Channel indication method, device and readable storage medium

Abstract

This application relates to the field of wireless communication and is applied to wireless local area networks supporting the 802.11 series of standards. In particular, it relates to a channel indication method, apparatus, and readable storage medium. The method includes: during the association process, a fixed customer (STA) reports its channel usage to the access point (AP), such as which channels have existing users and which channels do not; after receiving the channel usage information reported by the fixed customer (STA), the AP stores this information; so that during subsequent data communication, a channel that both parties allow for transmission can be selected for data communication, thereby reducing interference to existing users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a channel indication method, apparatus and readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have evolved through several generations, including 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and the currently under discussion 802.11be. The 802.11be standard is also known as the Extremely High Throughput (EHT) standard, Wi-Fi 7, etc.

[0003] Recently, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued regulations regarding the 6 GHz (Giga-Hertz) spectrum, defining different equipment types, the bands for operation of different equipment types, the maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), and the maximum EIPR power spectral density (PSD). For details, please refer to the FCC regulations on the unlicensed use of the 6 GHz spectrum; these will not be elaborated upon here.

[0004] However, there are some existing users on the 6GHz spectrum, and 802.11 devices, as "latecomers," need to prevent interference with these existing users. But how to prevent 802.11 devices from interfering with existing users remains unresolved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a channel indication method, apparatus, and readable storage medium, which enables an access point (AP) or station (STA) to know the prohibited or permitted transmission sub-channels of another station (its geographical location), thereby enabling data communication on sub-channels that are permitted by both parties and reducing interference to existing users.

[0006] The present application is described below from different aspects. It should be understood that the different implementation methods and beneficial effects described below can be referenced from each other.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a channel indication method, comprising: a first device sending a first request frame to a second device, the first request frame including first indication information for indicating which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth; and the first device receiving a first response frame from the second device. The first bandwidth is either the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, wherein the preset bandwidth is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below: a fixed customer.

[0008] In this application, "sub-channels allowed to transmit" can also be understood as "non-punctured sub-channels," and correspondingly, "sub-channels prohibited from transmission" can be understood as "punctured sub-channels." Therefore, the aforementioned first indication information can also be understood as: indicating sub-channels within the first bandwidth that are neither punctured nor punctured.

[0009] It should be understood that the channel through which the first device sends the first request frame is a channel within the first bandwidth that the first device is allowed to transmit (i.e., not punctured).

[0010] Optionally, the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device is indicated by the EHT PHYcapabilities information field. For the specific indication method and meaning, please refer to the corresponding description in the 802.11be standard, which will not be elaborated here.

[0011] This scheme carries indication information in the request frame to indicate which sub-channels are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission. This helps the second device to more accurately know the channel usage of the first device, such as which channels are allowed to transmit and which are not. This allows the second device to select sub-channels that are allowed to transmit by both parties (AP and STA, or STA and STA) for data communication during subsequent data communication, thereby reducing interference to existing users around the first device.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request frame is a probe request frame, and correspondingly, the first response frame is a probe response frame. After the first device receives the first response frame, the method further includes: the first device sending an association request frame to the second device; the first device receiving an association response frame from the second device; thereby completing the association between the first device and the second device.

[0013] This solution applies the channel indication method to the active association process to reuse the active association process without redesigning a new process, which can reduce the modification of standard protocols and is simple to implement.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is an associated request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is an associated response frame. Before the first device sends the first request frame, the method further includes: the first device receiving a beacon frame from a second device, the beacon frame including an EHT operation element, the EHT operation element including a prohibited subchannel bitmap, the prohibited subchannel bitmap being used to indicate subchannels permitted and prohibited from transmission within the basic service set (BSS) bandwidth of the second device. The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: a standard power access point with automatic frequency coordination (AFC) control.

[0015] This solution incorporates EHT operation elements into the beacon frame. Since the beacon frame is broadcast, and the prohibited sub-channel bitmap within the EHT operation element indicates which sub-channels are allowed and prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, STAs near the AP (such as the third type of device in Table 1 below: customers connected to the standard power access point) can obtain information on which sub-channels are usable and which are not, even if they are not connected to the regulatory database. This reduces interference with existing users. Furthermore, fixed customers near the AP (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below) can also obtain information on the AP's channel usage. By combining this information with their own channel usage, they can select channels that are usable by both the fixed customer and the AP for data transmission, thereby reducing interference with existing users in the vicinity.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request frame is a pairing request frame, and correspondingly, the first response frame is a pairing response frame.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, after the first device receives the first response frame, the method further includes: the first device sending a medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU), the MPDU being used to update the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; the MPDU including third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; and the first device receiving an acknowledgment frame. The third indication information may be an updated (prohibited) sub-channel bitmap. The allowed sub-channels indicated by the third indication information are different from the allowed sub-channels indicated by the first indication information (or the previously received prohibited sub-channel bitmap), and / or, the prohibited sub-channels indicated by the third indication information are different from the prohibited sub-channels indicated by the first indication information (or the previously received prohibited sub-channel bitmap).

[0018] Optionally, the MPDU described above is also used to update the sector directions that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. Therefore, the MPDU also includes third sector indication information, which is the (updated) sector bitmap. This third sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions that the (updated) first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. The sector directions allowed for transmission indicated by the third sector indication information are different from those indicated by the first sector indication information (or the previously received sector bitmap), and / or, the sector directions prohibited for transmission indicated by the third sector indication information are different from those indicated by the first sector indication information (or the previously received sector bitmap).

[0019] This solution provides an update method for a first device (site) to notify a second device of available (or permitted) channels and sector directions, enabling the second device to know the channel usage status of the first device (which channels are occupied by existing users and which are not). This prevents the second device from sending data to the first device on channels that the first device does not allow transmission, or triggering the first device to send data, when the availability of available channels changes, without the first device being able to acknowledge or send the data. This reduces the waste of air interface resources and minimizes interference with existing users.

[0020] Optionally, the MPDU mentioned above includes an action frame, and the third indication information is located in an information element or a field of the action frame.

[0021] Optionally, the aforementioned third indication information is located in the aggregated control (A-control) subfield of the MPDU. This scheme, by carrying the updated prohibited transmission subchannels and / or sector bitmap in the A-control field of the MPDU, can transmit the changed available channels along with data and other information to the second device as quickly as possible, preventing interference to existing users.

[0022] Optionally, the MPDU may also include a reason code field, which indicates the reason why the first device updates the sub-channels allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the first bandwidth. The reason may be one or more of the following: changes in the registration status of existing users, power on / off of existing users, or time-sharing registration of existing users; it may also be the detection of radar signals on certain channels, or significant interference on certain channels.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, after the first device receives the first response frame, the method further includes: the first device receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on a first channel, the PPDU being used to schedule uplink data transmission by the first device, or the PPDU being used to carry data to be sent to the first device; and the first device parsing the PPDU. The first channel is a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device or the intersection of sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth.

[0024] When the second device and the first device communicate with each other, the channel usage of both parties (which channels are occupied by existing users and which channels are not occupied by existing users) is taken into account. Data transmission is only allowed on channels that both parties allow to transmit, which can reduce the impact on existing users.

[0025] Secondly, this application provides a channel indication method, the method comprising: a second device receiving a first request frame from a first device, the first request frame including first indication information for indicating to the first device, within a first bandwidth, sub-channels that are permitted and / or prohibited from transmission; and the second device sending a first response frame to the first device. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, the preset bandwidth being one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: a standard power access point controlled by AFC. Alternatively, the second device is a site other than the first device. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below: a fixed customer.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is a probe request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is a probe response frame. After the second device sends the first response frame, the method further includes: the second device receiving an association request frame from the first device; the second device sending an association response frame to the first device; thereby completing the association between the first device and the second device. The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: a standard power access point controlled by AFC.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is an associated request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is an associated response frame. Before the second device receives the first request frame, the method further includes: the second device sending a beacon frame to the first device, the beacon frame including an EHT operation element, the EHT operation element including a prohibited subchannel bitmap, the prohibited subchannel bitmap being used to indicate subchannels permitted and prohibited from transmission within the second device's BSS bandwidth. The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: an AFC-controlled standard power access point.

[0028] It should be understood that the channel through which the second device sends the first response frame is a channel within the second device's BSS bandwidth that the second device is allowed to transmit (i.e., not punctured).

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is a pairing request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is a pairing response frame. The second device is a station other than the aforementioned first device.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, after the second device sends the first response frame, the method further includes: the second device receiving an MPDU, which is used to update the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; the MPDU includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; and the second device sending an acknowledgment frame. The third indication information may be an updated (prohibited sub-channel bitmap). The allowed sub-channels indicated by the third indication information are different from the allowed sub-channels indicated by the first indication information (or the previously received prohibited sub-channel bitmap), and / or, the prohibited sub-channels indicated by the third indication information are different from the prohibited sub-channels indicated by the first indication information (or the previously received prohibited sub-channel bitmap). The acknowledgment frame is used to confirm that the corresponding information change has been received.

[0031] Optionally, the MPDU described above is also used to update the sector directions that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. Therefore, the MPDU also includes third sector indication information, which is the (updated) sector bitmap. This third sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions that the (updated) first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. The sector directions allowed for transmission indicated by the third sector indication information are different from those indicated by the first sector indication information (or the previously received sector bitmap), and / or, the sector directions prohibited for transmission indicated by the third sector indication information are different from those indicated by the first sector indication information (or the previously received sector bitmap).

[0032] Optionally, the MPDU mentioned above includes an action frame, and the third indication information is located in an information element or a field of the action frame.

[0033] Optionally, the aforementioned third indication information is located in the A-control subfield of the aforementioned MPDU.

[0034] Optionally, the MPDU may also include a reason code field, which is used to indicate the reason why the first device updates the sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the first bandwidth.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, after the second device sends the first response frame, the method further includes: the second device generating a PPDU and transmitting the PPDU on a first channel. The PPDU is used to schedule the first device to perform uplink data transmission, or the PPDU is used to carry data to be sent to the first device. The first channel is a channel within the intersection of the second device's BSS bandwidth or the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth.

[0036] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device, which may be a first device or a chip in the first device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The communication device includes: a transceiver unit configured to send a first request frame, the first request frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, the preset bandwidth being one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz; the transceiver unit is also configured to receive a first response frame, the first device being a station.

[0037] Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing unit for generating a first request frame.

[0038] Optionally, the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device is indicated by the EHT PHY capabilities information field. For specific indication methods and meanings, please refer to the corresponding description in the 802.11be standard, which will not be elaborated here.

[0039] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is a probe request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is a probe response frame. The aforementioned transceiver unit is further configured to: send an association request frame; and receive an association response frame.

[0040] Optionally, the aforementioned processing unit is also used to generate an association request frame.

[0041] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is an associated request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is an associated response frame. The aforementioned transceiver unit is also configured to receive a beacon frame, which includes an EHT operation element. This EHT operation element includes a prohibited subchannel bitmap, which indicates permitted and prohibited subchannels within the basic service set (BSS) bandwidth of the second device, which is an access point.

[0042] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is a pairing request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is a pairing response frame.

[0043] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned transceiver unit is further configured to transmit an MPDU, which is used to update the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; the MPDU includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; wherein the sub-channels allowed to transmit indicated by the third indication information are different from the sub-channels allowed to transmit indicated by the first indication information, and / or the sub-channels prohibited to transmit indicated by the third indication information are different from the sub-channels prohibited to transmit indicated by the first indication information; the aforementioned transceiver unit is further configured to receive acknowledgment frames.

[0044] Optionally, the MPDU is further used to update the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. The MPDU also includes third sector indication information to indicate the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. Specifically, the sector directions in which the third sector indication information indicates allowed transmission are different from those in the first sector indication information, and / or the sector directions in which the third sector indication information indicates prohibited transmission are different from those in the first sector indication information.

[0045] Optionally, the MPDU mentioned above includes an action frame, and the third indication information is located in an information element or a field of the action frame.

[0046] Optionally, the aforementioned third indication information is located in the A-control subfield of the aforementioned MPDU.

[0047] Optionally, the MPDU may also include a reason code field, which is used to indicate the reason why the first device updates the sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the first bandwidth.

[0048] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned transceiver unit is further configured to receive the PPDU on a first channel, the PPDU being used to schedule the first device to perform uplink data transmission, or the PPDU being used to carry data to be sent to the first device; the first channel is a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device or the intersection of sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth; the aforementioned processing unit is further configured to parse the PPDU.

