Methods, apparatus and media for managing terminal equipment to communicate with soft access points

Abstract

This invention discloses a method, apparatus, and medium for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point. The method includes: after the terminal device reads a first message containing neighbor cell information sent by an access device, it sends a second message to the access device, the second message containing multi-link information elements; the access device sends a third message to the terminal device, the third message indicating whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point; after receiving the third message, if the third message indicates that the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point, the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, and the terminal device sets the main link. By implementing this invention, network load can be reduced, network throughput increased, the complexity of deploying access devices reduced, interference between links avoided, thus ensuring data transmission without packet loss and guaranteeing service continuity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, and in particular to a method and apparatus for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, and a medium. BACKGROUND

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

[0003] The MAC layer and the PHY layer both conceptually include management entities respectively referred to as media access layer management entity MLME (MAC sublayer management entity) and physical layer management entity PLME (PHY sublayer management entity). These entities provide low-layer management service interfaces through which low-layer management functions can be invoked.

[0004] In order to provide correct MAC operation, each device (including Non-AP STA and AP STA) has a high-layer management entity, such as SME (station management entity), which represents a high-layer management entity above the MAC layer and is a layer-independent entity located in a separate management plane.

[0005] Role of SME: Generally, this entity is responsible for functions such as collecting layer-related states from various layer management entities (MLME and PLME), and similarly, it also sets layer-specific parameter values. The SME generally represents a general system management entity to perform such functions. The various layers interact through defined primitives. Figure 1 The relationship between the management entities is described.

[0006] 802.11be networks, also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) networks, enhance functionality through a series of system characteristics and multiple mechanisms to achieve extremely high throughput. As the usage of wireless local area networks (WLANs) continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to provide wireless data services in many environments (such as in the home, in enterprises, and in hotspots). In particular, video traffic will continue to be the dominant traffic type in many WLAN deployments. With the advent of 4K and 8K video (20 Gbps of uncompressed rate), the throughput requirements for these applications are growing. New high-throughput, low-latency applications such as virtual or augmented reality, gaming, telepresence, and cloud computing will proliferate (e.g., latency below 5 ms for real-time gaming).

[0007] In view of the high throughput and stringent real-time latency requirements of these applications, users expect higher throughput, higher reliability, less latency and jitter, and higher power efficiency when their applications are supported over WLAN. Users expect improvements in integration with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) to support applications over heterogeneous Ethernet and wireless LANs. The 802.11be network aims to ensure the competitiveness of WLANs by further increasing the total throughput and reducing the latency, while ensuring backward compatibility and coexistence with older technology standards. 802.11-compatible devices operate in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. SUMMARY

[0008] After introducing the technology of multi-link, a multi-link capable device can operate on more than two links at the same time. A terminal device can set one or more logical terminals contained therein as a logical access point, called a soft AP, when the service needs, at this time the terminal device can realize as an access device. However, due to the limited capability of the terminal device, when one link is transmitting data, the other link may not be able to receive data due to interference, so if more than two logical access points are allowed to independently access the terminal device and independently transmit data like a regular access device, it will cause data loss, and data retransmission will eventually cause large user service delay, which actually reduces user experience. In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a method, device and medium for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, so that the terminal device can connect other terminal devices as an access device, and control the cooperative operation of multiple links, expand the wireless network load, and improve the data transmission rate.

[0009] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0010] The terminal device sends a second message to the access device after reading the first message sent by the access device and containing the neighboring cell information, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element;

[0011] The terminal device receives a third message sent by the access device, wherein the third message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point;

[0012] If the third message indicates that the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point, the terminal device sets a main link when establishing a connection with the access device.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the setting of the main link comprises:

[0014] setting the first link on which the logical terminal receiving the first message is located as the main link and setting the links outside the first link as non-main links.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0016] The terminal device sends a second message to the access device after reading the first message sent by the access device and containing the neighboring cell information, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element;

[0017] The terminal device receives a third message sent by the access device, wherein the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a main link;

[0018] If the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, the terminal device sets a main link according to the indication in the third message.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the setting of the main link according to the indication in the third message comprises:

[0020] setting the link indicated as the main link in the third message as the main link and setting the link indicated as the non-main link as the non-main link.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the second message is a probe request message, the third message is a connection response message, and before the terminal device receives the third message sent by the access device, the method further comprises:

[0022] The terminal device receives a probe response message sent by the access device;

[0023] The terminal device sends a connection request message to the access device, wherein the connection request message contains a multi-link information element.

[0024] In a possible implementation, after the terminal device sets the primary link, the method further includes:

[0025] detecting whether the link is idle;

[0026] if the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is also idle, sending data on both the primary link and the non-primary link;

[0027] if the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is not idle, sending data only on the primary link;

[0028] if the primary link is not idle, sending no data on either the primary link or the non-primary link.

