An asymmetric transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

This application discloses an asymmetric transmission method and apparatus, relating to the field of Wi-Fi technology. It solves the problem that when a STA and an AP transmit data frames using the same frequency, the AP cannot receive the uplink data frames returned by the STA because the STA's transmit power is less than the AP's transmit power. The specific solution is as follows: the STA and AP establish a Wi-Fi connection; the STA sends uplink data frames to the AP via the Wi-Fi connection on an uplink resource unit; wherein the uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, or the uplink resource unit includes a second resource unit; the frequency of the second resource unit is lower than the frequency of the first resource unit; the first resource unit is used by the AP to send downlink data frames to the STA. This application embodiment is used in the process of transmitting data frames between a STA and an AP via Wi-Fi.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless local area network technology, and in particular to an asymmetric transmission method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology is a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology created by the Wi-Fi Alliance based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard. Wi-Fi technology typically involves two types of devices: access points (APs) and stations (STAs). An AP, also known as a wireless access point, is a provider of the Wi-Fi network, allowing other wireless devices to connect and providing data access to those devices. Devices connected to a Wi-Fi network are called STAs. Examples include mobile phones, tablets, and laptops—electronic devices that support Wi-Fi functionality.

[0003] In Wi-Fi communication, the AP's transmission power is greater than that of the STA. When the STA is far from the AP, the STA can receive data frames sent by the AP via the Wi-Fi connection and thus discover the AP. However, due to the STA's lower transmission power, the data frames sent by the STA via the Wi-Fi connection may not reach the AP, making it impossible for the AP to receive the data frames sent by the STA. Consequently, the STA cannot connect to the AP or cannot transmit data frames with the AP. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an asymmetric transmission method and apparatus, which solves the problem that when a STA and an AP transmit data frames using the same frequency, the AP cannot receive the data frames sent by the STA because the STA's transmission power is less than the AP's transmission power.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an asymmetric transmission method, the method comprising: a STA establishing a Wi-Fi connection with an AP; the STA sending an uplink data frame to the AP via the Wi-Fi connection on an uplink resource unit; wherein the uplink data frame includes uplink service data, the uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, or the uplink resource unit includes a second resource unit; the frequency of the second resource unit is lower than the frequency of the first resource unit; the first resource unit is used by the AP to send a downlink data frame to the STA.

[0006] Based on the method described in the first aspect, the signal strength attenuation from STA to AP is reduced by decreasing the frequency used by STA, thereby increasing the signal strength from STA to AP, improving uplink transmission gain, and enhancing uplink Wi-Fi signal coverage performance. This ensures that STA can still transmit uplink data frames to AP even when the transmission power is low, and that AP receives the uplink data frames sent by STA.

[0007] In one possible design, the first resource element belongs to the first channel, and the second resource element belongs to the second channel; wherein the first channel and the second channel both belong to the first frequency band; or, the first channel belongs to the first frequency band, the second channel belongs to the second frequency band, and the frequency of the second frequency band is lower than the frequency of the first frequency band.

[0008] Based on this possible design, a second resource unit with a frequency lower than that of the first resource unit can be designed flexibly and effectively.

[0009] In one possible design, the first frequency band includes a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band; the second frequency band includes a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band. Based on this possible design, the application scenarios and frequency bands used by this method can be expanded.

[0010] In one possible design, before the STA transmits uplink data frames to the AP via Wi-Fi connection on the uplink resource unit, the method further includes: the STA receiving first indication information from the AP to instruct the STA to perform asymmetric transmission; and enabling the STA's asymmetric transmission function according to the first indication information. Alternatively, when the STA detects that one or more of the following transmission indicators—packet loss rate, bit error rate, and signal strength from the STA to the AP—are not met when the STA is transmitting uplink data frames on the first resource unit, the STA actively enables the asymmetric transmission function.

[0011] Based on this possible design, the STA can enable asymmetric transmission under the instruction of the AP, with the AP centrally controlling the activation of the asymmetric transmission function, thus simplifying the system design. Alternatively, the STA can proactively enable its own asymmetric transmission function, reducing signaling interactions between devices and lowering the complexity of the system design.

[0012] In one possible design, the first indication information is also used to indicate the second resource unit; or, the first indication information is also used to indicate the uplink resource unit. Based on this possible design, the STA can learn about the uplink resource unit used for asymmetric transmission under the instruction of the AP, simplifying system design.

[0013] In one possible design, before the STA sends an uplink data frame to the AP via a Wi-Fi connection on the uplink resource unit, the method further includes: the STA receiving a downlink data frame from the AP on a first resource unit via a Wi-Fi connection; wherein the downlink data frame includes a first frame header, the first frame header including a channel number and a sub-channel sequence number; the STA sending an uplink data frame on the uplink resource unit via a Wi-Fi connection includes: the STA sending an uplink data frame on the uplink resource unit via a Wi-Fi connection based on the status of the downlink data frame received by the STA; wherein the uplink data frame includes a second frame header, the second frame header including an identifier of the uplink resource unit, a channel number, a start sequence number, and a Bitmap, the Bitmap including multiple bits corresponding to multiple downlink data frames, each bit being used to indicate whether the downlink data frame corresponding to the bit was successfully received by the STA.

[0014] Based on this possible design, the STA can report the correct transmission status of downlink data frames to the AP, so that the AP can adjust the downlink air interface rate and / or retransmit downlink data frames according to whether the downlink data frames are successfully received by the STA, thus ensuring the transmission efficiency and quality of downlink service data.

[0015] In one possible design, the uplink data frame includes uplink service data generated by the STA; the uplink data frame also includes a first frame header, which includes a channel number and a sub-channel sequence number; after the STA sends the uplink data frame to the AP via the uplink resource unit through the Wi-Fi connection, the method further includes: the STA receiving a downlink data frame from the AP on the first resource unit; wherein the downlink data frame includes a second frame header, which includes an identifier of the first resource unit, a channel number, a start sequence number, and a Bitmap, the Bitmap including multiple bits corresponding to multiple uplink data frames, each bit being used to indicate whether the uplink data frame corresponding to the bit has been successfully received by the AP.

[0016] Based on this possible design, the AP can report the correct transmission status of uplink data frames to the STA, so that the STA can retransmit uplink data frames based on the successful reception of downlink data frames by the AP, thus ensuring the transmission efficiency and quality of uplink service data.

[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an asymmetric transmission method, the method comprising: establishing a Wi-Fi connection between an AP and a STA; receiving uplink data frames from the STA on an uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection; wherein the uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, or the uplink resource unit includes a second resource unit; the frequency of the second resource unit is lower than the frequency of the first resource unit; the first resource unit is used by the AP to send downlink data frames to the STA.

[0018] Based on the method described in the second aspect, the signal strength attenuation from STA to AP is reduced by decreasing the frequency used by STA, thereby increasing the signal strength from STA to AP, improving uplink transmission gain, and enhancing uplink Wi-Fi signal coverage performance. This allows STA to transmit uplink data frames to AP even when the transmission power is low, ensuring that AP receives the uplink data frames sent by STA.

[0019] The relevant descriptions of the first resource unit, the second resource unit, the first frequency band, and the second frequency band can be referred to in the first aspect or the possible design of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0020] In one possible design, before the AP receives uplink data frames from the STA on the uplink resource unit via Wi-Fi connection, the method further includes: the AP sending downlink data frames to the STA on a first resource unit via Wi-Fi connection; wherein the downlink data frame includes a first frame header, the first frame header including a channel number and a sub-channel sequence number; wherein the uplink data frame includes a second frame header, the second frame header including an identifier of the uplink resource unit, a channel number, a start sequence number, and a bitmap, the bitmap including multiple bits corresponding to multiple downlink data frames, each bit being used to indicate whether the downlink data frame corresponding to the bit has been successfully received by the STA.

[0021] The method further includes: the AP determining the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frame based on the Bitmap; and adjusting the downlink air interface rate of sending downlink data frames through the first resource unit based on the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frame.

[0022] Based on this possible design, the STA can report the correct transmission status of downlink data frames to the AP, so that the AP can adjust the downlink air interface rate and / or retransmit downlink data frames according to whether the downlink data frames are successfully received by the STA, thus ensuring the transmission efficiency and quality of downlink service data.

[0023] In one possible design, the uplink data frame includes uplink service data generated by the STA; the uplink data frame also includes a first frame header, which includes a channel number and a sub-channel sequence number; after the AP receives the uplink data frame from the STA on the uplink resource unit via Wi-Fi connection, the method further includes: the AP sending a downlink data frame to the STA on the first resource unit; wherein the downlink data frame includes a second frame header, which includes an identifier of the first resource unit, a channel number, a start sequence number, and a Bitmap, the Bitmap including multiple bits corresponding to multiple uplink data frames, each bit being used to indicate whether the uplink data frame corresponding to the bit has been successfully received by the AP.

[0024] Based on this possible design, the AP can report the correct transmission status of uplink data frames to the STA, so that the STA can retransmit uplink data frames based on the successful reception of downlink data frames by the AP, thus ensuring the transmission efficiency and quality of uplink service data.

[0025] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an STA, which may include: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The memory and the communication interface are coupled to the processor. The communication interface is used to communicate with other devices, including an access point (AP). The memory is used to store computer program code, which includes computer instructions. When the processor executes the computer instructions, the STA performs the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0026] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide an access point (AP), including: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface; the memory and the communication interface are coupled to the processor; the processor is capable of providing a Wi-Fi network through the communication interface; the memory is used to store computer program code, the computer program code including computer instructions; when the processor executes the computer instructions, the access point device performs the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0027] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions that, when executed on a STA, cause the STA to perform the method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0028] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions that, when executed on an access point (AP), cause the AP to perform the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0029] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, in one possible design, which, when the computer program product is run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0030] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide an asymmetric transmission system including an AP and a STA, the AP and STA being used to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the data frame interaction process between the AP and STA.

[0032] Figure 2A simplified schematic diagram of a system architecture provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the composition of an electronic device 300 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 4a A schematic diagram of the composition of a protocol layer provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4b A schematic diagram of the composition of a protocol layer provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5a A flowchart illustrating an asymmetric transmission method provided in this application embodiment;

[0037] Figure 5b A flowchart illustrating an asymmetric transmission method provided in this application embodiment;

[0038] Figures 6a-6c This is a schematic diagram of asymmetric transmission provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figures 7a-7c This is a schematic diagram of asymmetric transmission provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 8a A flowchart for processing data frames provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 8b A flowchart for processing data frames provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 9a A schematic diagram of the frame format of the data frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 9b A schematic diagram of the frame format of the data frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0044] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Wi-Fi technology is a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology based on the 802.11 standard. Wi-Fi technology can be used to connect network devices wirelessly. Wi-Fi technology has advantages such as wide coverage, high speed, low cost, no wiring required, and easy setup. Wi-Fi technology operates on frequency bands including 2.4 GHz (G-Hertz), 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. Devices using Wi-Fi technology (such as access points (APs) and stations (STAs) can simultaneously use one or more of these frequency bands for wireless communication. Wireless communication may include transmitting Wi-Fi frames (also called Wi-Fi messages, data frames, or data packets).

