Method, apparatus, device and storage medium for establishing direct link

Abstract

The application discloses a method, device and equipment for establishing a direct link and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: a first multi-link device sends a request message to a second multi-link device, wherein the request message indicates whether to establish multiple direct links through a direct initiator address and a direct responder address; and the second multi-link device sends a response message to the first multi-link device according to the received request message. The application unifies the discovery and / or establishment process on multiple links through a single link, and realizes the unified coordination of whether to establish a direct link and on which links to establish a direct link of multiple logical entities of a multi-link device through the multiplexing of existing parameters, thereby effectively improving the use efficiency of wireless resources. Moreover, the multi-link device information and the link information are introduced in the security key setting, so that the rationality of key generation is ensured and the data transmission security is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, and in particular to a method and apparatus for establishing a direct connection link, a device and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] The 802.11be system, also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) system, enhances functionality through a series of system characteristics and multiple mechanisms to achieve extremely high throughput. As the use of wireless local area networks (WLANs) continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to provide wireless data services in many environments (e.g., home, enterprise, and hotspot). In particular, video traffic will continue to be the dominant traffic type in many WLAN deployments. As 4K and 8K video (20 Gbps of uncompressed rate) emerges, the throughput requirements of these applications are evolving. New high-throughput, low-latency applications such as virtual or augmented reality, gaming, telemedicine, and cloud computing will proliferate (e.g., latency below 5 ms for real-time gaming).

[0003] 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. The 802.11be system aims to ensure the competitiveness of WLAN by further improving the total throughput and reducing the latency, while ensuring backward compatibility and coexistence with older technology standards. 802.11 compatible devices operating in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. SUMMARY

[0004] A direct connection link, also known as a direct link, can be established between terminals to reduce the intermediate links in data transmission, improve transmission rate and reduce transmission delay. A multi-link terminal can establish multiple direct connection links to further improve transmission rate and reduce transmission delay by simultaneously using multi-link technology and direct link technology. However, the prior art can only establish a direct link based on a single-link scenario. When multiple links of a multi-link terminal are independently established on each link according to the prior art, there is a certain degree of improvement in transmission rate, but there is only link-level negotiation between multiple links, and there is no device-level negotiation.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for establishing a direct connection link, comprising:

[0006] The first multi-link device sends a first request message to the third multi-link device on the first link, instructing the third multi-link device to send a second request message to the second multi-link device, wherein the first request message and the second request message contain a first parameter for indicating direct link information, and the direct link information includes a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating that a plurality of direct links are to be established; or the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity operating on the second link in the second multi-link device, indicating that a single direct link is to be established on the second link, and the second link is a link on which the first multi-link device intends to establish a direct link, and the second link is the same link as the first link or is not the same link as the first link.

[0007] The first multi-link device receives a response message, wherein when the direct link information indicates that a plurality of direct links are to be established, the response message contains information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; and when the direct link information indicates that a single direct link is to be established, the response message contains information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

[0008] In a possible implementation, in both the first request message and the second request message, at least the first request message further contains an indication of whether a response message can be sent on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, for indicating whether the second multi-link device or the third multi-link device can send a response message to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates.

[0009] In a possible implementation, when the indication is contained in both the first request message and the second request message, the indication is for indicating whether the second multi-link device can send a response message to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, and for indicating that the second multi-link device sets a target device address in the response message according to the indication.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the direct link information further includes a basic service set identifier, and the basic service set identifier is set as an address of a logical entity operating on the second link in the third multi-link device, indicating that a response message is to be sent to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the basic service set identifier is set as an address of the third multi-link device, indicating that a response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates.

[0011] Or,

[0012] The first request message and the second request message each contain a multi-link information element, and at least the multi-link information element contained in the first request message contains an information element type and third multi-link device information, the information element type and the third multi-link device information serve as the indication, and the information element type is set as direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information is set as an address of a logical entity operating on the second link in the third multi-link device, indicating that the response message is sent to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the information element type is set as direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information is set as an address of the third multi-link device, indicating that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link operated by the first multi-link device.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the sending device address in the first request message is set as an address of a logical entity operating on the first link in the first multi-link device, the receiving device address in the first request message is set as an address of a logical entity operating on the first link in the third multi-link device, and the target device address in the first request message is set as an address of the second multi-link device, for indicating that the third multi-link device can send the second request message to the second multi-link device on any link operated by the second multi-link device.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first request message and the second request message each include a first direct link establishment request message and a second direct link establishment request message, and the response message includes a direct link establishment response message; and the method further includes:

[0015] The first multi-link device sends a direct link establishment confirmation message to the second multi-link device on a link on which the direct link is established.

[0016] The first direct link establishment request message and the second direct link establishment request message each contain a random number generated by the first multi-link device; the direct link establishment response message contains a random number generated by the second multi-link device and the random number generated by the first multi-link device; and the direct link establishment confirmation message contains the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

[0017] The first multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the direct link establishment request message further comprises information of links requested by the first multi-link device to establish direct links, and the information of links comprised in the direct link establishment request message and the information of links comprised in the direct link establishment response message both comprise basic service set identifiers of logical entities operating on corresponding links in the third multi-link device.

[0019] The first multi-link device generates a first key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, or according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission on the corresponding link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0020] The first multi-link device generates a first key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, or according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission on the corresponding link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first multi-link device generates a first key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

[0022] The first multi-link device generates at least one of a first key and a second key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission on the corresponding link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, and the second key being used for verifying data source reliability of at least one of the direct link establishment response message and the direct link establishment confirmation message.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first request message comprises at least one of a first direct link discovery request message and a first direct link establishment request message, the second request message comprises at least one of a second direct link discovery request message and a second direct link establishment request message, and the response message comprises at least one of a direct link discovery response message and a direct link establishment response message.

