Channel access method, apparatus, device, and storage medium

Abstract

The application discloses a channel access method and device, equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: in the case that a channel state is idle and it is decided to restart a channel backoff access process, the following steps are performed: in a first channel backoff access process, a transmission opportunity is obtained but transmission is abandoned; a second channel backoff access process is performed; wherein, the first channel backoff access process is the last channel backoff access process of the second channel backoff access process. The above scheme provides a way of restarting the execution of the channel backoff access process based on the idle state of the channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a channel access method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] When wireless communication devices use channels corresponding to unlicensed spectrum, they need to use the channel backoff access process to determine that the channel is in an idle state before they can use the channel. The continuous IFS time channel in the channel backoff access process is the starting reference point for the idle state, which is the time point when the last channel busy ended.

[0003] However, the above scheme cannot be applied to channel access in complex scenarios, such as channel access between different STAs (Stations) in an MLD (Multiple Links Device). When the transmission that STA1 expects to perform on the channel will affect the data interaction of STA2, STA1 needs to restart the channel backoff access process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a channel access method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a channel access method is provided, the method comprising:

[0006] If the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, the following steps are performed:

[0007] In the first channel backoff access procedure, a transmission opportunity is obtained but the transmission is abandoned; then the second channel backoff access procedure is executed; wherein, the first channel backoff access procedure is the previous channel backoff access procedure of the second channel backoff access procedure.

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a channel access apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0009] The processing module is used to perform the following steps when the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure:

[0010] In the first channel backoff access procedure, a transmission opportunity is obtained but the transmission is abandoned; then the second channel backoff access procedure is executed; wherein, the first channel backoff access procedure is the previous channel backoff access procedure of the second channel backoff access procedure.

[0011] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a first wireless communication device is provided, the first wireless communication device including a processor;

[0012] The processor is configured to perform the following steps when the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure:

[0013] In the first channel backoff access procedure, a transmission opportunity is obtained but the transmission is abandoned; then the second channel backoff access procedure is executed; wherein, the first channel backoff access procedure is the previous channel backoff access procedure of the second channel backoff access procedure.

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing a computer program for execution by a processor to implement the above-described channel access method.

[0015] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a chip is provided, the chip including programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions, which, when the chip is running, are used to implement the above-described channel access method.

[0016] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer program product or computer program is provided, the computer program product or computer program including computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and a processor reading from the computer-readable storage medium and executing the computer instructions to implement the above-described channel access method.

[0017] The technical solution provided in this application can bring the following beneficial effects:

[0018] By performing the following steps when the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure: In the first channel backoff access procedure, a transmission opportunity is obtained but relinquished; then, a second channel backoff access procedure is executed. The first channel backoff access procedure is the preceding channel backoff access procedure in the second channel backoff access procedure. This provides a method for restarting the channel backoff access procedure based on the channel being idle. This overcomes the limitation in related technologies where the continuous IFS time period during the channel backoff access procedure is the only available reference point for when the channel is idle, and the time point of the previous channel busy period ends. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a channel backoff access process provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a channel backoff access process provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access) backoff provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless local area network provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating multi-link transmission or reception of data provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating data packet interaction across multiple links, provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a channel access method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a channel access method provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating data packet interaction across multiple links, provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating data packet interaction across multiple links, provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of a channel access method provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating data packet interaction across multiple links, provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating data packet interaction across multiple links, provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0033] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of a channel access method provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating data packet interaction across multiple links, provided in another exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 16 This is a structural block diagram of a channel access device provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication device provided in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Channel backoff access process: In related technologies, the channel backoff access process includes at least DCF (Distributed Coordination Function) or EDCA (Enhanced Distributed Channel Access) Backoff, which will be introduced in detail below.

[0039] CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) is the core mechanism of DCF and EDCA. Because a wireless channel has only one collision domain, a random access mechanism is needed to avoid collisions caused by multiple wireless communication devices accessing the network simultaneously. In the WiFi protocol, this random access mechanism is CSMA / CA.

[0040] DCF: Figure 1 This illustrates that when wireless communication device 1 and wireless communication device 2 successively have data and need to obtain transmission rights to send data on the channel, wireless communication device 1 and wireless communication device 2 first need to "wait" for DIFS (Distributed Inter-frame Spacing) time. If the channel remains idle during the DIFS time, then a backoff process can be initiated. It should be noted that the "waiting" process in DIFS is not a true wait; during DIFS, it is necessary to monitor whether the channel is idle for the entire consecutive IFS time. This will be explained in more detail when discussing EDCA below.

[0041] When wireless communication device 1 and wireless communication device 2 enter the backoff process, they first need to select a random number from the Contention Window (CW). Figure 1 In the above, wireless communication device 1 selected 2, while wireless communication device 2 selected 8.

[0042] During the backoff process, the wireless communication device "listens" to the channel after each slot. If the channel is idle, the corresponding backoff counter value is decremented by 1. For example... Figure 1 After 3 slots, the backoff counter of wireless communication device 2 decreases from 8 to 5, while the counter of wireless communication device 1 decreases from 2 to 0.