[0046] It should be noted that the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequencies described in the embodiments of this application are merely illustrative examples. With the development of Wi-Fi technology, any new frequency bands that subsequently emerge are also within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0047] In this embodiment, a frequency band is a frequency range (or frequency range) obtained by dividing radio waves (or electromagnetic wave frequency bands or spectrum resources), possessing a certain frequency bandwidth. A frequency band can be divided into multiple smaller frequency bands or ranges, each of which can be called a channel (or sub-channel). For example, a 5GHz frequency range can be divided into 45 channels, and a 2.4GHz frequency range into 14 channels. A channel can include one or more resource units (RUs). An RU is a form of frequency domain resource obtained by dividing a channel with a certain bandwidth using orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) technology. An RU can include one or more sub-carriers, such as a 26-tone RU, 52-tone RU, 106-tone RU, 242-tone RU, 484-tone RU, 996-tone, 2x996-tone, etc. In this context, tone represents a subcarrier, and A in A-tone represents the number of subcarriers. For example, 26-tone RU means that the RU includes 26 subcarriers.

[0048] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, using a certain frequency band for wireless communication can refer to: performing wireless communication on RUs included in the channel within that frequency band, where the RU, as described above, may include one or more subcarriers of the channel. Alternatively, using a certain frequency band for wireless communication can refer to performing wireless communication on one or more channels within that frequency band; or performing wireless communication on one or more carriers within that frequency band; or performing wireless communication on a certain frequency point (or center frequency point) within that frequency band; or performing wireless communication on a certain frequency (or center frequency) within that frequency band, etc.

[0049] In one possible design, during Wi-Fi communication, the Access Point (AP) and the STA (STA) establishing the Wi-Fi connection communicate with each other on the same frequency. For example, they can transmit, acknowledge, and retransmit Wi-Fi frames on the same frequency to simplify the complexity of Wi-Fi frame transmission. Taking an AP and STA operating simultaneously on channel 1 of the 2.4GHz band as an example, the AP can send a Wi-Fi frame (referred to as a downlink data frame) to the STA on channel 1 of the 2.4GHz band. After receiving the Wi-Fi frame from the AP, the STA can similarly send an acknowledgment (ACK) frame (referred to as an uplink data frame) corresponding to that Wi-Fi frame to the AP on channel 1 of the 2.4GHz band. This allows the AP to determine whether to retransmit the Wi-Fi frame to the STA based on the ACK frame returned by the STA. Specifically, this process can be referred to... Figure 1 As shown.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 To establish a complete Wi-Fi frame transmission process between the AP and STA, such as... Figure 1As shown, the process can be divided into the following three stages: (1) Setup stage: The AP (or originator) can send an add block acknowledgment request (ADDBA request) to the STA (or recipient). The STA receives the ADDBA request and returns an acknowledgment message (ACK) to the AP. The STA sends an ADDBA request to the AP, and the AP receives the ADDBA request and sends an ACK to the STA. At this point, the two parties have completed the block acknowledgment (block ack) agreement. (2) Data & Block Acknowledgment (block ack) stage: The AP can send a Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) to the STA on channel 1 of 2.4 GHz. The MPDU may include the Wi-Fi frame sent by the AP to the STA. The STA receives the MPDU. After receiving the block ack request (BAR) frame from the AP, the STA can return a block ack (BA) frame for the MPDU to the AP on channel 1 of 2.4 GHz. The BA frame may include an ACK frame. (3) Teardown phase: After the Wi-Fi frame transmission is completed, the AP can send a delete block acknowledgment (DELBA) request to the STA. The STA returns an ACK to the AP, thus canceling an established block ack agreement.

[0051] In this embodiment, downlink data frames and uplink data frames are relative concepts. Data frames and Wi-Fi frames sent by the AP to the STA can be collectively referred to as downlink data frames, and data frames and ACK frames sent by the STA to the AP can be collectively referred to as uplink data frames, without limitation. Wi-Fi frames may include, but are not limited to, data frames, control frames, management frames, and extension frames. Control frames include, but are not limited to, ready-to-send (RTS) frames, clear-to-send (CTS) frames, and ACK frames. Management frames may include, but are not limited to, probe request frames, probe response frames, and beacon frames.

[0052] As shown above, the AP and STA transmit downlink and uplink data frames at the same frequency. However, since most STAs are low-power devices such as smartphones and smart home appliances, their transmit power is lower than that of the AP at the same frequency due to their own power consumption and antenna efficiency. In this embodiment, transmit power can also be replaced by signal strength. For example, the transmit power of the STA can be described as the signal strength from the STA to the AP, and the transmit power of the AP can be described as the signal strength from the AP to the STA. Transmit power can be expressed in milliwatts (mW), and signal strength in decibels (dBm). 1dBm = 10 * lg(1mW), where the symbol "*" indicates multiplication.

[0053] For example, assuming the STA is a mobile phone, and both the STA and AP operate on channel 1 of 2.4GHz, Table 1 below shows the signal strength from different mobile phone models to the AP, and the signal strength from the AP providing Wi-Fi to the mobile phone at a certain distance. As shown in Table 1, for any given mobile phone model, the signal strength from the AP to the STA is greater than the signal strength from the mobile phone to the AP. For example, taking mobile phone A as an example, the signal strength from the AP to mobile phone A is -57dBm, while the signal strength from mobile phone A to the AP is -76dBm, a difference of 19dBm. As another example, taking mobile phone B as an example, the signal strength from the AP to mobile phone B is -56dBm, while the signal strength from mobile phone B to the AP is -65dBm, a difference of 9dBm.

[0054] Table 1

[0055]

[0056] It should be noted that Table 1 is merely an exemplary table, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the mobile phone models and quantities shown in Table 1. In addition to the mobile phones shown in Table 1, other models of mobile phones or other types of STA devices may also be included.

[0057] Since operating frequency is directly proportional to free space loss, the higher the operating frequency, the greater the free space loss and signal attenuation. Conversely, the lower the operating frequency, the lower the free space loss and signal attenuation. Therefore, when the AP and STA operate at the same frequency, their free space loss and signal attenuation are essentially the same. Because the AP's transmit power is greater than the STA's, even with similar free space loss and signal attenuation, the signal strength of downlink data frames from the AP to the STA is higher than the signal strength of uplink data frames from the STA to the AP. This can lead to the following problem: the STA can receive downlink data frames from the AP and detect the AP, but because the STA's transmit power is lower, the AP cannot receive uplink data frames from the STA, resulting in uplink data frame transmission failure and affecting Wi-Fi communication between the STA and AP. For example, the AP sends a Wi-Fi frame to the STA on channel 1. After the STA receives the Wi-Fi frame from channel 1, it returns an ACK frame for the Wi-Fi frame on channel 1. However, due to the low transmission power of the STA, the ACK frame cannot reach the AP.

[0058] To address the issue of the AP being unable to receive uplink data frames sent by the STA due to the STA's transmit power being lower than the AP's transmit power, one possible design is to enhance the STA's transmit power or receive sensitivity by improving hardware components. For example, this could be achieved by increasing the transmit power of the Wi-Fi chip in the STA to improve its antenna gain, or by using power amplifiers (PAs) / low noise amplifiers (LNAs), RF frontend modules (FEMs), and other components to improve the STA's transmit power and sensitivity. However, this method of improving STA transmit power through hardware improvements is not only limited by the technical specifications achievable by the hardware components, but also by limitations in hardware cost, device size, and / or power consumption, resulting in generally poor applicability.

[0059] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide an asymmetric transmission method, which may include: a STA establishing a Wi-Fi connection with an AP, and the STA sending uplink data frames including uplink data to the AP via the Wi-Fi connection on an uplink resource unit. The uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, or includes only the second resource unit, wherein the frequency of the second resource unit is lower than the frequency of the first resource unit. The first resource unit is used by the AP to send downlink data frames to the STA; that is, in Wi-Fi communication, downlink data frames are sent at a higher frequency, and uplink data frames are sent at a lower frequency. Thus, by utilizing the characteristic that frequency is directly proportional to free space loss, the signal strength attenuation from the STA to the AP is reduced by lowering the frequency used by the STA, thereby increasing the signal strength from the STA to the AP, improving uplink transmission gain, and enhancing uplink Wi-Fi signal coverage performance. This allows the STA to still transmit uplink data frames to the AP even with lower transmit power, ensuring that the AP receives the uplink data frames sent by the STA.

[0060] In this embodiment, the first resource unit and the second resource unit belong to the same channel, and are resource units with different frequencies in the same channel; or, the first resource unit and the second resource unit belong to different channels, for example, the first resource unit belongs to the first channel and the second resource unit belongs to the second channel.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first channel and the second channel belong to the same first frequency band, such as different channels within the first frequency band; or, the first channel and the second channel belong to different frequency bands, such as the first channel belonging to the first frequency band and the second channel belonging to the second frequency band, where the frequency of the second frequency band is lower than that of the first frequency band. In this application embodiment, the first frequency band may include a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band; the second frequency band may include a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band.

[0062] In one example, the first resource unit belongs to the first frequency band, and the second resource unit belongs to the second frequency band. The first frequency band can be the 6 GHz band, and the second frequency band can be the 5 GHz band or the 2.4 GHz band; or the first frequency band is the 6 GHz band, and the second frequency band is the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band; or the first frequency band is the 5 GHz band, and the second frequency band is the 2.4 GHz band.

[0063] In another example, the first resource unit and the second resource unit belong to the same frequency band, but they belong to different channels within that frequency band. For instance, the first resource unit corresponds to a first channel, and the second resource unit corresponds to one or more second channels, with the frequency of the second channel being lower than that of the first channel. For example, the first resource unit and the second resource unit could correspond to channel 1 and channel 2 in the 6GHz band, 5GHz band, or 2.4GHz band, respectively, with the frequency of channel 2 being lower than that of channel 1. It should be understood that the frequency of the channel described in the embodiments of this application can be referred to as the center frequency of the channel.

[0064] In another example, the first resource element and the second resource element are different resource elements of the same channel. For instance, if the channel includes a 26-tone RU, the first resource element could be the last 13 subcarriers of that 26-tone RU, while the second resource element could be the first 13 subcarriers of that 26-tone RU, with the frequency of the first 13 subcarriers being lower than the frequency of the last 13 subcarriers. As another example, if the channel includes two 26-tone RUs, the first resource element could be the second 26-tone RU, while the second resource element could be the first 26-tone RU, with the frequency of the first 26-tone RU being lower than the frequency of the second 26-tone RU.

[0065] The asymmetric transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] refer to Figure 2 This illustrates a schematic diagram of a Wi-Fi network architecture provided in this application. Figure 2 As shown, this Wi-Fi network may include multiple STA100 devices and AP200 devices. STA100 devices can establish Wi-Fi connections with AP200 devices, and AP200 devices can provide Wi-Fi network access to the STA100 devices. The following section... Figure 2 The various network elements in the network are described as follows:

[0067] The STA100 can be a device with Wi-Fi access capability, such as a mobile phone (or smartphone), smart home devices (such as smart TVs, smart refrigerators, smart washing machines, smart rice cookers, smart light bulbs, etc.), portable computers, personal computers (PCs), wearable electronic devices, tablets, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) devices, and other devices that support Wi-Fi functionality.

