Direct link establishment method, device, equipment and storage medium

By introducing a direct link establishment method in the 802.11be system, the problem of excessive power consumption of multi-link terminal equipment in power-saving mode is solved, and longer battery life and higher service quality are achieved.

CN115720386BActive Publication Date: 2025-05-16YIBIN XGIMI OPTOELECTRONIC CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202211365219.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-11-03
Publication Date
2025-05-16
Estimated Expiration
2042-11-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When a multi-link terminal device is connected to a multi-link access point device, the simultaneous activation of multiple links causes the device to consume too fast power, especially when the terminal device supplies battery power.

Method used

A direct link establishment method is provided, and a direct link discovery request message is sent to the second multi-link device through the first multi-link device, and a negotiation determines to establish a direct link in the power saving mode, and preferentially establish a direct link on at least one main link to reduce power consumption.

Benefits of technology

While ensuring business quality, it reduces battery power consumption and improves the battery life of multi-link terminal devices.

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Abstract

The present invention discloses a direct link establishment method, device, equipment and storage medium. The method comprises: a first multi-link device sends a direct link discovery request message to a second multi-link device, the message indicating that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link link; the second multi-link device sends a direct link discovery response message to the first multi-link device, the message indicating that the second multi-link device selects a link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link and that it can establish a direct link; the first multi-link device sends a direct link establishment request message to the second multi-link device, the message indicating that the link to request to establish a direct link; the second multi-link device sends a direct link establishment response message to the first multi-link device, the message indicating that the second multi-link device confirms the link to establish a direct link. While ensuring the service quality, the present invention also reduces the consumption of battery power and improves the battery life of the multi-link device.
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Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] 802.11be systems, also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) systems, achieve extremely high throughput through a range of system features and multiple mechanisms to enhance functionality. As the use of wireless local area networks (WLANs) continues to grow, it is increasingly important to provide wireless data services in many environments, such as homes, enterprises, and hotspots. In particular, video traffic will continue to be the dominant type of traffic in many WLAN deployments. The throughput requirements of these applications are evolving due to the emergence of 4k and 8k video (uncompressed rates of 20Gbps). New high-throughput, low-latency applications such as virtual or augmented reality, gaming, remote offices, and cloud computing will proliferate (e.g., latency below 5ms for real-time gaming).

[0003] Given the high throughput and stringent real-time latency requirements of these applications, users expect higher throughput, improved reliability, less latency and jitter, and greater power efficiency when supporting their applications over WLAN. The 802.11be system is designed to ensure the competitiveness of WLAN by further increasing aggregate throughput and reducing latency while ensuring backward compatibility and coexistence with older technology standards and 802.11-compatible devices operating in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. Summary of the invention

[0004] When a multi-link terminal device is connected to a multi-link access point device, it usually establishes connections on multiple links and performs monitoring or data transmission on multiple links. When multiple links are enabled at the same time, the device consumes a large amount of power. Most terminal devices are battery-powered devices, so long-term use of multiple links for data transmission will cause the battery power to be consumed too quickly. In view of this, the present invention provides a direct link establishment method, device, equipment and storage medium, which can establish a direct link in power saving mode.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a direct link establishment method, comprising:

[0006] The first multi-link device sends a direct link discovery request message to the second multi-link device. When the first multi-link device is in a power saving mode, if the first multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link on its main link and the auxiliary link; if the first multi-link device does not accept switching the main link, the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can only establish a direct link on its main link, so that the second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with indicated in the direct link discovery request message;

[0007] The first multi-link device receives a direct link discovery response message from the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link;

[0008] The first multi-link device selects a link for requesting to establish a direct link from among the links for which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, and sends a direct link establishment request message to the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates the link for which the direct link is requested to be established;

[0009] The first multi-link device receives a direct link establishment response message from the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates that the second multi-link device confirms to establish a link of the direct link.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first multi-link device selects a link for requesting to establish a direct link from among the links for which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, including one or more of the following:

[0011] If the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with only include the primary link of the first multi-link device, the first multi-link device selects the primary link of the first multi-link device included in the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with as the link for requesting to establish a direct link;

[0012] If the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with only include the auxiliary links of the first multi-link device, the first multi-link device selects the auxiliary links of the first multi-link device included in the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with as the link for requesting to establish direct links, and switches the main link to the auxiliary links of the first multi-link device included in the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with;

[0013] If the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links include the main link and the auxiliary link of the first multi-link device, the first multi-link device selects the main link of the first multi-link device included in the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links as the link for requesting to establish a direct link; or the first multi-link device selects the auxiliary link of the first multi-link device included in the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links as the link for requesting to establish a direct link, and switches the main link to the auxiliary link of the first multi-link device included in the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the direct link discovery request message further includes an indication of link properties, which is used to instruct the second multi-link device to preferentially select the primary link indicated in the direct link discovery request message as the link on which the direct link can be established, and the link properties include a primary link and an auxiliary link.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the switching of the main link to the second multi-link device to establish a direct link including an auxiliary link of the first multi-link device includes:

[0016] Sending a main link switching request message to the access point, wherein the main link switching request message indicates a main link to be switched to and a duration required for the switching, wherein the main link to be switched to is an auxiliary link of a first multi-link device included in a link in which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, and the access point is connected to the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device;

[0017] A main link switching response message sent by the access point is received, where the main link switching response message indicates whether the switching is approved.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a direct link establishment method, comprising:

[0019] The second multi-link device receives a direct link discovery request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link;

[0020] The second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and sends a direct link discovery response message to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and is used by the first multi-link device to select a link that requests to establish a direct link from the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with;

[0021] The second multi-link device receives a direct link establishment request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates a link for which establishment of a direct link is requested;

[0022] When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, if the link for which the direct link is requested to be established is the same as the main link of the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device sends a direct link establishment response message to the first multi-link device; if the link for which the direct link is requested to be established is different from the main link of the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device switches the main link to the link for which the direct link is requested to be established, and sends a direct link establishment response message to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates confirmation of establishing the direct link on the link for which the direct link is requested to be established.

