Communication method, device and system in wireless local area network

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method, device and system in a WLAN, belonging to the field of wireless communication technology. An access point device actively sends a first frame. The first frame includes first silent time information and a first service type identifier. The first frame indicates that a non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. The access point device can provide a priority window for uplink access for non-access point devices with services of the service type indicated by the first service type identifier, thereby reducing access delay and improving the delay of services of the service type.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device and system in a wireless local area network (WLAN). Background Art

[0002] Latency is an important criterion for judging service transmission quality. How to improve the latency of low-latency services is an important research direction in the current WLAN field. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a communication method, device and system in a WLAN, which can improve the latency of low-latency services.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method in a WLAN is provided. An access point device actively sends a first frame, the first frame including first silent time information and a first service type identifier, the first frame indicating that a non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to a service type indicated by the first service type identifier during a silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0005] In the present application, the access point device actively specifies the silent period and service type, so that only non-access point devices with services of this service type can compete for channels to send services of this service type during the silent period. That is, the access point device can provide a priority window for uplink access for non-access point devices with services of this service type, thereby reducing the access delay and improving the delay of the service of this service type.

[0006] Optionally, the access point device actively broadcasts and sends the first frame.

[0007] Optionally, the first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. If the first frame is sent by broadcast, the first frame further indicates that a device that receives the first frame but is not indicated by the non-access point device identifier cannot send any frame during the silent period.

[0008] The access point device selects some or all of the non-access point devices from the non-access point devices associated with the access point device, and provides a priority window for uplink access for these non-access point devices, thereby improving the flexibility of device access.

[0009] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, and the information element further includes a type field, and the type field indicates that the information element is an actively sent silent time period information element.

[0010] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, and the first silence time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein there is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, the information element also includes a token field, and the value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame.

[0011] Optionally, the access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

[0012] Optionally, the first frame further includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier. The link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier, which means that the non-access point device that receives the first frame can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier on the link corresponding to the link identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0013] Optionally, the first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

[0014] Optionally, the access point device receives a second frame from a non-access point device associated with the access point device. The second frame includes second silent time information and a second service type identifier, and the second frame is used to request to establish a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0015] In the present application, the mechanism by which the access point device actively specifies the silent period and service type and the mechanism by which the non-access point device requests the silent period and service type to be specified are different and independent of each other.

[0016] Optionally, the second frame further includes a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate a type of the second frame.

[0017] Optionally, the second frame further includes a link identifier, and the second frame is used to request to establish a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier on the link corresponding to the link identifier within the silent time period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0018] Optionally, the access point device sends a third frame in response to the second frame, where the third frame is used to indicate whether a session for the silent time period of the service type indicated by the second service type identifier is established successfully.

[0019] Optionally, the third frame further includes a second indication, where the second indication is used to indicate a type of the third frame.

[0020] Optionally, the third frame further includes a link identifier, and the third frame is used to indicate whether a silent time period session for the service type indicated by the second service type identifier is successfully established on the link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0021] In a second aspect, a communication method in a WLAN is improved. A non-access point device receives a first frame from an access point device associated with the non-access point device, the first frame including first silent time information and a first service type identifier, and the first frame indicates that the non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. After the non-access point device determines that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device, the non-access point device performs an operation according to the instruction of the first frame based on the service type of the frame to be sent.

[0022] Optionally, the implementation process of the non-access point device performing an operation according to the indication of the first frame according to the service type of the frame to be sent includes: when the non-access point device has a frame to be sent belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, the non-access point device attempts to send the frame to be sent using a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) method within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. When the non-access point device does not have a frame to be sent belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, the non-access point device remains silent within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0023] Optionally, the first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0024] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, and the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element. In response to the information element including a type field indicating that the information element is an actively sent silent time period information element, the non-access point device determines that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device.

[0025] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, and the first silence time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein there is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, the information element also includes a token field, and the value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame.

[0026] Optionally, the access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

[0027] Optionally, the first frame further includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on a link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0028] Optionally, the first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

[0029] Optionally, the non-access point device sends a second frame to the access point device, the second frame including second silent time information and a second service type identifier, and the second frame is used to request to establish a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0030] Optionally, the non-access point device receives a third frame in response to the second frame from the access point device, where the third frame is used to indicate whether a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier is established successfully.

[0031] In a third aspect, an access point device in a WLAN is provided. The access point device includes multiple functional modules, and the multiple functional modules interact with each other to implement the method in the first aspect and its respective embodiments. The multiple functional modules can be implemented based on software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware, and the multiple functional modules can be arbitrarily combined or divided based on specific implementations.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, a non-access point device in a WLAN is provided. The non-access point device includes multiple functional modules, and the multiple functional modules interact with each other to implement the method in the above second aspect and its respective embodiments. The multiple functional modules can be implemented based on software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware, and the multiple functional modules can be arbitrarily combined or divided based on specific implementations.

[0033] In a fifth aspect, an access point device in a WLAN is provided, comprising: a processor and a transceiver;

[0034] The processor is used to call a computer program and cooperate with the transceiver to implement the method in the above-mentioned first aspect and its various embodiments.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, a non-access point device in a WLAN is provided, comprising: a processor and a transceiver;

[0036] The processor is used to call a computer program and cooperate with the transceiver to implement the method in the above-mentioned second aspect and its various embodiments.

[0037] In a seventh aspect, a communication system in a WLAN is provided, comprising: the access point device as described in the third aspect or the fifth aspect, and the non-access point device as described in the fourth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0038] In an eighth aspect, a computer storage medium is provided, on which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed by a processor of a computer device, the method in the above-mentioned first aspect and its various embodiments is implemented, or the method in the above-mentioned second aspect and its various embodiments is implemented.