[0068] In this context, AP200 can be referred to as a wireless access point, which is a provider of Wi-Fi networks, allowing other wireless devices to connect and providing data access to the connected devices. An AP can be a router. An AP can also be an electronic device with AP capabilities (such as the ability to provide Wi-Fi networks), such as a mobile phone; that is, an electronic device with AP capabilities can act as an AP.

[0069] It should be noted that, Figure 2 The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only. Figure 2 The number of nodes included is unlimited, and except Figure 2 In addition to the functional nodes shown, the communication system may also include other nodes, such as application servers, etc., without restriction.

[0070] in, Figure 2 The network elements shown, such as STA100 and AP200, can be adopted. Figure 3 The shown composition or includes Figure 3 The components shown. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of an electronic device 300 provided in an embodiment of this application. When the electronic device 300 has the function of the STA100 described in this embodiment, the electronic device 300 can be the STA100 or a chip or chip system within the STA100. When the electronic device 300 has the function of the AP200 (such as a first AP200 or a second AP200) described in this embodiment, the electronic device 300 can be the AP200 or a chip or chip system within the AP200.

[0071] like Figure 3 As shown, the communication device 300 may include a processor 301, a communication line 302, and a Wi-Fi communication module 303. Optionally, the communication device 300 may also include a memory 304. The processor 301, memory 304, and Wi-Fi communication module 303 can be connected via the communication line 302.

[0072] The processor 301 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 301 can also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules. It can be used to convert wireless signals into Wi-Fi signals and provide program code for Wi-Fi networks for devices such as the STA100.

[0073] Communication line 302 is used to transmit information between the components included in communication device 300.

[0074] The Wi-Fi communication module 303 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. These other communication networks can be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. The Wi-Fi communication module 303 can be a radio frequency module or any device capable of communication. The Wi-Fi communication module 303 can support one or more frequency bands, such as 6GHz, 5GHz, or 2.4GHz. This embodiment only uses the Wi-Fi communication module 303 as an example of a radio frequency module. The radio frequency module can include an antenna, radio frequency circuitry, etc., and the radio frequency circuitry can include a radio frequency integrated chip, a power amplifier, etc. The Wi-Fi communication module 303 receives electromagnetic waves via the antenna, modulates and filters the electromagnetic wave signal, and sends the processed signal to the processor 301. The Wi-Fi communication module 303 also receives signals to be transmitted from the processor 301, modulates and amplifies them, and then converts them into electromagnetic waves for radiation via the antenna.

[0075] Memory 304 is used to store instructions. These instructions can be computer programs.

[0076] The memory 304 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions; it can also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions; it can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device. Optical disc storage includes compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.

[0077] It should be noted that the memory 304 can exist independently of the processor 301, or it can be integrated with the processor 301. The memory 304 can be used to store instructions, program code, or some data, etc. The memory 304 can be located inside or outside the communication device 300, without limitation. The processor 301 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 304 to implement the asymmetric transmission method provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0078] In one example, processor 301 may include one or more CPUs, for example Figure 3 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0079] As an optional implementation, the communication device 300 includes multiple processors, for example, besides Figure 3 In addition to processor 301, it may also include processor 307.

[0080] As an optional implementation, the communication device 300 also includes an output device 305 and an input device 306. For example, the input device 306 is a device such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, and the output device 305 is a device such as a display screen or speaker.

[0081] It should be noted that the communication device 300 can be a desktop computer, laptop computer, mobile phone, tablet computer, wireless user equipment, embedded device, chip system, or other device. Figure 3 Equipment with a similar structure. Furthermore... Figure 3 The structural composition shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except... Figure 3 In addition to the components shown, the communication device may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements. In embodiments of this application, the chip system may consist of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0082] To complete the asymmetric transmission process described in the embodiments of this application, the STA100 and AP200 may include, for example: Figure 4a or Figure 4b The protocol layer is shown. For example... Figure 4a As shown, it can include the application layer, presentation layer, session layer, transport layer, network layer, asymmetric transport layer, 802.11 data link layer, and 802.11 physical layer. Among them... Figure 4a The presentation layer and session layer can be integrated into the application layer, in which case the application layer can integrate the functions of the presentation layer and session layer. Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram of the protocol layer after the application layer, presentation layer, and session layer are integrated. (Example) Figure 4bAs shown, it can include the application layer, transport layer, network layer, asymmetric transport layer, 802.11 data link layer, and 802.11 physical layer. Among them, Figure 4a or Figure 4b The asymmetric transport layer, 802.11 data link layer, and 802.11 physical layer in the protocol can be called the lower layer, while other protocol layers besides the asymmetric transport layer, 802.11 data link layer, and 802.11 physical layer can be called the upper layer, such as... Figure 4a The application layer, presentation layer, session layer, transport layer, and network layer can all be referred to as the upper layer.

[0083] in, Figure 4a or Figure 4b The asymmetric transport layer in this application is a newly added protocol layer. The functions of all other protocol layers besides the symmetric transport layer remain unchanged and are identical to those specified in existing standards. The functions of each protocol layer are described below:

[0084] The application layer is the highest layer in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model. It serves as the interface between computer users, various applications, and the network. Its main functions include: directly providing services to users; performing tasks that users wish to accomplish on the network; facilitating communication between applications and the network operating system; establishing and terminating connections between users; and implementing various protocols for monitoring, managing, and servicing network services and applications requested by network users.

[0085] Presentation layer: Responsible for data representation, security, and compression. It handles data encoding and transformation, ensuring the application layer's data functions correctly. This layer is where the interface and binary code are converted between each other. It also handles data compression, decompression, encryption, and decryption. Furthermore, this layer can process data into different formats according to different application purposes, resulting in various file extensions.

[0086] Session layer: Establishes, manages, and terminates sessions. The session layer is primarily responsible for establishing, maintaining, and controlling sessions between two nodes in the network, distinguishing between different sessions, and providing simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex communication modes. Network file system (NFS), remote procedure call (RPC), and X Window all operate at this layer.

[0087] The transport layer defines the protocol port numbers for transmitted data, as well as flow control and error checking. It is primarily responsible for segmenting and reassembling data to establish end-to-end logical connections. Data is a whole in the upper three layers; it begins to be segmented at this layer, and the resulting data is called a segment. Three-way handshakes, connection-oriented or connectionless services, and flow control are all implemented at this layer. One service operating at the transport layer is the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) within the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) suite; another is the Sequenced Packet Exchange Protocol (SPX) within the Internet Work Packet Exchange / Sequenced Packet Exchange (IPX / SPX) protocol suite. The transport layer provides an end-to-end connection, distinguished by port numbers.

[0088] The network layer performs logical address addressing and path selection between different networks. Its role is to translate network addresses into physical addresses and determine how data is routed from sender to receiver. It is primarily responsible for managing network addresses, locating devices, and determining routes; routers operate at this layer. Upper-layer data is segmented and encapsulated at this layer into packets. There are two main types: user data packets, which are user data passed down from upper layers, and route update packets, which are sent directly by routers to exchange routing information with other routers. Common network layer protocols include the Internet Protocol (IP), Routing Information Protocol (RIP), and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF).

[0089] Asymmetric transport layer: This layer enables AP and STA to transmit data frames on asymmetric frequencies, maintain data frame order, and adjust the downlink air interface rate. For example, the asymmetric transport layer in the STA can enable the STA to return an uplink data frame corresponding to the downlink data frame transmitted by the AP in the first resource unit from the second resource unit. The uplink data frame can be an ACK frame for the downlink data frame, etc. The asymmetric transport layer in the AP can enable the AP to receive and parse the uplink data frame corresponding to the downlink data frame transmitted in the first resource unit from the second resource unit, and then determine the correct transmission status of the downlink data frame based on the bitmap included in the uplink data frame, calculate the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frame, and adjust the downlink air interface rate based on the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frame.

[0090] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application do not limit the name of the asymmetric transport layer, and the protocol layer can also be named by other names. Furthermore, this application does not limit the deployment location of the asymmetric transport layer; the asymmetric transport layer can be deployed as follows: Figure 4a or Figure 4b As shown, it can be deployed independently or integrated into other protocol layers, such as the 802.11 data link layer, without any restrictions.

[0091] The 802.11 data link layer establishes logical connections, performs hardware addressing, and handles error checking. It controls communication between the 802.11 physical and network layers, primarily responsible for physical transmission preparation, including physical addressing, cyclic redundancy check (CRC) verification, error notification, network topology, flow control, and retransmission. Media access control (MAC) addresses and switches operate at this layer. Packets from the upper layers are segmented and encapsulated at this layer to form frames. Common 802.11 data link layer protocols include Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), High Level Data Link Control (HDLC), and packet analysis tools (such as tcpdump) that capture network packets based on user definitions.

[0092] The 802.11 physical layer is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and disconnecting physical connections. It is also responsible for encoding information into current pulses or other signals for network transmission. The 802.11 physical layer and the 802.11 data link layer are complementary; a hub operates at the physical layer. The 802.11 physical layer is the actual physical link, defining the mechanical, electrical, functional, and procedural characteristics for activating, maintaining, and deactivating communication endpoints. It provides a physical medium for upper-layer protocols to transmit data, responsible for sending and receiving data as a bit stream.

[0093] To facilitate understanding, the following will be combined with... Figure 2 The system shown is STA. Figure 2 The STA100 shown is AP is Figure 2 Taking the AP200 shown as an example, this application provides a detailed description of an asymmetric transmission method.

[0094] Reference Figure 5a or Figure 5b This is a schematic diagram of an asymmetric transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can enhance the signal strength from the STA to the AP, ensuring that the uplink data frames sent by the STA reach the AP. Figure 5a or Figure 5b As shown, the method may include:

[0095] S501: The user triggers STA100 to access AP200 and establishes a Wi-Fi connection with AP200, and AP200 provides Wi-Fi network for STA100.

[0096] Among them, STA100 can be Figure 2 The AP200 can be a STA with asymmetric transmission capability. Figure 2 APs with asymmetric transmission capabilities.

[0097] For example, when a user enables the Wi-Fi function of STA100, STA100 first discovers AP200 through active / passive scanning, and then establishes a Wi-Fi connection with AP200 after two processes: authentication and association. This process can refer to existing technologies.

[0098] For example, after the AP200 is powered on and configured, it can broadcast a beacon frame on a certain frequency (such as the frequency corresponding to the first resource unit). This beacon frame can indicate to the AP200 that it can provide a Wi-Fi network. After the STA100 is powered on, it can be configured to search for which frequencies in its vicinity are broadcasting beacon frames by the AP, discover available Wi-Fi networks, and present these available Wi-Fi networks to the user, allowing the user to select the Wi-Fi network that the STA100 wants to connect to. If the user selects the Wi-Fi network provided by AP200, the user enters the authentication information of AP200 (i.e., the service set identifier (SSID) and access password of the Wi-Fi network provided by AP200) in STA100. After authenticating with AP200, STA100 sends an association request frame to AP200 to request access to AP200. AP200 receives the association request frame and replies with an association response to STA100. At this point, STA100 and AP200 establish a connection (or Wi-Fi connection). For example, STA100 and AP200 establish a Wi-Fi connection on the first resource unit.

