Data Transmission Method and Apparatus, and Multi-Link Device

Abstract

The present application discloses a data transmission method, an apparatus, and a multi-link device; the method includes: obtaining data of a first service and a first time interval; if the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, transmitting the data of the first service by means of a restricted target wake-up time service period (rTWT SP); if the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, transmitting the data of the first service by means of multi-link redundant transmission. It can be seen that by introducing the first time interval and determining according to the positional relationship between the first time interval and the arrival time of the data of the first service whether to transmit the data of the first service by means of rTWT SP or by means of multi-link redundant transmission, it is beneficial to realize the possibility of adopting a more effective and reasonable method for data transmission, thereby being beneficial to ensuring the QoS requirements of services, reducing channel resource overhead, and improving resource utilization rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a data transmission method and apparatus, and a multi-link device. Background Art

[0002] The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has developed the IEEE 802.11be protocol standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs), which introduces a restricted target wake time service period (rTWT SP) mechanism.

[0003] rTWT refers to a target wake time (TWT) with enhanced media access protection and resource reservation for delay-sensitive services. When an rTWT SP is configured for a non-access point station (non-AP STA, also simply referred to as STA or station), the STA can enter the wake mode from the sleep mode when the rTWT SP arrives, and send and / or receive data on the rTWT SP. Other STAs except this STA will avoid or not preempt (occupy) the rTWT SP, and finally the STA returns to the sleep mode when the rTWT SP ends.

[0004] In addition, the IEEE 802.11be protocol standard introduces a multi-link (ML) mechanism. Among them, a multi-link device (MLD) can support data transmission on multiple links. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a data transmission method and apparatus, and a multi-link device, which are expected to introduce a first time interval, and determine whether to transmit the data of the first service through the rTWT SP method or through the multi-link redundant transmission method according to the positional relationship between the first time interval and the arrival time of the data of the first service, thereby facilitating the possibility of adopting a more effective and reasonable method for data transmission, further facilitating ensuring the QoS requirements of the service, reducing channel resource overhead, and improving resource utilization.

[0006] In a first aspect, a data transmission method of this application includes:

[0007] Obtain the data of the first service and the first time interval;

[0008] If the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service through the restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP method;

[0009] If the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service through the multi-link redundant transmission method.

[0010] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application introduces a first time interval, and determines whether to transmit the data of the first service through the rTWT SP method or through the multi-link redundant transmission method according to the positional relationship between the first time interval and the arrival time of the data of the first service.

[0011] Among them, if the positional relationship is that the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service through the rTWT SP method; if the positional relationship is that the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service through the multi-link redundant transmission method, which is conducive to realizing the possibility of adopting a more effective and reasonable method for data transmission, and further conducive to ensuring the QoS requirements of the service, reducing the channel resource overhead, and improving the resource utilization rate.

[0012] In a second aspect, a data transmission device of the present application includes:

[0013] An acquisition unit, configured to acquire the data of the first service and the first time interval;

[0014] A transmission unit, configured to, if the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service through the restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP method;

[0015] The transmission unit is further configured to, if the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service through the multi-link redundant transmission method.

[0016] In a third aspect, the steps in the method designed in the first aspect are applied to a multi-link device.

[0017] In a fourth aspect, a multi-link device of the present application includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory. Among them, the processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps in the method designed in the first aspect.

[0018] Fifth aspect, a chip of the present application includes a processor, wherein the processor executes the steps in the method designed in the first aspect above.

[0019] Sixth aspect, a chip module of the present application includes a transceiver component and a chip, the chip includes a processor, wherein the processor executes the steps in the method designed in the first aspect above.

[0020] Seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium of the present application, wherein it stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, the steps in the method designed in the first aspect above are implemented.

[0021] Eighth aspect, a computer program product of the present application includes a computer program or instruction, wherein when the computer program or instruction is executed, the steps in the method designed in the first aspect above are implemented. Description of the Drawings

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the frame body of a multi-link element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the frame body of a TID-to-link mapping element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the TID-to-link mapping control field according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the frame body of an SCS descriptor element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the frame body of an SCS request frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the frame body of an SCS response frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 8It is a schematic structural diagram of the frame body of a bTWT element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of the frame body of a broadcast TWT parameter setting field according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of the arrival time of service data and rTWT SP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of a first time interval and rTWT SP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 12 It is a schematic flowchart of a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 13 It is a block diagram of the functional units of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 14 It is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0037] For those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. For the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0038] It should be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, software, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but further includes steps or units not listed, or further includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0039] The "embodiments" involved in the embodiments of the present application mean that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in combination with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various positions in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0040] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0041] In the embodiments of the present application, "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " can indicate that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. In addition, the symbol " / " can also represent a division sign, that is, perform a division operation.

[0042] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one of the following" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural item(s). For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent the following seven situations: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c. Among them, each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0043] In the embodiments of the present application, "(of)", "corresponding", "corresponding", and "indicated" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when their differences are not emphasized, the meanings they express are the same.

[0044] "Connection" in the embodiments of the present application refers to various connection methods such as direct connection or indirect connection to achieve communication between devices, and no specific limitation is imposed on this.

[0045] "Network" and "system" in the embodiments of the present application can be expressed as the same concept, and a communication system is a communication network.

[0046] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN). Currently, the protocol standard adopted by WLAN is the IEEE 802.11 series. Among them, a WLAN can include multiple basic service sets (BSS), and the devices in a basic service set can include access point stations (AP STA, also simply referred to as AP or access point) and non-access point stations (non-AP STA, also simply referred to as STA or station), and each basic service set can contain one access point and at least one station.

[0047] In addition, the devices in the basic service set may include multi-link devices (MLDs). Specific descriptions are given below respectively.

[0048] Specifically, an access point may be an entity that provides network access to the stations connected to it via a wireless medium. The access point may connect each wireless network client to an Ethernet network. It may be a network device with a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip and may be a device that supports various IEEE 802.11 protocol standards. There is no specific limitation in this regard.

[0049] For example, the access point may be a device that supports IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11be, the next-generation WLAN protocol standard, etc. The access point may include a centralized controller, a base station (BS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a station controller, a switch, etc.

[0050] In the embodiments of the present application, the access point may include a device with wireless communication functions (or a device with transceiver functions), such as a chip system, a chip, a chip module. Among them, the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices, such as transceiver devices, etc.

[0051] In the embodiments of the present application, the access point may communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network. For example, the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks, etc.

[0052] Specifically, a station may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal.

[0053] For example, a user equipment (UE) that supports Wi-Fi communication functions, a remote / remote terminal (remote UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile device, a user terminal, a smart terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device / cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device, in-vehicle device, wearable device, etc. There is no specific limitation in this regard.

[0054] In the embodiments of the present application, a station may include a non-access point enhanced high throughput station (non-AP EHT STA), a non-access point high efficiency station (non-AP HE STA), etc.

[0055] In the embodiments of the present application, a station may include a device with wireless communication functions (or a device with transceiver functions), such as a chip system, a chip, and a chip module. Among them, the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices, such as transceiver devices, etc.

[0056] Specifically, a multi-link device may support data transmission on multiple links. A multi-link device may include multiple access points or multiple stations, and different access points or different stations may operate on different carrier frequencies, such as operating on carrier frequencies of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, etc.

[0057] If a multi-link device includes multiple access points, the multi-link device may be referred to as an access point multi-link device (APMLD); if a multi-link device includes multiple stations, the multi-link device may be referred to as a non-access point multi-link device (Non-APMLD).

[0058] Next, an exemplary description of the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of the present application will be given by taking a multi-link device as an example.

[0059] Exemplarily, for the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of the present application, please refer to Figure 1 ... The wireless communication system 10 may include an access point multi-link device / non-access point multi-link device (AP MLD / Non-AP MLD) 110 and a non-access point multi-link device (Non-AP MLD) 120.

[0060] Among them, the access point multi-link device / non-access point multi-link device 110 may include multiple access points / stations, such as AP / STA 111, AP / STA 112, and AP / STA 113, etc.

[0061] The non-access point multi-link device 120 may include multiple stations, such as STA 121, STA 122, and STA 123, etc.

[0062] There are multiple links established between the access point multi-link device / non-access point multi-link device 110 and the non-access point multi-link device 120, including a link 131 established between the AP / STA 111 and the STA 121, a link 132 established between the AP / STA 112 and the STA 122, and a link 133 established between the AP / STA 113 and the STA 123, and different links have different operating carrier frequencies. For example, the link 131 has an operating carrier frequency of 6 GHz, the link 132 has an operating carrier frequency of 5 GHz, and the link 133 has an operating carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz.

[0063] It should be noted that the wireless communication system 10 may further include other multi-link devices, access points, or stations other than the access point multi-link device / non-access point multi-link device 110 and the non-access point multi-link device 120, and no specific limitations are imposed thereon.

[0064] The wireless communication system 10 may further include other network entities such as radio access network (RAN) devices, core network (CN) devices, network controllers, mobility management entities, etc., and no specific limitations are imposed thereon.

[0065] The communication between the access point multi-link device / non-access point multi-link device 110 and the non-access point multi-link device 120 in the wireless communication system 10 may be wireless communication or wired communication, and no specific restrictions are imposed thereon.

[0066] The relevant content involved in the technical solution of the present application will be introduced below.

[0067] 1. Multi-Link (ML)

[0068] The IEEE 802.11be protocol standard introduces a multi-link mechanism. Among them, a multi-link device (MLD) can support data transmission on multiple links.

[0069] The multi-link device can be an access point multi-link device (AP MLD) or a non-access point multi-link device (Non-AP MLD).