[0023] In a possible implementation, when the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, the second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link, including one or more of the following:

[0024] If the links that the first multi-link device can establish direct links with include the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device, and the second multi-link device does not accept the switching of the main link, or the links that the first multi-link device can establish direct links with only include the main link of the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device selects the main link of the second multi-link device included in the links that the first multi-link device can establish direct links with as the link that can establish direct links;

[0025] If the links through which the first multi-link device can establish direct links include the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device, and the second multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device included in the links through which the first multi-link device can establish direct links as the links through which the direct links can be established;

[0026] If the links with which the first multi-link device can establish direct links only include the auxiliary links of the second multi-link device, and the second multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the auxiliary links of the second multi-link device included in the links with which the first multi-link device can establish direct links as the links with which the direct links can be established.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the direct link discovery request message further includes an indication of link properties, where the link properties include a primary link and an auxiliary link;

[0028] The second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link, including one or more of the following:

[0029] When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, if the links through which the first multi-link device can establish a direct link include the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device, if the second multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the main link indicated in the direct link discovery request message as the link through which the direct link can be established; if the second multi-link device does not accept switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the main link of the second multi-link device included in the links through which the first multi-link device can establish a direct link as the link through which the direct link can be established;

[0030] When the second multi-link device is not in power saving mode, the second multi-link device selects the main link indicated in the direct link discovery request message as a link for establishing a direct link.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner, the second multi-link device switches the main link to the link for which the direct link is requested to be established, including:

[0032] The second multi-link device sends a main link switching request message to the access point, wherein the main link to be switched to and the duration required for the switching are indicated in the main link switching request message, wherein the main link to be switched to is the link for which the direct link establishment is requested, and the access point is connected to the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device;

[0033] The second multi-link device receives a main link switching response message sent by the access point, wherein the main link switching response message indicates whether the switching is approved.

[0034] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a direct link establishment device, including a direct link module, wherein the direct link module is used to perform the following steps:

[0035] sending a direct link discovery request message to a second multi-link device through a first multi-link device, when the first multi-link device is in a power saving mode, if the first multi-link device accepts switching the main link, then the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link on its main link and the auxiliary link; if the first multi-link device does not accept switching the main link, then the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can only establish a direct link on its main link, so that the second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with indicated in the direct link discovery request message;

[0036] receiving, by the first multi-link device, a direct link discovery response message from the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link;

[0037] Selecting, by the first multi-link device, a link for requesting to establish a direct link from the links for which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, and sending a direct link establishment request message to the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates the link for which the direct link is requested to be established;

[0038] A direct link establishment response message is received from the second multi-link device through the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates that the second multi-link device confirms to establish a link of the direct link.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a direct link establishment device, including a direct link module, wherein the direct link module is used to perform the following steps:

[0040] receiving, by the second multi-link device, a direct link discovery request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link;

[0041] selecting, by the second multi-link device, a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and sending a direct link discovery response message to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and is used by the first multi-link device to select a link to request to establish a direct link from the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with;

[0042] receiving, by the second multi-link device, a direct link establishment request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates a link for which establishment of the direct link is requested;

[0043] When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, if the link for which the direct link establishment is requested is the same as the main link of the second multi-link device, a direct link establishment response message is sent to the first multi-link device through the second multi-link device; if the link for which the direct link establishment is requested is different from the main link of the second multi-link device, the main link is switched to the link for which the direct link establishment is requested through the second multi-link device, and a direct link establishment response message is sent to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates confirmation of establishing the direct link on the link for which the direct link establishment is requested.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides an electronic device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0046] In the seventh aspect, the present invention provides a computer program product, including a computer-readable code, or a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium carrying a computer-readable code, and when the computer-readable code is executed in an electronic device, the processor in the electronic device executes the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0047] It should be noted that the device described in the third aspect is used to execute the method provided in the first aspect, the device described in the fourth aspect is used to execute the method provided in the second aspect, the electronic device described in the fifth aspect, the storage medium described in the sixth aspect and the computer program product described in the seventh aspect are used to execute the method provided in the first or second aspect, so the same beneficial effects as the methods described in the first or second aspect can be achieved, and the present invention will not go into details one by one.