[0099] Furthermore, after AP200 and STA100 establish a Wi-Fi connection, they transmit uplink and / or downlink data frames on the frequency of the Wi-Fi network provided by AP200. Taking the frequency of the Wi-Fi network provided by AP200 corresponding to the first resource unit as an example, AP200 and STA100 can transmit uplink and / or downlink data frames on the first resource unit, such as transmitting uplink and / or downlink data frames on the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit. It should be noted that "transmission" as described in the embodiments of this application can include "receiving and / or sending".

[0100] Optionally, during the connection establishment process between STA100 and AP200, AP200 can also broadcast information indicating whether it possesses asymmetric transmission capabilities. For example, it can carry information in the Beacon frame indicating whether AP200 has asymmetric transmission capabilities, so that STA100 can know whether AP200 has asymmetric transmission capabilities. Optionally, if AP200 has asymmetric transmission capabilities, the Beacon frame can also carry frequencies that AP200 can use to send downlink data frames in asymmetric transmission mode. For example, it can carry resource units (or resource unit ranges) that can be used by AP200 to send downlink data frames in asymmetric transmission mode. In this embodiment, the resource units that can be used by AP200 to send downlink data frames in asymmetric transmission mode may include a first resource unit.

[0101] Optionally, during the connection establishment process between STA100 and AP200, STA100 can also indicate to AP200 whether it has asymmetric transmission capability. For example, it can carry information on whether STA100 has asymmetric transmission capability in the association request frame, so that AP200 can know whether STA100 has asymmetric transmission capability. If STA100 has asymmetric transmission capability, the association request frame can also carry the frequency that STA100 can use to send uplink data frames in asymmetric transmission mode, such as the resource units (or resource unit range) that can be used by STA100 to send uplink data frames in asymmetric transmission mode. In this embodiment, the resource units that can be used by STA100 to send uplink data frames in asymmetric transmission mode may include a second resource unit.

[0102] S502: When AP200 determines whether STA100 meets preset conditions when transmitting uplink data frames on the first resource unit, AP200 sends a first indication message to STA100, instructing STA100 to perform asymmetric transmission or enable asymmetric transmission function. Further, the first indication message can also indicate the uplink resource unit used by STA100 to transmit uplink data frames. Conversely, if STA100 does not meet the preset conditions, asymmetric transmission is not performed, and uplink and / or downlink data frames are still transmitted on the first resource unit.

[0103] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application are not limited to the method described in S502, whereby AP200 notifies STA100 to enable the asymmetric transmission function. Other methods can also be used to enable the asymmetric transmission function, such as using the following method one or method two to trigger STA100 to enable the asymmetric transmission function:

[0104] Method 1: STA100 determines whether preset conditions are met when it transmits uplink data frames on the first resource unit. If the preset conditions are met, STA100 automatically enables its asymmetric transmission function. Conversely, if STA100 determines that the preset conditions are not met, it does not perform asymmetric transmission and continues to transmit uplink and / or downlink data frames on the first resource unit.

[0105] Furthermore, STA100 can autonomously enable its own asymmetric transmission function. STA100 can also indicate to AP200 that it has enabled the asymmetric transmission function so that AP200 can know that STA100 has enabled the asymmetric transmission function. AP200 then determines the uplink resource unit used to transmit uplink data frames and instructs the determined uplink resource unit to STA100.

[0106] Method 2: STA100 determines whether preset conditions are met when transmitting uplink data frames on the first resource unit. If the preset conditions are met, STA100 determines that asymmetric transmission function needs to be enabled. In this case, STA100 sends a request message to AP200, requesting the enabling of asymmetric transmission function. Correspondingly, after receiving the request message from STA100, if AP200 accepts STA100's request and agrees to enable asymmetric transmission function, AP200 sends a first indication message to STA100, instructing STA100 to perform asymmetric transmission or enable asymmetric transmission function.

[0107] In this embodiment, asymmetric transmission may refer to a resource unit with a first frequency among the frequencies (or uplink resource units) used by STA100 to transmit uplink data frames, where the first frequency is lower than the frequency used by AP200 to transmit downlink data frames. For example, AP200 transmits downlink data frames on the first resource unit, and STA100 transmits uplink data frames on the second resource unit, or transmits uplink data frames on both the first and second resource units, where the frequency of the second resource unit is lower than the frequency of the first resource unit.

[0108] The preset conditions can be used to determine whether asymmetric transmission should be performed. These preset conditions indicate that when STA100 and AP200 establish a Wi-Fi connection on the first resource unit, one or more of the following transmission indicators between STA100 and AP200 fail to meet the requirements: signal strength from STA100 to AP200, packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200, or bit error rate between STA100 and AP200. If these transmission indicators fail, it indicates that the channel quality of the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit is poor, and uplink data frames sent by STA100 cannot be transmitted to AP200 through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit, requiring the asymmetric transmission function to be enabled. If these transmission indicators meet the requirements, it indicates that the channel quality of the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit is good, and uplink data frames sent by STA100 can be transmitted to AP200 through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit, without requiring the asymmetric transmission function to be enabled.

[0109] Specifically, the preset conditions may include one or more of the following: low signal strength from STA100 to AP200, such as signal strength below a first threshold; high packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200, such as packet loss rate greater than a second threshold; or high bit error rate between STA100 and AP200, such as bit error rate greater than a third threshold. For example, AP200 may periodically monitor the uplink data frame transmission status of STA100 on the first resource unit according to a preset period. This preset period can be set as needed and is not limited.

[0110] In this embodiment, the signal strength from STA100 to AP200 can refer to the signal strength from the signal transmitted by STA100 (e.g., an uplink data frame) to AP200. The signal strength from STA100 to AP200 can include the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) and the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the signal received by AP200 from STA100. A first threshold can be the dividing line for judging whether the signal strength from STA100 to AP200 is high or low. Taking RSSI as an example, the first threshold could be -65dBm or -75dBm, etc. If the signal strength from STA100 to AP200 is higher than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the signal strength from STA100 to AP200 is high, and asymmetric transmission is not required. Conversely, if the signal strength from STA100 to AP200 is lower than the first threshold, it indicates that the signal strength from STA100 to AP200 is low, and asymmetric transmission is required.

[0111] It should be understood that in the scenarios shown in S502, or Method 1, or Method 2, the methods by which STA100 and AP200 obtain the signal strength from STA100 to AP200 are different. For example, in the scenario where asymmetric transmission is enabled using the method shown in S502, AP200 can calculate the RSSI and / or SINR of the signal received by AP200 from STA100 to obtain the signal strength from STA100 to AP200. In the scenario where asymmetric transmission is enabled using Method 1 or Method 2, STA100 can obtain the signal strength from AP200.

[0112] In this embodiment, the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 can refer to the ratio of the number of downlink data frames that AP200 sends to STA100 but are not successfully received by STA100 within a certain period to the total number of downlink data frames. Alternatively, the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 can refer to the ratio of the number of uplink data frames that STA100 sends to AP200 but are not successfully received by AP200 within a certain period to the total number of uplink data frames. If the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 is greater than the second threshold, it indicates that the channel quality of the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit between STA100 and AP200 is poor, and normal transmission of uplink data frames cannot be guaranteed. Conversely, it indicates that the channel quality of the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit is good, and normal transmission of uplink data frames can be guaranteed. The second threshold can be set as needed and is not limited. For example, the second threshold can be set to 10%.

[0113] It should be understood that in the scenarios shown in S502, or Mode 1, or Mode 2, the methods for obtaining the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 are different. For example, in the scenario where asymmetric transmission is enabled using the method shown in S502, after AP200 sends a downlink data frame to STA100, it can receive an ACK frame from STA100. The ACK frame can indicate / reflect the situation that the downlink data frame is correctly received by STA100. AP200 calculates the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 based on the received ACK frame, which is the ratio of the number of downlink data frames that were not successfully received by STA100 to the total number of downlink data frames. Alternatively, AP200 can obtain the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 from STA100. In this case, the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 can be obtained by STA100 by calculating the ratio of the number of uplink data frames that were not successfully received by AP200 to the total number of uplink data frames sent from STA100 to AP200.

[0114] In scenarios where asymmetric transmission is enabled using either Method 1 or Method 2, after STA100 sends an uplink data frame to AP200, it can receive an ACK frame from AP200. The ACK frame indicates / reflects whether the uplink data frame has been correctly received by AP200. Based on the received ACK frame, STA100 calculates the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 by the ratio of the number of uplink data frames that were not successfully received by AP200 to the total number of uplink data frames. Alternatively, STA100 can obtain the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 from AP200. In this case, the packet loss rate between STA100 and AP200 can be obtained by AP200 by calculating the ratio of the number of downlink data frames that were not successfully received by STA100 to the total number of downlink data frames.

[0115] In this embodiment, the bit error rate (BER) between STA100 and AP200 exceeding the third threshold can refer to the ratio of the number of coded blocks sent from AP200 to STA100 that were not successfully received by STA100 within a certain period to the total number of coded blocks. Alternatively, the BER between STA100 and AP200 can refer to the ratio of the number of coded blocks sent from STA100 to AP200 that were not successfully received by AP200 within a certain period to the total number of coded blocks. If the BER between STA100 and AP200 exceeds the third threshold, it indicates that the channel quality of the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit between STA100 and AP200 is poor, and normal transmission of uplink data frames cannot be guaranteed. Conversely, if the BER is less than the third threshold, it indicates that the channel quality of the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit is good, and normal transmission of uplink data frames can be guaranteed. The third threshold can be set as needed and is not limited; for example, the third threshold can be set to 10%.

[0116] It should be understood that in the scenarios shown in S502, or Mode 1, or Mode 2, the methods by which STA100 and AP200 obtain the bit error rate between STA100 and AP200 are different. For example, in the scenario where asymmetric transmission is enabled using the method shown in S502, after AP200 sends a coded block to STA100, it can receive an ACK frame from STA100. The ACK frame can indicate / reflect the correct reception of the coded block by STA100. AP200 calculates the bit error rate based on the received ACK frame. The bit error rate between STA100 and AP200 can be obtained by comparing the number of coded blocks that were not successfully received by STA100 in the coded blocks sent from P200 to STA100 to the total number of coded blocks. Alternatively, AP200 can obtain the bit error rate between STA100 and AP200 from STA100. In this case, the bit error rate between STA100 and AP200 can be obtained by STA100 calculating the ratio of the number of coded blocks that were not successfully received by AP200 in the coded blocks sent from STA100 to AP200 to the total number of coded blocks.

