Multi-connection communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a multi-connection communication method and device, equipment and a storage medium thereof. The method comprises the following steps: determining information associated with a restrictive target wake-up time (TWT) service period (SP); and scheduling a communication transmission between a first station and an access point according to the information associated with the restrictive TWT SP, so as to avoid the communication transmission of the first station in the restrictive TWT SP. According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, in the multi-connection communication process, an interfering station can avoid interference on the communication transmission of the restrictive TWT SP by acquiring the information associated with the restrictive TWT SP.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and specifically to multi-connection communication methods, apparatus, devices and their storage media. Background Technology

[0002] In May 2018, IEEE 802.11 established the SG (study group) IEEE 802.11be to research next-generation mainstream (802.11a / b / g / n / ac) Wi-Fi technology. Its research scope includes 320MHz bandwidth transmission, multi-band aggregation and coordination, etc., with the aim of improving transmission rates and throughput by at least four times compared to IEEE 802.11ax. Its main application scenarios are video transmission, AR, VR, etc. Multi-band aggregation and coordination refers to devices communicating simultaneously in the 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz, and 6-7GHz frequency bands. Simultaneous communication between devices in multiple frequency bands requires the definition of a new MAC (Media Access Control) mechanism for management. In addition, IEEE 802.11be aims to support low-latency transmission.

[0003] IEEE 802.11be supports the transmission of TSN (Time Sensitive Network) data, with a latency generally required to be less than 1ms. It also supports data transmission for AR / VR, with a latency generally required to be between 1 and 10ms. For data transmission of interactive video or autonomous driving control, the latency is generally required to be between 10 and 50ms.

[0004] In IEEE 802.11be, a limitation on the target wake-up service cycle is proposed to address the delay handling of periodic TSN data transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desirable to provide a multi-connection communication method, apparatus, device and its storage medium to avoid the conflict between the limited target wake-up service cycle and data frame transmission of different connections in multi-connection communication scenarios.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a multi-connection communication method, the method comprising:

[0007] Determine the information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle SP;

[0008] Communication transmissions between the first site and the access point are scheduled based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP to prevent the first site from transmitting communication within the restricted TWT SP.

[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a multi-connection communication method, the method comprising:

[0010] Determine the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle (SP) for the second site;

[0011] The communication transmission between the first site and the access point is scheduled according to the restrictive TWT SP to prevent the first site from transmitting communication within the restrictive TWT SP.

[0012] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a multi-connection communication device, the device comprising:

[0013] The site-side information determination module is used to determine information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle (SP).

[0014] The site-side scheduling module is used to schedule the communication transmission between the first site and the access point based on the information associated with the restricted TWT SP, so as to avoid the first site from conducting communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP.

[0015] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a multi-connection communication device, the device comprising:

[0016] The access point-side determination module is used to determine the service cycle SP of the second site with respect to the restricted target wake-up time (TWT).

[0017] The access point-side scheduling module is used to schedule communication transmissions between the first site and the second site and the access point according to the restricted TWT SP, so as to avoid the first site from conducting communication transmissions within the restricted TWT SP.

[0018] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a multi-connection communication device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement the method described in the embodiments of this application.

[0019] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program being used for:

[0020] When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0021] The multi-connection communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in this application determine information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service period (SP) using the aforementioned method; then, based on the information associated with the restricted TWT SP, the communication transmission between the first station and the access point is scheduled to avoid the first station performing communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP. This application embodiment obtains the information associated with the restricted TWT SP through the first station to avoid interference with communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP, thereby improving system throughput while meeting different service latency requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Other features, objects, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of a multi-connection communication application scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 A flowchart of a multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 An interactive schematic diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0026] Figure 4 This illustration shows another interactive diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This illustration shows yet another flowchart of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 6 An interactive schematic diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0029] Figure 7 This illustration shows another interactive diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 8 This illustration shows another interactive diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 9 Another interactive schematic diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is shown;

[0032] Figure 10 An exemplary structural block diagram of a multi-connection communication device provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0033] Figure 11Another exemplary structural block diagram of the multi-connection communication device provided in the embodiments of this application is shown;

[0034] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a terminal device or access point suitable for implementing embodiments of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the relevant disclosure and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0036] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. That is, based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0037] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 1 This illustration shows a multi-connection communication application scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. This embodiment can be applied to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), and the standard adopted can be the IEEE 802.11 series.

