure 16 A schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 1600 according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The device 1600 of this application embodiment can be an access point as described in the above method embodiments, or it can be one or more chips within the access point. The device 1600 can be used to perform some or all of the functions of the access point in the above method embodiments. The device 1600 may include a processing module 1610 and a transceiver module 1620; optionally, the device 1600 may also include a storage module 1630.

[0243] For example, the transceiver module 1620 can be used by the access point to send the first transmission allocation frame in step S101 of the aforementioned method embodiment, or to receive the transmission request frame from the site in step S201 and send the first transmission allocation frame in step S202, or to send the first transmission allocation frame in step S301, or to receive the third transmission allocation frame from the second access point in step S401.

[0244] The processing module 1610 can be used to execute step S102 in the aforementioned method embodiment, or to execute step S203, or to execute step S302, or to execute step S402.

[0245] Alternatively, device 1600 can also be configured as a general-purpose processing system, such as a chip. The processing module 1610 may include one or more processors providing processing functions. The transceiver module may be, for example, an input / output interface, pins, or circuitry. The input / output interface can be used to handle information interaction between this chip system and the outside world. For example, this input / output interface can output a first transmission allocation frame to other modules outside the chip for processing. The one or more processors can execute computer execution instructions stored in the storage module to implement the functions of the access point in the above method embodiments. In one example, the optional storage module 1630 included in device 1600 can be an in-chip storage unit, such as a register or cache. The storage module 1630 can also be an external storage unit within the access point, such as read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0246] In another example, Figure 17 A schematic block diagram of another wireless communication device 1700 according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The device 1700 of this application embodiment can be an access point in the above-described method embodiments, and can be used to perform some or all of the functions of the access point in the above-described method embodiments. The device 1700 may include: a processor 1710, a baseband circuit 1730, a radio frequency circuit 1740, and an antenna 1750. Optionally, the device 1700 may also include a memory 1720. The various components of the device 7800 are coupled together via a bus 1760, wherein the bus system 1760 includes, in addition to a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, all buses are labeled as bus system 1760 in the figure.

[0247] The processor 1710 can be used to control the access point, to perform the processing performed by the access point in the above embodiments, to perform the processing procedures involving the access point in the above method embodiments and / or other processes used in the technology described in this application, and can also run an operating system, be responsible for managing the bus, and can execute programs or instructions stored in memory.

[0248] The baseband circuit 1730, radio frequency circuit 1740, and antenna 1750 can be used to support the transmission and reception of information between the access point and the stations involved in the above embodiments, so as to support wireless communication between the access point and the stations. In one example, the transmission request frame sent from the station is received by the antenna 1750, and after being processed by the radio frequency circuit such as filtering, amplification, down-conversion, and digitization, it is then decoded by the baseband circuit and decapsulated according to the protocol, and processed by the processor 1710 to recover the service data and signaling information sent by the station. In another example, the first transmission allocation frame of the access point can be processed by the processor 1710, and after being processed by the baseband circuit 1730 such as encapsulation and encoding according to the protocol, it is further processed by the radio frequency circuit 1740 such as analog conversion, filtering, amplification, and up-conversion, and then transmitted through the antenna 1750. The memory 1720 can be used to store the program code and data of the access point. The memory 1720 can be used to store the program code and data of the access point. Figure 16 The storage module 1630 is included. Understandably, the baseband circuit 1730, radio frequency circuit 1740, and antenna 1750 can also be used to support communication between the access point and other network entities, for example, to support communication between the access point and other access points.

[0249] Understandable, Figure 17 Only a simplified design of the access point is shown. For example, in practical applications, the access point can contain any number of transmitters, receivers, processors, memory, etc., and all access points that can implement this application are within the protection scope of this invention.

[0250] In one possible implementation, the wireless communication device may also be implemented using one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout this application.

[0251] In yet another example, this application embodiment also provides a computer storage medium that can store program instructions for instructing any of the above methods, such that a processor executes the program instructions to implement the methods and functions related to the access point in the above method embodiments.

