Wi-Fi channel measurement method, device and system

Abstract

An embodiment of the present application provides a Wi‑Fi channel measurement method. In this method, an access point AP sends a trigger frame to a terminal STA to indicate an uplink channel measurement to the STA; the AP receives an empty data packet notification NDPA from the STA; wherein the NDPA is used to indicate partial bandwidth information partial BW Info, feedback type and subcarrier grouping feedback type and Ng, codebook size, and number of columns Nc related to the uplink channel measurement; the AP obtains the uplink channel weight by measuring the pilot of the empty data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA from the STA; wherein the uplink channel weight is used for uplink MIMO; the AP sends the above-mentioned uplink channel weight to the STA. Through the above method, the measurement of the uplink channel weight can be triggered by the AP, that is, the STA can be driven to perform uplink weight measurement before data transmission, which is beneficial for the STA to improve the capacity of uplink MIMO during uplink MIMO.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a Wi-Fi channel measurement method, device, and system. Background Art

[0002] WiFi 6 is the sixth generation of Wi-Fi technology, which incorporates a large number of 5G key technologies, such as MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output), 1024QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access), etc. Compared with Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6 achieves a 4-fold increase in network bandwidth, a 4-fold increase in the number of concurrent users, and a reduction in network latency from an average of 30ms to 20ms.

[0003] MIMO transmission is also called spatial division multiplexing. MIMO can be divided into SU-MIMO (single-user MIMO) and MU-MIMO (multi-user MIMO). SU-MIMO refers to the scheduling of spatially multiplexed data streams to a single terminal to improve the transmission rate and spectrum efficiency of the terminal. In SU-MIMO, the time-frequency resources allocated to the terminal are exclusively used by the terminal. MU-MIMO refers to the scheduling of spatially multiplexed data streams to multiple terminals. Multiple terminals share the same time-frequency resources through spatial division. The network can obtain additional multi-user diversity gain by scheduling multiple terminals in the spatial dimension. MU-MIMO can significantly improve the throughput and capacity of the network.

[0004] Wi-Fi 6 supports site backhaul scenarios. Site backhaul includes wired backhaul and wireless backhaul. Compared with wired backhaul, wireless backhaul is flexible to deploy and has cost advantages. For site backhaul scenarios, both access points (APs) and terminal STAs can have multi-antenna capabilities and support uplink or downlink MIMO transmission. In order to support MIMO transmission, it is necessary to measure the channel to determine the uplink weight or downlink weight. However, the current Wi-Fi channel measurement mechanism cannot fully meet the needs of MIMO transmission. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application are used to provide a Wi-Fi channel measurement method, device, and system to meet the measurement requirements of MIMO transmission.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a Wi-Fi channel measurement method, including: an access point AP sends a trigger frame trigger frame to a terminal STA, where the trigger frame is used to indicate uplink channel measurement; the AP receives a null data packet notification NDPA from the STA; wherein the NDPA is used to indicate partial bandwidth information partialBW Info, feedback type and subcarrier grouping feedback type and Ng, codebook size codebook size, and number of columns Nc related to the uplink channel measurement; the AP obtains an uplink channel weight by measuring a pilot of a null data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA from the STA; wherein the uplink channel weight is used for uplink MIMO; and the AP sends the uplink channel weight to the STA.

[0008] The above method implements the mechanism of AP triggering uplink weight measurement, and opens up the uplink weight measurement and feedback channel. Before data transmission, AP drives STA to measure uplink weight. When STA performs uplink MIMO transmission, the weighted weight is converted from open-loop weight to closed-loop weight, which can improve uplink MIMO capacity. The Wi-Fi system currently has no open-loop codebook design. Compared with the open-loop weight using unit array, the closed-loop weight can increase the uplink transmission capacity by 30% to 99% when transmitting on 8 single ports, meeting the needs of MIMO transmission.

[0009] As an optional implementation, the value of the trigger type subfield in the common info field of the trigger frame is 0, that is, the trigger frame is a basic trigger frame; wherein, bit B63 in the common info field is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, bit B39 in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, bit B5 in the trigger dependent user info subfield in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement. This implementation reuses the trigger frame of Wi-Fi, with minor changes and a relatively simple solution implementation.