[0039] In the ninth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip is running, it implements the method in the above-mentioned first aspect and its various embodiments or implements the method in the above-mentioned second aspect and its various embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the association structure between a non-access point multi-link device and an access point multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the association structure between another non-access point multi-link device and an access point multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the association structure between another non-access point multi-link device and an access point multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 6 It is a flow chart of a communication method in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of a first frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silent time content field in a first frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the first frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig.10is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silent time content field in a second frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the second frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silent time content field in a third frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the third frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silent time content field in a fourth frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the fourth frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Fig.16 It is a structural diagram of an access point device in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig.17 It is a structural diagram of another access point device in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Fig.18 It is a structural diagram of a non-access point device in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Fig.19 is a structural diagram of another non-access point device in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Fig. 20 It is a structural diagram of another non-access point device in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Fig.21 is a block diagram of an access point device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Fig. 22 It is a block diagram of a non-access point device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the implementation methods of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] The embodiment of the present application is applied to a WLAN, which includes an access point (AP) device and one or more non-AP devices associated with the access point device. Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a WLAN structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the WLAN includes an access point device 101 and non-access point devices 102A-102C (collectively referred to as non-access point devices 102). The non-access point device 102 is associated with the access point device 101. Figure 1 The number and types of devices shown are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the WLAN involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0064] Optionally, the access point device 101 is an access point multi-link device (AP multi-link device), and / or the non-access point device 102 is a non-access point multi-link device (non-AP multi-link device).

[0065] A multi-link device includes one or more subordinate stations (STA), and the subordinate stations are logical stations. The subordinate stations can be APs or non-AP STAs. In the embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device whose subordinate station is an AP is referred to as an access point multi-link device, and a multi-link device whose subordinate station is a non-AP STA is referred to as a non-access point multi-link device. Multiple stations belonging to the same multi-link device work independently, for example, some stations work while other stations sleep.

[0066] A multi-link device may implement wireless communication by following the 802.11 series of protocols, for example, following extremely high throughput (EHT), or following the 802.11be protocol draft, or being compatible and supporting both EHT and the 802.11be protocol draft, thereby implementing communication with other devices, which may or may not be multi-link devices.

[0067] One or more links can be established between a non-access point multi-link device and an access point multi-link device, and each link connects a non-AP STA in the non-access point multi-link device and an AP in the access point multi-link device. There is an association relationship between the non-AP STA and the AP at both ends of a link. The association between a non-access point multi-link device and an access point multi-link device means that at least one non-AP STA in the non-access point multi-link device is associated with at least one AP in the access point multi-link device, that is, there is at least one link between the non-access point multi-link device and the access point multi-link device.

[0068] Optionally, Figure 2 and Figure 3 Schematic diagrams of the association structure of a non-access point multi-link device and an access point multi-link device are shown respectively. Figure 2 and Figure 3 There are two links between the access point multi-link device and the non-access point multi-link device, namely link 1 and link 2. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layer parts in the access point multi-link device and the non-access point multi-link device are mainly shown.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, the multiple APs (including AP1 and AP2) included in the access point multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the high MAC layer; the multiple non-AP STAs (including non-AP STA1 and non-AP STA2) included in the non-access point multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the high MAC layer.

[0070] like Figure 3 As shown, the multiple APs (including AP1 and AP2) included in the access point multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer. The multiple non-AP STAs (including non-APSTA1 and non-AP STA2) included in the non-access point multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer.

[0071] Optionally, the access point multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are independent of each other, while the non-access point multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are shared; or the access point multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are shared, while the non-access point multi-link device may adopt a structure in which the high MAC layers are independent of each other. The high MAC layer or the low MAC layer may be implemented by one processor in the chip system of the multi-link device, or may be implemented by different processors in the chip system of the multi-link device.

[0072] Optionally, the multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, it may be a device with more than two antennas. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of antennas included in the multi-link device. Figure 4 An access point multi-link device with multiple antennas and a non-access point multi-link device with a single antenna are used as an example for illustration.

[0073] The operating frequency bands of the multi-link device may include but are not limited to: sub 1 gigahertz (GHz), 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz and 60 GHz.

[0074] For example, in Figure 1 In the WLAN shown, the access point device 101 and the non-access point device 102A are multi-link devices, and the non-access point device 102B and the non-access point device 102C are single-link devices. The access point device 101 includes AP1 and AP2, AP1 works in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and AP2 works in the 5 GHz frequency band. The non-access point device 102A includes non-AP STA1 and non-AP-STA2, non-AP STA1 works in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and non-AP-STA2 works in the 5 GHz frequency band. The non-access point device 102B includes non-AP-STA3, and non-AP STA3 works in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The non-access point device 102C includes non-AP-STA4, and non-AP STA4 works in the 5 GHz frequency band. Figure 5 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication scenario in the WLAN. Figure 5 As shown, non-access point device 102A communicates with access point device 101 using link 1 and link 2. Non-access point device 102B communicates with access point device 101 using link 1. Non-access point device 102C communicates with access point device 101 using link 2. Link 1 corresponds to the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and link 2 corresponds to the 5 GHz frequency band. The links in the embodiments of the present application can be broadly understood as links on a working frequency band.

[0075] The non-access point device 102 in the embodiment of the present application has a wireless transceiver function, can support the 802.11 series of protocols, and can communicate with access point devices or other non-access point devices. The non-access point device 102 can be any user communication device that allows the user to communicate with the AP and then communicate with the WLAN. For example, the non-access point device 102 can be a user device that can be connected to the Internet, such as a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (ultra-mobile personal computer, UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA) or a mobile phone, or an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or a terminal such as a vehicle-mounted communication device in the Internet of Vehicles. The non-access point device 102 can also be a chip and processing system in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0076] The access point device 101 in the embodiment of the present application is a device that provides access services to STAs and can support 802.11 series protocols. For example, the access point device 101 can be a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or other communication equipment, or the access point device 101 can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc., or the access point device 101 can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of equipment.

[0077] Based on the current demand for improving the latency of low-latency services in the WLAN field, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method in a WLAN, wherein an access point device actively sends a first frame, the first frame includes first silent time information and a first service type identifier, and the first frame indicates that a non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. The access point device actively specifies the silent period and service type, so that only non-access point devices with services of the service type can compete for channels to send services of the service type during the silent period, that is, the access point device can provide a priority window for uplink access for non-access point devices with services of the service type, thereby reducing the access delay and improving the latency of services of the service type.

