Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

This disclosure provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The communication method may include: determining a first message frame under a first connection of a plurality of connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of a Communication Indication Message (TIM) frame broadcast interval requested by the site device in relation to the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and an associated access point device supporting multi-connection communication; and sending the first message frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. 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 frequency bands such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. Managing this simultaneous communication across multiple frequency bands requires defining a new MAC (Media Access Control) mechanism. 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 a site device supporting multi-connection communication and includes: determining a first message frame under a first connection of a plurality of connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information regarding a communication indication message (TIM) frame broadcast interval requested by the site device in relation to the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and an associated access point device supporting multi-connection communication; and sending the first message frame.

[0008] A communication method is provided according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. The communication method can be applied to an access point device supporting multi-connection communication and includes: receiving a first message frame under a first connection of a plurality of connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information regarding a communication indication message (TIM) frame broadcast interval related to the plurality of connections requested by a site device associated with the access point device that supports multi-connection communication, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and the access point device; 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 a site device supporting multi-connection communication and includes: a processing module configured to: determine a first message frame under a first connection among a plurality of connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of a Communication Indication Message (TIM) frame broadcast interval requested by the site device in relation to the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and an associated access point device supporting multi-connection communication; and a transceiver module configured to: send the first message frame.

[0010] A communication apparatus is provided according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. The communication apparatus can be applied to an access point device supporting multi-connection communication and includes: a transceiver module configured to: receive a first message frame under a first connection of a plurality of connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information regarding a communication indication message (TIM) frame broadcast interval related to the plurality of connections requested by a site device associated with the access point device supporting multi-connection communication, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and the access point device; 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 a communication scenario with multiple connections.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

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

[0018] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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 use of “connected” or “coupled” 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] Figure 1 This is an exemplary diagram illustrating a communication scenario with multiple connections.

[0026] In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a basic service set (BSS) can consist of an access point (AP) and one or more stations (STAs) communicating with the AP. A BSS can connect to a distribution system (DS) through its APs, and then connect to another BSS to form an extended service set (ESS).

[0027] An Access Point (AP) is a wireless switch used for wireless networks, and also serves as an access device for wireless networks. AP devices can be used as wireless base stations, primarily acting as bridges connecting wired and wireless networks. Using this type of access point (AP), wired and wireless networks can be integrated.

[0028] An access point (AP) 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. In some examples, for instance, an AP may be a terminal device or network device equipped with a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) chip.

[0029] As an example, a site (STA) may include, but is 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.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the AP and STA can be multi-connection devices, for example, they can be represented as AP MLD and non-AP STA MLD, respectively. For ease of description, the following mainly describes an example of an AP MLD communicating with a non-AP STA MLD under multi-connection (hereinafter referred to as "multi-connection communication"). However, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to this. For example, an AP MLD can communicate with multiple non-AP STA MLDs in multi-connection mode, or a non-AP STA MLD can communicate with different AP MLDs in multi-connection mode.

[0031] exist Figure 1 In this context, by way of example only, AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multi-connection communication functionality, and non-AP STA MLD can represent a site that supports multi-connection communication functionality. (See also...) Figure 1 The AP MLD can operate in three connection modes, such as... Figure 1 The diagram shows three auxiliary access points, AP1, AP2, and AP3. A non-AP STA MLD can also operate under all three connections, as shown below. Figure 1 The diagram shows STA1, STA2, and STA3, which include three affiliated stations. Figure 1 In the example, it is assumed that AP1 communicates with STA1 through the corresponding first connection Link 1. Similarly, AP2 and AP3 communicate with STA2 and STA3 through the second connection Link 2 and the third connection Link 3, respectively. Furthermore, Link 1 to Link 3 can be multiple connections at different frequencies, such as connections at 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, or several connections with the same or different bandwidths at 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. Additionally, multiple channels can exist under each connection. However, it should be understood that... Figure 1 The communication scenarios shown are merely illustrative, and the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the AP MLD and the non-AP STAMLD can communicate with more or fewer connections, or the AP MLD can be connected to multiple non-AP STAMLDs, or under each connection, the AP can communicate with multiple other types of stations.