[0029] In a possible implementation, after the terminal device sets the primary link, the method further includes:

[0030] The terminal device receives a multi-link reconfiguration notification message sent by the access device, and the multi-link reconfiguration notification message includes a link identifier and a time remaining for deleting a logical access point corresponding to the link identifier;

[0031] The terminal device disconnects a connection on a link according to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the disconnecting a connection on a link according to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier includes:

[0033] if the link corresponding to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a non-primary link, disconnecting a connection on the link corresponding to the link identifier before a time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the disconnecting a connection on a link according to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier includes:

[0035] if the link corresponding to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a primary link and no new primary link is indicated, disconnecting a connection on all links before a time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the disconnecting a connection on a link according to the link identifier included in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier includes:

[0037] If the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a primary link, and it is indicated to set a new primary link, then according to the indication to set a new primary link before the time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message, and disconnect the connection on the link corresponding to the link identifier in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message.

[0038] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0039] The access device sends a first message containing neighbor information to the terminal device on only one link;

[0040] The access device receives a second message sent by the terminal device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element;

[0041] The access device sends a third message to the terminal device, wherein the third message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0043] The access device sends a first message containing neighbor information to the terminal device on only one link;

[0044] The access device receives a second message sent by the terminal device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element;

[0045] The access device sends a third message to the terminal device, wherein the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the second message is a probe request message, and the third message is a connection response message, and before the access device sends the third message to the terminal device, the method further comprises:

[0047] The access device sends a probe response message to the terminal device;

[0048] The access device receives a connection request message sent by the terminal device, wherein the connection request message contains a multi-link information element.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises:

[0050] Detecting whether the link is idle;

[0051] If the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is also idle, then data is sent on both the primary link and the non-primary link simultaneously.

[0052] if the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is not idle, then data is transmitted only on the primary link;

[0053] if the primary link is not idle, then data is not transmitted on either the primary link or the non-primary link.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0055] The access device sends a multi-link reconfiguration notification message to the terminal device, the multi-link reconfiguration notification message containing a link identifier and a time remaining for deleting a logical access point corresponding to the link identifier, or containing a link identifier and a time remaining for deleting a logical access point corresponding to the link identifier and indicating setting of a new primary link.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the probe response message indicates whether a logical access point on an access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the probe response message indicates whether a logical access point on an access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point through a second parameter, and when the second parameter is set to a third preset value, it indicates a soft access point; when the probe response message does not contain the second parameter or the second parameter is set to a fourth preset value, it indicates a regular access point.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the probe response message contains a link identifier and indicates whether a link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the probe response message contains information of one or more links, and the information of the link includes a link identifier and indicates whether a link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the third message indicates whether a logical access point on an access device sending the third message is a soft access point through a first parameter, and when the first parameter is set to a first preset value, it indicates a soft access point; when the third message does not contain the first parameter or the first parameter is set to a second preset value, it indicates a regular access point.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the third message contains information of one or more links, and the information of the link includes a link identifier and indicates whether a link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the first message is a broadcast message or a probe response message.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the second message is a probe request message or a connection request message, and the third message is a probe response message or a connection response message.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the multi-link information element contains a type of the multi-link information element and information of one or more links.

[0065] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0066] The communication module one is configured to send a second message to the access device after the terminal device reads a first message containing neighbor cell information sent by the access device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element;

[0067] The communication module two is configured to receive a third message sent by the access device through the terminal device, wherein the third message indicates whether a logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point;

[0068] The main link setting module is configured to set a main link through the terminal device if the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point and the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device.

[0069] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0070] The communication module one is configured to send a second message to the access device after the terminal device reads a first message containing neighbor cell information sent by the access device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element;

[0071] The communication module two is configured to receive a third message sent by the access device through the terminal device, wherein the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether a link corresponding to the link identifier is a main link;

[0072] The main link setting module is configured to set a main link through the terminal device according to the indication in the third message if the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device.

[0073] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0074] The communication module one is configured to send a first message containing neighbor cell information to the terminal device through the access device only on one link;

[0075] The communication module two is configured to receive a second message sent by the terminal device through the access device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element;

[0076] The third communication module is configured to send, by the access device, a third message to the terminal device, the third message indicating whether a logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0078] The first communication module is configured to send, by the access device, a first message containing neighbor cell information to the terminal device on only one link.

[0079] The second communication module is configured to receive, by the access device, a second message sent by the terminal device, the second message containing a multi-link information element.