[0070] The AP MLD can include multiple access points (APs), and the Non-AP MLD can include multiple stations (STAs), and different access points or stations can operate on different carrier frequencies, such as operating on carrier frequencies of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, etc. or two carrier frequencies in the 5 GHz band.

[0071] Multiple links can be established between an AP MLD / Non-AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD, and data can be transmitted over these multiple links.

[0072] 2. Multi-Link Element

[0073] The Association Request frame sent by the Non-AP MLD can contain a multi-link element.

[0074] Exemplarily, as Figure 2 shown, the multi-link element 20 can include an Element ID field 210, a Length field 220, an Element ID Extension field 230, a Multi-Link Control field 240, a Common Info field 250, and a Link Info field 260. Among them, the Element ID field 210 is used to set the Element ID value; the Length field 220 is used to set the length of the multi-link element 20; the Element ID Extension field 230 is used to extend the element descriptor field.

[0075] 3. Traffic ID-to-link Mapping Mechanism

[0076] Data can be transmitted over multiple links, and on which of these multiple links the data is transmitted can be determined by the traffic ID (TID) of the data.

[0077] The TID-to-link mapping mechanism can be used to determine how the TID is mapped to the multiple links established between multi-link devices.

[0078] By default (default mapping mode), all TIDs should be mapped to all links on the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL). When two multi-link devices (MLDs) explicitly negotiate the TID-to-link mapping, each TID can be mapped to the same or different link sets.

[0079] If at least one TID is mapped to a certain link, then that link is defined as enabled; if no TID is mapped to a certain link, then that link is defined as disabled. At any point in time, unless admission control is used, TIDs should always be mapped to at least one link. By default (default mapping mode), since TIDs are mapped to all links, all links should be enabled.

[0080] If a certain link is enabled, the link can be used for data transmission; if a certain link is disabled, the link cannot be used for transmission. For example, if the TID of an MSDU / A-MSDU is mapped to a certain link, the link is enabled, and the MSDU / A-MSDU can be transmitted on the link. In addition, management frames and control frames can also be transmitted on the enabled link.

[0081] The TID-to-link mapping element can be used to indicate on which links the data corresponding to the (belonging to, associated with, or related) TID can be transmitted.

[0082] Exemplarily, as Figure 3 shown, the frame body of the TID-to-link mapping element 30 may include an element identifier field 310, a length field 320, an element identifier extension field 330, a TID-to-link mapping control field 340, a link mapping field 350 for TID 0, a link mapping field 360 for TID 7, etc.

[0083] Among them, the link mapping field of TID n (n ∈ {0, 1,..., 7}) can indicate the links that allow the transmission of data corresponding to TID n. If the value of the i-th bit of the link mapping field of TID n (n ∈ {0, 1,..., 7}) is 1, it indicates that TID n is mapped to the link associated with link ID i.

[0084] As Figure 4 shown, the TID-to-link mapping control field 340 may include a direction subfield 3401, a default link mapping subfield 3402, a reserved subfield 3403, and a link mapping existence indication subfield 3404. Among them, if the TID-to-link mapping element 30 specifically provides TID-to-link mapping information for the data transmitted on the downlink, the direction subfield 3401 is set to 0 (downlink). If the TID-to-link mapping element 30 specifically provides TID-to-link mapping information for the data transmitted on the downlink and uplink, the direction subfield 3401 is set to 2.

[0085] If the TID-to-link mapping element 30 represents the default TID-to-link mapping, the default link mapping subfield 3402 is set to 1; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0086] The Link Mapping Existence Indication subfield 3404 can indicate whether the TID n Link Mapping field exists in the TID-to-Link Mapping Element 30. If the value of the nth bit of the Link Mapping Existence Indication subfield 3404 is 1, it indicates that the Link Mapping field of TID n exists in the TID-to-Link Mapping Element 30; otherwise, it indicates that the Link Mapping field of TID n does not exist in the TID-to-Link Mapping Element 30.

[0087] 4. Stream Classification Service (SCS) Procedure

[0088] The Stream Classification Service (SCS) enables a station to request its associated access point to apply specific QoS processing to a unicast MSDU classified as a specific stream. Among them, the QoS characteristics of the specific stream are described by a Traffic Specification (TSPEC) element, the specific stream contains the MSDU incoming to the access point, and the MSDU matches the parameters specified in one or more traffic classification elements (TCLAS elements).

[0089] The SCS descriptor element defines information about stream classification.

[0090] Exemplarily, as Figure 5 shown, the frame body of the SCS descriptor element 50 may include an element descriptor field 510, a length field 520, an SCS identifier field 530, a request type field 540, an internal access category priority element 550, a TCLAS element field 560, a TCLAS processing element field 570, a TSPEC element 580, and an optional sub-element 590.

[0091] Among them, the element descriptor field 510 is used to set the SCS descriptor value; the value of the length field 520 is set to 1 + n, where n represents the total length of the SCS Descriptor List field elements;

[0092] The request type field 540 is set to a number to identify the type of SCS request;

[0093] The SCS identifier field 530 is set to a non-zero value selected by the station to identify the SCS stream specified in the SCS descriptor list field;

[0094] The TCLAS element field 560 contains zero or more TCLAS information elements to specify how to classify the incoming MSDU as part of the SCS stream;

[0095] When the request type field 540 is equal to "add" or "change", there is one or more TCLAS elements;

[0096] When the request type field 540 is equal to "remove", there are no TCLAS elements;

[0097] When there are multiple TCLAS elements in the TCLAS element field 560 and a TCLAS processing element that defines how to handle multiple TCLAS elements is included, the TCLAS processing element field 570 appears;

[0098] The TSPEC element field 580 contains zero or one TSPEC element, which is used to describe the service characteristics and QoS requirements of the service flow belonging to this SCS flow;

[0099] When the request type field 540 is equal to "add" or "change", there are zero or one TSPEC elements;

[0100] When the request type field 540 is equal to "remove", there are no TSPEC elements;

[0101] The optional sub - element 590 contains zero or more sub - elements.

[0102] The TCLAS processing element field 570 is used to define how to handle multiple TCLAS information elements when there are multiple TCLAS elements.

[0103] The SCS descriptor element 50 is included in the SCS request frame.

[0104] The SCS request frame can be used to request flow classification such as add, change, or remove.

[0105] Exemplarily, as Figure 6 shown, the frame body of the SCS request frame 60 can include a category field 610, an action field 620, a dialogue token field 630, and an SCS descriptor list field 640. Among them, the action field 620 is used to set the value specified for the SCS request frame; the dialogue token field 630 is set to a non - zero value, which is unique in the SCS request frame sent to the access point and for which the access point has not received the corresponding SCS response frame; the SCS descriptor list field 640 contains one or more SCS descriptor elements.

[0106] The SCS response frame is used to respond to the SCS request frame.

[0107] Exemplarily, as Figure 7As shown, the frame body of the SCS response frame 70 may include a category field 710, an action field 720, a conversation token field 730, and an SCS status list field 740. Among them, the action field 720 is used to set a value specified for the SCS response frame; the conversation token field 730 is set to a non-zero value of the corresponding SCS request frame; the SCS status list field 740 contains one or more SCS descriptor elements. The SCS status list field 740 contains one or more SCS statuses.

[0108] The SCS status contains an SCSID field and a status field. Among them, the SCSID field is set to the value of the SCSID field in the SCS descriptor element received in the SCS request frame; the status field is used to indicate the status of the requested SCSID.

[0109] 5. Target Wake Time (TWT) mechanism

[0110] The TWT mechanism enables stations to determine when and how often to wake up to send and / or receive data, which helps to reduce power consumption and improve spectrum efficiency.

[0111] TWT first appeared in the IEEE 802.11ah "Wi-Fi HaLow" standard, which is used to support energy-saving operations in large-scale Internet of Things environments. With the development of the IEEE 802.11ax standard, the function of TWT has been further extended, which enables the IEEE 802.11ax standard to optimize the energy-saving mechanism of devices and provide a more reliable and energy-saving transmission mechanism. In the IEEE 802.11ax standard, based on the IEEE 802.11ah, the TWT mechanism has been modified to support trigger-based uplink transmission, thus expanding the scope of TWT operation.

[0112] In the TWT mechanism, a schedule can be established between the station and the access point (this schedule is negotiated between the station and the access point), and this schedule can be composed of TWT service periods (TWT SP).

[0113] When the negotiated TWT SP arrives, the station enters the wake mode from the sleep mode and performs data transmission. If it is the trigger enable mode, the station needs to wait for the trigger frame sent by the access point for uplink data transmission. When this TWT SP ends, the station returns to the sleep mode again.

[0114] Each station and access point can conduct independent negotiation, such that each terminal has a separate TWTSP. Alternatively, the access point can group the stations according to the set TWT SP, so as to broadcast the TWT SP to the stations within the same group to improve communication efficiency.

[0115] 6. TWT Element

[0116] rTWT is a type of bTWT (broadcast TWT), and the bTWT element can be carried in a management frame, which can include an association frame, a reassociation frame, a probe frame, a beacon frame, a TWT setup frame, etc.

[0117] Exemplarily, as Figure 8 shown, the bTWT element 80 can include an Element ID field 810, a Length field 820, a Control field 830, and a TWT Parameter Information field 840.

[0118] Among them, the TWT Parameter Information field 840 can contain a single Individual TWT Parameter Set field or at least one Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field.

[0119] Exemplarily, as Figure 9 shown, the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field 90 includes a Request Type field 910, a Target Wake Time field 920, a Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration field 930, a TWT Wake Interval Mantissa field 940, a Broadcast TWT Info field 950, and a Restricted TWT Traffic Info field 960.