[0117] In scenarios where asymmetric transmission is enabled using either Method 1 or Method 2, after STA100 sends a coded block to AP200, it can receive an ACK frame from AP200. The ACK frame indicates / reflects whether the coded block has been correctly received by AP200. Based on the received ACK frame, STA100 calculates the bit error rate between STA100 and AP200 by the ratio of the number of coded blocks that were not successfully received by AP200 to the total number of coded blocks. Alternatively, STA100 can obtain the bit error rate between STA100 and AP200 from AP200. In this case, the bit error rate between STA100 and AP200 can be obtained by AP200 by calculating the ratio of the number of coded blocks that were not successfully received by STA100 to the total number of coded blocks.

[0118] The first indication information can be used to instruct STA100 to enable asymmetric transmission, perform asymmetric transmission, or send uplink data frames according to an asymmetric transmission method. Furthermore, the first indication information can also be used to indicate the uplink resource unit used for sending uplink data frames. It should be noted that when the uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, the first indication information can indicate all uplink resource units. Alternatively, since STA100 and AP200 have already established a Wi-Fi connection under the first resource unit (i.e., the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit has been established), the first indication information can only indicate other resource units besides the first resource unit that can be used to send uplink data frames, such as the second resource unit. In this case, after receiving the first indication information indicating the second resource unit, STA100 will, by default, send uplink data frames on both the first and second resource units.

[0119] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application are not limited to instructing the uplink resource unit to STA100 through the first instruction information. AP200 may instruct the uplink resource unit to STA100 through other information besides the first instruction information, and there is no limitation.

[0120] In this embodiment, the frequency of the second resource unit can be lower than that of the first resource unit. This reduces signal strength loss when STA100 transmits signals to AP200, facilitating successful transmission of uplink data frames from STA100 to AP200 even when STA100's transmit power is low. The second resource unit may include one or more resource units. The second resource unit may be located on a different channel within the same frequency band as the first resource unit, or on a channel in a different frequency band. Alternatively, the second resource unit may be located on the same channel as the first resource unit, corresponding to different subcarriers of the same channel.

[0121] In this embodiment, AP200 can determine the second resource unit for STA100 through the following possible design methods: In one possible design, AP200 can select the second resource unit from the resource units that can be used by STA100 to transmit uplink data frames, based on the frequency information corresponding to the first resource unit (e.g., the frequency band and / or channel to which the first resource unit belongs) and the resource units that can be used by STA100 to transmit uplink data frames. In another possible design, STA100 can determine multiple candidate resource units based on the frequency information corresponding to the first resource unit (e.g., the frequency band and / or channel to which the first resource unit belongs) and the resource units that can be used by STA100 to transmit uplink data frames, and indicate the candidate resource units to AP200. AP200 receives and selects the second resource unit from the candidate resource units; wherein, the multiple candidate resource units include resource units that can be used by STA100 to transmit uplink data frames.

[0122] For example, AP200 may select a second resource unit from the resource units available for STA100 to transmit uplink data frames based on the frequency information corresponding to the first resource unit (such as the frequency band and / or channel to which the first resource unit belongs) and the resource units available for STA100 to transmit uplink data frames. This selection may include the following scenarios:

[0123] Scenario 1: The STA100 and AP200 support a single frequency band, such as the first frequency band, and the first resource element belongs to the first channel of the first frequency band. The first frequency band can be a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band.

[0124] In scenario one, the second resource element may include one resource element. AP200 selects a second channel with a frequency lower than the first channel from the multiple channels included in the first frequency band, and selects a resource element from the second channel as the second resource element; or, if the first channel includes resource elements, AP200 selects a resource element / subcarrier with a frequency lower than the first resource element from the first channel as the second resource element.

[0125] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, if a channel has one and only one resource element, then selecting a resource element in that channel as the second resource element for transmitting uplink data frames can be understood as selecting that channel as the frequency domain resource for transmitting uplink data frames. The resource element mentioned in the embodiments of this application can refer to the RU mentioned above. A resource element is a granular frequency domain resource, and a channel is another granular frequency domain resource. A channel may include one or more resource elements. When a channel includes multiple resource elements, the resource element is a more fine-grained frequency domain resource than the channel. When a channel includes one resource element, or when a channel is considered as (is) one resource element, the granularity of the two can be considered equal. In this case, the resource element is equivalent to the channel.

[0126] For example, suppose that STA100 and AP200 support the 6GHz band. The 6GHz band includes channel 1 and channel 2. The frequency of channel 1 is higher than that of channel 2. Channel 1 is a 26-tone RU. The first resource element includes the first 13 subcarriers in the 26-tone RU of channel 1. In this case, AP200 can choose the resource element in channel 2 as the second resource element, or choose the last 13 subcarriers in the 26-tone RU of channel 1 as the second resource element.

[0127] Scenario 2: The STA100 and AP200 support two or more frequency bands, such as two or more of the 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz bands. The first resource element belongs to the first channel of the first band in the two or more frequency bands.

[0128] In scenario two, the second resource element may include one resource element. AP200 may select a second channel with a frequency lower than the first channel from the channels included in the first frequency band, and use the resource element in the second channel as the second resource element; or, AP200 may select a resource element with a frequency lower than the first resource element from the first channel as the second resource element; or, AP200 may select a second frequency band with a frequency lower than the first frequency band from two or more frequency bands, select one channel from the channels included in the second frequency band, and use the resource element in that channel as the second resource element.

[0129] In scenario two, the second resource element may include multiple resource elements, such as two or more resource elements. Taking two resource elements as an example, AP200 can select a second channel and a third channel with frequencies lower than the first channel from the channels included in the first frequency band, and use the resource elements in the second channel and the third channel as the second resource element; or, AP200 can select multiple resource elements with frequencies lower than the first resource element from the first channel as the second resource element; or, AP200 can select a second frequency band and a third frequency band with frequencies lower than the first frequency band from two or more frequency bands, select one channel from the channels included in the second frequency band, select one channel from the channels included in the third frequency band, and use the resource elements in the selected channel as the second resource element; or, AP200 can select a second frequency band with frequencies lower than the first frequency band from two or more frequency bands, select multiple channels from the channels included in the second frequency band, and use the resource elements in the selected channel and the first resource element as the second resource element.

[0130] For example, the STA100 supports the 6GHz band, 5GHz band, and 2.4GHz band. Figure 5aAs shown, if the first resource element belongs to the 6GHz band, the AP200 determines to use a resource element in either the 5GHz or 2.4GHz band to transmit uplink data frames. If the first resource element does not belong to the 6GHz band but belongs to the 5GHz band, it determines to use a resource element in the 2.4GHz band to transmit uplink data frames. If the first resource element belongs to the 2.4GHz band, it determines to use a second resource element in the 2.4GHz band with a frequency lower than that of the first resource element to transmit uplink data frames. In this case, the first resource element and the second resource element correspond to different subcarriers of the same channel in the 2.4GHz band, or the frequency of the 2.4GHz channel where the second resource element is located is lower than the frequency of the 2.4GHz channel where the first resource element is located.

[0131] For example, assuming the uplink resource unit includes a second resource unit and a first resource unit, the STA100 supports the 6GHz band, the 5GHz band, and the 2.4GHz band. Figure 5b As shown, if the first resource element belongs to the 6GHz band, the AP200 determines to use resource elements in the 5GHz and 6GHz bands, or the 6GHz and 2.4GHz bands, to transmit uplink data frames. If the first resource element does not belong to the 6GHz band but belongs to the 5GHz band, it determines to use resource elements in the 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands to transmit uplink data frames. If the first resource element belongs to the 2.4GHz band, it determines to use a resource element in the 2.4GHz band with a frequency lower than the first resource element (such as the second resource element) and the first resource element to transmit uplink data frames. In this case, the first resource element and the second resource element correspond to different subcarriers of the same channel in the 2.4GHz band, or the frequency of the 2.4GHz channel where the second resource element is located is lower than the frequency of the 2.4GHz channel where the first resource element is located.

[0132] It should be noted that S502 can be executed when both AP200 and STA100 have asymmetric transmission capabilities. As described in S501, STA100's asymmetric transmission capability can be indicated to AP200 by STA100, for example, through an association request frame.

[0133] S503: STA100 receives the first instruction information and activates the asymmetric transmission function according to the first instruction information.

[0134] For example, after the STA100 enables the asymmetric transmission function, a Wi-Fi transmission channel for sending uplink data frames can be set on the STA100 side. For instance, after the STA100 receives the first indication information, it triggers the processor 301 to set up the Wi-Fi transmission channel for sending uplink data frames. Correspondingly, a Wi-Fi transmission channel for receiving uplink data frames is set on the AP200 side. Setting up the Wi-Fi transmission channel for sending / receiving uplink data frames can include:

[0135] In one example, if STA100 and AP200 have dual-band single-concurrent (DBDC) functionality, such as STA100 and AP200 supporting simultaneous operation in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, then if the first resource unit corresponds to the first frequency band and the second resource unit corresponds to the second frequency band, and the first and second frequency bands are different (i.e., the first and second resource units belong to different channels in different frequency bands), then STA100 needs to send a request to AP200 to establish a Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit. This establishes a Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit, meaning that a new Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit is added on top of the existing Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit established in S501. At this time, if the uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, the STA100 can send uplink data frames to the AP200 through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit and the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit; or, if the uplink resource unit includes a second resource unit, the STA100 can send uplink data frames to the AP200 through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit.

[0136] In another example, if the second resource unit and the first resource unit correspond to two different channels in the same frequency band, since the Wi-Fi transmission channel for that frequency band has already been established when transmitting uplink and / or downlink data frames using the first resource unit, STA100 does not need to initiate a request to AP200 to establish the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit, and does not need to re-establish the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit. In this case, the Wi-Fi transmission channel already established in S501 can support STA100 to send uplink data frames to AP200 on both the first and second resource units.

[0137] In another example, STA100 and AP200 operate in full-duplex mode. Each STA100 and AP200 has a corresponding radio frequency (RF) chip that supports full-duplex mode, enabling simultaneous transmission and reception of data frames on its corresponding resource unit. For example, this RF chip may correspond to a first resource unit and a second resource unit, supporting simultaneous transmission of downlink data frames on the first resource unit and uplink data frames on the second resource unit. It should be understood that, in this embodiment, transmitting downlink data frames on the first resource unit can be replaced by describing transmission of downlink data frames on the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit, and transmitting uplink data frames on the second resource unit can be replaced by describing transmission of uplink data frames on the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit.

[0138] In one possible implementation, a radio frequency (RF) chip can correspond to one or more Wi-Fi transmission channels. For example, taking an RF chip corresponding to multiple resource units such as a first resource unit and a second resource unit as an example, multiple resource units can correspond to one Wi-Fi transmission channel, or multiple resource units can correspond one-to-one to multiple Wi-Fi transmission channels. When the RF chip corresponds to one Wi-Fi transmission channel, that is, when multiple resource units corresponding to the RF chip share the same Wi-Fi transmission channel, as described in S501, after establishing a Wi-Fi connection between STA100 and AP200, in order to transmit uplink data packets and / or downlink data packets on the first resource unit, the RF chip is in a working state, and the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the RF chip has been established. Therefore, STA100 does not need to initiate a request to AP200 to establish a Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit, and does not need to re-establish the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit. The established Wi-Fi transmission channel can simultaneously support sending and receiving data frames on both the first and second resource units. When the RF chip corresponds to multiple Wi-Fi transmission channels, that is, when each of the multiple resource units corresponding to the RF chip corresponds to one Wi-Fi transmission channel, the STA100 initiates a request to the AP200 to establish a Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit, and establishes the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit. At this time, uplink data frames can be transmitted simultaneously through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the second resource unit, and downlink data frames can be transmitted through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit.