[0038] A multi-link device (MLD) is a device that is compliant with IEEE 802.11be standards. It can operate simultaneously on different links or frequency bands, or quickly switch links to complete data transmission in a shorter time, increasing the target maximum throughput by 30Gbps. In one embodiment, one link corresponds to one frequency band.

[0039] A multi-connectivity device can consist of two or more logical functional entities (e.g., a station, STA), each transmitting data through a separate connection. Each STA can also include multiple connections or switch between different connections for data transmission. It can also uniformly manage and coordinate the Media Access Control Address (MAC) layer functions provided by each logical functional entity, providing a unified data interface to the upper layer. Multi-connectivity devices can be categorized into those that do not support simultaneous STR transmission and reception and those that do support simultaneous transmission and reception. It can support various WLAN standards, including but not limited to IEEE 802.11be.

[0040] A Non-Simultaneous Transmit & Receive (STR) multi-connection device, abbreviated as Non-STR MLD, comprises one or more logical functional entities (STAs, or Stations). Each functional entity can transmit data through one connection. Optionally, depending on the technical configuration, a functional entity can also support multiple connections, for example, including but not limited to Connection 1 (Link1) and Connection 2 (Link2). Because a Non-STR MLD can include multiple STAs, it can transmit data over multiple connections. However, when a Non-STR MLD transmits a data frame on Connection 1, Connection 2 can only transmit data frames simultaneously and cannot receive data frames; that is, a Non-STR MLD does not support simultaneous transmit and receive functionality. A Non-STR MLD can have, but is not limited to, one, two, three, or more stations.

[0041] Simultaneous Transmit & Receive (STR MLD) is a multi-connection device that allows simultaneous transmission and reception. A STR MLD consists of two connections: Connection 1 and Connection 2. When a data frame is sent on Connection 1, a data frame can be simultaneously received on Connection 2; that is, STR MLD supports simultaneous transmission and reception.

[0042] A first site, designated as a multi-connection device (MLD) 101 or one of its stations, is an interfering site that may interfere with the communication transmission of a second site during the Restricted Target Wake-up Time (TWT) service period (SP) when communicating with the access point (AP). The first site 101 can be a non-simultaneous transmit / receive (STR) multi-connection device, a station within a non-simultaneous transmit / receive multi-connection device, a simultaneous transmit / receive multi-connection device, a station within a simultaneous transmit / receive multi-connection device, or a non-802.11be site, i.e., a non-MLD.

[0043] The non-multi-connection device MLD device is the second site 102, which is the owner of the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service period SP (i.e., the second site is configured with the restricted TWT SP). The second site 102 can be one of the aforementioned non-simultaneous transmit / receive STR multi-connection devices.

[0044] Access Point (AP), also known as a wireless access point, is the central node of a network. It includes, but is not limited to, wireless routers, terminal devices or network devices with Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) chips, etc. It can support various WLAN standards, including but not limited to IEEE 802.11be.

[0045] During the development of the IEEE 802.11be standard, for the periodic transmission of TSN data, it was proposed that within a restricted TWT (target wake time) SP (service period), only the corresponding STA (Station) can access and transmit TSN data, while other stations cannot access and communicate. For example, STA1 and STA2, belonging to different physical entities, may communicate with the access point AP, or STA1 and STA2, belonging to the same Non-STR STA MLD, may communicate with the access point AP. In the case of STA2 communicating with the AP, if the "more data" subfield in the MAC header of the MAC data frame sent by STA2 is set to "1", it indicates that STA2 still has data to transmit, and the length of the duration subfield may be set to: current data length + 2SIFS + 2*ACK length + pending data length. The communication transmission process between the first site STA2 and the access point AP may partially or completely overlap with the restricted TWT SP of the second site STA1, causing interference to the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP of the second site STA1 during multi-connection communication. However, such interference is unacceptable for the second site STA1 because the data transmitted in the restricted TWT SP is highly time-sensitive.

[0046] To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes a multi-connection communication method to avoid potential interference with communication within the restricted TWT SP during multi-connection communication.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 2 As shown, this method can be implemented by the first station (i.e., STA2). The method includes:

[0048] Step 201: Determine the information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle (SP).

[0049] Step 202: Schedule communication transmission between the first site and the access point based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP to prevent the first site from performing the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP.

[0050] In the above steps, it is assumed that the first site STA2 and the first site STA2 are two sites in the same Non-STR MLD (i.e., physical entity).

[0051] The second site, STA1, is the owner of the restricted TWT SP and can be represented as a Non-STR STA.

[0052] The first site, STA2, is an interference site that interferes with communication transmissions within the restricted TWT SP.

