Communication method and communication apparatus for basic service set handover

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication device for a communication method for basic service set handover. The communication method can comprise: determining a first message frame, wherein the first message frame comprises: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set handover within the AP MLD and / or basic service set handover in an extended basic service set; and transmitting the first message frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and communication switching device for basic service set switching. Background Technology

[0002] Current Wi-Fi technology research focuses on 320MHz bandwidth transmission, aggregation and coordination of multiple frequency bands, etc., with the aim of improving the speed and throughput by at least four times compared to existing standards. Its main application scenarios are video transmission, AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), etc.

[0003] Multi-band aggregation and coordination refers to communication between devices simultaneously in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands. This requires defining a new MAC (Media Access Control) mechanism for management. Furthermore, it is expected that multi-band aggregation and coordination can support low-latency transmission.

[0004] The maximum bandwidth currently supported in multi-band aggregation and system technology is 320MHz (160MHz+160MHz), and it may also support 240MHz (160MHz+80MHz) and other bandwidths.

[0005] In current technology, stations (STAs) and access points (APs) can be multi-link devices (MLDs), meaning they support sending and / or receiving functions under multiple connections. Therefore, in current technology, multiple connections can exist between STAs and APs, and communication between these two devices under multiple connections is being researched. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Various aspects of this disclosure will at least address the aforementioned problems and / or drawbacks. The various embodiments of this disclosure provide the following technical solutions:

[0007] A communication method is provided according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. The communication method can be applied to an access point (AP MLD) supporting multi-connection communication and includes: determining a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching within an extended basic service set; and sending the first message frame.

[0008] Another communication method is provided according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. The communication method can be applied to a site supporting multi-connection communication (non-AP STA MLD) and includes: receiving a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching within an extended basic service set, wherein the AP MLD is an access point supporting multi-connection communication and communicates with the non-AP STA MLD; and performing a communication operation based on the first message frame.

[0009] A communication apparatus is provided according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. The communication apparatus can be applied to an access point (AP MLD) supporting multiple connection communication, and includes: a processing module configured to: determine a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching within an extended basic service set; and a transceiver module configured to: send the first message frame.

[0010] Another communication apparatus is provided according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. The communication apparatus can be applied to a site supporting multi-connection communication (non-AP STA MLD) and includes: a transceiver module configured to: receive a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information of the AP MLD supporting basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching within an extended basic service set, wherein the AP MLD is an access point supporting multi-connection communication and communicates with the non-AP STA MLD; and a processing module configured to: control the execution of communication operations based on the first message frame.

[0011] An electronic device is provided according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. The electronic device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the method described above.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. A computer program is stored on the computer-readable storage medium. When executed by a processor, the computer program implements the method described above. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The above and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] Figure 1This is an exemplary diagram illustrating the extended basic service set.

[0015] Figure 2 This is an exemplary diagram illustrating multi-connection communication.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating interactive communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, is provided to aid in a comprehensive understanding of the various embodiments of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The various embodiments of this disclosure include a variety of specific details, but these details are to be considered exemplary only. Furthermore, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of well-known techniques, functions, and constructions may be omitted.

[0021] The terms and words used in this disclosure are not limited to their literal meanings, but are used solely by the inventors to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Therefore, the descriptions of various embodiments of the disclosure provided are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes.

[0022] It should be understood that, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the word “comprising” as used in this disclosure means the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0023] It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments, the first element discussed below may be referred to as the second element.

[0024] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Furthermore, the term “connected” or “coupled” as used herein can include wireless connections or wireless couplings. The terms “and / or” or the expression “at least one of…” as used herein include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0026] Figure 1 This is an exemplary diagram illustrating the extended basic service set.

[0027] In a wireless LAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) can consist of an Access Point (AP) device and one or more non-AP devices (or Stations (STAs)) communicating with the AP device. A BSS can connect to a Distributed System (DS) through its AP devices, and then connect to another BSS to form an Extended Service Set (ESS). Figure 1 As shown, the first basic service set BSS1 and the second basic service set BSS2 constitute the extended basic service set (ESS). However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the extended basic service set (ESS) may contain more basic service sets.