[0010] As an optional implementation, the value of the triggertype subfield in the common info field of the trigger frame is a value from 8 to 15; the trigger dependent user info subfield in the user info field of the trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement. This implementation reuses the trigger type of the Wi-Fi trigger frame, with minor changes, reducing the complexity of implementation.

[0011] As an optional implementation, the value of the triggertype subfield in the common info field of the trigger frame is a value in the range of 8-15; the trigger frame is also used to indicate the partial BW Info, the feedback type and Ng, the codebook size, and the Nc. In this implementation, the AP also indicates the measurement and feedback parameters to the STA, which is conducive to making favorable arrangements for the measurement and reporting of the STA and making the measurement more efficient.

[0012] As an optional implementation, the trigger dependent user information in the user info field of the trigger frame includes the partial BW Info, the feedback type and Ng, the codebook size, and the Nc. This implementation provides a solution for carrying measurement parameters, reuses a specific field of the trigger frame, and reduces implementation complexity.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the number N of the NDPs; the AP obtains the uplink channel weight by measuring the pilot of the empty data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA from the STA, including: the AP obtains the uplink channel weight by measuring the pilot of N NDPs. Through this implementation, a comprehensive value of multiple measurements can be obtained, making the measurement result more objective and accurate, and less affected by sudden interference.

[0014] As an optional implementation, the AP obtains the uplink channel weight by measuring N pilots of the NDP, including: the AP obtains N measurement results by measuring the N pilots of the NDP; the AP obtains the uplink channel weight according to the N measurement results. In this implementation, the uplink channel weight is obtained by obtaining N measurement results, so that the measurement result is more objective and accurate, and is less affected by sudden interference.

[0015] As an optional implementation, the triggerdependent user info in the user info field of the trigger frame includes N. This implementation provides a solution for carrying measurement parameters, reuses a specific field of the trigger frame, and reduces implementation complexity.

[0016] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a Wi-Fi channel measurement method, including: a terminal STA receives a trigger frame trigger frame from an access point AP, where the trigger frame is used to indicate uplink channel measurement; the STA sends an empty data packet notification NDPA to the AP; wherein the NDPA is used to indicate partial bandwidth information partialBW Info, feedback type and subcarrier grouping feedback type and Ng, codebook size codebook size, and number of columns Nc related to the uplink channel measurement; the STA sends an empty data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA to the AP, and a pilot user of the NDP measures the uplink channel; the STA receives an uplink channel weight from the AP, where the uplink channel weight is used for uplink MIMO.

[0017] The second aspect and its optional implementations, as well as the gain, can refer to the relevant contents of the first aspect and its implementations. The following optional implementations have been described in the first aspect, and are described below from the perspective of STA to facilitate a clearer understanding of the solution of the embodiment of the present application.

[0018] As an optional implementation manner, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the number N of the NDPs;

[0019] The STA sends a null data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA to the AP, including: the STA sends N NDPs to the AP.

[0020] As an optional implementation, the uplink channel weight is based on the N NDPs.

[0021] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a Wi-Fi channel measurement method, including: an access point AP sends a downlink physical layer protocol data unit DL PPDU to a terminal STA, where the DL PPDU is used to indicate a reporting configuration for periodic reporting of a CQI; wherein the reporting configuration includes a reporting period; the AP sends a basic trigger frame basic trigger frame to the STA according to the reporting period, where the basic trigger frame is used to indicate an uplink resource for reporting the CQI; the AP receives the CQI from the STA according to the uplink resource.

[0022] In the above method, a periodic CQI reporting mechanism is implemented. When performing downlink transmission, the CQI reported periodically by the STA can be referred to, and downlink scheduling can be performed more accurately. In addition, this mechanism does not require the AP to send NDPA and NDP, saving overhead and improving capacity.

[0023] As an optional implementation, the reporting configuration also includes bandwidth and / or number of columns related to the above periodic CQI reporting. By indicating the bandwidth and number of columns to the STA, the AP can obtain a CQI that better meets its needs, which can improve the performance of downlink transmission.

