Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, in which a first station in a first multi-link device sends first information to a second multi-link device, where the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which stations in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames. In this way, the second multi-link device can learn the frequency at which stations in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames based on the first information, thereby facilitating the second multi-link device to effectively manage cache services of each station in the first multi-link device and managing data buffer space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] The next-generation IEEE 802.11 Extremely High Throughput (EHT) WiFi protocol not only transmits packets over the ultra-high bandwidth of the new 6 GHz frequency band, but also uses multi-link (ML) cooperation technology to aggregate discontinuous links to create ultra-high bandwidth. In addition to aggregating greater bandwidth, multi-link cooperation also enables flexible packet transmission by sharing the MAC layer across multiple links, or by simultaneously sending packets for the same service to the same station. Wireless local area network (WLAN) devices that support the next-generation IEEE 802.11 standard will have the ability to transmit and receive across multiple frequency bands.

[0003] The existing listening mechanism has limitations and can only be applied to single-link sites. It is not suitable for scenarios where multiple-link devices are installed on the site. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can achieve effective management of downlink buffer services of multi-link devices and help manage data buffer space.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: first, a first station in a first multi-link device sends first information to a second multi-link device, the first information being used to indicate a frequency at which stations in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames; and then, the first multi-link device receives the beacon frames based on the first information. This allows the second multi-link device to learn the frequency at which stations in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames, thereby effectively managing cache services of each station in the first multi-link device and facilitating data buffer space management.

[0006] The first site may be a site in the first multi-link device. Alternatively, the first multi-link device is a special multi-link device, that is, a multi-link device including a single site.

[0007] Optionally, the first station is a station in the first multi-link device used to establish an association request.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first information represents a first time interval for a second station operating on the first link in the first multi-link device to receive beacon frames, with the unit of the first time interval being the interval of beacon frames on the first link. Stated another way, the first time interval is related to the interval at which a third station operating on the first link in the second multi-link device transmits the beacon frames. By informing the second multi-link device of the first time interval (or listening interval) for stations operating on the first link to receive beacon frames, the first multi-link device enables the second multi-link device to effectively manage the cached services of each station in the first multi-link device based on the first time interval, thereby facilitating data buffer management.

[0009] Here, the first link can be called a main link, and there is only one first link.

[0010] Optionally, the first site is the same as or different from the second site.

[0011] Optionally, the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame based on the first information, including: the station of the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame on the first link at intervals of the first time interval. Here, the station of the first multi-link device can receive the beacon frame on the first link at the first time interval to obtain BSS parameter information sent by the second multi-link device. For example, the station of the first multi-link device obtains the downlink service indication through the beacon frame, and then notifies the AP of the awake state through the energy-saving polling frame, thereby ultimately helping the AP complete downlink service transmission.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the first information indicates a second time interval for receiving beacon frames by multiple stations operating on multiple links in the first multi-link device. The second time interval is associated with multiple beacon frame intervals for transmitting beacon frames by the second multi-link device on the multiple links. Each beacon frame interval is an interval at which a station in the second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame on a link. By notifying the second multi-link device of the second time interval (or listening interval) for receiving beacon frames by multiple stations operating on the multiple links in the first multi-link device, the second multi-link device can effectively manage the cached services of each station in the first multi-link device according to the second time interval, thereby facilitating data buffer space management.

[0013] Optionally, the unit of the second time interval is the maximum time interval among multiple beacon frame intervals in which the second multi-link device sends beacon frames on the multiple links, or the minimum time interval among the multiple beacon frame intervals. In other words, the unit of the second time interval can be the minimum value or the maximum value of the multiple beacon frame intervals.

[0014] Optionally, the first multi-link device receiving the beacon frame based on the first information includes: the first multi-link device receiving the beacon frame at the second time interval on at least one link among the multiple links. Here, the first multi-link device may receive the beacon frame on the first link at the second time interval to obtain BSS parameter information sent by the second multi-link device. For example, the station of the first multi-link device obtains the downlink service indication through the beacon frame, and then notifies the AP of its awake state through the energy-saving polling frame, thereby ultimately helping the AP complete downlink service transmission.

[0015] Here, multiple stations of the first multi-link device (i.e., all stations operating on the multiple links) can receive the beacon frame on each of the multiple links, i.e., all of the multiple links, at intervals of the second time interval. Alternatively, some stations of the first multi-link device (i.e., stations operating on some of the multiple links) can receive the beacon frame on some of the multiple links at intervals of the second time interval.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present application, the first station in the first multi-link device sending the first information to the second multi-link device includes: the first station in the first multi-link device sending a first frame to the second multi-link device, wherein the first frame carries the first information. The first frame can be a management frame, for example, the first frame is an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. Therefore, the manner of sending the first information is relatively flexible.

[0017] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: first, a second multi-link device receives first information from a first multi-link device, the first information being used to indicate a frequency at which stations in energy-saving mode on the first multi-link device receive beacon frames; and then, the second multi-link device transmits the beacon frames based on the first information. In this way, the second multi-link device can learn the frequency at which stations on the first multi-link device receive beacon frames, and transmit beacon frames based on the first information, enabling the second multi-link device to effectively manage cached services for each station on the first multi-link device, thereby facilitating data buffer management.

[0018] Optionally, the method further includes: the second multi-link device determining, according to the first information, whether to enable or disable a service of the first multi-link device.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes: when the service buffering time given by the second multi-link device to the first multi-link device is less than the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device does not discard the buffered service of the first multi-link device.

[0020] Optionally, the second multi-link device manages services of the first multi-link device according to the first information, including: discarding buffered services for the first multi-link device when a service buffering time of the second multi-link device for the first multi-link device is greater than a time indicated by the first information.

[0021] Optionally, the second multi-link device receiving the first information from the first multi-link device includes: the second multi-link device receiving a first frame from the first multi-link device, the first frame carrying the first information. The first frame may be a management frame, for example, an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. Therefore, the manner of sending the first information is relatively flexible.

[0022] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: first, a first station in a first multi-link device transmits a first frame to a second multi-link device, the first frame including a plurality of second information, each second information indicating a frequency at which a station in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame; and then, the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame based on the plurality of second information. This allows the second multi-link device to obtain the plurality of second information, thereby effectively managing cache services of each station in the first multi-link device and facilitating data buffer management.

[0023] Optionally, the first frame further includes: link identifiers of multiple sites, each link identifier corresponding to a second information, the link identifier being used to identify a site in the first multi-link device, so that the second multi-link device can know which second information corresponds to which site.

[0024] The first frame may be a management frame, for example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. The manner of sending the plurality of second information is relatively flexible.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: first, a second multi-link device receives a first frame, the first frame including a plurality of second information, each of the plurality of second information indicating a frequency at which a station in energy-saving mode of the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame; and then, the second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame based on the plurality of second information. In this way, the second multi-link device can obtain the plurality of second information, thereby effectively managing the cached services of each station in the first multi-link device and facilitating data buffer space management.

[0026] Optionally, the first frame further includes: link identifiers of multiple sites, each link identifier corresponding to a second information, and the link identifier is used to identify a site in the first multi-link device. In this way, the second multi-link device can know which second information corresponds to which site.

[0027] The first frame may be a management frame, for example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. The manner of sending the plurality of second information is relatively flexible.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a module for executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect; or, includes a module for executing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect; or, includes a module for executing the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect; or, includes a module for executing the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0029] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method of any possible implementation of the first or third aspect. Optionally, the device further comprises a memory. Optionally, the device further comprises a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface.

[0030] In one implementation, the apparatus is a first multi-link device. When the apparatus is a first multi-link device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0031] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip configured in the first multi-link device. When the apparatus is a chip configured in the first multi-link device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0032] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0033] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method of any possible implementation of the second or fourth aspects. Optionally, the device further comprises a memory. Optionally, the device further comprises a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface.

[0034] In one implementation, the apparatus is a second multi-link device. When the apparatus is a second multi-link device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0035] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip configured in the second multi-link device. When the apparatus is a chip configured in the second multi-link device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0036] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method of any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0038] In a specific implementation, the processor may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, or various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, which functions as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0039] In a ninth aspect, a device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory and receive signals via a receiver and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the method of any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0040] Optionally, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0041] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be provided separately from the processor.