[0120] Among them, the target wake-up time field 920 can be used to indicate the start position / starting position / start time / starting moment (start time) of the TWT SP. The nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field 930 can be used to indicate the time length / duration of the TWT SP. The TWT wake-up interval tail number field 940 can be used to indicate the period of the TWT SP.

[0121] 7. TWT Working Mode

[0122] TWT can have the following working modes:

[0123] 1) Individual TWT Mode

[0124] In the Individual TWT mode, the station negotiates a specific TWT SP with the access point independently, and this TWT SP is stored in the access point's schedule. The station wakes up during this TWT SP and exchanges frames with the access point. Each terminal only needs to know its own negotiated TWT SP with the access point, and does not need to know the TWT SPs of other stations.

[0125] 2) Broadcast TWT Mode

[0126] The Broadcast TWT mode is a working mechanism managed by the access point. In the Broadcast TWT mode, the TWT SP is broadcast by the access point. Usually, the access point broadcasts the current round of TWT SPs in the beacon frame. In some special cases, the access point also broadcasts in other management frames, such as Association frames, Reassociation frames, or Probe Response frames, etc.

[0127] It should be noted that in the Broadcast TWT mode, the station needs to apply to the access point to become a Broadcast TWT member before it can execute Broadcast TWT. Among them, the application to become a Broadcast TWT member is completed by exchanging management frames (such as TWT setup) between the station and the access point, and carrying TWT elements through the management frames.

[0128] After the station applies to become a Broadcast TWT member, the station will work according to the most recently received TWT SP. At this time, this type of station is also called a TWT Scheduled STA (TWT Scheduled STA), and the access point is called a TWT Scheduling AP (TWT Scheduling AP).

[0129] A station applying to be a member of Broadcast TWT wakes up when the TWT SP arrives,

[0130] and at the end of the TWT SP, the station of the Broadcast TWT member returns to the sleep mode until the next broadcast TWT SP arrives.

[0131] 8. Restricted Target Wake-up Time (rTWT)

[0132] rTWT refers to a TWT with enhanced media access protection and resource reservation for latency-sensitive traffic. When an rTWT SP is configured for a certain station, the station can wake up when the rTWT SP arrives and send and / or receive data on the rTWT SP, while other STAs except this STA will avoid or not preempt (occupy) the rTWT SP, and finally the station returns to the sleep mode at the end of the rTWT SP.

[0133] The rTWT SP is a type of Broadcast TWT, that is, it belongs to the above-mentioned Broadcast TWT mode and is dedicated to services with latency sensitivity, low latency, and real-time characteristics.

[0134] The access point can broadcast the rTWT SP allocated for a certain service to the STA through a management frame and broadcast a silent element to prevent legacy STAs from preempting the channel within the rTWT SP.

[0135] In addition, the following problems that may affect resource utilization rate may exist for the rTWT SP:

[0136] · Although the data of the service can have periodic characteristics, it may also be affected by latency jitter, resulting in an inability to guarantee precise periodicity. For this reason, the duration of the rTWT SP allocated to this service needs to consider the delayed arrival of the service data due to latency jitter. For example, the duration of the rTWT SP is increased to cover the extended arrival time of the service data as much as possible, resulting in a reduction in the effective utilization rate of the rTWT SP resources.

[0137] · Retransmission of the service data may occur. For this reason, the duration of the rTWT SP allocated to this service also needs to consider data retransmission. For example, the duration of the rTWT SP is increased to meet data transmission, further reducing the effective utilization rate of the rTWT SP resources.

[0138] In summary, there are still certain problems in only using the rTWT SP to transmit service data (such as data of latency-sensitive services).

[0139] An example is given below using uplink / downlink data transmission for illustration.

[0140] For example, as Figure 10 shown, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD negotiate to configure an rTWT SP for the service. When this rTWT SP arrives, the non-AP MLD enters the wake mode from the sleep mode. When this rTWT SP ends, the non-AP MLD returns to the sleep mode. Among them, the starting position of this rTWT SP is A, and the ending position of this rTWT SP is B.

[0141] For the process of transmitting the data of this service on the downlink, the remote server first transmits the data of this service to the AP MLD, and then the AP MLD uses the rTWT SP to transmit the data of this service to the non-AP MLD.

[0142] However, during the process of the remote server transmitting the data of this service to the STA MLD, the data of this service needs to first reach the AP MLD and needs to go through multiple hops of transmission in the IP network. And in the multiple-hop transmission, the data of this service will be delayed in reaching the AP MLD due to delay jitter. Among them, due to delay jitter, the arrival time of the data of this service can be C or C'.

[0143] If the arrival time of this service is C', and the duration between C' and B is relatively small, that is, the time is short. If the duration between C' and B is less than the time required to transmit the data of this service, then the data of this service will not be able to be transmitted completely on the rTWT SP, thus unable to guarantee the QoS requirements of this service, increasing the channel resource overhead, and reducing the rTWT SP resource utilization rate.

[0144] If the arrival time of this service is C (already completely missing the previous rTWT SP), and the duration between C and A is relatively large, that is, the time is long, which causes the data of this service to wait for a long time to be transmitted on the rTWT SP, thus unable to guarantee the QoS requirements of this service, increasing the channel resource overhead, and reducing the rTWT SP resource utilization rate.

[0145] Similarly, for the process of transmitting the data of this service on the uplink, the data of this service generated by the application layer of the non-AP MLD (such as the application program APP in the application layer) will first be transmitted to the STA in the non-AP MLD (this STA can be regarded as the communication module of the non-AP MLD, such as the WIFI module), and then the STA in the non-AP MLD uses the rTWT SP to transmit the data of this service to the AP MLD.

[0146] However, in the process of transmitting the data of this service generated by the application layer of the Non-AP MLD to the STA in the Non-AP MLD, the data of this service may also be delayed in reaching the STA in the Non-AP MLD due to delay jitter. Among them, due to the delay jitter, the arrival time of the data of this service is also C or C'. At this time, similar to the above, it may cause problems such as the data of this service not being able to be completely transmitted on the rTWT SP, or the data of this service needing to wait for a long time to be transmitted on the rTWT SP.

[0147] It should be noted that since the data volume of the data of this service changes, the change in the data volume may also cause all the data of this service not to be completely transmitted on the rTWT SP.

[0148] Based on this, the embodiment of the present application introduces a first time interval, and determines whether to transmit the data of the first service through the rTWT SP method or through the multi-link redundant transmission method according to the positional relationship between the first time interval and the arrival time of the data of the first service. If the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted through the rTWT SP method; if the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted through the multi-link redundant transmission method, which is beneficial to realizing the possibility of adopting a more effective and reasonable method for data transmission, and further beneficial to ensuring the QoS requirements of the service, reducing the channel resource overhead, and improving the resource utilization rate.

[0149] It should be noted that since the data volume of the data of the first service changes, the change in the data volume may also cause all the data of the first service not to be completely transmitted on the rTWT SP. Therefore, if there is first data in the data of the first service that fails to be transmitted on the rTWT SP, the first data is regarded as data that arrives outside the first time interval.

[0150] That is to say, the arrival time of the first data is not within the first time interval. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application can transmit the first data based on the same principle as above, that is, transmit the first data through the multi-link redundant transmission method, so as to transmit the data that fails to be transmitted on the rTWT SP through the multi-link redundant transmission.

[0151] In order to implement the above technical solutions and corresponding technical effects, the following further explains other contents, concepts and meanings that may be involved.

[0152] 1. First Service

[0153] 1) Definition of the First Service

[0154] In an embodiment of the present application, the first service may be a latency sensitive service, a stream classification service (SCS), a real-time application (RTA) service, a low latency service, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0155] It should be noted that RTA is an application that runs within a time range perceived by the user as immediate or current. The latency must be less than a defined value, usually in seconds. Whether a given application meets the conditions of RTA may depend on the worst-case execution time (WCET), that is, the maximum time length required for a defined task or task set on a given hardware platform.

[0156] The data of RTA has strict latency requirements, such as extremely low average latency, latency in the order of a few milliseconds to dozens of milliseconds, and small jitter, etc., which is beneficial to ensuring the reliability of the data transmission and communication process.

[0157] 2) Service characteristics of the first service

[0158] It should be noted that since the data transmission in this application has the distinction between uplink and downlink, the data of the first service can be uplink data or downlink data.

[0159] For uplink data, it can be understood that the data of the first service is generated by the application layer (such as APP) of the Non-AP MLD, and then the Non-AP MLD transmits the data of the first service to the AP MLD through the uplink.

[0160] For downlink data, it can be understood that the data of the first service is generated by the remote server, and during the process of sending the data of the first service to the Non-AP MLD, the AP MLD relays and forwards the data of the first service to the Non-AP MLD on the downlink.

[0161] In an embodiment of the present application, the service characteristics of the first service may include time points, data volume, latency requirements, periods, etc.

[0162] For example, in combination with the above Figure 5 , the service characteristics of the first service can be indicated / represented / characterized / described / carried by the TSPEC element in the TSPEC element field 580.

[0163] Similarly, the service characteristics of the first service may include the service characteristics of downlink data and / or the service characteristics of uplink data. Among them, there may be differences between the service characteristics of downlink data and the service characteristics of uplink data.

[0164] In addition, the service characteristics of the first service can be notified by the Non-AP MLD to the AP MLD. For example, the Non-AP MLD notifies the service characteristics of the first service by sending an SCS request frame to the AP MLD.

[0165] 3) How to obtain the first service

[0166] Since the data transmission in this application has a distinction between uplink and downlink, there are also certain differences in the acquisition of the first service.

[0167] For uplink data transmission, the Non-AP MLD obtains the data of the first service from the application layer (such as APP).

[0168] For downlink data transmission, the application layer of the Non-AP MLD interacts with the application layer of the remote server, and the data of the first service is relayed and forwarded through the AP MLD to achieve acquisition.

