AID Allocation Method for Multi-Link Device and Related Devices

Abstract

This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and in particular to an AID allocation method and related devices for a multi-link device, such as being applied to a wireless local area network supporting the 802.11be standard. The method includes: an access point multi-link device generates and sends a first frame. Correspondingly, a station device receives and parses the first frame to obtain the AID allocated to the station device carried in the first frame, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device; wherein, the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device. By adopting the embodiment of the present application, a more accurate AID is allocated to the station device, avoiding AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for allocating AIDs for a multi-link device and related apparatuses. Background Art

[0002] An association identifier (AID) is an identifier (ID) assigned by an access point (AP) to a station (STA) that has established an association after the association, and can be regarded as the ID of the associated STA. The AID can be used to identify and distinguish each STA associated with the AP, and can be used as an index in a partial frame structure to point to a specific associated STA. If the AP can support multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs), or the beacon frame or probe response frame can carry a multiple BSSID element, then the maximum number of BSSIDs that the AP can support is 2 n , indicating that the range of BSSIDs is [1, 2 n -1], then the range of AIDs that the AP can assign to the STA is [2 n , 2007]. Here, n can be the value of the max BSSID indicator field of the multiple BSSID element. If the AP cannot support multiple BSSIDs, or the beacon frame or probe response frame cannot carry a multiple BSSID element, then the range of AIDs that the AP can assign to the STA is [1, 2007].

[0003] In a multi-link device (MLD), multiple STAs included in a non-access point (non-AP) MLD share the same AID, that is, a non-AP MLD has only one AID. Since an AP MLD can perform cross-link traffic indication map (TIM) indication, that is, assuming AP 1 and AP 2 belong to the same AP MLD, the cross-link TIM indication sent by AP1 can carry not only the TIM information of AP1 itself, but also the TIM information of AP 2. The TIM information can be used to indicate whether the AP has traffic for the non-AP MLD associated with it. However, in some cases, there will be AID ambiguity when the AP MLD uses cross-link TIM indication. For example, assuming AP 1 and AP 2 belong to the same AP MLD, if the beacon frame or probe response frame of AP 1 includes multi-BSSID elements, it means that AP1 can support multiple BSSIDs, while the beacon frame or probe response frame of AP 2 does not include multi-BSSID elements, indicating that AP2 cannot support multiple BSSIDs and has only 1 BSSID. Then the AID range assigned by AP 1 to the non-AP MLD associated with it is [2 n , 2007], and the AID range assigned by AP 2 to the non-AP MLD associated with it is [1, 2007]. In this case, when the AP MLD uses cross-link TIM indication, since the cross-link TIM indication carries not only the TIM information of AP1 but also the TIM information of AP 2, there may be a conflict between the BSSIDs supported by AP 1 and the AIDs assigned by AP 2 to the non-AP MLD associated with it, that is, the multi-BSSID range of AP 1 is [1, 2 n - 1], and the AID range of the non-AP MLD associated with AP 2 also includes [1, 2 n - 1]. Therefore, when the non-AP MLD receives the cross-link TIM indication sent by the AP MLD, it cannot determine whether the non-AP MLD with an AID range within [1, 2 n - 1] has traffic (because this part of the AIDs is the same as the BSSIDs of AP1), that is, this part of the AIDs is ambiguous. Therefore, in the case where one or more APs in the AP MLD can support multiple BSSIDs, how the AP MLD assigns AIDs to non-AP MLDs to avoid AID ambiguity during cross-link TIM indication has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a method for allocating AIDs for a multi-link device and related devices, which can allocate more accurate AIDs for the station device and avoid AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication.

[0005] The present application will be introduced from different aspects below. It should be understood that the implementation manners and beneficial effects of the following different aspects can be referred to each other.

[0006] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for allocating AIDs for a multi-link device. The method for allocating AIDs for the multi-link device includes: an access point multi-link device generates and sends a first frame, and the first frame may carry the AID allocated for the station device, where the AID is neither the BSSID supported by the first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor the identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device. Herein, the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0007] Optionally, the above first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0008] Optionally, before the access point multi-link device sends the first frame, the station device sends an association request frame or a multi-link association request frame to the access point multi-link device to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multi-link device. After receiving the association request frame or the multi-link association request frame, the access point multi-link device may return an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame to the station device.

[0009] In this solution, when allocating AIDs for the station device, it is not allowed to allocate the BSSIDs already allocated to the AP and / or supported by the first type of AP to the Non-AP MLD, which can allocate more accurate AIDs for the Non-AP MLD and avoid AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication.

[0010] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for allocating AIDs for a multi-link device. The method for allocating AIDs for the multi-link device includes: the station device receives and parses the first frame to obtain the AID carried in the first frame and allocated for the station device, where the AID is neither the BSSID supported by the first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor the identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device. Herein, the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0011] Optionally, the above first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0012] Optionally, before the access point multi-link device sends the first frame, the station device may generate and send an association request frame or a multi-link association request frame to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multi-link device. After receiving the association request frame or the multi-link association request frame, the access point multi-link device may return an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame to the station device.