[0043] When the backoff counter counts down to 0, the wireless communication device gains the right to transmit and can then send data. For example... Figure 1 After obtaining the transmission right, wireless communication device 1 sends PACKET A to AP. Upon receiving the data, AP uses a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) mechanism to verify the data. If the verification passes, AP sends an ACK confirmation frame after SIFS (Short Inter-Frame Space). Once wireless communication device 1 successfully receives the ACK frame, this transmission is complete.

[0044] After this transmission is complete, the wireless communication device needs to listen again for an idle channel within the continuous IFS timeframe of the DIFS before restarting the backoff process. If the wireless communication device has just finished transmitting data, it needs to select a new random number from the contention window and count backwards at the start of the backoff process. If the wireless communication device has not transmitted data, it continues counting backwards from the previous result. Figure 1 In the second backoff process, if wireless communication device 2 does not obtain the right to transmit, it will directly count down from 5 to 4 based on the previous countdown. This design aims to ensure fairness in network transmission.

[0045] EDCA: EDCA backoff is an enhanced channel backoff access process based on DCF. It selects an IFS and an initial random backoff slot count based on the type of the frame to be transmitted and / or the Access Code (AC). The entire EDCA backoff process consists of two parts: the IFS channel detection phase and the random backoff phase. If the channel is idle during the IFS channel detection phase, channel detection continues in each backoff slot. If the channel is idle in the i-th slot, the backoff slot count is decremented by 1, and channel detection continues in the (i+1)-th slot until the backoff slot count reaches 0.

[0046] Reference Figure 2 During the IFS channel detection phase, the continuous IFS time channel serves as the starting reference point for the idle period, which is the point from the previous channel busy period. Figure 2 The time point at which the "channel busy" status ends.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, starting from the basic time slice SIFS, PIFS = SIFS + 1 * slot, DIFS = SIFS + 2 * slot, and AIFS = SIFS + n * slot. If n is larger, it means that more time needs to be waited before each channel access, thus indicating a lower priority for the current wireless communication device. Figure 5 In, AIFS[AC]=SIFS+4*slot, AIFS[AC']=SIFS+5*slot.

[0048] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 3 This section defines the boundaries of each time point in the EDCA backoff process as specified in relevant technologies, and outlines the corresponding processing methods. Figure 3 During the EDCA backoff process shown, the AIFS duration is AIFS = aSIFSTime + AIFSN * SlotTime, where one SIFS duration is typically 16us or 10us, and one Slot duration is 9us. Figure 3 The AIFSN value is 2, and the number of randomly selected backoff slots is 1 (CW=1). Figure 3 The duration of one SIFS is D1 + M1 + Rx / Tx, and the duration of one Slot is D2 + CCADel + M2 + Rx / Tx.

[0049] Where, D1 = Delay1 (processing delay 1), M1 = M2 = aMACProcessingDelay (a media access control processing delay), Rx / Tx = aRxTxTurnaroundTime (a transmit / receive switching time), D2 = D1 + aAirPropagationTime (an air interface propagation time), CCAdel = aCCATime (an idle channel assessment detection time) - D1;

[0050] Figure 3 In the EDCA backoff process shown, the time points (boundaries) at which the current channel busy status of the wireless network device needs to be detected are the AIFSN slot boundary and the backoff slot boundary. Furthermore, to account for actual processing latency, it can be seen that the time points for determining channel busy status, starting from the end time of the previous busy medium, are actually the time points of continuous (SIFS duration + 1 * Slot duration - RxTxTurnaroundTime) and continuous (SIFS duration + 2 * Slot duration - RxTxTurnaroundTime).

[0051] It is known that, in conjunction with references Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 When a wireless network device wants to use a channel for data transmission, it initiates a channel backoff access process. The reference point for the continuous channel idle time during this process is the end time of the previous busy state. Furthermore, during the backoff access process, the wireless communication device continuously checks whether the channel it wishes to use is idle. Only when the backoff access process confirms that the channel is idle can the wireless communication device obtain the right to use the channel. In other words, the reference point for the continuous channel idle time during the backoff access process is the end time of the previous busy state.

[0052] However, when the channel backoff access process is applied to MLD (Multiple Links Device), the impact of data interaction between different STAs on different links in MLD (Station) must also be considered; or the impact of data interaction between different APs on different links in AP (Access Point) MLD.

[0053] In these scenarios, it is necessary to consider how to initiate the channel backoff access process when the channel to be used is in an idle state.

[0054] The following section will introduce MLD-based wireless LANs. Figure 4 A block diagram of a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown. The WLAN may include: STA MLD 41 and AP MLD 42.

[0055] STA MLD 41 contains one or more logical entities STA, which can be wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals. Examples include mobile phones supporting Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) communication, tablets supporting WiFi communication, set-top boxes supporting WiFi communication, smart TVs supporting WiFi communication, smart wearable devices supporting WiFi communication, in-vehicle communication devices supporting WiFi communication, and computers supporting WiFi communication.

[0056] An AP MLD 42 contains one or more logical entities called APs. An AP serves as an access point for mobile users to access a wired network, primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. It can also be deployed outdoors. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device with a WiFi chip.