[0169] 4) Illustrative examples

[0170] The following takes the interaction process between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD as an example for illustrative explanation.

[0171] Example 1:

[0172] The situation of one Non-AP MLD and one AP MLD:

[0173] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA, and the first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP.

[0174] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0175] 3) The first STA requests the SCS service through the SCS request frame and notifies the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the SCS service to the first AP MLD through the SCS request frame.

[0176] Example 2:

[0177] Situation of two Non-AP MLDs and one AP MLD:

[0178] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA. The first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP. The second Non-AP MLD includes the fourth STA and the fifth STA.

[0179] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0180] 3) There are two links established between the second Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the fourth STA and the first AP, and link2 between the fifth STA and the second AP.

[0181] 4) The first STA requests the first SCS service through the first SCS request frame and notifies the first AP MLD of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the first SCS service through this first SCS request frame.

[0182] 5) The fourth STA requests the second SCS service through the second SCS request frame and notifies the first AP MLD of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the second SCS service through this second SCS request frame.

[0183] 2. Multiple links established between both sides of the multi-link device

[0184] In the embodiments of the present application, the multiple links established between both sides of the multi-link device (such as Non-AP MLD and AP MLD) can be one of all the initially established links, multiple links mapped by the TID of the data (TID mapped links), and multiple default mapped links (default mapped links).

[0185] It should be noted that the multiple links mapped by the TID of the data can be indicated by the TID-to-link Mapping element. That is to say, the TID-to-link Mapping element can indicate on which of the multiple established links the data corresponding to (belonging to, associated with, or related to) the TID can be transmitted.

[0186] For exampleFigure 3 As shown, the link mapping field of TID n (n ∈ {0, 1, …, 7}) can indicate the link that allows the transmission of data corresponding to TID n. If the value of the i-th bit in the link mapping field of TID n (n ∈ {0, 1, …, 7}) is 1, it indicates that TID n is mapped to the link associated with link ID i.

[0187] In addition, during default mapping, each TID should be mapped to all the initially established links. That is to say, the multiple links in default mapping can be all the initially established links.

[0188] As Figure 4 shown, if the TID-to-link mapping element 30 represents the default TID-to-link mapping, the default link mapping subfield 3402 is set to 1; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0189] 3. rTWT

[0190] 1) Definition of rTWT

[0191] It should be noted that the meaning of rTWT can be found in the content of "8. Restricted Target Wake Time (RestrictedTWT, rTWT)" mentioned above.

[0192] In addition, rTWT can include at least one of the following: the duration of rTWT, the start position of rTWT, the end position of rTWT, the period of rTWT.

[0193] Among them, the duration of rTWT can be understood as the time length of rTWT, the duration of rTWT, the period of rTWT, the rTWT service period (rTWT SP), similar to Figure 9 the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field 930 in, and there is no specific limit on this.

[0194] The start position of rTWT can be understood as the start position of rTWT, the start time of rTWT, the start moment of rTWT, the starting moment of rTWT, etc., similar to Figure 9 the target wake-up time field 920 in, and there is no specific limit on this.

[0195] The end position of rTWT can be understood as the end time of rTWT, the end moment of rTWT, etc., and there is no specific limit on this.

[0196] The period of rTWT can be understood as the interval of rTWT, etc., similar to Figure 9 the TWT wake-up interval tail number field 940 in, and there is no specific limit on this.

[0197] 2) Purpose of using rTWT

[0198] In the embodiments of the present application, the rTWT operation allows a multi-link device (such as an AP MLD) to use enhanced media access protection and resource reservation mechanisms to provide more predictable latency, reduce worst-case latency or jitter, and provide higher reliability for transmitting data of the first service.

[0199] 3) How to configure rTWT SP

[0200] In some embodiments, the rTWT SP can be configured according to the service characteristics of the first service.

[0201] For example, the Non-AP MLD notifies the service characteristics of the first service to the AP MLD, and then the AP MLD configures the rTWT SP for transmitting data of the first service according to the service characteristics of the first service.

[0202] It should be noted that configuring the rTWT SP according to the service characteristics of the first service can ensure that the configured rTWT SP better meets the requirements of the first service (such as QoS, throughput, transmission time, etc.), thereby ensuring the accuracy of the configuration.

[0203] In some embodiments, the rTWT SP can be configured according to a configuration request for requesting to configure the rTWT SP for a service.

[0204] For example, the Non-AP MLD sends a configuration request to the AP MLD, and the configuration request is used to request to configure the rTWT SP for the first service. Then the AP MLD configures the rTWT SP for transmitting data of the first service according to the configuration request.

[0205] 4) How to notify rTWT SP

[0206] Combined with the content in the above “2) Broadcast TWT mode”, in the embodiments of the application, the rTWT SP can be a Broadcast TWT. Therefore, after the AP MLD configures the rTWT SP on a certain link among the multiple established links, the AP corresponding to the link in the AP MLD needs to broadcast the rTWT SP to notify the STA corresponding to the link in the Non-AP MLD.

[0207] For example, in Figure 1 , after the AP MLD 110 configures the rTWT SP on the link 131, the AP 111 needs to broadcast the rTWT SP on the link 131 to notify the STA 121.

[0208] In some embodiments, the rTWT SP may be broadcast through the TWT element in the beacon frame. Among them, the TWT element can be known from the content in "6. TWT Element (element)" above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0209] 5) How to negotiate the rTWT SP

[0210] Since the rTWT SP is a Broadcast TWT, after the AP MLD configures the rTWT SP on one of the multiple established links, the AP corresponding to this one link in the AP MLD needs to broadcast the rTWT SP. At this time, the STA corresponding to this one link in the Non-AP MLD can obtain the rTWT SP. However, before the STA uses the rTWT SP, the STA needs to negotiate with the AP, and there are two ways for the negotiation process as follows:

[0211] Method 1: The STA sends an action frame to the AP to request to use the rTWT SP, and then the AP feeds back an action frame to the STA to complete the negotiation.

[0212] For example, in Figure 1 , after the AP MLD 110 configures the rTWT SP on the link 131, the AP 111 needs to broadcast the rTWT SP on the link 131 to notify the STA 121. Before the STA 121 uses the rTWT SP, the STA 121 sends an action frame to the AP 111 to request to use the rTWT SP, and then the AP 111 feeds back an action frame to the STA 121 to complete the negotiation.

[0213] Method 2: The AP directly sends an unsolicited action frame to the STA to complete the negotiation.

[0214] That is to say, the rTWT SP in the embodiments of the present application can be negotiated through an action frame.

[0215] 6) Illustrative examples

[0216] The following takes the interaction between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD as an example for illustration.

[0217] Example 1:

[0218] The situation of one Non-AP MLD and one AP MLD:

[0219] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA, and the first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP.

[0220] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0221] 3) The first STA requests the SCS service through an SCS request frame and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the SCS service through this SCS request frame.

[0222] 4) The first AP configures an rTWT SP for the SCS service according to the service characteristics of the SCS service.

[0223] 5) The first AP configures the rTWT SP on link1 and broadcasts the rTWT SP on link1 through the TWT element in the beacon frame.

[0224] 6) After broadcasting the rTWT SP, the first STA and the first AP negotiate through an action frame to enable the first STA to use the rTWT SP, so as to transmit the data of the SCS service to the first STA in the rTWT SP.

[0225] Example 2:

[0226] Case of two Non-AP MLDs and one AP MLD:

[0227] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA, the first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP, and the second Non-AP MLD includes the fourth STA and the fifth STA.

[0228] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0229] 3) There are two links established between the second Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the fourth STA and the first AP, and link2 between the fifth STA and the second AP.

[0230] 4) The first STA requests the first SCS service through a first SCS request frame, and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the first SCS service through this first SCS request frame.

[0231] 5) The fourth STA requests the second SCS service through a second SCS request frame, and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the second SCS service through this second SCS request frame.

[0232] 6) The first AP configures the same rTWT SP according to the service characteristics of the first SCS service and the service characteristics of the second SCS service.

[0233] 7) The first AP configures the rTWT SP on link1 and broadcasts this rTWT SP through the TWT element in the beacon frame on link1.

[0234] 8) After broadcasting this rTWT SP, the first STA and the first AP negotiate through a first action frame to enable the first STA to use this rTWT SP, and the fourth STA and the first AP negotiate through a second action frame to enable the fourth STA to use this rTWT SP, so as to transmit the data of the first SCS service to the first STA and transmit the data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA in this rTWT SP.

[0235] Example 3:

[0236] Case of two Non-AP MLDS and one AP MLD:

[0237] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA, the first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP, and the second Non-AP MLD includes the fourth STA and the fifth STA.

[0238] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0239] 3) There are two links established between the second Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the fourth STA and the first AP, and link2 between the fifth STA and the second AP.

[0240] 4) The first STA requests the first SCS service through the first SCS request frame, and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics of the first SCS service (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) through the first SCS request frame.

[0241] 5) The fourth STA requests the second SCS service through the second SCS request frame, and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics of the second SCS service (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) through the second SCS request frame.

[0242] 6) The first AP configures the first rTWT SP according to the service characteristics of the first SCS service.

[0243] 7) The first AP configures the second rTWT SP according to the service characteristics of the second SCS service.

[0244] 8) The first AP configures the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP on link1, and broadcasts the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP on link1 through the TWT element in the beacon frame.

[0245] 9) After broadcasting the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP, the first STA and the first AP negotiate through the first action frame to enable the first STA to use the first rTWT SP, so as to transmit the data of the first SCS service to the first STA in the first rTWT SP.

[0246] 10) After broadcasting the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP, the fourth STA and the first AP negotiate through the second action frame to enable the fourth STA to use the second rTWT SP, so as to transmit the data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA in the second rTWT SP.

