Method, device, storage medium and program product for determining bandwidth

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, device, storage medium and program product for determining bandwidth. In the method for determining bandwidth of the present disclosure, a first device receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a second device, wherein the PPDU is used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field are used to indicate bandwidth. Subsequently, if the second set of bits is checked to be wrong, the first device determines the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits. Embodiments of the present disclosure do not give up the determination of the bandwidth used for communication in the case that the second set of bits is checked to be wrong, thereby avoiding unwanted retransmission or channel contention.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure mainly relate to the field of communication, and in particular to a method, device, storage medium and program product for determining bandwidth. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a wireless local area network, the wireless channel environment where the transmitting end and the receiving end are located is different. Before the transmitting end and the receiving end perform data communication, it is expected that the bandwidth suitable for the communication of both can be negotiated according to the channel availability of both. In addition, it is usually required that the corresponding frame and its trigger frame use the same bandwidth during the communication.

[0003] In the existing scheme, in order to perform such negotiation, the transmitting end can send the bandwidth of the channel to the receiving end when performing data communication. For example, the transmitting end can jointly indicate the bandwidth by using a group of bits in the scrambling sequence and a group of bits in the service field. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a scheme for determining bandwidth.

[0005] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for determining bandwidth is provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a first device, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first group of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second group of bits in the service field being used to indicate bandwidth; and if the second group of bits is checked for error, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first group of bits.

[0006] In this document, the PPDU received by the first device can carry a control frame or a management frame. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the received PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-HT duplicated format PPDU, which carries a control frame, examples of which include but are not limited to: a RTS (Request To Send) frame, a CTS (Clear To Send) frame, a PS-Poll (Power Save-Poll) frame, a CF-End (Contention Free End) frame, a BAR (Block Ack Request) frame, or an NDP Announcement (Null Data PPDU Announcement) frame, etc.

[0007] In this document, the first group of bits and / or the second group of bits can include one or more bits. For example, the first group of bits can include bits B5 and B6 in the scrambling sequence, and the second group of bits can include bit B7 in the service field.

[0008] Different values of the first set of bits and the second set of bits can indicate different bandwidths. The size of the bandwidths can include, for example, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 (80+80) MHz, 320 MHz, or 480 MHz, etc.

[0009] According to the scheme of the present disclosure, in the case that the second set of bits fails the check, the first device can not simply discard the frame, but can continue to attempt to determine the bandwidth of the communication based on the first set of bits. In this way, the scheme of the present disclosure can reduce unnecessary retransmissions or channel contention, save valuable air interface resources, and improve system efficiency.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: if the first set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, determining the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: the first set of bits having a value of 1 indicates that the bandwidth of the communication is a first bandwidth; the first set of bits having a value of 2 indicates that the bandwidth of the communication is a second bandwidth; or the first set of bits having a value of 3 indicates that the bandwidth of the communication is a third bandwidth.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first bandwidth is 40 MHz, the second bandwidth is 80 MHz, and the third bandwidth is 160 MHz.

[0013] Taking the code patterns indicated by B5, B6, and B7 discussed above as an example, three bits can indicate up to 8 bandwidths. Currently commonly used bandwidths include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 (80+80) MHz, and 320 MHz. For example, B5B6=0 and B7=0 indicates 20 MHz, B5B6=1 and B7=0 indicates 40 MHz, B5B6=2 and B7=0 indicates 80 MHz, B5B6=3 and B7=0 indicates 160 MHz, B5B6=0 and B7=1 indicates 320 MHz, and B5B6=1, 2, or 3 and B7=1 can be reserved and not indicate a bandwidth. The protocol uses a low-to-high order of transmission, for example, B5B6=2 corresponds to the binary number 10, in which case B5=0 and B6=1.

[0014] In this example, when B5B6=1, 2, or 3, it can indicate a single corresponding bandwidth. For example, when B5B6=1, it indicates 40 MHz; when B5B6=2, it indicates 80 MHz; and when B5B6=3, it indicates 160 MHz. In this case, even if B7 fails the check, the first device can determine the bandwidth of the communication based on the unique bandwidth corresponding to B5B6.

[0015] In some embodiments of the first aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: if the first set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device.

[0016] In this context, the bandwidth negotiation procedure indicates whether the bandwidth negotiation between the first device and the second device is accepted. The bandwidth negotiation procedure can comprise a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, which means that a station supporting dynamic bandwidth negotiation sets B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 1 (indicating Dynamic mode) when sending an RTS frame, and the receiving station uses an alternative bandwidth to send a CTS (Clear To Send) frame if the NAV (Network Allocation Vector) indicates idle and there is an alternative bandwidth less than or equal to the bandwidth of the RTS frame that satisfies the following condition within the PIFS (Point Inter-Frame Spacing) time before the RTS is sent. Otherwise, no CTS is sent. The condition to be satisfied is that the CCA (Clear Channel Assessment) of the subchannel of the alternative bandwidth is idle.

[0017] The bandwidth negotiation procedure can comprise a static bandwidth negotiation procedure. The static bandwidth negotiation procedure means that a station not supporting dynamic bandwidth negotiation sets B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 0 (indicating Static mode) when sending an RTS frame, and the receiving station uses the same bandwidth as the RTS frame to send a CTS frame if the NAV indicates idle and the bandwidth of the RTS frame satisfies the following condition. Otherwise, no CTS is sent. The condition to be satisfied is that the CCA of the subchannel of the RTS bandwidth is idle within the PIFS time before the RTS is sent.

[0018] The bandwidth negotiation procedure can also comprise a no bandwidth negotiation procedure. The no bandwidth negotiation procedure means that when a station sends a non-HT or non-HT PPDU carrying content other than an RTS frame, the DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT indication is not used, that is, B4 in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence can be randomly generated on the premise that the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence are not all 0. In this case, the receiving station will use the same bandwidth as the received frame to respond to the response frame.

[0019] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a static bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0020] In some embodiments of the first aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, selecting a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0021] For example, when B5B6 is 0 and B7 is 0 indicating 20MHz and B5B6 is 0 and B7 is 1 indicating 320MHz, B5B6 being 0 would indicate two possible bandwidths. In this case, if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the first device can select the bandwidth with a smaller bandwidth from the two possible bandwidths. Based on such a manner, it is able to avoid directly discarding the PPDU, improving system efficiency.

[0022] In some embodiments of the first aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0023] For example, the blind detection can autonomously determine the bandwidth in combination with the information obtained from the PPDU. For example, an EHT (extremely high throughput) receiving station would record the received channel strength on each 20MHz subchannel within 320MHz during the process of receiving the PPDU, or correlate the received channel within each 20MHz subchannel, or perform frame header synchronization in each 20MHz subchannel respectively. Thus, it is determined whether there is only a received signal within the primary 20MHz or there is a received signal within each 20MHz within 320MHz. Based on such a manner, for example, when B5B6 is 0 indicating 20MHz and 320MHz, the first device can distinguish whether it is currently 20MHz or 320MHz by blind detection.

[0024] In a second aspect of the disclosure, a method for determining bandwidth is provided. The method comprises: receiving, by a first device, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a set of bits in a service field associated with bandwidth; and determining, by the first device, a bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the set of bits is in error.

[0025] In this disclosure, the PPDU received by the first device can carry a control frame or a management frame. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the received PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-HT duplicated format PPDU, which carries a control frame, examples of which include but are not limited to: a RTS (Request To Send) frame, a CTS (Clear To Send) frame, a PS-Poll (Power Save-Poll) frame, a CF-End (Contention Free End) frame, a BAR (Block Ack Request) frame, or a NDP Announcement (Null Data PPDU Announcement) frame, etc. In this disclosure, the set of bits in the service field can include one or more bits. For example, the set of bits can include the seventh bit B7 in the service field.

