Method, device, equipment and storage medium for establishing soft access point

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for establishing a soft access point. The method comprises: a device management unit sends a startup request primitive to a media access layer management unit, requesting the media access layer management unit to establish a basic service set, wherein the startup request primitive includes a parameter for indicating the operation mode of the soft access point, and the operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter includes data communication only with a terminal device and data communication with an access device or a terminal device; after receiving the startup request primitive, the media access layer management unit performs an operation according to the operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter in the startup request primitive. The present invention can meet the demand for establishing a soft access point, so that the terminal device can flexibly and simultaneously transmit data with the access device and the terminal device, thereby improving the effective use of the link, expanding the network coverage, and increasing the network throughput.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular to a method, device, equipment and storage medium for establishing a soft access point. Background Art

[0002] In an 802.11 system, both access devices (AP STAs) and terminal devices (non-AP STAs) are internally deployed with the MAC layer and PHY layer. The main functions of the MAC layer include channel management, connection management, quality of service management, power control, and time synchronization. The main functions of the PHY layer include modulation, coding, and transmission.

[0003] Conceptually, both the MAC layer and the PHY layer include management units called the MAC sublayer management entity (MLME) and the PHY sublayer management entity (PLME), respectively. These units provide low-layer management service interfaces through which low-layer management functions can be invoked.

[0004] To provide correct MAC operation, each device (including non-AP STA and AP STA) has a high-level management unit, such as SME (station management entity, device management unit). SME represents a high-level management unit above the MAC layer. It is a layer-independent unit that is located in a separate management plane.

[0005] Role of the SME: This unit is generally responsible for functions such as collecting layer-related status from various layer management units (MLME and PLME). Similarly, it also sets layer-specific parameter values. The SME typically performs these functions on behalf of general system management units. The various layers interact with each other through defined primitives.

[0006] 802.11be networks, also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) networks, achieve extremely high throughput through a range of system features and multiple mechanisms. As the use of wireless local area networks (WLANs) continues to grow, they are becoming increasingly important for delivering wireless data services in many environments, such as homes, enterprises, and hotspots. In particular, video traffic will continue to be the dominant type of traffic in many WLAN deployments. With the emergence of 4k and 8k video (uncompressed rates of 20Gbps), the throughput requirements of these applications are continuing to evolve. New high-throughput, low-latency applications such as virtual or augmented reality, gaming, remote offices, and cloud computing will proliferate (for example, latency below 5ms for real-time gaming).

[0007] Given the high throughput and stringent real-time latency requirements of these applications, users expect higher throughput, improved reliability, reduced latency and jitter, and improved power efficiency when supporting their applications over WLAN. Users expect improved integration with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) to support applications on heterogeneous Ethernet and wireless LANs. 802.11be networks are designed to ensure WLAN competitiveness by further increasing aggregate throughput and reducing latency, while ensuring backward compatibility and coexistence with older technology standards. 802.11-compatible devices operate in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The device management unit (SME) of a wireless local area network device can request its media access layer management unit (MLME) to create a BSS (Basic Service Set), thereby enabling it to function as an access device. The logical entity that implements the access point function is called a soft access point (soft AP). Although traditional terminal devices can function as both terminal devices and hotspot access devices, i.e., they can switch roles to function as an access device, they cannot simultaneously carry both identities. Specifically, when acting as a terminal device, they can only transmit data with regular access devices. If they switch to functioning as an access device, they need to reset the MAC layer function and must disconnect from the previous access device before completing the access point function. Therefore, the terminal device that has been converted to an access device will no longer be able to exchange data with the previous regular access device and can only transmit data with other terminal devices connected to it. Services prior to the conversion will also be interrupted. In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for establishing a soft access point, which can provide access services to other terminal devices while ensuring service connectivity.

[0009] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for establishing a soft access point, which is applied to a multi-link terminal device, wherein the multi-link terminal device includes a device management unit and a media access layer management unit, including:

[0010] The device management unit sends a startup request primitive to the media access layer management unit, requesting the media access layer management unit to establish a basic service set, wherein the startup request primitive includes a parameter SoftAP mode, wherein the parameter SoftAPmode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point, and the operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAPmode in the startup request primitive includes data communication only with a terminal device and data communication with an access device or a terminal device.