[0032] The AP MLD can send a Traffic Indication Map (TIM) frame to indicate changes in its BSS parameters. For example, when a critical update occurs to any element within a beacon frame, the AP MLD will increment the value of the Check Beacon field in the subsequently sent TIM frame (modulo 256). According to embodiments of this disclosure, the following events concerning the access point's operational parameters will be categorized as critical updates:

[0033] a) Includes a Channel Switch Announcement element.

[0034] b) Includes an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element.

[0035] c) Modification of the EDCA parameter element

[0036] d) Inclusion of a quiet element

[0037] e) Modification of the DSSS Parameter Set

[0038] f) Modification of the HT Operation element

[0039] g) Includes a wide-bandwidth channel switching element.

[0040] h) Includes a Channel Switch Wrapper element.

[0041] i) Includes an Operating Mode Notification element.

[0042] j) Includes a Quiet Channel element.

[0043] k) Modification of the VHT Operation element

[0044] l) Modification of the HE Operation element

[0045] m) Inserting a Broadcast TWT element

[0046] n) Includes the BSS Color Change Announcement element, etc.

[0047] Furthermore, it will be understood that the events described above are merely exemplary, and the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. Other system information events are also possible, such as the modification of the EHT operation element, the modification of the MU EDCA parameter set element, the modification of the spatial reuse parameter set element, the modification of the UORA parameter set element, etc.

[0048] However, existing technologies lack a method for listening to TIM frames under multiple connections. Specifically, existing mechanisms are only applicable to communication operations under a single connection. For devices that support multi-connection communication, they may listen to beacon frames or TIM frames under different connections, thus requiring negotiation under different connections (e.g., through a re-association / association process or by sending TIM broadcast request frames). Therefore, existing mechanisms need to be enhanced.

[0049] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2The communication method shown can be applied to site equipment that supports multi-connection communication (e.g., non-AP STA MLD).

[0050] Reference Figure 2 In step 210, under the first connection of the plurality of connections, a first message frame is determined. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first message frame may include: first information regarding the broadcast interval of a Communication Indication Message (TIM) frame related to the plurality of connections requested by the site device. In embodiments of this disclosure, the plurality of connections refers to multiple connections established between the site device and an associated access point device supporting multi-connection communication. For example, in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, multiple connections may refer to Link1 to Link3, and the first connection may be one of Link1 to Link3.

[0051] 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: network conditions, load conditions, hardware capabilities of the sending / receiving devices, service type, and relevant protocol provisions; 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.

[0052] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first message frame may be a reassociation request frame, an association request frame, a TIM broadcast request frame, etc. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and other types of frames that can carry the first information are also feasible. In embodiments of this disclosure, the first information may include information about the TIM frame broadcast interval related to multiple connections requested by the site device. As an example, the TIM frame here is lightweight, that is, it only carries necessary information such as identifying the existence of BSS parameter changes. For example, compared to a beacon frame that carries multiple connection (ML) information elements, various capability information elements, etc., the TIM frame may only carry TIM information and check beacon information.

[0053] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the first information may include a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, wherein the TIM frame broadcast interval may represent the number of beacon frame periods between TIM frame transmissions. The setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection may be based on the beacon frame period under the first connection. For example, in combination with... Figure 1The description explains that when the first connection is Link2, if the TIM frame broadcast interval setting under the first connection is n (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), then the TIM frame broadcast interval can refer to n cycles of beacon frame transmission under Link2. In other words, a TIM frame is transmitted after n such cycles. By requesting the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, the station can periodically listen for TIM frames to determine, for example, whether BSS parameters have changed. In this case, the first message can be at the MLD level; that is, the first message frame only carries the TIM frame broadcast interval for one connection (the first connection) and not the TIM frame broadcast intervals for other connections among the multiple connections. However, the TIM frame broadcast intervals for other connections can be determined based on the TIM frame broadcast interval setting value under the first connection. For example, the TIM frame broadcast interval values ​​for connections other than the first connection among the multiple connections may have a specific offset value from the TIM frame broadcast interval setting value under the first connection. Specific offset values ​​can be carried in other information elements transmitted between non-AP STA MLD and AP MLD (e.g., Reduced Neighbor Report (RNRE) information elements, Multiple Connections (ML) information elements, etc.).