[0080] The third communication module is configured to send, by the access device, a third message to the terminal device, the third message containing a link identifier and indicating whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

[0081] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a system for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, the system comprising the terminal device and the access device, the terminal device being configured to execute the method for managing communication between the terminal device and the soft access point according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the access device being configured to execute the method for managing communication between the terminal device and the soft access point according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0082] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, the device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing at least one instruction, at least one program code, a code set or an instruction set, the at least one instruction, the at least one program code, the code set or the instruction set being loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method for managing communication between the terminal device and the soft access point according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0083] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium storing at least one instruction, at least one program code, a code set or an instruction set, the at least one instruction, the at least one program code, the code set or the instruction set being loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0084] It should be noted that the device of the fifth aspect is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect, the device of the sixth aspect is used to execute the method provided by the second aspect, the device of the seventh aspect is used to execute the method provided by the third aspect, the device of the eighth aspect is used to execute the method provided by the fourth aspect, and the device of the tenth aspect and the storage medium of the eleventh aspect are used to execute the method provided by any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, so as to achieve the same beneficial effects as the method of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect or the fourth aspect. The embodiments of the present application will not be described one by one.

[0085] Through the implementation of the scheme of the present application, the complexity of deploying access devices can be reduced, the interference between links can be avoided, the data transmission can be ensured not to be packet loss, and the service continuity can be ensured while reducing the network load and improving the network throughput. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0086] The present application will be described by way of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0087] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a management unit structure of a device in the prior art;

[0088] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for managing a terminal device to communicate with a soft access point according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 3 A flowchart of another method for managing a terminal device to communicate with a soft access point according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] In order to enable persons skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, and are not used to limit the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by persons skilled in the art without creative labor should fall within the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, although the disclosure is introduced according to one or more examples, it should be understood that each aspect of the disclosure can also constitute a complete technical solution independently. The embodiments described below and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0091] In the present disclosure, the words "example," "for example," and the like are used solely to indicate that a particular example or implementation thereof is included in the present disclosure. No format or priority is intended by the use of these terms. In particular, no format or priority is intended by the use of the term "example" or "for example."

[0092] Unless otherwise defined, technical terms or scientific terms used in the present disclosure shall have the ordinary meaning of those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The terms used in the present disclosure are merely for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The terms "first", "second", and the like used in the present disclosure do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish the description and the meanings of the corresponding terms can be the same or different. The terms "include" or "contain" and the like mean that the elements or objects before the terms encompass the elements or objects listed after the terms and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The term "and / or" means any and all possible combinations of the associated listed items. The character " / ", generally indicates that the objects before and after the character are in an "or" relationship.

[0093] It should be noted that a device with multi-link capability includes multiple logical entities, each of which transmits data through a link, and each of which includes an independent data transceiver module, while a device without multi-link capability has only one logical entity. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a logical terminal is a logical entity in a terminal device, and a logical access point is a logical entity in an access device.

[0094] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point is provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2 The method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point includes the following steps:

[0095] S101. The access device sends a first message containing neighbor information to the terminal device on only one link.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first message can be a broadcast message (such as a beacon message), a probe response message, or other messages, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this. Optionally, the neighbor information in the first message can be contained in a reduced neighbor report information element (Reduced Neighbor Report information element).

[0097] S102. After the terminal device reads the first message containing the neighboring cell information sent by the access device, the terminal device sends a second message to the access device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element.

[0098] In some embodiments, the second message can be a probe request message, an association request message, or other messages, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Optionally, the multi-link information element (such as the ML element information element) can contain the type of the multi-link information element and the information of one or more links.

[0099] S103. After the access device receives the second message sent by the terminal device, the access device sends a third message to the terminal device.

[0100] In some embodiments, the third message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point. For example, the third message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point through a first parameter. When the first parameter is set to a first preset value, it indicates that it is a soft access point. When the first parameter is not contained in the third message or is set to a second preset value, it indicates that it is a regular access point. The third message can also indicate whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point through other ways, as long as it can be indicated, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0101] After the terminal device receives the third message, if the third message indicates that the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point, the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, and then the terminal device sets a primary link. For example, the terminal device can set the first link where the logical terminal receiving the first message is located as the primary link, and set the links outside the first link as non-primary links. The terminal device can also set other links as the primary link according to its own needs, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. If the third message indicates that the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is not a soft access point, the terminal device can not set the primary link.

[0102] In other embodiments, the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link. Optionally, the third message contains the information of one or more links, and the information of the link includes the link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

[0103] After the terminal device receives the third message, if the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, the terminal device sets the primary link according to the indication in the third message. Specifically, the terminal device sets the link indicated as the primary link in the third message as the primary link, and sets the link indicated as the non-primary link as the non-primary link.