[0011] After receiving the startup request primitive, the media access layer management unit performs an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive.

[0012] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0013] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not received the start request primitive before or the received start request primitive is not successfully executed or the reset request primitive is received and successfully executed, then the soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and the SoftAPoperating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device.

[0014] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0015] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a start request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

[0016] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0017] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a join request primitive or has received a join request primitive but has not been successfully executed, or has received a reset request primitive and has successfully executed it, then a soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and the SoftAPoperating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device.

[0018] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0019] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a join request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

[0020] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0021] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not received a start request primitive before or has received a start request primitive but has not been successfully executed or has received a reset request primitive and has been successfully executed, a soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and the SoftAPoperating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

[0022] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0023] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a start request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

[0024] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0025] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a join request primitive or has received a join request primitive but has not been successfully executed, or has received a reset request primitive and has successfully executed it, then a soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and the SoftAPoperating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes:

[0027] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a join request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then a soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0029] The media access layer management unit sends a startup confirmation primitive to the device management unit. The startup confirmation primitive includes a parameter R-ResultCode, and the parameter R-ResultCode is used to indicate the result of the soft access point establishment.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0031] The media access layer management unit sends a parameter SoftAP operating Mode in a broadcast message and / or a probe response message, where the parameter SoftAP operating Mode is used to indicate a mode of a soft access point.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the startup request primitive further includes parameters SSID, BSSType, and BeaconPeriod, wherein SSID is used to indicate an identifier of a service set, BSSType is used to indicate a type of a service set, and BeaconPeriod is used to indicate a period for sending broadcast messages.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0034] The device management unit sends a join request primitive to the media access layer management unit. The join request primitive includes parameters SelectedBSS and SoftAP mode, where SelectedBSS is used to indicate information about the access device for which connection establishment is requested, and SoftAP mode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point. The operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAPmode in the join request primitive includes: after a connection is established with the access device, only data communication with the access device can be performed; after a connection is established with the access device, data communication with the access device or a terminal device can be performed.

[0035] After receiving the join request primitive, the media access layer management unit performs an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive.

[0036] In a possible implementation, performing an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive includes:

[0037] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that data communication can be performed with the access device or terminal device after a connection is established with the access device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a startup request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then the local parameter SoftAP operating Mode is checked. If the value of the parameter SoftAP operating Mode indicates that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, then synchronization is performed with the access device requesting to establish a connection, and the J-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed. If the value of the parameter SoftAP operatingMode indicates that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, then the J-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is not successfully executed.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0039] The media access layer management unit sends a join confirmation primitive to the device management unit. The join confirmation primitive includes a parameter J-ResultCode, and the parameter J-ResultCode is used to indicate a connection result.

[0040] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for establishing a soft access point, which is applied to a multi-link terminal device, wherein the multi-link terminal device includes a device management unit and a media access layer management unit, and the apparatus includes:

[0041] a communication module 1, configured to send a startup request primitive to a media access layer management unit through a device management unit, requesting the media access layer management unit to establish a basic service set, wherein the startup request primitive includes a parameter SoftAPmode, wherein the parameter SoftAPmode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point, and the operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAPmode in the startup request primitive includes data communication only with a terminal device and data communication with an access device or a terminal device;

[0042] The execution module 1 is configured to execute an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive after receiving the startup request primitive through the media access layer management unit.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

[0044] a second communication module configured to send a join request primitive to the media access layer management unit through the device management unit, wherein the join request primitive includes parameters SelectedBSS and SoftAP mode, wherein SelectedBSS is used to indicate information of the access device for which connection establishment is requested, and SoftAP mode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point, and the operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive includes: enabling only data communication with the access device after a connection is established with the access device; and enabling data communication with the access device or a terminal device after a connection is established with the access device;

[0045] The second execution module is configured to execute an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive after receiving the join request primitive through the media access layer management unit.