[0042] In the specific implementation process, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or can be set on different chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of memory and the setting method of the memory and the processor.

[0043] It should be understood that a related data interaction process, such as sending the first information or the first frame, can be a process of outputting the first information or the first frame from the processor, and receiving capability information can be a process of receiving input capability information from the processor. Specifically, the processed output data can be output to the transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from the receiver. The transmitter and receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0044] The device in the above-mentioned ninth aspect can be a chip, and the processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. The memory can be integrated in the processor or can be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0045] In the tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in any possible implementation of any aspect of the first to fourth aspects is implemented.

[0046] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed, implements the method in any possible implementation manner of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0047] In the twelfth aspect, a communication chip is provided, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed on a computer device, the communication chip executes the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the communication chip executes the method in the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0048] In the thirteenth aspect, a communication chip is provided, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed on a computer device, the communication chip executes the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the communication chip executes the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0049] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device.

[0050] Optionally, the communication system further includes other devices communicating with the first multi-link device and / or the second multi-link device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 This is an example diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 2 This is a structural example diagram of an AP multi-link device and a STA multi-link device participating in communication;

[0053] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is another structural example diagram of an AP multi-link device and a STA multi-link device participating in communication;

[0054] Figure 4 is an example diagram of an antenna for a multi-link device;

[0055] Figure 5 This is an example diagram of a communication scenario between an AP multi-link device and a STA multi-link device.

[0056] Figure 6 This is another example diagram of the communication scenario between an AP multi-link device and a STA multi-link device.

[0057] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an example of applying the communication method of the present application;

[0059] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 10 is an example diagram of the listening interval;

[0061] Figure 11 is another example diagram of the listening interval;

[0062] Figure 12 This is an example diagram of the WNM sleep mode element;

[0063] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 15 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, WiFi system, wireless local area network (WLAN), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), etc., device to device (D2D) system.

[0068] In a communication system, if there is a device that sends data to another device, or receives data sent by another device; the other device receives data sent by the data sending device, and / or sends data to the data sending device.

[0069] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to wireless communications between communication devices. Specifically, the embodiments of the present application are applied to communications between multi-link devices. Wireless communications between communication devices may include: wireless communications between network devices and terminal devices, wireless communications between network devices, and wireless communications between terminals. In the embodiments of the present application, the term "wireless communications" may also be referred to as "communication," and the term "communication" may also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

[0070] The terminal device may refer to a station (STA), user equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0071] A network device may be a device used to communicate with a terminal device, and may also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, etc. Network devices include, but are not limited to: access point (AP), next generation nodeB (gNB) in 5G, evolved nodeB (eNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), relay station, etc. A network device may also be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, etc. In addition, the network device may also be responsible for functions such as wireless resource management, quality of service (QoS), data compression and encryption on the air interface side. Among them, the network device may support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc.

[0072] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and distributed units (DU). The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some gNB functions, while the DU implements some gNB functions. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, implementing the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, RF processing, and active antenna-related functions. Because RRC layer information ultimately becomes PHY layer information, or is converted from PHY layer information, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or by both the DU and the AAU. It is understood that the network device may include one or more of a CU node, a DU node, and an AAU node. In addition, the CU may be classified as a network device in an access network (RAN) or a network device in a core network (CN), which is not limited in this application.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device or a network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also called main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, for example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be a terminal device or a network device, or a functional module in a terminal device or a network device that can call a program and execute the program.

[0074] In addition, various aspects or features of the present application can be implemented as methods, devices or products using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "product" as used in this application covers computer programs that can be accessed from any computer-readable device, carrier or medium. For example, computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks or tapes, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), cards, sticks or key drives, etc.). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0075] This application is applicable to a communication system including a multi-link device (MLD). The following briefly introduces the multi-link device.

[0076] MLD is also called multi-band device. A multi-link device includes one or more subordinate sites, and the subordinate sites are logical sites. In the embodiment of this application, "a multi-link device includes subordinate sites" is also briefly described as "a multi-link device includes sites". The subordinate sites can be access points AP or non-access point stations (non-AP STA). For the convenience of description, this application refers to a multi-link device whose subordinate site is AP as a multi-link AP, or a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device (AP multi-link device); a multi-link device whose subordinate site is a non-AP STA can be called a multi-link STA, or a multi-link STA device, or a STA multi-link device (STAmulti-link device).

[0077] MLD can implement wireless communications using the 802.11 family of protocols, such as extremely high throughput (EHT), or protocols based on or compatible with 802.11be, thereby enabling communication with other devices, which may or may not be multi-link devices.

[0078] Each logical site can work on a link, but multiple logical sites are allowed to work on the same link. The link identifier mentioned below identifies (or represents) a site working on a link, that is, if there is more than one logical site on a link, more than one link identifier is required to identify (or represent) them. The link identifier mentioned below sometimes also refers to the site working on the link. When a multi-link device transmits data with another multi-link device, before communication, the multi-link device and the other multi-link device can first negotiate or communicate the correspondence between the link identifier and a link or a site on a link, or the AP multi-link device indicates the correspondence between the link identifier and a link or a site on a link through a broadcast management frame (such as a beacon frame). During data transmission, there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or the site on the link. It is sufficient to carry the link identifier, which reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[0079] The following description is given by taking one of the multi-link devices as an AP multi-link device and the other multi-link device as a STA multi-link device as an example.

[0080] In one example, when an AP multi-link device establishes a basic service set (BSS), the management frame (such as a beacon frame) sent will carry an element including multiple link identification information fields, each of which is used to indicate the correspondence between a link identifier and a station operating on a link. Each link identification information field includes a link identifier. Optionally, each link identification information field also includes: a MAC address, an operation set, and a channel number. Among them, one or more of the MAC address, operation set, and channel number can identify a link or a station operating on the link.

[0081] In another example, during the multi-link association process, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device negotiate multiple link identification information fields. In subsequent communications, the AP multi-link device or the STA multi-link device will use the link identifier to identify (or characterize) a site in the multi-link device. Optionally, the link identifier can also identify (or characterize) one or more attributes of the site's MAC address, working operation set, and channel number. There can be a correspondence between the link identifier and one or more attributes of the site. Among them, the MAC address can also be replaced with the association identifier of the AP multi-link device after association. Optionally, if multiple sites work on a link, then the link identifier (which is a digital ID) identifies (or characterizes) not only the operation set and channel number of the link, but also the site identifier working on the link, such as the site's MAC address or association identifier (AID).

[0082] Figure 1 This is an example diagram of an application scenario of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless local area network includes: a first station 101 and a second station 102. The first station 101 and the second station 102 can communicate using multiple links to achieve the effect of improving throughput. The first station 101 can be a multi-link device, and the second station 102 can be a single-link device or a multi-link device. Exemplarily, in one scenario, the first station 101 is an AP multi-link device, and the second station 102 is a STA multi-link device or a station (such as a single-link station); in another scenario, the first station 101 is a STA multi-link device, and the second station 102 is an AP (such as a single-link AP) or an AP multi-link device. Exemplarily, in yet another scenario, the first station 101 is an AP multi-link device, and the second station 102 is an AP multi-link device or an AP. Exemplarily, in yet another scenario, the first station 101 is a STA multi-link device, and the second station 102 is a STA multi-link device or a STA.

[0083] I understand. Figure 1 The number and type of devices shown in the figure are merely exemplary and do not limit the embodiments of the present application. Figure 1 The wireless local area network may also include other devices.

[0084] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the AP multi-link device and STA multi-link device participating in the communication. The 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layer in AP multi-link devices and STA multi-link devices (such as mobile phones and laptops).

[0085] like Figure 2 As shown, the multiple APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other at the high MAC layer; the multiple STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other at the high MAC layer.

[0086] like Figure 3 As shown, the multiple APs included in the AP multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer. The multiple STAs included in the STA multi-link device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer.

