Beam determination methods and related apparatuses

Abstract

This application discloses a beam determination method and related apparatus. The method includes: an Access Point (AP) transmitting beacon frames using beam polling, and carrying a beam identifier of the narrow transmission beam used to transmit the beacon frame in the beacon frame; a STA (Station) selecting the optimal transmission beam for the AP based on the received signal quality corresponding to different narrow transmission beams, and notifying the AP of the optimal transmission beam through an authentication frame, thereby improving the signal quality in communication between the AP and the STA, achieving long-distance coverage and uplink reception interference suppression. The AP transmits at least one beacon frame and at least M trigger frames, each beacon frame including the time information of the trigger frame; the STA determines the target trigger frame from the M trigger frames and sends an authentication frame to the AP within the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame, thereby adapting different STAs to different access time windows, reducing the number of access failures and access delays for long-distance STAs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a beam determination method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In a point-to-multipoint (PMP) network, an access point (AP) can simultaneously connect to multiple stations (STAs). The AP can be the central point, and the STAs can be the remote points, distributed in different locations. During the initial access process, the AP can use a wide beam to send downlink beacon messages to each STA. After receiving the beacon message, each STA needs to initiate an authentication request to the AP. The AP can then receive these authentication requests using its wide beam to determine whether the STAs are authorized to connect.

[0003] However, the AP's use of a wide beam to send Beacon messages can cause STAs located far from the AP to fail to receive the Beacon messages due to insufficient beam gain. This means the initial access process suffers from long-distance coverage issues. Furthermore, the AP's use of a wide beam to receive authentication requests can lead to interference signals being received when the AP receives the authentication frame. Since the receive beam gain of the authentication frame is close to that of the interference signal, the authentication frame is affected by the interference, resulting in authentication frame reception failure. Therefore, the initial access process suffers from uplink reception interference.

[0004] Therefore, how to achieve long-distance coverage and suppress uplink reception interference during the initial access process has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a beam determination method and related apparatus that can achieve long-distance coverage and uplink reception interference suppression.

[0006] The present application is described below from different aspects. It should be understood that the different implementation methods and beneficial effects described below can be referenced from each other.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a beam determination method applicable to a STA. The method includes: the STA receiving multiple Beacon frames from an AP, each Beacon frame including a beam identifier of a narrow transmission beam used by the AP to transmit the Beacon frame; the STA determining a first transmission beam from the narrow transmission beams used to transmit the multiple Beacon frames; and the STA sending initial access information to the AP, the initial access information being used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam.

[0008] Optionally, the STA determines a first transmission beam from multiple narrow transmission beams that transmit multiple Beacon frames. Specifically, the STA measures the received signal quality (such as SINR or RSRP) corresponding to the narrow transmission beam that transmits each Beacon frame based on each received Beacon frame, and determines the first transmission beam from the multiple narrow transmission beams based on the received signal quality corresponding to the multiple narrow transmission beams.

[0009] This application embodiment carries a beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam used to transmit the Beacon frame in the Beacon frame, so that the STA can select the optimal transmit beam for the AP to face the STA according to the received signal quality corresponding to different narrow transmit beams, and notify the AP of the optimal transmit beam through the authentication frame. This helps to improve the signal quality in the communication between the AP and the STA. In addition, the optimal transmit beam is a narrow beam, which helps to provide a received beam gain of 3 to 5 dB and interference sidelobe suppression of 13 dB, thereby improving the access performance of long-distance STAs and realizing long-distance coverage and uplink received interference suppression.

[0010] The initial access information may carry the beam identifier of the first transmission beam to instruct the AP to use the first transmission beam to communicate with the STA. Specifically, the initial access information may be an authentication frame, the physical layer structure of which may be a single-user physical protocol data unit (SU PPDU), and the authentication frame may include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.

[0011] Optionally, a Beacon frame includes a beam identifier. The multiple Beacon frames are transmitted by different narrow transmit beams, and a Beacon frame can be transmitted by a single narrow transmit beam.

[0012] Optionally, the optimal transmit beam can refer to the narrow transmit beam with the best received signal quality among different narrow transmit beams.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, each Beacon frame may further include at least one of the following information: a beam polling time period, the total number of beams polled within that beam polling time period, or the remaining number of beams polled within that beam polling time period. The beam polling time period and / or the remaining number of beams are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames transmitted by the AP within that beam polling time period.

[0014] In this application embodiment, the beacon frame carries the beam polling time period, total number of beams, or number of remaining beams to determine whether the AP has completed polling. If the polling is completed, it is beneficial to determine the optimal transmission beam from multiple narrow transmission beams, and the narrow transmission beam with better signal quality can be more accurately determined as the optimal transmission beam.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, each Beacon frame may further include a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame and timing information of the Trigger frame. Before the STA sends initial access information to the AP, the method further includes: the STA receiving multiple Trigger frames from the AP; the STA sending initial access information to the AP, specifically: the STA sending initial access information to the AP within a target access time window, the initial access information being used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window. The beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the multiple Trigger frames, and the timing information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame.

[0016] Optionally, after receiving multiple trigger frames, the STA can determine the target trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the received trigger frames based on the beam identifier corresponding to the trigger frame included in any received Beacon frame. The STA can determine the transmission start time of the target trigger frame based on the time information of the trigger frame included in any received Beacon frame and the reception time of the target trigger frame. The STA determines the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame based on the target trigger frame and the transmission start time of the target trigger frame. The starting point of the target access time window is the sum of the transmission start time of the target trigger frame, the frame length of the target trigger frame, and the short frame interval. The duration (i.e., size) of the target time window is equal to the size of the access time window included in the target trigger frame.

[0017] This application embodiment includes a beam identifier for the transmit beam used to send the Beacon frame in the Beacon frame, enabling the STA to select the optimal transmit beam for the AP based on the received signal quality corresponding to different narrow transmit beams. This application embodiment also includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or UORA time window, or random access resource) in the Beacon frame, allowing the STA to select the corresponding random access resource (here referring to the access time window) for access based on the selected optimal transmit beam. The AP obtains the STA's beam selection result by the access time window corresponding to the time of receiving the uplink access message (here referring to the authentication frame), thus eliminating the need to add a field to the authentication frame to indicate the STA's beam selection result. Since different STAs have different beam selection results, and different beams correspond to different random access resources, different STAs can be adapted to different random access resources, thereby increasing the success rate of uplink access message (such as authentication frame) reception and reducing the probability of STA access collisions. In addition, since the optimal transmit beam of the above beam selection result is the narrow transmit beam with the best receive signal quality, it is beneficial to improve the signal quality in the communication between the AP and the STA. Furthermore, since the beam is narrow, it is beneficial to provide a receive beam gain of 3 to 5 dB and interference sidelobe suppression of 13 dB, thereby improving the access performance of long-distance STAs and achieving long-distance uplink coverage and uplink receive interference suppression.

[0018] The multiple trigger frames are transmitted by at least two different narrow beams of the AP. Each trigger frame includes information on the size (i.e., duration) of an access time window and the frame length of each trigger frame.

[0019] Optionally, the timing information of the Trigger frame may include the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame and the transmission time of the Beacon frame, and the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames. The beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame may include the start beam identifier and the end beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame.

[0020] Optionally, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a Trigger-based Physical Protocol Data Unit (TB PPDU).

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide another beam determination method applicable to an AP. The method includes: the AP transmitting multiple Beacon frames using beam polling; the AP receiving initial access information from a STA; and the AP communicating with the STA using a first transmission beam based on the received initial access information.

[0022] Optionally, the AP communicates with the STA using the first transmission beam based on the received initial access information. Specifically, the AP parses the initial access information to obtain the beam identifier of the first transmission beam carried in the initial access information, and then uses the first transmission beam to communicate with the STA.

[0023] This application embodiment carries a beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam used to transmit the Beacon frame in the Beacon frame. This allows the STA to select the optimal transmit beam for the AP based on the received signal quality corresponding to different narrow transmit beams. The STA then notifies the AP of the optimal transmit beam through an authentication frame. This improves the signal quality in communication between the AP and the STA. Furthermore, the narrow beam provides a 3-5 dB receive beam gain and 13 dB interference sidelobe suppression, thereby enhancing the access performance of long-distance STAs and achieving long-distance uplink coverage and uplink receive interference suppression.

[0024] Each of the plurality of Beacon frames includes a beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam used to transmit the Beacon frame, with one beam identifier per Beacon frame. These plurality of Beacon frames are used to determine a first transmit beam from among the plurality of narrow transmit beams used to transmit the plurality of Beacon frames.

[0025] Optionally, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, the physical layer structure of which can be a SU PPDU, and the authentication frame can include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.

[0026] Optionally, the optimal transmit beam can refer to the narrow transmit beam with the best received signal quality among different narrow transmit beams.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, each Beacon frame may further include at least one of the following information: a beam polling time period, the total number of beams polled within the beam polling time period, or the remaining number of beams polled within the beam polling time period. The beam polling time period and / or the remaining number of beams are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames transmitted by the AP within the beam polling time period.

[0028] In this embodiment, the AP determines whether the polling is complete by using the beam polling time period, total number of beams, or remaining number of beams carried in the Beacon frame. If the polling is complete, it is beneficial to determine the optimal transmission beam (first transmission beam) from multiple transmission beams, and the transmission beam with better signal quality can be more accurately determined as the optimal transmission beam.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, each Beacon frame may further include a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame and timing information of the Trigger frame. Before the AP receives initial access information from the STA, the method further includes: the AP transmitting multiple Trigger frames using at least two different narrow transmission beams, with at least one Trigger frame transmitted on each narrow transmission beam; the AP receiving initial access information from the STA specifically involves: the AP receiving initial access information transmitted by the STA within a target access time window; the AP communicating with the STA using the first transmission beam based on the received initial access information, specifically involves: the AP determining the target access time window corresponding to the reception time of the initial access information, and communicating with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window. Wherein, the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used by the STA to determine the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the received multiple Trigger frames, and the timing information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used by the STA to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame.

[0030] Each of the multiple Trigger frames includes information on the size (i.e., duration) of an access time window and the frame length of each Trigger frame.

[0031] Optionally, the timing information of the Trigger frame may include the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame and the transmission time of the Beacon frame, and the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames. The beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame may include the start beam identifier and the end beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame.

[0032] Optionally, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a TB PPDU.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide another beam determination method applicable to a STA. The method includes: the STA receiving a Beacon frame from an AP, the Beacon frame including time information of a Trigger frame; the STA receiving M Trigger frames from the AP; the STA determining a target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames; if the current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA sending initial access information to the AP within the target access time window, the initial access information instructing the AP to communicate with the STA using a first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window. The target Trigger frame and its time information are used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame.

[0034] Optionally, the STA can measure the received signal quality (e.g., RSRP) corresponding to each received Trigger frame. The STA then determines the target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames based on the received signal quality corresponding to each of the M Trigger frames. This target Trigger frame can be the Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the M Trigger frames.

[0035] This application embodiment carries the timing information of the Trigger frame in the Beacon frame, enabling the STA to select a random access resource (here referring to the access time window) corresponding to one of the multiple received Trigger frames for access. Since STAs in different locations may select different random access resources, STAs in different locations can be adapted to different random access resources. Authentication frames sent on different random access resources implicitly notify the AP of the optimal transmission beam for that STA. This not only improves the signal quality in communication between the AP and the STA, but also, because the optimal transmission beam is a narrow beam, it provides 3-5 dB of receive beam gain and 13 dB of interference sidelobe suppression, thereby improving the access performance of long-distance STAs, achieving long-distance coverage and uplink receive interference suppression; it also reduces the number of access failures and access latency for long-distance STAs, improving the overall access efficiency of STAs within the cell.

[0036] Each of the M trigger frames may include information about the size (i.e., duration) of the access time window.

[0037] Optionally, the timing information of the Trigger frame may include the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame (here referring to the transmission start time) and the transmission time of the Beacon frame (here referring to the transmission start time), and the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames (here referring to the interval between the transmission start times).

[0038] Optionally, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a TB PPDU.

[0039] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include a signal quality threshold, and the M Trigger frames may be transmitted by the AP's wide transmit beam. The STA determines the target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames specifically: if at least one Trigger frame among the M Trigger frames corresponds to a received signal quality greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold, then the STA randomly selects one Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames as the target Trigger frame.