[0024] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for establishing a direct link, comprising:

[0025] The second multi-link device receives, on the third link, a request message from the first multi-link device via the third multi-link device, the request message containing a first parameter indicating direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating that multiple direct links are to be established; or the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity of the second multi-link device operating on the second link, indicating that a single direct link is to be established on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device wishes to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the third link or not being the same link;

[0026] The second multi-link device sends a first response message, when the direct link information indicates that multiple direct links are to be established, the first response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; when the direct link information indicates that a single direct link is to be established, the first response message containing information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the request message further contains an indication of whether a response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates;

[0028] The second multi-link device sending the first response message includes:

[0029] If the request message indicates that a response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, the second multi-link device selects a link to send the first response message;

[0030] If the request message indicates that a response message is to be sent to the first multi-link device on a specific link, the second multi-link device sends the first response message on the specific link.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner, if the request message indicates that a response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, the second multi-link device selects a link to send the first response message, including:

[0032] If it is indicated in the request message that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link operated by the first multi-link device, the second multi-link device sets the target device address in the first response message to the address of the first multi-link device according to the indication, for indicating that the third multi-link device can send a second response message to the first multi-link device on any link operated by the first multi-link device, the second response message being the same as the payload of the first response message;

[0033] The second multi-link device sends the first response message to the third multi-link device on a fourth link, instructing the third multi-link device to send a second response message to the first multi-link device, the fourth link being any link on which the second multi-link device connects with the third multi-link device.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the direct link information further includes a basic service set identifier, the basic service set identifier being the indication, and the basic service set identifier being set to the address of a logical entity in the third multi-link device operating on the second link, indicating that the response message is sent to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the basic service set identifier being set to the address of the third multi-link device, indicating that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link operated by the first multi-link device.

[0035] Or,

[0036] The request message includes a multi-link information element, and the multi-link information element includes an information element type and third multi-link device information, the information element type and the third multi-link device information being the indication, and the information element type being set to direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information being set to the address of a logical entity in the third multi-link device operating on the second link, indicating that the response message is sent to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the information element type being set to direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information being set to the address of the third multi-link device, indicating that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link operated by the first multi-link device.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the request message includes a direct link establishment request message, and the response message includes a direct link establishment response message; and the method further includes:

[0038] The second multi-link device receives a direct link establishment confirmation message from the first multi-link device on a link on which the direct link is confirmed to be established;

[0039] The direct link establishment request message includes a random number generated by the first multi-link device; the direct link establishment response message includes a random number generated by the second multi-link device and the random number generated by the first multi-link device; and the direct link establishment confirmation message includes the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

[0040] The second multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the direct link establishment request message further includes information about a link requested by the first multi-link device to establish a direct link, and the information about the link included in the direct link establishment request message and the information about the link included in the direct link establishment response message both include a basic service set identification of a logical entity operating on a corresponding link in the third multi-link device.

[0042] The second multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

[0043] The second multi-link device generates a first key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and the basic service set identification of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, or according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, the basic service set identification of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, and an address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission on the corresponding link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the second multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

[0045] The second multi-link device generates at least one of a first key and a second key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and an address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission on the corresponding link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, and the second key being used for verifying data source reliability of at least one of the direct link establishment response message and the direct link establishment confirmation message.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the request message comprises at least one of a direct link discovery request message and a direct link establishment request message; and the first response message comprises at least one of a first direct link discovery response message and a first direct link establishment response message.

[0047] In a third aspect, the present application provides a device for establishing a direct link, comprising a direct module, wherein the direct module is configured to perform the following steps:

[0048] sending, by the first multi-link device, a first request message to the third multi-link device on a first link, instructing the third multi-link device to send a second request message to the second multi-link device, wherein the first request message and the second request message comprise a first parameter for indicating direct link information, and the direct link information comprises a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, instructing to establish multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity operating on a second link of the second multi-link device, instructing to establish a single direct link on the second link, wherein the second link is a link on which the first multi-link device intends to establish a direct link, and the second link is the same link as the first link or is not the same link as the first link;

[0049] receiving, by the first multi-link device, a response message, wherein when the direct link information instructs to establish multiple direct links, the response message comprises information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; and when the direct link information instructs to establish a single direct link, the response message comprises information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

[0050] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a device for establishing a direct link, comprising a direct module, wherein the direct module is configured to perform the following steps:

[0051] receiving, by the second multi-link device, a request message from the first multi-link device over a third link through the third multi-link device, the request message containing a first parameter indicating direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity of the second multi-link device operating on a second link, indicating to establish a single direct link on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device wants to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the third link or not being the same link as the third link;

[0052] sending, by the second multi-link device, a first response message, when the direct link information indicates to establish multiple direct links, the first response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; or when the direct link information indicates to establish a single direct link, the first response message containing information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

[0053] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides an electronic device, comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored in the memory, the processor executing the computer program to implement the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program being executed by a processor to implement the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, comprising computer readable code, or a non-volatile computer readable storage medium carrying the computer readable code, when the computer readable code is run in an electronic device, a processor in the electronic device executing the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0056] It should be noted that the apparatus of the third aspect is configured to execute the method of the first aspect, the apparatus of the fourth aspect is configured to execute the method of the second aspect, and the electronic device of the fifth aspect, the storage medium of the sixth aspect and the computer program product of the seventh aspect are configured to execute the method of the first aspect or the second aspect, thus achieving the same beneficial effects as the method of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the present application will not be repeated here.

[0057] The application unifies the discovery and / or establishment process on multiple links through a single link, and realizes the unified coordination of whether multiple logical entities of a multi-link device establish a direct link and on which links the direct link is established through multiplexing of existing parameters, thereby effectively improving the use efficiency of wireless resources, and introducing multi-link device information and link information in security key setting, thereby ensuring the rationality of key generation and improving data transmission security. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0058] Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of a communication system is provided for the embodiment of the application.

[0059] Figure 2 A method flowchart for establishing a direct link is provided for the embodiment of the application.

[0060] Figure 3 A structural schematic diagram of an electronic device is provided for the embodiment of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] In order to make the personnel in the technical field better understand the technical solutions in the application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the application will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the application, not all the embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the application, and not to limit the application. 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 following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined without conflict.

[0062] In the embodiments of the application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. In order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the application, in the embodiments of the application, "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish the same or similar items with basically the same function and role. Those skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second" and the like do not limit the number and execution order, and are only used for description and distinction of objects, and there is no order difference, nor represent special limitation of the number of devices or messages in the embodiments of the application, and cannot constitute any limitation of the embodiments of the application. The term "comprises" is used to indicate the existence of the features declared thereafter, but does not exclude the addition of other features.