[0104] In some embodiments, the third message can be a probe response message or an association response message, and the like, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0105] If the logical access point on the access device is a soft access point, after the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, when the terminal device needs to send data, the terminal device detects whether the link is idle. If the primary link is idle, and the non-primary link is also idle, the terminal device sends data on the primary link and the non-primary link at the same time; if the primary link is idle, and the non-primary link is not idle, the terminal device sends data only on the primary link; if the primary link is not idle, the terminal device does not send data on the primary link and the non-primary link, that is, as long as the primary link is not idle, regardless of whether the non-primary link is idle or not, the terminal device does not send data on the primary link and the non-primary link. Similarly, when the access device needs to send data, the access device detects whether the link is idle. If the primary link is idle, and the non-primary link is also idle, the access device sends data on the primary link and the non-primary link at the same time; if the primary link is idle, and the non-primary link is not idle, the access device sends data only on the primary link; if the primary link is not idle, the access device does not send data on the primary link and the non-primary link.

[0106] When the access device wants to delete the logical access point, a multi-link reconfiguration notification message (such as an MLreconfiguration NOTIFY message) is sent to the terminal device, and the multi-link reconfiguration notification message contains a link identifier and the time left for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier. After the terminal device receives the multi-link reconfiguration notification message, the terminal device disconnects the connection on the link according to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time left for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier. For example, the terminal device disconnects the connection on the link corresponding to the link identifier indicated in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message before the time indicated by the time left for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message. If the multi-link reconfiguration notification message indicates that only the logical access point on the primary link is deleted, the terminal device also sets a new primary link according to its own needs or relevant indications in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message. Of course, the terminal device can also disconnect the connection on the link in other ways, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0107] In some embodiments, when the access device is to delete a non-primary link, the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is set as the identifier of the non-primary link to be deleted, and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the non-primary link is set; when the access device is to delete all links, the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is set as the identifier of the primary link, and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link is set; when the access device is to delete only the primary link, the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is set as the identifier of the primary link, the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the primary link is set, and it is indicated that a new primary link is to be set. In this embodiment, after receiving the multi-link reconfiguration notification message, if the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a non-primary link, the terminal device disconnects the connection on the link corresponding to the link identifier before the time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message; if the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a primary link, and it is not indicated that a new primary link is to be set, the terminal device disconnects the connection of all links before the time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message; if the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a primary link, and it is indicated that a new primary link is to be set, the terminal device disconnects the connection on the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message according to the indication of setting a new primary link before the time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message.

[0108] Figure 3 A flow chart of a method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point is provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3 the method for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point comprises the following steps:

[0109] S201. The access device sends a broadcast message or a probe response message containing neighbor information to the terminal device only on one link.

[0110] Optionally, the neighbor information in the broadcast message or the probe response message can be contained in a reduced neighbor report information element (Reduced Neighbor Report information element).

[0111] S202. After reading the broadcast message or the probe response message containing neighbor information sent by the access device, the terminal device sends a probe request message to the access device, and the probe request message contains a multi-link information element.

[0112] Optionally, the type of the multi-link information element and the information of one or more links can be contained in the multi-link information element, such as the ML element information element. In step S202, the type of the multi-link information element contained in the ML element information element is set as a probe request, and the information of one or more links contained in the ML element information element is used to indicate the information of one or more links requested.

[0113] S203. After receiving the probe request message sent by the terminal device, the access device sends a probe response message to the terminal device.

[0114] Optionally, the information of one or more links is contained in the probe response message, and the information of the link contained in the probe response message is used to set the link information requested in the probe request message.

[0115] In some embodiments, the probe response message can indicate whether the logical access point on the access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point. Optionally, the probe response message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point through a second parameter. When the second parameter is set as a third preset value, it represents a soft access point; when the probe response message does not contain the second parameter or the second parameter is set as a fourth preset value, it represents a conventional access point. The probe response message can also indicate whether the logical access point on the access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point through other ways, as long as it can be indicated, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0116] In other embodiments, the probe response message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link. Optionally, the link identifier and the indication of whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link are contained in the link information contained in the probe response message.

[0117] S204. After receiving the probe response message sent by the access device, the terminal device sends a connection request message to the access device, and the connection request message contains a multi-link information element.

[0118] In step S204, the type of the multi-link information element contained in the ML element information element is set as a basis, and the information of one or more links contained in the ML element information element is used to set the identifier of the link for which the connection is requested to be established.

[0119] S205. After receiving the connection request message sent by the terminal device, the access device sends a connection response message to the terminal device.

[0120] In some embodiments, the connection response message can indicate whether the logical access point on the access device sending the connection response message is a soft access point. Alternatively, the connection response message can indicate whether the logical access point on the access device sending the connection response message is a soft access point by a third parameter, wherein when the third parameter is set to a preset value, it indicates that the logical access point is a soft access point; and when the third parameter is not included in the connection response message or is set to another preset value, it indicates that the logical access point is a regular access point. The connection response message can also indicate whether the logical access point on the access device sending the connection response message is a soft access point by other means, as long as it can be indicated, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0121] In other embodiments, the connection response message includes a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link. Alternatively, the connection response message includes information of one or more links, and the link identifier and the indication of whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link are included in the information of the link included in the information of one or more links.