[0046] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-link terminal device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores at least one instruction, at least one segment of program code, a code set, or an instruction set, and the at least one instruction, at least one segment of program code, a code set, or an instruction set is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method for establishing a soft access point as described in the first aspect.

[0047] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores at least one instruction, at least one program code, a code set, or an instruction set, and the at least one instruction, at least one program code, a code set, or an instruction set is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method for establishing a soft access point as described in the first aspect.

[0048] It should be noted that the device described in the second aspect, the equipment described in the third aspect, and the storage medium described in the fourth aspect are all used to execute the method provided in the first aspect above, and therefore can achieve the same beneficial effects as the method described in the first aspect, and the embodiments of the present invention will not be described one by one.

[0049] The present invention can meet the demand for establishing a soft access point, so that the terminal device can flexibly and simultaneously transmit data with the access device and the terminal device, thereby improving the effective use of the link, expanding the network coverage, and increasing the network throughput. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, although the disclosure in the present invention is introduced according to one or several exemplary examples, it should be understood that each aspect of these disclosures can also constitute a complete technical solution separately. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0051] In the embodiments of the present invention, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in the present invention should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the present invention shall have the ordinary meaning understood by persons of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention belongs. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish descriptions, and the meanings of the corresponding terms may be the same or different. The terms "include" or "comprising" and similar words mean that the element or object preceding the word includes the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects.

[0053] It's important to note that a multi-link device contains multiple logical entities, each of which transmits data over a separate link and includes independent data transceiver modules. Traditional single-link devices have only one logical entity and a single MAC address, while multi-link devices have one MAC address, and each logical entity within the multi-link device has a MAC address. For example, if a multi-link device has three logical entities, the physical device will have four MAC addresses: one for the multi-link device and one for each of the three logical entities.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-link terminal device includes a device management unit (SME) and a media access layer management unit (MLME). If the device supports and enables soft AP configuration, it locally sets the parameter dot11SOFTAPOptionImplemented to true. The method for establishing a soft access point in this embodiment of the present invention includes the following:

[0055] 101. The device management unit sends a startup request primitive to the media access layer management unit, requesting the media access layer management unit to establish a basic service set. The startup request primitive includes a parameter SoftAP mode, and the parameter SoftAPmode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point. The operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAPmode in the startup request primitive includes data communication only with a terminal device and data communication with an access device or a terminal device.

[0056] In some embodiments, the startup request primitive further includes parameters SSID, BSSType and BeaconPeriod, wherein SSID is used to indicate the identifier of the service set, BSSType is used to indicate the type of the service set, and BeaconPeriod is used to indicate the period for sending the broadcast message.

[0057] 102. After receiving the start request primitive, the media access layer management unit performs an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the start request primitive. For example, performing an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the start request primitive includes:

[0058] 1) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a start request primitive, or has received a start request primitive but has not been successfully executed, or has received a reset request primitive and successfully executed it, then the soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was successfully executed, and the SoftAPoperatingMode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device.

[0059] 2) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit previously received a start request primitive and successfully executed it, and did not receive a reset request primitive after the successful execution or received a reset request primitive but was not successfully executed, the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

[0060] 3) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a join request primitive or has received a join request primitive but has not been successfully executed, or has received a reset request primitive and has successfully executed it, then the soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive has been successfully executed, and the SoftAPoperatingMode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device.

[0061] 4) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit previously received a join request primitive and successfully executed it, and did not receive a reset request primitive after the successful execution or received a reset request primitive but failed to execute it successfully, then the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

[0062] 5) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a start request primitive or has received a start request primitive but has not been successfully executed, or has received a reset request primitive and has successfully executed it, then the soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

[0063] 6) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit previously received a start request primitive and successfully executed it, and did not receive a reset request primitive after the successful execution or received a reset request primitive but failed to execute it successfully, then the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

[0064] 7) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a join request primitive or has received a join request primitive but has not been successfully executed, or has received a reset request primitive and has successfully executed it, then the soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive has been successfully executed, and the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

[0065] 8) When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a join request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then the soft access point is established according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, and the R-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value is set to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

[0066] Optionally, the method for establishing a soft access point further includes:

[0067] 103. The media access layer management unit sends a startup confirmation primitive to the device management unit. The startup confirmation primitive includes a parameter R-ResultCode, and the parameter R-ResultCode is used to indicate the result of the soft access point establishment.