[0087] I understand. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structures described herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the embodiments of the present application. For example, a STA multi-link device may employ an independent high MAC layer structure, while an AP multi-link device may employ a shared high MAC layer structure. Alternatively, a STA multi-link device may employ a shared high MAC layer structure, while an AP multi-link device may employ an independent high MAC layer structure. Exemplarily, both the high MAC layer and the low MAC layer may be implemented by a processor in a chip system of the multi-link device, or may be implemented by different processing modules within the same chip system.

[0088] It is understood that the multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application can be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multi-link device can be a device with two or more antennas. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of antennas included in the multi-link device. Figure 4The example of AP multi-link device with multiple antennas and STA multi-link device with single antenna is used for illustration. Figure 4 The illustrations are merely examples and do not limit the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, a multi-link device may allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, or even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links; or it may not allow services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, but allow services of different access types to be transmitted on different links.

[0089] It can also be understood that the multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application can operate in multiple frequency bands. For example, the frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates may include but are not limited to: sub 1GHz, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz and high frequency 60GHz. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The example in the following illustrates this. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The following are two schematic diagrams showing that a multi-link device communicates with other devices via multiple links in a wireless local area network.

[0090] Figure 5 FIG. 1 shows a scenario in which an AP multi-link device 101 and a STA multi-link device 102 communicate with each other. Figure 5 As shown, the AP multi-link device 101 includes subordinate APs 101 - 1 and 101 - 2 , the STA multi-link device 102 includes subordinate STAs 102 - 1 and 102 - 2 , and the AP multi-link device 101 and the STA multi-link device 102 communicate using link 1 and link 2 in parallel.

[0091] Figure 6The following illustrates a scenario in which an AP multi-link device 101 communicates with a STA multi-link device 102, a STA multi-link device 103, and a STA 104. AP multi-link device 101 includes subordinate APs 101-1 to 101-3; STA multi-link device 102 includes two subordinate STAs 102-1 and 102-2; STA multi-link device 103 includes two subordinate STAs 103-1 and 103-2; and STA 104 is a single-link device. AP multi-link device 101 can communicate with STA multi-link device 102 using links 1 and 3, respectively; communicate with STA multi-link device 103 using links 2 and 3; and communicate with STA 104 using link 1. In one example, STA 104 operates in the 2.4 GHz band; STA multi-link device 103 includes STA 103-1 and STA 103-2, with STA 103-1 operating in the 5 GHz band and STA 103-2 operating in the 6 GHz band; and STA 102 includes STA 102-1 and STA 102-2, with STA 102-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz band and STA 102-2 operating in the 6 GHz band. AP 101-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz band in AP multi-link device 101 can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA 104 and STA 102-1 in STA multi-link device 102 via link 1. AP 101-2 operating in the 5 GHz band in AP multi-link device 101 can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA 103-1 operating in the 5 GHz band in STA multi-link device 103 via link 2. AP101-3 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band in the AP multi-link device 101 can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA102-2 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band in the STA multi-link device 102 through link 3, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data with STA103-2 in the STA multi-link device through link 3.

[0092] It should be noted that Figure 5 Only two frequency bands are supported by the AP multi-link device. Figure 6For illustration, an AP multi-link device supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), each frequency band corresponds to a link, and the AP multi-link device 101 can operate on one or more links among link 1, link 2, or link 3. On the AP side or the STA side, the link here (a link here can be interpreted in two ways: one is a station (considering the existence of multiple stations on the same link), and the other is the link itself) can also be understood as a station operating on the link. In actual applications, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device can also support more or fewer frequency bands, that is, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device can operate on more or fewer links, but this embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0093] Exemplarily, a multi-link device is a device with wireless communication capabilities. This device can be a complete device or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. Devices installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of these chips or processing systems. For example, the multi-link STA in the embodiments of the present application has wireless transceiver capabilities, can support the 802.11 series of protocols, and can communicate with a multi-link AP or other multi-link STAs or single-link devices. For example, a multi-link STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and then communicate with a WLAN. For example, a multi-link STA can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, or other user device that can be connected to the Internet, or an IoT node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles. A multi-link STA can also be the chip and processing system in these terminals. The multi-link AP in the embodiments of the present application is a device that provides services for the multi-link STA and can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, a multi-link AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, or a bridge, or the multi-link AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the multi-link AP can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of devices, thereby realizing the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the multi-link device can support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of wireless local area network application scenarios, the multi-link device can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, TVs, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices such as AR and VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation counters in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.). In the embodiments of the present application, there is no special limitation on the specific forms of the multi-link STA and the multi-link AP, which are only illustrative. Among them, the 802.11 series protocols may include: 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc.

[0094] In a BSS, an AP manages multiple stations. An AP can be part of an AP multilink system or a single AP. Similarly, a station can be part of a station multilink system or a single station. Each AP in an AP multilink system can establish a separate BSS. Each AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames at varying intervals.

[0095] For a unified explanation here, the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is applicable to the following situations: 1) the AP is a single AP and the site is a single site; 2) the AP comes from an AP multi-link device; 3) the site comes from a site multi-link device and the AP is a single AP; 4) the AP comes from an AP multi-link device and the site comes from a site multi-link device.

[0096] A single site can be considered as coming from a special site multi-link device. A special site multi-link device contains a single site, but the site can switch links for transmission. A single AP can be considered as coming from a special AP multi-link device. A special AP multi-link device contains a single AP, but the AP can switch links for transmission. The link here can also be understood as a channel. Taking the site multi-link device and AP multi-link device as an example, a site in the site multi-link device discovers surrounding APs through scanning, such as active scanning or passive scanning, and then selects an appropriate AP to associate with, where the AP belongs to the AP multi-link device.

[0097] Here's a brief explanation of the association between a station multi-link device and an AP multi-link device. To reduce unnecessary interaction overhead, a station multi-link device associates one or more stations in the station multi-link device with an AP operating on the same link in the AP multi-link device. This allows one or more stations in the station multi-link device to associate with one or more corresponding APs in the AP multi-link device. This eliminates the need for separate associations between each station and each AP. Each station or AP in a multi-link device has its own MAC address. Generally, different stations (or APs) in the same multi-link device have different MAC addresses. Furthermore, the station (or AP) multi-link device also has a common multi-link MAC address. This common multi-link MAC address can be the same as the MAC address of a station (or AP) in the multi-link device, and this multi-link MAC address can also be different from the MAC address of any other station (or AP) in the multi-link device. Currently, association establishment involves one or more interactions: a probe request frame / probe response frame, an authentication request frame / authentication response frame, an association request frame / association response frame, or a reassociation request frame / reassociation response frame. In order to distinguish the frame interactions related to the association establishment between a single-link AP and a single-link station, the multi-link MAC address can be carried in the probe request frame / probe response frame, the authentication request frame / authentication response frame, the association request frame / association response frame, or the reassociation request frame / reassociation response frame, thereby helping the station multi-link device to establish an association with the AP multi-link device. It is worth noting that when a station in the station multi-link device sends a frame to an AP in the AP multi-link device, the receiving address field in the frame is the MAC address of the AP in the AP multi-link device, rather than the MAC address of the AP multi-link device (corresponding to the common multi-link MAC address possessed by the AP multi-link device mentioned above); the sending address field is the MAC address of the station in the station multi-link device, rather than the MAC address of the station multi-link device (corresponding to the common multi-link MAC address possessed by the station multi-link device mentioned above). For communication in the opposite direction, the method of setting the address field is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0098] In a multi-link device communication system, there is currently no effective solution for managing the cached services of each station in the station multi-link device. This application proposes a communication method that introduces a listening interval in the multi-link device scenario to assist the AP multi-link device in managing the cached services of each STA in the STA multi-link device.

[0099] The following will be combined Figures 7 to 9 The communication method provided by this application is described.

[0100] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7As shown, the method 700 includes:

[0101] S710: A first station in a first multi-link device sends first information to a second multi-link device, where the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which stations in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames.

[0102] The first multi-link device includes one or more stations, wherein the first station is used to establish an association request.

[0103] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which a station in the energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives beacon frames. The energy-saving mode can be described in the 802.11-2016 series of protocols.