[0122] If the connection response message indicates that the connection is accepted, the terminal device successfully establishes a connection with the access device. If the connection response message does not indicate whether the logical access point on the access device sending the connection response message is a soft access point, or does not indicate whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link, the terminal device determines whether to set a primary link according to the indication in the probe response message, otherwise, the terminal device determines whether to set a primary link according to the indication in the connection response message. The setting of the primary link can refer to the description of the embodiments shown in the description of the connection response message. Figure 2 The embodiments shown here will not be described again.

[0123] In order to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described below in combination with a specific application scenario. In this specific application, the terminal device STA MLD1 establishes a logical access point AP1 and a logical access point AP2.

[0124] S1001. The STA MLD1 sends a beacon message or a probe response message only on the AP1, which includes a Reduced Neighbor Report information element, and the information element includes the parameters shown in Table 1.

[0125] Table 1

[0126]

[0127] S1002. After the terminal device with only one logical terminal reads the beacon message or the probe response message of the AP1, it sends an association request message to the AP1 to request to connect to the AP1, and establishes a connection with the AP1 after receiving the association response message sent by the AP1.

[0128] S1003. The terminal device STA MLD2 contains two logical terminals STA3 and STA4, and the logical terminal STA3 belonging to the STA MLD2 reads the beacon message or the probe response message of the AP1, and sends a probe request message to the AP1, which contains a multi-link information element ML element, and the information element contains the parameters shown in Table 2.

[0129] Table 2

[0130]

[0131] For example, the STA profile setting is shown in Table 3.

[0132] Table 3

[0133]

[0134] S1004. After the AP1 receives the probe request message, it constructs a probe response message according to the settings in the information element ML element, and sends the probe response message to the logical terminal STA3 belonging to the STA MLD2, which contains the information of the link indicated by the Link ID in the ML element. If the corresponding parameter Completeprofile of the link has a value of 1, the probe response message contains all the information of the link, and if the Completeprofile has a value of 0, the probe response message contains the parameters indicated in the Profile. For example, the probe response message setting is shown in Table 4.

[0135] Table 4

[0136]

[0137]

[0138] S1005. After receiving the probe response message, STA3 sends an association request message to AP1, which contains an ML element information element, and the ML element information element contains the parameters shown in Table 5.

[0139] Table 5

[0140]

[0141] S1006. After receiving the association request message, AP1 establishes a corresponding connection according to the LinkID in the ML element information element, and sends an association response message to STA3, which indicates that the connection is accepted and the identification of the established connection.

[0142] S1007. After receiving the association response, STA3 saves the established link information in STA MLD2, and if the value of the Soft AP present parameter in the probe response message is 1, sets the link where the logical terminal receiving the beacon message or the probe response message is located as the primary link, and sets the other link as the non-primary link.

[0143] S1008. STA3 operates on the primary link, and STA4 operates on the non-primary link. When the terminal device STA MLD2 to which STA3 and STA4 belong needs to send data,

[0144] first, it detects whether the link where STA3 is located, i.e., the primary link, is idle. If it is idle, it detects whether the link where STA4 is located, i.e., the non-primary link, is idle. If it is idle, it simultaneously sends data on both links.

[0145] If the primary link is not idle, it does not detect whether the non-primary link is idle, and does not send data.

[0146] If the primary link is idle, but it is detected that the non-primary link is not idle, it only sends data on the primary link.

[0147] S1009. When the terminal device STA MLD1 wants to delete a logical access point, it sends an ML reconfiguration NOTIFY message in broadcast or unicast manner through the AP1 belonging to the STA MLD1,

[0148] 1) When the STA MLD1 wants to delete a non-primary link, the ML reconfiguration NOTIFY message is set as shown in Table 6.

[0149] Table 6

[0150] Parameter Description Link ID The identity of the link set as non-primary link Delete timer The time left for the logical access point corresponding to this link to be deleted

[0151] 2) When the STA MLD1 wants to delete a primary link and a non-primary link, the ML reconfiguration NOTIFY message is set as shown in Table 7.

[0152] Table 7

[0153] Parameter Description Link ID The identity of the link set as primary link Delete timer The time left for the logical access point corresponding to this link to be deleted

[0154] 3) When the STA MLD1 wants to delete a primary link and keep a non-primary link, the ML reconfiguration NOTIFY message is set as shown in Table 8.