[0040] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include a signal quality threshold. The M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames. The MN first Trigger frames are transmitted by the AP's wide transmit beam, and the N second Trigger frames are transmitted by at least two different narrow transmit beams of the AP. The STA determines the target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, specifically: if the received signal quality corresponding to each of the MN first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold, then the STA determines the target Trigger frame from the N second Trigger frames. The target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.

[0041] The aforementioned signal quality threshold can be used to distinguish between long-distance and short-distance STAs. It's understandable that "distance" here refers to the distance between the AP and the STA. Long-distance and short-distance STAs are relative concepts. For example, a STA with received signal quality greater than or equal to the threshold is considered a short-distance STA; conversely, it is considered a long-distance STA.

[0042] This application embodiment adapts nearby STAs to a wide beam for access and distant STAs to a narrow beam for access, which can reduce the probability of access collisions between STAs in different locations and improve the efficiency of STA access. In addition, when the AP in this application embodiment communicates with distant STAs, it can provide a 3-5 dB receive beam gain and 13 dB interference sidelobe suppression through the narrow beam, thereby improving the access performance of distant STAs and achieving long-distance coverage and uplink receive interference suppression.

[0043] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include information on the number of Trigger frames, which is used to determine MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the M Trigger frames.

[0044] Optionally, the number of trigger frames mentioned above includes the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam and the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam. MN can be less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam, and N can be less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam.

[0045] In this embodiment, the number of trigger frames is carried in the beacon frame to notify the STA whether the trigger frames received at different times are transmitted by a wide beam or a narrow beam. This allows the STA to select the random access resources corresponding to different beams (wide beam or narrow beam) for access based on its distance from the AP. Since the random access resources selected by far-distance STAs and near-distance STAs are different, the access collision probability of STAs in different locations can be reduced, thereby improving the access efficiency of the STA.

[0046] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, which can be used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The method further includes: if the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA receives a third Trigger frame transmitted by the AP through the first transmission beam; the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame, which instructs the AP to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window. The timing information of the third Trigger frame is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame.

[0047] Optionally, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a TB PPDU.

[0048] This application embodiment carries the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame in the Beacon frame, enabling the STA to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame. If the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA re-receives the third Trigger frame transmitted on the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame, and returns an authentication frame to the AP within the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame. This provides a possible processing method and enriches the beam determination method provided by this application embodiment.

[0049] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide yet another beam determination method applicable to an access point (AP). The method includes: the AP transmitting at least one Beacon frame, each Beacon frame including time information of a Trigger frame; the AP transmitting at least M Trigger frames; when the current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the AP receives initial access information transmitted by a STA within the target access time window; the AP determines the target access time window corresponding to the reception time of the initial access information, and communicates with the STA using a first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window. The at least M Trigger frames are used by the STA to determine the target Trigger frame, and the target Trigger frame and its time information are used by the STA to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame.

[0050] This application embodiment carries the timing information of the Trigger frame in the Beacon frame, enabling the STA to select a random access resource (here referring to the access time window) corresponding to one of the multiple received Trigger frames for access. Since STAs in different locations may select different random access resources, STAs in different locations can be adapted to different random access resources. Authentication frames sent on different random access resources implicitly notify the AP of the optimal transmission beam for that STA. This not only improves the signal quality in communication between the AP and the STA, but also, because the optimal transmission beam is a narrow beam, it provides 3-5 dB of receive beam gain and 13 dB of interference sidelobe suppression, thereby improving the access performance of long-distance STAs, achieving long-distance coverage and uplink receive interference suppression; it also reduces the number of access failures and access latency for long-distance STAs, improving the overall access efficiency of STAs within the cell.

[0051] Each of the at least M Trigger frames includes information about the size (i.e., duration) of the access time window.

[0052] Optionally, the at least one Beacon frame is transmitted using beam polling so that STAs at different locations can receive at least one Beacon frame.

[0053] Optionally, the timing information of the Trigger frame may include the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame (here referring to the transmission start time) and the transmission time of the Beacon frame (here referring to the transmission start time), and the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames (here referring to the interval between the transmission start times).

[0054] Optionally, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a TB PPDU.

[0055] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include a signal quality threshold, and the at least M Trigger frames may include M Trigger frames transmitted by the AP's wide transmit beam. When at least one of the M Trigger frames corresponds to a received signal quality greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold, the target Trigger frame is any one of the M Trigger frames.

[0056] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include a signal quality threshold. The at least M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames. The MN first Trigger frames are transmitted by the AP's wide transmit beam, and the N second Trigger frames are transmitted by at least two different narrow transmit beams of the AP. When the received signal quality corresponding to each of the MN first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold, the target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.

[0057] The aforementioned signal quality threshold can be used to distinguish between long-distance and short-distance STAs. It's understandable that "distance" here refers to the distance between the AP and the STA. Long-distance and short-distance STAs are relative concepts. For example, a STA with received signal quality greater than or equal to the threshold is considered a short-distance STA; conversely, it is considered a long-distance STA.

[0058] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include information on the number of Trigger frames, which is used to determine MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the at least M Trigger frames.

[0059] Optionally, the number of trigger frames mentioned above includes the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam and the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam. MN can be less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam, and N can be less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam.

[0060] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned Beacon frame may further include a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, which can be used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The method further includes: when the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the AP transmits a third Trigger frame on the first transmission beam; the AP receives initial access information transmitted by the STA within the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame; the AP determines the first access time window corresponding to the reception time of the initial access information, and communicates with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window.

[0061] The timing information of the third trigger frame is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third trigger frame.

[0062] Optionally, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a TB PPDU.

[0063] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus that can be a STA or a chip or circuit that can be disposed in a STA. The apparatus includes units and / or modules for performing the beam determination method provided by the first aspect and / or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided by the first aspect.

[0064] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide another apparatus, which can be an AP or a chip or circuit that can be disposed in an AP. The apparatus includes units and / or modules for performing the beam determination method provided by the second aspect and / or any possible implementation of the second aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided by the second aspect.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide yet another apparatus, which can be a STA or a chip or circuit that can be disposed in a STA. The apparatus includes units and / or modules for performing the beam determination method provided by the third aspect and / or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided by the third aspect.

[0066] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide yet another apparatus, which can be an AP or a chip or circuit that can be disposed in an AP. The apparatus includes units and / or modules for performing the beam determination method provided by the fourth aspect and / or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided by the fourth aspect.

[0067] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a STA (Stationary Targeting Device), which may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the transceiver transmits and receives various information, data frames (such as trigger frames), or control frames (such as beacon frames). The computer program includes program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal device to perform the beamforming method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The transceiver may be a radio frequency module in the STA, or a combination of a radio frequency module and an antenna, or an input / output interface of a chip or circuit.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide an access point (AP), which may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the transceiver transmits and receives various information, data frames (such as trigger frames), or control frames (such as beacon frames). The computer program includes program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal device to perform the beamforming method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The transceiver may be a radio frequency (RF) module in the AP, or a combination of an RF module and an antenna, or an input / output interface of a chip or circuit.

[0069] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide another STA, which may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the transceiver transmits and receives various information, data frames (such as trigger frames), or control frames (such as beacon frames). The computer program includes program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal device to perform the beamforming method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The transceiver may be a radio frequency module in the STA, or a combination of a radio frequency module and an antenna, or an input / output interface of a chip or circuit.

[0070] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide another access point (AP), which may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the transceiver transmits and receives various information, data frames (such as trigger frames), or control frames (such as beacon frames). The computer program includes program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal device to perform the beamforming method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The transceiver may be a radio frequency module in the AP, or a combination of a radio frequency module and an antenna, or an input / output interface of a chip or circuit.

[0071] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including a STA and an AP, wherein: the STA is the device described in the fifth aspect or the STA described in the ninth aspect above, and the AP is the device described in the sixth aspect or the AP described in the tenth aspect above.

[0072] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide another communication system, including a STA and an AP, wherein: the STA is the device described in the seventh aspect or the STA described in the eleventh aspect above, and the AP is the device described in the eighth aspect or the AP described in the twelfth aspect above.

[0073] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the beam determination method described in the first aspect.

[0074] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the beam determination method described in the second aspect above.

[0075] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the beam determination method described in the third aspect above.

[0076] In an eighteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the beam determination method described in the fourth aspect above.

[0077] In a nineteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product including computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the beam determination method described in the first aspect.

[0078] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the beam determination method described in the second aspect.

[0079] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the beam determination method described in the third aspect.

[0080] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the beam determination method described in the fourth aspect.

[0081] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a processor. The processor is used to read and execute a computer program stored in a memory to perform the communication method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory connected to the processor via a circuit or wire. Further optionally, the chip includes a communication interface to which the processor is connected. The communication interface is used to receive data and / or information to be processed, the processor obtains the data and / or information from the communication interface, processes the data and / or information, and outputs the processing result through the communication interface. The communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0082] Optionally, the processor and memory mentioned above can be physically independent units, or the memory can be integrated with the processor.

[0083] Implementing the embodiments of this application can, on the one hand, achieve long-distance coverage in video backhaul scenarios and suppress uplink reception interference, and on the other hand, improve the access efficiency of users (i.e., STAs) in the cell during the initial access process and avoid access collisions of users (i.e., STAs) during the initial access process. Attached Figure Description

[0084] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the WIFI wireless communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0085] Figure 2a This is a data interaction diagram of the access process in passive mode provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0086] Figure 2b This is a data interaction diagram of the access process in active mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a beam determination method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 4b This is another schematic diagram of the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0090] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fields carried in the authentication frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0091] Figure 6 This is another schematic flowchart of the beam determination method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0092] Figure 7 This is yet another schematic diagram of the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0093] Figure 8 This is another schematic flowchart of the beam determination method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0094] Figure 9 This is yet another schematic diagram of the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0095] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 11 This is another structural schematic diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0097] Figure 12 This is another schematic diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0098] Figure 13 This is yet another structural schematic diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0099] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0100] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0101] To facilitate a better understanding of the beam determination method provided in the embodiments of this application, the system architecture of the beam determination method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0102] The beam determination method provided in this application can be applied to WIFI (wireless-fidelity) wireless communication systems. See also... Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a WIFI wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the WIFI wireless communication system may include at least one AP and at least one STA (e.g., Figure 1 (STA1 and STA2 in the example). In this WIFI wireless communication system, the AP has beamforming capability; the STA is equipped with a directional antenna, capable of transmitting and receiving signals in a specific beam direction. The STA can also be equipped with an omnidirectional antenna, capable of transmitting and receiving signals in multiple specific beam directions, but the STA does not have beamforming capability. Optionally, the AP can use different beams to communicate with the STA. The AP and STA can be connected wirelessly; one AP can connect to one or more STAs, and one STA can connect to one AP. The STA can be fixed or mobile. In this embodiment, the AP may include a wireless router, base station, etc.; the STA may include a mobile phone, computer, iPad, camera, or other terminal with shooting function. This embodiment does not limit the number of APs and STAs included in the WIFI wireless communication system.

[0103] In some feasible implementations, the WIFI wireless communication system provided in this application embodiment can support two access technologies. One is an access technology based on beacon frames or probe request frames; the other is an access technology based on trigger frames.

[0104] The access technology based on Beacon frames or probe request frames mainly includes three steps: (1) the scanning phase, where the STA searches for nearby APs through scanning; (2) the authentication phase, where the STA selects an AP and initiates authentication with that AP; and (3) the association phase, where the STA, after authentication, initiates an association process with that AP. The STA can establish a communication link with the AP through these three steps, meaning the STA accesses the AP through these three steps. After the communication link between the STA and the AP is established, the STA and the AP can send and receive data packets.

[0105] Optionally, there are two scanning modes during the scanning phase: active and passive. In active mode, the STA sequentially sends a probe request frame on each channel. This probe request frame carries the service set identifier (SSID) information associated with the STA, thus searching for APs with the same SSID. Once the STA finds an AP with the same SSID, it enters the authentication phase. Only STAs that pass authentication can access the wireless network. In passive mode, the STA discovers the network by listening to Beacon frames periodically sent by APs. These Beacon frames identify the basic service set (BSS) information associated with the AP. The STA selects an AP to enter the authentication phase based on the BSS information identified in the Beacon frame.