[0078] Figure 6 1 is a flow chart of a communication method in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to Figures 1 to 5 In any of the WLANs shown, Figure 6 As shown, the method includes:

[0079] Step 601: The access point device actively sends the first frame.

[0080] The first frame includes first silent time information and a first service type identifier. The first frame indicates that the non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0081] The mechanism for actively sending the first frame can be a newly defined mechanism, or the WLAN mechanism can be extended to actively specify the silent period and service type. For example, the QTP element is used to specify the silent period in the quiet time period (QTP) mechanism. In the QTP mechanism, only a non-access point device can initiate a QTP request to the access point device, and specify the silent period in the QTP element, and the access point device responds to the QTP request to indicate whether the QTP session requested by the QTP request is successfully established. Therefore, in the QTP mechanism, the access point device can only send a response in response to the request of the non-access point device, and carry a session token in the response, and use the session token to indicate which request the response is specifically for. Although the access point device cannot actively send the QTP element in the QTP mechanism, the format of the QTP element can be used to specify the silent period and service type. After the above QTP mechanism is extended, the access point device does not rely on the request of the non-access point device, but actively sends the first frame. In addition, in the QTP mechanism, after the QTP session initiated by the non-access point device is successfully established, only the non-access point device and its associated peer can perform frame interaction during the silent period specified by the non-access point device, that is, the QTP mechanism can only serve one non-access point device and its associated peer. In the present application, after the above QTP mechanism is extended, the access point device actively sends the first frame and specifies the silent period and service type, so that the extended QTP mechanism can be applied to the specified service, that is, the extended QTP mechanism can serve a class of non-access point devices and their associated peers with frames to be sent of the specified service type, thereby flexibly improving the latency of low-latency services. Similarly, other WLAN mechanisms can also be extended to actively specify silent periods and service types.

[0082] In the embodiment of the present application, the extended QTP mechanism is used to specify the silent period and service type as an example. The first frame includes an information element, and the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element.

[0083] The first silent time information includes a silent period offset, a silent period duration, a silent period interval, and the number of silent periods. Among them, the silent period offset represents the offset between the first silent period and the target beacon frame transmission time (TBTT), and the unit can be a time unit (TU) (i.e., 1024 microseconds). The silent period duration represents the duration of a silent period, and the unit can be 32 microseconds. The silent period interval represents the interval duration between the start times of two consecutive silent periods. The silent period offset, the silent period duration, the silent period interval, and the number of silent periods can jointly indicate the number of silent periods and the start time and duration of each silent period.

[0084] The first service type identifier includes one or more service type identifiers, that is, the first frame includes one or more service type identifiers. Optionally, the first service type identifier is a traffic identity (TID), a service identifier or a priority identifier. The service identifier may be an identifier that can uniquely identify a type of service and is represented by numbers, letters and / or characters. The priority identifier may be an access category (AC), etc.

[0085] In the QTP mechanism, the QTP element of the QTP response sent by the access point device in response to the QTP request of the non-access point device includes a session token, which is used to indicate which request the response is specifically for. The session token in the QTP response is usually the same as the session token in the QTP request to which the QTP response replies. After receiving the QTP response, the non-access point device uses its own stored session token to match the session token in the QTP response to determine whether the QTP response is sent to itself. In the QTP mechanism after the expansion of the present application, the token field may not be set in the information element of the first frame to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, the token field may be set in the information element of the first frame, and the value of the token field is set to the target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame. This sentence can be understood as: the token field may not be set in the information element of the frame actively sent by the access point device, or the value of the token field may be set to the target value. There is no token field in the information element of the first frame to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame, or the information element of the first frame also includes a token field, and the value of the token field is the target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame. The target value is different from the session token value used for matching in the QTP mechanism. For example, the target value can be 0.

[0086] Optionally, the access point device actively broadcasts and sends the first frame. Broadcasting and sending the first frame means sending the first frame and the first frame is a group addressed frame, for example, the destination address of the first frame is a multicast address or a broadcast address. If the access point device is an access point multi-link device, the access point device may actively broadcast and send the first frame on one link, or may actively broadcast and send the first frame on multiple links. For example, in Figure 5 In the WLAN shown, the access point device 101 may actively broadcast and send the first frame on link 1 and / or link 2 .

[0087] Step 602: The non-access point device performs an operation according to the service type of the frame to be sent and the instruction of the first frame.

[0088] When the mechanism of the access point device actively sending the first frame is a newly defined mechanism, the non-access point device can directly perform operations according to the service type of the frame to be sent and the instructions of the first frame after receiving the first frame from the access point device. When the mechanism of the access point device actively sending the first frame is an extension of the WLAN mechanism, since most WLAN mechanisms support the "request-response" communication mode, for example, in the QTP mechanism, the access point device can send a QTP response in response to the QTP request of the non-access point device. Therefore, after receiving the frame from the access point device, the non-access point device needs to first determine whether the frame is actively sent by the access point device or a response sent by the access point device in response to the request of the non-access point device. After determining that the frame is actively sent by the access point device, the non-access point device performs operations according to the service type of the frame to be sent and the instructions of the actively sent frame.

[0089] The embodiment of the present application continues to use the extended QTP mechanism to specify the silent period and service type as an example. The information element of the first frame includes a type field, and the type field indicates that the information element is a QTP element that is actively sent. In response to the information element of the first frame including the type field indicating that the information element is a QTP element that is actively sent, the non-access point device determines that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device. After receiving the frame from the access point device, the non-access point device can determine whether the frame is a frame actively sent by the access point device by judging whether the information element of the frame includes a type field indicating that the information element is a QTP element that is actively sent. If the information element of the frame includes a type field indicating that the information element is a QTP element that is actively sent, the non-access point device determines that the frame is actively sent by the access point device. In this case, regardless of whether there is a token field in the information element or the value of the token field, the non-access point device does not need to match the token field to determine whether the frame is sent to itself. If the information element of the frame does not include a type field of a QTP element indicating that the information element is actively sent, the non-access point device determines that the frame is not actively sent by the access point device. In this case, when there is a token field in the information element, the non-access point device needs to determine whether the frame is sent to itself based on the token field.