[0048] The present invention determines the link for establishing a direct link through negotiation between a direct link requester and a direct link responder, and preferentially ensures that the direct link is established on the main link of at least one of the direct link requester and the direct link responder. While ensuring the service quality, it also reduces the consumption of battery power and improves the battery life of multi-link terminal equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a method for establishing a direct link provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] In order to make those skilled in the art better understand the technical solutions in the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. Although the disclosure in the present invention is introduced according to one or several exemplary examples, it should be understood that each aspect of these disclosures can also constitute a complete technical solution separately. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0053] In the embodiments of the present invention, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. In order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention, the words "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order. They are only used to illustrate and distinguish the described objects. There is no order, nor does it indicate a special limitation on the number of devices or messages in the embodiments of the present invention, and cannot constitute any limitation on the embodiments of the present invention. The term "including" is used to indicate the existence of the features declared thereafter, but does not exclude the addition of other features.

[0054] First, the multi-link technology involved in the present invention is briefly described. In a multi-link scenario, a physical device can usually include multiple logical entities. The physical device here can refer to devices such as mobile phones, TVs, and projectors. The logical entity can refer to a logical unit in the physical device, which belongs to a virtual function module. Each logical entity can independently manage data transmission and reception, and each logical entity works independently on a link. Such a physical device is called a multi-link device (MLD).

[0055] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the communication system includes a multi-link terminal device STA MLD1, a multi-link access point device AP MLD and a multi-link terminal device STA MLD2, wherein the multi-link terminal device STA MLD1 includes two logical entities STA1 and STA2, and the multi-link terminal device STA MLD2 includes two logical entities STA3 and STA4; the multi-link access point device AP MLD includes two logical entities AP1 and AP2. STA1 and STA3 are connected to AP1, and STA2 and STA4 are connected to AP2, wherein AP1 operates on a 2.4GHz link and sets the link identifier to link1, and AP2 operates on a 5GHz link and sets the link identifier to link2.

[0056] It should be understood that Figure 1 This is only a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system. In the embodiments of the present invention, there is no limitation on the number and type of devices in the communication system. For example, more terminals or access points may be included, and the multi-link access point device and the multi-link terminal device may include other numbers of logical entities, and the number of logical entities included in each multi-link device may be different. 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 may also be used to describe an access port or any other access point that can receive and transmit wireless signals within a network architecture, and therefore, the use of the access point is only exemplary.

[0057] Continue reading Figure 1 STA MLD1 and STA MLD2 can use or not use the power saving mode as needed. When using the power saving mode, STA MLD1 and STA MLD2 only monitor or transmit data on their respective primary links, and the auxiliary link is in a dormant state and can be awakened for data transmission. The way STA MLD1 and STA MLD2 enter the power saving mode can refer to the prior art. The following is an exemplary method for enabling the power saving mode, taking STA MLD1 as an example.

[0058] S1001. AP MLD sends a broadcast message through AP1. The broadcast message includes the link identifiers of AP1 and AP2, the multi-link power saving mode capability indication MLpowersavingsupport, and the power saving mode processing timeout. In the embodiment of the present invention, MLpowersavingsupport is set to 1, indicating that the multi-link power saving mode is supported; the power saving mode processing timeout is used to indicate the maximum processing time required by the APMLD after receiving the power saving request of the terminal device.

[0059] It should be noted that whether the multi-link power saving mode capability indication MLpowersavingsupport is supported and the power saving mode processing timeout period can be included in the broadcast message or in other messages, such as a probe response message (such as an MLproberresponse message) or a connection response message (such as an Associationresponse message).

[0060] S1002. STA1 reads the broadcast message sent by AP1 and obtains the link identifiers of AP1 and AP2.

[0061] S1003. STA1 sends a probe request message (eg, ML probe request message) to AP1. The message includes link identifiers link1 and link2.

[0062] S1004. After receiving the probe request message, AP1 sends a probe response message (such as an MLproberresponse message) to STA1. The message includes system parameters of AP1 and AP2 corresponding to the link identifiers link1 and link2.

[0063] S1005. STA1 sends a connection request message (such as an Association request message) to AP1. The message includes operation parameters and corresponding operation links of STA1 and STA2. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is set that STA1 operates on link1 and STA2 operates on link2.

[0064] S1006. AP1 sends a connection response message (such as an Associationresponse message) to STA1. The message indicates the successfully established links, including link1 and link2, and includes operation parameters on each link and the connection identifier AID allocated to STA MLD1.

[0065] If STA MLD1 needs to save power consumption, and the capability parameter MLpowersavingsupport of the connected APMLD indicates support for multi-link power saving mode, the main logical terminal can be determined based on information such as power and signal strength, and other logical terminals are used as auxiliary logical terminals. The main logical terminal is used for normal communication with the APMLD, including monitoring broadcast messages, receiving data, and sending data. The auxiliary logical terminal is in sleep mode under normal circumstances. When there is a large amount of data to be sent or received, STAMLD1 can wake up the auxiliary logical terminal to send or receive data autonomously or under the instruction of APMLD. The embodiment of the present invention assumes that the signal strength of AP1 measured by STA1 is the largest, and the link operated by STA1 is in the 2.4 GHz frequency band with lower power. STA1 is selected as the main logical terminal, and the link link1 where the main logical terminal is located is used as the main link.