[0057] In this embodiment, multiple links are established between STA MLD 41 and AP MLD 42. The exemplary STA MLD 41 includes STA1 and STA2, and the AP MLD 42 includes AP1 and AP2. STA1 and STA2 interact with AP1 and AP2 respectively, meaning AP1 and AP2 are logical peers of STA1 and STA2. Exemplarily, there is link 1 between STA1 and AP1, and link 2 between STA2 and AP2. STA1 receives data sent by AP1 through link 1, or AP1 receives data sent by STA1 through link 1; STA2 receives data sent by AP2 through link 2, or AP2 receives data sent by STA2 through link 2.

[0058] In this embodiment, both STA MLD 41 and AP MLD 42 support the 802.11 standard. It is understood that STA MLD 41 and AP MLD 42 in this embodiment may also support evolutions of the 802.11 standard, or other communication standards. For example, they may support 802.11be and later versions.

[0059] It should be noted that the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, two interconnected devices, STA MLD and AP MLD, supporting Multiple Links Operation, are defined. The STA MLD and AP MLD, having established multiple links, can leverage the advantages of multiple links to send and receive data on multiple links, achieving high throughput and low latency.

[0061] In related technologies, an NSTR (Non-simultaneous Transmission and Reception) STA MLD is also defined. In multi-link NSTR STA MLDs, due to limitations of radio frequency (RF), when STA1 transmits data on link 1, it causes in-device interference within the STA MLD, preventing STA2 from receiving data normally on link 2. Consequently, the NSTR STA MLD cannot independently transmit and receive data simultaneously on multiple links. That is, if the NSTR STA MLD uses multiple links simultaneously, it can transmit (also called send) or receive data simultaneously on multiple links.

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, this illustrates the uplink (UL) process. Ideally, the NSTR STA MLD transmits data at aligned times on both links, and receives data at aligned times as well. ULPPDU is the Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit transmitted during the uplink process, and BA is the Block Acknowledgement received during the downlink process.

[0063] In multi-link operations of related technologies, the transmission or reception between multiple links cannot be aligned. When link 2 is exchanging data (transmitting or receiving data), if link 1 needs to transmit, it is necessary to consider whether the expected transmission of link 1 will interfere with link 2, which is currently exchanging data, causing link 2 to be unable to exchange data normally.

[0064] Based on the above, in related technologies, for STA MLDs and AP MLDs with established NSTR Links, when a STA MLD or AP MLD obtains channel access rights on Link 1 for a certain AC (Access Code) Queue using the channel backoff access procedure, i.e., when it obtains a TxOP (Transmission Opportunity) for the AC Queue on Link 1, the STA MLD or AP MLD can determine whether initiating the transmission of data packets on this AC Queue would interfere with the frame exchange sequence on Link 2. Based on this determination, the STA MLD or AP MLD can decide whether to initiate the transmission of data packets on this AC Queue.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, for NSTR STA MLD, when STA1 on link 1 obtains a TxOP, it finds that the expected transmission data (TX PPDU) will interfere with the reception data (RX PPDU) that is being performed on link 2 on STA2. Therefore, STA1 decides not to start the transmission data at time point 301.

[0066] In summary, when the channel backoff process is applied to NSTR STA MLD or NSTR AP MLD, the transmission on link 1 needs to take into account the data interaction on link 2, which results in a scenario where the channel backoff process needs to be restarted when the channel is idle. Based on this, this application provides the following embodiments.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a channel access method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application, the method comprising:

[0068] Step 701: If the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, perform the following steps: In the first channel backoff access procedure, obtain a transmission opportunity but give up the transmission; execute the second channel backoff access procedure; wherein, the first channel backoff access procedure is the previous channel backoff access procedure before the second channel backoff access procedure.

[0069] In some optional embodiments, step 701 is performed by a wireless communication device, which may include a STA or an AP. Taking a STA as an example, when the STA determines that the channel it wishes to use is busy, at the end of the busy state, the STA begins a first channel backoff access procedure. At the end of the first channel backoff access procedure, the STA obtains a transmission opportunity, and the channel is idle. However, the STA decides to begin a second channel backoff access procedure and abandons the transmission.

[0070] It should be noted that for a STA, a busy channel can mean that another STA is occupying the channel, there is other interference on the channel, or the STA is currently exchanging data on the channel.

[0071] In some optional embodiments, the channel backoff access procedure includes at least: DCF, EDCA backoff, and other CSMA / CA-based channel backoff access procedures. DCF and EDCA backoff have been described in detail above. In subsequent embodiments, only EDCA backoff will be used as an example.

[0072] It should be noted that this method can also be used when the channel is busy. Figure 7 The method shown. At this time, step 701 can be implemented as follows: For a STA or AP on the NSTR Link, if it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, the following steps are taken: In the first channel backoff access procedure, a transmission opportunity is obtained but the transmission is abandoned; the second channel backoff access procedure is executed; wherein, the first channel backoff access procedure is the previous channel backoff access procedure of the second channel backoff access procedure.

[0073] In some alternative embodiments, during the execution of the first channel backoff access procedure, if it is found that the data expected to be transmitted on link 1 will affect the data to be received on link 2, then even if a transmission opportunity is obtained during the already started first channel backoff access procedure, the transmission will be abandoned, and a second channel backoff access procedure will be started in order to ultimately avoid mutual interference between link 1 and link 2 by restarting the channel backoff access procedure.

[0074] In some alternative embodiments, step 701 may be replaced by steps 701-1 and 701-2.