[0247] 4. Multi-link redundant transmission

[0248] It should be noted that when data is being transmitted on a certain link among the multiple links established between both sides of the multi-link device, usually the data does not need to be transmitted on other links except this link to save transmission resources. However, in order to improve the reliability of data transmission and reduce the latency of data transmission, this application introduces a multi-link redundant transmission mechanism.

[0249] 1) Definition of multi-link redundant transmission

[0250] Multi-link redundant transmission can be understood as follows: when the data of a service is transmitted on a certain link among multiple links (such as new transmission or retransmission), the data of this service may be being transmitted simultaneously on other links except this link or has been transmitted on other links but the transmission success has not been confirmed yet (such as the sender has not received the ACK frame feedback from the receiver, etc.). The following gives an example for illustration.

[0251] For example, in Figure 1 , when AP / STA 111 transmits a certain data to STA 121 on link 131, AP / STA112 is simultaneously transmitting this data to STA 122 on link 132 and / or AP / STA 113 is simultaneously transmitting this data to STA 123 on link 133; or,

[0252] when AP / STA 111 transmits a certain data to STA 121 on link 131, AP / STA 112 has already transmitted this data to STA 122 on link 132, but AP / STA 112 has not received the ACK frame feedback from STA 122 for this data.

[0253] 2) The maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting the data of a service in multi-link redundant transmission

[0254] It should be noted that in multi-link redundant transmission, the data of a service can be simultaneously transmitted on multiple links established by Non-AP MLD and AP MLD. However, the more the number of links for simultaneously transmitting data in multi-link redundant transmission, the more channel resources will be occupied.

[0255] To avoid or reduce the occupation of channel resources, the embodiments of this application need to negotiate the maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting the data of a service in multi-link redundant transmission.

[0256] For example, in the above example for Figure 1 , if AP MLD / non-AP MLD 110 negotiates with Non-AP MLD 120 that the maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting the data of a service in multi-link redundant transmission is 2, then when AP / STA 111 transmits a certain data to STA 121 on link 131, AP / STA 112 can simultaneously transmit this data to STA 122 on link 132, but can no longer simultaneously transmit this data to STA 123 on link 133.

[0257] In some possible embodiments, the maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting data of the first service in multi-link redundant transmission can be negotiated between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD through an action frame, that is, the maximum number of links occupied by simultaneously transmitting data of the first service in multi-link redundant transmission is carried by the action frame.

[0258] For example, in combination with the above Figure 5 , when the maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting data of the first service in multi-link redundant transmission is negotiated between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD through an SCS request frame (the SCS request frame belongs to one type of action frame), the maximum number of links can be indicated / represented / characterized / carried by a certain field in the SCS descriptor element 50. For example, the certain field can be in the optional sub-element 590.

[0259] The following takes the interaction process between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD as an example for exemplary illustration.

[0260] Example 1:

[0261] The case of one Non-AP MLD and one AP MLD:

[0262] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA, and the first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP.

[0263] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, that is, link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0264] 3) The first STA requests the SCS service through the SCS request frame and notifies the first AP MLD through the SCS request frame that the maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting data of the SCS service in multi-link redundant transmission is 2.

[0265] That is to say, between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, at most 2 of the three links can perform multi-link redundant transmission on the data of the SCS service.

[0266] Example 2:

[0267] The case of two Non-AP MLDs and one AP MLD:

[0268] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA. The first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP. The second Non-AP MLD includes the fourth STA and the fifth STA.

[0269] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0270] 3) There are two links established between the second Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the fourth STA and the first AP, and link2 between the fifth STA and the second AP.

[0271] 4) The first STA requests the first SCS service through the first SCS request frame, and notifies the first AP MLD through this first SCS request frame that the maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting the data of the first SCS service in multi-link redundant transmission is 2.

[0272] That is to say, between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, the data of the first SCS service can be multi-link redundantly transmitted on at most 2 of the three links.

[0273] 5) The fourth STA requests the second SCS service through the second SCS request frame, and notifies the first AP MLD through this second SCS request frame that the maximum number of links for simultaneously transmitting the data of the second SCS service in multi-link redundant transmission is 2.

[0274] That is to say, between the second Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, the data of the SCS service can be multi-link redundantly transmitted on at most 2 of the two links.

[0275] 5. The first time interval

[0276] For downlink data transmission, when the remote server distributes the data of the service to the STAMLD, it needs to reach the AP MLD after multiple hops of transmission through the IP network. And in the multiple-hop transmission, due to delay jitter, the data of the service may be delayed in arrival, resulting in the situation that the rTWT SP configured for the data of the service cannot be effectively used due to the delayed arrival of the data of the service.

[0277] Similarly, in uplink data transmission, when the data of this service generated by the application layer of the Non-AP MLD is transmitted to the STA in the Non-AP MLD, the data of this service may also be delayed in reaching the STA in the Non-AP MLD due to delay jitter. As a result, the situation where the rTWT SP configured for the data of this service cannot be effectively used may occur because the data of this service arrives late.

[0278] 1) Definition of the first time interval

[0279] To ensure the QoS requirements of the service, reduce channel resource overhead, and improve resource utilization, the embodiment of this application introduces a first time interval, which can be used to confirm whether the data of the first service can be transmitted by the rTWT SP method. In other words, this first time interval can be used to confirm whether the data of the first service is transmitted by the rTWT SP method or the multi-link redundancy method.

[0280] It should be noted that the "first time interval" in the embodiment of this application is a description of the time interval, and there may be different descriptions in different standard protocols, but they only have the same function and are all within the scope protected by the embodiment of this application, and no specific restrictions are made on this.

[0281] In addition, since the data transmission of this application has the distinction between uplink and downlink, there are also certain differences in configuring the first time interval.

[0282] For example, when the AP MLD configures the first time interval for uplink data transmission, the AP MLD needs to negotiate to send this first time interval to the Non-AP MLD, such as carrying this first time interval through a management frame (or action frame, etc.) to send it to the Non-AP MLD.

[0283] When the AP MLD configures the first time interval for downlink data transmission, the AP MLD does not need to send this first time interval to the Non-AP MLD, but only needs to store this first time interval itself.

[0284] To define the first time interval, the embodiment of this application needs to determine the duration of the first time interval, the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, the period of the first time interval, etc. That is, the first time interval may include at least one of the following: the duration of the first time interval, the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, the period of the first time interval.

[0285] ① Duration of the first time interval

[0286] It should be noted that the duration of the first time interval can be understood as the time length of the first time interval, the duration of the first time interval, the period of the first time interval, etc., and no specific restrictions are imposed on this.

[0287] In the embodiments of the present application, the duration of the first time interval can be an absolute value or a fixed value, and can be specified by a standard protocol, pre-configured, configured by an AP MLD, or configured through negotiation between an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD. No specific restrictions are imposed on this.

[0288] ② The start position of the first time interval

[0289] It should be noted that the start position of the first time interval can be understood as the start time of the first time interval, the start moment of the first time interval, the starting moment of the first time interval, etc., and no specific restrictions are imposed on this.

[0290] In the embodiments of the present application, the start position of the first time interval can be before or after the start position of the rTWT SP.

[0291] It should be noted that since the arrival time of the data of the first service can be before or after the start position of the rTWT SP, the start position of the first time interval in the embodiments of the present application can also be before or after the start position of the rTWT SP, which is beneficial to improving the flexibility of defining the first time interval.

[0292] In addition, setting the start position of the first time interval before the start position of the rTWT SP can better ensure communication robustness.

[0293] In the embodiments of the present application, the start position of the first time interval can be implemented in the following two ways:

[0294] Method 1: Configure the start position of the first time interval as an absolute value or a fixed value, that is, the start position of the first time interval is an absolute start position or a fixed start position, and can be specified by a standard protocol, pre-configured, configured by an AP MLD, or configured through negotiation between an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD. No specific restrictions are imposed on this.

[0295] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the absolute start position or the fixed start position can be configured to be periodic, that is, the absolute start position or the fixed start position is periodic, which is beneficial to ensuring that the start position of the first time interval is also periodic.

[0296] It can be seen that by configuring the start position of the first time interval as an absolute value or a fixed value, it is beneficial to configure the start positions of different first time intervals for different Non-AP MLDs, improving the flexibility and diversity of the configuration.

[0297] Method 2: Configure the start position of the first time interval through an offset. Among them,

[0298] This offset is used to represent the offset between the start position of the first time interval and the start position of rTWT; or,

[0299] This offset is used to represent the offset between the start position of the first time interval and the end position of rTWT.

[0300] It should be noted that this offset is referred to as the "first offset" in the embodiments of this application and can also be replaced by other terms. As long as it has the same function and meaning, it belongs to the scope protected by this application and is not specifically limited in this regard.

[0301] In addition, the first offset can be specified by a standard protocol, pre-configured, configured by the AP MLD, or negotiated and configured between the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD, without specific limitations in this regard.

[0302] It can be seen that since the start position or end position of rTWT can be negotiated and configured in advance, when the start position of the first time interval needs to be configured subsequently, the embodiments of this application can introduce the first offset and configure the start position of the first time interval through this first offset and the configured rTWT, which is beneficial to improving the configuration efficiency and is also easier to implement.

[0303] ③ The end position of the first time interval

[0304] It should be noted that the end position of the first time interval can be understood as the end time of the first time interval, the end moment of the first time interval, etc., without specific limitations in this regard.

[0305] In the embodiments of this application, the end position of the first time interval can be within the rTWT SP, or the end position of the first time interval can be before the end position of the rTWT SP, or the end position of the first time interval can be before the start position of the rTWT SP.