[0053] The information associated with the Restricted Target Wake-up Time (TWT) service period SP mentioned above includes, but is not limited to, the start time, end time, and time offset of the Restricted TWT SP relative to the first site.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, when the first station and the second station communicate with the access point respectively, the second station STA1 communicates with the access point AP within the restricted TWT SP, while the first station STA2, without knowing the restricted TWT SP of STA1, may still be communicating with the access point AP, which will cause a communication conflict between the two stations and the access point AP.

[0055] One embodiment of this application proposes that when an access point (AP) sends a restricted TWT SP to a second site (STA1), the data transmission between the various STAs can be uniformly managed and coordinated through the MAC layer function of a multi-connection device that does not support synchronous transmission and reception. That is, the information associated with the restricted TWT SP is received within the multi-connection device that does not support synchronous transmission and reception. Within a Non-STR MLD, the information associated with the restricted TWT SP is then sent from the second site to the first site.

[0056] When the second site STA1 receives information configured for the second site STA1 related to the restricted target wake-up time service period from the access point AP, it can send the information related to the restricted target wake-up time service period to the first site STA2 through media access control commands.

[0057] When the first station STA2 is aware of the information associated with the restricted target wake-up time service period of the second station STA1, the MAC layer function within the Non-STR MLD can coordinate uniformly to avoid conflicts between communication transmissions of different connections and the restricted TWT SP. For example, the first station STA2 can use this information associated with the restricted target wake-up time service period to prevent its own communication transmissions from occurring during the restricted TWT SP.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, the first site STA2 is an MLD device that communicates with the access point AP, or a site within an MLD device. The second site STA1 is a Non-STR MLD (i.e., a physical entity) or a Non-STR STA within a Non-STR MLD.

[0059] When the first station STA2 receives information associated with the restricted TWT SP sent by the access point AP in a broadcast manner, the first station STA2 schedules the communication transmission between the first station and the access point according to the information associated with the restricted TWT SP, so as to avoid the first station communicating with the access point within the restricted TWT SP.

[0060] Specifically, preventing the first station from communicating within the restricted TWT SP includes prohibiting the first station from sending pending residual data within the restricted TWT SP. In other words, prohibiting the first station from sending pending residual data that could interfere with the communication transmission of the second station within the restricted TWT SP.

[0061] Based on the above embodiments, the method may further include the first station STA1 determining the restricted TWT SP based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP. For example, the restricted TWT SP can be determined based on its start and end times. It should be noted that this restricted TWT SP is for the second station STA2. Since the first station STA1 and the second station STA2 communicate on different connections, there may be an offset between the temporal positions of the restricted TWT SP and the two stations. Therefore, in addition to sending the start and end times of the restricted TWT SP, the time-domain offset value of the restricted TWT SP relative to the first station can also be sent, so that the first station can calculate the actual position of the restricted TWT SP.

[0062] In this embodiment, the first station can avoid interference between the communication transmission between the first station and the access point and the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP of the second station based on the information received associated with the restricted TWT SP, thereby improving the system throughput in different business scenarios.

[0063] The communication transmission between the first station and the access point interferes with the communication transmission of the second station within the restricted TWT SP. Control measures can also be implemented from the access point side. Please refer to the following: Figure 5 , Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 5 As shown, this method can be implemented by an access point (AP). The method includes:

[0064] Step 501: Determine the service period SP of the second site with respect to the restricted target wake-up time (TWT).

[0065] Step 502: Schedule communication transmissions between at least one of the first and second sites and the access point according to the restrictive TWT SP to prevent the first site from transmitting communication within the restrictive TWT SP.

[0066] In the above steps, such as Figure 6 As shown, when two or more stations in a Non-STR MLD communicate with an access point, the first station and the second station are two stations within the Non-STR MLD (i.e., physical entities). The second station, STA1, is the owner of the restricted TWT SP and can be represented as a Non-STR STA. The first station, STA2, is an interfering station that disrupts communication transmissions within the restricted TWT SP.

[0067] The second site STA1 is configured to communicate with the access point AP within a restricted TWT SP. The first site STA2 continues to communicate with the access point AP even though it is unaware of STA1's restricted TWT SP. The access point AP receives the header of the MAC data frame sent by the first site STA2, parses it, and can then determine whether the first site STA2 should continue sending data frames.

[0068] When the first site STA2 continues to send data frames, since the access point AP already knows the restricted TWT SP negotiated with the second site STA1, the access point AP can decide whether to accept the data frames that the first site STA2 continues to send based on the first identifier contained in the header of the data frames sent by the first site STA2 and the restricted TWT SP of the second site STA1.