[0090] Optionally, the implementation process of step 602 includes: when the non-access point device has a to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, the non-access point device attempts to send the to-be-sent frame in the CSMA / CA mode in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. When the non-access point device does not have a to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, the non-access point device remains silent in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. The non-access point device attempts to send the to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier in the CSMA / CA mode in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, which may include: the non-access point device attempts to send the to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier in the CSMA / CA mode on the link between the peers associated with it (which may be referred to as: peer-to-peer link) in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. Peer-to-peer links include direct links within a quality of service (QoS) basic service set (BSS), tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) links, and / or STA-to-STAcommunication links within an independent basic service set (IBSS).

[0091] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the first frame actively sent by the access point device associated with the non-access point device, when there is a frame to be sent of the specified service type within the specified silent period, the non-access point device attempts to send the frame to be sent using the CSMA / CA method, and when there is no frame to be sent of the specified service type within the specified silent period, it remains silent. In this way, only non-access point devices with services of the specified service type can compete for the channel within the specified silent period, so that the service of the service type specified by the access point device can be transmitted preferentially, thereby improving the delay of the service of the service type.

[0092] Optionally, the first frame also includes a non-access point device identifier. Then the first frame also indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send a frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. The non-access point device identifier includes one or more non-access point device identifiers. In the embodiment of the present application, the non-access point device identifier in the first frame generally includes multiple non-access point device identifiers associated with the access point device. In order to indicate multiple non-access point devices, the identifier of the non-access point device may be a list including respective identifiers of multiple access point devices, or a bitmap indicating whether each access point device is a non-access point device indicated by the first frame. If the identifiers of multiple non-access point devices are represented in a list, the identifier of the non-access point device may be an address of the non-access point device (e.g., a MAC address), an association identifier (AID) of the non-access point device, etc. If the identifiers of multiple non-access point devices are represented in a bitmap manner, each bit identifier of the bitmap corresponds to a non-access point device, and the bit is a specified value (e.g., 1) indicating that the corresponding non-access point device is indicated by the first frame. In addition, the non-access point devices may be grouped first, each group including one or more non-access point devices, and each group has a group identifier. In this way, the identifier of the non-access point device in the first frame may be the group identifier of the non-access point device group.

[0093] In response to the first frame including the non-access point device identifier, the non-access point device parses the first frame after determining that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device. If the first frame includes its own identifier, the non-access point device performs an operation according to the instruction of the first frame according to the service type of the frame to be sent. If the first frame does not include its own identifier, the non-access point device remains silent during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information in the first frame.

[0094] For example, in Figure 5 In the WLAN shown, the access point device 101 actively broadcasts and sends a first frame on link 1, and the first frame includes the identifier of the non-access point device 102A. After the non-access point device 102A receives the first frame through link 1, since the first frame includes its own identifier, the non-access point device 102A performs an operation according to the service type of the frame to be sent and the instruction of the first frame. After the non-access point device 102B receives the first frame through link 1, since the first frame does not include its own identifier, the non-access point device 102B remains silent during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information in the first frame.

[0095] Optionally, when the access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device, the first frame may further include a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier. The link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier, indicating that the non-access point device (e.g., the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier in the first frame) that receives the first frame can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier on the link corresponding to the link identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0096] For example, in Figure 5 In the WLAN shown, the access point device 101 actively broadcasts and sends a first frame on link 1, and the first frame includes an identifier of link 2. After the non-access point device 102A receives the first frame through link 1, when the non-access point device 102A has a service of the service type indicated by the first service type identifier on link 2 during the silent period indicated by the first silent period information, the non-access point device 102A competes for a channel on link 2 to send a frame of the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent period information; when the non-access point device 102A has no service of the service type indicated by the first service type identifier on link 2 during the silent period indicated by the first silent period information, the non-access point device 102A remains silent on link 2 during the silent period indicated by the first silent period information. The non-access point device 102A maintains normal communication on link 1. After the non-access point device 102B receives the first frame through the link 1, since the non-access point device 102B does not communicate using the link 2, the non-access point device 102B still maintains normal communication.

[0097] Optionally, the first frame is an action frame. The first frame may be referred to as an EHT QTP actively sent frame. For example, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the first frame includes a MAC frame header, a frame body, and a frame check sequence (FCS). The frame body includes a frame category field, an action field, and an information element. The frame category field is used to indicate the frame category of the first frame, for example, indicating that the first frame is an EHT action frame. The action field is used to indicate which type of EHT action frame the first frame is, for example, indicating that the first frame is an EHT action frame of the QTP type. Figure 7The information element includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, a control field, a device identification field (optional field), and a quiet time content field. The non-access point device identification in the first frame can be filled in the device identification field. Figures 7 to 15 The dashed boxes in the table indicate optional fields.

[0098] The quiet time content field includes a quiet period offset field, a quiet period duration field, a quiet period interval field, a repetition count field, and a service specific identifier field. The quiet period offset field is used to carry the quiet period offset, the quiet period duration field is used to carry the quiet period duration, the quiet period interval field is used to carry the quiet period interval, and the repetition count field is used to carry the number of quiet periods, that is, the quiet period offset field, the quiet period duration field, the quiet period interval field, and the repetition count field are used together to carry the first quiet time information. The first service type identifier is in the service specific identifier field.

[0099] In a first implementation, the type field in the information element used to indicate that the information element is an actively sent QTP element is a control field whose field value is set to a specified value. For example, the value of the control field is 6, indicating that the information element is an actively sent QTP element.

[0100] For example, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silent time content field in a first frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the silent time content field includes a token field (optional field), a silent period offset field, a silent period duration field, a silent period interval field, a repeat count field, and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a service type identification field and a link identification field (optional field). The first service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field.

[0101] In a second implementation manner, the type field in the information element for indicating that the information element is a QTP element sent actively is in the silent time content field of the information element.