[0024] As an optional implementation, the A-control subfield in the HT control field of the data frame of the DL PPDU includes the reporting configuration. The specific field of the multiplexed data frame is used to carry the reporting configuration, thereby reducing the implementation complexity.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the AP receives the CQI from the STA according to the uplink resource, including: the AP receives an A-MPDU from the STA according to the uplink resource, the A-MPDU including the CQI and uplink data. In this implementation, the CQI can be sent along with the uplink data, saving overhead.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a Wi-Fi channel measurement method, including: a terminal STA receives a downlink physical layer protocol data unit DL PPDU from an access point AP, where the DL PPDU is used to indicate a CQI periodic reporting configuration; wherein the CQI periodic reporting configuration includes a period; the STA measures the downlink channel to obtain the CQI; the STA receives a basic trigger frame from the AP according to the period, where the basic trigger frame is used to indicate an uplink resource for reporting the CQI; the STA reports the CQI to the AP according to the uplink resource.

[0027] The fourth aspect and its optional implementations, as well as the gain, can refer to the relevant contents of the third aspect and its implementations. The following optional implementations have been described in the third aspect, and are described below from the perspective of STA to facilitate a clearer understanding of the solution of the embodiment of the present application.

[0028] As an optional implementation manner, the reporting configuration further includes a bandwidth and / or a number of columns related to the CQI periodic reporting;

[0029] The STA measures the downlink channel to obtain the CQI, including: the STA measures the downlink channel to obtain the CQI corresponding to the bandwidth and / or the number of columns.

[0030] As an optional implementation manner, the STA reports the CQI to the AP according to the uplink resource, including: the STA sends an A-MPDU to the AP according to the uplink resource, and the A-MPDU includes the CQI and uplink data.

[0031] In a fifth aspect, in order to implement the functions of the access point AP in the above aspects, an embodiment of the present application provides an access point, including a processing circuit, which is used to execute instructions to implement the methods on the access point side in the above aspects.

[0032] In a sixth aspect, in order to realize the functions of the terminal STA in the above aspects, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal, including a processing circuit, which is used to execute instructions to realize the terminal side method in the above aspects.

[0033] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, comprising instructions, which, when executed at an access point, enable the access point to implement the methods on the access point side in the above aspects.

[0034] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising the above-mentioned computer program product.

[0035] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a Wi-Fi system, comprising the access point of the fifth aspect and the terminal of the sixth aspect.

[0036] The descriptions and benefits of the fifth to ninth aspects mentioned above may refer to the relevant contents of the first aspect and its implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a Wi-Fi system;

[0038] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal;

[0039] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access point;

[0040] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of a Wi-Fi channel measurement method;

[0041] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the trigger frame and the structure of some of its internal fields, as well as the trigger type subfield value;

[0042] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the trigger type subdomain value;

[0043] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of measurement and feedback information;

[0044] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of measurement and feedback information;

[0045] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of another Wi-Fi channel measurement method;

[0046] Fig.10 The diagram is a schematic diagram of a data frame carrying a periodic CQI reporting configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In order to more clearly and completely introduce the technical solution of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0048] The technical solution of the present application is applicable to Wi-Fi systems. Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows an architecture diagram of a Wi-Fi system. Figure 1 As shown, the Wi-Fi system includes a terminal T100, an access point (AP) B200 and a gateway. The terminal T100 and the access point B200 can communicate wirelessly via Wi-Fi technology. The access point B200 is connected to the gateway for interacting with an external network. The external network can be a core network of an operator, a private network, or the Internet of Things.

[0049] In this application, the terminal has the capability of beamforming, and can send signals in one or more specific beam directions, and receive signals in one or more specific beam directions; the access point is used to schedule uplink transmission or downlink transmission within the cell. The gateway is used to connect to other networks. In this Wi-Fi system, both the terminal and the access point have multi-antenna capabilities, support MIMO, and support the measurement of downlink channel weights / uplink channel weights.

[0050] The above-mentioned terminal is also called a station (STA, Station), which is a device that can use Wi-Fi technology to perform wireless communication functions. The terminal in this application may refer to a terminal or a Wi-Fi chip in a terminal. Among them, the terminal has various forms, which may be a cellular phone that supports Wi-Fi, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The terminal can be mobile or fixed.

[0051] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure. For ease of explanation, Figure 2 Only the main components of the terminal are shown. Figure 2 As shown, the terminal T100 includes a processor, a memory, a radio frequency circuit, an antenna, and an input-output device. The processor is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the terminal, execute software programs, process the data of the software programs, etc. The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to send and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input-output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user. Some types of terminals do not have input-output devices.