[0013] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access point multi-link device or a chip in the access point multi-link device, such as a Wi-Fi chip, including:

[0014] A processing unit, configured to generate a first frame;

[0015] A transceiver unit, configured to send the first frame, where the first frame may carry an AID assigned to the station device, and the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0016] Optionally, the above first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0017] Optionally, the station device may send an association request frame or a multi-link association request frame to the access point multi-link device to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multi-link device. After receiving the association request frame or the multi-link association request frame, the access point multi-link device may return an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame to the station device.

[0018] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a station device or a chip in the station device, such as a Wi-Fi chip, including:

[0019] A transceiver unit, configured to receive the first frame;

[0020] A processing unit, configured to parse the received first frame to obtain the AID assigned to the station device carried in the first frame, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0021] Optionally, the above first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0022] Optionally, the station device may send an association request frame or a multi-link association request frame to the access point multi-link device to request to establish an association relationship with the access point multi-link device. After receiving the association request frame or the multi-link association request frame, the access point multi-link device may return an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame to the station device.

[0023] In an implementation of any of the above aspects, the BSSIDs supported by the first type of access points in the access point multi-link device are:

[0024]

[0025] where N may be the number of the first type of access points, may represent the number of BSSIDs supported by the i-th access point in the first type of access points. N may be a positive integer greater than 1.

[0026] Optionally, the identifiers of the access points in the access point multi-link device may include discrete M integer values or continuous M integer values. M may be the number of access points included in the access point multi-link device, and M may be a positive integer greater than 1. Among them, N may be less than or equal to M.

[0027] This solution does not allow the BSSIDs supported by some APs in the access point multi-link device to be allocated to the station device. While ensuring that there is no AID ambiguity in the cross-link TIM indication, it reduces the non-allocation range, which in turn expands the range of AIDs that can be allocated to the station device, and can improve the utilization rate of identifier resources.

[0028] In an implementation of any of the above aspects, the AID carried in the first frame is not any value within the following interval:

[0029]

[0030] where N may be the number of the first type of access points, may represent the number of BSSIDs supported by the first type of access points, and M is the number of access points in the access point multi-link device.

[0031] This solution directly uses a continuous range of values after the BSSIDs supported by the first type of access points in the access point multi-link device as the identifiers of the access points in the access point multi-link device. That is, the identifiers of the access points in the access point multi-link device and the BSSIDs supported by the first type of access points can form a continuous interval. Therefore, the AID carried in the first frame cannot be any value within this continuous interval. Thus, the access point multi-link device can allocate continuous AIDs to the station device, thereby reducing the difficulty of the access point multi-link device in selecting AIDs.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, specifically an access point multi-link device, including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the access point multi-link device to execute corresponding functions in the method of the first aspect above. The transceiver is used to support communication between the access point multi-link device and the station device, and send information, frames, data packets, instructions, etc. involved in the above method to the station device. The access point multi-link device may further include a memory, which is used to be coupled with the processor and stores necessary program instructions and data of the access point multi-link device.

[0033] Specifically, the processor is used to generate a first frame; the transceiver is used to send the first frame, and the first frame carries an AID allocated to the station device, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device, and the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, specifically a station device, including a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is used to receive the first frame; the processor is used to parse the received first frame to obtain the AID allocated to the station device carried in the first frame, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device, and the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device. Optionally, the communication device may further include a processor, which may be used to generate an association request frame or a multi-link association request frame. The access point multi-link device may further include a memory, which is used to be coupled with the processor and stores necessary program instructions and data of the access point multi-link device.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip or a chip system, including an input-output interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to generate a first frame; the input-output interface is used to send the first frame, and the first frame carries an AID allocated to the station device, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device, and the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0036] In a possible design, the input / output interface is used to receive a first frame from an AP MLD; the processing circuit is used to parse the received first frame to obtain the AID assigned to the station device carried in the first frame, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of an access point in the access point multi-link device, and the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the AID allocation method for a multi-link device described in any of the above aspects.

[0038] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the AID allocation method for a multi-link device described in any of the above aspects.

[0039] Implementing the embodiments of the present application can allocate a more accurate AID for the station device and avoid AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for the description of the embodiments.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2a is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 2b is another schematic structural diagram of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of multi-link communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 3b is another schematic diagram of multi-link communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of the AID allocation method for a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an AID element provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the communication between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 8 It is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0051] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0052] To facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture of the AID allocation method for multi-link devices provided by the embodiments of the present application will be briefly described below. It can be understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly explaining the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0053] The embodiment of the present application provides an AID allocation method for multi-link devices applied to a wireless communication system, which can allocate more accurate AIDs to station devices and avoid AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication. The wireless communication system can be a wireless local area network or a cellular network. The AID allocation method can be implemented by a communication device or a chip or a processor in the communication device in the wireless communication system. The communication device can be a wireless communication device supporting parallel transmission of multiple links. For example, the communication device can be called a multi-link device or a multi-band device. Compared with a communication device that only supports single-link transmission, the multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and larger throughput.

[0054] A multi-link device includes one or more affiliated stations (affiliated STAs). An affiliated station is a logical station that can operate on one link. Among them, the affiliated station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For convenience of description, in this application, a multi-link device with an affiliated station being an AP can be referred to as a multi-link AP or a multi-link AP device or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD), and a multi-link device with an affiliated station being a non-AP STA can be referred to as a multi-link Non-AP or a multi-link Non-AP device or a Non-AP multi-link device (Non-AP MLD). For convenience of description, "a multi-link device includes an affiliated station" is also briefly described as "a multi-link device includes a station" in the embodiments of this application.