[0104] The first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can be understood as two multi-link devices that perform data transmission in a communication system. One of the two multi-link devices can be a STA multi-link device, and the other multi-link device can be an AP multi-link device.

[0105] For example, the first multi-link device is a STA multi-link device, and the second multi-link device is an AP multi-link device. For ease of description, the following description is based on the example that the first multi-link device is a STA multi-link device and the second multi-link device is an AP multi-link device.

[0106] The first information is used to indicate to the second multi-link device: the frequency at which stations in the energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames. In this embodiment of the present application, "indication" may include "direct indication" or "indirect indication", or "implicit indication" or "explicit indication".

[0107] Optionally, the first multi-link device sends the first information via a first frame, and correspondingly, the second multi-link device receives the first frame, where the first frame carries the first information.

[0108] That is, the first information may be carried in a first frame. Exemplarily, the first frame may be a management frame. For example, the management frame may be an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. The association request frame is used to associate with a recipient of the association request frame (e.g., the second multi-link device).

[0109] This section briefly describes the association process for multi-link devices. For example, the first multi-link device is a STA multi-link device, and the second multi-link device is an AP multi-link device. The STA in the STA multi-link device scans for nearby APs and then selects an appropriate AP for association. This AP is considered an AP multi-link device. In the final association phase, the STA sends an Association Request frame to the AP. This Association Request frame is used to establish association with the recipient of the Association Request frame (e.g., the AP). The AP then responds with an Acknowledgement (ACK) frame. The AP responds with an Association Response frame, informing the recipient of the Association Response frame (e.g., the STA) of the association request result and relevant information about the AP, such as its capabilities and operation information. For detailed explanations of AP information (e.g., the Capability Information Element and the Operation Information Element), please refer to the 802.11-2016 series of protocols. If the association is successful, the AP assigns an Association Identifier (AID) to the station.

[0110] Optionally, the first information may use a newly added field or an existing field, without limitation. If the first information uses an existing field, the existing field is redefined. For example, a station in a multi-link device may carry a listen interval field in an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. The first information may use the listen interval field in the association request frame.

[0111] S720: The first multi-link device receives the beacon frame according to the first information.

[0112] In an embodiment of the present application, a first multi-link device transmits first information so that a second multi-link device can learn, based on the first information, the frequency at which stations in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames. Optionally, the stations in the first multi-link device are in energy-saving mode. The second multi-link device can transmit beacon frames based on the first information. The first multi-link device obtains a downlink service indication through the beacon frame, learns the downlink service indication, and then informs the second multi-link device of its awake state through an energy-saving polling frame, thereby facilitating the second multi-link device to complete downlink service transmission. After receiving the first information, the second multi-link device can combine the first information to effectively manage the cached services of each station in the first multi-link device, thereby facilitating data buffer management.

[0113] As a possible implementation, if the frequency value indicated by the first information carried by the station used to establish the association request in the first multi-link device is too small (i.e., the listening interval is relatively large), that is, the frequency of the station in the first multi-link device receiving beacon frames is too low, it will cause the second multi-link device to cache the services of the station in the first multi-link device for too long, filling up the memory. In this case, the second multi-link device can reject the association request of the station. Specifically, the status code field carried in the reply association request frame is set to reject (DENIED_LISTEN_INTERVAL_TOO_LARGE).

[0114] The first information in the embodiment of the present application may be implemented in different ways. In different implementations, the first information may represent different contents.

[0115] In a first implementation mode, the first information indicates a first time interval for the second station operating on the first link in the first multi-link device to receive beacon frames. The unit of the first time interval is the interval of beacon frames on the first link.

[0116] To put it another way, the first time interval is related to an interval at which a third station operating on the first link in the second multi-link device sends the beacon frame.

[0117] In implementation method one, the first link can be called the main link, and the number is one. The embodiment of the present application does not limit how the first link is selected. Optionally, the first link can be the link where the site multi-link and the AP multi-link device complete the association request and association response interaction process. Optionally, the first link is selected by the site multi-link device, and the selection algorithm can be determined based on the busyness of the channel. For example, a link with less busy business can be selected as the first link to ensure that there is enough time to be served on the link. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the algorithm for selecting the first link. Optionally, the first link is specified by the AP multi-link device. For example, the AP can specify the first link to the site multi-link device through a management frame.

[0118] Exemplarily, the main link is based on a site multi-link device, and the main links of different site multi-link devices may be different. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an example of applying the communication method of the present application. Figure 8 The operating frequency band of the multi-link device can be referred to Figure 6 The description in , will not be repeated here. Figure 8 As shown, for the STA multi-link device 102, its main link may be link 3; for the STA multi-link device 102, its main link may be link 2; for the special multi-link device STA104, its main link may be link 1. Figure 8The main link in the description is only an exemplary description and does not constitute a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.

[0119] I understand. Figure 8 The examples are only for the convenience of those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application to the specific scenarios of the examples. Figure 8 It is obvious that various equivalent modifications or changes can be made, and such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0120] Optionally, in implementation mode 1, S720 includes: the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame on the first link at intervals of the first time interval.

[0121] Exemplarily, the site multi-link device receives or listens to beacon frames on the primary link to obtain BSS parameter information broadcast by the AP multi-link device, such as a traffic indication map (TIM) element or a multi-link TIM element, or a BSS parameter update indication. The TIM element or multi-link TIM element is used to indicate downlink traffic indications of multiple sites in multiple multi-link devices, or multiple single sites.

[0122] In a second implementation method, the first information indicates a second time interval for receiving beacon frames by multiple stations operating on multiple links in the first multi-link device, where the second time interval is related to multiple beacon frame intervals in which the second multi-link device sends beacon frames on the multiple links, wherein each beacon frame interval refers to an interval in which a station in the second multi-link device sends a beacon frame on a link.

[0123] As an implementation of the second implementation, the first information indicates a second time interval for multiple stations operating on multiple links in the first multi-link device to receive beacon frames, including: the first information indicates the second time interval for each station operating on each link of the multiple links in the first multi-link device to receive beacon frames, that is, the second time interval for each station to receive beacon frames on the link where it operates.

[0124] The difference from Implementation Method 1 is that Implementation Method 2 can have multiple primary links, or it can be considered that Implementation Method 2 has no primary link, and any of the multiple links can be used to listen to BSS parameter information sent by the AP. Optionally, the multiple primary links (or multiple links) are multiple links corresponding to multiple stations in the working state. The stations in the working state refer to multiple stations that are enabled to participate in the association establishment process.

[0125] Illustratively, the second time interval is an interval at which multiple STAs operating on multiple links in a STA multi-link device wake up to receive beacon frames. Optionally, the multiple STAs operating on multiple links in the STA multi-link device are in a power-saving mode. The unit of the second time interval may be related to multiple time intervals at which the second multi-link device transmits beacon frames on the multiple links.

[0126] Optionally, the unit of the second time interval is the maximum time interval among multiple beacon frame intervals in which the second multi-link device sends beacon frames on the multiple links, or the minimum time interval among the multiple beacon frame intervals. In other words, the unit of the second time interval can be the minimum value or the maximum value of the multiple beacon frame intervals.

[0127] The beacon frame carries a beacon frame parameter. For example, the beacon frame parameter includes a beacon frame interval. When an AP in an AP multi-link device transmits a beacon frame, the beacon frame also carries parameters of beacon frames transmitted by one or more other APs in the same multi-link device, such as a beacon frame interval. Optionally, the one or more other APs may be a master link AP candidate set indicated by the AP multi-link device. The site multi-link device may select one or more links from the master link AP candidate set as the master link.

[0128] Optionally, in implementation mode 2, S720 includes: the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame on at least one link among the multiple links at every second time interval.

[0129] Alternatively, multiple stations of the first multi-link device (i.e., all stations operating on the multiple links) may receive the beacon frame on each of the multiple links, i.e., all of the multiple links, at intervals of the second time interval. Alternatively, some stations of the first multi-link device (i.e., stations operating on some of the multiple links) may receive the beacon frame on some of the multiple links at intervals of the second time interval.