[0075] Step 701-1: In the first channel backoff access process, a transmission opportunity is obtained but the transmission is abandoned;

[0076] Step 701-2: If the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, execute the second channel backoff access procedure; wherein, the first channel backoff access procedure is the previous channel backoff access procedure before the second channel backoff access procedure.

[0077] In some alternative embodiments, step 701 may be replaced by step 701'.

[0078] Step 701': If the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, the channel access procedure is executed in the target mode; wherein, the previous channel backoff access procedure that restarted the channel backoff access procedure obtained a transmission opportunity but gave up the transmission.

[0079] In summary, by performing the following steps when the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process: in the first channel backoff access process, a transmission opportunity is obtained but the transmission is abandoned; the second channel backoff access process is executed; wherein the first channel backoff access process is the previous channel backoff access process of the second channel backoff access process, a method is provided to restart the channel backoff access process based on the channel being in an idle state.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a channel access method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0081] Step 801: If the channel is busy, begin the first channel backoff access process;

[0082] In some alternative embodiments, Figure 8 The method shown is executed by the first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link in the MLD. The wireless communication device includes either a STA or an AP. Optionally, the first wireless communication device is STA1 and the second wireless communication device is STA2; or, the first wireless communication device is AP1 and the second wireless communication device is AP2. For ease of explanation, the following description uses STA1 as the first wireless communication device and STA2 as the second wireless communication device as an example.

[0083] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows that at the end of the time when STA1 determines that the channel is busy, STA1 begins EDCA backoff, that is, STA1 begins the first channel backoff access process.

[0084] Step 802: If a transmission opportunity is obtained during the first channel backoff access process but the expected transmission will interfere with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD, the transmission is abandoned.

[0085] In an optional embodiment, the first wireless communication device obtains a transmission opportunity at the end of the first channel backoff access process, but the first wireless communication device finds that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device, and the first wireless communication device abandons the transmission.

[0086] Step 803: Decide to begin the second channel backoff access procedure;

[0087] The first wireless communication device abandons transmission and decides to restart the channel backoff access process, that is, decides to start the second channel backoff access process.

[0088] Step 804: If the channel is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process, start the second channel backoff access process at the time reference point; wherein, the time reference point is the time point at which the second channel backoff access process is decided to start.

[0089] Optionally, there are two possible ways to determine the time reference point;

[0090] • The time reference point is the point at which the first wireless communication device decides to abandon transmission;

[0091] Reference Figure 9 This shows that STA1 obtains a transmission opportunity at time 901 but decides not to initiate transmission. The current channel is idle, and STA1 re-performs EDCA backoff on link 1 (i.e., begins the second channel backoff access process). At time 901, STA1 discovers that the expected TX PPDU is interfering with STA2's RX PPDU.

[0092] • The time reference point is the point in time when the expected transmission is no longer interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD after the first wireless communication device abandons the transmission.

[0093] Reference Figure 10This illustrates that STA1 obtains a transmission opportunity at time 1001 but decides not to initiate transmission. At time 1001, STA1 discovers that the expected TX PPDU is interfering with STA2's RX PPDU. STA1 temporarily assumes that it has no data packets to send on this AC Queue, i.e., it assumes that this AC Queue is an empty queue. Therefore, STA1 does not need to trigger the start of transmission at time 1001 and keeps the EDCA backoff channel backoff window on this AC Queue at 0. Until a later time 1002, when STA2 believes that triggering the start of data packets on the AC Queue will not interfere with data interaction on Link 2, STA1 can treat the AC Queue as a non-empty queue again. At this time, the current channel is idle, and STA1 re-performs EDCA backoff on Link 1, i.e., STA1 begins the second channel backoff access process on Link 1.

[0094] In some optional embodiments, the first wireless communication device also aligns the time reference point to the boundary of the most recent time slot corresponding to the first wireless communication device. When the time reference point is the time at which the first wireless communication device decides to abandon transmission, the time reference point is aligned to, for example... Figure 9 The time slot boundary 901 is shown. In the case where the time reference point is the point at which, after the first wireless communication device abandons transmission, it is rediscovered that the anticipated resumption of transmission no longer interferes with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD, the time reference point is aligned to... Figure 10 The time slot boundary shown is 1002.

[0095] In some optional embodiments, the second channel backoff access procedure is initiated at a time reference point, including:

[0096] 1. Starting from the time reference point, channel detection is performed in the first time period;

[0097] Optionally, when the channel backoff access process is DCF, the first time period can be DIFS as described above, where DIFS = SIFSTime + 2 * SlotTime. From the above description, SIFS = D1 + M1 + Rx / Tx, and SlotTime = D2 + CCAdel + M2 + Rx / Tx. Optionally, when the channel backoff access process is EDCA backoff, the first time period can be AIFS as described above, where AIFS = SIFSTime + AIFSN * SlotTime. From the above description, different ACs can have different AIFSN values; a larger AIFSN value indicates a lower priority for the current first wireless communication device. (Refer to the reference...) Figure 9 and Figure 10It shows that STA1 performs a new EDCA backoff, where AIFS is the first time period.

[0098] 2. If the channel detection result in the first time period is idle, channel detection is performed in the i-th second time period in the n second time period slots, where n is the number of backoff time periods, and the initial value of i is 1 and i is not greater than n.