[0063] First, the multi-link technology involved in the present application is briefly described. In a multi-link scenario, a physical device can include multiple logical entities. The physical device can refer to a mobile phone, a television, a projector, etc. The logical entity can refer to a logical unit in the physical device, which is a virtual functional module. Each logical entity can independently manage data transmission and reception, and each logical entity works on a link independently. Such a physical device is called a multi-link device (MLD).

[0064] A single-link device has only one logical entity and only one MAC address, while a multi-link device has one MAC address, and each logical entity belonging to the multi-link device has a MAC address. For example, a multi-link device runs three logical entities, and there are four MAC addresses on the physical device, one for the multi-link device and one for each of the three logical entities.

[0065] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a communication system is provided for the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 1 The communication system includes a multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD1, a multi-link access point device AP MLD1, and a multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD2. The multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD1 includes three logical entities STA1, STA2, and STA3, and the Non-AP MLD1, STA1, STA2, and STA3 are respectively assigned different MAC addresses. The multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD2 includes three logical entities STA4, STA5, and STA6, and the Non-AP MLD2, STA4, STA5, and STA6 are respectively assigned different MAC addresses. The multi-link access point device AP MLD1 includes three logical entities AP1, AP2, and AP3, and the AP MLD1, AP1, AP2, and AP3 are respectively assigned different MAC addresses. STA1 and STA4 are connected to AP1, STA2 and STA5 are connected to AP2, and STA3 and STA6 are connected to AP3. AP1 operates on a link with a link identifier of link1, AP2 operates on a link with a link identifier of link2, and AP3 operates on a link with a link identifier of link3.

[0066] It should be understood that Figure 1The present application is not limited to the number, type, and the like of devices in the communication system, and more terminals or access points can be included, the multi-link access point device and the multi-link terminal can include other numbers of logical entities, and the numbers of logical entities included in each multi-link device can not be the same. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that, according to the principles and functions described herein, the term "access point (AP)" according to the present application can also be used to describe an access port or any other access point capable of receiving and transmitting wireless signals within a network architecture, and therefore the use of access points is only exemplary.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present application, it is assumed that the multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD1 is the initiator of the direct link establishment, and the multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD2 is the responder of the direct link establishment.

[0068] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for establishing a direct link according to an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the method for establishing a direct link includes the following contents: Figure 2

[0069] S201, Non-AP MLD1 sends a request message to Non-AP MLD2 through AP MLD1, and the request message indicates whether to establish multiple direct links through a direct initiator address and a direct responder address.

[0070] Specifically, STA1 of Non-AP MLD1 sends a first request message to AP MLD1, instructing AP MLD1 to send a second request message to Non-AP MLD2, and the first request message and the second request message include a first parameter for indicating direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as the address of Non-AP MLD1, and the direct responder address is set as the address of Non-AP MLD2, indicating the establishment of multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as the address of Non-AP MLD1, and the direct responder address is set as the address of STA4 or STA5 or STA6 of Non-AP MLD2, indicating the establishment of a single direct link on link1 or link2 or link3.

[0071] ​In some embodiments, the first request message further comprises an indication of whether the response message can be sent on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1, for indicating whether the AP MLD1 can send the response message to the Non-AP MLD1 on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1. Further, the second request message can also comprise the indication, for indicating whether the Non-AP MLD2 can send the response message to the Non-AP MLD1 on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1.

[0072] S202, the Non-AP MLD2 receives the request message and sends a response message to the Non-AP MLD1. When the request message indicates to establish multiple direct links, the response message comprises information of one or more links of the Non-AP MLD2. When the request message indicates to establish a single direct link, the response message comprises information of the link of the Non-AP MLD2 indicated by the request message to establish the direct link. For example, the information of the link can comprise a link identifier, an address of a logical entity operating on the link, operating parameters, etc.

[0073] After receiving the request message from the Non-AP MLD1 via the AP MLD1, the Non-AP MLD2 can directly send the response message to the Non-AP MLD1, or send the response message to the Non-AP MLD1 via the AP MLD1.

[0074] In some embodiments, the Non-AP MLD2 directly sends the response message to the Non-AP MLD1. If the request message received by the Non-AP MLD2 further comprises an indication of whether the response message can be sent on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1, when the request message indicates to send the response message on a specific link, the Non-AP MLD2 sends the response message to the Non-AP MLD1 on the specific link indicated by the request message; when the request message indicates that the response message can be sent on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1, the Non-AP MLD2 selects a link from the links operated by the Non-AP MLD1 and the Non-AP MLD2 to send the response message to the Non-AP MLD1.

[0075] In some other embodiments, the Non-AP MLD2 sends a response message to the Non-AP MLD1 through the AP MLD1, i.e. the Non-AP MLD2 sends a first response message to the AP MLD1, instructing the AP MLD1 to send a second response message to the Non-AP MLD1, and the payloads of the first response message and the second response message are the same. If the request message received by the Non-AP MLD2 further contains an indication of whether the response message can be sent on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1, when the request message indicates that the response message is sent on a specific link, the Non-AP MLD2 sends the first response message to the AP MLD1 on the specific link or any link connected between the Non-AP MLD2 and the AP MLD1, and the destination address in the first response message is set as the address of the logical entity in the Non-AP MLD1 operating on the specific link, instructing the AP MLD1 to send the second response message to the Non-AP MLD1 on the specific link; when the request message indicates that the response message can be sent on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1, the Non-AP MLD2 sends the first response message to the AP MLD1 on any link connected between the Non-AP MLD2 and the AP MLD1, and the destination address in the first response message is set as the address of the Non-AP MLD1, instructing the AP MLD1 to send the second response message to the Non-AP MLD1 on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1.

[0076] The general concept of the present application is introduced above, and the present application is described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments. In the specific embodiments, the process of establishing a direct link includes direct device discovery and direct link establishment, in some other embodiments, the process of establishing a direct link can only use the direct device discovery or the direct link establishment in the embodiments of the present application, and the other process uses the prior related technology, or the process of establishing a direct link only includes the direct link establishment.