[0130] In an embodiment of the present application, if the value of the listening interval (such as the first time interval or the second time interval) is 0, it means that any station in the station multi-link device will not enter the sleep mode, that is, the station is always in the awake state. In an embodiment of the present application, if the first information continues to use the listening interval field, the listening interval field is 2 bytes, with the beacon frame period as the basic unit. For an AP multi-link device, the AP multi-link device manages the life cycle of its cached services for a STA multi-link device through the listening interval field carried by a STA in the association request frame of the STA multi-link device, and can also determine the life cycle of the cached services for the STA multi-link device.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, a STA in a STA multi-link device in energy-saving mode will periodically wake up to receive beacon frames based on the listening interval parameter and the ReceiveDTIMs parameter. Among them, the beacon frame includes a special type of DTIM beacon frame, which is also broadcast periodically by the AP. The DTIM beacon frame interval is an integer multiple of the beacon frame interval. If ReceiveDTIMs is true, the STA will wake up to receive all DTIM beacon frames; if ReceiveDTIMs is false, the STA will not be required to wake up to receive every DTIM beacon frame. By receiving beacon frames, the STA obtains important BSS parameter information broadcast by the AP, such as TIM, where TIM is used to indicate whether the AP has downlink services to multiple stations. If the awakened STA hears that the TIM element of the beacon frame sent by the AP contains an indication that the AP has downlink data services to the STA, the STA will send a power-saving poll (PS-poll) frame to the AP to inform the AP that the STA is in the awake state, and the AP can now send downlink data services to the STA. A STA in energy-saving mode must wake up early enough so that the time of the first beacon frame it receives falls within the listening interval starting from the last beacon frame transmission time. By receiving beacon frames, the STA obtains downlink service indications and then uses energy-saving polling frames to notify the AP of its awake state, ultimately helping the AP complete downlink service transmission.

[0132] The second multi-link device sends a beacon frame according to the first information. After obtaining the first information, the second multi-link device can manage the buffer service of the first multi-link device according to the first information, so as to achieve effective management of the downlink buffer service of the multi-link device.

[0133] Optionally, after obtaining the first information, the second multi-link device may determine the lifetime of the cached service of the first multi-link device according to the first information.

[0134] Optionally, when the service buffering time provided by the second multi-link device to the first multi-link device is less than the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device does not discard the buffered service of the first multi-link device. Optionally, when the service buffering time provided by the second multi-link device to the first multi-link device is greater than or equal to the time indicated by the first information, the buffered service provided to the first multi-link device is discarded. Alternatively, when the service buffering time provided by the second multi-link device to the first multi-link device is greater than the time indicated by the first information, the buffered service provided to the first multi-link device is discarded.

[0135] It will be understood that the above conditions for discarding cached services are merely illustrative descriptions and do not constitute a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.

[0136] Here, the time indicated by the first information is an overview of the listening interval determined in various embodiments of the present application (for example, the method for determining the listening interval is as described above). Figure 7 The implementation method 1 or implementation method 2 shown, the specific details are not repeated; or, it can also be the listening interval determined in the method 900 below).

[0137] It can also be understood that the above description categorizes the case where "the service cache time is equal to the time indicated by the first information" and the case where "the service cache time is greater than the time indicated by the first information" into the same category, but this does not limit the embodiments of the present application. In fact, the case where "the service cache time is equal to the time indicated by the first information" and the case where "the service cache time is less than the time indicated by the first information" can also be categorized into the same category, that is, "when the service cache time provided by the second multi-link device to the first multi-link device is less than or equal to the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device does not discard the cached service of the first multi-link device."

[0138] Exemplarily, an AP multi-link device uses an age function to determine whether to discard cached services. The age function can be determined based on the first information. For example, the age function is determined based on a listening interval parameter (e.g., a first time interval or a second time interval) carried by a STA in an association request frame or a reassociation request frame in the STA multi-link device. The AP can use the first time interval or the second time interval to determine the lifetime of data services buffered for each STA in the STA multi-link device, thereby facilitating data cache space management.

[0139] The present application also provides another communication method, which enables the second multi-link device to effectively manage the cache service of each site in the first multi-link device by carrying multiple second information in the first frame.

[0140] Figure 9 FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 900 according to another embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 As shown, the method 900 includes:

[0141] S910: A first station in a first multi-link device sends a first frame to a second multi-link device. The first frame includes a plurality of second information items, each of which indicates a frequency at which a station in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives beacon frames. In response, the second multi-link device receives the first frame. Specifically, the second multi-link device receives the first frame on the link on which the first station is operating.

[0142] As an implementation manner, the plurality of second information is used to indicate the frequencies at which the plurality of stations in the first multi-link device respectively receive beacon frames.

[0143] The description of the first frame can be referred to above and will not be repeated here. The description of the first station can be referred to above and will not be repeated here. The description of the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can be referred to above and will not be repeated here.

[0144] Here, the number of the plurality of second information is the same as the number of the plurality of sites in the first multi-link device.

[0145] Optionally, the second information may use a newly added field or an existing field, without limitation. One approach is to redefine the existing field if the second information uses the existing field. For example, a station in a multi-link device may carry a listen interval field in an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. The second information may use the listen interval field in the association request frame or the reassociation request frame. The listen interval indicates the frequency at which the first station in energy-saving mode receives beacon frames; the listen interval is measured in units of the interval of beacon frames on the link where the first station is located. For example, the first station may also carry multiple listen interval fields in the association request frame to notify the second multi-link device of the frequency at which multiple stations in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device, excluding the first station, each receive beacon frames. The multiple listen interval fields are measured in units of the interval of beacon frames on the links where the multiple stations in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device, excluding the first station, are located. Optionally, the association request frame or the reassociation request frame also includes a listen interval or a number of link identifier fields. Another way: the second information can use a newly added field, and the first station can carry multiple listening interval fields in the association request frame or the reassociation request frame to notify the second multi-link device of the frequency at which the multiple stations in the first multi-link device in energy-saving mode each receive beacon frames. The multiple listening interval fields are respectively based on the interval of the beacon frame on the link where the multiple stations in the first multi-link device in energy-saving mode other than the first station are located. Optionally, the association request frame or the reassociation request frame also includes a listening interval or a link identifier field. The above is described using (multiple) stations in energy-saving mode as an example. Optionally, the (multiple) stations in energy-saving mode can also be directly replaced by (multiple) stations, and this is not specifically limited.

[0146] Optionally, the first frame further includes: link identifiers of multiple sites, wherein each link identifier corresponds to a second information, and the link identifier is used to identify the site in the first multi-link device. The link identifier can identify (or characterize) a site working on a link in the first multi-link device, or can identify (or characterize) the link on which the site works. Optionally, before communication, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can first negotiate or communicate the correspondence between the link identifier and a link or a site on a link, or the AP multi-link device indicates the correspondence between the link identifier and a link or a site on a link through a broadcast management frame (such as a beacon frame). Here, there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or the site on the link, and it is sufficient to carry the link identifier, which can reduce signaling overhead and improve transmission efficiency. The description of the link identifier can refer to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0147] S920: The first multi-link device receives a beacon frame according to the plurality of second information.

[0148] In the embodiment of the present application, the first multi-link device sends a plurality of second information (a plurality of listening intervals) to the second multi-link device, so that the second multi-link device effectively manages the cache service of each site in the site multi-link device.

[0149] Here, the second multi-link device manages the buffered services in a similar manner as described above. For example, the AP multi-link device determines whether to discard the buffered services in the STA multi-link device using an age function determined by multiple listening interval fields.

[0150] It is understood that in various embodiments of the present application, there is no fixed limit on the number of bytes of the listening interval field length. For example, one or more listening intervals in the embodiments of the present application may be 2 bytes long, or may be other lengths of bytes, such as 3, 4, or 5 bytes. Figure 10 A field diagram of a listening interval is shown. Figure 10 As shown, one listening interval occupies 2 bytes.