[0139] At this point, asymmetric transmission can be achieved between AP200 and STA100. AP200 sends downlink data frames to STA100 at a higher frequency, while STA100 sends uplink data frames to AP200 at a lower frequency. Since the operating frequency is directly proportional to free space loss, the lower frequency at which STA100 sends uplink data frames results in lower free space loss, reducing signal strength attenuation from STA100 to AP200. Thus, even with lower transmit power, STA100 can still transmit uplink data frames to AP200, ensuring that AP200 receives the uplink data frames sent by STA100.

[0140] Furthermore, Figure 5a or Figure 5b The method shown may also include:

[0141] S504: STA100 sends uplink data frames to AP200 on the uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection between STA100 and AP200. Correspondingly, AP200 receives the uplink data frames sent by STA100 on the uplink resource unit.

[0142] In one possible design, the STA100 application layer can proactively generate uplink business data, and then process the uplink business data... Figure 4a or Figure 4b The protocol layer processed as shown yields the following result: Figure 9a The uplink data frame in the frame format shown is sent to AP200 on the uplink resource unit. Furthermore, AP200 can return a response to STA100 based on whether it has successfully received the uplink data frame. Figure 9b The downlink data frame is in the format shown.

[0143] In another possible design, the uplink data frame corresponds to the downlink data frame transmitted on the first resource unit. For example, the uplink data frame can be used to indicate that the downlink data frame has been successfully received by STA100. The uplink data frame can include acknowledgment (ACK) information and / or non-acknowledgment (NACK) information corresponding to the downlink data frame. The ACK information is used to indicate that the downlink data frame has been successfully received by STA100, and the NACK information is used to indicate that the downlink data frame has not been successfully received by STA100. For example, binary bit 0 can be used as NACK information to indicate that the downlink data frame has not been successfully received by STA100, and binary bit 1 can be used as ACK information to indicate that the downlink data frame has been successfully received by STA100. Alternatively, binary bit 1 can be used as NACK information to indicate that the downlink data frame has not been successfully received by STA100, and binary bit 0 can be used as ACK information to indicate that the downlink data frame has been successfully received by STA100, without limitation.

[0144] At this point, before S504, AP200 can obtain downlink service data destined for STA100 and process the uplink service data. Figure 4a or Figure 4b The protocol layer processed as shown yields the following result: Figure 9a After receiving a downlink data frame in the format shown, a downlink data frame including downlink service data is sent to STA100 on the first resource unit. Correspondingly, STA100 receives the downlink data frame on the first resource unit, parses the received downlink data frame, and generates a sequence of data based on the received downlink data frame. Figure 9b The uplink data frame shown is sent to AP200 on the uplink resource unit, as follows: Figure 9b The format of the uplink data frame is shown.

[0145] It should be noted that this application does not limit... Figure 9b The naming of data frames in the format shown. Figure 9b The data frame shown can be called an ACK frame or a Hilink block ack (HiBA) frame. This format of data frame can be used to indicate that the data frame sent by the sender to the receiver has been successfully received by the receiver.

[0146] Taking the STA100 transmitting uplink data frames on a single frequency band as an example, for instance, Figure 6a As shown, AP200 can use 6GHz to send downlink data frames to STA100, and after receiving the downlink data frames, STA100 can use 2.4GHz to send uplink data frames to AP200. For example, as... Figure 6b As shown, AP200 can use 6GHz to send downlink data frames to STA100, and after receiving the downlink data frames, STA100 can use 5GHz to send uplink data frames to AP200. For example, ... Figure 6c As shown, AP200 can use 5GHz to send downlink data frames to STA100, and after receiving the downlink data frames, STA100 can use 2.4GHz to send uplink data frames to AP200.

[0147] Taking the STA100 transmitting uplink data frames on dual frequency bands as an example, such as Figure 7a As shown, AP200 can use 6GHz to send downlink data frames to STA100. After receiving the downlink data frames, STA100 can use both 6GHz and 2.4GHz to send uplink data frames to AP200. For example, as... Figure 7b As shown, AP200 can use 6GHz to send downlink data frames to STA100. After receiving the downlink data frames, STA100 can use both 6GHz and 5GHz to send uplink data frames to AP200. For example, ... Figure 7c As shown, AP200 can use 5GHz to send downlink data frames to STA100. After receiving the downlink data frames, STA100 can use 5GHz and 2.4GHz to send uplink data frames to AP200.

[0148] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the downlink data frames that AP200 can send on the first resource unit may include multiple downlink data frames corresponding to STA100, and may also include downlink data frames corresponding to one or more other STAs, without limitation. Furthermore, the service type of the downlink service data included in the downlink data frames is not limited and can be downlink service data of different priorities. For example, taking a mobile phone as an STA, if only mobile phone A establishes a Wi-Fi connection with AP on the first resource unit, then the downlink data frames sent by AP on the first resource unit will only include multiple downlink data frames corresponding to mobile phone A. If both mobile phone A and mobile phone B establish a Wi-Fi connection with AP on the first resource unit, the downlink data frames sent by AP on the first resource unit may include downlink data frames corresponding to mobile phone A and downlink data frames corresponding to mobile phone B. In addition, the data frames (downlink data frames or uplink data frames) described in this embodiment can be replaced with data packets, Ethernet frames, or Ethernet packets, etc., without limitation.

[0149] It should be noted that in this embodiment, downlink service data and uplink service data are relative concepts, and both can be collectively referred to as service data. Downlink service data can refer to service data sent from AP to STA, and uplink service data can refer to service data sent from STA to AP. Service data can be processed as follows... Figure 4a or Figure 4b The protocol layer shown generates a data frame containing business data. This business data can be carried in the payload of the data frame; the field carrying the business data can be called the business data carrier. For example... Figure 9a As shown, Figure 9a The business data carrier in the context can refer to the field that carries the business data. If the business data is downlink business data, then the field can be called downlink business data carrier; if the business data is uplink business data, then the field can be called uplink business data carrier.

[0150] In this embodiment of the application, the AP200 sending a downlink data frame including downlink service data to the STA100 on the first resource unit may include: the AP200 acquiring the downlink service data destined for the STA100, such as acquiring downlink service data from the server side; the AP200 sequentially processing the downlink service data through... Figure 4aThe presentation layer, session layer, transport layer, and network layer, as shown, process and generate IP packets including downlink service data, TCP / UDP frame headers, and IP frame headers, or sequentially process the downlink service data. Figure 4b The presentation layer and network layer, as shown, process and generate IP packets including downlink service data, TCP / UDP frame headers, and IP frame headers, and then deliver the IP packets to the asymmetric transport layer. Upon receiving the IP packets, the asymmetric transport layer encapsulates the first frame header onto the IP packets to generate asymmetric transport packets / asymmetric transport messages. The format of the asymmetric transport packets / asymmetric transport messages is as follows: Figure 9a As shown, the generated asymmetric transmission packets / asymmetric transmission messages are delivered to the 802.11 data link layer and the 802.11 physical layer for processing to generate downlink data frames. The downlink data frames are then sent to the STA100 through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the first resource unit.

[0151] Similarly, in this embodiment of the application, the uplink data frame including uplink service data sent by STA100 to AP200 on the uplink resource unit may include: STA100 generating / acquiring uplink service data, and STA100 sequentially passing the uplink service data through... Figure 4a The presentation layer, session layer, transport layer, and network layer, as shown, process and generate IP packets including uplink service data, TCP / UDP frame headers, and IP frame headers, or sequentially process the uplink service data. Figure 4b The presentation layer and network layer, as shown, process and generate IP packets including uplink service data, TCP / UDP frame headers, and IP frame headers, and then deliver the IP packets to the asymmetric transport layer. Upon receiving the IP packets, the asymmetric transport layer encapsulates the first frame header onto the IP packets to generate asymmetric transport packets / asymmetric transport messages. These asymmetric transport packets / asymmetric transport messages are then delivered to the 802.11 data link layer and the 802.11 physical layer for processing, resulting in uplink data frames. These uplink data frames are then transmitted to the AP200 through the Wi-Fi transmission channel corresponding to the uplink resource unit.

[0152] It should be understood that the asymmetric transmission packets / asymmetric transmission messages described in this application are merely illustrative examples. Figure 9aThe asymmetric transmission packets / asymmetric transmission messages in the format shown can also be named in other ways without restriction. Furthermore, the data frames (downlink or uplink data frames) generated by the 802.11 data link layer and 802.11 physical layer processing asymmetric transmission packets / asymmetric transmission messages can include not only existing fields, such as the Virtual Local Area Network Tag (VLAN TAG) field, but also a first frame header. That is, the first frame header cannot be lost in the 802.11 data link layer and 802.11 physical layer processing of asymmetric transmission packets / asymmetric transmission messages, to ensure that the receiving end can know which channels the sending end used to send which data frames through the first frame header.

[0153] like Figure 9a As shown, an asymmetric transmission packet / asymmetric transmission message may include: an 802.3 MAC frame header, a first frame header, an IP frame header, a TCP / UDP frame header, and service data bearer. The descriptions and encapsulation methods of the 802.3 MAC frame header, IP frame header, and TCP / UDP frame header can be found in existing technologies and will not be repeated here.

[0154] The first frame header is a newly added frame header provided in this embodiment. The first frame header can be named an extended frame header or other names, without limitation. The first frame header may include the fields shown in Table 2 below: frame sequence number, channel number, sub-channel sequence number, and reserved bits. The frame sequence number may also be omitted. It should be noted that the length of each field is not limited to that shown in Table 2 and can also be other lengths. Furthermore, the names of each field are not limited to those shown in Table 2 and can also be other names. In addition, the fields included in the first frame header are not limited to those described in Table 2 below, and new fields can be added. In this way, appropriate channels (such as traffic identifier (TID) queues) can be used to transmit service data according to the priority of the service data included in the data frame, ensuring the transmission requirements of service data and improving the transmission efficiency of service data.

[0155] Optionally, to allow the receiving end to know whether the data frame includes a first frame header, facilitating accurate parsing of the data frame and determining from the first frame header which channels the sending end used to transmit which data frames, the 802.11 data link layer and 802.11 physical layer processes are involved. Figure 9aThe data frame generated from the asymmetric transmission packet / asymmetric transmission message in the format shown may include a first field. The value of this first field indicates whether a first frame header exists. For example, this first field may be an Ether Type field. If the Ether Type field has a preset value, such as 0x8888, it indicates that a first frame header exists in the data frame. Conversely, if the first field has a value other than the preset value, it indicates that a first frame header does not exist in the data frame. Specifically, in the data frame, this first field can be located in the VLAN TAG field or other fields, without restriction. This first field can be carried in the asymmetric transmission packet / asymmetric transmission message and delivered by the asymmetric transport layer to the 802.11 data link layer and the 802.11 physical layer. Specifically, as shown... Figure 9a As shown, the first field can be located in, for example... Figure 9a The 802.3 MAC frame header in the asymmetric transmission packet / asymmetric transmission message shown.