[0099] In some optional embodiments, the EDCA backoff process includes an IFS channel detection phase (first time period) and a random backoff phase, the random backoff phase including n slots (second time period).

[0100] As mentioned above, the first time period includes SIFS and several slots. The channel detection result in the first time period is idle, which can mean that the channel detection results in SIFS and several slots are both idle; or it can mean that the channel detection result in SIFS is busy and the channel detection result in several slots is idle.

[0101] 3. If the channel detection result in the i-th second time period is idle and n is not 0, then decrease n by one, increase i by 1, and then perform the channel detection step in the i-th second time period out of n second time periods again.

[0102] When the first wireless communication device detects that the channel is idle and n is not 0 in the i-th slot, the first wireless communication device decrements the backoff time slot count by 1 and continues to perform channel detection in the (i+1)-th slot until the backoff time slot count is 0. (Refer to the reference...) Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows the process of STA1 performing a new EDCA backoff, and the backoff slot number gradually decreasing to 0.

[0103] 4. If the channel detection result is idle and n is 0 in the i-th second time period, determine that the second channel backoff access process will obtain a transmission opportunity.

[0104] When the first wireless communication device detects that the channel is idle and n is not 0 in the i-th slot, the first wireless communication device determines that the second channel backoff access process has obtained a transmission opportunity.

[0105] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows that STA1 performs a new EDCA backoff (i.e., the second channel backoff access procedure), and after the number of backoff time slots gradually decreases to 0, STA1 has the opportunity to obtain TX PPDU (transmitted data).

[0106] It should be noted that this method can also be used when the channel is busy. Figure 8 The method shown. At this time, step 804 can be implemented as follows: for the STA or AP on the NSTR Link, if it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, a second channel backoff access procedure is started at a time reference point; wherein, the time reference point is the time point at which the second channel backoff access procedure is started.

[0107] In summary, by initiating the second channel backoff access procedure at a time reference point, a possible implementation method for restarting the channel backoff access procedure is provided.

[0108] Furthermore, the time reference point is the time when the first wireless communication device decides to abandon the transmission, or the time reference point is the time when the first wireless communication device, after abandoning the transmission, rediscovers that the expected transmission will no longer interfere with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD. This further provides a specific implementation method for starting the second channel backoff access process based on the idle channel.

[0109] Please refer to Figure 11 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a channel access method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0110] Step 1101: If the channel is busy, begin the first channel backoff access process;

[0111] In some alternative embodiments, Figure 11 The method shown is performed by the first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link in the MLD. In some optional embodiments, the wireless communication device includes either a STA or an AP. Optionally, the first wireless communication device is STA1 and the second wireless communication device is STA2; or, the first wireless communication device is AP1 and the second wireless communication device is AP2. For ease of explanation, the following description uses STA1 as the first wireless communication device and STA2 as the second wireless communication device as an example.

[0112] Reference Figure 12 , Figure 12 It shows that at the end of the time when STA1 determines that the channel is busy, STA1 begins EDCA backoff, that is, STA1 begins the first channel backoff access process.

[0113] Step 1102: If a transmission opportunity is obtained during the first channel backoff access process but the expected transmission will interfere with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD, the transmission is abandoned.

[0114] In an optional embodiment, the first wireless communication device obtains a transmission opportunity at the end of the first channel backoff access process, but the first wireless communication device finds that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device, and the first wireless communication device abandons the transmission.

[0115] Step 1103: Decide to begin the second channel backoff access procedure;

[0116] The first wireless communication device abandons transmission and decides to restart the channel backoff access process, that is, decides to start the second channel backoff access process.

[0117] Step 1104: When the channel state is idle and it is decided to start the second channel backoff access process, a channel busy signal is generated at the time reference point, which is the time point at which the second channel backoff access process is decided to start.

[0118] In some optional embodiments, the channel busy signal can be at least one of the following signals:

[0119] • CCA (Clear Channel Assessment) indicates a busy signal;

[0120] • Non-zero NAV (Network Allocation Vector) information; NAV can be understood as a time counter indicating how long the channel will remain occupied. Each monitoring STA or AP maintains an NAV counter. The NAV value continuously decreases over time. Before the NAV value reaches zero, the STA or AP always considers the channel busy and stops competing for the channel and transmitting data.

[0121] • Transmit and receive sequences;

[0122] In some optional embodiments, the channel busy signal lasts for a first duration.

[0123] When the channel busy signal includes a CCA busy signal, the first duration may include an integer multiple of the detection time of the CCA busy signal. Optionally, the duration of the CCA busy signal detection time is pre-configured; optionally, the end time of the CCA busy signal detection time is earlier than the end time of the data interaction of the second wireless communication device; optionally, the end time of the CCA busy signal detection time is equal to the end time of the data interaction of the second wireless communication device.

[0124] When the channel busy signal includes non-zero NAV information, the first duration may include the duration of the NAV information. Optionally, the duration of the NAV information is pre-configured; optionally, the end time of the NAV information is earlier than the end time of the data interaction of the second wireless communication device; optionally, the end time of the NAV information is equal to the end time of the data interaction of the second wireless communication device.