[0155] Table 8

[0156] Parameter Description Link ID The identity of the link set as primary link Delete timer The time left for the logical access point corresponding to this link to be deleted New primary Link The identity of the link set as non-primary link

[0157] S1010. When the STA3 belonging to the terminal device STA MLD2 receives the ML reconfiguration NOTIFY message,

[0158] If the value of the Link ID is the identification of a non-primary link, it disconnects the connection on the link before the time indicated by the Delete timer;

[0159] If the value of the Link ID is the identification of a primary link and the New primary link parameter is not included, it disconnects the connection of all links before the time indicated by the Delete timer;

[0160] If the value of Link ID is the identity of the primary link, and the value of New primary link is the identity of the non-primary link, the local original non-primary link is set as the primary link before the time indicated by the delete timer, and the connection on the original primary link is disconnected.

[0161] In some embodiments, in step S1004, the parameter Soft AP present is not contained in the probe response message, and the probe response message is set as shown in Table 9.

[0162] Table 9

[0163]

[0164] The AP1 profile is set as shown in Table 10.

[0165] Table 10

[0166] Parameter Setting Link ID The identity of link 1 Soft AP Primary Set to 1 to indicate that this link is the primary link

[0167] The AP2 profile is set as shown in Table 11.

[0168] Table 11

[0169] Parameter Setting Link ID The identity of link 2 Soft AP Primary Set to 0 to indicate that this link is the non-primary link

[0170] In step S1007, STA MLD2 sets the primary link according to the parameter Soft AP Primary, and in this embodiment, link 1 is set as the primary link and link 2 is set as the non-primary link.

[0171] In some embodiments, in step S1006, the parameter Soft AP present is contained in the association response message, and the association response message is set as shown in Table 12.

[0172] Table 12

[0173]

[0174]

[0175] Alternatively, the parameter Soft AP present is not contained in the association response message, and the parameter Soft AP Primary is contained in the AP profile, and the association response message is set as shown in Table 13.

[0176] Table 13

[0177]

[0178] The AP1 profile setting example is shown in Table 14.

[0179] Table 14

[0180] Parameter Setting Link ID The identity of link 1 Soft AP Primary Set to 1 to indicate that this link is the primary link

[0181] The AP2 profile setting example is shown in Table 15.

[0182] Table 15

[0183] Parameter Setting Link ID The identity of link 2 Soft AP Primary Set to 0 to indicate that this link is the non-primary link

[0184] Then in step S1007, the STA MLD2 sets the primary link according to the indication (parameter SoftAP present or Soft AP Primary) in the association response message.

[0185] Based on the same inventive concept as the method for the management terminal device to communicate with the soft access point, the embodiment of the present application also provides a device for the management terminal device to communicate with the soft access point, which comprises:

[0186] The communication module one is configured to send a second message to the access device after the terminal device reads the first message containing the neighboring cell information sent by the access device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element.

[0187] The communication module two is configured to receive a third message sent by the access device through the terminal device, and the third message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point.

[0188] The primary link setting module is configured to set the primary link through the terminal device if the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point and the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device.

[0189] The embodiment of the present application also provides another device for the management terminal device to communicate with the soft access point, which comprises:

[0190] The communication module one is configured to send a second message to the access device after the terminal device reads the first message containing the neighboring cell information sent by the access device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element.

[0191] Communication module two is used to receive a third message sent by the access device through the terminal device. The third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is the main link.

[0192] The main link setting module is used to set the main link by the terminal device according to the instructions in the third message if the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device.

[0193] This invention also provides another apparatus for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0194] Communication module one is used to send a first message containing neighbor cell information to the terminal device via the access device on only one link;

[0195] Communication module two is used to receive a second message sent by a terminal device through an access device, the second message containing multi-link information elements;

[0196] Communication module three is used to send a third message to the terminal device through the access device, wherein the third message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device that sends the third message is a soft access point.

[0197] This invention also provides another apparatus for managing communication between a terminal device and a soft access point, comprising:

[0198] Communication module one is used to send a first message containing neighbor cell information to the terminal device via the access device on only one link;

[0199] Communication module two is used to receive a second message sent by a terminal device through an access device, the second message containing multi-link information elements;

[0200] The third communication module is used to send a third message to the terminal device through the access device. The third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is the main link.

[0201] In this embodiment of the invention, based on the same inventive concept as the method for communication between the management terminal device and the soft access point described above, this embodiment of the invention also provides a device for communication between the management terminal device and the soft access point. The device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores at least one instruction, at least one piece of program code, a code set, or an instruction set. The at least one instruction, at least one piece of program code, a code set, or an instruction set is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method for communication between the management terminal device and the soft access point involved in the above embodiments.

[0202] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one instruction, at least one piece of program code, a code set, or an instruction set, wherein the at least one instruction, at least one piece of program code, a code set, or an instruction set is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the method for communication between the management terminal device and the soft access point involved in the above embodiments.