[0151] The above listening interval supports a listening duration of at most (2 to the power of 16 minus 1) unit interval length. The unit interval is the beacon frame interval of the beacon frame of the link where the first station is located (previous Figure 7 Implementation method 1 shown in FIG), or the maximum or minimum value of the beacon frame interval of multiple beacon frames on multiple links (previous Figure 7 Implementation method 2 shown in FIG), or the unit interval length of each listening interval in the plurality of listening intervals corresponds to the beacon frame interval of the beacon frame on a link (previous Figure 9In order to support a longer sleep time, this application proposes to redefine the listening interval. Figure 11 As shown, the listening interval includes a 14-bit non-normalized interval and a 2-bit uniform normalization factor.

[0152] The duration of the listening interval is the unnormalized interval * normalization factor * unit interval length, where "*" represents a multiplication operation. The values ​​of the normalization factor are shown in Table 1 below:

[0153] Table 1

[0154] Uniform normalization factor Normalization factor 0 1 1 10 2 1000 3 10000

[0155] In Table 1, the normalization factors corresponding to different unified normalization factors have different values.

[0156] The unit of the listening interval mentioned in the embodiment of the present application is related to the beacon frame interval (in units of the beacon frame interval, or in units of the maximum or minimum value of multiple beacon frame intervals), but is not limited thereto. The unit of the listening interval mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may also be related to the transmission interval of other specified broadcast management frames. For example, the listening interval mentioned in the embodiment of the present application is in units of the transmission interval of the broadcast management frame on the main link, or in units of the maximum or minimum value of the transmission interval of multiple broadcast management frames on multiple links, or in units of the transmission interval of the broadcast management frame on the link identified by the link identification field.

[0157] The meaning of the listening interval mentioned in the embodiment of the present application is to indicate the frequency of receiving beacon frames by the stations in the energy-saving mode in the site multi-link, but it is not limited to this. The listening interval mentioned in the embodiment of the present application also includes another meaning. For stations in special energy-saving modes in the site multi-link, such as the non-trafficindication map (Non-TIM) mode, the station does not need to wake up periodically to receive beacon frames. At this time, the listening interval is used to indicate the interval at which the stations in the site multi-link send at least one frame to the associated AP. This frame can be used to inform the associated AP multi-link device that the station in the site multi-link device is in the awake state (this frame is similar to the PS-poll frame), so that the associated AP multi-link device can send downlink services to the site multi-link device. The listening interval here can be one, which is applied to the site multi-link device. For the specific method of this one listening interval, please refer to the above text as Figure 7 The implementation method 1 or implementation method 2 shown in the figure will not be described in detail. The listening interval here can also be multiple, applied to multiple sites in the site multi-link device. The specific method of the multiple listening intervals is as follows: Figure 9 The implementation method shown is not described in detail.

[0158] The methods described in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to an AP multi-link device managing cached services for stations in wireless network management (WNM) sleep mode within a station multi-link device, where stations in WNM sleep mode do not need to periodically wake up to receive each DTIM beacon frame. The following describes a specific method for an AP multi-link device to manage cached services for stations in WNM sleep mode. In the following method, the WNM sleep interval field can be similar to the listening interval field described above, meaning that the embodiments described above regarding the listening interval field also apply to the WNM sleep interval field.

[0159] Method 1: One or more stations in the site multi-link device and one or more APs in the AP multi-link device exchange WNM sleep request frames and WNM sleep response frames, respectively, so that one or more stations in the site multi-link device enter the WNM sleep mode.

[0160] Specifically, a station in the station multi-link device sends a WNM sleep request frame to the AP in the AP multi-link device, wherein the WNM sleep request frame carries a WNM sleep mode element, and the WNM sleep mode element includes an element ID, length, action type, WNM sleep mode response status, and a WNM sleep interval field. Figure 12 An example diagram of the WNM sleep mode element is given, such as Figure 12 As shown, the WNM Sleep Mode element includes an element ID, length, action type, WNM Sleep Mode response status, and a WNM Sleep Interval field. The WNM Sleep Interval field in the WNM Sleep Mode element indicates the interval at which a station in WNM sleep mode in a station multilink device receives beacon frames. The unit of the WNM Sleep Interval is the interval of DTIM beacon frames. A WNM Sleep Interval value of 0 indicates that a station in WNM sleep mode in the station multilink device will not wake up at any specified interval.

[0161] Method 2: A station in the station multi-link device and an AP in the AP multi-link device interact through WNM sleep request frames and WNM sleep response frames, so that some or all stations in the station multi-link device enter the WNM sleep mode.

[0162] Specifically, a station in a station multi-link device sends a WNM sleep request frame to an AP in an AP multi-link device, wherein the WNM sleep request frame carries a WNM sleep mode element, and the WNM sleep mode element includes an element ID, a length, an action type, a WNM sleep mode response status, a WNM sleep interval field, and a WNM sleep mode element reference. Figure 12The WNM Sleep Interval field indicates the interval at which a station in WNM sleep mode receives beacon frames. The unit of the WNM Sleep Interval is the interval of DTIM beacon frames. A WNM Sleep Interval field value of 0 indicates that a station in WNM sleep mode in the station multilink device will not wake up at any specified interval.

[0163] In method 2, the WNM sleep interval can be one, which is applied to multi-link devices at the site. The specific method is similar to the previous one. Figure 7 The difference between the implementation method 1 and the implementation method 2 shown is that: the listening interval in the previous text is replaced by the WNM sleep interval; the unit of the listening interval is related to the beacon frame interval, and the unit of the WNM sleep interval is replaced by the DTIM beacon frame interval. Other specific details are not repeated here.

[0164] The WNM sleep interval of mode 2 can also be multiple, and is applied to multiple sites in a site multi-link device. The specific method is similar to the following: Figure 9 The implementation shown differs in that: the listening interval is replaced with the WNM sleep interval; the listening interval unit is related to the beacon frame interval, while the WNM sleep interval unit is related to the DTIM beacon frame interval, such as the DTIM beacon frame interval of the primary link, the maximum or minimum of multiple DTIM beacon frame intervals on multiple links, or the DTIM beacon frame interval on the link identified by the link identifier field. Other specific details are not detailed here. For example, the WNM sleep element includes multiple WNM sleep intervals and multiple link identifiers, each WNM sleep interval corresponds to a multi-link identifier, which indicates the WNM sleep interval of the station corresponding to the link identifier. Optionally, the WNM sleep element also includes a number field for the WNM sleep interval field or the link identifier field. Optionally, "Multi-link device enters WNM sleep mode" and "Multi-link device leaves WNM sleep mode" are added to the action type to distinguish them from the existing "enter WNM sleep mode" and "leave WNM sleep mode" respectively.

[0165] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may, in certain scenarios, be implemented independently of other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects. They may also be combined with other features in certain scenarios as needed. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0166] It can also be understood that the various schemes of the embodiments of the present application can be reasonably combined and used, and the explanations or descriptions of the various terms appearing in the embodiments can be referenced or explained with each other in the various embodiments, without limitation to this.

[0167] It should also be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the order of execution of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily indicate the order in which they are executed. The order in which the processes are executed should be determined by their functions and internal logic. The various numbers or serial numbers involved in the above-mentioned processes are merely for the convenience of description and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0168] Corresponding to the methods provided in the above method embodiments, embodiments of the present application also provide corresponding apparatuses, which include modules for executing the corresponding embodiments. The modules may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It will be understood that the technical features described in the method embodiments are also applicable to the following apparatus embodiments.

[0169] Figure 13 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 13 As shown, the communication device includes a sending unit 1010. Optionally, the communication device may further include a receiving unit 1020 and a processing unit 1030.

[0170] In one possible design, the communication apparatus 1000 may correspond to the first multi-link device in the above method embodiment, for example, may be an MLD or a chip configured in the MLD.

[0171] As an embodiment, the sending unit 1010 is used to send first information to the second multi-link device, where the first information is used to indicate the frequency at which the stations in the energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames; and the receiving unit 1020 is used to receive the beacon frame according to the first information.

[0172] Optionally, the first station is a station in the first multi-link device used to establish an association request.

[0173] In a possible implementation, the first information indicates a first time interval for a second station operating on a first link in the first multi-link device to receive a beacon frame, and a unit of the first time interval is an interval of beacon frames on the first link.

[0174] Optionally, the first site is the same as or different from the second site.