[0125] When the channel busy signal includes a transmit / receive sequence, the first duration may include the duration of data interaction of the first wireless communication device in the transmit / receive sequence. Optionally, the duration of the transmit / receive sequence is pre-configured; optionally, the end time of the transmit / receive sequence is earlier than the end time of the data interaction of the second wireless communication device; optionally, the end time of the transmit / receive sequence is equal to the end time of the data interaction of the second wireless communication device.

[0126] In some optional embodiments, the channel busy signal is a false channel busy signal. Optionally, the false channel busy signal includes at least one of a false CCA busy signal, a false non-zero NAV information, and a false transmit / receive sequence.

[0127] In some alternative embodiments, please refer to Figure 12 STA1 obtains a transmission opportunity at the end of the previous EDCA backoff (i.e., the first channel backoff access process) at 1201, but STA1 decides not to start transmission. After that, STA1 generates a channel busy signal. The start time of the channel busy signal at 1201 is the new time reference point for EDCA backoff. After that, after the end time of the channel busy signal at 1202, STA1 enters the IFS channel detection phase (AIFS).

[0128] In another alternative embodiment, please refer to Figure 13 STA1 obtains a transmission opportunity at 1301, the end time of the previous EDCA backoff (i.e., the first channel backoff access process). However, STA1 decides not to start transmission. Afterwards, STA1 temporarily assumes that there are no data packets to be sent on this AC Queue, that is, assumes that this AC Queue is an empty queue. Therefore, STA1 can not trigger the start of transmission and keep the channel backoff window of EDCA backoff on this AC Queue at 0 until 1302, when STA2 believes that triggering the start of data packets on the AC Queue at this time will not interfere with the data interaction on link 2. STA1 can then treat the AC Queue as a non-empty queue again and generate a channel busy signal at 1302. The start time of the channel busy signal, 1302, is the new time reference point for EDCA backoff. Afterwards, after the end time of the channel busy signal, 1303, STA enters the IFS channel detection phase (AIFS).

[0129] Step 1105: At the end of the channel busy signal, start the second channel backoff access process.

[0130] It should be noted that this method can also be used when the channel is busy. Figure 11 The method shown. At this time, step 1104 can be implemented as follows: For the STA or AP on the NSTR Link, if it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, a channel busy signal is generated at the time reference point, which is the time point at which the second channel backoff access procedure is decided.

[0131] In summary, by generating a channel busy signal at a time reference point, the first wireless communication device can realize the second channel backoff access process based on channel idleness according to the pre-defined method of "starting the second channel backoff access process based on channel busy".

[0132] Please refer to Figure 14 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a channel access method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0133] Step 1401: If the channel is busy, begin the first channel backoff access process;

[0134] In some alternative embodiments, Figure 14 The method shown is performed by the first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link in the MLD. In some optional embodiments, the wireless communication device includes either a STA or an AP. Optionally, the first wireless communication device is STA1 and the second wireless communication device is STA2; or, the first wireless communication device is AP1 and the second wireless communication device is AP2. For ease of explanation, the following description uses STA1 as the first wireless communication device and STA2 as the second wireless communication device as an example.

[0135] Reference Figure 15 , Figure 15 The diagram shows that at the end of the time when STA1 determines that the channel is busy, STA1 begins EDCA backoff, that is, STA1 begins the first channel backoff access process.

[0136] Step 1402: If a transmission opportunity is obtained during the first channel backoff access process but the expected transmission will interfere with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD, the transmission is abandoned.

[0137] In an optional embodiment, the first wireless communication device obtains a transmission opportunity at the end of the first channel backoff access process, but the first wireless communication device finds that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device, and the first wireless communication device abandons the transmission.

[0138] Step 1403: Decide to begin the second channel backoff access procedure;

[0139] The first wireless communication device abandons transmission and decides to begin the second channel backoff access process.

[0140] Step 1404: If the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process, during the time when the second wireless communication device is performing data interaction, the first wireless communication device determines the channel to be busy.

[0141] In some optional embodiments, the first wireless communication device uses the transmit / receive sequence of the second wireless communication device as its own transmit / receive sequence; at the end of the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device begins the second backoff channel access process.

[0142] Reference Figure 15 STA1 obtains a transmission opportunity at the end of the previous EDCA backoff (first channel backoff access procedure) at 1501, but decides not to initiate transmission. STA1 then uses STA2's transmit / receive sequence as its own. At the end of STA2's transmit / receive sequence at 1502, STA1 begins a new EDCA backoff, i.e., STA1 begins the second channel backoff access procedure.

[0143] Step 1405: After the second wireless communication device completes data interaction, the first wireless communication device begins the second backoff channel access process.

[0144] It should be noted that this method can also be used when the channel is busy. Figure 14 The method shown. At this time, step 1404 can be implemented as follows: For a STA or AP on the NSTR Link, if it is decided to restart the channel backoff access procedure, the first wireless communication device determines the channel to be busy during the time when the second wireless communication device is exchanging data.

[0145] In summary, by using the transmit / receive sequence of the second wireless communication device as the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device, and restarting the channel backoff access process at the end of the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device can achieve the goal of starting the second channel backoff access process based on channel idleness, according to the pre-defined method of "starting the second channel backoff access process based on channel busy". Furthermore, the first wireless communication device can start the second channel backoff access process as quickly as possible.