[0028] Each access point (AP) in a basic service cluster is a wireless switch used for the wireless network and is the core of the wireless network. AP devices can be used as wireless base stations, primarily serving as bridges connecting wireless and wired networks. Using these AP devices, wired and wireless networks can be integrated.

[0029] As an example, an AP device may include software applications and / or circuitry to enable other types of nodes in a wireless network to communicate with both the outside and inside of the wireless network via the AP. For instance, an AP device may be a terminal device or network device equipped with a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) chip.

[0030] As an example, the site (STA) devices in each basic service set may include, but are not limited to: cellular phones, smartphones, wearable devices, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal communication system (PCS) devices, personal information managers (PIMs), personal navigation devices (PNDs), global positioning systems, multimedia devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc.

[0031] Although Figure 1 The illustration shows a first access point device AP11 communicating with three site devices (STA11, STA12, STA13) in a first basic service set BSS1, and a second access point device AP21 communicating with three site devices (STA21, STA22, STA23) in a second basic service set BSS2. However, this is merely exemplary, and embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the number and / or type of AP devices and STA devices can be any.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the access point device and site (STA) device in each basic service set can be a multi-link device (MLD), for example, it can be represented as an AP MLD and a non-AP STA MLD, respectively. That is, the AP MLD and the non-AP STA MLD support the function of transmitting and / or receiving under multiple connections. For example, there can be multiple connections between the AP MLD and the non-AP STA MLD at different frequencies, such as connections at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, or several connections with the same or different bandwidths at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. In addition, there can be multiple channels under each connection. The communication method and communication apparatus provided according to the embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to communication between the AP MLD and the non-AP STA MLD, that is, it can be applied to a multi-connection communication environment.

[0033] like Figure 2 The diagram illustrates multi-connection communication between an AP MLD and a non-AP STA MLD. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The three auxiliary access points AP1, AP2 and AP3 of the AP MLD communicate with the three auxiliary access points STA1, STA2 and STA3 of the non-AP STA MLD under the corresponding links Link1, Link2 and Link3, respectively. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Depending on the configuration and performance of the devices, there may be fewer or more connections between the AP MLD and the non-AP STA MLD.

[0034] To improve BSS throughput, BSS handover occurs within the ESS (extended service set). In a multi-connectivity communication environment, APs attached to the same AP MLD form different BSSs, each with a different Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID), for example, ... Figure 2The three associated APs (AP1, AP2, and AP3) of the AP MLD shown can each constitute three BSSs, each with a different BSSID. In a multi-connectivity communication environment, a STA may switch from a BSS attached to the same AP MLD to another BSS, or switch to a BSS of a different AP MLD (Extended Basic Service Set). Existing technology lacks a mechanism suitable for such BSS switching in multi-connectivity communication environments, thus requiring enhancement.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment. Figure 2 The communication method shown can be applied to access points (AP MLDs) that support multi-connection communication.

[0036] Reference Figure 3 In step 310, a first message frame is determined, which may include: first support capability information of the AP MLD supporting basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set. In step 320, the first message frame may be sent. Steps 310 and 320 can be performed on any of the multiple connections supported by the AP MLD, and can be performed on the same or different connections.

[0037] In embodiments of this disclosure, the first message frame may be a beacon frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, a probe response frame, etc. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and other types of frames carrying first support capability information are also feasible.

[0038] In the embodiments of this disclosure, there can be many ways to determine the first message frame. For example, the first message frame can be generated based on at least one of the following conditions: channel state, network conditions, load conditions, hardware capabilities of the transmitting / receiving devices, service type, and relevant protocol specifications; this disclosure does not impose specific limitations on this. In the embodiments of this disclosure, the first message frame can also be obtained from an external device, and this disclosure does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0039] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first message frame may include an ExtendedCapabilities element, wherein the first supported capability information is identified by a first bit in the ExtendedCapabilities element of the first message frame. As an example, the ExtendedCapabilities element may have the format shown in Table 1 below.