[0106] See Figure 2a , Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of data interaction during the access process in passive mode provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 2a As shown, the access process in passive mode includes steps a-e. Step a: The AP periodically sends Beacon frames; Step b: The STA sends an authentication request to the AP; Step c: The AP returns an authentication response to the STA; Step d: The STA sends an association request to the AP; Step e: The AP returns an association response to the STA. See also... Figure 2b , Figure 2b This is a schematic diagram of data interaction during the access process in active mode provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 2bAs shown, the access process in active mode includes steps f-k. Step f: The STA sends a probe request; Step g: The AP returns a probe response to the STA; Step h: The STA sends an authentication request to the AP; Step i: The AP returns an authentication response to the STA; Step j: The STA sends an association request to the AP; Step k: The AP returns an association response to the STA.

[0107] Trigger-frame-based access technology can also be called uplink (UL) OFDMA-based random access (UORA). During uplink scheduling, the AP can allocate random access resources, and STAs can compete to transmit uplink data within the bandwidth of those resources. The AP can perform uplink scheduling by sending trigger frames, which can carry the allocated random access resources. After receiving a trigger frame, the STA competes for access based on its internal OFDMA backoff (OBO) counter. When a STA's OBO counter reaches 0 and the channel is detected as idle via physical and virtual carriers, the STA transmits an authentication frame on the random access resources carried in the trigger frame.

[0108] In the two access technologies supported by the aforementioned Wi-Fi wireless communication system, firstly, the STA cannot obtain the beam information corresponding to the Beacon frames received at different times, and therefore cannot determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and the STA. Even if the STA determines the optimal beam for communication between the AP and the STA, the message reported by the STA during the access process does not carry the corresponding beam information, so the AP cannot determine the optimal beam for that STA either. Secondly, since the Wi-Fi wireless communication system is based on a competitive access method, the signal of a distant STA will attenuate significantly when it reaches the AP, making it difficult for a distant STA to seize access resources. Furthermore, because STAs with different beam directions or at different distances compete for access resources in the same beam direction at the same time, a nearby STA may seize the access opportunity of a distant STA, resulting in prolonged access failures for distant STAs and extended access times.

[0109] Therefore, this application provides a beam determination method that can determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and each STA, so as to meet the requirements of long-distance coverage and uplink reception interference suppression.

[0110] Understandably, signal beamwidth refers to the angle between two maximum radiation directions when the radiated power drops by 3 dB on either side of the maximum radiation direction. Beamwidth can be divided into horizontal beamwidth and vertical beamwidth. Horizontal beamwidth refers to the angle between two maximum radiation directions in the horizontal direction when the radiated power drops by 3 dB on either side of the maximum radiation direction. Vertical beamwidth refers to the angle between two maximum radiation directions in the vertical direction when the radiated power drops by 3 dB on either side of the maximum radiation direction.

[0111] The wide beam mentioned in this application refers to a beam with a relatively wide horizontal beamwidth, such as 45–120 degrees. Wide beams offer a wider coverage area and are typically used for wide coverage of broadcast signals. In contrast, the narrow beam mentioned in this application refers to a beam with a relatively narrow horizontal beamwidth, such as 10–20 degrees. Narrow beams offer higher beam gain and better sidelobe interference suppression compared to wide beams, but have a narrower coverage area. Narrow beams are typically used for point-to-point communication.

[0112] In some feasible implementations, the AP in this application embodiment can be equipped with a massive MIMO antenna for beamforming; the STA can be equipped with a directional antenna or an omnidirectional antenna, which does not have beamforming capability. In this application embodiment, one AP can simultaneously connect to multiple STAs. For the same STA, the AP's transmit beam and receive beam can be the same beam or different beams. In this application embodiment, the transmit beam and receive beam used by the AP to communicate with the STA can be reused; that is, for a certain STA, the transmit beam used by the AP to send information / data to this STA and the receive beam used to receive information / data from this STA are the same beam. It is understood that the transmit beam refers to the beam used to send information / data, and the receive beam refers to the beam used to receive information / data. It is also understood that the wide transmit beam mentioned in this application embodiment refers to the wide beam used when sending information / data, and the narrow transmit beam refers to the narrow beam used when sending information / data.

[0113] In some feasible implementations, the received signal quality involved in the embodiments of this application can be reflected by the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) or by the reference signal receiving power (RSRP). SINR can refer to the ratio of the strength of the received useful signal to the strength of the received interference signal (including noise and interference). RSRP can refer to the average signal power received on all resource elements (REs) carrying the reference signal within a certain symbol. Understandably, a higher SINR or RSRP indicates higher received signal quality, and vice versa.

[0114] Understandably, broadcast frames in a Wi-Fi wireless communication system do not require acknowledgement (ACK) from the receiver, while unicast frames typically do. Therefore, since the Beacon frame in this embodiment is a broadcast frame, the receiver does not need to send back an ACK frame after receiving the Beacon frame; since the authentication frame in this embodiment is a unicast frame, the receiver needs to send back the corresponding ACK frame after receiving the Beacon frame.

[0115] The following will be combined with the appendix Figure 3 To be continued Figure 9 The beam determination method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail.

[0116] See Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a beam determination method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 As shown, the communication method provided in this application embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0117] S301, the AP uses beam polling to transmit multiple beacon frames. Correspondingly, the STA receives multiple beacon frames from the AP.

[0118] In some feasible implementations, the Beacon frames sent by the AP can carry beam-related indications. Specifically, each Beacon frame sent by the AP can include a beam identifier (ID) of the transmission beam used to send the Beacon frame. Each Beacon frame includes one beam identifier. For example, if the AP sends a Beacon frame on beam1, the beam identifier included in this Beacon frame is beam1; if the AP sends another Beacon frame on beam2, the beam identifier included in this other Beacon frame is beam2. Optionally, each Beacon frame may also include at least one of the following information: beam polling time period, the number of remaining beams polled within the current beam polling time period, or the total number of beams polled within the current beam polling time period. All beams polled by the AP are narrow beams, and the total number of polled beams is greater than or equal to 2.

[0119] It should be noted that the beam polling time period in this embodiment is also called the Beacon beam polling period T_BM (Beacon beam pattern cycle), which refers to the time required for the AP to complete one beam polling transmission of a Beacon frame. Understandably, the Beacon frames in this embodiment can be transmitted periodically, that is, one Beacon frame is transmitted at regular intervals (here, "interval" refers to the Beacon period). For example, the AP has eight narrow beams, beam1-beam8, and the AP sequentially polls and transmits Beacon frames on these eight narrow beams. That is, the AP transmits the first Beacon frame on beam1, then after a one-beacon period interval, transmits the second Beacon frame on beam2, then after another one-beacon period interval, transmits the third Beacon frame on beam3, and so on. After the AP transmits the seventh Beacon frame on beam7, it transmits the eighth Beacon frame on beam8 after a one-beacon period interval. Therefore, the beam polling time period (i.e., the Beacon beam polling period T_BM) refers to the time required from when the AP sends the first Beacon frame on beam1 until the AP sends the eighth Beacon frame on beam8, after an interval of one Beacon period.

[0120] In some feasible implementations, embodiments of this application can indicate various beam-related information through fields carried in the Beacon frame. Specifically, a field carried in the Beacon frame can indicate a type of beam-related information. For example, the beam identifier of the transmit beam used by the AP to send the Beacon frame can be indicated by a field in the Beacon frame; the total number of beams polled or the number of remaining beams within the current beam polling time period can be indicated by another field in the Beacon frame; and the beam polling time period can be indicated by yet another field in the Beacon frame.

[0121] Understandably, a field carried by a Beacon frame can also indicate various beam-related information (such as beam identifier, total number of beams, remaining number of beams, or beam polling time period). It is also understood that the beam-related information fields included in a Beacon frame can be newly added fields. It is further understood that the field lengths (in bits) of multiple beam-related information fields included in a Beacon frame can be the same or different. It is also understood that multiple beam-related information fields included in a Beacon frame can be adjacent fields or non-adjacent fields.

[0122] See Figure 4a , Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 4a As shown, the CurrentBeamID field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the beam identifier of the transmit beam used by the AP to send this Beacon frame, and the Total Beam Num field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the total number of beams polled within the current beam polling time period; or the Remaining Beam Num field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the remaining number of beams polled within the current beam polling time period. Figure 4a The CurrentBeamID field is 3 bits long, and the Total Beam Num field or Remaining Beam Num field is also 3 bits long.

[0123] See Figure 4b , Figure 4b This is another schematic diagram of the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 4bAs shown, the CurrentBeamID field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the beam identifier of the transmit beam used by the AP to send this Beacon frame, and the Beacon Beam Pattern Cycle field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the beam polling time period. Figure 4b The CurrentBeamID field is 3 bits long, and the Beacon Beam PatternCycle field is 14 bits long.

[0124] Understandable Figure 4a and Figure 4b This is merely an illustrative diagram. In practical applications, additional fields can be added to the Beacon frame to indicate various beam-related information. It is also understood that the length of any newly added fields in the Beacon frame can be set according to the specific application scenario. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0125] In some feasible implementations, the AP uses beam polling to transmit multiple Beacon frames. Within one beam polling time period, the AP transmits one Beacon frame on a narrow transmission beam. Assuming the AP has K different narrow transmission beams, the AP transmits a total of K Beacon frames within one beam polling time period, each of these K Beacon frames being transmitted by a different narrow transmission beam of the AP. Correspondingly, the STA receives multiple Beacon frames from the AP. Because the AP uses multiple different narrow transmission beams to poll and transmit Beacon frames, and the horizontal beamwidth of the narrow transmission beams is relatively narrow (e.g., 10-20 degrees), the coverage area is limited (i.e., narrow). Therefore, the number of Beacon frames received by STAs at different locations (geographical location) or at different distances (distance between the STA and the AP) may vary. Each Beacon frame includes the beam identifier of the transmission beam used by the AP to transmit that Beacon frame. Optionally, each Beacon frame may also include at least one of the following: beam polling time period, the total number of beams polled within the current beam polling time period, or the number of remaining beams.

[0126] This application embodiment uses beam polling to send Beacon frames to ensure that STAs at different geographical locations or distances can receive one or more Beacon frames.

[0127] For example, if K equals 8, the AP has 8 different narrow transmit beams, such as beam1-beam8. The AP transmits Beacon frames sequentially on these 8 narrow transmit beams, and transmits a total of 8 Beacon frames within the beam polling time period. Taking 3 STAs (STA1, STA2, and STA3) as an example, these 3 STAs are located in different geographical locations or at different distances from the AP. STA1 receives Beacon frames transmitted from beam1, beam2, and beam3 from the AP, receiving a total of 3 Beacon frames; STA2 receives Beacon frames transmitted from beam3 and beam4 from the AP, receiving a total of 2 Beacon frames; STA3 receives Beacon frames transmitted from beam1-beam8 from the AP, receiving a total of 8 Beacon frames. For ease of description, the following explanation uses a single STA as an example.

[0128] S302, the STA determines the first transmission beam from the multiple transmission beams identified by the multiple beam identifiers included in the multiple Beacon frames.

[0129] In some feasible implementations, since each Beacon frame includes a beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam used by the AP to transmit this Beacon frame, the STA can measure the received signal quality (such as SINR or RSRP) corresponding to the narrow transmit beam identified by the beam identifier in each received Beacon frame. Because the STA measures the received signal quality corresponding to one narrow transmit beam based on one received Beacon frame, the STA can measure the received signal quality corresponding to multiple narrow transmit beams based on multiple received Beacon frames. Based on the received signal quality corresponding to the multiple narrow transmit beams identified by the multiple beam identifiers in the multiple received Beacon frames, the STA determines the first transmit beam (i.e., the optimal transmit beam) from the multiple narrow transmit beams. Optionally, the STA can determine the narrow transmit beam with the highest received signal quality among the multiple narrow transmit beams as the first transmit beam.

[0130] This application embodiment includes a beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam used to transmit the Beacon frame in the Beacon frame, so that when the STA receives Beacon frames at different times, it can know the beam information corresponding to the Beacon frames at different times, and thus determine the optimal transmit beam (i.e. the first transmit beam) for communication between the AP and the STA based on the received signal quality corresponding to different narrow transmit beams.