[0052] When the terminal is turned on, the processor can read the software program (instructions) in the storage unit, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs the baseband signal to the RF circuit. The RF circuit performs RF processing on the baseband signal and then sends the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0053] For ease of explanation, Figure 2 Only one memory and processor are shown. In an actual user device, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0054] As an optional implementation, the processor may include a baseband processor and / or a central processing unit. The baseband processor is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit is mainly used to control the entire terminal, execute software programs, and process software program data. Figure 2 The processor in the terminal integrates the functions of the baseband processor and the central processing unit. Those skilled in the art can understand that the baseband processor and the central processing unit can also be independent processors, which are interconnected through technologies such as buses. Optionally, the terminal may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network formats. Optionally, the terminal may include multiple central processing units to enhance its processing capabilities. Optionally, the functions of the baseband processor and the central processing unit can be integrated on one processor. Optionally, the various components of the terminal can be connected through various buses. The baseband processor can also be expressed as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processing unit can also be expressed as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. Optionally, the function of processing the communication protocol and communication data can be built into the processor, or it can be stored in the storage unit in the form of a software program, and the processor executes the software program to implement the baseband processing function.

[0055] In the embodiments of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit having transceiver functions may be regarded as the transceiver unit of the terminal, and the processor having the processing function may be regarded as the processing unit of the terminal. Figure 2As shown, the terminal T100 includes a transceiver unit 101 and a processing unit 102. The transceiver unit may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in the transceiver unit 101 may be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device used to implement the sending function in the transceiver unit 101 may be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the transceiver unit 101 includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiver, a receiving circuit, etc., and the sending unit may be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0056] The access point is a device deployed in a Wi-Fi wireless access network to provide wireless communication functions. The structure of the access point B200 can be as follows: Figure 3 As shown. Figure 3 As shown, access point B200 includes part 201 and part 202. Part 201 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals into baseband signals; part 202 is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the access point. Part 201 can be generally referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, etc. Part 202 can be generally referred to as a processing unit. Part 202 is generally the control center of the access point.

[0057] As an optional implementation, part 201 may include an antenna and a radio frequency unit, wherein the radio frequency unit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in part 201 may be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device used to implement the sending function may be regarded as a sending unit, that is, part 201 includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. Exemplarily, the receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiver, a receiving circuit, etc., and the sending unit may be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0058] As an optional implementation, part 202 may include one or more boards, each of which may include a processor and a memory, and the processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control of access points. If there are multiple boards, the boards may be interconnected to increase processing capabilities.

[0059] As another optional implementation, with the development of system-on-chip (SoC) technology, all or part of the functions of part 202 and part 201 can be implemented by SoC technology, for example, by an access point function chip, which integrates a processor, a memory, an antenna interface and other devices, and the program of the access point related function is stored in the memory, and the processor executes the program to implement the related functions of the access point. Optionally, the access point function chip can also read the memory outside the chip to implement the related functions of the access point.

[0060] Above Figure 2 and Figure 3 The examples regarding terminals and access points may be applicable to the terminals and access points in this application.

[0061] In the present application, uplink weights, uplink channel weights, and uplink channel weights are sometimes used interchangeably, but they all express the same meaning, that is, they are used for uplink spatial mapping, for example, as an uplink precoding matrix superimposed on multiple streams.

[0062] In the present application, downlink weights, downlink channel weights, and downlink channel weights are sometimes used interchangeably, but they all express the same meaning, that is, they are used for downlink spatial mapping, for example, as a downlink precoding matrix superimposed on multiple streams.

[0063] The WiFi channel measurement method of the present application embodiment is described below in conjunction with the terminal T100 and the access point B200. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0064] S401: The access point B200 sends a trigger frame to the terminal T100. The trigger frame is used to instruct uplink channel measurement.

[0065] The trigger frame is a data format defined by Wi-Fi.

[0066] S402: The terminal T100 sends an empty data packet notification to the access point B200.

[0067] In other words, the access point B200 receives the null data packet notification from the terminal T100.

[0068] Among them, the empty data packet notification NDPA is used to indicate parameters related to uplink channel measurement, such as partial bandwidth information partial BW Info, feedback type and subcarrier grouping feedback type and Ng, codebook size codebooksize, and number of columns Nc. Among them, partial BW Info is used to indicate the bandwidth range that needs feedback, feedback typeand Ng and Codebook size are used together to indicate the feedback type, subcarrier grouping and codebook format, and Nc is used to indicate the number of columns of the compressed beamforming feedback matrix and is set to Nc-1, which physically refers to the number of space-time streams measured by the terminal.