[0068] 104. The media access layer management unit sends a parameter SoftAP operating Mode in a broadcast message and / or a probe response message, where the parameter SoftAP operating Mode is used to indicate a mode of a soft access point.

[0069] Optionally, the method for establishing a soft access point further includes:

[0070] 105. The device management unit sends a join request primitive to the media access layer management unit. The join request primitive includes parameters SelectedBSS and SoftAP mode. SelectedBSS is used to indicate information about the access device for which connection establishment is requested. SoftAP mode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point. The operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAPmode in the join request primitive includes: after establishing a connection with the access device, only data communication with the access device is possible; after establishing a connection with the access device, data communication with the access device or a terminal device is possible.

[0071] 106. After receiving the join request primitive, the media access layer management unit performs an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive. For example, performing an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive includes:

[0072] When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that data communication can be performed with the access device or terminal device after a connection is established with the access device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a startup request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then the local parameter SoftAP operating Mode is checked. If the value of the parameter SoftAP operating Mode indicates that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, then synchronization is performed with the access device requesting to establish a connection, and the J-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed. If the value of the parameter SoftAP operatingMode indicates that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, then the J-ResultCode parameter value is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is not successfully executed.

[0073] Optionally, the method for establishing a soft access point further includes:

[0074] 107. The media access layer management unit sends a join confirmation primitive to the device management unit. The join confirmation primitive includes a parameter J-ResultCode, and the parameter J-ResultCode is used to indicate the connection result.

[0075] In order to better understand the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below with reference to a specific embodiment.

[0076] 1001. If the current multi-link terminal device supports soft AP configuration and is enabled, the parameter dot11SOFTAPOptionImplemented is set locally to true.

[0077] 1002. The SME sends an MLME-START.request primitive (i.e., a start request primitive, used to establish a soft AP) to the MLME, requesting the MLME to establish a BSS (i.e., a basic service set). For example, the MLME-START.request primitive includes the parameters shown in Table 1.

[0078] Table 1

[0079]

[0080] The following is an example of setting the value of SoftAP mode:

[0081] DedicateAP: indicates that the soft AP can only communicate with terminal devices;

[0082] Shared: Indicates that the soft AP can communicate data with access devices or terminal devices.

[0083] 1003. After receiving the MLME-START.request primitive, if the parameter SoftAP mode is included, the MLME performs operations according to the value of SoftAP mode:

[0084] If the value of SoftAP mode is DedicateAP, if it has not received the MLME-START.request primitive before or the received MLME-START.request primitive has not been successfully executed, or if it has received the MLME-RESET.request primitive (i.e., the reset request primitive used to reset the device role) and successfully executed it, then a soft AP is established according to the parameters of the primitive, and the ResultCode parameter value is set to SUCCESS to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was successfully executed, and the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value is set to DedicateAP;

[0085] If the value of SoftAP mode is DedicateAP, if the MLME-START.request primitive was received and successfully executed, and no MLME-RESET.request was received after the successful execution, or the MLME-RESET.request was received but not successfully executed, the ResultCode parameter value is set to BSS_ALREADY_STARTED_OR_JOINED, indicating that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed;

[0086] If the SoftAP mode is DedicateAP, and if it has not received the MLME-JOIN.request primitive (i.e., the join request primitive, used by multi-link terminal devices to obtain time synchronization with access devices) or has received an MLME-JOIN.request primitive but has not been successfully executed, or has received an MLME-RESET.request and has been successfully executed, then a soft AP is established based on the primitive parameters, and the ResultCode parameter is set to SUCCESS, and the SoftAP operating Mode parameter is set to DedicateAP.