[0131] For example, suppose the STA receives three Beacon frames. The first Beacon frame includes a beam identifier of beam1, the second Beacon frame includes a beam identifier of beam2, and the third Beacon frame includes a beam identifier of beam3. The STA measures the SINR corresponding to beam1 based on the first received Beacon frame, the SINR corresponding to beam2 based on the second received Beacon frame, and the SINR corresponding to beam3 based on the third received Beacon frame. The STA compares the SINR values ​​of beam1, beam2, and beam3. If the SINR corresponding to beam2 is the largest, the STA uses beam2 as the optimal transmit beam (i.e., the first transmit beam) for communication between the AP and the STA.

[0132] Optionally, the STA can also measure the received signal quality corresponding to the narrow transmit beam identified by the beam identifier included in each received Beacon frame. For example, each Beacon frame received by the STA includes a beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam that transmitted that Beacon frame. Therefore, upon receiving the first Beacon frame, the STA measures the received signal quality corresponding to the transmit beam (beam1) that transmitted the first Beacon frame; upon receiving the second Beacon frame, the STA measures the received signal quality corresponding to the transmit beam (beam2) that transmitted the second Beacon frame. Thus, the STA does not need to wait to receive all Beacon frames before measuring the received signal quality corresponding to each transmitted beam.

[0133] In some feasible implementations, each Beacon frame includes not only the beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam used by the AP to transmit each Beacon frame, but also the total number of beams polled or the remaining number of beams within the current beam polling time period. The STA can detect whether the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams currently received is equal to the total number of beams included in any Beacon frame. If the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams currently received is equal to the total number of beams, the STA determines that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have completed beam polling. If it is determined that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have completed beam polling, the STA identifies the narrow transmit beam with the highest received signal quality among the multiple narrow transmit beams as the first transmit beam. If the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams currently received is less than the total number of beams, the STA determines that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling. If it is determined that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling, the STA continues to receive Beacon frames transmitted by the AP using beam polling until the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams received by the STA equals the total number of beams.

[0134] Optionally, the STA checks whether the number of remaining beams in the currently received Beacon frame is 0. If the number of remaining beams in the currently received Beacon frame is 0, the STA determines that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have completed beam polling. If it is determined that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have completed beam polling, the STA identifies the narrow transmit beam with the highest received signal quality among the aforementioned narrow transmit beams as the first transmit beam. If the number of remaining beams in the currently received Beacon frame is greater than 0, the STA determines that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling. If it is determined that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling, the STA continues to receive Beacon frames transmitted by the AP using beam polling until the number of remaining beams in the Beacon frames received by the STA is 0.

[0135] In other feasible implementations, each Beacon frame includes not only the beam identifier of the narrow transmission beam used by the AP to transmit each Beacon frame, but also the beam polling time period. Because Beacon frames are transmitted periodically and include a Beacon interval, the STA can calculate the total number of beams polled within the current beam polling time period based on the beam polling time period included in the Beacon frame and the Beacon interval (here referring to the transmission time interval between two adjacent Beacon frames). The STA can then determine whether all transmission beams of the AP have completed beam polling based on the number of Beacon frames currently received and the total number of beams.

[0136] Optionally, the STA can start timing after receiving the first Beacon frame. When the timing duration is greater than or equal to the beam polling time period included in any Beacon frame, the STA can determine that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have completed beam polling. When the timing duration is less than the beam polling time period included in any Beacon frame, the STA can determine that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling. If it is determined that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have completed beam polling, the STA can determine the narrow transmit beam with the highest received signal quality among the multiple narrow transmit beams as the first transmit beam. If it is determined that all narrow transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling, the STA continues to receive Beacon frames transmitted by the AP using beam polling until all narrow transmit beams of the AP have completed beam polling.

[0137] The total number of beams can be equal to the rounded value of the quotient of the beam polling time period and the Beacon period. For example, if the beam polling time period is 20ms and the Beacon period is 5ms, then the total number of beams is [20 / 5] = 4. Or, if the beam polling time period is 20ms and the Beacon period is 3ms, then the total number of beams is [20 / 3] = 6, where [x] represents rounding down x.

[0138] In some feasible implementations, each time the STA receives a Beacon frame, it measures the received signal quality (such as SINR or RSRP) of the narrow transmit beam corresponding to that Beacon frame and compares the received signal quality of the narrow transmit beam with a quality threshold. If the received signal quality of the narrow transmit beam is greater than or equal to the quality threshold, the STA identifies the narrow transmit beam corresponding to that Beacon frame as the first transmit beam. Optionally, after identifying the first transmit beam, the STA may stop receiving Beacon frames from the AP or discard subsequently received Beacon frames. The quality threshold can be set according to actual service requirements. The quality threshold can also be carried in the Beacon frame and notified to the STA by the AP. This quality threshold can be used to reflect whether the measured quality of the received signal meets the service requirements. That is, if the measured quality of the received signal is greater than or equal to the quality threshold, it is considered that the measured quality of the received signal meets the service requirements; if the measured quality of the received signal is less than the quality threshold, it is considered that the measured quality of the received signal does not meet the service requirements.

[0139] For example, suppose the AP sequentially transmits Beacon frames on eight narrow transmit beams, beam1 through beam8. Each Beacon frame includes the beam identifier of the transmit beam that sent that Beacon frame. After receiving the first Beacon frame, the STA measures the SINR corresponding to the transmit beam (beam1) that sent the first Beacon frame. If the SINR corresponding to beam1 is less than a preset quality threshold, the STA waits to receive the second Beacon frame. After receiving the second Beacon frame, the STA measures the SINR corresponding to the transmit beam (beam2) that sent the second Beacon frame. If the SINR corresponding to beam2 is still less than the preset quality threshold, the STA waits to receive the third Beacon frame. After receiving the third Beacon frame, the STA measures the SINR corresponding to the transmit beam (beam3) that sent the third Beacon frame. If the SINR corresponding to beam3 is greater than or equal to the preset quality threshold, the STA will use beam3, the transmit beam of the third Beacon frame, as the optimal transmit beam (i.e., the first transmit beam) for communication between the AP and the STA. It will not wait to receive Beacon frames, or discard the subsequently received Beacon frames (such as the fourth and fifth Beacon frames), or not process the subsequently received Beacon frames.

[0140] S303, the STA sends initial access information to the AP. Correspondingly, the AP receives the initial access information from the STA.

[0141] In some feasible implementations, the initial access information can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a single user physical protocol data unit (SUPPDU). The initial access information may include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam, that is, the authentication frame includes the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.

[0142] In some feasible implementations, embodiments of this application may indicate the beam identifier of the first transmitted beam through fields carried in the authentication frame. See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fields carried in the authentication frame provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the BestBeamID field carried in the authentication frame indicates the beam identifier of the first transmitted beam. Figure 5 The BestBeamID field is 3 bits long. This is understandable. Figure 5 This is merely an illustrative diagram. In practical applications, additional fields can be added to the authentication frame to indicate the beam identifier of the first transmitted beam. It is also understood that the length of the newly added fields in the authentication frame can be set according to the actual application scenario. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0143] In some feasible implementations, after determining the first transmission beam, the STA can send an authentication frame (i.e., initial access information) to the STA. Correspondingly, the AP receives the authentication frame from the STA. In this embodiment, the determined optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) is notified to the AP via the authentication frame, enabling the AP to determine the optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) corresponding to the STA. This ensures the quality of the received signal when communicating with the STA using the optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam), thereby achieving long-distance coverage and suppressing uplink reception interference.

[0144] In some feasible implementations, since the authentication frame is a unicast frame, after receiving the authentication frame, the AP can return an ACK frame to the STA. This ACK frame is used to confirm that the AP has received the authentication frame. Optionally, the AP can use a default cell-level beam (such as a wide transmit beam) to send the ACK frame corresponding to the authentication frame.

[0145] S304, the AP parses the initial access information to obtain the beam identifier of the first transmission beam carried in the initial access information.

[0146] S305, the AP uses the first transmit beam to communicate with the STA.

[0147] In some feasible implementations, after receiving the authentication frame (i.e., the initial access information), the AP can parse the authentication frame to obtain the beam identifier of the first transmission beam carried in the authentication frame. It is understood that the authentication frame sent by the STA can also be called an authentication request, so the AP can use the first transmission beam to return an authentication response to the STA. Optionally, after receiving the authentication response, the STA can send an association request. After receiving the association request, the AP can use the first transmission beam to return an association response. At this time, the communication link between the AP and the STA is established. After the communication link between the STA and the AP is established, the AP can use the first transmission beam to send data packets to the STA.

[0148] In some feasible implementations, if the geographical location of a STA changes or the distance between a STA and the AP changes, the STA will re-execute steps S302-S304 above. That is, the STA will re-determine the optimal transmission beam based on the received Beacon frame and re-report the optimal transmission beam to the AP. The AP will use the most recently reported optimal transmission beam as the transmission beam for subsequent scheduling of the STA, that is, the AP will use the most recently reported optimal transmission beam to communicate with the STA.

[0149] As an optional embodiment, the AP uses beam polling to send multiple Beacon frames. Due to the geographical location of the STA, the STA may only receive one Beacon frame. If the STA receives only one Beacon frame from the AP, the STA can determine the narrow transmission beam identified by the beam identifier included in the received Beacon frame as the first transmission beam (i.e., the optimal transmission beam). The STA can carry the beam identifier of the first transmission beam in an authentication frame and send it to the AP. After receiving the authentication frame, the AP can parse the authentication frame to obtain the beam identifier of the first transmission beam carried in the authentication frame, and can use the first transmission beam to communicate with the STA, that is, use the first transmission beam as the transmission beam for subsequent scheduling of the STA.

[0150] In this embodiment, the AP uses beam polling to send multiple Beacon frames, and carries the narrow transmission beam used to send the Beacon frame in each Beacon frame; the STA receives multiple Beacon frames from the AP, and measures the received signal quality corresponding to the narrow transmission beam according to each received Beacon frame, and determines the optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) from the multiple narrow transmission beams according to the received signal quality corresponding to the multiple narrow transmission beams; the STA carries the beam identifier of the optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) in the authentication frame and sends it to the AP; the AP parses the authentication frame received from the STA and determines the optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) for subsequent scheduling of the STA. This application embodiment carries a beam identifier of the narrow transmit beam used to transmit the Beacon frame in the Beacon frame, so that the STA can select the optimal transmit beam for the AP to face the STA according to the received signal quality corresponding to different narrow transmit beams, and notify the AP of the optimal transmit beam through the authentication frame. This helps to improve the signal quality in the communication between the AP and the STA. In addition, the optimal transmit beam is a narrow beam, which helps to provide a received beam gain of 3 to 5 dB and interference sidelobe suppression of 13 dB, thereby improving the access performance of long-distance STAs and realizing long-distance coverage and uplink received interference suppression.

[0151] As an optional embodiment, the beam determination method provided in this application can also be applied to access technologies based on trigger frames. See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is another schematic flowchart of the beam determination method provided in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the communication method provided in this application embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0152] In S401, the AP uses beam polling to transmit multiple beacon frames. Correspondingly, the STA receives multiple beacon frames from the AP.

[0153] In some feasible implementations, the implementation method of step S401 in the embodiments of this application can be referred to Figure 3 The implementation of step S301 in the illustrated embodiment will not be described again here.

[0154] In S402, the AP transmits multiple trigger frames using at least two different narrow transmit beams. Correspondingly, the STA receives multiple trigger frames from the AP.

[0155] In some feasible implementations, each Beacon frame may include not only the beam identifier of the narrow transmission beam used by the AP to transmit each Beacon frame, but also the timing information of the Trigger frame and the corresponding beam identifier. One Beacon frame includes one beam identifier. The timing information of the Trigger frame may include the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame (here referring to the transmission start time) and the transmission time of the Beacon frame (here referring to the transmission start time), and the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames (here referring to the interval between transmission start times). For example, the timing information of the Trigger frame included in the first Beacon frame transmitted by the AP may be: the time offset between the transmission start time of the first Trigger frame and the transmission start time of the first Beacon frame, and the interval between the transmission start times of two adjacent Trigger frames. Similarly, the timing information of the Trigger frame included in the second Beacon frame transmitted by the AP consists of: the time offset between the start time of the first Trigger frame and the start time of the second Beacon frame, and the interval between the start times of two adjacent Trigger frames. The beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame may include the start beam identifier and the end beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame.

[0156] For example, assuming the starting beam identifier for the Trigger frame is beam3 and the ending beam identifier is beam8, then the beam identifier for the first Trigger frame is beam3, the beam identifier for the second Trigger frame is beam4, the beam identifier for the third Trigger frame is beam5, and so on, with the beam identifier for the sixth Trigger frame being beam8.