[0175] Optionally, the receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive the beacon frame according to the first information, including: receiving the beacon frame on the first link at intervals of the first time interval.

[0176] In another possible implementation, the first information represents a second time interval for receiving beacon frames by multiple stations operating on multiple links in the first multi-link device, where the second time interval is related to multiple beacon frame intervals for sending beacon frames by the second multi-link device on the multiple links, wherein each beacon frame interval refers to an interval for sending beacon frames on a link by a station in the second multi-link device.

[0177] Optionally, the unit of the second time interval is a maximum time interval among multiple beacon frame intervals in which the second multi-link device sends beacon frames on the multiple links, or a minimum time interval among the multiple beacon frame intervals.

[0178] Optionally, the receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive the beacon frame according to the first information, including: receiving the beacon frame at every second time interval on at least one link among the multiple links.

[0179] The sending unit 1010 is configured to send first information to the second multi-link device, including: sending a first frame to the second multi-link device, wherein the first frame carries the first information. The first frame may be a management frame, for example, the first frame is an association request frame or a reassociation request frame.

[0180] Alternatively, as another embodiment, the sending unit 1010 is used to send a first frame to a second multi-link device, where the first frame includes multiple second information, and each second information in the multiple second information is used to indicate the frequency at which a station in the energy-saving mode of the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame; and the receiving unit 1020 is used to receive the beacon frame according to the multiple second information.

[0181] Optionally, the first frame further includes: link identifiers of multiple sites, each link identifier corresponds to a second information, and the link identifier is used to identify a site in the first multi-link device.

[0182] The first frame may be a management frame, for example, the first frame is an association request frame or a reassociation request frame.

[0183] Specifically, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the first multi-link device in the method 700 or the method 900 of the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1000 may include a method for performing Figure 7 Method 700 or Figure 9 The units of the method performed by the first multi-link device in the method 900. In addition, the units in the communication device 1000 and the above-mentioned other operations or functions are respectively for implementing Figure 7 Method 700 or Figure 9 The corresponding process of the first multi-link device in method 900.

[0184] It should also be understood that the communication device 1000 is Figure 14 When the communication device in the communication device 1000 is used, the sending unit 1010 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to Figure 14 The communication interface shown in FIG, the receiving unit 1020 may correspond to Figure 14 The communication interface shown in FIG, the processing unit 1030 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to Figure 14 The processor shown in FIG.

[0185] As an embodiment, the receiving unit 1020 is used to receive first information from a first multi-link device, where the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which a station in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame; the sending unit 1010 is used to send the beacon frame according to the first information.

[0186] Optionally, the processing unit 1030 is configured to determine life of a service of the first multi-link device according to the first information.

[0187] Optionally, the processing unit 1030 is further configured to not discard the buffered service of the first multi-link device when the service buffering time given by the second multi-link device to the first multi-link device is less than the time indicated by the first information.

[0188] Optionally, the processing unit 1030 is further configured to discard the buffered service for the first multi-link device when the buffering time of the service for the first multi-link device by the second multi-link device is greater than the time indicated by the first information.

[0189] Optionally, the receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive first information from a first multi-link device, including: receiving a first frame from the first multi-link device, the first frame carrying the first information. The first frame may be a management frame, for example, the first frame is an association request frame or a reassociation request frame.

[0190] Alternatively, as another embodiment, the receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive a first frame by a second multi-link device, where the first frame includes a plurality of second information, and each second information in the plurality of second information is configured to indicate a frequency at which a station in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame; and then, the second multi-link device sends a beacon frame based on the plurality of second information.

[0191] Optionally, the first frame further includes: link identifiers of multiple sites, each link identifier corresponding to a second information, the link identifier being used to identify a site in the first multi-link device. The first frame may be a management frame, for example, the first frame is an association request frame or a reassociation request frame.

[0192] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0193] It should also be understood that the communication device 1000 is Figure 15 When the communication device in the communication device 1000 is used, the sending unit 1010 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to Figure 15 The communication interface shown in FIG, the receiving unit 1020 may correspond to Figure 15 The communication interface shown in FIG, the processing unit 1030 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to Figure 15 The processor shown in FIG.

[0194] Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit can call the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to implement corresponding operations. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory, for example, corresponding to Figure 15 The memory in.

[0195] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1000 is a chip configured in an MLD, the sending unit 1010 in the communication device 1000 may be an output interface circuit, and the receiving unit 1020 may be an input interface circuit.

[0196] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The aforementioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules.

[0197] Figure 14 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1400 provided according to an embodiment of the present application. It is used to implement the functions of the first multi-link device in the above-mentioned method. The device can be the first multi-link device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the first multi-link device. For example, the device can be installed in the first multi-link device. The device can be a chip system. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete components. The device 1400 includes at least one processor 1420, which is used to implement the functions of the first multi-link device in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0198] Exemplarily, the processor 1420 may send first information to the second multi-link device via a communication interface, where the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which stations in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames; and receive beacon frames via the communication interface.

[0199] Exemplarily, the processor 1420 may send a first frame to the second multi-link device using a communication interface, where the first frame includes multiple second information, each second information being used to indicate a frequency at which a station in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame; and receive the beacon frame using the communication interface.

[0200] Device 1400 may also include at least one memory 1430 for storing program instructions and / or data. Memory 1430 is coupled to processor 1420. Coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. Processor 1420 may operate in conjunction with memory 1430. Processor 1420 may execute program instructions stored in memory 1430. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0201] The apparatus 1400 may also include a communication interface 1410 for communicating with other devices via a transmission medium, so that the apparatus in the apparatus 1400 can communicate with other devices. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an interface, a bus, a circuit, a pin, or a device capable of implementing transceiver functions. For example, the other device may be a second multi-link device. The processor 1420 uses the communication interface 1410 to send and receive data, and is used to implement Figure 7 or Figure 9 The method executed by the first multi-link device described in the corresponding embodiment.

[0202] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1410, the processor 1420 and the memory 1430 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 14 The memory 1430, the processor 1420 and the communication interface 1410 are connected via a bus 1440. Figure 14 The connections between the other components are shown in bold lines, which are only for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 14 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0203] It should be understood that Figure 14The communication apparatus shown can implement the method performed by the first multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application, for example, Figure 7 or Figure 9 The illustrated method embodiment involves various processes of the first multi-link device. The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the communication device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0204] It should be understood that Figure 14 The communication device shown is only a possible architecture of the first multi-link device and does not constitute any limitation to the present application.

[0205] Figure 15 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1500 provided according to an embodiment of the present application. It is used to implement the functions of the second multi-link device in the above-mentioned method. The device can be the second multi-link device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the second multi-link device, for example, the device can be installed in the second multi-link device. The device can be a chip system. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete components. The device 1500 includes at least one processor 1520, which is used to implement the functions of the second multi-link device in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0206] Exemplarily, the processor 1520 may receive first information from a first multi-link device via a communication interface, where the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which stations in the energy-saving mode of the first multi-link device receive beacon frames; and send the beacon frames.

[0207] Exemplarily, the processor 1520 may receive a first frame using a communication interface, the first frame including multiple second information, each second information being used to indicate a frequency at which a station in energy-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame; and send the beacon frame.

[0208] Device 1500 may also include at least one memory 1530 for storing program instructions and / or data. Memory 1530 is coupled to processor 1520. Coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. Processor 1520 may operate in conjunction with memory 1530. Processor 1520 may execute program instructions stored in memory 1530. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0209] The apparatus 1500 may also include a communication interface 1510 for communicating with other devices via a transmission medium, so that the apparatus in the apparatus 1500 can communicate with other devices. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an interface, a bus, a circuit, a pin, or a device capable of implementing transceiver functions. For example, the other device may be a second multi-link device. The processor 1520 uses the communication interface 1510 to send and receive data, and is used to implement Figure 7 or Figure 9 The method executed by the second multi-link device described in the corresponding embodiment.