[0055] A multi-link device includes one or more affiliated stations (affiliated STAs). In other words, it can also be said that a multi-link device can include multiple logical stations. Each logical station operates on one link, but multiple logical stations are allowed to operate on the same link. When an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD perform data transmission, a link identifier can be used to identify a link or a station on a link. Before communication, the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD can first negotiate or communicate the correspondence between the link identifier and a link or a station on a link. Therefore, during the data transmission process, there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or the station on the link. Just carrying the link identifier can reduce the signaling overhead and improve the transmission efficiency.

[0056] In one example, when an AP MLD establishes a basic service set (BSS), the management frames it sends, such as beacon frames, carry elements including multiple link identification information fields. Each link identification information field includes a link identification, and also includes one or more of: a BSS identifier, an operation set, and a channel number, where one or more of the BSS identifier, the operation set, and the channel number correspond to the link identification. In another example, during the process of establishing a multi-link association, the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD negotiate multiple link identification information fields. In subsequent communications, the AP MLD or the Non-AP MLD uses the link identification to represent the stations at both ends of the corresponding link. The link identification can also represent one or more attributes of the MAC address of the station, the operating operation set, and the channel number. Among them, the MAC address can also be replaced with the association identifier (AID) of the AP MLD after association.

[0057] If multiple stations are working on a single link, then the link identification (a numeric ID) represents, in addition to the operation set and channel number where the link is located, the identification of the stations working on that link, such as the MAC address or the association identifier AID of the station.

[0058] Multi-link devices can implement wireless communication by following the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols. For example, stations that follow very high throughput, or stations that follow or are compatible with IEEE 802.11be, can communicate with other devices. Of course, the other devices can be multi-link devices or not.

[0059] The AID allocation method for multi-link devices provided by the embodiments of this application can be applied to scenarios where a node communicates with one or more nodes; it can also be applied to single-user uplink / downlink communication scenarios and multi-user uplink / downlink communication scenarios; it can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication scenarios.

[0060] Among them, any of the above nodes can be an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD. For example, the AID allocation method is applied to the scenario where communication occurs between an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD; or applied to the scenario where communication occurs between a Non-AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD, or applied to the scenario where communication occurs between an AP MLD and an AP MLD. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Optionally, one of the above nodes can be a multi-link device, and the other nodes can either be multi-link devices or not. For example, it is applied to the scenario where an AP MLD communicates with a single-link device. Among them, the single-link device can be an STA.

[0061] For ease of description, the following uses the scenario where an AP MLD communicates with an STA as an example to illustrate the system architecture of the present application. It can be understood that the STA here is in a broad sense, referring to the STA side, which can be either a single-link STA or a Non-AP MLD.

[0062] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 Taking a wireless local area network as an example, an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application is introduced. Figure 1 The wireless communication system shown includes: an AP multi-link device 100 and a Non-AP multi-link device 200. Among them, the AP multi-link device is a multi-link device that provides services for the Non-AP multi-link device. The Non-AP multi-link device can communicate with the AP multi-link device using multiple links, thereby achieving the effect of improving the throughput. Of course, the wireless communication system can also include other devices, such as a Non-AP multi-link device 300 and a single-link STA 400. Figure 1 The number of AP multi-link devices and Non-AP multi-link devices in

[0063] Optionally, see Figure 2a , Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The IEEE802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layer parts in the multi-link device. As Figure 2a shown, the multiple STAs included in the multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other at the high MAC layer. See Figure 2b , Figure 2bIt is another schematic structural diagram of the multi-link device provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 2b shown, multiple STAs included in the multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC (low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC (high MAC) layer. Of course, during multi-link communication, the Non-AP multi-link device may adopt a structure with independent high MAC layers, while the AP multi-link device adopts a structure with shared high MAC layers; it may also be that the Non-AP multi-link device adopts a structure with shared high MAC layers, and the AP multi-link device adopts a structure with independent high MAC layers; it may also be that both the Non-AP multi-link device and the AP multi-link device adopt a structure with shared high MAC layers; it may also be that both the Non-AP multi-link device and the AP multi-link device adopt a structure with independent high MAC layers. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the internal structural schematic diagram of the multi-link device, Figure 2a and Figure 2b which is only an exemplary illustration. Exemplarily, both the high MAC layer or the low MAC layer can be implemented by one processor in the chip system of the multi-link device, or can be respectively implemented by different processing modules in a chip system.

[0064] Exemplarily, the multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application can be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, it can be a device with two or more antennas. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of antennas included in the multi-link device. In the embodiment of the present application, the multi-link device can allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, and even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links; it can also not allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, but allow services of different access types to be transmitted on different links.

[0065] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates can include one or more of sub 1GHz, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, and high-frequency 60GHz.

[0066] Optionally, referring to Figure 3a , Figure 3a it is a schematic diagram of multi-link communication provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 3a It shows a schematic diagram of communication between the AP MLD100 and the Non-AP MLD200. As Figure 3aAs shown, AP MLD100 includes n subordinate stations, namely: AP100-1, AP100-2, …, AP100-n; Non-AP MLD200 includes n subordinate stations, namely: STA200-1, STA200-2, …, STA200-n. AP MLD100 and Non-AP MLD200 communicate in parallel using Link 1, Link 2, …, Link n. Among them, an AP in AP MLD can establish a link with an STA in Non-AP MLD for communication. For example, AP100-1 in AP MLD100 establishes Link 1 with STA200-1 in Non-AP MLD200 for communication; AP100-2 in AP MLD100 establishes Link 2 with STA200-2 in Non-AP MLD200 for communication, and so on.