[0157] Optionally, the timing information of the trigger frame can directly include the transmission time of each trigger frame (referring to the transmission start time). Understandably, since the beacon frame carries a complete broadcast message and has a frame length of approximately 400µs (microseconds) in the time domain, including the timing offset and time interval of the trigger frame in the beacon frame can reduce the frame length of the beacon frame compared to directly including the transmission time of each trigger frame.

[0158] Optionally, each Beacon frame can carry the beam identifier corresponding to the access time window (i.e., the UORA time window) to effectively indicate the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame. Since an access time window (i.e., the UORA time window) is carried in one Trigger frame, meaning there is a one-to-one correspondence between the access time window and the Trigger frame, carrying the beam identifier corresponding to the access time window (i.e., the UORA time window) in the Beacon frame is equivalent to carrying the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame. Optionally, the beam identifier corresponding to the access time window (i.e., the UORA time window) may include the start beam identifier and the end beam identifier corresponding to the access time window (i.e., the UORA time window).

[0159] For example, suppose the starting beam identifier for the access time window is beam3 and the ending beam identifier is beam8. Then, if the beam identifier for the first access time window is beam3, it means that the beam identifier for the first trigger frame is also beam3; if the beam identifier for the second access time window is beam4, it means that the beam identifier for the second trigger frame is also beam4; if the beam identifier for the third access time window is beam5, it means that the beam identifier for the third trigger frame is also beam5, and so on. If the beam identifier for the sixth access time window is beam8, it means that the beam identifier for the sixth trigger frame is also beam8.

[0160] In some feasible implementations, embodiments of this application can indicate the timing information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) through fields carried by the Beacon frame. Specifically, the timing information of the Trigger frame can be indicated by one or more fields carried by the Beacon frame, and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) can also be indicated by one or more other fields carried by the Beacon frame.

[0161] It is understood that the field lengths of multiple fields in the Beacon frame used to indicate the timing information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) may be the same or different. It is also understood that one or more fields in the Beacon frame indicating the timing information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) may be newly added fields. It is also understood that the fields indicating the timing information of the Trigger frame and the fields indicating the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) in the Beacon frame may be adjacent or non-adjacent. It is also understood that the order of one or more fields indicating the timing information of the Trigger frame and one or more fields indicating the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame in the Beacon frame is not limited.

[0162] See Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is another schematic diagram of the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the Trigger Uora Offset field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame and the transmission time of the Beacon frame; the Trigger Uora Interval field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames. The UORAStart Beam Index field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the starting beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window, and the UORA End Beam Index field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the ending beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window. Figure 7 The Trigger Uora Offset and Trigger Uora Interval fields are both 14 bits long; the UORA Start Beam Index and UORA End Beam Index fields are both 6 bits long.

[0163] Understandable Figure 7This is merely an illustrative diagram. In practical applications, additional fields can be added to the Beacon frame to indicate the timing information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window). It is also understood that the length of the newly added fields in the Beacon frame can be set according to the actual application scenario. This application does not limit this.

[0164] In some feasible implementations, the AP can transmit trigger frames using the narrow transmission beam corresponding to the trigger frame (or UORA time window) configured in the Beacon frame. The narrow transmission beam corresponding to the trigger frame (or UORA time window) configured in the Beacon frame includes at least two different narrow transmission beams, and at least one trigger frame is transmitted on each narrow transmission beam. Specifically, assuming that the narrow transmission beams corresponding to the trigger frames configured by the AP are beam3-beam8, the AP uses beam3 to transmit the first trigger frame, beam4 to transmit the second trigger frame, beam5 to transmit the third trigger frame, beam6 to transmit the fourth trigger frame, beam7 to transmit the fifth trigger frame, and beam8 to transmit the sixth trigger frame, for a total of 6 trigger frames transmitted by the AP.

[0165] Understandably, when an AP sends Trigger frames, it can also send them periodically. That is, after the AP completes sending one Trigger frame, it sends another Trigger frame after a certain interval. In other words, there can be a time interval between the completion time of the previous Trigger frame and the start time of the next Trigger frame. This time interval can be the size of the access time window corresponding to the previous Trigger frame.

[0166] Accordingly, the STA can receive multiple Trigger frames from the AP and can record the reception time of each Trigger frame. Because the AP uses a narrow transmit beam to send Trigger frames, and the horizontal beamwidth of the narrow transmit beam is relatively narrow (e.g., 10-20 degrees), the coverage area is limited (i.e., narrow coverage range). Therefore, the number of Trigger frames received by STAs at different locations (here, location refers to geographical location) or at different distances (here, distance refers to the distance between the STA and the AP) may vary. Each Trigger frame can carry the frame length of the Trigger frame and the duration (i.e., size) of the access time window (or UORA time window).

[0167] S403, STA determines the first transmission beam from the multiple transmission beams identified by the multiple beam identifiers included in the multiple Beacon frames.

[0168] In some feasible implementations, the implementation method of step S403 in the embodiments of this application can be referred to Figure 3 The implementation of step S302 in the illustrated embodiment will not be described again here.

[0169] In some feasible implementations, step S402 in this embodiment may be executed before step S403, step S402 may be executed after step S403, or step S402 may be executed simultaneously with step S403, etc. This embodiment does not limit the execution order between steps S402 and S403.

[0170] S404, the STA determines the target trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from among the multiple received trigger frames based on the beam identifier corresponding to the trigger frame included in the beacon frame.

[0171] In some feasible implementations, the STA determines the expected reception time of each Trigger frame based on the time information of the Trigger frames included in any received Beacon frame. The STA then determines the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the multiple received Trigger frames based on the expected reception time of each Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame included in any received Beacon frame.

[0172] For example, assuming the beam identifiers corresponding to the trigger frames are beam3-beam8, then the beam identifier for the first trigger frame is beam3, the second trigger frame is beam4, the third trigger frame is beam5, and so on, with the sixth trigger frame corresponding to beam8. Assume the timing information of the trigger frames included in Beacon frame i is: a time offset of 10ms between the transmission time of the first trigger frame and the transmission time of Beacon frame i, and a transmission time interval of 2ms between two adjacent trigger frames. Assume the STA receives Beacon frame i at 15ms. Therefore, the expected reception time of the first trigger frame is the sum of the STA's reception time of Beacon frame i and the time offset, i.e., 15 + 10 = 25ms. The expected reception time of the second trigger frame is the sum of the expected reception time of the first trigger frame and the transmission time interval, i.e., 25 + 2 = 27ms. The expected reception time of the 3rd trigger frame is the sum of the expected reception time of the 2nd trigger frame and the transmission time interval, i.e., 27 + 2 = 29 ms. Similarly, the expected reception time of the 6th trigger frame is the sum of the expected reception time of the 5th trigger frame and the transmission time interval, i.e., 33 + 2 = 35 ms. Assuming the first transmission beam is beam5, the target trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam is the 3rd trigger frame; that is, the target trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam is the trigger frame received by the STA between 29 ms and 31 ms.

[0173] S405, the STA determines the start time of transmission of the target trigger frame based on the time information of the trigger frame included in the beacon frame and the reception time of the target trigger frame.

[0174] S406, the STA determines the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame based on the target trigger frame and the transmission start time of the target trigger frame.

[0175] In some feasible implementations, the STA can record the reception time of each Trigger frame it receives (the reception time is the actual time when the STA receives the Trigger frame). The STA can determine the transmission start time of the target Trigger frame based on the reception time of the target Trigger frame and the time information of the Trigger frames included in any received Beacon frame.

[0176] For example, suppose Beacon frame i includes the following timing information for the trigger frames: a time offset of 10ms between the transmission time of the first trigger frame and the transmission time of Beacon frame i, and a transmission interval of 2ms between two adjacent trigger frames. Assume the STA receives Beacon frame i at 15ms. Therefore, the expected reception time of the first trigger frame is the sum of the STA's reception time of Beacon frame i and the time offset, i.e., 15 + 10 = 25ms. The expected reception time of the second trigger frame is the sum of the expected reception time of the first trigger frame and the transmission interval, i.e., 25 + 2 = 27ms. The expected reception time of the third trigger frame is the sum of the expected reception time of the second trigger frame and the transmission interval, i.e., 27 + 2 = 29ms. And so on, the expected reception time of the sixth trigger frame sent by the AP is the sum of the expected reception time of the fifth trigger frame and the transmission interval, i.e., 33 + 2 = 35ms. Assuming the actual reception time of the target trigger frame is 30ms, the STA matches the expected reception times of each trigger frame with the actual reception time of the target trigger frame to find the transmission start time of the target trigger frame. Since the actual reception time of the target trigger frame, 30ms, falls between the expected reception times of 29ms and 31ms, the transmission start time of the target trigger frame is 29ms.

[0177] Optionally, if the actual reception time of the target trigger frame is the same as a certain expected reception time, then the transmission start time of the target trigger frame is this expected reception time. For example, if the actual reception time of the target trigger frame is 25ms, then the transmission start time of the target trigger frame is 25ms.

[0178] After determining the start time of the target trigger frame, the STA can determine the completion time of the target trigger frame by summing the start time of the target trigger frame and the frame length (in the time domain, in time units such as µs, ms, etc.). The STA can obtain a preset short interframe space (SIFS) and use the sum of the completion time of the target trigger frame and the SIFS as the starting position of the target access time window (or target UORA time window) corresponding to the target trigger frame (here, the starting position refers to the time start of the access time window). The STA can determine the target access time window based on the starting position of the target access time window and the size (i.e., the length) of the target access time window included in the target trigger frame.

[0179] The endpoint of the target access time window (where the endpoint refers to the end of the access time window) can be the sum of the start point of the target access time window and its size (i.e., duration). For example, if the start point of the target access time window is 4ms and the size (i.e., duration) of the target access time window is 200µs, then the target access time window is 4ms-4.2ms. SIFS can be used to separate frames belonging to a single session. Frame types using SIFS include: ACK frames, Clear To Send (CTS) frames, data frames fragmented from excessively long MAC frames, and all frames responding to AP inquiries.

[0180] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the length of the physical layer signal carried by the Trigger frame (here, the length of the physical layer signal carried by the Trigger frame is equal to the frame length of the Trigger frame) is indicated by L-SIG. The size (i.e., the length) of the access time window included in the Trigger frame can be indicated by the uplink length subfield of the common field.

[0181] S407, the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the target access time window. Correspondingly, the AP receives the initial access information sent by the STA within the target access time window.

[0182] In some feasible implementations, the initial access information mentioned above can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a Trigger-based Physical Protocol Data Unit (TB PPDU).

[0183] In some feasible implementations, after determining the target access time window, the STA can send an authentication frame (i.e., initial access information) to the AP within that target access time window. Accordingly, the AP receives the authentication frame sent by the STA within that target access time window.

[0184] This application embodiment implicitly notifies the AP and STA of the optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) determined by returning an authentication frame to the AP within the target access time window. There is no need to add a new field in the authentication frame to indicate the optimal transmission beam determined by the STA. Different STAs can be adapted to different random access resources (here referring to the access time window), thereby increasing the success rate of receiving uplink access messages (such as authentication frames) and reducing the collision probability of STA access.

[0185] In some feasible implementations, since the authentication frame is a unicast frame, after receiving the authentication frame, the AP can return an ACK frame to the STA. This ACK frame is used to confirm that the AP has received the authentication frame. Optionally, the AP can use a default cell-level beam (such as a wide transmit beam) to send the ACK frame corresponding to the authentication frame.

[0186] S408, the AP determines the target access time window corresponding to the initial access information reception time.

[0187] S409, the AP communicates with the STA using the first transmit beam corresponding to the target access time window.

[0188] In some feasible implementations, the AP can record the reception time of the authentication frame (i.e., the initial access information). Since the AP knows the time information of its configured Trigger frames and the size (i.e., duration) of the access time window configured for each Trigger frame, the AP can determine the access time window corresponding to each Trigger frame. Therefore, the AP can use the access time window containing the reception time of the authentication frame within the access time windows corresponding to multiple Trigger frames as the target access time window. Because the AP knows the transmission beam used to transmit each Trigger frame, it also knows the transmission beam corresponding to each access time window (or UORA time window), so the AP can determine the transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) corresponding to the target access time window. The AP can use this first transmission beam to communicate with the STA.