[0069] After receiving the trigger frame, the terminal T100 can determine the partial bandwidth information partial BW Info, feedback type and subcarrier grouping feedback type and Ng, codebook size codebooksize, and number of columns Nc related to uplink channel measurement, and notify the access point B200 through an empty data packet notification.

[0070] S403: The terminal T100 sends an empty data packet to the access point B200.

[0071] The null data packet NDP corresponds to the above NDPA. As an example, the NDP is sent after the NDPA with an interval of SIFS (short interframe space).

[0072] S404: The access point B200 measures the pilot of the NDP to obtain an uplink channel weight;

[0073] The uplink channel weight is used for uplink MIMO. For example, in uplink transmission, the access point B200 schedules the terminal T100 to perform uplink transmission through the Trigger Frame. The uplink transmission can be a multi-stream transmission. When the terminal T100 transmits, the uplink channel weight fed back by the access point B200 is superimposed on the multi-stream to be transmitted as the precoding matrix to be transmitted for spatial mapping.

[0074] S405: The access point B200 sends the uplink channel weight to the terminal T100.

[0075] In other words, the terminal T100 receives the uplink channel weight from the access point B200.

[0076] Through the above method, the uplink channel weight measurement mechanism triggered by access point B200 is realized, and the uplink channel weight measurement and feedback channel is opened. Before data transmission, access point B200 drives terminal T100 to measure the uplink weight. When terminal T100 performs uplink MIMO transmission, the weighted weight is converted from open-loop weight to closed-loop weight, which improves the uplink MIMO capacity; the WIFI system currently has no open-loop codebook design. Compared with the open-loop weight using the unit array, the closed-loop weight can increase the uplink transmission capacity by 30% to 99% when transmitting on 8 ports.

[0077] As a first optional implementation, Figure 5 As shown, the value of the trigger type subfield in the common info field of the trigger frame is 0, that is, the trigger frame is a basic trigger frame; wherein, bit B63 in the common info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, bit B39 in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, bit B5 in the trigger dependent user info subfield in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement. This implementation reuses the Wi-Fi trigger frame, with minor changes and a relatively simple solution implementation.

[0078] As a second optional implementation, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the value of the trigger type subfield in the common infofield of the trigger frame is one of 8-15 ( Figure 6 The trigger dependent userinfo subfield in the user info field of the trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement. This implementation reuses the trigger type of the Wi-Fi trigger frame with minor changes, which reduces the complexity of the implementation.

[0079] As a third optional implementation, Figure 5 , Figure 6 ,and Figure 7As shown, the value of the trigger type subfield in the commoninfo field of the trigger frame is one of 8-15 ( Figure 6 The trigger frame is also used to indicate measurement-related parameters, such as partial BW Info, feedbacktype and Ng, codebook size, and Nc. In this implementation, the AP also indicates the measurement and feedback parameters to the STA, which is conducive to arranging the measurement and reporting of the STA and making the measurement more efficient.

[0080] As a fourth optional implementation, Figure 5 , Figure 6 ,and Figure 7 As shown, the trigger dependent user information in the userinfo field of the trigger frame includes the partial BWInfo, the feedback type and Ng, the codebook size, and the Nc. This implementation provides a solution for carrying measurement parameters, reuses a specific field of the trigger frame, and reduces implementation complexity.

[0081] As a fifth optional implementation, in S401, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the number N of the NDPs. Accordingly, in S403, the terminal T100 sends an empty data packet to the access point B200, including: the terminal T100 sends N empty data packets to the access point B200. In S404, the access point B200 measures the pilot of the NDP to obtain the uplink channel weight, including: the access point B200 measures the pilot of the N NDPs to obtain the uplink channel weight. Through this implementation, a comprehensive value of multiple measurements can be obtained, making the measurement result more objective and accurate, and less affected by sudden interference.

[0082] Based on the fifth optional implementation, an optional implementation of the access point B200 measuring the pilots of the N NDPs to obtain the uplink channel weight may include: the access point B200 obtains N measurement results by measuring the pilots of the N NDPs; the access point B200 obtains the uplink channel weight according to the N measurement results. In this implementation, the uplink channel weight is obtained by obtaining the N measurement results, so that the measurement result is more objective and accurate, and is less affected by sudden interference.