[0102] For example, Fig. 9is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the first frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the silent time content field includes a token field (optional field), a silent period offset field, a silent period duration field, a silent period interval field, a repeat count field, and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a type field, a service type identification field, and a link identification field (optional field). The first service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field.

[0103] When this implementation is adopted, the control field in the information element can use the value of the control field in the information element of the QTP response frame in 802.11ax, for example, the value is 2, so that the 802.11ax device can also recognize and parse the first frame, and realize the silent control of the 802.11ax device, so the compatibility of this implementation is good. Or the control field in the information element can also take other values, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0104] The above embodiments mainly describe the communication mode in which the access point device actively specifies the silent period and service type. The WLAN provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be compatible with the QTP mechanism, where the non-access point device initiates the QTP request and the access point device responds to the QTP request. For the specific implementation process, see the following steps 603 to 604.

[0105] Step 603: The non-access point device sends a second frame to the access point device.

[0106] The second frame includes second silent time information and a second service type identifier. The second frame is used to request to establish a QTP session for the service type indicated by the second service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information. The specific explanation of the second silent time information and the second service type identifier can refer to the relevant contents of the first silent time information and the first service type identifier respectively, and the embodiments of the present application will not be repeated here.

[0107] Optionally, the second frame includes an information element, and the second silent time information and the second service type identifier are in the information element.

[0108] Optionally, the second frame further includes a first indication, where the first indication is used to indicate a type of the second frame. The first indication may be located in an information element.

[0109] Optionally, when the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device, the second frame may further include a link identifier, and the second frame is used to request to establish a QTP session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier on the link corresponding to the link identifier within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0110] For example, in Figure 5 In the WLAN shown, the non-access point device 102A sends a second frame to the access point device 101 on link 1 and / or link 2, and the second frame includes an identifier of link 2, indicating that the non-access point device 102A requests to establish a QTP session for the service type indicated by the second service type identifier on link 2 within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0111] Optionally, the second frame is an action frame. The second frame may be referred to as an EHT QTP request frame. The frame structure of the second frame may refer to the frame structure of the first frame. The information element of the second frame includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, a control field, and a silent time content field.

[0112] In a first implementation manner, the first indication for indicating the type of the second frame is in a control field of the information element. For example, the value of the control field is 4, indicating that the second frame is an EHT QTP request frame.

[0113] For example, Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silent time content field in a second frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 As shown, the silent time content field includes a session token field, a silent period offset field, a silent period duration field, a silent period interval field, a repeat count field, and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a service type identification field and a link identification field (optional field). The second service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field. The session token field is used to match the response frame (third frame) to the request frame (second frame). The explanation of other fields can refer to the explanation of each field in the first frame, and the embodiments of the present application will not be repeated here.

[0114] In a second implementation, the first indication for indicating the type of the second frame is in the silent time content field of the information element. For example, the definition of the QTP request frame in the 802.11ax protocol can be followed, and the value of the control field in the information element of the second frame is set to 1, indicating that the second frame is a QTP request frame, and further indicating that the second frame is an EHT QTP request frame in the silent time content field.

[0115] For example, Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the second frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig.11As shown, the silent time content field includes a session token field, a silent period offset field, a silent period duration field, a silent period interval field, a repeat count field, and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a type field, a service type identification field, and a link identification field (optional field). The first indication is in the type field, the second service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field.

[0116] In the embodiment of the present application, in addition to the access point device being able to actively specify the silent period and service type, the non-access point device can also request to specify the silent period and service type, thereby improving the communication flexibility between devices.

[0117] Step 604: The access point device sends a third frame in response to the second frame.

[0118] The third frame is used to indicate whether the QTP session for the business type indicated by the second business type identifier is successfully established. The third frame includes the third silent time information and the second business type identifier. The specific explanation of the third silent time information can refer to the relevant content of the above-mentioned first silent time information, and the embodiments of the present application will not be repeated here. The third silent time information can be the same as or different from the second silent time information. For example, the number of silent time periods in the third silent time information can be different from the number of silent time periods in the second silent time information.

[0119] Optionally, the access point device broadcasts and sends a third frame in response to the second frame.

[0120] Optionally, the third frame includes an information element, and the third silent time information and the second service type identifier are in the information element. The information element also includes a status code, which is used to indicate whether the QTP session is successfully established. For example, the definition of the status code of the QTP response frame in the 802.11ax protocol can be used. When the value of the status code is 0, it indicates that the QTP session is successfully established; when the value of the status code is 1, it indicates that the QTP session is not successfully established; when the value of the status code is 2, it indicates that the current QTP session is rejected and another number of silent periods is recommended. In this case, the non-access point device can initiate a new QTP session request separately.

[0121] Optionally, the third frame further includes a second indication, where the second indication is used to indicate a type of the third frame. The second indication may be located in an information element.

[0122] Optionally, when the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device, the third frame may further include a link identifier, and the third frame is used to indicate whether a QTP session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier is successfully established on the link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0123] Optionally, the third frame is an action frame. The third frame may be referred to as an EHT QTP response frame. The frame structure of the third frame may refer to the frame structure of the first frame. The information element of the third frame includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, a control field, and a silent time content field.

[0124] In a first implementation manner, the second indication for indicating the type of the third frame is in a control field of the information element. For example, the value of the control field is 5, indicating that the third frame is an EHT QTP response frame.

[0125] For example, Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a silent time content field in a third frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig.12 As shown, the silent time content field includes a session token field, a status code field, a silent period offset field, a silent period duration field, a silent period interval field, a repeat count field, and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a service type identification field and a link identification field (optional field). The second service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field. The explanation of each field can refer to the explanation of each field in the first frame and the second frame, and the embodiments of the present application will not be repeated here.

[0126] In a second implementation, the second indication for indicating the type of the third frame is in the silent time content field of the information element. For example, the definition of the QTP response frame in the 802.11ax protocol can be followed, and the value of the control field in the information element of the third frame can be set to 2, indicating that the third frame is a QTP response frame, and the silent time content field further indicates that the third frame is an EHT QTP response frame.