[0054] The first information can be encapsulated in various forms within the first message frame. In the following text, for ease of description, the first information will be described as an information element; for example, the first information can take the form of a TIM broadcast request element as shown in Table 1 below. Therefore, the terms "first information" and "TIM broadcast request element" may be used interchangeably in the following text.

[0055] Table 1. Format of TIM Broadcast Request Message Elements

[0056]

[0057] Referring to Table 1, the Element ID field can be used to identify a TIM broadcast request message element, the Length field can indicate the length of a TIM broadcast request message element, and the TIM BroadcastInterval field can indicate the number of beacon frame periods between TIM frame transmissions.

[0058] The value of the TIM Broadcast Interval field in Table 1 can be an example of the setting value of the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection included in the first information. In the following text, TIM Broadcast Interval may be used interchangeably with TIM frame broadcast interval.

[0059] For example, under a connection, a STA attached to a non-AP STA MLD carries a TIM broadcast request information element during the multi-connection establishment process (e.g., association request frame), wherein the TIM broadcast interval setting in the TIM broadcast request information element is based on the beacon frame period under this connection.

[0060] In another embodiment of this disclosure, the first information may include a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections. In this embodiment, the first information may also include connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections. In this case, the first information may be connection-level, that is, the first information may include setting values ​​for the TIM frame broadcast interval corresponding to each of the plurality of connections respectively. If the first information is described using a TIM broadcast request information element as an example, the TIM broadcast request information element may have the format shown in Table 2 below.

[0061] Table 2. Format of TIM Broadcast Request Message Elements

[0062]

[0063] The Element ID and Length fields in Table 2 are similar to those in Table 1, and repeated descriptions are omitted here to avoid redundancy.

[0064] Referring to Table 2, the TIM Broadcast Interval 1 field, TIM Broadcast Interval 2 field, etc., can be examples of TIM frame broadcast intervals for each connection in multiple connections, and their settings can be similar to the TIM Broadcast Interval field in Table 1; the Link ID 1 field, Link ID 2 field, etc., can be examples of connection identification information for each connection in multiple connections. For example, each connection identifier (Link ID 1, Link ID 2, etc.) can have multiple bits to identify a combination of information such as the operating spectrum, bandwidth / channel, and BSSID (basic service set identifier). However, examples of connection identification information are not limited to the Link ID 1, Link ID 2, etc. in Table 2. For example, the connection identification information can be a link set, which can have multiple bits, each bit corresponding to a corresponding connection in multiple connections. The multiple TIM broadcast interval fields in Table 2 can each correspond to the corresponding bits in the link set. Furthermore, the connection identification information can also be omitted from Table 2. For example, when the first message is a request for TIM frame broadcast intervals across all multiple connections, multiple TIM broadcast interval fields can be carried in a specific order (e.g., according to the bandwidth of each connection).

[0065] Continue to refer to Figure 2 In step 220, a first message frame may be sent. For example, the first message frame may be sent under a first connection. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first message frame may also be sent under any of a plurality of connections.

[0066] The communication method according to embodiments of this disclosure can carry information about the broadcast interval of TIM frames requested by a site device supporting multi-connection communication under one connection or multiple connections.

[0067] Figure 2 The communication methods shown are merely exemplary, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, Figure 3 A flowchart of interactive communication according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0068] Reference Figure 3 Steps 310 and 320 can correspond to Figure 2 Steps 210 and 220 in the text, therefore refer to Figure 2 The descriptions in Tables 1 and 2 can be referenced here; for the sake of brevity, repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0069] In step 340, the site device can receive a second message frame from the access point device (AP MLD). For example, a subordinate STA of a non-AP STA MLD can receive the second message frame from the corresponding subordinate AP of the AP MLD under a connection (first connection). In embodiments of this disclosure, the second message frame can be determined by the access point device based on the first message frame transmitted in step 320 (step 330). For example, the second message frame can include feedback information from the access point device in response to the first message. By way of descriptive example only, this feedback information can be carried in the second message frame in the form of a TIM Broadcastresponse element. For example, the second message frame can be a reassociation response frame, an association response frame, a TIM broadcast response frame, etc.