[0066] S1007. STA MLD1 sends a multi-link power saving request message (such as a Multi-link Powersaving request message) to APMLD on link link1 through STA1. The message includes the following parameters:

[0067] Primary link: the identifier of the link operated by the primary logical terminal, which is set to link1 in this embodiment;

[0068] MLPS mode enabled: indicates whether the multi-link power saving mode is enabled. If set to 1, it indicates that it is enabled; if set to 0, it indicates that it is disabled. In this embodiment, it is set to 1;

[0069] DL wake enabled (optional): whether to support downlink wake-up of the auxiliary logical terminal. If set to 1, it indicates enabled; if set to 0, it indicates disabled.

[0070] S1008. APMLD receives a multi-link power saving request message on link link1 through AP1, and sends a multi-link power saving response message (such as a Multi-link Powersaving response message) to STAMLD1 on link link1 through AP1. The message includes a status parameter Status. If APMLD agrees to STA MLD1's request, the value of the status parameter Status is set to SUCCESS, indicating that the request is agreed; if APMLD disagrees to STA MLD1's request, the value of the status parameter Status is set to REJECT, indicating that the request is disagreed.

[0071] S1009. STA MLD1 receives a multi-link power saving response message on link link1 through STA1. If the status parameter value contained therein is SUCCESS, a power saving operation is performed according to the requested power saving parameters; if the status parameter value contained therein is REJECT, the current mode is maintained for operation, that is, normal operation is maintained without performing power saving operation.

[0072] If STA MLD1 does not receive a multi-link power saving response message within the power saving mode processing timeout period after sending the multi-link power saving request message, it will not send the multi-link power saving request message again; if it still does not receive a multi-link power saving response message after the power saving mode processing timeout period after sending the multi-link power saving request message, it will maintain the current mode of operation or send the multi-link power saving request message to APMLD again.

[0073] In the multi-link power saving mode, STAMLD1 reads the broadcast message of AP1 on link1 only through the logical terminal STA1 belonging to STAMLD1, sends data to AP1 on link1 only through STA1, and receives data sent by AP1 on link1 only through STA1; STAMLD1 can set a threshold value T1, and when the data cache size is greater than the threshold value T1, wake up the auxiliary logical terminal STA2 to send data on the auxiliary link link2.

[0074] After STAMLD1 enters the multi-link power saving mode, APMLD sends data to STA1 only through AP1 on the link indicated by the Primary link, that is, link1; if the parameter DLwakeenabled value is 1, APMLD can set a threshold value T2 according to the parameter DLwakebufferThreshold. When the data cache size is greater than the threshold value DLwakebufferThreshold or T2, it sends a startup message to STAMLD1, and the startup message indicates the link that needs to be awakened; after receiving the startup message, STA MLD1 sends a response message to APMLD on the main link and other links that need to be awakened according to the link indicated in the startup message; APMLD sends data to STAMLD1 on the link where the response message is received.

[0075] In some embodiments, STA MLD1 may actively request to terminate the power saving mode according to its own policy. For example, STA MLD1 sends a multi-link power saving notification message (such as a Multi-link Powersavingnotify message) to AP MLD, and the message includes the following parameters:

[0076] MLPS mode enabled: indicates whether the multi-link power saving mode is enabled. In this embodiment, it is set to 0, indicating that it is disabled;

[0077] MLPS mode transition delay: Mode transition delay refers to the delay caused by processor processing time or transceiver adjustment when switching between two modes.

[0078] After sending the multi-link power saving notification message, STAMLD1 waits for the time indicated by the parameter MLPS mode transition delay, terminates the power saving mode, and both the primary and secondary logical terminals are in an activated state, and can read broadcast messages, receive data sent by APMLD, and send data to APMLD.

[0079] The operation of STA MLD2 to enable and terminate the power saving mode is similar to that of STA MLD1 and will not be described in detail here.

[0080] In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the multi-link terminal device STA MLD1 is the initiator of establishing the direct link, and the multi-link terminal device STA MLD2 is the responder of establishing the direct link. After STA MLD1 enters the power saving mode, link link1 is used as the main link and link2 is used as the auxiliary link.

[0081] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a direct link establishment method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the direct link establishment method includes the following contents:

[0082] S201, STAMLD1 sends a direct link discovery request message (such as a TDLSdiscoveryrequest message) to APMLD. If STAMLD1 only wants to establish a direct link on the main link link1, such as STAMLD1 does not accept switching the main link, then the direct link discovery request message indicates that a direct link can only be established on the main link link1 of STAMLD1. For example, the direct link discovery request message includes the following parameters:

[0083] STA info 1: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA1, indicating that a direct link can be established on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a primary link.

[0084] If STAMLD1 can establish a direct link on both the primary link link1 and the auxiliary link link2, the direct link discovery request message indicates that a direct link can be established on the primary link link1 and the auxiliary link link2 of STAMLD1. For example, the direct link discovery request message includes the following parameters:

[0085] STA info 1: device information, including link identifier link1 and characteristic parameters of STA1, indicating that a direct link can be established on link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a primary link, indicating that STA MLD2 preferentially selects the link as the link on which a direct link can be established;

[0086] STA info 2: device information, including the link identifier link2 and the characteristic parameters of STA2, indicating that a direct link can be established on the link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of an auxiliary link.