[0146] It is understood that the above method embodiments can be implemented individually or in combination, and this application does not limit them in this regard.

[0147] Figure 16This application shows a structural block diagram of a channel access apparatus provided in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprising:

[0148] The processing module 1601 is configured to perform the following steps when the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process: in the first channel backoff access process, obtain a transmission opportunity but give up the transmission; execute the second channel backoff access process; wherein the first channel backoff access process is the previous channel backoff access process of the second channel backoff access process.

[0149] In some optional embodiments, the processing module 1601 is further configured to initiate a second channel backoff access procedure at a time reference point; wherein the time reference point is the time point at which the second channel backoff access procedure is initiated.

[0150] In some alternative embodiments, the device includes a first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link in the MLD, which abandons the transmission because it finds that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of a second wireless communication device in the MLD.

[0151] In some alternative embodiments, the time reference point is the point at which the first wireless communication device decides to abandon transmission.

[0152] In some alternative embodiments, the time reference point is the point in time when the first wireless communication device, after abandoning the transmission, rediscovers that the expected transmission will no longer interfere with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD.

[0153] In some optional embodiments, the processing module 1601 is further configured to perform channel detection in a first time period starting from a time reference point; if the channel detection result in the first time period is idle, perform channel detection in the i-th second time period among n second time period slots, where n is the number of backoff time periods, and the initial value of i is 1 and i is not greater than n; if the channel detection result in the i-th second time period is idle and n is not 0, decrement n by one, increment i by 1, and then perform the step of performing channel detection in the i-th second time period among n second time periods again; if the channel detection result in the i-th second time period is idle and n is 0, determine that the channel backoff access process has obtained a transmission opportunity.

[0154] In some optional embodiments, the processing module 1601 is further configured to align the time reference point to the boundary of the most recent time slot corresponding to the first wireless communication device.

[0155] In some optional embodiments, the processing module 1601 is further configured to generate a channel busy signal at a time reference point, the time reference point being the time point at which the second channel backoff access process is determined; and to start the second backoff channel access process at the end of the channel busy signal.

[0156] In some alternative embodiments, the channel busy signal includes any one of the following signals: CCA busy signal, non-zero NAV information, and transmit / receive sequence.

[0157] In some optional embodiments, the channel busy signal lasts for a first duration.

[0158] In some alternative embodiments, the device includes a first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link in the MLD, which abandons the transmission because it finds that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of a second wireless communication device in the MLD.

[0159] In some optional embodiments, the processing module 1601 is further configured to determine the channel as busy during the data interaction time of the second wireless communication device; and to start the second backoff channel access process after the data interaction of the second wireless communication device is completed.

[0160] In some optional embodiments, the processing module 1601 is further configured to use the transmit / receive sequence of the second wireless communication device as the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device; and to start the second backoff channel access process at the end of the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device.

[0161] In summary, by performing the following steps when the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process: in the first channel backoff access process, a transmission opportunity is obtained but the transmission is abandoned; and in the second channel backoff access process, a method for restarting the channel backoff access process is provided.

[0162] It should be noted that the device provided in the above embodiments is only illustrated by the division of the above functional modules when implementing its functions. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules according to actual needs, that is, the content structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0163] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs its operation has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0164] Please refer to Figure 17This illustration shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an MLD provided in one embodiment of this application. The MLD can be a STAMLD or an AP MLD. The STA MLD includes STA1 and STA2; the AP MLD includes AP1 and AP2. Taking the MLD as STA MLD 1700 as an example, STA1 and STA2 share a processor 1701. STA1 also includes a transceiver 1702 and a memory 1703, and STA2 also includes a transceiver 1704 and a memory 1705.

[0165] The processor 1701 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1701 executes various functional applications by running software programs and modules.

[0166] Transceiver 1702 can be used to receive and send information; it can be a communication chip. Transceiver 1704 is similar to transceiver 1702 and will not be described further.

[0167] Memory 1703 can be used to store computer programs, and processor 1701 is used to execute the computer programs to implement the various steps performed by the wireless communication device in the above method embodiments. Memory 1705 is similar to memory 1703 and will not be described again.

[0168] Furthermore, the memory 1703 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: random-access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state storage technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), high-density digital video disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic tape cassette, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.

[0169] In another possible MLD architecture, STA1 and STA2 have their own processors.

[0170] In another possible MLD structure, STA1 and STA2 share the same memory.

[0171] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that is executed by a processor to implement the above-described channel access method.

[0172] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium may include: read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), solid-state drives (SSDs), or optical discs, etc. The random-access memory may include resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) and dynamic random-access memory (DRAM).

[0173] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions, and is used to implement the above-described channel access method when the chip is running.

[0174] This application also provides a computer program product or computer program, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the above-described channel access method.

[0175] The processor in this application embodiment includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0176] It should be understood that the term "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0177] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" may indicate that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or that there is an association between two things, or that there is a relationship of instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0178] In this article, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0179] Furthermore, the step numbers described herein are merely illustrative of one possible execution order between steps. In some other embodiments, the steps may not be executed in the order of their numbers, such as two steps with different numbers being executed simultaneously, or two steps with different numbers being executed in the reverse order of the illustration. This application does not limit this.