[0040] Table 1. Format of Extended Capability Information Elements

[0041]

[0042] Referring to Table 1, the extended capability information element may include: an element ID field for identifying the extended capability information element, a length field for identifying the length of the extended capability information element, and an extended capability field for carrying various capability information.

[0043] For example, the first bit may be included in the Extended Capabilities field. According to embodiments of this disclosure, when the first bit is set to a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set handover within the AP MLD; when the first bit is set to a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set handover in the extended basic service set; and when the first bit is set to a third value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set handover both within the AP MLD and in the extended basic service set.

[0044] In embodiments of this disclosure, "switching basic service sets within an AP MLD" means switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs belonging to the same AP MLD, for example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, a basic service set handover is performed between AP1 to AP3, which are attached to the same AP MLD; "basic service set handover in extended basic service set" means a handover is performed between the basic service sets of attached APs that are not attached to the same AP MLD, for example, as... Figure 1 As shown, a basic service set switch is performed between the auxiliary AP of AP11, which is an AP MLD, and the auxiliary AP of AP21, which is another AP MLD.

[0045] As a descriptive example only, the first bit may have multiple bits (e.g., 2 bits), for example, but not limited to, the BSS handover capability information supported by the AP MLD may be identified by the 19th and 88th bits in the Extended Capabilities field, as shown in Table 2 below.

[0046] Table 2. Identifiers for BSS handover

[0047]

[0048] In Table 2, “dot11BSSTransitionActivated” identifies the BSS transition activation primitive, which can be set on the MAC.

[0049] For example, when the first bit is set to "10 (first value)" (e.g., bit 19 in Table 2 is set to "1" and bit 88 is set to "0"), it indicates that the AP MLD supports BSS switching within the AP MLD; when the first bit is set to "01 (second value)" (e.g., bit 19 in Table 2 is set to "0" and bit 88 is set to "1"), it indicates that the AP MLD supports BSS switching in the ESS; when the first bit is set to "11 (third value)" (e.g., bit 19 in Table 2 is set to "1" and bit 88 is set to "1"), it indicates that the AP MLD supports both BSS switching within the AP MLD and BSS switching in the ESS. It will be understood that the values ​​of the first to third values ​​described above are merely illustrative examples, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0050] The AP MLD can identify its support for BSS handover in the extended capabilities information element. This identification is MLD-level (i.e., the identified BSS handover support capability applies to all connections supported by the AP MLD). Furthermore, it can indicate that it supports BSS handover within the AP MLD or between different AP MLDs. For example, setting bit 19 to "1" indicates that it supports BSS handover within the AP MLD; setting bit 19 to "1" and bit 88 to "1" indicates that it supports BSS handover both within the AP MLD and between different AP MLDs; setting bits 19 and 88 to different values ​​(e.g., 01) indicates that it supports BSS handover between different AP MLDs.

[0051] Furthermore, it will be understood that the first bit identifying BSS switching capability can have a different number of bits. For example, it can have a single bit, in which case bit 19 in Table 2 can be described as, for example, "set to 1 to indicate support for BSS switching within the AP MLD; set to 0 to indicate support for BSS switching both within the AP MLD and in the ESS".

[0052] Will understand, Figure 3 The steps included in the communication method shown are merely exemplary, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, Figure 3The communication method shown may further include: receiving a second message frame from a multi-connection communication-enabled station (non-AP STAMLD) communicating with the AP MLD, wherein the second message frame may include: second support capability information that the non-AP STAMLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set.

[0053] In embodiments of this disclosure, the first message frame may be an association request frame, a re-association request frame, a probe request frame, etc. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and other types of frames carrying second support capability information are also feasible.

[0054] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second message frame may include an ExtendedCapabilities element, the format of which may be as shown in Table 1. The second supported capability information is identified by a second bit in the ExtendedCapabilities element of the second message frame.

[0055] For example, the second bit may be included in the Extended Capabilities field. According to embodiments of this disclosure, when the second bit is set to a first value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set handover within the AP MLD; when the second bit is set to a second value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set handover within the extended basic service set; and when the second bit is set to a third value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set handover both within the AP MLD and within the extended basic service set.