[0070] For example, if the access point device accepts the first message, the feedback information may include status information indicating acceptance of the first message. As another example, if the access point device rejects the first message, the feedback information may include second information about the TIM frame broadcast interval related to multiple connections, recommended (or suggested, set) by the access point device. In this case, the second information in the second message frame may have a format corresponding to the first information in the first message frame.

[0071] In one embodiment of this disclosure, if the first information in the first message frame includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, the second information in the second message frame may include a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection.

[0072] For example, the second information can be included in the TIM broadcast response information element in the format shown in Table 3 below.

[0073] Table 3. Format of TIM Broadcast Response Message Elements

[0074]

[0075] In Table 3, the element identifier field and length field can identify the TIM broadcast response information element and length, respectively. The Status field can indicate whether the access point device accepts the first information carried in the first message frame. When the Status field indicates acceptance, the TIM Broadcast Interval field can be omitted. When the Status field indicates rejection, the TIM Broadcast Interval field can be further included. For example, if the first message indicates the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection at the MLD level, the TIM Broadcast Interval field in the second message frame can identify the TIM frame broadcast interval recommended by the access point device under the first connection. The setting value of the TIM Broadcast Interval field in the second message frame can be similar to the setting value of the TIM Broadcast Interval field in Table 1; for simplicity, repeated descriptions are omitted here.

[0076] Furthermore, it will be understood that the format described in Table 3 is merely exemplary, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, optionally, the TIM broadcast response information element may also include a TIM Broadcast Offset field, a High Rate TIM Rate field, and a Low Rate TIM Rate field. The TIM Broadcast Offset field may include a time offset relative to the TBTT at the time the TIM frame is transmitted, for example, in milliseconds, and may have a tolerance of ±4 µs. The High Rate TIM Rate field may provide an indicator of the rate at which high data rate TIM frames are transmitted. The Low Rate TIM Rate field may provide an indicator of the rate at which low data rate TIM frames are transmitted.

[0077] In another embodiment of this disclosure, where the first information in the first message frame includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, the second information in the second message frame may include a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections. Furthermore, the second information may also include connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections. In this case, the TIM broadcast response information element, as an example of the second information, may have the format shown in Table 4 below.

[0078] Table 4. Format of TIM Broadcast Response Message Elements

[0079]

[0080] In Table 4, the element identifier field and length field can identify the TIM broadcast response information element and length, respectively. The status field can indicate whether the access point device accepts the first information carried in the first message frame. When the status field indicates acceptance, the TIM broadcast interval fields and the link ID fields can be omitted. When the status field indicates rejection, the TIM frame broadcast interval for each of the multiple connections can be further included, such as TIM Broadcast Interval 1, TIM Broadcast Interval 2, etc. The "Link ID 1, Link ID 2, etc." in Table 4 can be examples of the link identification information for each of the multiple connections. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the link identification information can be carried in a link set manner as described with reference to Table 2.

[0081] In one embodiment, the Status field may indicate whether to accept or reject the TIM frame broadcast interval requested by the first information in the first message frame for all connections. In this case, Table 4 may include only one Status field. However, in another embodiment, Table 4 may contain multiple Status fields, each corresponding to one of multiple connections, to indicate whether to accept the requested TIM frame broadcast interval for the corresponding connection. Furthermore, similar to Table 3, the TIM broadcast response elements shown in Table 4 may optionally include a TIM Broadcast Offset field, a High Rate TIM Rate field, and a Low Rate TIM Rate field, which may be MLD-level or connection-level.

[0082] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the TIM broadcast request information element is at the MLD level. Specifically, under a connection, a STA attached to a non-AP STA MLD carries a TIM broadcast request information element during the establishment of multiple connections (e.g., an association request frame), wherein the TIM broadcast interval setting in the TIM broadcast request information element is based on the beacon frame period under this connection. Under a receiving connection, an AP attached to an AP MLD replies, for example, with an association response frame to the STA attached to the non-AP STA MLD, including fields such as Status. If the Status field is set to "accept", the TIM broadcast interval field is not included; if it is set to "reject", the TIM broadcast interval field is included. This embodiment can be applied to TIM broadcast request frames.