[0127] For example, Fig.13 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the third frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig.13 As shown, the silent time content field includes a session token field, a silent period offset field, a silent period duration field, a silent period interval field, a repeat count field, and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a type field, a service type identification field, and a link identification field (optional field). The second indication is in the type field, the second service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field.

[0128] Optionally, after the non-access point device receives the third frame from the access point device, if the third frame indicates that the QTP session for the service type indicated by the second service type identifier is successfully established, the non-access point device only sends frames of the service type indicated by the second service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0129] Optionally, after determining that the QTP session for the service type indicated by the second service type identifier is successfully established, the access point device may also broadcast and send a fourth frame at the start time of the silent period indicated by the second silent time information, the fourth frame instructing other non-access point devices not to perform frame interaction during the silent period, the other non-access point devices including access point devices other than the non-access point device initiating the QTP session and the peer associated with the non-access point device. The fourth frame also includes the second service type identifier, and the fourth frame also instructs the peer associated with the non-access point device initiating the QTP session not to perform frame interaction unrelated to the service type indicated by the second service type identifier.

[0130] Optionally, the fourth frame includes an information element, and the second service type identifier is in the information element.

[0131] Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a third indication, where the third indication is used to indicate a type of the fourth frame. The third indication may be located in an information element.

[0132] Optionally, the fourth frame may also include a link identifier, which instructs other non-access point devices not to perform frame interactions on the link corresponding to the link identifier during the silent period, and the peer associated with the non-access point device that initiates the QTP session should not perform frame interactions on the link corresponding to the link identifier that are unrelated to the service type indicated by the second service type identifier.

[0133] Optionally, the fourth frame is an action frame. The fourth frame may be referred to as an EHT QTP establishment frame. The frame structure of the fourth frame may refer to the frame structure of the first frame. The information element of the fourth frame includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, a control field, and a silent time content field.

[0134] In a first implementation manner, the third indication for indicating the type of the fourth frame is in a control field of the information element. For example, the value of the control field is 3, indicating that the fourth frame is an EHT QTP establishment frame.

[0135] For example, Fig.14 : is a schematic diagram of the structure of the silent time content field in the fourth frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig.14 As shown, the silent time content field includes a silent period duration field and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a service type identification field and a link identification field (optional field). The second service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field. The silent period duration carried by the silent period duration field of the fourth frame is less than or equal to the silent period duration carried by the silent period duration field of the second frame.

[0136] In a second implementation, the third indication for indicating the type of the fourth frame is in the silent time content field of the information element. For example, the definition of the QTP establishment frame in the 802.11ax protocol can be followed, and the value of the control field in the information element of the fourth frame can be set to 0, indicating that the fourth frame is a QTP establishment frame, and further indicating that the fourth frame is an EHT QTP establishment frame in the silent time content field.

[0137] For example, Fig.15 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another silent time content field in the fourth frame provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig.15 As shown, the silent time content field includes a silent period duration field and a specific service identification field. Among them, the specific service identification field includes a type field, a service type identification field and a link identification field (optional field). The third indication is in the type field, the second service type identification is in the service type identification field, and the link identification is in the link identification field.

[0138] The order of steps in the communication method in the WLAN provided by the embodiment of the present application can be adjusted appropriately. For example, there is no order of steps 601 to 602 and steps 603 to 604. The mechanism for the access point device to actively specify the silent period and service type (steps 601 to 602) and the mechanism for the non-access point device to request the silent period and service type (steps 603 to 604) are different and independent of each other. The steps can also be increased or decreased according to the situation. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of a change within the technical scope disclosed in this application, which should be covered within the scope of protection of this application, so it will not be repeated.

[0139] In summary, the communication method in the WLAN provided by the embodiment of the present application actively specifies the silent period and service type through the access point device, so that only non-access point devices with services of this service type can compete for channels to send services of this service type during the silent period, that is, the access point device can provide a priority window for uplink access for non-access point devices with services of this service type, thereby reducing the access delay and improving the delay of services of this service type. In addition, in addition to the access point device being able to actively specify the silent period and service type, the non-access point device can also request to specify the silent period and service type, thereby improving the communication flexibility between devices. For multi-link devices, the silent period and service type can also be specified on another link through one link, thereby realizing cross-link operation and improving the communication flexibility between devices.

[0140] Fig.16 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access point device in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.16 As shown, the access point device 160 includes:

[0141] The sending module 1601 is used to actively send a first frame, where the first frame includes first silent time information and a first service type identifier, and the first frame indicates that a non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0142] Optionally, the sending module 1601 is used to actively broadcast and send the first frame.

[0143] Optionally, the first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0144] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, and the information element further includes a type field, and the type field indicates that the information element is an actively sent silent time period information element.

[0145] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, and the first silence time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein there is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, the information element also includes a token field, and the value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame.

[0146] Optionally, the access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

[0147] Optionally, the first frame further includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on a link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0148] Optionally, the first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

[0149] Alternatively, if Fig.17 As shown, the access point device 160 also includes: a receiving module 1602, which is used to receive a second frame from a non-access point device associated with the access point device, the second frame including second silent time information and a second service type identifier, and the second frame is used to request to establish a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0150] Optionally, the sending module 1601 is further used to send a third frame in response to the second frame, where the third frame is used to indicate whether the session for the silent time period of the service type indicated by the second service type identifier is successfully established.

[0151] In summary, the access point device provided in the embodiment of the present application can actively specify the silent period and service type, so that only non-access point devices with services of this service type can compete for channels to send services of this service type during the silent period, that is, the access point device can provide a priority window for uplink access for non-access point devices with services of this service type, thereby reducing the access delay and improving the delay of services of this service type. In addition, in addition to the access point device being able to actively specify the silent period and service type, the non-access point device can also request to specify the silent period and service type, thereby improving the communication flexibility between devices. For multi-link devices, the silent period and service type can also be specified on another link through one link, thereby realizing cross-link operation and improving the communication flexibility between devices.