[0156] The following is a description of each field in Table 2:

[0157] A frame sequence number refers to the sequential number of service data (or IP packets / IP frames) destined for the same user / receiver and belonging to the same service data stream that arrive at the sending end. Taking AP200 as an example, the frame sequence number can refer to the sequential number of service data arriving at AP200. For example, suppose AP200 receives 10 service data packets destined for STA100 in succession. These 10 service data packets belong to the same service data stream. Based on the order in which these 10 service data packets arrive at AP200, they can be numbered as 0-9 or 1-10, etc., that is, the frame sequence numbers corresponding to these 10 service data packets are 0-9 or 1-10, where the initial number value is not restricted.

[0158] The channel number can be replaced with a TID, which indicates the TID queue used by the sender to transmit data frames to the receiver. Each user corresponds to a set of TID queues, and different users correspond to different TID queues. For the same user, the channel number can range from index 0 to 7 of the TID queue, meaning there are a total of 8 different channel numbers / TID queues for the same user, corresponding to 8 different priorities. The correspondence between channel number / TID and priority is preset as needed and is not restricted. For example, assuming TID queue 1 corresponds to priority 1, TID queue 2 corresponds to priority 2, and the 10 data frames sent to STA100 have different priorities—data frames 0-2 correspond to the same priority 1, data frames 3-4 correspond to the same priority 2, data frames 5-7 in data frames 5-9 correspond to the same priority 1, and data frames 8-9 correspond to the same priority 2—then data frames with sequence numbers 0-2 and 5-7 can be transmitted through TID queue 1, and data frames with sequence numbers 3-4 and 8-9 can be transmitted through TID queue 2.

[0159] A subchannel sequence number identifies the sequence number of consecutively transmitted data frames within a TID queue for the same user. The subchannel sequence number can be determined based on the number of consecutively transmitted data frames in the TID queue. For example, if data frames with sequence numbers 0-2 and 5-7 are transmitted through TID queue 1, these six data frames can be numbered 15-19. If data frames with sequence numbers 3-4 and 8-9 are transmitted through TID queue 2, these four data frames can be numbered 25-28.

[0160] Reserved fields occupy 2 bits and can be used as extended fields to expand new fields.

[0161] Table 2

[0162]

[0163] like Figure 9b As shown, Figure 9b The data frame in the format shown may include: an IP frame header, a UDP frame header, a second frame header, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The descriptions and encapsulation methods of the IP frame header, UDP frame header, and FCS field can be found in existing technologies and will not be repeated here.

[0164] The second frame header is a newly added frame header provided in this embodiment of the application. The second frame header can be named an extended frame header or other names, without limitation. The second frame header may include the fields shown in Table 3 below: resource unit identifier, channel number, start sequence number, and Bitmap. The second frame header may also include a band identifier (band ID), VAP ID, and Bitmap length. It should be noted that the length of each field is not limited to that shown in Table 3 and may also be other lengths. Furthermore, the names of each field are not limited to those shown in Table 3 and may also be other names. In addition, the fields included in the second frame header are not limited to those described in Table 3 below, and new fields may be added.

[0165] The following is a description of each field in Table 3:

[0166] The frequency band identifier is used to identify the frequency band used to transmit data frames. The frequency band identifier can occupy 3 bits. The value range of the frequency band identifier is 0-3. Different values ​​correspond to different frequency bands. For example, a value of 0 corresponds to the 2.4 GHz frequency band, a value of 1 corresponds to the 5 GHz frequency band, a value of 2 corresponds to the 6 GHz frequency band, and a value of 3 is reserved.

[0167] The Virtual Access Point Identifier (VAP ID) can be used to indicate the VAP ID index corresponding to the SSID established on the Wi-Fi band. The VAP ID index can be used to indicate the VAP corresponding to the transmission service between AP200 and STA100.

[0168] The identifier of a resource unit can be used to indicate the resource unit of a transmitted data frame, such as the channel or RU of the transmitted data frame.

[0169] The relevant description of TID can be found above and is not limited thereto.

[0170] The start sequence number indicates the sub-channel sequence number corresponding to the start bit of the Bitmap, and it occupies 2 bytes. Based on the start sequence number and the Bitmap, it can be determined whether the receiving end has successfully received several consecutive data frames in the TID queue, starting from which data frame.

[0171] The bitmap length indicates the mask length or the number of binary bits included in the bitmap (or the bitmap length itself). This field can occupy 5 bits. The value range of the bitmap length field is 0-4. Taking the bitmap length indicating the number of binary bits included in the bitmap as an example, when the bitmap length value is 0, it indicates that the bitmap includes 0 binary bits; when the bitmap length value is 1, it indicates that the bitmap includes 4 binary bits; when the bitmap length value is 2, it indicates that the bitmap includes 8 binary bits; when the bitmap length value is 3, it indicates that the bitmap includes 16 binary bits; and when the bitmap length value is 4, it indicates that the bitmap includes 32 binary bits. The bitmap length value and the number of binary bits included in the bitmap can be preset or defaulted. It should be understood that the embodiments of this application are not limited to the value of the bitmap length and the number of binary bits included in the bitmap. The number of binary bits included in the bitmap can also be 64, 128, etc.

[0172] A bitmap, which can include NACK and / or ACK information, is a binary bit string used to indicate whether a data frame has been correctly received. This bitmap can include multiple binary bits, each corresponding to a downlink data frame sent to the receiving end. The value of a single binary bit indicates whether the corresponding data frame was successfully received by the receiving end. For example, a bit of 0 indicates a data frame reception error / failure; a bit of 1 indicates successful reception. It should be noted that Table 3 is only an example; alternatively, a bit of 1 can indicate a data frame reception error / failure, and a bit of 0 can indicate successful reception, without limitation.

[0173] Table 3

[0174]

[0175]

[0176] For example, consider AP200 sending downlink data frames containing downlink service data to STA100. STA100 receives the downlink data frames and, based on the reception, sends uplink data frames including a bitmap back to AP200. Assume AP200 uses channel 36 of 5GHz to send 10 downlink data frames to STA100. The frame sequence numbers of these 10 downlink data frames are 0-9. These 10 downlink data frames are transmitted through TID queue 1, and the corresponding subchannel sequence numbers of these 10 downlink data frames when passing through TID queue 1 are 10-19. Then, the first frame header of the first downlink data frame can include: frame sequence number 0, channel number: TID queue 1, and subchannel sequence number 10. Similarly, the first frame header of the 10th downlink data frame can include: frame sequence number 9, channel number: TID queue 1, and subchannel sequence number 19. The STA100 receives 10 downlink data frames on channel 36 at 5 GHz. Based on the first frame header of each downlink data frame, the STA100 can determine that the AP200 sent it 10 downlink data frames via TID queue 1. The subchannel sequence numbers of these 10 downlink data frames are 10-19. If the STA100 fails to receive the downlink data frames with sequence numbers 0 and 1 (corresponding to subchannel sequence numbers 10 and 11), the other downlink data frames are successfully received. Assuming the STA100 uses channel 2 of 2.4 GHz to send an uplink data frame including a Bitmap to the AP200, and the Bitmap contains 32 binary bits, where a bit value of 0 indicates unsuccessful reception and a bit value of 1 indicates successful reception, then according to Table 3, the second frame header of the uplink data frame sent by the STA100 on channel 2 of 2.4 GHz can include: frequency band identifier 2.4 GHz, VAP ID index corresponding to the SSID of 2.4 GHz, channel 2, TID queue 1, starting sequence number 10, Bitmap length of 4, and Bitmap: 00111111 11000000 00000000 00000000. Correspondingly, AP200 can receive uplink data frames sent by STA100 on channel 2 of 2.4GHz. According to the Bitmap included in the second frame header of the uplink data frame: 00111111 11000000 00000000 00000000, it can be known that among the downlink data frames with subchannel sequence numbers 10-19 transmitted through TID queue 1, the two downlink data frames with subchannel sequence numbers 10 and 11 were not successfully received by STA100, while the downlink data frames with subchannel sequence numbers 12-19 were successfully received by STA100.

[0177] In this embodiment, the processing procedures of the 802.11 data link layer and 802.11 physical layer at the transmitting end may include forward error correction (FEC), interleaving-mapping, inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), guard interval (GI) addition, symbol wave shaping, quadrature (I / Q) modulation (mod), high-power amplifier (HPA), etc. The processing details of these procedures can be referred to the prior art and will not be elaborated here. Correspondingly, after receiving the data frame sent by the sending end, the receiving end processes it through its 802.11 data link layer and 802.11 physical layer. This processing is the inverse of the processing at the sending end's 802.11 data link layer and 802.11 physical layer. The processing at the receiving end's 802.11 data link layer and 802.11 physical layer may include low noise amplifier (LNA), HPA, I / Q demodulation (DET), GI removal, fast fourier transform (FFT), deappending deinterleaving, and FEC decoding. The specific details of these processes can be found in existing technologies and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0178] It should be noted that the sending end and receiving end described in the embodiments of this application are relative concepts. The sending end can refer to the device that sends data frames to the receiving end, and the receiving end can refer to the device that receives data frames sent by the sending end. For example, taking AP200 sending data frames to STA100 as an example, AP200 is the sending end and STA100 is the receiving end. Taking STA100 sending data frames to AP200 as an example, STA100 is the sending end and AP200 is the receiving end.

[0179] For example, if the downlink operates in the 5GHz band and the uplink operates in the 2.4GHz band, the AP200 can use... Figure 8a The method shown converts downlink data frames destined for STA100 into 802.11 frame format and transmits them to STA100 via the 5GHz band. STA100 receives the downlink data frames in the 5GHz band. Similarly, refer to... Figure 8bAfter receiving the downlink data frame sent by AP200, STA100 can send uplink data frames to AP200 using 2.4GHz. Correspondingly, AP200 receives uplink data frames in the 2.4GHz band.

[0180] In this embodiment of the application, when the uplink data frame carried in the uplink data frame is the ACK information and / or NACK information of the downlink data frame transmitted on the first resource unit, in order to improve the transmission efficiency of the downlink data frame, the AP200 can determine the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frame based on the uplink data frame, and then adjust the downlink air interface rate of the AP200 based on the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frame.