[0087] It should be understood that the direct link discovery request message can also indicate that STA MLD1 can establish a direct link in other ways, such as the request message contains a parameter TDLS Link, which includes multiple bits, one bit corresponds to a link, and when the value on a certain bit is set to 1, it indicates that the link corresponding to the bit can establish a direct link; when the value on a certain bit is set to 0, it indicates that the link corresponding to the bit cannot establish a direct link. For example, the parameter TDLS Link includes two bits, when the value of the parameter is set to 01, it indicates that STA MLD1 can only establish a direct link on link link1; when the value of the parameter is set to 11, it indicates that STA MLD1 can establish a direct link on links link1 and link2.

[0088] S202. APMLD receives the direct link discovery request message sent by STAMLD1, and sends the direct link discovery request message to STAMLD2. The payload of the direct link discovery request message received by APMLD from STAMLD1 is the same as the payload of the direct link discovery request message sent to STAMLD2, such as both contain device information STA info 1, or both contain device information STA info 1 and STA info 2.

[0089] S203, STAMLD2 receives the direct link discovery request message, selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links indicated in the direct link discovery request message, and sends a direct link discovery response message (such as a TDLSdiscoveryresponse message) to STAMLD1, and the response message indicates the link that STAMLD2 can establish a direct link. The example is as follows:

[0090] 1) If STAMLD2 is in power saving mode and link1 is the primary link of STAMLD2, a direct link discovery response message is sent to STA MLD1, which contains the following parameters:

[0091] STA info 3: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating that a direct link can be established on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a primary link.

[0092] 2) If STAMLD2 is using power saving mode, link2 is the main link of STAMLD2, and the main link cannot be replaced. If the direct link discovery request message only contains STAinfo 1, it can be known from the link identifier link1 that STAMLD1 can only establish a direct link on link link1, and no response is given to the direct link discovery request message.

[0093] If the direct link discovery request message includes STAinfo 1 and STAinfo 2, it can be known from the link identifiers link1 and link2 that STA MLD1 can establish a direct link on links link1 and link2. Then, a direct link discovery response message is sent to STA MLD1. The message includes the following parameters:

[0094] STA info 4: device information, including the link identifier link2 and the characteristic parameters of STA4, indicating that a direct link can be established on the link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of a primary link.

[0095] 3) If STAMLD2 is in power saving mode, link2 is the main link of STAMLD2, and the main link is accepted to be replaced. If the direct link discovery request message only contains STAinfo 1, a direct link discovery response message is sent to STAMLD1, and the message contains the following parameters:

[0096] STA info 3: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating that a direct link can be established on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of an auxiliary link.

[0097] If the direct link discovery request message contains STAinfo 1 and STAinfo 2, a direct link discovery response message is sent to STA MLD1. The message contains the following parameters:

[0098] STA info 3: device information, including link identifier link1 and characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating that a direct link can be established on link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of an auxiliary link;

[0099] STA info 4: device information, including link identifier link2 and characteristic parameters of STA4, indicating that a direct link can be established on link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of a primary link, indicating that STA MLD1 preferentially chooses to establish a direct link on this link.

[0100] Further, if STAinfo 1 and STAinfo 2 included in the direct link discovery request message also include an indication of the primary and secondary links, STA MLD2 preferentially selects the primary link link1 indicated therein as the link on which the direct link can be established, that is, the direct link discovery response message sent by STA MLD2 to STA MLD1 includes the following parameters:

[0101] STA info 3: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating that a direct link can be established on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of an auxiliary link.

[0102] 4) If STAMLD2 does not use the power saving mode, if the direct link discovery request message only includes STAinfo1, a direct link discovery response message is sent to STA MLD1, and the message includes the following parameters:

[0103] STA info 3: device information, including link identifier link1 and characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating that a direct link can be established on link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a normal link, such as including specific parameters for indication, or not indicating the primary or secondary link, that is, indicating a normal link.

[0104] If the direct link discovery request message contains STAinfo 1 and STAinfo 2, a direct link discovery response message is sent to STA MLD1. The message contains the following parameters:

[0105] STA info 3: device information, including link identifier link1 and characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating that a direct link can be established on link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a normal link, such as including specific parameters for indication, or not indicating the primary or secondary link, that is, indicating a normal link;

[0106] STA info 4: device information, including link identifier link2 and characteristic parameters of STA4, indicating that a direct link can be established on link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of a normal link, such as including specific parameters for indication, or not indicating the primary or secondary link, that is, indicating a normal link.

[0107] Further, if STAinfo 1 and STAinfo 2 included in the direct link discovery request message also include an indication of the primary and secondary links, STA MLD2 preferentially selects the primary link link1 indicated therein as the link on which the direct link can be established, that is, the direct link discovery response message sent by STA MLD2 to STA MLD1 includes the following parameters:

[0108] STA info 3: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating that a direct link can be established on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a normal link.

[0109] It should be noted that STA MLD2 can directly send a direct link discovery response message to STA MLD1, or send a direct link discovery response message to STA MLD1 through AP MLD, that is, first send a direct link discovery response message to APMLD, and then AP MLD sends a direct link discovery response message to STA MLD1.

[0110] S204, STAMLD1 receives the direct link discovery response message, selects a link for requesting to establish a direct link from the links indicated in the direct link discovery response message, and sends a direct link establishment request message (such as a TDLSsetuprequest message) to STAMLD2, where the request message indicates the link for requesting to establish a direct link. An example is as follows:

[0111] 1) If the direct link discovery response message contains only STAinfo 3 corresponding to link1, a direct link establishment request message is sent to STAMLD2 through AP MLD, and the message contains the following parameters:

[0112] STA info 1: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA1, indicating a request to establish a direct link on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of the main link.