[0252] The processors involved in the aforementioned devices 1500 and 1700 can be general-purpose processors, such as general-purpose central processing units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), microprocessors, etc., or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of programs according to the present application. They can also be digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The controller / processor can also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc. The processor typically performs logical and arithmetic operations based on program instructions stored in memory.

[0253] The memory involved in the aforementioned devices 1500 and 1700 may also store an operating system and other application programs. Specifically, the program may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. More specifically, the aforementioned memory may be read-only memory (ROM), other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM), other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions, disk storage, etc. The memory may be a combination of the above storage types. Furthermore, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium / memory may be located within a processor, external to a processor, or distributed across multiple entities including a processor or processing circuitry. The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium / memory may be embodied in a computer program product. For example, a computer program product may include a computer-readable medium within packaging material.

[0254] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0255] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0256] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0257] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0258] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive).

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The station receives a first transmission allocation frame sent by a first access point on a common control channel. The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the station to communicate with the first access point in a first time period on a first data channel. The station communicates with the first access point during a first time period on the first data channel; The first transmission allocation frame includes channel information and time information, wherein the channel information is used to indicate the first data channel and the time information is used to indicate the first time period; The common control channel includes multiple time slots, each time slot including a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is used for the station to send a transmission request frame, and the second phase is used for the station to receive the first transmission allocation frame. The first time period of the first transmission allocation frame is the time period in the next time slot of the time slot in which the second phase is located. The transmission request frame includes at least one of aperiodic service indication information and periodic service indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first transmission allocation frame further includes at least one of uplink / downlink indication information and service restriction information. The uplink / downlink indication information is used to indicate the transmission type of communication in the first time period of the first data channel. The transmission type includes downlink transmission, single-user uplink transmission, or multi-user uplink transmission. The service restriction information is used to indicate the type of service that is communicated on the first data channel during a first time period.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: If a station fails to successfully access the first data channel during its stay within the first time period or during the first time period, the station switches to the common control channel.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first transmission allocation frame also includes a stay duration indication information, which is used to indicate the stay duration.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-periodic service indication information includes service type indication information and the size of data to be transmitted for at least one service type. The service type indication information is used to indicate the at least one service type. The information of the periodic service includes communication flow indication information and attribute information of at least one communication flow. The communication flow indication information is used to indicate the at least one communication flow.

6. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the first site on a common control channel. The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the first site to communicate with the first access point in at least one first time period on at least one first data channel. The first access point communicates with the first site during at least one first time period on the at least one first data channel; The first transmission allocation frame includes at least one channel information and at least one time information, each channel information indicating a first data channel and each time information indicating a first time period; The common control channel includes multiple time slots, each time slot including a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is used to receive a transmission request frame sent by the first station, and the second stage is used to send the first transmission allocation frame to the first station. The at least one first time period indicated by the first transmission allocation frame is included in the next time slot of the time slot in which the second stage is located. The transmission request frame includes at least one of aperiodic service indication information and periodic service indication information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first access point sends a first transmission allocation frame to the first site on the common control channel, including: The first access point sends the first transmission allocation frame to the first station within the transmission window on the common control channel; The duration of the sending window is less than a first preset duration T, and the end point of the sending window is the start point of the farthest first time period among the at least one first time period; or, the duration of the sending window is less than a second preset duration L, and the end point of the sending window is the end point of an allocated time period, wherein the allocated time period is the communication period indicated by the second transmission allocation frame sent by the first access point before sending the first transmission allocation frame.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first transmission allocation frame further includes at least one of uplink / downlink indication information and service restriction information. The uplink / downlink indication information is used to indicate the transmission type of communication in at least one first time period of the at least one first data channel. The transmission type includes downlink transmission, single-user uplink transmission, or multi-user uplink transmission. The service restriction information is used to indicate the type of service that the first site communicates with the first access point on at least one first time period on at least one first data channel.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first transmission allocation frame further includes a dwell time indication information, the dwell time indication information being used to indicate the dwell time of the first station when it fails to successfully access the at least one first data channel.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first access point receives a third transmission allocation frame sent by the second access point on the common control channel. The third transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the second station to communicate with the second access point in the second time period of the second data channel. The first access point updates the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) table according to the third transmission allocation frame. The updated NAV table includes channel information for indicating the second data channel and time information for indicating the second time period.