[0083] Optional, such as Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8As shown, the triggerdependent user info in the user info field of the trigger frame may include the above N. It should be noted that, in the Wi-Fi system, the sending interval of N NDPs is SIFS.

[0084] As an optional implementation of S405, the access point B200 may send the uplink channel weight to the terminal T100 via HE Compressed Beamforming / CQI Report (High Efficiency Compressed Beamforming / CQI Report), wherein the HE Compressed Beamforming / CQI Report is configured as SU (single user) mode.

[0085] Figure 4 The method shown provides a method for measuring the uplink channel. Fig. 9 The measurement of the downlink channel is described below. Fig. 9 As shown, the method includes:

[0086] S501: The access point B200 sends a CQI periodic reporting configuration to the terminal T100.

[0087] In other words, the terminal T100 receives the CQI periodic reporting configuration from the access point B200.

[0088] As an optional implementation, a CQI (channel quality indicator) periodic reporting configuration may be indicated by a downlink physical layer protocol data unit (DL PPDU); wherein the CQI periodic reporting configuration includes a reporting period T, i.e., instructing the terminal T100 to report CQI with a period of T. Optionally, the CQI periodic reporting configuration also includes a bandwidth and / or number of columns related to the CQI periodic reporting, i.e., instructing the terminal T100 to report CQI for the bandwidth and / or number of columns. For example, Fig.10 As shown, the CQI periodic reporting configuration may be carried in a control subfield in an A-control subfield of a high throughput control field (HT control field) of a data frame (data frame) included in a DL PPDU.

[0089] S502: Terminal T100 measures the downlink channel.

[0090] The terminal T100 measures the downlink channel to obtain a CQI. Optionally, the CQI corresponds to a bandwidth and / or a number of columns in a CQI periodic reporting configuration.

[0091] As a possible implementation, the terminal T100 may start timing from the receipt of the above-mentioned DL PPDU, and measure the downlink channel within the above-mentioned period. For example, after receiving the PPDU, the terminal T100 may start a timer, and the timer duration is T. Before the timer times out, the terminal T100 continuously, or at a certain interval, or when there is downlink data transmission, measures the downlink channel between the terminal T100 and the access point B200. After the timer times out, the terminal T100 reports the CQI and restarts the timer, that is, starts the measurement of the next cycle.

[0092] As a possible implementation method of measuring the downlink channel, the access point B200 may send one or more DL PPUDs to the terminal T100 after 501, and the terminal T100 measures the one or more DL PPDUs to measure the downlink channel.

[0093] S503: The access point B200 sends a basic trigger frame to the terminal T100 according to a period T. The basic trigger frame is used to indicate an uplink resource for reporting a CQI.

[0094] In other words, the terminal T100 receives the basic trigger frame from the access point B200 according to the period T.

[0095] The access point B200 sending the basic trigger frame to the terminal T100 according to the period T can also be expressed as the access point B200 sending the basic trigger frame to the terminal T100 at intervals of period T, that is, the terminal T100 receives the basic trigger frame from the access point B200 at intervals of period T.

[0096] S504: The terminal T100 reports the CQI to the access point B200 according to the uplink resources.

[0097] In other words, the access point B200 receives the CQI from the terminal T100 based on the uplink resource.

[0098] The CQI may be used for downlink transmission, for example, determining the MCS (modulation and coding scheme, modulation and coding scheme) of downlink transmission based on the CQI.

[0099] As an optional implementation, the terminal T100 may send an uplink physical layer protocol data unit UL (uplink) PPDU to the access point B200, wherein the UL PPDU includes a HE Compressed Beamforming / CQI report, and the HE Compressed Beamforming / CQI report is used to indicate the above CQI, wherein the HE Compressed Beamforming / CQI report is configured as a CQI mode.

[0100] As a possible situation, in 503, the access point B200 sometimes fails to indicate to the terminal T100 the uplink resources for reporting the CQI, and the terminal T100 may wait until the next uplink resource is available after S503 to send the CQI.

[0101] As an optional implementation, when the terminal T100 has uplink data, the CQI and uplink data can be sent along the channel. For example, the HE Compressed Beamforming / CQI report and the MPDU (MAC Protocol Data Unit, Aggregated Media Access Control Protocol Data Unit) including the uplink data are sent along the channel. Among them, the along-channel transmission refers to combining the MPDU including the HE Compressed Beamforming / CQI report and the MPDU including the uplink data into an A-MPDU (Aggregated MPDU) for transmission.