[0067] See Figure 3b , Figure 3b is another schematic diagram of multi-link communication provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3b shows a schematic diagram of AP MLD100 communicating with Non-AP MLD200, Non-AP MLD300, and STA400. As Figure 3b shown, assume that AP MLD100 includes 3 subordinate stations, namely AP100-1 to AP100-3; Non-AP MLD200 includes 2 subordinate stations, namely STA200-1 and STA200-2; Non-AP MLD300 includes 2 subordinate stations, namely STA300-1 and STA300-2; STA400 is a single-link device. AP MLD100 can communicate with Non-AP MLD200 using Link 1 and Link 3 respectively, communicate with Non-AP MLD300 using Link 2 and Link 3, and communicate with STA400 using Link 1.

[0068] In one example, STA400 operates in the 2.4 GHz band; STA300-1 included in Non-AP MLD300 operates in the 5 GHz band, and STA300-2 operates in the 6 GHz band; STA200-1 included in Non-AP MLD200 operates in the 2.4 GHz band, and STA200-2 operates in the 6 GHz band. AP100-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz band in AP MLD100 can transmit uplink or downlink data between STA400 and STA200-2 in Non-AP MLD200 through Link 1. AP100-2 operating in the 5 GHz band in AP MLD100 can transmit uplink or downlink data between STA300-1 operating in the 5 GHz band in Non-AP MLD300 through Link 2. AP100-3 operating in the 6 GHz band in AP MLD100 can transmit uplink or downlink data between STA200-2 operating in the 6 GHz band in Non-AP MLD200 through Link 3, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data between STA300-2 in Non-AP MLD300 through Link 3.

[0069] Exemplarily, a multi-link device (such as Figure 1Any multi-link device among the AP MLD100, Non-AP MLD200, and Non-AP MLD300) is a device with wireless communication capabilities. This device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can, under the control of these chips or processing systems, implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application. For example, the Non-AP multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application has wireless transceiver capabilities, supports the 802.11 series of protocols, and can communicate with the AP multi-link device or other Non-AP multi-link devices. For example, the Non-AP multi-link device is any user communication device that allows users to communicate with the AP and thus communicate with the WLAN. For example, the Non-AP multi-link device can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, or other networkable user devices, or an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or a vehicle-mounted communication device in a vehicle-to-everything network, etc.; the Non-AP multi-link device can also be a chip and processing system in the above terminals. The AP multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application is a device that provides services for the Non-AP multi-link device and supports the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the AP multi-link device can be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, bridge, etc., or the AP multi-link device can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP multi-link device can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of devices to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0070] It can be understood that the multi-link device can support high-rate and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of the application scenarios of wireless local area networks, the multi-link device can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in a smart city (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in a smart home (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as AR, VR, etc. wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), vehicle-to-everything network devices in a vehicle-to-everything network, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation stations in shopping malls, self-service cashiers, self-service ordering machines, etc.). In the embodiments of the present application, the specific forms of the Non-AP multi-link device and the AP multi-link device are not limited, and only exemplary descriptions are provided here. Among them, the 802.11 protocol can be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0071] The above content briefly introduces the system architecture of the AID allocation method for multi-link devices provided by the embodiments of the present application. To facilitate a better understanding of the technical solution of the present application, the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with a possible application scenario of the embodiments of the present application.

[0072] In a wireless communication system, the identifier of the AP MLD is defaulted to 0, and multiple APs in the AP MLD share this identifier (i.e., identifier 0). Therefore, messages / information / radio frames sent from the AP MLD cannot distinguish which AP in the AP MLD sent them. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present application provide an identifier allocation method for the AP MLD, which can allocate different identifiers to the APs to identify the APs, so as to distinguish messages / information / radio frames sent by different APs through the identifiers of the APs. One implementation is that the AP MLD allocates different identifiers to different APs, such as directly indicating the identifiers of each AP. The identifiers of each AP in the same AP MLD can be consecutive integer values or non-consecutive integer values. For example, the AP MLD includes 5 APs, namely AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, and AP5. The identifier allocated to AP1 can be 1, the identifier allocated to AP2 can be 5, the identifier allocated to AP3 can be 4, the identifier allocated to AP4 can be 7, and the identifier allocated to AP5 can be 3. Another implementation is that the AP MLD directly indicates the starting identifier and the ending identifier for M access points. For example, the identifiers allocated by the AP MLD to M access points are from start to end. It can also be said that the identifier range of the AP MLD is represents the number of BSSIDs that the first AP in the AP MLD can support, represents the number of BSSIDs that the second AP in the AP MLD can support, represents the number of BSSIDs that the Mth AP in the AP MLD can support.

[0073] Because the identifiers of each AP in the AP MLD, and the BSSIDs that each AP can support, use the same identifier system as the AID allocated by the AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD. For example, the identifiers of each AP, the BSSIDs that each AP can support, and the AID of the Non-AP MLD are all integer values taken from the interval [1, 2007].