[0083] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, the TIM broadcast request information element is connection-level. Specifically, the TIM broadcast request frame (or, (re)association request frame) contains a TIM broadcast interval information element for each connection, which corresponds to the Link ID. The TIM broadcast response frame (or, (re)association response frame) also contains a TIM broadcast interval information element for each connection, which corresponds to the Link ID. The TIM broadcast interval information element also includes a Status field; if the Status field indicates non-acceptance, a recommended TIM broadcastinterval field may be included. This embodiment can be applied to multi-connection establishment processes.

[0084] exist Figure 3 In the process, the non-AP STA MLD and AP MLD can negotiate the broadcast interval of TIM frames in steps 310 to 340, for example, during the multi-connection establishment process. This allows the non-AP STA MLD to listen to TIM frames according to the negotiated broadcast interval (step 350) to obtain the changes in BSS parameter information and meet the needs of multi-connection communication.

[0085] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 The communication method shown can be applied to access point devices that support multi-connection communication (e.g., AP MLD).

[0086] Reference Figure 4 In step 410, under the first connection of the multiple connections, a first message frame is received, wherein the first message frame may include: first information of the broadcast interval of a communication indication message (TIM) frame related to the multiple connections requested by a site device that supports multiple connection communication associated with the access point device, wherein the multiple connections refer to the multiple connections established between the site device and the access point device.

[0087] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first information may include a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, wherein the TIM frame broadcast interval represents the number of beacon frame cycles between TIM frame transmissions, and the setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection is based on the beacon frame cycle under the first connection.

[0088] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the TIM frame broadcast interval values ​​of the other connections among the plurality of connections besides the first connection can have a specific offset value from the TIM frame broadcast interval setting value under the first connection.

[0089] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first information may include a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections.

[0090] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first information may further include connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections.

[0091] The first message frame and the first information in step 410 can be similar to those in reference. Figure 2 The embodiments described in Tables 1 and 2 are omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0092] In step 420, a communication operation is performed based on the first message frame. For example, it can be determined whether to accept the first information in the first message frame, and a reference operation can be performed. Figure 3 Steps 330 and 340, performed by the AP MLD, are described.

[0093] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an access point device may send a second message frame to a site device, wherein the second message frame includes feedback information from the access point device regarding the first message.

[0094] According to embodiments of this disclosure, when the access point device receives a first message, the feedback information may include: status information indicating that the first message has been received.

[0095] According to embodiments of this disclosure, in the event that the access point device rejects the first message, the feedback information may include: second information about the TIM frame broadcast interval recommended by the access point device in relation to multiple connections.

[0096] According to embodiments of this disclosure, when the first information includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, the second information may include a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection.

[0097] According to embodiments of this disclosure, when the first information includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, the second information may include a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections.

[0098] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second information may further include connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections.

[0099] The second message frame and the second information here can be similar to the reference. Figure 3 The embodiments described in Tables 3 and 4 are omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0100] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] Reference Figure 5 The communication device 500 may include a processing module 510 and a transceiver module 520. Figure 5 The communication device shown can be applied to AP MLD or non-AP STA MLD.

[0102] exist Figure 5 When the communication device shown is applied to a non-AP STA MLD, the processing module 510 can be configured to: determine a first message frame in a first connection of multiple connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of the broadcast interval of a communication indication message (TIM) frame related to multiple connections requested by the site device, wherein multiple connections refer to multiple connections established between the site device and an associated access point device supporting multiple connection communication; the transceiver module 520 can be configured to: send the first message frame. In this case, the communication device 500 can perform the reference... Figure 2 The described communication method and Figure 3 The operations performed by the non-AP STA MLD are omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0103] exist Figure 5When the communication device shown is applied to an AP MLD, the transceiver module 520 can be configured to: receive a first message frame in a first connection of multiple connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of the broadcast interval of a communication indication message (TIM) frame related to multiple connections requested by a site device associated with the access point device that supports multi-connection communication, wherein multiple connections refer to multiple connections established between the site device and the access point device; the processing module 510 can be configured to: control the execution of communication operations based on the first message frame. In this case, the communication device 500 can perform the reference... Figure 4 The described communication method and Figure 4 The operations performed by AP MLD are omitted here for brevity.

[0104] also, Figure 5 The communication device 500 shown is merely exemplary, and the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 500 may also include other modules, such as a memory module. Furthermore, the various modules in the communication device 500 may be combined into more complex modules, or may be divided into more individual modules.