[0180] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the functions described in the embodiments of this application in one or more of the above examples can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0181] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A channel access method, characterized in that, The method includes: During the first channel backoff access process, a transmission opportunity is obtained but is abandoned; When the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process, the second channel backoff access process is started at a time reference point. The time reference point is the time at which the decision to start the second channel backoff access process is made. The time reference point is the time at which the first wireless communication device abandons the transmission and then finds that the expected transmission no longer interferes with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the multi-link device. The first channel backoff access procedure is the previous channel backoff access procedure of the second channel backoff access procedure.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method is performed by the first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link that cannot be simultaneously transmitted and received in the multi-link device (MLD). The transmission is abandoned because the first wireless communication device finds that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of initiating the second channel backoff access at the time reference point includes: Channel detection is performed during the first time period, starting from the aforementioned time reference point. If the channel detection result in the first time period is idle, channel detection is performed in the i-th second time period among the n second time period slots, where n is the number of backoff time periods, and the initial value of i is 1 and i is not greater than n. If the channel detection result in the i-th second time period is idle and n is not 0, then n is decremented by one, i is incremented by 1, and the step of performing channel detection in the i-th second time period out of n second time periods is executed again. If the channel detection result is idle and n is 0 during the i-th second time period, it is determined that the second channel backoff access process has obtained a transmission opportunity.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Align the time reference point to the boundary of the most recent time slot corresponding to the first wireless communication device.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: A channel busy signal is generated at the time reference point; At the end of the channel busy signal, the second channel backoff access process begins.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The channel busy signal includes any one of the following signals: Idle channel assessment of CCA busy signal; Non-zero network assignment vector (NAV) information; Send and receive sequences.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The channel busy signal lasts for a first duration.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method is executed by the first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link in the multi-link device (MLD). The transmission is abandoned because the first wireless communication device finds that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD. The method further includes: The channel is determined to be busy during the time when the second wireless communication device is exchanging data; After the data exchange between the second wireless communication devices is completed, the second channel backoff access process begins.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Determining the channel as busy during the time when the second wireless communication device is interacting with data includes: The transmit / receive sequence of the second wireless communication device is used as the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device; After the data exchange between the second wireless communication devices is completed, the second channel backoff access process begins, including: At the end of the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device, the second channel backoff access process begins.

10. A channel access device, characterized in that, The device includes: The processing module is used to obtain a transmission opportunity but give up transmission during the first channel backoff access process; When the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process, a second channel backoff access process is initiated at a time reference point. The time reference point is the time at which the decision to start the second channel backoff access process is made. The time reference point is the time at which, after the first wireless communication device abandons transmission, it is found that the expected transmission will no longer interfere with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the multi-link device. The first channel backoff access process is the previous channel backoff access process of the second channel backoff access process.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The device includes a first wireless communication device in a multi-link device (MLD) that cannot simultaneously transmit and receive NSTR links. The transmission is abandoned because the first wireless communication device discovers that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The processing module is also used to perform channel detection in a first time period starting from the time reference point; The processing module is further configured to perform channel detection in the i-th second time period among n second time period slots when the channel detection result in the first time period is idle, where n is the number of backoff time periods, and the initial value of i is 1 and i is not greater than n. The processing module is further configured to, when the channel detection result in the i-th second time period is idle and n is not 0, subtract one from n, add 1 to i, and then execute the step of performing channel detection in the i-th second time period out of n second time periods again. The processing module is further configured to determine, when the channel detection result in the i-th second time period is idle and n is 0, that the second channel backoff access process obtains a transmission opportunity.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to align the time reference point to the boundary of the most recent time slot corresponding to the first wireless communication device.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The processing module is also configured to generate a channel busy signal at the time reference point, which is the time point at which the second channel backoff access process is determined; The processing module is also configured to start the second channel backoff access process at the end of the channel busy signal.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that, The channel busy signal includes any one of the following signals: CCA busy signal; Non-zero NAV information; Send and receive sequences.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that, The channel busy signal lasts for a first duration.

17. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The device includes a first wireless communication device corresponding to the NSTR link in a multi-link device (MLD). The transmission is abandoned because the first wireless communication device discovers that the expected transmission is interfering with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the MLD. The processing module is further configured to determine the channel as busy during the time when the second wireless communication device is performing data interaction; The processing module is further configured to start the second channel backoff access process after the second wireless communication device has completed data interaction.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to use the transmit / receive sequence of the second wireless communication device as the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device; The processing module is further configured to start the second channel backoff access process at the end of the transmit / receive sequence of the first wireless communication device.

19. A first wireless communication device, characterized in that, The first wireless communication device includes a processor; The processor is configured to obtain a transmission opportunity but abandon the transmission during the first channel backoff access process; When the channel state is idle and it is decided to restart the channel backoff access process, a second channel backoff access process is initiated at a time reference point. The time reference point is the time at which the decision to start the second channel backoff access process is made. The time reference point is the time at which, after the first wireless communication device abandons transmission, it is found that the expected transmission will no longer interfere with the data interaction of the second wireless communication device in the multi-link device. The first channel backoff access process is the previous channel backoff access process of the second channel backoff access process.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that is executed by a processor to implement the channel access method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

21. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions, which, when the chip is running, are used to implement the channel access method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and a processor reads from and executes the computer instructions to implement the channel access method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images