[0077] S1001, a logical entity STA1 of a Non-AP MLD1 sends a direct link discovery request message (TDLS discovery request message) to a logical entity AP1 of an AP MLD1, and the direct link discovery request message contains the following parameters:

[0078] Address: address information;

[0079] Link Identifier: direct link information;

[0080] Multi Link Element: multi-link information element.

[0081] The Address includes the following parameters:

[0082] RA: receiving device address, set as the address of logical entity AP1 in this embodiment;

[0083] TA: transmitting device address, set as the address of logical entity STA1 in this embodiment, and in other embodiments, can also be set as the address of multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD1;

[0084] DA: target device address, set as the address of multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD2 in this embodiment, and in other embodiments, can also be set as the address of a logical entity in multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD2, such as the address of logical entity STA4 or STA5 or STA6.

[0085] Link Identifier includes the following parameters:

[0086] BSSID: basic service set identifier;

[0087] TDLS initiator STA Address: direct connection initiator address, set as the address of multi-link terminal Non-AP MLD1 in this embodiment;

[0088] TDLS responder STA Address: direct connection responder address, when Non-AP MLD1 wants to establish a single direct connection link, set as the address of a logical entity of a peer multi-link device operating on the link, for example, when Non-AP MLD1 wants to establish a single direct connection link on link link1, set as the address of logical entity STA4 of Non-AP MLD2, and when Non-AP MLD1 wants to establish a single direct connection link on link link2, set as the address of logical entity STA5 of Non-AP MLD2; when Non-AP MLD1 wants to establish multiple direct connection links, set as the address of a peer multi-link device, for example, the address of Non-AP MLD2.

[0089] In some embodiments, the direct connection link discovery request message can also include an indication of whether a direct connection link discovery response message can be sent on any link operated by Non-AP MLD1, and the indication can be set in the following ways, including but not limited to:

[0090] (1) The parameter Responder Link in the direct link discovery request message is used to indicate whether the direct link discovery response message can be sent on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1. For example, if the Responder Link is set as link1, it indicates that the direct link discovery response message is sent on the link link1; if the Responder Link is set as link2, it indicates that the direct link discovery response message is sent on the link link2; if the Responder Link is set as a preset value, it indicates that the direct link discovery response message can be sent on any link operated by the Non-AP MLD1.

[0091] (2) The BSSID in the Link Identifier is used as an indication. For example, when the Non-AP MLD1 hopes to receive the direct link discovery response message on the link link1, the value of the BSSID is set as the address of the AP1 of the AP MLD1; when the Non-AP MLD1 hopes to receive the direct link discovery response message on the link link2, the value of the BSSID is set as the address of the AP2 of the AP MLD1; when the Non-AP MLD1 can receive the direct link discovery response message on any link operated thereby, the value of the BSSID is set as the address of the AP MLD1.

[0092] (3) The Multi Link Element is used as an indication. The Multi Link Element contains the parameter Type used to indicate the type of the information element and the parameter AP Address used to indicate the information of the AP MLD1. For example, when the Type is set as TDLS discovery, it indicates that the information element is used for direct device discovery; when the Non-AP MLD1 hopes to receive the direct link discovery response message on the link link1, the value of the AP Address is set as the address of the AP1 of the AP MLD1; when the Non-AP MLD1 hopes to receive the direct link discovery response message on the link link2, the value of the AP Address is set as the address of the AP2 of the AP MLD1; when the Non-AP MLD1 can receive the direct link discovery response message on any link operated thereby, the value of the AP Address is set as the address of the AP MLD1.

[0093] Optionally, when the Non-AP MLD1 hopes to establish multiple direct links, the Multi Link Element can further contain the information of the link used to indicate the acquired link. For example, the Multi Link Element contains the following parameters:

[0094] Type: information element type, set to TDLS discovery in this embodiment, indicating that the information element is used for direct link device discovery;

[0095] AP Address: access point information, set to the address of the AP MLD1 to which the Non-AP MLD1 is connected in this embodiment;

[0096] Link info 1-Link info N: link indication requested by the Non-AP MLD1, for example, containing a link identifier.

[0097] S1002, the AP1 of the AP MLD1 receives the direct link discovery request message, and the AP MLD1 sends the direct link discovery request message to the Non-AP MLD2 according to the received direct link discovery request message.

[0098] Specifically, if the target device address DA in the direct link discovery request message received by the AP1 is the address of the Non-AP MLD2, the AP MLD1 can send the direct link discovery request message to the Non-AP MLD2 on any link through which the AP MLD1 is connected to the Non-AP MLD2; if the target device address DA in the direct link discovery request message received by the AP1 is the address of a logical entity in the Non-AP MLD2, such as the address of the STA4 of the Non-AP MLD2, the direct link discovery request message is sent to the STA4 of the Non-AP MLD2 through the AP1, and if the target device address DA in the direct link discovery request message received by the AP1 is the address of the STA5 of the Non-AP MLD2, the direct link discovery request message is sent to the STA5 of the Non-AP MLD2 through the AP2. Alternatively, the AP MLD1 can also directly send the direct link discovery request message to the Non-AP MLD2 on the link on which the direct link discovery request message is received.

[0099] The payload of the direct link discovery request message sent by the AP MLD1 to the Non-AP MLD2 is the same as the payload of the direct link discovery request message received by the AP MLD1 from the Non-AP MLD1, both containing the parameters Link Identifier and Multi Link Element, and the parameters Link Identifier and Multi Link Element contained in both are set to be the same.

[0100] S1003, the Non-AP MLD2 receives the direct link discovery request message and sends a direct link discovery response message (TDLS discovery response message) to the Non-AP MLD1, the direct link discovery response message containing the following parameters:

[0101] Address: address information;

[0102] Link Identifier: direct link information;

[0103] Multi Link Element: multi-link information element.