[0026] In this disclosure, the bandwidth negotiation procedure indicates whether the bandwidth negotiation between the first device and the second device is accepted. The bandwidth negotiation procedure can include a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, which refers to: a station supporting dynamic bandwidth negotiation sets B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 1 (indicating Dynamic mode) when sending an RTS frame, and the receiving station, after receiving the RTS frame, uses an alternative bandwidth to send a CTS (Clear To Send) frame if the NAV (Network Allocation Vector) indicates idle, and there is an alternative bandwidth less than or equal to the bandwidth of the RTS frame that satisfies the following conditions. Otherwise, no CTS will be sent. The conditions that need to be met are that the CCA (Clear Channel Assessment) detection result of the subchannel of the alternative bandwidth is idle within the PIFS (Point Inter-Frame Spacing) time before the RTS is sent.

[0027] The bandwidth negotiation procedure can include a static bandwidth negotiation procedure. The static bandwidth negotiation procedure refers to that a station which does not support dynamic bandwidth negotiation sets B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 0 (indicating Static mode) when sending an RTS frame, and a receiving station uses the same bandwidth as the RTS frame to send a CTS frame if the NAV indicates idle and the stored RTS frame bandwidth satisfies the following conditions after receiving the RTS frame. Otherwise, no CTS is sent. The conditions to be satisfied are that the CCA detection result of the subchannel of the RTS bandwidth is idle within the PIFS time before the RTS is sent.

[0028] The bandwidth negotiation procedure can also include a no bandwidth negotiation procedure. The no bandwidth negotiation procedure refers to that when a station sends a non-HT or non-HT PPDU carrying content other than an RTS frame, the DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT indication is not used, that is, B4 in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence can be randomly generated on the premise that the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence are not all 0. In this case, the receiving station will use the same bandwidth as the received frame to respond to the response frame.

[0029] According to the scheme of the present disclosure, the first device can continue to attempt to determine the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure in the case that a set of bits in the service field checks for an error, instead of simply discarding the PPDU. In this way, the scheme of the present disclosure can reduce unnecessary retransmission or channel contention, save valuable air interface resources, and improve system efficiency.

[0030] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or the value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a static bandwidth negotiation procedure; and when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0031] In some embodiments of the second aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining the predetermined bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the predetermined bandwidth is 20MHz. In this way, embodiments of the present disclosure can determine the bandwidth more simply and effectively.

[0032] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the set of bits is a third set of bits, the PPDU is further configured to determine a fourth set of bits in the scrambling sequence, the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits are configured to indicate the bandwidth, and wherein determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device comprises: determining the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits.

[0033] In some embodiments of the second aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits comprises: if the fourth set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0034] In some embodiments of the second aspect, if the fourth set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, the first device can determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication.

[0035] In some embodiments of the second aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, selecting a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0036] Exemplarily, when B5B6 in the scrambling sequence is 0 and B7 in the service field is 0 indicating 20MHz, and B5B6 is 0 and B7 is 1 indicating 320MHz, B5B6 being 0 will indicate two possible bandwidths. In this case, if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the first device can select a bandwidth with a smaller bandwidth from the two possible bandwidths. Based on this, it is possible to avoid directly discarding the PPDU, improving system efficiency.

[0037] In some embodiments of the second aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0038] Exemplarily, the blind detection can autonomously determine the bandwidth from the information acquired from the PPDU. For example, an EHT (extremely high throughput) receiving station records the received channel strength on each 20MHz subchannel within 320MHz during the process of receiving the PPDU, or correlates the received channel within each 20MHz subchannel, or performs frame header synchronization in each 20MHz subchannel respectively. Thus, it is determined whether there is only a received signal within the primary 20MHz, or there is a received signal within each 20MHz within 320MHz. Based on such a manner, for example, when B5B6 is 0 indicating 20MHz or 320MHz, the first device can distinguish whether it is currently 20MHz or 320MHz through blind detection.

[0039] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

[0040] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput non-HT format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated non-HT duplicated format PPDU.

[0041] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field being used to indicate a bandwidth; and a processing unit configured to determine the bandwidth of a communication between the apparatus and the second device based on the first set of bits if the second set of bits is in error.

[0042] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine a single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the first set of bits indicates the single candidate bandwidth.

[0043] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the first set of bits has a value of 1, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a first bandwidth; the first set of bits has a value of 2, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a second bandwidth; or the first set of bits has a value of 3, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a third bandwidth.

[0044] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the second bandwidth is 80MHz, and the third bandwidth is 160MHz.

[0045] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to: if the first set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device.

[0046] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as static bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0047] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, select a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0048] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection, the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0049] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated (non-HT duplicated) format PPDU.

[0050] In a fourth aspect of the disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a second device, the PPDU being configured to determine a set of bits associated with a bandwidth in a service field; and a processing unit configured to determine a bandwidth of a communication between the device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the set of bits is in error.

[0051] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determine a predetermined bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication.

[0052] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the predetermined bandwidth is 20 MHz.

[0053] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the set of bits is a third set of bits, the PPDU is further configured to determine a fourth set of bits in a scrambling sequence, the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits being configured to indicate the bandwidth, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits.

[0054] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure if the fourth set of bits indicates the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0055] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the first device can determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the fourth set of bits indicates the single candidate bandwidth.

[0056] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to select a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0057] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0058] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

[0059] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-HT duplicated PPDU.

[0060] In a fifth aspect of the disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device comprises a transceiver and a processor, wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field being used to indicate a bandwidth, and the processor is configured to determine a bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits if the second set of bits is in error. Optionally, the first device further comprises a memory configured to store instructions executed by the processor, the instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to determine the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits if the second set of bits is in error.

[0061] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the processor is further configured to determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the first set of bits indicates the single candidate bandwidth.

[0062] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the first set of bits has a value of 1, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a first bandwidth; the first set of bits has a value of 2, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a second bandwidth; or the first set of bits has a value of 3, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a third bandwidth.

[0063] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the second bandwidth is 80MHz, and the third bandwidth is 160MHz.

[0064] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the processor is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the first set of bits indicates the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0065] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as static bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0066] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the processor is further configured to select a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0067] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the processor is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure including the static bandwidth negotiation procedure or the no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0068] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated (non-HT duplicated) format PPDU.

[0069] In a sixth aspect of the disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device includes a transceiver and a processor, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being configured to determine a set of bits associated with a bandwidth in a service field; and the processor is configured to determine a bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the set of bits is in error. Optionally, the first device further includes a memory configured to store instructions for execution by the processor, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the second set of bits is in error.

[0070] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the processor is further configured to determine the predetermined bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0071] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the predetermined bandwidth is 20 MHz.

[0072] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the set of bits is a third set of bits, the PPDU is further configured to determine a fourth set of bits in the scrambling sequence, the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits are used to indicate the bandwidth, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits.

[0073] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the processor is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure if the fourth set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0074] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the first device can determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the fourth set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth.

[0075] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the processor is further configured to select a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0076] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the processor is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0077] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

[0078] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-HT duplicated format PPDU.

[0079] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a first device is provided, comprising an input port and a processing circuit. The input port is configured to receive a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being configured to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field being used to indicate a bandwidth; and the processing circuit is configured to determine the bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits if the second set of bits is checked to be in error.

[0080] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication as a single candidate bandwidth if the first set of bits indicates the single candidate bandwidth.

[0081] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first set of bits has a value of 1 indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is the first bandwidth; the first set of bits has a value of 2 indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is the second bandwidth; or the first set of bits has a value of 3 indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is the third bandwidth.