[0069] The aforementioned first identifier refers to an identifier field used to indicate whether data frames will continue to be sent, including but not limited to the identifier information set in the more data subfield of the header of the Media Access Control data frame. For example, if the more data subfield is set to "1", it indicates that STA2 still has data to transmit.

[0070] Based on the above embodiments, the access point (AP) can send an acknowledgment message to the first site (STA2) according to the restrictive TWT SP. This acknowledgment message notifies the first site whether the access point will accept or not accept communication transmissions from the first site during the TWT SP. In other words, the acknowledgment message can indicate whether to allow the reception of pending data (i.e., unresolved remaining data) from the MAC data frames to be transmitted by the first site.

[0071] When the access point AP determines that the time point of the limited target wake-up time service cycle of the second site STA1 does not conflict with the time point of the transmission of the pending data in the data frame continued to be transmitted by the first site STA2, the access point AP can send a first acknowledgment message ACK. The first acknowledgment message ACK is used to indicate that it is allowed to continue receiving the pending data in the data frame transmitted by the first site STA2.

[0072] When the access point AP determines that the time point of the restricted target wake-up time service cycle of the second site STA1 conflicts with the time point of the transmission of the pending data in the data frame that the first site STA2 continues to transmit, the access point AP sends a second acknowledgment message ACK. The second acknowledgment message ACK is used to indicate that it is not allowed to continue to receive the pending data in the data frame sent by STA2, so as to avoid the first site from communicating within the restricted TWT SP.

[0073] In this embodiment of the application, the communication transmission between the first site and the second site and the access point is scheduled by the access point according to the restrictive TWT SP, thereby avoiding the first site from conducting communication transmission within the restrictive TWT SP.

[0074] For example, the second site STA1 is the owner of the restricted TWT SP and can be represented as a Non-STR STA. It can be a site in a non-STR MLD or a site within a non-STR MLD. The first site STA2 is an interfering site that interferes with communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP. The first site can be an MLD (i.e., a physical entity) or a site within an MLD. It can be a Non-STR STA or a STR STA. The first site and the second site belong to different physical entities or are sites within different physical entities. Figure 7 Describe the multi-connection communication method in this communication scenario. Figure 7An interactive schematic diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For example... Figure 7 As shown, this method can be implemented by an access point (AP). The access point (AP) communicates with the first site (STA2) and the second site (STA1) respectively. The access point (AP) unicasts information related to the restricted target wake-up time service period to the second site (STA1).

[0075] After the access point (AP) and the second site (STA1) negotiate and determine the configuration of the restricted TWT SP for the second site (STA1), the AP can generate information associated with the restricted TWT SP based on the restricted TWT SP and send the information associated with the restricted TWT SP to the second site (STA1).

[0076] Step 701: The access point (AP) sends relevant information about the restricted target wake-up time service period to the second site (STA1) via unicast.

[0077] Step 702: The access point (AP) sends an acknowledgment message to the first site (STA2) based on the restrictive TWT SP.

[0078] Specifically, the access point (AP) receives the header of the Media Access Control (MAC) data frame sent by the first site; the AP parses the header of the MAC data frame to obtain the second identifier; and the AP sends an acknowledgment message to the first site based on the second identifier and the restricted target wake-up time service period. The acknowledgment message functions the same as the acknowledgment message in the previously described scenario. The functions of the first and second identifiers are also the same and will not be repeated here.

[0079] Since the access point AP already knows the restricted target wake-up time service period configured by the second site STA1 after negotiating the restricted target wake-up time service period with the second site STA1.

[0080] When the access point AP determines that the time point of the restricted target wake-up time service cycle of the second site STA1 does not conflict with the time point of the transmission of the pending data in the data frame continued to be transmitted by the first site STA2, the access point AP may send a first acknowledgment message ACK. The first acknowledgment message ACK is used to indicate that it is allowed to continue to receive the pending data in the data frame transmitted by the second multi-connection device STA2.

[0081] When the access point AP determines that the time point of the restricted target wake-up time service cycle of the second site STA1 conflicts with the time point of the data to be processed in the data frame that the first site STA2 continues to send, the access point AP sends a second acknowledgment message ACK, which is used to indicate that it is not allowed to continue to accept the data to be processed in the data frame sent by the first site STA2.