[0306] It should be noted that since the arrival time of the data of the first service can be before or after the starting position of the rTWT SP, the end position of the first time interval in the embodiments of the present application can also be within the rTWT SP, before the end position of the rTWT SP, or before the starting position of the rTWT SP, which is beneficial to improving the flexibility of defining the first time interval.

[0307] In the embodiments of the present application, if the duration of the first time interval and the starting position of the first time interval are configured, the end position of the first time interval can be determined according to the duration of the first time interval and the starting position of the first time interval, without the need for separate configuration.

[0308] In the embodiments of the present application, if the starting position of the first time interval is not configured, the end position of the first time interval needs to be configured separately. At this time, the end position of the first time interval can also adopt a similar implementation method as described above:

[0309] Method 1: Configure the end position of the first time interval as an absolute value or a fixed value, that is, the end position of the first time interval is an absolute end position or a fixed end position, which can be specified by a standard protocol, pre-configured, configured by APMLD, or negotiated and configured between AP MLD and Non-AP MLD. There is no specific limitation on this.

[0310] In addition, the embodiments of the present application can configure the absolute end position or the fixed end position to be periodic, that is, the absolute end position or the fixed end position is periodic, which is beneficial to ensuring that the end position of the first time interval is also periodic.

[0311] It can be seen that by configuring the end position of the first time interval as an absolute value or a fixed value, it is beneficial to configure different end positions of the first time interval for different Non-AP MLDs, improving the flexibility and diversity of the configuration.

[0312] Method 2: Configure the end position of the first time interval through an offset. Among them,

[0313] The offset is used to represent the offset between the end position of the first time interval and the starting position of the rTWT; or,

[0314] The offset is used to represent the offset between the end position of the first time interval and the end position of the rTWT.

[0315] It should be noted that the offset is referred to as the "second offset" in the embodiments of the present application and can also be replaced by other terms. As long as it has the same function and meaning, it belongs to the scope of protection required by the present application. There is no specific limitation on this.

[0316] In addition, the second offset can be specified by a standard protocol, pre-configured, configured by the AP MLD, or configured through negotiation between the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD, and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0317] It can be seen that since the start position or the end position of the rTWT can be negotiated and configured in advance, when it is necessary to configure the end position of the first time interval subsequently, the embodiments of the present application can introduce a second deviation amount, and configure the end position of the first time interval through the second deviation amount and the configured rTWT, which is beneficial to improving the configuration efficiency and is also easier to implement.

[0318] ④ Period of the first time interval

[0319] Combining the content in the above “② Start position of the first time interval” and “③ End position of the first time interval”, the period of the first time interval can be implemented in the following ways:

[0320] Method 1: The period of the first time interval is the period of the absolute start position or the fixed start position.

[0321] It should be noted that since the absolute start position or the fixed start position is periodic, the embodiments of the present application can use the period of the absolute start position or the fixed start position as the period of the first time interval for easy implementation.

[0322] Method 2: The period of the first time interval is the period of the absolute end position or the fixed end position.

[0323] It should be noted that since the absolute end position or the fixed end position is periodic, the embodiments of the present application can use the period of the absolute end position or the fixed end position as the period of the first time interval for easy implementation.

[0324] Method 3: The period of the first time interval is determined by the period of the rTWT SP.

[0325] It should be noted that the period of the rTWT SP can be expressed as the time interval between the start position of the current rTWT SP and the start position of its adjacent rTWT SP. Therefore, the embodiments of the present application determine the start position of the first time interval according to the first offset, and then use the time interval represented by the period of the rTWT SP as the time interval between the start position of the current first time interval and the start position of its adjacent first time interval, so as to implement determining the period of the first time interval according to the period of the rTWT SP for easy implementation.

[0326] In addition, the period of the rTWT SP can be expressed as the time interval between the end position of the current rTWT SP and the end position of its adjacent rTWT SP. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the end position of the first time interval is determined according to the second offset, and then the time interval represented by the period of the rTWT SP is used as the time interval between the end position of the current first time interval and the end position of its adjacent first time interval, so as to determine the period of the first time interval according to the period of the rTWT SP, which is convenient for implementation.

[0327] ⑤Illustrate with examples

[0328] For example, as Figure 11 shown, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD negotiate to configure the rTWT SP and the time interval for the service. When the rTWT SP arrives, the non-AP MLD enters the wake mode from the sleep mode. When the rTWT SP ends, the non-AP MLD returns to the sleep mode. Among them, the start position of the rTWT SP is P, the end position of the rTWT SP is Q, and the duration of the rTWT SP is L.

[0329] The AP MLD and the non-AP MLD negotiate to configure a time interval 1110 for the service. The start position of the time interval 1110 is M, the end position of the time interval 1110 is N, and the duration of the time interval 1110 is l. Among them, M is determined according to the offset T offset and P, and N is determined according to M and l.

[0330] 2) How to obtain the first time interval

[0331] Combined with the above, since the data transmission in the present application has the distinction between uplink and downlink, the first time interval can be stipulated by the standard protocol, pre-configured, configured by the AP MLD, or negotiated and configured between the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD, and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0332] For uplink data transmission, when the first time interval is negotiated and configured between the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD, or the AP MLD configures the first time interval, the information for configuring the first time interval (such as the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, the period of the first time interval, the duration of the first time interval, the first offset or the second offset, etc.) can be carried by the management frame.

[0333] For example, when the AP MLD configures the first time interval for uplink data transmission, the AP MLD sends an action frame to the Non-AP MLD. The action frame carries information for configuring the first time interval, thereby obtaining the first time interval through the action frame.

[0334] 3) Illustrative example

[0335] The following takes the interaction between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD as an example for illustration.

[0336] Example 1:

[0337] The case of one Non-AP MLD and one AP MLD:

[0338] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA, and the first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP.

[0339] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0340] 3) The first STA requests the SCS service through an SCS request frame and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the SCS service through the SCS request frame.

[0341] 4) The first AP configures an rTWT SP for the SCS service according to the service characteristics of the SCS service.

[0342] 5) The first AP configures the rTWT SP on link1 and broadcasts the rTWT SP through the TWT element in the beacon frame on link1. At this time, the first STA will obtain the rTWT SP.

[0343] 6) After broadcasting the rTWT SP, the first STA and the first AP negotiate through an action frame to enable the first STA to use the rTWT SP, so that the first AP and the first STA can transmit the data of the SCS service in the rTWT SP.

[0344] For uplink data transmission:

[0345] 7) Carry the information for configuring Time Interval 1 in this action frame, so that the first STA determines Time Interval 1 according to the information for configuring Time Interval 1, and realizes the acquisition of Time Interval 1.

[0346] 8) The first STA obtains the data of the SCS service from the APP. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the SCS service is within Time Interval 1, the first STA transmits the data of the SCS service to the first AP through the rTWT SP method on link1;

[0347] If the arrival time of the data of the SCS service is not within Time Interval 1, the first STA transmits the data of the SCS service to the first AP through the multi-link redundancy transmission method on link1.

[0348] For downlink data transmission:

[0349] 7) The first AP configures Time Interval 1 for the SCS service, but does not need to transmit it to the first STA.

[0350] 8) The first AP obtains the data of the SCS service from the remote server. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the SCS service is within Time Interval 1, the first AP transmits the data of the SCS service to the first STA through the rTWT SP method on link1;

[0351] If the arrival time of the data of the SCS service is not within Time Interval 1, the first AP transmits the data of the SCS service to the first STA through the multi-link redundancy transmission method on link1.

[0352] Example 2:

[0353] The situation of two Non-AP MLDS and one AP MLD:

[0354] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA, the first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP, and the second Non-AP MLD includes the fourth STA and the fifth STA.

[0355] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0356] 3) There are two links established between the second Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the fourth STA and the first AP, and link2 between the fifth STA and the second AP.

[0357] 4) The first STA requests the first SCS service through the first SCS request frame and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the first SCS service through this first SCS request frame.

[0358] 5) The fourth STA requests the second SCS service through the second SCS request frame and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, latency requirement, period, etc.) of the second SCS service through this second SCS request frame.

[0359] 6) The first AP MLD configures the same rTWT SP according to the service characteristics of the first SCS service and the service characteristics of the second SCS service.

[0360] 7) The first AP configures this rTWT SP on link1 and broadcasts this rTWT SP through the TWT element in the beacon frame on link1. At this time, the first STA and the fourth STA will obtain this rTWT SP.

[0361] 8) After broadcasting this rTWT SP, the first STA and the first AP negotiate through the first action frame to enable the first STA to use this rTWT SP, and the fourth STA and the first AP negotiate through the second action frame to enable the fourth STA to use this rTWT SP, so as to transmit the data of the first SCS service to the first STA and transmit the data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA in this rTWT SP.

[0362] For uplink data transmission:

[0363] 9) Information for configuring time interval 1 is carried in the first action frame, so that the first STA determines time interval 1 according to this information for configuring time interval 1, and realizes the acquisition of time interval 1.

[0364] Information for configuring time interval 2 is carried in the second action frame, so that the fourth STA determines time interval 2 according to this information for configuring time interval 2, and realizes the acquisition of time interval 2.

[0365] 10) The first STA obtains the data of the first SCS service from the APP. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is within the time interval 1, the first STA transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first AP on link1 through the rTWT SP method;

[0366] If the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is not within the time interval 1, the first STA transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first AP on link1 through the multi-link redundant transmission method.

[0367] 11) The fourth STA obtains the data of the second SCS service from the APP. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is within the time interval 2, the fourth STA transmits the data of the second SCS service to the first AP on link1 through the rTWT SP method;

[0368] If the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is not within the time interval 2, the fourth STA transmits the data of the second SCS service to the first AP on link1 through the multi-link redundant transmission method.