[0056] For example, the BSS handover capabilities supported by the non-AP STA MLD can be identified by the 19th and 88th bits in the Extended Capabilities field, as shown in Table 3 below.

[0057] Table 3. Identifiers for BSS handover

[0058]

[0059] Similar to the embodiment described above with reference to Table 2 for the first bit, the 19th bit and the 88th bit in Table 3 can be similarly set to the first to third values ​​to identify the BSS switching capability. For the sake of brevity, repeated descriptions are omitted here.

[0060] A non-AP STA MLD can identify its support for BSS handover in the extended capabilities information element. This identification is MLD-level (i.e., the identified BSS handover capability applies to all connections supported by the non-AP STA AP MLD). Furthermore, it can indicate that the non-AP STA MLD supports BSS handover within the AP MLD or between different AP MLDs. For example, setting bit 19 to "1" indicates that it supports BSS handover within the AP MLD; setting bit 19 to "1" and bit 88 to "1" indicates that it supports BSS handover both within the AP MLD and between different AP MLDs; setting bits 19 and 88 to different values ​​(e.g., 01) indicates that it supports BSS handover between different AP MLDs.

[0061] In the embodiments of this disclosure, AP MLD and non-AP STA MLD can exchange capability information through a first message frame and a second message frame to learn about each other's various capabilities, such as BSS handover capabilities, so as to make reasonable communication plans based on each other's capability information in subsequent communication processes.

[0062] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating interactive communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Reference Figure 4 In the first interactive operation, an example of establishing an association connection between an AP MLD and a non-AP STA MLD is shown. During this period, refer to Figure 3 The first message frame described may be a beacon frame transmitted in operation S410 or an associated response frame transmitted in operation S430, and the first support capability information may be carried in either the beacon frame or the associated response frame; see reference. Figure 3 The second message frame described may be an association request frame transmitted in operation S420, and the second support capability information may be carried in the association request frame. However, it will be understood that Figure 4 The first interactive operation shown is merely exemplary, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, an association connection can be established by sending a probe request frame through a non-AP STA MLD and receiving a probe response frame from the AP MLD, and the second support capability information and the first support capability information can be carried in the probe request frame and the probe response frame, respectively.

[0064] In the second interaction, the auxiliary access point of the AP MLD can receive a third message frame (S440) from the auxiliary site of the non-AP STA MLD. This third message frame may include identification information indicating a basic service set handover within the AP MLD. In other words, in the second interaction, the non-AP STA MLD can request a basic service set handover within the AP MLD. For example, the third message frame may be a BSS handover management request frame, which may carry information about the BSS handover. In operation S450, the auxiliary access point of the AP MLD can send a fourth message frame to the auxiliary site of the non-AP STA MLD to indicate the termination of the association connection between the auxiliary site and the corresponding auxiliary access point of the AP MLD. For example, the fourth message frame may be a disassociation frame, which carries information about terminating the connection. Specifically, in the second interaction, the auxiliary access point of the AP MLD, in response to receiving the third message frame indicating a BSS handover within the AP MLD, can terminate the association connection under this connection. For example, refer to... Figure 2 Assuming operations S440 and S450 are performed between access point AP2 of the AP MLD and site STA2 of the non-AP STA MLD, when AP2 receives a BSS handover management request frame (third message frame) instructing STA2 to request a BSS handover within the AP MLD (e.g., STA2 can switch to the basic service set of AP1 or AP3), AP2 can send a deassociation frame (fourth message frame) to STA2, thereby canceling the second connection Link2 between AP2 and STA2. Upon receiving the deassociation frame (fourth message frame), site STA2 of the non-AP STA MLD can cancel the corresponding connection and switch to the BSS of another affiliated access point within the same AP MLD for communication.