11. A wireless communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is used to receive a first transmission allocation frame sent by a first access point on a common control channel. The first transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the station to communicate with the first access point in a first time period on a first data channel. The processing module is used to communicate with the first access point through the transceiver module during a first time period on the first data channel; The first transmission allocation frame includes channel information and time information, wherein the channel information is used to indicate the first data channel and the time information is used to indicate the first time period; The common control channel includes multiple time slots, each time slot including a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is used for the station to send a transmission request frame, and the second phase is used for the station to receive the first transmission allocation frame. The first time period of the first transmission allocation frame is the time period in the next time slot of the time slot in which the second phase is located. The transmission request frame includes at least one of aperiodic service indication information and periodic service indication information.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first transmission allocation frame further includes at least one of uplink / downlink indication information and service restriction information. The uplink / downlink indication information is used to indicate the transmission type of communication in the first time period of the first data channel. The transmission type includes downlink transmission, single-user uplink transmission, or multi-user uplink transmission. The service restriction information is used to indicate the type of service that is communicated on the first data channel during a first time period.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to: if, during the dwell time within the first time period or within the first time period, it fails to successfully access the first data channel, switch to the common control channel.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first transmission allocation frame also includes a stay duration indication information, which is used to indicate the stay duration.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that, The non-periodic service indication information includes service type indication information and the size of data to be transmitted for at least one service type. The service type indication information is used to indicate the at least one service type. The information of the periodic service includes communication flow indication information and attribute information of at least one communication flow. The communication flow indication information is used to indicate the at least one communication flow.

16. A wireless communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver module is configured to send a first transmission allocation frame to a first station on a common control channel, the first transmission allocation frame being configured to instruct the first station to communicate with the wireless communication device in at least one first time period on at least one first data channel. The processing module is configured to communicate with the first station via the transceiver module during at least one first time period on the at least one first data channel; The first transmission allocation frame includes at least one channel information and at least one time information, each channel information indicating a first data channel and each time information indicating a first time period; The common control channel includes multiple time slots, each time slot including a first stage and a second stage. The first stage is used to receive a transmission request frame sent by the first station, and the second stage is used to send the first transmission allocation frame to the first station. The at least one first time period indicated by the first transmission allocation frame is included in the next time slot of the time slot in which the second stage is located. The transmission request frame includes at least one of aperiodic service indication information and periodic service indication information.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, The transceiver module is used to send the first transmission allocation frame to the first station within the transmission window on the common control channel. The duration of the sending window is less than a first preset duration T, and the end point of the sending window is the start point of the farthest first time period among the at least one first time period; or, the duration of the sending window is less than a second preset duration L, and the end point of the sending window is the end point of an allocated time period, wherein the allocated time period is the communication period indicated by the second transmission allocation frame sent by the wireless communication device before sending the first transmission allocation frame.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The first transmission allocation frame further includes at least one of uplink / downlink indication information and service restriction information. The uplink / downlink indication information is used to indicate the transmission type of communication in at least one first time period of the at least one first data channel. The transmission type includes downlink transmission, single-user uplink transmission, or multi-user uplink transmission. The service restriction information is used to indicate the service type in which the first station communicates with the wireless communication device on at least one first time period on at least one first data channel.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 or 17, wherein the transmission allocation frame further includes a dwell time indication information, the dwell time indication information being used to indicate the dwell time of the first station when it fails to successfully access the at least one first data channel.

20. The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The transceiver module is further configured to: receive a third transmission allocation frame sent by the second access point on the common control channel, wherein the third transmission allocation frame is used to instruct the second station to communicate with the second access point in the second time period of the second data channel; The processing module is further configured to update the network allocation vector (NAV) table according to the third transmission allocation frame. The updated NAV table includes channel information for indicating the second data channel and time information for indicating the second time period.

Images