[0369] For downlink data transmission:

[0370] 9) The first AP configures the time interval 1 for the first SCS service, but does not need to transmit it to the first STA.

[0371] 10) The first AP configures the time interval 2 for the second SCS service, but does not need to transmit it to the fourth STA.

[0372] 11) The first AP obtains the data of the first SCS service from the remote server. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is within the time interval 1, the first AP transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first STA on link1 through the rTWT SP method;

[0373] If the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is not within the time interval 1, the first AP transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first STA on link1 through the multi-link redundant transmission method.

[0374] 12) The first AP obtains the data of the second SCS service from the remote server. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is within the time interval 2, the first AP transmits the data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA on link1 through the rTWT SP method;

[0375] If the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is not within the time interval 2, the first AP transmits the data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA in a multi-link redundancy transmission manner on link1.

[0376] Example 3:

[0377] Case of two Non-AP MLDs and one AP MLD:

[0378] 1) The first Non-AP MLD includes the first STA, the second STA, and the third STA. The first AP MLD includes the first AP, the second AP, and the third AP. The second Non-AP MLD includes the fourth STA and the fifth STA.

[0379] 2) There are three links established between the first Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the first STA and the first AP, link2 between the second STA and the second AP, and link3 between the third STA and the third AP.

[0380] 3) There are two links established between the second Non-AP MLD and the first AP MLD, namely link1 between the fourth STA and the first AP, and link2 between the fifth STA and the second AP.

[0381] 4) The first STA requests the first SCS service through the first SCS request frame and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, delay requirement, period, etc.) of the first SCS service through the first SCS request frame.

[0382] 5) The fourth STA requests the second SCS service through the second SCS request frame and notifies the first AP of the service characteristics (such as time point, data volume, delay requirement, period, etc.) of the second SCS service through the second SCS request frame.

[0383] 6) The first AP configures the first rTWT SP according to the service characteristics of the first SCS service.

[0384] 7) The first AP configures the second rTWT SP according to the service characteristics of the second SCS service.

[0385] 8) The first AP broadcasts the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP through the TWT element in the beacon frame on link1. At this time, both the first STA and the fourth STA will obtain the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP.

[0386] 9) After broadcasting the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP, the first STA negotiates with the first AP through the first action frame to enable the first STA to use the first rTWT SP, so as to transmit data of the first SCS service to the first STA in the first rTWT SP. 10) After broadcasting the first rTWT SP and the second rTWT SP, the fourth STA negotiates with the first AP through the second action frame to enable the fourth STA to use the second rTWT SP, so as to transmit data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA in the second rTWT SP.

[0387] For uplink data transmission:

[0388] 10) Information for configuring time interval 1 is carried in the first action frame, so that the first STA determines time interval 1 according to the information for configuring time interval 1, and realizes the acquisition of time interval 1.

[0389] 11) Information for configuring time interval 2 is carried in the second action frame, so that the fourth STA determines time interval 2 according to the information for configuring time interval 2, and realizes the acquisition of time interval 2.

[0390] 12) The first STA obtains data of the first SCS service from the APP. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is within time interval 1, the first STA transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first AP in the first rTWT SP mode on link1;

[0391] If the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is not within time interval 1, the first STA transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first AP in the multi-link redundancy transmission mode on link1.

[0392] 13) The fourth STA obtains data of the second SCS service from the APP. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is within time interval 2, the fourth STA transmits the data of the second SCS service to the first AP in the second rTWT SP mode on link1;

[0393] If the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is not within time interval 2, the fourth STA transmits the data of the second SCS service to the first AP in the multi-link redundancy transmission mode on link1.

[0394] For downlink data transmission:

[0395] 10) The first AP configures time interval 1 for the first SCS service, but does not need to transmit it to the first STA.

[0396] 11) The first AP configures time interval 2 for the second SCS service, but does not need to transmit it to the fourth STA.

[0397] 12) The first AP obtains the data of the first SCS service from the remote server. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is within this time interval 1, the first AP transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first STA on link1 by the first rTWT SP method;

[0398] If the arrival time of the data of the first SCS service is not within this time interval 1, the first AP transmits the data of the first SCS service to the first STA on link1 by the multi-link redundant transmission method.

[0399] 13) The first AP obtains the data of the second SCS service from the remote server. At this time, if the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is within this time interval 2, the first AP transmits the data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA on link1 by the second rTWT SP method;

[0400] If the arrival time of the data of the second SCS service is not within this time interval 2, the first AP transmits the data of the second SCS service to the fourth STA on link1 by the multi-link redundant transmission method.

[0401] In summary, a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application is introduced by way of example below. Among them, the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a multi-link device (such as an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD), a chip, a chip module, an AP, an STA, etc. Figure 12 The steps described are not specifically limited thereto.

[0402] Such as Figure 12 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0403] S1210. Obtain the data of the first service and the first time interval.

[0404] It should be noted that for the first service, reference can be made to the content in "1. The first service" and other relevant content above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0405] For the first time interval, reference can be made to the content in "5. The first time interval" and other relevant content above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0406] S1220: If the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted by means of the restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP.

[0407] It should be noted that for rTWT, the content in "8. Restricted Target Wake-up Time (Restricted TWT, rTWT)", the content in "3. rTWT" and other relevant content can be referred to in detail above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0408] S1230: If the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted by means of multi-link redundant transmission.

[0409] It should be noted that for multi-link redundant transmission, the content in "4. Multi-link Redundant Transmission" and other relevant content can be referred to in detail above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0410] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application introduces a first time interval, and determines whether to transmit the data of the first service by means of rTWT SP or by means of multi-link redundant transmission according to the positional relationship between the first time interval and the arrival time of the data of the first service.

[0411] Among them, if the positional relationship is that the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted by means of rTWT SP; if the positional relationship is that the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted by means of multi-link redundant transmission, which is conducive to realizing the possibility of adopting a more effective and reasonable way for data transmission, and further conducive to ensuring the QoS requirements of services, reducing channel resource overhead, and improving resource utilization rate.

[0412] Specifically, the first time interval includes at least one of the following items: the duration of the first time interval, the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, and the period of the first time interval.

[0413] It should be noted that for the first time interval, the content in "5. The First Time Interval" and other relevant content can be referred to in detail above, so as to define the first time interval through at least one of the duration of the first time interval, the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, and the period of the first time interval.

[0414] Specifically, the start position of the first time interval is before the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0415] It should be noted that for the starting position of the first time interval, please refer to the content in "② Starting position of the first time interval" and other relevant content above. Since the arrival time of the data of the first service can be before the starting position of rTWT SP, the starting position of the first time interval in the embodiments of the present application can also be before the starting position of rTWT SP. Among them, the starting position of the first time interval being before the starting position of rTWT SP can better ensure communication robustness.

[0416] Specifically, the ending position of the first time interval is within the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0417] It should be noted that for the ending position of the first time interval, please refer to the content in "③ Ending position of the first time interval" and other relevant content above. Since the arrival time of the data of the first service can be before the starting position of rTWT SP, the ending position of the first time interval in the embodiments of the present application can also be before rTWT SP to better ensure communication robustness.

[0418] Specifically, the starting position of the first time interval is the absolute starting position.

[0419] It can be seen that by configuring the starting position of the first time interval as an absolute value, it is beneficial to configure different starting positions of the first time interval for different Non-AP MLDs, improving the flexibility and diversity of the configuration.

[0420] Specifically, the absolute starting position is periodic.

[0421] Specifically, the period of the first time interval is the period of the absolute starting position.

[0422] It can be seen that the period of the first time interval is configured by the period of the absolute starting position.

[0423] Specifically, the starting position of the first time interval is determined by the first offset, and the first offset is used to represent the offset between the starting position of the first time interval and the starting position of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0424] It can be seen that since the starting position or ending position of rTWT can be negotiated and configured in advance, when the starting position of the first time interval needs to be configured subsequently, the embodiments of the present application can introduce the first deviation amount and configure the starting position of the first time interval through the first offset and the configured rTWT, which is beneficial to improving the configuration efficiency and is also easier to implement.

[0425] Specifically, the period of the first time interval is determined by the period of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0426] Specifically, the first time interval is carried by the action frame.

[0427] It can be seen that the first time interval is carried by the action frame to obtain the first time interval.

[0428] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is negotiated and established through the action frame.

[0429] It should be noted that for the restricted target wake-up time service period, the content in the above "3. rTWT" and other relevant content can be referred to, so as to negotiate and establish the restricted target wake-up time service period through the action frame.

[0430] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is configured according to the service characteristics of the first service.

[0431] It can be seen that configuring the restricted target wake-up time service period according to the service characteristics of the first service is beneficial to improving the accuracy of configuration.

[0432] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is broadcast through the target wake-up time element in the beacon frame.

[0433] It can be seen that the restricted target wake-up time service period is broadcast through the target wake-up time element in the beacon frame.

[0434] Specifically, the first service is requested through the flow classification service request frame.

[0435] It can be seen that the flow classification service request frame is used to request the first service for subsequent transmission of the data of the first service.

[0436] Specifically, the first service is one of the flow classification service, low-latency service, and real-time application service.

[0437] Specifically, the maximum number of links occupied by simultaneously transmitting the data of the first service in multi-link redundant transmission is carried by the action frame.

[0438] It should be noted that for the maximum number of links occupied by simultaneously transmitting the data of the first service in multi-link redundant transmission is carried by the action frame, the content in the above "4. Multi-link redundant transmission" and other relevant content can be referred to, and will not be elaborated here.

[0439] It can be seen that the maximum number of links occupied by simultaneously transmitting the data of the first service in multi-link redundant transmission is negotiated through the action frame, which is beneficial to avoiding the channel resources occupied by multi-link redundant transmission and improving resource utilization.