[0082] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the second bandwidth is 80MHz, and the third bandwidth is 160MHz.

[0083] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the first set of bits indicates the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0084] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as a static bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0085] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to select a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0086] In an eighth aspect of the disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device includes an input interface and processing circuitry. The input interface is configured to receive a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being configured to determine a set of bits associated with a bandwidth in a service field; and the processing circuitry is configured to determine a bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the set of bits has an error.

[0087] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine a predetermined bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0088] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the predetermined bandwidth is 20MHz.

[0089] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the set of bits is a third set of bits, the PPDU is further configured to determine a fourth set of bits in the scrambling sequence, the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits are configured to indicate the bandwidth, and the processing unit is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits.

[0090] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure if the fourth set of bits indicates the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0091] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first device can determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the fourth set of bits indicates the single candidate bandwidth.

[0092] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to select a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0093] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0094] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

[0095] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-HT duplicated format PPDU.

[0096] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, having stored thereon one or more computer instructions, wherein the one or more computer instructions are executed by a processor to perform a method, the method comprising: receiving, by a first device, a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being configured to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field being configured to indicate a bandwidth; and determining, by the first device, a bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits if the second set of bits is checked to be erroneous.

[0097] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: determining a single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication if the first set of bits indicates the single candidate bandwidth.

[0098] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: the first set of bits having a value of 1 indicating the bandwidth of the communication is a first bandwidth; the first set of bits having a value of 2 indicating the bandwidth of the communication is a second bandwidth; or the first set of bits having a value of 3 indicating the bandwidth of the communication is a third bandwidth.

[0099] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the second bandwidth is 80MHz, and the third bandwidth is 160MHz.

[0100] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: if the first set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device.

[0101] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as a static bandwidth negotiation procedure; and when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined as a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0102] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, selecting a candidate bandwidth having a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0103] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0104] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated (non-HT duplicated) format PPDU.

[0105] In a tenth aspect of the disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium having one or more computer instructions stored thereon is provided, wherein the one or more computer instructions are executed by a processor to perform a method comprising: receiving, by a first device, a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a set of bits associated with a bandwidth in a service field; and determining, if the set of bits is checked to be incorrect, a bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device.

[0106] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, determining the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining a predetermined bandwidth as the bandwidth for communication.

[0107] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, the predetermined bandwidth is 20MHz.

[0108] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, the set of bits is a third set of bits, the PPDU is further used to determine a fourth set of bits in a scrambling sequence, the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits are used to indicate the bandwidth, and wherein determining the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device comprises: determining the bandwidth for communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits.

[0109] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, determining the bandwidth for communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits comprises: if the fourth set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, determining the bandwidth for communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0110] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, if the fourth set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, the first device can determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth for communication.

[0111] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, determining the bandwidth for communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, selecting a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0112] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, determining the bandwidth for communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining the bandwidth for communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0113] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

[0114] In some embodiments of the tenth aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput (non-HT) format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated (non-HT duplicated) format PPDU.

[0115] In an eleventh aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product is provided that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform a method comprising: receiving, by a first device from a second device, a PPDU, the PPDU being used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field being used to indicate a bandwidth; and determining, based on the first set of bits, the bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device if the second set of bits is in error.

[0116] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, determining, based on the first set of bits, the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device comprises: if the first set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, determining the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication.

[0117] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, determining, based on the first set of bits, the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device comprises: a first set of bits value of 1 indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a first bandwidth; a first set of bits value of 2 indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a second bandwidth; or a first set of bits value of 3 indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a third bandwidth.

[0118] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, the first bandwidth is 40 MHz, the second bandwidth is 80 MHz, and the third bandwidth is 160 MHz.

[0119] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, determining, based on the first set of bits, the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device comprises: if the first set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, determining, based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device, the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0120] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or a value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined to be a no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined to be a static bandwidth negotiation procedure; and when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can be determined to be a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0121] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, selecting a candidate bandwidth with a smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0122] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0123] In some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput non-HT format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated non-HT duplicated format PPDU.

[0124] In a twelfth aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform a method comprising: receiving, by a first device, a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a set of bits in a service field associated with a bandwidth; and if the set of bits is checked to be erroneous, determining a bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device.

[0125] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining a predetermined bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication.

[0126] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, the predetermined bandwidth is 20MHz.

[0127] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, the set of bits is a third set of bits, the PPDU is further used to determine a fourth set of bits in a scrambling sequence, the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits being used to indicate the bandwidth, wherein determining the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device comprises: determining the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits.

[0128] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the fourth set of bits comprises: if the fourth set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0129] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, if the fourth set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, the first device can determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication.

[0130] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, selecting the candidate bandwidth with the smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0131] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure comprises: if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection, the non-dynamic negotiation procedure comprising a static bandwidth negotiation procedure or a no bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0132] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is based on whether a PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or a value of a predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

[0133] In some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, the PPDU is a non-high throughput non-HT format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated non-HT duplicated format PPDU.

[0134] The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified form, that are further described below in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0135] The above and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0136] FIG. 1 A schematic block diagram illustrating a communication environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented is shown;

[0137] FIG. 2 A flowchart illustrating a procedure of determining a bandwidth according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0138] FIGS. 3A-3B A schematic diagram illustrating an example non-HT duplicated PPDU according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0139] FIG. 4 A schematic diagram illustrating a verification of a second set of bits according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0140] FIG. 5 A flowchart illustrating a procedure of determining a bandwidth according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0141] FIG. 6A schematic block diagram of a first device according to some embodiments of the disclosure is shown;

[0142] FIG. 7 A schematic block diagram of a first device according to some other embodiments of the disclosure is shown; and

[0143] FIG. 8 A simplified block diagram of an example device suitable for implementing some embodiments of the disclosure is shown.

[0144] In the various drawings, like or similar elements are referred to with like or similar reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0145] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While certain embodiments of the disclosure are shown in the drawings, it is understood that the disclosure can be embodied in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It is understood that the drawings and embodiments of the disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0146] In the description of embodiments of the disclosure, the term "including" and its analogues are to be interpreted broadly to mean "including, but not limited to." The term "based on" is to be interpreted as "based, at least in part, on." The term "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" is to be interpreted as "at least one embodiment." The terms "a first," "a second," etc. are to be interpreted, in context, as distinguishing between different objects, not as requiring a first and a second object. Other explicit or implicit definitions can also be included below.

[0147] Example Communication Environment

[0148] IEEE 802.11 is one of the current mainstream wireless access standards, and has obtained extremely wide commercial applications in the past ten years. FIG. 1 A schematic diagram of a communication environment 100 in which embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented is shown. As shown in the communication environment 100, an access point AP 110 can be connected to the Internet through wired or wireless access, the access point AP 110 can be associated with one or more stations STA 120, and the access point AP 110 and the associated stations STA 120 can communicate with each other through a predetermined protocol (for example, IEEE 802.11 protocol). FIG. 1

[0149] In some embodiments, the access point AP 100 can be, for example, a wireless router. The stations STA 120 can include wireless mobile devices, examples of which include, but are not limited to, smart phones, notebook computers, tablet computers, smart wearable devices, or in-vehicle mobile devices, etc. ​

[0150] In IEEE 802.11a standard, only 20MHz is supported, and the bandwidth is increasing in the subsequent standard evolution. In IEEE 802.11n standard, 40MHz is supported at most, and in IEEE 802.11ac / ax standard, 160 (80+80) MHz is supported at most. In order to ensure backward compatibility in the standards after IEEE 802.11a, some MAC frames are sent in non-HT duplicated mode when sent on a channel with a bandwidth greater than 20MHz, that is, an IEEE 802.11a format frame is sent on each 20MHz channel, and the contents on multiple 20MHz channels are repeated. In this way, the IEEE 802.11a station can also successfully parse the frame. Since the IEEE 802.11a frame format is 20MHz, the bandwidth information cannot be carried in the non-HT or non-HT duplicated format PPDU, so the receiving end cannot accurately know the bandwidth used by the sending end at this time.