[0104] Among them, the setting mode of address information includes but is not limited to the following modes:

[0105] (1) Non-AP MLD2 sends a direct link discovery response message to Non-AP MLD1 through AP MLD1, and the address information setting example is as follows:

[0106] RA: receiving device address, set to the address of the logical entity corresponding to the link where the direct link discovery response message is received, for example, if it is sent on link1, it is the address of AP1;

[0107] TA: transmitting device address, set to the address of the logical entity corresponding to the link where Non-AP MLD2 sends the direct link discovery response message, for example, if it is sent on link1, it is the address of STA4;

[0108] DA: target device address, if the direct link discovery request message received by Non-AP MLD2 indicates that the response message is sent on a specific link, it is set to the address of the logical entity operating on the specific link in Non-AP MLD1, for example, if it is indicated that it is sent on link1, it is the address of STA1; if the direct link discovery request message received by Non-AP MLD2 indicates that the response message can be sent on any link, it is set to the address of Non-AP MLD1, and Non-AP MLD2 can select any link connected with AP MLD1 to send the direct link discovery response message to AP MLD1.

[0109] After AP MLD1 receives the direct link discovery response message sent by Non-AP MLD2, if DA is the address of a multi-link device, such as the address of Non-AP MLD1, it selects one of the links connected with Non-AP MLD1 to send the direct link discovery response message to Non-AP MLD1; if DA is the address of a logical entity, it sends the direct link discovery response message to Non-AP MLD1 on the link operated by the logical entity.

[0110] (2) Non-AP MLD2 directly sends a direct link discovery response message to Non-AP MLD1, and the address information setting example is as follows:

[0111] RA: receiving device address, set as the address of the logical entity corresponding to the link where the direct link discovery response message is received, for example, if sent on link1, then the address of STA1;

[0112] TA: transmitting device address, set as the address of the logical entity corresponding to the link where the direct link discovery response message is sent by Non-AP MLD2, for example, if sent on link1, then the address of STA4.

[0113] The Link Identifier parameter is the same as the Link Identifier in the direct link discovery request message received by Non-AP MLD2.

[0114] The setting mode of the Multi Link Element parameter includes but is not limited to the following modes:

[0115] (1) If the direct link discovery request message indicates to establish a single direct link, the Multi Link Element contains the following parameters:

[0116] Type: information element type, set to TDLS discovery in this embodiment, indicating that the information element is used for direct device discovery;

[0117] AP Address: access point information, the same as in the direct link discovery request message.

[0118] (2) If the direct link discovery request message indicates to establish multiple direct links, the Multi Link Element contains the following parameters:

[0119] Type: information element type, set to TDLS discovery in this embodiment, indicating that the information element is used for direct device discovery;

[0120] AP Address: access point information, the same as in the direct link discovery request message.

[0121] Link info 1-Link info N: information of the link of Non-AP MLD2, each Link info contains, for example, link identification, non-simultaneous transceiving link information, operating parameters, etc.

[0122] Among them, the setting mode of Link info 1-Link info N includes but is not limited to the following modes:

[0123] 2.1) If the Link info parameter is not contained in the Multi Link Element in the Direct Link Discovery Request message, the information of all links established by Non-AP MLD2 and AP MLD1 is contained in the Multi Link Element in the Direct Link Discovery Response message.

[0124] 2.2) If the Link info parameter is contained in the Multi Link Element in the Direct Link Discovery Request message, the information of the link indicated in the Multi Link Element in the Direct Link Discovery Request message is contained in the Multi Link Element in the Direct Link Discovery Response message.

[0125] S1004, the logical entity STA1 of Non-AP MLD1 sends a Direct Link Setup Request message (TDLS setup request message) to the logical entity AP1 of AP MLD1, which contains the following parameters:

[0126] Address: address information;

[0127] Link Identifier: direct link information;

[0128] Multi Link Element: multi-link information element.

[0129] Wherein, the settings of Address and Link Identifier are the same as in the Direct Link Discovery Request message, and the settings of Multi Link Element can be the same as in the Direct Link Discovery Request message or different, such as Multi Link Element can contain the following parameters:

[0130] Type: information element type, set to TDLS setup in this embodiment, indicating that the information element is used for direct link setup;

[0131] Link info 1-Link info N: information of one or more links requested by Non-AP MLD1 to establish direct links, each Link info contains, for example, link identification, address of the logical entity operating on the link, non-simultaneous transceiving link information, operating parameters, etc.

[0132] It should be noted that the link on which the Non-AP MLD 1 sends the direct link discovery request message and the link on which the Non-AP MLD 1 sends the direct link setup request message can be the same or different. For example, the Non-AP MLD 1 sends the direct link discovery request message through the STA 1 and sends the direct link setup request message through the STA 2.

[0133] S1005, the AP 1 of the AP MLD 1 receives the direct link setup request message, and the AP MLD 1 sends a direct link setup request message to the Non-AP MLD 2 according to the received direct link setup request message.

[0134] The manner in which the AP MLD 1 sends the direct link setup request message can refer to the manner in which the AP MLD 1 sends the direct link discovery request message, which will not be described in detail here. The payload of the direct link setup request message sent by the AP MLD 1 to the Non-AP MLD 2 is the same as the payload of the direct link setup request message received by the AP MLD 1 from the Non-AP MLD 1.

[0135] S1006, the Non-AP MLD 2 receives the direct link setup request message and sends a direct link setup response message (TDLS setup response message) to the Non-AP MLD 1. The direct link setup response message contains the following parameters:

[0136] Address: address information;

[0137] Link Identifier: direct link information;

[0138] Multi Link Element: multi-link information element.

[0139] Among them, the setting manner of Address and Link Identifier is the same as that of the direct link discovery response message, which will not be described here. The Multi Link Element can contain the following parameters:

[0140] Type: information element type, set to TDLS setup in this embodiment, indicating that the information element is used for direct link setup;

[0141] Link info 1-Link info N: information of one or more links agreed by the Non-AP MLD 2 to establish a direct link, each Link info contains, for example, link identification, address of a logical entity operating on the link, non-simultaneous transceiving link information, operating parameters, etc.

[0142] It should be understood that Non-AP MLD2 sends the direct link establishment response message in the same way as it sends the direct link discovery response message, i.e. it can send the direct link establishment response message directly to Non-AP MLD1, or send the direct link establishment response message to Non-AP MLD1 through AP MLD1; it can send the direct link establishment response message on the corresponding link according to the indication in the direct link establishment request message, or directly send the direct link establishment response message on the link on which the direct link establishment request message is received.