[0065] In the third interaction, the auxiliary access point of the AP MLD can receive a fifth message frame (S460) from the auxiliary site of the non-AP STA MLD. This fifth message frame may include identification information indicating a basic service set handover within the extended basic service set. In other words, in the third interaction, the non-AP STA MLD can request a basic service set handover operation at a different AP MLD. For example, the fifth message frame may be a BSS handover management request frame, and this frame may carry information about the BSS handover. In operation S470, the auxiliary access point of the AP MLD can send a sixth message frame to the auxiliary site of the non-AP STA MLD to indicate the termination of all association connections between the non-AP STA MLD and the AP MLD. For example, the sixth message frame may be a disassociation frame, carrying information about terminating all association connections between the non-AP STA MLD and the AP MLD. Specifically, in the third interactive operation, in response to receiving a third message frame instructing the BSS to be switched to another AP MLD different from that AP MLD, the affiliated access point of the AP MLD can terminate all previous associations between that AP MLD and the associated non-AP STA MLD. For example, refer to Figure 2 Assuming operations S460 and S470 are performed between access point AP2 of AP MLD and site STA2 of non-AP STA MLD, when AP2 receives a BSS handover management request frame (fifth message frame) instructing STA2 to request a BSS handover in an extended basic service set (e.g., STA2 can switch to the basic service set of another AP MLD), AP2 can send a deassociation frame (sixth message frame) to STA2, thereby canceling all first connections Link1 to third connections Link3 between AP MLD and non-AP STA MLD. Upon receiving the deassociation frame (sixth message frame), site STA2 of non-AP STA MLD can cancel all associated connections and switch to the BSS of another affiliated access point of another AP MLD for communication.

[0066] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 The communication method shown can be applied to sites that support multi-connection communication (non-AP STA MLD).

[0067] Reference Figure 5In step 510, a first message frame is received, which may include: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set handover within the AP MLD and / or basic service set handover in an extended basic service set, wherein the AP MLD is an access point supporting multi-connection communication and communicates with non-AP STA MLDs. In step 520, a communication operation may be performed based on the first message frame. For example, a corresponding BSS handover operation may be performed based on the first support capability information carried in the first message frame.

[0068] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first support capability information can be identified by a first bit in the extended capability information element of the first message frame.

[0069] According to embodiments of this disclosure, when the first bit is set to a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD; when the first bit is set to a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching in the extended basic service set; and when the first bit is set to a third value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching both within the AP MLD and in the extended basic service set.

[0070] The first message frame, the first supported capability information, the extended capability information element of the first message frame, and the first bit can be similar to those described above. Figure 3 The embodiments described in Tables 1 and 2 are also referenced here, and for the sake of brevity, repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0071] Figure 5 The communication methods shown are merely exemplary, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, Figure 5 The communication method shown may further include: sending a second message frame to the AP MLD, wherein the second message frame may include: second support capability information that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in the extended basic service set.

[0072] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second support capability information can be identified by a second bit in the extended capability information element of the second message frame.

[0073] According to embodiments of this disclosure, when the second bit is set to a first value, it indicates that non-AP STAMLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD; when the second bit is set to a second value, it indicates that non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching within the extended basic service set; when the second bit is set to a third value, it indicates that non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching both within the AP MLD and within the extended basic service set.

[0074] The second message frame, the second support capability information, the extended capability information element of the second message frame, and the second bit can be similar to those described above. Figure 3 The embodiments described in Tables 1 and 3 are also included, but for the sake of brevity, repeated descriptions are omitted here.

[0075] also, Figure 5 The communication method shown may also include Figure 4 The operations performed by the non-AP STA MLD.

[0076] For example, a non-AP MLD subsidiary site can send a third message frame (S440), which may include identification information indicating a basic service set handover within the AP MLD. Further, the subsidiary site can receive a fourth message frame (S450), which may be used to indicate the termination of the association connection between the subsidiary site and the AP MLD's corresponding subsidiary access point.