[0151] Since hidden nodes exist in wireless local area networks, the RTS (Request To Send) / CTS (Clear To Send) interaction method is often used to reserve the channel. The RTS frame and the CTS frame are sent in non-HT duplicated mode in a bandwidth greater than 20MHz. Since the wireless channel environment of the sending station and the receiving station is different, it is very useful for data communication if the bandwidth available to both parties can be negotiated according to the channel available to both parties at this time before data communication. However, in the case that the RTS frame and the CTS frame cannot carry bandwidth information, bandwidth negotiation cannot be performed at the same time as channel reservation.

[0152] In order to solve this problem, in IEEE 802.11ac standard, two bits of B5 and B6 in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence are set as CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT field to indicate the bandwidth information. However, the four states of the CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT field have all been used up, which makes B5 and B6 unable to indicate a bandwidth greater than 160MHz.

[0153] One way to extend the bandwidth is to indicate the bandwidth by combining one or more bits of B7-B15 in the SERVICE field in the data part with B5, B6 in the scrambling sequence. The first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence are originally a non-zero random sequence. In IEEE 802.11ac standard, the bandwidth indicated by different values of B5B6 is shown in Table 1.

[0154] Table 1

[0155]

[0156] CBW20, CBW40, CBW80, CBW160 in the table represent 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz and 160MHz bandwidth respectively.

[0157] In addition, in order for the receiving station to know whether the transmitting station carries CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT information in the scrambling sequence, the transmitting end uses Signaling TA (transmit address) to indicate. Signaling TA refers to setting the unicast / multicast bit in the transmit address TA to 1 to indicate that the CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT information is carried in the scrambling sequence of the PPDU. If the unicast / multicast bit in the TA is set to 0, it indicates that the CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT information is not carried in the scrambling sequence of the transmitting PPDU. The unicast / multicast bit (b0) is also referred to as Individual / Group bit in the standard.

[0158] In the IEEE 802.11be standard, in order to be able to support a bandwidth of 320MHz, one or more bits (for example, B7) in the SERVICE field are used in conjunction with B5, B6 in the scrambling sequence to indicate the bandwidth. Table 2 is an example of a specific indication method:

[0159] Table 2

[0160]

[0161] CBW20, CBW40, CBW80, CBW160, CBW320 in the table represent 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz and 320MHz bandwidth respectively.

[0162] However, the conventional receiving end does not have a check mechanism for one or more bits (for example, B7) in the SERVICE field, which makes the receiving end unable to determine whether the one or more bits have transmission errors. After adding the check mechanism, according to the usual design, once the check error occurs, the receiving end considers that the information reception error occurs, and does not perform corresponding or further processing, which will cause the retransmission of the transmitting end or channel competition.

[0163] It should be noted here that currently, bits B5 and B6 in the scrambling sequence correspond to the CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT parameter. When using B7 in the service field in conjunction with B5 and B6 in the scrambling sequence to indicate bandwidth, there are two ways to express this:

[0164] One approach is to use bits B5 and B6 in the scrambling sequence and B7 in the service field together to correspond to the CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT parameter. In this description, B5 and B6 correspond to two bits in CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT, and B7 corresponds to the other bit in CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT.

[0165] Another approach involves B5 and B6 in the scrambling sequence corresponding to the CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT parameter. The same CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT value corresponds to different bandwidths depending on the value of B7.

[0166] The embodiments of this patent are not limited to any one of the expressions.

[0167] First Implementation of the Disclosure

[0168] According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, an improved scheme is provided for a first device to determine bandwidth. Specifically, in some embodiments, the first device receives a PPDU from a second device, wherein the PPDU is used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, wherein a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field are used to indicate bandwidth. Subsequently, if the second set of bits fails to check, the first device determines the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits. Thus, embodiments of this disclosure do not abandon the determination of the bandwidth used for communication in the event of a second set of bit errors, thereby avoiding unnecessary retransmissions or channel contention.

[0169] The following discussion will take into account the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. FIG. 2 A flowchart of a process 200 for determining bandwidth according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0170] like FIG. 2 As shown, in box 202, the first device receives a PPDU from the second device, wherein the PPDU is used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, and a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field are used to indicate bandwidth.

[0171] In some embodiments, the first device may include, for example, such as FIG. 1 The illustrated station STA 120, correspondingly, may include a second device such as FIG. 1The access point AP 110 shown in FIG. 1. According to the scheme of the present disclosure, the STA 120 can determine the bandwidth of the communication between the two based on the PPDU sent from the access point AP 110.

[0172] In yet another implementation, the first device may, for example, also include FIG. 1 The access point AP 110 shown in FIG. 1, and the second device may, accordingly, include FIG. 1 The station STA 120 shown in FIG. 1. According to the scheme of the present disclosure, the access point AP 110 can determine the bandwidth of the communication between the two based on the PPDU received from the station STA 120.

[0173] In yet another implementation, the first device may, for example, also include FIG. 1 The station STA1 shown in FIG. 1, and the second device may, accordingly, include FIG. 1 The station STA 2 shown in FIG. 1. According to the scheme of the present disclosure, the STA1 can determine the bandwidth of the communication between the two based on the PPDU received from the station 2.

[0174] In some embodiments, the PPDU received by the first device can carry a control frame or a management frame. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the received PPDU is a non-high throughput non-HT format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated non-HT duplicated format PPDU, which carries control frame examples including but not limited to: RTS (Request To Send) frame, CTS (Clear To Send) frame, PS-Poll (Power Save-Poll) frame, CF-End (Contention Free End) frame, BAR (Block Ack Request) frame, or NDP Announcement (Null Data PPDU Announcement) frame, etc.

[0175] FIG. 3A And FIG. 3B The schematic diagrams 300A and 300B of an example non-HT duplicated PPDU according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. FIG. 3A The entity diagram 300A shows the non-HT duplicated PPDU sent on an 80MHz channel, which is sent using the frame format of IEEE 802.11a on each 20MHz channel, specifically including four parts of L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG and Data, and the Data further includes four parts of SERVICE, PSDU (Scrambled PSDU), Tailbits and Pad bits. The completely duplicated manner is used on the four 20MHz channels of the 80MHz.

[0176] FIG. 3BA diagram 300B showing non-HT duplicated PPDU at 320MHz is transmitted on a channel larger than 160MHz is shown, which has the same principle as the 80MHz non-HT duplicated PPDU shown in FIG. 3A, except that the number of duplicated parts increases with the increase of bandwidth. FIG. 3A

[0177] The non-HT PPDU includes a physical layer preamble (PHY Preamble), a signaling field (SIGNAL), and a data (DATA) part. The signaling part carries the signaling indication and check bits required by the data part. If the check bits are correct, the indication information in the signaling field is used to parse the data part. Conversely, if the check bits are incorrect, it means that the physical layer signaling is received incorrectly, and the subsequent data part is no longer parsed. The data part includes a SERVICE field, a PSDU field, a Tail field, and pad bits.