[0082] In this embodiment of the application, when the first station belongs to MLD and the second station belongs to non-STR MLD and communicate with the access point AP respectively, the access point can schedule the communication transmission between the first station and the second station and the access point according to the restricted TWT SP, so as to avoid the first station from communicating within the restricted TWT SP, thereby avoiding interference with the communication transmission of the second station within the restricted TWT SP.

[0083] For example, the second site STA1 is the owner of the restricted TWT SP, which can be represented as a Non-STR STA. It can be a site in a non-STR MLD or a site in a non-STR MLD. The first site STA2 is an interfering site that interferes with the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP. The first site can be a legacy STA, i.e., a site in a non-MLD (i.e., a physical entity), or a site in a site outside of an MLD. Figure 8 Describe the multi-connection communication method implemented by the AP in this communication scenario. Figure 8 An interactive schematic diagram of the multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. For example... Figure 8 As shown, this method can be implemented by an access point (AP). The access point AP communicates with a first site (STA2) and a second site (STA1). The access point AP sends a restricted target wake-up time (SWT) service period to the second site, which then communicates with the access point AP during the SWT service period. The first site (STA2) also communicates with the access point AP. The method includes:

[0084] Step 801: The access point (AP) adjusts the restrictive TWT SP according to the contention-free period (CFP) of the second site, which is synchronized with the CFP of the first site.

[0085] The aforementioned adjustment refers to the negotiation between the access point (AP) and the second site to adjust the restrictive TWT SP to the contention-free period CFP of the second site. The CFP of the first site and the CFP of the second site are synchronized in time.

[0086] In this embodiment of the application, when the second site is not MLD and the first site is not STR MLD, the access point adjusts the restricted TWT SP through the contention-free period of the second site, which can also prevent the first site from conducting communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP.

[0087] For example, the second site STA1 is the owner of the restricted TWT SP, which can be represented as a Non-STR STA. It can be a site outside the STR MLD (i.e., a physical entity) or outside the STR MLD. The first site STA2 is an interfering site that interferes with communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP. The first site can be a legacy STA, i.e., outside the MLD (i.e., a physical entity), or outside the MLD. Figure 9 Describe the multi-connection communication method implemented by the second station in this communication scenario. Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a multi-connection communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 9 As shown, the access point (AP) communicates with both the first and second sites. The AP negotiates a restricted target wake-up time (STA1) service period with the second site (STA1), and the second site (STA1) communicates and transmits data with the access point (AP) within the restricted target wake-up time service period. The method includes:

[0088] Step 901: The second station STA1 sends a request to the access point AP to send an RTS signal;

[0089] Step 902: The second station STA1 receives a clear CTS signal returned by the access point AP according to the restricted target wake-up time service cycle. The CTS signal is generated by the access point according to the restricted TWT SP.

[0090] Step 903, the second station STA1 responds with a clear transmission signal to prevent the first station from communicating with the access point within the restricted TWT SP.

[0091] In the above steps, the second station STA1 can negotiate the restricted target wake-up time service period with the access point AP. The access point AP knows the restricted target wake-up time service period of the second station STA1. However, if the second station STA1 does not know the information of other stations connected to the access point AP, the second station can try to avoid interference from other stations when communicating with the access point within the restricted TWT by the RTS / CTS mechanism.

[0092] The second station can send a request to send an RTS signal to the access point (AP) at the start time of the restricted TWT SP. The second station will only initiate communication with the access point (AP) within the restricted TWT SP when it receives a clear send CTS signal from the access point (AP). If the second station does not receive a clear send CTS signal from the access point (AP), communication will not be initiated.

[0093] It should be noted that although the operations of the methods of this disclosure are described in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that these operations must be performed in that specific order, or that all of the operations shown must be performed to achieve the desired result. On the contrary, the steps depicted in the flowchart may be performed in a different order. Additionally or alternatively, certain steps may be omitted, multiple steps may be combined into one step, and / or one step may be broken down into multiple steps.

[0094] Further reference Figure 10 , Figure 10 An exemplary structural block diagram of a multi-connection communication device provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. The multi-connection communication device can be implemented by a processing system in a multi-connection device. The multi-connection communication device includes:

[0095] The site-side determination module 1001 is used to determine information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle (SP).

[0096] The site-side scheduling module 1002 is used to schedule the communication transmission between the first site and the access point based on the information associated with the restricted TWT SP, so as to avoid the first site from conducting communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP.

[0097] The site-side determination module is used to receive information associated with the restricted TWT SP from the second site or the access point, wherein the restricted TWT SP is configured for the second site.