[0203] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present invention, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. Some or all steps may be executed in parallel or sequentially. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0204] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software 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, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this invention.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0206] In the several embodiments provided by this invention, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0207] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. Similarly, the components shown as units may or may not be physical units; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this invention can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one unit.

[0208] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this invention, essentially, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, network device, or terminal, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0209] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: After the terminal device reads the first message containing the adjacent area information sent by the access device, the terminal device sends a second message to the access device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element; The terminal device receives a third message sent by the access device, wherein the third message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point; If the third message indicates that the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point, the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, and the terminal device sets a main link; After the terminal device sets the main link, the method further comprises the following steps: Detecting whether the link is idle; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is also idle, data is sent on the main link and the non-main link at the same time; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is not idle, data is sent only on the main link; If the main link is not idle, no data is sent on the main link and the non-main link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: The setting of the main link comprises the following steps: The first link where the logical terminal receiving the first message is located is set as the main link, and the link outside the first link is set as the non-main link.

3. A method of managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: After the terminal device reads the first message containing the adjacent area information sent by the access device, the terminal device sends a second message to the access device, wherein the second message contains a multi-link information element; The terminal device receives a third message sent by the access device, wherein the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a main link; If the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, the terminal device sets a main link according to the indication in the third message; After the terminal device sets the main link, the method further comprises the following steps: Detecting whether the link is idle; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is also idle, data is sent on the main link and the non-main link at the same time; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is not idle, data is sent only on the main link; If the main link is not idle, no data is sent on the main link and the non-main link.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the method further comprises: The setting of the main link according to the indication in the third message comprises the following steps: The link indicated as the main link in the third message is set as the main link, and the link indicated as the non-main link is set as the non-main link.

5. The method of claim 1-4, wherein the method further comprises: The second message is a probe request message, and the third message is a connection response message, and before the terminal device receives the third message sent by the access device, the method further comprises the following steps: The terminal device receives a probe response message sent by the access device; The terminal device sends a connection request message to the access device, wherein the connection request message contains a multi-link information element.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises: The probe response message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: The probe response message indicates whether the logical access point on the access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point through a second parameter, wherein when the second parameter is set as a third preset value, it represents a soft access point; when the probe response message does not contain the second parameter or the second parameter is set as a fourth preset value, it represents a conventional access point.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises: The probe response message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a main link.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: The probe response message contains information of one or more links, and the information of the link includes a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

10. The method of claim 1-4, wherein the method further comprises: After the terminal device sets the primary link, the method further includes: The terminal device receives a multi-link reconfiguration notification message sent by the access device, and the multi-link reconfiguration notification message contains a link identifier and a time remaining for deleting a logical access point corresponding to the link identifier; The terminal device disconnects a connection on a link according to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: The disconnecting a connection on a link according to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier includes: If the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a non-primary link, the terminal device disconnects a connection on the link corresponding to the link identifier before a time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the terminal device is configured to communicate with the soft access point. The disconnecting a connection on a link according to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier includes: If the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a primary link and a new primary link is not indicated, the terminal device disconnects a connection on all links before a time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: The disconnecting a connection on a link according to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message and the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier includes: If the link corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message is a primary link and a new primary link is indicated, the terminal device disconnects a connection on the link corresponding to the link identifier according to the indication of setting a new primary link and before a time indicated by the time remaining for deleting the logical access point corresponding to the link identifier contained in the multi-link reconfiguration notification message.

14. A method of managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, characterized by, The method includes: The access device sends a first message containing neighbor information to the terminal device on only one link; The access device receives a second message sent by the terminal device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element; The access device sends a third message to the terminal device, and the third message indicates whether a logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point; Detecting whether a link is idle; If the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is also idle, data is sent on both the primary link and the non-primary link at the same time; If the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is not idle, data is sent on only the primary link; If the primary link is not idle, no data is sent on either the primary link or the non-primary link.

15. A method of managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, characterized by, The method includes: The access device sends a first message containing neighbor information to the terminal device on only one link; The access device receives a second message sent by the terminal device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element; The access device sends a third message to the terminal device, and the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link; detecting whether the link is idle; if the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is also idle, sending data on the primary link and the non-primary link at the same time; if the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is not idle, sending data only on the primary link; if the primary link is not idle, sending no data on the primary link and the non-primary link.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the method further comprises: The second message is a probe request message, and the third message is a connection response message, and before the access device sends the third message to the terminal device, the method further comprises: The access device sends a probe response message to the terminal device; The access device receives a connection request message sent by the terminal device, and the connection request message contains a multi-link information element.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: The probe response message indicates whether a logical access point on the access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the terminal device is configured to communicate with the soft access point by, The probe response message indicates whether a logical access point on the access device sending the probe response message is a soft access point through a second parameter, and when the second parameter is set to a third preset value, it represents a soft access point; when the probe response message does not contain the second parameter or the second parameter is set to a fourth preset value, it represents a conventional access point.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises: The probe response message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the terminal device is configured to communicate with the soft access point. The probe response message contains information of one or more links, and the information of the link includes a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

21. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the method further comprises: Further comprising: The access device sends a multi-link reconfiguration notification message to the terminal device, and the multi-link reconfiguration notification message contains a link identifier and a time remaining for deleting a logical access point corresponding to the link identifier, or contains a link identifier and a time remaining for deleting a logical access point corresponding to the link identifier and indicates setting a new primary link.