[0049] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, which may be a second device or a chip in the second device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The communication device includes: a transceiver unit configured to receive a first request frame, the first request frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, the preset bandwidth being one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz, the first device being a station; the transceiver unit is further configured to send a first response frame, the second device being an access point or a station other than the first device.

[0050] Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing unit for generating a first response frame.

[0051] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is a probe request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is a probe response frame. The aforementioned transceiver unit is further configured to: receive an association request frame; and send an association response frame. The second device is an access point.

[0052] Optionally, the aforementioned processing unit is also used to generate associated response frames.

[0053] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is an association request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is an association response frame. The aforementioned transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a beacon frame, which includes an EHT operation element. This EHT operation element includes a prohibited subchannel bitmap, which indicates which subchannels are permitted and prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device. The second device is an access point.

[0054] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned first request frame is a pairing request frame, and correspondingly, the aforementioned first response frame is a pairing response frame. The second device is a station other than the aforementioned first device.

[0055] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive an MPDU, which is used to update the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; the MPDU includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; wherein the sub-channels allowed to transmit indicated by the third indication information are different from the sub-channels allowed to transmit indicated by the first indication information, and / or the sub-channels prohibited to transmit indicated by the third indication information are different from the sub-channels prohibited to transmit indicated by the first indication information; the transceiver unit is further configured to send an acknowledgment frame.

[0056] Optionally, the MPDU is further used to update the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. The MPDU also includes third sector indication information to indicate the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. Specifically, the sector directions in which the third sector indication information indicates allowed transmission are different from those in the first sector indication information, and / or the sector directions in which the third sector indication information indicates prohibited transmission are different from those in the first sector indication information.

[0057] Optionally, the MPDU mentioned above includes an action frame, and the third indication information is located in an information element or a field of the action frame.

[0058] Optionally, the aforementioned third indication information is located in the A-control subfield of the aforementioned MPDU.

[0059] Optionally, the MPDU may also include a reason code field, which is used to indicate the reason why the first device updates the sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the first bandwidth.

[0060] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the aforementioned processing unit is further configured to generate a PPDU, which is used to schedule the first device to perform uplink data transmission, or the PPDU is used to carry data to be sent to the first device; the aforementioned transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the PPDU on a first channel, the first channel being a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device or the intersection of a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth.

[0061] In one possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the first indication information is a bitmap, where one bit in the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission (or puncturing) on ​​the sub-channel corresponding to that bit. The bandwidth of the sub-channel corresponding to one bit in the first indication information can be 20MHz, 40MHz, or 80MHz, etc., and this application does not limit the bandwidth granularity of the sub-channel corresponding to one bit.

[0062] In any possible implementation of the above aspects, the first request frame may further include one or more of the following information: an indication of the presence of the first indication information, a first site type indication information, a first sector indication information, and a first sector presence indication. The presence indication of the first indication information is set to a first value (e.g., 1) to indicate that the first indication information exists in the first request frame. The first site type indication information indicates the type of the first device, which is the type of site connected to the AFC system, i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below: a fixed customer. The first sector indication information indicates the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. The first sector presence indication indicates whether the first sector indication information exists in the first request frame.

[0063] Optionally, the first sector indication information is a bitmap, where one bit in the first sector indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. Alternatively, the first sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, whereby the first device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers respectively.

[0064] If the first request frame of this scheme carries site type indication information, the AP (access point connected to the regulatory database, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: AFC-controlled standard power access point) can know that the first device is a fixed customer, thus allowing the first device to adopt higher ERIP and PSD limits and achieve a greater transmission distance. Furthermore, if the first request frame of this scheme carries sector indication information, even if there are existing users in some sector directions of a channel, the channel can still be used in other sector directions, thereby improving spectral efficiency / spectral utilization.

[0065] In any possible implementation of the foregoing aspects, the first response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, a second indication information presence indication, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and a second sector presence indication. The second indication information indicates which sub-channels are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second indication information indicates which sub-channels are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the second bandwidth. The second indication information presence indication indicates whether the aforementioned second indication information exists in the first response frame. The second site type indication information indicates the type of the second device, which is one of the following: a standard power access point type, a site type connected to a standard power access point, a site type connected to an AFC system, or a site type connected to a low power access point. The second sector indication information indicates the sector direction in which transmission is allowed and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second sector indication information indicates the sector direction in which transmission is allowed and / or prohibited within the second bandwidth. The second sector presence indication indicates whether the second sector indication information exists in the first response frame. The second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the aforementioned preset bandwidth.

[0066] Optionally, the second sector indication information is a bitmap. One bit in the second sector indication information is used to indicate whether the second device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. The second sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, in which the second device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers, respectively.

[0067] In this scheme, the second device can also inform the first device of its channel usage to reduce interference to existing users around the second device.

[0068] In one possible implementation of any of the foregoing aspects, the association request frame includes one or more of the following information: the first indication information, an indication of the presence of the first indication information, a first site type indication information, a first sector indication information, and a first sector presence indication. The indication of the presence of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate that the first indication information exists in the association request frame. The first site type indication information indicates the type of the first device, which is the type of a site connected to the AFC system. The first sector indication information indicates the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. The first sector presence indication indicates whether the first sector indication information exists in the association request frame.

[0069] This scheme can carry the channel usage information of the first device in the association request frame. When the prohibited transmission sub-channel changes during the time from when the first device sends the probe request frame to when it sends the association request frame, it can promptly notify the second device that the prohibited transmission sub-channel of the first device has changed, so that subsequent communication can be carried out using the updated usable channel.

[0070] In one possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the associated response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, a presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and a second sector presence indication. The second indication information is used to indicate the sub-channels where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device. The presence indication of second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the associated response frame. The second site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the second device, which is a standard power access point type. The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device. The second sector presence indication is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the associated response frame.

[0071] In one possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the beacon frame further includes one or more of the following information: second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device. The second sector presence indication is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the beacon frame.

[0072] Fifthly, this application provides a data transmission method, comprising: a second device generating a PPDU and transmitting the PPDU on a first channel; the PPDU being used to schedule the first device to perform uplink data transmission, or the PPDU being used to carry data to be sent to the first device; the first channel being a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device or the intersection of sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below: fixed customer). The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: AFC-controlled standard power access point), or another site connected to a regulatory database.

[0073] This solution provides an update method for a first device (site) to notify a second device of available (or permitted) channels and sector directions. This allows the second device to know the channel usage of the first device (which channels are occupied by existing users and which channels are not occupied by existing users), thereby preventing the second device from sending data to the first device on channels that the first device does not allow to transmit, or triggering the first device to send data, and the first device being unable to acknowledge or send data. This reduces the waste of air interface resources and minimizes interference to existing users.

[0074] Sixthly, this application provides a data transmission method, the method comprising: a first device receiving and parsing a PPDU on a first channel; the PPDU being used to schedule the first device to perform uplink data transmission, or the PPDU being used to carry data to be sent to the first device; the first channel being a channel within the BSS bandwidth of a second device or the intersection of sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth may be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below: fixed customer). The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: AFC-controlled standard power access point), or another site connected to a regulatory database.

[0075] Seventhly, this application provides a communication device, which may be a second device or a chip in the second device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The communication device includes: a processing unit for generating a PPDU, the PPDU being used to schedule uplink data transmission by a first device, or the PPDU being used to carry data to be sent to the first device; and a transceiver unit for transmitting the PPDU on a first channel, the first channel being a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device or the intersection of a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth may be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below: fixed customer). The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: AFC-controlled standard power access point), or another site connected to a regulatory database.

[0076] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device, which may be a first device or a chip in the first device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The communication device includes: a transceiver unit for receiving a PPDU on a first channel, the PPDU being used to schedule the first device to perform uplink data transmission, or the PPDU being used to carry data to be sent to the first device; the first channel is a channel within the BSS bandwidth of a second device or the intersection of a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth; and a processing unit for parsing the PPDU. The preset bandwidth may be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below: fixed customer). The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 below: AFC-controlled standard power access point), or another site connected to a regulatory database.

[0077] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device, which may be a first device or a chip in the first device, such as a Wi-Fi chip, including a processor and a transceiver.

[0078] In one design, the communication device is configured to: send a first request frame, the first request frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, the preset bandwidth being one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz; and receive a first response frame. The first device is a station.

[0079] Optionally, the processor is used to generate the first request frame.

[0080] In another design, the processor generates a PPDU (Programmable Component Distributed Data Unit), which is used to schedule uplink data transmission for the first device, or to carry data to be sent to the first device. The transceiver transmits the PPDU on a first channel, which is a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device or the intersection of a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and a sub-channel allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database. The second device is an access point connected to the regulatory database, or another site connected to the regulatory database.

[0081] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication device, which may be a second device or a chip in a second device, such as a Wi-Fi chip, including a processor and a transceiver.

[0082] In one design, the communication device is configured to: receive a first request frame, the first request frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate which sub-channels a first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, the preset bandwidth being one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz; and send a first response frame. The first device is a station, and the second device is an access point or a station other than the first device.

[0083] Optionally, the processor is used to generate the first response frame.

[0084] In another design, the transceiver is used to receive the PPDU on a first channel. The PPDU is used to schedule uplink data transmission for the first device, or to carry data to be sent to the first device. The first channel is a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the intersection of sub-channels allowed to transmit within the second bandwidth and sub-channels allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth. The second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The processor is used to parse the PPDU. The preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database. The second device is an access point connected to the regulatory database, or another site connected to the regulatory database.

[0085] In the eleventh aspect, this application provides an apparatus implemented in the form of a chip, including an input / output interface and a processing circuit.

[0086] In one design, the device is a chip in the first device of the first aspect described above. An input / output interface is used to output a first request frame, which, after being processed by a radio frequency circuit, is transmitted via an antenna. The first request frame includes first indication information, which indicates which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, which is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The input / output interface is also used to input a first response frame received through the antenna and radio frequency circuit. The first device is a station.

[0087] Optionally, the processing circuit is used to generate the first request frame.

[0088] In another design, the device is the chip in the first device of the sixth aspect described above. The processing circuit generates a PPDU (Programmable Component Distributed Data Unit), which is used to schedule the first device for uplink data transmission, or to carry data to be sent to the first device. An input / output interface outputs the PPDU, processes it via radio frequency circuitry, and then transmits it via an antenna on a first channel. The first channel is a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the intersection of a sub-channel allowed to transmit within the second bandwidth and a sub-channel allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database. The second device is an access point connected to the regulatory database, or another site connected to the regulatory database.

[0089] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides an apparatus implemented in the form of a chip, including an input / output interface and a processing circuit.

[0090] In one design, the device is a chip in the second device of the second aspect described above. An input / output interface is used to input a first request frame received via an antenna and radio frequency circuitry. The first request frame includes first indication information, which indicates which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, which is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The input / output interface is also used to output a first response frame, which, after processing by the radio frequency circuitry, is transmitted via the antenna. The first device is a station, and the second device is an access point or a station other than the first device.

[0091] Optionally, the processing circuitry is used to generate the first response frame.

[0092] In another design, the device is the chip in the second device of the fifth aspect described above. The input / output interface is used to receive the PPDU on a first channel via an antenna and radio frequency circuit. The PPDU is used to schedule uplink data transmission for the first device, or to carry data to be sent to the first device. The first channel is a channel within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the intersection of sub-channels allowed to transmit within the second bandwidth and sub-channels allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The processing circuit is used to parse the PPDU. The preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a site connected to a regulatory database. The second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database, or another site connected to a regulatory database.

[0093] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in any one of the first, second, fifth, and sixth aspects described above.

[0094] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing program instructions that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in any one of the first, second, fifth, and sixth aspects described above.

[0095] By implementing the embodiments of this application, an AP or STA can learn about the prohibited or permitted transmission sub-channels of another site (its geographical location), thereby enabling data communication on sub-channels that are permitted by both parties, reducing interference to existing users. Attached Figure Description

[0096] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below.

[0097] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the AFC system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the wireless communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0099] Figure 3a This is a schematic diagram of the access point structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 3b This is a schematic diagram of the site structure provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0101] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a channel indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of the channel indication method in the active association process provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0103] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the STA operation element provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0104] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sector bitmap indication provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0105] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the EHT operation element provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0106] Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart of the channel indication method in the passive association process provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0107] Figure 10 This is a schematic flowchart of the channel indication method in the D2D pairing process provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0108] Figure 11 This is another schematic flowchart of the channel indication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0109] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the A-control subfield carrying the prohibited sub-channel bitmap and sector bitmap provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0110] Figure 13 This is a schematic flowchart of the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0111] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0112] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1000 provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0113] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0114] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Furthermore, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0115] In the description of this application, the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or the order of execution, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0116] In this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the words "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0117] In this application, the use of singular designations for elements is intended to represent "one or more" rather than "one and only one," unless otherwise specified.