[0152] Fig.18 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-access point device in a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.18 As shown, the non-access point device 180 includes:

[0153] The receiving module 1801 is used to receive a first frame from an access point device associated with a non-access point device, where the first frame includes first silent time information and a first service type identifier, and the first frame indicates that the non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0154] The processing module 1802 is used to perform an operation according to the instruction of the first frame according to the service type of the frame to be sent after determining that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device.

[0155] Optionally, the processing module 1802 is used to: when there is a to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, try to send the to-be-sent frame in the CSMA / CA mode in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information. When there is no to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, keep silent in the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0156] Optionally, the first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

[0157] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, and the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element. Fig.19As shown, the non-access point device 180 further includes: a determining module 1803, configured to determine that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device in response to the information element including a type field indicating that the information element is an actively sent silent time period information element.

[0158] Optionally, the first frame includes an information element, and the first silence time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein there is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, the information element also includes a token field, and the value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame.

[0159] Optionally, the access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

[0160] Optionally, the first frame further includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on a link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0161] Optionally, the first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

[0162] Alternatively, if Fig. 20 As shown, the non-access point device 180 also includes: a sending module 1804, which is used to send a second frame to the access point device, the second frame including second silent time information and a second service type identifier, and the second frame is used to request to establish a silent time period session for the service type indicated by the second service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

[0163] Optionally, the receiving module 1801 is further configured to receive a third frame in response to the second frame from the access point device, the third frame being used to indicate whether a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier is established successfully.

[0164] In summary, after receiving the first frame actively sent by the access point device associated with the non-access point device, the non-access point device provided in the embodiment of the present application competes for the channel to send the service of the specified service type when there is a service of the specified service type within the specified silent period, and remains silent when there is no service of the specified service type within the specified silent period. In this way, only non-access point devices with services of the specified service type can compete for the channel within the specified silent period, so that the services of the service type specified by the access point device can be transmitted preferentially, thereby improving the latency of the services of the service type. In addition, in addition to the access point device being able to actively specify the silent period and service type, the non-access point device can also request to specify the silent period and service type, thereby improving the flexibility of communication between devices. For multi-link devices, the silent period and service type can also be specified on another link through one link, thereby realizing cross-link operation and improving the flexibility of communication between devices.

[0165] Regarding the device in the above embodiment, the specific manner in which each module performs operations has been described in detail in the embodiment of the method, and will not be elaborated here.

[0166] An embodiment of the present application provides an access point device in a WLAN, including: a processor and a transceiver;

[0167] The processor is used to call a computer program and cooperate with the transceiver to implement the actions performed by the access point device in the above method embodiment.

[0168] For example, Fig.21 is a block diagram of an access point device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.21 As shown, the access point device 210 includes: a processor 2101 and a transceiver 2102. The transceiver 2102 is used to perform the transceiver actions of the access point device in the above method embodiment under the control of the processor 2101.

[0169] Optionally, the access point device 210 further includes a memory 2103 , a communication bus 2104 and a communication interface 2105 .

[0170] The processor 2101 may be a central processing unit (CPU).

[0171] The communication bus 2104 may include a pathway for transmitting information between the above-mentioned components.

[0172] The memory 2103 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), for example, the ROM may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and the memory 2103 may also be an optical disc storage, an optical disc storage (including a compressed optical disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 2103 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 2101 via the communication bus 2104. The memory 2103 may also be integrated with the processor 2101.

[0173] The memory 2103 is used to store the program code for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 2101. The processor 2101 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 2103. The program code may include one or more software modules. The one or more software modules may be Fig.13 or Fig.14 A software module provided in any embodiment.

[0174] The communication interface 2105 uses the transceiver 2102 to communicate with other devices or communication networks, such as WLAN.

[0175] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the access point device may include multiple processors. The processor here may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (such as computer program instructions).

[0176] Optionally, the access point device is an access point multi-link device. In a specific implementation, the access point device may be a router supporting 802.11 series protocols.

[0177] An embodiment of the present application provides a non-access point device in a WLAN, including: a processor and a transceiver;

[0178] The processor is used to call a computer program and cooperate with the transceiver to implement the actions performed by the non-access point device in the above method embodiment.

[0179] For example, Fig. 22 is a block diagram of a non-access point device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 22As shown, the non-access point device 220 includes: a processor 2201 and a transceiver 2202. The transceiver 2202 is used to perform the transceiver actions performed by the non-access point device in the above method embodiment under the control of the processor 2201.

[0180] Optionally, the access point device 220 further includes a memory 2203 , a communication bus 2204 and a communication interface 2205 .

[0181] The processor 2201 may be a CPU.

[0182] The communication bus 2204 may include a pathway for transmitting information between the above-mentioned components.

[0183] The memory 2203 may be a ROM or a RAM, for example, the ROM may be an EEPROM or a CD-ROM, the memory 2203 may also be an optical disk storage, an optical disk storage (including a compressed optical disk, a laser disk, an optical disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.), a magnetic disk or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 2203 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 2201 via the communication bus 2204. The memory 2203 may also be integrated with the processor 2201.

[0184] The memory 2203 is used to store the program code for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 2201. The processor 2201 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 2203. The program code may include one or more software modules. The one or more software modules may be Figures 15 to 17 A software module provided in any embodiment.

[0185] The communication interface 2205 uses the transceiver 2202 to communicate with other devices or communication networks, such as WLAN.

[0186] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the non-access point device may include multiple processors. Each of these processors may be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. The processor here may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0187] Optionally, the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device. In a specific implementation, the non-access point device may be a wireless terminal such as a mobile phone, a computer or a smart wearable device.

[0188] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system in a WLAN, including: Fig.16 , Fig.17 or Fig.21 The access point device shown, and Fig.18 , Fig.19 , Fig. 20 or Fig. 22 Non-access point devices shown.

[0189] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed by a processor of a computer device, the actions performed by the access point device or the non-access point device in the above method embodiment are implemented.