[0074] Therefore, the embodiments of the present application provide an AID allocation method for multi-link devices, which can allocate more accurate AIDs to the station devices and avoid AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication.

[0075] It is understandable that the station device in this application can be either a Non-AP multi-link device or a single-link STA device. For ease of description, the following takes the station device as a Non-AP MLD as an example for illustration.

[0076] It is understandable that in the embodiments of this application, an AP MLD assigns an AID to a Non-AP MLD, and all stations in this Non-AP MLD share this one AID.

[0077] Optionally, the "BSSID that an access point can support" mentioned in this application may refer to the BSSID of the BSS to which the access point belongs. It is understandable that a BSS can have multiple BSSIDs. Because within a small geographical area, there may be various types of users or users supporting various services. If different APs are used in this small area, since each AP will try to find a clean channel, channel interference between different APs cannot be avoided. Therefore, IEEE802.11ax proposes to virtualize multiple APs through one AP to target different service types or customer types. Thus, one virtual AP can have 1 BSSID, that is, one actual AP can have multiple BSSIDs.

[0078] See Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of the AID allocation method for the multi-link device provided by the embodiments of this application. As Figure 4 shown, the AID allocation method for this multi-link device includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0079] S401, the AP MLD generates a first frame.

[0080] S402, the AP MLD sends the first frame, and the AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD is carried in the first frame. This AID is neither the BSSID that the first type of AP in the AP MLD can support nor the identifier of the AP in the AP MLD, where the first type of AP is the access point through which the Non-AP MLD establishes a link with the AP MLD.

[0081] S403, the Non-AP MLD receives the first frame.

[0082] S404, the Non-AP ML parses the first frame to obtain the AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD carried in the first frame.

[0083] Optionally, the above first frame can be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

[0084] Specifically, the Non-AP MLD sends a multi-link association request frame to the AP MLD, requesting to establish an association relationship with the AP MLD. In response to the multi-link association request frame, the AP MLD sends a multi-link association response frame to the Non-AP MLD. Correspondingly, the Non-AP MLD receives the multi-link association response frame and parses the multi-link association response frame to obtain the AID allocated to the Non-AP MLD carried in the multi-link association response frame. The AID is neither the BSSID supported by the first type of AP in the AP MLD nor the identifier of the AP in the AP MLD. Among them, the AID can be carried in the AID element of the multi-link association response frame / association response frame. See Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the AID element provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the AID element includes a 1-byte element identifier, a 1-byte length, and a 2-byte AID.

[0085] Optionally, the first type of AP described above may be an access point for the Non-AP MLD to establish links with the AP MLD. The BSSIDs supported by the first type of AP in the AP MLD are: The can represent the number of BSSIDs supported by the i-th access point in the first type of access points. N can be a positive integer greater than 1. Among them, the number of the first type of APs can be equal to N. N can be a positive integer greater than 1.

[0086] For example, taking the communication between the above Figure 3b AP MLD100 and Non-AP MLD300 as an example, the links established between the Non-AP MLD300 and the AP MLD100 are Link 2 and Link 3. Then, the "first type of access points" in the AP MLD100 include the AP 100-2 corresponding to Link 2 and the AP 100-3 corresponding to Link 3. That is to say, the BSSIDs supported by the first type of APs in the AP MLD include: the BSSIDs supported by the first access point AP 100-2 in the first type of APs, that is and the BSSIDs supported by the second access point AP 100-3 in the first type of APs, that is Therefore, the BSSIDs supported by the first type of APs in the AP MLD are the interval It is understandable that here represents the BSSIDs supported by the AP 100-2, and here Indicates the BSSIDs that AP 100-3 can support.

[0087] Similarly, taking the communication between the above-mentioned Figure 3b AP MLD100 and Non-AP MLD200 as an example, if the links established between Non-AP MLD200 and AP MLD100 are Link 1 and Link 3, then the "first type of access points" in AP MLD100 include AP 100-1 corresponding to Link 1 and AP 100-3 corresponding to Link 3. That is to say, the BSSIDs that the first type of APs in AP MLD can support include: the BSSIDs that the first access point AP 100-1 in this first type of AP can support, namely and the BSSIDs that the second access point AP 100-3 in this first type of AP can support, namely Therefore, the BSSIDs that the first type of APs in AP MLD can support are in the range It can be understood that here represents the BSSIDs that AP 100-1 can support, and here represents the BSSIDs that AP 100-3 can support.

[0088] Another example is, referring to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is a schematic diagram of the communication between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD provided in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, assume that AP MLD1 includes 5 APs, namely AP1 to AP5; Non-AP MLD2 includes 2 affiliated stations, namely STA2 and STA3; Non-AP MLD3 includes 2 affiliated stations, namely STA4 and STA5; STA1 is a single-link device. AP MLD1 can communicate with Non-AP MLD3 using Link 4 and Link 5 respectively, communicate with Non-AP MLD2 using Link 2 and Link 3, and communicate with STA1 using Link 1. Taking the communication between AP MLD1 and Non-AP MLD2 as an example, the links established between Non-AP MLD2 and AP MLD1 include Link 2 and Link 3, then the first type of access points in AP MLD1 include AP2 corresponding to Link 2 and AP3 corresponding to Link 3. That is to say, at this time, the BSSIDs that the first type of APs in AP MLD1 can support include: the BSSIDs that the first access point AP2 in this first type of AP can support, namely and the BSSIDs that the second access point AP3 in this first type of AP can support, namely Therefore, the BSSIDs that the first type of APs in AP MLD can support are in the range Understandably, the represents the BSSIDs that AP2 can support. Here, the represents the BSSIDs that AP3 can support.