[0118] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this 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 that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0119] The following is a brief introduction to some relevant content, terms, or nouns involved in this application.

[0120] I. Use of the 6GHz unlicensed spectrum

[0121] As shown in Table 1 below, Table 1 illustrates the use of the 6 GHz unlicensed spectrum as defined by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Table 1 shows five types of equipment, the bands they operate in, and their respective maximum EIRP and maximum EIPR PSD. The first two types of equipment in Table 1 (i.e., standard power access points and fixed customers) are connected to a regulatory database via an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system. Because the regulatory database stores user information for existing users, such as their geographical location, the channels they use, and their transmission directions, equipment connected to the regulatory database through the AFC system can determine, based on its geographical location, which channels have existing users and on which channels 802.11 equipment cannot transmit; or it can determine which directions on a channel have existing users and in which directions 802.11 equipment cannot transmit. 802.11 equipment can only transmit in directions without existing users to prevent interference with existing users. In addition to standard power access points and fixed customers connected to the regulatory database, there are also customers associated with access points directly connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1, the standard power access point) (the third type of device in Table 1, i.e., customers connected to the standard power access point). These devices (the third type of device in Table 1) can obtain the corresponding channel information through broadcast information sent by the access points connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the standard power access points). The fourth type of device in Table 1 (i.e., low-power access devices) and the fifth type of device (customers connected to low-power access devices) prevent interference to existing users by using them indoors and reducing EIRP and PSD.

[0122] Table 1: Unlicensed Spectrum Use at 6GHz

[0123]

[0124] II. Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) System

[0125] See Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the AFC system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. The 802.11 standard defines two types of devices: access points (APs) and non-access point stations (STAs), where a non-access point station can also be simply referred to as a station (STA). Figure 1 As shown, AP1, AP2, and AP3 are the first type of devices (i.e., standard power access points) in Table 1, and STA6 is the second type of device (i.e., fixed customer) in Table 1. These two types of devices are connected to the regulatory database through the AFC system. They can use higher EIPR and PSD on channels without existing users based on the user information of existing users stored in the regulatory database. STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, and STA5 are the third type of devices (i.e., customers connected to the standard power access point) in Table 1. STA1 and STA2 are associated with AP1, STA3 and STA4 are associated with AP2, and STA5 is associated with AP3; they can use relatively lower EIRP and PSD.

[0126] To facilitate understanding of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the system architecture of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below. It is understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0127] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as systems using the 802.11 standard. Exemplary examples include, but are not limited to, the 802.11be standard, or next-generation 802.11 standards. The applicable scenarios for the technical solutions in this application include data communication between an AP and one or more STAs, or data communication between STAs. In the embodiments of this application, the term "communication" can also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

[0128] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The wireless communication system includes at least one fixed customer (STA, the second type of device in Table 1 above) connected to a regulatory database, and at least one AP or STA. Figure 2 As shown, the wireless communication system may include one or more STAs (such as...) Figure 2 STA200, STA300, STA400), and / or one or more APs (such as ... Figure 2 AP100 (in the middle). Figure 2The AP100 is an AP that connects to the regulatory database, namely the first type of device in Table 1 above: a standard power access point. Furthermore, Figure 2 Fixed clients connected to regulatory databases (e.g.) Figure 2 The STA communicating with the STA200 can be a fixed client connected to a regulatory database (e.g., STA200). Figure 2 STA400 in the context of regulations, or STAs that are not connected to regulatory databases (e.g., STA400 in the context of regulations), can also be STAs that are not connected to regulatory databases (e.g., STA400 in the context of regulations). Figure 2 (STA300 in the text). It should be understood that... Figure 2 The STA300 may not be associated with any AP, or it may be associated with an AP controlled by the AFC system (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: the standard power access point). For example, the STA300 may be a customer connected to a standard power access point (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above) or a customer connected to a low-power access device (i.e., the fifth type of device in Table 1 above). It should also be understood that... Figure 2 The “AFC Database” can be understood as a regulatory database connected through the AFC system.

[0129] Figure 2 Both the AP and STA in this application support WLAN communication protocols, which may include 802.11be (also known as Wi-Fi 7, EHT protocol), as well as protocols such as 802.11ax and 802.11ac. Of course, with the continuous evolution and development of communication technologies, these protocols may also include next-generation protocols of 802.11be. Taking WLAN as an example, the device implementing the method of this application can be an AP or STA in a WLAN, or a chip or processing system installed in the AP or STA.

[0130] Optionally, the access point involved in this application (such as...) Figure 2The AP100 is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocol. It has the ability to communicate with other devices (such as stations or other access points) in the WLAN network, and can also communicate with other devices. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an access point station (AP STA). This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to STAs and can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be the chip and processing system within these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0131] Optionally, the sites involved in this application (such as...) Figure 2 STA200, STA300, or STA400 is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol and having the ability to communicate with other stations or access points in a WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be called a non-access point station (non-APSTA). For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus with the WLAN. This device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, an STA can be a user device that can connect to the Internet, such as a tablet computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), or mobile phone; or an Internet of Things (IoT) node in the Internet of Things (IoT); or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV); or an entertainment device, gaming device or system; or a GPS device; etc. An STA can also be a chip or processing system in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0132] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices supporting WLAN communication (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air quality monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (e.g., augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, loudspeakers, speakers, etc.), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, supermarket self-service navigation kiosks, self-checkout machines, self-ordering machines, etc.), and equipment in large sports and music venues, etc. The specific forms of STA and AP in this application embodiment are not limited; they are merely illustrative examples.

[0133] It should be understood that the 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers. See one example. Figure 3a , Figure 3a This is a schematic diagram of the access point structure provided in an embodiment of this application. The AP can be multi-antenna / multi-radio frequency or single-antenna / single-radio frequency, and this antenna / radio frequency is used to transmit / receive data packets (in this document, data packets can also be referred to as Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs)). In one implementation, the antenna or radio frequency portion of the AP can be separated from the main body of the AP, presenting a remote layout. Figure 3a In this configuration, the AP may include physical layer processing circuitry and media access control (MAC) processing circuitry. The physical layer processing circuitry can be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuitry can be used to process MAC layer signals. See another example. Figure 3b , Figure 3b This is a schematic diagram of the site structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3bThe diagram illustrates a single-antenna / RF STA structure. In practical scenarios, a STA can also be a multi-antenna / multi-RF device, and may even have two or more antennas used for transmitting / receiving data packets. In one implementation, the antenna or RF portion of the STA can be separated from the main body of the STA, presenting a remote layout. Figure 3b In this context, the STA can include a PHY processing circuit and a MAC processing circuit. The physical layer processing circuit can be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuit can be used to process MAC layer signals.

[0134] The communication device in this application embodiment can be a wireless communication device that supports parallel transmission across multiple links, for example, referred to as a multi-link device or a multi-band device. Compared to devices that only support single-link transmission, multi-link devices have higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput. A multi-link device includes one or more affiliated STAs, each of which is a logical station that can operate on a single link. The affiliated station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). A multi-link device whose affiliated station is an AP can be called a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device; a multi-link device whose affiliated station is a non-AP STA can be called a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or a STA multi-link device.

[0135] The above briefly introduces the relevant content and system architecture involved in this application. The technical solution provided in this application will be described in detail below with more accompanying drawings.

[0136] This application provides a channel indication method, which carries indication information in request frames (such as probe request frames, association request frames, pairing request frames, etc.) to indicate sub-channels that are allowed to transmit and / or prohibited from transmission, so that subsequent communication parties (AP and STA, or STA and STA) can use sub-channels that are allowed to transmit by both parties for data communication, thereby reducing interference to existing users.

[0137] The technical solutions provided in this application are illustrated through multiple embodiments. Embodiment 1 illustrates how, during the association process, a fixed customer (STA) connected to the regulatory database indicates which sub-channels are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission. Embodiment 2 illustrates how, after successful association, the fixed customer (STA) connected to the regulatory database updates the allowed and / or prohibited sub-channels. Embodiment 3 illustrates how data communication occurs between the access point connected to the regulatory database and the fixed customer (STA) connected to the regulatory database.

[0138] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between various embodiments or implementations can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0139] Optionally, the first device in this application may be the aforementioned Figure 2 The STA200 shown. The second device in this application can be the aforementioned Figure 2 The AP100 shown, or the second device in this application, can be the aforementioned Figure 2 The STA300 or STA400 shown are examples. Both the first and second devices in this application support the 802.11be protocol (also known as Wi-Fi 7, EHT protocol), and can also support other WLAN communication protocols, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, etc. It should be understood that the first and second devices in this application can also support future 802.11 protocols, such as Wi-Fi 8, Wi-Fi 9, etc. In other words, the method provided in this application is not only applicable to the 802.11be protocol, but also to future 802.11 protocols.

[0140] The various embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0141] Example 1

[0142] Embodiment 1 of this application mainly introduces a channel indication method for a fixed customer (STA) connected to a regulatory database during the association or pairing process.

[0143] See Figure 4 , Figure 4This is a schematic flowchart of a channel indication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the channel indication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0144] S101, the first device sends a first request frame, which includes first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth.

[0145] S102, the second device receives the first request frame.

[0146] S103, the second device sends the first response frame.

[0147] S104, the first device receives the first response frame.

[0148] The first device can be a site connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer). The second device can be an access point connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: AFC-controlled standard power access point), or the second device can be a site other than the first device, such as a site connected to a standard power access point in Table 1 above, or a site connected to a low power access point in Table 1 above, or a fixed customer in Table 1 above. Of course, the second device can also be a site not associated with any AP.

[0149] Optionally, the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device can be indicated by the EHT PHY capabilities information field. For specific indication methods and meanings, please refer to the corresponding description in the 802.11be standard, which will not be elaborated here. The aforementioned preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz.

[0150] Optionally, the first request frame can be one of a probe request frame, an association request frame, or a pairing request frame; correspondingly, the first response frame can be one of a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a pairing response frame. Of course, the first request frame can also be other frames, and correspondingly, the first response frame is a frame used to respond to the first request frame. The channel indication method provided in this application embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the specific implementation of the first request frame and the first response frame.

[0151] Implementation Method 1

[0152] The first request frame mentioned above is a probe request frame, and the first response frame mentioned above is a probe response frame. The channel indication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to the active association process between AP and STA. The first device mentioned above is a station connected to the regulatory database, that is, the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer; the second device mentioned above is an access point connected to the regulatory database, that is, the first type of device in Table 1 above: AFC-controlled standard power access point.

[0153] For details, see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of the channel indication method in the active association process provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5As shown, the STA (i.e., the first device) sends a probe request frame. This probe request frame is used by a station to solicit a probe response frame from a specific AP or from multiple APs operating in a particular channel. Accordingly, upon receiving the probe request frame, the AP (i.e., the second device) sends a probe response frame. This probe response frame is sent to a specific station in response to a probe request. Upon receiving the probe response frame, the STA (i.e., the first device) sends an association request frame. Accordingly, upon receiving the association request frame, the AP (i.e., the second device) sends an association response frame, completing the association. It should be understood that before a station is allowed to send data via an AP, it must associate with the AP. Association begins when the station sends an Association Request to the AP. If the station is accepted, the AP responds with an Association Response.Through the interaction of association request and response, the station and AP exchange capability information (support for optional features), and the AP informs the station of specific operating parameters within the BSS.

[0154] Among them, the above Figure 5 The probe request frame includes first indication information, used to instruct the STA (i.e., the first device) on which sub-channels are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the STA (i.e., the first device); or, the first indication information is used to instruct the STA (i.e., the first device) on which sub-channels are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within a preset bandwidth. Here, the preset bandwidth is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. In other words, the first indication information is used to instruct the STA (i.e., the first device) on which channels transmission is allowed and on which channels transmission is prohibited.