22. The method of claim 1 or 14, wherein the method further comprises: The third message indicates whether a logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point through a first parameter, and when the first parameter is set to a first preset value, it represents a soft access point; when the third message does not contain the first parameter or the first parameter is set to a second preset value, it represents a conventional access point.

23. The method of claim 3 or 15, wherein the method further comprises: The third message contains information of one or more links, and the information of the link includes a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a primary link.

24. The method of claim 1-4 and 14-15, wherein the method further comprises: The first message is a broadcast message or a probe response message.

25. The method of claim 1-4 and 14-15, wherein the method further comprises: The second message is a probe request message or a connection request message, and the third message is a probe response message or a connection response message.

26. The method of claim 1-4 and 14-15, wherein the method further comprises: The multi-link information element contains a type of multi-link information element and information of one or more links.

27. An apparatus for managing a terminal device communicating with a soft access point, the apparatus comprising: Comprising: The communication module one is used for sending a second message to the access device after the terminal device reads a first message containing neighborhood information sent by the access device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element; The communication module two is used for receiving a third message sent by the access device through the terminal device, and the third message indicates whether a logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point; The main link setting module is used for setting a main link through the terminal device if the logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point and the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, and detecting whether the link is idle after the terminal device sets the main link; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is also idle, data is sent on the main link and the non-main link simultaneously; if the main link is idle and the non-main link is not idle, data is sent on the main link only; and if the main link is not idle, data is not sent on the main link and the non-main link.

28. An apparatus for managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, the apparatus comprising: The communication module one is used for sending a second message to the access device after reading a first message containing neighbor cell information sent by the access device through the terminal device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element; The communication module two is used for receiving a third message sent by the access device through the terminal device, and the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a main link; The main link setting module is used for setting a main link through the terminal device according to the indication in the third message if the terminal device establishes a connection with the access device, and detecting whether the link is idle after the terminal device sets the main link; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is also idle, data is sent on the main link and the non-main link simultaneously; if the main link is idle and the non-main link is not idle, data is sent on the main link only; and if the main link is not idle, data is not sent on the main link and the non-main link. The communication module one is used for sending a first message containing neighbor cell information to the terminal device through the access device on one link only; 29. An apparatus for managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, the apparatus comprising: The communication module two is used for receiving a second message sent by the terminal device through the access device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element; The communication module three is used for sending a third message to the terminal device through the access device, the third message indicates whether a logical access point on the access device sending the third message is a soft access point, and detecting whether the link is idle; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is also idle, data is sent on the main link and the non-main link simultaneously; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is not idle, data is sent on the main link only; and if the main link is not idle, data is not sent on the main link and the non-main link. The communication module one is used for sending a first message containing neighbor cell information to the terminal device through the access device on one link only; The communication module two is used for receiving a second message sent by the terminal device through the access device, and the second message contains a multi-link information element; 30. An apparatus for managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, the apparatus comprising: The communication module three is used for sending a third message to the terminal device through the access device, the third message contains a link identifier and indicates whether the link corresponding to the link identifier is a main link, and detecting whether the link is idle; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is also idle, data is sent on the main link and the non-main link simultaneously; If the main link is idle and the non-main link is not idle, data is sent on the main link only; and if the main link is not idle, data is not sent on the main link and the non-main link. ​ ​ If the primary link is idle and the non-primary link is not idle, then data is transmitted only on the primary link; if the primary link is not idle, then data is not transmitted on either the primary link or the non-primary link.

31. A system for managing communications of a terminal device with a soft access point, the system comprising: The system comprises a terminal device for performing the method of managing communication of the terminal device with the soft access point according to any one of claims 1-13, and an access device for performing the method of managing communication of the terminal device with the soft access point according to any one of claims 15-22.

32. An apparatus for managing a terminal device communicating with a soft access point, the apparatus comprising: The device comprises a processor and a memory, and the memory stores at least one instruction, at least one program code, a code set or an instruction set, which are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method of managing communication of the terminal device with the soft access point according to any one of claims 1-26.

33. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The storage medium stores at least one instruction, at least one program code, a code set or an instruction set, which are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method of managing communication of the terminal device with the soft access point according to any one of claims 1-2.

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