[0089] Similarly, taking the communication between AP MLD1 and Non-AP MLD3 as an example, if the links established between Non-AP MLD3 and AP MLD1 include Link 4 and Link 5, then the first type of access points in AP MLD1 include AP4 corresponding to Link 4 and AP5 corresponding to Link 5. That is to say, at this time, the BSSIDs that the first type of APs in AP MLD1 can support include: the BSSIDs that the first access point AP4 in this first type of AP can support, that is and the BSSIDs that the second access point AP5 in this first type of AP can support, that is Therefore, the BSSIDs that the first AP in AP MLD can support are in the range Understandably, the represents the BSSIDs that AP4 can support. Here, the represents the BSSIDs that AP5 can support.

[0090] Understandably, in the embodiments of the present application, it is not allowed to allocate the BSSIDs that some APs in AP MLD can support to Non-AP MLD. While ensuring that there is no AID ambiguity in the cross-link TIM indication, the range that is not allowed to be allocated is reduced, which in turn expands the range in which AIDs can be allocated to Non-AP MLD, and can improve the utilization rate of identification resources.

[0091] Optionally, the identifier of the AP in AP MLD can refer to the identifiers of all APs in AP MLD, or refer to the identifiers of the first type of APs in AP MLD. For ease of description, it is assumed below that the number of all APs in AP MLD is M. Therefore, the identifiers of all APs in AP MLD can include M discrete integer values, or include M consecutive integer values. Similarly, the identifiers of the first type of APs in AP MLD can include N discrete integer values, or include N consecutive integer values. Specifically, the identifiers of all APs / first type of APs in AP MLD can be a consecutive segment of integer values after the maximum value of the BSSIDs that the first type of APs can support. For example, if the maximum value of the BSSIDs that the first type of APs can support is then the range of the identifiers of all APs in AP MLD is The range of the identifiers of the first type of APs in AP MLD is M can be a positive integer greater than 1. Among them, the above N can be less than M. In other words, N can be a subset of M. If all access points of the AP MLD are associated with a Non-AP MLD, then N can also be equal to M.

[0092] In summary, the AID carried in the above first frame is neither any value in the interval nor the identifier of the AP in the AP MLD. Or, the AID carried in the above first frame is not any value in the interval or the interval among any values.

[0093] It can be understood that, in other words, when the AP MLD assigns an AID to the Non-AP MLD, it is not allowed to assign any element in the first set to the Non-AP MLD. The first set can include the interval and the identifier of the AP in the AP MLD. It can also be understood that the range of AID assigned by the AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD is: the values in the interval [1, 2007] except for the interval and the identifiers of the M APs in the AP MLD; or, the difference set of the interval [1, 2007] and the interval or the interval , that is, the interval or the interval In other words, when the AP MLD assigns an AID to the Non-AP MLD, the AID carried in the first frame cannot be less than nor can it be the identifier assigned to the AP in the AP MLD, where n i is the maximum value of the MaxBSSID indicator field in a multiple BSSID set (where n i is the maximum value of the MaxBSSID indicator in a multiple BSSID set is reserved).

[0094] It can be understood that when the AP MLD assigns an AID to the Non-AP MLD, it is not allowed to assign the AID that has been assigned to the AP and / or the BSSID supported by the first type of AP to the Non-AP MLD, and a more accurate AID can be assigned to the Non-AP MLD to avoid AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication.

[0095] Optionally, in the TIM indication, the AP that sends the cross-link TIM indication in the AP MLD may not need to allocate an additional identifier for itself and can directly indicate the AP through 1 bit in the bitmap control field. Therefore, one less identifier is allocated in the AP MLD, that is, only M - 1 identifiers are available for the M APs in the AP MLD. Thus, the AID carried in the first frame above may not be within the range of any value. Similarly, when the AP that sends the cross-link TIM indication in the AP MLD belongs to the first type of AP, only N - 1 identifiers are available for the N first-type APs in the AP MLD. Therefore, the AID carried in the first frame above may not be within the range of any value.

[0096] It can be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, 1 bit in the bitmap control field is used to identify the AP that sends the TIM indication, which can save one identifier and resources.

[0097] In some feasible embodiments, the AID carried in the first frame above may neither be a BSSID supported by the access points in the AP MLD nor an identifier of the access points in the AP MLD. Specifically, the BSSIDs supported by the access points in the AP MLD are: The can represent the number of BSSIDs supported by the i-th access point in the AP MLD. Among them, the number of access points in the AP MLD may be equal to M, and M may be a positive integer greater than 1.