[0155] In this application, "allowed transmission sub-channels" can also be understood as "non-punctured sub-channels," and correspondingly, "prohibited transmission sub-channels" can be understood as "punctured sub-channels." Therefore, the aforementioned first indication information can also be understood as: indicating to the STA (i.e., the first device) sub-channels that are not punctured and / or punctured within the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the STA (i.e., the first device); or, indicating to the STA (i.e., the first device) sub-channels that are not punctured and / or punctured within a preset bandwidth. In this application, "allowed transmission sub-channels" can also be understood as channels not used by existing users in the vicinity of the STA's (i.e., the first device's) geographical location (here, "vicinity" can be understood as a certain range), and "prohibited transmission sub-channels" can be understood as channels used by existing users in the vicinity of the STA's (i.e., the first device's) geographical location (here, "vicinity" can be understood as a certain range).

[0156] Optionally, the prohibited (or punctured) sub-channels indicated by the first indication information also apply to the AP (i.e., the second device) associated with the STA (i.e., the first device). In other words, the prohibited (or punctured) sub-channels indicated by the first indication information cannot be used by either the STA (i.e., the first device) or the AP (i.e., the second device) associated with it. In other words, the first indication information can not only indicate which sub-channels the STA prohibits from transmitting on within a first bandwidth, but also indicate (e.g., implicitly) that the AP associated with the STA also prohibits transmission on these sub-channels. Here, the first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth.

[0157] Optionally, the aforementioned first indication information can be represented using a bitmap. One bit in the first indication information is used to indicate whether transmission (or puncturing) is allowed on the sub-channel corresponding to that bit by the STA (i.e., the first device). For example, when one bit in the first indication information is set to 0, it indicates that the sub-channel corresponding to that bit allows transmission (or is not punctured); when the bit is set to 1, it indicates that the sub-channel corresponding to that bit prohibits transmission (or is punctured). Alternatively, when one bit in the first indication information is set to 1, it indicates that the sub-channel corresponding to that bit allows transmission (or is not punctured); when the bit is set to 0, it indicates that the sub-channel corresponding to that bit prohibits transmission (or is punctured). This application embodiment does not limit whether setting one bit in the first indication information to 0 indicates that transmission is allowed, or setting it to 1 indicates that transmission is allowed.

[0158] In this application, the bandwidth of the sub-channel corresponding to one bit in the first indication information can be 20MHz, 40MHz, or 80MHz, etc. This application does not limit the bandwidth granularity of the sub-channel corresponding to one bit. For ease of description, this application uses one bit corresponding to one 20MHz sub-channel as an example. In one implementation, the length of the first indication information can be fixed at 16 bits (i.e., 2 bytes), and these 16 bits correspond to 16 20MHz sub-channels in a 320MHz frequency range arranged in ascending, descending, or other predetermined order. In this case, the first indication information indicates the sub-channels that the STA (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit and / or prohibited from transmitting within a preset bandwidth (i.e., 320MHz). In another implementation, the length of the first indication information is determined based on the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the STA (i.e., the first device). For example, if the STA (i.e., the first device) supports a maximum channel bandwidth of 160MHz, then the length of the first indication information is 8 bits (i.e., 1 byte). These 8 bits correspond to 8 20MHz sub-channels within the 160MHz frequency range, arranged in ascending, descending, or other predetermined order. As another example, if the STA (i.e., the first device) supports a maximum channel bandwidth of 80MHz, then the length of the first indication information is 4 bits. These 4 bits correspond to 4 20MHz sub-channels within the 80MHz frequency range, arranged in ascending, descending, or other predetermined order.

[0159] Optionally, the probe request frame may also include one or more of the following information: the presence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector presence indication.

[0160] The presence indication of the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first indication information exists (in the aforementioned probe request frame). Optionally, in addition to indicating the existence of the first indication information, the presence indication of the first indication information can also be used to implicitly indicate whether the type of the STA (i.e., the first device) is a type of station connected to the AFC system, i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer. The presence indication of the first indication information in the probe request frame of this application can be set to a first value (e.g., 1) to indicate that the first indication information exists in the probe request frame, and can also be used to implicitly indicate that the type of the STA (i.e., the first device) is a type of station connected to the AFC system. The presence indication of the first indication information can be set to a second value (e.g., 0) to indicate that the first indication information does not exist, which can indicate that all sub-channels within the first bandwidth are allowed to transmit (or have not been punctured); it can also be used to implicitly indicate that the type of the STA (i.e., the first device) is not a type of station connected to the AFC system. Of course, when all bits of the aforementioned first indication information are set to 0, it can indicate that all sub-channels within the first bandwidth are allowed to transmit (or have not been punctured).

[0161] The first site type indication information can be used to indicate the type of STA (i.e., the first device). In this application, the type of STA (i.e., the first device) is the type of site connected to the AFC system, namely the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer. Optionally, the first site type indication information can also be used to implicitly indicate the existence of first indication information. For example, if the type of STA (i.e., the first device) indicated by the first site type indication information is a site connected to the AFC system, then it indicates / implies the existence of first indication information. If the type of STA (i.e., the first device) indicated by the first site type indication information is a site connected to a standard power access point (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above) or a site connected to a low power access point (i.e., the fifth type of device in Table 1 above), then it indicates / implies the absence of first indication information. It should be understood that if the first site type indication information is used to implicitly indicate the existence of first indication information, then the above-mentioned probe request frame may not include an indication of the presence of first indication information.

[0162] The first sector indication information can be used to indicate which sector directions the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. In other words, the first sector indication information is used to indicate in which sector directions the STA (i.e., the first device) allows transmission and in which sector directions transmission is prohibited. In one implementation, the first sector indication information can be represented by a bitmap. One bit in the first sector indication information is used to indicate whether the STA (i.e., the first device) allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. When one bit in the first sector indication information is set to 0, it indicates that the sector direction corresponding to that bit is allowed (within the first bandwidth); when the bit is set to 1, it indicates that the sector direction corresponding to that bit is prohibited (within the first bandwidth). Alternatively, when one bit in the first sector indication information is set to 1, it indicates that the sector direction corresponding to that bit is allowed (within the first bandwidth); when the bit is set to 0, it indicates that the sector direction corresponding to that bit is prohibited (within the first bandwidth). Assuming a first bandwidth of 80MHz, when a bit in the first sector indication information is set to 1, it indicates that transmission is prohibited in the sector direction corresponding to that bit within the 80MHz bandwidth; when the bit is set to 0, it indicates that transmission is permitted in the sector direction corresponding to that bit within the 80MHz bandwidth. The length of this first sector indication information can be a fixed value, such as 8 bits, corresponding to 8 pre-configured sector directions in a 360-degree direction; or 4 bits, corresponding to 4 pre-configured sector directions in a 360-degree direction. In another implementation, the first sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, and the STA (i.e., the first device) allows or prohibits transmission in the sector directions respectively identified by these one or more sector identifiers.

[0163] Optionally, the first sector indication information can also be applied to each sub-channel within the first bandwidth separately. That is, the first sector indication information can indicate the sector directions that the STA (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit and / or prohibited to transmit on each sub-channel of the first bandwidth. It should be understood that when all sector directions of a certain sub-channel are prohibited from transmission, that sub-channel is prohibited from transmission (or punctured). In this case, the aforementioned probe request frame may or may not need to carry the first indication information. It should also be understood that the number of sector directions on each sub-channel of the first bandwidth can be the same or different; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0164] Optionally, the first sector indication information may also indicate only the sub-channels that are allowed to transmit (or not punctured) within the first bandwidth. That is, the first sector indication information may also indicate the sector directions that are allowed and / or prohibited for transmission on each sub-channel that are allowed to transmit (or not punctured) within the first bandwidth for the STA (i.e., the first device).

[0165] Understandably, because some fixed microwave communications are highly directional, transmission is not allowed in one direction but can be transmitted in other directions. Therefore, embodiments of this application carry sector indication information in the probe request frame to indicate the sector directions in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited. This allows the channel to still be used in other sector directions even if there are existing users in some sector directions of a certain channel, thereby improving spectral efficiency / spectral utilization.

[0166] The first sector presence indication can be used to indicate whether the first sector indication information exists (in the aforementioned probe request frame). When the first sector presence indication is set to a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the first sector indication information exists (in the probe request frame); when the first sector presence indication is set to a second value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the first sector indication information does not exist (in the probe request frame), and can also indicate that all sector directions are available / transmission is permitted.

[0167] Optionally, the aforementioned information (i.e., one or more of the first indication information, the presence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector presence indication) can be presented in the form of fields or in the form of information elements. For ease of description, this application refers to the information element containing the aforementioned information (i.e., one or more of the first indication information, the presence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector presence indication) as an STA operation element. Of course, information elements containing the aforementioned information may have other names, and this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0168] For example, see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the STA operation element provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the STA operation element includes, but is not limited to, the following fields: element ID field, length field, element ID extension field, STA operation field, prohibited sub-channel bitmap field (i.e., the aforementioned first indication information), and sector bitmap field (i.e., the aforementioned first sector indication information). The STA operation field includes, but is not limited to, the STA type sub-field (i.e., the aforementioned first site type indication information), the prohibited sub-channel bitmap presence sub-field (i.e., the presence indication of the aforementioned first indication information), the sector bitmap presence sub-field (i.e., the first sector presence indication), and a reserved field, etc. Among them, the STA type sub-field is used to indicate what type of STA (referring to the STA that sends the STA type sub-field) is. It can be a fixed customer connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above), or a customer connected to a low-power access device (i.e., the fifth type of device in Table 1 above), or a customer connected to a standard power access point (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above). Alternatively, the STA type subfield can be used to indicate whether the STA (the STA sending the STA type subfield) is a fixed customer connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above). The disabled subchannel bitmap presence subfield can be 1 bit long and is used to indicate whether a disabled subchannel bitmap field exists. If it does not exist, it means all subchannels are available. The disabled subchannel bitmap field can be 16 bits long, corresponding to 16 20MHz subchannels in 320MHz from low to high frequency. This disabled subchannel bitmap field is used to indicate on which subchannels the STA is allowed to transmit (or not punctured) and on which subchannels it is prohibited to transmit (or punctured). For example, setting one bit in the disabled subchannel bitmap field to 1 indicates that the STA is prohibited from transmitting / punctured on the 20MHz subchannel corresponding to that bit; setting it to 0 indicates that the STA is allowed to transmit / not punctured on the 20MHz subchannel corresponding to that bit. The sector bitmap presence subfield is 1 bit long and indicates whether the sector bitmap field exists. If it does not exist, it means that all sector directions are available. The sector bitmap field indicates which sector directions are allowed to transmit and which are prohibited from transmitting.

[0169] See Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sector bitmap indication provided in an embodiment of this application. Wherein, Figure 7The "AFCDatabase" mentioned here can be understood as a regulatory database connected through the AFC system. For example... Figure 7 As shown, STA1 is a fixed customer connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above), i.e., the first device. Microwave communication exists near STA1's geographical location, using sector directions 1 and 2. Assuming the sector bitmap length is 4 bits, corresponding to four pre-configured sector directions in a 360-degree direction, namely sectors 1 to 4. Since microwave communication already uses sectors 1 and 2, STA1 can only use sectors 3 and 4. Therefore, the sector bitmap can be represented as 1100.

[0170] It should be understood that the above Figure 6 The names, lengths, and order of the fields in this example are merely illustrative and are not limited in this embodiment.

[0171] Optionally, the above Figure 5 The probe response frame may include one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication.

[0172] The aforementioned second indication information can be used to indicate sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the AP (i.e., the second device). Alternatively, the aforementioned second indication information can be used to indicate sub-channels that are not punctured and / or are punctured within the BSS bandwidth.

[0173] Optionally, the prohibited (or punctured) sub-channels indicated by the second indication information also apply to the STAs (i.e., the first device) associated with the AP (i.e., the second device). In other words, the prohibited (or punctured) sub-channels indicated by the second indication information cannot be used by the AP (i.e., the second device) itself, nor by the STAs (i.e., the first device) associated with the AP. In other words, the second indication information can not only indicate the prohibited sub-channels within the BSS bandwidth of the AP (i.e., the second device), but also indicate (e.g., implicitly indicate) that the STAs associated with the AP should also prohibit transmission on these sub-channels.

[0174] The presence indication of the second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists (in the aforementioned probe response frame). Optionally, the presence indication of the second indication information can also implicitly indicate whether the AP (i.e., the second device) is a standard power access point type, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: (AFC-controlled) standard power access point. When the presence indication of the second indication information is set to 1, it indicates that the second indication information exists; it can also implicitly indicate that this AP (i.e., the second device) is an AFC-controlled standard power access point.