[0105] The communication method and communication apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure can negotiate the broadcast interval of TIM frames, enabling a non-AP STA MLD to listen to TIM frames according to the negotiated broadcast interval of TIM frames to obtain changes in BSS parameter information and meet the needs of multi-connection communication.

[0106] 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 2 to 4 The method described.

[0107] 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 2 to 4 The method described.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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 applied to a site device supporting multi-connection communication, the communication method comprising: Under the first connection of a plurality of connections, a first message frame is determined, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of the communication indication message (TIM) frame broadcast interval requested by the site device in relation to the plurality of connections, the first information including a setting value of the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and an associated access point device that supports multi-connection communication. Send the first message frame.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein, The first information includes the setting value of the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, wherein the TIM frame broadcast interval represents the number of beacon frame cycles between TIM frame transmissions. The TIM frame broadcast interval setting under the first connection is based on the beacon frame period under the first connection.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein, The TIM frame broadcast interval values ​​of the other connections among the plurality of connections besides the first connection have a specific offset value from the TIM frame broadcast interval setting value under the first connection.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein, The first information also includes connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections.

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The communication method further includes: The access point device receives a second message frame, wherein the second message frame includes feedback information from the access point device regarding the first message.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein, When the access point device accepts the first message, the feedback information includes: status information indicating that the first message has been accepted.

7. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein, If the access point device rejects the first message, the feedback information includes: second information about the TIM frame broadcast interval recommended by the access point device in relation to the plurality of connections.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein, If the first information includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, the second information includes a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection.

9. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein, If the first information includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, the second information includes a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein, The second information also includes connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections.

11. A communication method applied to an access point device supporting multi-connection communication, the communication method comprising: In the first connection of a plurality of connections, a first message frame is received, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of a communication indication message (TIM) frame broadcast interval related to the plurality of connections requested by a site device associated with the access point device that supports multi-connection communication, the first information including a setting value of the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and the access point device. The communication operation is performed based on the first message frame.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein, The first information includes the setting value of the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection. The TIM frame broadcast interval refers to the number of beacon frame periods between TIM frame transmissions. The TIM frame broadcast interval setting under the first connection is based on the beacon frame period under the first connection.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, wherein, The TIM frame broadcast interval values ​​of the other connections among the plurality of connections besides the first connection have a specific offset value from the TIM frame broadcast interval setting value under the first connection.

14. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein, The first information also includes connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections.

15. The communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, The communication method further includes: A second message frame is sent to the site device, wherein the second message frame includes feedback information from the access point device regarding the first message.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein, When the access point device accepts the first message, the feedback information includes: status information indicating that the first message has been accepted.

17. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein, If the access point device rejects the first message, the feedback information includes: second information about the TIM frame broadcast interval recommended by the access point device in relation to the plurality of connections.

18. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein, If the first information includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection, the second information includes a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under the first connection.

19. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein, If the first information includes a setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, the second information includes a recommended setting value for the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections.

20. The communication method according to claim 19, wherein, The second information also includes connection identification information for identifying each of the plurality of connections.

21. A communication device under multiple connections, applied to a site device supporting multiple connection communication, the communication device comprising: The processing module is configured to: determine a first message frame under a first connection among a plurality of connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of the communication indication message (TIM) frame broadcast interval requested by the site device in relation to the plurality of connections, the first information including a setting value of the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and an associated access point device that supports multi-connection communication; The transceiver module is configured to send the first message frame.

22. A communication device for multiple connections, applied to an access point device supporting multiple connection communication, the communication device comprising: The transceiver module is configured to: receive a first message frame under a first connection among a plurality of connections, wherein the first message frame includes: first information of a communication indication message (TIM) frame broadcast interval related to the plurality of connections requested by a site device associated with the access point device that supports multi-connection communication, the first information including a setting value of the TIM frame broadcast interval under each of the plurality of connections, wherein the plurality of connections refers to a plurality of connections established between the site device and the access point device; The processing module is configured to control the execution of communication operations based on the first message frame.

23. 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 10 or any one of claims 11 to 20.

24. 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 10 or any one of claims 11 to 20.

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