[0098] The site-side determination module is also used to determine the restricted TWT SP based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP.

[0099] The first and second stations belong to a non-simultaneous transmit / receive STR multi-connection device (MLD). The information associated with the restricted TWT SP is sent from the second station to the first station within the non-STR MLD.

[0100] The information associated with the Restricted TWT SP indicates at least one of the following: the start time, end time, or time offset of the Restricted TWT SP relative to the first site.

[0101] The second site is a non-STR MLD, and the first site is a non-MLD.

[0102] When the first site belongs to MLD and the second site belongs to non-STR MLD, the information associated with the restricted TWT SP is received from the access point via broadcast.

[0103] Preventing the first station from making communication transmissions within the restricted TWT SP includes: the first station is prohibited from sending pending remaining data within the restricted TWT SP.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 An exemplary structural block diagram of a multi-connection communication device provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. This multi-connection communication device can be implemented by a processing system in an access point. The multi-connection communication device includes:

[0105] Access point side determination module 1101 is used to determine the service period SP of the second site with respect to the restricted target wake-up time (TWT).

[0106] The access point-side scheduling module 1102 is used to schedule communication transmissions between the first site and the second site and the access point according to the restricted TWT SP, so as to avoid the first site from conducting communication transmissions within the restricted TWT SP.

[0107] When the first site and the second site belong to a non-simultaneous transmit / receive STR multi-connection device (MLD), the access point-side scheduling module is used to send an acknowledgment message to the first site according to the restrictive TWT SP.

[0108] When the first site is a non-MLD and the second site is a non-STR MLD, the access point-side scheduling module is also used to adjust the restricted TWT SP according to the contention-free period CFP of the second site, which is synchronized with the CFP of the first site.

[0109] The device also includes

[0110] The generation module is used to generate information associated with the restricted TWT SP based on the restricted TWT SP; and

[0111] The sending module is used to send information associated with the restricted TWT SP.

[0112] This confirmation message is used to notify the first site access point whether to receive communication transmissions from the first site or not during the TWT SP period.

[0113] The first site belongs to MLD, and the second site belongs to non-STR MLD.

[0114] If the information associated with the restrictive TWT SP is unicast to the second site, then the access point-side scheduling module is used to send an acknowledgment message to the first site based on the restrictive TWT SP.

[0115] When the first site belongs to MLD and the second site belongs to non-STR MLD, the access point-side scheduling module is used to adjust the restricted TWT SP according to the contention-free period CFP of the second site, which is synchronized with the CFP of the first site.

[0116] Preventing the first station from making communication transmissions within the restricted TWT SP includes: the first station is prohibited from sending pending remaining data within the restricted TWT SP.

[0117] It should be understood that the units or modules described in the above-mentioned device are the same as those in the reference. Figure 2-9 The steps in the described method correspond accordingly. Therefore, the operations and features described above for the method also apply to the aforementioned apparatus and its constituent units, and will not be repeated here. The division of modules or units mentioned in the detailed description above is not mandatory. In fact, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the features and functions of two or more modules or units described above can be embodied in one module or unit. Conversely, the features and functions of one module or unit described above can be further divided and embodied by multiple modules or units.

[0118] The following is for reference. Figure 12 , Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a terminal device or access point suitable for implementing embodiments of this application is shown.

[0119] like Figure 12 As shown, it includes a processor 1401 configured to perform the above-described tasks. Figure 2-9 The method described. Processors 1401 are interconnected via bus 1404. Input / output (I / O) interface 1405 is also connected to bus 1404.

[0120] And a communication section 1409 including network interface cards such as LAN cards and modems. The communication section 1409 performs communication processing via a network such as the Internet. The driver 1410 is also connected to the I / O interface 1405 as needed.

[0121] Removable media 1411, such as disks, optical discs, magneto-optical discs, semiconductor memories, etc., are installed on drive 1410 as needed so that computer programs read from them can be installed into storage section 1408 as needed.

[0122] Specifically, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the flowcharts above refer to... Figure 2-9The described process can be implemented as a computer software program. For example, embodiments of this disclosure include a computer program product comprising a computer program carried on a machine-readable medium, the computer program containing program code for performing the methods shown in the flowchart. In such embodiments, the computer program can be downloaded and installed from a network via communication section 1409, and / or installed from removable medium 1411. When the computer program is executed by processing unit 1401, it performs the functions defined in the system of this application.