[0175] Optionally, the aforementioned second indication information and its presence indication can be carried in an EHT operation element. This EHT operation element can be located in the aforementioned probe response frame. The EHT operation element includes a prohibited sub-channel bitmap presence sub-field (i.e., the presence indication of the aforementioned second indication information) and a prohibited sub-channel bitmap field (i.e., the aforementioned second indication information). The prohibited sub-channel bitmap presence sub-field can be 1 bit long and is used to indicate whether a prohibited sub-channel bitmap field exists; when this bit is 1, it indicates the presence of a prohibited sub-channel bitmap field, and when this bit is 0, it indicates the absence of a prohibited sub-channel bitmap field. If a prohibited sub-channel bitmap field exists, its length can be 2 bytes (16 bits) and is used to indicate which sub-channels within the entire BSS bandwidth can be used (i.e., allowed to transmit or not punctured) and which sub-channels cannot be used (i.e., prohibited to transmit or punctured). When a bit in the disabled subchannel bitmap is 0, it means that the subchannel corresponding to that bit can be used (i.e., transmission is allowed or it has not been punctured); when the bit is 1, it means that the subchannel corresponding to that bit is disabled (i.e., transmission is prohibited or it has been punctured).

[0176] See Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the EHT operation element provided in the embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 8As shown, the EHT operation element includes, but is not limited to, the following fields: element ID field, length field, element ID extension field, EHT operation information field, and disabled subchannel bitmap field (i.e., the second indication information mentioned above). The EHT operation information field may include a disabled subchannel bitmap presence subfield (i.e., the presence indication of the second indication information mentioned above). If the disabled subchannel bitmap presence subfield is 1, it indicates that the disabled subchannel bitmap field exists and provides a list of subchannels that are punctured within the BSS bandwidth; otherwise (i.e., the disabled subchannel bitmap presence subfield is 0), the disabled subchannel bitmap field does not exist. The DisabledSubchannel Bitmap field in this EHT operation element is a 16-bit bitmap where the lowest bit corresponds to the 20MHz subchannel that lies within the BSS bandwidth and that has the lowest frequency of the set of all 20MHz subchannels within the BSS bandwidth. In other words, the lowest bit in the DisabledSubchannel Bitmap field corresponds to the lowest frequency 20MHz subchannel within the BSS bandwidth.Each successive bit in the bitmap corresponds to the next higher frequency 20MHz subchannel. In other words, the 16 bits from the least significant to the most significant in the subchannel bitmap field correspond to the 16 20MHz subchannels within a 320MHz bandwidth, from the lowest to the highest frequency. A bit in the bitmap is set to 1 to indicate that the corresponding 20MHz subchannel is punctured (i.e., transmission is disabled), and set to 0 to indicate that the corresponding 20MHz subchannel is not punctured (i.e., transmission is enabled).

[0177] It should be understood that the above Figure 8 The names, lengths, and order of the fields in this example are merely illustrative and are not limited in this embodiment.

[0178] The second site type indication information mentioned above is used to indicate the type of AP (i.e., the second device). Here, the AP type is the standard power access point type, that is, the first type of device in Table 1 above: AFC-controlled standard power access point.

[0179] The aforementioned second sector indication information can be used to indicate which sector directions are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the AP (i.e., the second device). Alternatively, this second sector indication information is used to indicate which sector directions the AP (i.e., the second device) can transmit in and which sector directions it cannot. In one implementation, the second sector indication information can be represented using a bitmap, such as a sector bitmap field. One bit in the second sector indication information is used to indicate whether transmission is allowed in the sector direction corresponding to that bit by the AP (i.e., the second device). When a bit in the second sector indication information / sector bitmap is set to 0, it indicates that transmission is allowed (within the BSS bandwidth) in the sector direction corresponding to that bit; when the bit is set to 1, it indicates that transmission is prohibited (within the BSS bandwidth) in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. Alternatively, when a bit in the second sector indication information / sector bitmap is set to 1, it indicates that transmission is permitted in the sector direction corresponding to that bit (within the BSS bandwidth); when the bit is set to 0, it indicates that transmission is prohibited in the sector direction corresponding to that bit (within the BSS bandwidth). Assuming the BSS bandwidth is 320MHz, when a bit in the second sector indication information is set to 1, it means that transmission is prohibited in all sector directions corresponding to that bit within the 320MHz bandwidth; when the bit is set to 0, it means that transmission is permitted in all sector directions corresponding to that bit within the 320MHz bandwidth. The length of this second sector indication information can be a fixed value, such as 8 bits, corresponding to 8 pre-configured sector directions in a 360-degree direction; or 4 bits, corresponding to 4 pre-configured sector directions in a 360-degree direction. In another implementation, the second sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, and the AP (i.e., the second device) allows or prohibits transmission in the sector directions identified by these one or more sector identifiers.

[0180] Optionally, the second sector indication information can also be applied to each sub-channel within the BSS bandwidth separately. That is, the second sector indication information can indicate the sector directions that allow and / or prohibit transmission on each sub-channel of the BSS bandwidth. It should be understood that when all sector directions of a sub-channel are prohibited from transmission, that sub-channel is prohibited from transmission (or punctured). In this case, the aforementioned probe response frame may or may not need to carry the second indication information. It should also be understood that the number of sector directions on each sub-channel of the BSS bandwidth can be the same or different; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0181] Optionally, the second sector indication information may also indicate only the sub-channels within the BSS bandwidth that are allowed to transmit (or not punctured). That is, the second sector indication information may also indicate the sector directions that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission on each sub-channel within the BSS bandwidth that are allowed to transmit (or not punctured).

[0182] The aforementioned second sector presence indicator can be used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the aforementioned probe response frame. When the second sector presence indicator is set to a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the second sector indication information exists (in the probe response frame); when the second sector presence indicator is set to a second value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the second sector indication information does not exist (in the probe response frame), and can also indicate that all sector directions are available / transmission is permitted.

[0183] Optionally, one or more of the above-mentioned second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication information may be located in the above-mentioned EHT operation elements, such as in the EHT operation information field; or they may be located in other information elements or fields of the probe response frame. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0184] Optionally, the above Figure 5 The association request frame may include one or more of the following information: first indication information, first indication information presence indication, first site type indication information, first sector indication information, and first sector presence indication. The first indication information can be used to indicate which sub-channels the STA (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit and / or prohibited from transmitting within the first bandwidth. The presence indication of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate the existence of the first indication information. The first site type indication information can be used to indicate the type of the STA (i.e., the first device), which is the type of site connected to the AFC system. The first sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction in which the STA (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit and / or prohibited from transmitting within the first bandwidth. The first sector presence indication is used to indicate whether the first sector indication information exists. Specifically, the implementation methods of the first indication information presence indication, the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector presence indication can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0185] It should be understood that the prohibited transmission subchannel indicated by the prohibited subchannel bitmap (i.e., the first indication information) carried in the aforementioned probe request frame may or may not be the same as the prohibited transmission subchannel indicated by the prohibited subchannel bitmap carried in the aforementioned association request frame. If the prohibited transmission subchannel of the STA (i.e., the first device) remains unchanged from the time it sends the probe request frame to the time it sends the association request frame, then only the prohibited subchannel bitmap and other information need to be carried in the probe request frame; that is, the prohibited subchannel bitmap and other information may not be carried in the association request frame. This can save signaling overhead. Of course, the prohibited subchannel bitmap and other information can also be carried in the association request frame. If the prohibited transmission subchannel of the STA (i.e., the first device) changes from the time it sends the probe request frame to the time it sends the association request frame, then both the probe request frame and the association request frame need to carry the prohibited subchannel bitmap and other information, and the prohibited or permitted transmission subchannel indicated by the prohibited subchannel bitmap carried in the probe request frame and the association request frame must be different. This allows for timely notification to the AP (i.e., the second device) STA that the prohibited transmission sub-channel has changed, facilitating subsequent communication using the updated, usable channel.

[0186] Optionally, the above Figure 5 The associated response frame may include one or more of the following information: second indication information, second indication information presence indication, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The second indication information can be used to indicate which subchannels are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the AP (i.e., the second device). The presence indication of the second indication information can be used to indicate whether the second indication information exists. The second site type indication information can be used to indicate the type of the AP (i.e., the second device), where the AP type is a standard power access point type, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: an AFC-controlled standard power access point. The second sector indication information can be used to indicate which sector directions are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the AP (i.e., the second device). The second sector presence indication can be used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the associated response frame. Specifically, the implementation methods of the second indication information, the second indication information presence indication, the second site type indication information, the second sector indication information, and the second sector presence indication can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0187] It should be understood that, similar to the probe request frame and association request frame mentioned above, the prohibited sub-channels indicated by the prohibited sub-channel bitmap (i.e., the second indication information) carried in the probe response frame and association response frame can be the same or different. If the prohibited sub-channel of the AP (i.e., the second device) does not change during the time from sending the probe response frame to sending the association response frame, then only the prohibited sub-channel bitmap and other information need to be carried in the probe response frame; that is, the prohibited sub-channel bitmap and other information do not need to be carried in the association response frame. If the prohibited sub-channel of the AP (i.e., the second device) changes during the time from sending the probe response frame to sending the association response frame, then both the probe response frame and the association response frame need to carry the prohibited sub-channel bitmap and other information, and the prohibited or permitted sub-channels indicated by the prohibited sub-channel bitmaps carried in the probe response frame and the association response frame must be different.

[0188] It should also be understood that the above Figure 5 The channels through which probe request frames and association request frames are sent are channels permitted for transmission (i.e., unpunctured) within the first bandwidth by the STA (i.e., the first device), and the sector directions for sending probe request frames and association request frames are also sectors permitted for transmission within the first bandwidth by the STA (i.e., the first device). Similarly, the above... Figure 5 The channels through which probe response frames and associated response frames are sent are channels that the AP (i.e., the second device) is allowed to transmit (i.e., not punctured) within the BSS bandwidth of the AP. The sector directions for sending probe response frames and associated response frames are also sectors that the AP (i.e., the second device) is allowed to transmit within the BSS bandwidth of the AP.

[0189] Implementation Method 2

[0190] The first request frame mentioned above is an association request frame, and the first response frame mentioned above is an association response frame. The channel indication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to the passive association process between AP and STA. The first device mentioned above is a station connected to the regulatory database, that is, the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer; the second device mentioned above is an access point connected to the regulatory database, that is, the first type of device in Table 1 above: AFC-controlled standard power access point.

[0191] For details, see Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart of the channel indication method in the passive association process provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 9As shown, the AP (i.e., the second device) periodically sends beacon frames. These beacon frames are used to notify nearby or surrounding sites of the AP's existence, facilitating subsequent association between the STA (Station) and the AP. Upon receiving the beacon frame, the STA (i.e., the first device) can send an association request frame. Correspondingly, upon receiving the association request frame, the AP (i.e., the second device) sends an association response frame to complete the association. The functions of the association request frame and the association response frame are explained in the preceding text and will not be repeated here.

[0192] Among them, the above Figure 9 The beacon frame includes an EHT operation element, which contains a 2-byte prohibited subchannel bitmap. This bitmap is used to notify customers (STAs) associated with AFC-controlled standard power access points (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1) which subchannels within the entire Basic Service Set (BSS) bandwidth are available (i.e., allowed to transmit or not punctured) and which are unavailable (i.e., prohibited to transmit or punctured). Optionally, the beacon frame also includes second sector indication information, indicating the presence of a second sector. The specific implementations of the EHT operation element, the second sector indication information, and the second sector presence indication can be found in the corresponding descriptions in Implementation Method 1 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0193] Understandably, because beacon frames are broadcast, STAs near the AP (such as the third type of device in Table 1 above: customers connected to the standard power access point) can obtain information on which sub-channels are available and which are not, even if they are not connected to the regulatory database; thus reducing interference to existing users. Furthermore, fixed customers near the AP (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 below) can also obtain information on the AP's channel usage, and, combined with their own channel usage, select channels that are usable by both the fixed customer and the AP for data transmission, thereby reducing interference to the AP and existing users near the fixed customer.

[0194] The above Figure 9 The associated request frame includes first indication information, and optionally also includes one or more of the following: an existence indication of the first indication information, a first site type indication information, a first sector indication information, and a first sector existence indication. The specific implementations of the first indication information, the existence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector existence indication can be referred to the corresponding descriptions in Implementation Method 1 above, and will not be repeated here. Alternatively, the above... Figure 9 The associated request frame in the file may include the above. Figure 6The STA operation element, and the fields and their meanings in the STA operation element, are detailed in the preceding text. Figure 6 The description in the text will not be repeated here.