[0087] If the value of SoftAP mode is DedicateAP, if the MLME-JOIN.request primitive has been received and successfully executed, and no MLME-RESET.request is received after the successful execution, or the MLME-RESET.request received is not successfully executed, then the ResultCode parameter value is set to BSS_ALREADY_STARTED_OR_JOINED or NOT_SUPPORTED, indicating that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed;

[0088] If the SoftAP mode parameter is Shared, and the device has not received the MLME-START.request primitive, has not successfully executed the received MLME-START.request primitive, or has received and successfully executed the MLME-RESET.request primitive, then the device establishes a soft AP based on the primitive parameters, sets the ResultCode parameter to SUCCESS, and sets the SoftAPoperatingMode parameter to Shared.

[0089] If the SoftAP mode is Shared, if the MLME-START.request primitive has been received and successfully executed, and no MLME-RESET.request is received after the successful execution, or if the MLME-RESET.request is received but not successfully executed, the ResultCode parameter value is set to BSS_ALREADY_STARTED_OR_JOINED;

[0090] If the SoftAP mode is Shared, and if the device has not received the MLME-JOIN.request primitive, has received the MLME-JOIN.request primitive but has not executed it successfully, or has received the MLME-RESET.request primitive and has executed it successfully, then the device establishes a soft AP based on the primitive parameters, sets the ResultCode parameter to SUCCESS, and sets the SoftAPoperatingMode parameter to Shared.

[0091] If the SoftAP mode value is Shared, if the device has previously received and successfully executed the MLME-JOIN.request primitive, and has not received an MLME-RESET.request after the successful execution, or has received an MLME-RESET.request but has not successfully executed it, then the device establishes a soft AP based on the primitive parameters, sets the ResultCode parameter value to SUCCESS, and sets the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value to Shared.

[0092] 1004. The MLME sends the SoftAP operating Mode parameters in a Beacon message (ie, a broadcast message) or a probe response message (ie, a probe response message).

[0093] 1005. The MLME sends an MLME-START.confirm primitive (i.e., a start confirmation primitive) to the SME according to the execution result, wherein the MLME-START.confirm primitive includes a parameter ResultCode.

[0094] In some embodiments, the multi-link terminal device may further request the access device connected thereto to perform time synchronization, specifically including:

[0095] 2001. The SME sends a MLME-JOIN.request primitive to the MLME, requesting the MLME to establish a connection with the access device. For example, the MLME-JOIN.request primitive includes the parameters described in Table 2.

[0096] Table 2

[0097]

[0098] The value of SoftAP mode is set as follows:

[0099] DedicateNAP: indicates that after establishing a connection with the access device, only data communication can be performed with the access device;

[0100] Shared: Indicates that after establishing a connection with an access device, data communication with the access device or terminal device can be carried out.

[0101] 2002. After receiving the MLME-JOIN.request primitive, if the parameter SoftAP mode is included, the MLME performs operations based on the value of SoftAP mode:

[0102] If the value of SoftAP mode is Shared, if the device has previously received the MLME-START.request primitive and executed it successfully, and has not received the MLME-RESET.request after the successful execution, or has received the MLME-RESET.request but has not executed it successfully, then the device checks the locally saved parameter SoftAP operating Mode. If the parameter value is Shared, then the device synchronizes with the access device requesting the connection and sets the ResultCode parameter value to SUCCESS. If the parameter value is DedicatedAP, then the ResultCode parameter value is set to NOT_SUPPORTED.

[0103] Otherwise, the ResultCode parameter value is set to Failed, indicating that the operation indicated by the primitive was not successfully executed.

[0104] 2003. MLME sends the MLME-JOIN.confirm primitive (i.e., join confirmation primitive) to the SME based on the execution result, wherein the MLME-JOIN.confirm primitive includes the parameter ResultCode.

[0105] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the same inventive concept as the above-mentioned method for establishing a soft access point, an apparatus for establishing a soft access point is further provided, which is applied to a multi-link terminal device. The multi-link terminal device includes a device management unit and a media access layer management unit. The apparatus includes:

[0106] a communication module 1, configured to send a startup request primitive to a media access layer management unit through a device management unit, requesting the media access layer management unit to establish a basic service set, wherein the startup request primitive includes a parameter SoftAPmode, wherein the parameter SoftAPmode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point, and the operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAPmode in the startup request primitive includes data communication only with a terminal device and data communication with an access device or a terminal device;

[0107] The execution module 1 is configured to execute an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive after receiving the startup request primitive through the media access layer management unit.