[0123] It should be noted that the computer-readable medium disclosed herein may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium, or any combination thereof. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example,—but not limited to—an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of a computer-readable storage medium may include, but are not limited to: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In this disclosure, a computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable signal media can also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, which can send, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The program code contained on the computer-readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to: wireless, wire, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0124] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the blocks may occur in a different order than those indicated in the drawings. For example, two consecutively indicated blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or operation, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0125] The units or modules described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in software or hardware. The described units or modules can also be located in a processor; for example, a processor can be described as including XX unit, YY unit, and ZZ unit. The names of these units or modules do not necessarily limit the unit or module itself; for example, XX unit can also be described as "a unit for XX".

[0126] In another aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which may be included in the electronic device described in the above embodiments; or it may exist independently and not assembled into the electronic device. The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium stores one or more programs that, when used by one or more processors, execute the multi-connection communication method described in this application.

[0127] In one embodiment, this disclosure proposes a multi-connection communication method including:

[0128] Determine the information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle SP;

[0129] Communication transmissions between the first site and the access point are scheduled based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP to prevent the first site from performing the communication transmissions within the restricted TWT SP.

[0130] In one embodiment, the communication method includes determining information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service period SP, including:

[0131] Receive information associated with a restrictive TWT SP from a second site or the access point, wherein the restrictive TWT SP is configured for the second site.

[0132] In one embodiment, the communication method includes determining the restricted TWT SP based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP.

[0133] In one embodiment, the communication method includes a first station and a second station belonging to a non-simultaneous transmit / receive STR multi-connection device (MLD), wherein the information associated with the restricted TWT SP is sent from the second station to the first station within the non-STR MLD.

[0134] In one embodiment, the communication method includes information associated with the restricted TWT SP indicating at least one of the following: the start time, end time, or time offset of the restricted TWT SP relative to a first site.

[0135] In one embodiment, the communication method includes a second station belonging to a non-STR MLD and a first station being a non-MLD.

[0136] In one embodiment, the communication method includes a first site belonging to an MLD, a second site belonging to a non-STR MLD, and wherein information associated with a restricted TWT SP is received from the access point via broadcast.

[0137] In one embodiment, the communication method includes preventing a first station from making communication transmissions within a restricted TWT SP, comprising: the first station being prohibited from sending pending remaining data within the restricted TWT SP.

[0138] In yet another embodiment, this disclosure also provides a multi-connection communication method including:

[0139] Determine the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle (SP) for the second site;

[0140] The communication transmission between the first site and the access point is scheduled according to the restrictive TWT SP to prevent the first site from transmitting communication within the restrictive TWT SP.

[0141] In one embodiment, the communication method includes a first station and a second station belonging to a non-simultaneous transmit / receive STR multi-connection device (MLD). Scheduling communication transmissions between at least one of the first station and the second station and an access point according to a restrictive TWT SP includes sending an acknowledgment message to the first station according to the restrictive TWT SP.

[0142] In one embodiment, the communication method includes a first site belonging to a non-MLD and a second site belonging to a non-STR MLD. Scheduling communication transmissions between at least one of the first and second sites and the access point according to a restrictive TWT SP includes:

[0143] The restricted TWT SP is adjusted based on the contention-free period CFP of the second site, which is synchronized with the CFP of the first site.

[0144] In one embodiment, the communication method includes generating information associated with a restricted TWT SP based on the restricted TWT SP; and sending the information associated with the restricted TWT SP.

[0145] In one embodiment, the communication method includes an acknowledgment message to notify a first site access point whether to receive or not receive communication transmissions from the first site during the restricted TWT SP.

[0146] In one embodiment, the communication method includes a first station belonging to an MLD and a second station belonging to a non-STR MLD.

[0147] In one embodiment, the communication method includes information associated with a restrictive TWT SP being unicast to a second station, and wherein scheduling communication transmissions between at least one of the first and second stations and an access point according to the restrictive TWT SP includes sending an acknowledgment message to the first station according to the restrictive TWT SP.

[0148] In one embodiment, the communication method includes scheduling communication transmissions between at least one of a first site and a second site and an access point based on a restricted TWT SP, comprising: adjusting the restricted TWT SP according to a contention-free period (CFP) of the second site, the contention-free period being synchronized with the CFP of the first site.

[0149] In one embodiment, the communication method includes preventing a first station from making communication transmissions within a restricted TWT SP, comprising: the first station being prohibited from sending pending remaining data within the restricted TWT SP.