[0190] A person skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps to implement the above embodiments may be accomplished by hardware or by instructing related hardware through a program, and the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the above-mentioned storage medium may be a read-only memory, a disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0191] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms “first”, “second” and “third” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0192] The term "and / or" in this application is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0193] The above description is only an optional embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the concept and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method in a wireless local area network, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access point device actively sends a first frame, the first frame includes first silence time information and a first service type identifier, the first frame indicates that a non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silence period indicated by the first silence time information; wherein the first silence time information includes a silence period offset, a silence period duration, a silence period interval or the number of silence periods, and the silence period offset represents an offset between the first silence period and a target beacon frame transmission time TBTT.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The access point device actively sends a first frame, including: The access point device actively broadcasts and sends the first frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, and the information element further includes a type field, and the type field indicates that the information element is an actively sent silent time period information element.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein: There is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, The information element further includes a token field, and a value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively transmitted frame.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first frame also includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier.

8. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 7, characterized in that: The first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

9. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The access point device receives a second frame from a non-access point device associated with the access point device, the second frame including second silent time information and a second service type identifier, the second frame being used to request establishment of a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier within a silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The access point device sends a third frame in response to the second frame, where the third frame is used to indicate whether a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier is established successfully.

11. A communication method in a wireless local area network, characterized in that: The method comprises: The non-access point device receives a first frame from an access point device associated with the non-access point device, the first frame including first silent time information and a first service type identifier, the first frame indicating that the non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during a silent period indicated by the first silent time information; wherein the first silent time information includes a silent period offset, a silent period duration, a silent period interval, or the number of silent periods, and the silent period offset indicates an offset between a first silent period and a target beacon frame transmission time TBTT; After the non-access point device determines that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device, the non-access point device performs an operation according to the service type of the frame to be sent and the instruction of the first frame.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The non-access point device performs an operation according to the service type of the frame to be sent and the instruction of the first frame, including: When the non-access point device has a to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, the non-access point device attempts to send the to-be-sent frame in a carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance manner within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information; When the non-access point device has no to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silence period indicated by the first silence time information, the non-access point device remains silent during the silence period indicated by the first silence time information.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, and the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element; the method further includes: In response to the information element including a type field indicating that the information element is an unsolicited silent time period information element, the non-access point device determines that the first frame is unsolicitedly transmitted by the access point device.

15. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein: There is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, The information element further includes a token field, and a value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively transmitted frame.

16. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first frame also includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier.

18. The method according to claim 11, 12 or 17, characterized in that The first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

19. An access point device in a wireless local area network, characterized in that: include: A sending module, used to actively send a first frame, the first frame including first silent time information and a first service type identifier, the first frame indicating that a non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during a silent period indicated by the first silent time information; wherein the first silent time information includes a silent period offset, a silent period duration, a silent period interval or the number of silent periods, and the silent period offset represents an offset between the first silent period and a target beacon frame transmission time TBTT.

20. The access point device according to claim 19, characterized in that: The sending module is used to actively broadcast and send the first frame.

21. The access point device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

22. The access point device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, and the information element further includes a type field, and the type field indicates that the information element is an actively sent silent time period information element.

23. The access point device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein: There is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, The information element further includes a token field, and a value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively transmitted frame.

24. The access point device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

25. The access point device according to claim 24, characterized in that: The first frame also includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier.

26. The access point device according to claim 19, 20 or 25, characterized in that: The first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

27. The access point device according to claim 19, 20 or 25, characterized in that: The access point device also includes: a receiving module, configured to receive a second frame from a non-access point device associated with the access point device, the second frame comprising second silent time information and a second service type identifier, the second frame being used to request establishment of a silent time period session for a service type indicated by the second service type identifier within a silent period indicated by the second silent time information.

28. The access point device according to claim 27, characterized in that: The sending module is further used to send a third frame in response to the second frame, wherein the third frame is used to indicate whether a silent time period session for the service type indicated by the second service type identifier is successfully established.

29. A non-access point device in a wireless local area network, characterized in that: include: a receiving module, configured to receive a first frame from an access point device associated with the non-access point device, the first frame comprising first silent time information and a first service type identifier, the first frame indicating that the non-access point device associated with the access point device can only send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during a silent period indicated by the first silent time information; wherein the first silent time information comprises a silent period offset, a silent period duration, a silent period interval or the number of silent periods, and the silent period offset represents an offset between a first silent period and a target beacon frame transmission time TBTT; The processing module is used to perform an operation according to the instruction of the first frame according to the service type of the frame to be sent after determining that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device.

30. The non-access point device according to claim 29, characterized in that: The processing module is used for: When there is a to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, attempting to send the to-be-sent frame in a carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance manner within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information; When there is no to-be-sent frame belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information, silence is maintained within the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

31. The non-access point device according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that: The first frame further includes a non-access point device identifier, and the first frame further indicates that only the non-access point device indicated by the non-access point device identifier can send frames belonging to the service type indicated by the first service type identifier during the silent period indicated by the first silent time information.

32. The non-access point device according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, and the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element; The non-access point device further includes: The determining module is configured to determine that the first frame is actively sent by the access point device in response to the information element including a type field indicating that the information element is an actively sent silent time period information element.

33. The non-access point device according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that: The first frame includes an information element, the first silent time information and the first service type identifier are in the information element, wherein: There is no token field in the information element to indicate that the first frame is an actively sent frame; or, The information element further includes a token field, and a value of the token field is a target value to indicate that the first frame is an actively transmitted frame.

34. The non-access point device according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that: The access point device is an access point multi-link device, and / or the non-access point device is a non-access point multi-link device.

35. The non-access point device according to claim 34, characterized in that: The first frame also includes a link identifier, and the link identifier indicates that the first frame is effective on the link corresponding to the link identifier.

36. The non-access point device according to claim 29, 30 or 35, characterized in that: The first service type identifier is a flow identifier, a service identifier or a priority identifier.

37. An access point device in a wireless local area network, characterized in that: include: processors and transceivers; The processor is used to call a computer program and cooperate with the transceiver to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

38. A non-access point device in a wireless local area network, characterized in that: include: processors and transceivers; The processor is used to call a computer program and cooperate with the transceiver to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 11 to 18.

39. A communication system in a wireless local area network, characterized in that: include: The access point device as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 28 and 37, and the non-access point device as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 36 and 38.

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