[0143] For example, after receiving the direct link establishment request message, Non-AP MLD2 determines that the other party requests to establish a multi-link direct link according to the value set in LinkIdentifier (both set to the address of the multi-link device), and determines whether to agree to establish a direct link on these links according to the Link info in Multi Link Element. If it can, it includes the link information in the direct link establishment response message, and after confirmation, Non-AP MLD2 can send the direct link establishment response message on any one of the links on which it agrees to establish a direct link.

[0144] S1007, after receiving the direct link establishment response message, Non-AP MLD1 can send a direct link establishment confirmation message (TDLS setup confirm message) to Non-AP MLD2 on the confirmed direct link according to the link information in the message, and the sending method and address parameter setting of the direct link establishment confirmation message are the same as those of the direct link establishment request message, i.e. the direct link establishment confirmation message includes the following parameters:

[0145] Address: address information;

[0146] Link Identifier: direct link information;

[0147] Multi Link Element: multi-link information element.

[0148] S1008, after receiving the direct link establishment confirmation message, Non-AP MLD2 starts to send and receive data directly with Non-AP MLD1 on the confirmed link, and the data sending and receiving does not go through AP MLD1; if the non-simultaneous transceiving link information is included in the confirmed link information, data is sent on the link indicated by the non-simultaneous transceiving link information at the same time, or when data is sent on one link, the other link does not receive data.

[0149] In some embodiments, the information for generating the key can be carried in the direct link setup procedure, so that the Non-AP MLD1 and the Non-AP MLD2 generate the key for the direct link data transmission according to the information, for example as follows:

[0150] The following parameters are also included in the direct link setup request message:

[0151] SNONCE: a random number generated by the Non-AP MLD1.

[0152] In addition, the following parameters can also be included in each Link info:

[0153] BSSID_link: the basic service set identification (BSSID) of the logical access point operating on the link, such as the address of the AP1.

[0154] The following parameters are also included in the direct link setup response message:

[0155] ANONCE: a random number generated by the Non-AP MLD2;

[0156] SNONCE: the same as in the received direct link setup request message.

[0157] In addition, the following parameters can also be included in each Link info:

[0158] BSSID_link: the basic service set identification (BSSID) of the logical access point operating on the link, such as the address of the AP1.

[0159] The following parameters are also included in the direct link setup confirmation message:

[0160] ANONCE: the same as in the received direct link setup response message;

[0161] SNONCE: the same as in the received direct link setup response message.

[0162] Optionally, the BSSID_link can also be included in the Link info of the Multi Link Element in the direct link setup confirmation message confirming the establishment of the direct link.

[0163] The Non-AP MLD1 and the Non-AP MLD2 can generate the key according to the ANONCE and the SNONCE carried in the message, or according to the ANONCE, the SNONCE, the BSSID_link in each Link info, and the address of the AP MLD1, for example as follows:

[0164] (1) If a single direct link is established between Non-AP MLD1 and Non-AP MLD2, then:

[0165] TPK-Key-Input = Hash(min(Snonce, ANonce) || max(Snonce, ANonce));

[0166] TPK = KDF-Hash-Length(TPK-Key-Input, "TDLS PMK", min(MAC_I, MAC_R) || max(MAC_I, MAC_R) || BSSID || AP MLD MAC);

[0167] TPK_KCK = L(TPK, 0, 128), which represents the first 128 bits of the generated TPK;

[0168] TPK_TK = L(TPK, 128, Length-128), which represents the remaining bits of the generated TPK;

[0169] wherein TPK_KCK is used to verify the data source reliability of the TDLS setup response and TDLS setup confirm messages; and TPK_TK is used for data transmission encryption or decryption between Non-AP MLD1 and Non-AP MLD2.

[0170] (2) If multiple direct links are established between Non-AP MLD1 and Non-AP MLD2, then:

[0171] TPK-Key-Input = Hash(min(Snonce, ANonce) || max(Snonce, ANonce));

[0172] TPK = KDF-Hash-Length(TPK-Key-Input, "TDLS PMK", min(MAC_I, MAC_R) || max(MAC_I, MAC_R) || AP MLD MAC);

[0173] wherein,

[0174] Hash: represents a hash algorithm;

[0175] KDF-Hash-Length: represents a secret key generation algorithm;

[0176] "TDLS PMK": represents the name of the generated secret key;

[0177] MAC_I: MAC address of Non-AP MLD1;

[0178] MAC_R: MAC address of Non-AP MLD2;

[0179] AP MLD MAC: MAC address of AP MLD1;

[0180] TPK_KCK = L(TPK, 0, 128), which represents the first 128 bits of the generated TPK;

[0181] TPK_TK_Link_n = MLTDLS_Func(L(TPK, 128, Length-128), BSSID_link_n);

[0182] Or,

[0183] TPK_TK_Link_n = L(KDF-Hash-Length(TPK-Key-Input, "TDLS PMK", min(MAC_I, MAC_R) || max(MAC_I, MAC_R) || AP MLD MAC || BSSID_link_n), 128, Length-128);

[0184] MLTDLS_Func: an algorithm for generating different direct link data transmission keys, which is calculated by the remaining bits of the TPK after removing the first 128 bits and BSSID_link_n;

[0185] BSSID_link_n: BSSID of the direct link, which can be set as the MAC address of the logical access point operating on the direct link, for example, when calculating the key of link1, the parameter value is the MAC address of AP1;

[0186] Wherein, the TPK_KCK is used for verifying the data source reliability of the TDLS setup response and TDLS setup confirm messages; and the TPK_TK_Link_n is used for data transmission encryption or decryption on the corresponding links between the Non-AP MLD1 and the Non-AP MLD2.

[0187] The embodiment of the present application further provides a device for establishing a direct link, comprising a direct module, which is used for performing the following steps:

[0188] sending, by the first multi-link device, a first request message to a third multi-link device over a first link, instructing the third multi-link device to send a second request message to a second multi-link device, the first request message and the second request message containing a first parameter used to indicate direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as the address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity operating on a second link of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish a single direct link on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device intends to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the first link or not being the same link;

[0189] receiving, by the first multi-link device, a response message, when the direct link information indicates to establish multiple direct links, the response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; when the direct link information indicates to establish a single direct link, the response message containing information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

[0190] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus described above can be specifically the Non-AP MLD1 in the above embodiments, and the apparatus can be used to perform the respective processes and / or steps corresponding to the Non-AP MLD1 in the above method, and details are not repeated here.