[0195] The above Figure 9 The associated response frame may include one or more of the following information: second indication information, second indication information presence indication, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The specific implementations of the second indication information, second indication information presence indication, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication can be found in the corresponding descriptions in Implementation Method 1 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0196] It should be understood that the above Figure 9 The channels through which association request frames are sent are all channels that the STA (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth (i.e., channels that are not punctured), and the sector directions for sending association request frames are all sectors that the STA (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. Similarly, the above... Figure 9 The channels through which beacon frames and associated response frames are sent are channels that the AP (i.e., the second device) is allowed to transmit (i.e., not punctured) within the BSS bandwidth of the AP. The sector directions for sending beacon frames and associated response frames are also sectors that the AP (i.e., the second device) is allowed to transmit within the BSS bandwidth of the AP.

[0197] As can be seen from Implementation Methods 1 and 2 above, a station connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1: fixed customer) declares its station type (indicated by the first station type indication information) through probe request frames or association request frames. This allows the AP (access point connected to the regulatory database, i.e., the first type of device in Table 1: AFC-controlled standard power access point) to know that the STA is a fixed customer. Therefore, the STA can use higher ERIP and PSD limits, resulting in a greater transmission distance. Furthermore, because the STA is connected to the regulatory database (meaning it can know the user information of existing users), and declares the prohibited (or punctured) sub-channels of its geographical location through probe request frames or association request frames, the AP can more accurately know the channel usage of the fixed customer (i.e., the STA) (i.e., which channels are occupied by existing users and which are not), thus selecting channels more accurately and preventing interference to existing users around the fixed customer (i.e., the STA).

[0198] Implementation method 3

[0199] The first request frame mentioned above is a pairing request frame, and the first response frame mentioned above is a pairing response frame. The channel indication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to the device-to-device (D2D) pairing process. The first device mentioned above is a station connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above: a fixed customer. The second device mentioned above is a station other than the first device, such as a station connected to a standard power access point, i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above; or a station connected to a regulatory database, i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above: a fixed customer; or a station connected to a low power access point, i.e., the fifth type of device in Table 1 above.

[0200] For details, see Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a schematic flowchart of the channel indication method in the D2D pairing process provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 10 As shown, STA1 (i.e., the first device) sends a pairing request frame, and STA2 (i.e., the second device) sends a pairing response frame after receiving the pairing request frame, thus completing the pairing.

[0201] Among them, the above Figure 10 The pairing request frame includes first indication information, and optionally also includes one or more of the following: an indication of the existence of the first indication information, a first site type indication information, a first sector indication information, and a first sector existence indication. Specifically, the specific implementations of the first indication information, the indication of the existence of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector existence indication can be referred to the corresponding descriptions in Implementation Method 1 above, and will not be repeated here. Or, in other words, the above... Figure 10 The pairing request frame in the middle may include the above Figure 6 The STA operation element, and the fields and their meanings in the STA operation element, are detailed in the preceding text. Figure 6 The description in the text will not be repeated here.

[0202] The above Figure 10The pairing response frame may include one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The second site type indication information in the pairing response frame indicates the type of STA2 (i.e., the second device), which can be one of the following: a site connected to a standard power access point, a site connected to an AFC system, or a site connected to a low-power access point. When STA2 (i.e., the second device) is a site connected to a standard power access point (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above) or a site connected to a low-power access point (i.e., the fifth type of device in Table 1 above), the pairing response frame may not contain the second indication information (i.e., the sub-channel bitmap is disabled) and the second sector indication information (i.e., the sector bitmap). Of course, in this case, the pairing response frame may also include second indication information (i.e., prohibiting the use of sub-channel bitmaps) and / or second sector indication information (i.e., sector bitmaps), and the second indication information (i.e., prohibiting the use of sub-channel bitmaps) may indicate that all sub-channels are allowed to transmit (or are not punctured), and the second sector indication information (i.e., sector bitmaps) may indicate that all sector directions are allowed to transmit. This is because stations connected to the standard power access point (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above) and stations connected to the low power access point (i.e., the fifth type of device in Table 1 above) are not directly connected to the regulatory database and cannot obtain existing user information for their geographical location. Therefore, stations connected to the standard power access point and stations connected to the low power access point prevent interference to existing users by reducing EIRP and PSD. When STA2 (i.e., the second device) is a station connected to the AFC system (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer), the pairing response frame may include second indication information (i.e., prohibiting the use of sub-channel bitmaps) and / or second sector indication information (i.e., sector bitmaps). If the above Figure 10 If the pairing response frame includes second indication information and / or second sector indication information, the second indication information can be used to indicate sub-channels where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the second bandwidth, and the second sector indication information can be used to indicate the sector direction where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the second bandwidth. The second bandwidth can be the maximum channel bandwidth supported by STA2 (i.e., the second device) or a preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz.

[0203] The presence indication of the second indication information can be used to indicate whether the second indication information exists (in the pairing response frame), and the presence indication of the second sector can be used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists (in the pairing response frame). Optionally, one or more of the second indication information, the presence indication of the second indication information, the second station type indication information, the second sector indication information, and the second sector presence indication can be carried in the above... Figure 6 For details regarding the STA operation elements shown, please refer to the preceding text. Figure 6 The corresponding descriptions will not be repeated here.

[0204] It should be understood that the above Figure 10 The channels through which pairing request frames are sent are all channels that STA1 (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth (i.e., channels that are not punctured), and the sector directions for sending pairing request frames are all sectors that STA1 (i.e., the first device) is allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. Similarly, the above... Figure 10 The channels of the pairing response frames are all channels that STA2 (i.e., the second device) is allowed to transmit within its maximum supported channel bandwidth or preset bandwidth (i.e., channels that are not punctured), and the sector directions of the pairing response frames are all sectors that STA2 (i.e., the second device) is allowed to transmit within its maximum supported channel bandwidth or preset bandwidth.

[0205] This application embodiment targets a fixed customer (STA, the first device) connected to a regulatory database. During the association or pairing process, the STA informs the AP or another site of its channel usage (whether transmission is permitted or occupied by an existing user) via a probe request frame, association request frame, or pairing request frame. This allows subsequent data communication to utilize permitted channels. Simultaneously, this application embodiment also carries the channel usage (whether transmission is permitted or occupied by an existing user) of the other end (i.e., the AP or another site) via a probe response frame, association response frame, or pairing response frame. This ensures both communicating parties are aware of each other's available channels, enabling transmission via mutually accessible channels and further reducing interference with existing users. This is because a fixed customer (STA) connected to the regulatory database can know which channels are unavailable to it, but the AP or STA communicating with it may not, potentially causing interference with existing users. For example, suppose the AP's available channel is channel 1, but channel 1 is unavailable to the STA. If the AP uses channel 1 to send information to the STA, it will interfere with existing users near the STA. In addition, the embodiments of this application also specify the sector directions that the two parties in the interaction communication are allowed to transmit during the association process or pairing process, so that the device can still use the channel in other sector directions even if there are existing users in some sector directions, thereby improving spectrum efficiency.

[0206] Example 2

[0207] Embodiment 2 of this application mainly describes how the STA (i.e., the first device) updates the channels for prohibited and permitted transmission of the STA (i.e., the first device) after successful association or pairing, and / or the sector directions for prohibited and permitted transmission change.

[0208] See Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is another schematic flowchart of the channel indication method provided in this application. This application embodiment can be implemented together with the foregoing Embodiment 1. Figure 11 As shown, the channel indication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0209] S201, the first device sends a Media Intervention Control Protocol Data Unit (MPDU), which is used to update the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth; the MPDU includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the sub-channels that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; wherein the sub-channels allowed to transmit indicated by the third indication information are different from the sub-channels allowed to transmit indicated by the first indication information, and / or the sub-channels prohibited to transmit indicated by the third indication information are different from the sub-channels prohibited to transmit indicated by the first indication information.

[0210] S202, the second device receives the MPDU.

[0211] S203, the second device sends an acknowledgment frame.

[0212] S204, the first device receives the acknowledgment frame.

[0213] The first device can be a site connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer). The second device can be an access point connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: AFC-controlled standard power access point), or the second device can be a site other than the first device, such as a site connected to a standard power access point in Table 1 above, or a site connected to a low power access point in Table 1 above, or a fixed customer in Table 1 above. Of course, the second device can also be a site not associated with any AP.

[0214] Optionally, the aforementioned first indication information can be carried in the first request frame of the aforementioned Embodiment 1. After successful association or pairing in the aforementioned Embodiment 1, if the channels for prohibited and permitted transmission of the first device change, and / or the sector directions for prohibited and permitted transmission change, the first device sends a Medium Intervention Control Protocol Data Unit (MPDU), which is used to update the sub-channels for permitted and / or prohibited transmission within the first bandwidth of the first device. Accordingly, the second device receives the MPDU. After receiving the MPDU, the second device sends an acknowledgment frame to confirm that the corresponding information change has been received. Accordingly, the first device receives the acknowledgment frame. The reasons for the aforementioned changes may be changes in the information in the regulatory database, such as changes in the registration status of existing users, power on / off status of existing users, or one or more of the following: time-sharing registration of existing users; or radar signals may be detected on certain channels, or there may be significant interference on certain channels. The aforementioned first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth. The maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device can be indicated by the PHY capabilities information field. The preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz.

[0215] The aforementioned MPDU may include third indication information, which may be an updated sub-channel prohibition bitmap. This third indication information can be used to indicate which sub-channels the first device is allowed to transmit (or not punctured) and / or prohibited to transmit (or punctured) within the first bandwidth. The sub-channels allowed to transmit (or not punctured) indicated by the third indication information are different from those indicated by the first indication information (or the previously received sub-channel prohibition bitmap) (this can be partially different or completely different); and / or, the sub-channels prohibited to transmit (or punctured) indicated by the third indication information are different from those indicated by the first indication information (or the previously received sub-channel prohibition bitmap) (partially different or completely different). In other words, the sub-channels allowed to transmit in this indication are different from those allowed to transmit in the previous indication, and / or the sub-channels prohibited to transmit in this indication are different from those prohibited to transmit in the previous indication.

[0216] Optionally, the MPDU described above can also be used to update the sector directions that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. Therefore, the MPDU may also include third sector indication information, which can be an updated sector bitmap. This third sector indication information can be used to indicate the sector directions that the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth. The sector directions allowed for transmission indicated by the third sector indication information are different from those indicated by the first sector indication information (or the previously received sector bitmap), and / or, the sector directions prohibited for transmission indicated by the third sector indication information are different from those indicated by the first sector indication information (or the previously received sector bitmap). In other words, the sector directions allowed for transmission indicated this time are different from those indicated previously, and / or the sector directions prohibited for transmission indicated this time are different from those indicated previously. The aforementioned first sector indication information can be carried in the first request frame of the aforementioned embodiment one.

[0217] Optionally, the MPDU may also carry a reason for the update / change of the prohibited transmission sub-channel, indicating the reason for the update / change. For example, the MPDU may also include a reason code field, which can be used to indicate the reason why the first device updates the allowed and / or prohibited transmission sub-channels within the first bandwidth. After receiving the reason code field of the MPDU, the second device can choose whether to change its allowed transmission channels and / or sector directions based on the reason. For example, if the first device changes its prohibited transmission sub-channels and / or sector directions because of changes in information in the regulatory database (detection of radar signals or changes in existing users), then the second device can also change its prohibited transmission sub-channels and / or sector directions accordingly, that is, the second device can also update its prohibited transmission sub-channels and / or sector directions. Optionally, if the second device is an AP connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above), the second device can update its prohibited transmission sub-channels and / or sector directions through periodically sent beacon frames. The beacon frame may include updated EHT operation elements, that is, updated prohibited transmission sub-channel bitmaps and / or sector bitmaps. If the second device is a site connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above), the second device can also update its prohibited transmission subchannel and / or sector direction by sending an MPDU. If the second device is a site connected to a standard power access point (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above) or a site connected to a low power access point (i.e., the fifth type of device in Table 1 above), no update is required.

[0218] However, if the change in the prohibited transmission sub-channel and / or sector direction of the first device is due to significant interference from other devices in a certain channel / sector direction, then the prohibited transmission sub-channel and / or sector direction of the second device may remain unchanged. Of course, for simplicity, the prohibited transmission sub-channel and / or sector direction of the second device may also always change accordingly, or never change accordingly.

[0219] It should be understood that the channel through which the first device sends the MPDU is a channel that is allowed to be transmitted within the updated first bandwidth (i.e., not punctured), and the sector direction in which the MPDU is sent is also a sector direction that is allowed to be transmitted within the updated first bandwidth.