[0178] The PSDU field carries the MAC layer frame content, which includes an FCS field, used to check whether the PSDU content is correct. If the FCS is correct, it means that the frame is received correctly, and the receiving station continues to respond according to the protocol process according to the content of the MAC frame. If the FCS is incorrect, it means that the frame is received incorrectly, and the receiving station discards the frame. Here, the error of the check bit is explained. The check bit in the signaling field is used to check the first 17 bits (RATE field, Reserved bit, and LENGTH field), which uses even check. That is, the sending end will ensure that the number of check bits and the number of bits set to 1 in the first 17 bits is even when sending the signaling field. If the receiving end finds that the number of check bits and the number of bits set to 1 in the first 17 bits is odd, it means that the check is incorrect, and if the number is even, it means that the check is correct. The FCS (Frame Check Sequence) check is that the receiving station generates a check sequence according to the received PSDU content to be checked, and then checks whether the check sequence is the same as the received FCS check sequence. If they are the same, the FCS check is correct, and vice versa.

[0179] In some embodiments, the second device can use a scrambling sequence to scramble the data part when transmitting the non-HT duplicated or non-HT PPDU, so as to include the scrambled data part in the transmitted PPDU. Accordingly, when the first device receives the PPDU, it can determine the scrambling sequence used by the sending end based on the scrambled data part, and use the scrambling sequence to descramble the scrambled data part to obtain the data part.

[0180] ​In the data portion, the service field is 16 bits, indicated as bits 0-15 (denoted as B0-B15), respectively. Bit 0 is transmitted first in time, and bits 0-6 of the service field are set to 0 for the receiver to synchronize descrambling. The remaining 9 bits (bits B7-B15) of the service field are reserved fields, set to 0. B7-B15 of the service field are ignorable for pre-IEEE 802.11be stations. The service field is carried in all PPDUs using non-HT or non-HT duplicated format, so it is not limited by the specific MAC frame structure and is universal. The service field was originally designed to assist the physical layer scrambling operation, which is a general operation for all MAC frames, so it exists in all MAC frames. In some embodiments, the second device can indicate bandwidth using a first set of bits (e.g., B5 and B6 bits) in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits (e.g., B7 bit) in the service field, so that more bandwidth can be indicated.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first set of bits and / or the second set of bits can include one or more bits. Illustratively, as shown in Table 3, the first set of bits can include, for example, bits B5 and B6 in the scrambling sequence, and the second set of bits can include, for example, bit B7 in the service field.

[0182] Table 3

[0183]

[0184] It should be appreciated that the bandwidths indicated in Table 3 are illustrative only, and for example, 480 MHz can also be indicated using B5B6 as 1 and B7 as 1. The present disclosure is not intended to limit how the first set of bits and the second set of bits are used to indicate bandwidth.

[0185] At block 302, if the FCS of the PPDU is correct, the first device checks the second set of bits to determine whether the second set of bits is checked to be incorrect. In some embodiments, the first device can check the second set of bits using one or more other bits in the service field, for example. As an example, as shown in Table 4, B7-B9 can be checked based on B10 in the service field using a parity check method. FIG. 4

[0186] It should be appreciated that any other appropriate bits and / or any other appropriate checking method can also be used to check the second set of bits, and the present disclosure is not intended to limit the specific way in which the second set of bits is checked.

[0187] ​At block 304, if the second set of bits checks for an error, the first device determines a bandwidth for the communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits.

[0188] In some embodiments, if the first set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, the first device determines the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth for the communication. For the example of Table 3, the value of B5B6 being 1, 2, or 3 can indicate a single candidate bandwidth regardless of the value of B7. In contrast, when the value of B5B6 is 0, it indicates two candidate bandwidths, i.e., 20MHz and 320MHz. Thus, when the value of B5B6 is determined to be 1, 2, or 3, the first device can uniquely determine the bandwidth for the communication regardless of whether B7 checks for an error.

[0189] For example, the first device can determine the bandwidth based on a pre-constructed mapping between the first set of bits and corresponding bandwidths. Continuing the example of Table 3, when B7 checks for an error, the first device can determine the bandwidth based on the first set of bits (B5B6 in the scrambling sequence) according to Table 4, for example.

[0190] Table 4

[0191]

[0192] In some embodiments, if the first set of bits indicates multiple candidate bandwidths, the first device can further determine the bandwidth for the communication from the multiple candidate bandwidths based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device.

[0193] The bandwidth negotiation procedure indicates whether the first device and the second device accept the bandwidth negotiation. In some embodiments, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can include a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, which refers to that a station supporting dynamic bandwidth negotiation sets B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 1 (indicating Dynamic mode) when sending an RTS frame, and a receiving station, after receiving the RTS frame, uses an alternative bandwidth to send a CTS (clear to send) frame if the NAV (network allocation vector) indicates idle and there exists an alternative bandwidth smaller than or equal to the bandwidth of the RTS frame and satisfies the following condition: the CTS frame is sent using the alternative bandwidth. Otherwise, no CTS is sent. The condition to be satisfied is that the CCA (clear channel assessment) of the subchannel of the alternative bandwidth is idle within PIFS (point interframe space) time before the RTS is sent.

[0194] In some embodiments, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can include a static bandwidth negotiation procedure. The static bandwidth negotiation procedure refers to that a station which does not support dynamic bandwidth negotiation sets B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 0 (indicating Static mode) when sending an RTS frame, and a receiving station, after receiving the RTS frame, uses the same bandwidth as the RTS frame to send a CTS frame if the NAV indicates idle and the stored RTS frame bandwidth satisfies the following condition: the CTS frame bandwidth is equal to the RTS frame bandwidth. Otherwise, no CTS is sent. The condition to be satisfied is that the CCA detection result of the subchannel of the RTS bandwidth is idle within the PIFS time before the RTS is sent.

[0195] In some embodiments, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can also include a no bandwidth negotiation procedure. The no bandwidth negotiation procedure refers to that when a station sends a non-HT or non-HT PPDU carrying content other than an RTS frame, the DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT indication is not used, that is, B4 in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence can be randomly generated on the premise that the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence are not all 0. In this case, the receiving station will use the same bandwidth as the received frame to respond to the response frame.

[0196] In this paper, considering that both the static bandwidth negotiation procedure and the no bandwidth negotiation procedure require the receiving station to accurately identify the bandwidth of the received frame, and then set the bandwidth of the response frame to be the same as the bandwidth of the received frame, the static bandwidth negotiation procedure and the no bandwidth negotiation procedure are collectively referred to as "non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure".

[0197] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or the value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a static bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0198] In some embodiments, if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the first device can select a candidate bandwidth with the smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths. Continuing the example of Table 3, if the first device determines that the value of B5B6 is 0, and the procedure between the first device and the second device is a dynamic negotiation procedure, the first device can select the smaller bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz) from the two candidate bandwidths (e.g., 20 MHz and 320 MHz) indicated by B5B6 as the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device.

[0199] As another example, if the value of B5B6 is 1 and the value of B7 is 0 indicating 40 MHz, and the value of B5B6 is 1 and the value of B7 is 1 indicating 480 MHz, if the B7 check error, and the value of B5B6 is 1, the first device can select the smaller bandwidth of 40 MHz from the two as the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device.

[0200] Based on such a manner, although a portion of bandwidth can be lost, the first device is able to successfully establish data communication between the first device and the second device, rather than simply considering the PPDU as a check error and not responding. In this way, retransmission or channel contention from the transmitting end can be avoided, thereby saving valuable air interface resources and improving system efficiency.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first device can also directly determine the bandwidth corresponding to the first set of bits based on a pre-constructed mapping relationship between the first set of bits and the corresponding bandwidth. For example, a mapping table (e.g., Table 5) corresponding to the dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure can be pre-constructed, such that the first device can directly determine the bandwidth corresponding to the different values of the first set of bits based on the mapping table in the dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0202] Table 5

[0203]

[0204] In some embodiments, if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the first device can determine the bandwidth for communication by blind detection from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

[0205] In some embodiments, the blind detection can be based on information acquired by the physical layer during the receiving process. For example, the EHT receiving station can record the received channel strength on each 20MHz subchannel within 320MHz during the process of receiving the PPDU, or correlate the received channel within each 20MHz subchannel, or perform frame header synchronization within each 20MHz subchannel respectively. Thus, it can be determined whether there is only a received signal within the main 20MHz, or there is a received signal within each 20MHz within 320MHz. It should be understood that any appropriate blind detection technique can be used, and the present disclosure is not intended to limit the specific manner of blind detection.