[0440] The above mainly introduces the solutions of the embodiments of this application from the perspective of the method side. It can be understood that in order for a multi-link device to implement the above functions, it includes the corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should know that, combined with the methods, modules, units, or algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, this application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain method, function, module, unit, or step is executed in the manner of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described methods, functions, modules, units, or steps for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0441] The embodiments of this application can divide the functional units / modules of the multi-link device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit / module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit / module. The above integrated functional unit / module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software program. It should be noted that the division of functional units / modules in the embodiments of this application is illustrative, only a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0442] In the case of adopting an integrated unit / module, Figure 13 is a block diagram of the functional units of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the application. The data transmission device 1300 may include: an acquisition unit 1301 and a transmission unit 1302.

[0443] It should be noted that the acquisition unit 1301 may be a module unit for receiving and transmitting signals, data, information, etc.

[0444] The transmission unit 1302 may be a module unit for processing and transmitting signals, data, information, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0445] In some embodiments, the acquisition unit 1301 and the transmission unit 1302 may be integrated into one unit. For example, the acquisition unit 1301 and the transmission unit 1302 may be integrated into a processing unit, or the acquisition unit 1301 and the transmission unit 1302 may be integrated into a communication unit.

[0446] In some embodiments, the acquisition unit 1301 and the transmission unit 1302 may be separate units. For example, the acquisition unit 1301 may include a communication unit. The transmission unit 1302 may include a processing unit and a communication unit.

[0447] Among them, the communication unit may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, etc.

[0448] The processing unit may be a processor or a controller. For example, it may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure of the present application. The processing unit may also be a combination that implements a computing function, such as a combination including one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0449] In some embodiments, the data transmission device 1300 may further include a storage unit for storing the computer program or instructions executed by the data transmission device 1300. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0450] In some embodiments, the data transmission device 1300 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0451] Specifically, the obtaining unit 1301 and the transmitting unit 1302 are used to execute the steps described in the above method embodiments. A detailed description will be given below.

[0452] The obtaining unit 1301 is used to obtain the data of the first service and the first time interval;

[0453] The transmitting unit 1302 is used to transmit the data of the first service in the manner of a restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP if the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval;

[0454] The transmitting unit 1302 is further used to transmit the data of the first service in the manner of multi-link redundant transmission if the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval.

[0455] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application introduces a first time interval, and determines whether to transmit the data of the first service in the manner of rTWT SP or in the manner of multi-link redundant transmission according to the positional relationship between the first time interval and the arrival time of the data of the first service.

[0456] Among them, if the arrival time of the data of the first service in this positional relationship is within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted by the rTWT SP method; if the arrival time of the data of the first service in this positional relationship is not within the first time interval, the data of the first service is transmitted by the multi-link redundancy transmission method, which is conducive to realizing the possibility of adopting a more effective and reasonable method for data transmission, and further conducive to ensuring the QoS requirements of the service, reducing the channel resource overhead, and improving the resource utilization rate.

[0457] It should be noted that Figure 13 For the specific implementation of each operation in the above embodiments, reference may be made to the description in the method embodiments shown above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0458] Specifically, the first time interval includes at least one of the following: the duration of the first time interval, the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, and the period of the first time interval.

[0459] Specifically, the start position of the first time interval is before the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0460] Specifically, the end position of the first time interval is within the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0461] Specifically, the start position of the first time interval is the absolute start position.

[0462] Specifically, the absolute start position is periodic.

[0463] Specifically, the period of the first time interval is the period of the absolute start position.

[0464] Specifically, the start position of the first time interval is determined by the first offset, and the first offset is used to represent the offset between the start position of the first time interval and the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0465] Specifically, the period of the first time interval is determined by the period of the restricted target wake-up time service period and the first offset.

[0466] Specifically, the first time interval is carried by the action frame.

[0467] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is negotiated and established through the action frame.

[0468] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is configured according to the service characteristics of the first service.

[0469] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is broadcast through the target wake-up time element in the beacon frame.

[0470] Specifically, the first service is requested by a flow classification service request frame.

[0471] Specifically, the first service is one of a flow classification service, a low-latency service, and a real-time application service.

[0472] Specifically, the maximum number of links occupied by simultaneously transmitting the data of the first service in multi-link redundant transmission is carried by an action frame.

[0473] Please refer to Figure 14 , Figure 14 , which is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the multi-link device 1400 includes a processor 1410, a memory 1420, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1410 and the memory 1420.

[0474] The memory 1420 includes, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 1420 is used to store the program code executed by the multi-link device 1400 and the data transmitted.

[0475] The multi-link device 1400 may further include a communication interface, which can be used to receive and send data.

[0476] The processor 1410 may be one or more CPUs. When the processor 1410 is a single CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0477] The processor 1410 in the multi-link device 1400 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1421 stored in the memory 1420 to achieve the following: obtaining the data of the first service and the first time interval; if the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, then transmitting the data of the first service in a restricted target wake-up time service period (rTWT SP) manner; if the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, then transmitting the data of the first service in a multi-link redundant transmission manner.

[0478] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application introduces a first time interval, and determines whether to transmit the data of the first service in an rTWT SP manner or in a multi-link redundant transmission manner according to the positional relationship between the first time interval and the arrival time of the data of the first service.

[0479] Wherein, if the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval in this positional relationship, the data of the first service is transmitted by the rTWT SP method; if the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval in this positional relationship, the data of the first service is transmitted by the multi-link redundancy transmission method, which is beneficial to realizing the possibility of adopting a more effective and reasonable method for data transmission, and further beneficial to ensuring the QoS requirements of the service, reducing the channel resource overhead, and improving the resource utilization rate.

[0480] It should be noted that the specific implementation of each operation can adopt the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown above. The multi-link device 1400 can be used to execute the method on the multi-link device side of the method embodiments of the present application, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0481] Specifically, the first time interval includes at least one of the following: the duration of the first time interval, the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, and the period of the first time interval.

[0482] Specifically, the start position of the first time interval is before the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0483] Specifically, the end position of the first time interval is within the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0484] Specifically, the start position of the first time interval is an absolute start position.

[0485] Specifically, the absolute start position is periodic.

[0486] Specifically, the period of the first time interval is the period of the absolute start position.

[0487] Specifically, the start position of the first time interval is determined by a first offset, and the first offset is used to represent the offset between the start position of the first time interval and the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

[0488] Specifically, the period of the first time interval is determined by the period of the restricted target wake-up time service period and the first offset.

[0489] Specifically, the first time interval is carried by an action frame.

[0490] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is negotiated and established through an action frame.

[0491] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is configured according to the service characteristics of the first service.

[0492] Specifically, the restricted target wake-up time service period is broadcast through the target wake-up time element in the beacon frame.

[0493] Specifically, the first service is requested through the flow classification service request frame.

[0494] Specifically, the first service is one of the flow classification service, the low-latency service, and the real-time application service.

[0495] Specifically, the maximum number of links occupied by simultaneously transmitting the data of the first service in the multi-link redundant transmission is carried by the action frame.

[0496] The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory. Wherein, the processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps described in the above method embodiment.

[0497] The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip module, including a transceiver component and a chip. The chip includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory. Wherein, the processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps described in the above method embodiment.

[0498] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps described in the above method embodiment.

[0499] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps described in the above method embodiment.

[0500] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the embodiments of the present application each have their own focuses. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0501] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically EPROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well-known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in a terminal or a management device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a terminal or a management device.

[0502] Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wirelessly (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more integrated available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0503] Each device and product described in the above embodiments includes various modules / units, which can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or partly software modules / units and partly hardware modules / units. For example, for each device and product applied to or integrated into a chip, the various modules / units it includes can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. Alternatively, at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. For each device and product applied to or integrated into a chip module, the various modules / units it includes can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module. Alternatively, at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. For each device and product applied to or integrated into a terminal, the various modules / units it includes can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components inside the terminal. Alternatively, at least some of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the terminal, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0504] The specific embodiments described above further elaborate on the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific embodiments of the embodiments of the present application and is not used to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A data transmission method, characterized in that, Including: Obtain the data of the first service and the first time interval, where the start position of the first time interval is before the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP, and the end position of the first time interval is within the restricted target wake-up time service period; If the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service by means of the restricted target wake-up time service period; If the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service by means of multi-link redundant transmission.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first time interval includes at least one of the following: the duration of the first time interval, the start position of the first time interval, the end position of the first time interval, the period of the first time interval.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The start position of the first time interval is an absolute start position.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The absolute start position is periodic.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The period of the first time interval is the period of the absolute start position.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The start position of the first time interval is determined by a first offset, and the first offset is used to represent the offset between the start position of the first time interval and the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The period of the first time interval is determined by the period of the restricted target wake-up time service period.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first time interval is carried by an action frame.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein If there is first data in the data of the first service that fails to be transmitted within the restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP, then the first data is regarded as data that arrives outside the first time interval.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The maximum number of links occupied by simultaneously transmitting the data of the first service in the multi-link redundant transmission is carried by an action frame.

11. A data transmission device, characterized in that, Including: An acquisition unit, configured to obtain the data of the first service and the first time interval, where the start position of the first time interval is before the start position of the restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP, and the end position of the first time interval is within the restricted target wake-up time service period; A transmission unit, configured to, if the arrival time of the data of the first service is within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service by means of the restricted target wake-up time service period rTWT SP; The transmission unit is further configured to, if the arrival time of the data of the first service is not within the first time interval, then transmit the data of the first service by means of multi-link redundant transmission.

12. A multi-link device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

13. A chip, comprising a processor, characterized in that, The processor executes the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-10.

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