[0113] 2) If the direct link discovery response message only contains STAinfo 4 corresponding to link2, a primary link switch request message (such as Primarylinkswitchrequest message) is sent to the AP MLD, and the message contains the following parameters:

[0114] Target primary link: the primary link to be switched to. In this embodiment, it is set to link2, indicating that the primary link needs to be switched to link link2;

[0115] Transition delay: The time required for switching.

[0116] After receiving the primary link switch response message (such as Primary link switch response message) sent by AP MLD, STAMLD1 sends a direct link establishment request message to STAMLD2 through AP MLD. The message contains the following parameters:

[0117] STA info 2: device information, including the link identifier link2 and the characteristic parameters of STA2, indicating a request to establish a direct link on link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of a primary link.

[0118] 3) If the direct link discovery response message contains STAinfo 3 corresponding to link1 and STAinfo 4 corresponding to link2, STAMLD1 directly selects its main link link1 as the link for requesting to establish a direct link, and sends a direct link establishment request message to STAMLD2 through APMLD. The message contains the following parameters:

[0119] STA info 1: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA1, indicating a request to establish a direct link on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of the main link.

[0120] Optionally, if the direct link discovery response message includes STAinfo 3 corresponding to link1 and STAinfo 4 corresponding to link2, STAMLD1 may also select its auxiliary link link2 as the link for requesting to establish a direct link according to its own strategy, or select the main link indicated in the direct link discovery response message as the link for requesting to establish a direct link according to the indication of the main and auxiliary links in STAinfo 3 and STAinfo 4. For example, in this embodiment, the main link indicated in the direct link discovery response message is link link2, then link link2 is selected as the link for requesting to establish a direct link, and a main link switching request message (such as Primarylinkswitchrequest message) is sent to AP MLD, and the message includes the following parameters:

[0121] Target primary link: the primary link to be switched to. In this embodiment, it is set to link2, indicating that the primary link needs to be switched to link link2;

[0122] Transition delay: The time required for switching.

[0123] After receiving the primary link switch response message (such as Primary link switch response message) sent by AP MLD, STAMLD1 sends a direct link establishment request message to STAMLD2 through AP MLD. The message contains the following parameters:

[0124] STA info 2: device information, including the link identifier link2 and the characteristic parameters of STA2, indicating a request to establish a direct link on link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of a primary link.

[0125] S205, STAMLD2 receives the direct link establishment request message, and sends a direct link establishment response message (such as a TDLSsetupresponse message) to STAMLD1 according to the link for establishing the direct link indicated in the direct link establishment request message, and the response message indicates whether the request is approved. In this embodiment, it is assumed that STA MLD2 agrees to the request, and the example is as follows:

[0126] 1) If STAMLD2 is not in power saving mode, and the received direct link establishment request message indicates a request to establish a direct link on link link1, a direct link establishment response message is sent to STA MLD1, and the message includes the following parameters:

[0127] STA info 3: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating confirmation of establishing a direct link on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a normal link.

[0128] 2) If STAMLD2 is not using the power saving mode, and the received direct link establishment request message indicates a request to establish a direct link on link link2, a direct link establishment response message is sent to STA MLD1, and the message includes the following parameters:

[0129] STA info 4: device information, including the link identifier link2 and the characteristic parameters of STA4, indicating confirmation of establishing a direct link on the link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of a normal link.

[0130] 3) If STAMLD2 is in power saving mode and the main link is link 1, it sends a direct link establishment response message to STA MLD1, which includes the following parameters:

[0131] STA info 3: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating confirmation of establishing a direct link on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a main link.

[0132] 4) If STAMLD2 is in power saving mode and the main link is link link2, and the received direct link establishment request message indicates a request to establish a direct link on link link2, a direct link establishment response message is sent to STAMLD1, and the message includes the following parameters:

[0133] STA info 4: device information, including the link identifier link2 and the characteristic parameters of STA4, indicating confirmation of establishing a direct link on the link link2; optionally, it may also include an indication of a main link.

[0134] 5) If STAMLD2 is in power saving mode and the primary link is link 2, and the received direct link establishment request message indicates a request to establish a direct link on link 1, a primary link switch request message (such as a Primarylinkswitchrequest message) is sent to AP MLD, and the message includes the following parameters:

[0135] Target primary link: the primary link to be switched to. In this embodiment, it is set to link1, indicating that the primary link needs to be switched to link link1;

[0136] Transition delay: The time required for switching.

[0137] After receiving the primary link switch response message (such as Primary link switch response message) sent by AP MLD, STAMLD2 sends a direct link establishment response message to STAMLD1. The message includes the following parameters:

[0138] STA info 3: device information, including the link identifier link1 and the characteristic parameters of STA3, indicating confirmation of establishing a direct link on the link link1; optionally, it may also include an indication of a main link.

[0139] It should be noted that STA MLD2 can directly send a direct link establishment response message to STA MLD1, or send a direct link establishment response message to STA MLD1 through AP MLD, that is, first send a direct link establishment response message to APMLD, and then AP MLD sends a direct link establishment response message to STA MLD1.