[0181] In this embodiment, the action of determining the cumulative packet loss rate of downlink data frames based on uplink data frames and adjusting the downlink air interface rate of AP200 based on the cumulative packet loss rate can be performed by the 802.11 data link layer of AP200 or by the asymmetric transport layer of AP200, without limitation. For example, when AP200 is operating in ACK mode, this process is performed by the 802.11 data link layer of AP200. When AP200 is operating in NO_ACK mode, the asymmetric transport layer of AP200 determines the cumulative packet loss rate of downlink data frames based on uplink data frames and then adjusts the downlink air interface rate of AP200 based on the cumulative packet loss rate of downlink data frames. That is, in No_ACK mode, the 802.11 data link layer does not perform downlink air interface rate control; downlink air interface rate control is performed by the asymmetric transport layer. In ACK mode, the downlink air interface rate control is performed by the 802.11 data link layer.

[0182] For example, the AP200 determines the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frames based on the uplink data frames, and adjusting the downlink air interface rate of the AP200 based on the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frames may include:

[0183] The AP200 periodically analyzes the received uplink data frames and determines the transmission status of downlink data frames based on the Bitmap carried in the uplink data frames. For example, as shown in Table 3, a bit of 0 in the Bitmap indicates an abnormal data frame reception / failure to be successfully received by the STA100; a bit of 1 in the Bitmap indicates successful data frame reception. The statistical period is preset and can be 100ms / 50ms, etc. The AP200 calculates the packet loss rate according to the formula: Packet Loss Rate PER = Number of Downlink Data Frames Failed to be Successfully Received by the STA100 / Total Number of Downlink Data Frames, and then calculates the cumulative packet loss rate: Cumulative Packet Loss Rate PER = PER * 7 / 8 of the previous calculation period + PER * 1 / 8 of the current period; the downlink air interface rate is determined based on the cumulative packet loss rate. For example: when the cumulative packet loss rate PER > 15%, reduce the current downlink air interface rate; if the current downlink air interface rate is the minimum downlink air interface rate, maintain the rate unchanged; when the cumulative packet loss rate PER < 3%, increase the downlink air interface rate; if the current downlink air interface rate is the maximum downlink air interface rate, maintain the downlink air interface rate unchanged; when 3% ≤ cumulative packet loss rate PER ≤ 15%, maintain the current downlink air interface rate unchanged.

[0184] Furthermore, AP200 can monitor whether the aforementioned preset conditions are met when STA100 sends uplink data frames to AP200 on the second resource unit. If the conditions are met, asymmetric transmission continues; if not, a second indication message is sent to STA100, which can be used to instruct STA100 to disable the asymmetric transmission function. STA100 receives the second indication message, disables the asymmetric transmission function according to the second indication message, and sends uplink data frames to AP200 on the first resource unit.

[0185] It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the STA and AP include corresponding hardware and / or software modules for performing each function. Based on the algorithmic steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application in conjunction with the embodiments, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0186] This embodiment can divide the STA and AP into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware. It should be noted that the module division in this embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0187] When each functional module is divided according to its corresponding function, the STA100 and AP200 involved in the above embodiments may include: a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, a processing unit, etc. It should be noted that all relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0188] This application also provides a communication device, which can be the STA100 or AP200 described above. Figure 10 As shown, the communication device may include one or more processors 1001, a memory 1002, and a communication interface 1003. These devices can be connected via one or more communication buses 1004. The one or more computer programs are stored in the memory 1002 and configured to be executed by the one or more processors 1001. The one or more computer programs include instructions that can be used to execute various steps performed by the STA100 or AP200 or by the tag device in the above embodiments. All relevant content regarding the steps involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional descriptions of the corresponding physical devices, and will not be repeated here.

[0189] For example, the processor 1001 described above can specifically be... Figure 3 The processors 301 and 307 shown, and the memory 1002 mentioned above can specifically be... Figure 3 The memory 304 shown above, the communication interface 1003 can be... Figure 3 The Wi-Fi communication module 303 shown is shown.

[0190] This application also provides a communication device, including one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store computer program code, including computer instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the communication device performs the aforementioned method steps to implement the asymmetric transmission method described above.

[0191] Embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the steps of STA100 in the above-mentioned related methods, or performs the steps of AP200 in the above-mentioned related methods, to realize the asymmetric transmission method in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0192] The embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the steps performed by STA100 in the above-mentioned related methods, or to execute the steps performed by AP200 in the above-mentioned related methods, thereby implementing the asymmetric transmission method in the above embodiments.

[0193] In addition, embodiments of this application also provide an apparatus, which may specifically be a chip (e.g., an NFC chip), a component, or a module. The apparatus may include a connected processor and a memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer execution instructions. When the apparatus is running, the processor may execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to perform the steps executed by STA100 in the above-mentioned related methods, or to perform the steps executed by AP200 in the above-mentioned related methods, thereby realizing the asymmetric transmission method in the above embodiments.

[0194] Furthermore, this application also provides a STA that can execute the steps performed by STA100 to implement the asymmetric transmission method described in the above embodiments. This application also provides an AP that can execute the steps performed by AP200 to implement the asymmetric transmission method described in the above embodiments.

[0195] In this embodiment, the communication device, computer-readable storage medium, computer program product, communication device, STA or AP are all used to execute the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0196] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0197] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules or units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0198] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0199] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0200] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially or in other words, the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0201] 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. An asymmetric transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The STA (Station) establishes a wireless fidelity Wi-Fi connection with the AP (Access Point); The STA sends uplink data frames to the AP via the Wi-Fi connection on the uplink resource unit; The uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, or the uplink resource unit includes a second resource unit; the frequency of the second resource unit is lower than the frequency of the first resource unit; the first resource unit is used by the AP to send downlink data frames to the STA. The downlink data frame and the uplink data frame include a first frame header, which includes a channel number and a sub-channel sequence number; the first frame header included in the downlink data frame and the uplink data frame is encapsulated by an asymmetric transmission layer; the asymmetric transmission layer is used to enable the AP and the STA to transmit data frames on asymmetric frequencies.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first resource element belongs to the first channel, and the second resource element belongs to the second channel; Wherein, the first channel and the second channel both belong to the first frequency band; or, the first channel belongs to the first frequency band, the second channel belongs to the second frequency band, and the frequency of the second frequency band is lower than the frequency of the first frequency band.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first frequency band includes a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band; The second frequency band includes a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Before the STA sends an uplink data frame to the AP via the uplink resource unit through the Wi-Fi connection, the method further includes: The STA receives first indication information from the AP; wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the STA to perform asymmetric transmission; The STA activates its asymmetric transmission function according to the first instruction information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first indication information is also used to indicate the second resource unit; or, The first indication information is also used to indicate the uplink resource unit.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3 or 5, characterized in that, Before the STA sends an uplink data frame to the AP via the uplink resource unit through the Wi-Fi connection, the method further includes: The STA receives downlink data frames from the AP on the first resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection; The STA transmits uplink data frames on the uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection, including: the STA transmitting uplink data frames on the uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection based on the status of the downlink data frames received by the STA; wherein, the uplink data frame includes a second frame header, the second frame header including the identifier of the uplink resource unit, the channel number, the start sequence number, and a bitmap, the bitmap including multiple bits corresponding to multiple downlink data frames, each bit being used to indicate whether the downlink data frame corresponding to the bit has been successfully received by the STA.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3 or 5, characterized in that, The uplink data frame includes the uplink service data generated by the STA; After the STA sends an uplink data frame to the AP via the Wi-Fi connection on the uplink resource unit, the method further includes: the STA receiving a downlink data frame from the AP on the first resource unit; wherein the downlink data frame includes a second frame header, the second frame header including an identifier of the first resource unit, a channel number, a start sequence number, and a Bitmap, the Bitmap including multiple bits corresponding to multiple uplink data frames, each bit being used to indicate whether the uplink data frame corresponding to the bit has been successfully received by the AP.

8. An asymmetric transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: Access point (AP) establishes a wireless fidelity Wi-Fi connection with station (STA); The AP receives uplink data frames from the STA on the uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection; The uplink resource unit includes a first resource unit and a second resource unit, or the uplink resource unit includes a second resource unit; the frequency of the second resource unit is lower than the frequency of the first resource unit; the first resource unit is used by the AP to send downlink data frames to the STA. The downlink data frame and the uplink data frame include a first frame header, which includes a channel number and a sub-channel sequence number; the first frame header included in the downlink data frame and the uplink data frame is encapsulated by an asymmetric transmission layer; the asymmetric transmission layer is used to enable the AP and the STA to transmit data frames on asymmetric frequencies.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first resource element belongs to the first channel, and the second resource element belongs to the second channel; Wherein, the first channel and the second channel both belong to the first frequency band; or, the first channel belongs to the first frequency band, the second channel belongs to the second frequency band, and the frequency of the second frequency band is lower than the frequency of the first frequency band.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first frequency band includes a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band; The second frequency band includes a 6GHz band, a 5GHz band, or a 2.4GHz band.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, wherein before the AP receives an uplink data frame from the STA on the uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection, the method is characterized in that, The AP sends a first indication message to the STA; wherein the first indication message is used to instruct the STA to perform asymmetric transmission.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first indication information is also used to indicate the second resource unit; or, The first indication information is also used to indicate the uplink resource unit.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-10 or 12, characterized in that, Before the AP receives uplink data frames from the STA on the uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection, the method further includes: The AP sends downlink data frames to the STA on the first resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection; wherein, the uplink data frame includes a second frame header, the second frame header includes the identifier of the uplink resource unit, the channel number, the start sequence number and a bitmap, the bitmap includes multiple bits corresponding to multiple downlink data frames, each bit is used to indicate whether the downlink data frame corresponding to the bit has been successfully received by the STA.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The AP determines the cumulative packet loss rate of downlink data frames based on the Bitmap; Based on the cumulative packet loss rate of the downlink data frames, adjust the downlink air interface rate of the downlink data frames sent through the first resource unit.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8-10 or 12, characterized in that, The uplink data frame includes the uplink service data generated by the STA; After the AP receives an uplink data frame from the STA on the uplink resource unit via the Wi-Fi connection, the method further includes: the AP sending a downlink data frame to the STA on the first resource unit; wherein the downlink data frame includes a second frame header, the second frame header including an identifier of the first resource unit, a channel number, a start sequence number, and a Bitmap, the Bitmap including multiple bits corresponding to multiple uplink data frames, each bit being used to indicate whether the uplink data frame corresponding to the bit has been successfully received by the AP.

16. A station STA, characterized in that, The STA includes: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory and the communication interface are coupled to the processor, the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices, the other devices including access points (APs), the memory is used to store computer program code, the computer program code including computer instructions, and when the processor executes the computer instructions, the STA performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

17. An access point (AP), characterized in that, The access point (AP) includes: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface; the memory and the communication interface are coupled to the processor; the processor is capable of providing a Wi-Fi network through the communication interface; the memory is used to store computer program code, the computer program code including computer instructions; when the processor executes the computer instructions, the access point device performs the method as described in any one of claims 8-15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes computer instructions that, when executed on a site STA, cause the STA to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes computer instructions that, when executed on an access point (AP), cause the AP to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8-15.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the asymmetric transmission method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

21. An asymmetric transmission system, characterized in that, It includes an access point (AP) and a station (STA), the AP and the STA being used to perform the asymmetric transmission method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

Images