[0098] The identifier of the AP in the AP MLD may refer to the identifiers of all APs in the AP MLD or the identifiers of the first-type APs in the AP MLD. Therefore, the identifiers of all APs in the AP MLD may include discrete M integer values or continuous M integer values. Similarly, the identifiers of the first-type APs in the AP MLD may include discrete N integer values or continuous N integer values. Specifically, the identifiers of all APs / first-type APs in the AP MLD may be a continuous segment of integer values after the maximum value of the BSSIDs supported by all access points in the AP MLD. For example, if the maximum value of the BSSIDs supported by all access points in the AP MLD is then the range of the identifiers of all APs in the AP MLD is The range of the identifiers of the first-type APs in the AP MLD is

[0099]

[0100] In summary, the AID carried in the first frame above may neither be within the range any value in, nor is it the identifier of the AP in the AP MLD. Alternatively, the AID carried in the above first frame is not in the range [1, or the range or the range or the range any value in.

[0101] In the embodiments of the present application, the AP MLD generates and sends a first frame, and the AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD is carried in the first frame. The AID is not the BSSID supported by the first type of access point in the AP MLD, nor is it the identifier of the AP in the AP MLD. The first type of access point is the access point through which the Non-AP MLD establishes a link with the AP MLD. When the embodiments of the present application assign an AID to the Non-AP MLD, it is not allowed to assign the BSSID already assigned to the AP and / or supported by the first type of AP to the Non-AP MLD, and a more accurate AID can be assigned to the Non-AP MLD to avoid AID ambiguity in cross-link TIM indication.

[0102] As an optional embodiment, if the station device is a single-link STA, the single-link STA sends an association request frame to the AP MLD to request to establish an association relationship with the AP MLD. In response to the association request frame, the AP MLD sends an association response frame to the Non-AP MLD. The AID assigned to the Non-AP MLD is carried in the association response frame. The AID can be carried in the AID element of the association response frame. The AID is not the identifier of the AP in the AP MLD, nor is it the BSSID supported by the AP in the AP MLD that has established an association with the single-link STA.

[0103] Optionally, the AID is neither any value in the range nor the identifier of all APs in the AP MLD. Alternatively, the AID is not any value in the range . Wherein, represents the number of BSSIDs supported by the AP in the AP MLD that is associated with the single-link STA j That is to say, when the AP MLD assigns an AID to the single-link STA, the AID cannot be less than

[0104] As another alternative embodiment, in the case where the AP MLD has one identifier, for example, the identifier of the AP MLD is defaulted to 0, that is, multiple APs in the AP MLD share this identifier (i.e., identifier 0), the AID carried in the first frame sent by the AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD is not the BSSID that the first type of access points in the AP MLD can support. Among them, the first type of access points are the access points through which the Non-AP MLD establishes a link with the AP MLD. In other words, the AID carried in this first frame is not any value in the interval where N is the number of the first type of access points, represents the number of BSSIDs that the i-th access point in the first type of access points can support.

[0105] The above content elaborates in detail the method provided by this application. To facilitate better implementation of the above solution of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application also provide corresponding devices or equipment.

[0106] The embodiments of this application can divide the functional modules of the multi-link device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of this application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0107] In the case of adopting an integrated unit, referring to Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1 can be an AP MLD or a chip in the AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, etc. As Figure 7 shown, the communication device 1 includes: a processing unit 11 and a transceiver unit 12.

[0108] The processing unit 11 is used to generate the first frame; the transceiver unit 12 is used to send the first frame, and the AID assigned to the station device is carried in the first frame, and the AID is not the BSSID that the first type of access points in the access point multi-link device can support, nor the identifier of the AP in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access points are the access points through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0109] The communication device 1 of the embodiments of this application has any functions of the AP MLD in the above method, which will not be elaborated here.

[0110] Referring to Figure 8 , Figure 8It is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2 can be a chip in Non-AP MLD or Non-AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, etc. As Figure 8 shown, the communication device 2 includes: a transceiver unit 21 and a processing unit 22.

[0111] The transceiver unit 21 is used to receive the first frame; the processing unit 22 is used to parse the received first frame to obtain the AID allocated to the station device carried in the first frame. The AID is neither the BSSID supported by the first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor the identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device.

[0112] The communication device 2 of the embodiment of the present application has any function of Non-AP MLD in the above method, which will not be elaborated here.

[0113] The AP MLD of the embodiment of the present application is introduced above. The following introduces the possible product forms of the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD. It should be understood that any product form with the function of the above Figure 7 described AP MLD, and any product form with the function of the above Figure 8 described Non-AP MLD falls within the protection scope of the embodiment of the present application. It should also be understood that the following introduction is only for example and does not limit the product forms of the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD of the embodiment of the present application to this.

[0114] As a possible product form, the AP MLD described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture.

[0115] The AP MLD includes a processor and a transceiver connected to communicate internally with the processor. The processor is used to generate the first frame; the transceiver is used to send the first frame, and the first frame carries the AID allocated to the station device. The AID is neither the BSSID supported by the first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor the identifier of the AP in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device. Optionally, the AP MLD may further include a memory for storing instructions executed by the processor.

[0116] Non-AP MLD includes a processor and a transceiver that is internally connected to and communicates with the processor. The transceiver is used to receive a first frame; the processor is used to parse the received first frame to obtain the AID assigned to the station device carried in the first frame, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device, and the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device. Optionally, the AP MLD may further include a memory, and the memory is used to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0117] As a possible product form, the AP MLD described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a general-purpose processor.