[0140] S206. STAMLD1 receives a direct link establishment response message. If the direct link establishment response message indicates that the request is approved, STAMLD1 and STAMLD2 perform data communication on the established direct link; if the direct link establishment response message indicates that the request is not approved, the establishment of the direct link fails.

[0141] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a direct link establishment device, comprising a direct link module, configured to perform the following steps:

[0142] sending a direct link discovery request message to a second multi-link device through a first multi-link device, when the first multi-link device is in a power saving mode, if the first multi-link device accepts switching the main link, then the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link on its main link and the auxiliary link; if the first multi-link device does not accept switching the main link, then the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can only establish a direct link on its main link, so that the second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with indicated in the direct link discovery request message;

[0143] receiving, by the first multi-link device, a direct link discovery response message from the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link;

[0144] Selecting, by the first multi-link device, a link for requesting to establish a direct link from the links for which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, and sending a direct link establishment request message to the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates the link for which the direct link is requested to be established;

[0145] A direct link establishment response message is received from the second multi-link device through the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates that the second multi-link device confirms to establish a link of the direct link.

[0146] In an optional example, those skilled in the art may understand that the above-mentioned device may be specifically STA MLD1 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the device may be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to STA MLD1 in the above-mentioned method, which will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0147] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a direct link establishment device, comprising a direct link module, configured to perform the following steps:

[0148] receiving, by the second multi-link device, a direct link discovery request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link;

[0149] selecting, by the second multi-link device, a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and sending a direct link discovery response message to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and is used by the first multi-link device to select a link to request to establish a direct link from the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with;

[0150] receiving, by the second multi-link device, a direct link establishment request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates a link for which establishment of the direct link is requested;

[0151] When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, if the link for which the direct link establishment is requested is the same as the main link of the second multi-link device, a direct link establishment response message is sent to the first multi-link device through the second multi-link device; if the link for which the direct link establishment is requested is different from the main link of the second multi-link device, the main link is switched to the link for which the direct link establishment is requested through the second multi-link device, and a direct link establishment response message is sent to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates confirmation of establishing the direct link on the link for which the direct link establishment is requested.

[0152] In an optional example, those skilled in the art may understand that the above-mentioned device may be specifically STA MLD2 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the device may be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to STA MLD2 in the above-mentioned method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0153] It should be understood that the device here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a proprietary processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a merged logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. The above-mentioned device has the function of implementing the corresponding steps in the above-mentioned method; the above-mentioned functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing the corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. In an embodiment of the present invention, the device may also be a chip or a chip system, for example: a system on chip (SoC). The present invention is not limited here.

[0154] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an electronic device, Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, 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 via a bus 304, and the memory 302 stores instructions executable by the processor 301, and the instructions are loaded and executed by the processor 301 to control the communication interface 303 to send signals and / or receive signals.

[0155] It should be understood that the device 300 can be specifically STAMLD1 or STAMLD2 in the above embodiment, or the functions of STAMLD1 or STAMLD2 in the above embodiment can be integrated in the device 300, and the device 300 can be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to STAMLD1 or STAMLD2 in the above embodiment. Optionally, the memory 302 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor 301. A part of the memory 302 may also include a non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory 302 may also store information about the device type. The processor 301 can be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 301, and when the processor 301 executes the instruction, the processor 301 can execute the corresponding various steps and / or processes in the above method embodiment.

[0156] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present invention, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0157] In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor or an instruction in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiment of the present invention can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0158] The above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any other combination. When implemented by software, the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present invention is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. 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 by wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more available media sets. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid-state hard disk.

[0159] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present invention, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present invention. The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network modules, and some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] In the several embodiments provided by the present invention, 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. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, a 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. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0161] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0162] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for establishing a direct link, characterized in that: include: The first multi-link device sends a direct link discovery request message to the second multi-link device. When the first multi-link device is in a power saving mode, if the first multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link on its main link and the auxiliary link; if the first multi-link device does not accept switching the main link, the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can only establish a direct link on its main link, so that the second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with indicated in the direct link discovery request message; The first multi-link device receives a direct link discovery response message from the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link; The first multi-link device selects a link for requesting to establish a direct link from among the links for which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, and sends a direct link establishment request message to the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates the link for which the direct link is requested to be established; The first multi-link device receives a direct link establishment response message from the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates that the second multi-link device confirms to establish a link of the direct link.

2. A method for establishing a direct link according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first multi-link device selects a link for requesting to establish a direct link from among the links for which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, including one or more of the following: If the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with only include the primary link of the first multi-link device, the first multi-link device selects the primary link of the first multi-link device included in the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with as the link for requesting to establish a direct link; If the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with only include the auxiliary links of the first multi-link device, the first multi-link device selects the auxiliary links of the first multi-link device included in the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with as the link for requesting to establish direct links, and switches the main link to the auxiliary links of the first multi-link device included in the links that the second multi-link device can establish direct links with; If the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links include the main link and the auxiliary link of the first multi-link device, the first multi-link device selects the main link of the first multi-link device included in the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links as the link for requesting to establish a direct link; or the first multi-link device selects the auxiliary link of the first multi-link device included in the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links as the link for requesting to establish a direct link, and switches the main link to the auxiliary link of the first multi-link device included in the links through which the second multi-link device can establish direct links.