[0206] It should be understood that, unlike the conventional direct determination of the bandwidth based on blind detection, as an example of selecting between 20MHz and 320MHz through blind detection, since the first device only needs to identify the two bandwidths of 20MHz and 320MHz, and the two bandwidths are quite different in value, the accuracy of blind detection will also be greatly improved.

[0207] Similar to the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, in some embodiments, the first device can also directly determine the bandwidth corresponding to the first set of bits based on the pre-constructed mapping relationship between the first set of bits and the corresponding bandwidth. For example, a mapping table (e.g., Table 6) corresponding to the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process can be pre-constructed, so that the first device can directly determine the bandwidth corresponding to the different values of the first set of bits in the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process based on the mapping table.

[0208] Table 6

[0209]

[0210] In some embodiments, in order to reduce the bandwidth waste caused by directly using a bandwidth with a smaller bandwidth as the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device in the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the correspondence between the first set of bits and the second set of bits and the bandwidth can also be adjusted at the sending end and the receiving end.

[0211] Continuing to take B5B6 in the scrambling sequence and B7 in the service field as examples for indicating the code mode, the mapping relationship between the same and the bandwidth can be represented as Table 7, for example. Unlike the mapping relationship in Table 3, 320MHz can be indicated by the value of B5B6 being 3 and the value of B7 being 1.

[0212] Table 7

[0213]

[0214] Correspondingly, the mapping relationship in the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process discussed above can be represented as Table 8, and the mapping relationship in the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process can be represented as Table 9.

[0215] Table 8

[0216]

[0217] Table 9

[0218]

[0219] As can be seen, in the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, if the B7 check fails and the values of B5 and B6 are 3, the first device can determine the bandwidth to be 160 MHz, i.e., respond with 160 MHz, instead of 20 MHz. In this way, the loss of bandwidth can be reduced.

[0220] Second Implementation of the Disclosure

[0221] According to example embodiments of the present disclosure, an improved scheme is provided for determining, by a first device, a bandwidth for communication with a second device. Specifically, in some embodiments, the first device receives a PPDU from the second device, where the PPDU is used to determine a set of bits in a service field associated with a bandwidth. Subsequently, if the set of bits fails a check, the first device determines a bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation process with the second device. In this way, embodiments of the present disclosure do not abandon the determination of the bandwidth for communication in the event that the second set of bits fails a check, thereby avoiding unwanted retransmissions or channel contention.

[0222] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 5 A flowchart illustrating a process 500 of determining a bandwidth according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0223] As FIG. 5 shown, at block 502, the first device receives a PPDU from the second device, where the PPDU is used to determine a set of bits in a service field associated with a bandwidth.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first device can comprise, for example, a station STA 120 as shown in FIG. 1 and the second device can comprise, accordingly, an access point AP 110 as shown in FIG. 1 According to the scheme of the present disclosure, the STA 120 can determine a bandwidth for communication between the two based on a PPDU transmitted from the access point AP 110.

[0225] In yet another implementation, the first device can also comprise, for example, an access point AP 110 as shown in FIG. 1 and the second device can comprise, accordingly, a station STA 120 as shown in FIG. 1The station STA 120 shown in FIG. 1. According to the scheme of the present disclosure, the access point AP 110 can determine the bandwidth of the communication between the two based on the PPDU received from the station STA 120.

[0226] In yet another implementation, the first device may, for example, also include FIG. 1 the station STA1 shown in FIG. 1, and the second device may, correspondingly, include FIG. 1 the station STA 2 shown in FIG. 1. According to the scheme of the present disclosure, STA1 can determine the bandwidth of the communication between the two based on the PPDU received from station 2.

[0227] In some embodiments, the PPDU received by the first device can carry a control frame or a management frame. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the received PPDU is a non-high throughput non-HT format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated non-HT duplicated format PPDU, which carries control frame examples including but not limited to: RTS (Request To Send) frame, CTS (Clear To Send) frame, PS-Poll (Power Save-Poll) frame, CF-End (Contention Free End) frame, BAR (Block Ack Request) frame, or NDP Announcement (Null Data PPDU Announcement) frame, etc. The specific structure of the non-HT and non-HT duplicated frames can refer to the description of the non-HT and non-HT duplicated frames in the foregoing FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B will not be elaborated here.

[0228] In some embodiments, the second device can utilize a scrambling sequence to scramble the data portion when transmitting the non-HT duplicated or non-HT PPDU, so as to include the scrambled data portion in the transmitted PPDU. Correspondingly, when the first device receives the PPDU, it can determine the scrambling sequence used by the transmitting end based on the scrambled data portion, and utilize the scrambling sequence to descramble the scrambled data portion, so as to obtain the data portion.

[0229] In the data portion, the service field is 16 bits, indicated as bits 0-15, respectively. Bit 0 is transmitted first in time, bits 0-6 of the service field are set to 0 for the receiver to synchronize descrambling. The remaining 9 bits (bits B7-B15) of the service field are reserved, set to 0. B7-B15 of the service field are ignorable for IEEE 802.11be pre-stations. The service field is carried in all PPDUs using non-HT or non-HT duplicated format, so it is not limited by the specific MAC frame structure, and is universal. The service field was originally designed to assist the physical layer scrambling operation, which is a general operation for all MAC frames, so it exists in all MAC frames. In some embodiments, the second device can indicate the bandwidth using a set of bits in the scrambling sequence (e.g., B5 and B6 bits) and a set of bits in the service field (e.g., B7 bits), so that more bandwidths can be indicated.

[0230] Table 10

[0231]

[0232] In some embodiments, the set of bits in the service field can include one or more bits. Exemplarily, as shown in Table 10, the set of bits in the scrambling sequence can include, for example, bits B5 and B6 in the scrambling sequence, and the set of bits in the service field can include, for example, bit B7 in the service field.

[0233] It should be understood that the bandwidths indicated in Table 10 are only illustrative, for example, 480MHz can also be indicated using B5B6 as 1 and B7 as 1. The present disclosure is not intended to limit how the bits are used to indicate the bandwidth.

[0234] At block 504, if the FCS of the PPDU is correct, the first device checks the second set of bits to determine whether the second set of bits is checked to be incorrect. In some embodiments, the first device can check the second set of bits using one or more other bits in the service field, for example. Similarly, as discussed with reference to FIG. 4 The first device can check B7-B9 based on B10 in the service field using a parity check method, for example.

[0235] It should be understood that any other appropriate bits and / or any other appropriate checking methods can also be used to check the second set of bits, and the present disclosure is not intended to limit the specific way of checking the second set of bits.

[0236] At block 506, if the set of bits checks for an error, the first device determines a bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device.

[0237] The bandwidth negotiation procedure indicates whether the first device and the second device accept bandwidth negotiation. In some embodiments, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can include a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, which refers to a station that supports dynamic bandwidth negotiation setting B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 1 (indicating Dynamic mode) when sending an RTS frame, and a receiving station sending a CTS (clear to send) frame using an alternative bandwidth that is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the RTS frame if the NAV (network allocation vector) indicates idle and the alternative bandwidth satisfies the following conditions within a PIFS (point coordination function interframe space) time before the RTS is sent. Otherwise, no CTS is sent.