[0102] pass Fig. 9 The method shown implements periodic channel detection, and can measure the downlink channel without using NDPA, reducing overhead. In addition, the measurement is based on the downlink data and the pilot of the downlink data, which can provide a more accurate reference for the channel quality and improve the capacity of downlink data transmission.

[0103] Above Figures 5 to 8 as well as Fig.10 For the purpose of describing the technical solution, only some of the fields / sub-fields or values ​​are shown in the data format and values. The remaining blank fields are described in the Wi-Fi standard 802.11ax and are not described here.

[0104] In order to implement the technical solution of the present application, the present application also provides a communication device for implementing Figure 4 and Fig. 9 The communication device may be a terminal or a baseband chip. The structure of the terminal may be as follows Figure 2 shown.

[0105] As an optional design, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver component. The processor and the transceiver component can be used to implement the functions of each part of the above-mentioned terminal side method. In this design, if the communication device is a terminal, its transceiver component can be a transceiver, and if the communication device is a baseband chip, its transceiver component can be an input / output circuit of the baseband chip.

[0106] As another optional design, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is used to run the above program so that the above terminal side method is implemented. Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory, the memory is used to store the program for implementing the above terminal side method.

[0107] The present application also provides a communication device for implementing Figure 4 and Fig. 9 The communication device may be an access point, or a baseband chip, or a baseband board.

[0108] As an optional design, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver component. The processor and the transceiver component can be used to implement the functions of each part of the method on the access point side. In this design, if the communication device is an access point, its transceiver component can be a transceiver, and if the communication device is a baseband chip or a baseband board, its transceiver component can be an input / output circuit of the baseband chip or the baseband board.

[0109] As another optional design, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is used to run the above program so that the above access point side method is implemented. Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory, the memory is used to store the program for implementing the above access point side method.

[0110] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a program. When the program is run, the above-mentioned terminal side or access point side method is executed.

[0111] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a program is stored, and when the program is run, the above-mentioned terminal side or access point side method is executed.

[0112] Those skilled in the art should know that the above-mentioned different optional parts / implementations etc. can be combined and replaced according to different network requirements.

[0113] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0114] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0115] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

[0116] The above-mentioned software function part can be stored in a storage unit. The storage unit includes a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to perform some steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage unit includes: one or more memories, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like. The storage unit can exist independently or be integrated with the processor.

[0117] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example for illustration. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The specific working process of the device described above can refer to the corresponding process in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0118] A person skilled in the art may understand that the various numerical numbers such as first and second involved in this document are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0119] A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, in the various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not imply the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0120] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. In the present application, a program may also be referred to as a computer instruction. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present invention is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, a computer, a server or a data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or a data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0121] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A Wi-Fi channel measurement method, characterized in that: include: The access point AP sends a trigger frame to the terminal STA, where the trigger frame is used to indicate uplink channel measurement; The AP receives a null data packet notification NDPA from the STA; wherein the NDPA is used to indicate partial bandwidth information partial BW Info, feedback type and subcarrier grouping feedback type and Ng, codebook size, and number of columns Nc related to the uplink channel measurement; The AP obtains an uplink channel weight by measuring a pilot of a null data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA from the STA; wherein the uplink channel weight is used for uplink MIMO; The AP sends the uplink channel weight to the STA.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The trigger frame is a basic trigger frame; wherein, Bit B63 in the common info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, Bit B39 in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, Bit B5 in the trigger dependent user information subfield in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The value of the trigger type subfield in the common info field of the trigger frame is a value between 8 and 15; The trigger-dependent user information subfield triggerdependent user info subfield in the user info field of the trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The value of the trigger type subfield in the common info field of the trigger frame is a value between 8 and 15; The trigger frame is also used to indicate the partialBW Info, the feedback type and Ng, the codebook size, and the Nc.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The trigger dependent user information in the user info field of the trigger frame includes the partial BW Info, the feedback type and Ng, the codebook size, and the Nc.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The trigger frame is also used to indicate the number N of the NDPs; The AP obtains an uplink channel weight by measuring a pilot of a null data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA from the STA, including: The AP obtains the uplink channel weight by measuring the pilot signals of N NDPs.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The AP obtains the uplink channel weight by measuring the pilot signals of N NDPs, including: The AP obtains N measurement results by measuring the pilot signals of the N NDPs; The AP obtains the uplink channel weight according to the N measurement results.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The trigger dependent user info in the user infofield of the trigger frame includes the N.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The AP sends a downlink physical layer protocol data unit (DL) PPDU to the STA, where the DL PPDU is used to indicate a CQI periodic reporting configuration; wherein the CQI periodic reporting configuration includes a reporting period; The AP sends a basic trigger frame to the STA according to the reporting period, where the basic trigger frame is used to indicate an uplink resource for reporting the CQI; The AP receives the CQI from the STA according to the uplink resource.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The CQI periodic reporting configuration also includes a bandwidth and / or a number of columns related to the CQI periodic reporting; The CQI received from the STA corresponds to the bandwidth and / or the number of columns.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The A-control subfield in the HT control field of the data frame of the DL PPDU includes the CQI periodic reporting configuration.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The AP receiving the CQI from the STA according to the uplink resource includes: The AP receives an aggregated medium access control protocol data unit A-MPDU from the STA according to the uplink resource, where the A-MPDU includes the CQI and uplink data.