[0220] Optionally, the MPDU may further include a presence indication of third indication information (such as a sub-field indicating that sub-channel bitmap is disabled) and / or a third sector presence indication (a sub-field indicating that sector bitmap is present). This presence indication of third indication information can be used to indicate whether the third indication information exists in the MPDU. If the MPDU contains a presence indication of third indication information, it is set to a first value (e.g., 1) to indicate the presence of the third indication information. The third sector presence indication can also be used to indicate whether the third sector indication information exists in the MPDU.

[0221] Optionally, the MPDU may include an action frame, and the third indication information may be carried in a field or an information element of the action frame, such as in the STA operation element of the action frame. One or more of the third sector indication information, the presence indication of the third indication information, the third sector presence indication, and the cause code field may also be carried in the STA operation element. For example, as described above... Figure 6 As shown, it can be Figure 6 Two bits of the 5-bit reserved field of the STA operation element shown are used as the reason code field.

[0222] Optionally, the aforementioned third indication information can be carried not only through the operation elements of the action frame but also through the aggregated control (A-control) subfield of the MPDU. This is because the sending end can transmit some control information in the high-throughput control field of the MPDU. Specifically, the A-control subfield in the high-efficiency variant of the high-throughput control field (currently including high-throughput, very high-throughput, and high-efficiency variants) uses a structure of one or more control identifiers plus control information to carry one to N pieces of control information. One or more of the aforementioned third sector indication information, the presence indication of the aforementioned third indication information, the presence indication of the aforementioned third sector, and the aforementioned cause code field can also be carried in the A-control subfield.

[0223] In this embodiment, the updated prohibited transmission sub-channels and / or sector bitmaps are carried in the A-control field of the MPDU, which can be transmitted to the second device along with data and other information at any time to quickly transmit the changed available channels and prevent interference to existing users.

[0224] For example, see Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the frame format provided in this application embodiment, showing the A-control sub-field carrying a prohibited sub-channel bitmap and a sector bitmap. For example... Figure 12As shown, the A-control subfield includes 1 to N control subfields, each containing a control identifier (control ID) and control information (control information). The control identifier indicates the type of control information. The control information in control subfield 1 may include, but is not limited to, the following subfields: a prohibited subchannel bitmap subfield (i.e., the aforementioned third indication information), a sector bitmap subfield (i.e., the aforementioned third sector indication information), and a reason code field. The prohibited subchannel bitmap subfield can be 16 bits long, corresponding to 16 20MHz subchannels in a predetermined order within 320MHz, either from low to high, from high to low, or otherwise. When a bit in the prohibited subchannel bitmap subfield is set to 1, it indicates that the corresponding 20MHz subchannel is prohibited from transmission (or punctured); when set to 0, it indicates that the corresponding 20MHz subchannel is allowed to transmit (or is not punctured). Similar to the prohibited sub-channel bitmap sub-field, the sector bitmap sub-field can be 8 bits long, corresponding to 8 pre-configured sector directions in a 360-degree direction. When a bit in this sector bitmap sub-field is set to 1, it indicates that transmission is prohibited in the corresponding sector direction; when it is set to 0, it indicates that transmission is permitted in the corresponding sector direction. The reason code field can be 2 bits long and is used to indicate the reason for prohibiting transmission of sub-channels and / or changes in sector directions.

[0225] Optionally, the control information in the aforementioned control subfield 1 may further include a subfield prohibiting the use of subchannel bitmap presence (i.e., the presence indication of the aforementioned third indication information, set to 1) and / or a sector bitmap presence subfield (the aforementioned third sector presence indication). Figure 12 Not shown in the image.

[0226] It should be understood that the above Figure 12 The names, lengths, and order of the fields in this example are merely illustrative and are not limited in this embodiment.

[0227] This application provides an update method for a first device (site) to notify a second device of available (or permitted) channels and sector directions, enabling the second device to know the channel usage status of the first device (which channels are occupied by existing users and which channels are not). This prevents the second device from sending data to the first device on channels that the first device does not allow transmission, or triggering the first device to send data, when the availability of available channels changes, and the first device is unable to acknowledge or send the data. This reduces the waste of air interface resources and minimizes interference with existing users.

[0228] Example 3

[0229] In Embodiment 3 of this application, data communication is performed between an access point connected to a regulatory database and a fixed customer (STA) connected to a regulatory database.

[0230] Optionally, Embodiment 3 of this application can be implemented based on the premise that both communicating parties know each other's permitted transmission sub-channels. The communicating parties can obtain each other's permitted transmission sub-channels through the methods provided in Embodiment 1 and / or Embodiment 2, or through other means (not limited to the methods provided in Embodiments 1 and 2). In other words, Embodiment 3 of this application can be implemented together with Embodiment 1 and / or Embodiment 2, for example, Embodiment 3 can be implemented after Embodiment 1 and / or after Embodiment 2. Embodiment 3 of this application can also be implemented independently.

[0231] See Figure 13 , Figure 13 This is a schematic flowchart of the data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 13 As shown, the data transmission method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0232] S301, the second device generates a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU is used to schedule the first device to perform uplink data transmission, or the PPDU is used to carry data to be sent to the first device.

[0233] S302, the second device transmits the PPDU on the first channel, the first channel being the channel in the intersection of the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second device's BSS bandwidth or the second bandwidth and the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth being the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth.

[0234] S303, the first device receives the PPDU on the first channel.

[0235] S304, the first device parses the PPDU.

[0236] The first device mentioned above is a site connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the second type of device in Table 1 above: fixed customer). The second device mentioned above is an access point connected to the regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: AFC-controlled standard power access point), or another site connected to the regulatory database.

[0237] Optionally, the second device generates and transmits a PPDU on the first channel, and correspondingly receives and parses the PPDU on the first channel. If the second device is an access point connected to a regulatory database (i.e., the first type of device in Table 1 above: a standard power access point controlled by AFC), then the first channel is the channel at the intersection of the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second device's BSS bandwidth and the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth. The PPDU is used to schedule the first device to transmit uplink data or to carry downlink data to be sent to the first device. If the second device is another site connected to the regulatory database, then the first channel is the channel at the intersection of the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the second bandwidth and the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth. The PPDU is used to carry data to be sent to the first device. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, and the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth can be one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz.

[0238] Optionally, the sub-channels allowed to be transmitted within the first bandwidth can be obtained by the channel indication method provided in the first or second embodiment, or by other means, which are not limited in this application.

[0239] In this embodiment of the application, when the second device and the first device are communicating, the channel usage of both parties is considered (which channels are occupied by existing users and which channels are not occupied by existing users). Data transmission is only allowed on channels that both parties allow (the indication of both parties on a certain channel is allowed to transmit, i.e., 0). This can reduce the impact on existing users.

[0240] As an alternative embodiment, there are two implementation methods for channels where transmission is permitted within the BSS bandwidth of the AP (i.e., the second device) but prohibited within the first bandwidth. The first implementation method involves the AP using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technology to communicate with other STAs that can transmit on that channel. For example, customers connected to standard power access devices controlled by AFC (i.e., the third type of device in Table 1 above), or other fixed customers connected to the regulatory database who indicate that transmission is permitted on that channel. This maximizes channel utilization and improves throughput. The second implementation method involves the AP (i.e., the second device) also refraining from transmission on channels prohibited by the STA (i.e., the first device), thus minimizing impact on existing users.

[0241] For channels where transmission is prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the AP (i.e., the second device), but permitted within the first bandwidth, the first device can perform D2D transmissions with other STAs on those channels. This maximizes channel utilization and improves throughput. Alternatively, the first device can choose not to transmit on channels prohibited by the AP (i.e., the second device), thus minimizing disruption to existing users.

[0242] The foregoing details the method provided in this application. To facilitate the implementation of the above-described solutions in the embodiments of this application, corresponding apparatus or devices are also provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0243] This application embodiment can divide the first device and the second device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following will combine... Figure 14 and Figure 15 The communication device according to embodiments of this application is described in detail. The communication device is either a first device or a second device; further, the communication device may be a device within a first device; or, the communication device may be a device within a second device.

[0244] In the case of using integrated units, see Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 14 As shown, the communication device includes a transceiver unit 11, and optionally also includes a processing unit 12.

[0245] In one design, the communication device can be a first device or a chip within the first device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The transceiver unit 11 is configured to send a first request frame, which includes first indication information. This first indication information indicates which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, which is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The transceiver unit 11 is also configured to receive a first response frame, where the first device is a station.

[0246] Optionally, processing unit 12 is used to generate a first request frame.

[0247] Optionally, the first request frame is a probe request frame, and the first response frame is a probe response frame. The transceiver unit 11 is further configured to: send an association request frame; and receive an association response frame.

[0248] Optionally, the aforementioned processing unit 12 is also used to generate an association request frame.

[0249] Optionally, the first request frame is an association request frame, and the first response frame is an association response frame. The transceiver unit 11 is further configured to: receive a beacon frame, the beacon frame including an EHT operation element, the EHT operation element including a prohibited subchannel bitmap, the prohibited subchannel bitmap being used to indicate allowed and prohibited subchannels within the basic service set (BSS) bandwidth of the second device, the second device being an access point.

[0250] Optionally, the first request frame is a pairing request frame, and the first response frame is a pairing response frame.

[0251] Optionally, the first indication information is a bit map, where one bit in the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission on the sub-channel corresponding to that bit.

[0252] Optionally, the first request frame may further include one or more of the following information: an indication of the presence of the first indication information, a first site type indication information, a first sector indication information, and a first sector presence indication. The indication of the presence of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate that the first indication information exists in the first request frame; the first site type indication information indicates the type of the first device, wherein the type of the first device is the type of a site connected to an Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) system; the first sector indication information indicates the sector directions in which the first device is allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the first bandwidth; and the first sector presence indication indicates whether the first sector indication information exists in the first request frame.

[0253] Optionally, the first sector indication information is a bitmap, where one bit in the first sector indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. Alternatively, the first sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, whereby the first device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers respectively.

[0254] Optionally, the first response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the second bandwidth, where the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The presence indication of the second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the first response frame. The second site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the second device, which is one of the following: a standard power access point type, a site type connected to a standard power access point, a site type connected to an AFC system, or a site type connected to a low power access point. The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction that is allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction that is allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the second bandwidth, where the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The second sector presence indicator is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the first response frame.

[0255] Optionally, the aforementioned second sector indication information is a bitmap, where one bit in the second sector indication information is used to indicate whether the second device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. Alternatively, the second sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, whereby the second device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers respectively.

[0256] Optionally, the aforementioned association request frame includes one or more of the following information: the first indication information, the presence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector presence indication. The presence indication of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate that the first indication information exists in the association request frame; the first site type indication information indicates the type of the first device, wherein the type of the first device is the type of a site connected to the AFC system; the first sector indication information indicates the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; and the first sector presence indication indicates whether the first sector indication information exists in the association request frame.

[0257] Optionally, the aforementioned associated response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; the presence indication of second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the associated response frame; the second site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the second device, which is a standard power access point type; the second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; and the second sector presence indication is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the associated response frame.

[0258] Optionally, the beacon frame may further include one or more of the following information: second sector indication information, second sector presence indication. The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; the second sector presence indication is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the beacon frame.

[0259] It should be understood that the communication device in this design can perform the aforementioned embodiments, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the communication device are respectively to realize the corresponding operations of the first device in the aforementioned embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0260] In another design, the aforementioned communication device can be a second device or a chip within the second device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The transceiver unit 11 is configured to receive a first request frame, which includes first indication information. This first indication information indicates which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, which is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, or 20MHz. The first device is a station. The transceiver unit 11 is also configured to send a first response frame, where the second device is an access point or a station other than the first device.

[0261] Optionally, the processing unit 12 is used to generate the first response frame.

[0262] Optionally, the first request frame is a probe request frame, and the first response frame is a probe response frame. The second device is an access point. The transceiver unit 11 is further configured to: receive association request frames; and send association response frames.

[0263] Optionally, the processing unit 12 described above is also used to generate associated response frames.

[0264] Optionally, the first request frame is an association request frame, and the first response frame is an association response frame. The second device is an access point. The transceiver unit 11 is further configured to: send a beacon frame, the beacon frame including an EHT operation element, the EHT operation element including a prohibited subchannel bitmap, the prohibited subchannel bitmap being used to indicate the subchannels that are allowed and prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device.

[0265] Optionally, the aforementioned processing unit 12 is also used to generate beacon frames.