[0189] In this application embodiment, the optimal transmission beam for communication between the AP and the STA is determined directly by the time when the AP receives the authentication frame. This ensures the quality of the received signal when using the optimal transmission beam to communicate with the STA, thereby achieving long-distance coverage and suppressing uplink reception interference.

[0190] For example, suppose the AP sends Trigger frames using beams 3-5, one Trigger frame per beam, for a total of three Trigger frames. Assume the access time window for the first Trigger frame is 25ms-26ms, the second is 27ms-28ms, and the third is 29ms-30ms. If the AP receives the authentication frame at 25.1ms, it determines the access time window including 25.1ms to be 25ms-26ms, which is the target access time window. Since the AP uses beam 3 to send the first Trigger frame, the beam corresponding to the access time window (the first Trigger frame's access time window) of 25ms-26ms is beam 3. Therefore, the beam corresponding to the target access time window of 25ms-26ms (the first transmission beam) is beam 3. The AP uses beam3 as the transmit beam for the STA, meaning the AP uses beam3 to communicate with the STA.

[0191] In this embodiment, the AP uses beam polling to transmit multiple Beacon frames and uses at least two different transmission beams to continuously transmit multiple Trigger frames. Each Beacon frame carries the transmission beam used to transmit that Beacon frame. The STA measures the received signal quality on the transmission beam based on each received Beacon frame and determines the optimal transmission beam (i.e., the first transmission beam) from the multiple transmission beams based on the received signal quality on the multiple transmission beams. The STA determines the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the multiple received Trigger frames based on the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame included in any Beacon frame, and determines the transmission start time of the target Trigger frame based on the reception time of the target Trigger frame and the time information of the Trigger frame included in any Beacon frame. The STA calculates the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame based on the target Trigger frame, SIFS, and the transmission start time of the target Trigger frame. The STA sends an authentication frame to the AP within the target access time window. The AP directly determines the optimal transmission beam for communication between the AP and the STA based on the time of receiving the authentication frame. This application embodiment carries the transmission beam used to send the Beacon frame and the corresponding transmission beam of the Trigger frame (or UORA time window, or random access resource) in the Beacon frame. Based on the beam selection result, the STA selects the corresponding random access resource (here referring to the access time window) for access, eliminating the need to add a new field in the authentication frame to indicate the STA's beam selection result. This not only adapts different STAs to different random access resources, increasing the success rate of uplink access messages (such as authentication frames) and reducing the probability of collisions during STA access; it also ensures the received signal quality when communicating with the STA using the optimal transmission beam from the beam selection result, and provides 3-5 dB of receive beam gain and 13 dB of interference sidelobe suppression through a narrow beam, improving the access performance of long-distance STAs, enhancing uplink coverage, and thus achieving long-distance coverage and suppressing uplink reception interference.

[0192] As another optional embodiment, the beam determination method provided in this application can not only determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and each STA to meet the requirements of long-distance coverage and uplink reception interference suppression, but also adapt STAs with different beam directions or different distances to different access resources, thereby reducing the number of access failures and access latency of long-distance STAs and improving the overall access efficiency of STAs in the cell.

[0193] See Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is another schematic flowchart of the beam determination method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 8As shown, the communication method provided in this application embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0194] S501, the AP transmits beacon frames using beam polling. Correspondingly, the STA receives at least one beacon frame from the AP.

[0195] In some feasible implementations, each Beacon frame may carry indications related to a Trigger frame. Specifically, the Beacon frame may include timing information and quantity information of the Trigger frames. The timing information may include the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame (here referring to the transmission start time) and the transmission time of the Beacon frame (here referring to the transmission start time), and the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames (here referring to the interval between transmission start times). The quantity information of the Trigger frames includes the number of Trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam and the number of Trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam.

[0196] Optionally, each Beacon frame may also include a signal quality threshold (RSRPthres). This threshold can be used to distinguish between distant and nearby STAs. Understandably, distance here refers to the distance between the AP and the STA; distant and nearby STAs are relative concepts. For example, a STA with received signal quality greater than or equal to the threshold is considered a nearby STA; conversely, it is considered a distant STA.

[0197] Optionally, the timing information of the trigger frame can directly include the transmission time of each trigger frame (referring to the transmission start time). Understandably, since the beacon frame carries a complete broadcast message and has a frame length of approximately 400µs (microseconds) in the time domain, including the timing offset and time interval of the trigger frame in the beacon frame can reduce the frame length of the beacon frame compared to directly including the transmission time of each trigger frame.

[0198] Optionally, each Beacon frame can carry information about the number of access time windows (i.e., UORA time windows) to effectively indicate the number of trigger frames. Since one access time window (i.e., UORA time window) is carried in one trigger frame, the number of access time windows (i.e., UORA time windows) is the same as the number of trigger frames. Optionally, the number of access time windows (i.e., UORA time windows) may include the number of access time windows (i.e., UORA time windows) transmitted using a wide transmission beam and the number of access time windows (i.e., UORA time windows) transmitted using a narrow transmission beam.

[0199] For example, assuming the number of access time windows using wide transmit beams is 4 and the number of access time windows using narrow transmit beams is 5, then the number of trigger frames using wide transmit beams is 4 and the number of trigger frames using narrow transmit beams is 5.

[0200] In some feasible implementations, embodiments of this application can indicate information related to the Trigger frame and signal quality thresholds through fields carried by the Beacon frame. Specifically, the timing information of the Trigger frame can be indicated through one or more fields carried by the Beacon frame, and the number of Trigger frames (or the number of UORA time windows) can also be indicated through one or more other fields carried by the Beacon frame. The signal quality threshold can be indicated through yet another field carried by the Beacon frame.

[0201] It is understood that the lengths of multiple fields in a Beacon frame used to indicate information related to Trigger frames and signal quality thresholds may be the same or different. It is also understood that these fields in a Beacon frame may be newly added fields. It is also understood that the fields indicating the timing information of Trigger frames, the field indicating the number of Trigger frames, and the field indicating the signal quality thresholds in a Beacon frame may be adjacent or non-adjacent. It is also understood that the order of these fields within the Beacon frame is not limited.

[0202] See Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is yet another schematic diagram illustrating the fields carried by the Beacon frame provided in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 9As shown, the Trigger UORA Offset field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame and the transmission time of the Beacon frame; the Trigger UORA Interval field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames. The WbeamRecvWindowNum field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the number of UORA time windows transmitted using a wide transmit beam; the NbeamRecvWindowNum field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the number of UORA time windows transmitted using a narrow transmit beam. The RSRPthres field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the signal quality threshold value. Figure 9 The Trigger Uora Offset and Trigger Uora Interval fields are both 14 bits long; the WbeamRecvWindowNum and NbeamRecvWindowNum fields are both 3 bits long; and the RSRPthres field is 7 bits long.

[0203] Understandable Figure 9 This is merely an illustrative diagram. In practical applications, additional fields can be added to the Beacon frame to indicate information related to the Trigger frame and signal quality thresholds. It is also understood that the length of the newly added fields in the Beacon frame can be set according to the actual application scenario. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0204] In some feasible implementations, the AP uses beam polling to transmit Beacon frames. Within one beam polling time period (i.e., the Beacon beam polling period T_BM), the AP transmits one Beacon frame on a narrow transmission beam. Assuming the AP has K different narrow transmission beams, the AP transmits a total of K Beacon frames within one beam polling time period, each of these K Beacon frames being transmitted by a different narrow transmission beam of the AP. Accordingly, the STA receives at least one Beacon frame from the AP. Because the AP uses multiple different narrow transmission beams to poll and transmit Beacon frames, and because the horizontal beamwidth of the narrow transmission beams is relatively narrow (e.g., 10-20 degrees), the coverage is limited (i.e., the coverage area is narrow). Therefore, STAs at different locations (here, location refers to geographical location) or at different distances (here, distance refers to the distance between the STA and the AP) may receive different numbers of Beacon frames. This application embodiment uses beam polling to transmit Beacon frames to ensure that STAs at different geographical locations or at different distances can receive at least one Beacon frame.

[0205] In S502, the AP transmits one or more trigger frames using a wide transmit beam and also transmits one or more trigger frames using beam polling. Correspondingly, the STA receives M trigger frames from the AP.

[0206] In some feasible implementations, after completing the beam polling described above, the AP can transmit the number of trigger frames configured in the Beacon frame to be transmitted using a wide transmit beam, and can also transmit the number of trigger frames configured in the Beacon frame to be transmitted using a narrow transmit beam, using beam polling. Specifically, all beams polled by the AP are narrow transmit beams, and the number of trigger frames transmitted using narrow transmit beams is greater than or equal to 2, meaning the total number of polled beams is greater than or equal to 2. One trigger frame is transmitted on each narrow transmit beam.

[0207] Understandably, when an AP sends Trigger frames, it can also send them periodically. That is, after the AP completes sending one Trigger frame, it sends another Trigger frame after a certain interval. In other words, there can be a time interval between the completion time of the previous Trigger frame and the start time of the next Trigger frame. This time interval can be the size of the access time window corresponding to the previous Trigger frame.

[0208] For example, suppose the AP configures itself in the Beacon frame to send 4 trigger frames using a wide transmit beam and 5 trigger frames using a narrow transmit beam. Assume the AP has 5 different narrow transmit beams, designated beam1-beam5. Since an AP only has one wide transmit beam, it repeatedly uses the same wide transmit beam to send 4 trigger frames, sending one trigger frame each time, for a total of 4 times. After sending the 4 trigger frames using the wide transmit beam, the AP then sends one trigger frame on beam1, one on beam2, one on beam3, one on beam4, and one on beam5, sending a total of 5 trigger frames using beam polling.

[0209] Accordingly, the STA can receive M trigger frames from the AP and can record the reception time of each trigger frame. M can be less than or equal to the number of trigger frames actually sent by the AP. Since an AP has only one wide transmit beam, it reuses this wide transmit beam to send trigger frames, sending one trigger frame at a time. Because the wide transmit beam has a wider horizontal beamwidth (45–120 degrees), providing a wider coverage area but a shorter coverage distance; while the narrow transmit beam has a narrower horizontal beamwidth (e.g., 10–20 degrees), providing a narrower coverage area but a longer coverage distance, the number of trigger frames received by STAs at different locations (geographical location) or at different distances (distance between the STA and the AP) may vary. Each trigger frame can carry information about its frame length and the duration (size) of the access time window (or UORA time window). M can be a natural number greater than or equal to 1.

[0210] Optionally, the total number of beams in AP beam polling can be equal to the number of trigger frames included in the Beacon frame that are transmitted using a narrow transmit beam.

[0211] S503, the STA determines the target trigger frame from the received M trigger frames.

[0212] In some feasible implementations, the STA can determine the expected reception time of each trigger frame based on the timing information of the trigger frames included in any received Beacon frame. The STA then determines whether any of the M received trigger frames are wide-beam transmitted trigger frames based on the expected reception time of each trigger frame and the number of trigger frames included in any received Beacon frame. If it is determined that a wide-beam transmitted trigger frame exists among the M received trigger frames, the STA can use this wide-beam transmitted trigger frame as the first trigger frame and a narrow-beam transmitted trigger frame as the second trigger frame. For ease of description, the following example illustrates a scenario where at least one trigger frame received by the STA includes M first trigger frames and N second trigger frames. If it is determined that no wide-beam transmitted trigger frame exists among the M received trigger frames, it means that all M trigger frames received by the STA are transmitted using a narrow-beam. Wherein, MN can be less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmit beam in the Beacon frame, and N can be less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmit beam in the Beacon frame.

[0213] For example, suppose a Beacon frame includes 2 Trigger frames transmitted using a wide beam and 3 Trigger frames transmitted using a narrow beam. Assume the timing information of the Trigger frames included in Beacon frame i is as follows: the time offset between the transmission time of the first Trigger frame and the transmission time of Beacon frame i is 10ms, and the transmission time interval between two adjacent Trigger frames is 2ms. Assume the STA receives Beacon frame i at 15ms. Therefore, the expected reception time of the first Trigger frame is the sum of the STA's reception time of Beacon frame i and the time offset, i.e., 15 + 10 = 25ms. The expected reception time of the second Trigger frame is the sum of the expected reception time of the first Trigger frame and the transmission time interval, i.e., 25 + 2 = 27ms. The expected reception time of the third Trigger frame is the sum of the expected reception time of the second Trigger frame and the transmission time interval, i.e., 27 + 2 = 29ms. Similarly, the expected reception time for the 4th trigger frame is 31ms, and the expected reception time for the 5th trigger frame is 33ms. Based on the number of trigger frames included in the Beacon frame, the 1st and 2nd trigger frames use wide beam transmission, while the 3rd to 5th trigger frames use narrow beam transmission.