3. A method for establishing a direct link according to claim 1, characterized in that: The direct link discovery request message also includes an indication of link properties, which is used to instruct the second multi-link device to preferentially select the primary link indicated in the direct link discovery request message as the link for establishing a direct link, and the link properties include a primary link and an auxiliary link.

4. A method for establishing a direct link according to claim 2, characterized in that: The switching of the main link to the second multi-link device to establish the direct link includes the auxiliary link of the first multi-link device, including: Sending a main link switching request message to the access point, wherein the main link switching request message indicates a main link to be switched to and a duration required for the switching, wherein the main link to be switched to is an auxiliary link of a first multi-link device included in a link in which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, and the access point is connected to the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device; A main link switching response message sent by the access point is received, where the main link switching response message indicates whether the switching is approved.

5. A method for establishing a direct link, characterized in that: include: The second multi-link device receives a direct link discovery request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link; The second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and sends a direct link discovery response message to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and is used by the first multi-link device to select a link that requests to establish a direct link from the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with; The second multi-link device receives a direct link establishment request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates a link for which establishment of a direct link is requested; When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, if the link requested to establish the direct link is the same as the main link of the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device sends a direct link establishment response message to the first multi-link device; If the link for which the direct link establishment is requested is different from the main link of the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device switches the main link to the link for which the direct link establishment is requested, and sends a direct link establishment response message to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates confirmation of establishing the direct link on the link for which the direct link establishment is requested.

6. A method for establishing a direct link according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, the second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link, including one or more of the following items: If the links that the first multi-link device can establish direct links with include the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device, and the second multi-link device does not accept the switching of the main link, or the links that the first multi-link device can establish direct links with only include the main link of the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device selects the main link of the second multi-link device included in the links that the first multi-link device can establish direct links with as the link that can establish direct links; If the links through which the first multi-link device can establish direct links include the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device, and the second multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device included in the links through which the first multi-link device can establish direct links as the links through which the direct links can be established; If the links with which the first multi-link device can establish direct links only include the auxiliary links of the second multi-link device, and the second multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the auxiliary links of the second multi-link device included in the links with which the first multi-link device can establish direct links as the links with which the direct links can be established.

7. A direct link establishment method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The direct link discovery request message also includes an indication of link properties, where the link properties include a primary link and an auxiliary link; The second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link, including one or more of the following: When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, if the links through which the first multi-link device can establish a direct link include the main link and the auxiliary link of the second multi-link device, if the second multi-link device accepts switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the main link indicated in the direct link discovery request message as the link through which the direct link can be established; if the second multi-link device does not accept switching the main link, the second multi-link device selects the main link of the second multi-link device included in the links through which the first multi-link device can establish a direct link as the link through which the direct link can be established; When the second multi-link device is not in power saving mode, the second multi-link device selects the main link indicated in the direct link discovery request message as a link for establishing a direct link.

8. A direct link establishment method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second multi-link device switches the main link to the link for which the direct link is requested to be established, including: The second multi-link device sends a main link switching request message to the access point, wherein the main link to be switched to and the duration required for the switching are indicated in the main link switching request message, wherein the main link to be switched to is the link for which the direct link establishment is requested, and the access point is connected to the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device; The second multi-link device receives a main link switching response message sent by the access point, wherein the main link switching response message indicates whether the switching is approved.

9. A direct link establishment device, characterized in that: A direct link module is included, and the direct link module is used to perform the following steps: sending a direct link discovery request message to a second multi-link device through a first multi-link device, when the first multi-link device is in a power saving mode, if the first multi-link device accepts switching the main link, then the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link on its main link and the auxiliary link; if the first multi-link device does not accept switching the main link, then the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can only establish a direct link on its main link, so that the second multi-link device selects a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with indicated in the direct link discovery request message; receiving, by the first multi-link device, a direct link discovery response message from the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link; Selecting, by the first multi-link device, a link for requesting to establish a direct link from the links for which the second multi-link device can establish a direct link, and sending a direct link establishment request message to the second multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates the link for which the direct link is requested to be established; A direct link establishment response message is received from the second multi-link device through the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates that the second multi-link device confirms to establish a link of the direct link.

10. A direct link establishment device, characterized in that: A direct link module is included, and the direct link module is used to perform the following steps: receiving, by the second multi-link device, a direct link discovery request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery request message indicates that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link; selecting, by the second multi-link device, a link that can establish a direct link from the links that the first multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and sending a direct link discovery response message to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link discovery response message indicates the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with, and is used by the first multi-link device to select a link to request to establish a direct link from the links that the second multi-link device can establish a direct link with; receiving, by the second multi-link device, a direct link establishment request message from the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment request message indicates a link for which establishment of the direct link is requested; When the second multi-link device is in the power saving mode, if the link for which the direct link establishment is requested is the same as the main link of the second multi-link device, sending a direct link establishment response message to the first multi-link device through the second multi-link device; If the link for which the direct link establishment is requested is different from the main link of the second multi-link device, the main link is switched by the second multi-link device to the link for which the direct link establishment is requested, and a direct link establishment response message is sent to the first multi-link device, wherein the direct link establishment response message indicates confirmation of establishing the direct link on the link for which the direct link establishment is requested.

11. An electronic device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored in the memory, characterized in that: The processor executes the computer program to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is implemented.

Citation Information

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