[0108] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0109] a second communication module configured to send a join request primitive to the media access layer management unit through the device management unit, wherein the join request primitive includes parameters SelectedBSS and SoftAP mode, wherein SelectedBSS is used to indicate information of the access device for which connection establishment is requested, and SoftAP mode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point, and the operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive includes: enabling only data communication with the access device after a connection is established with the access device; and enabling data communication with the access device or a terminal device after a connection is established with the access device;

[0110] The second execution module is configured to execute an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive after receiving the join request primitive through the media access layer management unit.

[0111] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the same inventive concept as the above-mentioned method for establishing a soft access point, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a multi-link terminal device, the multi-link terminal device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing at least one instruction, at least one segment of program code, a code set, or an instruction set, the at least one instruction, at least one segment of program code, a code set, or an instruction set being loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method for establishing a soft access point involved in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0112] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores at least one instruction, at least one segment of program code, a code set, or an instruction set. The at least one instruction, at least one segment of program code, a code set, or an instruction set is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method for establishing a soft access point involved in the above embodiment.

[0113] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present invention, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. Some or all of the steps can be executed in parallel or sequentially. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0114] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0115] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0116] In the several embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the module division is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used, such as combining or integrating multiple modules or components into another system, or omitting or not implementing certain features.

[0117] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules may be selected based on actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into a single processing unit, each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single unit.

[0118] If the functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, or the portion that contributes to the prior art, or the portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, network device, or terminal device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM (ROM, RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0119] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "a", "the" and "the" used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items. The character " / " herein generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0120] As used herein, the words “if” or “if” may be interpreted as “at the time of” or “when” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrases “if it is determined” or “if (stated condition or event) is detected” may be interpreted as “when it is determined” or “in response to the determination” or “when detecting (stated condition or event)” or “in response to detecting (stated condition or event),” depending on the context.

[0121] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a soft access point, applied to a multi-link terminal device, wherein the multi-link terminal device comprises a device management unit and a media access layer management unit, characterized in that: The method comprises: (i) The device management unit sends a startup request primitive to the media access layer management unit, requesting the media access layer management unit to establish a basic service set; wherein the startup request primitive includes a parameter SoftAP mode, and the parameter SoftAP mode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point. The operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes: (a) can only communicate data with terminal devices; and (b) capable of data communication with access devices or terminal devices; After receiving the startup request primitive, the media access layer management unit performs an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive; (ii) The device management unit sends a join request primitive to the media access layer management unit. The join request primitive includes a parameter SoftAP mode, where SoftAP mode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point. The operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive includes: (c) only be able to communicate data with the Access Device after establishing a connection with the Access Device; and (d) After establishing a connection with the access device, data communication can be carried out with the access device or terminal device; After receiving the join request primitive, the media access layer management unit performs an operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive.

2. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received the startup request primitive or the received startup request primitive is not successfully executed or the reset request primitive is received and successfully executed, then establishing the soft access point according to the parameters of the received startup request primitive, setting the R-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and setting the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value to indicate that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device.

3. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the start request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a start request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then setting the R-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

4. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the start request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a join request primitive or has received a join request primitive but has not been successfully executed or has received a reset request primitive and has been successfully executed, then establishing a soft access point according to the parameters of the received start request primitive, setting the R-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and setting the SoftAPoperating Mode parameter value to indicate that the soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device.

5. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the start request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can only communicate data with the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a join request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then setting the R-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

6. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not received the startup request primitive before or the received startup request primitive is not successfully executed or the reset request primitive is received and successfully executed, then establishing the soft access point according to the parameters of the received startup request primitive, setting the R-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and setting the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

7. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the start request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or the terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a start request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then setting the R-Result Code parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully executed.

8. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has not previously received a join request primitive or has received a join request primitive but has not been successfully executed or has received a reset request primitive and has been successfully executed, then establishing a soft access point according to the parameters of the received startup request primitive, setting the R-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and setting the SoftAP operating Mode parameter value to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

9. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes: when the value of SoftAP mode indicates that the established soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, if the media access layer management unit has previously received a join request primitive and successfully executed it, and has not received a reset request primitive after the successful execution or has received a reset request primitive but has not been successfully executed, then establishing a soft access point according to the parameters of the received startup request primitive, setting the R-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive is successfully executed, and setting the SoftAP operatingMode parameter value to indicate that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device.

10. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The method further includes: the media access layer management unit sending a startup confirmation primitive to the device management unit, wherein the startup confirmation primitive includes a parameter R-ResultCode, and the parameter R-ResultCode is used to indicate the result of the soft access point establishment.

11. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The method further includes: the media access layer management unit sending a parameter SoftAP operating Mode in a broadcast message and / or a probe response message, where the parameter SoftAP operating Mode is used to indicate a mode of a soft access point.

12. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The startup request primitive further includes parameters SSID, BSSType and BeaconPeriod, wherein SSID is used to indicate the identifier of the service set, BSSType is used to indicate the type of the service set, and BeaconPeriod is used to indicate the period for sending the broadcast message.

13. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The join request primitive includes a parameter SelectedBSS, wherein SelectedBSS is used to indicate information of the access device requesting to establish a connection.

14. The method for establishing a soft access point according to claim 1, wherein: The performing of the operation according to the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive includes: When the value of SoftAP mode indicates that data communication with the access device or the terminal device is possible after a connection is established with the access device, if the media access layer management unit previously received a startup request primitive and successfully executed it, and after the successful execution, did not receive a reset request primitive or received a reset request primitive but failed to execute it successfully, then checking the local parameter SoftAPoperating Mode; If the value of the parameter SoftAP operating Mode indicates that the soft access point can communicate data with the access device or terminal device, synchronize with the access device requesting to establish a connection, and set the J-ResultCode parameter value to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was successfully performed; If the value of the parameter SoftAP operating Mode indicates that the soft access point can only perform data communication with the terminal device, the value of the J-ResultCode parameter is set to indicate that the operation indicated by the current primitive was not successfully performed.

15. The method for establishing a soft access point according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The method further includes: the media access layer management unit sending a join confirmation primitive to the device management unit, wherein the join confirmation primitive includes a parameter J-ResultCode, and the parameter J-ResultCode is used to indicate a connection result.

16. A device for establishing a soft access point, applied to a multi-link terminal device, wherein the multi-link terminal device comprises a device management unit and a media access layer management unit, characterized in that: The device comprises: The first communication module is configured to send a startup request primitive to the media access layer management unit through the device management unit, requesting the media access layer management unit to establish a basic service set. The startup request primitive includes a parameter SoftAP mode, which is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point. The operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive includes: (a) can only communicate data with terminal devices, and (b) capable of data communication with access devices or terminal devices; An execution module 1 is configured to execute an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the startup request primitive after receiving the startup request primitive through the media access layer management unit; The second communication module is configured to send a join request primitive to the media access layer management unit through the device management unit, wherein the join request primitive includes a parameter SoftAP mode, where the SoftAP mode is used to indicate an operation mode of a soft access point. The operation mode of the soft access point indicated by the parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive includes: (c) can only communicate data with the Access Device after establishing a connection with the Access Device, and (d) After establishing a connection with the access device, data communication can be carried out with the access device or terminal device; The second execution module is configured to execute an operation according to a parameter SoftAP mode in the join request primitive after receiving the join request primitive through the media access layer management unit.

17. The device for establishing a soft access point according to claim 16, wherein: The apparatus for establishing a soft access point is configured to execute the method for establishing a soft access point according to any one of claims 2-12 and 14.

18. A multi-link terminal device, characterized in that: The multi-link terminal device includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores at least one instruction, at least one section of program code, a code set, or an instruction set, and the at least one instruction, at least one section of program code, a code set, or an instruction set is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method for establishing a soft access point according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The readable storage medium stores at least one instruction, at least one section of program code, a code set, or an instruction set, and the at least one instruction, at least one section of program code, a code set, or an instruction set is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method for establishing a soft access point according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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