[0150] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of disclosure in this application is not limited to technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the foregoing disclosed concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. A multi-connection communication method, the method comprising: Determine the information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle SP; The communication transmission between the first station and the access point is scheduled based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP, and the first station is controlled to stop the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP; The information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service period SP includes: Receive information from the access point associated with the restricted TWT SP, wherein the restricted TWT SP is configured for a second site; the information associated with the restricted TWT SP is received from the access point via broadcast; The first site and the second site are two sites in the same Non-STR MLD. The second site is the owner of the restricted TWT SP, and the first site is an interfering site that interferes with the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP.

2. The communication method according to claim 1 further includes: The restricted TWT SP is determined based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein, The information associated with the restricted TWT SP indicates at least one of the following: the start time, end time, or time offset of the restricted TWT SP relative to the first site.

4. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein, Controlling the first station to stop the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP includes: the first station being prohibited from sending pending remaining data within the restricted TWT SP.

5. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The instruction to control the first station to stop the communication transmission within the restrictive TWT SP is included in an acknowledgment message sent by the access point to the first station; wherein, the acknowledgment message is sent by the access point to the first station after receiving the header of the Media Access Control (MAC) data frame sent by the first station, parsing the header, and based on the parsing result and the restrictive TWT SP.

6. A multi-connection communication method, the method comprising: Determine the information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service period SP of the second site; wherein the restricted TWT SP is configured for the second site; and the information associated with the restricted TWT SP of the second site is broadcast by the access point. Based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP, at least one of the first and second stations is scheduled to communicate with the access point, and the first station is controlled to stop the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP; The first station and the second station belong to two stations in a non-simultaneous transmit / receive STR multi-connection device (MLD). The second station is the owner of the restricted TWT SP, and the first station is an interfering station that interferes with the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP. The step of scheduling communication transmissions between at least one of the first and second stations and the access point according to the restrictive TWT SP includes: sending an acknowledgment message to the first station according to the restrictive TWT SP.

7. The communication method according to claim 6 further includes: Based on the restricted TWT SP, generate information associated with the restricted TWT SP; as well as Send information associated with the restricted TWT SP.

8. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein, The confirmation message is used to notify the first site whether the access point receives communication transmissions from the first site or does not receive communication transmissions from the first site during the TWT SP.

9. The communication method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The header of the Media Access Control (MAC) data frame sent by the first station is received and parsed to determine whether the first station should continue sending data frames. Based on the parsing result and the restrictive TWT SP, the confirmation message is sent to the first site.

10. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein, The information associated with the restrictive TWT SP is unicast to the second station, and wherein scheduling communication transmissions between the first station and the access point of at least one of the second station according to the restrictive TWT SP includes sending an acknowledgment message to the first station according to the restrictive TWT SP.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein, The method of scheduling communication transmissions between at least one of the first and second sites and the access point according to the restricted TWT SP includes: The restricted TWT SP is adjusted based on the contention-free period CFP of the second site, which is synchronized with the CFP of the first site.

12. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein, Controlling the first station to stop the communication transmission within the restricted TWTSP includes: the first station being prohibited from sending pending remaining data within the restricted TWTSP.

13. A multi-connection communication device, the device comprising: The site-side determination module is used to determine information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service cycle (SP). The site-side scheduling module is used to schedule the communication transmission between the first site and the access point according to the information associated with the restricted TWT SP, and to control the first site to stop communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP; A site-side determination module is configured to receive information associated with a restricted TWT SP from the access point, wherein the restricted TWT SP is configured for use at the second site; the information associated with the restricted TWT SP is received from the access point via broadcast. The first site and the second site are two sites in the same Non-STR MLD. The second site is the owner of the restricted TWT SP, and the first site is an interfering site that interferes with the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP.

14. A multi-connection communication device, the device comprising: The access point-side determination module is used to determine the information associated with the restricted target wake-up time (TWT) service period (SP) of the second site; wherein the restricted TWT SP is configured for the second site; and the information associated with the restricted TWT SP of the second site is broadcast by the access point. The access point-side scheduling module is used to schedule communication transmission between at least one of the first station and the second station and the access point based on information associated with the restricted TWT SP, and to control the first station to stop communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP; When the first station and the second station belong to two stations in a non-simultaneous transmit / receive STR multi-connection device (MLD), the second station is the owner of the restricted TWT SP, and the first station is an interfering station that interferes with the communication transmission within the restricted TWT SP; The access point-side scheduling module is used to send an acknowledgment message to the first site according to the restrictive TWT SP.

15. A multi-connection communication device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the program, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-12.

16. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-12.

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