[0238] In some embodiments, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can include a static bandwidth negotiation procedure. The static bandwidth negotiation procedure refers to a station that does not support dynamic bandwidth negotiation setting B4 (used to indicate DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence to 0 (indicating Static mode) when sending an RTS frame, and a receiving station sending a CTS frame using the same bandwidth as the RTS frame if the NAV indicates idle and the bandwidth of the RTS frame satisfies the following conditions. Otherwise, no CTS is sent. The condition to be satisfied is that the CCA (clear channel assessment) of the secondary channel of the bandwidth of the RTS is idle within a PIFS time before the RTS is sent.

[0239] In some embodiments, the bandwidth negotiation procedure can also include a no bandwidth negotiation procedure. The no bandwidth negotiation procedure refers to when a station sends a non-HT or non-HT PPDU carrying content other than an RTS frame, the DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT indication is not used, that is, B4 in the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence can be randomly generated on the premise that the first 7 bits of the scrambling sequence are not all 0. In this case, the receiving station will use the same bandwidth as the received frame to respond to the response frame.

[0240] In this article, considering that both the static bandwidth negotiation procedure and the no bandwidth negotiation procedure require the receiving station to accurately identify the bandwidth of the received frame, and then set the bandwidth of the response frame to be the same as the bandwidth of the received frame, the static bandwidth negotiation procedure and the no bandwidth negotiation procedure are collectively referred to as "non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure".

[0241] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the bandwidth negotiation procedure is determined based on whether a predetermined parameter (e.g., DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT) is indicated in the PPDU or the value of the predetermined parameter indicated in the PPDU. For example, when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is not indicated in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a no bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 0 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a static bandwidth negotiation procedure; when the parameter DYN_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT is indicated as 1 in the PPDU, it can be determined that the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure.

[0242] In some embodiments, if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, a predetermined bandwidth is determined as the bandwidth of the communication. Illustratively, the predetermined bandwidth can be 20MHz. In this way, if the set of bits in the service field is checked to be incorrect, the first device can directly determine 20MHz as the bandwidth of the communication with the second device. In this way, on one hand, it can avoid the first device directly not responding to the PPDU, on the other hand, it can also reduce the complexity of the first device.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first device can further determine the bandwidth of the communication with the second device in combination of both the bandwidth negotiation procedure and the set of bits in the scrambling sequence. For convenience of description, in this implementation, the set of bits in the service field is referred to as a third set of bits (e.g., B7 in the service field), and the set of bits in the scrambling sequence is referred to as a fourth set of bits (e.g., B5B6 in the scrambling sequence).

[0244] Accordingly, if the fourth set of bits indicates a plurality of candidate bandwidths, the first device determines the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation procedure. In contrast, if the fourth set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, the first device can determine the single candidate bandwidth as the bandwidth of the communication.

[0245] In some embodiments, if the bandwidth negotiation procedure is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation procedure, the first device can select a candidate bandwidth with the smallest bandwidth from the plurality of candidate bandwidths. Continuing the example of Table 10, if the first device determines that the value of B5B6 is 0, and the first device and the second device are in a dynamic negotiation procedure, the first device can select the bandwidth with the smaller bandwidth (e.g., 20MHz) from the two candidate bandwidths (e.g., 20MHz and 320MHz) indicated by B5B6 as the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device.

[0246] As another example, if the value of B5B6 is 1 and the value of B7 is 0 indicates 40MHz, and the value of B5B6 is 1 and the value of B7 is 1 indicates 480MHz, if B7 check error, and the value of B5B6 is 1, the first device can take the smaller one of the two, 40MHz, as the bandwidth of the communication between the first device and the second device.

[0247] Based on such a manner, although a part of bandwidth can be lost, the first device can successfully establish the data communication between the first device and the second device, instead of simply considering the PPDU as check error and not responding. In this way, the retransmission of the sending end or the channel competition can be avoided, so as to save the precious air interface resources and improve the system efficiency.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first device can also directly determine the bandwidth corresponding to the fourth group of bits based on the mapping relationship between the fourth group of bits and the corresponding bandwidth pre-constructed. For example, a mapping table (for example, Table 11) corresponding to the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process can be pre-constructed, so that the first device can directly determine the bandwidth corresponding to the different values of the fourth group of bits in the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process based on the mapping table.

[0249] Table 11

[0250]

[0251] In some embodiments, if the bandwidth negotiation process is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the first device can determine the bandwidth of the communication from a plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection.

[0252] In some embodiments, the blind detection can be based on the information obtained by the physical layer in the receiving process. For example, the EHT receiving station can record the received channel strength on each 20MHz subchannel within 320MHz, or correlate the received channels in each 20MHz subchannel, or perform frame header synchronization in each 20MHz subchannel respectively, in the process of receiving the PPDU. Thus, it is determined whether there is only a received signal in the main 20MHz, or there is a received signal in each 20MHz within 320MHz. It should be understood that any appropriate blind detection technique can be used, and the present disclosure is not intended to limit the specific manner of blind detection.

[0253] It should be understood that, unlike the conventional direct determination of bandwidth based on blind detection, as an example of selecting 20MHz and 320MHz by blind detection, since the first device only needs to identify the two bandwidths of 20MHz and 320MHz, and the two bandwidths are quite different in value, the accuracy of blind detection will also be greatly improved.

[0254] Similar to the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, in some embodiments, the first device can also determine the bandwidth corresponding to the fourth set of bits directly based on a pre-constructed mapping relationship between the fourth set of bits and the corresponding bandwidth. For example, a mapping table (e.g., Table 12) corresponding to the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process can be pre-constructed, so that the first device can determine the bandwidth corresponding to the different values of the fourth set of bits under the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process directly based on the mapping table.

[0255] Table 12

[0256]

[0257] In some embodiments, in order to reduce the bandwidth waste caused by directly using the bandwidth with a smaller bandwidth as the bandwidth for the communication between the first device and the second device in the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the correspondence between the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits and the bandwidth can also be adjusted at the sending end and the receiving end.

[0258] Continuing to take B5B6 in the scrambling sequence and B7 in the service field as an example for indicating the code mode, the mapping relationship between the same and the bandwidth can be represented as Table 13, for example. Unlike the mapping relationship in Table 3, 320 MHz can be indicated by using the value 3 of B5B6 and the value 1 of B7.

[0259] Table 13

[0260]

[0261] Accordingly, the mapping relationship under the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process discussed above can be represented as Table 14, and the mapping relationship under the non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process can be represented as Table 15.

[0262] Table 14

[0263]

[0264] Table 15

[0265]

[0266] It can be seen that in the dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, if the B7 check is wrong and the value of B5B6 is 3, the first device can determine the bandwidth as 160 MHz, i.e., use 160 MHz to respond, instead of 20 MHz. In this way, the loss of bandwidth can be reduced.

[0267] Example Apparatus and Example Device

[0268] FIG. 6 A schematic block diagram of a first device 600 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the first device 600 can include a processor 610, a memory 620, a transceiver 630, and a communication interface 640. FIG. 6As shown, the first device 600 includes a receiving unit 610 and a processing unit 620. The receiving unit 610 is configured to receive a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field, a first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and a second set of bits in the service field being used to indicate a bandwidth. The processing unit 620 is configured to determine a bandwidth of a communication between the apparatus and the second device based on the first set of bits if the second set of bits is checked to be in error.