13. A Wi-Fi channel measurement method, characterized in that: include: The terminal STA receives a trigger frame from the access point AP, where the trigger frame is used to indicate uplink channel measurement; The STA sends a null data packet notification NDPA to the AP; wherein the NDPA is used to indicate partial bandwidth information partial BW Info, feedback type and subcarrier grouping feedback type and Ng, codebook size codebook size, and number of columns Nc related to the uplink channel measurement; The STA sends a null data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA to the AP, and a pilot signal of the NDP is used for uplink channel measurement; The STA receives an uplink channel weight from the AP, where the uplink channel weight is used for uplink MIMO.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The trigger frame is a basic trigger frame; wherein, Bit B63 in the common info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, Bit B39 in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement; or, Bit B5 in the trigger dependent user information subfield in the user info field of the basic trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The value of the trigger type subfield in the common infofield of the trigger frame is a value between 8 and 15; The trigger-dependent user information subfield triggerdependent user info subfield in the user info field of the trigger frame is used to indicate the uplink channel measurement.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The value of the trigger type subfield in the common infofield of the trigger frame is a value between 8 and 15; The trigger frame is also used to indicate the partialBW Info, the feedback type and Ng, the codebook size, and the Nc.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The trigger dependent user information in the user info field of the trigger frame includes the partial BW Info, the feedback type and Ng, the codebook size, and the Nc.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The trigger frame is also used to indicate the number N of the NDPs; The STA sending a null data packet NDP corresponding to the NDPA to the AP includes: The STA sends N of the NDPs to the AP.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The uplink channel weight is based on the N NDPs.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The trigger dependent user info in the userinfofield of the trigger frame includes the N.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The STA receives a downlink physical layer protocol data unit (DL) PPDU from the AP, where the DL PPDU is used to indicate a CQI periodic reporting configuration; wherein the CQI periodic reporting configuration includes a reporting period; The STA measures the downlink channel to obtain a CQI; The STA receives a basic trigger frame from the AP according to the period, where the basic trigger frame is used to indicate an uplink resource for reporting the CQI; The STA reports the CQI to the AP according to the uplink resource.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The CQI periodic reporting configuration also includes a bandwidth and / or a number of columns related to the CQI periodic reporting; The STA measures the downlink channel to obtain the CQI, including: The STA measures the downlink channel to obtain a CQI corresponding to the bandwidth and / or the number of columns.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The A-control subfield in the HT controlfield of the data frame of the DL PPDU includes the CQI periodic reporting configuration.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that: The STA reporting the CQI to the AP according to the uplink resource includes: The STA sends an A-MPDU to the AP according to the uplink resource, where the A-MPDU includes the CQI and uplink data.

25. An access point, characterized in that: The method comprises a processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit is used to execute instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

26. A terminal, characterized in that The method comprises a processing circuit configured to execute instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises instructions, which, when executed at an access point, enable the access point to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: Comprising a computer program product as claimed in claim 27.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises instructions which, when executed in a local terminal, enable the local terminal to implement the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: Comprising a computer program product as claimed in claim 29.

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