[0118] The general-purpose processor for implementing the AP MLD includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface that is internally connected to and communicates with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to generate a first frame; the input / output interface is used to send the first frame, and the first frame carries the AID assigned to the station device, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of the AP in the access point multi-link device, and the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device. Optionally, the general-purpose processor may further include a storage medium, and the storage medium is used to store instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0119] The general-purpose processor for implementing the Non-AP MLD includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface that is internally connected to and communicates with the processing circuit. The input / output interface is used to receive a first frame; the processing circuit is used to parse the received first frame to obtain the AID assigned to the station device carried in the first frame, where the AID is neither a BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device nor an identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device, and the first type of access point is the access point through which the station device establishes a link with the access point multi-link device. Optionally, the general-purpose processor may further include a storage medium, and the storage medium is used to store instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0120] As a possible product form, the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented by the following: one or more FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), 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 the present application.

[0121] It should be understood that the communication devices in the above various product forms have any functions of the AP MLD in the above method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0122] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer program code is stored. When the above-mentioned processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device executes the method in the foregoing embodiments.

[0123] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer executes the method in the foregoing embodiments.

[0124] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which may exist in the product form of a chip. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device executes the method in the foregoing embodiments.

[0125] An embodiment of the present application also provides a wireless communication system, including an AP MLD and a station device (such as a Non-AP MLD), and the AP MLD and the station device can execute the method in the foregoing embodiments.

[0126] The steps of the method or algorithm described in combination with the disclosed content of the present application can be implemented in a hardware manner or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules. The software modules can be stored in a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable Programmable ROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM), register, hard disk, removable hard disk, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the core network interface device.

[0127] Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in this application can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes computer-readable storage media and communication media, where the communication media includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0128] The specific implementation manners described above further elaborate on the purpose, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above is only the specific implementation manner of this application and is not used to limit the protection scope of this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for allocating an Association Identifier (AID) of a multi-link device, characterized in that, including: The access point multi-link device generates a first frame; The access point multi-link device sends the first frame to a non-access point multi-link device, and a field carrying the value of the AID assigned to the non-access point multi-link device is in the first frame, and the value of the AID is not the value of the basic service set identifier BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point corresponding to the link established with the non-access point multi-link device.

2. A method for allocating an Association Identifier (AID) of a multi-link device, characterized in that, including: The non-access point multi-link device receives the first frame from the access point multi-link device; The non-access point multi-link device parses the first frame to obtain the value of the AID carried in the first frame, and the value of the AID is not the value of the basic service set identifier BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point corresponding to the link established with the non-access point multi-link device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The value of the AID is also not the value of the identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The field of the value of the AID is two bytes.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first type of access point in the access point multi-link device supports multiple BSSIDs, and the values of the BSSIDs supported by the first type of access point include: where N is the number of the first type of access points, and the represents the number of BSSIDs that the i-th access point among the N first type of access points can support.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device, including M - 1 consecutive numerical values.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The AID is not any value within the following range: where N is the number of the first type of access points, and the represents the number of BSSIDs that the first type of access points can support, and N is less than or equal to M.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The M is the access point of the access point multi-link device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that The AID is not the identifier corresponding to the access point in the access point multi-link device indicated in the TIM.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to an access point multi-link device, including: A processing unit for generating a first frame; A transceiver unit for sending the first frame to a non-access point multi-link device, and a field carrying the value of the AID assigned to the non-access point multi-link device is in the first frame, and the value of the AID is not the value of the basic service set identifier BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point corresponding to the link established with the non-access point multi-link device.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to a non-access point multi-link device, including: A transceiver unit for receiving the first frame from the access point multi-link device; A processing unit for parsing the first frame to obtain the value of the AID carried in the first frame, and the value of the AID is not the value of the basic service set identifier BSSID supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device, where the first type of access point is the access point corresponding to the link established with the non-access point multi-link device.

12. The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The value of the AID is also not the value of the identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device.

13. The communication device according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The field of the value of the AID is two bytes.

14. The communication device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The first type of access point in the access point multi-link device supports multiple BSSIDs, and the values of the BSSIDs supported by the first type of access point include: where N is the number of the first type of access points, and the represents the number of BSSIDs that the i-th access point among the N first type of access points can support.

15. The communication device according to any one of claims 10-14, characterized in that, The identifier of the access point in the access point multi-link device, including M - 1 consecutive numerical values.

16. The communication device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The AID is not any value within the following range: where N is the number of the first type of access points, and the represents the number of BSSIDs that the first type of access points can support, and N is less than or equal to M.

17. The communication device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The M is an access point of an access point multi-link device.

18. The communication device according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, The AID is not an identifier corresponding to the access point in the access point multi-link device indicated in the TIM.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is an access point multi-link device, including a processor and a transceiver, where the processor is configured to generate a first frame; The transceiver is configured to send the first frame to a non-access point multi-link device. The first frame carries a field of the value of the AID allocated to the non-access point multi-link device, and the value of the AID is not the value of the basic service set identifier (BSSID) supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device. Herein, the first type of access point is the access point corresponding to the link established with the non-access point multi-link device.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a non-access point multi-link device, including a processor and a transceiver, where The transceiver is configured to receive a first frame from an access point multi-link device; The processor is configured to parse the first frame to obtain the field of the value of the AID allocated to the non-access point multi-link device carried in the first frame. The value of the AID is not the value of the basic service set identifier (BSSID) supported by a first type of access point in the access point multi-link device. Herein, the first type of access point is the access point corresponding to the link established with the non-access point multi-link device.

21. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-9.

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