[0077] For example, the auxiliary site of the non-AP MLD sends a fifth message frame (S460), which may include identification information indicating a basic service set switch in the extended basic service set. Further, the auxiliary site receives a sixth message frame (S470), which may be used to indicate the termination of all association connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0078] According to embodiments of this disclosure, if a subordinate STA switches within an AP MLD, an identifier can be used to indicate that the switch is internal. For example, a bit in the BSSID information field of the BSS handover management request frame can be used for identification. In this case, unlike the prior art (where an AP attached to the same AP MLD sends a disassociation frame to terminate the MLD-level connection (all associated connections)), the current associated connections can be terminated. Optionally, since the switch is to the same AP MLD, it is not necessary to send a disassociation frame. If the subordinate STA switches to a different AP MLD, the current AP sends a disassociation frame to terminate all connections.

[0079] The communication method according to the embodiments of this disclosure can realize BSS handover within the AP MLD and BSS handover in the extended service set, thereby improving spectrum utilization.

[0080] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating a communication device 600 according to an embodiment. Figure 6 The communication device 600 shown can be applied to AP MLD or non-AP MLD.

[0081] exist Figure 6 When the communication device 600 shown is applied to an AP MLD, the processing module 610 can be configured to determine a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information of the AP MLD supporting basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set; the transceiver module 620 can be configured to send the first message frame. That is, in this case, the communication device 600 can perform the following... Figure 3 The described communication method and Figure 4 The operations performed by the AP MLD, and the first message frame and first support capability information, the second message frame and second support capability information can be similar to those referenced. Figure 3 The embodiments described in Tables 1 to 3 are also included, but repeated descriptions are omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0082] exist Figure 6When the communication device 600 shown is applied to a non-AP STA MLD, the transceiver module 620 can be configured to receive a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information of the AP MLD supporting basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set, wherein the AP MLD is an access point supporting multi-connection communication and communicating with the non-AP STA MLD; the processing module 610 can be configured to control the execution of communication operations based on the first message frame. That is, in this case, the communication device 600 can perform the following... Figure 5 The described communication method Figure 4 The operations performed by the non-AP STA MLD, and the first message frame and first support capability information, the second message frame and second support capability information can be similar to those referenced. Figure 3 , Figure 5 The embodiments described in Tables 1 to 3 are also included, but repeated descriptions are omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0083] also, Figure 6 The communication device 600 shown is merely exemplary, and the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 600 may also include other modules, such as a memory module. Furthermore, the various modules in the communication device 600 may be combined into more complex modules, or may be divided into more individual modules.

[0084] The communication method and communication apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can realize BSS handover within the AP MLD and BSS handover in the extended service set, thereby improving spectrum utilization.

[0085] Based on the same principles as the methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, embodiments of this disclosure also provide an electronic device, which includes a processor and a memory; wherein the memory stores machine-readable instructions (also referred to as a "computer program"); ​​and the processor is configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to implement the reference... Figures 3 to 5 The method described.

[0086] Embodiments of this disclosure also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements a reference... Figures 3 to 5 The method described.

[0087] In exemplary embodiments, the processor may be a variety of exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a general-purpose processor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor may also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0088] In the example embodiment, the memory may be, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or other optical disc storage, optical disk storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0089] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the accompanying figures are shown sequentially as indicated by the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Furthermore, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the accompanying figures may include multiple sub-steps or multiple stages. These sub-steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and their execution order is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the sub-steps or stages of other steps.

[0090] While this disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments, but rather should be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method for basic service set switching, applied to an access point (AP MLD) supporting multi-connection communication, comprising: A first message frame is determined, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set; wherein, the basic service set switching within the AP MLD includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs belonging to the same AP MLD; the basic service set switching in the extended basic service set includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs not belonging to the same AP MLD; Send the first message frame.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein, The communication method further includes: The second message frame is received from a non-AP STA MLD, which supports multi-connection communication and communicates with the AP MLD. The second message frame includes: information on the second support capability of the non-AP STA MLD to perform basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or to perform basic service set switching within the extended basic service set.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein, The first support capability information is identified by the first bit in the extended capability information element of the first message frame. The second support capability information is identified by the second bit in the extended capability information element of the second message frame.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein, When the first bit is set to a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD; when the first bit is set to a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching in the extended basic service set; when the first bit is set to a third value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching both within the AP MLD and in the extended basic service set. Specifically, when the second bit is set to the first value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD; when the second bit is set to the second value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching in the extended basic service set; when the second bit is set to the third value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching both within the AP MLD and in the extended basic service set.

5. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The communication method further includes: A third message frame is received from an affiliated site of a non-AP STA MLD, wherein the third message frame includes identification information for indicating a basic service set switch within the AP MLD.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein, The communication method further includes: A fourth message frame is sent to the affiliated site to indicate the termination of the association connection between the affiliated site and the affiliated access point corresponding to the affiliated site in the AP MLD.

7. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The communication method further includes: A fifth message frame is received from an auxiliary site of a non-AP MLD, wherein the fifth message frame includes identification information for indicating a basic service set switchover in the extended basic service set.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein, The communication method further includes: A sixth message frame is sent to the affiliated site to instruct the termination of all association connections between the non-AP STA MLD and the AP MLD.

9. A communication method for basic service set switching, applied to a site supporting multi-connection communication, i.e., non-APSTA MLD, comprising: A first message frame is received, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set, wherein the AP MLD is an access point supporting multi-connection communication and communicates with the non-AP STA MLD; wherein, the basic service set switching within the AP MLD includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs belonging to the same AP MLD; the basic service set switching in the extended basic service set includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs not belonging to the same AP MLD; The communication operation is performed based on the first message frame.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein, The communication method further includes: Send a second message frame to the AP MLD. The second message frame includes: information on the second support capability of the non-AP STA MLD to perform basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or to perform basic service set switching within the extended basic service set.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein, The first support capability information is identified by the first bit in the extended capability information element of the first message frame. The second support capability information is identified by the second bit in the extended capability information element of the second message frame.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein, When the first bit is set to a first value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD; when the first bit is set to a second value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching in the extended basic service set; when the first bit is set to a third value, it indicates that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching both within the AP MLD and in the extended basic service set. Specifically, when the second bit is set to the first value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD; when the second bit is set to the second value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching in the extended basic service set; when the second bit is set to the third value, it indicates that the non-AP STA MLD supports basic service set switching both within the AP MLD and in the extended basic service set.

13. The communication method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The communication method further includes: The auxiliary site of the non-AP MLD sends a third message frame, wherein the third message frame includes identification information for indicating a basic service set switch within the AP MLD.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, wherein, The communication method further includes: The auxiliary site receives a fourth message frame, wherein the fourth message frame is used to indicate the termination of the association connection between the auxiliary site and the auxiliary access point corresponding to the auxiliary site of the AP MLD.

15. The communication method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The communication method further includes: The auxiliary site of the non-AP MLD sends a fifth message frame, wherein the fifth message frame includes identification information for indicating a basic service set switch in the extended basic service set.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein, The communication method further includes: The auxiliary site receives a sixth message frame, which indicates that all association connections between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD be terminated.

17. A communication device applied to an access point (AP MLD) supporting multiple connection communication, the communication device comprising: The processing module is configured to: determine a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set; wherein, the basic service set switching within the AP MLD includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs belonging to the same AP MLD; the basic service set switching in the extended basic service set includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs not belonging to the same AP MLD; The transceiver module is configured to send the first message frame.

18. A communication device for use in a non-AP STA MLD (Multi-Connection Station) supporting multi-connection communication, the communication device comprising: The transceiver module is configured to: receive a first message frame, wherein the first message frame includes: first support capability information that the AP MLD supports basic service set switching within the AP MLD and / or basic service set switching in an extended basic service set, wherein the AP MLD is an access point supporting multi-connection communication and communicates with the non-AP STA MLD; wherein the basic service set switching within the AP MLD includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs belonging to the same AP MLD; the basic service set switching in the extended basic service set includes: switching between basic service sets of affiliated APs not belonging to the same AP MLD; The processing module is configured to control the execution of communication operations based on the first message frame.

19. An electronic device comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein, When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8 or any one of claims 9 to 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8 or any one of claims 9 to 16.

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