[0266] Optionally, the first request frame is a pairing request frame, and the first response frame is a pairing response frame. The second device is a station other than the first device.

[0267] Optionally, the first indication information is a bit map, where one bit in the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission on the sub-channel corresponding to that bit.

[0268] Optionally, the first request frame may further include one or more of the following information: an indication of the presence of the first indication information, a first site type indication information, a first sector indication information, and a first sector presence indication. The indication of the presence of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate that the first indication information exists in the first request frame; the first site type indication information indicates the type of the first device, wherein the type of the first device is the type of a site connected to an Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) system; the first sector indication information indicates the sector directions in which the first device is allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the first bandwidth; and the first sector presence indication indicates whether the first sector indication information exists in the first request frame.

[0269] Optionally, the first sector indication information is a bitmap, where one bit in the first sector indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. Alternatively, the first sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, whereby the first device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers respectively.

[0270] Optionally, the first response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the second bandwidth, where the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The presence indication of the second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the first response frame. The second site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the second device, which is one of the following: a standard power access point type, a site type connected to a standard power access point, a site type connected to an AFC system, or a site type connected to a low power access point. The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction that is allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction that is allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the second bandwidth, where the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth. The second sector presence indicator is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the first response frame.

[0271] Optionally, the aforementioned second sector indication information is a bitmap, where one bit in the second sector indication information is used to indicate whether the second device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to that bit. Alternatively, the second sector indication information includes one or more sector identifiers, whereby the second device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers respectively.

[0272] Optionally, the aforementioned association request frame includes one or more of the following information: the first indication information, the presence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector presence indication. The presence indication of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate that the first indication information exists in the association request frame; the first site type indication information indicates the type of the first device, wherein the type of the first device is the type of a site connected to the AFC system; the first sector indication information indicates the sector directions in which the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within the first bandwidth; and the first sector presence indication indicates whether the first sector indication information exists in the association request frame.

[0273] Optionally, the aforementioned associated response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication. The second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; the presence indication of second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the associated response frame; the second site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the second device, which is a standard power access point type; the second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction where transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; and the second sector presence indication is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the associated response frame.

[0274] Optionally, the beacon frame may further include one or more of the following information: second sector indication information, second sector presence indication. The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; the second sector presence indication is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the beacon frame.

[0275] It should be understood that the communication device in this design can perform the aforementioned embodiments, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the communication device are respectively to realize the corresponding operations of the second device in the aforementioned embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0276] The first and second devices according to embodiments of this application have been described above. The possible product forms of the first and second devices are described below. It should be understood that any device possessing the above-described... Figure 14 Any form of product that incorporates the functions of the first or second device described herein falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. It should also be understood that the following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product forms of the first and second devices in the embodiments of this application to these examples.

[0277] As one possible product form, the first device and the second device described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a general bus architecture.

[0278] For clarity, see [link to documentation]. Figure 15 , Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1000 can be a first device or a second device, or a chip therein. Figure 15 Only the main components of the communication device 1000 are shown. In addition to the processor 1001 and transceiver 1002, the communication device may further include a memory 1003 and input / output devices (not shown).

[0279] The processor 1001 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. The memory 1003 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1002 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0280] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1001 can read the software program in the memory 1003, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1001 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1001. The processor 1001 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0281] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0282] The processor 1001, transceiver 1002, and memory 1003 can be connected via a communication bus.

[0283] In one design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment: the processor 1001 can be used to generate Figure 4 The first request frame sent in step S101, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Figure 4 Steps S101 and S104 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0284] In another design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment one: the processor 1001 can be used to generate Figure 4 The first response frame sent in step S103, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Figure 4 Steps S102 and S103 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0285] In one design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment two: the processor 1001 can be used to generate Figure 11 The MPDU sent in step S201, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Figure 11 Steps S201 and S204 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0286] In another design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment two: the processor 1001 can be used to generate Figure 11 The acknowledgment frame sent in step S203, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Figure 11 Steps S202 and S203 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0287] In one design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment three: the processor 1001 can be used to execute... Figure 13 Step S304, and / or other processes for performing the techniques described herein; transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Figure 13 Step S303 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0288] In another design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment three: the processor 1001 can be used to perform... Figure 13 In step S301, and / or other processes for performing the techniques described herein; transceiver 1002 can be used to perform Figure 13 Step S302 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0289] In any of the above designs, the processor 1001 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0290] In any of the above designs, the processor 1001 may store instructions, which may be computer programs. These computer programs, running on the processor 1001, cause the communication device 1000 to execute the methods described in any of the above method embodiments. The computer program may be embedded in the processor 1001; in this case, the processor 1001 may be implemented in hardware.

[0291] In one implementation, the communication device 1000 may include circuitry capable of performing the functions of transmitting, receiving, or communicating as described in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this application can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive-channel metal-oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon-germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0292] The scope of the communication device described in this application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may vary. Figure 15 The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0293] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0294] (2) A collection of one or more ICs, optionally including storage components for storing data and computer programs;

[0295] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0296] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0297] (5) Receivers, terminals, smart terminals, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.

[0298] (6) Others, etc.

[0299] As one possible product form, the first device and the second device described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a general-purpose processor.

[0300] The general-purpose processor that implements the first device includes processing circuitry and input / output interfaces that are internally connected and communicate with the processing circuitry.

[0301] In one design, a general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuitry can be used to generate... Figure 4 The first request frame sent in step S101, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; the input / output interface can be used to perform Figure 4 Steps S101 and S104 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0302] In one design, a general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment two. Specifically, the processing circuitry can be used to generate... Figure 11 The MPDU sent in step S201, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; the input / output interface can be used to perform Figure 11 Steps S201 and S204 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0303] In one design, a general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment three. Specifically, the processing circuitry can be used to perform... Figure 13 Step S304, and / or other processes for performing the techniques described herein; the input / output interface can be used to perform Figure 13 Step S303 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0304] The general-purpose processor that implements the second device includes processing circuitry and input / output interfaces that are internally connected and communicate with the processing circuitry.

[0305] In one design, a general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment one. Specifically, the processing circuitry can be used to generate... Figure 4 The first response frame sent in step S103, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; the input / output interface can be used to perform Figure 4Steps S102 and S103 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0306] In one design, a general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment two. Specifically, the processing circuitry can be used to generate... Figure 11 The confirmation frame sent in step S203, and / or other processes used to perform the techniques described herein; the input / output interface can be used to perform Figure 11 Steps S202 and S203 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0307] In one design, a general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment three. Specifically, the processing circuitry can be used to perform... Figure 13 In step S301, and / or other processes for performing the techniques described herein; the input / output interface can be used to perform Figure 13 Step S302 in the document, and / or other processes used in the techniques described herein.

[0308] It should be understood that the communication devices of the various product forms described above have any of the functions of the first or second device in any of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0309] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program code. When the processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device performs the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0310] This application also provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0311] This application also provides a communication device, which can exist in the form of a chip. The device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device can execute the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0312] This application also provides a wireless communication system, including a first device and a second device, which can perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0313] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the core network interface device.

[0314] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described in this application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0315] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made on the basis of the technical solution of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A channel indication method, characterized by, include: The first device sends a first request frame, which includes first indication information and first sector indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first sector indication information is used to indicate which sector directions the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission on each sub-channel allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth, wherein the preset bandwidth is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The first device receives the first response frame, and the first device is a station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first request frame is a probe request frame, and the first response frame is a probe response frame; After the first device receives the first response frame, the method further includes: The first device sends an association request frame; The first device receives the associated response frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first request frame is an associated request frame, and the first response frame is an associated response frame; Before the first device sends the first request frame, the method further includes: A first device receives a beacon frame, which includes an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation element. The EHT operation element includes a prohibited subchannel bitmap, which indicates which subchannels are allowed and prohibited from transmission within the Basic Service Set (BSS) bandwidth of a second device, where the second device is an access point.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first request frame is a pairing request frame, and the first response frame is a pairing response frame.

5. A channel indication method, comprising: include: The second device receives a first request frame, which includes first indication information and first sector indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first sector indication information is used to indicate which sector directions the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission on each sub-channel allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The first device is a station. The second device sends a first response frame, whereby the second device is an access point or a site other than the first device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first request frame is a probe request frame, and the first response frame is a probe response frame; The second device is an access point; After the second device sends the first response frame, the method further includes: The second device receives an association request frame; The second device sends an associated response frame.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first request frame is an associated request frame, and the first response frame is an associated response frame; the second device is an access point; Before the second device receives the first request frame, the method further includes: The second device sends a beacon frame, which includes EHT operation elements. The EHT operation elements include a prohibited subchannel bitmap, which indicates which subchannels are allowed and prohibited from transmission within the second device's BSS bandwidth.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first request frame is a pairing request frame, and the first response frame is a pairing response frame; the second device is a station other than the first device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first indication information is a bitmap, and one bit in the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission on the sub-channel corresponding to the bit.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first request frame also includes one or more of the following information: the presence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, and the presence indication of the first sector; The presence indication of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate that the first indication information exists in the first request frame; The first site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the first device, wherein the type of the first device is the type of the site connected to the Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) system. The first sector presence indicator is used to indicate whether the first sector indication information exists in the first request frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first sector indication information is a bit map, and one bit in the first sector indication information is used to indicate whether the first device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to the bit. Alternatively, the first sector indication information may include one or more sector identifiers, in which the first device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers respectively.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and second sector presence indication; The second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels that are allowed to transmit and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second indication information is used to indicate sub-channels that are allowed to transmit and / or prohibited from transmission within the second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the second device or the preset bandwidth; The presence indication of the second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the first response frame; The second site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the second device, which is one of the following: standard power access point type, site type connected to a standard power access point, site type connected to an AFC system, or site type connected to a low power access point. The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device, or the second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector direction in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the second bandwidth; The second sector presence indicator is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the first response frame.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The second sector indication information is a bit map, and one bit in the second sector indication information is used to indicate whether the second device allows transmission in the sector direction corresponding to the bit. Alternatively, the second sector indication information may include one or more sector identifiers, in which the second device allows or prohibits transmission in the sector direction identified by the one or more sector identifiers respectively.

14. The method of claim 2 or 6, wherein, The association request frame includes one or more of the following information: the first indication information, the existence indication of the first indication information, the first site type indication information, the first sector indication information, and the first sector existence indication; The presence indication of the first indication information is set to a first value to indicate that the first indication information exists in the associated request frame; The first site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the first device, wherein the type of the first device is the type of the site connected to the AFC system; The first sector presence indicator is used to indicate whether the first sector indication information exists in the association request frame.

15. The method according to claim 2 or 6, characterized in that, The associated response frame includes one or more of the following information: second indication information, presence indication of second indication information, second site type indication information, second sector indication information, and presence indication of second sector; The second indication information is used to indicate the sub-channels that are allowed and / or prohibited from transmission within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; The presence indication of the second indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the associated response frame; The second site type indication information is used to indicate the type of the second device, which is a standard power access point type; The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; The second sector presence indicator is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the associated response frame.

16. The method according to claim 3 or 7, characterized in that, The beacon frame also includes one or more of the following information: second sector indication information, indicating the presence of a second sector; The second sector indication information is used to indicate the sector directions in which transmission is permitted and / or prohibited within the BSS bandwidth of the second device; The second sector presence indicator is used to indicate whether the second sector indication information exists in the beacon frame.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver unit is configured to send a first request frame, which includes first indication information and first sector indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate which sub-channels the communication device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first sector indication information is used to indicate which sector directions the communication device allows and / or prohibits transmission on each sub-channel allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the communication device or a preset bandwidth, wherein the preset bandwidth is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The transceiver unit is used to receive the first response frame, and the communication device is a station.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver unit is configured to receive a first request frame, the first request frame including first indication information and first sector indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate which sub-channels the first device allows and / or prohibits transmission within a first bandwidth. The first sector indication information is used to indicate which sector directions the communication device allows and / or prohibits transmission on each sub-channel allowed to transmit within the first bandwidth. The first bandwidth is the maximum channel bandwidth supported by the first device or a preset bandwidth. The preset bandwidth is one of 320MHz, 160MHz, 80MHz, 40MHz, and 20MHz. The first device is a station. The transceiver unit is used to send a first response frame, and the communication device is an access point or a station other than the first device.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a transceiver, the transceiver being used to send and receive frames, and the processor, when executing program instructions, causing the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-16.

21. A computer program product containing program instructions, characterized in that, When the program instructions are executed on a computer, the computer performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-16.

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