[0214] Therefore, the STA checks if any of the received M trigger frames have a reception time (here, the actual reception time of the trigger frame received by the STA) between the expected reception time of the first trigger frame and the expected reception time of the third trigger frame, i.e., between 25ms and 29ms. If any of the M trigger frames have a reception time between 25ms and 29ms, it indicates that the STA has received trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam. The STA then uses this trigger frame with a reception time between 25ms and 29ms as the first trigger frame. Since the STA only receives trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam and trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam, the STA uses all trigger frames other than the first trigger frame from the received M trigger frames as the second trigger frames. If none of the M Trigger frames received by the STA have a reception time between 25ms and 29ms, it means that none of the M Trigger frames received by the STA are transmitted by a wide transmit beam. Therefore, the STA determines that all M Trigger frames received were transmitted by a narrow transmit beam.

[0215] In some feasible implementations, when all M trigger frames received by the STA are transmitted using a narrow transmit beam, the STA can measure the received signal quality (e.g., RSRP) corresponding to each received trigger frame. The STA then determines the target trigger frame from the M trigger frames based on the received signal quality. Specifically, the STA can use the trigger frame with the highest received signal quality (e.g., highest RSRP) among the M received trigger frames as the target trigger frame. Optionally, the STA can use any trigger frame among the M received trigger frames whose received signal quality (e.g., RSRP) is greater than or equal to a preset threshold as the target trigger frame. This preset threshold can be set according to actual service requirements. The preset threshold can also be carried in the Beacon frame and notified to the STA by the AP. The preset threshold can be used to reflect whether the measured quality of the received signal meets the service requirements. That is, if the measured quality of the received signal is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, it is considered that the measured quality of the received signal meets the service requirements; if the measured quality of the received signal is less than the preset threshold, it is considered that the measured quality of the received signal does not meet the service requirements.

[0216] In some feasible implementations, if among the M trigger frames received by the STA are trigger frames transmitted with a wide transmit beam, the M trigger frames include MN (M is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) first trigger frames, and these MN first trigger frames are transmitted by the AP's wide transmit beam. The STA can measure the received signal quality corresponding to each first trigger frame. The STA can compare the received signal quality corresponding to each first trigger frame with the signal quality threshold value included in any received Beacon frame. If the received signal quality corresponding to at least one of the MN first trigger frames is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold value, it indicates that the STA is a close-range STA relative to the AP, and the STA can randomly select one of the MN first trigger frames as the target trigger frame.

[0217] Optionally, the M trigger frames received by the STA also include N (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) second trigger frames, which are transmitted by at least two different narrow transmit beams of the AP. If the received signal quality corresponding to each first trigger frame is less than the above-mentioned signal quality threshold, it indicates that the STA is a long-distance STA relative to the AP. The STA then measures the received signal quality (e.g., RSRP) corresponding to each second trigger frame. The STA can use the second trigger frame with the highest received signal quality (e.g., highest RSRP) among the N second trigger frames as the target trigger frame. Optionally, the STA can use any second trigger frame among the N second trigger frames whose received signal quality (e.g., RSRP) is greater than or equal to a preset threshold as the target trigger frame.

[0218] S504, the STA determines the start time of transmission of the target trigger frame based on the time information of the trigger frame included in the beacon frame and the reception time of the target trigger frame.

[0219] S505, the STA determines the access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame based on the target trigger frame and the transmission start time of the target trigger frame.

[0220] In some feasible implementations, the implementation methods of steps S504-S505 in the embodiments of this application can be referred to Figure 6The implementation of steps S405-S406 in the illustrated embodiment will not be described again here.

[0221] S506, if the current time has not exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame, the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the target access time window. Accordingly, the AP receives the initial access information from the STA.

[0222] In some feasible implementations, the initial access information mentioned above can be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame can be a Trigger-based Physical Protocol Data Unit (TB PPDU).

[0223] In some feasible implementations, after the STA determines the target access time window corresponding to the aforementioned target trigger frame, it can detect whether the current time exceeds the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame. If the current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame, the STA can send an authentication frame (i.e., initial access information) to the AP within the target access time window. Accordingly, the AP receives the authentication frame sent by the STA within the target access time window.

[0224] For example, if the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame is 25ms-28ms, and the current time is 24ms, then the current time at 24ms does not exceed the target access time window of 25ms-28ms corresponding to the target trigger frame. Similarly, if the current time is 27ms, then the current time at 27ms does not exceed the target access time window of 25ms-28ms corresponding to the target trigger frame. However, if the current time is 30ms, then the current time at 30ms has exceeded the target access time window of 25ms-28ms corresponding to the target trigger frame.

[0225] In some feasible implementations, if the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame, the STA can re-determine the target trigger frame from the received M trigger frames, and then check whether the current time has exceeded the access time window corresponding to the re-determined target trigger frame. If the current time has not exceeded the access time window corresponding to the re-determined target trigger frame, the STA sends an authentication frame (i.e., initial access information) within the access time window corresponding to the re-determined target trigger frame. Accordingly, the AP receives the authentication frame sent by the STA within the access time window corresponding to the re-determined target trigger frame.

[0226] Optionally, the STA re-determines the target trigger frame from the received M trigger frames, including: the STA randomly selects one first trigger frame from (MN)-1 first trigger frames (where (MN)-1 first trigger frames refer to the MN first trigger frames excluding the aforementioned target trigger frame) as the re-determined target trigger frame. Alternatively, the STA selects the second trigger frame with the highest received signal quality from N-1 second trigger frames (where N-1 second trigger frames refer to the N second trigger frames excluding the aforementioned target trigger frame) as the re-determined target trigger frame. Optionally, if the current time has exceeded the access time window corresponding to the re-determined target trigger frame, the STA may again re-determine the target trigger frame from the received M trigger frames.

[0227] In some feasible implementations, since the authentication frame is a unicast frame, after receiving the authentication frame, the AP can return an ACK frame to the STA. This ACK frame is used to confirm that the AP has received the authentication frame. Optionally, the AP can use a default cell-level beam (such as a wide transmit beam) to send the ACK frame corresponding to the authentication frame.

[0228] S507, the AP determines the target access time window corresponding to the initial access information reception time.

[0229] S508, the AP communicates with the STA using the first transmit beam corresponding to the target access time window.

[0230] In some feasible implementations, the implementation methods of steps S507-S508 in the embodiments of this application can be referred to Figure 6 The implementation of steps S408-S409 in the illustrated embodiment will not be described again here.

[0231] In this embodiment, the AP is configured with both wide-beam and narrow-beam random access resources (here referring to access time windows or UORA time windows), and the number of random access resources and signal quality thresholds are indicated in the broadcast message (such as a Beacon frame). The STA determines its distance from the AP based on the signal quality threshold and selects a corresponding random access resource for access. This embodiment adapts nearby STAs to wide-beam access and distant STAs to narrow-beam access, which can reduce the probability of collisions during STA access and improve the efficiency of STA access. This embodiment also provides a 3-5 dB receive beam gain and 13 dB interference sidelobe suppression through narrow beams, improving the access performance of distant STAs and enhancing uplink coverage, thereby meeting the requirements for long-distance coverage and uplink receive interference suppression.

[0232] As an optional embodiment, the Beacon frame may further include a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or a beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window). If the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA can determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame based on the beam identifier (or beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) of the Trigger frame included in any received Beacon frame. The AP retransmits one or more Trigger frames using a wide transmission beam and retransmits one or more Trigger frames using beam polling. The STA receives at least one Trigger frame again from the AP. Based on the beam identifier of the Trigger frame included in any retransmitted Beacon frame, the STA takes the Trigger frame transmitted by the first transmission beam in the at least one retransmitted Trigger frame as the third Trigger frame. The STA determines the transmission start time of the third Trigger frame based on the time information of the Trigger frame included in any retransmitted Beacon frame and the reception time of the third Trigger frame. The STA determines the first access time window corresponding to the third trigger frame based on the frame length, access time window duration (i.e., size), SIFS, and the transmission start time of the third trigger frame. If the current time has not exceeded the first access time window corresponding to the third trigger frame, the STA sends an authentication frame (the physical layer structure of the authentication frame is TB PPDU) to the AP within the first access time window. The AP determines the first access time window corresponding to the reception time of the authentication frame and communicates with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window.

[0233] The above content describes in detail the beam determination method of the embodiments of this application. In order to facilitate better implementation of the above-mentioned scheme of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application also provide corresponding devices.

[0234] See Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device can be a STA (Stationary Array of Devices) or a chip or circuit that can be disposed within a STA. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the device 1 may include:

[0235] Transceiver unit 11 is configured to receive multiple beacon frames from access point (AP), each beacon frame including a beam identifier of the transmission beam of each beacon frame; determination unit 12 is configured to determine a first transmission beam from the multiple transmission beams identified by the multiple beam identifiers included in the multiple beacon frames; transceiver unit 11 is configured to send initial access information to the AP, the initial access information being used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam.

[0236] In some feasible implementations, each Beacon frame further includes at least one of the following information: beam polling time period, or the number of remaining beams polled within the beam polling time period. The beam polling time period and / or the number of remaining beams are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames transmitted by the AP within the beam polling time period.

[0237] In some feasible implementations, each Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the trigger frame and timing information of the trigger frame. The transceiver unit 11 is also configured to receive multiple trigger frames from the AP, the multiple trigger frames being transmitted by at least two different transmit beams of the AP. Each trigger frame includes access time window size information. The beam identifier corresponding to the trigger frame is used to determine the target trigger frame corresponding to the first transmit beam from the multiple trigger frames. The timing information of the trigger frame and the target trigger frame are used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target trigger frame. Specifically, the transceiver unit 11 is configured to send initial access information to the AP within the target access time window. The initial access information is used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA using the first transmit beam corresponding to the target access time window.

[0238] Among them, the aforementioned determining unit 12 can be a processing unit.

[0239] In the specific implementation, the implementation of each module or unit can also refer to the corresponding reference. Figure 3 or Figure 6 The corresponding description of the STA in the illustrated embodiments executes the methods and functions performed by the STA in the above embodiments.

[0240] The apparatus 1 (STA) in this embodiment of the application indicates the transmit beam used in the current Beacon frame in the Beacon frame and notifies the AP of the determined optimal transmit beam (i.e., the first transmit beam) through the authentication frame. This can ensure the quality of the received signal when communicating with the STA using the optimal transmit beam (i.e., the first transmit beam). It also provides a receive beam gain of 3 to 5 dB and interference sidelobe suppression of 13 dB through a narrow beam, thereby improving the access performance of long-distance STAs, enhancing uplink coverage, and achieving long-distance coverage and suppressing uplink receive interference.

[0241] See Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is another structural schematic diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application. The device can be an access point (AP) or a chip or circuit that can be disposed within an AP. Figure 11 As shown, the device 2 may include:

[0242] The transceiver unit 21 is configured to transmit multiple Beacon frames using beam polling, each Beacon frame including a beam identifier of the transmission beam of each Beacon frame, and the multiple Beacon frames are used to determine a first transmission beam from the multiple transmission beams identified by the multiple beam identifiers included in the multiple Beacon frames; the transceiver unit 21 is also configured to receive initial access information from the STA by the AP; the communication unit 22 is configured to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam according to the received initial access information.

[0243] In some feasible implementations, each Beacon frame further includes at least one of the following information: beam polling time period, or the number of remaining beams polled within the beam polling time period. The beam polling time period and / or the number of remaining beams are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames transmitted by the AP within the beam polling time period.

[0244] In some feasible implementations, each Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame and timing information of the Trigger frame. The transceiver unit 21 is further configured to transmit multiple Trigger frames using at least two different transmission beams. Each Trigger frame includes access time window size information. The beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the multiple Trigger frames. The timing information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame. Specifically, the transceiver unit 21 is configured for the AP to receive initial access information transmitted by the STA within the target access time window. The communication unit 22 is specifically configured to determine the target access time window corresponding to the reception time of the initial access information and communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window.

[0245] The communication unit 22 mentioned above can be a processing unit.