[0210] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1510, the processor 1520 and the memory 1530 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 15 The memory 1530, the processor 1520 and the communication interface 1510 are connected via a bus 1540. Figure 15 The connections between the other components are shown in bold lines, which are only for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 15 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0211] It should be understood that Figure 15 The communication device shown can implement the method performed by the second multi-link device in the embodiment of the present application, for example, Figure 7 or Figure 9 The illustrated method embodiment involves various processes of the second multi-link device. The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the communication device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0212] It should be understood that Figure 15 The communication device shown is only a possible architecture of the second multi-link device and does not constitute any limitation to the present application.

[0213] Optionally, the communication devices of the embodiments of the present application include but are not limited to AP devices such as communication servers, routers, switches, bridges, and non-AP devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, and smart TVs.

[0214] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute Figure 7 or Figure 9 The method in the embodiment shown.

[0215] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a program code, and when the program code is run on a computer, the computer executes Figure 7 or Figure 9 The method in the embodiment shown.

[0216] An embodiment of the present application further provides a processing device, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the communication method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0217] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0218] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps of the above method embodiment can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit or software instructions in the processor. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or a system on chip (SoC), a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a microcontroller (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chip. The disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented and executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium well-known in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0219] The techniques described herein can be implemented in various ways. For example, these techniques can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware. For hardware implementation, the processing unit for executing these techniques at a communication device (e.g., a base station, a terminal, a network entity, or a chip) can be implemented in one or more general-purpose processors, DSPs, digital signal processing devices, ASICs, programmable logic devices, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, alternatively, the general-purpose processor can also be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented by a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0220] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0221] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may 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 may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0222] It should be understood that the “embodiment” mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. 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 application.

[0223] It should also be understood that in this application, "when", "if" and "if" all mean that the UE or base station will take corresponding measures under certain objective circumstances. It does not limit the time, and does not require the UE or base station to take judgment actions when implementing it, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0224] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various numerical numbers such as first and second involved in this application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, and also indicate the order of precedence.

[0225] In this application, elements expressed in the singular are intended to mean "one or more" rather than "one and only one" unless otherwise specified. In this application, unless otherwise specified, "at least one" is intended to mean "one or more" and "a plurality" is intended to mean "two or more."

[0226] Additionally, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. The term "and / or" is simply a description of an association between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. A can be singular or plural, and B can be singular or plural.

[0227] The character “ / ” generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0228] In this document, the term "at least one of..." or "at least one of..." means all or any combination of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" may mean: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, B and C exist at the same time, and A, B and C exist at the same time. A may be singular or plural, B may be singular or plural, and C may be singular or plural.

[0229] It should be understood that in each embodiment of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B based solely on A, but B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0230] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units 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 beyond the scope of this application.

[0231] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0232] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units 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 units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0233] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0234] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0235] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0236] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: An access point in an access point multi-link device receives a first frame sent from a first station in a station multi-link device, where the first frame includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which the stations in the station multi-link device listen for beacon frames, and the stations in the station multi-link device are in a power saving mode; The first information represents a time interval, where a unit of the time interval is a maximum beacon frame interval among a plurality of beacon frame intervals on a plurality of links, where the plurality of links are a plurality of links corresponding to a plurality of stations participating in an association establishment process; The access point in the access point multi-link device sends a second frame to the first station in the station multi-link device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The site multi-link device includes one or more sites, the access point multi-link device includes one or more access points, and the first frame is used to request one or more sites in the site multi-link device to associate with one or more corresponding access points in the access point multi-link device.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first frame is an association request frame, and the second frame is an association response frame; or The first frame is a reassociation request frame, and the second frame is a reassociation response frame.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first information is carried in a listening interval field of the association request frame or a listening interval field of the reassociation request frame.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein If the time interval is greater than a preset value, the second frame carries a status code field set to reject, where the status code field set to reject indicates rejecting the association request of the first station in the station multi-link device.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that If the value of the time interval is 0, the access point multi-link device knows that any station in the station multi-link device will not enter the sleep mode.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The access point multi-link device determines the lifetime of the buffered service of the site multi-link device according to the first information.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The access point multi-link device determines an age function according to the first information, and determines whether to discard the buffered service of the site multi-link device according to the age function.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The access point multi-link device transmits the beacon frame on the multiple links.

10. An access point multi-link device, characterized in that: include: an access point, configured to receive a first frame sent from a first station in a station multi-link device, the first frame including first information, the first information being used to indicate a frequency at which stations in the station multi-link device listen for beacon frames, the stations in the station multi-link device being in a power saving mode; The first information represents a time interval, where a unit of the time interval is a maximum beacon frame interval among a plurality of beacon frame intervals on a plurality of links, where the plurality of links are a plurality of links corresponding to a plurality of stations participating in an association establishment process; The access point is further configured to send a second frame to the first site in the site multi-link device.

11. The access point multi-link device according to claim 10, wherein: The site multi-link device includes one or more sites, the access point multi-link device includes one or more access points, and the first frame is used to request one or more sites in the site multi-link device to associate with one or more corresponding access points in the access point multi-link device.

12. The access point multi-link device according to claim 10, wherein: The first frame is an association request frame, and the second frame is an association response frame; or The first frame is a reassociation request frame, and the second frame is a reassociation response frame.

13. The access point multi-link device according to claim 12, wherein: The first information is carried in a listening interval field of the association request frame or a listening interval field of the reassociation request frame.

14. The access point multi-link device according to claim 10, wherein: If the time interval is greater than a preset value, the second frame carries a status code field set to reject, where the status code field set to reject indicates rejecting the association request of the first station in the station multi-link device.

15. The access point multi-link device according to claim 10, wherein: If the value of the time interval is 0, the access point multi-link device knows that any station in the station multi-link device will not enter the sleep mode.

16. The access point multi-link device according to claim 10, wherein: The access point multi-link device determines the lifetime of the buffered service of the site multi-link device according to the first information.

17. The access point multi-link device according to claim 10, wherein: The access point multi-link device determines an age function according to the first information, and determines whether to discard the buffered service of the site multi-link device according to the age function.

18. The access point multi-link device according to claim 10, wherein: The access point multi-link device transmits the beacon frame on the multiple links.

19. A chip configured in an access point multi-link device, characterized in that: include: an input interface circuit, configured to receive a first frame sent from a first station in a station multi-link device, the first frame comprising first information, the first information being used to indicate a frequency at which stations in the station multi-link device listen for beacon frames, the stations in the station multi-link device being in a power-saving mode; The first information represents a time interval, where a unit of the time interval is a maximum beacon frame interval among a plurality of beacon frame intervals on a plurality of links, where the plurality of links are a plurality of links corresponding to a plurality of stations participating in an association establishment process; The output interface circuit is configured to send a second frame to the first site in the site multi-link device.

20. The chip configured in an access point multi-link device according to claim 19, wherein: The site multi-link device includes one or more sites, the access point multi-link device includes one or more access points, and the first frame is used to request one or more sites in the site multi-link device to associate with one or more corresponding access points in the access point multi-link device.

21. The chip configured in an access point multi-link device according to claim 19, wherein: The first frame is an association request frame, and the second frame is an association response frame; or The first frame is a reassociation request frame, and the second frame is a reassociation response frame.

22. The chip configured in the access point multi-link device according to claim 21, characterized in that: The first information is carried in a listening interval field of the association request frame or a listening interval field of the reassociation request frame.

23. The chip configured in an access point multi-link device according to claim 19, wherein: If the time interval is greater than a preset value, the second frame carries a status code field set to reject, where the status code field set to reject indicates rejecting the association request of the first station in the station multi-link device.

24. The chip configured in an access point multi-link device according to claim 19, wherein: If the value of the time interval is 0, the chip knows that any station in the station multilink device will not enter the sleep mode.

25. The chip configured in an access point multi-link device according to claim 19, wherein: The chip determines the lifetime of the cached service of the site multi-link device according to the first information.

26. The chip configured in an access point multi-link device according to claim 19, wherein: The chip determines an age function according to the first information, and determines whether to discard the cached service of the site multi-link device according to the age function.

27. The chip configured in an access point multi-link device according to claim 19, wherein: The output interface circuit is further configured to send the beacon frames on the multiple links.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a program or instruction, and when the program or instruction is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented.

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