[0191] The embodiment of the present application further provides another apparatus for establishing a direct link, comprising a direct module, the direct module being configured to perform the following steps:

[0192] receiving, by the second multi-link device, a request message from the first multi-link device over a third link through the third multi-link device, the request message containing a first parameter used to indicate direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as the address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity operating on a second link of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish a single direct link on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device intends to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the third link or not being the same link;

[0193] transmitting, by the second multi-link device, a first response message, when the direct link information indicates to establish multiple direct links, the first response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device, and when the direct link information indicates to establish a single direct link, the first response message containing information of a second link of the second multi-link device.

[0194] In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus described above can be embodied as the Non-AP MLD2 in the above embodiments, and the apparatus can be used to perform the processes and / or steps corresponding to the Non-AP MLD2 in the above method. To avoid repetition, details are not described here.

[0195] It should be understood that the apparatus herein is embodied in the form of functional modules. The term "module" herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (for example, a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combination of logic circuitry and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. The apparatus has the functions of implementing the corresponding steps in the above method; the above functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In an embodiment of the present application, the apparatus can also be a chip or a chip system, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The present application is not limited here.

[0196] The embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, Figure 3 The structure of the electronic device provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the device 300 includes a processor 301, a memory 302 and a communication interface 303, wherein the processor 301, the memory 302 and the communication interface 303 communicate with each other through a bus 304, the memory 302 stores instructions executable by the processor 301, and the processor 301 loads and executes the instructions to control the communication interface 303 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0197] It should be understood that the device 300 can be specifically the Non-AP MLD1 or the Non-AP MLD2 or the AP MLD1 in the above-described embodiments, or the functions of the Non-AP MLD1 or the Non-AP MLD2 or the AP MLD1 in the above-described embodiments can be integrated in the device 300, and the device 300 can be used to perform the respective steps and / or processes corresponding to the Non-AP MLD1 or the Non-AP MLD2 or the AP MLD1 in the above-described embodiments. Alternatively, the memory 302 can include read-only memory and random access memory, and provide instructions and data for the processor 301. A part of the memory 302 can also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory 302 can also store device type information. The processor 301 can be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 301, and when the processor 301 executes the instructions, the processor 301 can perform the respective steps and / or processes corresponding to the above-described method embodiments.

[0198] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0199] In the implementation process, the steps of the above-described method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as the execution completed by the hardware processor, or executed by the combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in the random access memory, the flash memory, the read-only memory, the programmable read-only memory or the electrically erasable programmable memory, the register or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory to complete the steps of the above-described method in combination with the hardware thereof. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0200] The above-described embodiments can be implemented in part or in whole through software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, the above-described embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When loaded and executed by a computer, the computer instructions or computer programs cause the computer to perform all or part of the procedures or functions described in the embodiments of the present application. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through a wired (for example, infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. containing a set of one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid state disk.

[0201] It should be understood that the size of the sequence number of each process described above in various embodiments of the present application does not mean the order of execution, the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. The modules described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as modules can or can not be physical modules, i.e. they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network modules, and some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present application.

[0202] In several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices, apparatuses and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the modules is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner. For example, one module or component can be divided into multiple modules or components, or multiple modules or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the modules shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or module, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0203] Those skilled in the art can realize the module and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0204] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a direct link, characterized by, Comprising: The first multi-link device sends a first request message to the third multi-link device on a first link, instructing the third multi-link device to send a second request message to the second multi-link device, the first request message and the second request message containing a first parameter for indicating direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity operating on a second link in the second multi-link device, indicating to establish a single direct link on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device wishes to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the first link or not being the same link; The first multi-link device receives a response message, when the direct link information indicates to establish multiple direct links, the response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; when the direct link information indicates to establish a single direct link, the response message containing information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

2. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 1, wherein, In both the first request message and the second request message, at least the first request message further contains an indication of whether a response message can be sent on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, for indicating whether the second multi-link device or the third multi-link device can send a response message to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates.

3. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 2, wherein, When the indication is contained in both the first request message and the second request message, for indicating whether the second multi-link device can send a response message to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, and for indicating that the second multi-link device sets a target device address in the response message according to the indication.

4. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 2, wherein, The direct link information further includes a basic service set identifier, the basic service set identifier being the indication, and the basic service set identifier being set as an address of a logical entity operating on the second link in the third multi-link device, indicating to send a response message to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the basic service set identifier being set as an address of the third multi-link device, indicating that a response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates; Or, The first request message and the second request message each contain a multi-link information element, and at least the first request message contains a multi-link information element containing an information element type and third multi-link device information, the information element type and the third multi-link device information serving as the indication, and the information element type is set to direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information is set to the address of a logical entity operating on a second link in the third multi-link device, indicating that a response message is sent to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the information element type is set to direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information is set to the address of the third multi-link device, indicating that a response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link operated by the first multi-link device.

5. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 1, wherein, The sending device address in the first request message is set to the address of a logical entity operating on a first link in the first multi-link device, the receiving device address in the first request message is set to the address of a logical entity operating on the first link in the third link device, and the target device address in the first request message is set to the address of the second multi-link device, for indicating that the third multi-link device can send a second request message to the second multi-link device on any link operated by the second multi-link device.

6. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 1, wherein, The first request message and the second request message respectively comprise a first direct link establishment request message and a second direct link establishment request message, and the response message comprises a direct link establishment response message; The method further comprises: The first multi-link device sends a direct link establishment confirmation message to the second multi-link device on a link on which the direct link is established; The first direct link establishment request message and the second direct link establishment request message each contain a random number generated by the first multi-link device; the direct link establishment response message contains a random number generated by the second multi-link device and the random number generated by the first multi-link device; and the direct link establishment confirmation message contains the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device; The first multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

7. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 6, wherein, The direct link establishment request message further contains information of a link on which the first multi-link device requests to establish a direct link, and the information of the link contained in the direct link establishment request message and the information of the link contained in the direct link establishment response message each comprises a basic service set identifier of a logical entity operating on a corresponding link in the third multi-link device; The first multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device comprises: The first multi-link device generates a first key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, or according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device on the corresponding link.

8. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 6, wherein, The first multi-link device generates a first key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, or according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, the basic service set identifier of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device on the corresponding link. The first multi-link device generates at least one of a first key and a second key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device on the corresponding link, and the second key being used for verifying data source reliability of at least one of the direct link establishment response message and the direct link establishment confirmation message.

9. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 1, wherein, The first request message includes at least one of a first direct link discovery request message and a first direct link establishment request message; and the second request message includes at least one of a second direct link discovery request message and a second direct link establishment request message. The response message includes at least one of a direct link discovery response message and a direct link establishment response message.

10. A method of establishing a direct link, characterized by, The second multi-link device receives a request message from the first multi-link device on the third link through the third multi-link device, the request message containing a first parameter used for indicating direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as the address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as the address of the second multi-link device, indicating that multiple direct links are to be established; or the direct initiator address is set as the address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as the address of the logical entity operating on the second link in the second multi-link device, indicating that a single direct link is to be established on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device wants to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the third link or not being the same link as the third link. The second multi-link device sends a first response message, when the direct link information indicates that multiple direct links are to be established, the first response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; or when the direct link information indicates that a single direct link is to be established, the first response message containing information of the second link of the second multi-link device. The request message further contains an indication of whether a response message can be sent on any link on which the first multi-link device operates.

11. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 10, wherein, ​ The second multi-link device sends a first response message including: If the request message indicates that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, the second multi-link device selects a link to send the first response message; If the request message indicates that the response message is sent to the first multi-link device on a specific link, the second multi-link device sends the first response message on the specific link.

12. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 11, wherein, The if the request message indicates that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, the second multi-link device selects a link to send the first response message, includes: If the request message indicates that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, the second multi-link device sets the target device address in the first response message to the address of the first multi-link device according to the indication, indicating that the third multi-link device can send a second response message to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates, and the second response message has the same payload as the first response message; The second multi-link device sends the first response message to the third multi-link device on the fourth link, indicating that the third multi-link device sends a second response message to the first multi-link device, and the fourth link is any link on which the second multi-link device and the third multi-link device are connected.

13. The method of establishing a direct link of claim 11, wherein, The direct link information further includes a basic service set identifier, the basic service set identifier as the indication, and the basic service set identifier is set to the address of the logical entity in the third multi-link device operating on the second link, indicating that the response message is sent to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the basic service set identifier is set to the address of the third multi-link device, indicating that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates; Or, The request message includes a multi-link information element, and the multi-link information element includes an information element type and third multi-link device information, the information element type and third multi-link device information as the indication, and the information element type is set to direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information is set to the address of the logical entity in the third multi-link device operating on the second link, indicating that the response message is sent to the first multi-link device on the second link; or the information element type is set to direct link discovery or direct link establishment, and the third multi-link device information is set to the address of the third multi-link device, indicating that the response message can be sent to the first multi-link device on any link on which the first multi-link device operates.

14. The method of establishing a direct link of claim 10, wherein, The request message includes a direct link establishment request message, and the response message includes a direct link establishment response message. The method further includes: The second multi-link device receives a direct link establishment confirmation message from the first multi-link device on a link on which the direct link is confirmed to be established; The second multi-link device receives a direct link establishment confirmation message from the first multi-link device on a link on which the direct link is confirmed to be established; The direct link establishment request message contains a random number generated by the first multi-link device; the direct link establishment response message contains a random number generated by the second multi-link device and the random number generated by the first multi-link device; and the direct link establishment confirmation message contains the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device. The second multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device.

15. The method of establishing a direct link according to claim 14, wherein, The direct link establishment request message further contains information of a link requested by the first multi-link device to establish a direct link, and the information of the link contained in the direct link establishment request message and the information of the link contained in the direct link establishment response message both include a basic service set identification of a logical entity operating on a corresponding link in the third multi-link device. The second multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device. The second multi-link device generates a first key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device and the basic service set identification of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device, or according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device, the basic service set identification of the logical entity operating on the corresponding link in the third multi-link device and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission on the corresponding link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

16. The method of establishing a direct link of claim 14, wherein, The second multi-link device generates a key for transmitting data on the established direct link according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device and the random number generated by the second multi-link device. The second multi-link device generates at least one of a first key and a second key according to the random number generated by the first multi-link device, the random number generated by the second multi-link device and the address of the third multi-link device, the first key being used for encryption or decryption of data transmission on the corresponding link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, and the second key being used for verifying data source reliability of at least one of the direct link establishment response message and the direct link establishment confirmation message.

17. The method of establishing a direct link of claim 10, wherein, The request message includes at least one of a direct link discovery request message and a direct link establishment request message; and the first response message includes at least one of a first direct link discovery response message and a first direct link establishment response message.

18. An apparatus for establishing a direct link, the apparatus comprising: The direct link module is configured to perform the following steps: sending, by the first multi-link device, a first request message to a third multi-link device over a first link, the first request message and a second request message containing a first parameter used to indicate direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as the address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity operating on a second link of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish a single direct link on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device intends to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the first link or not being the same link; receiving, by the first multi-link device, a response message, when the direct link information indicates to establish multiple direct links, the response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; or when the direct link information indicates to establish a single direct link, the response message containing information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

19. An apparatus for establishing a direct link, the apparatus comprising: comprising a direct link module configured to perform the following steps: receiving, by the second multi-link device, a request message from the first multi-link device over a third link, the request message containing a first parameter used to indicate direct link information, the direct link information including a direct initiator address and a direct responder address, wherein the direct initiator address is set as an address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish multiple direct links; or the direct initiator address is set as the address of the first multi-link device, and the direct responder address is set as an address of a logical entity operating on a second link of the second multi-link device, indicating to establish a single direct link on the second link, the second link being a link on which the first multi-link device intends to establish a direct link, and the second link being the same link as the third link or not being the same link; sending, by the second multi-link device, a first response message, when the direct link information indicates to establish multiple direct links, the first response message containing information of one or more links of the second multi-link device; or when the direct link information indicates to establish a single direct link, the first response message containing information of the second link of the second multi-link device.

20. An electronic device comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory, wherein the computer program comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1-19. The processor executes the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 1-17.

21. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1-17.

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