[0246] In the specific implementation, the implementation of each module or unit can also refer to the corresponding reference. Figure 3 or Figure 6 The corresponding description of the AP in the illustrated embodiment executes the methods and functions performed by the AP in the above embodiments.

[0247] See Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is another structural schematic diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application. The device can be a STA (Stationary Array Controller) or a chip or circuit that can be disposed within a STA. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the device 3 may include:

[0248] The transceiver unit 31 is configured to receive a Beacon frame from the AP, the Beacon frame including time information of a Trigger frame; the transceiver unit 31 is also configured to receive M Trigger frames from the AP, each of the M Trigger frames including access time window size information; the determination unit 32 is configured to determine a target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, the target Trigger frame and the time information of the Trigger frame being used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; the transceiver unit 31 is also configured to send initial access information to the AP within the target access time window when the current time has not exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the initial access information being used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window.

[0249] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold, and the M Trigger frames are transmitted by the wide transmit beam of the AP. Specifically, the determining unit 32 is configured to select any one of the M Trigger frames as the target Trigger frame when the received signal quality of at least one Trigger frame among the M Trigger frames is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold.

[0250] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold. The M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames. The MN first Trigger frames are transmitted by the wide transmit beam of the AP, and the N second Trigger frames are transmitted by at least two different transmit beams of the AP. The determining unit 32 is further specifically configured to determine a target Trigger frame from the N second Trigger frames when the received signal quality corresponding to each of the MN first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold. The target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.

[0251] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned Beacon frame also includes information on the number of Trigger frames, which is used to determine MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the M Trigger frames.

[0252] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned number of trigger frames includes the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam and the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam, where MN is less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam and N is less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam.

[0253] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, which is used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The aforementioned transceiver unit 31 is further configured to receive a third Trigger frame transmitted by the AP through the first transmission beam when the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The time information of the third Trigger frame is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame. The aforementioned transceiver unit 31 is further configured to send initial access information to the AP within the first access time window. The initial access information is used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window.

[0254] Among them, the aforementioned determining unit 32 can be a processing unit.

[0255] In the specific implementation, the implementation of each module or unit can also refer to the corresponding reference. Figure 8 The corresponding description of the STA in the illustrated embodiments executes the methods and functions performed by the STA in the above embodiments.

[0256] The device 3 (STA) in this embodiment adapts near-range STAs to a wide beam for access and long-range STAs to a narrow beam for access, which can reduce the probability of collisions during STA access and improve the efficiency of STA access. The device 3 (STA) in this embodiment also provides a 3-5 dB receive beam gain and 13 dB interference sidelobe suppression through the narrow beam, improving the access performance of long-range STAs and enhancing uplink coverage, thereby meeting the requirements for long-range coverage and uplink receive interference suppression.

[0257] See Figure 13 , Figure 13 This is yet another structural schematic diagram of the device provided in the embodiments of this application. This device can be an access point (AP) or a chip or circuit that can be disposed within an AP. Figure 13 As shown, the device 4 may include:

[0258] Transceiver unit 41 is configured to transmit at least one Beacon frame, each Beacon frame including time information of a Trigger frame; transceiver unit 41 is also configured to transmit at least M Trigger frames, each Trigger frame including access time window size information, the at least M Trigger frames being used to determine a target Trigger frame, the time information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame being used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; transceiver unit 41 is also configured to receive initial access information transmitted by the STA within the target access time window when the current time has not exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; determination unit 42 is configured to determine the target access time window corresponding to the reception time of the initial access information; communication unit 43 is configured to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window.

[0259] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold, and the at least M Trigger frames include M Trigger frames transmitted by the AP's wide transmit beam; when the received signal quality corresponding to at least one Trigger frame among the M Trigger frames is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold, the target Trigger frame is any one of the M Trigger frames.

[0260] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold. The at least M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames. The MN first Trigger frames are transmitted by the wide transmit beam of the AP, and the N second Trigger frames are transmitted by at least two different transmit beams of the AP. When the received signal quality corresponding to each of the MN first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold, the target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.

[0261] In some feasible implementations, the Beacon frame also includes information on the number of Trigger frames, which is used to determine MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the at least M Trigger frames.

[0262] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned number of trigger frames includes the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam and the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam, where MN is less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam, and N is less than or equal to the number of trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam.

[0263] In some feasible implementations, the aforementioned Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, which is used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The aforementioned transceiver unit 41 is further configured to transmit a third Trigger frame on the first transmission beam when the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The time information of the third Trigger frame is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame. The aforementioned determining unit 42 is specifically configured to determine the first access time window corresponding to the reception time of the initial access information. The aforementioned communication unit 43 is specifically configured to communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window.

[0264] The aforementioned determining unit 42 and the aforementioned communication unit 43 can be a single unit, such as a processing unit.

[0265] In the specific implementation, the implementation of each module or unit can also refer to the corresponding reference. Figure 8 The corresponding description of the AP in the illustrated embodiment executes the methods and functions performed by the AP in the above embodiments.

[0266] See Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 1000 provided in this application embodiment includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a transceiver 1003, and a bus system 1004. The communication device provided in this application embodiment can be a STA or an AP.

[0267] The processor 1001, memory 1002 and transceiver 1003 are connected via bus system 1004.

[0268] The aforementioned memory 1002 is used to store programs. Specifically, the program may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. The memory 1002 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Figure 14 Only one memory is shown here; however, multiple memories can be configured as needed. Memory 1002 can also be the memory within processor 1001; this is not a limitation.

[0269] Memory 1002 stores the following elements: executable units or data structures, or subsets thereof, or extended sets thereof:

[0270] Operation instructions: This includes various operation instructions used to perform various operations.

[0271] Operating system: includes various system programs used to implement various basic business functions and handle hardware-based tasks.

[0272] The processor 1001 controls the operation of the communication device 1000. The processor 1001 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1001 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0273] In specific applications, the various components of the communication device 1000 are coupled together through a bus system 1004. This bus system 1004 includes not only a data bus but may also include a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, in... Figure 14 All buses are labeled as Bus System 1004. For ease of representation, Figure 14 The image shown is only schematic.

[0274] The embodiments provided in the above application Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 Any of the STA methods disclosed in the above embodiments; or the methods provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8Any of the methods of the AP described in the above embodiments can be applied to or implemented by the processor 1001. The processor 1001 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor 1001 or by instructions in the form of software. The processor 1001 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can reside in a mature storage medium in the field, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory 1002. Processor 1001 reads information from memory 1002 and executes it in conjunction with its hardware. Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 Any of the described STA method steps; or execution in conjunction with its hardware. Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 Any of the described AP method steps.

[0275] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform... Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 The described STA method steps; or, when the computer program code is run on a computer, causing the computer to perform... Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 The described AP method steps.

[0276] This application also provides an apparatus, which can be a chip. The chip includes a processor. The processor is used to read and execute a computer program stored in a memory to perform... Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 The chip can be implemented using any possible beamforming method. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory connected to the processor via a circuit or wire. Further optionally, the chip includes a communication interface to which the processor is connected. The communication interface receives data and / or information to be processed, the processor obtains the data and / or information from the communication interface, processes the data and / or information, and outputs the processing result through the communication interface. The communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0277] Optionally, the processor and memory mentioned above can be physically independent units, or the memory can be integrated with the processor.

[0278] In another embodiment of this application, a communication system is also provided, which includes a STA and an AP. Exemplarily, the STA can be... Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the STA and AP can be Figure 3 , Figure 6 or Figure 8 AP in the illustrated embodiment.

[0279] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes described in the above method embodiments. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as ROM or random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0280] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of beam determination, the method comprising: Comprising: The STA receives a Beacon frame from an AP, the Beacon frame comprising time information of a Trigger frame; The STA receives M Trigger frames from the AP, each of the M Trigger frames comprising size information of an access time window; The STA determines a target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, the target Trigger frame corresponding to the target access time window determined by the time information of the Trigger frame; If a current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the target access time window, the initial access information being used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA by using a first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises a signal quality threshold, and the M Trigger frames are transmitted by a wide transmission beam of the AP; The STA determines a target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, comprising: If a received signal quality corresponding to at least one of the M Trigger frames is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold, the STA determines a target Trigger frame from any one of the M Trigger frames.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises a signal quality threshold, the M Trigger frames comprising M-N first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames, the M-N first Trigger frames being transmitted by a wide transmission beam of the AP, and the N second Trigger frames being transmitted by at least two different transmission beams of the AP; The STA determines a target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, comprising: If a received signal quality corresponding to each of the M-N first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold, the STA determines a target Trigger frame from the N second Trigger frames, the target Trigger frame being a second Trigger frame with the maximum received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises quantity information of Trigger frames, the quantity information of Trigger frames being used to determine M-N first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the M Trigger frames.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The quantity information of Trigger frames comprises a number of Trigger frames transmitted by a wide transmission beam and a number of Trigger frames transmitted by a narrow transmission beam, M-N being less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames transmitted by the wide transmission beam, and N being less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames transmitted by the narrow transmission beam.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises a beam identifier corresponding to a Trigger frame, and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine a first sending beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The method further comprises: If a current time has exceeded a target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA receives a third Trigger frame sent by the AP through the first sending beam, and the third Trigger frame and time information of the third Trigger frame are used to determine a first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame. The STA sends initial access information to the AP within the first access time window, and the initial access information is used to instruct the AP to communicate with the STA by using a first sending beam corresponding to the first access time window.

7. A beam determination method, characterized in that, Comprise: The AP sends at least one Beacon frame, and each Beacon frame in the at least one Beacon frame comprises time information of a Trigger frame; The AP sends at least M Trigger frames, each Trigger frame in the at least M Trigger frames comprises size information of an access time window, and the at least M Trigger frames are used to determine a target Trigger frame, and the time information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used to determine a target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; When a current time does not exceed a target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the AP receives initial access information sent by a STA within the target access time window; The AP determines the target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information, and communicates with the STA by using a first sending beam corresponding to the target access time window.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises a signal quality threshold, and M Trigger frames in the at least M Trigger frames are sent by a wide sending beam of the AP; When the received signal quality corresponding to at least one Trigger frame in the M Trigger frames is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold, the target Trigger frame is any Trigger frame in the M Trigger frames.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises a signal quality threshold, and the at least M Trigger frames comprise M-N first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames, the M-N first Trigger frames are sent by a wide sending beam of the AP, and the N second Trigger frames are sent by at least two different sending beams of the AP; When the received signal quality corresponding to each first Trigger frame in the M-N first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold, the target Trigger frame is a second Trigger frame with the maximum received signal quality in the N second Trigger frames.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises Trigger frame quantity information, which is used to determine M-N first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the at least M Trigger frames.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The Trigger frame quantity information comprises a quantity of Trigger frames sent by using a wide transmission beam and a quantity of Trigger frames sent by using a narrow transmission beam, M-N is less than or equal to the quantity of Trigger frames sent by using the wide transmission beam, and N is less than or equal to the quantity of Trigger frames sent by using the narrow transmission beam.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein, The Beacon frame further comprises beam identification corresponding to the Trigger frame, which is used to determine a first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame. The method further comprises: When a current time has exceeded a target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the AP sends a third Trigger frame on the first transmission beam, and the third Trigger frame and time information of the third Trigger frame are used to determine a first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame; The AP receives initial access information sent by the STA in the first access time window; The AP determines the first access time window corresponding to a receiving time of the initial access information, and communicates with the STA by using the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window.

13. An apparatus, which is a STA or a chip or circuit configured in a STA, the apparatus comprising units or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 1-6.

14. An apparatus, which is an AP or a chip or circuit configured in an AP, the apparatus comprising units or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 7-12.

15. A STA, comprising: comprising a processor, a transceiver and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store a computer program, the transceiver is configured to transceive information or messages, and the computer program comprises program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause a terminal device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6.

16. An AP, comprising: comprising a processor, a transceiver and a memory, wherein the memory is configured to store a computer program, the transceiver is configured to transceive information or messages, and the computer program comprises program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause a network device to perform the method of any one of claims 7-12.

17. A communication system, characterized by comprising a STA and an AP, wherein: the STA is the apparatus of claim 13; the AP is the apparatus of claim 14.

18. A readable storage medium, characterized by, The readable storage medium stores program instructions, which, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1-6 to be performed.

19. A readable storage medium, characterized by, The readable storage medium stores program instructions, which, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 7-12 to be performed.

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