[0269] It should be understood that the receiving unit 610 and the processing unit 620 in the first device 600 can also be configured to implement other procedures or steps in determining the bandwidth as discussed in the first implementation above, and details are referable to the related description above, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0270] FIG. 7 A schematic block diagram of a first device 700 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the first device 700 includes a receiving unit 710 and a processing unit 720. The receiving unit 710 is configured to receive a PPDU from a second device, the PPDU being used to determine a set of bits in a service field associated with a bandwidth. The processing unit 720 is configured to determine a bandwidth of a communication between the first device and the second device based on a bandwidth negotiation procedure between the first device and the second device if the set of bits is checked to be in error. FIG. 7

[0271] It should be understood that the receiving unit 710 and the processing unit 720 in the first device 700 can also be configured to implement other procedures or steps in determining the bandwidth as discussed in the second implementation above, and details are referable to the related description above, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0272] It should be understood that the first device 600 and / or the first device 700 can be implemented by using application specific integrated circuits, one or more FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits, chips, single boards, or communication devices capable of performing various procedures of the present disclosure, etc.

[0273] FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of an example device 800 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 can be used to implement the first device in the present disclosure. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, and a transceiver 840 coupled to the processor 810;

[0274] The transceiver 840 is configured to implement the functions of the receiving unit in the above FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , and details are referable to the related description above, which will not be elaborated herein.​

[0275] The processor 810 is configured to implement aspects of the FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 processing unit described above. Specific details are not described herein in

[0276] Optionally, the first device 800 further includes a memory 820 coupled to the processor 810, the memory 820 for storing instructions executed by the processor, the instructions, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to implement aspects of the FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 processing unit described above. Specific details are not described herein in

[0277] The transceiver 840 can be used for bidirectional communications. The transceiver 840 can have at least one communication interface for communication. The communication interface can include any interface necessary to communicate with other devices.

[0278] The processor 810 can be of any type suitable to the local technical network and can include, among others, a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microcontroller, a digital signal controller (DSP), and one or more of a plurality of core controller-based multi-core controller architectures. The device 800 can have multiple processors, for example, application specific integrated circuit chips, which are time-slaved to a clock that is synchronized with the main processor.

[0279] The memory 820 can include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read only memory (ROM) 824, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memories (RAMs) 822 and other volatile memories that do not persist in duration of power loss.

[0280] The computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions executed by the associated processor 810. The program 830 can be stored in the ROM 820. The processor 810 can perform any suitable action and processing by loading the program 830 into the RAM 820.

[0281] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by means of the program 830, such that the device 800 can perform any of the processes as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2-6 The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0282] In some embodiments, program 830 can be tangibly embodied in a computer- readable medium, which can include a memory device in device 800 (such as in memory 820) or other storage devices accessible by device 800. Program 830 can be loaded from the computer-readable medium into RAM 822 for execution by the computing device. The computer-readable medium can include any type of tangible non-transitory memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.

[0283] In general, the various embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while other aspects can be implemented in firmware or software which can be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of an embodiment of the disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it will be appreciated that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein can be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controler or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0284] The disclosure also provides at least one computer program product which is tangibly embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, executed by devices at a target real or virtual processor to perform processes / methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as desired. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules can be located in local and remote memory storage devices.

[0285] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present disclosure can be written in one or more programming languages. The computer program code can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the program code, when executed by the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, produces a device that implements the functions / acts specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code can be entirely on the computer, partially on the computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server.

[0286] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program code or related data can be embodied in any suitable carrier, including signals, computer readable media, or the like. Examples of signals include electrical, electromagnetic, optical, infrared, or any other suitable type of signals. Examples of computer readable media include a hard disk, a floppy disk, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a portable memory chip, or the like.

[0287] A computer readable medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium can include but is not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0288] Moreover, while operations of methods of the present disclosure are described in a particular order in the drawings, this is not required or implied in any particular order for performing the operations, or that all operations be performed to achieve desirable results. On the contrary, the steps depicted in the flowcharts can be changed, performed in other orders, combined into fewer steps, divided into additional steps, and / or removed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that features and functions of two or more devices according to the present disclosure can be embodied in one device. Conversely, features and functions of one device described above can be further divided into multiple devices.

[0289] The implementations of the disclosure have been described above with the intent to be illustrative rather than limiting. Although the implementations of the disclosure have been described with regard to particular implementations, it will be understood that changes in form and detail can be made to implementations without departing from the spirit, nature, or scope of the implementations. The described implementations are to be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Any modifications, and equivalents, within the spirit and scope of the described implementations are to be regarded as being within the scope of implementations. The following claims are in no way limited to the implementations described herein, but include any and all implementations falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining bandwidth, comprising: The first device receives a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) from the second device. The PPDU is used to determine a scrambling sequence and a service field. The first set of bits in the scrambling sequence and the second set of bits in the service field are used to indicate bandwidth. as well as If the second set of bits fails the check, the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device is determined based on the first set of bits.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the bandwidth of communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: If the first set of bits indicates a single candidate bandwidth, the single candidate bandwidth is determined as the bandwidth of the communication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the bandwidth of communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: The first set of bits is 1, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is a first bandwidth; The first set of bits being 2 indicates that the bandwidth of the communication is the second bandwidth; or The first set of bits is 3, indicating that the bandwidth of the communication is the third bandwidth.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the second bandwidth is 80MHz, and the third bandwidth is 160MHz.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the bandwidth of communication between the first device and the second device based on the first set of bits comprises: If the first set of bits indicates multiple candidate bandwidths, the bandwidth of the communication is determined from the multiple candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation process between the first device and the second device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: If the bandwidth negotiation process is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the candidate bandwidth with the smallest bandwidth is selected from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths comprises: If the bandwidth negotiation process is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the bandwidth of the communication is determined from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection. The non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process includes a static bandwidth negotiation process or a no-bandwidth negotiation process.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the bandwidth negotiation process is based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or the value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPDU is a non-high throughput non-HT format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated non-HT format PPDU.

10. A method for determining bandwidth, comprising: The first device receives a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) from the second device, the PPDU being used to determine a set of bits in the service field that are associated with bandwidth; as well as If the set of bit verification errors occurs, the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device is determined based on the bandwidth negotiation process between the first device and the second device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device comprises: If the bandwidth negotiation process is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the predetermined bandwidth is determined as the bandwidth of the communication.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined bandwidth is 20 MHz.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of bits is a third set of bits, and the PPDU is further used to determine a fourth set of bits in the scrambling sequence, wherein the third set of bits and the fourth set of bits are used to indicate bandwidth. The bandwidth for communication between the first device and the second device is determined by: The bandwidth of the communication is determined based on the bandwidth negotiation process and the fourth set of bits.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the bandwidth of the communication based on the bandwidth negotiation process and the fourth set of bits comprises: If the fourth set of bits indicates multiple candidate bandwidths, the bandwidth of the communication is determined from the multiple candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation process.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation process comprises: If the bandwidth negotiation process is a dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the candidate bandwidth with the smallest bandwidth is selected from the plurality of candidate bandwidths.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the bandwidth of the communication from the plurality of candidate bandwidths based on the bandwidth negotiation process comprises: If the bandwidth negotiation process is a non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process, the bandwidth of the communication is determined from the plurality of candidate bandwidths by blind detection. The non-dynamic bandwidth negotiation process includes a static bandwidth negotiation process or a no-bandwidth negotiation process.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the bandwidth negotiation process is based on whether the PPDU indicates a predetermined parameter or the value of the predetermined parameter indicated by the PPDU.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the PPDU is a non-high throughput non-HT format PPDU or a non-high throughput duplicated non-HT format PPDU.

19. A first device, characterized in that, Includes a unit for performing the method of any one of claims 1-18.

20. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-18.

21. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the method according to any one of claims 1-18.

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